How quickly I forget...

So the same day as the honeymoon miracle, I sat down with my mom and dad to go over the reception hall packages.

The package that we wanted ended up being 3K more than what was originally estimated. This immediately made me tense and upset as we had to start thinking about not getting the things we wanted for the reception or to cut our numbers way back.

I knew God had just done an amazing thing for our honeymoon, but for some reason it was so hard for me to trust God with this hurdle.

so, I went over to Mike's mom's house to go over wedding invitation ideas and we ended up cutting our guest list down by a lot. I thought this was the answer to our reception hall dilemma. When I told my dad we had cut the numbers down he still said that he wanted to call and negotiate price with the country club. I was a little discouraged this morning, but Michael was going to take the contract and deposit over to country club in order to reserve our place.

At lunch I got a text saying that the guy who works at the country club as the reception coordinator knows my older sisters and went to school with them. When my dad called they were talking and he knows our whole family and is willing to let us customize our reception however we want it. Praise God!

Once again, God opened a huge door for us and is showing us over and over again that he approves of our marriage. I can't believe how quick I was to doubt the control He has over this entire wedding. He didn't get upset with me, he just showed Himself in a mighty way once again!

I can't even believe how blessed I am with a God who is sovereign in all things, a fiance who loves me and a family who is doing everything to make sure our wedding goes perfectly. I'm so grateful

Honeymoon Miracles

So, Sunday night I had a panic attack. Our wedding is in less than seven months and we had not booked our honeymoon yet. We are getting married in August and planned to use Michael's grandpa's time share in Kauai. We were so excited, but August books up very fast for Hawaii (naturally) so we were not even sure anything would be available for us. I panicked. I immediately started texting Michael's mom who was helping us book the time share and she started looking for available places in August.

As we were texting, it didn't look like there was anything available for Kauai except for two options. The only problem with these two places is that they weren't available until four days after our wedding. We considered this, but finally we decided that we wanted to be able to get away right after the wedding. We didn't want to stay in town and kill time before our honeymoon.

So, she started looking at the other islands in Hawaii. We found one available right after our wedding, but it was for the main island. Most people that I've talked to have said to avoid the main island because it's more like a city than a tropical relaxing getaway. We decided to take it, but we couldn't book it until the morning. Either way, this was Hawaii and we were going to have a blast.

The next morning I had to work really early so Michael went over to help his mom book our honeymoon. I got a text that morning saying that they had one option available for the day after our wedding on Kauai! I couldn't believe it. I don't even know how that happened, but I knew it was God. This is going to be our dream honeymoon and it's going to be perfect and it's only because God is opening doors for us.

I was in awe at how easy it was for God to take care of us and I am still so excited that I will be in Kauai on August 16th with my new husband!

Meeting the wedding coordinator

So Sunday, Mike and I met with our wedding coordinator. She is the same woman who coordinated Dani's wedding and I knew she was great right away. She is outgoing and bold and has a ton of great ideas which is good because I pretty much don't have any ideas.

Basically all we talked about is what needs to be done in the next month before we meet with her again. It was extremely helpful though. She brought up a lot of things that I had never thought about before like where I want to get dressed for the wedding, or what song we want to have for our recessional. There are so many decisions to be made and as Michael probably knows best, I am the most indecisive person on this Earth. These next seven months are going to be challenging.

Before we meet with her again, we have to pick and reserve a photographer, a DJ, ask all of our bridesmaids and groomsmen to be in the wedding, and get bridesmaid's dresses. Nothing like a little added stress, right?

I am very thankful for our wedding coordinator!

Mrs. Cameron

Someone called me Mrs. Cameron the other night and I didn't respond because I thought they were talking to someone else. I didn't even realize this person was talking to me. It's so weird to me that this will be my name in seven months and I'm sure this is not the last time I won't respond when someone calls me Mrs. Cameron. lol

A Friday full of Errands

So, last Friday Michael and I both took off of work in order to get a couple of wedding errands done.

First stop, the bank! Michael and I set up a joint bank account. I know there are still seven months until the wedding, but we're pretty sure we will go through with it. This will also help us start saving money because we agreed that my entire paycheck is going into savings and we will just live off of his paycheck from now on. I haven't gotten my debit card in the mail yet though and so I have been without access to any money for a few days. If I'm desperate though I can just go borrow his card. It will be interesting setting up a budget and seeing what expenses need to be cut out and where we can pinch pennies. I'm sure we will be having a lot of conversations with my dad in the future about budgeting.

