Hickman House

A week before our wedding my bridesmaids hosted my bachelorette party. I have to start this post off by saying if you know me at all you know that I am very modest when it comes to this kind of stuff. So with that being said your typical bachelorette party shenanigans were not at all what I wanted. I wanted a fun, relaxing night where I could laugh and enjoy my closest friends and family. And that is just what I got. I had to work that Saturday so after I got off work I headed for the festivities. The girls rented a condo in myrtle beach for the night. They had gotten there a few hours before me, so when I walked in the place was decorated so pretty.







Although I mentioned I wasn't into the typical bachelorette scene- I knew the girls were not going to let me get out of it all that easily. I walked into the condo and there was a cute little pink Christmas tree decorated with lots of interesting goodies. All for good fun, I assure you. Oh the laughs as I plundered through this tree.

 
After we hung out for a little while we all got ready and headed out to dinner. We had reservations at Midtown Bistro. If you have never been there I highly recommend it. I literally cut my filet mignon with a fork people. Talk about delicious. Okay, now I am hungry. Anyways- we met up with the rest of the group (family, and more friends) to eat. Then they made me open presents. Right there in front of the.whole.resturant. HA! Little did the other customers know they were getting dinner and a show. Now I won't be putting pictures of all my goodies on here but I will say I got some really cute things, some very practical things, some not so practical things that will never, ever be used, and some really cute PJ's from my mother-in-law that I wore on our honeymoon and I thought Sam was going to kill her. Lots of laughs and good food. It was perfect.

 


After dinner the bridesmaids and I came back to the condo for more presents and games. The girls had put together a poem for me and with each little riddle came a pair of panties that went along with it. So cute and thoughtful. I loved it. We started the games that Laura had put together for us. Pictionary, Pin the Junk on the Hunk, and a question game. She called Sam and asked him questions and I had to guess his answer. With each wrong answer I had to put a marshmallow in my mouth. Now despite the pictures that make it look like I have 10 marshmallows in my mouth- I thought I did pretty well with this game. We stayed up pretty late talking and hanging out. It was the perfect night and I had so much fun. I sure do love my bridesmaids and I am so thankful for everything they did for me!

Whew- it has literally been over a month since I blogged last! No one really tells you how exhausted you will be after everything is all over, and it really does take a little while to get used to normal life again. Sam and I had the wedding of our dreams and we are so thankful for everyone who came to celebrate that day with us, and for everyone who helped make it possible. Everything was just how we envisioned it being! So us, and so fun. I know I have some catching up to do but I wanted to start back by giving a list of our final vendors. I remember my sister-in-law doing this and I just thought it was nice. A final "thank you" to everyone who made our special day magical. As a bride it is so important to book vendors that you are comfortable with, that you trust, and that you like their style. We were so beyond happy with all of our vendors.

Ceremony Venue: Eastside Fellowship
Reception Venue: South Brunswick Island Center
Photographer: Amber Parker| Chasing Moments Photography
Coordinator: Jami Causey
Reception MC: Shanta Johnson
Music: Jaded Mayberry
Bridal Bouquet: Lily Belles Floral and Event Designs
Catering: Leslie D'Agnese | Barts BBQ and Jonathan Yuricek | Twin Lakes Seafood
Cake: Lorie Burcham | Crumb de la Crumb
Paper & Stationary: Carlson Craft, Shutterfly, and Jami Causey
Dress: Allure | Coastal Knot Bridal
Bridesmaid Dresses: Sophia Tolli | Coastal Knot Bridal
Brides & Bridesmaids Jewelry: Coastal Knot Bridal
Hair: Kayla Cheers | Beach Cuts
Make Up: Danette Yuricek
Nails: Sue Causey | Love Those Nails
Suits: Mens Wearhouse
Rentals: Heather Kinlaw | Coastal Events and Holiday Happenings
Rehearsal Dinner: The Isles
Decorating: Sue Causey, Shanta Johnson, Sheila Vaught, Shayna Vaught, Sandy Richard, Danette Yuricek, Sheena Suttlemyre, Leslie D'Agnese
Ceremony Music: Turner Coleman, Amanda Faatz, Lorie Burcham
Minister: Pastor Bobby Causey
Bridesmaid Luncheon: Clarks Seafood and Chop House
Monogramming: Hatteras Embroidery
Alterations: Amanda Sasser, Iris Sasser and Sally Hamrick
Day of Dressing Services: Amanda Sasser | Coastal Knot Bridal
Reception Coordinators: Paula Small, Tommy Sherman, Derek and Clayton.
Woodwork and Building: David D'Agnese
Baseball Cookie Favors: Kenny and Sharon Lewis

