Weddings | A Day in Mollywood

Showing Up

August 17, 2012 By Molly

Sunday is our sixth wedding anniversary. Six years of marriage. It is small peas to my parents who have been married for 46 years. But to me it seems like so long ago that we celebrated that joyous day. It seems like I’ve been with him forever.

A little known fact . . . I had a lot of nightmares leading up to that day. I dreamed that my flowers were red and pink when the wedding colors were supposed to be blue and chocolate brown. I dreamed that the photographer didn’t show up and we had no pictures of our beautiful day. I also dreamed (multiple times) that I was left at the alter. Naaman just didn’t show up. Well, it couldn’t have been further from the truth. Of course he showed up.

I think it was my mind’s sub-conscience trying to convince me that I wasn’t good enough for him. That there was a girl out there that was surely better. One that didn’t make as many mistakes as I did. One that never snapped or yelled or said things they would later regret. One that cooked.

But he came and stood at the end of the aisle. His smile bigger than I have ever seen.

He was there to marry me. And he was really happy about it. I think I dreamed those dreams because I was so scared of losing him. My best friend. The only man who had ever accepted me for exactly who I am. Who would love me if he didn’t?

Thankfully I don’t have to worry about that.

Sometimes, eleven years after falling in love, I still ask him why he chose me. He always looks at me like I’m ridiculous. Like, why am I asking this question after all we’ve been through together? It’s simple. He chose me because he fell in love with me.

We wrote our own vows and read them through tears. One of the things he wrote always stuck with me.

“When I think of the thing that makes me a complete person, it’s you.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself. However cheesy it may sound I know I wouldn’t be complete without him. Isn’t that how love is supposed to be? You can’t imagine life without the other person in it. I can’t. I can’t do it without him.

So what have I learned in six years of marriage? Love is all about showing up. For the good. For the bad. For the best. For the worst. Just show up for each other. Whether you feel like it or not.

Naaman,

I’m so glad you showed up that day and all the days since. I promise I’ll show up for the rest of my life.

All images taken by Allure Imagery. See our whole wedding day unfold here.

Filed Under: Marriage, Naaman, Weddings 17 Comments

It’s not all roses and romance and fireworks

January 26, 2012 By Molly

I stumble from blog to blog with no idea of how I got to the one I’m reading. I’m looking for inspiration. In their words. In their photos.

I’m stolen into these strangers’ lives for a moment. Wondering if it’s as happy as it looks. Chances are it’s not. But I still wonder. Because it sure looks like they’re having a lot of fun.

I wish I had photos of how much fun we have on a daily basis. But I don’t. To be honest, it’s not always fun. We do need more of it. Fun, that is.

Last night, as Naaman and I crawled into bed, I told him that I am completely overwhelmed right now.

“I get one thing done,” I explained, “But there’s always more to do.”

“That’s life,” he answered. Two little words and nothing more. He has always been a no-nonsense kind of guy like that.

And I guess I need someone like him. Someone who reminds me that I create drama from complete normalcy. Yep, that’s me.

I started a gratitude journal.

I scootch down deep under my covers and pop the cap off of the pen. And I write special snippets.

I’m grateful for the passionate kiss Naaman gave me before I left for work.
I’m grateful for the yummy piece of hot pizza I had at training.
I’m grateful for the kick-me-in-the-ass run I had at the gym tonight.
I’m grateful for pretty new curtains.

I’m finding gratitude hidden in the little things. They are like little samples of the real deal. Just as note-worthy as the momentous occasions.

I’ve set very unrealistic goals for this blog. Every post I write here should not be filled with earth-shattering words that move people to tears. No. That’s not life.

Life is sometimes spell-blindingly boring.

But when life comes to this crossing, where you have the choice to create drama or bask in the boredom of finally being settled, shouldn’t I learn to appreciate boring? Shouldn’t I celebrate the fact that there are no big changes on the horizon for now? Yes, change is good. But so is the not-changing.

The night that Naaman and I were married we held onto one another, swaying back and forth in an empty reception tent while the band played one last song just for us.

Everyone else was gathered outside for our big exit. I had always dreamed of an exciting and romantic exit with sparklers. Like one from a movie scene. And I got it . . .

Sometimes I wish that people were holding sparklers when I left a building, however foolish that might sound.

But I have to realize that life is not always grand.

