Hickman House

As most of you know today is my beautiful mothers birthday! I wanted to take a minute and share with you a few things about my mother. My mother is very hardworking- She gets one day off each week. I have not once ever heard her seriously complain about it. I'd like to think that she is the reason that I take working so seriously. She always made me work for my extras- which I can so appreciate now as an adult. She has taught me the value of a dollar- and despite what I thought when I was 16 that it does actually feel better when you work hard for something that you want instead of it getting handed to you. I no longer harbor bitter feelings about being the only teenager to have to pay bills in high school....HA!

My mother is very strict in her faith. She knows what she believes and there is no swaying her. Her yes means yes and her no means no. I am thankful for that as well. She taught us that our relationship with Christ is far more important than anything else on this earth. She is also one of the best mothers and grandmother I know. She goes above and beyond for her loved ones. I can only pray that one day I can be half the mom she is. 

And last but not least my mother is my very best friend. I look at so many girls that don't value their relationship with their moms and it makes me hurt. I don't know what I would do without her. She keeps me sane. I know that no matter what I can count on her for anything. She will always be my biggest fan. I love you so much mom! Happy Birthday!

Before we begin- I decided this 'ole blog needed a little cleaning up. New look- new name. It is still a work in progress but so far, I am diggin' it.

Today I wanted to recap the bridesmaids luncheon. I knew early in the planning process that I wanted to make sure that there was time to spend relaxing with the girls. I wanted to be able to pass out gifts, and let them take their time opening them. I wanted something special to do for them- after all the wonderful things they did for me during the year. I decided to host a bridesmaid luncheon for them at Clarks Seafood and Chop House in Little River. It was nice and calm that morning- we got to eat on the back deck and watch the sun rise over the water. I got to share a little bit about the women that helped throughout the process and then I passed out gifts. I gifted each girl with a monogrammed red zip up jacket to wear while we were getting ready, a red and white monogrammed tote bag, a personalized hanger for their dress, and some really pretty teardrop earrings to wear on the wedding day. I think they all enjoyed their gifts. I gifted the flower girls with monogrammed diaper covers (for the two babies) candy cane striped head bands for the wedding, and sweaters to wear over their dresses. Sam gifted his groomsmen and ushers with candy cane striped ties. See the pattern here? Ha! I really hoped the girls enjoyed their time at the luncheon- it will always be the perfect start of a weekend I will never forget!

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!