Ashley Thorp and Chadd Strew

Photographer Jeannie Burton

Chadd and I have been together for a little over 3 years now. I had
wanted him to propose for what seems like forever and he finally did
on January 7, 2012.

Chadd was an usher in his cousin’s wedding on
the 7th in Round Rock. I hadn’t seen or talked to Chadd all day
because he had to start getting ready for the wedding at 11:00 am and
left his phone in the car. I was very anxious to see him but at the
wedding reception I felt as if he was avoiding me. He had to step
outside several times for fresh air and said that he had a very bad
headache. Now looking back he was just nervous. My future sister- in
law asked me to walk with her to the bathroom. I told Chadd where I
was going and he told me to wait that they were fixing to throw the
bouquet and garter. I was wondering why he even cared because we NEVER
go out and catch the bouquet or garter.

I stepped out on the dance
floor with all the single ladies, trying to stay in the back because I
really didn’t care to be out there. All of a sudden all the girls
were pushing me to the front and didn’t have a clue why. Well Jenn
threw the bouquet and it went over my right shoulder. I didn’t even
try to catch it and let some other girl have it instead. A few minutes
later the girl that caught the bouquet walked over to me and begged me
to take the bouquet because her boyfriend wasn’t there and he would
be mad if whoever caught the garter had to put it on her. I decided to
take the bouquet and watched as the guys were getting ready to catch
the garter. Chadd’s cousin turned and faced Chadd and flung the
garter at his chest. The DJ announced that the two who caught the
bouquet and garter needed to come to the middle of the dance floor. I
met Chadd in the middle and had to sit in the chair while Chadd put
the garter on me. After he put the garter on he reached for his
pocket and pulled out the ring that was my Nana’s and asked me to
marry him. I said YES!!!

I called all my family but my Dad because he
is in Afghanistan. I was super bummed out that I couldn’t call him
but Dad called me about 15 minutes later! I later found out that
Chadd had asked his cousin during the summer at his engagement party
if he could propose to me at his wedding reception. He also had to
meet my Mom to get my Nana’s rings so that he could add to them and
ask for her blessing in November. My Dad already knew as well because
before he left for Afghanistan Chadd talked with him and asked him for
his blessing. I can’t wait to marry the love of my life and best
friend on September 22nd!

Ashley and Chadd have entered their proposal story in the “Perfect Proposal” contest, if you think their story is the best make sure an vote for them by clicking the Contest tab at the top of the page beginning January 26th!

Jamiee Renfro and Justin Atkinson

Photographer - Mark Raley

I wouldn’t say it was love at first sight for Justin and me, but it
didn’t take long for us to become best friends. We had attended Jr
High and High School together and when I graduated and went off to
college, it was surprising that he was the friend I kept in contact
with. We only spoke on occasion and I probably couldn’t have even
told you his middle name. He didn’t keep it a secret that he was in
love with me. I didn’t keep it a secret that I thought we were better
off as best friends. He supported me through tough breakups. I
supported him through girl troubles. Our friendship was a fun and
spontaneous adventure filled with lots of Chinese food, late night
movies, and (unsuccessful) fishing trips. He was my confidante and
comfort when I just didn’t know where my life was going. Our
friendship was also strengthened by our faith. He brought me closer
than I had ever been to Christ through his unshakeable faith and deep
love for God.

Being the adventurous soul that I am, the summer before I graduated
college (2010) I decided to study abroad in New Zealand and Australia.
Being the adventurous and faithful person he is, he decided to
dedicate the end of his summer to missions—in Southern Africa. It
came as no surprise that I missed my best friend. What DID surprise me
was just how much I missed him—spending every night praying that he
was safe and happy, wherever he may be. When I returned home, he still
had a week left in Africa and I spent every night (3 AM–Jet lag)
sending him encouraging messages—though I knew he had no way of
receiving them in 3rd world Africa—about how proud I was of him and
just how much I missed him. When he returned he told me about all the
marvelous things he had seen and experienced and how I simply HAD to
go the following year. I told him I loved him.

