Heather and Matt April 16, 2011

[hmz819]

So I can finally start a journal! I have been on the board since 10/09. Matt and I put down a deposit for our ceremony site and picked a date. We did not officially engaged until 2/14/10. (Yeah waiting for the ring sucked!!) Anyway I wasn't supposed to tell anyone about the wedding or plan anything....YEAH RIGHT!! hahaha Shhh don't tell him.

About the bride....I will be 33 when I walk down the aisle. I am glad I waited until I was older to get married. I found the perfect match for me and I know that no other man could make me feel like FH can. I am in clinical research and I travel a lot for work.

About the groom....Matt will be 29 when we marry (I robbed the craddle....hahaha). Matt works at a call center for Verizon wireless.

Together we have 3 dogs and a cat. We call the dogs our monkeys so sometimes I post about the monkeys or my monks....I am refering to the dogs. hahaha

How we met....One of my best friends was having a party to celebrate their new deck. I went over with my 2 dogs that I had at the time in capris, tank, hair in a pony tail and hardly any make up...I knew everyone at the party and there was no one to impress. I wanted to drink a few beers and be comfy. Well Matt was there with his parents who were in town from NY and apperantly there was a set up going on behind my back. I proceeded to achieve my goal of drinking a few too many and apperantly talked to Matt and his parents for a LONG time that night. OOPS!!! hahaha Anyway my best friend invited Matt to my Bday celebration the next night. Matt came to my Bday and we have been together ever since. (that was 8/08)

[hmz819]

proposal story coming soon. I had it all typed up but the site kicked me off so it didn't post.

[MrsNickToBe]

Yay for making a journal! Congrats on your engagement :). I know how it feels to wait for the ring! Try waiting 3 years ;) lol. Can't wait to hear more about your planning!

[pinkbride]

yay for starting a journal!:whoohoo:

so sweet how you met, look forward to hearing your proposal stories and definately all of your wedding plans!!

what dogs do you have? xx

[gwenshack]

Glad you started a journal! :)

[dearmissie]

YAY!! Excited for your journal!! Congrats on your engagement!!

[bright_eyes]

I love the story how you met. Don't need to try too hard to impress a guy! Capris and no make up get up still works lol!

But seriously I know how you feel about waiting for the ring and not being supposed to plan. Me and ryan were talking about marriage for 3 years and he was saving up for the ring and stuff. I couldn't help myself - I did look at dresses and venues and stuff as I am sure you did haha. Congrats on new journal, new engagement and upcoming wedding!

Happy planning!

[hmz819]

And now the proposal story......

We had a trip planned to Charleston, SC for V day. We were actually going because of my oldest dog. The South Eastern Wildlife Expo was V day weekend and Dock Dogs (dog jumping comp) was going to be there. Maya loves to jump into water and chase toys so I thought she would love this. I was right....she loved it. Anyho...

Charleston is one of Matt's fav cities. I was pretty sure that he would propose in Charleston. Yes, to me it was kinda cliche to propose on V day but I had been waiting since Oct for the ring so I didn't care. (Patience is not one of my virtures).

I somehow restrained myself....I didn't rummage through his bag to see if there was a ring. I packed my bag and Maya's bag and when Matt came home from work we took off to Charleston.

Friday night we had plans to go to a Tapas resturant and have dinner and then go see the movie Valentine's Day. I was thinking that maybe that Fri would be the night.....we went to the Tapas rest and turns out that they were having a speed dating event!!! We ended up at a very small Italian place that was awesome and there was a little old Italian man that would get up and say "I am going to sing for you now" he would tell a short story about the song he was going to sing and then start singing. It was so cool. We didn't get to the movie since Charleston, SC got 2 inches of snow and driving was getting really bad so we just went back to the hotel. Day 1...No ring!!!

Sat morning we get up...take Maya to jump and met up with friends. We hung out with friends all day and had a great time. It was freezing but still a lot of fun. Day 2 ends and still no ring.

