This is whitneynboyd's Purple Wedding!

I have my photographer and she is AMAZING! Christian Burge is my photographer, and I am proud to say it. She takes pictures with a vintage spin with decor and props. She brings people to random locations, and most are always very happy with how everything comes out. My cousin suggested her because she takes her family pictures. I looked her up on her facebook, and fell in love. I immediatly contacted her to get prices and such. She got back to me with her packages, and I was impressed again. Her prices are pretty good, and they come with plenty. She does many shoots such as: engagement, Bridal, Boudair, wedding, and reception. Whatever package you choose they come with at least three of the shoots. If anyone is looking for a great photographer from the southern states, find her on facebook! I'll add my engagement photos after I take them.

When we were first talking about marriage, we were going to an exotic location. Atlantis in the Bahamas was where we decided on first. I had basically everything picked out for my beach wedding. I sent emails and called the numbers that the website gives. I sent quite a few emails, and left about a million messages. Finally after about three weeks they replied to one of my emails. They sent me the same information as one the website. Then when I replied back it took them another two weeks to get back to me. I was so frustrated because it took them so look, but also they never gave me the information I asked for. After being overwhelmed with stress, I gave up the dream of being married there.
The next place we decided on was this place in our neighborhood. It was a part of both of our Heritages. I was really excited because I had big ideas about what to do. A bonus was that the place was really cheap, so we could spend more decorating. The ceremony would take place outside, and the reception would be in a tent. I really like the place because of the history and the man different areas. My mom had different thoughts about it. She pointed out everything there was to complain about. I didn't even notice half of these things because I was so excited about decorating. My mother and I went back and forth about this location.
Then one evening while driving home from school, I started to think of all the work that I would have to accomplish. I really started to panic. I had three exams that week, and now a wedding to plan in just 7 months. I would have to order chairs, tables, linen, flowers, food, etc. The list just kept going on and on. I called my mom to see what she thought about my thoughts (I knew she would be happy). I told her about how school is so important, and I couldn't really devote my time to planning. I really want a spectacular wedding, but I didn't have the time to do it all. My mom asked me if she could call around to go visit other places. I quickly said that it was a good idea. She called me back moments later.
She asked me about Southern Oaks Plantation. My parents went to a wedding there a few months before, and it was beautiful. She then explain that everything was perfect at that wedding, and she has never went to a "perfect" wedding. I went on the computer, and looked at the plantation. It literally took my breath away. Before I could call my mom, she called me back. She was thrilled because the date I wanted was available. We got together a few minutes late, and we talked to the coordinator on speaker. The coordinator started to explain things to us, but the first thing she said was July and not April. I was like hold on, wait I wanted April 21st, and she had told my mom July 21st was the first available day. I asked her if we could call her back, so that we could discuss this.
After getting off the phone, I was frantic because that was three more months. If we pushed it back that would be over a year away. Which some people plan for years, but we really wanted something sooner. As I sat there thinking about the April date versus the July date, I realized that the April date would be right around final exams. I felt totally ridiculous that I didn't realize this before. The July date is so much better because I will have three or so months to really devote to my wedding. I would be so stressed out about school. Then I called my fiance' to ask him if he thought the July date was better, and he was on board for the new date.
We called the coordinator back, and told her we would love to have that date. She wrote us down, and we scheduled a meeting to go look and talk about the wedding. A few weeks later we went to the very close location, and when I pulled into the gate, I had to gasp for air. I couldn't hardly believe that it could be so much more mystical in person. We drove to the back, and met with the coordinator. We sat down to discuss time, contracts, and things I wanted at the wedding. I have options like fireworks, horse and carriage ride, and so much more. The inside was spectacular and more than I had ever imagined. I fell in love for real this time, and it wasn't like with the other places. I was wide-eyed the entire time we were there. The coordinator explain everything so wonderfully, and she let us know the few things we had to get on our own. After telling us about the things we had to get ourselves(which wasn't many), she gave us a list of recommendations. Most of the things that are need are included such as: food, dj, chairs, drinks, centerpiece, and almost anything else.
I am finally happy with the selection of the place I decided to have my wedding, and most importantly it is stress-free. The people at Southern Oaks Plantation are the most professional, delightful, and everything a bride would want to work with. Not to mention that they sent us home with a congratulatory bottle of Champagne!

Well, it is all so funny... We kind of knew that this engagement was about to happen, but no one knew exactly when. Boyd and I started talking about marriage at the beginning of the year (seriously of coarse). Since we met, we sort of already knew we were going to get married. We both have great ambitions in life, we love kids, and we are just so much of the same.
A friend of my family is a jeweler, and I have told him many of times what I wanted incase Boyd asked him. Well needless to say, Boyd did ask him about a ring, and then started talking to me about rings (acting very causal). Boyd asked me to write down a few rings that I like, so he could get an Idea. Well, I did because I knew exactly what I wanted. I put a small piece of paper on the nightstand next to our bed. The paper suddenly disappeared.
It was Mardi Gras time in New Orleans! We live in an small suburb just a few minutes away. We of coarse were going to to the parades, and especially like to go to this huge party called the Bacus Bash. To get to the Bash was like an obstacle coarse because there were enormous parades passing. The scenery in New Orleans is amazing because everything is very old, and very beautiful. We came to Lafayette Square, right in the middle was the Henry Clay statue. This statue is surrounded by a garden, but there are stairs that can be walked up. Well, we both sort of stopped, and just admired it.
Boyd letting go of my hand, and started walking more toward it. He said, "wouldn't this be the perfect time and place for a proposal?" I immediately began to laugh, but he was serious. Boyd is an extremely shy person, and I would never expect him to propose in front of people. The thought of a public proposal never crossed my mind. Just as I realized how serious he was, he walked up the statue. Boyd gets down on one knee, and Shouts, "Whitney, will you marry me?" I was seriously embarrassed because I knew he was. I started to laugh, and walked off a little bit. Then he shouts my name again. I didn't know wether or not to take him seriously. After he realized how confused I was, he came down. I was speechless and confused. He then precedes to ask me why didn't I answer him. My words were, "No.. No.. you don't even have a ring." I didn't realize that I was hurting his feelings, or that my ring was being made at the moment. That was the first, and real engagement I believe.
About two or three weeks passed, and we were going on our annual camping trip with family and friends. We go every year for Easter to the same place. This year was out because my mom and dad were coming to spend a night or two. We have two children (from his previous marriage) and my parents have two children(my younger siblings). I didn't really think about it too much because my little sisters are friends with Boyd's daughter. Here we are like this big happy family camping.
We had Easter gifts for the kids when they woke up. The morning of Easter, all of the kids were in my bed waking me up (very early). I noticed how weird it was that they had not open their gifts because normally they would be ripping them open first thing. Instead they had a small basket with some eggs, candy, and grass; they were giving it to me. Boyd was next to me in bed just waking up, too. I almost thought that they were trying to play a joke on me. They all kept begging me to eat some candy or open an egg.
I was kind of frantic, but I reached in and took out an egg. I opened it, and nothing but some candy was in it. I told the kids that it was too early for candy. The kids urged me on to get something else out. I was scared, but reached in and felt around. I felt an odd object, and pulled it out. There it was, a ring box. I couldn't even open the box. I just looked at Boyd with looks of eager but surprise. Boyd then took the box from my shaken hands, and opened it. He uttered those familiar words, "will you marry me?"
The ring was exactly what I wanted, and this proposal was what I had imagined. Our family all in one small area with big smiles. This time I did tell him yes though, and it was a very happy Easter!