More wedding bells!

My husband makes fun of me all the time, as I am a compulsive crier! I cry when I'm angry, I cry when I'm sad, I cry when I'm tired, and most of all, I cry at weddings! What can I say? I love LOVE!

Recently, two of my best college buddies tied the knot after 7 years together. I couldn't have been happier. It was a beautiful day, and my friend made a beautiful bride :)

Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Sutton

Me with the newlyweds!

Jen was glowing that day :)

Trash The Dress!

Well, I'm sure there are many ladies out there who wonder to themselves; "what the heck do you do with your wedding dress once the wedding is over?!". I pondered this exact question for several months and finally decided to do something I saw on a T.V. show before I got married... A "Trash the Dress" photo shoot! My photographer, Mike Freeland and his team at Freeland Photography( freelandphotography.com), were happy (ecstatic is more the word) to oblige me in my request. This was a first for their studio. 

I worked with Tiffany Buckley, who has been involved in ALL of the photographic aspects of my wedding. She shot my bridal formal and was the second shooter for both our wedding and engagement pictures. She is just sensational! Her creativity astounds me and she never disappoints when it comes to capturing my personality in our sessions! 

These photos were taken at the Little Blue River in Grandview, MO (Dennis' home town. Bulldogs for LIFE!) It really is such an under-utilized area... I had no idea how beautiful it really is!

My mother is dying right now!! I didn't tell her about the shoot... I took my dress to the cleaners FIRST thing the next morning! She'll never know, right?!

Love this picture :) My husband is such a beefcake... 

2 down, 5 to go!

Congrats to Sarah and Stephen! They tied the knot on Saturday night(the 2nd of SEVEN weddings Dennis and I will attend this year)! They had a beautiful ceremony and reception at the Hawthorne House in Parkville! They have been planning for this day for a little over a year from their home in Denver, but have recently moved to Boise for Stephen's job. Kudos to you both, that would be too much stress for me, but you all pulled it off amazingly!!! 

Congrats, Mr. and Mrs. Wortmann!!

This Saturday, our dear friends, Alli and Jeff tied the knot!! They have been dating for 11 YEARS (high school sweethearts)!! They had a lovely and fun filled ceremony and an even more exciting reception! Dennis and I drank like two little fishes, and danced the night away with all our friends. It was a great time! So happy for the both of them!!  

Den and I PRE reception. Yes, we are both wearing purple! We don't match, we GO... As I always say!

So...

WE GOT MARRIED!!!!!!

I "heart" Emily Hart Bridal!

They are truly amazing! I made the mistake of having a family member alter my wedding dress. It wasn't a total catastrophe, but it definitely was not what I needed. I called on a Wednesday, they made an emergency alterations appointment for me on Friday, my dress was finished by Monday (and it's PERFECT)!!!

Thank you Sherri, Lilly, Sandy, and Emily! You are FABULOUS!

Wedding Countdown!

We have reached single digits!! 9 days and counting...

31 days!

Start Panicing!!!!!

Beautiful Bridal Shower

Yesterday, was my bridal shower! It was truly amazing, I could not have asked for anything better. Dennis and I received so many beautiful things for the house, and we had so much fun catching up with everyone! Thank you so much to all who made it! You mean the world to us...

(Picture above: Me with my bridesmaids. From the left: My sister (maid of honor)-Susie, my cousin-Cristina, my cousin-Nina, me, my best friend (matron of honor)-Alissa, my savior-Jen B (aka 7), my sister in law-Jenny)

Today is...

Exactly 4 months til the BIG day!!!! Woohooo!!!!

<3 Soon-to-be Mrs. B

"In your light, I learn how to love..." -Rumi

This is my absolute FAVORITE of the 300 + engagement pictures we took on May 25th. This was taken on the corner of 16th and Central across from the Kauffman Center; however, the majority of the photos were taken in the rose garden at Loose Park.

Despite tornadoes all around the metro that morning, Mike and Tiffany from Freeland Photography were prompt and ready to go! What most would consider "gloomy" weather, turned out to be the perfect photography back drop!

Other shout outs: Nina Anselmo- hair extraordinare and Mary Ancona (aka my mom)- make up magic

Engagement photos are up!

http://www.freelandphoto.net/2011/engagement/strada/

Let me know what you think!

Engagement Pictures TOMORROW!!!

Rain or shine, Den and I will be running around town with our fabulous photographer, Mike Freeland! These are the places we're thinking about shooting:

Loose Park Rose Garden
Plaza Fountains
Piropos
The Intercontinental Hotel
Kansas City Public Library
**a super secret place which I will reveal later :)

For my Den Den :)

"I love you, not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you."

— Roy Croft

Pampered Chef Bridal Shower!

Saturday was the official kick off of what I am sure will be a long line of bridal showers thrown in my honor! My friend and PC hostess, Liz, came into town to throw me a lovely shower! I demo-ed fruit pizza and mango salsa... Both delish! I received so many amazing things and spent the afternoon with some of my favorite people! Thank you to all who where there! A VERY special thanks to Liz and Andrew for making the trip down from Lincoln; Jenn, Tayna, and Alissa for all your help setting up and cleaning; and my mom for letting us take over her kitchen!

Love this dress...

Damn you dropped waist!

Meet the Barnes's (To be)

The Bride: Lori... A 27 year old banker from Kansas City. Daughter of Jack and Mary. Graduate of Central Missouri State University. Proud receipient of a totally WORTHLESS bachelor's degree. Oldest of 3 siblings. Lover of animals (especially tard-y German Shepherds named Sasha), Rock music, Chiefs football, all things domestic (cooking, baking, sewing...), scrapbooking, shopping, and a terribly sexy, blue eyed man... Who shall remain nameless :)

The Groom: Dennis... A 29 year old mechanic from Grandview. Son of Dennis Sr. and Brenda. Little bro to Jenny. Uncle to Brad, Matt & Skye. Former wrestler and football ass-kicker. Lover of sports (especially the KC Royals, K-State Wildcats, and Kansas City Chiefs), fast cars, and feisty Italian brunettes!

The wedding is set for December 31, 2011. We will be the 3rd generation in the Barnes family to be married on New Years Eve.

276 days and counting! Stay tuned for the fun!!!