Getting Closer...

Just over 4 months out! It's getting so close I can barely contain my excitement. Here's a few things we've gotten checked off the list recently.

1.) Honeymoon booked! Jamaica, here we come!
2.) All the bridesmaid dresses are ordered and in! (One pending arrival)
3.) Got my hairstylist booked to come down to Indy to do everyone's hair. (Still working on location to get ready for the wedding, hair, make-up, I am open to suggestions..)
4.) booked Laurel St. to do our cake! (Now to figure out what we want for that)
5.) Tux's are semi-ordered. (light gray-the groomsmen are going to look sharp!)


I'm still working out exactly what the reception decor is going to look like. I collected wine bottles for awhile and really wanted to do a DIY project with them, but for me, DIY turned into disaster it yourself.. I have a few other ideas, and I'm trying to still bring some DIY components in, but my main goal is to have an understated space. It's amazing how much I have to think about being simple. It makes things quite complicated, ha!

I think my problem is I look at blogs and websites of very crafty people with very crafty weddings, and I forget that there takes a talent to get all that craft to look beautiful. It's hard to be original with such an amazingly traditional situation that a wedding presents. However, I'm still going to attempt it. It's also hard to be crafty for about 300 guests. It'd be a lot easier if we were invited 50. That, though, wouldn't even fit half of our family.

Lots of ideas are swimming around my head. I guess that's the life of a bride to be..

'Tis the Season

Christmas is right around the corner. I have almost ALL of my shopping done. woohoo! Wedding planning is in full swing as well!

I took the plunge and went DIY on invitations. I went to Archiver's (super amazing scrapbook store) and ordered a template for invites. I'm doing all of it on my own. Hopefully my MOH (Maid of Honor), Tara, will be helping me with some of it! They will come in a couple of weeks, and my goal is to get them done as early as possible!

I've been a little out of control on etsy lately as well. I haven't bought anything (wedding wise), but I have a ton of favorites saved to my account. I have so many decor ideas that my head is just spinning. I've found some really cute pictures of painted wine bottles used as vases and candle holders.

Here are a few places I've been drawing inspiration from
painted wine bottles
wine bottles painted and as candle holders

Still haven't put up the vendor list..I'll do it sooooon!

The "Run"away Bride

I've recently reintroducing myself to running, and I am surprisingly not hating it. I've set a few goals for myself, including a 1/2 marathon in April. The farthest distance I've ran so far in 4 miles, but hopefully by April I will be able to breeze through 13.1, ha. I've found it to be extremely inspiring and an excellent way to eat anything I want and still squeeze perfectly into my wedding dress!

Please pray for me and wish me luck!

In wedding news, almost all of the save the dates have been mailed out. I'm still trying to get a few Newkirk side addresses, but most friends and close family have Philip and I's face on their refrigerators!

We are planning on registering for gifts in the upcoming weeks, wahoo! We'll be registering at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Target, Sayer's (in Independence) and getting custom dinnerware made from Elk Falls Pottery!

Thanksgiving this year will mark one year to the date that Philip got down on one knee and proposed. It was the best birthday present a girl could ask for! I'm just not sure if he can out do himself this year, I'll keep you posted!

I'll be posting a vendor "set list" soon for who we have doing what for the wedding so far, and our tentative vendors we haven't booked yet.

My goal for the wedding is LOCAL! LOCAL! LOCAL! Anything my family and I can't do ourselves, we want to be down in Southeast Kansas. That is the main reason we are registering at 4 places, instead of the standard 2-3. We know we have a lot of out of town guests and didn't want to limit their choices. However, we also wanted to give Indy and Howard locals a chance to put money back into their local economies, thus saving the world as we know it. :)

SAVE THE DATES!

I just got the save the dates in the mail! They are absolutely AMAZING! I want to drop all of my homework and address them NOW! However, I will try to wait until the weekend.

Be looking for them in the mail in the next two weeks! :)

HOORAY!

Next on the to do list:
1. bridesmaid dresses
2. reception decor
3. mom's dress
4. ceremony music

:)

I just realized

I never gave you the link to the engagement proofs!

Click here!

The password is: heather (all lowercase) :)

They are only up for another week!

It's been awhile...

So I haven't wedding blogged in a few months..

