Dresses and Outfits and Rings . . . Oh my. . .

Last weekend I did my dreaded dress shopping. . . I say dreaded because I am probably the most frugal person I know and everyone knows that wedding dresses come with hefty price tags. I decided to do this task on my own despite the "Traditional - Take everyone you know" way. By the way; whoever made this tradition has no idea how enjoyable and soothing it was to go it alone. Those of you who know me well know that I am a big fan of online shopping which is the avenue I was planning on taking until I started looking at sizes and the fact that wedding dress sizes differ from your daily street wear; A BIG OH NO in my book. Not only did I not know my dress size, I had no idea what street size I was wearing and I definitely didn't know my measurements. Let's just say I have been dieting and I have lost several unwanted pounds and wearing pants that are loosely two sizes smaller; I really wasn't ready to take the gamble on picking the right size. So off I was to San Francisco with one place on my mind, JMC Gunnesax. I will start off saying that this place is not for everyone nor would I recommend it to people wanting that high end, big princess wedding dress or those who are even a bit self-conscience. BUT a perk to outlet shopping and giving it a whirl is you may just find your dress at 50%+ off of the retail price (usually more). I've been a fan of JMC dresses since I was a child. My best friend modeled for her and I was always in awe of her cute little dresses, pictorials and runway tapes. Having looked at her new releases and falling in love with a dress online that I knew I wouldn't buy I set out to find something dated last season with hopes for something similar. To my surprise after sifting through racks upon racks a dress caught my eye. It couldn't be; but yes it is. They had one dress of the exact style that I loved online and in my (guessed) size no less. I added it to my other two I pulled and headed into the communal dressing room. I tried on dress 1 and 2, really liked number 2 but then I went to number 3 and I was sold. It's very me, vintage yet modern and not your average wedding dress. A couple girls made comments of how unique it was and told me it was their favorite one that I tried on. I grabbed my dress and headed up to the register as she rattled off...it was 10% off, then 50% off and she ended at some number slightly over 75%. She told me I was very lucky as this dress only ends up there by mistake and she had just put it out before I arrived. I shuffled out of the store dress in hand, grin on my face and couldn't wait to brag to TJ about my savings. Here is a Sneek Peek...

The next step was finding something for TJ to wear and as we soon realized, traditional beach wedding attire was out the window. Mr. Blonde hair, Blue eye, Fair skin looked as if he was ill wearing khaki and white near his face. As we were given the option to be unique and non-traditional again we were very open to trying on other colors. His first and our final option was blue. It looks great and I must say he looks extremely handsome in it. :) I went and bought a sash to match for my dress and I have to say the duo is well; US!

Rings: As I had mentioned above my body is shrinking and being that my fingers are a part of my body I am finding that my ring is slipping and sliding all over. Since we bought it at the most incredible jewelry store, Shane Co., I get free resizing as needed but I'm sad that I have to give it up for a week. I figure better to do it now than risk loosing it in the ocean. While its there I will have the two rings soldered but I am having difficulties handing it over...YES I'm a big baby. LOL! TJ's ring will be ordered this week so we are almost ready to go. :)
Oh my; I have to get on my little brag horse and ride throughout the city...TJ will be starting at his new office on Thursday and will be working B shift which means he will be home by 2230. It's been a while since I've had him home at night, every night but I cannot wait. It will help me go to bed before 3am which in return will make me a not so crabby morning person (YA RIGHT!). Two weeks following that he will be on his 5 weeks of vacation, he will still be working quite a bit (By choice...but he will keep his weekends to spend with me). I am so thankful for his hard work, the amazing department and VACATION!
I'm out of things to write about and you are probably bored out of your mind...Until next time!
Ash

Wedding Details

I'm sorry; I know that I promised wedding specifics on the first post but haven't had a free minute yet. I just snuck a small dose of time away from the daily grind of work and decided to blog for your detail pleasure. (edit: it took longer than anticipated due to work duties...and my usual rambling)

