I'm Married!

Hi friends! Yes, I'm alive… and I am married! I am so sorry for the blog absence. I've been a busy bee nesting and loving married life :) I can't wait to tell you all about it. 

Our wedding day was simply perfect. It was everything I had ever imagined it would be and more. I will blog all about it one day this week, but for now… enjoy a few snapshots from friends & family. 

Love,

Mrs. Skylar Adams

honeymoon… so happy!

Wedding Week

It is finally here… wedding week! Today was my last day of work as a Lucas.  I've got tomorrow and Thursday to finish up all last minute wedding errands. Come Thursday night, it will all be done. I will finally be able to take a deep breath, give up control, and soak up every minute of our wedding weekend.

My last minute to-dos:

• Print ceremony programs
• Write on chalkboard
• Note for Skylar
• Notes for bridesmaids
• Create emergency kit
• Go over signs to make darker
• Make tips, cigar, and reserved signs
• Make rehearsal bouquet
• Pack wedding weekend bag
• Pack honeymoon bag
• Get ring cleaned
• Pick up dress

I feel really good about having two days to complete those easy tasks! The rest of my tasks have been delegated to my mom, future mother-in-law, grandmothers, and Skylar.

Last week I was finally able to take a peek at the 10-day weather forecast. I was so anxious, dreading the thought of rain. I scrolled down, and there it was… 60 percent chance of rain and scattered thunderstorms. I thought selfish thoughts. For some reason, I thought that I deserved better… that I deserved a perfect, sun-filled day. Reality check, Dori… the world does not revolve around you. I had to remind myself that I would still be getting married and that it would still be beautiful. In planning an outdoor wedding, I knew that rain was a possibility. I hated the way I initially responded. I prayed. I want to praise Him for the rain and thunderstorms. I want to praise him in all things, but I did not. Now the forecast reads only a 10 percent chance of rain and sunshine. God is good, all the time. I need to believe it. 

The wedding I was in last weekend was absolutely beautiful. It was such a blessing to see Addison so happy, and to spend the weekend loving on her instead of thinking selfishly about my wedding. It was so nice to be distracted from wedding lists. The Lord worked in my heart last weekend as we prepared for her wedding. He reminded me of the sanctity in His marriage covenant, and that nothing else matters. I am emotional thinking about the promises that Skylar and I will make to each other and God this weekend.

This weekend, holy cow...

Don't Mind If I Do

On Southern Weddings yesterday was a lovely post and invitation to join The Sweet Tea Society, a group of sweet, southern women who believe in deeply meaningful weddings. 

As Emily says, "No matter how much inspiration we provide for the gorgeous centerpiece, the exquisite wedding gown, or the picture-perfect favor, what we do to help you plan a meaningful wedding day that honors the right things and lays an unshakeable foundation for our marriage will always be infinitely more important. This is what we believe:

Don't mind if I do! I love this, and I am so happy of this reminder for all of us. It is not about the centerpieces. It is not about the decor. It is not about the invitations. It is not about this to-do list that is controlling my life. It is about the love Skylar and I have for each other and the life we will create together. 

Have a blessed weekend girls! :) Love.   

Guest Love

Last weekend at the beach was perfect. While I missed my honey, I was able to spend some quality time with Mom and get some color. This week has flown by! I cannot believe tomorrow is already Friday, but that means one week closer to the big day!

This weekend is it, meaning it is my last full weekend to complete everything possible on the to-do list. I won't have Memorial Day weekend because I'll be celebrating and loving on Addison as she marries her sweetie. Can't wait! So, we're getting down to business this weekend.

Tonight, I want to talk guest books. I had trouble a few weeks ago trying to decide on creative guest book ideas. I knew I wanted something we could display in our apartment, and I also wanted to give my guests the opportunity to write notes! 

photo courtesy of this etsy listing by AmpersandInk Designs

I saw this guest book poster on Small & Chic in Cville, the blog of a fellow SW Bride Blogger. Jeannine had a guest book poster made for her wedding like this. The designer customized everything about the image to include her venue in the background and other personal details. I loved this idea so much and could only imagine how ours would look with Haywood in the background.

Unfortunately, it was way over my budget. It did give me some creative inspiration though. I took a peek at etsy for more guest book poster designs, and I found this one. I loved the clean look and feel, and it was very affordable.

photo courtesy of this etsy listing by love in letters 

So, I got one for us! It is not as detailed or as personal as the first inspiration poster, but I really like it! The glass will be out of the frame on our wedding day, and guests can sign with a fine silver pen.  What do you think?

As I mentioned above, I also wanted to provide guests the opportunity to write notes to Skylar and I. Mom and I bought little pieces of card stock and will ask guests to leave love and words of advice in the jars for specific anniversaries. Below was my inspiration picture. 

On Tuesday night I spent some time working on jars like this. Using leftover burlap, I made these. I think they are cute and have a sweet, country feel. 