So we started, what I consider, the best courtship God had ever
created, and the next year I found myself on a plane to Africa. Being
in Africa (Mozambique) was like being in an entirely different world,
as I discovered what it was like to be without all the comforts and
conveniences of my life. Thankfully, I had my best friend by my side.
I was so focused on the mission, the wonderful things going on around
me, and the new and beautiful sights that the first week was gone in a
blink. I suddenly found myself halfway through with the mission on our
one day off—Sunday. Sunday was our day to relax. We did not busy
ourselves with getting women or children’s ministries together, did
not throw ourselves into digging the new wells, or go down to the
river to pump water. We simply spent the day enjoying each other’s
fellowship and enjoying the village children and women. When the
afternoon rolled around, the permanent missionaries suggested a trek
to the river, the Limpopo. Justin and a couple of the other
missionaries had spotted a great beach-like area the day before that
seemed like the perfect spot. In secret, he had informed me that if
(when it was time to leave the river for camp) we stayed behind with
another (permanent) missionary couple, we could watch the sun
set—and even hold hands! I was thrilled. We threw the football and
had river races and when the mission leader announced it was time to
head back and start cooking our Sunday feast—another mission
tradition—we nonchalantly waited behind. With us were the missionary
couple and Justin’s younger sister (who he had also inspired to
come).
As we sat there on the sandy river beach, I thought about how
perfect the experience had been and how fortunate I was to be right
where I was at that moment. I was more than thrilled to go with him
when he suggested that we go for a walk to explore the river further.
Earlier that day he had shown me some beautiful rocks he had found at
an abandoned diamond mine he had visited to gather well-drilling
equipment. He had asked me if I knew that penguins offer a pebble to
their mates for like, like a proposal. I made it clear that the ritual
probably wouldn’t work on me. So when he knelt down on the bank of
the Limpopo River, in Mozambique, Africa, when I had slept in a tent
for seven days, didn’t have a stitch of makeup on, and hadn’t even
thought of fixing my hair, and offered me a beautiful purple
pebble—I was shocked. I was shocked because 1. I don’t even like
penguins that much. My favorite animal is the elephant. 2. I
couldn’t believe that he was proposing with a rock. I was sort of
hoping for something a bit more thought out. I thought I could laugh
it off. I wasn’t quite sure if it was a real proposal or not,
because we had joked about it before. I knew it was real when he
pulled out the most beautiful ring I had ever seen and asked “is
this better?”—it was perfect.
I was afraid it wasn’t actually
mine, that he had borrowed it from one of the mission ladies in a wave
of spontaneity. It was mine. With the sounds of wild monkeys and the
vision of a small mudhut to my left—I promised to share my life with
Justin. About 30 seconds later, I realized the whole affair was caught
on camera. My proposal had been very well-thought-out. The others back
in camp received a fantastic surprise and made our night particularly
special by setting aside a special area for us to enjoy our feast as a
“dinner for two.” We ended the night by the campfire—discussing
God’s plan for us and our new beginning.

Jamiee and Justin have entered their proposal story in the “Perfect Proposal” contest, if you think their story is the best make sure an vote for them by clicking the Contest tab at the top of the page beginning January 26th!

Planning a wedding can be an overwhelming experience – the sheer number of things you have to do, vendors you have to talk to, and decisions you have to make will set your head spinning! But don’t worry, we’re here to help! We’ve gathered an impressive array of Central Texas’ best and most creative wedding vendors all in one place – The Bridal Indulgence Wedding Show.

Mark your calendar for February 4^th, the Bridal Indulgence Wedding Show will take place from 1pm – 4pm at the Brownwood Country Club. Full access to the wedding show is granted with a $5 donation to The Ark Domestic Violence Shelter. Come out and check a few things off your planning list, talk to several vendors at one time, sign up for coupons, drawings, giveaways, and more! Visit the Hand Picked Vendors tab on our website to see the participating vendors.

Don’t forget to click on the contest tab on our website and enter the “Perfect Proposal” contest. Many of the wedding show vendors have donated fabulous prizes to the bride with the best proposal story and the necessary bridal skills to make it through the “Bridal Olympics” at the show. We’ll see you there!

You’ve spent countless hours pouring over every wedding gown detail until you found the perfect dress. Now what are you going to wear underneath it? Shouldn’t your lingerie be just as fabulous as your beautiful gown? Victoria’s Secret is just came out with a new collection to help you out. Check out the new Sexy Little Bride collection with everything you’ll need for the wedding day to the honeymoon!

I just love these one of kind bridal gowns by Katie Jean of KT Jean Designs. The kt jean line of dresses are inspired by nature and handmade in the US from vintage fabrics. There are bridal gowns, bridesmaids dresses and fun party frocks available ranging from $68 – $1,500. 5% of all purchases will go to one of the following charities:

Love146 – working to end sex trafficking globally www.love146.org

Oxfam – fighting against poverty, climate change and social injustice www.oxfam.org

Photography by: www.sloanphotographers.com

Photography by: www.sloanphotographers.com

Photography by: www.sloanphotographers.com

The First Look. Most brides either love the idea or hate the idea. The decision to “look or not to look” is a very personal one, but I thought I would shed some light on the subject from both the photographer’s and the bride’s prospective. In case you’re not sure, the first look is when the bride & groom see one another before the wedding ceremony. Usually the photographer has chosen a picture perfect spot for it to “go down” and captures the joy & excitement that the couple experiences in those first moments.