I hope I didn't forget anything or anyone. We can't say thank you enough to everyone. I can't wait to catch up and share with you some wedding pictures! Stay tuned!

Whew. I can't believe that all the wedding festivities are coming to an end! I am so excited that the wedding is just WEEKS away, 2.5 to be exact. I am only a tiny bit sad that everything will soon be over, no more showers, parties, and celebrations in our honor but more excited to finally start our lives as Husband and Wife. Ahh, that sounds nice.

This past Saturday we had our final wedding shower (well, not counting the bachelorette party) and our best friends Devin and Haley had their first! I can't tell you how great it is to share in this special time with them. We are all so blessed. Friends of my almost Mother-in-Law threw me a Christmas Shower Brunch. It was so relaxing and calm, exactly what I needed before the craziness of the final weeks start. Since obviously Sam has only lived on his own in college, and I still live with my parents, we didn't have any Christmas decorations to our name. We got so many beautiful things to fill our new home with holiday cheer.


 








 I love Christmas decorations and was really excited about having them for our first place but I was hesitant about putting up any décor since we don't live at our condo yet, and we won't be moving in until we get back from our honeymoon at the beginning of January. However my mom talked me into it, and I am so glad we did. It makes our condo feel so homey and it makes moving boxes and boxes of clothes up three flights of stairs a little easier when its turned on. It is just so cute.




To top off all the Christmas spirit, Devin and Haley also had a Christmas shower that same evening. So after we loaded up our gifts I scooted over to their shower. Let me tell you, they got some beautiful things too! I can't wait to see their house next year with all these decorations. How fun! So excited for them- October can't get here soon enough!



I know these next few days are going to be hectic but I am trying to soak in every moment that I can and enjoy these last few days as a D'Agnese. It's almost here y'all!

Yesterday was such a fun day. Busy- but lots of fun. I started off the day bright and early. My sister-in-law, Sara's best friend and cousin was getting married and she asked me to come help out with the bridesmaids hair. What a gorgeous wedding from what little bit I did get to see, with an even more gorgeous bride. I was excited that I got to squeeze in some sister time since I don't get to see her very often.




After I finished with wedding hair, I hurried home to take a nap. I knew it would be a busy night and getting up at 6 a.m. wasn't going to leave me much energy at 7 p.m. Our sweet friends Devin and Haley (soon-to-be Sellers) threw Sam and I an Oyster Roast in our honor. It was one of the best nights I have had in a while. It was perfect, and so relaxing. We feasted on oysters (my FAVORITE) and sat around the fire and laughed all night. It was so fun hearing stories from Sam and all his childhood/college friends. It was a perfect way to ring in the holidays. Sam and I love Devin and Haley so much, and we are so thankful for their friendship and everything they have done for us. A big thank you to Mrs. Terri and Mr. David as well for opening up their house to us and all our friends who came to celebrate with us . We had the best time. Can't wait to see you all again in just 4.5 weeks!

On this day exactly one year ago Sam got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I cannot believe how fast time has gone by since then, and how much we have changed! I think it goes without saying that being engaged is one of the best things that has happened to our relationship. It has taught us so much already, and we have grown up a lot in the process. Thank you Sam for loving me so much that you would want to spend the rest of your life with me, and for mustering up the courage to ask! I will love you forever. Just a little over a month and we will be married!

