::Insert Cheezy Love line here::

[ButterflySpirit]

Hi to anyone that happens to visit my planning journal. A little about me: My name is Demetria (Dee)and I am new to the boards as of this post I'm a SAHM, but will be returning to work as A Mortgage Loan Specialist for Bank Of America. My hobbies are photography/dance/playing my guitar/music--I am really into adult alternative music, alternative rock, grunge, punk and some pop..I also love to cook, and trying new recipies are always exciting for me! The Oh so handsome Groom...his name is Hakim (prounounced Ha-Kim...not Hakeem)he is 26, and works in systems Mangement, and of course we are head over heels in love, he is my support system through good times and bad and always manages to keep me smiling and thinking of him even after years of love. He is a very special guy and is quite the catch, I am so glad I stumbled upon this guy!!!

The story behind my title/The story of how we met:
We met at our summer job as teenagers, Paramounts Carowinds Theme park. I really didnt pay much attention to him when my cousin introduced us, she knew him from Jr High. I mostly talked to his younger (by about a year) brother and he mostly chatted with my younger sister (also about a year) I eventually began to take some sort of weird interest in him...he was soo cute!!! Finally my cousin gave me his number and we began talking on the phone, this was back in 1996 and we both werent really all that interested in each other, until we went back to school (we went to different schools) and we kept in touch. We moved into a neighborhood closer to him and over the Christmas school break, I got kinda bored and decided to call him. I didnt know he lived close until I told him that we had moved. He promised to come over (I even went through the agonizing trouble of getting my mothers permission to have company)but I waited up for him and he never showed. The next day he called and explained that he couldnt get the car from his sister and had it now was going to come right over...and he did...we had a wonderful time playing monopoly (along with his brother and my sister)...the rest is history.

We met about 8yrs ago, I was 16 and he was 17. We had lots of fun together and for about 2yrs we dated exclusively. At age 18 I be***e pregnant with our first (yikes!) a boy--his namesake and he proposed...I refused, but I didnt flat out say NO, I just thought we should wait..why, I dont know lol. at Age 21 we had our second, and then he proposed to me again....here is the story behind it:

HOW IT HAPPENED



He took me to the mall and made me think that it was a routine, go to the mall type of thing. We went into a jewelery store and asked me which one of the rings I liked...I picked 2, a gold one and a platinum one (that I later lost) he asked which one I wanted and I thought he was just going to keep it in mind...I said which ever one you'd like me to have...so he went, to my surprize and purchased the platinum one and asked me to marry him in the store right before he put it on my finger!!! Some of the people passing by stopped and clapped and cheered and I was so very embarrased, but I accepted of course and so began the planning

Our daughter was about 3yrs old when the baby fever hit, lol I tried to bargian with him to just give in on the wedding (although we had spent a lot of money on deposits and all that) and lets go with something small and informal....I wanted our last baby not to be so spaced out so that our family would be complete...he didnt give in, lol he really wanted a big go-all out fancy wedding. His theory is and I quote "Since we're only going to do it once, we may as well go all over the rainbow for our special day...." I did get my baby way though http://boards.weddingchannel.com/MessageBoard/wink.gif Our final baby, a little boy, was born November of 2003 after TTCing for 3mths. Now we are back to the big wedding shinding (yes, I am really really backwards lol) and I am more than excited because I am way ready, and he is about to explode already http://boards.weddingchannel.com/MessageBoard/biggrin.gif lol....I will post pictures next.....so here we go our date is set for May 13, 2006!I orginally wanted to do it April 8th, 2006 since that was my grandmothers birthday, she passed away July of last yearhttp://boards.weddingchannel.com/MessageBoard/frown.gif and she would have been so proud, but I know how unpredictable the weather can be here in April, so we dedcided to go with May..my birthday is in June on the 13th, but June is a hot month here! So Hakim thought that the 13th would be good for May!

[ButterflySpirit]

Here are a few pictures of us!

