wedding planning: the outside of the church...

The Outside of the Church...

The church where Ryan and I are getting married has a lot of sentimental value.

First off, it is the church I grew up in.

Second, my 3 brothers were baptized there.

And third, and most special to me, my parents were married there.

So when it came time to pick a church, even though we no longer go there, it was without a doubt the church I wanted to get married at. I had always dreamed I would get married there so it was kind of crazy that first time we did the 'bride' tour. Of course, we already knew what the church looked like, but it was interesting to look at it in a different way.

Outside the church, we are going to have white lights on the ground leading up to the doors. It was two sets of double door, and we are going to string the lights around those as well. I just purchased a sign for outside the church that will look like this:

Then, when you come into the church, it is big and open with 10 foot ceilings. To the left is a blank wall with church information on it, and the doors are to the right. So, my idea for the left is to do something like this:

That way, people can mingle out there, along with the sign in table, gift table, and check out all the pictures. We are also putting up a table that will feature all of our bridesmaids and groomsmen. We purchased frames and I am working with my {cricut} to make the rest of the information. I think it will be nice to introduce our important people to the wedding guests. I'm hoping, with some candles and petals around the frames, it will look something like this:

One-Hundred days to go. 100 days. And I will be married. 100 days. Yay!!!

wedding planning: the flowers...

The Wedding Flowers...

I am not much into flowers for two reasons. 1) I am so allergic. As in, really allergic. Sneezing repeatedly just doesn't sound like too much fun to me on my wedding day. 2) They are expensive and die quickly. So for the {BIG} day, we are going for simple on the flowers and focusing more on something I love... candles.

My bouquet will be made of two dozen white roses...and look something like this:

The bottom will be wrapped in royal blue fabric to pop against my VERY white dress.

The bridesmaids will have bouquet that are made of white hydrangeas and roses, and be a little bit smaller than mine. They guys will have a white rose and a sprig of hydrangea and the MOB/MOG will have a wristlet of roses and hydrangea.

In the reception, each table will have a simple centerpiece revolving around a square vase with two hydrangeas in them. They will be sitting on glass and then have candles around it as well. Hopefully, it will look something like this. We are also going to put blue ribbon around the vases to tie it in.

I am SO excited about the flowers/candle combination. I am totally going for romantic and elegant...and I and so excited to see it all put together! 101 days to go!

wedding planning: the cake...

The Wedding Cake...

I love to bake. So my first thought was to make my own cake. I've done a few friends cakes, but my mother, MOH, and fiance quickly shot that down. Darn. They think I'll have too much going on that day to worry about the cake. Silly people, I'm just getting married. {In all truth, I'll probably be a wreck on that day so it was for sure a BAD decision to make my own.}

We just signed our contract with Marcus Carter of Carter Chocolates to make our cake. And let me tell you. It's going to be great.


White chocolate cake...raspberry filling...vanilla buttercream.


All from scratch. Made that day. Yummmmmmmm.


Here is what the cake is going to look like. Except, 5 tiers. Yep, F-I-V-E. I never thought I would get a 5 tier cake but its happening.


The top layer is going to be round, and the flowers are going to be just like that, but blue. You know, to match our colors of black, white, and royal blue.


We are putting little tea light candles all around it on the table...so romantic.


Here is our cake topper. Ryan's sister painted it so that it is also white, black, and the flowers on the base are blue. It was more of a cream/brown/green color and now it looks GREAT. And my favorite part? Ryan teared up a little when we found it. Don't tell him I told you. Of course I held myself together quite well in the back isle of Hallmark. {NOT A CHANCE} It was emotional to say the least. Trust me, we are going to BOTH be wrecks on the BIG day.

This is our cake cutting set and champagne glasses. It's by Kate Spade and the handles say Mrs. and Mrs. The flutes have one for Mrs. and one for Mr. I love them. Now someone just has to get them off of our registry... yay for a couple bridal showers coming up soon!

So the is Part One of my wedding planning postings... 103 days to go!

reflections.

What a year 2010 has been. Here is my recap, month by month.

JANUARY ~ This year started our in a very dark, lonely place. My heart was still breaking, and I was trying to piece it back together. I spent the month giving everything to my students and soaking up their love more than they will ever know. That is what got me through. I baked, watched TV, went to the gym, worked my second job, and spent time with my family.

FEBRUARY ~ Started out very much so the same as January. Valentine's day was spent on the shooting range wearing black (a tradition of mine). I decided that I was too young and my life was too short to waste it away. And that is what I felt I was doing. Wasting my life. Amazing how God listens and intervenes right when we need him. Super Bowl weekend, I was invited to join a women's small group. It started the next day. That Monday, I was invited to join a small group that met on Wednesdays. After many tears and prayers, I knew I needed to give my life back to God, to put my whole focus on him and not on me. Also, I met this guy. He had blue eyes and was in my small group.

MARCH ~ A whirlwind of a month. Started bible study. LOVED it. Felt like my life had purpose again. And within two weeks, Ryan and I had met, went on our first...second...third...fourth... date. Fell completely head over heals in love. Oh and he called his parents and told them he was going to marry me. My family didn't know him.

APRIL ~ Life. Was. GREAT.

MAY ~ Life. Was. GREAT.

JUNE ~ A very emotional month. Due to a one year contract, I love my wonderful teaching job. Had to move out of my classroom. Had to say goodbye to my students. Had to say goodbye to my staff. Ryan was there for me through everything. My family was so supportive. And I felt truly loved.

JULY ~ Started teaching summer school. Quite the adventure. Life was just great. Growing more and more in love with my man.

AUGUST ~ Feeling so solid in my family, my love of family, and Ryan. Spending time with family and just soaking it up. Was rehired at a different elementary school. Spent many hours getting ready for my new bunch of 5th graders.

