::Yakima Wedding Pictures::

Okay so I know I’ve totally been a bad bride. Like, real bad. I’ve just been wedding’d out to be quite honest. I recently found a new Yakima Brides Journey Down the Aisle in Kalea Harrison’s new blog . . . perfect for picking up where I left off. And a cute little kick in the butt to finally post my pics! I hope you all find what you need in her posts, I think she’ll be a great continuation of what I started in Yakima for all the to-be’s and wedding pros.

I have had a wonderful time with this blog and it really opened my eyes (and addiction) to the blogging world. I’m proud to say I started here. My final post will include many, many wedding photos from my big day, courtesy of my fab photogs over at Stone Castle Photography. Thank you all for sticking with me through the thick and thin, I appreciate your support, readership and feedback.

A big “MWAH” to you all. Enjoy the loveliness and to the “to-be’s” happy planning.

more family pictures {love}

all our friends and family helped make us who we are today – we wanted to show them how much they mean to us then – today – and always

::addicted to pictures::

 

 

 we used un-traditional vows so I made him a vow booklet and included the things I love about him 

new family

new family

my girls

  

 Coach’s Crew – thank you to all Seattle Storm Men’s Basketball Team – you were a huge part in the success of our day

 

personalized kicks

Lauren and Uncle Bill – wonderful helpers and could not have done it without you

beautiful Mustang and my homemade decor – I love you Uncle Bill + Lauren

a different take on the ring picture

 

bridal suite toast

the kids table and things for them to do

homemade menu 

RSVP cards

our RSVP cards and the “leave a note side”

{love}

{love again}

 

the momma’s

beautiful cousin speaking #1 

handsome dudes

the bands

beautiful cousin speaking #2

married!

{his cake}

I wasn’t going to have Jordan on my cake – that’s why he got his own

btw both cakes ALL GONE and quickly. we didn’t even get any!

{my cake}

Mr. and Mrs. Gray

Hubby’s cousin, probably the cutest thing I’ve ever seen

Jeremy – great job 🙂

maid of honor speech – she did so well and made me cry a little

dad’s speech, no cue cards, lots of air quotes – loved every second of it

sis + bro 🙂

*cheers* best speeches ever

he tried to shove it in my face. i know it. and that’s my “no you did not” face

that’s right – pop-a-shots. we’re that cool.

beautiful bridesmaid and her sis

pop-a-shots again. cool again.

{prepare for lots of lovey dovey}

::twirling:: good thing you can’t tell through pictures that I forgot the steps 🙂

so big – so little 

After the Rock Wedding Show – Coming to Yakima!!

This January, Yakima will debut a fresh, modern and brand new wedding show to area brides and grooms called After the Rock!

{PLEASE NOTE: ATR will be in addition to the Central Washington Bridal Showcase, not replacing it.  They are two completely different area shows}

An invite-only showcase, the expo will be hosting only the area’s best products and services for brides, grooms and families.  The show will be held at the Yakima Convention Center on January 16 (Sunday) from 11 am – 4 pm.  A new show also means a new game. After the Rock will be hosting three to four workshops for brides to attend that allow them a small group experience with various vendors from the show.  Which, if you’ve ever tried to talk to a vendor at a wedding show, you’ll appreciate that time where you can get them away from their booth. It’s mass hysteria ladies so I say take advantage and learn from the pros. The ability to ask questions and get answers will be priceless in your wedding planning process so make time for the workshops.  Best part – these 20 minute sessions are included in the price of the tickets! We all know how important that is when you’re pinching pennies :).



Which takes me to the next fabulous point – ticket price. The tickets are a minimum $5 donation (12 and under are free) at the door to benefit ‘Ohana. ‘Ohana is a Mammography Center at Memorial and offers mammograms to women who can’t afford them.  ‘Ohana is a word found in both the Japanese and Hawaiian cultures and was chosen as the name for the center to honor the women of our community and to represent the “extended family” of Memorial’s breast health services.