This is me---I took this picture as a part of a school project (I take classes online)
http://images.snapfish.com/3436665523232%7Ffp4%3Enu%3D323%3B%3E9%3C7%3E2%3B6% 3EWSNRCG%3D32328%3B%3C2%3B8%3B7%3Bnu0mrj


Just random pictures of myself:
http://images.snapfish.com/3436665523232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E232%3C%3D%3A%3B8%3D3%3 A7%3DXROQDF%3E23237%3C%3B3%3A%3C437ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/3436848%3B23232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E232%3C%3D%3A%3B8%3D3 %3A7%3DXROQDF%3E23238323542%3A9ot1lsi

Myself and our littlest offspring:
http://images.snapfish.com/3436848%3B23232%7Ffp46%3Dot%3E232%3C%3D%3A%3B8%3D3 %3A7%3DXROQDF%3E2323832356467ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/3436848%3B23232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E232%3C%3D%3A%3B8%3D3 %3A7%3DXROQDF%3E23238323583%3C9ot1lsi

Hakim:
http://photos1.blogger.com/img/284/4333/640/IMG_0117.jpg

http://photos1.blogger.com/img/284/4333/640/IMG_0115.jpg

Random Pictures:
http://images.snapfish.com/3436848%3B23232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E232%3C%3D%3A%3B8%3D3 %3A7%3DXROQDF%3E23238323563%3A2ot1lsi

He wears a ring also--lol its his engagement ring he says, its actually the ring I brought him during our first planning session! But I have since found another one that I liked and we will be using that one in May instead!
http://photos1.blogger.com/img/284/4333/320/IMG_00701.jpg

Proof that he does smile sometimes lol
http://photos1.blogger.com/img/284/4333/320/IMG_0077.jpg

[ButterflySpirit]

A few more pictures (there will be a lot of those here lol)me and the babe:
http://photos1.blogger.com/img/284/4333/320/IMG_00561.jpg


Me and my Guitar:
http://photos1.blogger.com/img/284/4333/320/IMG_0062-1.jpg

The offspring(left to right)

Simeon, Kira and Hakim II (often referred to as H2)

http://images.snapfish.com/3435%3A6%3B523232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E232%3C%3D%3A%3B8%3 D3%3A7%3DXROQDF%3E23237%3C2964%3B7%3Aot1lsi

My oldest is missing a front tooth lol its his 3rd tooth to fall out!

More pics:
http://images.snapfish.com/3424846723232%7Ffp46%3Dot%3E232%3C%3D%3A%3B8%3D3%3 A7%3DXROQDF%3E2323699%3B26998ot1lsi

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4ce33b3127ccea8211e9e68d80000001610

My H2:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4da33b3127ccebcd142515d660000002611

My Kira:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4da27b3127ccebc4a52a457aa0000004610


My Simeon:
http://images.snapfish.com/3435279523232%7Ffp7%3Enu%3D323%3B%3E9%3C7%3E2%3B6% 3EWSNRCG%3D32328%3A58569%3B%3Anu0mrj

http://images.snapfish.com/3435344323232%7Ffp47%3Dot%3E232%3C%3D%3A%3B8%3D3%3 A7%3DXROQDF%3E23237%3B54285%3C%3Aot1lsi

[ButterflySpirit]

Now...the good stuff! LOL
My Checklist!

Things that I need to research/scout out:

Bridal Gowns/locations (even though I am pretty much set in my mind as to which one I want!!)

Bridesmaids gowns

Flowergirl dresses

Ring Bearer tux

Florist

Ceremony Site

Reception site

Caterer

Theme for wedding, I know we are going with a Contemporary theme

Baker

Invites and paperware

Honeymoon

Misc Decor

Photographer (Candid/photo story style)

Videographer

**Will be copying and pasting this list as I find vendors/sites



I have started off looking for a dress...Hakim says he wants his tux to be grey, and I had already pretty much fell in love with this dress the first time I saw it....soooo, I am not sure what is going to go at this point...but I also have other dresses in the running, but so far,

http://a1000.g.akamaitech.net/f/1000/806/12h/images.theknot.com/GownDesigners/cosmobellademetrios/kncosms057131l.jpg

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah I love this dress!!! I am not sure how its all going to tie in, this looks to be cranberry, although the site says red...I will find out. The kicker is that the only place this dress is located is in New Jersey! Which means girls road trip! I wouldn't mind traveling!!

