Rain, Rain DON'T Go Away

RAIN - most people would think rain would be bad luck. Especially if rain pours down on a lot of important dates. But not us! We embrace the days when rain and importance intertwine. It gives us a sense of hope. Good luck and omen. And most importantly good faith - when a shadow is cast, we see the light.

The day we met - it poured. My first inkling of Tyler's "charm" was on this day. After we discovered it was raining, he offered to go get my car so I wouldn't have to walk in the downpour. Such the gentleman!

The day Tyler purchased his first "big boy" truck - it rained. After he moved to Fayetteville, he bought a new truck. Thank goodness the windshield wipers worked on the maroon Ford! We wouldn't have been able to cruise around Fay-town without them.

The day we searched endlessly for a place to temorarily be housed in Conway - it poured. We drove around neighborhoods looking for rental properties, got in/out of our car, experienced umbrella malfunctions; all the while, holding hands just as happy as can be. Especially knowing we were taking another step in our relationship: roomies!

The day we found and shortly thereafter moved into our first purchased home together (yes, two separate occassions) - it poured. Another hint of charm (I've mentioned just two of many in a five year time period), Tyler unloaded our belongings with the movers in the pouring rain. Even though it was late at night and we were tired, hungry, and sweaty; he helped them when he didn't have to at all. He was so willing to help them and I just stood in awe of how he was raised to be a gentleman.

And finally... THE DAY FOR OUR ENGAGEMENT PICTURES. Yeah, you guessed it. It poured. Out of nowhere. A severe thunderstorm. Dale and Meredith called to inform me that our pictures needed to be... POSTPONED. Oh no! The day I had dreamed about for five years was going to have to be rescheduled. I understand about cameras and hair and makeup and clothes, but seriously... RAIN IS KINDA OUR THING! Of course, Prince Tyler was there to save the minor meltdown I had. I was so disappointed that we didn't get to take a few, just a few, pictures in the rain. He told me several things to bring me back to reality, but one that sticks out in mind... "Dale and Meredith want our pictures to be perfect. The lighting isn't right. Rain will ruin their cameras and then what will we do... They won't be able to take our picture at all!" Then smitten, I smiled and admitted, "Yeah you're right, but rain in our thing!"

Because of our fortunate blessing of rain, we will be prepared for our outdoor ceremony on our Big Day. Our guests will be given a favor that will keep them dry and keep them shaded simultaneously. Yes, you guessed it... UMBRELLAS. Attached will be a little paper goody from Amy with Sincerely Yours Paper explaining our rainy, lucky situation.

"And isn't it ironic; don't ya think."

My Perfect Dress

On March 27, 2010 at 6:00pm in Neiman's bridal boutique I ordered my wedding dress! The whole day of jam packed appointments was such a great experience and I am so thankful I was able to share it with my mom, my grandmother, and my best friend!

The day started off optimistic as we walked into Priscilla of Boston; however, as they opened the door for business - we were the first appointment - I realized I had forgotten my beautiful wedding shoes... Boo! But we weren't going to let that damper our day! The associate who help us there was phenomenal. She knew exactly my style in 5 minutes of talking with me. Amazing! I had two dresses chosen and I would have been perfectly happy with either! I had finished trying on wedding gowns in time for Jamie to try on bridesmaids dresses. We thought we had gotten off to a very productive start.

Our next appointment was at Warren Barron. I fell in love with the boutique and the selection they had. I also loved the staff. They were so genuine and precious. I recommend this bridal boutique to EVERYONE! During this appointment - something AMAZING happened. As I tried on gown after gown that I had picked out we just couldn't decide. They were all so gorgeous! But, there was one still on the rack that my mom had eyed on the internet a couple weeks back... So I thought I would give it a shot - you know to appease my mom. When I walked out of the dressing room in this gown... My mother, grandmother, and Jamie cried. We knew this one blew the previous appointments' dresses out of the water... Now we narrowed down to four styles; two of which were totally not what I had originally wanted in my wedding gown. I left Warren Barron feeling confused, exhausted, and wondered I was ever going to decide...