In addition to the great cause and vendor workshops, After the Rock will host two interacitve fashion shows – with all the latest from Fashion Corner – lasting about 20 minutes each and promises that everyone in the room will have a clear view of all the wonderful walking by! Yes – I said the show will be interactive. What’s that mean? You’ll just have to stop by 🙂

With all great fashion and the blue-sy sounds of The Village Musicians (not to mention delicious cake tastings), you’ll of course need wine samples! Boasting some of the state’s best vineyards, Yakima is becoming quite the little wine mecca of eastern Washington and area brides and grooms have the advantage of buying straight from the winemakers! ATR will have a wine bar set up so all the brido winos can taste the best. What wedding is complete without the juice? In addition to the wine bar, all vendors are able to serve food and beverage samples. While brides aren’t able to buy the wine during the show, all the newly to-be’s should come ready to taste and ready to book!

The wine and cake not quite enough for you gentlemen? After all, we are aware it’s Football {PLAYOFFS} Sunday (yes – I just capitalized it – I’m sure the men will understand).  No worries, ATR has you taken care of. Enter the guy’s lounge . . . also known as “Mansland” (clever, right?). Mansland is open to all grooms, dads, brothers and the occasional football, lovin’ bridesmaid  (if released, might I add ;). In Mansland . . . will be football.  I think that’s all I really need to say.

Fashion, wine, wedding and football . . . what are you waiting for?? Check out After the Rock’s website and Facebook page (updated with new vendors on a regular basis) for pre-registration. The first 200 to pre-register will receive a freebie-brideified gift bag and access to the express lines into the show!

Plan on,

 

wedding’s eve

{hi tan. i miss u.}

wedding’s eve + my freaking awesome rehearsal dinner fiesta.

You know how I love my themes . . . wedding parties and events are not excluded from this fascination. Or anything really.

A big thank you to Mardine + Dave for hosting the soiree at their beautiful home, setting up, decorating and offering the West Valley Fire House for our wedding rehearsal. We could not have done it without you!

Syd + Mike – you kept us in line, you kept us going. You made sure we knew who we were, where we were and what the heck we were supposed to do next. We’re a big and rowdy bunch. I love and appreciate your ability to keep the control and for getting us through the weekend . . . and somehow smiling all the way through. And if you didn’t, you sure fooled me.

Another mucho gracias to Ronda + Austin Walters . . . you guys were there with me, and for me, throughout the entire wedding week {and before and beyond}. From campers, to bartending, to behind-the-scenes tequila and last minute beer/bouquet runs. I love you both more than I can say. The weekend would not, could not, have gone as smooth without you.

and now . . . we fiesta.

{i know, right?}

{ a few of the name rowdy hosers in attendance}

{the view. no buildings. wowing all the seattlites. even myself a little.}

 

{didn’t have to tell anyone twice.}

{the lovely couple doling out the thank you’s}

{personalizing kicks. poppin’ tags. fiesting. it’s how we rolled.}

{MVPs of the night}

 

Cha Cha all,

hair trials and tribulations

Pictures from the side are awkward.

Anyway, this was hair trial #2 (not the actual thing – I’m not to my wedding posts yet),  this one I was happy with.  But this wasn’t my only trial. The first one – yuck.

The first hair trial was set up more through a family connection with they stylist and while she was super sweet it just didn’t give me the most confident feeling walking out of the salon.  That, and family connections tend to feel more like they’re cemented in the “have to” ideology than “the choice is yours” one. You can already see my dilemma.

In the first trial, like everything else wedding, I carried giganto into the salon, handed over my pièce de résistance – the one plucked from millions of inspiration over two years – and handed it to the stylist-lady. Two stipulations were also handed over: no tight curls and no engulfing me in a cloud of toxic fumes. Aka hairspray – a little is okay, a lot is not. I like my hair to fall naturally.

First thing done, tight ass curls, sprayed stiff. #thingsthatmakeyougohmm (Twitter has infiltrated my vocabulary).

Yeah.

