Planning Month 1

Jes and I have been engaged for a little over a month at this point. We're getting ready to start the "year of the fiancee/fiance" (sidenote: why the different spelling?) I had no clue just how much stuff there is to figure out.

Obvious things: venues, wedding party, guest list, attire, cake, photography, etc...
Not so Obvious Things: What to eat, wedding colors, how to seat people, engagement party, save the dates, officiants, etc...

Luckily, we have got a long time. We've got a small number things squared away. One of them is not the budget which makes me nervous. We need to know if our parents are helping or not. It's hard to ask about that considering her parents are separated and my parents are going through a nasty divorce right now. Not really the best examples of marriage,but I digress.

1. We think we've found our reception venue after thinking about three towns and countless places. We looking at East Port in East Peoria, IL. www.eastportbanquets.com if you check it out let me know what you think!

2. Outdoor wedding. Some garden/park in Peoria...still working here, but it's winter so kind of hard to work on this.

3. Late Spring wedding. April/May. Then again this has been every season but Summer so far. Don't hold your breath on that one.

4. Wedding party. That was fun! I think we have the perfect set of people. More to follow on that.

5. Colors are...Purple and Green. Shockingly, these work together in the shades she likes.

6. Engagement party is in two days at Maggie Miley's(our first date spot).

We're really excited for all the fun we will have planning(and actually having) our wedding. Feel free to leave us comments here. I'm working on a wedding website as well so that we can do RSVP's and stuff that way, but I'm not quite ready to release it. We'll just say...Coming Soon!

I'm Yours

This is kind of our song. If we have a song at least I think this is it. When music is such a large part of your lives, it's hard to pick one song. I'm sure that'll be a point of contention for us since we're both music teachers(band/choir).

Anyway, Smile and watch this video. Maybe this kid could play at our reception :)

Being in love and engaged is fantastic.

I know this isn't as quick as it couldve been, but we were busy making phone calls, sending texts, and celebrating together!

As of 6:55PM Jes and I are officially engaged to be married!

She said yes and I couldn't be more happy.

Ring Shot: Day 1

Gotta make this quick because she just ran out to get a few last minute supplies before we take off for Engagement Weekend! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! I know I have A LOT to be thankful for today.

In my travel bag. Jes never goes into my toiletries so it's safe here.

Ring Shot: Day 2

WE ARE GETTING SO CLOSE!!

Today we both got out of school early and I didn't beat her home by much so I had to take this one fast. Happy Thanksgiving Break!

I had always seen photos where if you put a ring in a open book it makes a heart shadow. I thought it was neat, but I needed to put some of me into it. The ring is obviously hers, but the book I chose? Look carefully, it's open to analysis of John Barnes Chance's Variations on a Korean Folksong. Yep, love and Teaching Music Through Performance!

Ring Shot: Day 3

Galena, IL will always be a special place for us. I took Jes on a weekend getaway for her birthday this past Summer. We don't do a whole lot, staying busy with teaching, musicals, and my ongoing quest for bigger and better things. I really owed her for supporting me in all of that.

I believe our favorite part of the trip was the tour of the winery. Today's shot pays tribute to that trip and how much fun we had being in love in Galena...

Ring Shot: Day 4

Four days until I ask her to become my wife...

I found this old record in the basement at my parents house. I thought it made for a neat shot. Musicals, diamonds...it all adds up!