Cake Thoughts

I’m not a cake person. There, I said it.

These days everyone is looking for ways to make their wedding unique and put their own stamp on it – one thing I feel compelled to discuss is my complete obsession with the idea of scraping the cake altogether and moving to Paris so I can have a croquembouche.

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Is that not the cutest and most delicious thing you’ve ever laid your eyes on? I mean, how can that not be tasty? Cake is pretty, yes…but croquembouche is sugary goodness, not to mention, very fun to say. It almost reminds me of monkey bread – anyone ever had that? I swear it’s laced with crack - monkeybread, that is…after my first time (that sounds so dirty), I literally had dreams about it. It’s THAT good.

Go get some. Seriously. Is it hot in here? Whew.

Okay another idea (and probably the most realistic in our case) is the rustic pie route. I do happen to love the backyard look of a table of homemade pies – you still get to “cut the cake” but you can avoid the icing coma that comes along with cake. Although, if your beloved decides to smear said pie in your face – that could create quite a mess. Note to self.

Check out this adorable pie set-up thanks to Lyndsey Hamilton Events:

The pie table is definitely my front runner but…I may need to continue thinking about this. In the meantime, feel free to send samples.

How about you, are you a cake person?

Going green can save you green!

Yes, I did…I just used the most trendy word of the English language right now…green. But really, there’s so much more than just trends when it comes to caring about the environment. I will admit that there is always more I can be doing to reduce my carbon footprint and in that effort…here are some ways to go green which will inevitably save you some green (so you can afford that killer band or that hot, little pair of Manolos).

One recent find is Earth Aid. This nifty little site helps you calculate your energy usage, gives you tips on how to reduce that usage (which in turn will lower your bills) and then even provides opportunities to earn rewards based on your energy savings!

Another favorite of mine is The Green Guide. Supported through National Geographic, this site offers tons of helpful tips on making your life more eco-friendly. They have quizzes that test your knowledge, tips on making the most of seasonal fare, sustainable travel destinations and my favorite tool – the buying guide which compares light bulbs, water filters, sunscreen and even wine!

And although this one is a bit off topic, it’s a new favorite site that’s helping me understand and manage my finances in a way that I hadn’t before. So…if you (like so many of us) are experiencing some economic woes, check out LearnVest.

For those who appreciate these tips and are on their way to $aving some green – this Froggie accepts donations…just saying.

Have you found sites that are helping you save money while wedding planning?

Registry secrets

Registries might just be the coolest idea ever created for weddings. I mean, come on, you get to marry the person you love, throw a party with all of your favorite people AND to top it all off, let’s go ahead and have everyone give you gifts?! Oh and did I mention these are gifts you actually want…yeah, it’s the best.day.ever.

I wanted to let you all in on my favorite registry find to date. I couldn’t wait on this one, it’s just too cool!

Amazon.com is a new favorite among wedding registries…and for good reason. But they have outdone themselves with the recent addition of their Universal Registry Button.

Now, not only can you register for items offered within the Amazon.com site but you can use the Universal button to register for items that are offered on any site on the web. So start your engines for the internet superhighway kids, we’ve got some shopping to do!

What I love most is that you can now add items to your registry without adding a whole new store. So, if you wanted these absolutely adorable measuring spoons from Anthropologie (these may or may not be on my registry) – now you can add them without creating a whole new registry at the store. And well, knowing that most guests (especially these days) are working on a more reserved budget, they won’t be intimidated seeing a high-end store on your list – all they will see are select items that mean something to you.

A couple of other things that would make great additions to the Universal registry:

Perhaps this fab little apron from Anthropologie, perfect for hosting parties with your new hubby or just looking super cute while in the kitchen.

And I just love Jonathan Adler’s pottery pieces, he’s so talented. This Abacus Vase is reasonably priced and I could see it fitting into anyone’s home.

What better way to start off your new life together than with this smart little organizer system from Pottery Barn? It comes in black, white and espresso so it will surely match anyone’s color scheme. Plus, there are all sorts of fun pieces you can add to create the look that suits you.

These are just some of the lovelies I was able to add to my list thanks to the Universal Registry button. Are you using this fun new find for your registry? Are there any sites you've found that make registering easier?