Second stop, the florist! This was just a preliminary consult and it is a client of Michaels so hopefully he will cut us a deal. He gave me some really good ideas for bouquets and even had some ideas about how to keep cost down. We are going back sometime in the next month or so to lay out some more specific plans for the wedding and reception. i had no idea that it was a common practice to get a corsage for the bride and groom's aunts. That's crazy. Sorry aunts, I don't think you're getting a corsage from us. lol

Third stop, the church! We stopped by my parents' church because this is where we decided on having the ceremony. Unfortunately they were closed when we got there. We were standing outside talking about what to do next when the office lady poked her head out the door and asked if we needed help. I mentioned that we were interested in getting married on August 15th and she said "oh ya, your dad called earlier, we gave him all the info you need." This was hilarious to me because Michael and I had not even decided about the church until earlier that day and we hadn't told anyone yet. Just another example of how my dad always knows what I need and what I want and takes care of me so well. Thanks Dad!

That was a very eventful day.

Now, between working forty hours a week and taking an interterm class, I have had practically no time for wedding planning lately. Luckily my class ends next week and I only have two more weeks of working full time. I know it's weird to say, but I'm looking forward to starting school because I will actually have more time to wedding plan than I do now. I've worked harder during my break than I ever have during a college semester. I see the light at the end of the tunnel and am counting down the days until I am Mrs. Cameron! 213 days left

Which church?

So, Michael and I had a list of about five places where we would love to get married, so Tuesday on my lunch break at work, I started calling around.

My first call was to Calvary Chapel Chino Hills. This was our first choice because Michael's grandma's memorial service was there and so it was special to him. I loved it also because it was beautiful inside with an amazing courtyard area where we could probably get some great photos. Unfortunately, that phone call did not last long because the secretary told me that they only do in-house weddings. This means that they only allow people who attend that church to get married there.

My second call was to Inland Hills. This is where Michael and I have been attending for the past year. When I called, things sounded very hopeful. I had Michael go and pick up a wedding brochure later that day and when i read it, I discovered that they don't do weddings on Sundays. So, that option was out.

Michael and I had also considered getting married at Los Serranos Country Club where the reception is going to be. They have a beautiful courtyard and gazebo that would be perfect. Unfortunately, it would cost us an additional $1000.

Now we are considering getting married at the church I grew up in and the church my parents attend now. There is no fee and it is also very beautiful inside. It is just a matter of sitting down with Michael and making our final decision now.

Overall, things are going smoothly so far and I'm keeping in mind, that the wedding is not the most important thing, the marriage is.

My Dress!

so, yesterday I went to David's Bridal with my three sisters, my mom and dad, and Michael's mom. I wasn't expecting to find anything because I had no idea what I even wanted. I just wanted to look around and get some idea of what I wanted for my wedding.

On the way there, I felt myself getting extremely nervous. I knew that trying on wedding dresses was really going to cement the fact that in seven and a half months I will be walking down the aisle to promise myself to Michael for the rest of my life. I also was so nervous about everyone watching me and being the center of attention while I tried on dresses.

When we got there we were greeted at the door by the woman who would be my personal helper for the day. She gave me a catalog and I dog-eared the pages that had dresses I would potential pick. Then, we were off to the dressing room. I was still extremely bashful and nervous about walking out in front of everyone and having them all look at me and the dress I was wearing. The only other time I had experienced this shyness/bashfulness was when Michael and I walked into BJ's when both of our families were there right after he proposed.

First, she brought me the huge bra and slip/poof skirt which I only got into because of my MOH's help. She had to hook all 28 hooks on the back of the ginormous bra. I would have been in there forever if I had to do it on my own.

Then my consultant brought me the first dress which I also needed help getting on. I'm usually pretty self sufficient so to not even be able to get dressed on my own was a little humbling. lol. I had to put my hands together over my head and have my consultant put the dress on me and hook it up in the back.

I liked this first dress a lot. It was the closest to what I pictured myself wearing in my head, but I still wanted to try on more. The second dress she brought in wasn't my favorite and I don't even really remember what it looked like.

The fourth one that I tried on was so beautiful. It was definitely in the top two for the dress I wanted to wear on my wedding day. It was a simple A-line with a sweetheart strapless top. It had the corset lace-up in the back and a beautiful medium sized train. I loved it, but I was also a little disappointed because I didn't get that feeling that all brides talk about where they put the dress on and they just know it's the one. I didn't get that, but I loved this dress.

I wanted to try one more on just for fun because it was the first one that I picked out of the catalog. When the consultant brought it in I was just ready to be done trying dresses on. I was tired. There were no mirrors in the actual dressing room, but the second I had that last dress on I got that feeling I wanted. I knew this was my dress. I couldn't stop smiling. When I walked out of the dressing room and caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I knew for a fact that I would be walking out with this dress. I loved it and I could totally picture myself wearing this dress and walking down the aisle to meet Michael at the alter. It was an unbelievably feeling.

I can't describe it here just in case Michael ever reads this, but it is absolutely beautiful :-)

My herd of supporters then helped me choose a veil and we were done.

It was such an awesome experience. Thank you mom, dad, dani, mykie, bradleigh and Sherri for going with me to pick out my wedding dress!!