Like Naaman said, “That’s life.”

It’s not all roses and romance and fireworks. But it’s still pretty damn good.

Filed Under: Blogging, Marriage, Silly Me, Weddings 12 Comments

Answers to Questions: Part 3

September 13, 2010 By Molly

Sorry it is taking me so long to get these questions answered. I just haven’t had the creativity or energy since I came down with pneumonia. But I promise I am going to get all of them answered eventually!

What is your dream house like?

What a great question! I think I’ve mentioned before that I love real estate. I love looking at houses online and in person. I love seeing how other people choose to renovate and decorate their homes. But I don’t think I’ve ever really been asked this particular question. I feel like I finally know what my home style is!

It’s kind of funny that the day before this question was asked I was flipping through one of my mom’s magazines. She has a subscription to Country Living and every time I’m at their house I gaze longingly at the renovated farmhouses that grace the pages. In their latest issue they feature a renovated farmhouse in upstate New York. And guys? I was so envious of the home this couple had created for their family. When I read this question it is the FIRST image that popped into my head. That has to mean something, right?

Before renovation

After renovation

I gotta say . . . I love everything about it. Naaman always said he wanted a wrap-around front porch and lots of windows to let light pour into the home. Check and check.

The view is so inspirational, no? I can see myself sipping coffee on the front porch in the morning watching my boys run around. I could definitely picture myself finishing my novel here

I think it takes a very creative and brave couple to go into what looks like a pile of boards and decide that it is still special enough to become a home again. This house was obviously a gut renovation. It took an entire year. But it was oh so worth it, in my opinion.

I have always loved the idea of taking a forgotten old house and bringing it back to life. I also love the idea of living on a bit of land. Not for animals, per se. Though I have always had a slight obsession with cows (a story for another time). But to make another dream of mine come true.

I have been coordinating weddings as a side job since 2003. I love planning events and weddings. I haven’t coordinated a wedding in over a year but being a part of the day where a couple promises to love one another for the rest of their lives . . . what could be more sacred than that? But my real dream is to own a wedding venue. Preferably one that has a space for outdoor weddings because I love outdoor weddings. I’ve always thought about buying a pretty farmhouse just on the outskirts of town and using it as not only our home but as our business. Making sure it has an old barn we could turn into a rustic event space adorned with candles and twinkle lights. It would be a long term investment. But a good one.

I wouldn’t want to live too far out though. Twenty minutes from the nearest Target would be my limit!

This is the renovated dining room

I love the farmhouse dining table and chairs and the buffet. I love the chandelier and the rug and the wood floors and the bead board. Oh, who am I kidding I’m in love with the entire house. The house is comfortable and understated. It’s beautiful but not pretentious. It’s real and lived in. To me it says, “Come on in and sit for awhile.” That’s exactly what I want.

Look at this bathroom! Why, hello there claw-foot tub. I would take a bubble bath in this beauty every night. So serene.

I know I’m not much of a cook. But I could get better if I had a kitchen like this. I’d like to eat those buttercream cabinets! And that gas range is to die!

And just for fun . . . I found this listing for a farmhouse with 20 acres of land on Craigslist a couple months ago and emailed it to myself. I have no idea why as we were looking to move into a suburb at the time. But when this question came up this house also popped into my head. I remember thinking it would be the perfect place for my wedding venue!

And look at the barn

So there you have it . . . my dream house. I don’t know if we’ll ever do or have anything like this. But it’s sure nice to dream.

Click here to see more dreamy country houses and inspiration.

Filed Under: Home, Questions for Molly, Weddings 4 Comments

Your Three Words

August 20, 2010 By Molly

I’m jumping into a feature called Your Three Words that my blog friend Jenni does. Go to her blog to read what it’s all about. Bonus: Her kids are adorable and she’s hilarious =)

Here are two photos . . . continuing on with the wedding and anniversary theme.

This is a photo of my parents on our wedding day. Yesterday I celebrated four years of marriage with my wonderful husband. But tomorrow my parents will celebrate 44 amazing years of marriage. A lot of people asked me why we chose to have an outdoor wedding in August! I can’t blame them. It was hot and my make-up did have to be reapplied a few times. We chose the date for a few reasons . . .

