The Change

I really didn't think that too much would change with John and I when we get married, but now I am not so sure.  We've not only been together for seven years, but we've lived together for six of them.  I always figured that at this point - I know all there is to know about him.  I am still not so sure that I have too much to learn - but something has already changed with us.  It seems as though overnight we went from boyfriend and girlfriend to husband and wife.  It's as though the commitment of being engaged has changed the way that we interact with each other in the smallest ways - and ALL for the better!

I find that with myself, I am more patient and compassionate.  All of a sudden I am "happy" to iron his shirt for work.  I have NEVER been genuinely happy to do that!  It's like there is a switch in my head that was flipped.  I would easily feel resentment about "taking care of him" and now I eagerly anticipate it.  Chivalry has come back to our relationship on his end too!  It's like new again.  Some of my friends have even told me that we seem to be even more in love then before!  I really think that there is something to this whole commitment thing after all!  And more than ever I am so glad that we waited and didn't rush into things.  I feel like I have a greater respect now for the commitment that we are making to each other - and now I can't wait for our life to really begin!

Here is an old school picture of us circa 2004!  This was my 23rd birthday - and John had just turned 20 a couple months before.

By the way - this weekend I am going shoe shopping in San Francisco/Napa!  If anyone has any recommendations of what to do and where to go - I would love to hear it!

And the anxiety sets in...

Being in the wedding industry leads people to believe a lot about how your wedding will turn out.  Even though I do have some of my vendors secured - and they are ALL fabulous - I am at a point where I am venturing into uncharted territory. 

A couple nights ago I had my first sleepless night.  I actually didn't fall asleep until 4:30 AM.  I recently attended an event where the subject of discussion was how to get more weddings featured in various magazines and blogs.  While listening to the discussion, I realized that many of the ideas that I love - have been done before many times.  This isn't a bad thing - but I suddenly went into panick mode.  My wedding has to be unique.  Everyone's expecting that!  Or at least that is what kept me up until the wee hours. I thought about how I should do my placecards without actually using paper, and what if the colors that I want are too "overdone".  I have never really cared whether or not my wedding was magazine worthy - but this was my first taste of "presure" - even though it really was self inflicted.  I finally found myself searching the internet for my wedding shoes - because that is what normal people do at 4 in the morning!  I have a feeling that I have many more anxiety attacks and sleepless nights ahead - but a glass of wine (or two) with dinner has been helping me relax!

On the subject of wedding shoes - for those of you who don't know me as well - I am a shoe-a-holic.  Honestly, the shoes are way more important to me than the dress - although that is of course important too!  Please let me know your opinion on the poll below - should I go with a neutral tone shoe (nude or silver) OR a bright and fun colored shoe?  I didn't realize how much opinion there is on this until I actually went shoe shopping!

Cheers!
Dani

On your mark, get set... GO!

Welcome to my blog!

I decided that it would be fun to track my experiences being a bride since I have already planned SO many weddings for others!  To now fully get all the aspects of wedding planning will be an incredible experience that will (I am assuming) help me to better relate to my brides.  Not that I am not fabulous already... duh... but there are many aspects of wedding planning that I don't have as much of an influence on with my couples!  So... here we go!

The engagement was wonderful and so special for me.  John proposed at Daou Vineyards in beautiful Paso Robles, CA.  We frequently are up there visiting his side of the family multiple times through out the year.  I LOVE the people, the wine, the views, the wine, the simple life, the wine... you get the idea!  It is my PERFECT idea of going on vacation.  A place where time doesn't really matter.  You do what you want, when you want to.  We had discovered Daou Vineyards at our last trip to Paso Robles - based on a recommendation from another winery.  When we arrived we knew it was special.  The view from the hill they are on is incredible, the wine maker (Daniel) is so personable and extremely knowledgeable, and the wines are impeccable.  His goal is to be the first 100 point wine in Paso - and he has gotten pretty close!  So back to the proposal.  Here is a shot that Daniel took on his cell phone.  Apparently we are the FIRST proposal ever at Daou!

 As you can imagine, the first thing that people asked me... within HOURS of being engaged, is where and when.  Honestly, I had no idea because I never really allowed myself to get that far with it.  I didn't want to be someone that had it all figured out before I had the ring.  Like my cousin would say "It's all planned out, just insert man."  That is definitely not the case with me - so I am creating this blog to document my experiences and share with all of you! 

 Check back for updates weekly!

Cheers!

Danielle