I guess my face said it all because she asked if “it’s what I wanted” – not exactly lady. not.ex.actly.

We took it down and tried again but by that time the hair was sticky, lifeless and one shot short of a . . . I don’t know, whatever something is that you’re supposed to spray a lot. My fault for not thinking this sentence through before I started writing it.

Anyway, with me you can tell if I like something, if you aren’t sure, then I probably don’t. I’m not one to fake emotions and I’m pretty sure my expressions and enthusiasm went limp along with my hair.  With this trial out of the way I really didn’t know what to do. I knew I wasn’t happy but getting back to Yakima for another trial or meeting was difficult. Really though, the option was to go with something I didn’t trust or make the 2.5 hour trip.

Two-and-half hours was worth it.

{the vision}



I mulled over this decision too long, to say the least. I was afraid of cutting ties for my family member’s sake but finally realized, I had no relationship with this stylist. I needed to put me first in this situation. While it was a nice gesture and all, I moved on with tact. That’s all anyone can ask for as far as I’m concerned.

The next stop was Onyx Salon. When I called, I told them what I wanted and asked who they would recommend. I lucked out with Tonna (sp?). She talked me through the trial, made sure step-by-step if I was okay with it and made me feel comfortable giving honest feedback. I don’t like confrontation and tend keep what’s bothering me beneath the surface, but at this point it was affecting me – this was my wedding I didn’t want to be upset with my hair the day of. Brides – if you’re like I am, your wedding is a time when you do need to step forward and be honest with what you want/need or you may very well end up focusing on one little detail that made you unhappy instead of looking at the big picture on your wedding day. You can disagree politely so – just my advice – don’t let the quandary of it all silence you.

Anyway, in a nut shell, trial #2 was great. I was comfortable and the money was well spent. And those pictures above, they’re not even close to what my hair actually looked like on the big day. It was better. Way better.

I promise the pics will be up soon . . . as soon as I can get through all the events and decisions leading up to the wedding.

Keeping you hooked,

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: My point in this post is that sometimes styles are different – between hairdresser and stylee. One is not right, nor wrong, just different. As a bride, you should know what you want and speak out about it. No one can read your mind. While hair trial #1 may not have been exactly what I was looking for I never intended to offend anyone’s work and if it were up to me to do my own hair it would’ve probably looked like something that just rolled out of bed. Hair trials are trials – you need to use your best judgement on them because it’s not going to be perfect, it’s not going to be exactly what you want.  Trials, practice, they help you figure it out, they help you decide if you mesh with a person, a style, an idea. That’s all. The trial, it’s just like dating, it’s an  important to getting you to what you’re looking for. And that’s all.

the b-bash

Much like Vegas, what happens at a bachelorette party, should stay at a bachelorette party . . . unless the bride is a blogger {annnd I just realized I hate that word}. Don’t get too excited though, most of it will be left unsaid, but it was too badass of a night not to share . . . even just a few things :).

 

1. I totally wore a white foofy, tutu-esque dress, with sequins.

2. I also totally wore a pink sash to let everyone know I was the bachelorette.

3. Despite my hatred for phallic decor, I wore (for one split-freaking second) a penis veil. YUK. But when else are you gonna wear one of those nasty little things? Time for me lighten up on my NO PENIS policy for the b-party. No pictures for you readers, sorry. And yes, those are penis ice cubes up there. Those, those I liked loved.  And yes, my mom was there.

4. I got a blister or two . . . we ran around Seattle on a totally appropriate scavenger hunt, in heels and short dresses. And ran – as in literally.

5. I tried to cheat at my scavenger hunt . . . and still lost.

6. Discovered that everybody, I mean everybody, loves to sing out loud to Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing. Two words – video. proof.

7. Random strangers want to take pictures with you and of you. Or of your badass limo/bus – without you.

8. Bare knees aren’t the best surface to go down a slide on.

9. No food and vodka = straight up scavengers (pretty scavengers though)  four hours later.

10. 15 ladies trying to use a single bathroom, all at the same time, takes a little bit of patience and a sturdy bladder.

