Our Wedding, Part 2: Getting Ready & the Details ~

Back to my favorite topic, our wedding.

Have I mentioned how unbelievably perfect the day was? It will forever be a day that will live on in my memory and in my heart for always.

Our wedding took place on Sunday, April 13, 2014. The weather was perfect, 75 degrees and sunny.

We were very fortunate to have a space at the venue to get ready. The upstairs of the house on the property had a bridal suite as well as a second bedroom, not to mention a beautiful wraparound second-story porch.

Once the guys arrived, they were able to use the downstairs living room to finish getting ready.

Take a look!

All photos by Aaron & Jillian Photography (formerly Aaron Nicholas Photography.)

Location: Old Wide Awake Plantation, Charleston, South Carolina

Dress: Austin by Watters

Jewelry: Nicole Miller via Rent the Runway

Bridesmaids Dresses: Mori Lee 682 in Ivory and Blush

Groomsmen's Suits: Jos. A. Bank

Bow-ties: CCADesign

Thank y'all for stopping by!

Weekend Re-cap ~

Happy Aloha Monday!

Hope you all had a great weekend.

Mine flew by and was jam-packed. Saturday, I attended the Joint Spouse Conference at MCBH (Marine Corps Base Hawaii.) 

The JSC was an opportunity for 300 military spouses to get together and participate in different workshops. The four that I chose were Elegant Appetizers (a cooking demo), Wine & Food Pairing, Stand-up Paddleboarding, and Mai Tais & Monet (a painting class.) They also provided breakfast, lunch, and a cocktail hour. It was a blast :)

Sunday, I got to attend the Wings over the Pacific Air Show at Hickam AF Base. It was amazing to finally get to see the Blue Angels fly.

This weekend really had me thinking a lot about living in Hawaii as a military spouse. I was telling one of my girlfriends last night that living here is unlike anywhere else I have ever lived in so many ways and I don't think it will ever compare to anywhere else that we live in the future.

That might sound like an obvious observation, but what I'm referring to is probably different from what your first thought might be. 

Living in Hawaii as a military spouse, in my opinion, is a completely difference experience than living here as a civilian. I'm sure other spouses who have lived here would agree that there is a very large military presence on the island. If you were to visit Oahu on vacation, you may not notice is as much, but since we arrived five months ago, I have noticed it tremendously. There are some days when I feel like the whole island is just all military.

All branches of the military have a presence here on Oahu. There is the Marine Corps Base at Kaneohe Bay, Schofield Barracks (Army), Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (Navy and Air Force), and even the Coast Guard has a small installation at Barber's Point.

Even though we don't live on base, I feel like I spend a lot of my time on a base, somewhere. Whether it's renting stand-up paddleboards at the Marina on Kaneohe Bay, having dinner with friends at Sam Choy's on Hickam Harbor, or shopping at the commissary on Schofield. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind it. In fact, it's a good feeling and a it's safe feeling.

I think living in Hawaii is a very unique opportunity as a military spouse in that I have the opportunity to connect with spouses with all different kinds of military backgrounds. I also feel completely immersed in the culture, more-so than I probably ever will be again; and that, is what I mean about it being a completely different experience.

What has been your experience living in or near a military installation? Have you ever lived in Hawaii?

Our Wedding, Part 1 - Bridal Portraits

Hi friends!

Thank you all for the warm welcome, it's good to be back in the blogosphere. I know a lot of you have continued to follow me on Instagram and even Facebook and that has been awesome. I'm so glad that I have had the opportunity to meet such amazing ladies through blogging.

Since it's been a while, I decided to share some details about our wedding, starting with my bridal portraits. 

I know that bridal portraits are typically a southern tradition and although I am not originally from the South, I was determined to do it right and have them done. 

We had the same photographer do everything from my bridal portraits to engagement photos (which I've already shared) to our wedding and reception. I couldn't be happier with all of their hard work and how everything turned out.

Now that the big day has passed, I can finally share my photos with the world. 

Here are some of my faves!

And..last, but not least, the photo that was on display at our reception.

All photos are by Aaron & Jillian Photography (formerly Aaron Nicholas Photography.)

Location: Old Wide Awake Plantation, Charleston, South Carolina

Dress: Austin by Watters

Jewelry: Nicole Miller via Rent the Runway

Veil: Mini Tulle Birdcage Veil by Tessa Kim

Shoes: Something Bleu via BHLDN

Thank y'all for stopping by!

A New Start.

From the blog previously known as 

Honor, Courage, Commitment...

Hey y'all!

So I've been thinking for a long time about how I need to get my blog back up and running, but I've been struggling because I didn't know where to start. This year has been so crazy and busy and there is just so much to catch up on. I finally decided tonight though, that I just need to bite the bullet and dive right in.

One of the first things that you may notice, is my new blog layout and name. Thank you to 17th Avenue Designs for the super cute design! As for the name, I decided to change it because Shaun and I finally moved to the beautiful State of Hawaii and it only seemed appropriate for this new chapter in our lives. All I need now is to add my new 'about me' image, which will be coming soon!

Here is a quick little timeline to get you all caught up to speed --

April 13, 2014 - We tied the knot in Charleston, SC with all of our closest family and friends! It was a day that I will never forget.