**WARNING** this is extremely long**WARNING**

First, I wanted to start off with a little reasoning behind our decision to plan an intimate, destination wedding. Over the past year and a half TJ and I have encountered a lot of changes, hiccups and we have ultimately realized that the only people we can completely depend on are ourselves and each other. Moving away from the one place we know best, the place where most of our family and friends reside was not easy. It actually still isn't easy but we have gained so much by doing so. We have learned that the lifestyle of a law enforcement family is far from simple but we have grasped it tightly and are holding on for the long run. The long hours he spends at work (12+ hour days), the extra days he puts in (60-100 hours extra every month), missing all holiday gatherings, etc. is all something that comes with having lower seniority which will change over time but initially is extremely difficult. There are many days that turn into 4,5,6 days that we don't see hide nor hair of each other due to a simple crossover of me leaving the house and him arriving 20 minutes later. It is hard but neither of us would change “this life” for the world because it has increased our love for each other immensely and is creating a very sturdy foundation for our future. With that said, planning a traditional wedding would be extremely difficult and stressful due to the lack of time we have together to work on details and setting a date not knowing if he will be able to take that day off could be risky(we are hoping to transfer again mid next year). Added that there would be slim chance to have a honeymoon following. Ultimately, we have larger goals than spending huge amounts of money on a single day, which we would only be doing to please family and friends. We would much rather spend the money on a place to call home, one that is ours with no landlord and the freedom to paint any wall whatever color our hearts desire. Since TJ already has his vacation set this year (cough*jealousy* 5 WEEKS *jealousy*cough...I wish I got that!) and we planned to vacation to Maui we decided that the time was perfect and I would get my dream of a serene beach wedding that is practically stress free (Those of you who know me well...know that I would turn into a Bridezilla with major OCD trying to make every little detail perfect. Really, I would probably kill myself by stressing.). This was not planned to leave anybody out, so if you feel that way please listen when I say for both of us; it is not like that at all. They say when you know; you know and trust me WE KNOW! There have been no doubts at all.

Second, the part you really want. :) The wedding will be the first week of November, yes I have a date but I am keeping that for us just in case somebody in the family wants to try and be sneaky and show up (Please don't...we will be angry). The ceremony will take place bright and early in the morning on the beach in Makena Cove. Makena Cove (aka Wedding Cove), has all of the beautiful aspects of Maui from white sand to lava rocks to palm trees. I think the site is absolutely beautiful and I think you will too. The reason for a morning wedding is, it is likely to rain sparingly in the afternoon in November, rather than being on standby if it does rain I would much rather be promised a wedding - rain free, and return later for sunset pictures.

We have hired a wedding planner, JJ, who will get the beach permit, set us up to get a marriage license when we arrive and she will bring leis, unity sand and most importantly her husband, Reverend Michael, who is a licensed Minister in Hawaii. Being from a family business, I love that these two work hand in hand completing hundreds of weddings each year and they themselves have been married for 19+ years. In talking to JJ we found it funny that she is originally from Orangevale (About 15 minutes from Roseville, where TJ and I lived and went to high school). *Random Story that I find interesting* She remembers when the train hauling bombs in 1973 that caught fire, exploded 18 rail cars and caused major damage to the town we now know as Antelope. She said the sight from her house was one she will never forget (Thinking about how much land was undeveloped back then I could only imagine how clear of a view Orangevale had). I find this interesting because in the 90's they located live bombs underground that were unaccounted for after the 1973 incident. This was extremely close to the home I was raised in at that time and I remember it fairly well. With all that being said I instantly clicked with JJ and hired her at that time. 

JJ and Michael

The friends that we are taking with us to Maui are extremely talented people who we are beyond thankful for. Jessica is an amazing Wedding Photographer who has a great eye for romantic, funny and candid photos. By her side is her very talented husband, Matt, who is her second photographer (He has his own style that results in them making a perfect duo). He also does graphic designing that is unique and creative giving you exactly what you envisioned.

