A few exciting little things

Well a few exciting things have come our way. Firstly, Sarah Vivienne won an award for a picture of Robert! We're not surprised at all. Sarah is such a fabulous photographer and we can't wait to get back to England and do our next photo session with her. We all shared a little laugh because Robert hates taking pictures, and yet, it was a photo of him that won an award.



Sarah made a comment that he looks like Mr. Darcy in this picture. I completely agree, and I have to say, I consider him my own Mr. Darcy. The literary hero has been my dream man since the first time I read Pride and Prejudice and I never thought I'd find someone that made me as happy as Darcy made Elizabeth. Robert has been my dream man (my own Mr Darcy) since the moment I met him, and I can't believe how fortunate we both were to find real love. I have to say, taking pictures around Holdenby House made me feel a little like we were Elizabeth and Darcy for a day, too. Oh, England!

Also, a picture from our American wedding made it into Carolina Bride.



We look so happy and I loved those Mikasa Love Story flutes.

Finally, one of the guests from the English blessing sent a few videos from our service. I haven't seen them yet, but it's so wonderful to have something else to help us look back on the day. It's hard to remember all the details when there are so many nerves and emotions all in one moment. We didn't choose to video our weddings because we were on a budget, but this added little suprise gives us a chance to see and remember everything without missing the details, and for that we are so grateful.

So when work drags on a little, we now have these little joys to think on.

A strange inspiration

For some reason, and I really couldn't tell you why, but I'm fascinated by the royal couple. I know, just saying that makes me sound ridiculous doesn't it? However, the way they genuinely seem to care about one another inspires me and keeps me interested in their lives.

I suppose we all have that celebrity or celebrity couple that we follow. Why my choice seems to be the royal couple I'm not sure. It could be because I'm British and being away from home makes me extremely sentimental. Seeing as this was my first royal wedding, I think I'm just strangely attached because it represents my homeland. It could also be because Robert and I were married this year and so were William and Catherine. There's a number of emotions that come with getting married and being a newlywed, and since the wedding came so shortly after my own, I almost relived the moments of my big day while watching them enjoy theirs. On top of all that, Kate's fashion is just fabulous!


I mean, I would just love this jacket. Too bad it costs more than a thousand pounds.



(Image Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/25/prince-william-kate-irish-guards_n_884484.html)

Whatever the reason is, I think Will and Catherine are wonderful and I love reading about the joys of their newly married life. I think it's wonderful to see a couple that truly cares for one another in the news; especially in a time when so many couples are marrying for the wrong reasons and divorcing a year or two later. I admire Barack and Michelle Obama because they seem very compassionate toward one another, too.

Do you have a celebrity or celebrity couple that inspires you? If so, who?

How hard is it to let go when the wedding is over?

Your wedding is one day out of the rest of your lives together. In-fact, it's one of the biggest days of your life together, and while it's not the most important moment you'll share together, there's not really another occasion like it. I'm not saying there's nothing as important as a wedding, rather, that when you have your first child or get your first home, it's not going to be the same type of celebration. In a way, I think letting go of the celebration itself can be hard for new brides. Especially since us brides spend months planning for our weddings. Some newlyweds suffer from post-wedding planning blues, and sometimes I wonder, am I one of those wives or am I just a woman who loves weddings?

I admit I still love reading wedding magazines (just a couple that have great stories) and I still spend hours admiring gorgeous wedding photography. Would I willingly plan the big day, or in my case big days, over again? No. I really have no desire to plan another wedding. However, I'd love to buy another wedding dress, get dolled up, and pose for more pictures in elaborate buildings or breathtaking locations. I still love looking at centerpiece ideas or hearing how couples incorporated intricate, personal details into their celebrations. Most importantly, I still love reliving every detail of both our days over and over again.



I do feel sad the day has come and gone, and I should have heeded all those pre-wedding warnings that said "treasure all of this because it's over before you know it." But I'm not necessarily sad that it's over, more that it was over so quickly. I wouldn't go back to just being a bride to be, because to me, being a wife is so much better. But I feel like there's so much I missed as the day whirled by me- which makes me think other cultures have it right. Maybe getting married first and then planning the celebration later is the way to go. Part of me thinks that being already married takes away from the celebration, but when I think about all my nerves and all my excitement about finally becoming his wife, well. . . sometimes I was so excited and so nervous I missed what was going on around me on the day. Would I have had a better memory of the day if I hadn't been so high on my emotions? Then again, would it have been such a memorable day if I didn't have all of those emotions?



(Image by Fort Mill Photography)

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change anything about our wedding days and I have absolutely no regrets. I wouldn't change all the jumbled emotions that came with our day, and I'm still glowing over the memories. In-fact, I am so happy about our wedding days and our lives as newlyweds that even people around me have said they love hearing me talk about my new husband. But I just think with all the energy and emotion that goes into a wedding, it's a little sad when it's all over.

What can you do with all those wedding pictures?