There are other dresses in the running though which I will post in order to keep it all on one page!
http://a1000.g.akamaitech.net/f/1000/806/12h/images.theknot.com/GownDesigners/pcmarysbridals/pcmgs04bidil.jpg

http://a1000.g.akamaitech.net/f/1000/806/12h/images.theknot.com/GownDesigners/cosmobellademetrios/kncosms057113l.jpg

http://a1000.g.akamaitech.net/f/1000/806/12h/images.theknot.com/GownDesigners/jimhjelmcouture/JH2017l.jpg

http://a1000.g.akamaitech.net/f/1000/806/12h/images.theknot.com/GownDesigners/cosmobellademetrios/kncosms057115l.jpg

http://a1000.g.akamaitech.net/f/1000/806/12h/images.theknot.com/GownDesigners/ginza/knginzs05g398l.jpg

http://a1000.g.akamaitech.net/f/1000/806/12h/images.theknot.com/GownDesigners/cosmobellademetrios/kncosms057108l.jpg
^(this is also in New Jersey)

http://a1000.g.akamaitech.net/f/1000/806/12h/images.theknot.com/GownDesigners/ginza/knginzs05g412l.jpg

[ButterflySpirit]

Bridesmaids dresses I have been eyeing! I was thinking that since DH wants a gray/grey tux then the bridesmaids dresses can match him and then the guys tux vest can match me! hmmm if we can pull that off without being too tacky lol, This dress comes in all different colors and on the site (its a Bill Levkoff) there is a gray one!

http://a1000.g.akamaitech.net/f/1000/806/12h/images.theknot.com/GownDesigners/billlevkoff/knblevs050253m.jpg

I LOVE this one, but it only comes in brown and pink http://boards.weddingchannel.com/MessageBoard/frown.gif
http://www.marysbridal.com/images/modernmaids/M1502S.jpg

Ok here is another one, I think a light/pale grayish color would work because my dress (The one I am so in love with) is a vivid color so toning down the bridesmaids dresses would be ideal! We are going for a more contemporary/modern wedding, that is why I soooo dont want an Ivory dress!!!
http://a1000.g.akamaitech.net/f/1000/806/12h/images.theknot.com/GownDesigners/Romanticmaids/KNROMBS053611m.jpg

[ButterflySpirit]

Ok, tonight there are sooooooooooo many thoughts going through my head!! I have so much to start thinking about, the first order of duty though will be to start putting in motion plans to announce the upcoming big event. We had planned to throw a party..and invite the close family, friends and most importantly the people we want in the wedding! I want to get little books explaining to the bridal party what their 'duties' are and print out some checklist and timelines for them, I am thinking that my experience with my wedding party wont be as bad as other peoples experiences, because there are so very many people looking forward to our trip down the aisle! I am looking for stationary to announce the big party shinding....and since we have decided that our wedding will be mostly moderate/contemporary, I am thinking it will be more intense finding the paperworks that I will fall in love with! I will be back to edit this post and add anything that I find tonight!


Ok, here is something in Classic red:
http://bridalcraft.cceasy.com/order/pics/EasiestWeddingPics/Dealer/WA5854lr.jpg (http://javascript<img%20src=)

oooh this one is nice also!
http://bridalcraft.cceasy.com/order/pics/EasiestWeddingPics/Dealer/TJ1857lr.jpg (javascript:openCloseUpPopUp())

This is cute!
http://bridalcraft.cceasy.com/order/pics/EasiestWeddingPics/Dealer/AF6236lr.jpg

Tossing more ideas out :)
http://bridalcraft.cceasy.com/order/pics/EasiestWeddingPics/Dealer/RF9944lr.jpg (javascript:openCloseUpPopUp())

[ButterflySpirit]

Oh I soooooo love these, they are rather expensive also, 24=$350.00!!
http://bridalcraft.cceasy.com/order/pics/EasiestWeddingPics/Dealer/TF2488lr.jpg (javascript:openCloseUpPopUp())

More: (this one is also in Silver)
http://bridalcraft.cceasy.com/order/pics/EasiestWeddingPics/Dealer/TF5101RElr.jpg (javascript:openCloseUpPopUp())

These are nice also:
http://bridalcraft.cceasy.com/order/pics/EasiestWeddingPics/Dealer/WE8963lr.jpg (javascript:openCloseUpPopUp())

I like this idea, but its $225.00 for only 25!!!
http://bridalcraft.cceasy.com/order/pics/EasiestWeddingPics/Dealer/TFPN9774lr.jpg (javascript:openCloseUpPopUp())

[ButterflySpirit]

These are nice!

http://bridalcraft.cceasy.com/order/pics/EasiestWeddingPics/Dealer/FF7758lr.jpg (javascript:openCloseUpPopUp())

http://bridalcraft.cceasy.com/order/pics/EasiestWeddingPics/Dealer/WA1075DLLPlr.jpg

