27 December 2011

The eve of a Christmas Engagement!

If you follow me on Instagram or twitter or facebook, then you know the news already! 


This Christmas eve, a few hours before midnight mass, Mister Wonderful proposed and I happily said YES!





So the story goes...

The tradition in my family is that on Christmas eve, we are allowed to open one Christmas gift on the eve of Christmas, the the next day we open all the gifts. I asked MW if he wanted to do that. He agreed. I picked out a photo book I had made of our Ohio/Chicago summer trip printed by Shutterfly for him to open. I had been dying to see how the book turned out, and had not opened it out of it's original packaging since it arrived! 



Next it was my turn. I was sitting on our black leather couch wondering what he was going to give me. Seeing how I KNOW that he hadn't used an INCH of tape or wrapping paper for the whole month, so I had no idea what he was going to give me. 

He just said, "Aspen go give mommy her Christmas present"

So Aspen comes bounding off his lap and into mine. I was like Oh goodie doggie kisses and with some dog breath is my gift sweet! 

really I didn't know what he meant by sending her my way. 

I just looked at him and said how is Aspen my gift? 

MW says, "no babe you need to look for it--it's on her"

at first i kind of panicked? what's on her?

Then as I felt up around her harness, there was this gorgeous ring attached to her name license and bell. 


I was in shock. He got down on one knee and said how much he had been thinking of doing "this" (proposing) for a while now, and wanted to know if I would marry him?

I kept asking are you sure? are you for real? Are you serious? I think those were the 3 things I kept repeating at first! 

He said he knew how much Aspen meant to me, and how he wanted her to be a part of the special moment, and I think I began to tear up then!










I couldn't stop staring at it all throughout midnight mass. 

I've waited 29 years to meet my soulmate, and contrary to belief, that old saying You know when you know? It's SO true. I knew very early on before Mister Wonderful moved from Ohio to AZ to be with me, that he was "the one". 

So that's the story friends. We did the best we could capturing our "Moment" with just as as the Photographers since both of our families were out of state for the holiday (his are in Cleveland mine are in Colorado.) 

I know NOTHING about weddings, planning or anything of the sorts, so any advice you bloggy buddies can shed would be GREAT! 


And for the basic questions....


No, no date has been 'set' but MW actually wants to try to be married over THIS SUMMER. 
Yeah you read that correctly. THIS SUMMER. CRUNCH!

Not sure if we can pull that off.....


We DO want to do a destination wedding via Hawaii. 


Reason is very simple:
We don't want a big wedding. 
We don't want to get married in a catholic church (even though MW and I are VERY CATHOLIC and attend church every Sunday) we don't feel the need to attend YEARLY pre marital classes (to each their own don't judge!) 

I never really blog about MW and my relationship on here, simply because people often raise an eyebrow when I tell them (only when asked) that MW and never fight. We get along totally fine, we don't let little pet peeves pick at us or ruin our relationship. Everyone just says oh your day will come, you'll fight eventually. Um...

It's been a year and a half and no, really, we don't fight. Like ever. 


Anyway, back to the Hawaii deets....

The main reason we also pick Hawaii (rather than St. Martins or Fiji)
Hawaii is IN STATE so my lil ole Grandma doesn't need to get a passport to see her grand daughter get married. 

We WANT our families to be on vacation with us. I know a lot of people escape their family and lives on a Honeymoon. We want ours to be there for some of it! 

MW and I have never gone on a REAL vacation.I don't consider going home to IL or OH a vacation. 
We both want a REAL destination as a vacation. 

Well friends, those are the details!

Has anyone gotten married as a destination wedding?

Have any of you gotten married in under a year engagment?

How does one get their hair and makeup done for a destination wedding?


TIPS PLEASE!!!!














Photobucket

92 comments:

  1. i happened to check into twitter in the middle of then night and saw your annoucement so you already got my congratulations message!! lots of luck in your planning, i adore the plans youve made so far :)

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  2. Congratulations!!! Gorgeous ring! :) Wedding planning is a BLAST! lol

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  3. Congratulations again! I am soooo soooo happy for you both! Let the wedding planning begin! :)

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  4. Congratulations CMae!! Your ring is gorgeous!! I'm so happy and excited for you and Mr. W! I'm looking forward to wedding posts!

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  5. So excited for you! I actually just got engaged a week before Christmas, although we are thinking more around June of 2013 so not a crunch like yours but so excited to stay posted with all of your updates as I have absolutely no idea where to even begin planning either! Congratulations to you both!!

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  6. I know I have already said this a million times but congrats!! I am soooooo happy for you! And to tell you the truth my boyfriend and I never fight either and we have been together for almost a year and a half now too..and it is true when you know you know! I think a destination wedding sounds amazing! I hope someone who has been married can help you :)) so happy for you two!

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  7. Aww again, I am SO happy for you!! I would start contacting a travel agent, they really handle a lot of the bulk of it these days! I think destination weddings are really up and coming, so a lot of places have the package deals. My sister is getting married on St. Thomas in May and literally has to just show up...she's getting hair done on the ship and I'll probably just help with her makeup. I planned a wedding in 9 months, you can do it!! Keep in mind, the hard part is over-you found THE ONE! Just have fun and do what makes both of you happy. Hawaii sounds fab--start researching islands! The Knot was helpful too. Let me know if you need any help--I LOVE weddings!! :-D

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  8. I had a destination wedding in a US Virgin Island (US territory, so no passport was needed for the oldies... and same marriage laws and fee's as the US) -- it was truly magical. I did so much research to make everything perfect, and we stayed on the island for 8 days with our families and friends (wanted to enjoy our time with them) so definitely reach out to me and "use" me if you ever need to :) Congrats again!!! I'm SO excited for you!

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  9. Congratulations!!!! I'm SO happy for you! I love how he involved Aspen! SO adorable!!!!

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  10. Congratulations!!! Your ring is beautiful and that's so sweet that he involved Aspen! :)

    I'm not engaged yet so I have no advice, but I know that Becky at From Mrs. to Mama got married in Hawaii - you should ask her how she did it!

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  11. Congratulations! I'm so excited for you! I helped my best friend plan her wedding in 7 months. She was engaged on Christmas Eve and married in July. She had a huge wedding! So I'm sure a destination wedding can be done in a short period of time too!

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  12. Congratulations!!! So exciting! You, and another blogger (Fried Green Pickles) got engaged on the same day! :)

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  13. WOW. wow. wow. This is fantastic, the ring is beautiful, so are you, and your husband-to-be is so handsome! Congratulatons!!!!

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  14. Congratulations!! The ring is beautiful, and that was so thoughtful to include Aspen!

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  15. YAYYY I love that he used Aspen!! beautiful and I love the hawaii idea! my tip?? get to planning NOW!! HAHA

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  16. aww yay congrats! The ring is beautiful.

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  17. loved reading this! our boys did it the same way!! loved that our dogs were involved! I think since you are doing a destination, you will be able to pull it all off much easier!! you just need to get to dress shopping asap! most dresses take 6-8 months to order

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  18. Aw! Love how he used Aspen. :)
    Congrats again my friend!!

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  19. How did I miss this on Twitter?!? That is so exciting - Congratulations!!! I wish I was doing a destination wedding but B wants a big wedding (booo). Wedding planning is so much fun though and I am here for any questions you have... I've helped many people plan wedding and am doing my own so I wouldn't call myself an expert but I'm experienced haha

    Congrats again! Enjoy every moment

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  20. Congratulations!! I am so happy for you:) What a cute way to propose..I love it! Your ring is IDENTICAL to mine - so of course I love that too! We are doing Hawaii for our Honeymoon...that is a great choice! Good luck with your planning!! Congrats again!

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  21. congratulations and best wishes!!

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  22. Congrats! I can relate on a lot of levels ... M & I hardly ever fight ... we really don't ... and people do NOT understand it ... your ideas on marriage image ours ... we too want a destination wedding ... Since I'm not yet engaged, I'm going to be looking to YOUR wedding planning for tips & ideas haha ... Congrats again!!! xoxo

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  23. COngratulations! That is such a sweet engagement story! He really put thought into it!

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  24. yay so happy for you!! that is adorable how he let aspen be a part of the proposal! you will never forget that moment! as for "crunch time" .. You can do it. we got engaged in june of 09 and married in sept of 09.. and it was a destination wedding! so go for it girlfriend, let me know if you have any questions!

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  25. Whoooo hooo! So happy for you two! Love the ring we're ring twins simple and elegant! :)

    I know lots of details about destination weddings here is a good starting point.

    http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/

    The only drawback with Hawaii is there are no all inclusive resorts where as in Mexico I can just have the travel agent book the rooms and then food and booze is all accounted for.

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  26. Congrats lady. How Sweet of him to include Aspen.

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  27. Congratulations!!! So exciting to know you've found the one for you :) A Hawaii wedding by next summer sounds totally possible! There are so many people in Hawaii to help you plan too... How exciting!! Congrats!!

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  28. omg that is so exciting! Congratulations!! and i love how he proposed with just you and yall's (fur)baby. perfect. and i totally wanna have my wedding in hawaii..one day.

    love the ring.

