Things to fill our home

Lately, I have been thinking about what I wanted Michael and I to register for.  I was thinking practial things...Michael was thinking a Vizio 55" LED flat screen.  So I knew I was going to be pulling teeth the day we finally decided to go and register.  Since I am a list person I knew I would want to go look before actually registering so I would know what was out there and which stores had the best quality and offer.  I also knew that I wanted my dishes to be red because I want my kitchen to be red with pigs.  Many people have thought this to be weird, but being from Arkansas and a lover of the Razorbacks...I thought this would be a good way to show our Razorback Pride without having Razorback things all over the place.  This past Saturday Michael and I were bored so we decided to head to Bed, Bath, & Beyond and Walmart to see what we liked.  Well immediately we began agreeing on things and actually picking out what we knew we wanted.  We also saw a few things that Michael was like ohhh I want this...can I please put this on the list?!?!?  As we were walking around we had our phones out taking pictures of the things we liked.  I also began noticing that there were several couples who were registering...Michael kept asking why we didn't just go get a thing and do it for real.  I stood firm on the fact that we were just looking and I was going to make a list to bring with us.  Well...on Sunday after church and lunch with my fam we headed out once again to register for real!!!!  We are officially registered at Bed, Bath, & Beyond, Walmart, and Dillards.  Here are a few pictures of my favorite things....

This is our bedding from Bed, Bath, & Beyond, it is a Duvet Cover and I love it.  I am glad we decided on a neutral color so we have options for when we decorate the rest of the room!!!

This is our everyday dinnerware from Bed, Bath, & Beyond, The plates we decided on are the square ones but in this collection by Oneida. I am in love with the red!!!

This is our Paula Dean cookware from Walmart, it's non-stick and most importantly RED!!!

This is our China from Dillards, it is Coronet Platinum by Lenox. It is simple and I love it!!!  We also registered for some silver servingware that goes perfectly with it!!

Well these are just a few things that I love that we registered for. I can't wait to see what all we will get.  Overall, it was a really fun experience that Michael and I had...minus the fact that we couldn't figure out the scanner at Bed, Bath, & Beyond and found out that Walmart only has one scanner per store...GHETTO!!!

Benny Awards

So our photographer Dale hosts the Benny Awards every year.  Basically it is a way for him to recognize his couples from the past year and gives the public an opportunity to vote for their favorite photos. He has some fabulous prizes for the winners including a Canvas Print and an upgrade on one of his amazing albums!!  Well, Michael and I were one of the lucky couples to get a nomination!!!  Which means, we need YOUR help in voting!!!  Just go to the Benny Awards and click on Best Engagement Portrait, click on Natalie, then VOTE, and you have voted for us!!!

Here is the picture he chose:

We would lOVE for you to vote for us!!!

Checking off the list

Well, school is out for Christmas break and Michael and I have been trying to accomplish many things on our list.  First things first, I ordered MY dress the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. They told me it would be in for pick up around mid-Feb. Well, to my surprise I recieved an email two weeks ago that my dress was in!! CRAZY, I know!!  Michael and I were in Louisianna for his cousin's wedding when I recieved the email.  I was so excited.  I picked it up last Friday and it is now hanging safely at my Nana's house!!  It fits perfectly, I will only have to get the hem altered which is great news!!  Since finals have been over, we have checked out the last Reception venue...still havent made a final decision but we have been discussing decorating options at both places.  We have finalized our guest list...right now we are at 505 we are hoping it wont grow much more than that!!  We have been discussing the Tux options...Michael enjoys long ties and vest, while I enjoy bow-ties and vests.  We have been trying to figure out if we like all of the guys in purple and Michael in ivory or all of them in purple.  Who knew there were so many decisions when deciding on tux's!!!  Hopefully we will be coming to a decision about Tux's and a Reception Site in the very near future!! 

346 Days To Go

Well, there are 346 days left till we say "I Do."  Today the last 2 BM, Kelly and Kristin were able to try on the BM dresses.  I think I am going to do 3 in one and 3 in the other.  The dresses are so comfy and I can't wait to see everyone in them on the big day!!  Here are both dresses, they are from David's Bridal.

Also, today I tried on MY dress for everyone that came with us and we ran into some good family friends who also go to see me in it.  I was so excited because we placed the order for it!!!  They say it should be here by mid-February but there is a possiblity that it could be in sooner!!  I can't wait to see my actual dress, the one that is just for me and that actually fits!!

This past week my mom and I went to The Event Place and The Towncenter, both in Fayetteville.  Between the two we liked The Event Place better.  We still have to go and visit the Quail Barn before we can make an offical decision on the Reception Site.  Today we also stopped by a family friend's home and picked up some things that they used at their daughter's reception this summer that they are letting us use for our reception!!  Also, I think I have decided on the invitations that we will be using and how they are going to look.  I am excited about working on those here in the near future.  I think we have decided on how we are going to do the Save-The-Dates also, but we just have to pick a picture and the final design.  Each time I have looked at our pictures I pick a different one.  I think my mom and I picked out 10 different ones just today!!  Another fun thing that we did today was listen to songs that we could use during the ceremony and then at the reception for the different dances.  My mom was sad when she realized that the "Mom" songs weren't for her...that they were for the Mother-Son dance!!!