Couture dress minus couture price part 2

Hi friends…we are still friends, right? I’m sorry I made you wait but I had good reason! I really feel like these ones are a total steal. Oh, and if you missed part 1, check it out for more great ideas! Without further ado…

Want this gorgeous Monique? Read on ladies…

Go pre-loved. Sites like Recycled Bride and Preowned Wedding Dresses are a great resource. Can you imagine paying a fraction of the cost of a designer gown…we’re talking at least half off for a Vera (hello lover), Monique or Amsale. Oh? I have your attention now? I see. Here's an idea of the process that was given to me by Tracy of Recycled Bride, it’s kinda brilliant:

1. This $2,800 Priscilla of Boston “Molly” dress is being pre-sold on RecycledBride.com right now for $2,000. (A pre-sale means that the bride hasn’t worn the dress yet and wants to secure a buyer for immediately after her wedding).
2. Buy this dress for $2,000.
3. Spend approximately $100 on shipping with insurance.
4. Spend approximately $300 on alterations (tip: see if your seamstress can avoid cutting away length and pin it instead).
5. Spend approximately $250 for high quality professional cleaning after your wedding.
6. Re-list the dress and sell for $1700 – at 40% off its retail price, finding a buyer should be a piece of cake! Plus, you help another budget conscious bride wear her dream dress! Hello warm fuzzies.
   

Total cost for a $2,800 Priscilla of Boston designer couture gown? Anyone have a guess? This Froggie did the math – $950! Now THAT’S a deal! There are plenty more to choose from, so if this is the option that sounds best to you – get a move on!

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Buy from a past season. This is probably my favorite option because it’s one that most people don’t know about and salespeople don’t talk about. It also may have something to do with the fact that this is the route I took.

To go about getting your dress this way, I would suggest researching past collections by designers you love and see if there are any that catch your eye. Collections are introduced twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring. For example, if you decided to shop for your dress in the summer of 2009, you would probably get a good deal on a dress from a collection that debuted in spring 2008 (if they have anything from fall 2007, wow – major deal). These are the dresses that will most likely be on their way out very soon to make room for the new collections. You will have the most luck going about this by visiting a major department store such as Saks or NM. Aaaand, if you target your visit around a trunk show…even more discounts! Another little secret, these bigger stores can also run gift card events – if you purchase merchandise over a certain amount and either open a company credit card (10% off first purchase – ching, additional $$ off!) or put it on your existing company credit card, you can get a gift card up to almost $500 sometimes. That can easily pay for alterations and possibly even a veil or other accessories.

Quick review of money savers (and speaking from experience, it’s possible to do all of this – I did):

• Dress from previous season = lower cost than current offerings
  
• Purchase during trunk show event for your chosen designer (10-20% off)
  
• Open company credit card (10% off first purchase)
• Purchase during a gift card event (up to $500 gift card)
  

Hopefully this gives all you budget-conscious brides some good ideas and if you have any other tips, definitely leave them below – we’re all in this together ladies, spread the love. :)

Couture dress minus couture price part 1

Ladies – let’s get serious…we ALL want a couture gown. I don’t care if you’re punk, hippie, yuppie or nerd (I fall into that last category), every one of us would love to find a couture gown that fits our personality and fits in our price range. The problem is that most of us simply can’t afford it…well, unless we decide to buy the dream dress and get married at a courthouse – which could be a dream come true for some but according to statistics, not most. So, the big question is, how do you score a couture dream dress within your budget? There are a few options, some that will not come as a surprise to see here and one or two that may have you cracking open a bottle of wine to celebrate. I’ve got my glass next to me, feel free to join in.

Hi Vera, I love you.

Because there are quite a few options, I’ve broken this into two posts…I love creating suspense – even if it’s just in my imagination.

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Trunk shows. Almost everyone is familiar with a trunk show once they begin the hunt for a dress. But for any newbies that are starting their searches, basically, the designer sends a representative to the store (or sometimes will attend themselves) for a few select days – typically over a weekend. During that time, they bring dresses that are normally not samples available at that store – they are always available for purchase through the store since the designer is carried there but they don’t always have every sample of every dress that is made in stock. It gives you an opportunity to try on many dresses by one designer. If you decide to purchase during a trunk show, you will get a discount – usually between 10-20% (negotiate, negotiate, negotiate - perhaps you can get a complimentary veil or money off of your alterations, it never hurts to ask) and if there are any changes that you’d like made to the gown, it’s a great time to ask about them because a designer rep is there and can tell you what can and cannot be done.