Jessica and Matt

For those of you local to the greater Sacramento area, if you need family portraits or a wedding photographer I highly recommend you check out her work. Even those of you who are not local; she will travel (she just returned from a wedding in Italy) for an additional cost. Also, if you are looking for graphic design services contact Matt.

Links:

Jessica's Blog (up to date photos)

Stout Photo Website

Oath Design - Matt's Website

Pictures of TJ & I by Jessica

Trip Details - We rented a two bedroom two bathroom oceanfront condo in Ma'alaea which is in southwest Maui and very short drive to Kihei and Wailea. We would like to do all the tourist attractions; snorkeling, horseback riding, ziplining, luau, etc. but are probably going to plan as we go rather than stress over what we have to do and when. The trip will be from November 2nd - November 10th.

LASTLY, We will be having a post-wedding Luau themed reception next year. It is currently set for August 7, 2010 and will only be changed if something drastic happens. We would like all family and friends to attend wearing hawaiian attire(not required) and be prepared to have a fun time. At my mothers request I will be wearing a white dress and TJ will be wearing his semi-formal hawaiian outfit. It probably won't be the exact attire we wore at the wedding though. :) Pictures of the wedding, vacation and a video of the ceremony will all be there for your viewing. We will also have Jessica there to take family pictures and of course pictures with those who we consider part of our invisible wedding party. Mark your calendars now; this should be plenty of notice even for you east coast people.

Again, THANK YOU ALL for your support. The Congratulations notes bring a smile to my face every time I see them. Give me a break, I have waited 7 years for this. =D

Ash

He asked and I said "YES"!!!

This past weekend TJ and I flew down to Las Vegas for a CAHP Softball tournement that he was playing in with some guys from his office. Their team didn't do wonderful but it was pure entertainment to watch, especially the games on Saturday at the turf field. I kid you not if the ball hit the ground in the outfield it bounced up and over the head of the person ready to catch it. I felt like I was watching a group of children chasing a bouncey ball around in a closed room. They went to have fun and I am pretty sure everyone had fun.

We stayed at the Trump Hotel, an amazing 5 Star hotel that is on the north end of the strip. I don't even know how to describe how amazing this place is.  The bed was premium, there was a tv inside of the mirror in the bathroom, a kitchen area (small fridge, microwave, stove top, with dishes, etc) and customer service that tops anywhere I have ever stayed. A great perk was that there is no casino and no smoking here. It was quite peaceful.

Saturday night TJ and I purchased tickets to go see the Blue Man Group performing at the Venetian. I had seen this show before but I must say it was still worth every penny to see it again. I can definitely see myself going again for a third, fourth and maybe fifth time. We also had dinner at an amazing restaurant called "First - Food & Bar". We shared some sliders and a meatball pizza. Both were absolutely delicious. I highly recommend it.

Sunday, after two softball games TJ and I checked out of our hotel and decided to go spend some time on the south side of the strip before our flight. Some of my favorite things to do are down there so we had to atleast go see my favorite, the Fountains at the Bellagio. If you have never seen it you have to...it's quite beautiful (and FREE!). It was beautiful as always and to make it even better...after the show TJ popped the question and of course I said "YES"! I am so excited that we are going to be husband and wife.

Some of you have asked if I knew it was coming...what are the details...when is the wedding etc. So here you go...

I knew the proposal was coming I just didn't know when. We went ring shopping over a month ago and purchased a ring that has been sitting in the sock drawer keeping me on my toes. I was definitely not expecting it to come in Las Vegas so in a way it was a suprise.

 Details: TJ and I have planned to get married in Maui this coming November. It will be an intimate wedding; just us and a couple friends. It is a dream of mine to have a beach wedding and this works out amazing for us and is exactly what we want. We are extremely excited and cannot wait. I will post the specifics within the next couple of days...I'm too tired to continue tonight.

Thank you all for your support. It means so much to us.

Love, Ashley