11. Confirmed how freaking fun, awesome and beautiful these ladies in my life are. So many bent over backwards to put the night together, make it up to Seattle and put on a smiling face for me. For that alone, I love them all. I wish I could do it all over again.

 

More bachelorette ideas tomorrow!

Get your thrill,

 

welcome back – this time for real

Well we’re at this familiar “starting point” again. There’s not supposed to be multiple beginnings in a blog’s life, but, well this one, there is.

No excuses, and for my own personal sanity, no apologies.

Like a PB&J, it’s simple really, I just needed a break. I OD’d on white dresses, cake + DIY. While I tried to come back for my readers my heart wasn’t in it and my mind . . . well, that was somewhere other than on weddings.

The question, in these last few weeks was, do I still want to do this? Took me a bit to get it straight but YES.

Like the tabloid suckers that call themselves Speidi, I’m not going anywhere any time soon.

I’m off – and with a wink and a smile – back again tomorrow,

*childish things

Like math + muscle mass – or as I’ve to come to find recently, my athletic ability – if you don’t use it, you lose it.  Creativity {aka blogging}  is no different. The thoughts just don’t surface as easily as they were a few months ago.  And like the dude behind you at the gym sucking wind b/c he let himself get out of shape, I’m vowing to not let that happen again, no matter the struggle. Not worth it.

Anyway – back to the post *childish things.



To me, weddings are a family thing. You marry your love’s family and vice versa. Yes, the day is about the two of you, but you are becoming a part of him, and he a part of you. Hence the terms my mother-in-law, my sister-in-law, etc. It’s not left at just his mom or his sister.  It’s taking ownership and it’s something I 100% believe in.

Anyway – that’s getting a little off the point. My wedding, I wanted all my family there. The people I love, I want them to have who they love there as well (within a certain degree of acceptability, of course) – that means their children. I don’t really believe in weddings without children. While some prefer to leave the wee ones at home, I think that should be their choice. If they can enjoy the evening playing host to a two year old, I say let them. However, I don’t want the two year old screaming and kicking because they’re so bored that the parents – and our dear friends – would need to leave the party early.  That doesn’t make for a good time or a memorable one at that.  A screaming kid does little to impress other guests too.

So, how do we find that happy medium? Entertainment for the kiddos.

It doesn’t have to be a lot, and it doesn’t have to be expensive. Hell, kids can find enjoyment in an empty cardboard box when given the chance. I know I did.

I don’t have pictures of the kid’s table I pulled together for our wedding just yet so in the meantime, flair:

*Hint: Save a buck and check Walmart for some bargain buys.

Now, excuse me while go wipe the sweat from my brow,

the real world + the realization of Mrs.

{Michael Fisk Photography}

Well, I’m back in the saddle.  In all it’s haste and glamour, my wedding day came and went – just like the beautiful blur that everyone claimed it would be.  We honeymooned in Maui, came back to an overly eager pup and quite the messy abode.  Since then I’ve cleaned, recycled tons of cardboard, gift bags and tissue paper, sent heaps to Value Village, celebrated the hubby’s #31, trip’d it down to Portland to visit cousins and fin.a.ly (thank god for this one) got a computer back. And in order. Oh yeah, and my music.  Computers are my life anymore.

Anyway, as I slowly delve into my ridiculously large and BS-of-a-conglom, laundry pile (a neglected pre-nuptial heap + 6 day Yak stack  + a 10 day Maui sand pile = you do the math) I find it difficult to adjust to the real world again.  Takes me back to that good old Matchbox 20 song from the 90s-something really {I wish the real world, would just stop hassling me}.  It was imminent anyway.  Sure, there a ton of things on my big to-do that I’ve been anxiously waiting to bite into since the wedding countdown set in, but . . . where to even begin?  Beginning . . . beginning any new project is hard.  Figuring out what I really want to do with my life, that’s hard too.  I was engaged straight out of the U and between that and the two years that I was a fiancée, I realized there was a little more education I was interested in and a little more prep I wanted to put into my career.  Were these values something I could get out of what I thought was my dream job just eight months ago? I need to figure it out.  I’m naked without the wedding. Nothing to hide behind anymore.  This freedom, to not be confined by being a bride, was something I was ready for so I could move on with life.   I’m adjusting though.  I’ve felt a sense of life in just this last week alone.