However, I'm back at it! Wedding planning is going grrrrreat! I just picked up my wedding dress this weekend in Pittsburg, and I bought the veil and jewelry, too!
I was just going to wear a strand of pearls, but I'm really glad that I went a little more contemporary. My wedding look is pretty much complete! Just got to buy my shoes and work on my hair/makeup! Oh..did I mention that my dress zipped up perfectly and needs no alterations with the exception of the hem?! : )

Also, I placed the order for save the dates, and they should be coming in the mail to me very shortly. I'm extremely excited for them. I got them here, and I recommend their services to everyone!

We are right around 8 months to go, and I think that I am trucking along quite nicely with the plans. Of course, with Dad's death, there are a lot of things that I'm changing. The first is that I want my wedding to be a little more special, unique than I had wanted before. I won't be throwing all traditions out the window, but I need a twist on what I had originally envisioned. I think that if I don't make the wedding less traditional, then I will keep reminding myself of what's missing from the wedding that I always had pictured growing up.

I'm pleased to tell everyone that my godparents are going to be walking me down the aisle. (both my dad's siblings). The idea just came to me after a long night of prayer and reflection, and I couldn't be happier with my decision. Another twist will be the ceremony music, I'm not exactly sure how we're going to make it happen, but don't expect to hear trumpet voluntary or the canon when I walk down the aisle. Philip and I are working up a very amazing piece! Also be ready for some possible Beach Boys and/or Beatles music during the ceremony...(I know, pretty cool, huh?)

Anyway, I'm sure I'll be griping about addressing save the dates soon!
-Heather

It's getting closer...

First, we've booked our reception venue! It will be at the Civic Center (below Memorial Hall) in downtown Independence. I'm very excited that we are getting this venue because it is such a big, clean space that will give us so much to work with! I absolutely can't wait to start planning all the decor details.
Second, we're getting our engagement pictures taken this weekend. I am so thrilled that I can't stopping thinking of new ideas for our photo shoot! Kim (our photographer) has given me so many cool ideas as well! I promise to post a link to our proofs as soon as they are up online!
Third, I can't believe our wedding is one year from this weekend. I know that we are having a longish engagement, but I still can't believe that in one year I'll be walking down the aisle, all grown up!
We've been browsing some different registry sites, but we still can't decide where we'd like to register. We know we'll register at Sayer's in Independence, but we don't know which national chains to register at. If anyone has any suggestions just let me know!

okay...you'll hear from me after engagement pictures!
wahoo!
-Heather

wow. 13 months from today...

I will become Mrs. Newkirk! I know it's still a long ways away, but we're making progress. In wedding update news, we've been eyeballing some catering businesses around my home town, and I'm still trying to cut the guest list, ugh!
We're also getting our engagement pictures taken next month, which I am super excited for! I'm currently trying to find some props so if anyone has any vintage hardback books or old blackboards I can borrow please let me know!

I have also been slowly working on growing out my hair for my big day! I'm getting it thinned and trimmed about every 9 weeks to keep to growing healthy! My hair stylist, Laura, (who is amazing!) is helping me pick a wedding day look with my hair. Each time that I go in before the wedding, we end the appointment with a different possible wedding hairstyle, take a picture of it, and save it until the wedding day! Then I'll pick my favorite at the end and go with that one! :)

I had been putting wedding plans on the back burner since Spring Break, but wedding season has put a spring back in my step for wanting to get things done. I went to my friend Lauren's beautiful wedding last weekend, and it really made me want to plan away!

I think what I'm most nervous about is decor. I have no idea what I'm going to do for centerpieces, reception decorations, or even ceremony decor. I don't want my wedding/reception to look like everyone else's but I also have a very limited budget. ...oh the woes of a poor bride. ha! So, if anyone has any cool purple/yellow/grey summery fun decor ideas let me know!

I'll try not to wait three months before my next post!
-H

The Dress!

He can't change his mind now because today I bought my dress! :)
It is the most beautiful thing I've ever laid my eyes on!
I'll only give a few details on here because I don't want Philip to know what it looks like until our wedding!
It has a sweetheart neckline
...and (my favorite part) POCKETS!!

I ordered it from Sarah Loree's in Pittsburg, KS. If you ever need a wedding/formal dress; I strongly recommend this store. They had excellent customer service and an amazing selection of dresses! (not to mention a former questie working in the store!)

It is weird that I won't see my actual dress for 5 to 6 months. I'm also not interested in hearing any of the horror stories of wedding dress ordering. (I've heard at least 3 already since I placed the order today)I have complete confidence in the store and the designer that my dress will be magical!

Anyway, if you want to know any details about the dress, send me a facebook message and I'll send you to the designer website!

WOOHOO!
-Heater

We have some official plans!

