We Did It!

It's official! We are married!

 

The weather was perfect, the guests enjoyed themselves thoroughly, the band ROCKED and kept the dancefloor packed, the food was delicious, and I could go on and on about all of my amazing vendors.

It was all more beautiful and joyous than I EVER could have imagined.

Check out #thebakers13 on Instagram for a sneak peek of more pics!

 

Most importantly, I am married to the most amazing man!

 

 

 

This waiting till Monday to leave for the honeymoon was key.

 

Happy Easter, everyone!

Wedding Wednesday: Advice for the Bride.

On Monday, I posted on Facebook that I was a wee bit majorly stressed. Lots of people came through to calm me down and offer some advice. So I thought it would be fun to share!

 

 

"Enjoy every moment. Only you will notice when things don't go as planned, I promise!! Everything will be perfect! Focus on your love!

 

"It's going to be more perfect than you imagine!"

 

"Have a drank!...its like a drink but stronger"

 

"Just smile and sit back and let it roll!"

 

"Wine is a wonderful thing."

 

"Just remember, all brides feel this way right before the wedding. Yours will be perfect and just enjoy your last few days before you start that new life with Cameron. Try not to stress as that will give your adorable face and smile permanent wrinkles :) Now, if that didn't scare you enough not to stress----then go and have a big glass of wine."

 

"Too blessed to be stressed!"

 

"Just think about the honeymoon."

 

"Take a deep breath Megan...it will be beautiful just like you!"

Brain Dump, Please.

Well, here I am. 4 days away from the wedding. And in need of a major brain dump.

 

-Last weekend was a busy one with work. Friday night there was a photographer/cinematographer who did a presentation and a dinner following. Saturday I coordinated a wedding. It rained ALL DAY until 30 minutes before the ceremony, and then the sun came out. Talk about good luck! I was running around like a crazy person. As a surprise to the guests, the bride and groom hired Cocky to come to the wedding! I was pumped.  

 

-Was so glad that Sunday was so nasty so I had an excuse to lay on the couch. Seriously, look at our back yard. Brady had the hardest time trying to figure out where the heck to pee.

 

-I made a quick trip to Target on Sunday once the rain lightened up and came across these!

 

-A bunch of little things happened yesterday and about made me have a break down. Luckily, a lot of people were there to support me and told me to take a deep breath and eventually I calmed down. Feel much better today!

 

-I have 3 more hours left of work and then I'll be off for a week and a half!

 

-Tomorrow I'm going to get my highlights fixed, pick up signs, and clean the house~

Thursday are my nail and spray tan appointments.

Friday, Emily and I are going to get our hair done at Tease, then on to the bridal luncheon, relaxing, rehearsal, and rehearsal dinner!

You all know what happens on Saturday.

 

Tee It Up for Cancer!

-If you're in the Greenville area, there will be a golf tournament/silent auction/dinner in honor of my buddy, Tim, on Monday, April 8th at the Thornblade Club! The dinner and silent auction (6-8pm) are open to everyone, even if you don't participate in the golf tournament. You would need to pre-register for the dinner. Proceeds go to iTor (Greenville Hospital System’s Institute for Translational Oncology Research). If you can't attend, but you'd still like to help, they are still accepting items for the silent auction, or you can always donate money!

 

Another cool thing, is that a builder in Greenville built an amazing house, that will be shown to the public in April after the golf tournament, and proceeds from the sale of the house will go towards Brightlife/iTor!

Here is a link to learn more!



Wedding Wednesday: The Final Countdown!

It's here! The final 10 day countdown!

 

Today I thought I'd just go back in time and briefly re-cap the fun, and rarely stressful, past 13 months!

 

December 2011 - We're Engaged! And Proposal Story.

 

January 2012 - Date and Venue Chosen, How I Asked My Bridesmaids (by far, my most viewed post) and Introducing My Bridesmaids.

 

March 2012 - Found my Wedding Dress, Introduced our Band and Photographer.

May 2012 - Took Engagement Pictures!

June 2012 - Introduced the Dreaded Checklist.

