New Blog!

Hello all!!


Just wanted to let you know that I've decided to start a new blog. This name and the blogger service just wasn't working out for me so I've transitioned over to a new home. All of my old posts are there and new posts will be coming so please join me!


I would LOVE for you to join me in my new place and have you follow my blog!


simplyloveblog.wordpress.com

Happy Birthday Dad!!

Today is my dad's 50th (!!) birthday :)


He is so special to me and I'm so excited to celebrate this day with him at dinner tonight. 50 is such an awesome milestone and I couldn't be more thrilled for him!


For over half of his life he's been my dad, and I'm his only daughter. I'd like to think he's pretty proud ;)

Dad:

You are an amazing dad and I wanted to shout out a huge HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you. I love you so much and have so many wonderful memories with you over my lifetime. I'm so proud to have you as my daddy and I hope you have a fabulous birthday!!

Wedding Photo Booth

The wedding photo booth was an idea that we played around with for a few months. We weren't quite sure if our group of friends and family would be into it, but decided that it could be loads of fun and we should just go for it. Our photographer set it up, brought the props and even took great photos of the craziness that transpired from it. I don't know why we ever doubted our group, they had a blast!

**All photos were taken by Amanda Marie Portraits**

Wedding Fashion/Style

Awww, the wedding fashion!! One of my favorite subjects :)


I want to show you all of it, from the hair, makeup, dresses, and SHOES!!! (Can you tell which of my favorites is my favorite! Haha)


The day started out like any other day...oh, except that it was my wedding day! I woke up and showered and then headed to Granny's to get my hair rolled for later. Many of you know Granny, and consider yourself lucky that you do...she's fabulous!! Well, she also happens to have been a hairstylist for over 40 years and just recently retired. You can bet that having her do my hair on my wedding day has been a dream of mine and hers since forever. Having her there was so special to me!


That afternoon we headed up to the hotel where we all finished up our hair and I had my makeup done by a sweet friend, Amanda (too many Amanda's to keep up with these days!). She was referred to me by her cousin, and a good friend from high school and I couldn't have been happier!


Makeup done..hair, check! All my girls looking beautiful and then it was time for the dress!! I'll let the pictures tell the story, they say it better than me anyway :) Enjoy!

Oh, and I just HAVE to mention the fact that we were being escorted by some very handsome men!! Ladies...most of these fine looking gentlemen are single, but the hot blonde is all mine ;)

**All photos were taken by Amanda Marie Portraits**

Wedding Vendor Highlight - The Florist

When it came to choosing a florist, I was pretty much at a loss. There were thousands of vendors for our choosing and prices all over the board. Luckily, my mom has been friends with Steve, the owner of A Little Ben's, a floral shop in Cleburne, TX. Steve was a pleasure to work with, and although we chose not to do extensive floral arrangements, the work that he did for us was beautiful! Take a look!

**All photos were taken by Amanda Marie Portraits**

Wedding Vendor Highlight - The Cakes

Mmmm, cakes! This may be the yummiest looking post I've had so far :)


I am blessed to have a wonderful cousin, Geri, who is very talented in cake design! Every cake you see in my events are usually done by her..my granny's retirement party cake, bridal shower, wedding, etc...and there will be more in the future (which she's already pressuring me for. Ha!)


For our cakes we did a traditional brides cake with white and chocolate layers, white fondant icing, and white detailing.


We (Kevin) struggled for months to decide what to do for Kevin's cake and we LOVE what we finally picked out. His cake was red velvet (our favorite) and oh so yummy! Take a look! 

Oh...and one of her adorable son, Mason...how could I not?

Geri, thank you so much for all you do! The cakes looked and tasting amazing and we are so thrilled that you could be a part of our special day! Love you cousin :)


**All photos were taken by Amanda Marie Portraits**

Wedding Vendor Highlight - The Venue

Just as a little backstory, Kevin and I were engaged on March 21, 2011 (See proposal post here). By mid-April we had our wedding date set...November 11, 2011 (11/11/11) would be the day that I married my best friend! Kevin and I have been together since 2004 and it's been a long road full of learning, growing, and love. He is my true love and the most amazing man. He is already a great husband and I can't wait to see the awesome father he will be to our kids in the future.


Anyhow, throughout our 8 month engagement, planning was a crazy ordeal. Not so much in the middle, but at the beginning and of course the end it was just plain stressful. In the beginning, there is tons, I mean TONS, of research to do and you're hoping this whole time that you are picking all of the right people for your big day. 


First up, the Venue...kind of important right? We knew we wanted to have our ceremony and reception in the same location so our guests wouldn't have to travel, so after many emails and phone calls we had our sights set on four locations. We set out one weekend with my loving parents and my trusty spreadsheet (don't act surprised!) to gather, record and compare all of the specifics of each place.


After the first two, we were pleased, but it just hadn't quite been what we were waiting to see. We discussed the differences over lunch at On the Border (90% of meals with my parents are at OTB, no shame), and then headed to The Ashton Hotel in downtown Fort Worth.


Now I am telling you, it took me all but 2 minutes to know this place was "the one". It was absolutely beautiful, had the charm of what we were looking for and just felt right. We immediately decided it was it, I called the 4th place to cancel our meeting and we had the contract signed by the end of the week.


This hotel is located in Sundance Square, it's an ornate and historic building and the architecture and decor throughout the reception spaces and hotel itself were beautiful. Unfortunately, I have to stop here on gushing about this place. In the end, the management of this hotel revealed their true colors and the story is so heart-breaking I don't even want to re-live it and it isn't worth the time for me to write or you to read. Bottom line, I would not recommend our specific location, however, it was absolutely beautiful, our perfect location and our wedding was everything we dreamed it would be!


Some more photos of this beautiful place!

**All photos were taken by Amanda Marie Portraits**