{Memory Montage Productions}

Another thing that’s taking it’s time is the realization of being Mrs. Gray.  As I said, the wedding was a blur and I was so jacked up on anxiety throughout the day that I never fully took the moment to let the meaning of marriage set in – I never let it be just me and him. And unlike the lovely Zsa Zsa, I only plan to do this once and so that, that I do regret. I don’t know if it would’ve been any different had I tried though. I guess everyone experiences things differently.

Becoming the Mrs., that slowly sinks in.  Every time I see my ring on his finger, it sinks in a bit.  It comes with practicing my new signature like a love-struck teen with her crush’s last name.  Or being called sis by the new in-laws. The little things make it real. It is real and I’m a wife. – a term I thought once only belonged to mom’s and teachers. It’s weird to say it . . . but I have a feeling I’ll get used to it :).

Real posts and pictures coming very, very soon. Thank you all for hanging in there with me.

Moving on,

writing the words

In an effort to pull some personal touches into my wedding ceremony sermon, I ran across this absolutely adorable version of  vows. Dr. Seuss inspired, it’s sure to keep you smiling all the way through (last part is my favorite) :).

Pastor: Will you answer me right now
These questions, as your wedding vow?

Groom: Yes, I will answer right now
Your questions as my wedding vow.

Pastor: Will you take her as your wife?
Will you love her all your life?

Groom: Yes, I take her as my wife,
Yes, I’ll love her all my life.

Pastor: Will you have, and also hold
Just as you have at this time told?

Groom: Yes, I will have, and I will hold,
Just as I have at this time told,
Yes, I will love her all my life
As I now take her as my wife.

Pastor: Will you love through good and bad?
Whether you’re happy or sad?

Groom: Yes, I’ll love through good and bad,
Whether we’re happy or sad,
Yes, I will have and I will hold
Just as I have already told,
Yes, I will love her all my life,
Yes, I will take her as my wife!

Pastor: Will you love her if you’re rich?
Or if you’re poor, and in a ditch?

Groom: Yes, I’ll love her if we’re rich,
And I will love her in a ditch,
I’ll love her through good times and bad,
Whether we are happy or sad,
Yes, I will have, and I will hold
(I could have sworn this has been told!)
I promise to love all my life
This woman, as my lawful wife!

Pastor: Will you love her when you’re fit,
And also when you’re feeling sick?

Groom: Yes, I’ll love her when we’re fit,
And when we’re hurt, and when we’re sick,
And I will love her when we’re rich
And I will love her in a ditch
And I will love through good and bad,
And I will love when glad or sad,
And I will have, and I will hold
Ten years from now a thousandfold,
Yes, I will love for my whole life
This lovely woman as my wife!

Pastor: Will you love with all your heart?
Will you love till death you part?

Groom: Yes, I’ll love with all my heart
From now until death do us part,
And I will love her when we’re rich,
And when we’re broke and in a ditch,
And when we’re fit, and when we’re sick,
(Oh, CAN’T we get this finished quick?)
And I will love through good and bad,
And I will love when glad or sad,
And I will have, and I will hold,
And if I might now be so bold,
I’ll love her my entire life,
Yes, I WILL take her as my wife!

Pastor: Then if you’ll take her as your wife,
And if you’ll love her all your life,
And if you’ll have, and if you’ll hold,
From now until the stars grow cold,
And if you’ll love through good and bad,
And whether you’re happy or sad,
And love in sickness, and in health,
And when you’re poor, and when in wealth,
And if you’ll love with all your heart,
From now until death do you part,
Yes, if you’ll love her through and through,
Please answer with these words:

Pastor and Groom: I DO!