August 2012 - Bachelorette Party! Part One, Part Two. Introduced the Florist.  Sent out Save the Dates!

 September 2012 - Invited our Wedding Party out for a Booze Cruise.

October 2012 - Rehearsal Dinner Inspiration, Groom and Groomsmen Attire, Talked More About Bridesmaid Dresses, Took Bridal Portraits (Inspiration Post).

November 2012 - Engagement Pictures Featured on The Wedding Row.

December 2012 - Bridesmaid Gift Ideas, Groomsmen Gift Ideas, Engageiversary.

January 2013 - The Parties/Showers Begin! Oyster Roast and Bridal Shower, Booked our Honeymoon,

February 2013 - Stock the Bar Shower, Talked about Wedding Nightmares, Invitations Post.

March 2013 - Wedding Month!

---------------------------------------------------------

Today I picked up the marriage license! Ironically, Shannon and her fiance, who are getting married the weekend after us, were applying for their marriage license at the same time!

And for the fun of it, because I think it's interesting, here is the breakdown of our RSVP numbers:

Total number of people invited - 344

Total declined - 46

Total confirmed - 283

Total people still MIA - 15

Happy First Day of Spring!!!

Tasty Tuesday: Salmon Recipes.

Confession: I've never had more than one bite of salmon. Until last night. Cameron and I are trying to eat healthy and low carb (during the week, anyway) and he suggested that I buy some salmon for dinner and that I would like it. I reluctantly bought some, made it last night, and {gasp!} I actually liked it! Hate it when he's right.

 

We spinkled a little salt and pepper on it and a little pat of butter and then baked it. Made a sauce out of light sour cream, dill, lemon juice and capers to put on top. YUM.

 

And here's the next recipe I want to try:

Honey-Teriyaki Salmon from Skinnytaste

 

 

So tell me, friends, what is your FAVORITE salmon recipe??

This St. Pat's Weekend I..

..worked a lot..

 

..celebrated St. Pat's at Caroline and Andy's Saturday night by playing Apples to Apples and taking green Sambuca shots..

 

..watched a lion drive a boat..

 

Cameron and I are going to apply for our marriage license today!

I can officially say that we're getting married next weekend!!



Shower Pics!

Happy Friday, everyone! This has been an awesome week! Jana came and stayed with us for two nights because she was in town for work, and I got to sleep in 4 days in a row! Sadly, sleeping in to me these days is 8:30, but I just can't ever go back to sleep once Cameron goes to work.

 

Anyway...

 

Got pics from our last shower sent to me yesterday and wanted to share! It was a small shower with family only, but it was a nice change from all of the big ones we'd been having. Once again, got lots of great and generous gifts!

Cameron, his dad and grandad.

Mom and Cameron's aunt, Colleen. My mom "read somewhere" to lean forward in pics. :)

Cameron and his Momma.

Opening presents

The wonderful hosts! Cameron's aunt & uncle.

 

This weekend is supposed to be close to 80* both days and I'm SO pumped! Unfortunately I won't be able to be out in it on Saturday because of work, but I will be on the boat on Sunday, fo sho!

Hope y'all have a great St. Patty's Day weekend!

Wedding Wednesday: Random.

Yep, it's happening. That feeling of being overwhelmed. A million thoughts running through my mind.

 

Thankfully, I had Tuesday off from work and also have tomorrow of so that is a huge help to let me run all of those errands that keep piling up. Of course people offer to help, but as most of you married ladies or soon to be married ladies know, there are just things you need to do on your own.

 

Tomorrow I'm meeting with the lead singer of our band and her manager and I'm super pumped about that! Music was one of the most important things to both Cameron and I when it came to planning our wedding.

 

Then I'll make my way over to Mt. Pleasant and FINALLY get our signs to Shea so she can make them all pretty. And stop in Michael's to pick up any last minute crafty things we may need.

 

OH! And I got to see my wedding band yesterday! It is beautiful and sparkly! I thought it was going to have to be a curved band and I was kind of not excited about that since it would look really awkward when I wore it by itself. But instead, the jeweler cut a notch underneath my engagement ring so a regular band will sit up under it and lay flat against it. Kind of hard to explain.

 

I think that's it for now. I really don't know what the point of this post was. I think I just needed to put all of my jumbled thoughts down on paper the internetz.

 

Here are some of my favorite recent wedding posts from fellow brides to be..

-Megan and her fiance had an awesome lawn & garden couples shower thrown for them last weekend. Check out the cake!

-Beth posted an awesome post about things she is doing differently for her wedding. We're with her on the no garter or bouquet toss! She is getting married the week after us!

-Nancy and her fiance are having their engagement pictures taken this weekend and I can't wait to see them!

-I love keeping up with Shannon's updates since her wedding is just a week after ours, also in Charleston!

 

PS - Shout out to Carly who got engaged last weekend!!

 

17 days, y'all!

Tasty Tuesday: Giada's White Bean and Chicken Chili.

For our shower last Friday night, Cameron's aunt made two types of chili. A regular beef chili and Giada De Laurentis' white bean and chicken chili. I got a little of both but Giada's recipe was definitely my favorite!

 

White Bean and Chicken Chili

Recipe and photo found here.

 

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 pounds ground chicken

1 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning

2 tablespoons ground cumin

1 tablespoon fennel seeds

1 tablespoon dried oregano

2 teaspoons chili powder

3 tablespoons flour

2 (15-ounce cans) cannellini or other white beans, rinsed and drained

1 bunch (about 1 pound) Swiss chard, stems removed, leaves chopped into 1-inch pieces

11/2 cups frozen corn, thawed

4 cups low-sodium chicken stock

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Freshly ground black pepper for seasoning

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

 

In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the ground chicken, 1 teaspoon salt, cumin, fennel seeds, oregano, and chili powder. Cook, stirring frequently, until the chicken is cooked through, about 8 minutes. Stir the flour into the chicken mixture. Add the beans, Swiss chard, corn, and chicken stock. Bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up the brown bits that cling to the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Simmer for 55-60 minutes until the liquid has reduced by about half and the chili has thickened. Add the red pepper flakes and simmer for another 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

 

Ladle the chili into serving bowls. Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.



Friday Randomness.

Happy Friday, everyone! I'm in a great mood today and I hope you are, too!

Here's what's going on in my scattered brain today..

-I counted and I have 11 events between now and the wedding. 3 of which are this weekend. This weekend they are all small and easy though. It's the week/weekend before the wedding that just may throw me over the edge. I'm coordinating a wedding just a week before my own wedding. Gotta make that money, honey.

-Publix brand spinach and artichoke dip is REALLY good. And addicting.

 

-We have already gotten some amazing wedding gifts and I can't wait to share my favorite ones after the wedding!

 

-I want to start documenting my workouts so y'all can hold me accountable.

Here is what I did this week..

 Monday - Bodypump

Wednesday - CXWORX and Taebo

Thursday - 30 minutes on elliptical & the core workout below

And I plan to go to Bodypump on Saturday morning

-Piperlime is having a dress sale right now!
Here are some of my faves, all under $80..

C.Luce

Ark & Co.

Eight Sixty

 

Guest Bathroom: Before & After + Advice From You!

When Cameron first bought our house, let's just say, it was outdated. Yeah, that's the nice word for it, outdated.

 

Today I'm going to show y'all before and after pictures of the guest bathroom and then ask for some design advice. :)

 

So here it is how we found it..

Ah yes, the sun moon and star border and wallpaper.

Side note - I used to LOVE the Sun, Moon, and Star perfume back in the day. :)

PS - Did you notice that the cheap-o's took the light bulbs?!? They started taking those AND the outlet covers before we noticed and had to put a stop to it. Moving on...

 

The contractor re-did the bathtub, including removing the random tiled wall, and installed subway tile. We stripped the wallpaper and painted the walls.

 

My first dilemma was what the heck should I do with the cabinets? Painting them white was the obvious choice. Luckily, my friend, Jenny, spoke up and suggested black. I was really nervous about it, but I went for it. And I'm SO glad I did!

