8 Days Until 'I Do' --SINGLE DIGITS! 2 Days Until Shawn arrives!

8 is my lucky number! ...and we are 8 days away from the wedding!

I cannot believe we are so close...

After nine years, a year and a half of planning, 6 months of amazing fun-filled events, and two weeks of Mom and I pulling everything together... enjoying the peaceful bliss of Hawai'i and each other's company... we are now at a week countdown.

This time with my mother has meant so much to me... everyday by her side spending these precious moments together before I'm off in a new home starting my own new family...

It's amazing to really think about, but what's two weeks alone with my mother and a lifetime with my new husband by my side? I'm not saying I'm not excited. This is my next chapter! A new adventure! I'm just saying, this time with my mother has been so fleeting... and everyday has meant so much to me and I can never truly express how much she means to me and how much I love her. So deeply. I am truly so blessed to have such an incredible woman to call my mother. I love you so much, Mom. You're amazing.

Yesterday we met with our amazing Chef Chai and spent some time at Ala Moana mall to pick up a special cake knife set so we can keep forever as part of our wedding collection.

They're beautiful.

What I also found out is that we missed out on a lot of Macy's registry gifts because the lady who was at my local Macy's store was never available to help set up my registry, so I just set it up online.

Word from the now wise: Get your registries set up in the Macy's store! There are so many awesome benefits! and all the kick back from the registry gifts are incredible! Trust us on this--set it up in-store.

Hawai'i has been absolutely beautiful and perfect since we arrived. There was Hurricane Guillermo heading toward us, but we have seen nothing but blue skies and sparkling stars every day and night... of course next week is Tropical Storm Hilda, becoming a hurricane my Thursday of next week... and again, who knows what this will bring. Maybe some showers... maybe nothing at all... Only as we get closer will we find out.

Every night Mom and I have been working on our To Do lists and our To Get lists...

We're going to write up what we have so far and send out a checklist once it's finalized to the wedding party. That way we have several eyes and minds knowing what's going on and can help whenever we need it.

I really cannot believe that this day is finally almost here. I am truly so blessed to have such an amazing wedding day coming up... so truly blessed to have the family I have and the family I will have.

There are so many adventures and excitement happening... and all in one week leading up to the wedding! I'm exhausted thinking about it! Haha, also... the lack of sleep may be affecting that as well... I think my mind is racing and going over so much, that sleep just eludes me.

I wake up every hour of the night before I finally give up and get ready for my sunrise walk with Mom. Haven't missed one.

We also say good morning to our birds who come over to greet us every time we cross their path. Love them!

Anyway, Shawn will be here Sunday and I cannot WAIT! So much to do and get ready for once he arrives... My head is spinning already!

Two Days Until his arrival! SO EXCITED!

Love,
​Alex

15 Days Until 'I Do'

Oh my gosh... these days have been packed full of everything that has to do with EVERYTHING. I've been up since about 5am this morning (It's now 7, and I plan on doing my sunrise walk soon...)

The day before yesterday, Mom and I met up with Camille at our venue and took shots of our blank canvas so we could get ideas of what we would like to do with the space.

We then wrote out an outline and will have that for our vendors asap.

Mom also ordered a 20x21 dance floor. Oh, it just got real people. Plan on dancing. This is happening.

It has been so hot walking around in the heat, the only consolation is the incredible tadewinds and the beautiful breeze we have right now... Because yesterday Mom and I walked over 10 miles.

We also located where we need to go to get our marriage license!

Pretty official!

We found a girl in Chinatown who will provide us leis and hopefully a halo for some creatives I would like to do.

Getting lei'd in Hawai'i is easy as long as you know the right people...

I also chatted with our officiant to get our programs solidified and ready to go.

At 2PM after our walk to Chinatown we headed back to the center of the city to meet with our amazing DJ, Tony So! We are so freaking excited!

Moments before our reunion...

So much more happened in between, but I am too tired to go into detail... plus I'd rather leave some surprises...

I've also been responding to our own Sweet Start Brides and potential Sweet Start brides! I'm so excited for them. This time of planning is just a matter of working out the details and letting everything fall into place.

Oh the things we have planned when people start arriving...!

But for now I leave you with some sunset images, a few geckos I caught and things you can figure out on your own...

Aloha,
Alex

18 Days Until 'I Do'

I guess it's pretty easy to say I've been neglecting my journal... especially since my last entry was over 20 days ago and here we are... down to the wire.

Two weekends ago was my Bachelorette Party. It was absolutely amazing!

Despite having a few beautiful faces missing (I was sad, but that's life), it was still an incredible day.

My girls really know how to make my day so special!

We all went to New Hope for breakfast at this fabulous restaurant, Rita's. It was just awesome... and probably the hottest day of the summer at the time. Despite the heat we sat in this gorgeous glass menagerie covered with creeping vines and flowers everywhere. It was absolutely enchanting.

Afterward we walked around the beautiful little town, got our sweets on and enjoyed all the cool little shops!

We finally made it to this awesome handcrafted glass lighting shop.

It was just mesmerizing, each piece more fantastical than the last.

After my gorgeous Bridesmaid, Erica folded and bought two magical glass tea light holders, Thea and I followed suit, loving the way the light sparkles through the glass creating a bewitching atmosphere.

We soon hurried back to the car where we ventured the winding roads of Pennsylvania, before stumbling upon Bowman's Tower.

We held our breath as my maid of Honor, Alexis' little Nissan chugged its way to the top of the incredibly steep roadway, up what seemed to be more mountain, than hill.

When we finally emerged at the top, victorious, we walked around... still sweating from the heat of walking outside in my favorite little town, and returned to the car soon after.

The ride down was SIGNIFICANTLY more fun... so we did it. Twice.

We retired at my house, enjoying each other's company before heading home for the evening. It was an absolutely perfect day.

Every day after that was a whirlwind of fantastical interviews, and getting every piece ready as much as I could before Mom and I departed for my home away from home... my peace, my zen, my aloha, my Hawai'i.

The day Mom and I left was chaos, and despite filming on Thursday, then filming a gorgeous wedding on Friday... my time with Shawn was very short and mostly exhausting. Filming all day will just wipe anyone out, even veterans--or especially vets because all the brain work of making sure everything is perfect and running through more that should, could, can be done!

Saturday was Shawn's Bachelor party, while I was busy with Mom packing and figuring out everything we could bring and having mini panic attacks about whether or not my wedding dresses would be permitted on the plane.

Good news: All went perfectly well! Many gentlemen offered to help me when they saw me kind of struggling with my giant dress and insisting that chivalry is not dead. Poor Mom was rushing ahead as we were later than we've ever been to the airport, and we didn't realize it until we got to the gate, but they had already started boarding!

Now here was the real test of whether we could beg to have the dresses in the closet or not.

With much smiling and cooing and giggles about my big day, those dresses got a first class trip all the way to O'ahu.

We arrived 30 minutes early around 1:40pm Hawai'i time instead of 2:10 as originally planned and now it was just a waiting game while we taxi'ed around waiting for a terminal to be freed on to the island.

I stepped off the plane and panicked for a moment.

"Uh, when is Hawai'i this hot, Mom?"

She looked at me with eyebrows raised. "Alex, this is Hawai'i in the summer."

I stared at her a moment, having only been to Hawai'i for the past several years during the fall/winter seasons.

"It's usually this humid?"

"Ye-ah!" she said, as if I should have known this all along because of my childhood experience here. She has a way of saying 'yeah' without the 'uh, yeah' part that still sounds like, 'uh, yeah, dummy'. She's talented like that.

Well... this is going to be interesting, I thought to myself, remembering all the promises I made of cooler temperatures with the ocean breeze by the water.

I had to remind myself that we were still in Honolulu at the hottest time of the day. 

When we finally arrived home to Ko'Olina, the temperature was still pretty warm, but not as hot as it was in the city.

Mom and I brought everything up after greeting all of our friends we met along the way.

We were exhausted, but we still had much to do.

After I had set up our wedding closet and Mom got the car started, we took a quick shower, and we were back out buying groceries, and other essentials.

Mystery wedding closet! Oh the sparkling goodies in there...!

We returned later, rinsing off the days sweat and went out for the evening.

That night was... interesting.

While waiting in line at Longboards (a fun restaurant at the Marriott right on the beach), a few gentlemen approached us and tried to have conversations with us.

Mom was too engrossed in the giant movie screen playing 'Despicable Me, 2' on the lawn. She loves those movies... but her favorite is the chicken. She loves chickens. Weird, right? Huh.

Anyway, despite all my efforts of trying to politely not engage, with the persistent men when the server asked us how many, and the overachiever said, "You wanna make it a foursome?" I couldn't even bring myself to look him in the eye.

"No, we're good, but thank you," I said, grabbing my mother from her mesmerized stare off the movie screen and guiding her to our table. "Come on, Mom."

"She's getting MARRIED!" my mother announced to the men. Yep. That's happening. At this point she was already a beer in the game.

Within seconds there was a Mai tai in front of her, the waiter bashfully nodding, "from the gentleman over there..." 

I stared at my mother. She looked at me, "What?" she asked, confused.

The waiter returned and took our order and saw that the drink remained untouched.

"Can you drink? You don't like Mai Tais, yeah?"

Mom shook her head, "I don't like sweet drinks. And what is this for?"

The waiter pointed out that she was not wearing any rings.

"I'm allergic to American gold because they mix silver into it," she tried to explain.

He looked at her suspiciously.

"Her husband is arriving in August to celebrate my wedding. They just celebrated their 31st Wedding Anniversary last week."

"And he still didn't put a ring on it?"

I shrugged, "You can lead a horse to water."

He looked at me like he never heard the phrase, let alone understand it, and hurried off with our order.

Within the next few seconds there was another drink in front of us.

"What's this?" Mom asked, incredulously.

The waiter shrugged with a slick smile and giggled, "I don't know..."

Mom sipped it. "Tequila." she scrunched up her face. "Eew."

When our food arrived, I ate quickly. I couldn't wait to get out of there.

It was a creepy experience.

The next morning, Mom and I were up at 3:30... then at 5:30... then we finally got out of bed around 6:30, sleep being too elusive.

We accomplished more today, and still had time to relax despite the sudden rainstorm.

I really wanted to get some luxurious soaps to really enjoy this stay. It is really important to me that everything be a step above our usual incredible stays... just a few details to make this more special.

When we returned we had a late lunch and I roamed the property trying to find perfect locations for the most creative and beautiful shots for our photographer, Brandi, and cinematographers, Glen + Violet.

I am so excited! We then took our sunset walk and then I started this entry... it's too late now in New Jersey to post as it is almost 3 am there, so I'll post it tomorrow.

Now I'm going to hop in the shower and take a few moments to breath and enjoy my new bath products...

Aloha,
Alex Ameen

40 Days Until 'I Do'

Last week was a great week... This week is full as well... full of me getting to put on my dream dresses that will fit like they are made for me... full of photos from wedding events... full of welcome gifts... This week is going to be full!

This past weekend was the Fourth of July! We are in JULY, people!!! Next month is the month of my WEDDING. I literally never thought I would make it here. No. Literally. It is so surreal, because in my insane mind, something goes wrong. an accident, some tragedy, SOMETHING would stop me from getting even THIS close to the wedding and marrying the man of my dreams.

And yet... here we are. One month away... 40 Days Until 'I Do'.

I must confess, I'm a little in a panic, seeing all the gorgeous wedding ideas and still not having my wedding venue all planned out... but when Mom and I get there we should solidify everything and make my wedding fantasy a reality! I mean, the only thing missing is actually booking the right vendors to make it happen. Now that I know exactly what I want, we just have to talk to the right crew. Right? Yeah. That's all... *deep breath* Okay.

So tomorrow I'm going to my first fitting to get my dress back... I have my wedding undergarments so now I'll know EXACTLY how amazing this dress will be...

I've also been hitting the gym pretty hard. Haven't missed a day except when we were filming a wedding, but I've been loyally there ever since. I think gym thing is actually working too... this dress was a lot more fitted when Mom and I bought it together... now it's loose... Very exciting!

My incredibly handsome #MCM hubby to be!

Yesterday Shawn took me to New Hope for breakfast. It was absolutely decadent! If you ever want a try a super awesome restaurant with beautiful outdoor seating in the trees, Blue Moose is the place to be!

I got this amazing Chai Tea latte that was to die for!

Shawn was feeling inspired...

Of course I got French Toast (it was a French restaurant, after all).. and it was delicious. Best I've ever had... I mean, LOOK at it! Amazing.

Wednesday, Shawn is getting fitted for a Tux for his brother, Austin's wedding which should be a lot of fun, too! Unfortunately that means almost all of the days this week are totally packed. Austin's birthday is the next day and I'm hoping we can combine the two so we can have at least Thursday to check out some properties so we have a place to actually live when we get married... seeing how Shawn's lease at his apartment is up in August... and it's a 3 hour drive for us...

I am also getting fitted for my Italian wedding dress on Wednesday. And Shawn has so much editing to do when he returns home for our Sweet Start brides. Especially since this weekend he is going out with his friends. 

Home... for now.

That makes me nervous, too... Where are we going to live? I don't have a job as of right now and we have one income... and come August (as of right now) we have no place to go. I'm trying not to freak, but we'll see what happens when the time comes.

Hopefully we'll have everything figured out when the day arrives, but as of right now, 40 Days until our wedding, not everything is completely booked yet, One income, and Homeless in less than 30 days! *sigh* I digress.

I know I shouldn't reveal my stress... but there are just somedays when stuff is really intimidating and writing helps me clear my mind and get it all out on paper. Once it's out I can see it all, and organize... and reorganize it and figure out what needs to be done. 

Last week I contacted a few properties to see if we can meet up and check them out. We have a few meetings this week, but depending on other things we may not be able to get to all the properties this week. That really stinks, because it would be great to find a place that works for my potential return to Paterson, and is still an easy drive to Shawn's job... There is a lot to consider, but we'll figure it out, I know it.

And finally, on Sunday I am going to one of our previous bride Baby Shower! I am so super excited and cannot wait to see our gorgeous bride again. It is going to be an amazing day.

Anyway, my apologies for a concerned wedding journal post... Part of me thinks I should just keep this private, but I think it helps, too. A bride can see she is not the only one going through the Wedding Struggle! #thestruggleisreal

More to come, I'll have plenty to gush about when I finally get my dresses returned to me! I cannot wait to put them back on!

So many exciting things happening!

Love,
Alex

43 Days Until 'I Do'

Since my last day of work last Wednesday, Mom and I have been none stop working on getting everything together for the wedding.

Soon to be Home I return to after August... hopefully I'll be returning from a job I love...

I haven't really said anything until now, but my last day was the end of my contract with my teaching job in Paterson. I am heartbroken and, quite frankly, very nervous to be getting married without a job in September.

I have updated resume, cover letters, and received glowing letters of recommendation as my lay off was due to lack of Budget and despite the district desperately needing Special Education Teachers, simply because I was one of the latest hired... I was one of the first told to leave.

Everyone says come August or September I will get a call asking me to return, but right now I've put myself in a position to get interviews elsewhere and if I get called back I will very happily return to that school with my amazing students.

Weddings bring the mushy side of us out...

As of right now, I am focusing all of my energy in positivity and the wedding. So much still needs to get done, and now I can really put my everything into getting it all done. I am so excited and so happy, nothing can bring me down during this time.

Since I've been home I've been to the gym at least 5 days every week! I'm proud and I feel really good! I'm hoping this will help when I go back for my dress fittings!

Right now, in the background, I hear a processional as one of our Sweet Start Brides walks down the aisle... Shawn is editing a gorgeous wedding and I am getting super giddy just watching our bride's wedding... We have such an incredible adventure ahead of us.

Next to me I hear the birds singing to each other, Shawn's glass-sliding door open to a gorgeous summer day... and I can't help but take in the moments of these beautiful, perfect days...

Last week I spent the week with Mom getting fitted for dresses... I'm so excited... I cannot wait to put them back on and have them fit like they were made for me...

This is me wearing one of them as I got it fitted to perfection...

Last weekend we had another gorgeous wedding, and it was probably a record rainfall and record lows for June in the history of recorded weather. It was muddy, cold, and wet, but the wedding still turned out gorgeous. And the film is going to be really intimate and special, but it also made me think about having a contingency plan for our outdoor reception. We just have to keep the weather noted for the three days before the wedding, when we have a better idea and we can rent a tent for the evening if the weather calls for it.

This could have come in handy for the flooding in the tent...

As of right now, prepare to dance in the soft Hawai'ian grass beneath the twinkling stars.

We still managed to capture some romantically magical moments!

For all the RSVPs we did not receive back we're going to assume 'no', especially since we only have a handful that we need back.

That means we have our headcount at 60, which is a fantastic size for our destination wedding in Hawai'i!

Shawn and I are playing with the idea of a little show during the reception as a surprise, but we're working on the timeline now to see if it makes sense... more dancing, or show...? Decisions...

We also have all our Wedding Favors ordered. They're awesome!

You know what to do.

We emailed our incredible Chef Chai about a date to get together and what else we should get for our gorgeous wedding on the beach, confirmed our Rehearsal time and dinner as well!

Yesterday Mom and I got a whole bunch of beautiful flip flops for all of our dancers that cannot endure their heels and I picked up a few specialty papers for all of the wedding stationery... with Shawn's brilliant skills and my design ideas... this wedding is going to be beautifully epic!

Last night I felt inspired while looking at wedding makeup... this was an attempt. I think it turned out really pretty...

Our Timeline as it is right now can be found here.

It's not official, but it's pretty close to being what we're planning for our time in Hawai'i.

Tonight is date night... and it's so beautiful out... I'm thinking we walk around and enjoy Princeton for a few hours... get some ice cream... should be a lot of fun.

Memories of the best ice cream dates...

Anyway, I still have to update a few vendors on our timeline and send out a few more emails in preparation!

Oh... it's ON!

Just wanted to have a quick update before getting back into Wedding To-Do List mode!

Love,
Alex

53 Days Until 'I Do'

The most perfect sunset walk...

Picture this:

Before you even open your eyes, you hear the soft coo-cooing of the white pigeons... the soft sound... exactly like this... You may even hear roosters in the distance as they run around more inland of the island...

Off in the distance you hear the beach waves crash on the shore a short walk away from where you are. You take a deep breath, knowing it's still early... but also knowing it's the perfect time to get up and take that walk and watch the sun rise above the perfect blue water...

You pull back the comforter and swing your legs over the bed looking forward and the dark koa wood making up the bed frame and the furniture around you... 

You shift your weight on to the balls of your feet... you get dressed quickly grab a piece of sweet papaya and head out the door.

As soon as that cool air hits you, you take a deep breath smell the sweet hibiscus and plumeria fills your nose and in the distance you can already smell the sweet salty air.

Within no time your are sinking into the soft cool sand... and just below the surface you can feel the warm sand that had been heated from the Hawai'ian sun the day before... 

Just over the water before you, the water starts to sparkle as the rays start to peak over the horizon and take a second to take in that moment... Another perfect Hawai'ian Sunrise... 

How can you say no to this sunset?

I know a destination wedding is a challenge. I knew it was going to be, and I suppose not a lot of people are like me. I believe in experiences more than material possessions. I want everyone to take advantage and go on an incredible adventure to a place that many people will never have the opportunity to enjoy in their lives.