We have almost officially booked our photographer! We're submitting our contract when we are home next weekend. (My mom is going to help me write the first wedding check, hehe!) Her name is Kim, and Philip and I worked with her at quest! She is just about the sweetest person you could ever meet, and her pictures are just plain beautiful!
Here's her website if you want to have a look at some of her work! She'll be shooting not only our wedding but also our engagement pictures this summer! :) YAY!

We've also enlisted the help of my wonderful and amazing aunt! She will be helping with my flowers and with the food! My Aunt Jean works wedding wonders and we are so blessed that she wants to help! Even though she will be helping, Philip and I refuse to let her feel like she's working! She will be nothing less than one of our favorite guests at the wedding! :)

I'm also going dress shopping next month. Sadly, I won't be able to put any details of the dress on here in case that handsome and sneaky fiance of mine tries to get a peak! However, when I do purchase my dress, I will let everyone know so you can ask me in person what it looks like! (facebook messages work as well!)

Anyway, I guess I'm really starting to feel like I'm getting married. No more pretend planning, it's time for business! yippeee!

That's it for now,
Heather

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm getting ready to enjoy a delicious Papa Murphy's heart shaped pizza with my amazing fiance! :)

We're starting to look into Honeymoon locations. We're really liking the Caribbean because of all of it's options and it's pretty reasonably priced compared to Hawaii. Mexico is also an option, but sadly Bora Bora is out, haha. Way too expensive!

Other than that, we're kind of at a stand still on planning. I'm not sure what else I can be doing right now, since the wedding is still 16ish months away. We are deciding on a wedding photographer soon, my goal is by spring break. I hope we can get our engagement pictures taken over the summer.

It's nice having a longish engagement, but at the same time it is hard to be patient. Every time I go to a wedding, I just keep thinking.."is it my turn, yet?"
But, I know I don't have to wait that much longer!
Happy Valentine's Day all,
Heather

The Color Wheel!

With so many color combinations, I'm sure I'm not the only bride who likes a zillion different color schemes. Not only that, but I have a fiance who doesn't even have a favorite color. His only request is "no pink." If any of you know me at all you already know that pink wasn't in the running.

However, with all of that against me, I do believe that I have decided the colors of the wedding! (HOORAY!) Since it's a summer wedding, I really wanted a bold and bright color, (no pastels). I have picked a plum purple! :) For accents, flowers, etc. I've decided on a golden yellow!

I think that these colors will work well together, and I find the combination fairly unique. (I'm sure now that I've decided, I'll see a million purple and yellow weddings before mine, ha!)

I'm extremely ecstatic about these colors and a little surprised at myself since neither purple or yellow are my favorite colors. Purple, though, has been warming to me recently. (my new ipod is purple and so is my new winter coat)

In other wedding news, our knot website is well on its way to being complete. Here is a preview for blog followers.

Hoping the next 17 months go by fast,
Heather :)

Guest List Woes

Note: I modified my blog to accommodate wedding planning, etc. Hopefully anyone that reads this will find it interesting. (I also didn't want to type out all my wedding ideas/issues on facebook/twitter.) :)

So, today I started to attempt a guest list. I had no idea the effort it would take to compile this thing. I have NO idea who to invite and who not to invite to my wedding. I read on www.theknot.com that you should make guidelines to go on, so I think what I'm going to do is say if I haven't talked to someone in the last two-ish years then no invite (expect family). It's not that I want to leave anyone out, it's that each guest costs money, and I only want people there that have really been apart of Philip and I's relationship.

I think that this will be one of the hardest tasks, however, since we still have almost 18 months until the big day, hopefully we'll be able to take this slow. My number one wedding rule is no stress! ha! (we'll see how that goes.)

If anyone that reads this has any guest list advice or ideas, I'm open to anything. Please fill me in. Also, chances are if you are cool enough to read my blog you will probably be getting a wedding invite. So go ahead and send me your address while I'm doing this guest list thing!

Much, much more to come,
The bride to be. :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wow, I've been so busy that I haven't blogged in ages!

First and foremost, I'm ENGAGED!

HOORAY!

Philip and I have set the date for June 25, 2011. We both wanted a Summer Wedding after we graduate so it works out perfectly!

More than likely, this blog is going to be converted into a Wedding Update blog! woohoo! I've already swamped myself with planning things! It's almost overwhelming to think about everything that goes into one wedding, but very exciting at the same time!

