Best Valentine Gift Ever - We're Engaged!

[Jingo Jaden]

Awesome! I hope that all will go smooth and well.

[Fantasy Dreamer]

[quote="Ashley (post: 1297330)"]Um, it's coming. We've got some things nailed down, but I'm constantly amazed at how much work has to be done! Even if I did nothing else full-time but spend money and plan, it'd still take several months to get done. Plus, I don't want to turn into a Bridezilla]

Yay, that's this year! I hope everything works out and falls into place with as little trouble and hassle as possible. I know wedding planning is a big deal, even though I've never done it myself. XD

[soul alive]

Wow, just poked in and caught the news. Congratulations!

And for kicks, a couple random quotes from the pastor at my cousin's wedding, who couldn't keep serious during the rehearsal:
"I take this woman to be my wife, may she never comfort me with a butcher knife."
"And then the father of the bride will read the poem that he wrote, 'Marryin' a woman's like ridin' a horse, hold the reins too tight, and you'll get a divorce.'"



Have fun planning everything, I hope it all goes nice and smooth.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Ashley, I'm encouraged to hear Cap'n Nick is getting a bit of a say in the marriage. I know it's traditionally the 'bride's day' but I've always thought the groom should get a bit of a say. Good on you mate. I hope your preparations come together quickly and without hassle.
God Bless

[Ashley]

Just a bump/update in case anyone's interested in the wedding plans...

it's been ...uh, interesting, to say the least, trying to plan a wedding in a state other than the one you reside in. For reasons too long and complicated to explain, we are temporarily moving to one state but keeping our wedding in another...so I've been desperately trying to get big stuff done before the move next week.

So far so good though, and at a much better price than I initially thought. One thing I will say to all the other girls out there is when the time comes, with a little research you can save a LOT of money. For example, when we were looking at hotels for our guests to stay in, we went to a local service provided by the city (for FREE to us) that ended up getting us a great deal and kicking in a free bridal suite for us.

Another good tip is you can save a ton if you're willing to DIY or find someone who can do it for you. For instance, we are blessed to have a very good friend who is a graphic designer and designed our beautiful invitations FOR FREE. He's also going to be our photographer--FOR FREE.

We saved almost $700 on the wedding cake just by buying a small, pretty round one to cut at the ceremony and iced, pre-cut sheet cake to keep in the kitchen and serve. Saved a $100 tux rental by doing it at Men's Warehouse, where the groom's tux is free with 4 other rentals (and we have 6 to rent, so yay!). Saved at least $40 by making my own veil. Saved a BUTT LOAD of money by having my Matron of Honor research cute favor ideas that we will make ourselves for under $75 TOTAL. That's less than a dollar per person--and we still get to have 3 different favors! Saved at least $100 in program printing by doing it ourselves. Saved at least $400 by making the men's boutonnieres ourselves (for under $100).

Nick is hoping with all the savings we will be able to rent an arcade game for the reception...which I'm totally down with. =D

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

How exciting Ashley! Sounds like it will be a great time for all and a great beginning to a lifetime commitment of love and service to one another.
Yahoo for cheap and free stuff.

[Tsukuyomi]

Just a bump/update in case anyone's interested in the wedding plans...

it's been ...uh, interesting, to say the least, trying to plan a wedding in a state other than the one you reside in. For reasons too long and complicated to explain, we are temporarily moving to one state but keeping our wedding in another...so I've been desperately trying to get big stuff done before the move next week.

So far so good though, and at a much better price than I initially thought. One thing I will say to all the other girls out there is when the time comes, with a little research you can save a LOT of money. For example, when we were looking at hotels for our guests to stay in, we went to a local service provided by the city (for FREE to us) that ended up getting us a great deal and kicking in a free bridal suite for us.

Another good tip is you can save a ton if you're willing to DIY or find someone who can do it for you. For instance, we are blessed to have a very good friend who is a graphic designer and designed our beautiful invitations FOR FREE. He's also going to be our photographer--FOR FREE.

