5 Reasons I went Makeup Free on my Wedding

I went completely makeup free for my wedding. Here are some reasons why! 

• Tears. I did cry during my vows, and didn't have to worry a bit about my face. If you cry at your wedding, you don't have to worry about messing up your makeup!

• I was able to schedule less time to get ready for the big day! This really helped ease my stress, since B and I married at 10am.

• No makeup smudges on my dress, hair or other accessories.

• When the groom romantically carried me into the wedding chamber, I didn't need to run to the bathroom to remove anything from my face. I stayed in bed all night, and had a wonderful fresh face the next morning instead of any icky day-old makeup!

• I didn't have to carry around any touch-up makeup in a bag or purse. Less to hold on to throughout the day, (or less for my maid of honor to carry, actually). 

• Easy packing. Forget makeup? Who cares, I don't wear it anyway! Just one less thing to remember.

What about you? Would you ever go makeup free for a wedding or other special event? I'm basically makeup free 24/7, so it was an easy choice for me!

My Honeymoon

This post might better be termed "what I wore on my honeymoon" or "how I survived food poisoning". :P

driving to our hotel. Loving B's zombie face :P

So, after our wedding we spent the our *first night* as man and wife about an hour away from home, in a hotel located at the blue ridge mountains. The scenery was stunning, lots of trees--and it was amazedly quiet, away from civilization. The hotel didn't have TV or internet and the receptionist seemed kinda confused as to why we would want to stay there. (seriously she told my husband that we shouldn't stay there o.O because we would be bored)

fun things for our night ;P

We were not planning on watching TV or internet. I didn't miss the internet one time that night. ^_~ Mums the word on what we found to do for fun, through :P 

so many people honked at us :)

The next day B told me that we were going on a cruise! OMG! Freak out time! We hit the road for FL, where he said he booked a hotel with a jacuzzi for our next night before we were to board our boat on Sunday. Our hotel DID have a jacuzzi in it, and a king sized bed. Heaven. We drove 10 hours from our home to get to our hotel. Long drive, but so much fun!

The third day we made it to Tampa, another four hours from our jacuzzi-room hotel, where our boat was to take off. It was huge. I couldn't believe I was about to be on a boat!! The room was a lot larger then I thought it would be, and we even had a balcony. 

The next day was a "Fun day at Sea" and B and I drank alcohol on deck and sunbathed and swam and sat in a hot tub and explored and ate way to much food...

The next day we landed at Purta Maya. 

We had some salsa at a fat tuesday. We both got food poisoning that night.

just hours before the food poisoning hits...

The third day on our cruise was basically spent in bed, ordering room service and making multiple trips to our little restroom. I had food poisoning for the reset of the entire week, and then caught the flu the day we arrived back in Tampa. B had his for about 3 more days and then was fine. Lucky.

The fourth day of our cruise I started my period. I'll be honest and say I panicked. I'd planned our wedding so this wouldn't happen! Why am I having my period a week early? I didn't know how to tell B. I had no idea what he would do. Would he be grossed out? 

Actually, he didn't mind. I stressed out for nothing. Hah. 

After this B and I decided to ignore our food poisoning and have a good time. He bought me a floppy hat. We went to see the mayan ruins and swam at a beach. We visited Roatan and Belize.  

fancy dining night! 

We had a great, wonderful honeymoon, and we made some incredible memories! Sadly, on the drive home I caught the flu. I was miserable and don't remember much of the drive (it took about 16 hours from Tampa to our home) My wonderful husband drove the entire way without complaint (and probably listening to me complain). The next day I noticed I was peeing blood. Yup, I had a urinary track infection, but thats another story for another time (I'm fine now). (Funny how I caught three terrible illnesses the first month we were married. B makes fun of me)

Oh, how I love you, dear wonderful sweet husband and I'll always remember our honeymoon. I'll laugh at the little trials we went through, but I'll never regret marrying you. And thanks for taking care of me when I was puking :)

Wedding Photos!

My lovely wedding photos came in. I love them. We are in the process of getting a ton of them printed off and mailed out to those who did not get to attend our wedding.

This day was one of the best of my life--I am so in love with this man. I will never forget the wonder and beauty of our love that God has blessed us with!

Thank you Beth for being my photographer and making my day so special!

Wedding Pictures!