Sunday morning we get up and walk around and get some breakfast. Matt likes to walk around aimlessly so we did that for a while and then I was cold and not feeling well so I told him if he wanted to continue to walk around we had to walk around inside somewhere. He asked if I wanted to go down to the battery (by the water)...I looked at him like he was crazy....it was cold....I didn't want to go to the water where it would be colder!!! We weren't far from the Charleston dungeon so he suggested we go there. Perfect...historic stuff for him and warmth for me!!! As we are walking there he asked if I wanted to go back to the hotel first. The hotel was 5 plus blocks away and the dungeon was about half a block. I said no that I would rather just go to the dungeon and then go back to the hotel and nap before dinner. We walked through the dungeon, napped, and got ready for dinner. Before we left for dinner I checked his pockets to see if I could see any bulges that looked like a ring box....nothing. We went and had an amazing dinner and then went to a couple bars to have drinks. We were having our last drink and we were talking about the wedding....I know that he was worried about affording the perfect ring and everything so I told him over our last drink that I didn't care what the ring looked like or how big the diamond was...I was sure I would love whatever he got. I told him that if we wanted to we could always upgrade the diamond later and I could turn the one I have into a necklace or something. (I know that sounds really bratty but I wasn't meant to be....I know how upset he was about this whole buying a ring thing).

So we went back to the hotel and I got into bed and he came in and asked if I wanted to go far a walk....it is now freezing outside and also 11pm. I told him no...I had my PJs on and was all curled up in bed. He asked if I was sure that about the walk...I said yes....so he asked if I wanted my V day present. I was so excited I said yes. Well him being the smartarse he is he gave me a pendant with no stone in it. I looked at him and looked at it and asked do I get my diamond now? (Again bratty I know but....). He got down on one knee and gave me my perfect ring!!! I was crying when I said yes (I didn't expect that I would since I knew it was coming).

So he said he knew he had to give it to me that night after I mentioned the necklace thing. When he was at the store the salesman was trying to find the perfect diamond. My biggest requirement was that it was really sparkly, and next was carat size. So they want through a lot of loose diamonds and each wasn't quite right. So after a while the salesman remebered a pendant that went on sale becasue it wasn't selling. The diamond that was in the pendant was everything on both our wish lists. So he had to buy the pendant and then they could take the diamond out and place it in the setting that he found. It truly is my dream ring!!! I was so excited.

Also, he had the store shorten the pendant chain to 16" since we have been looking for a 16" chain for the palm tree pendant that he bought me for our 1 year anniversary. So I got 2 presents in one!!!!

I sure am lucky!!

(P.S. I hope that this post doesn't make me look like a brat. I was just so excited when he set the date back in Oct. I waited so long to find my other half!!!)

[dearmissie]

YAY!! What a cute proposal story!! I can't wait to see a picture of the ring!! And so smart to take the diamond from the necklace!! Bonus that he was on sale!! Rey also proposed while on vacation. We were in Hawaii and I actually DID go through all his bags, all the pockets of his clothes, and even his socks!! Didn't find a thing. I have no idea how he hid it!!

[hmz819]

Ok so we got a big check off our list this past weekend. We contacted the venue we wanted to use and reserved our date. We are going in on Thurs and signing the contract and paying the deposit. I am so happy!!! It took us forever to find a venue that we both liked! Yea!

Now onto photographers...we found one that we like after viewing his website. We are meeting with him on Thurs. Hopefully we will like him in person. We also emailed one of the most sought after photogs in Wilmington and he has our date available and he is very affordable (at least by our standards)!!! We are going to set up a meeting with him too.

I also have a couple floral consults sent up this week too!

[dearmissie]

Ok so we got a big check off our list this past weekend. We contacted the venue we wanted to use and reserved our date. We are going in on Thurs and signing the contract and paying the deposit. I am so happy!!! It took us forever to find a venue that we both liked! Yea!

Now onto photographers...we found one that we like after viewing his website. We are meeting with him on Thurs. Hopefully we will like him in person. We also emailed one of the most sought after photogs in Wilmington and he has our date available and he is very affordable (at least by our standards)!!! We are going to set up a meeting with him too.

I also have a couple floral consults sent up this week too!
Whoo hoo!! You go girl!! So glad you got the venue!! We're signing the contract and giving the deposit to our venue Wednesday!! And YAY for the photographer!! Are you leaning towards one over the other??

[vivchan17]

Heather, you were busy that week! How did everything go with the floral and photographer meeting??

[hmz819]

I have been busy with work traveling so it has been hard to be in contact with vendors.

We received quotes on the 2 flower places I met with. Wow flowers are more expensive than I thought. I will have to do some scaling back but I just read an article that you should get 4-5 quotes from florists so I will meet with a couple others just to see.

We have asked all the people that we wanted to be in the bridal party and all of them are excited to stand up for us. Whew what a relief. I never thought it would be nerve racking to ask a friend to be in your wedding but it was. Luckily all my nerves were for nothing and the 2 ladies I asked to part of the party are so excited!! (I didn't have to ask my lil sis to be my MOH....she already knew that job was hers....hahaha).

We contacted our top choice in photographers and I just spoke with him today and he is going to write up a contract and we will sign that and send the deposit the end of this week. Right now we have a verbal contract so I don't have to worry about someone else coming in a stealing our date. Our photog said he is blocking our date off on his calendar!!! Here is a link to his site http://www.chrislangweddings.com/ (if you go to the website tab at the top and then scroll down to where it says click for a sample....if you play the slide show those pics were taken at the venue we are having our ceremony at.)

We thought we had our caterer picked out but their prices were higher than we thought so we spoke with another caterer on Sat and we really liked her and she is going to get us a quote this week. I hope that we can afford it cause we really really like this new caterer we met with.

That is all for now...more to come.

[dearmissie]

OMG I love your photographer!! How exciting!! You've been very productive!! Woot woot!!

[bright_eyes]

your photographer is awesome!

What venue did you end up picking ?

[hmz819]

your photographer is awesome!

What venue did you end up picking ?

We decided on the USO building in downtown Wilmington. It was built in WWII for the officers and other soldiers stationed in the area to have dances etc at. It is now completely updated and a historic landmark. It has been changed into a stage for plays. So the lobby will be where the cocktail hour will take place and then (once we arrive) the reception will take place in the auditorium. We even get a ligthing specialist so we can have spotlights when dancing etc! We are so excited. The outiside is kinda ho hum but I plan on putting some planted azeleas out there to spruce it up.

My sis is coming in 2 weeks so I'll have her take pics and we will also take pics of the gardens we are having the ceremony. She will be taking our E pics that weekend too. Yay! (We are also going dress shopping)!

[bright_eyes]

We decided on the USO building in downtown Wilmington. It was built in WWII for the officers and other soldiers stationed in the area to have dances etc at. It is now completely updated and a historic landmark. It has been changed into a stage for plays. So the lobby will be where the cocktail hour will take place and then (once we arrive) the reception will take place in the auditorium. We even get a ligthing specialist so we can have spotlights when dancing etc! We are so excited. The outiside is kinda ho hum but I plan on putting some planted azeleas out there to spruce it up.

My sis is coming in 2 weeks so I'll have her take pics and we will also take pics of the gardens we are having the ceremony. She will be taking our E pics that weekend too. Yay! (We are also going dress shopping)!

wow your venue sounds amazing so historic and meaningful!

[dodgercpkl]

Congrats on finding your venue! I can't wait to see pics! :) I'm a big fan of gardens and I love that it's historic!

Sounds like you have a busy time scheduled with your sis. Don't forget to take pics (if allowed) for the dress shopping too! :)

[vivchan17]

Oooh, your photog is awesome. And your venue sounds great - can`t wait to see the pics you and your sis take. That is very cool that you get a lighting specialist. The more I read through people`s journals, the more I realize how important lighting is. I`m sure you will make the outside look great too! You have been so productive over the last little bit. And as Teri said, you`ve got to take and share pics of your dress shopping!

[dearmissie]

OMG your venue sounds amazing!! I can't wait to see pictures!! I hope you and your sis have lots of fun dress shopping as well!! :heart::heart:

[daisyf]

Hi Heather!
Just noticed you are from Wilmington. I met my FH at UNCW!
I LOVE your venue. I used to go downtown just to visit it. You'll get fantastic photos there. Oh and you have to have photos along the river!!!
There's this crumbling abandoned building downtown, not sure what street it's on, I kind of found it by accident recently. I hope I can find it again because I want some engagement photos taken there, it's gorgeous.
Can't wait to hear your plans. I get so excited when I meet people from Wilmy lol.

