Debating

I'm debating continuing my blog. I'd like to think everyone and their mom reads it and follows it, but highly likely. :) If you are a regular follower, shoot me an email or leave a comment to let me know if you'd like to see updates.

I may just update our website that way I'm not as committed to doing regular updates.

Let me know what you think!

Happy Thanksgiving!

-Amy

Still Here

Hi guys. I'm still here. I will admit, I've been enjoying not having a wedding to plan and its taking me years to do anything. :)

I'm debating continuing with this blog or starting a brand new one since I'm not a bride anymore. I plan to make updates to our website too and may just use that site for everything, blog, house/family updates, pictures, etc. Fred is working on honeymoon pictures in between studying, so they're coming soon. So stay tuned!

In the meantime, here are some wedding pictures taken by friends and family.


-amy

Hello Mrs. Durant!

And back as a Mrs. What's up world? So we've been back to reality for a few weeks, really wishing that we were still on our honeymoon. And can you believe we're already been married for 4 weeks! We've had the best time of our lives this past month with the wedding day literally being the best day of my life. It was the most perfect day and I couldn't have asked for a better wedding day! Thank you to those who were with us. We both looked around at church and then later at the reception thinking how blessed we were to have such great friends and family around us.

I'm slowly gathering all of the pictures that were taken from friends and family and hope to post those somewhere. We also have a ton of pictures that we took on our honeymoon and will post those as well. Our pictures from the photographer will be ready to share this week. I can't wait!
Here is a sneak peak that she posted on her blog.

And since I'm no longer the bride, although I wish I could wear my wedding dress everyday, I'll probably start a new blog.

Amy

Signing off as Misses

Well folks, with only 1.5 days left, I'm afraid my time will be spent elsewhere away from the computer, although I have a long ways to go before the slide show for the rehearsal dinner is complete. Yikes!

On my way to Kinkos to finish up the programs. My printer was giving me a little bit of an attitude, so that wasn't helping. Then off to buff and clean the rings, even out my tan, buy a few more things for the favors, do the big drop off at the Lakes, over to Amy's to drop off programs...she's my little worker bee! I think that's it?!

Then back to work on the slide show!

For folks coming to the wedding, I'm looking forward to seeing you there. Fred and I are thrilled to have our family and friends with us on our big day!!

Thanks for following my wonderful adventures of wedding planning. I truly did enjoy it and loved almost every minute of it.

Will probably continue to write post wedding, but only until I get our website set so you can get updates there.

Signing off as Misses!
Amy

Wrapping Things Up

I had a blast wrapping all of the gifts for our friends and family involved in the wedding. I'm starting to slowly see the floor of my "wedding" room.

I'm Getting Married this Week!!

WOW!!!! Where did the time go? I can't believe we're getting married this week. I've been so busy with finalizing everything that I haven't been able to post any fun updates. I never even posted shower pics! Things have surprisingly falling into place with only a few moments of panic here and there.

Fred had a fabulous time at his residency week. Very long days, but he said they were worth it.

Only 2 more days left at work and it's game time! I got to see my 93 years old grandma this past weekend. She flew in by herself from the Philippines to NY!! You go girl! Kirk flew in from New Zealand Saturday and is still adjusting.

Ok, gots to work!!! Until next time.

Amy (soon to be Durant)

Monogram Love

I found saw this idea on a blog months and months ago and loved the idea. With the help of the craftiness and perfectionist mentality of Amy and her mom, they turned out great!

See if you can find these at the church and The Lakes!

Again in the news!

Our engagement announcement was published in the Worthington and Upper Arlington Suburban Newspaper yesterday. Check out the article if you don't get either paper.

In the News

Sorry I've been a blogger! Just too many things to do! Lynne found our names in the paper yesterday. Apparently they publish marriage licenses. I think I was one of the "old" brides! :)

Can Never Get Enough Flowers

Here are the roses I got from Fred for my birthday!
Thank you Fred!

Marriage License

We got our marriage license this morning!!! Apparently you can still be third cousins and still be able to get married here in this great state of Ohio. It was super easy and effortless!

What more could I want on my birthday than a marriage license?
Excuse our faces...we were staring into the sun.

ONE MONTH!!!!

They're all reminding me how much time we have! Technically 4 weeks and a few days :) And yes, I AM counting! I am on 150% full speed everyday checking things off the list.

Shower pictures to come...

Boys in Tuxes

I LOVE the clean, crisp, fresh look of a man in a tuxedo. Fred, his dad and my dad all went to get fitted for their tuxes yesterday. I got a huge smile on my face as soon as Fred tried on the shirt and his vest! That did it for me! :)

Hostess Gifts

I'm still collecting all of the shower pictures before sharing, but I wanted to share the hostess gifts I got for all of the bridesmaids, Erica's mom for graciously offering her house for the shower and for Sherri who also graciously hosted the bachelorette festivities.