Hey guys! Today my amazingly wonderful talented photographer and friend Beth posted some of my wedding shots on her blog!

Head on over and check it out!

Today is the next to last day for my giveaway! I am giving away a $25 Etsy gift card and some kitty eared hats!

Also, today I linked up my Easy Skirt Tutorial at Funday Monday. Go post your tutorials and fun projects. The link is open till Friday!

Our Love Story--The Engagement

This is part two. If you want to read part one, check it out here: How We Met.

On Friday, September 21, Brian went out and bought a ring. He didn't tell me anything about it; we had barely mentioned marriage in our budding relationship--but the next day he met me for lunch during work. I could tell he was nervous about something. We ate and talked and snuggled together and then he went home and I went back to work until 9. Of course, he invited me over that night to watch a movie--after the movie we were snuggling and I teasingly asked him to marry me in between kisses. He became very quiet. "Yes." He said, gravely. Then while I smiled he got down on one knee and pulled out a little box. At this point I was freaking out--I didn't know if he was serious or not. "Will you, Carolynn Ruth, Marry Me?" He asked.

I think I responded "whaattttt??? Are you for real?"--

"I'm cereal" He said (he always says "cereal" for the word "serious")

"Yes! Yesyesyesyes" I exploded. I jumped into his arms and he had to set me down to put the ring on the dresser because I was kissing him and hugging him like crazy.

And just like that, we were engaged.

The next day he took me up on the blue ridge parkway and we took a ton of pictures with my tripod and my camera remote. I was so happy--I am still so happy. I had known for awhile that Brian was the man I wanted to marry.

On Monday I asked him when he wanted to get married. He said "soon". We thought we wanted to elope, but discarded this idea because we also wanted our friends to be part of our big day. Finally we decided on a date--November 16th 2012. We would honeymoon over thanksgiving break.

I told my mom first. She was shocked (we'd only dated a little over two months) but after getting to know Brian more she calmed down. We started premarital counseling with Brian's old pastor from college, and began to plan our wedding day.

I chose the colors purple and white to decorate our event.

Brian began calling me Carolynn Wife--his "almost" Carolynn Wife.

We did experience some negativity in our engagement period due to the small amount of time we had dated. But we faced those who stood against us bravely. No matter what, we would not let their negativity burden us! I pray for these people, and I seek to answer their concerns with Godly wisdom and love. I one day hope they will love and accept me in return.This was VERY hard to deal with at first. But now that we are married, it seems almost comical! How can people not see how dedicated and amazing we are together? 

Finally, after much searching, we found an affordable venue to be married at and sent our invitations out. The days were counting down until we would finally be man and wife!

Our Love Story!

Several people have been asking about how I met my husband! Its sort of scandalous...but here is our love story!

In June, I signed up for this dating website called Ok-Cupid. I was just looking to meet new people. I wasn't looking for dating (or at least that's what I told myself) I had just gotten out of a serious relationship, and I was lonely.

I messaged a few people, a few people messaged me, but I didn't meet any of them. Then I stumbled upon Brian's page. His name was CorvetteZ. He looked interesting, and I wanted to get to know him. So I sent him some silly message and he responded!

On Wednesday July 11, 2012 I met Brian for the first time. We met at a little coffee shop downtown in Lynchburg called the White Hart. We hit it off like fireworks! I remember being totally shocked over how attracted I felt to him. That weekend we went to the park, and sporadically texted back and forth. During our hike he invited himself to my church that Sunday, on the 15th.

Next week I wanted to introduce him to my best friend, so we attended her church that Sunday. She liked him, but cautioned me not to move too fast.

Here is the first picture we took together. Awkward? Yes! This was also the first day he held my hand! We went hiking on Sharp Top.

For the first month we hung out every Wednesday and every Sunday. We both tried to take it slow but I could tell he really liked me. And I really liked him!

I consider August 1 the day we started dating. On August 2, 2012 he kissed me for the first time. We were up late watching a movie at his house.. We were sitting there, the movie had ended, and I leaned in to give him a goodbye hug and he kissed me. I freaked out because I wanted to wait to kiss, but it was just a peck on the lips, nothing crazy. It was wonderful. I didn't know what to think so I left really quickly and my heart was beating all crazy!

