Shoes to Surrey

For this story you need a little background information.

When I was looking for wedding shoes...It was the height of my online shopping love. Determined to find the perfect shoes, I spent countless hours searching the internet. I would find the ones that I would just LOVE and order them. I would get them and I would hate them... this happened 7 times. Yes, 7 times. When I was looking for shoes I would try to find places it wouldn't cost me to return them. However there were two pairs I couldn't return. I listed them on a wedding website to try and sell them to another bride. They were on there and I didn't think much about it.

Until last week. I got an email from a girl in Surrey that wanted one of the pairs. She loved them and wanted them no matter the shipping costs. So, I sent my shoes to Surrey.

P.W.C.

What is the P.W.C. you ask? The Post-Wedding Chop. I took the plug and cut off all my hair.

Before:
12+ inches cut off to send to Locks of Love.
After:

It is a major difference! I am still trying to get used to it. I feel about 10 pounds lighter.

And, just in case you were wondering, I am Emily Forrest now! We got married, went on our honeymoon, and came back. Just wait for all the recaps from those! The day was perfect and couldn't have gone any better! And, that's all I am going to give you until I get more pictures back to show you all of it!

-EMF

The Eleventh Hour

I am amazed at how quickly times seems to be flying by. I can't believe I am getting married this week. So crazy!

Tyler and I have been hard at work to finish everything up. For example: these great little favors took over the house.
These were my first wedding project. I made these signs back in June of last year and I finally assembled them last week.

We had packed away all the wedding presents into an empty closet in the house. Well, Tyler has been slowly bringing over some of his stuff. And then we realized. Tyler's clothes wouldn't fit in the closet because of the presents. So they had to come out. Yes, yes, it is a little overwhelming.

Then, while we were in Athens this weekend. We got some more wedding presents. So we added them to the stash.

We are truly blessed with wonderful friends and family. That is the thing I am looking forward to the most. Being surrounded by people that genuinely love and care for you. And to top it off, I am marrying my prince! And nothing gets better than that!

I am now in the last few days of single life and the last few days as Emily Martin. Crazy. I thought this day would never come.

5 days!

-ECM(F)

Success!

This weekend was a huge success. Tyler went out for his Bachelor Bash and I got a lot of stuff done for the wedding. It was great!



Sunday afternoon I looked out the window at our veggie garden and there it was. Our first banana pepper!!! We hurried outside and Tyler did the honors:

When we got out there we saw there was actually two! How cool is that!!!! We are successful gardeners!

Saturday one of my wedding tasks was to find something to decorate the bottom of my shoes. Odd I know.. but it makes for a great picture like this one: I also want to have my bridesmaids sign my shoes.. for good luck... so this is what I came up with:

All of our invitations, etc. have had the T & E featured on them. So why not my shoes too? The plan is the have the bridesmaids sign the "E" shoe and the groomsmen sign the "T" shoe. I was super excited about this one!

I also finished the crest this weekend! Saturday night all I lacked was the forest.

Sunday night I finished up the last little details:

Tyler's wedding present complete! Now I just have to frame it! I just hope he enjoys it as much as I did making it. And, you can't tell from the picture, but it is signed, E. Forrest.

Only 12 Days!

-ECM(F)

Bachelorette Bash

On Saturday, June 5th, all my wonderful girl friends gather in Nashville at my sister's house.

I wore my panty corsage proudly!
Sarah did a wonderful job. I had a custom made wine glass. An "Adios to the Single Life Burrito Bar" (personal fav!) and "Better Than Sex" cake!

Sarah is an amazing sister and a wonderful Maid of Honor!

After a little lingerie fun, we headed out into downtown.

We may... not may not have gotten home at 3:30 AM......

Honestly, it was better than I ever could have imagined. A night with my best friends in the world in one spot for a night of fun and plenty of laughs. I am truly blessed with great friends! Thanks for everything ladies!

16 Days!

-ECM(F)

Licensed to Wed!

We're official! Tyler and I headed out on my lunch break to get our marriage license!

And to no surprise.... IT RAINED!!! (Remember... I told you how everything we do, it rains!)

Tyler parking in front of the courthouse.
Ladies first:

Then Tyler went:

Then we thought... well while we are here we should elope.......But, we didn't! So you all still have to come to the wedding to see the real deal!

A big thanks to the lady at the courthouse for taking our picture and putting up with us!

And what a better way to celebrate than ice cream... AND sprinkles!

17 days until I am Mrs. Forrest!

-ECM(F)

Crunch Time

Blame my lack of time for the lack of posts. Seeing as how the wedding is a very short 3 weeks away... it is down to the crunch time. I have never had to make so many decisions in a short period of time in my life. But, that's a whole different story.

Last weekend, Tyler and I took advantage of the Memorial Day weekend sales and bought our first bedroom suite!

One of two nightstands.

The mirror to go over the dresser.

The chest of drawers.

The dresser.

The headboard - foot board not pictured.

We are thrilled about it! Although we are working with pretty tight space, we have made it work. Our mattress will be in next week. I can't wait to put on our new sheets and AMAZING duvet we got!

I started my new job on Tuesday, June 1. I now have my own office and am loving it!

As many of you might know, Gerbera Daisies are the flower of choice for the wedding. Thinking to myself, that is pretty basic and easy. Not so much... my wonderful florist emailed me a list of daisies to choose from. Sadly, I only got it narrowed down to 3... What's your pick?

