The final Bridesmaid: Jenna

I met Cassie through my mom and her dad’s relationship. I was 18 and Cassie was a little younger. So, we’re looking at the year 2007 here! I think the first time Cassie and I officially met, we were driving up to Konocti to stay at my mom’s rental house that overlooks Clear Lake. I thought I was so cool driving Cassie and her friend around, and even offered them alcohol later that night. (Typical wild teenager). It makes me laugh to this day! Little did I know this would bud into such a great friendship/sisterhood. I guess we can thank our parents for that!

 

 

 

     We’ve had a lot of fun memories over the years, but I’d have to say my all-time favorite memory was during our visit to Bullhead City for Thanksgiving a few years ago. We stayed at my grandpa’s house with Vegas crew. Cassie and I stayed the night in one of my grandpa’s RV’s which was so cool! It felt like we were camping. During the afternoon and evening we had been drinking and towards the end of the night when we were going to sleep, Cassie touched my ear. It sounds awkward, but let me tell you, this was HILARIOUS!! She basically rubbed my ear saying “goodnight”, mind you this was after a few drinks, and so I didn’t think weirdly of it. Instead I proceeded to laugh hysterically, and to this day it has been one of our inside jokes. I recently got married on July 13^th, and for one of my bridesmaid gifts I got Cassie a crystal wine glass with “Rubbing ears since 2007” etched on the front.


I am SO happy for Cassie and Matt for making this commitment to each other. They are such a strong couple and I know together they will move mountains. Or just ride their bikes over them, haha. Their engagement did not come as a surprise to me. Although I don’t live near either of them (I live in northern California), I could tell that they were to a point in their relationship that felt too real to JUST be girlfriend and boyfriend. It was clear that Cassie and Matt were both feeling strong in both their faith and relationship to take it to another level!

It has been an amazing two years of wedding festivities. Soon to be three!! My sister & her husband Ryan were married on June 2^nd, 2012. Sean and I were married July 13, 2013. And now, Cassie and Matt will be married in June of 2014! This is so fantastic. We were able to see each other more than 3 times a year due to these wonderful blessings, which has made us a lot closer and more involved in each other’s lives. Being that we live in different states, this can often times be difficult. As one of Cassie’s bridesmaids, I am thoroughly looking forward to being in this different vantage point and witnessing Cassie and Matt become one under God. I am looking forward to taking part in such a special time in her life! I’m already tearing up thinking about it!

OK! My number one piece of advice would be: Have the cake talk. Do you want to have a cake fight like Sean and I? Do you want your makeup to be ruined? HAHA! Another piece of advice would be to remember that this day is about you and Matt. Don’t let anything distract you from this. Your bridesmaids/Maid of honor will have your back on this! Don’t sweat the small stuff. The little details such as a card box or mad libs or invitations are things that are nice, however in the whole scheme of things, energy spent on these should be limited! If I could go back in time, I would have made the invitation portion much easier than I did by making a stamp for your return address or even a calligrapher to do the addressing for me. And remember, one task at a time. Don’t overwhelm yourself like I did. Keep in mind, in the end, EVERYTHING will have been PERFECT.

Don’t worry. After getting married, things are still very special. Not a lot has changed for Sean and I, but the mere fact that we are husband and wife makes life so much fun and exciting knowing that you two are now a team moving forward in life TOGETHER!

 

 

 

Meet the Bridesmaids: Kara

The next gal in my bridal party has a special place in my heart. We have been through so much together and I will always feel as if she is more of a sister to me... meet Kara (aka K-Killa).

This must have been 8th grade around the time we met.

 

I vividly remember the first time I met Cassie. It was in junior high in our social studies class. She walked in all NorCal with her middle part, choker necklace, and acrylic nails. To be honest I think she initially scared me. I want to say we began to develop a friendship through our girls soccer team. Shortly enough, we realized our similarities ran deep. (Also Cass, I read a BuzzFeed article on introverts… and it discussed the "resting b**** face", so our face has now officially been diagnosed).  Our friendship continued to grow all the way through our cross country days in high school which brings me to some of my favorite memories with Cass. Our senior year we were co-captains. However, anyone who knows our running ability, we were granted this honor based on our… we will say personality rather than our superior running ability. Cass and I ran our first half marathon together senior year of high school. As runners, training with someone, putting in the hard work together, and then successfully completing the goal is something really special. As we've both grown up, we've continued to race together and have been able to seek support and guidance from each other. 

8th grade graduation, sorry everyone! hahaha..



Cassie's 17th birthday.

