Maid of Honor

Having a wedding and getting married really makes you examine the friends you have in your life. Especially, since I have to pick a Maid of Honor and Bridesmaids. Right after Matt and I got engaged, I knew immediately who would be my Maid of Honor. A Maid of Honor in my eyes, is someone who is one of your best friends, who will be your right hand women through the process of planning a wedding and of course the big day. She gives advice and does things without asking, she snaps you back to reality when you have doubts or calms you down when stress overcomes you. She supports your relationship and is your biggest cheerleader. She doesn't care how much you want to talk about your wedding because she knows how much a big deal it is to you. She rallies the bridesmaids and plans the best bridal shower and bachelorette party. Most importantly my Maid of Honor will be someone that will forever be my friend in life.

Miss Nataly, is going to be my MOH<3!

Nataly is my best friend and the best one I have ever had. She truly cares about the people in her life, and brings such joy to everyone who knows her.  She is so inspiring with her views on life. She is so sincere and gives the best advice. She works extremely hard and brings so much passion to everything she does.

We met our junior year of college while being directors of an organization we were apart of. The funny thing is we weren't that close at first. I just remember seeing her and always thinking I wish that girl and I could be friends. I just was to shy and intimated by her happiness and leadership to approach her on a deeper level, or ask her to hang out. The funny thing is, she felt the same way as well. She ended up leaving the organization for another opportunity. I remember when hearing about this I was so sad, even though I had not gotten that close to her. I was sad that I missed my opportunity to grow closer. We stayed in touch and talked and would see each other every so often. A new sorority was coming to campus and I really wanted to join. They were looking for more women to get in contact with about joining as well. One of the first people I thought of was Nataly. I submitted her name to Sigma Kappa and then texted her telling her she needed to join. Eventually she did, and ever since then we have been inseparable. I am so lucky she is one of my sisters, because we share a bond that is indescribable. She has been there for many of the biggest moments in my life. I think choosing Nataly as my Maid of Honor is and will be one of the easiest decisions I will make about my wedding. Which also made it even more perfect that she was the only one there for when finding my wedding dress too! I plan on asking my bridesmaid in a special way, but I just had to ask Nataly in person. After the bridal show, we went to lunch and I ordered us mimosas. I was so nervous to ask her, and joked around with her after that I got a taste of what Matt felt like when asking me to marry him. She has and will be the perfect maid of honor. I can't wait to make more big memories and go through life moments together.

First Bridal Show (trust me you wanna read this!!)

This weekend I went to my first Bridal Show. OH MY GOD! IT WAS CRAZY! My best friend Nataly, messaged me telling me we should go this Sunday or Matt and I should go. I could I not resist a day full of wedding everything! It was held at the Sheraton in Downtown Phoenix. Nataly and I had no idea what to expect, she had read a few pointers on how best to take on a Bridal Show. But, I do no think anything could prepare of us for the experience of it all. After the fact, I am glad I did not go into it with any expectations, because in some areas I was pleasantly surprised or found vendors/ideas that I did not think of yet. As we were walking in they gave us stickers that said Bride and Wedding Entourage. It was so fun, because everyone that I talked to knew I was the bride! Also so glad Matt didn't come, because we were joking that guys would probably think it so boring and most likely get overwhelmed by the amount of weddingness going on. There were groom's in attendance, but I am sure Matthew was happy to stay home and watch his Sunday Football and make sure his fantasy teams did well (your welcome honey)!

As we walked up and turned the corner to go in, we were awe struck by a parted sea of wedding dresses. We had to talk a moment before entering in because we were just so excited and could not handle all the beauty of these wedding dresses. The first dress I saw was on a mannequin and I took a picture of it, just thinking oh good, this is the siloquette I want, and snapped a picture for ideas.  All the dresses at the front were by Karia's Bridal Store. I had never heard of them before, but thought, wow, they have some beautiful dresses for some great prices! After we died a little bit over the dresses, we proceeded into the mass chaos of the actual show. We walked through the whole thing and found some really amazing vendors. One of them that I fell in love with as Preserve Your Flowers! Where they preserve your bouquets and put them in shadow boxes. You can do a full bouquet in a box or you can get it like a work of art. I found both so very cool, and thought it was a neat idea! You pay for your flowers to only last that day or a week at most. But, through their freeze dry process, they look almost like they are still fresh, that way you can always have them as a work of art in your home. I just love this idea (below are pictures)!!)

Also, I am in need of a videographer. I really want one for the wedding, and I just am in love with all the videos I have seen of people's weddings. Nataly and I came to the conclusion this videographer has to be a young hipster that is artsy! The video needs to have perfect lighting and be adorably cute, and must must bring tears to my eyes and other's like me, who, will creep on my video! We found a great team, Something New Media, that I really enjoyed. We got to take home a DVD that showed wedding videos that they had done.