Sorry to disappoint you, however I won't be sharing any sneak peeks until after I'm a married woman. However I just had to share my experience with bridal portraits. I will say this was the most fun I have had as far as wedding planning goes, which was a big surprise to say the least. Working in a bridal shop I have seen my fair share of dresses come back to be cleaned after bridals that were absolutely trashed. So to no surprise I was terrified that I was going to ruin my dress. And by terrified I mean to the point where I was dreaming about it! Crazy bride to say the least. Well I was pleasantly surprised with how well we handled it. I haven't had time to fully examine it just yet, but there wasn't any accidents on Sunday so I am assuming it is just fine.

We took pictures about an hour before sunset on Sunday. The weather was absolutely perfect. My photographer Amber, you can read about her here was FANTASTIC. Seriously, so nice and she made me feel so comfortable. We all know I am no model so trying some of those poses were quite hilarious, but she didn't give up on me! Thanks, Amber! She also sent me a sneak peek only hours after taking the pictures, and let me tell you she has some skills, that one. If she can make me look good, she is talented. If you need pictures done, call her up. I also had a little help in the looks department from my ever-so-talented cousin Danette who has done all my event makeup, and my hair dresser Kayla Cheers. Both also have some serious skills. Need someone for event hair? I would recommend Kayla, but you can't have her. She's mine. I kid, I kid. After a few hair trials she came up with the perfect hair do for me. It was everything I wanted, but couldn't describe in words.

Not to forget my mother, my cousin Zoe, and my aunt Sue were also there to help me stay put together. YES, people. It takes an army.. A BIG thank you for picking all the bugs out of my dress all day you guys. You rock.

So since I had absolutely no idea what to expect when bridals rolled around, and there was NOT a neat little pin on Pinterest full of tips to help a girl out, I thought I would put together a few of my own tips for you future brides (I'm pointing at you Haley!)

So here they are, tips for taking Bridal Portraits:

1) Take a few helpful people with you, no matter how small or how big your dress is, you're going to need quite a few hands.

2) Have someone there that can reapply your make up. Even if it is just lip gloss, you'll need some touch ups after a few takes.

3) Taking a white sheet in theory is a good idea, however it just gets to be too much. putting it down, picking it up, carrying it the whole time, just don't. No matter what you do, you can't avoid dirt. So just be careful with your dress. I would however bring a white pillow case to put down if you decide to sit or lean against something. Its smaller and easier. Just use common sense, and you'll be fine.

4) WEAR your comfy shoes, and take your wedding shoes. This was big. We walked from one place to another so it was easier to just wear comfy shoes until my feet were going to be shown, which if you have a long dress is never.

5) Be relaxed. Your pictures will turn out better if you just be yourself.

6) Don't forget your bouquet! This is a nice addition to your portraits. Also, don't forget your veil, flower, head piece, whatever you're wearing when you walk down the aisle, make sure you bring it. It will make your pictures that much more special when you look back at them.

7) Bring bug spray, but don't spray it directly on your dress. You don't want it smelling like OFF on your wedding day.

8 Don't take your pictures where you don't want to be seen. For example, most of our guests are from my hometown, so taking them near there probably isn't the best idea. People are going to stare, stop and talk to you, congratulate you, and snap pictures of you when you turn around- so if you don't want to be recognized in your gown I suggest going somewhere other than where you reside. Unless it's a private venue, of course.

9)Have fun, laugh, and spray those gnats with hairspray girl friend.

That's it, that's all I've got. I hope this helps anyone that has to take bridals in the future.

I am so overwhelmed by the love and support that was shown tonight. My bridesmaids threw me a Monogram Bridal shower this evening, and if you know me at all you know that everything I own is monogrammed, so this was right up my alley! It was so BEAUTIFUL! It was so me and I am so grateful for all the time and effort that was put into the shower, and for all the people that took their Saturday night off to spend it with me! Its starting to sink in- it's getting close!

We had the most amazing dinner. We ate caesar salad, spaghetti, and chicken alfredo. We sat and talked, played some games, and then opened gifts. I got so many beautiful things! I am so thankful for everyone that came tonight. Here are a few of my favorite pictures: