Journey To Wedding Day

Wedding Pictures!!!

claresa — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:21:13 +0000

Wedding pictures are finally back and ready for view!!!

Here are some of our favorites:

To see the entire album, just click here

DIY Project: Invitations

claresa — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:10:20 +0000

The invitations are complete! Instead of ordering invitations, we decided to use a kit with all the paper we needed and design them ourselves. We used Adobe Illustrator to create our own templates with the dimensions of the invites and RSVP cards so we could format the text the way we wanted to, use more creative fonts, and include our symbol.

What do you think?

Creativity at Work: Custom Monogram

claresa — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:55:13 +0000

Do-it-yourself projects. They’re the one thing that’s helping keep us on budget, but they’re also letting us show our creative sides. Our first DIY project was designing a monogram.

We wanted our initials there just like any other monogram, but we wanted it presented in such a way that it would symbolize our bond and the covenant we would be making. Devin immediately got out his sketch pad and went to work, trying to find unique ways to fuse the “C” and “D” together. The monogram we decided on shows the “D” and “C” intertwined at their rounded edges. So you don’t see either letter in entirety, just where they connect.

Ironically, once I saw the design, I thought it reminded me of the pattern on a picture frame I had.

The frame was white with gold trim, a cross at the top and the words, “By faith I stand” at the bottom. The moment I saw it, I told myself that I would reserve it for a couple’s photo or wedding photo once I met the man I would marry.

As a person who lives by faith, I feel it’s important for married couples to believe God’s promise that He will not let anyone break up what He has put together. For me, the frame represents the importance of my faith in my relationship and in that statement. I truly believe that as along as Devin is on this earth, there is no other man for me. I believe our relationship is God-ordained and will last because we both know that and are willing to fight to preserve it.

All this reflecting eventually made me look for Biblical passages about faith. But I didn’t find the perfect one until I started looking online at churches for the wedding. The I stumbled upon
2 Corinthians 5:7, “We walk by faith, not by sight.”

In fact, it was so perfect, we added it to our monogram.

Color Scheme…Finally!!!

claresa — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:39:02 +0000

After changing the color scheme about a million times, I’ve decided on the colors that I love and will work with our venues. They’re pink and navy!!! I really wanted pink in the wedding since it’s one of my favorite colors. And Devin just wanted a color scheme that wasn’t pastel-toned and super feminine. So blue was the perfect color to add since it compliments the pink and coordinates with the chairs in the reception venue. Not to mention, it’s Devin’s favorite color. So it’s kind of like femininity meeting masculinity with a hint of simple sophistication. The bridesmaids dresses and groomsmen’s ties and vests are going to be wine, but the flowers, linens and accessories will have hints of pink, navy, and ivory.

Here’s my inspiration board:

The Menu Is Set

claresa — Mon, 18 May 2009 15:45:27 +0000

So…the menu is officially set for the reception. We want our guests to have a complete meal, but we want to keep the party moving. So we’ve opted for a full buffet that will open as soon as guests get there.

Here’s the line-up:

SALAD

BAKED CHICKEN

YUKON GOLD MASHED POTATOES

FIREROASTED CORN

ROLLS

*WEDDING CAKE WILL BE SERVED FOR DESSERT

There won’t be any alcohol because it is not allowed at the Hartness Pavillion, but there will be coffee, tea, water, and possibly punch

New Life, New Home

claresa — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:06:19 +0000

For many, getting married not only means starting a new life together, but it also means building a home together.

I always knew that getting married to Devin would mean making a big move before the wedding and I was ready to do it. However, Devin wasn’t. Having moved several times over the last 4 years, he was actually pretty adamant about trying to avoid the whole thing. But I had to convince him that it was something we had to do.

You see, I wanted to feel like he was making room for me, and there was no way I would feel that way in his one bedroom apartment. I definitely liked his apartment better than mine, but that wouldn’t be enough to make me feel comfortable.

For one thing, I needed more closet space. I already used up all the space in my walk-in closet. So it’d be near impossible to get all my stuff and his in a space just a little bit bigger than that.

Then…I had my own furniture. And it was pretty decent furniture. The kind you buy unassembled, and get a generous neighbor to haul up to your apartment so you can spend hours putting it together. The kind you don’t want to give up because you’d put so much blood, sweat, and tears into the assembling process. As a matter of fact, I think every table and shelf in my apartment was that kind of furniture. Needless to say, I was not going to be ready to part with it all by the time we got married.

Eventually, I managed to convince him that we needed to move. (But I really think it was more God’s doing than mine) We reached a compromise that involved getting a two bedroom in his current apartment complex so he wouldn’t have far to move. We looked at floor plans, talked pricing and even weighed other options just in case, but still didn’t have any peace about moving into another apartment and throwing more money away. Then we considered doing something we thought would take a lot of time we didn’t feel we had and money we definitely didn’t have: buying a home.

I’d never looked into buying a home, but Devin had come pretty close last summer. So we were pleasantly surprised when the woman who helped him get out of buying that home was the primary person helping us move into ours. She ended up finding us the cutest starter home outside of the city for no money down, and taking us through the buying process in a matter of weeks.

The home had three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a bonus room, and a two-car garage. She told us a man bought the home, remodeled it and then flipped it three months later.

Now…I would have been cautious about something like this. But I soon found out there was no reason to be. The seller had the warmest spirit and agreed to all of our terms to buy the home. He even paid all of the closing costs. So at the closing, we came to the table with nothing, and he still had nothing but nice things to say.

So thanks to him, a wonderful real estate agent and great broker…we’re officially homeowners!!!
We know, without a doubt, that God used them to bless us with a new home to live in when we start our lives together. And we are so thankful.

The plan is for Devin to live there now and for me to move in after the wedding. I can’t wait!!!

Fireproofing the Marriage

claresa — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:04:20 +0000

So there are about three and a half months left until the wedding. I spent most of the last month a little overwhelmed, obsessing about bridesmaids dresses, reception decor, and invitations. And honestly, I hated it. It’s amazing how many small details there are to consider when planning a wedding. Many times I thought, “I’d rather just get it over with and spend the time with Devin.” But then I realized the importance of a wedding.

A wedding ceremony is something very serious. Sure, you don’t want to go into debt or go crazy planning one, but the tradition needs to be respected. For centuries, people have been declaring their desire to take a spouse before actually doing so. In the old testament of the Bible, there are references to men making a verbal declaration that they are “taking a wife,” and later consummating that marriage. Even today, we make that same verbal declaration. We do it in a ceremony in front of loved ones to make it official. I’ve realized that declaration is so important because it’s publicly making a covenant with God. You’re promising to keep your word to God and allowing others to hold you accountable for that decision. Our love in marriage should mimic God’s love for us.

“God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” (Numbers 23:19)

Now you may be wondering how I came to this realization. Well, it was while watching a wonderful movie called “Fireproof.” It’s a film written, produced, and directed by Christians. It also has a cast of Christian actors, including Kirk Cameron from the 1990s sitcom “Growing Pains” (I always wondered what happened to him).

So while still having a common plot, it still remains God-centered. It talks about taking the vow of marriage seriously. It also shows how the only way you can truly love someone else is to understand the love of God. If you don’t understand it, once you do…you’ll find it is difficult, but truly an amazing thing.

I recommend everyone watch this movie, even if you’re not married, engaged or in a relationship.

Here’s the official trailer for Fireproof:

The Wedding Festival

claresa — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:47:28 +0000

So…I went to my first wedding festival, and there’s only one word to describe the experience: overwhelming. The Carolina First Center was full of brides, mothers, and friends. There was even a section for the poor grooms whose brides dragged them along for the ride.

I knew I needed to go to the festival, but I was short on time. The event ran from 10 am to 3 pm, but I had to work from noon to midnight. I had less than 2 hours to get my fill of “The Wedding Festival.”

Good thing, I asked Devin’s mother to go with me and help me look at all the vendors. She has a really keen understanding of decorating and how to do it beautifully on a budget (Praise God!).