Pastor: You’re married now! So kiss the bride,
But please, do keep it dignified.

Not quite ready to Seuss it up?

Here are a few of my favorite places with non-traditional readings.

Romantic, light and beautiful, you’re sure to find something you like.

The First Dance (thank you Micah!)

My Wedding Vows

About Weddings

Non-traditional wedding readings via Elegala

. . . and my favorite vows

Make it meaningful,

{falsies for me} + an interview with esthetician, Cayla Williams

Well, falsies don’t do them quite the justice they deserve (it just sounded good in the title).

And by falsies, I actually mean mink eyelash extensions. Yes, mink.

Luxurious. Beautiful. Eye-catching {pun intended}. 

I’m totally using this wedding as an opportunity to pamper myself and I’ve had my eye on these lashes since I got engaged. In fact, they were first thing I had planned. No joke. I need ‘um.

I also recently learned that the esthetician that introduced me to these beauties, is the only one  in the Yakima Valley that offers the mink version.  Her name is Cayla Williams of the Hair Cafe Studios (Tieton). 

I couldn’t resist the interview. 🙂

First, a little about Cayla:

I graduated from the Euro Institute of Skin Care in Renton, WA in July 2008. I have been a working at Hair Cafe Studios since October 2008. I have always had a passion for skin care, beauty, and making people feel good. I love going to work everyday and enjoy making women feel good about themselves.

Can you tell us a little about this mink eyelash extension process?

The mink eyelash extensions are applied individually to each individual eyelash. The process for a full-set takes about 2 hours during which you are laying down with your eyes closed listening to relaxing music, or if you’d like you can being headphones to listen to. The process is painless and relaxing, in fact most people fall asleep. They are available in a variety of different lengths and thicknesses – from natural to dramatic. They eliminate the need to wear mascara and eliminate the need to use an eyelash curler.

Can they get wet?

They are waterproof, sweat-proof, and tear-proof.  They are great for brides because they stand out in photos and are great if you’re going on a honeymoon because they’ll last all the way through.

How long do they last?

They fall out naturally with your own eyelashes, so depending on your natural lash cycle, you come in for a fill about every 2 – 4 weeks. The procedure of the fill is to replace extensions that have fallen off with a new eyelash extension on your new lash growth. The process for a fill is about 1 hour.

What if you don’t want a fill and only prefer them as a one-time-thing?

If you choose to just wear the lashes for your wedding and not keep them up they would last up to 6 weeks. If you did choose not to keep them up you have 2 options; either let them all fall off naturally or I have a solution I can put on the lashes to remove them in a short, painless visit.

When is the best time for a bride to get the last extensions?

I recommend coming in about a month and a half before your wedding to get the lashes. That way you can play around with different lengths and looks to see what you like best and what look you want for your big day. The lashes also get thicker with each fill. Although it’s not necessary to come in a month and a half before the wedding, I recommend at least making your appointment even if it’s only a couple of days before the wedding in advance because I do get booked out a few weeks in advance.

What are some other procedures you do for brides?

I also do European facials, facial and body waxing (including Brazilian), eyelash/eyebrow tinting, peels, and body treatments.

What would you recommend for a bride to get her face glowing for the big day?

I recommend a series of glycolic acid peels about 2 months before the wedding to remove that top layer of dull, dead skin to reveal radiant skin. Peels are also good for acne scarring, reducing pore size, minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and pigmentation issues.

Do facials help?

A European facial is not only a great way to un-wind and relax, but is a great deep cleansing, massage, hydrating mask, and extraction of impurities if necessary.

How can we book an appointment with you?

I offer appointments evenings and weekends to accommodate to all of your skin care and beauty needs. You can look at actual client before and after pictures of eyelash extensions on my Myspace page. To schedule an appointment, or if you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 509-961-1699.

Cayla was also sweet enough to offer 20% off of the last extensions for the bride, bridal party, mother of the bride, and sisters of bride!

Thank you, Cayla!

Get booking,