debating the first look

Happy Friday, guys!!

I am sad to say that my summer is officially over as I have been in training all week, and I have more training next week.  After that, the kiddos come back, and we are in full on school mode.  Summer went by quick, but it's always nice to get back into a routine.

I'm in a very happy mood today for a few reasons: 1) Austin has been on a business trip for a few days, and he comes home this afternoon! 2) We are going to see my sister's new house tonight and have dinner! 3) Jimbo and Sherbo are coming in town! 4) I am going wedding dress shopping tomorrow!!!!!

I love how every little step of the wedding process makes it feel more and more real, and this step is a big one.  Thanks to the advice of some of my favorite facebook friends, I have an appointment at the Bridal Boutique in Lewisville tomorrow morning.  My mom, dad, and sister will be tagging along, and hopefully I'll be saying "yes to the dress" at some point tomorrow.

The idea of having my dress has got me thinking, though...

One of the million decisions that Austin and I have to make about our big day involves the ever-gaining-popularity "first look".  I have always said that there is no way I would do a first look.  I want to keep things traditional, and a first look is definitely not.  However, the more I have thought about it, talked about it, and read about other people's experiences, the more inclined I am to do one.

Here are my pros to doing a first look:
-We can take pretty much all of our pictures before the ceremony, so we can get to the reception ASAP
-It will give Austin and I a little bit of time together before we say our "I dos"
-Austin and I can actually talk the first time he sees me (you know, to tell me what he thinks of my dress, hair, make up, etc. That way I won't be wondering what he thinks during our ceremony)
-First look pictures are REALLY cute

Here are my cons:
-It's supposed to be bad luck

Obviously the pros outweigh the cons here, but I'd love for some of y'all to chime in.  What did you guys do on your wedding day?  Are you happy with your decision?

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!  Say a little prayer that I find the right dress tomorrow and that the price tag doesn't make Jimbo faint :)

engage-spiration

Well, we are in wedding mode full-force around these parts lately, so I bring you another post about our big day!

Our most recent development?  We picked a photographer!!  

We will be working with Amanda Jameson for our engagement session, my bridals, and our actual wedding day!  We found her because of an awesome recommendation from my friend Michelle Boyd who is a photographer in Austin.  Austin and I are so excited about our choice.  We knew from our first meeting with Amanda that she would be a great fit for our style and personalities.  

Our first step after we signed with Amanda was to get ready for our engagement session!  She had us fill out a little survey to get to know us a bit better, and one of the survey questions asked us to include some inspiration images.

I went to Pinterest for some help, and I found these beauties, so I thought I'd share!

I hope some of ours turn out as beautiful as these!  Happy Thursday everybody!

a week at the beach!

Well, another blogging hiatus from the barefoot ballerina has come and gone.  I've decided that I become a very lazy blogger during the summer because pretty much all of my responsibilities fly out the window once school is over.  Oops.  

Anyway, I have a good excuse this time!  I just got back from a week in Ocean City, Maryland with Austin and his family.  We had an absolute blast!!  I love love love Austin's family.  They are awesome. 

Here's a little sneak peek of our adventures while we were there.  I put all of my pics on facebook in case you're interested in getting the full experience...

While we were there, we definitely spent plenty of time at the beach.  The weather wasn't perfect (a little cloudy and some rain here and there), but it was kind of nice to just sit on the beach without sweating my face off.  

When we weren't at the beach, we were usually eating haha.  We ate lots and lots of seafood (duh), and everything was delicious!  My favorite part of the food was "all you can eat crabs".  We did that twice, and both times we sat for hours crackin' crabs and drinking cold beer.  Perfect!

All you can eat crabs at Higgins Crab House

We also did some other activities besides eating and beaching.  OC has a really fun boardwalk with cute shops, good spots to grab a snack, and crazy rides.  Austin's aunt also organized a catamaran ride for all of us that was also a cool experience.  I'm not the best on a boat (thanks for the seasick gene, Jimbo), but the views were great!

"Under the booooooaaardwallkkkk"

Catamaran-ing with my cutie :)

As you can see, we had a fabulous trip.  I can't wait to see all of the family again at our wedding in June!!