On September 1 2012 he whispered in my ear "I love you" when I was napping at his house. He thought I was asleep! But I wasn't.

Is one month too little time to fall in love? Not for us. (Although my mother was very skeptical. That's okay! She knows Brian much better now!) During this month we visited his family, went to Bush Gardens, traveled to Penn State, ate lots of dinners and visited many coffee shops. I bought him a "jar of wishes" and he bought me a dress. We exchanged kisses in the park and I mailed him letters full of poems and drawings and little cute notes. He still has all of them.

On Saturday September 22 Brian asked me to marry him. I, of course, said yes! I'll tell you about our engagement in my next post!

I would love to hear your love story!

The $2,000 Wedding

I did my entire wedding for 2,000$. Yes, that's right (and this includes all "parental" donations also!)

What? You may ask, Isn't a cheep wedding, like, 10,000?

Well, that may be a cheep wedding for you, but we simply didn't have the funds. We wanted to make our day special, and not a stress to our pocketbooks! 

I'll tell you how I did it.

(Note: the pictures used in this article were taken by my bridesmaid Larkin and my friend Cari! I get my professional ones later on this month and will definitely be sharing!)

1) We decided to have a small, intimate wedding (less then 50 guests) and we shopped around for venues. Everything we kept finding was super expensive, but then we found two places that seemed really cheep. The Aviary rents for about 200$ every four hours. And the Craddock Terry Hotel (did YOU know hotels do weddings? And beautiful ones to boot?) The hotel was 500$ for four hours, but included set up and break down in the price, which The Aviary did not include. We chose the hotel.

2) We did our "reception" at a lovely Italian restaurant called Monte Carlo. It was 375$, this included a 25$ rental fee for a large party and the food for our guests (about 15 people came to the reception. 25 out of the 50 people we invited came to our wedding).

3) I bought a used dress. I LOVE my dress. Seriously, I died when I tried it on! It is used, and fits me P-ER-FEC-TLY. I was stunned to find a dress that needed no adjustments! I purchased it from the Shopaholics Outlet, a high end vintage/thrift boutique and bridal warehouse. I also got my necklace, earrings, and circlet there. All together it was 350$. They gave me the necklace as a gift, as they are dear friends of mine :)

*I got my shoes from a Facebook Yard sale page. Lol, anyone? They were 10$, and are from Jcrew. I love them! I also did my own hair. I basically did two braids around the back of my head and added flowers everywhere

4) I (blush) spend 100$ at Victoria's Secret. No scrimping was allowed in this area!

5) My dad paid for half of the photographer's bill. It was my friend Beth! Who else? She's amazing. I paid her 250$ and my dad paid the other 250$. Beth was invaluable this night. We stayed at the hotel along with my maid of honor Larkin and another one of my friends.

6) I made a few signs, and I used a basket I already had for cards. I wrote and printed our ceremony programs for 5$ at one of those copy stores.

7) I used an automated web-sight to make our invitations. Our wedding invitations were 50$ from shutterfly. I designed them myself with my engagement photos, which we also took ourselves. (Tripod and camera remote FTW!)

8) We paid our pastor 50$ (The standard for VA wedding, following the law) and my husband tipped him. I don't know how much, in all the excitement I never asked :)

9) Our cakes were made by a friend of my maid of honor. They were 30$ each. :) I chose a white cake with a lovely rose design all over it.

Thats about it; thats our wedding in a nut shell. It was beautiful, lovely, and amazing. I am so happy to be married and I think I'm the luckiest girl in the world! :)

My $2000 wedding did not include the premarital we took, or our honeymoon (both of these my husband took care of and I don't know how much he spent). I also took some of my friends and my bridesmaids out to get their nails done. :)

You can have a lovely and memorable wedding and not spend an arm and a leg! There is no sense starting your life off together in a big pile of debt.

Do you guys have any wedding stories to tell? How much did you spend?

My honeymoon

I just got back from my honeymoon. Needless to say I have a lot of things to share with you guys! And I am also completely sick. Yes, I acquired food poisoning in Cozumel. :(

I still had a ton of fun! But please pray for me because both Brian and I are still suffering from food poisoning. And no! We did not drink the water!

(Day three was when we got food posioning---we stayed in bed all day!)

Today we drove 14 hours back to Lynchburg :) We did have a good honeymoon despite our sickness!