We got to sample cake, food, signature drinks (that weren't good at all), take photos in a photo booth, watch a fashion show, and enter a handful of free giveaway prizes. During the fashion show I had texted a picture of that dress to my mom. I wanted to get her thoughts on the dress. she immediately texted me back and said I had to try it on. I turned to Nataly, and said I have to try that dress on. We both looked at each other with this OMG look. We headed straight to the wedding dress area after the fashion show. We went into the tent where you could try dresses on. The whole time I was so giddy and excited. Before she even had it zipped, I felt amazing in it. In the mean time Nataly in the background is freaking out with anticipation of seeing it on. I walk up to the mirror and stared back at my reflection and just knew. This was my dress. It sounds so silly and crazy, cause it was the first one I really had tried on. I felt amazing in it and did not want to take it off. Nataly was snapping pictures and sent them to my mom right away. This wasn't the moment I was hoping for though, I was thinking I would go with my bridal party, my mom and Matt's mom to find the dress. To make a big day out of it and laugh and giggle about the dresses I hated and cry with everyone when I found the one. Definitely wanted my Say Yes to the Dress moment. But, at the same time there was a reason I spotted this dress, and when I tried it on I felt an instant connection to it. I called my mom and told her I loved it and she said okay, well get it. I was stumped, do I get this amazing dress, the first one I tried on or wait and see what else is out there. But, I knew nothing would live up to the dress and how beautiful it was and the magical moment I had. After debating it and more freaking out, I said..... YES TO THE DRESS!

Looking back, I am so happy I went with the decision. Firstly, it will take six months to order the dress!!! SIX! That is just for it to arrive, that time frame does not include alterations either. This dress was made to find me and I made to find it! It is the dress I will walk down the aisle in, marry the man of my dreams in, and take millions of photos that we will show our kids. And one day, I will have a daughter that will do the same thing and try on my dress. And NO, I can't post a picture of it or text you a picture of it, that defeats the whole purpose of the surprise of seeing me on my wedding day! And what if you text it to someone who texts it to someone who texts or shows it to Matty! What the dress looks like will be a complete secret to Matt. Our wedding day will be the first time he will see it and see me in it. All I can say is that it is Ivory and it is beautiful.

To say the least my first bridal show was a complete success!

Where and When are the next questions...

Following all congratulations is the questions when will you be getting married?! Which I must say is a lot of pressure for a recently engaged couple. WHEN, WHEN, WHEN??!! There is so much that goes in to when, that maybe a lot of people really do not understand! The "when" entails, figuring out a budget, picking a venue, and also knowing a rough copy of a guest list! They basically all go hand in hand to have a date picked out!  That is a lot of things to figure out right away!

Where to even start with the budget! We will be paying for the wedding traditionally with our parents paying for the respective parts, which we are extremely fortunate about. The average American wedding cost roughly $25,000 a year (holy crap!!). Since, this is the first wedding for both of our families everything is all new to us. We don't know anything about how much of anything costs. I have been doing a ton of research, theknot.com has helped a lot with seeing realistically how much to spend on each part of the wedding. Also my wedding planner binder, which is also from theknot.com, has really helped as well. 

Looking at wedding venues is so stressful! Some wedding venues charge you nickel and dime for the craziest things!! And these craziest things can add up to be very costly things. Also the venue you pick is going to reflect on your guests and leave a lasting impression. Also it will forever be in your memories as where you got married and became husband and wife. We looked at this venue I absolutely fell in love with and it came to the point where they asked what dates we were looking at. Matt and I decided the night we got engaged that we would get married a year later, so  late September or early October of 2014. We were told that they were completely booked every weekend of September and October of next year! NEXTTT YEARRR! People obviously had the same idea as us! It is the greatest weather wise in Arizona for weddings! That just blew my mind though! But, also made me feel sane to be already looking at venues for a year away, actually after this is almost seemed a must in order to get a leg up on a great venue. 

Finally, the infamous guest list!! At first Matt and I were thinking, oh my gosh we know so many people, a whole fraternity and sorority and family and friends, probably 150 to 200 people! After really considering how much money everything costs. We decided roughly on 120 people. Also, after writing a very rough guest list, I discovered Matthew has such a big family!! Which, makes me very excited to meet all those aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents during our wedding weekend, especially since I will be the newest Glynn member!! But, these 120 people will be our closest family members and friends, people that have inspired us, helped us grow alone and together, and people who will continue to be apart of our lives forever.

AFTER ALL OF THIS, which I must say is a lot!! We have picked a date and a venue officially!!!!!!