I LOVE THESE!!! Talk about Contemporary! lol they are totally cute!
http://bridalcraft.cceasy.com/order/pics/EasiestWeddingPics/Dealer/TF3169lr.jpg (javascript:openCloseUpPopUp())

More red:
[/url]
[url="javascript:openCloseUpPopUp()"]http://bridalcraft.cceasy.com/order/pics/EasiestWeddingPics/Dealer/AF5586lr.jpg (javascript:openCloseUpPopUp())

[Kelly1Mickey]

You have a beautiful family! Congratulations on the engagement

[ButterflySpirit]

Thanks sweetie!!! :) I have more ideas to post so I will be doing that today..I have to narrow the choices on 'Announcement party' invites I also have to find a nice place to host the event so that is what we will be talking about today, he is of course, ok with whatever I decide but I am going to throw alot of choices out there on the table so he will be forced to help me choose lol

[shannabelle]

Thanks sweetie!!! :) I have more ideas to post so I will be doing that today..I have to narrow the choices on 'Announcement party' invites I also have to find a nice place to host the event so that is what we will be talking about today, he is of course, ok with whatever I decide but I am going to throw alot of choices out there on the table so he will be forced to help me choose lol

You have wonderful taste. I LOVE the purple dress. Your kids are so cute. I can't wait to start my own family. I hope it's successful. You have a great start to your lives together.

[ButterflySpirit]

Awwww thanks hon! And thanks for coming by and posting!! *hugs*

Look, look, look!!! Look what I found for DH, he wants a grey tux....I think this would look awesome with my dress:

http://www.eondeck.net/user_folders/user_1059343912/GreyChaps3.jpg Its more of a platinum color, but its close enough and I am sure he would love it....the only thing is that the other men would all be wearing black, unless they all get this same tux and Dh just happens to wear a different color vest (maybe the same color as my dress??) and then the ladies all wear the same color dress I do, ugh...why cant he just be normal and wear the traditional black tux??? I know we agreed on a contemporary wedding style, but I dont want a rainbow of tacky colors at the same time lol...*sigh* What to, what to do.....Its also in NJ not in the same city as my dress, but the same state!!! :) :) :)

[ButterflySpirit]

Random thoughts and Ideas found on another site....


Chinese favor boxes---can also be used as place cards (hot glued to top of ribbon)
Maybe Flower in hair? (back)
Long styled hair with "q-curls"
Veil or no veil?
tiara is a must!
Will be back to update this list I am sure lol

[ButterflySpirit]

More free floating ideas:

Centerpieces:
http://www.shanshouse.com/center5.bmp

http://www.shanshouse.com/branch.bmp

This will be really really easy to do myself!
http://www.shanshouse.com/Floating_Candle_Centerpiece.jpg

Program holder ideas:
http://www.heartpapersoul.com/shop/programvellumribbonlg.gif

http://www.heartpapersoul.com/shop/programkellydavelg.gif

[Kelly1Mickey]

Random thoughts and Ideas found on another site....


Chinese favor boxes---can also be used as place cards (hot glued to top of ribbon)
Maybe Flower in hair? (back)
Long styled hair with "q-curls"
Veil or no veil?
tiara is a must!
Will be back to update this list I am sure lol


LOL A tiara IS definitely a must! My family has been sort of teasing me because all along I was so insistent that my wedding was not about me being a princess for the day. THEN I got my tiara and soon as I put it in I said, "OH! It really IS about me being a princess!" LOL I think every girl in the world needs a tiara now. Who can be in a bad mood when you put a tiara on? LOL :D

[reecey]

Awwww thanks hon! And thanks for coming by and posting!! *hugs*

Look, look, look!!! Look what I found for DH, he wants a grey tux....I think this would look awesome with my dress:

http://www.eondeck.net/user_folders/user_1059343912/GreyChaps3.jpg Its more of a platinum color, but its close enough and I am sure he would love it....the only thing is that the other men would all be wearing black, unless they all get this same tux and Dh just happens to wear a different color vest (maybe the same color as my dress??) and then the ladies all wear the same color dress I do, ugh...why cant he just be normal and wear the traditional black tux??? I know we agreed on a contemporary wedding style, but I dont want a rainbow of tacky colors at the same time lol...*sigh* What to, what to do.....Its also in NJ not in the same city as my dress, but the same state!!! :) :) :)


I'm sure he'll just love it :)