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  29. congrats my friend...such a sweet and sentimental proposal story!!! you can get it all done--just relax and take one planning element at a time and it'll all come together beautifully--hawaii sounds gorgeous!!!

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  30. So excited for you and MW! Enjoy every minute of it!

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  31. Congrats girly! :) I was only engaged for barely 7 months. You can DO it! It wasn't so hard!

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  32. First of all, congratulations!!!! I am so, so happy for the two of you and your new journey together. The way he proposed was adorable and I'm sure it will be a moment you'll continue to think back on everyday.

    Hawaii will be a beautiful wedding! I planned a destination wedding in five months so you can do it :) There are certain parts that will be tricky, especially because of the distance but everything can be done! Congratulations again! xoxo

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  33. Congratulations! That is so exciting! My little sister got engaged last week too. So fun! We did a destination wedding (Ireland) and my biggest piece of advice is that you can't control every little detail like you can for a traditional wedding, so relax and go with the flow. Your day will be perfect and memorable no matter what.

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  34. So exciting! I have been following your blog for a while and it is so cool to see the journey! Congratulations to you and your mister wonderful and a destination wedding sounds awesome!

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  35. congrats soon to be MRS. WONDERFUL!!!

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  36. So freakin excited for you!! I'm sure you will get plenty of tips from bloggers!


    Ps- im super jealous. I hope I get one soon

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  37. Congratulations on your engagement!!

    I wish I had some words of wisdom to give you, but seeing that I've never planned a wedding I have none. Just take everything one thing at a time and soak it all in :).

    Congratulations again!

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  38. Omg congrats!!! I'm so happy for both of you! Your ring is very pretty :)

    I want my wedding to be in Hawaii too! I've always wanted to have a beach wedding in Hawaii.
    Can't wait to see updates on the wedding details!

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  39. Your ring is beautiful!! Such a sweet proposal. I don't know anything about destination weddings, my mother in law got married at the Sheraton on Maui a long long time ago, her pictures were beautiful & it's a great location. If I could go back, I'd totally do a destination wedding, enjoy planning xoxo

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  40. congrats on your engagement! Have fun on planning :) I don't know my future wedding date either, but I'm excited to be planning the small details in the meantime! haha

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  41. CONGRATS!!!!! This is so exciting! Your ring is beautiful!!

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  42. Congrats!! Your ring is gorgeous!

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  43. Congrats! What a sweet surprise...and so adorable that he included your pup :)

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  44. That's so exciting!
    A destination wedding would be great because your family can be there and the cost may be smaller becuase you have less people and you are basically combining your wedding and honeymoon in one!
    I'm sure whatever resort you stay at will have people they can refer you to for hair and makeup.

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  45. congratulations! such a sweet engagement story. your ring is timeless and beautiful.

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  46. Yay! Congratulations :)
    How exciting to get engaged on Christmas Eve!

    Happy for you guys!

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  47. Congratulations, girl!! I love that he included Aspen!! We got married in 7 months and it was SO fine...no stress with timing at all! I think it's probably even easier to do destination in a short period of time because they do a lot of it for you!! Yay!! So happy for y'all!!

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  48. CONGRATS!!! I love that he included your adorable puppy into the proposal.. my sweet hubby did the same with our dogs and I loved it!!!

    Tip#1 : www.theknot.com and it's checklist will be your BEST FRIEND during wedding planning. It reminds you to do all the things you don't even realize you need to do :)
    Congrats again!!! Chelsi B. @ www.hellovodkaitsmechelsib.wordpress.com

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  49. It's so fun to hear the back story since I saw your announcement on Twitter. Congrats again! My friend just got married in Puerto Rico & said it was the best decision and so un-stressful. Her Coordinator gave her some options and she just picked what she wanted. I hope you find it stress-free also.

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  50. Congrats!

    I got engaged on December 24, 2010 and got married on June 11, 2011. I had my venue booked within the first two weeks of our engagement. We didn't have a destination wedding. We had one in our city. It is totally doable to plan a nice wedding in five or six months!

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  51. CONGRATS!!! what a sweet sweet proposal! and your ring is gorgeous!

    i did an extremely small wedding/dinner and i pulled it together in about 3 months... start your research now and get dress and venue shopping asap!

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  52. Congratulations, lady!!! The ring is gorgeous -- and so are you two as a couple!

