Boudoir

Lance has been driving me crazy to do another Boudoir pic since I had one done when pregnant with our 2nd child. Hey, i was pregnant and felt sexy, why not?
I decided now is the time to get it done. Its adding to the budget again, $25 but thats NOT bad at all for Boudoir pics! Ill have Vow Renewal and Boudoir pics for $125, thats a GREAT DEAL! Im thinking pink outfit, white outfit, t-shirt/button up, something REALLY sexy and something "innocent". The problem is location. My room is not exactly set up for sexy pics... 2 dog cages, a dresser, a bed, hope chest...tight fit. Im not sure how I will make that all work. Maybe move everything out and just leave the bed and go from there. I thought of a hotel, which is normally where you do shots like this but i dont think i will.

While Im not a size 0 and I have imperfections, Im happy with my body and all tasteful pics will be posted after the shoot. Just a heads up.

Theres one in every bunch

Lets talk etiquette. As far as I know there is no official etiquette really for a vow renewal or wedding. There are things that are traditions (dad walking you down) and things that would be way out there (like a star wars themed wedding might be weird but hey if both are into it, ok!) but there is nothing that says you cant do something or the whole thing is void and doesnt mean diddle. 

Today I encountered my first " youre doing what?" type comment. I have to say it did offend me (more so i have a feeling than my vow renewal is offending them). 
Lance and I are doing this because God is leading us to, we are doing it because of how far we have come and how we want to celebrate that by starting over. We are paying for this (with a tiny bit of help by Mom for outfits) and we are planning this. Im NOT expecting anything from anyone! Well except to show up, please do that part. I am doing everything this time I didnt do last time and then some. Why not? If renewing our vows is to celebrated then shouldnt I celebrate in a big, elaborate way? Shouldnt it be a party? 

Im having a pastor do it.
Im having my dad walk me down. 
Im having a wedding dress and Im going to feel beautiful/sexy in it. 
Im having a bridesmaid. Im having someone who MEANS something to me stand up this time. 
Im having a flower girl who will actually show up this time. 
Im having all the "firsts" i didnt have last time and REGRET not having. 
Im having a photographer.
Im having a wedding cake.
Im doing it whether its Lance and I or all 165 people show up. 

What you SHOULD say to someone renewing their vows (big celebration or not):
" Congrats!"
" Would you like any help with anything?"
" Thats such a sweet thing to do "
" What a great idea"

What you should NOT say:
" Why would you want to do that"
" Thats rude to do XYZ for a vow renewal"
" I dont think its a good idea " (in regards to the whole thing)

Mostly, I want everyone to celebrate with us. I want people to walk away after and say " That was a beautiful way to refresh your marriage ". 

Big, Small, Wedding Do Over, Over the top, Against some secret etiquette code, Just celebrate with us!

Cutest little people!

My mom and I went to Once Upon A Child yesterday and got everyone their little outfits. THEY ARE SO CUTE! One is a white dress, One is a Pink dress, One is tan pants/white shirt and PINK vest! I looked for Gold shoes but they didnt have a huge variety (for the girls and not really brown for the special boy). I am going to add Gold ribbon to the dresses. I also took OFF flowers from the white dress and Im going to dye them with my petticoat and make it my hairpiece! total

I found a rustic looking white chair in the trash for our Foot Washin.

I also found out a block party reception may not work so well but a church friend said we could use their house. We have to wait until we get the official OK in about a week but im pretty excited. This means the reception will turn into more of a dessert reception, but thats ok.

Finally I heard back from the seamstress for alterations- Um, no way! She wants $85 to add the corset back! Ill try myself and just do plan B if it fails.

The line is getting pushed farther away from $500.

I had my BFF who was going to take photos but she is living out of town and thats not fair to make her come down and take pictures. After browsing on TheKnot and being on some Facebook groups, I found a photographer. She is making her portfolio and after talking to her, she seems very sweet and priced reasonably! $100 for photos, thats pretty good! Its pushing the budget, as I did not intend to get a photographer but it will be worth it! At our wedding we didnt have photos and Im not very happy we dont. No first kiss, walking down the aisle, getting ready, etc. Nothing but family group shots.

The other item is cake. Again I was not intending to do a cake, we dont even have a reception area planned just yet (Park wont work, it will be closed for the winter). I know i want a cake for at least Lance and I though. We had a cake i made (it turned out.......ok) but I want a real cake. The baker, again is building her portfolio and is reasonably priced. $30 for a 6in double layered cake! It will be red velvet w/buttercream icing (just like the cake i made). I will add decorations. Most likely a teacup ;)

We will also be adding a surprise element to our ceremony. We will be adding a foot washing. Yes, i know we are weird but it has meaning to us. Washing away the dirt and starting new. Loving each other no matter what. Which leads into the decor update:

Instead of teacups and teapots, which are increasing hard to find...Flower Girl 1 will carry the pitcher of water, Flower Girl 2 will carry the bowl, Ring Bearer will carry the tea cup with rings in it. As for church decor, I am going to do teacups with flowers every other pew and framed wedding pics every other pew.

I will be updating the past post for the budget. $500 may need to be pushed up :)

Rehearsal Dress & Day Of Dress

I already had both of these dresses. I knew the pink/white and black one i was going to wear to the rehearsal. I got it from Snooty Fox for $1! It is strapless and I NEED to add straps. The other dress was actually my grandmas. I took it out of the closet and got the idea to wear it the day of the ceremony. Ill have to decorate the church and get things ready anyway (plus myself!) so why not? That way shell be with me that day in another way!