Photo shoot!

What a blessed surprise!  Andrew called me this evening and asked me about engagement photos.  I had posted about potentially taking them in Virginia, but didn't pursue the idea because I had no idea where to begin since I am not from the area.  Andrew's mum had been talking with some friends and one of them recommended someone.  She has some stunning bridal pictures!  I have not had many professional photography sessions (actually just one and it was done less formally), however, I think that this person is reasonably priced.  We get to steal her away for an hour and a half!!  What fun!  My future mother-in-law has been so generous and offered to pay the session fee.  Andrew and I are simply beyond blessed.  I cannot begin to explain how excited I am and grateful that she has got this planned for us.  She is wonderful!

Anyways, as if packing alone wasn't enough, I need to think of outfits!  Off I go to the closet....

Oh where, oh where is my venue....

Update!!

Andrew and I have set a date: July 7th, 2012.  We decided on this day for several reasons, but the largest is because we each have the majority of our family traveling to our wedding destination (not a "destination" wedding though).  Since July 4th falls on Wednesday, family would only have to take off two days of work instead of three. It's an extra (optional) travel day if they are interested!  

Now that we have the date, we just have to make sure our venue is available.  My mum and I went venue hunting today!! It was such fun and a lovely day.  We stopped by the center for performing arts.

Don't you just think you'd feel like a movie star walking in through those doors?  Bummer of all bummers: it's booked--sort of.  It's first come first serve and I'm third on the list of people interested.  If I call (tomorrow) to tell them that I am ready to put a deposit, then the manager will call the first two in line.  They have 72 hours to confirm otherwise, it's MINE!  If for some reason I find that this will not work, I am able to get my deposit back (if it's more than 4 months before the event).  WOW!

So this is the venue I'm thinking about.  It seems reasonable and I plan to book it.  If something terrible happens I'll get the deposit back.  They'll easily be able to book it if I canceled.  Trusting God, he has the most beautiful thing planned for me, I know this.

Can I just add that this would be so easy to decorate? It has the most lovely pillars that have outlets built in..PERFECT for decorating (thinking about my twinkle lights that I insist on having).   It has a large kitchen for catering.  The rent included tables and chairs, ect... We shall see.

Very Important Dates

So, Andrew and I have a date floating around, which is all too exciting.  It is becoming so real!  Soon it should be confirmed, yahoo!  Time to start looking for the chalkboard...

Also, I just booked plane tickets to visit Andrew for a week.  Since we met at school, we spend summers apart.  Thanks to the Wright brothers, we are easily able to plan a week to visit each other.  I have considered looking for a photographer is his area to do engagement photos.  It would be pretty lovely to take some on the beach, but I'm not sure if that's too cliche ("I like long walks on the beach....")

Googled some fun ideas.  They're all super cute, but if we took any of these ideas, we'd both be fully clothed.  Swim suits are cute, but not for engagement photos : )

Love the beach ball and picnic!  Not sure if this will actually come about.  I'm still trying to decide if I want to take engagement pictures this early or if I would rather take them closer to the wedding...

Decisions, decisions.   In the meantime, I should probably start looking for a white dress.  It's always good to be prepared, right?