1. I had always wanted an outdoor wedding and so I looked up the day least likely to rain on the Farmer’s Almanac and that’s the date it showed. (side note: it totally thundered right as my dad was giving me away but did NOT rain, thank the Lord above. You can actually hear the thunder on our wedding video)

2. Naaman and I first met in August so I felt it was a special month.

3. My parents would be celebrating 40 years of marriage two days after our wedding day and since the family would all be in town we decided to throw a mini surprise party for them the day after our wedding. PERFECT!

I was really excited to have our wedding so close to the anniversary of theirs. Their love story has spanned decades. My dad used to save a seat for my mom on the school bus when they were young. They were high school and college sweethearts. And they have been through so much together and worked hard to keep family as the focus in their lives. I truly appreciate their relationship and have learned from it. I know that true love is hard to come by in this day and age. But I know they definitely found it a long time ago.

Happy Anniversary, Mom & Dad.

I will always be proud to celebrate our anniversary in conjuction with theirs.

Filed Under: Family, Marriage, Weddings, Your Three Words 6 Comments

Four Years Ago Today

August 18, 2010 By Molly

Four years ago today it was our wedding day.

Four years ago today, I awoke to an overcast sky. My tummy tickled with butterflies. And I couldn’t wipe the smile off of my face. Even while taking a shower.

Four years ago today, I drove to a salon and hung out with the favorite women in my life. I got my hair done. I had my make-up professionally applied. All while praying to God not to let it rain.

I also caught a plastic spoon on fire while eating our brunch. These kind of memories are my favorite.

Four years ago today, Naaman was at our wedding venue holding two balloons that he would later send down the hall to me.

Four years ago today, we were writing notes to one another at the same time . . .

Four years ago today, I was finally in my dream dress and my sister was helping me put on my veil . . .

Four years ago today, Naaman and I saw each other for the first time

in the gardens of Longview Mansion . . .

Four years ago today, he almost knocked me over with a bear hug when he saw me . . .

Four years ago today, my daddy walked me down the aisle so I could marry the man of my dreams

Four years ago today, that man promised to love me before God and our family and friends

Four years ago today, I cried as I promised to grow old with him

Four years ago today, we sealed the deal with what the minister said was too long of a kiss

Four years ago today, we had a beautiful candlelit reception in an amazing white tent

We laughed

We ate cake

We danced the night away

Four years ago, we went back inside the tent for one last dance alone

Four years ago, we said goodbye to our wedding and hello to our future as husband & wife

Happy fourth anniversary, my love.

Four years filled with love, laughter, smiles, travel, tears, moving, births, deaths, disagreements, compromise

The best years of my life so far with so much more to come

Thank you for loving me so completely

(if you would like to view all the photos from our wedding please click here)

Filed Under: Marriage, Naaman, Weddings 15 Comments

My Best Friend’s Wedding

October 28, 2009 By Molly

My best friend Molly B. got married this weekend. I can’t believe the day has come and gone! The wedding was a beautiful, fall-inspired occasion that took place at Lone Summit Ranch. The ceremony was outdoors and although it was chilly none of us seemed to mind. My favorite part was at the very end of the ceremony. Molly was very obviously ready for the kiss to seal the deal but the minister seemed to go on and on. She grabbed Steve’s shoulders and was jumping up and down in anticipation of the kiss. She was more ready to be married than any bride I’ve ever seen : ) It was pretty darn cute! What a joyous event combining the lives of two very special people!

I have known Mol now for 10 years. She was my sorority daughter in college and we have been through it all together. She loves me unconditionally and accepts me for exactly who I am. It is so rare to find friendships like that these days and I feel so very blessed to have her in my life. She stood by me in my wedding three years ago and I was very excited to get to stand by her side when her day finally came.

Congratulations, Molly & Steve! May you have many years of happiness to come!

The beautiful bride and I . . .

My friend and sorority sister Melissa. It was so great to hang out with her after years of not seeing each other. Thank you so much for all the cute maternity clothes! You rock!

Another favorite part of the wedding? The amazing cupcake tree! This made the pregnant lady very very happy : )

I hope to share more pictures soon. My friend Rachel was the photographer and with Mol’s permission I will hopefully be able to share a slideshow soon.

Filed Under: Friends, Weddings 1 Comment

Sneak Peek at Landon’s photo shoot

August 11, 2009 By Molly

Can I just say how much I adore Josh & Jenny with Josh Solar Photography? They are my absolute favorite wedding photographers in the city (and fave photogs for kiddo pics as well). And believe me, I’ve worked with a lot of them. Not only are they masters of their art but they have a contagious zest for life! It’s always a pleasure to spend time with them! Please check them out. They turned out great!