And, that is that! Our guest poster and jars of love are complete. I sincerely hope all of my planning and decor come together the way I see it in my mind. I'm getting nervous! 

OH, forgot to tell y'all… wanna hear something funny? I was summoned to JURY duty while we are on our honeymoon! Yes, that happened to me. I am not joking. Jury duty, folks. When I saw the letter, all I could do was laugh. No tears, no whines, just laughter! But, good news is that I sent an eloquent excuse letter immediately and heard back yesterday that I have been excused! Thank goodness! 

Enjoy your Friday! Love.

Friday Ramblings

photo courtesy of southern weddings

Hello, friends! 

It is beautiful here in Raleigh today. It is the kind of day that makes me want to jump up and down and praise the Lord with a big ole' thank you! Jesus, thank you for loving me and thank you for another day!

I am on my lunch break right now, and in thirty minutes two of my co-workers and I are heading to my wedding venue. These two co-workers are affectionately known as my Reception Directors. With the help of a few family friends, they will put together my reception. It is a big task, but I trust them completely! So, I'm taking them to see the space so they can know what they'll be working with :)

I took my bridals at our wedding venue. It is such a special place; a garden oasis tucked away in downtown Raleigh. The surrounding trees frame the old, white house so beautifully. The lush greenery was the perfect backdrop for my bridal pictures. 

Oh, and I never told you about my bridal hair and makeup... to. die. for. Ashlee & Fiquet blew me away. It was perfect. Fiquet owns a beauty boutique, Luxe, in North Hills. She did my future sister-in-law's wedding makeup and since then, Fiquet and Hannah have become really good friends. I was so excited to go in and see what ideas she had for me. 

She actually airbrushed my foundation and blush on - it was the coolest thing! I had never been airbrushed before, but she said she does it with all of her brides because it is silicon-based and does not sweat off. That's all I needed to hear :) And boy, did it look flawless! I  went to work the next day and my co-worker even said, "Dori, you're glowing today... have you done something different with your  makeup?" It had to have been the airbrushed makeup... still glowing a day later! Yep, I'm a fan. 

Again, I'm giddy over my bridals. Can't wait for you to see them!

Well, I'm headed to the beach this weekend for Mother's Day to celebrate my mom and work on that wedding day tan :) 

I hope you all have wonderful weekends. Love.

Nitty-Gritty Details

photo courtesy of southern weddings

My, my, my... I am so busy and so overwhelmed. With the big day almost three weeks away, we are down to the nitty-gritty details, and they are not very fun. I got home at 6 p.m. tonight and have been sitting in front of my computer editing lists, emailing bridesmaids, making more lists, talking through details with Mom, and... four hours later, here I am!

A glimpse at my May wedding to-dos:

• Pick bridal portrait & purchase frame
• Guest poser frame 
• Guest note jar decor
• Meet with Ceremony Director at venue to go over ceremony plans 
• Pay Band and confirm time, place, songs, etc. with them 
• Pay Rentals 
• Confirm hotel room numbers
• Organize table décor into individual boxes with pictures 
• Organize decorations into boxes based on sections
• Create emergency kit 
• Finalize weekend schedules and responsibilities 
• Confirm times with hair & makeup 
• Pick up dress 
• Make tee-times for golfing 
• Confirm all responsibilities with everyone 
• Confirm that groomsmen & bridesmaids have everything
• Confirm times with pastor for rehearsal & ceremony  
• Confirm number of attendees
• Skylar - buy white shirt  
• Confirm table and chair transfer from church to venue  
• Figure out get away vehicle 
• Purchase small functional items

The above list does not include the WEEK OF wedding to-do list... I can't even look at that one right now. I couldn't do this without my mom, mother-in-law, grandmothers, and other generous friends! I am so thankful they are all so willing and able! Everything will come together, and at the end of the day, I'll have beautiful pictures, beautiful memories, and I'll be married.

Skylar and I got our apartment all unpacked and cleaned this past weekend. It was lovely just being in the apartment together, the two of us! It already looks so good, and will look even better after the wedding when we have the time to decorate a bit.

I owe you a post on my bridal portraits. Y'all, they turned out absolutely beautiful. I am so happy and so excited at how well they turned out and it is all I can do not to post one for you, but the fiance would see it :) She sent me over 200 pictures... picking just one was so tough!

My photographer, Jamie Blow of J&J Photography, is truly amazing. If you are looking for a photographer, you need to check out this girl! Not only is her work exceptionally stunning, she is cute as a button and so much fun to work with!

I'm a tired girl. Love you all.

One Month

I've only got one thing to say tonight... ONE MONTH! That's right girls, only one more month until I put on that dress and walk down the aisle towards my handsome fiance. Only one more month until I am an Adams. Only one more month until Skylar and I live together. Only one more month until the beginning of the rest of my life. I've thought about this day for so long, and now it is right around the corner. One month, holy cow! 

photo courtesy of southern weddings