Last night Tyler and I set off to the DoubleTree for some finalizing of reception planning. I have never felt so important in my life. There were 3 people from the hotel and our DJ and his manager there. Anything and everything I said, they wrote it down. Questions were flying at me left and right. I am happy to say that things are coming together nicely and I am THRILLED!

They always say that a girl has dreamed about her wedding since she was little. I can't say that I have always known exactly what I wanted except for one thing. Color coordinated M&Ms. Random I know... call me a fat kid if you would like. BUT, for as long as I can remember I thought this was the coolest thing ever. I can distinctly remember in the 7th grade when they originally came out in packages that you could buy them by the color and I knew I would have them at my wedding. I have even gotten the M&Ms newsletter once a month since then. (10 years people!) And every month I coveted the beautiful candies. Well ladies and gentlemen, that time has come... I spent all last night mixing my M&Ms!

Aren't they wonderful!?!?!

As if things couldn't get any better..... this hotel confirmation arrived in my inbox.....

Our complimentary suite for the bride and groom... and the best part...

We are listed as Tyler & Emily Forrest!

This weekend I head to Nashville with some ladies to meet more ladies.... and PARTY! This weekend is the Bachelorette Party weekend! Stay tuned for a post on that to follow!

22 days! -ECM(F)

The Day after Monday

The title of this entry is lame. But, for the sheer fact that I couldn't for the life of me think of a better one, I will keep it.

I started thinking about what I was going to write in the post. I started thinking about the wedding things we have been doing. Then I started thinking about how close the big day actually is. Then I got this feeling in my stomach......

I must say, it hadn't really happened until now. It was a good butterfly. Not a bad butterfly. But, an "It's almost here!" kind of butterfly. I must say it's a great feeling and I will gladly welcome this new feeling for one month and one day.

Anyways, where were we? Oh, right, the crazy life we lead! Well, this weekend I headed to Nashville and Tyler headed to Athens.

Saturday morning I went to see Caitlin and Laura Grace. Laura Grace just turned one! I took her this cute little outfit with a note that read, "We must start your republican ways early. Vote Forrest for Governor 2030!" Goodness isn't she adorable!?! (If you can't tell it has elephants all over it!)

Then I headed for my hair & makeup trial. Next up was my dress fitting. I can't show you the whole picture so I have cropped it for just the right amount of teasing.

(Doesn't that make you want to send in your RSVPs if you haven't!?!?! No? Well... none the less, send them in! My stress level would greatly appreciate it!)
The next wedding event was one of my favorites... chocolate! I went and picked up SEVERAL pounds of M&Ms. It is an art to get 33 pounds of M&Ms from Nashville to Chattanooga in 90 degree weather without them melting.

Last night the premiere of The Bachelorette was on. So, while I watched I worked to finish the ribbons on the vases for the centerpieces.

There was a lot.......

Stay tuned for more wedding projects in the works!

32 days! - ECM(F)

My Beef with Belk

Dear Belk,

I was nice enough to choose you as on of my lucky registry picks. If you would so kindly update your database more often that would be great. This would greatly help me in my little time left of wedding planning count down. And, it is really sad when your employees admit that you are terrible at keeping it up-to-date. So, I shall be coming to visit a store near me very soon with my multiples in hand (and maybe a wagon)

Love,

Emily

And, the sad thing is, there was one more knife set we have already taken back.

Future brides take note: Choose another store!

-ECM(F)

Athens Wedding Shower

Yesterday was our Athens Wedding Shower. We were so blessed to have a wonderful friends and family, tons of great gifts, delicious food, and gracious hosts.

Check out the spread of cake, chocolate covered strawberries, mints, nuts, and great tea punch!

Tyler and I soon started the gift opening. We opened gifts for 2 hours. It was intense....

Laura came from Knoxville and Sarah came from Nashville. So glad they could come!

Sarah did a wonderful job writing down all the gifts!

Me with my sister and Tyler with his sister. A fine looking bunch if you ask me!

Tyler and I with the hosts of the shower. Terry Webb, Jana Forrest, Angie Barnett, and Lori Raper. They did a great job!

We were so thankful for Laura' s Jeep! It was filled to the roof! And, we loaded up Sarah's car and caravaned to Chattanooga.

It's official. The wedding-ness has taken over the house. This was everything we received yesterday. There is still more wedding things in another room. Only 6 more weeks until we can use it all! Until then, it is organized mess.
So, after a long day, I crashed. We are so thankful for everything and have been blessed beyond our belief! So thank you all!

40 Days! - ECM(F)

Wedding Wirlwind

During these last weeks before the wedding I think time has sped up. I honestly can't believe it is Monday again. I feel like if Tyler and I can survive these next few weeks, we should be golden on the marriage! I am so sleep deprived I can barely keep my eyes open. Lots of things have happen so I will update you on what I can remember!

Virginia, my new next door neighbor, brought us some brownies. It is great to know the neighbors like us! Our veggie garden is still doing great. We are hoping for veggies soon!

Wednesday of last week we had a shower for our RiverCity and UTC friends and co-workers. It was a great time. I am waiting to get back some pictures from other people's cameras. But for now, here is the wonderful stuff we got there. We are blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives.

We are continuing to get packages at the house. I love getting packages so it is definitely a treat! Here is one we got this week. It was sweet because there was paper around it with hearts on it! I am continuing to crank out the Thank You notes. I am determined not to get behind!
And, during all the other events this weekend, I was dog siting this adorable pup. Meet Bella White. Probably the cutest dog... ever.

Next post: The Athens shower!