365 days

Yesterday marked an official year until Bobby and I's wedding in Jacksonville Florida at Club Continental! ( found here )The both of us couldn't be more excited that it is finally close enough to "count down" too. Granted, it was my choice to wait this long to get married but I wanted to make sure it was right and that him and I could live together before getting married. With that I have been engaged since April 15, 2010... The most difficult part about waiting so long besides not being on his insurance (military insurance=good insurance) is that some of my friends who had got engaged well after me are already married or are getting married this summer. Don't get me wrong I am very happy for my friends who are getting married, it's just that I want to have my special day too and I kick myself in the but sometimes for waiting as long as I did but it's for the best. I would much rather have a long engagement than get married super quick and risk having a divorce in a couple years.

While on the subject of divorce...I chose to have a long engagement because I grew up with fighting parents, who eventually got divorced but ever since I was little I told myself that I would not get divorced, and that once I was married I was married for good, so I really want to hold to those words. Thankfully, Bobby and I have his parents as an example since they have been together thirty-nine years this November but the point is that they are still together and still love each other and that is what I want and what I want my children to grow up having. I have so many horror stories about my parents fighting when I was younger and their divorce took such a toll on my younger brother that I knew it was nothing I wanted. Granted I am still learning to pick and choose my battles and to not get mad/upset at the little things because it sparks the stupid little fights; however, I definitely take after my mother, on a side not I really try not to be like her. I must admit that I am very thankful to have found Bobby (thanks to Jessica) because he puts up with me when I am happy, sad, drunk, silly, and mad. He is definitely a great guy and I couldn't be anymore lucky to have him.

So with our wedding being 365 days away...I was checking out my theknot.com page and seeing what else needs to be done.

As of right now I have the following checked off my list:

• Wedding colors (Navy and Lime)
• My wedding dress!
• Wedding budget
• Wedding date (7/7/12)
• Photographer
• DJ
• Venue
• Guest list
• Ideas for center pieces- like mason jars, old books, lace dollies, flowers etc.
• A wedding planner =no stress for me!
• Photo booth
• Candy bar
• My bridal party and Bobby's
• Megan- Maid of Honor
• Tara
• Jessica
• Danielle
• Laura

Although I feel like this is a lot I still have much more to-do. Thankfully, I have an amazing Maid of Honor who is constantly sending me things! I love her. But I desperately need to find cute bridesmaid dresses for my girls, I really really want them to be the apple green/lime and under $200.00 but this is difficult. My whole reason behind the girls wearing the green was to have the boys in navy suits but if this can't be done I am going to have the girls in navy dresses and the boys in like a heather gray suit, wish me luck!

I am also so happy that I have a wedding planner, Adair Currie, she amazing and is so much fun! So bubbly, helpful, and cheap (look here). I feel the same way about my photographer, Taylor DeMaio (and here). Oh and my DJ is pretty awesome too, haha, all of this makes me excited :] One thing I have learned is to use the vendors who are just starting out because it saves you a TON of money which is what I need since we will still be footing most of the bill even with my Dad contributing to the wedding, Hey that's life isn't it. I'm sure I could make it cheaper but I like nice things and a certain someone who will remain nameless, [cough, cough, Bobby Harrold] likes to get drunk and tell more people that they are invited to the wedding. It'll turn out alright because they said like 20% don't even show up, which will help with the cost.

My next steps are to find a florist, decide on a bridesmaid dress, fit into mine that comes in, in September!, decide on STD's (Save the Dates) and invitations, and finally decide on center pieces... we'll see how that goes :]

xo Grimmy