April 24, 2014 - Shaun and I hopped on a plane and flew to Hawaii to start this new chapter.

May 2-11, 2014 - We honeymooned on the North Shore of Oahu and in Maui.

June 18, 2014 - We closed on our first home.

September 16, 2014 - Shaun got promoted to Chief Petty Officer.

Present - Getting settled and living it up in our new home.

There ya go. See, I wasn't kidding when I said it's been a crazy year! It may already be September, but we still have many more things to look forward to this year and I promise to keep my blog up to speed.

Hope everyone has been doing well! I need to spend some time catching up on everyone elses' lives now!

Our Engagement Photo Session ~

A couple weeks ago, Shaun and I had the pleasure of working with our wedding photographers on our engagement photo session. We had a great time and I couldn't be more excited to work with them not once, but twice more on my bridal shoot and the actual wedding.

As I mentioned, Aaron Nicholas Photography, is our photographer and they are a husband and wife team (Aaron & Jill.) I couldn't be happier with choosing them and if you are getting married in the Charleston area, I highly recommend them!

Here is a look at some of my favorites!

You can see the whole album, in it's entirety... HERE.

ps - Just realized that there are an awful lot of 'kissing' shots..oops!

Wedding Planning Update!

Hi friends! Yes, I know it has been a long time once again, but this wedding planning thing is no joke. Have I mentioned that I spend pretty much every free moment [at work] online whether it's creating the photo book for our guest book, searching for the perfect bridesmaids gifts, or shopping for shower & rehearsal dinner outfits?

On top of that, we have received our official paper orders to Hawaii AND have been pre-approved for a VA loan! We have been in contact with a realtor on Oahu and have also been busy reviewing the listings that she sends us each day. Craziness!

Luckily, there is quite a bit that I have been able to get done lately and I have updated my list below accordingly.

Months Four, Five, and Six....

Arrange for Families to Meet

Hire a wedding planner

Book Venue - Old Wide Awake Plantation

Book Photographer - Aaron Nicholas Photography

Book Videographer - Dreampop Media

Book Officiant - Seacoast Church

Book reception DJ - Creative Sound

Purchase wedding dress

Choose bridesmaids dresses

Order flower girl's dresses

Book caterer - Cru Catering

Book florist - So Gorgeous Florals

Set-up wedding website

Choose groomsmen's attire

Place suit orders

Compile guest list 

Send save-the-dates

Order invitations

Choose wedding party

Book hotel room blocks

Get engagement ring appraised & insured

Book honeymoon - Figure that out once we get to Hawaii.

Three months....

Proof Invitations
Help mom with ordering bridal shower invitations

Set-up registries - Macy's, Pottery Barn, Kohl's

Book location for rehearsal dinner

Schedule food tasting

Schedule walk-through of ceremony/ reception sites

Hire ceremony musicians

Choose cake maker - Publix

Order veil and/or headpiece

Book day-of coordinator

Shop for wedding bands
Buy wedding bands

Choose rentals (glassware, dinnerware, linens, etc.)

Engagement photos

Compile list for showers

Meet with officiant to plan ceremony

Shop for bride/ groom rehearsal outfits

Shop for shower/ bachelorette dresses

First dress fitting

Buy shower hostess gifts

DIY rehearsal/welcome reception invitations

Pre-marital counseling - In process

Two months....

Stuff and mail invitations

Book hotel room for wedding night

Hire hair & makeup person - Ash & Co.

Buy gifts for wedding party

Research marriage license requirements

Buy undergarments, shoes, jewelry

Compile ceremony/ reception music

Draft schedule of events for wedding weekend

Order monogrammed cocktail napkins

Bridal portraits/ hair & makeup trial - March 3!

Bridal shower - March 9!

Book transportation from reception to hotel

4-6 weeks....

Gifts for out-of-town guests? koozies? (southern state of mind)

Create final schedule of events for all vendors

Final dress fitting - March 1!

DIY photo guestbook - process

Print programs/ menus?

Meet with photographer/ list of must-do photos

Meet with videographer/ list of must-do shots

Bachelorette party/ Girls' weekend - March 28-30!

DIY signs for reserved seating & seat yourself

DIY monograms for front door of venue

DIY signs for Rte 162 & Trexler Ave. DIY table signage (menu, etc.) 

Frame bridal portrait

Order sparklers for send off

Rehearsal dinner groom's cake

Final vendor payments

Music selections to band and ceremony artist

Order thank you notes

Last two weeks...

Thank you dinner @ Halls w/ parents & siblings

Manicures/ pedicures

Rehearsal and rehearsal dinner/ welcome reception

Organize tip envelopes for vendors

Get dress steamed

Walk down the aisle & say, "I do!" 

I'd like to think that I'm sticking to the schedule pretty well. Shaun still has to pick out suits for himself and the groomsmen. Hopefully we'll get that done soon.

Other than that, invitations are out, my dress is almost done at the seamstress and I'm really looking forward to my hair & makeup trial and bridal shoot next Monday! 

I think the next big thing is going to be buying our wedding bands. We know which ones we want, it's just a matter of going out and getting them.

Hope you all are doing well! More wedding updates soon!