Wedding Update: 6.5 weeks and counting!

{This is what my parents' kitchen table looked like a few days back. Invitations, I will not miss piecing you together! And yes Cat--that is salsa and a bag of chips in the bottom right-hand side of this picture. What do these items and an open laptop remind you of?}

Holy moly, where getting SO CLOSE! I call Luke about once a day to remind him what number we're on in the countdown (44 days!!). So much is going on right now with finalizing wedding details. I can honestly admit that I didn't have any idea how quickly these decisions would be upon us and now I'm swamped! But in a good way. I can't wait to marry my best friend and officially begin our married life together. :)

Here's an update:

1) Wedding invitations go out tomorrow (praise the Lord!!!).

2) The bridesmaids shoes have been ordered.

3) I'm going for my final wedding dress fitting today with my momma.

4) I'm also headed out to The Ranch with my mom and wedding decorator this evening to finalize room layout, decor, wedding day schedule/time line, etc.

5. I've scheduled my hair/make-up consultation for bridal portraits and the wedding day.

5). Bridal portraits are on May 22nd!!!

6. The rehearsal dinner is organized/planned and is going to be an awesome party!

7. Wedding music is picked out.

8. A few more pre-marital counseling sessions are in the process of being scheduled.
9. Groomsmen and bridesmaids gifts. Hmmm...:)
10. And thank you notes are STILL being written (and I'm seriously grateful for all of the gifts we've recieved, but whoever came up with the idea that thank you notes are the most proper way to say thank you needs to be hit upside the head. Just sayin'... ).

There are actually about 1,000,000 20 other items on my immediate wedding to-do list that didn't make the cut on this particular blog post. These listed items are just the first 10 that come to mind. But I'm making progress and before we know it, this wedding will be behind us, Luke and I will be husband and wife, 3 more of my awesome friends will be married this summer, and the world will continue to spin madly on. However, I don't want to be there just yet. God's timing is perfect down to the very second and I plan on enjoying every one of these seconds (even the most stressful!) of this precious time.

My Most Fabulous 24th Birthday (Week)!

I turned 24 today and had a fabulous time celebrating with my fiance and friends!! 

On Monday, Luke gave me my birthday presents a little early. He is such an amazing hubby-to-be that is always striving make me feel special. Well, he definitely succeeded on my 24th bday! I love this guy so very much, and not because he bought me birthday presents. I love him because he has the biggest heart of anyone I've ever known. Too cheesy? I don't care. :)

 

{Bday present #1: new perfume!}

{Bday present #2: a new Michael Kors watch!}

On Thursday, Aubrey, Kubal, and I went to dinner at Water Street Oyster Bar to celebrate my birthday a couple days early. These girls are so wonderful and I was very blessed to get to spend an evening with them! Kubal gave me a "healthy" cookbook for my birthday because she knows I'm trying to expand my cooking skills and just trying to be more healthy in general. What a great gift from one bride to another! Aubrey gave me the movie Morning Glory for my birthday. Love it!! This movie is THE story of my 4 months in New York. Thanks girls!!

{In the car, about to go to dinner}

{Presents from sweet friends!!}

{Incredible women I'm proud to call friends}

{Thanks for the free birthday ice cream brownie Mr. Waiter at Water Street!}

On Friday, I didn't have to go to work because my company considers birthdays a holiday. How great is that?! So, I took the opportunity to run errands that I haven't been able to do because of my busy work days (ex: stopping by the bank, taking a ring to get sized, renewing my drivers license, etc). I also went to Ann Taylor Loft to buy myself some new work clothes (happy birthday to me!!). The best part about shopping was that when I got to the counter to pay, everything was an extra 30% off! Love, love, love!! I spent the rest of my day off relaxing with Brooklyn, cleaning the apartment, and writing thank you cards for my gifts from my bridal shower last weekend. I must stay on top of these!

{Personalized stationary, courtesy of Jules. Thanks momma!}

 {Luke surprised me with birthday flowers on Friday when he got into town after work. So pretty!}

{Aubrey brought me birthday cupcakes this morning!}

Today was a petty chill day. Luke and I went shopping and worked on a few wedding things. This evening, we went to dinner at Niko's Steakhouse. After dinner, we drove around town trying to think of something to do and by the time we realized we wanted ice cream, all the cool places were closed. Bummer! So, we settled for Wendy's frosties. Not a bad settlement!

{Frosty lovin'}

Thanks so much to everyone that played a role in making my birthday so special! I had a fabulous day/week. I've only been 24 for about 24 hours, but so far so good! One friend that wrote on my Facebook wall for my birthday said that she just knows this is going to be the best year yet and I'm going to have to agree with her. I'm thinking that 24 is going to be a great year!!