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Sample sales. Sample sales are probably the most logical choice for finding a nice dress at a good discount. You aren’t guaranteed to find a “couture” dress at a sample sale but depending on where you go, there’s a chance. Typically these dresses are a bit worn-in and may need to be cleaned/repaired but overall, if you can find one you love, you’ll get it for cheaper than it was originally priced and cheaper than it would be at a trunk sale. Score!

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Running of the brides. Okay, if you live east of the Mississippi, you are probably familiar with this term and the insanity that can ensue when one of these events takes place...you may also remember Mrs. Toucan's post on her experience. Filene’s Basement has sales at different locations where dresses are marked extremely low. Here’s the thing, unlike a sample sale where you will have a bit more control and organization, this is more of a cattle call...but a very pretty cattle call. :) Girls usually arrive in teams, stake a place within the store and grab armfuls of dresses at a time, hoping to find one that might be a fit. I’ve heard of girls getting VERY lucky and I’ve heard of girls buying dresses only to sell them (or try to sell them) later after realizing it was an affordable, impulse purchase. So, if you are looking for a very specific type of dress, you may not have a lot of luck here – but if you are looking for a common silhouette or neckline or fabric, etc. then you could end up really getting an incredible deal. Oh, I should mention…brides and their “teams” begin camping out the night before these sales – you’ve been warned.

Find an incredible seamstress. Now this is for those not afraid of taking a risk. If you find a dream dress that is completely out of your price range, you can try to find a way to have it made. You have to put a LOT of trust in your seamstress and cross your fingers that the dress will turn out the way you hope for. The good part of this option is that you have a say in pretty much every part of the process. You can help with picking out the fabric, you can add straps, take away beading, pretty much make the dress exactly what you want. This will easily be much cheaper than buying a couture gown and you could end up with an identical version or something you love even more. My only advice here would be to research, research, research before you book your seamstress. Ask for testimonials, photos and recommendations to make sure you find someone that will understand your vision and be able to accomplish it.

And I hate to do this but I have to save my favorite and most secret tip for the next post…don’t hate me. :)

Did you go one of these routes? How did you find your dress?

Couple moments

As all couples do, Frogger and I really look forward to the downtime we have together at the end of the day. I enjoy cooking and he enjoys eating so it really works out well.

The other night I came to realize that we have these little rituals that I had never really taken notice of in the past. For example, when I’m in the mood to try an experiment with dinner, he always asks if I’d like him to write it down. I’ve always enjoyed tinkering in the kitchen and when a recipe I made up would come out well, he would immediately say, “Write it down!!” Of course, you know where this is going, I would put it off because I wanted to relax, watch TV, read, blog, (fill-in-the-blank excuse) and then the next day I would have forgotten a good portion of what I did to create the delicious meal we had enjoyed the night before.

We finally got in the habit of keeping a recipe book of sorts (we started with one of those yellow legal pads, then after filling it completely and virtually destroying it with food splatters, we decided a notebook with a cover would be a better choice – we’re geniuses, I tell you). Fast-forward to the present, we now have a routine down pat, I start cooking and tell him what I’m doing, he sits in the living room and writes it down for me while pretending to not watch whatever sporting event is on TV. It’s a great way to feel like we both have a hand in creating the meal…and I have to say, my favorite part is the fact that (on his own) he decided to start drawing (I use that term very loosely) little pictures of the meal on the recipe page. He’s going to kill me…but I HAVE to show you what I mean:

Are you dying?! How can you not love this man.

And just for fun, I’ll share one more little moment. On weeknights when nothing is on TV – you know, that time of day between getting home from work and when prime-time shows begin, we tend to channel surf. One of the shows that we sometimes settle on is the new version of The Newlywed Game.

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I know it sounds cheesy but it’s really entertaining to hear the questions and see what each of us thinks is the best answer for us as a couple. We’ve gotten in the habit of listening to the question and then pausing immediately (thank you Tivo, I love you…for so many reasons) so that we can each shout out our answer and see if we would have gotten it right.

Yes, we’re nerds.

Typically we do pretty well, there are always those random questions that are basically impossible to answer but overall, I would say we are on target about 90% of the time. My favorite moment happened recently when the question was, “Complete the following statement: ‘If we’re not home together on a weeknight, it’s because my wife is ______ and I’m _____.’” We both look at each other and say (in unison), “She’s at happy hour and he’s at home.” It was pretty funny…and goes to show a bit of our personalities. He’s a total homebody and really enjoys relaxing around the house, while I am pretty outgoing and love to have a jam-packed social schedule (and happen to really love happy hour…hey, I’m just keeping it real, here). Do you and your love have opposite approaches to how you spend some of your free time during the week? We find that it creates a nice balance for us.

