Two Words: Engagement Photos

Ok, three words because let's add, LOVE to the mix because that's what you can clearly see in the photos. Also, the title should have served as a warning that there would be a photo or two in this post or 20 because Y'all know what a hard time I have narrowing down photos for blog posts or any other reason for that matter.

The photographer who took the pictures is one of my favorite photographers ever! And not just because her hubby is a member of The Wild Feathers (DrummerBoy's band) but because this girl can take some pictures, Y'all. Rachel captures the spirit of her subjects and gives a light that draws you to the photos.

I can't tell Y'all how much I'd love for Rachel to take the wedding photos but NashvilleDaughter and DrummerBoy want their friends there to celebrate and enjoy so another photographer it shall be.

Just click the links above or on the photos to visit Rachel's website--Rachel Moore Photography. She's so talented!

And these guys are so stinkin' cute! They are without a doubt one of the happiest couples I've ever known.

Both of them are so sweet and kind-hearted. Caring and compassionate. Hard-working and fun-loving.

Blessed with friends and family but we all know we are blessed by knowing them.

True love. Soul Mates. A match made in heaven. It may sound mushy but it's all true of these two.

It does a mama's heart good when someone makes her daughter smile like this guy does--

But I also love that she makes him smile, too.

Choosing a Wedding Venue

When your daughter lives 9 hours away, helping her plan a wedding is a little bit different though it can be done. We mamas in this situation who can't just hop on a plane or get in the car and go when we'd like to just have to do what we can from afar and choose events to attend that are most important to our daughters. The main thing is to make sure your daughter knows you're behind her every step of the way.

Take the tour

One of the main things I will say about wedding venues is no matter what you think of it online, GO TAKE THE TOUR because it will be different one way or the other. And that's exactly what happened this weekend when NashvilleDaughter toured her chosen venue.

It's a family affair

Two of the lovelies flew to Nashville this past weekend to visit NashvilleDaughter and DrummerBoy and to accompany their sister on the tour of her chosen venue. Now, online we all LOVED the venue. It seemed to have so much to offer in a rustic elegant sort of style and the services included sounded above and beyond what some venues offer. So what happened when they took the tour?

Make a connection

It was even BETTER than what we saw online and the pictures and videos they sent me verified this. Cha-Ching! My girls liked the gal who showed them around the venue and the bride-to-be has already bonded with this girl so that should make things go even smoother. Making a connection with the people you contact with while wedding planning does make a difference.

Get a fine tooth comb

One of the most important things you need when it comes to wedding planning is a fine tooth comb for use when going over the contracts. If you're helping your daughter (or son) make sure they SIGN NOTHING until they, you, and someone you trust who has wedding planning experience goes over that thing thoroughly and then look over it again and MAKE SURE YOU READ THE FINE PRINT as well as between the lines. Maybe even check for invisible ink. Seriously, KNOW WHAT IS BEING SIGNED.

So, where are we in the process? We're all in agreement about the venue and after using our fine tooth combs have agreed the contract is ok to sign. In other words, the wedding venue has been secured!

What happens when two of your sisters and your niece show up for a weekend?

You laugh at pillowcase dancing.

You make a new friend.

That's Bug with DrummerBoy's nephew who is a mere 4 months older than Bug.
They are BFFs now.
Aren't they adorable?

 You get to go to your very first Wild Feathers' concert and eat pretzels.

At Uncle DrummerBoy's concert. 

You get spoiled by your auntie.

Bug with the bride-to-be

 You get to ride around and look cool.

Too cool for school, Y'all!

Meanwhile, here at home, this happened:

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Let the Wedding Planning Begin...Again

The wedding planning, that is. This is our third time around with the planning of the weddings and I'm about as much a fan this time as I was the first two times which comes in at about a negative 10. However, I am fully in support of happy daughters so if it's a wedding they want to plan, it's a wedding I shall help them plan.

The first wedding in our family would not have happened without the help of my sweet friend who has more than ample experience in the world of wedding planning and by help I mean she did it all and you can read about that one HERE. It was the craziest thing I've ever done and we did it while the bride-to-be lived 5 hours away but really wanted to get married here at home. Let's just say there was a lot of traveling on her part and she stayed home for over a month as the date closed in. This one wasn't too bad as I was right here and could be hands-on with each step of the process. We don't have that this time but I'm getting ahead of myself.

The second daughter to get married wanted total control of her own day with little to no help which was just fine with me except if you've never planned a wedding before you might not be aware of the little surprises of all sorts that will most likely rear their ugly little heads. My lovely, lovely, sweet, caring. loves us big time because she stepped in again and rescued me friend did her magic. Not that AthleticTrainer Daughter didn't know what she wanted or was doing a terrible job it's just a really big process and you can quite easily get overwhelmed. Y'all can read about that wedding HERE.

Enter the latest lovely to plan a wedding, NashvilleDaughter. Do we all live in Nashville? Nope. We're about a 9-hour drive away from Nashville so this is going to be fun. The good news is NashvilleDaughter is the one who jumps in in full-steam-ahead mode and makes things happen. She's a planner, she loves social events, she's so excited to be planning her wedding and this makes life so easy for everyone else until she hits that stress wall that pops up without warning but in truth, she even handles that rather gracefully. So far, I've simply been available as a sounding board and giving my asked-for two cents and yes she asks because this girl loves to run everything past her mama and I don't mind that one little bit.

Tips for helping your daughter wedding plan long distance:

• Make sure you have a way to video chat. If you don't know how, get your kids, neighbor, friend or whomever to show you.
• Check your email frequently to answer her questions as some of them need a decision immediately.
• Same with text messages.
• Remind her to breathe and constantly remind her she's got this
• Get there as often as possible but choose carefully. If you can't be there for every. single. thing. discuss with your daughter which visits/tours/events she feels she would need your help doing. 
• Send a card or little sursy in the mail every so often so she knows you're thinking of her.
• Keep reminding her it is their wedding and they can do it their way no matter what anyone else has to say and let her know that you've got her back if need be.
• Help her pay attention to detail and go over contracts with her before anyone signs anything.
• If there's a planner, make sure she includes you in all communication. 
• Know her closest friends so when you feel that meltdown coming, you can let them know. Her friends may or may not already see it but it's nice to know someone she trusts is right there to lend an ear or a shoulder. 
• Give support any way you can.
• Keep all communication upbeat and positive even when a problem arises. 

I'm sure there are a million other tips that I've not thought of so if Y'all have any, please share them in the comments. This is our first time planning when the bride is this far away from mom and I'd love to hear your experiences!

This is PART 1 of a series on long distance wedding planning. 

Next up, the ceremony and reception venue or 2 sisters and a toddler travel all the way to Nashville to lend a hand. 

We've got a wedding going on around here!

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