Okay, more on the wedding at a later date, my birthday and Christmas were both amazing! I must have been a really good girl because I got so many beautiful things, including a new ipod and camera! However, my favorite gift came from my mother. It's my first ornament for when Philip and I have our own Christmas tree.

Anyway, I hope everyone's Holidays were as merry as mine!

I'll write more soon,
Heather

Can you count to 60?

Today, we celebrated my grandparent's 60th wedding anniversary. It was about the cutest thing I've ever been too. They renewed there vows, and right in the middle my grandpa started crying. It was so sweet, and reassuring to know that there are loves that last forever. Last Tuesday, October 20th was their true anniversary. :)

To update on other things in my life, I get to go see Ben Folds in concert tomorrow with Philip! HOORAY! I'm so excited, it will be an amazing concert.
Also, next weekend is Halloween and Philip and I's costumes are coming together perfectly! I can not wait to post pictures!

Finally, it is almost my birthday! WOOHOO! Exactly one month from today! Philip has already told me my present. TICKETS TO SEE BILLY JOEL AND ELTON JOHN!!!!!!!!!!!! It is more than anything I could ever ask for! :)

I hope to blog again soon, although life has been extremely busy lately!
-H

Surgery, etc.

In case you haven't heard yet, I had surgery on my right hand two weeks ago. I had a bone growth and a ganglion cyst that was causing some of the tendons in my hand to ache. The surgeon went in, removed the cyst and filed down the bone. It sounded much worse than it really was.

I'm happy to say that I am recovering well. It still hurts to grip too hard with my hand and to rotate my wrist, but everything else is in tip top shape! woohoo!

Next weekend is Lacy's wedding! :) I'm so excited, I can't wait! It will be nice to see all of Independence friends! I also am the flower aviator for the wedding. If you don't know what that means I guess you'll have to wait and see next weekend, hehe!

In Holiday news, Philip and I have decided on our Halloween costumes! It's a bit of a surprise, but I know everyone will enjoy it!

I hope to blog soon with more!

-Heather

Back to School

Oh yes, it is that time of year again. Buying textbooks I'll hardly read, stressing out too much over assignments that do nothing to benefit my career. You would think that finally being a senior in college I would grow immune to the stress, the atmosphere of new classrooms and professors..but it still seems to give me goosebumps every semester. After getting most of my syllabi from my professors..I already feel overwhelmed.

I'm in less credit hours than I've been in for many semesters, however I feel like I have a heavier load this semester. Hopefully it all smooths out. I'm hoping it is just back to school jitters.

In other news, we found out today that Philip passed his board exams! I'm so proud of him, he is so amazing! (I'll stop here to avoid a mushy lovey dovey paragraph)

Also, the roomies are great! I'm having so much fun that I can't even describe it. It's wonderful to have support and happiness all around the household!

I guess I should get back to my lovely homework. boo!

Until next time,
-Heather

Moving!

I'm moving into my new apartment with Carley and Jess next Tuesday, hooray! Carley has decided that we be dubbed, "The Emery Girls" since our new place is on Emery Rd. I'm excited to move in because we're getting brand new carpet, there have been rumors of a new washer/dryer and (drum roll please......) my room is painted green! wahhhooooo!

However, I have to be out of my house by Friday, boo! This has probably been the most stressed I've ever been about moving. I have so much junk that I didn't even know I had! Also the new apartment is a bit smaller than my house now, so I need to get rid of anything I don't need! (Like the random chair my grandma gave me, ha!) To top everything off, the street I live on now is under construction and there is a chance my drive way will be blocked off on Friday when I move out! ARRRRGGGHHH! Summers in Lawrence are not all they are cracked up to be!

Thankfully, I don't have to work next week; so I'll be able to be super organized when I move in! I'll put pictures up as soon as I get all moved in and settled!

-Heather

Just the Facts

Okay! Here's the first blog!
I'm going to be talking about the following people most likely quite a bit, so I figured I would give any of my readers some visual aids, hehe.

Also, I created this blog to help keep in touch with the people I don't see very often. I've had quite a few friends move away recently, and I want to keep them as updated as if they still lived near!

However, mostly I just had to find another way to procrastinate from doing important things. For example, right now; I should be packing since I'm moving to my new apartment in a week. Instead, I'm creating a pointless blog! Go, Heather!

Anyway, I hope anyone who may read this, will enjoy it!
That's all for now!
Great updates to follow!

-Heater





The Boyfriend: Philip








The Family: (L-R) Me, Luke, Mom, Dad, Tara










The Roomies: (L-R) Jess, Carley, Me