Then it was on to Neiman Marcus - downtown flagship. Of course being the "fashion craved" female that I am... this was the perfect place for me. I knew that my heart was on a couple of dresses at Warren Barron, but I was keeping an open mind, always. As I picked out which dresses I wanted to try on... I noticed a very familiar (there are the goose bumps again) gown. I told my bridal consultant, Christina, about my experience at Warren Barron and she said then we must try it on again. There were two at Neiman's that I fell in love with. One of which was the dress everyone got emotional about, but one difference... It had a different design aspect than the other and for the better! Right then I knew, this was my wedding gown. A wedding gown that had surprised all of us because it was everything I said I didn't want... But it turned out to be everything I had ever dreamed of: perfection.

I have chosen not to reveal my wedding dress in pictures and/or in writing for several reasons. One, most importantly, I want to TUG AT TYLER'S HEART STRINGS on our wedding day. Two, pictures or words do not give this dress justice (maybe Dale's pictures, maybe) but not an ordinary 'ol fool. Three, I want the moment of being "unveiled" (no pun intended) to the world - or at least our wedding guests.

Our Venue

For a really long time Tyler and I, as well as our families, have thought our wedding venue would be at Garvan Gardens in Hot Springs. When the time came to FINALLY go look at the "perfect" location we were ecstatic! We made an appointment with Garvan before we had even thought about anything else. We wanted to make sure we booked in enough time! We made a day out of it... Ate lunch with the parents, all went together to the gardens, and unfortunately, we were all disappointed together. Come to find out the "Great Lawn" where we had discussed having the wedding had been closed by the facility due to excessive "high heel" wear and tear! Such a disappointment. To keep our "Garvan" dream alive we visited the Anthony Chapel. Of course, we didn't like that either. As a little girl I never dreamed of my wedding being in a church or chapel; I had always dreamed of a colorful garden background with trees and flowers! So automatically I was turned off by the chapel and felt it would be settling with that venue. Back to the drawing board!

Our planner, Jessica Kersey (http://finishingtoucheventdesign.net/), had suggested several places we go look... Well one being Marlsgate Plantation. I wasn't so sure about this place... The southern plantation houses were never "love at first sight" for me. But, to keep an open mind we decided to go take a look. I'm pretty sure as we were driving down the 'ol country road (just like back home) something felt right about it. As we got closer to the plantation we see a GORGEOUS lake with ducks and geese flying all around. It was just amazing! As we rounded the corner our mouths dropped! So we pull up and park and as we are about to enter the gate... Tyler and I look at each other and it was the most amazing feeling. I just can't describe. I had butterflies; Tyler was giddy. It was perfection. It was the feeling I knew we were "suppose" to have. Before we even stepped foot on the property, we knew... Jessica knew it was the place too. After talking to the owner and touring the property, we had fallen in love again and knew that this was THE PLACE for our wedding. Nothing will ever replace that moment. I am so glad we had that experience and the best part is... that is was together! Ahhh...

This will be the third time I have described our experience and all three times it feels like when we first saw Our Venue. I think that tells us something...

The Engagement

Our engagement was long awaited! Four years and nine months in the making...

On December 23, 2009 it finally happened! Tyler had planned for us to eat at an amazing restaurant, Mike's Place, in Conway. We had planned on having a double date with Matt and Jessie that night with pictures by the Christmas lights and dinner. Ty had said we were celebrating my new job to throw me off! Also with Matt and Jessie going I didn't expect what was going to happen!

All day long I had a nervous, anxious feeling in the pit of my stomach. I knew something was different... Tyler wouldn't answer my phone calls all day long. He is horrible at keeping secrets... well... secret because "he forgets" they are secrets... right... So in order to keep it a total secret he decided not to

answer the phone.

When I got home from work that day (which was my last

day) I told him about my nervous/anxious feeling I had been having and of course he just shrugged his shoulders with no reply. We made our way to the restaurant and before going in we had to take pictures with the lights... in the rain... First we took Matt and Jessie's picture; then it was our turn. On about the third flash Tyler got down on one knee and opened a lighted box with a GORGEOUS ring in it! He said some things I don't remember, but my first reaction was to hug and kiss him! After it sank in a bit, he reminded me that I hadn't answered his question, "Will you marry me?". I said, OF COURSE I WILL! We then proceeded to dinner, had a bottle of champagne - which we kept after we drank it all! Each year we will burn a different colored candle to make it a work of art!

I'm so thankful for Matt and Jessie! Because of them, we have pictures of our moment. Thank you guys!