Sneak peek of Landon’s one-year photo shoot

A bit of background on how this photo shoot came to be. I took on a wedding planning gig at the nineth hour after a fellow wedding planner contacted me and asked me to take over the job. Of course I said yes, even though it was last minute! Referrals are how I run my business and it is always a pleasure to help out a friend as well as a bride. I was not surprised to find out how wonderful my bride and groom were. Every couple I’ve worked with always turn out to be fantastic people! This couple was no exception . . . and as fate would have it, it was a damn good thing they hired a wedding planner as multiple issues arose on the night of their nuptials. I watched in amazement at how much fun the couple had in spite of the issues with the venue. They still had a blast and Josh and Jenny were smack in the middle of everything capturing every moment.

When the bride told me that they were using Josh Solar as their photographer my face lit up! I let her know that they were my fave and had taken newborn photos of our son. After the wedding I popped by the couple’s house to drop off some wedding items and talk about how to handle the problems with the venue. As I was leaving she handed me a card. I got back to my office and opened it to find the sweetest thank you note and a gift certificate for a photo shoot with Josh and Jenny! I was instantly a big ball of tears. We used the gift on Sunday for Landon’s 1-year photos. I will be forever grateful to the amazing couple who gave this to us and once again, if I haven’t said it enough already, I adore Josh and Jenny! See you guys in 6 months : )

Filed Under: Landon, Weddings 5 Comments

Show Us Your Life-Wedding Dress

July 24, 2009 By Molly

One of my favorite bloggers, Kelly, has a segment on her blog called Show Us Your Life. Well today is Show Us Your Life-Wedding Dress edition! I’m participating because:

#1. I am obsessed with anything that has to do with weddings. Why else would I be a wedding planner?

#2. Our 3rd wedding anniversary is in three weeks!

A funny story about my wedding dress. My sister Kelli got engaged in 2001 and started planning her wedding. She had what seemed like hundreds of bridal magazines and since I was the only sister at home with her (I had just graduated college and moved back home) I would always flip through them to help her look for ideas. One day, I was browsing the pages when suddenly I saw a picture of a wedding dress that literally made me gasp.

It was a Justina McCaffery gown. The boddice was fitted but at the bottom it was like a whipped cream explosion. Yes, I said whipped cream. I don’t know what it was about it but I knew that I wanted something like that when my time finally came. So without anyone around I ripped out that page and hid it in my closet with my journal.

Fast forward four years to 2005. Naaman proposed and I was finally engaged to the man of my dreams. So what comes next? Why the dress of your dreams, of course! Naaman and I knew we would get engaged someday so I had already started collecting ideas from wedding magazines. But hidden underneath 100 pages of ideas for our dream wedding I came across the old wrinkled picture of that gown. The dream gown. I had forgotten about it. But after looking at it I realized it was still exactly what I wanted.

I hopped on the internet to look for the designer’s website. And there it was, the dress was still available and still just as beautiful. Then my dreams were dashed when I found out that the gown was more than $5,000. Shoot, I thought. There is no way I can ask my parents to spend that much! But I was a determined bride and started researching like mad to find something just like it! One day I was flipping through a new wedding magazine and I turned the page to find a perfect replica of the $5,000 JM model. The designer was Maggie Sottero. Never really paid attention to the name until I came across this picture. So I got online again and started researching. Sure enough it was $4,000 less than the other whipped cream dress (yes, that became its official name). It was so beautiful in the picture and I thought if I could try it on it would be the real dream dress.

Three weeks later my mom and I went to our first bridal shop and low and behold there was another bride trying on (or trying to steal) my dress! We waited until she took it off and it was my turn. I looked in the mirror and it was love at first sight. My whipped cream dream dress! We ordered it on the spot! And 15 months later I walked down the aisle in my dream dress to my dream man.

I couldn’t wait to finally put it on!

I found out what it was like to be Scarlett O’Hara

I loved everything about it

Walking down the aisle!

How many people does it take to bustle a wedding dress?

See, I told you it looked like whipped cream!