 

Here's where you come in, friends.

You see that HUMONGOUS mirror and those AWFUL bulb lights? Scroll back up and look, I'll wait.

Now what the heck do I do with that??

All thoughts and suggestions welcome!



Tasty Tuesday: Honey Mustard Pretzel Chicken.

Made this chicken recipe last week, after pinning it and seeing it on my friend, Shelby's, blog (check it out!). Want to make it again already!

For the honey mustard sauce, if you're only cooking for two people, I suggest cutting the recipe in half. It made more than plenty.

 

Honey Mustard Pretzel Chicken

Recipe and photo found here.

 

4 cups hard pretzels (like sourdough), coarsely crushed

1/2 cup neutral tasting olive oil

1/2 cup Dijon mustard

1/3 cup honey (like clover or orange blossom)

1/4 cup bottled water (I doubt it really has to be bottled.)

3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

coarse salt and fresh ground black pepper

1 + 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breasts

 

 

Preheat the oven to 400° F. Set a wire rack (like an oven-safe cookie rack) over a large rimmed baking sheet.

 

In a food processor pulse the pretzels until coarsely ground (small crumbs with some small pretzel pieces) then add them to a large, shallow bowl. Wipe the crumbs out of the food processor.

 

Add the oil, mustard, honey, water and vinegar to the food processor and pulse until smooth.

 

Season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust the flavor to suit your own tastes by adding more mustard or honey.

 

Pour half of the dressing into a large shallow bowl and add the chicken breasts. Turn to coat them evenly then dredge them in the pretzel crumbs using your hand to pat them on if needed.

 

Set them on the wire rack and bake 20 – 25 minutes or until cooked through (internal temperature 165 – 174 degrees F.).

 

Let the chicken sit 5 minutes before serving with the remaining honey mustard dressing.

The Weekend Consisted Of..

-Burying the bourbon on Friday.

 

-Ordering groomsmen gifts.

 

-Mex 1 with Caroline & Andy for dinner Saturday night. Switched it up and got the Cabo salad (Crisp romaine mix topped with roasted chicken, pico de gallo, avocado, corn, queso fresca. Served with cilantro lime vinaigrette.) Holy yum, it was so good. And big.

 

-Avondale bars.

 

-The shower that was being thrown for us on Saturday got canceled / rescheduled because both of the hosts got sick and we didn't want to have it without them! It's been rescheduled for this Friday.

-Saw and LOVED Silver Linings Playbook.

 

 -Gained another (2nd) cousin Sunday morning!

 

 

-Picked my sister up from the airport - she was in NYC seeing our step-cousin as the lead in Nice Work If You Can Get It!

That's her (Cameron Adams) in the short brown wig with pink dress.

 

-Celebrated my Dad & Uncle's Jay's birthdays  - I made these chocolate covered pb pretzel balls, and Mom made this creamy chicken tortilla soup (don't use 3 chilis! spicy!), chili and cornbread.

 

-Got needtobreathe tickets for May 11th!

Friday Thoughts.

-Sorry if y'all are sick of hearing about the wedding. It will be over in 29 days! That's right, it's wedding month, people! Well actually, I take that back, it won't be over then because I'll have to show you all of my pictures! But after that it may will be over.

 

-This weekend is going to be pretty chill.

Tonight we're going to get some dinner to celebrate it finally being our wedding month and probably just watch a movie on the couch.

Tomorrow night Cameron's aunt and uncle are hosting our last shower for us.

Sunday will consist of wedding errands, I'm sure, followed by a birthday dinner for my dad!

 

-How cute are these scalloped flats from J.Crew??

-With it being March, it's time for things to start warming up around here. This weekend it's supposed to be upper 20's / lower 30's at night. Buuuut next weekend it's supposed be in the 70's during the day so hopefully it will stay that way!

 

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Anyone going to the Food + Wine Festival?

 

Oh! I almost forgot! My mom and I are burying the bottle of bourbon today! :)