While my wedding's over, I'm always reminiscing. Part of it has to do with the fact that even when a wedding has passed, there's still a few bits and pieces left. One of those little details is deciding what to do with your wedding pictures. Robert and I were so lucky with our pictures. There are so many that we love and cherish that deciding which ones I wanted to showcase was quite a task (Robert was not as involved in this as I was). But even when you've decided which ones to use, deciding how to use them can be just as tough. Here's a few ways to make the best of your wedding photos.

A gallery

For months I was shopping for the right frames. Poor hubby was listening intently, even though secretly I know he was hoping I'd just pick some already! However, a gallery can allow you to get a true reflection of the day as you remember it, so the right frames are important.



The great thing about a gallery is you can incorporate little pieces of your day. For our American wedding gallery, I incorporated the "I Do" that we used on our cake table. Now I feel like it's more than just a gallery of our pictures, it also incorporates a little piece of the big day decor. If you hand-made your invites or have a copy of the speeches your bridal/groom's party gave, you could frame those too. Everyone is different, but as long as you incorporate a reflection of how you remember your day, I think you'll be pleased with the results.

Photobooks

I absolutely love photobooks. Maybe it's because I'm an English major and I love the stories they let you create or maybe it's how creative you can be with them. Either way, when Robert and I started planning our wedding, I knew I wanted us to have a photobook. Unlike a gallery, you're less limited in the amount of pictures you can choose. Granted, you could build an entire wall gallery, but who really has the room for that?
Your photographer should provide plenty of options; I know Fort Mill Photography and Sarah Vivienne had some breathtaking choices. If I could, I would definitely have ordered one of Sarah Vivienne's Queensberry albums. Unfortunately, we weren't able to afford one. However, if you're like us and budget is an issue, Shutterfly is a great alternative. You can build pages that emphasize certain elements of your wedding; such as the cake cutting or your bridal party. But my favorite part was that I was able to add the note Robert wrote to me on our wedding day (most photographers offer this customizable option as well). I've even seen examples that include menus alongside pictures of the food.

Cards and Stationary

Now that you have pictures you're proud of, show them off! Why not use one of your wedding photos on your address labels? It certainly adds a nice touch to your thank you cards. Robert and I actually used one of our engagement photos on the adress labels for our thank you cards. However, I will be adding a wedding picture to our Christmas cards. I love the photo cards you can make from Shutterfly or Wedding Paper Divas. I'll probably only do this our first year as newlyweds, but if you're like me and you're truly excited to be married, you should celebrate your new relationship to the fullest.

Submit photos to a magazine

This last option requires your photographer's permission, but if you're comfortable with hundreds of people seeing your pictures, you should consider submitting them to a magazine. Robert and I, courtesy of Fort Mill Photography, have submitted our photos to a few publications. I'm not holding out much hope of being chosen as the publications are very competitive, but I'm excited we even got the opportunity. However, there are options for paying for submissions (like the local newspaper).




(Image source: http://www.visualphotos.com/image/2x412853/young_woman_reading_a_magazine_in_a_coffee_shop)

Hot off the press!

Although three months have passed since our big days, I'm still reveling in the awe of it all and how wonderful it feels to be married. There's nothing more comforting than coming home at the end of a long day to your husband. But alongside how incredible it feels to be married, I can't help but think about how unforgettable our big days were. I'm always thinking back to all of the wonderful friends who went out of their way to be there for us, or the incredible professionals we worked with that made our days even more special. We are so lucky for everyone that was a part of our weddings.



(Sarah Vivienne captured this wonderful picture of all the guests at the British Blessing)

I wish I had written a blog right after the wedding and blessing so that I could remember every detail of each day. While I remember all of the important moments, like the speeches, or the way Robert looked at me both times I got to the altar, after a while, the little details you spent months planning start to blur. No, the little details aren't what matter in the grand scheme of things, but they are all a part of what makes the day your day, and I wish I could remember every last part of both days. Thank goodness for our pictures.



(Picture by Fort Mill Photography)

So I'm posting a few blogs that I truly treasure and mean the world to me. These are the posts that talk about our big days from the people whose presence there made the day so memorable. I love reading them and they help me relive the day all over again!

Love, Brittney: "The intern's wedding"

Sarah Vivienne Photography: "Holdenby House 'Bride & Groom' Shoot"

Sarah Vivienne Photography: "Holdenby House wedding photos - Robert & Sarah"

Sarah Vivienne Photography: "A lovely suprise"

Fort Mill Photography: "Very few couples get to experience two wedding days in two different countries"

One step closer. . .

Ringing in the New Year brought with it a new feeling that I didn't anticipate. As I was wrapped up under the covers with Robert I realized something - this was my last New Year's celebration as a "single" woman. I'll admit it, I haven't been very wedding focused lately. However, as 2011 arrived, the excitement of being a bride to be came flooding back. It's the same year as my wedding, so even if it is still two months away, it feels as though we've entered the final countdown.

