Our First Anniversary!

I know that I've graduated to my baby blog, but this post only felt appropriate (and it is my 150th post!) for my wedding blog.

One year later... it blows my mind to think of the fact that I was a newlywed just one year ago today. I remember waking up and feeling that first hint of sadness that it was all over. But then I quickly got to go down to our breakfast and gift opening, and then spent the day watching football and playing trivia in my favorite environment to make it all feel ok. Not to mention, we left for our honeymoon the very next day and Tahiti certainly helped to ease the post-wedding blues.

Then an entire year flies by, and  I found myself in tears as Kyle and I danced at our friends' wedding to "God Only Knows" by the Beach Boys, one of our wedding songs, on Saturday. I can blame it on the pregnancy, or I can admit that I can't believe how fast time seems to go, only reminding me of the limited time (although it may feel like eternity) we have here. Perhaps it is just the overwhelming thought of all the changes that are about to happen and a little bit of the fear that we will never get a chance to accomplish our goals as a couple once we are no longer "just the two of us".

Who would have a thought that our first year of marriage would have given us so much?! A dream vacation to Tahiti, numerous weekend mini-trips all over the U.S., family celebrations from births to engagements, memories to last forever. Here's to many, many more anniversaries and many, many more celebrations, vacations, and of course, new adventures.

The moment we sealed the deal- September 29, 2012! (photo courtesy of Devon Adams)

We visited Sedona for our first anniversary (although the plan was to revisit Vail, my big bump has some travel restrictions)

How to Survive Arizona Summers

Our wonderful engagement anniversary celebration took place on a 112 degree day! We tried to beat the heat by hanging out in the pool at the Arizona Biltmore Resort! Our celebration started with poolside "skinny cocktails" (vodka press) and an Arizona sunset. We then went out for the healthiest dinner we could at True Food, where we barely cheated on our diets! The night ended with a fountain-side drink at the Wright Bar and a discussion recapping the highlights of the past year. The following day was reserved for pool time.

The Biltmore's Paradise Pool

A gift for Kyle!

Nightcap!

Celebrate!

We also decided to have an encore of our celebration trip to San Diego that we took the weekend after our engagement last summer. This trip included my first time kayaking in the ocean, and I got to see sharks and rays as well as the hoards of people who flocked to the beach for the weekend.

San Diego Kayaking!

La Jolla Shores, CA

I'd say we know how to celebrate!

Uptown Bridal!

By far, the best experience I had shopping for my dress was at Uptown Bridal in my own home of Chandler, AZ. I cannot say enough positive things about this shop. Although I have no officially ordered the dress yet, I have fallen more and more in love with it, so am feeling more assured that it is "the dress" as the time passes.

Upon making my appointment, I already had high expectations because of the recommendations of former brides. When I walked in I just felt as though I was not just surrounded by beautiful dresses but by a happy and optimistic vibe. Then I met Ali, my consultant. She was the first person who not only gave me freedom to browse dresses to try on, but then made suggestions based on both my preferences and my body type.

I was hesitant to ask to try on dresses that were on display on the mannequins in the windows, but Ali insisted that I try one, which turned out to be my favorite. I appreciate the extra effort it took to take the dress off the mannequin for me, and her carefree and helpful spirit helped lead me to "the dress"!

This shop is locally owned by amazing women, and I can't wait to accessory shop and return over and over when my dress comes in an I get fitted for alterations. I fell in love all over again, and finally feel less stress about the dress because of it.

And this is my favorite detail from the shop:

Stenciled on the wall of the roomy dressing room!

Engagement Photo Shoot

When I first told my mom that Kyle and I had scheduled engagement photos, she expressed her surprise that this is a common occurrence in modern wedding planning. Granted, like all holidays nowadays, the commercial aspects of weddings have seemed to increase, despite this I have been really excited to get some professional photos taken. I believe that having a memento of our relationship at this moment will be something we find we cherish in the future.

I am so glad that this is a trend, because I truly enjoyed every minute of our engagement photo session with Renee Clancy. First, we somehow convinced her to accompany us to Sedona so we'd have a unique and beautiful Southwest backdrop. Second, she agreed to climb down rocky embankments to get our photo in the middle of Oak Creek. Third, the 2-hour drive there and back flew by with our endless storytelling. It was a perfect day, sunny and calm, full of laughter.

We chose multiple backdrops, from the river with fall colored trees in the background, to the red rock walls of Sedona, to the setting sun. Ironically, my parents had traveled to Sedona years ago, when I was in high school, and found the Church of the Holy Cross. They came home and told me that they found the place where I should get married. Even though the 12-person capacity won't be enough for our guest list, we took our shots overlooking the red rocks from this location. It is crazy that time and fate have led to me moving to Arizona and meeting Kyle, and now getting our engagement pictures in the exact location my parents found over ten years ago.

We were a bit rushed to take pictures with the setting sun having hit traffic coming into the city. Renee was calm, creative, and positive throughout the entire experience, helping me to keep calm and enjoy the day. I simply cannot wait until I can get the pictures and share them with everyone!

from www.azjerome.com