It's amazing what you can do with a paper bag, circle punch and some ribbon.


Thanks again girls!

Showered with Love!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the ladies who showered me with love this past Saturday. I couldn't have asked for a better day.

And a special thank you to my bridesmaids (who I should have pointed out at the shower) for all of your hard work in planning the most perfect day! I'm such a lucky girl!

Stay tuned for pics! And a sneak peak of the bachelorette party!

Amy

AMY + FRED

Our photographer launched her new blog site today and guess who was featured?! Yours truly!

http://cstudiosblog.com/2009/07/amy-fred.html

The Never Ending List

Why does it seem like my to-do list keeps growing and growing?! I feel like I've been super productive over the past few weeks, yet the list doesn't seem to get smaller.

The invitations are out and how fun is it to see the RSVPs come in! It's like a little surprise everyday. And we love reading the comments.

Both wedding bands have been ordered, took me longer as usual to decide on mine, but what's new? I'm the most indecisive bride there is. I drive myself nuts.

So nothing new and exciting to write about. Still need to finalize a lot of the ceremony details and also some Filipino traditions I'd like to do. Music still needs to be determined, but we may already have our first dance song!

53 more days...

Until the next time,
Amy

2 Months to Go!...oh, and Happy 4th!

Sneak Peak

We LOVE LOVE LOVE how our engagement pictures turned out! Amy, from C Studios, is brilliant! Here's a little sneak peak.

Holy Moly!

My Very Own Shower

After all those years planning showers, it's very bizarre to see the shower invitation to my own shower! Erica did a great job designing and creating the invitations by hand. I can't wait!

Birthday Celebration

We had a low key celebration for Fred's birthday this year with dinner at Champs with the expecting couple Brad & Alicia, then headed over to his mom's for cake and ice cream with his dad, aunt, cousin and our flower girls who were all in town!

Happy Birthday Fred!

P.S. Notice anything different?

Happy Birthday Fred!

Fred turns 33 today, but still young at heart! :) Wish him a happy birthday.

Say Cheese!

Our engagement pictures were originally schedules a few weeks back, but the weather wasn't cooperative. It worked out for the best and we're excited to be working with Amy at C Studios. We'll be taking them down in the Short North where we'll get both urban and park scenery. I'll be sure to share them with you and check the website regularly as I'll be posting some there as well as making updates to the site.

Twinkle Twinkle

When 8:30pm hits September 4th, I want to be surrounded by new hubby, loved ones and candle light! I hit the Michael's sale yesterday and wondering if I should have bought more. You can never have too many candles.

Source

Coming Soon to a Mailbox Near You

The invitations are printed and ready to be addressed! By Request did a great job. And they even come in cute box with a green bow around it. Look for them soon in a mailbox near you!

Showering Tracy with Love

Today was Tracy's bridal shower in Columbus. I had a lot of fun planning and putting all the details together with her mom Donna. Here's a few pictures and go visit my new shutterfly site to see more.

1 Year Ago

One year ago Fred and I got engaged! Who knew it would have flown as fast as it did?

At this time last year, we were waiting to hear if Fred got into grad school. Now he's in his second quarter.

Other "who knew?"s:

• Who knew that our engagement would be 15 months?
• Who knew we'd be going to beautiful Hawaii for our honeymoon?
  
• Who knew Kirk would be moving to New Zealand for a year? Anyone up for a visit?
  
• Who knew his team would win an Oscar for the movie Benjamin Buttons?Good job Kirk!
  
• Who knew that so many other of our friends and family would also be getting married this year? Mark & Becky, Allyson & Matt, James & Katie, Sue & Andrew, Tracy & Philip, Dave & Beth
• Who knew that baby Pauling or baby Winfree would be on their way?
• Who knew the world would be blessed with the arrivals of baby Mikey and Luke?
  
• Who knew that my job would change so much and now be one that I enjoy? Thank God!

We've been blessed to have so many good things happening in our lives!

100 DAYS!

I remember shortly after we got engaged thinking of how long 15 months will take to go by and when someone told me it would go by fast, I didn't believe them. BELIEVE IT!

Today the 100 days countdown officially begins. YIKES! Still so lots to do.

Wish us luck!

-Amy

Planning a Shower

No, not my own, but for one of my bridesmaids...Tracy! Tracy and Philip will be getting married 3 weeks after us in Kentucky. Because every bride deserves to be showered with love, with the help of her mom, I'll be throwing Tracy a shower in just a few weeks. Crazy? Maybe, but it's worth it! Luv ya trac!

