Behind the Knot

3.02.2010

Flowers fit for a QUEEN.

That's right. I want em big and I want em blooooomin. When it comes to my bouquet I'm not holding back. Call it my bridezilla moment, it's just something I've always dreamed of (weird, do people normally dream of flowers?). I want a big, juicy, full bloom bouquet. The question is, what flower should I choose?

I've always been a non-mixer kind of girl. You may be sitting at your computer, drinking your coffee, thinking what the heck is this girl talking about and why am I reading? Well, let me explain. I'm one of those people who don't like their foods touching on the plate. To be honest, I finish the side vegetable before even saying hello to the protein and welcoming him to dinner. In fact, it's been rather eye opening and challenging telling my mother "Ok Mom, we can have mix-matching vases on the guest book table." It just rubs me the wrong way. I don't care if things aren't the exact same, they just have to flow. And this is why I have chosen to become a "one flower bouquet" bride.

So white roses?

No...too traditional for my taste. So how about some beautiful white lillies?

No...not really the feel I'm going for. Reminds me too much of summer weddings. Peonies?

Close, but still no cigar. It was only when I stumbled upon this beauty that I was set. A beautiful bouquet of garden roses.

Ahhh, relief. I love them so much. And they flow so well with my wedding vision. It's just too good to be true, so let's look at them some more...

1. bouquet one 2. real simple vase 3. multiple vases 4. martha stewart centerpiece

Garden Roses are also known as cabbage roses. They have been known to be the favorites of artists and the smell is so magnificent they can be used for perfumes. I love them more with each of their 100 layers. They are seriously fantastic. My beautiful 17 inch round bouquet is going to be marvelous.

What do you think? Perfect for my outdoor garden wedding, yes?

3.01.2010

March Favorites

Happy March! New month, new possibilities, and just a few things I have found from my favorite stores that I think will make your March an adorable one :)

1. flowered scoop neck tee from jcrew. 2. cotton shift dress from jcrew. 3. one shoulder flowered draped gown from jcrew. 4. flower clip from urban outfitters. 5. leaf bag in avocado from ruche. 6. nautical stripes scarf from ruche. 7. polka dot baubles ribbon necklace from ruche. 8. heart pendant necklace from ruche. 9. vintage beaded tee from jcrew. 10. mini mesh rose earrings from ruche. 11. twist sandal from urban outfitters.

2.24.2010

Where I've Been & Why I Went...

This post has been a long time coming and I couldn't decide on how I wanted to put my thoughts down in words. I'm preparing you, it's wordy.

If you have noticed, I have not sat down to write for Behind the Knot since November 23, 2009, my twenty second birthday. So much has happened and I'm so fortunate for my experiences, my family and friends, and what I have realized before it was too late.

My whole college career I have focused on one thing: becoming a wedding coordinator and getting as much experience as I possibly could before I graduated. What I forgot to remember was my biggest dream of all. My whole life I dreamed of studying design--a small art school in a big city where I could be inspired daily by my surroundings. I was smitten by the university atmosphere and lost my way. Don't get me wrong, I love where I went to school, my jobs and experiences, my major, and all the in betweens. It was only on December 19th, my graduation day, where I woke up thinking "what the heck am I going to do now?" All those dreams about being a coordinator were gone and I didn't know what to do.

After an emotional break down I discovered what I needed most. I took a break from everything I knew about the wedding world and went back to the basics. I've been studying design and teaching myself the tools every night when I get home from work. I didn't sleep, I didn't eat, all I did was consume as much knowledge and inspiration as possible until...

My body gave up on me. I became incredibly sick. After a month of stomach flus, emergency room trips, multiple IVs, and vertigo that is so awful I wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy, I finally feel like myself again. I feel like opening up to people again, I'm ready to get back on my way to where I want to be again. I'm ready, I'm really ready.

Time to grow up. This blog post won't mean anything to most of you and I don't expect you to read it. I felt like I owed it to myself to explain in words why I've been in hiding. This little blog will be a little different. Yes, AB and I are still getting married and have incredible plans on the way that I can't wait to show you all. This blog will focus on our journey together. We're moving, buying a house, starting new jobs, getting married, OH...and did I mention that fabulous 17 day European honeymoon we booked last month? I'll be filling you in on that too.

