This is mrsray09's Chocolate Wedding!

All of these are SO very much my FI.

The Legos can be obtained by contacting Lego Customer Service Department. You can specify bride hair color.

ABSOLUTELY FREE! You don't even pay shipping.



The cuff links can be found at cufflinksdepot.com. They have other fun ones on there too.

T-Shirt found at Cafepress.com

****Taken from my blog just hours after he proposed on Christmas Day. You can hear how excited I am :)******


Engaged.

I remember one of the first extensive conversations Troy and I had when we saw each other after a little over two years. We joked around about getting married and how we'd make each other sign a prenup and then I'd divorce him and take half his retirement from him. Ya, it's not that romantic, but you had to have been there to hear the conversation. It was gut busting hilarious.

Now, almost a year and a half later, we're engaged. I really never thought this day would come. Obviously, every girl dreams of prince charming saying the most perfect thing and presenting her with her dream ring. Well, it actually happened to me.

We had this long conversation on the ride home from my parents yesterday and he said, "You know, I don't want you to be mad and leave me tomorrow because I don't have a ring for you. I know you told a couple people that you'd have a conniption fit if you didn't have a ring by Christmas, but the holidays just aren't the right time to get engaged love. I promise we will be engaged within the next year. It's just not the best time right now. I love you. I promise, we will be married though."

So after the little "talk" I have to admit that I was slightly brokenhearted. Who wouldn't be? The night went on and I forgot about it though. Then, this morning came....

It was our first Christmas waking up next to each other and not having to rush back and forth between each other's houses. I go and cuddle up on the couch with my blanket and Troy plays Santa and hands out all the gifts. I get beyond spoiled and am convinced that he bought me all these killer gifts to pacify me until he gets a ring. Some of the gifts opened were things like; hot pink high heels, the gift certificate I wanted to complete the tattoo on my ribs, sweats, cute undies, a zip up hoodie, a wedding planning book that I had been eyeing at Barnes and Noble complete with pockets and slots for business cards and worksheets. Couldn't even tell you the rest because there are so damn many...

Then, perfect little white flakes start to coat the ground.

Snow!

On Christmas Day!

We go over to his Mom's house and open gifts and visit with his family and rush back to the house to get ready to go to dinner. I was told to "dress up" and he wouldn't reveal to me where he made reservations. His explanation for this is that we've only ever gone out to a really nice restaurant once since we've been together and he feels like an asshole boyfriend for not taking me out more. We park, and I still have no idea where we're going. Then, he walks me over to the boat. Excited would be an understatement to explain how I felt.

As we are escorted to our table, I see that there is champagne chilling on ice and we're seated relatively close to the piano player :) Everyone loads up and the boat begins to leave. All the houses along the river had Christmas lights up and we could see their trees from the boat when we ventured up to the top deck. It was so so beautiful. Went up to where the Capitan was and got to check it out from that point of view and listen to him a bit. Dinner was AMAZING and performers got on stage to sing all these awesome songs. We held hands across the table, he makes a toast to us....."To us baby, and being extremely happy together for such a long time. I love you." He keeps staring at me telling me how beautiful I look and how happy I make him.

Meanwhile...I'm noticing he is frantically drinking champagne. Seriously, like it's the last thing he will have to drink before someone leaves him stranded in the desert. I find it odd, but don't say much other than an off handed comment about how I'm going to carry and drive his trashed ass home. Then, he proceeds to order a Captain and Coke. I'm thinking, wow, he must really be wanted to get wasted.

When the cruise was 3/4 of the way done, he's already finished the entire bottle of champagne and I've only had one glass. I don't say a word, but he makes a comment. I can't help but giggle.

We get off the cruise and are scurrying towards the car because it's SO cold outside. He stops at the top of the stairs by a bench and mutters something about his shoes being untied, I'm bouncing around trying to keep warm. I turn to see if he's finished and he's down on one knee. Apparently, I instantaneously burst into tears and started saying, "Troy, what are you doing. Troy, seriously, get up. What are you doing?"

....Ya, I don't even remember saying that.

He looks up at me with the box open and this gorgeous ring inside and says, " I love you with all of my heart. You make me so very happy baby and I want to make you happy for the rest of our lives. Will you marry me?"

All I managed to get out were squinty, teary eyes and a frantic up and down head nod. At the end, I think I somewhat managed to squeak out a "yes!"

Threw my arms around him and proceeded to sob uncontrollably into his shirt collar. Some people screamed, "CONGRATULATIONS!" from somewhere near us. I obviously couldn't see from where.

As soon as we get into the car, all I can do is stare at him and cry. I was in complete shock and disbelief. He was so adorable and had the biggest grin on his face :)

On the way home, he gives me all the dirty details. When we were at my parents yesterday and my sister and I went upstairs to wrap a few gifts last minute, he asked my Daddy for permission to ask me :) What a stud!

*Phew* Just got teary eyed thinking about it.

If you've made it this far, thank you :) I tend to ramble, but it was just too perfect not to share with everyone. I'm SO excited!

We have decided that for the next 6 months though, we're not going to do any sort of planning and just enjoy being engaged. The only official thing being decided is a date, and that should be in the coming weeks, so we'll be sure to let you know when that happens.

Otherwise, I hope you all had a very, very Merry Christmas and I love you all! Here's to 2008!

Cost before alterations: $610.00
Contact Info: Michelle can be reached at 503-603-0363

A friend suggested this shop for two reasons; She got her dress there and had a great experience, and it's really close to our place. Loved their selection and their prices. Seriously don't remember seeing ANYTHING over $1,600.00. Didn't spend a ton of time looking on the first visit. Stumbled across Maggie Sottero and found THE dress. Rosewood was able to order it for me and there you have it. They're so great at answering questions and will store it for you for free until your day. Heard nothing but fabulous things about their in-house alterations gal too.

Rental Cost: $1,500.00
Contact Info: Darin can be reached at info@kingsravenwine.com

We've gone back and forth between three locations and then stumbled across this one and it blew everything else out of the water. Found their contact information in a book that was handed out to me at the bridal show in January. Their website isn't impressive by any standard, but they are a dream come true.

Darin and his wife were the first couple married there in 2004. They've done all the ground work themselves on the property and they're so very sweet. It's a family thing for them. Darin's Grandmother lives on the property and his Dad lives right down the street. They're extremely quick to return emails and very detailed in answering any questions you might have. Literally, the only things they don't allow on the property; Smoking, open flame, and caterers/bartenders without proper licensing.

Here's what they ARE allowing us to do, and the reasons it was THE venue for us:

*They only book one wedding per week.

*You get the venue two days prior to your date for setup, the day of, AND the day after for cleanup.

*You can bring in any caterer you wish as long as they have all the proper paperwork.

*Not only do they allow alcohol, but you are able to buy it from the store and hire your own OLCC Certified Bartender to serve guests.

*Provides some banquet tables and a tent for the DJ.

*You are not required to serve their wine.

*No specified time that music has to be turned down/off.

You basically have full run of the place for four days. Plus, if you pay the rental amount in full, you get two full cases of wine.