Will.you.be.my...

...Bridesmaids!!!

So, I've been dying to post this, but had to wait until my out of town friend came to visit. She was the last to receive the surprise gift that 7 of my closest friends/family found on their doorstep on a very windy Sunday afternoon. On that day, I asked each of these girls to be bridesmaids in our wedding, with handmade cards and DIY dress hangers personalized with their name!





I bought plain wooden dress hangers and painted them peach, then scrolled their name in calligraphy and tied with a ribbon.



I wanted to find some stationary with an image of a dress to use for cards, but had no luck in my search. I had to craft cards of my own in different color card stock, by cutting different dress outlines and using markers and stickers to finish.

The front:

The back:

I thought it was fitting, anyway, since each bridesmaid will be wearing a different dress.

My flower girls got their own card too, and each got a silver hanger with their name on it.

I had a blast delivering each one secretly then waiting for the call that they had gotten the news...Although it was a little tricky getting each one to sit securely on their doorstep with the crazy wind blowing through. I had terrible visions of my hangers lying in a ditch 4 houses down and the girls having no idea they had been given them!

Sean and I got a good laugh at the stark contrast of my elaborate scheme to his quick 30 second phone call to his guys. Gotta love men!

I delivered Fredisha's personally, since I had not seen her in so long and she was in town from Louisville. And it really made me wish I could've seen all the reactions! She opened her gift and saw the hanger. The card sat in her lap. She gasped and held it up, gushing about how cute it was and how much she loved it...yadyadyada. I said "Fred, you gotta read the card!"
"OoH, 'Will..you...be..my'...hAhhhhhhhhhh!"
She teared, we laughed, and hugged.
"I'm so easy to please," she said. "I was just excited about getting a hanger!"

Lindsay:
My Matron of Honor. Best friends since diapers, now being brides a month apart. She's a nurse, a mommy, and my Linz Pooh. I'm surprised my memory can hold all of our life's moments. Lylas!

Meghan:
Best friend since 3rd grade. My gullible, lovable Nutmeg who brings energy to my life when I need it...and sometimes when I don't:). She's my partner in crime who loves to laugh as much as I do and we're a perfect balance.

Nina:
This girl and I became best friends within seconds of meeting and have grown to be family since then. It's rare that I meet someone with a heart as soft as mine, but this one's got me beat. We've been travel buddies and roommates and one day, she just might be bringing my babies into the world!

Fredisha:
"Twins" since 1st grade when we lost our two front teeth and wore our first tutus. We danced together for 12 years and still laugh like teenagers when we're together because her energy is infectious. Fred was the only kid on the playground I could seesaw with, and we've been best friends ever since.

Hayden:
Her raw and colorful comments crack me up to this day. We've come a long way from dancing and singing to SCLUB7 and sleepovers, but she's still the same Hay to me. Always a breath of fresh air and a true friend.

Jenni:
My cousin who has been part of my life since the day I was born. Being 10 years older than me, she took me for rides in her car and introduced me to "Baby Got Back" at the age of 6. She french braided my hair and called me "Alissa K", and now her own little girls will be my flower girls.

Lexie and Ellen-Claire

Marissa:
My cousin whose life I have been apart of since she was born, is my Junior Bridesmaid. I swear, it was overnight that this toddler who was just beginning to talk and calling me "KK" for the first time, turned into a beautiful and grown 13 year old. She is funny, smart and always smiling...and she must be a fighter because she survived years of my babysitting!

I love you girls and I'm so excited that you love me enough to be there for me on this day!

XOXO,
Katie

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Our wedding inspiration

A life without love is like a year without summer.
~Swedish Proverb

Have you missed me?? Well, while you've been missing me, I've been treading neck-deep in wedding planning...just hoping I can stay above water. I've hit some roadblocks, it seems, and I am just praying that some things will fall into place soon. One thing I haven't struggled with throughout the process, has been dreaming up the vision.

The vision I have for the wedding reception is the constant that has remained unchanged since we first got engaged. I shared with you the reception site and thought you might also like to see some of the inspiration behind my master plan. Here's what I see in my crystal ball...

I see colors of navy, peach, and green for a summertime, vibrant feel.

I see colorful,whimsical ribbons and light fabrics blowing in the breeze.

{At least I hope there's a breeze!!...}

I see centerpieces of natural elements.
Antiqued finishes...

...And vintage teapots.

I see mason jars for drinking peach tea or mint juleps...


...hanging candles...


...or decorating a southern table with magnolias, peaches and rocking chairs.

I see myself creating handmade wooden signs...

...And serving mine and Sean's drink obsession...

...Coca~Cola Classic:) in tin buckets.

I see a spread of down-home southern food...
fried green tomatoes::crawfish cakes::shrimp n grits::bbq sandwiches::mac n cheese::
...with no dainty pinwheel rollups or tea sandwiches to be found.

I see the sun setting to reveal a Memphis summer night in the Waterworks courtyard...

...With twinkle lights and fountains.


...And a funky southern blues band entertaining outside.


And inside, I see a photobooth to capture all my favorite people that will be there to enjoy it all.


What do you think? Can you see it?

XOXO,
Katie

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Reception Venue

Of all the unresolved issues and yet to be determined decisions surrounding our wedding, it feels comforting to have one thing accomplished. Our reception site has been booked and it's the perfect backdrop for the down-home southern summer reception we are wanting.
We researched, contacted, and visited lots of places, but they all left me disappointed. Nothing felt right.

But Memphis Waterworks was our place.
It's incredibly hard to describe, but it has me and Sean written all over it. It's a bit of an unexpected venue, but it couldn't be more perfect.

Here's a glimpse into the breathtaking venue our wedding reception will take place...

Located about 15 miles from Marion on the corner of Cox and Central, Memphis Waterworks is a store and showroom for outdoor garden decor, fountains, water features, and antiques, all showcased in a 100 year old restored lumber shed.

The red doors open to brick flooring and beautiful iron chandeliers.

Fountains and statues line the brick walkway and greenery hangs from the beamed ceiling.

You can hear the constant sound of the fountains and water features as you walk all around.

I love how beautiful and aged the wood is. And there are old windows on display.

Each far wall is lined with antique doors for sale imported from all over the world.

A step-up level is floored with hardwood as old as the shed. Quaint seating areas are in each corner.

What I wouldn't give for a front door like that first one!

There's so much opportunity for a wedding reception. The large fountains can be used for serving platters and decoration.

As beautiful and whimsical as the inside is, the courtyard is just magical to me!

The big fountains and the lighting make for such an ambient atmosphere.

There's a koi pond by the patio with boston ivy and all the trees are lit with twinkle lights.

A white tent will be up in the courtyard where the band will set up.

We're praying for a cooler July weekend like we had last year. It may seem like a long shot, but I'm hoping everything will be pleasant and enjoyable.

I've been plagued with sickness for what seems like forever now, but I'm trying to power through to get some things worked out. We may not have music, food, a cake, or a dress yet but we have a place for all of them when we do!

XOXO,
Katie

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