[hmz819]

Thanks daisyf! We will have pics on the river. I plan on surprising FH and having someone bring our 3 monkeys (dogs...they are all puppies so they are still learning their manners so we refer to them as our monkeys) down to the river to take pics with us since they can't be part of the ceremony. There are a lot of great places downtown to take pics so I am excited about that!

[hmz819]

So updates for this week. Lately I have been out of town 3 out of 4 weeks for work so the one week a month I am in town I set up a ton of appointments!!

So this week we found the lady that is making our cake. She has a small chocolate shop (we will prob get favors there too) and she charges 2.25 a slice for cake! That includes delivery and everything! She even has a key lime flavored cake which is something I really wanted for at least one of the tiers! The owner of the shop was so nice. It is a small mom and pop shop and we walked in and said we wanted to talk to someone about a wedding cakes and she comes out with 4 cupcakes (2 vanilla and 2 chocolate) and said try these and let me know what you think. They were so moist! YES!!! Then we tell her we want a simple 3 tier off center square cake with swiss dot decoration. She says we can have any combo of flavors and fillings they offer and that it's 2.25 a slice. She says she doesn't believe in cakes being expensive just because they are for weddings! We saw pics of other cakes she made and they were gorgeous so I know ours will be too because she will do everything to make it everything we want it to be. Oh and get this she works on an honor system. No contracts no deposit. If we change our mind about using her we just need to call and let her know. (That part scares the business part of me but just seeing how she interacted with customers that came in you can tell she isn't going to rip us off). She said she wants payment a week before the wedding but if we aren't comfortable paying before the cake is delivered we can pay the week after the wedding.

[hmz819]

Updates continued....We met with a florist that works out of her house yesterday. I was so excited because the work on her website was beautiful and then I learned her house is on the home and garden tour this weekend for azalea fest (big thing down here). I also learned that the azalea queen had her pics taken in the florists garden that am. Needless to say I couldn't wait to see the house and gardens! They we beautiful and the lady really knew her stuff so I can't wait to get a quot back from her to see if I can get all the flowers I want without having to cut anything because of budget! She even made me a little bouquet to take home. Matt and I really liked her and we hope she can make the flowers we want in the budget we have!

[hmz819]

Last update.....My FMIL came in to town yesterday and my Mom and Sis are coming in tonight and we are all going dress shopping this weekend!!! I can't wait!! The dress shop we are going to tomorrow called me and my dress that I ordered to try on had come in (they didn't have a sample in the store) so I am really hoping that I like it. I love it in pics on the model. Here is a link to the dress http://www.ellabridals.com/dress.php?id=126 You will have to be honest and let me know if it looks just as good on me once I get pics in it. I can't wait to try on dresses!

One another note I tried spray tanning for the first time. I was really scared that I wouldbe orange but it looks like I have a natural tan. One of my BM came over today to drop of a dress shopping survival kit since she isn't able to come shopping with us and commented on my tan. I said it was a spray tan and she couldn't believe it. She is going to make an appointment there too! I told her let me know how she likes it cause I was thinking that I would pay for all my BMs to get a tan for the wedding (if they would like one). Whoo Hoo I <3 spray tans!

[hmz819]

Whooo Hooooo One Year From Today I Will Be Mrs. Cottet!!!!!!!!!!

[Spatch4Officers]

WOOHOOO!!!! doesn't that feel good to say!?!?! I can't wait to say that for me too!:flower4u:

[vivchan17]

So exciting!!!!

[dodgercpkl]

Heather that's so awesome!! You and I aren't marriage buddies, but we WILL be anniversary buddies!! I'm so excited that you have gotten to the less then a year part now!!! :)

[dodgercpkl]

Heather! We need updates!! :) You are getting sooooo close now! Less then 3 months to go! :)

[dodgercpkl]

I hope everything is going well! Have a fantastic day tomorrow when you GET MARRIED!!!! OMG I can't believe it's already here! I can't wait to hear/read all about it! :) *hugs*