BUT!!!!! We will be keeping that a secret for a bit longer, we are not ready to share it with the world yet! For, all of those that was hoping to find out in this post, patience my friend, patience! Soon enough we will be sending out our save the dates and shouting it from the roof tops, until then it will remain a mystery! <3

For now I will leave you with one of my favorite pictures of Matty and I! Taken on the way to his fraternity's  White Diamond Ball!

XOXO,

Soon to be Mrs. Glynn

The first wedding dress I tried on!

My mother and father will be celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary this coming year. As a tribute to their marriage they are going on romantic vacation and getting their vows renewed. My mom wants to wear the head piece she originally wore her wedding day at their vow renewal. So, this past weekend when she came to visit and brought her wedding box with her, which has not been open since marrying my dad. As soon as she came into the door we opened the box because we were just so excited to finally see it! We joked about how it might not even be in there after all these years and when we opened the box we were so giddy. I really wanted to try it on because it was apart of such a special moment in my parents lives. My parents are the perfect example of what I wish and hope to have one day. I grew up with the most supportive loving family. They saw me through my hardest times and my most proudest moments. They always had faith in one another and have traveled across the world to take chances on opportunities. They are so humble and the most caring people I know. They don't take life for granted and there are so many things that Matt and I can continue to learn from them. Trying on this dress was such an honor. Trying on this dress represented the commitment and vows I will make to Matthew soon, the same ones my parents made to one another. It was a great start to kick off our planning of our wedding (so much to do)!

Now I can forever say the first wedding dress I tried on was my mom's! 

He Put a Ring on it!!!

Now for the post everyone has been waiting to read about! How Matthew Proposed!!

Matt and I at Red Rock State Park

Since, our two year anniversary was onMonday, September 30th, I had taken the weekend off from work. We both decided that we wanted to do a trip and spend some quality time together. Matt planned and decided on taking me to Sedona, Arizona. I have never been to Sedona in all the years that I have lived here, so I was super excited to go.  We were going Saturday through Sunday. After we drove up we immediately went to Red Rock State Park. Before we were able to get there, we definitely got lost and ended up on someone's private property (dang siri gave us the wrong directions). We hiked through the many trails and had so much fun taking pictures and enjoying the views and beautiful weather. After hiking we went into downtown Sedona and explored the cute little shops. We had to stop at the Black Cow Cafe and get ice cream and a root bear float to share! We finally went to the hotel, and I was tired so decided to take a nap! While taking a nap he texted and plotted, he actually ended up texting my two best friends to let them know that he was about to propose (aw so cute, right?!). Also right after getting ready for dinner, he told me he wanted to get ice to he could have a cold glass of water! Really while he was getting ice, he was meeting my parents in the hotel lobby to give them the ring!

The text Matt send my best friends 30 mins before he proposed

Early in the day he told me we had dinner reservations at the Golden Goose Cafe. He said he picked this because of the great reviews! As we drove up, Matt kept saying he hopes it is good and that it is actually a nice place. I kept telling him not to worry and that I am sure it will be a perfect place to celebrate our anniversary! (Later this made sense as to why he was so nervous about the venue choice)  We were sat outside, but instead of sitting at a table that was small for two people, we were sat at a 8 top table!! Of course, in my confusion I had no idea what was going on and kept talking about how weird it was they would sat us at such a big table for only two people. We ordered Sangrias (that's my favorite) and continued talking like any other dinner we would have together. Then the waiter walked up with our doggy, Bentley, in her arms and said we found this dog. This was extremely weird and surprising he was there because he was supposed to with my parents because they were watching him for the weekend (even more confusion ran through my head). I gave him a big squeeze and that is when I noticed he was wearing a shiny sparkly collar and attached to the collar was a black jewelry bag.  Matt turns to me and says Bentley and I have a gift for you, he went on to of course saying all the romantic wonderful loving amazing words and sentences every girl dreams of hearing. He got down on one knee and said those four magical words and my words immediately came to me. YES. Tears came to my eyes and pure joy came rushing over me. This moment was something I not only dreamed about for my whole life, but also dreamed about Matt asking me most of all. After he proposed he told me our parents were there and sure enough they had been watching and taking pictures the whole time. It was the most surreal moment I have ever experienced. After tears and hugging we all sat down together and enjoyed our first meal as a family together.

Matt proposing (secret pictures my parents took)

We had to take a picture next to the Golden Goose Sign!

My family altogether<3

Matthew made the happiest woman alive on Saturday September 28th, 2013 (still am the happiest person ever)! I am the luckiest person to be in love with my best friend and also be engaged to the man of my dreams! I have a Fiance now and still have to pinch myself each morning I wake up and see my beautiful diamond ring on my left hand. Let the planning begin!

How us lovebirds met!