By the end of the morning, I’d had my share of wedding cake and catering samples, flipped through plenty of wedding photo albums, registered for more than enough giveaways, and gathered dozens of flyers and busuness cards. I also saw something pretty cool. It was the centerpiece in the reception setup they laid out.

Finding A Hidden Treasure

claresa — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 22:53:50 +0000

So finding a reception venue wasn’t as hard as finding the ceremony site, but let’s just say patience is a virtue. Devin and I planned to use outside catering (a.k.a friends and family) to help with the reception, but that all changed once we found our perfect spot. We happened to be meeting with the director at the Cherrydale House at the time…before we settled on our church. We were discussing the possibility of having beverages available before an outdoor ceremony and were told we had to use the University’s caterers. We figured it wouldn’t be too much of an expense so we sat down with the caterers as well. We went over the menus, drink policies, and places where receptions can be held. Then someone mentioned the Hartness Pavillion.

I thought I’d heard the name before, but never knew where it was. There wasn’t even a picture on the website. So this peaked our curiosity. But then one of the caterers mentioned that a lot of people decide not to hold receptions there since alcohol is not allowed. Despite this, we felt God wanted us to look at the place anyway. We asked for a tour, but since the campus offices were about to close for the day, no one was able to give us one. However, they said we could take a look ourselves. So we did. We parked in the University Center parking lot and took the walk along the lake, through the rose garden, and up to the pavillion.

We were falling in love with the atmosphere already. We peered into the windows and once we reached the front, went inside. The view was wonderful. One side facing the campus, one side overlooking the rose garden, and another side with a view of the lake. The room was nice and intimate. Then there was a skylight, perfect for dancing underneath the stars.

We knew we couldn’t let this one go! Such beautiful scenery and right near the lake, the same area where Devin and I used to spend hours drawing before we even knew each other!

It can be weird how things work themselves out sometimes.

The Furman Lake lines the path to the Hartness Pavillion

The Hartness Pavillion is on the right, above the rose garden

Another view of the Hartness Pavillion. This time, to the right of the gazebo.

Traditional at Heart

claresa — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 22:08:07 +0000

Since September, Devin and I have been on a rollercoaster ride trying to figure out where we want our ceremony to be held. First, money made us look for non-traditional places where we could have both our Christian ceremony and the reception at the same place. Hotels were too expensive and didn’t allow outside catering. We also found some of the same results at some of the manors and mansions in the area. And in other places, there were constraints on the number of guests we could invite. That considered, we suddenly realized our options were slim to none. Still, nothing seemed to give us “that feeling.”

That is, until we saw the Daniel Memorial Chapel on the campus of Furman University. That chapel made us change all our plans and look for a separate location to have the reception. It was absolutely perfect for us…or so we thought. After talking to the director of the venue and coming close to booking the site, we realized that Furman alumni got priority. So a short while later, our date was taken, along with every other weekend in 2009. What a disappointment.

So it was on to plan B. Though still disappointed and now longing for a church wedding, I figured since we loved Furman’s campus so much, we should consider getting married elsewhere on campus. That’s when I stumbled upon the Cherrydale Alumni House. It was a beautiful historic mansion and it seemed to offer the right ambiance for an elegant outdoor ceremony, but some key things were missing: space and a backup. The property could only accommodate 150 people inside and out at one time. Although it was a very nice possibility, but I still had a lot of questions and unsettled thoughts…mainly “what to do if it rains.” Many people would say “get a tent,” but I just wasn’t comfortable with that. Still, we continued to move forward while I decided to call every church I could. I’d done this in the beginning, but couldn’t find many that were open to the option of having non-member weddings.

After taking one last look at those churches, we were sure an outdoor wedding would be the best option. Then we realized Devin had family members that attended a nice, little church that would offer me everything I wanted: an open sanctuary with an intimate feel, and doors at the head of the church that opened to a center aisle that would give me a “grand” entrance. The moment I saw the sanctuary, I realized I was not willing to let go of my dream of having a traditional wedding ceremony inside a church.

View of the altar from the center aisle

View of the back of the sanctuary from the center aisle

Stained glass windows on one side of sanctuary