    Happy New Year (in a few days)!!

    xoxo,
    megs [at] Shine On

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  53. CONGRATS!!! congrats congrats! :) how super duper exciting! my hubby also had our tiki be apart of the special moment and he had my ring on her collar as well! i LOVED IT and LOVE your story!
    and....

    we ALSO had a destination wedding and LOVED it... LOVE LOVE LOVED it... best choice EVER and you will LOVE it as well. promise. we were married in cabo so I dont have tips for Hawaii but Mrs. To Momma was married in HI- I am sure you follow her blog...

    and for the makeup- i know a gal that travels she is in MN and she is awesome, for real NO LIE. she did my hair and makeup, flew to cabo, and hair/makeup for all my girls and the moms- it was zero stress and i am telling you this girl is AMAZING... she is originally from Illinois. let me now if you want to have her fly to do your wedding she would LOVE that! sounds insane but you can't go wrong with her. here is her makeup line: http://www.bbmakeuponline.com/

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  54. Ahhhhhhh Congratulations!!! So exciting (sorry wanted to show my enthusiasm, haha)!!! MW knows you so well to include little Aspen in on the big proposal, so cute! Also, your ring is gorgeous!

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  55. Congratulations! What a great engagement story. Good luck with the planning!

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  56. So happy for you both! Beautiful ring!!!!!

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  57. Yayyy!!!! LOVE the gorgeousness of the Ring!!!! I think Hawaii is a great idea, and YES, I just know that you'll be able to pull off a Summer wedding!!! So many congratulations!!!

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  58. BIG CONGRATULATIONS!!! That's so exciting! What a wonderful way to propose, this is a great story that you'll be able to tell for years! Love it! And the ring is gorgeous!

    Of course you can plan a wedding for this summer, you have plenty of time. But get started soon. And let people know right away that it's going to be in Hawaii so they have time to save some money and plan a vacation around it. My husband and I had a destination wedding in Jackson Hole, WY and it was wonderful. We had 60 people show up and it was like being on the most amazing vacation with everyone I loved. I'm happy to offer any advice you need on planning a destination wedding! I absolutely love weddings and had so much fun planning ours. So excited for you!

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  59. Congrats! How exciting! Your ring is beautiful, lady! :)

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  60. Congrats! Your ring is gorgeous! I love the idea of a destination wedding!

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  61. I am soooo excited for you! I used to hate it when I'd tell people that my husband and I never fight and they'd say, "Just wait." Well we've been together over 2 years and still have yet to have a real "fight". Also, our engagement was only 4 months long and I thought it was perfect. I would recommend doing your own hair and makeup unless you have a few trial runs. I had my makeup done for my bridals and I HATED it. I did my own makeup for my wedding and was so much happier. Can't wait to watch your wedding plans unfold!

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  62. Congrats!!! Such an amazing feeling!! Take time to enjoy it! :)

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  63. Congrats!! Your ring is beautiful :) I would look into resorts that "host" weddings and a lot of the time, they will provide things like spa services and even wedding cake!

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  64. i got so excited for you when I read this!!!! and I understand when you say you never fight...hubby and I dont fight either. I think some people have in their minds that relationships are supposed to be a certain way, i.e. fight all the time. Congrats to you love!!! :)

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  65. Congrats! What a beautiful ring!

    honeyandnutmeg.blogspot.com

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  66. Congratulations! I'm so excited for you two!

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  67. congratulations!!!! the ring is sooo pretty!! very happy for you!

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  68. Congrats!!! Your ring looks exactly like mine does! Talk to the hotels and they have people that help you plan the destination wedding for you :)

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  69. Girl, I know I said it on fbook, but I am so freaking happy for you! I love how he incorporated Aspen! That is so freaking creative and sweet! I would have been the same like "what's on her?!" haha! I love that you want to do Hawaii. Eric Andy have talked about that stuff and both think a destination wedding would likely suit us perfectly as well. Having been to Maui, I can say I highly recommend it. We saw a wedding on the beach at our resort and and it s just so gorgeous. We were at the Fairnont Kea Lani. And I know you want summer, but their low season is more like sept/early oct so you'd get a massive discount I bet. I dunno if that matters or not, but just my .02 :) I can help you with any Maui advice, even if I can't help with wedding tips! :) I am so thrilled for you!!!!

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  70. Congratulations! You are going to make a beautiful bride!

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  71. ahhh!!! I've been MIA from blogging and just saw this!! CONGRATULATIONS! Your ring is gorgeous!

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  72. Congrats! How exciting.. love the proposal and your ring is gorgeous!

    xoxo.

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  73. Congrats on your engagement! I got engaged a few days before Christmas and planned our wedding in Maui for July (of 2007). Very possible and I would recommend getting a wedding coordinator that lives there. I found someone amazing who did all the work and would just email me different choices for everything. Let me know if you would like her info! Oh yeah and it was MUCH cheaper than having a big traditional wedding. Would do it again in a heartbeat!

