99 are the official number of days until the Taylor-Johnston wedding. For so long, I have counted with three digits, but the long-awaited break through of getting into 2 digits is finally here. While I must admit that I am extremely excited, I suddenly feel an immense pressure because I realize all that is left to do and plan. This is the point where the thought of eloping enters the mind, but it is way too late for that now. So, on with the planning we go.
Hannah and John
First Meet Hannah (Me)
I’m a "DIY (or at least try to), change my mind a million times, brightly colored, not so organized (though I’d like to claim to be), procrastinating and most importantly unique” kind of bride.
Meet John, The Groom
He is a builder in the Navy and has allowed me to plan every part of our wedding. This is in part due to him being deployed to Asia for the past 9 months of our planning process. Every now and then I will ask him “What do you think about this” or “how do you like that” and every response I get is quoted as “It’s whatever you want babe”. He is the most laid back person I have ever met and could care less about planning anything as long as I pick what I like-so I must not complain.
How We Met.
We met in the spring of 2007 in Gulfport, MS while we were both attending “A-School” for our jobs in the Navy. John “claims” he had his eyes on me then, yet the only memory I have of him is when he tackled me on the beach during a volleyball game and made my knee bleed. Tear, I know. However it was not until May of the next year that we met up again.
I had gone to Gulfport for a friend's baby shower and ran into him there. After a few weeks of trying the long distance thing (I go to school in Memphis and he was stationed in Gulfport), we both knew we could and would make it work. He “popped the question” in October of 2009, so here we are after many weekends of driving the 5 ½ hours back and forth between Gulfport and Memphis planning our wedding.
Now that you have all of our not so important back ground information, it is on to the planning process. These are just the basics for now.
Location, Location, Location
When making my decision for my wedding venue, I knew I wanted it outside. However, since I wanted to have my wedding in Paragould, this has narrowed my options to very few. Luckily, my parent’s friends, David and Patti Snodgrass, have graciously allowed me to have it at their new house in Bronze Leaf Estates. After looking at many reception locations, we decided on Sage Meadows. Despite the small size, I was in love with the large patio and interior décor. I am determined to make everything fit. Like I said early, I am great at procrastinating. Therefore, we are still unsure about where we will hold our rehearsal dinner. So any suggestions/ideas will be greatly appreciated.
Wedding Colors
Oh colors, why must there be so many to choose from? Anyone who knows me can easily say that I am anything but plain. White and black were just out of the question when I was deciding on my colors. I originally wanted to have a “rainbow” wedding, where each of my bridesmaids wore the same dress just each in a different color.
However, after looking at thousands of bridesmaid’s dresses, I realized that it was impossible. I could not find a dress that I liked that came in all the colors that I wanted. So, the colors I decided upon were bright blue/turquoise, key lime, and a grape purple. Just a little bright don’t you think?
I have six bridesmaids; two girls will wear blue bridesmaid dresses, two girls will wear key lime and the other two will wear purple. When it comes to my colors, I want each one used equally. I am weird about all things being “symmetrical or parallel”. Everything in my wedding will incorporate these colors including, invitations, flowers, tuxedos, decorations, etc. My main thought behind my wedding is that I want everything to be colorful and FUN. I think these colors will help do both.
The Wedding Vendors
Choosing all of my vendors came as a fairly easy task to me. For my wedding cake and food, I chose Lea Ann Tyler. She has been a friend of the family for many years and runs a small catering business out of her home. If you want to find food that is “melt in your mouth” delicious, she's the one.
Her husband, Scott, does an impeccable job of decorating the cakes, as well. If you do not have a caterer yet, I strongly suggest you check her out and her prices are very reasonable. I believe her business has really flourished here lately, and I would recommend her to anyone.
For my wedding flowers, I chose Miss Rosie’s House of Flowers out of Lepanto, AR. Miss Rosie is exceptionally helpful, especially for me, the kind of person who has absolutely no idea when it comes to flowers.
All I knew is that I did not want roses, the rest I could honestly care less about as long as the flowers are pretty and are created with my colors. She has prepared flowers for others in my family and they were beautiful. So, I have no doubt in her.
And for my wedding planner, I chose none other than the one and only (in my opinion) Mrs. Alice Miles. She was my 5th grade teacher way back when and has done many weddings in the past. She knows all the etiquette rules, registry tips and everything else in between. I truly believe she is going to be my lifesaver throughout this process.
Stay tuned for the rest of my wedding details, planning and stories that you'll enjoy!
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