I’d love to know how you create couple moments – it’s one of the most fascinating things about relationships because no two are alike. Okay, secretly I’m hoping someone will share an equally nerdy moment so we won’t feel so bad. Don’t worry, you’re in good company.

The Kissing Tree

I’m such a sucker for romance. The idea of your beloved carving your initials into a tree to live on forever is just so incredibly sweet...although my eco-friendly self isn't on board.

Now you can have that same romantic feeling and love Mother Nature at the same time! If you haven’t discovered The Kissing Tree over at Kiss The Groom, you MUST go check it out. You can personalize it with your names and the "affection" you share. Le sigh.

Froggie + Frogger kissing tree

Froggie loves Frogger kissing tree

Elizabeth Messina is a fantastic photographer and I just adore her for creating this little personalized poster. I love its delicate, vintage feel. I also love how many uses it can have:

• Could make for a very fun (and free) engagement gift – or go a step further and have it framed
• Would be a great addition to a wedding gift, I can just see it rolled up like a scroll and secured with twine atop a gift
  
• Makes a great “just because” gift for someone special
• Fun extra for an anniversary gift

The list goes on…please, do your loved one a favor and go request one. When they smile wide and give you a big smooch, you’ll thank me.

Sneaky bridesmaids

I love my bridesmaids but they are tricky little devils. Let me set the scene for you:

Maid of Honor Big Apple: Hey, so Matron of Honor Banannie and I were thinking that it would be fun to get together for lunch so you can fill us in on wedding plans and we can talk about your shower, bachelorette, etc.

Me: Oh yay, that sounds super fun! Loving that idea – when and where?

Maid of Honor Big Apple: Okay, we’ll figure it out and send you the details!

A few days later I got an email from Big Apple letting me know that it would be brunch at the resort she worked at – sounded great to me! I woke up that morning, threw on my bathing suit under my dress (wishful thinking since it was a resort), kissed Frogger goodbye and headed out to meet my two MOHs.

I pulled up to the property and had a text letting me know they were in a poolside cabana waiting for me. Yay!

I walked into the pool area and saw Big Apple waving me over. As I walked up…I saw not just Big Apple and Banannie but Creeker and Belle too! My sneaky bridesmaids had decided to throw me a surprise engagement party! (Bridesmaid Berk was the only one that lived out of state and as luck would have it, is getting married just a couple of weeks after me so she couldn’t fly in but I knew she was there in spirit!)

I settled in from the shock of this impromptu fiesta and my friends know me well…wine was chilling, my glass was full and food was on the way.

Me and Big Apple – the girl is pretty even with her eyes closed!

We spent the rest of the day enjoying the poolside cabana, yummy spa food and a glass or two of wine (I refuse to provide the true amount of wine consumed to protect the innocent-ish). As a fun twist, the girls decided that my gifts would be knowledge and advice from their relationship experiences and the experiences of those they are close to. As it turns out, Belle, Creeker and Banannie are all married so they were able to provide first-hand accounts of married life, while Big Apple surveyed friends, family and co-workers to get the goods and compiled a long list with words of wisdom.

Wine chilling, everyone smiling – yes, today is a good day

Here are some of my favorite little nuggets:

• Ask for help.
• You are two imperfect people making an imperfect union, and that’s wonderful!
• Marriage is a partnership. Commit to each other and to your marriage from day one, and work on your relationship every day. Wake up every morning and ask yourself, “What can I do today to make my spouse’s life better?”
• Before I said “I do,” my mom (who’s been married to my dad for 55 years) told me to take out a piece of paper and write down the top three things that bugged me about my husband-to-be. Then she told me to forget the things on that list and forgive him for not being flawless. Once you make a commitment this big, she explained, you can’t let petty things get in the way. In our eight years of marriage, my husband and I have had two kids, tackled cross-country moves and started two businesses – so far, so great!
• Love means never having to say you’re sorry…Oh please! In marriage, love sometimes means having to say you’re sorry even if you don’t know what you did or you didn’t mean to do it.
• Don’t order chicken wings and mac & cheese from room service the night before your wedding – just trust me on this one!
• Have a glass of wine before you walk down the aisle.
• Beware of invisible tan lines.