Well that is all for now, I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving!!!  I know I have A LOT to be thankful for!!

Progress

Well, I finally feel like we are making some dents into our super long checklist!!  My mom and I have scheduled meetings with The TownCenter and The Event Place both in Fayetteville and after Thanksgiving I will be meeting with The Quail Barn in Bentonville.  I know it sounds weird, but I am really thinking the Quail Barn is going to be the Reception Site.  It is a barn out in Bentonville has stained concrete floors and corigated (sp?) metal walls.  It is basically in a big open field.  Sounds like everything I want, but of course we have to go check it out first!!  I know it is number one on my Dad's list...it is only $350.00 a steal I know!!!  Next, Michael got in touch with one of his Aunts to sing, we are still trying to figure out what she is going to sing.  Michael contacted the DJ, he is an Alum of SigEp that has his own DJ business, super nice guy!!!  I have decided on THE DRESS!!!  I have tried it on several times and my mom and I had plans to go to Brinkley AR so I could try on more, just to make sure.  However, my friend Meggie was in town this past weekend and we went to David's Bridal and she tried the BM Dresses on and I tried on MY DRESS and I decided that I don't want to put anymore on!!!  My mom and I just have to go up and order it, most likely over Thanksgiving Break because that is when we will have time.  I still am not 100% sure what I am going to do about the BM Dresses...there are 2 that I really like, just waiting for all of the girls to try it on so I can have everyone's opinion. Last but not least.....our ENGAGEMENT PICTURES ARE IN!!!!  Ahhh I love love love them!!!  You can check out a few at Benfield's Blog and if you want to see the rest, just let me know and I can post the link and password for all of our pictures!!  Well that is all for now...the semester is almost over so hopefully more planning will be able to take place!!!

365 Days to go....Well really 363 days to go!!!

It's official, this time next year I will be NATALIE IVERS ahhh I can't wait!!!  This past Friday, November 6th the day we will be married next year, Michael, my parents, his mom, his grandparents, and I went up to the church around 5:30ish.  We figured out exactly how we want the lights to be and we waited to the right time.  We decided on 6:00!!!  I mean I think it might have been like 5:57ish but we rounded and went with 6.  I can't wait to see what this year brings and how all of my ideas and plans will come together to make our day the BEST day ever!!!  I also used everyone, except Grandon (Michael's Grandpa) to decide where I think I want the wedding party to stand.  My dad made an excellent bridesmaid and Michael didn't enjoy it as much.  Also, my dad used some very fancy decorative words to describe some decorations (lacy ruffly bows..haha)  After we decided the time we waited for Michael's aunt and uncle to meet us so we could all go to dinner.  We went to Las Palmas in Rogers...my family eats there every Sunday and my mom has joked about having the Rehearsal Dinner there.  Well our friend Emilio who always hooks us up there said he could "shoot the place down for us" translation they can shut the place down for just us.  We had a great time drinking margaritas and discussing wedding plans.  I am so happy that our families get along so well with one another.  It makes me feel good knowing that Michael and I have 2 families that care for us and love us so much!!  Well, we are still waiting on our link for our photos, but Dale asked his gf Meredith to marry him last week so I understand if it takes a little bit!!!  OH and big news from Michael...he has asked a few of his friends to be in the wedding party, a GIANT step in the right direction!!!  I am hoping to be able to be able to go visit a couple of reception sites in the next couple of weeks so we can get that out of the way.  Thats all the news for now!!

Engagement Pictures

Today Michael, Dickson, and I went and had some pictures taken!!!  Dale and Lauren from Benfield Photography met us on Old Main lawn and we began!!  First, we took some pictures with us and Dickson and then some with just us...Dickson was tied to the tree.  He didn't like that so much.  Oh and when we first got there, he of course pooped awesome..not!!!  Then we changed clothes and headed to the library and took some inbetween the columns and then a few around the trees there by the library.  Next, we headed to a cool black/gray painted building off of the square and then to a creepy little apartment building Dale said they looked great, I can't wait to see them!!!  Next, we changed clothes and went to a bike/walking trail then we were off to a field.  We were driving to the field that they normally use, but they spotted a new one on the way and so we stopped pulled into a randomers driveway and trecked out to the field.  It was kinda wet so Lauren ended up taking off her shoes, she was braver than I would have been!!  We had so much fun taking the pictures and can't wait to see them.  Dale said he would have them ready in a week or so...as soon as I have the link, I will post it for all to see!! Oh and check out his blog because I am sure he will put a few of them up on it.  I can't wait to see them!!!