Let me be clear, I am very PRO-first looks. I truly believe that it is SO beneficial to the both the bride+groom and the photographer. Not to mention for the flow of the day. Here are some of the reasons why you might consider a first look.

Your wedding day will be a whirlwind, no doubt. With a first look, you get to orchestrate an intimate time for the two of you to really admire one another. You get to do things on a first look that you wouldn’t get to do when you just walk down the aisle: like talk to each other, hug for 5 minutes straight, or even jump up n’ down with your “oh my gooosssh we’re getting married” giddiness. In fact these may be the only quite moments the two of you get alone together the whole day. The biggest reason why a bride doesn’t do a first look is because she thinks that it won’t be as special when she walks down the aisle. Honestly, nothing will ever take away from that moment. Even if your groom has already seen you all “brided-up”, he’s never seen his bride walk toward him to become his wife. There’s nothing else like it. And you’ll see it in his eyes. Guaranteed.

As a photographer I think first look photos are some of the best from the entire day. The emotion is so raw and real. It’s unbelievable. From there we go right into the couples “romance shots”. Taking that time before the ceremony to do photos allows for so much freedom and flow for the rest of the day. Think of it as “insurance”. More often than not, things don’t run exactly on schedule on a wedding day. Say your ceremony starts a little late, then family portraits run behind because no one can find Uncle Jim, leaving you with only 20 minutes before the sunsets which means not much time for photos. Nothing makes me sadder on a wedding day, than when we have to rush through a couples’ romance shots. These are the most important images of the day. These are the ones that you will display on your wall, the ones you will look through a million times and the ones you will use as your profile pic! You don’t want to risk not having enough! And if the day is running smoothly and you’ve done a first look, well then you just have time to relax and hang out with your guest at the cocktail hour – which is always a good thing!

Lastly, (and I hope this doesn’t sound vain) but you’ll be the most “photo-ready” if you do photos beforehand. Think about, you’ve just gotten your hair & make-up done, your lipgloss is fresh, and every hair is in the right place. Let’s be honest, every bride wants to look extra GLAM on her wedding day. And while you certainly will be the entire day, you’ll be the most stellar right after everything is fresh. The more beautiful you feel, the more confident you will feel in front of the camera. You’ll be pulling out your A.N.T.M. moves no doubt !

Again, a First Look is not the traditional thing and ultimately the choice is yours. If a First Look isn’t your cup of tea, that’s totally fine. However, if you’re open to it or have been considering it, I say DO it! I have never had a bride who has done it later wish that she hadn’t.

Confession: When my husband and I got married (almost 7 years ago :0 ! that’s right I’m old) we did a First Look and it was awesome! He was less than thrilled with the idea of standing alone on a stage with 200 people staring at him while he waited on me to walk down the aisle. So we did a mini walk through an hour and a half before the ceremony and I’m so glad we did. When I saw Kyle for the first time that day I didn’t want to walk slowly down the aisle, rest my hand on his arm and turn toward the officiant. I wanted to run up to him give him a big hug and a kiss and cry (a little-that’s what waterproof mascara is for)!

I’m so glad I got to be silly and emotional in private – and not in front of everyone we invited to the wedding. And when I walked down the aisle for real it was still special. The difference was the look of abject terror in his eyes was replaced by a knowing smile. A big “yeah, that’s my wife and we’re getting married smile”, and I was able to maintain a mild speed walk down the aisle.

Here are some first look shots from Jennifer and Cody’s wedding courtesy of Tilt Shift Studios. See what I mean?? Priceless images!

Q: How many Bridesmaids should I have?

A: The traditional formula is one bridesmaid for every35 to 50 guests, bu this is not set in stone. So if you have a lot of sisters, a bunch of close cousins, or a tight group of friends, feel free to include them all. Once you’ve pulled your crew together, take them to lunch so you can explain what you’ll want them to do – buy coordinating dresses, to start – and what important events will be coming up.

Q: How do I choose dresses for my bridesmaids?

