Paradise here we come!

Mr. Marshmallow surprised me yesterday and finished booking our Kauai honeymoon. After our amazing wedding we will spend four days and five nights in paradise aka an ocean view room at the Grand Hyatt Resort in Kauai!

There are five pools, seven restaurants, a lagoon, and a waterslide. That's right people a waterslide! He rented us a Jeep to travel through the lush tropical country side, where we will hike to waterfalls, kayak in turquoise blue waters, snorkel with turtles and lay on remote beaches. And the best part I get to do this with my best friend... my baby... my favorite... my future husband.

Time Out

When I was little, I dreaded being sent to time out, but now that I am older I need time outs in order to stay sane. Things were getting a little nutzo a few weeks back and Mr. Marshmallow and I decided to take a time out. We took a few days off of work together and just enjoyed being us again. We had a picnic at a winery, we rode bikes up in the Marin headlands (that's an 800 foot climb people!), went for a big run that we never seem to have time for these days, and we did some much needed spring cleaning.

I feel like a new person, I have energy, I am happy and I am ready to take on the world, or maybe just tackle the rest of these wedding plans. I need to remember this trick for after the wedding!

The priest who ran our pre cana class also suggested that we take time out closer to our wedding. What a fantastic idea! With all the craziness and fun that week has to offer, why not just take a day to sit back and enjoy spending together. So along with the rest of the week, nail appointments, assembling favors, and picking up relatives, we will also schedule a time out. Only now I am looking forward to this time out.

Bringing the room together

I met with the florist the a few weeks back and we spent 5 hours walking through the venue talking about every nook and cranny of the ceremony and reception site. That is a long time to talk about flowers but it was well worth it.

I have to say that this is the one of the things I have been worried about for a few months. For one thing I had no idea what look I wanted. I love simple vibrant blooms but that isn't going to cut it for a centerpiece (plus I didn't want to like something only to find out it costs an arm and a leg. Flowers can really change a the feel of a room and essential to creating the right ambiance.

In addition, our ceremony site was lacking an altar. I spent countless hours searching the internet for creative solutions that seemed personal but not too over the top (trust me there are some pretty cheesy altars!). When I walk down the aisle I want it to feel romantic, full of love and I had to get Mr. Marshmallow to go for it :).

I am very excited with what we came up with and I cannot wait for my guests to see it. In addition, I won't even get to see the idea in full bloom (hehehe) until the day of the wedding so that will be a fun surprise. The florist and I will head down to our local flower mart right before the wedding to check out everything in season and how colors mesh together. Here are some photos that inspired my flower selections:

The Call

Just when I forget what it even looks like the bridal salon calls to say my dress has arrived!. Yes, the dress is here and even earlier than expected. Unfortunately, I do not get to see it until I fly down to Southern California in mid July for my first fitting/try on. I think that I am just going to have them alter my dress but perhaps I will fly her home with me and have it fitted up here.

I already have my shoes, little ballet flats, and am trying to figure out what undergarments I need. I know that I want to be sucked in and pushed up but I still want to feel pretty and be able to breathe. Do you have any suggestions?

I just can't wait to see her. I hope she is everything I remembered!

Freshly Baked Goodness

It has been the one wedding event that Mr. Marshmallow has been looking forward to since the beginning... cake tasting! So after our engagement pictures were over, we decided it was time to spoil ourselves with cake.

We scheduled two local tastings and boy did we eat a lot of cake. We knew that we did not want a big fancy cake, but needed something for the cake cutting tradition. Mr. Marshmallow and I were also really interested in cupcakes. I personally love to make cupcakes but knew that there was no way I could even attempt to make my own during the crazy week that leads up to the wedding.

Those who know me know my sweet tooth (boy is that an understatement!), but even I overdosed on fantastically delicious cake. Chocolate, Red Velvet, Mocha Frosting, Cheesecake Frosting, Carrot Cake, Amaretto Cake, Fudge Frosting the list of flavors go on and on. After letting our tummy aches subside, I think Mr. Marshmallow and I have made a decision. We have decided to go with the traditional no tier cake for the cake cutting but to treat our guests to the fabulous goodness of Icing on the Cake's Out of this world cupcakes. Flavors include Swirly cupcakes (their take on hostess chocolate cupcakes), Mint Chocolate Chip, Salty Dog (Snickers), Chocolate and Orange, Red Velvet, Vanilla and Coconut just to new a few. I am very excited about the variety and I hope our guests don't get a stomach ache!

Diamonds are a girl's best friend

Okay, so diamonds are awfully nice (especially the beautiful one that adorns my fourth finger on my left hand) but whatever form it comes in, sometimes a little sparkle makes a girl feel pretty. I am strategizing my bridal accessories and am having quite a debate on what jewelry/ accessories to wear.

How much sparkle is too much sparkle? Is there even such a thing? Can you have sparkle earrings, necklace, bouquet and shoes or is it just too much? Here are some ideas of the of accessories I would like or currently own for my big day, including some hair and flower ideas. Unfortunately, Mr. Marshmallow reads this blog so I cannot post anything related to my dress :)

Picture Perfect

For those of you who haven't seen the pictures on facebook here are some of my favorites from Mr. Marshmallow and my engagement picture session. They turned out fantastic!!! We plan to incorporate these pictures into a few different areas of the wedding as well. If you ever need a recommendation for a good photographer please use Jen Good. She is fabulous to work with and Mr. Marshmallow and I are so happy with the results. I am already excited about the pictures from the wedding (which of course we haven't shot yet :). Hope you enjoy these!

Engagement Picture Teaser

Just a teaser until Mr. Marshmallow gets to see them :)

I can't contain myself much longer...

My photographer emailed me today and said that she was uploading engagement pictures so that we could see them today. I am so excited and I cannot wait to share them with you. More to come!