Hey My Loves! The 2013 wedding season is drawing near it's end, Congratulations to all my beautiful brides of 2013! Of course the year isn't over but wedding season is generally from May throughout the month of August. Typically in July the wedding trends for the following year begin to surface and since we are about 10 months out on my wedding I'm really watching the trends closely. Not because I intend on changing anything about my wedding, but because I just want to know if I'm on track or am I marching to the beat of my own drum! I've never been one to follow trends in fact, I've always done my own thing and if it's within the trend, it's within the trend...if not...well then it's not! I'm fine either way...Well after much research, lots of magazines, and blogs it's safe to say one of the main trends for 2014 is the return of "Black Tie"!
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If you know me then you know I've always been an old school jewel! If it's not broke don't fix it. I've never been into the watering down of certain things. In example, people have really gotten into not dressing for the occasion...at work we no longer wear business professional attire but we can wear jeans and sneakers, at church the same. I'm over it...I love dressing up! There's nothing like a nice dress or a man in a nice suit. I love it when everyone is looking their absolute best. When you look good usually you feel good. So when I saw the 2014 trend was "Black Tie", I nearly hit the floor! I've been singing black tie since the day I got engaged. I absolutely love black tie attire. What's crazy is I've been getting questioned "What is black tie?" "Am I suppose to wear a black tie?" "Church clothes right?"

...Black tie is what we now call "formal." Since Aaron and myself are having a vintage themed wedding we have opted to use the terms "Black Tie." Back in the 1920's and 1930's "formal" was "Black Tie." There's something about that look I love! There weren't a lot of colors  involved and those colors that were used were those of more regal and royal tones, clean lines, and not a lot of prints. So to know my choice in attire for our wedding party and guests is right on target with the 2014 trends has me totally excited! To answer the many questions though, black tie is not quite church attire, but more dressy. It isn't what I would call formal either....black tie is more of a trendy look. Very classy with some sex appeal, so fellas can opt out of your normal neck ties, and wear a bow tie, or an ascot or even no neck wear at all and the right sports jacket. For ladies, typically pants aren't appropriate, but instead we should wear longer length dresses with lower necklines with beautiful jewelry.  When I think of black tie attire it always takes my mind to the Oscars. Everyone always comes to the Oscars looking awesome. Our wedding is not an Oscar event, there won't be a red carpet or flashing lights but it will be a night you won't forget. I certainly look forward to seeing all of our guests in they're beautiful attire. Both of us come from well dressed families so I am not concerned about them showing off! Until next time....-Ash
 
Also! We were featured on the wonderful blog, P.S. Love You Lots! Our save the date and love story was posted as one of their love stories. Thanks P.S. Love You Lots! Check them out at www.psloveyoulots.com and comment on our feature! Also, There have been a few minor updates to our wedding website http://www.mywedding.com/aaronlovesashlie. Check that out and comment in our guest book to let us know you checked it out!
 
Hey Beauties! So I haven't updated this in quite some time. I've missed my blog as much as you guys have! It took me a while to actually get my thoughts for this post together. It's been a trying couple of weeks...to say the least.
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So Aaron and I have been having a bit of challenges. Nothing big really...all relationships have them. If you're relationship doesn't then someone is lying. Nothing in life in perfect, there are only perfect moments. As stated in previous posts Aaron and I have been in marriage counseling with a great pastor. He has really helped us get thing on the right track. Things weren't ever really on the wrong track, but lets just say we needed some divine intervention to bring things were they need to be before we make this huge step. Marriage is not about having a your dream wedding and waking up to the man of your dreams only. Marriage is about commitment, the commitments....to myself, my love, and to god. The counseling really bought that home for me. I've lived 25 wonderful years of getting exactly what I want when I want it. Welp, the harsh reality is...it's no longer what I want but what WE want. The thought alone takes some getting use to. It's not easy, we've been together almost 6 years and walking away probably has crossed our mind more than enough. Every time I start walking something makes me stay, even if I tried to forget I cant...So I know its mean to be, but we needed to make sure it's meant to last FOREVER.

I've learned so much during the 3 counseling sessions we have had. I've laughed, got mad and cried tears of joy. I say, I needed it...I needed it because we walked into that counseling session thinking "opposites attract" counseling is almost over and the truth is opposites don't attract we attract our reflection. Nobody want's their opposites really, they want a person that understand, and wants to do things that they like, a person that can fill in the blanks or fit where the pieces are missing. I also learned that my love for Aaron should be one that match the love god has for me. What I learned is...If love were like magnets and attracted it's opposites it would be too easy. It's hard to look at someone and see yourself, because then you see the good, the bad, and the great about not only them but about yourself. The beauty in all of this is WE can work on becoming a better US together.
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I'm so thankful to have been provided guidance from a wonderful pastor. I can finally dance in our rain because I know that rain showers produce beautiful flowers. So while the last few weeks have been trying I see the light. Planning a wedding is more than a pretty white dress. Planning a wedding is also planning a life together. I'm happy to know that our life together may not be perfect but we have put the proper tools in place to always be able to keep our foundation of LOVE together. I'm excited for May 3, 2014....because my wedding will be everything that I dreamed of and a new life as one will begin.
-Signing Off

"Love Bears All Things Believes All Things Hopes All Things Love Never Fails"
1 Corinthians 13:7-8