Creeker and I about to crash out at the resort for the night – what a fantastic day!

I don’t know about you but I absolutely loved the idea of getting advice after being newly engaged. How about you, did you receive any great advice from friends or family after getting engaged?

Bridesmaid brigade

When you first get engaged, once you’ve come down from the high of “Holy hell, I’m getting married!” you start to think of the people who you must have standing by your side.

After being a wedding blog stalker for many months years (I’m all about being transparent here), I discovered that there are actually people out there who do fun things (instead of just a simple phone call or lunch) to ask friends to be in the wedding party. Who knew?! Of course this got my wheels turning and in true Froggie fashion, I had no choice but to shower the girls I love with a little over-the-top humor.

I have five girls total standing up with me:

Matron of Honor: Banannie
Maid of Honor: Big Apple
Bridesmaid: Creeker
Bridesmaid: Belle
Bridesmaid: Berk

Four out of the five lived right near me at the time so I was able to meet with them in person and see their reactions to the cards I created. The fifth was sent in the mail followed by a fantastic phone call filled with laughter. Without further ado…here’s what my girls were given:

Never mind my practice C’s in the background…move along, nothing to see here.

Don’t be jealous of my paint skeelz

Although you didn’t ask for it and really there’s not much to it, I will give you the “I’m not allowed to call it a DIY because it was way too easy” DIY.

Step 1 – Consult your best friend Google for an image of a scary looking bridesmaid dress. Sorry hot pink dress girl but your dress is hid.e.ous.

Step 2 – Print out copies of said image on your cheapie home printer.

Step 3 – Grab leftover construction paper from (I’m guessing) elementary school since you don’t remember the last time you used it or why you even have it. Cut paper to same size as image.

Step 4 – Use leftover mega-size index cards previously meant as exam-cram flashcards from college and fold in half.

Step 5 – Cut out rectangles of black construction paper and use white-out pen to write “CENSORED” on them…are you still with me? I know, this is all very difficult and confusing.

Step 6 – Take folded index card as base, paste colored construction paper square on cover, top with scary dress image and protect that poor girl’s face with the censored rectangle.

Step 7 – Write obnoxious message inside that only your friends could possibly appreciate.

Voila! You are set to ask your favorite girls to stand by your side on your big day.

Now that you’ve seen the incredibly labor intensive cards I created (insert sarcasm font here) to ask them to be my bridesmaids, I think it’s time for a proper introduction.

Banannie

Banannie and I met nearly 10 years ago while working together at a resort in Phoenix. We share a sense of humor, love of cooking and desire to travel. But the main reason I’ve kept her around is that she used to be a bartender so she knows how to make a killer cocktail.

Big Apple

Big Apple and I shared a first day of work together and have been close ever since. We eventually became roommates bonding over bad furniture, burnt food and cheap wine. As my most common happy hour friend, Big Apple was fully supportive of a wedding in Washington’s wine country. She’s even offered her services at the wine tasting…

Creeker

I honestly can’t remember when I met Creeker, it seems as though we’ve been friends forever! We share a strong love for country music and making people dress up in funny costumes. Creeker works for a world class resort in Sedona…Creeker, we accept vacations as gifts, just saying.

Belle

I met Belle back when we lived in neighboring apartment complexes and soon became close friends. Belle always knows how to host a great party…perhaps she can give us a break and just finish out our planning – no pressure.

Berk

Berk is my oldest friend, we have known each other for almost 20 years. We survived the turmoil of middle school and threw our caps together at high school graduation. I decided to go out of state for college, Berk decided to go out state for college; I majored in PR, Berk majored in PR; I am now getting married…Berk, looks like you’re up – stalker.

Aren’t my girls just FAB? I adore them and luckily they are all as goofy and geeky as I am – plus, they allow me to say obnoxious things about them in my blog posts. Now that’s friendship.

How did you ask your friends to be in your wedding?

Ring a bling, bling

Before I can even launch in, I have to say that as I typed the title of this post – which I will admit, made me laugh (I crack myself up)…I received a solid eye-rolling from Frogger. Little jerk.

So back to the bling. It’s pretty interesting since our ring story isn’t what most people expect. As I’ve previously mentioned, we got engaged on a cruise. Here’s a little peek at our cruise:

She said YES!

We’re sinking!

In Guatemala enjoying some fruity drinks in coconuts – helloooooo vacation!

