Non-Pro Wedding Pics - Getting Ready

Our friend Katie used my camera on the day of the wedding to get some pictures. Here are some of my favorites. from before the wedding. The groom and his groomsmen, all ready to go.
The girls getting ready.
Jake pinning the corsage on his mom.

The girls still getting ready.

They are finally done!!!!

My invites are done! I owe ALOT to my fantastic bridesmaids!

Because I live so far away from the printer and would not have been able to even pick up the invites until this weekend, my sister-in-law, Hilary, and her mom, Denise, picked up the invites and inserts from the printer last week and put them all together for me! They cut all of the yellow backing to size, then taped the invites to the yellow backing and taped that yellow backing to the pocketfold, and they also put all the inserts in the pocket! All 102 of them! They are lifesavers!

After I picked up the invites from them, another of my bridesmaids, Shannon, came over to help me with the wax seals. She did the wax dripping (and suffered many burns, what a great friend!) and I did the stamping. I'll admit, none of them looked perfect, but Shannon likes to remind me that gives them character!

Just a quick review, this link shows how I made the pocketfolds.

Here is the pocketfold filled with the invite and inserts. I will post my design of each of the parts of the invite once I make them "internet safe"

And a finished invite, including the wax seal.

And a close up of the wax seal, so you can see the J & M. I bought this wax stamper when we were in Rome last summer, at a little paper store that was literally RIGHT behind the Pantheon. I've always seen the fancy script initial, but I loved that this one had both of our initials, and wasn't in script.

Thank goodness they are done! I have them all in envelopes and all envelopes addressed with stamps. I just need to seal them and drop them off this Friday!

So exciting!

Shower Time!

My bridesmaids had my bridal shower yesterday. It was very nice! We got a lot of great things off the registry and had some awesome cake!

The two things I wanted the most were a stand mixer and a hand vac, and I got two of each! When I take the duplicates back, I'll keep the store credit for Jake to buy a grill. We also got lots of money that we're saving to buy bedroom furniture after we move back to the US.

My mom also gave me a beautiful wall hanging that she made! Since it's fits so well with the wedding theme, we will probably display it somewhere at the reception.


I only got 2 pictures yesterday with my camera, but when I get the other photos from my bridesmaid I'll post them.


Here are most of my bridesmaids, my niece Alex (Junior Bridesmaid), my sister-in-law Hilary, and my best friend Shannon (bridesmaids). My sister (matron-of-honor) is overseas and couldn't make it to the shower. But she is planning a fun bachelorette party for when she comes home in June! I can't wait!

And here I am with Jake's sister and Mom, Jacie and Sandy. I'm so glad they were able to make it to the shower, and that my directions worked!

Meet the Bridal Party!

Time to meet us!

The Bride:
My name is Maggie and I'm 23. I'm a Junior High Math Teacher and also coach cheerleading. I also like to play golf, bake, and plan my wedding! I'm excited about undertaking many DIY wedding projects!

The Groom:
Jake is 24 and is a Staff Sergeant in the US Air Force. He is a Diesel Mechanic and is currently stationed overseas.

The Matron of Honor:
My sister, Susie, will serve as Matron of Honor. She lives a long distance from me, so I hope she will check in on my blog often to see my plans unfolding!

Best Man:
Jake's best friend, Matt, is the Best Man. He is an electrician here in Missouri, and doesn't realize yet, but he is going to be helping me alot with the wedding planning!

Bridesmaids:
My friend, Shannon, will be a bridesmaid. She is a financial consultant in St. Louis and I expect she will also be getting engaged soon!
My sister-in-law Hilary, will also be a bridesmaid. She is going to college to get a teaching degree (it runs in the family!) She and my brother, Nic, have three daughters.
My niece, Alex, will be a Junior Bridesmaid.

Groomsmen:
Jake's friend, Travis, will be a groomsman. He owns a business here is Missouri. He and his girlfriend, Katie, have an adorable daughter!
Jake's friend, Justin, will also be a groomsman. He is also in the Air Force. He and his wife, Barbara, live in Nebraska.

The Kids:
Jake's niece, Olivia, will be a guestbook attendant.
My niece, Rylee, will be a ringbearer.
Jake's niece, Ella, will be a flowergirl.
My niece, Andie, will also be a flowergirl.

And that's that!