Guest User 8/8/15 Guest User 8/8/15

Here Comes the... Reality

Some people dream about their wedding day their whole lives. Others may not, but one thing that is probably true for most everyone is that their wedding day is something they form a vision around at some point. There’s a pretty picture in our minds of what the perfect wedding would look like whether it comes to us at 5 years old or we don’t see it until we find that perfect person and get engaged.

You finally get there and you’re so excited then you start planning and there’s squeaky breaks screeching you to a halt. Wedding planning is no walk in the park. For anyone that’s been through it that’s a reality you know all too well. Sometimes I’m sure (most likely with an unlimited budget) it goes exactly as planned, but for most people there are bumps in the road.

Venues aren’t working, the date you wanted isn’t available, things are too expensive, it’s getting harder to find the perfect dress in your budget, the bouquet looked weird the first time you saw it, finding the photographer for you seems like an endless search, or maybe adding it all up is just getting a little too stressful to deal with. There’s so much to think about.

Well Leo and I are just getting started. I’m not sure about him, but I definitely went in thinking it wouldn’t be that difficult. I felt like it would all just sort of work out right exactly how I had envisioned it. Wrong! When you’re on a budget you can’t just have whatever you want. So when reality hits, sometimes it hits hard.

For us it was the venue. I had in my mind this perfect place, and just seeing it online I fell in love with it. I wasn’t trying to get so attached without having gotten a quote yet, but it was seemingly perfect. I couldn’t help it. When the quote came it was painful. I knew in that moment that it wasn’t going to happen. I was crushed. I’ve always been the person that is disappointed when something doesn’t work out exactly how I thought it would, so chances are this isn’t the only time I will feel this way during the planning process if I don’t redirect my thoughts.

So if you’re planning a wedding or you’re about to start there’s one question you need to remember, and what I’ve had to focus on. What is most important to you? Be real with yourself, because it’s so easy to get caught up in all the little details.

When it comes down to it the tiny details don’t necessarily matter for me. I’m marrying the person I love. We’re inviting the people that are most important in our lives. We will be celebrating together, and there will be the perfect photographer there to capture it all. That’s really all that matters. Your wedding day is about love and celebration, so let’s keep it that way and I would venture to say some of the stress will go away.

Guest User 7/26/15 Guest User 7/26/15

California Dreamin'

We've been busy having a little fun over our summer! A little rest and relaxation is always welcome, and this time we ended up in Newport Beach for it. Nikki's aunt, uncle, and cousins were kind enough to give us an invite to come stay with them. So we did! Here's a little bit of our adventure:

The last time we went to California we had to go to Disneyland because Nikki hadn't been since she was a young, little babe. Now she seems to be somewhat addicted. So of course, we had to go again. It was their 60th Anniversary to the day which meant we got these awesome little cupcakes and a button. This cupcake did not disappoint.

It was great this time too because we got to go with Nikki's cousins, Jessica and Amanda, who I don't think had been to Disneyland in a while. They're a ton of fun to be around too.

Our last little bit of time in California before we had to head back to Arizona through the torrential downpour was spent at Huntington Beach meeting up with my brother Max and his girlfriend Jessica. We hadn't seen Max since the last time we were in California. It was nice to catch up and wish them both well before they begin their new life in Portland.

Guest User 7/6/15 Guest User 7/6/15

Getting In Front of the Camera

“I have always believed that fashion was not only to make women more beautiful, but also to reassure them, give them confidence.” — Yves Saint Laurent

Being in front of the camera is something I'm used to I suppose. My aunt used to be a professional photographer. So every holiday or get together she's got her camera there to take some photos. Now that I'm engaged to a photographer I'm pretty used to having a camera snapping some candids. I can't say it is something I've gotten used to though, or something I'm super comfortable with for the most part. Especially being alone in front of the camera. I sort of freeze up. I prefer being behind it. It's more comfortable for me that way.

That being said, this shoot turned into more fun than I had really expected.

I have been obsessed with this dress for years if we're being honest. I just never could bring myself to buy it because let's face it, it's like a big t-shirt and pretty expensive. However, almost every time I was lurking on the Free People website I found myself looking at this dress again.

So I was recently passing some time by looking at some of the new things Free People got on their website, and I once again was looking at this dress. I just needed to stop staring at it and get it. So I did! I am just as obsessed with it as I was before. The best part is that it gives me the feeling you should have when you put something on. I feel comfortable, happy, confident, and mostly I feel like myself. I've always been a big believer in this concept. Fashion doesn't have rules really. You dress for you, and you dress in the clothes that make you feel good because at the end of the day that's what matters. It was this very idea that helped me become more comfortable in front of the camera to take these photos.

Never underestimate the power of a good outfit.

What I'm Wearing:

Dress - Free People Marrakesh Dress

Hat - Urban Outfitters

Necklace - Lucky Brand

Shoes - H&M

Makeup - Urban Decay Naked Palette & Make Up For Ever Lipstick

Leo Krom 6/26/15 Leo Krom 6/26/15

Helping HALO Animal Rescue

It has been a busy couple of weeks, but I was finally able to get started on something that Nikki and I got involved with last month. That is HALO Animal Rescue.

We had been looking for somewhere to volunteer our time with for a while, and since Nikki is in love with all animals this seemed fitting. After following their page it became apparent that they may be able to use our help. We reached out to them and got in touch with one of their coordinators who set us up with an orientation time at their main location in Phoenix. Once we had gone through the short orientation we were ready. It's really that simple!

Now for a little bit about HALO Animal Rescue. HALO is a no-kill animal shelter here in Phoenix, Arizona. They take pride in providing refuge for animals that may be destroyed at other shelters for reasons such as an injury, illness, or simply because they are too young or scared to go up for adoption at the time. They're a passionate group of individuals that really care about the animals that they serve.

At Metrocenter Mall resides one of their secondary adoption centers for a handful of animals, and this is where they held their 21st birthday adoption event. I had the pleasure of documenting some of the event. Without further ado here are some of those photos!