So I decided to make the shower invitations because of the short time frame. Tracy's color is yellow/charteuse.

4 Months To Go

WOW! Where has the time gone? When we first got engaged last May, thinking of a Sept 09 wedding seemed like forever. Take my word for it, it flies by extremely fast. So no new exciting updates. I decided to share a glimpse of my world by sharing my May To Do List.

1. Finalize invitations
2. Finish website
3. Finalize registries
4. Find makeup person
5. Find hair person
6. Buy undergarnments
7. Dress alterations
8. Determine wedding jewelry
9. BUY WEDDING RINGS!
10. Pick ceremony music
11. Finalize flower girl dresses
12. Send the Lakes food choices
13. Determine church decor (pew bows?)
14. Determine transportation & logistics
15. Finalize centerpieces and flowers
16. Research filipino ceremony traditions
    

and the list continues...

Phew! I'm going to bed.

Wedding Season Has Begun

Spring is here and wedding season has officially started for me. I attended Allyson's (Fred's cousin) bridal shower last Saturday. The weather was perfect and it was a great way to bring in Spring. Great job Katie, Susie and Liz!

Rehearsal Dinner

One of the things on Fred's to-do list while on break was to reserve the venue for our rehearsal dinner. Unlike most aspects of the wedding, we didn't look at 20 different places. We both really like Brio at Polaris and booked it right away. It's the perfect place to share the night before our wedding with friends and family. One thing off Fred's list..3 to go. Find wedding ring, pick up tux and show up at wedding!

A+ for Fred!

I've been so caught up writing about the wedding planning and forgot to give an update on Fred's school. He finished his first quarter with excellent grades and the top group project grade! I new from the beginning that he would do well. YEAH FRED!

Another Productive Week

Last Friday went really well. My dress was perfect and love it even more. The Save the Dates have hit the homes, bridesmaid dresses have been picked and ordered, rehearsal venue is booked, invitations are in review and we have our food tasting on Sunday. Phew! And it all starts all over again tomorrow! :)

I'll try to add more pictures in the upcoming posts.

Today is the Day!

Today I get to try on my wedding dress! And not the size 3 times too big for me, using clamps to get it to fit right. And not the sample dress that every bride in Columbus has tried on. No, this one is ALL MINE! I'm mostly excited, but a little nervous. I know I haven't gained weight since November, if anything, I've lost a few lbs. But I'm wondering if the work in the gym for the past 6 weeks will pay off. Probably too soon for results, but I feel great.

My MOH Erica will also be with me as well as Lynne, my future mother-in-law.

Stay tuned!

Save the Dates > Ordered

These have finally been ordered. 4 weeks late, I'm hoping to get these out this week. I'm so happy with the way they turned out!

The Dress is In!

I received a letter in the mail over the weekend that my dress was in. Wow! It's really starting to feel real now. I scheduled my dress fitting in a few weeks when my maid of honor Erica will be in town. Fred's mom Lynne, will also come with me to see the dress for the first time. I know I'll love it even more when I try it on this time in my size, and not six sizes too big. :)

Invitations Are Ordered

I met our printer for a short meeting to finalize quantities before she places the order for paper. We'll make design decisions in a few weeks when the paper is in. I brought in some samples and ribbon I've had my eye on. I went home and looked at some ribbon I've collected over the past few weeks. Do you see a recurring theme?


I also got inspired and made a card. I love my "a"!

Time To Kick It Up a Notch

I've been fortunate enough to be working with a personal trainer for the last 4 weeks. We have a beautiful fitness center at Scotts and really had no more excuses not to work out. So with the wedding in 5+ months, it was time to get back into a regular exercise routine. It feels great to be back in the gym and hopefully with my new active routine and better food choices, I'll see a difference.

But now, it's time to kick it up a notch. I've lost a few pounds just from eating better, but I want to see more change. I'm determined to look my best on my wedding day. So whenever I need motivation, I imagine what I'd like to look like and it keeps me going.

Happy workouts!

Would You Like 2 Queens or a King?

I've been very productive this week! One of the things crossed off the list are hotels blocks. I've had my eye on the Hilton at Polaris from the day they broke ground, hoping one day, I'd get to stay in it. Come September, I will! They offer a customized website where our guests can easily book their room.

Hilton Columbus Polaris

Spring Time Tease

Finally! A day of warmth! Excited about being outside without a heavy coat and seeing the sun, we took the bears for a walk at their favorite park. We're all very excited that winter will soon be long gone.