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  74. OMG CONGRATULATIONS!!!! it is gorgeous, and so are you :)

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  75. I know I'm late, but I've been out of the loop lately...CONGRATULATIONS! That's so very exciting!

    I got married in 8 months from proposal to wedding date, so it can be done!

    If you do anything through a hotel or resort, they should be able to help set you up with hair and makeup.

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  76. Yay! I LOVE how he proposed...so sweet and special :) Your ring is beautiful!

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  77. Congratulations!! You will be a beautiful bride! My husband proposed to me with a kitten with a ring around his neck :) We had a long engagement (year and a half) so I'm no help there but I think Hawaii would be beautiful for a wedding. PLUS you won't have to worry about passports and language barriers.

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  78. WOOHOOOO congrats. your ring is GORGGGGGG! let the planning begin! it ssoosoososo fun! :)

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  79. SO VERY EXCITING!! I just recently got engaged and it has been the best experience ever! Can't wait for the ring link! Best wishes!

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  80. i just went to hawaii (the big island) with my bf and his family and it was gorgeous! plus there is a TON to do there i.e. zip lining, hikes, the volanco, plus all of your regular snorkeling etc....you could always get married on one island and honey moon the last part on a different island alone! :)

    def go zip lining!!!

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  81. First of all, CONGRATULATIONS!!! That's so exciting!!! What a wonderful Christmas present!!

    In response to your questions: We didn't have a destination wedding but we looked into it. It seems to me that the best way to do it is to go through a resort who has wedding packages. Typically you can get your hair, make up, and nails done at the salon/spa at the resort, they'll have spots for you to get married, they'll cater it, etc. I'm sure they'll either have a florist or they'll have some they recommend. I'm not sure what you do about photographer or videographer but I'm sure their wedding consultant can easily help you. Usually resorts base the price on the number of people who will be there and you can get a block of rooms at a discounted price too. A package wedding through a resort is probably a good way to go since y'all are looking into getting married this summer: less searching for vendors and venues and whatnot.

    Congratulations again! Let the planning begin!

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  82. i am a little behind, but just reading the engagement story. being such a doggy lover, i just thought it was the sweetest thing. props to MW. so happy and excited for you and cant wait to read about all the wedding planning!!

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  83. CONGRATS!!!!! Beautiful ring! Love that Aspen was included in the engagement :)

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  84. Sweet proposal & I HIGHLY advise a destination wedding. BEST decision we ever made.

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  85. Just catching up! Congratulations! You all make a beautiful couple. My husband and I never fight either and I remember when we got married in our church you had to go to counseling by the church before you could wed and the counselor didn't believe we didn't fight and tried to 'find' something we could fight about. I credit our laid back personalities and not getting hung up on silly things. I wish you both many years of happiness!;)

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  86. You will LOVE having a destination wedding! It's simply the best. I was hesitant when my husband & I started planning ours, but it was the best week. ever. We were married last year in the Dominican Republic and had 45 family/guests come. It was a wonderful week and the planning was very easy, especially compared with traditional weddings.

    I would love to help! If you ever need any destination wedding help, please email me or visit my blog. I love when brides go destination!
    www.apriscilla.blogspot.com

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  87. I'm so happy for you! My parents were engaged and married within three months and 1 week. My dad was sure and they didn't want t big wedding so they just did it. I love whirlwind romances and engagements like this - you're going to be thrilled. xoxo

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  88. Congrats, just did a engagement to Wedding in under 5 months celebration 3 months married right now. Went perfect! Our Secret, do what you guys want and not all the unnessary stuff the world says you should. It's about you 2 and your love for one another it's not about a bunch of stuff that will go in a box when you're done!

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  89. Ahh Squeal! Your proposal is like mine only mine was on Christmas morning. I had 3 boxes to open before I got to the ring and then I thought what has Greg got me a ring for? It took a moment to click as I looked at him he was down on one knee and said will you marry me. (after nearly 11 years it was worth the wait). Your shiny rock is like mine too! Love it!

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  90. I just started reading your blog and am obsessed!!! My husband and I just got married in October and we were engaged for 7 months!! People may say I am crazy but I thought that planning our wedding was so easy! Maybe its because I loved doing it so much that it didn't seem like a task to me but I was seriously sitting there like why am I not stressing out and having a panic attack..all these other people are freaking out I must be forgetting some huge factor!! But I am happy to say that it was the most wonderful day ever and even better than I imagined and went off without a hitch! We also had a small wedding. 76 people and had a backyard wedding at my mom's house! It's YOUR wedding and as long as you love everything thats all that matters! Congrats you will have a blast planning !!

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