Weddings, Weddings, Weddings!

Hello, New World!

This post is just a fun little jaunt into my thoughts... so stick with me. :)

As Heffe and I attended our good friends', Cayla's and Walt's, wedding this weekend, we were talking about the enormous amount of weddings we've been to. We've left weddings discussing the location, dresses,  food, decor, groom's reaction, DJ/Band, first dance, and other memorable qualities of each and every wedding.

I know that regardless of the relationship between me and the bride and/or groom, I've remembered something completely special and unique about every wedding. 

So...just a little about the weddings I've been to...

My uncles' weddings- First time I was flower girl. Yeah, Sciato! Pretty dress and a starring role? hoookay!

My cousin Gabe to Wendy, and my cousin Molli to Matt- my first family weddings that I really remember... my family is fun? :) What an amazing realization!! PS I will also NEVER forget the way Gabe looked, and still does look, at Wendy.

Sidenote, I was unable to make it to my cousin Karyn's wedding to Brian. :( I get to stalk their beautiful family daily through facebook and feel so close to them even though they are so physically far away!

My cousin Jimmy to Jayne- I realized how incredibly romantic weddings could be- I still remember their first dance song!

My brother Tony and Amanda- I will NEVER forget how exciting this day was!! I get a sister. :) I remember a dance I had with Tony- we're both such sapsters that I know we both cried through the whole damn thing. Plus, Tony consulted me for DJ suggestions, and my 17 year old self was thrilled. :)

My cousin Tony to Miss Toni, and my dance teacher Suzy to Bill- I realized how incredibly GLAM weddings could be! 

My cousin Carrie to Chuck- they had a CHOCOLATE. FOUNTAIN. Middle-school Sciato was PLEASED. :)

My pseudo-brother-in-law Erik to Megan- I will never forget how their wedding was just so "them". The details screamed their individual love story. I'll never forget their Jack Skeleton cake topper!! 

And now... enter wedding season... aka the past 4 years of Janissa...in no particular order...

My pseudo-sister-in-law Laura to Clayton- This wedding was SO. FUN. Laura's garter was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals!!! I mean,come on. :)

My cousin Marie to Jason- I don't think anyone exudes love like Marie and her sisters. She and Jason have a love story come true, and it was in everything they did that day. 

My good friend Mindy to John- details, details, details! Mindy has exceptional taste, and I loved how she had her bridal party separately introduced to the rest of the guests, and how each of her tables' were named for places at Xavier! #alwaysamuskie :)

Sidenote#2- I was in Mindy's wedding, and therefore, could not attend my friend Ashley's wedding to Denny on the same night. Ashley is just amazing, and her and Denny-Boo's fun-loving and completely authentic relationship makes me melt. :)

My college roommate Jen to Dennis. aka Jennis. Holy location! They were able to snag one of the most sought-after reception venues in Cincy... so glam, so romantic, so perfect.

My friends Abby and Ben- Anyone who meets Abby and Ben instantly know that God put them on this earth for each other. Their wedding was so sophisticated, and the food/beverage selection was completely unmatched.

My friend Erica to Brandon- Erica is one of those one-of-a-kind people that stays in your life forever, no matter how much time has passed. Girlfriend busted out 2 wedding dresses that night. Stunning!

Our friends, Kelly and Thom- I had the privilege of being with them on the night they decided to start dating ;) I LOVED how they had crossword puzzles on the back of their menu.

My former coworker Erin's wedding was special- I will always remember her choreographed Father-Daughter dance.

My BFF Marisa and Aaron- first time Maid of Honor for Sciato. Meesie and her Boo are just an amazing couple that share a love and fearlessness of life that I admire so much. Being involved in her planning process truly made me realize how much they love the people in their life.

One of Heffe's BFF's Dave and his wife, Emily- this wedding was the same day as Meesie's, so we both had had to split up for this wedding weekend. Dave and Emily are such wonderful people, and I know their wedding showcased their kind hearts.

Heffe's seester Maureen to Ryan- They taught me that it's okay to open up and share romance with your family, details are key, the importance of planning, and most importantly... that romance doesn't stop after you say, "I do." They are always so sweet to each other!

Heffe's other BFF, Ross and Amanda- they show me (not only on their wedding day, but every time we hang out with them) how effortless and laid-back a love story can be. 

Heffe's college friends Pat and Christine- romance stands the test of time! They have been together since freshmen year of college!

My other BFF Amy to Chip... holy lovefest :) Like I said about Abby and Ben, anyone who meets Amy and Chip knows immediately they were made for each other. They just "get" each other! How lucky to marry your best friend, and how lucky their guests were to see the love between them.

Heffe and I were unable to make it to my cousin Shawn's wedding to Paul. They have shown me through their gracious notes and thank you cards how important guests are to the bride and groom.

My cousin Christine to Gabe- I've said this once, and I'll say it again... location, location, details, details! Their wedding was so memorable, so fresh, and so refreshing! Not to mention their food and cocktails were all local and completely delish :)

My dear dear friend Meredith to Dave- They are so blissfully in love :) I love their love. I love their families. True. Love.

My brother Michael to Chris- they are generally pretty casual about everything in their life, but man, oh man... did they get their wedding day RIGHT! Chris was beautiful, and I will never forget Michael's ear-to-ear-teeth-splitting-smile... all day. :)

We weren't able to go to my cousin Kevin's wedding to Denise... they had a destination wedding in ITALY. Those beautiful, adventurous, lucky ducks!!! :) 

My cousin John (-John) to Laura- their wedding was so beautiful, and again a realization of, "My family is fun?!" :) They had friends sing, "The Prayer" and there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

My Uncle Jimmy to Jill. Their cake was TO DIE FOR. Yum!!!

And now our friends, Cayla and Walt- wow. Cayla and my relationship grew since we were wedding planning at the same time! We shared ideas, names, numbers, and pinterest boards. It was amazing to see her vision come to life. Their wedding was beautiful. :)

As we are in the thick of wedding planning, with looming details and huge expenses over our heads, I hope and pray our vision for our Big Day will come across not only in decor and food and drinks... but in the memories of our guests to come. 

As I proofread this, and realize my readers should have started a drinking game to take shots every time I said "romance, love, glam, location, or detail," ...a quote, that I wholeheartedly believe to be true, pops into my head, and I'll leave you with that, New World...

"Every love story is beautiful.

But ours is my favorite." :)

Until next time :)

This is me, bein me. :)

Cheers. :)