A: Employ the guidelines you used to pick your dress – formality, time of year, and so on. Also keep in mind:
* If you have bridesmaids with different body types:
Concentrate on wearable colors (black, brown, navy) and flattering shapes (A-line, scoopneck). Or choose a color and skirt length and allow your bridesmaid to choose the shape and cut that fits them best.
* If you really want a cohesive look:
Stick to one color or silhouette; have bridesmaids accessorize a basic black dress for example with colorful cardigans; or have everyone wear the same dress.

Q: Can I have a guy as my maid of honor?

A: If the people who mean the most to you don’t happen to be the “right” sex, don’t hesitate to include them in any way that you and your fiance deem appropriate. But do your male “maid of honor” a favor and instead use the phrase “man of honor”.

So everyone who has read the shoe article knows about my love of purple. Now ~ we’re taking the same passion for purple and ramping it up a notch ~ to transform the First Christian Church and 181 Pine in Abilene into a wonderful wedding venue! From Tilt Shift Studios, you’ll see how Jennifer and Cody solved a familiar problem ~ how to blend the traditional elements of their wedding with newer, more upbeat and modern vibes. Just have a church wedding and your reception at a trendy downtown spot. Problem solved.

BAAKS Florist did an amazing job with the flowers, mixing mulitple shades of purple and pink to match Jennifer’s purple and silver theme.

Jennifer and Cody opted for another modern touch and had a “First Look” set up before their ceremony. A First Look is a private moment just between the bride and groom (and a photographer with a long lens) when the groom first sees the bride. It offers them possibly the only alone time they will get at the wedding and also gives them a chance to do couples pictures and group posed shots before the ceremony so they can get to the reception faster.

Jennifer’s purple and silver details were carried through out the intire wedding – from the flowers and pew bows to the candy dishes and cake balls at the reception.

The 181 Pine Event Center is a lovely restored downtown spot, perfect for the modern look with a vintage flair. The exposed brick wall shows just enough to give it character and it fits 300 people with plenty of room for dancing.

Jennifer and Cody’s Fabulous Vendors:

Ceremony – First Christian Church

Reception – 181 Pine Event Center

Photography – Tilt Shift Studios

Flowers – BAAKS

Cake – Carousel of Cakes

Dress – David’s Bridal

Tux – Al’s Formal Wear

DJ – Bounce Back Entertainment

Bride’s Hair – Regis

Bride’s Make-up – Emerge

Maddie Sims & John Bishop

Photo by Tilt Shift Studios

John was away all summer in Dallas as an intern at his brother’s
church. One weekend I came up and we decided to go to the zoo (our
first date). All day John had been acting strange and when I asked
what was wrong he would just say “nothing.” We arrived at the
penguins, which is my favorite, and he was holding on to me and
wouldn’t let me go. He then kissed the top of my head and said “I have
something for you.” I turned and he was smiling as he got down on one
knee. For some reason I started backing up and put my hands over my
face and kept asking if he was lying. He just laughed at me. He had to
ask if I was going to answer and of course I said yes

Maddie and John have entered their proposal story in the “Once Upon A Proposal” contest, if you think their story is the best make sure an vote for them by clicking the Contest tab at the top of the page beginning March 14th!

Q. How do I know how much to register for?

A. Sign up for more than you think you should. It might feel presumptuous, but remember – no one guest is going to take on the responsibility of filling all your requests. Rather than judging you for being greedy, guests are more likely to become frustrated if they can’t find an item that fits their taste and price point. The bottom line: Your own limiting factor should be what you know you will use, love, and have room for. In other words, don’t sign on for a craving knife if you are a vegetarian – you just might get it. A couple of non-traditional options: You can register at www.depositagift.com or www.myregistry.com, for cash gifts to fund a large purchase, or at www.weddingfutures.com, for stocks.

Q. How many retailers should I register at?

A. No matter how long your guest list is, pick at least 3. The idea is to give guests a range of options without overwhelming them. Select:
1. A high-end store
2. An inexpensive retailer
3. A wild card company (such as a charity)

Look for stores that offer “Completion Packages” – typically a 10 -20 percent discount on the unpurchased items for about a year after the wedding – so you can buy the leftovers yourself.

Many retailer partner with wedding websites, such as The Knot and Wedding Bee. If yours do, have someone spread the word that your registries are listed on the wedding site in question. All the guests have to do is search for your name and click and they’ll have access to all your registries.

Q. How do I let my guests know where I am registered?

A. Never, ever include your registries in your paper invitations. It is considered very rude – and guests may take it to mean that you expect an expensive gift. Instead, list your wedding website (often busy guests’ go to source for wedding information) in the invitations or save the date cards and make sure links to all your registries are easy to find on the site.

You can also rely on your maid-of-honor, best man, and parents to pass on the information to inquiring guests.