Bannister Caye, Belize AKA paradise

The part that most people don’t know is that the ring he proposed with isn’t my engagement ring.

Let me explain. Frogger’s mom (whom I love!) gave him a ring that belonged his grandmother and luckily it had quite a bit of bling on it. He knew the ring wasn’t exactly my style or what he had envisioned giving me. He had two options:

1. Take the ring to a jeweler and design something using one or more of the existing diamonds to create a new ring for me (which worried him since he didn’t like the pressure of pulling apart a family ring not knowing if I would like what he had created – which, for the record, I would have loved no matter what).
2. Wait and propose with the current ring, then we would go together to the jeweler to design the ring together.

Ultimately he chose the latter because he really loved the idea of doing it together, knowing that it would be something we both would love and I can’t tell you how happy I am that he decided on this route. Not only do I have a ring that I absolutely love but we were able to use just one diamond from his family ring and refitted that spot with his mom’s birthstone…we gave her back her mother’s ring newly polished up with her birthstone for Mother’s Day and she was thrilled. It was a really wonderful moment to see her face when she realized what it was. I love that I have a piece of their family history in my ring yet it’s fitting of who I am and who we are as a couple. It’s the perfect marriage of old and new. Get it, marriage? I’m on a ROLL today.

What’s that? You want to see it? Ohhhh, I just figured you wanted to hear the story.

Ring eye candy coming your way!

What’s your ring story? Did you have a hand in creating your dream ring or was yours a total surprise?

How I met my Frog Prince

It’s funny how everyone sees things differently…hence the need for us to share the story of how we met, fell in love and are now getting married. And yes, I just wrote “hence” – I feel the need to use words that sound important sometimes. Just go with it.

Bowling Birthday + Hoedown theme + bowling alley wine = classy.

Here’s my version of the story, but I should say that Frogger stands strong that he was the one to initiate coming over to talk to me...but that's not how I remember it! And since it's my post, it's my rules and you're going to hear my version. :)

Although Frogger denies it…we met because of a gutsy friend of mine.

In the beginning of May 2003, I was invited to the anniversary party for a local lounge in Old Town Scottsdale. My friends and I were having fun sipping our fancy cocktails and people watching. Prepare for the cheesy part…As I was surveying the crowd, two groups parted and in the distance I saw a guy laughing with some friends. He had the most amazing smile.

I told you it was cheesy.

So I pointed him out. My friend decided she was going to call him over. Those who know me know that I’m not forward at all when it comes to guys…I’m actually the complete opposite. So…you can imagine how embarrassed/shocked I was when she held up her hand and signaled him over. I began begging her to put her hand down and when I turned back, this cute guy and his friends were walking toward us.

Frogger and I ended up hanging out the entire night. As I was getting ready to head home, he asked me for my phone number. None of my friends were surprised when I told him that I didn’t give my number out. He looked a bit defeated. I told him that I would take his number though so he gave it to me and we parted. As I drove home, I knew that if I didn’t call him right then, I probably never would. So, I called him and I was relieved when it went to voicemail. I left a somewhat awkward message and I hung up thinking I was a complete idiot – I was a much better communicator than that (it was my major!). As I sat there ridiculing myself, my phone rang. He was calling back. :)

Sweaty and shiny…we’re hot.

Fast forward many happy years later and we were planning our next vacation together. We decided on a cruise – it’s our favorite. We arrived in New Orleans and boarded our ship. Once we were on board and exploring, I could tell there was something up with him. I didn’t really know what but he just seemed a little on edge. We walked down to see if our room was ready but the doors were still shut and Frogger proceeded to get very annoyed by this. I didn’t think it was a big deal but he had an issue with it. I suggested we walk around a bit more, grab some food and check back in an hour. We got back down there an hour later and the door to the rooms was open. We walked down the hallway and arrived at our room. He slid his room key and opened the door a crack, he then told me to go ahead and he would get the bags. I walked into the room and was stunned to see dozens of red roses (five to be exact - one for every year we had been together) all over the room. I really had no idea what was going on. I thought we were in the wrong room. I believe my words were “What the?!” As I turned around to tell him that we were clearly in the wrong room, he was down on his knee.

And here we are! We are so thrilled to be sharing our journey through the planning process with all of you. I'm sure you want to see the bling, right? Well normally I wouldn't tease you like this but there's a story behind the ring so you'll have to wait a little longer for that post.

Were you surprised when your man proposed? Did you (like me) almost use an expletive in shock? :)