How we met

I walked into my Business Statistics class just like any other first day of Spring Classes. I sat near the front, but then our professor informed us that we must sit alphabetical order by first name. Thinking that we aren't in elementary school anymore and that it was such a weird thing to have college students do, I moseyed my way to the back of the room trying to find the other "K"s. I found myself in what I thought  was the "K" line, and turned to the gentlemen next to me asking him what his first name was, just to make sure. The guy replied that his name was Matt. I then said, I was in the wrong line because my name did not start with a "M", but he insisted I was fine and that I was in the right line. He ended up sitting next to one another for the entire semester, since those ended up being our assigned seating. Time passes, and we take our first test. Now, if anyone knows me, math is not my friend!! I ended up failing the first test miserably (dad I swear I studied)!!!  I asked Matt what he got on the test we just took, he told me he got an A, and asked me what I got,  I laughed and said I failed (I didn't mention how horribly I failed though!!). This was actually the first real conversation we had. Before this, I tried very hard to talk to him, asking him how to do math problems, but he would just slide his paper over silently without saying anything to me. Being the friendly person I am, I was a little off put that this person seemed like he did not want to talk to me (that ended up not being the case, someone was just a little shy). Since, I failed the test he gave me his phone number and told me I could call him anytime so that we could study together. We ended up studying together at the library or Starbucks. Through studying so much together we became great friends. The class came to an end and it became Fall semester. I remember thinking that I was sad that I would not see Matthew every other day and that we would not be studying together anymore. But, our friendship surpassed just being Study Buddies, we hung out in the Fall as well and that is when our relationship turned into something more. We both secretly had crushes on one another, so everything just fell in to place! On the night of September 30th, he asked me to officially be his girlfriend. A month or two later, we told each other we loved one another, and 6 months later we took a leap of faith and moved into together. We have loved every second we have spent together for the past two years. We have laughed, cried, supported, cheered, fought, made up, traveled, moved, graduated, grew-up, and loved one another! So much so, on our Two year anniversary, Matthew asked me to be his Fiance!

About US:

About Kelsey

I grew up as as an Arizona native, but my family and I have lived in Malaysia and Costa Rica for a few years. As the Higgins Family, we have traveled to many places around the world and love vacationing and traveling. I became accustomed to not having a house be a home, but just the love of my parents being my home. My family is very important to me, I take great pride in being an Aunt to four nieces and nephews.  I graduated from Seton Catholic High School and only applied to one college (ASU). I graduated with a Business Communications degree, but where I learned my most real world knowledge was the organizations I was apart of and positions I held in them. I was the the Homecoming Director of the Programming and Activities and Board. This position included planning the ASU Homecoming Parade and ASU Lantern Walk. This leadership role tested me as a person more than anything and the experience let me grow as a person. After this leadership role, I had the pleasure of being the Undergraduate Student Government Public Relations Director.  I joined Sigma Kappa after Matt and I met and it was one of the best experiences of my college career, besides meeting the man of my dreams. My dream life would be to be a wife and stay at home mother, so that is why the day I become Mrs. Glynn will be the happiest day of my life, because my dreams will start to come true. I wear my heart on my sleeve and truly believe things happen in life for a reason. All the people I have in my life mean so much to me and I am truly blessed to have the best of friends.  God gave me this life because I am strong enough to live it, and together Matthew and I will live it together! 

About Matthew

How do I even begin to tell you about my best friend Matthew Michael Glynn. His whole family is from New Jersey and boy are they huge Philly sport fans! I don't know anyone who loves sports as much as my fiance! He could probably watch sports for 24 hours and still be highly entertained. He moved to Arizona with his family, his amazing parents and beautiful sister Cherie! He went to Pinnacle High School where he was a football stud. He continued playing intramural sports all throughout college and still loves to play basketball with the guys. He then chose to go to Arizona State University for his college career. This is where him and I met (more on that later). At ASU he joined Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and was heavily involved in this fraternity all four years of college. He majored in Mathematics, (I know what was he thinking, but he is one smart guy)!  Something he prides himself on is participating in Journey of Hope and Gear of Florida, both are the philanthropic events that select members of his fraternity nation-wide get to participate in. In Journey of Hope, Matt rode his bicycle across the United States for people with disabilities.  He originally chose to do this for his wonderful Sister Cherie, and to spread a message of acceptance and understanding on behalf of people with disabilities   A couple years later he volunteered to become the project manager of Gear of Florida, where he guided a team of cyclists across Florida, to do the same missions but concentrated just in Florida. I think both of these two major life changing events really go to show you what kinda of person Matthew is. He is a caring, patient, kind hearted person, that truly puts his self and well-being before others. He has the biggest heart and I am one lucky girl to have it all to myself! He is passionate about life and his family. I cannot wait to marry my best friend, the person that makes me laugh and is my greatest cheerleader and supporter!