I remember hearing about Matt a couple years ago. I don't think Cass initially thought anything serious was going to come of it. To be honest, neither did I. I just remember thinking that they were so different and had been raised so very differently that I didn't know if that capatability was there. I've known Cass for almost 10 years now, and if I could have thought up the guy I thought Cass would end up with, I wouldn't have described Matt. But now, as I have seen their relationship progress, it is their differences that have allowed both of them to grow and prosper. While I haven't been able to spend a significant amount of time with Matt, I can tell that he supports her and pushes her to be better. In addition, when Cass loves, she loves hard. I know that they will both take the time and energy needed to continue to have their love grow and produce a successful marriage. 

Now that Cassie's time has come, I am more than excited to be a part of her special day! I am most excited about seeing her and Matt begin their journey as husband and wife. I am honored to be a part of her wedding party and to have the opportunity to help her on her special day. In addition, I'm excited to hang out with Deirdre and Andrew lol-- I consider Cassie's family an extension of my own.

I've worked for a wedding company for years now, so I would like to think I am very knowledgeable on the whole wedding process. Here are some basic tips I have picked up along the way:

1. Make a budget, and stick to it! Prioritize the various aspects of your wedding and spend money in areas that are truly going to enhance your special day.

2. Details. It's the details of the wedding that will allow you to truly personalize your day.

3. Have a day-of planner. This may be the venue coordinator, or often times the photographer keep everyone on schedule. Either way you need someone else to be in charge so you can truly enjoy every part of your day.

4. Have some sort of guest book! The day will be so chaotic that it will be nice to go back and look at everyone who helped you celebrate your special day. 

5. I'm a fan of having polaroid cameras at the tables. It's old school, but it's always fun to go back and see the fun and silly pictures your guests take.

6. Everyone likes a good candy bar, just saying.

 

Cassie and Matt I am so excited to be a part of your special day! Love you both! XOXO

Meet the Bridesmaid: Laren

I first met Cassie about 3-4 years ago. I can't remember the exact date, I'll blame it on my short term memory. Basically I met Cassie when her dad was dating my mom, they dated for a few years and I had never met her. Finally we met and she became a very good friend and eventually I just started saying she was my step-sister. She started coming on boat trips with the family and spending holidays with us also. When I got engaged I knew I wanted her as a bridesmaid in my wedding. She was a beautiful bridesmaid and I couldn't have asked for a better new "Sister" or as we like to say "Frister" (Friend-Sister).

My favorite memory with Cassie? Hmmm. This is a tough one because my favorite memories of her are probably all things she doesn't want to me to mention. HA! I do like to say that "drunk" Cassie is my favorite, especially when she starts getting emotional and telling everyone she loves them. It is pretty awesome. :) Here are some of my favorite memories with her; San Diego boat trips, Bullhead City weekends at Robins, Bridal Showers and Bachelorette Parties, Sitting pool side with her drinking mimosas, and fathead fedoras. I know that there are many more memories but like I said my short term memory is getting to me right now. haha!

 

 

I have seen Cassie in a few relationships since I have known her. Lets just say we are so thankful that she met Matt. I remember when she first told me about Matt. She told me that she was kind of talking to this older guy who was her manager at work. She said it had to be kept a secret for awhile because he was her boss. She also mentioned that she was very religious and at that time she was not.

Finally, we met Matt. He is just the man that Cassie deserves. He is so kind and thoughtful. He fit right in to our little circle of craziness. He was kind enough to photograph my wedding and he did a fabulous job. I am so happy that Cassie and Matt ended up together.

I was not surprised about their engagement one bit. In fact, the day that it happened, I already knew. I was waiting by my phone patiently for a text from Cassie. Before I had even got out of bed that morning I received a picture of Cassie's hand WITH A RING ON IT!!!!! I was elated with joy for them both. They deserve it.

I am looking forward to being Cassie's bridesmaids for many reasons. She was my bridesmaid in my wedding and since she is my Sister I am honored to share her special day with her as she did with me. I am also really excited for once to just be a bridesmaid. I have been the bride (stressful) and I have been the maid of honor (also stressful). I am excited to just be a bridesmaid and be there with her on the biggest day of her life. I am SUPER EXCITED to visit Cassie and Matt in Missouri, I have never been and it will be an adventure.

I was married June 2, 2012. My sister Jenna was married July 13th, 2013 and Cassie will be married Summer of 2014. It has been non stop wedding talk, events and planning. It can be stressful and exciting. Cassie and Matt are planners, they will do a fabulolus job planning a beautiful wedding and I can't wait to be standing next to Cassie when she says I do.