While I'm overwhelmed with excitement, what makes this final countdown incredible isn't the wedding. It's just knowing that Robert and I are going to be husband and wife that has reignited my happiness. I'm excited for those moments that we are going to share together before the wedding and after. I'm constantly thinking about the moment I will walk down the aisle and see Robert standing at the end waiting for me. There's also the thought of finally travelling alone together as we honeymoon in London. Better yet, I'm looking forward to opening the door to our first place as a married couple and the life that first place will help us to build.

It's still unbelievable at times. I'll be going through my everyday routine and out of nowhere it will hit me- wow Robert and I are getting married! As we counted down those last few moments of 2010, I couldn't help but feel the excitement building with every second that passed. As 2011 arrived, we were one step closer to our own incredible celebration, and while I'm ready to be married, I can't help but enjoy every moment of our own final countdown.

When do you feel like a bride?

I’ve strutted around in my big, white dress, I’ve sent out our save the dates, and I’ve been working on the centerpiece designs. I love every step of the wedding process and every day just the thought of marrying Robert puts a smile on my face; I can’t wait. But throughout the entire process I haven’t felt like a bride yet. Does it ever happen? Or does it always feel surreal?

Yesterday Robert and I took our engagement pictures. I was extremely nervous because I know he isn’t fond of pictures, but truthfully, I loved it even more than the bridal session. Don’t get me wrong, I loved taking the bridal portraits (it was so much fun to pose by all those books)! But yesterday was so relaxed, comfortable, and just straight-up fun!

Somehow, I look at myself in that gown and feel like a girl dressed up. It’s not the dress- the gown is gorgeous and I love it – but I suppose it all feels very surreal. Strangely enough, the part that feels the most tangible and fits the best is the thought of becoming Robert’s wife. Maybe that’s why the engagement pictures were so comfortable. It didn’t feel as though I was playing a part, it felt real.

While I am excited for the big day, it’s the thought of being married that I look forward to the most. Time keeps passing, and in just a few months we’ll become Mr. and Mrs. On that day, I think I’ll finally feel like a bride. After all, the next time I slip on that white gown, it will be to meet my new husband, and finally start the next chapter of our lives together.

The bridal pictures

Since this blog is about my journey to married life, I figured a post about the wedding was fair game. Last week I put on my dress and bright red shoes, and headed downtown for my bridal pictures. Throughout all the excitement, I got the first taste of what my wedding day would be like: hectic, non-stop, but completely unforgettable.

It was perfect weather; in-fact, it was one of the only days it didn’t rain (talk about lucky). I got a French manicure which looked great with my engagement ring. Somehow, it sparkled more because of them, and just like the night he proposed, I couldn’t stop starring. After the salon we ran a few errands and rushed to the stylist.

It was the first time I was going to see my wedding hair; unfortunately, it didn’t work out like I planned. While I pictured myself with long curls, my hair had gone flat by the time of the pictures. I was disappointed at the time, but when I started taking pictures I forgot all about it. I got comfortable with the idea of two looks (one for my portraits, the other for my big day). Besides, it’s better it happens now rather than at the wedding, right?

As for the location, I chose the Green because of my love for literature. I just love the tall book statues and the signs named after authors. Everything about the setting fit my personality and the photographers really incorporated my favorite features. I posed in front of the statues, the fish fountain, the ivy, and the gorgeous, winding paths. I felt like a model. . . and apparently looked like one, too. A tourist stopped by and asked to take a picture with me. It was unusual, but definitely a moment I won’t forget.

Yet the best part was having my mother with me. She was there throughout every stage of the process; from the nail salon, to the hairdresser, to the shoot itself. My bridal portraits are a one-time experience, and it was all the more memorable for sharing it with her.

I can’t believe there’s only five months left until the big day. Sometimes, I just stop and think to myself “I’m getting married.” I’ve wanted to marry Robert for a while and it’s hard to believe it’s really happening. The details are starting to fall into place, and the remaining months will be filled with the bridal events and the planning meetings; all I can say is, I’m looking forward to every part of it.

The beginning. . .

Let me begin by saying, I'm not a housewife type. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against housewives. But I'm more of the career and wife type than just a housewife. And when it comes to the idea of starting a family, I can honestly say my motherly instincts are rather non-existent.

So with that out of the way, I’m sure you’re wondering, what is this blog for? Well, in seven months I’m getting married. The funny part is. . . I have NO idea how to cook, decorate, or do anything that makes a house a home. In fact, when I was in college, my lack of culinary skills led me to burn my toast and successfully set off the fire alarms for the entire apartment!!!! Needless to say, I was extremely nervous about making toast after that!

Well, now I’m actually interested in learning how to cook. And I've uncovered a few guilty pleasures I didn't know I had, one of the biggest being home decorating. But as I said, I know nothing about making a house a home, so that's what this blog is for. I'm going to write about what it's like to learn everything from square one just seven months before my wedding. And hopefully one day I'll be able to make my toast without calling out the fire brigade. I guess we'll see. Wish me luck!