Filed Under: Blogging, Weddings 8 Comments

Good News Comes in Threes

December 22, 2008 By Molly

The month of December has been an excellent month for good news! It just keeps pouring in.

#1. My sister Kelli and her husband Blake are expecting a baby in late May (I believe everyone knows now so I can finally post it again)! We can’t wait to meet our new niece/nephew (aka, Landon’s new cousin)!

#2. Naaman’s brother Michael got engaged to his girlfriend Heather! Congrats guys. So excited for you both!

#3. My best friend Molly B. and her boyfriend Steve got engaged on Friday! I cannot wait to help you plan and to be a part of your big day. You make such a great couple and I know you will have a wonderful life together!

Anyone else have anything to add? I like getting GOOD NEWS so bring it on!

Filed Under: Family, Friends, Weddings Leave a Comment

Bye Bye Office! Hello Nursery!

April 22, 2008 By Molly

Our home office has officially been turned into a nursery. We sold our desk and Klik Klak sofa on Craigslist (love it) in preparation for our son. Naaman put up the crib in about 45 minutes this past weekend and I can’t get over how beautiful it looks. It made me wish I had everything already so I could decorate it now. But I realize a lot of that stuff will come from showers so we have to hold out. Still, it great to have it up. I find myself going into the room and just standing there staring at it. I am so happy it’s ridiculous. I just can’t wait until our son is home with us and I can rock him to sleep and stare at an actual baby in the crib.

Naaman getting started. Let’s see if he uses the directions.

Roxie wanted to help. She can tell something is up!

A thumbs up means we’re getting there.

It’s done and it’s gorgeous! Thanks Honey!

He also put up the dresser/changer but my camera ran out of batteries before I could take a picture. I had to go to Wichita for a work meeting last night. I got home very late but Naaman was waiting up for me and told me to go into the room and open the top two drawers. He had taken the tiny clothes we’ve received so far, folded them and put them in the dresser. It doesn’t get more cute than that. I love that he wants to be so involved and is so excited with every passing day. It is amazing to have a partner who is so present in his journey to fatherhood. I’m sure I have Neil and Connie to thank for that : )

Speaking of names, I might as well just come on out and say the name because Naaman has told everyone and it’s no big secret. Our son’s name will be Landon. This is the name of the character in one of my favorite books, “A Walk to Remember” by Nicholas Sparks. I always liked it and kept it in the back of my mind for when I got pregnant. I was scared to share it because everyone always gives their two cents whether it’s positive or not and I didn’t want anyone ruining my favorite boy name. But everyone we’ve told loves it so it is official. It has felt right from the beginning. We call him by name all the time now. I talk to him and I say, “Mommy loves you Landon.” Just last night I told him that we’re in this life together no matter what happens. I sure hope he loves me and is happy that I’m his Mommy. Because I am so full of love for him already. I can’t wait for his little fingers to wrap around my own. It will be the sweetest day when we can finally hold Landon in our arms.

This past Saturday I coordinated what will be my final wedding for awhile. I didn’t think it would be a good idea to take on brides while I was 7-8-9 months pregnant. I’ll be 6 months on Friday and although it was a beautiful day it was tough getting through it. My bride and groom were Angie and Brent and all day long I could see the excitement in both of their eyes. Angie never stopped smiling for a minute. It was an amazing wedding and I am always so thankful when a couple allows me to share in such an important day.

It was even more fun because I got to work with Josh & Jenny Solar, the photographers, for the first time after hearing such great stuff about them. Jenny is pregnant with her third child and is two weeks ahead of me. We both talked about being sick because she was really sick with the flu just like me. Only she was hospitalized three times. I was only hospitalized once. She told me about a foot soak that sounds amazing and we talked about hiring them to take Landon’s photos during his first year. I am SO excited to hire them.

One of my favorite things about coordinating weddings is it gives me a chance to work with amazingly talented and creative people in the wedding industry. Whether it be cake makers, floral designers, photographers, I am always blown away with the talent in Kansas City. But I must admit that Jenny and Josh are my new favorites : ) Not only are they talented but they are fun and down to earth. Hopefully I’ll be back to planning weddings in the summer of 2009.

Here are some teaser photos from their blog of the wedding I coordinated. Congratulations Angie & Brent. I hope you have fun in the Bahamas and many years of happiness to follow!

http://joshsolarphoto.blogspot.com/2008/04/married-angie-brent.html