We saved almost $700 on the wedding cake just by buying a small, pretty round one to cut at the ceremony and iced, pre-cut sheet cake to keep in the kitchen and serve. Saved a $100 tux rental by doing it at Men's Warehouse, where the groom's tux is free with 4 other rentals (and we have 6 to rent, so yay!). Saved at least $40 by making my own veil. Saved a BUTT LOAD of money by having my Matron of Honor research cute favor ideas that we will make ourselves for under $75 TOTAL. That's less than a dollar per person--and we still get to have 3 different favors! Saved at least $100 in program printing by doing it ourselves. Saved at least $400 by making the men's boutonnieres ourselves (for under $100).

Nick is hoping with all the savings we will be able to rent an arcade game for the reception...which I'm totally down with. =D

Awww, that's great news ^__^ I'm glad everything's coming along for the both of you Greatest of luck with the move this weekend

[LadyRushia]

Glad everything's going well. Though I'm a million steps ahead of myself, I think I'm going to put these tips in a virtual pocket in case I ever need them.

[Amzi Live]

Arcade Game for the reception?
>>
Ok,that's just awesome!
Congrats. for you two. Wish ya the best

[That Dude]

I'm glad to hear that everything is going well for you two! You guys should do a live stream of the wedding for us! (Kidding!)

[Shilohan ninja]

Awww, mawwaige...

Warm congratulations and many blessings to you both. May the flame of love between you never die.

Wait - scratch that, may the raging fire of passion between the two of you never decrease or go out.

To Ashley and Cap'n Nick, partners in crime! Huzzah!

[Icarus]

Somehow I missed posting here, but congratulations!

[Fantasy Dreamer]

Just a bump/update in case anyone's interested in the wedding plans...

it's been ...uh, interesting, to say the least, trying to plan a wedding in a state other than the one you reside in. For reasons too long and complicated to explain, we are temporarily moving to one state but keeping our wedding in another...so I've been desperately trying to get big stuff done before the move next week.

So far so good though, and at a much better price than I initially thought. One thing I will say to all the other girls out there is when the time comes, with a little research you can save a LOT of money. For example, when we were looking at hotels for our guests to stay in, we went to a local service provided by the city (for FREE to us) that ended up getting us a great deal and kicking in a free bridal suite for us.

Another good tip is you can save a ton if you're willing to DIY or find someone who can do it for you. For instance, we are blessed to have a very good friend who is a graphic designer and designed our beautiful invitations FOR FREE. He's also going to be our photographer--FOR FREE.

We saved almost $700 on the wedding cake just by buying a small, pretty round one to cut at the ceremony and iced, pre-cut sheet cake to keep in the kitchen and serve. Saved a $100 tux rental by doing it at Men's Warehouse, where the groom's tux is free with 4 other rentals (and we have 6 to rent, so yay!). Saved at least $40 by making my own veil. Saved a BUTT LOAD of money by having my Matron of Honor research cute favor ideas that we will make ourselves for under $75 TOTAL. That's less than a dollar per person--and we still get to have 3 different favors! Saved at least $100 in program printing by doing it ourselves. Saved at least $400 by making the men's boutonnieres ourselves (for under $100).

Nick is hoping with all the savings we will be able to rent an arcade game for the reception...which I'm totally down with. =D

Wow, that's a lot of savings! Way to go! Its great that you are able to save so much!

An arcade game for the reception!? Awesome! lol, bet the ring bearer and flower girl (if you have them and depending on their ages I suppose XD) will like that!

[animewarrior]

Awww, mawwaige...

Warm congratulations and many blessings to you both. May the flame of love between you never die.

Wait - scratch that, may the raging fire of passion between the two of you never decrease or go out.

To Ashley and Cap'n Nick, partners in crime! Huzzah!

