Monday, March 12, 2012

Not Only a Bridesmaid... I'm a Bride!!

Yes, you heard it I am not only a bridesmaid, but as of Friday, March 9th at 6:30 pm I am officially a bride!  David and I are engaged and I cannot stop smiling.  We are getting married!! AHHH I am just so excited because I love him so much.

So do you want to know how it happened? I will tell you everything!!

Last Monday I got an email from Reva Nathan (our family event planner) saying CS Brides Magazine was looking to interview individuals that were providing unusual and new services in the wedding industry.  She told me she mentioned my blog and they wanted to do a ten minute interview with a picture. Obviously I immediately responded yes!  The interview would be taking place at Ronsley Special Events at 6:30pm, which worked out perfectly because David was surprising me with an early birthday dinner Friday night at 7:30pm.  I was freaking out, I was so excited but also very nervous and had no idea what kind of questions they would ask.  As far as the picture goes she said I couldn't wear patterns so I immediately set out to order a new outfit online (I will share another day).  I also have been needing to get a haircut so I made an appointment for 4:45 pm on Friday. 

So Friday rolled around and I was all excited about my interview.  I had some of my friends testing me with questions they thought I may be asked and by the time I left work to get my hair done, I felt prepared.  So I head off to my haircut all dressed and ready to go and excited about the night ahead.  As I was leaving the salon the receptionist handed me a brown envelope.  I thought it was strange but I opened it and inside was a letter from David.  I don't have it in front of me but it basically said he was so proud of me and my ride was outside to take me to the special event tonight and he would meet me there for a pre-birthday celebration.

At this point I am extremely confused.  I look outside and a huge limo is waiting for me.  When I get inside there is a bottle of champagne chilling.  The driver tells me no details but just starts driving.  So many questions were going through my head.  On one hand, I am thinking I am going to get engaged, but I wondering if there is even an interview.  On the other hand I think maybe it is just another birthday celebration and I get all nervous.  I start to realize we are in fact heading to this interview so I begin to feel embarrassed I am going to arrive at an interview in a limo, OMG how embarrassing is this?  Why is there champagne does he want me to drink before an interview? 

So we pull up in front of Ronsley and I get out of the limo and just walk in.  Reva is waiting for me and there is a huge sign that says "Welcome CS Brides Magazine."  She informs me they were ready for me and starts to lead me to another room.  I am shaking at this point and just don't know what to think.  I sort of jumble my words and explain I arrived in a limo and David is surprising me for my birthday and he says he's meeting me here and I am so confused, and she just looks at me and says "Oh that is so nice of him."  I continue to freak out in my head.

Then we arrive at the door of the interview and she knocks and opens up the door and sort of pats my back and sends me in.  Then time just stopped because this is what was behind the door...




The whole room was set up as a mock wedding.  David was standing there smiling at me and the door closed behind me.  He said some of the sweetest words all of which I cannot remember.  He got down on his knee and proposed.  I let out a scream and said yes and he put the most beautiful ring ever on my finger. 


He then popped this bottle of champagne and I started to tear up.  You see this is the bottle we bought about two years ago in Napa that we said we would save for our engagement one day.  This was just so special because we knew then it would happen and now it had!  As we were drinking he told me I could only call my Mom.  She was in Michigan still helping out my sister and the new baby. 


Then Reva came back in and gave me a huge bag of wedding magazines and the CS Brides Magazine Sign!


Then she took a few pictures of the newly engaged couple!





David and I packed up all our stuff and climbed back into the limo for the next surprise of the night.  We drove around for a half an hour and we both called our grandparents.  He wouldn't let me call my Dad or his parents so I had a feeling we would be seeing them at the next stop.  I was begging to call some friends but he said let's just wait until after dinner.  So at about 7:30pm we pulled up to Topo Gigio Restaurant and I could not have been happier.  You see this is mine and David's restaurant.  Some people have songs, we have a restaurant.  We try and go to Topo every Sunday night and I am even the mayor on foursquare.  This could not have been more perfect. 

So we walked into the restaurant and instead of going straight to where we normally see the hostess, he headed to the private room upstairs.  I walked into the room and I hear a loud "Surprise!"  It was every one of our closest friends that live in Chicago all in a room with my Dad and David's parents and sister.  It was the best moment of the night.  Everyone was crying and hugging and I don't remember the last time I was that happy. 

David's family and my dad!

Topo gave us a free bottle of champagne!

All of my besties were there to celebrate!

David had arranged for appetizers to be passed and an open bar.  I spent the next thirty minutes calling my sister and my other besties not able to make it and then I just enjoyed my family, friends and new fiance!  We stayed until ten and then we moved to another bar next door where the rest of our friends met us.

It couldn't have been a better night and I am so thankful to all my friends and family that love David and I so much they would just drop whatever they had planned to celebrate.  We headed to Michigan the next day to see my family and it was the perfect icing on the cake.




Can't wait to let you in on the entire wedding planning process! I know so many of you are wondering what will happen to my blog, but just remember even if I am a bride now I am not a professional and never plan to be (only once for me!), but I will always be a professional bridesmaid. 




GET EXCITED BECAUSE WE ARE GETTING MARRIED AUGUST 24TH, 2013!!!!

6 comments:

  1. Congratulations, Traci!!! That is one INCREDIBLE SWOON WORTHY proposal!! Bravo, David, BRAVO!!! The surprises, the notes, the limo, the interview, the MOCK WEDDING, all of it! What a dream, it's so unique, so heartwarming. Enjoy this special time in your lives and enjoy the celebration. I look forward to following you on this journey to your big day 8/24/13!!

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    1. Thanks Tamra!! It was Swoon Worthy we will have to work it in to a guest post!! xoxo

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  2. David did good :) Congrats to you both!!!

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  3. congrats!! that is so sweet!

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