And here they are...

Getting Married in the Lone Star State...

So it is about that time to apply for our marriage license. Here is what I found out when getting hitched in Texas:

ID Requirement:
In Texas, you will need one valid form of id such as drivers license, certified copy of your birth certificate, U. S. passport, military ID card, and your Social Security number.

Waiting Period in Texas:
The 72 hours (3 days) waiting period in Texas can be waived for active duty military personnel.

Fees and Other Tests:
$71 cash, so don't leave home without it! The fees may vary from Texas county to county. Blood tests or medical examinations are not required in Texas.

Pre-marital Education:

In Texas, couples are encouraged to attend a premarital education course that is at least four hours duration. It must be finished during the year preceding applying for a marriage license. Contact the county clerk for a roster of area course providers.
Effective September 2008, the license fee will be waived if a couple takes an 8-hour premarital preparation course that covers important marital skills and issues such as conflict management and communication.

Miscellaneous:
The license is valid in Texas for 30 days.

Address:
5501 Airport Blvd. Austin, Texas

Registry info..

So I have been asked a few times about where we are registered, so here it is:

Target: www.target.com

Crate and Barrel:http://www.crateandbarrel.com/

Dillards: www.dillards.com

You can search under either Jason or myself to find out list.

Let Them Eat Cake…

Because we now have one, a cake that is! For those who know me well, know that I don’t eat cake, not a fan, crazy, I know but it is what it is. Now J on the other hand, you give him something made with butter and sugar and oh boy…is he happy. So this cake was a big deal to him. I have to give him props too, he found a baker with our budget, researched cakes to get ideas of what he wanted and set up the appointment for us last weekend. So now, through all his hard work, we have a lovely, Mexican vanilla 3-tiered cake with lavender ribbon and fresh flowers on top. Yes, there will be cake!

A little bling, bling…

Wedding band time! We are getting closer and closer to the wedding date and not having the bands is slowly seeping into my nervousness. For my engagement ring, we looked around Austin and I just could not find anything I really loved. A friend recommended a jeweler up in Irving, Texas. We went to visit him and I really loved the opportunity to design a custom ring. George is so helpful in explaining the different diamonds and process in buying a ring. I didn’t see the ring until Jason proposed and so we put a lot of faith that George knew what we wanted.



Now it is time to order the bands and we do not have the ability to go up to Irving again for another house visit. So in true form, we are sending George pictures of what we would like and hoping for the best. I really trust him and truly believe that he will come through. Fingers crossed!!

Photo time...

We had our engagement session a few weeks ago with our wonderful photographer, Nessa Kessinger. We chose Mandola’s Estate Vineyard for our location, mainly because this is a special place to us and we had wanted to originally get married here. The buildings are in Tuscan style with pretty gardens.


Nessa also found a barn on the property with lots of live oaks and open fields around it. This was a great location because with the sun setting, it made for some really beautiful, golden light. Here is a sneak peak of a few of the photos.



We were both kind of on the fence about getting engagement pictures taken. I am glad we did it though. We were both totally awkward in the beginning but were able to get used to being photographed. Also, I think I will be able to make a really beautiful guestbook with the photos.

On bended knee...

The Hotel San Jose is a historic hotel in the South Congress area and will always be special to Jason and I, as this is where he proposed. He booked us a room here for our 4 year anniversary, which was an absolute delight for me since I have been to the bar plenty of times but never as an actually guest.

After a day at the pool, some sangria in bar and a romantic dinner at Enoteca, we came back to the San Jose to enjoy some champagne. This is when Jason surprised me with glass of the bubbly and the ring. His proposal was so sweet and heartfelt, it was a special moment that neither of us will ever forget.

Smile...

Jason and I are both very excited about working with our photographer, Nessa Kessinger. She is a transplant to Austin and was a recommendation from one of Jason’s moms clients. I love her romantic style and bold colors. We are trying now to schedule and brainstorm on our engagement pictures, which we will hopefully do this month. Here is some additional eye candy.

Le Papier Studio has this great line of handmade paper expressions, Smitten Sticks. We are planing on having a photo booth at the wedding for guests to take candid portraits, I love the idea of making similar props.

Smell the fresh flowers...

So we had a meeting with the florist last month. The idea is to have lots of different colors and sizes of flowers, that are more homespun looking that all identical. Here are the selection of what will be used:

Hydrangeas


With more Hydrangeas


Some Bells of Ireland


And finally some pretty purple ones.

Sustainable boutonnieres...who knew?

From SuccyStuff, her bouronnieres are transplantable after the ceremony, how is that for being green?



She also has this great wall hanging for your entryway, I love the way the succulents look with the moss.

Angelica...

So pretty and definitely something you could wear over and over...
From Honeycomb

A little of the Bubbly...

So what is a wedding without a little of the bubbly for a celebratory toast. But you know, it is hard to pass out all the glasses in time. I love the idea of this champagne in a can. From the Francis Coppola vineyards, this little mini cans are named for Sophia.


I like the pop of color as well as easy service they provide. Traditional? No, but fashionable and functional, yes!

Its the one! (maybe)

You know they say there is that one dress, that you love, and you know it once you see it. I have been carrying around a picture of this dress for a month. It has been my inspiration at all shops of what I am looking for. It is by Priscilla of Boston, Vineyard collection, the Drew dress.

Isn't she lovely...

I love, love, love this dress from Amsale Bridal, the Taylor model, although I don't love the price tag. I still looking for online discounts so we will see. It is a beauty though, sigh.

Very Vintage...

So I came across Stephanie James' dresses at Unbridaled this weekend, her dresses are very vintage and stylish. I tried on the Nadine dress and loved it, although I couldn't find it online to show everyone.

For the Throw...

So my plan is..and those always work out just as I expect..is to make cones similar to these to hang from the chairs with ribbon during the ceremony. They will also double duty for the throw at the end since they will be filled with dried lavender. Again, its just the plan, stay posted for the action.

Cassie + Jason

This idea comes from Oncewed.com and I love the idea. There are a lot of live oak tress on the property where we are getting married and I really think something like this could add to the decor, which is non existant right now. Even better, it is a Do-it-yourself project.

Sugarfoot...

So I have started flirting with the idea of bringing a blues band to play at the wedding. Who better than our resident favorites, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, hey a girl can dream?! I don't think it is going to happen, but in the meantime, enjoy a little of thier tunes...

It might be a winner...

So Hamilton's 12 has kind of an interesting set up. It’s a house that has been converted into an event space by Georgia Coleman, the previous owner of Mars in Austin.



There are two separate areas for pre-wedding festivities: a bride’s room and then the groom’s guest house for the guys. The space is surrounded by tons of live oak trees and you really feel that you are in the hill country, which even in hot August with a drought is still a pretty sight. What I like it how easy the staff, more particularly Annie, can make the whole process. They have all the chairs and tables, including linens, china and glassware, set up and break down included. The kitchen on staff can prepare the meal, with servers and also a bartender, which allows us to bring our own alcohol.



Because we will be the only wedding of the day, it gives us the flexibility to choose when we want to get married. The bridal party can get there early to get ready and take picutes. It also I think creates more intimacy as the only people at Hamilton’s 12 will be our guests and family.