HAHAHA! Princess Bride FTW! lol sorry I actually laughed out loud at that.
On the serious note: GOOD LUCK with preparations and everything! Glad things are going pretty well. ^^ congrats again

[retreats to lurking..... mwahahahaha I'll be back in the summer]

[Mithrandir]

Nick is hoping with all the savings we will be able to rent an arcade game for the reception...which I'm totally down with. =D

I recommend Starfighter vs Xur and the Kodan Armada.

[Ashley]

Oh...I was thinking Pacman. Or maybe Ms. Pacman.

[Mithrandir]

I think they made an arcade game that's BOTH pacman and miss pac man. If you could find that one, that would totally be awesome!

[Ashley]

An update for those who are following our epic quest into marriage:

The "asdlfkja;dsflkjasdf SO MUCH TO DO" phase is definitely kicking in. Sometimes I am quite literally breathless looking at the amount of things we have to do in just 90 short days. We're DIY'ing just about EVERYTHING though, so that probably helps.

In fact, so far we've made the pew decorations, the boutonnieres, the corsages (for moms/grandmas), and combs for my bridesmaids out of silk flowers and greenery from Hobby Lobby for about $100. I have been using a ton of gluesticks, though, but thankfully we had that on hand already.

The biggest expense still to be paid is a toss up between the reception decorations--our florist wanted $900 for them, which we thought was way too much--and the invitations (which still need to be printed, but we're aiming for this week).

In the good news column, I got my dress! This was the part I was really dreading, because I hate shopping for even normal clothes, let alone the most expensive dress I will ever wear. But luckily I liked the first one I tried on, so it wasn't too bad. Mine ran more than I thought it would (about $1000) but it had some special details I was really set on, so it was okay. Wanna see?

[Tsukuyomi]

Is it weird I'm going ASDFJKL over here when it's not even my wedding xD?

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Oh...I was thinking Pacman. Or maybe Ms. Pacman.

No. It needs to be DDR. DEE DEE ARE.

[Hana Ryuuzaki]

[font="palatino Linotype"]^ I SECOND THAT.

But seriously, that dress is GORGEOUS. *^*

I hope things go well, and y'all don't get too stressed! XDDD[/font]

[LadyRushia]

I want to say something witty and lulzy, but I can't think of anything.

All that business sounds especially stressful, but the dress is rather awesome!

[Reon]

Congratulations Ashley! Always spectacular to know when two Christians get together for marriage and then become one. Your in for new and amazing experiences that will bring you even closer to God if you continue to seek him through all of it. I hope you have a blessed and amazing wedding & marriage.

With my sincerest regards and blessing,
Ryan

P.S. Don't stop keeping us posted on how things are going =)

[shooraijin]

And then, after they become one, they become six or seven.

[Reon]

And then, after they become one, they become six or seven.

Or twelve if were really lucky. Then we'll have more people to play with on the CAA forum I'm curious if she has a set amount of kids she'd want to have if any

[LadyRushia]

If Ashley and Nick have enough kids to get their own TV show, I will watch it.

Ashley and Nick + 9?

[ShiroiHikari]

If Ashley and Nick have enough kids to get their own TV show, I will watch it.

Ashley and Nick + 9?

Aghhhh no!

[Ashley]

[QUOTe=Tsukiyomi]
Is it weird I'm going ASDFJKL over here when it's not even my wedding xD?
[/QUOTE]

Nah just means you care. XD

Or twelve if were really lucky. Then we'll have more people to play with on the CAA forum I'm curious if she has a set amount of kids she'd want to have if any

If Ashley and Nick have enough kids to get their own TV show, I will watch it.

Ashley and Nick + 9?

My answer

[Gabriel 9.0]

Congratulations:) , may you have a great Wedding Day and may the Lord bless you and Capt'n Nick with many years together .

[Ashley]

I'll hope you get a great wedding, but you sure are rushing it. My cousin proposed to his girl on valentines and they will have their marriage late august.

Well, we actually have pretty pressing plans for the fall that involve us relocating, and it would be much more complicated if we were still unmarried at that point. And secondly, it's only 2 weeks or so before your cousin's wedding, so is that really rushing?