SEPTEMBER ~ Became the future Mrs. Katie Kanzler, when Ryan asked me to be his wife and spend the rest of my life with him. FOREVER. Loved the thought that he would be my family, his family would become my family, and he would (someday) become the father of my children. Started teaching at a very different school and discovering how to advocate for myself and my kids.

OCTOBER ~ Wedding planning. Wedding planning. Some more wedding planning. Found my DRESS. And a church. And a reception place. Teaching. Crazy.

NOVEMBER ~ Spent pretty much all of November SICK. But feeling so loved and supported by Ryan and my family. Spent Thanksgiving with Ryan's family, and then with mine. Loving having two families.

DECEMBER ~ Spent my first Christmas with Ryan, decorating his place, hanging out with his family, celebrating with my family. Feeling so in love, and so loved.

What a wonderful year it has been of major changes. Can't even wait to see what 2011 has in store. It's going to be a big year. Bring. It. On.

hello. i used to blog here. and a proposal.

Boy, has it been a long time since I have blogged! Funny thing is, I still read OTHER people's blogs, and get upset when they don't post frequent enough! Oops :)

Life has been crazy between church, family, Ryan, friends, school, work, youth group, wedding planning, and just plain old life.

But trust me, it has been anything but plain.

I'm hoping once the new year starts, I will be back on my daily blogging habits. But to tide you over, I will post my PROPOSAL story. I love it.

P.S. It's written in the third person. Yes, I know, weird. But it goes with my wedding website.

Here it is. My very own personal love story.

THE PROPOSAL

After Ryan and Katie’s first date, they both began thinking that this could be ‘it’. Two weeks into their relationship, they were watching a movie at Katie’s and Ryan stopped it because he said he needed to call his parents. He put them on speaker and announced to all listening (including Katie!) a big surprise: he had found the girl he was going to marry.
They continued growing their love for each other and spending time getting to know one another, along with each other’s families.
About a week before the big event, Katie’s suspicions were raised due to Ryan making many ‘secret’ phone calls, and not doing the greatest job being ‘secret’. It was quickly discovered that Ryan was NOT good at keeping ANYTHING a secret.
The morning of September 11th came. It was a beautiful fall day in Poulsbo. Around 3:00, Ryan suggested they go for a walk into downtown Poulsbo. His apartment is only about a mile away and they had done this on many occasions. As they started walking, Ryan’s hands became very sweaty, very fast. It was at this point, Katie began to think that maybe he was going to do it at a special place they visited in town. However, they quickly passed that spot and continued on.
As they entered town and crossed the street, Katie did a double take as she noticed 4 girls standing in front of the bakery holding signs. After one glance, and then a second look, she realized they were some of Ryan’s niece’s. They crossed the street, and at that moment, Katie realized it was happening. Hannah’s sign read “You’d make a great Aunt (Hint, Hint) and Abbie did a wonderful coloring job on her sign which read “I hope you stay with Uncle Ryan forever (no pressure). After hugs and smiles were exchanged, Katie was instructed to continue down the road.
Their journey continued until Jeremy, (Ryan’s brother-in-law), and Ian and Boe (Ryan’s nephews) popped up holding their signs. Boe, who was obviously quite excited about all of this, had a sign reading “Where’s the food line?” Jeremy’s read “2 out of 3 in-laws agree the Kanzler family is the place to be” (we are still trying to figure out who the 3rd one is…..). And sweet Ian had a sign reading “Will you be my Aunt Katie?” Ryan and Katie then noticed the flashing of cameras across the street where Ryan’s three sisters stood holding a sign that read “Always room in our hearts for one more sister.”
This now growing bunch of people continued down the street to the end of the downtown area. At a small table sat Theresa, and Ryan’s Mom and Dad. It was at this point that the tears started flowing. Hugs were given all around and the reality of all of this was starting to really set in for Katie. With three more in tow, they continued down to the waterfront area. As they rounded the corner near the big rock, Katie spotted her family sitting on a bench. This would be the first meeting of the Ryan and Katie’s families. After many introductions, hugs, and quite a few more tears, Ryan asked Katie to take a walk with him.
Hand in hand, they walked down the boardwalk by the water, both knowing what was about to come. As they reached their ‘special spot’, Ryan took both of Katie’s hands and told her how much he loved her and how he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. He bent down on one knee, and opened up a small white box, and asked her to marry him. Somewhere in between the tears and trying to hold it together, Katie said yes, and Ryan slipped the most gorgeous ring onto her finger. A perfect fit.
The rest of the afternoon was quite the whirlwind: a reenactment of the proposal so pictures could be taken, a surprise engagement party with the families, many phone calls and e-mails, and ending celebrating just the two of them over pie at Shari’s.

MIA...

So sorry I have been MIA on the blogging.....

I have been just a little bit busy...

WEDDING PLANNING!

That's right.

Planning MY wedding.

I am {ENGAGED}.

And loving the fact that in 8 short months, I will be a MRS., married to a man who makes me feel complete.

Who loves me more than I know.

Who has changed my life.

A FULL recap of his AMAZING proposal, ring pictures, and all kinds of wedding details to come SOON.

But for now...a picture from the night we got engaged. I love him.

The Boy: The Love Part...

What a crazy adventure this thing is that we call love.

We have been :

Learning to love each other.
Learning to love our faults.
Learning to love our quirks.
Learning to love our families.
Learning to love our Lord...together.
Learning how to be loved and allow that.

We have spent time with my family. He fits in perfectly.
We have spent time with his family. I just absolutely love them.

I learned how to let my guard down and just L-O-V-E.

And I LOVE that.