And just you wait, because bigger and better things are coming that even I never saw coming. I'm SO excited!

11.23.2009

Another Year...Hello 22

I'm exactly 22 today. It's sounds hard to believe. Yesterday I could have sworn I was getting my license and applying for colleges. Here I am, officially not a college student and planning my wedding. Who would have thought?! In honor of my birthday I thought I'd do a post on 22 significant things that have happened to me in the past year. Here I go....

22. Survived an entire year of being 21...yikes.
21. Girls trip to Austin, Texas to visit my sister and nephew...so much fun.
20. Saw Twilight & began my sick obsession with ray bans. (significant, YES.)
19. Celebrated my school's 2nd National Football Championship in Miami, Florida with my closest friends. Best. Away Game. Ever.
18. Started interning at one aaamazing company.
17. Became an alumni of my sorority.
16. Spent a relaxing week at the beach with my other favorite couple.
15. Bought my own domain for Behind the Knot...best decision ever! Bye Bye Blogspot.
14. Moved home for a final, yet the best, summer of my life.
13. Spent the summer on the couch with my Mom watching Soap Operas and Will&Grace reruns. I could not have asked for a better time--I think I needed this before this next chapter of my life. I love her to the moon & back.
12. Spent three weeks with my Dad alone while my Mom went on her California trip. It's amazing how much you learn about someone when you have never really been "alone" with them. It suddenly dawned on me how much we have in common and I realized how much he makes me laugh. Too many animal crackers were consumed. Love you, Dad.
11. Traveled to the beach with my family...the whole Ryan Clan together, seriously dangerous.
10. Played with my nephews and niece in the sun and laughed too hard with my sisters.
9. BECAME ENGAGED to my sweet, sweet AB. Best year of my life, already!
8. Toby came in to my life so quickly and I couldn't imagine him not curling up at my feet right now. Best. Present. Ever.
7. Began my last semester of college, oh gosh...seriously, already!?
6. Completed my last semester of college, oh no...WAIT, what?! I was just a Freshman!
5. Saw New Moon (the obsession grows & continues...)
4. Started new projects and career paths, I can't wait to be on my own two feet.
3. Finally counting down till I'm in the same town as my family again.
2. Started my first full time job at Jay's Bridal. I couldn't have asked for a better first full time job, I love it and am so excited for what's to come.
1. One more year of learning exactly who I am, I can't wait for what's next. I'm expecting great things!

There you have it. I know it's not that interesting, but it's my life and I can't believe the year I've had. Happy Birthday to myself, and of course, Happy Birth-Giving Day to best woman I know, my Mom.

Here's to the next one!
lovelovelove.

11.19.2009

A Dedication to Ray Bans, British Accents and Scruff

This is one of those "I really shouldn't be admitting this on the internet because of how sick and obsessed I am" type of posts. I really can't contain my excitement any longer and tonight at midnight I will probably have one of the best nights of the year. Yes, my dear readers, I am talking about New Moon. More specifically, I am talking about Robert Pattinson. Because really, who can deny how good he looks with a little scruff and some ray bans?

{source}

You see, I, like many other Twilight Saga readers, got completely sucked in. So sucked in that I finished the books in 3 days. I'm not proud, but really, I'm one of millions. So why should I feel bad? I don't, but I even had Bella's Lullaby on my iPod weeks before the first movie came out. Sick, I tell you, sick.

So here I am, googling Bella & Edward's Wedding pictures at 3 AM (I mean duh, what else would I be doing?) and am completely baffled at how many pictures already exist. I mean seriously, some people are way too good with photo shop and have more time than I can imagine on their hands:

{source}

So to make matters even worse, my wedding photographer and other local and fabulous Gainesville vendors got together and set up a Twilight Wedding Photoshoot. The Twilight Wedding Concept can be found here, but I'm warning you, you may spend hours swooning over how gorgeous the photos are.

So there you have it, I feel much better getting this off my chest. For those of you who are my fellow Twihards and going to see the movie at midnight, I hope it was worth the months of waiting and torture. Enjoy!

*I fully understand how embarassing this is and apologize to myself daily.