As Promised...

A few months ago my mom and I decided it was about time we figure out what we're going to do about the flower situation. Since we were on a budget, we toyed with the idea of DYI'ing it... but after going to different wholesalers, I was getting panic attacks just thinking about doing all that work the day before (or the day of) my wedding. That's when my Aunt suggested a lady out of Mackinaw named, Beth, who is not only affordable but does a really good job.

She owns/runs Garden Gate Floral out of Mackinaw, IL. My mom and I set up an appointment and it was love at first... meet, I guess you could say. She knew exactly what I was going for and she's somehow making it all happen with in my budget. (Once again, thank you thank you thank you Jesus!) Tara and I met up with her again this past week just to nail down designs and flowers. AND here is what we came up with....

Peonies- pretty much my favorite flower on the planet (also super expensive, yet Jesus and Beth are amazing:-) )
Pink ranunculus (my second favorite flower)

Orange ranunculus

Billy Balls boutonnieres- are they not the cutest little things??? I love them


Deep pink carnations... now I know what you're thinking, but if it's done right, these can actually look pretty awesome.


I think these are called 'button daisies' but I could be very wrong. Anyways, I hate daisies but I love these little guys.

And babys breath.

Coming into this, I was so afraid that I would have to settle with really ugly flowers just to come in under my budget, but of course I put it in God's hands and not my own and he's blessed me with the exact flowers I had dreamed about. How amazing is He? Honestly. My heart is full and my floral future is looking fabulous.

Nitty Gritty

So I know I need to write another post, but I'm not sure about what. Not that we haven't been doing anything wedding related lately... with Tara now being engaged, wedding things are about all we do now these days, it's just that none of it is very interesting. I am currently designing our programs for the wedding ceremony and the menus for the reception... I took a pointer or two from these lovely people...

I am working out the kinks in our wedding music playlist, I just made a wedding word search for the word finder enthusiast, I made a detailed wedding schedule (I'm turning into Tara), we're starting to mail out our invitations, and then later today Tara and I are meeting with the florist to finalize floral arrangements. A lot of nitty gritty but boy do I feel like I'm getting a lot done :-)

Next Post: Flowerrrrs!!!

Jack of all Trades

In case you are not aware, my cousin Beka is pretty much the most talented person I know. My sisters joke and say that I am obsessed with anything she does, and there is a little bit of truth to that. I can honestly say that she has become a role model in my life recently and this is slightly embarrassing to admit since she has been there all along and I am just now noticing. I mean, I've always looked up to her and her sisters for their artistic talent, but never knew Beka was a jack of all trades! She can sew, she can knit, she cooks the yummiest lasagna and makes it look easy! AND she has the coolest handwriting ever, which works out for me because she has offered to hand address my invites for me.

So of course I took her up on her offer, so honored that she would even offer to do such a tedious chore, but she clearly enjoyed it because after only a week she had the first set of invites done! (Keep in mind she has four children under the age of 6, including a baby who's not even 1) See what I mean? She's great. Anyways, on top of all my invites, I asked her if she could draw a little map that we could add as an insert to my invites showing how to get to Mackinaw Valley Vineyard from Bloomington. I know I know, it sounds like I'm asking for alot from her, but just look at how the map turned out!

Isn't it just the cutest little thing you've ever seen??? She even drew Isaac's hair!

With out my sweet cousins my wedding would clearly be lacking in creative edge. You guys are so fantastic. Love you three!!

Engagement Pictures

Here they are! Enjoy!

Check out Tami Paige's Photography HERE

A Few Fun Facts

10. Did you know Costa Ricans call 'Speed Bumps' son muertos. In English, that means "Dead Persons". 9. Kind of funny considering their word for pedestrian in English means "Target". haha

8. In English, we say, "She had a baby" but what Costa Ricans say means "She gave light" in English. Pretty cool.

7. MacDonald's, Burger King and all the others fast food places have HOME DELIVERY in Costa Rica! Just doing their part in supporting international obesity... however, I don't believe Costa Ricans have this problem like us Americans do. haha

6. In Costa Rica, it is not uncommon to give coffee to babies (in their bottle, with milk) and to young children. Could you imagine a two year old on espresso???

5. Costa Rica has a population of 4.5 million and a life expectancy of almost 77 years - one of the highest in the world.

4. In the Western Hemisphere, Costa Rica is the only country without an army or military of any kind

3. Bananas and coffee are the two primary agricultural exports from Costa Rica.

2. In Costa Rica, there are more than 34,000 species of insects! ew

1. And Fun Fact number one is that ISAAC AND I ARE GOING TO COSTA RICA ON OUR HONEYMOON!!!!!

This is extremely exciting news for us to share because we have been praying about this for the past year and nothing seemed to be working out. We tried so many different places but there was always something wrong; travel time was too much, airfare was too expensive, time difference and jet lag would be too extreme, hotels were not quite honeymoon ideal. So of course we turned to God and prayed, knowing that he would lead us to the perfect place in His prefect timing. And he did as of today, it all fell into place and we are so so so entirely blessed. So May 8th we are going to be well on our way to this tropical paradise...

Thank you Jesus. Beyond excited would be an understatement.