Another perfect sunset in paradise

Either people have been there once for their Honeymoon and never returned, or just never went. Ever. I cannot imagine not leaving my little town and experiencing such an extraordinary place.

The beach is always empty and all yours...

All I can say is this is one of those opportunities you do not want to miss! Not only will you be able to go for such an incredibly low price, but it will be to celebrate as well with all friends and family! Can you imagine going somewhere so exotic, and being there with friends and family to talk about the trip of a lifetime with everyone who was there with you?

I just know that it is an opportunity lost if one does not take advantage of this awesome adventure.

Your breakfast... your view... you sure you want to miss this?

If you're still considering it... I want to run some numbers so that youfeel more confident that it's the most awesome adventure you will have this year! I know this is crazy close to the date, I thought this is an opportunity that would be sad to lose. We all like to adventure and no one appreciates adventure as much as I do! Not many people ever make it to Hawai'i in their lifetime and not only can you go to celebrate our wedding, but you can spend a week in Hawai'i for so little.

Tickets are about $800 (i have a friend who got them for $650), and for the room per person is about $450 for the week cleaning and taxes included. If you have a friend you'd like to invite as well, that would be awesome, too! 

Coming in for a landing...!

Your trip for a week in Hawai'i with airfare and room will cost you about $1300. FOR A TRIP TO HAWAI'I.

Think about the experience together...

Trust me, let's go on an incredible adventure together.

Your view every night...

60 Days Until 'I Do'

Often I think about how lucky and blessed I am to be surrounded by so many people who are so amazing.

I must admit, however, there are moments when I realize that weddings in any capacity can bring out the best... and can bring out the worst in people.

Something I learned throughout this wedding planning process is that there will always be people who are going to disappoint, hurt, and/or bum you out, whether they are actively trying or inadvertently doing this. 

I am a highly sensitive person as I am sure many people recognize as soon as they meet me. And that's okay, I've learned how to be conscience of my emotions and how to publicly dial it back, but that does not stop me from feeling any less.

What stops me, though, are the people who do end up hurting me. I've realized as they continue to take actions that do not put me in a positive place, that those people are not worth my energy.

It is so much more amazing to be happy. Those few that say or do something negative, pale in comparison to those who make me smile and feel giddy and enjoy my company as I enjoy theirs.

I read something on a media platform that struck me, and my mind keeps thinking about the quote:

"Understand the difference between someone who speaks to you on their free time and someone who frees their time to speak to you"

Guilty. But I am also protecting them. Usually if I am too busy to chat... I'm really too emotional and rationalize that the conversation will not be productive. I would rather wait than to hurt someone, than to hurt someone without thinking everything through first.

It made me wonder about all those dates I ask to plan... and then no one gets back to me with dates on which to plan, if maybe I have done something for those people to never make the time or get back to me.

A small voice tells me to let it go. The wise person would smile, nod and spend time with people who make the time... but it hurts nonetheless.

I realize this is not my normal "everything is beautiful, everything is perfect" post that I want everyone to smile reading, but there's something to be said about being vulnerable and allowing people to read that there are those stormy days when I second guess everything.

No one is perfect. Least of all me. But from the moment I met Shawn to where we are right now, I find myself constantly trying to better myself, because Shawn makes me want to always strive to be a better version of myself than I was the day before.

Because of Shawn, I am becoming more aware of my negative tendencies and want to focus more on being a positive person.

I really am so blessed to have a man who has seen every side of me and has stood beside me, determined, strong, and always full of love and forgiveness. 

And this is not a post on my weaknesses, this is really about a man that despite all of them, he has awakened within me the determination and joy that it takes to have a our own little Caple Clan. Man and Wife. Mr. and Mrs. Caple.

Because of Shawn, no matter what comes our way, I truly feel like our little family can handle anything. 

We are a team, and if there are people who don't want to share in our friendship and love, we have each other, and really, with our families beside us, what more could a soon-to-be Mrs. Caple really ask for?

Yesterday Mom and I went to the bank to go through the family safety deposit box searching for Mom's wedding rings.

The first time she went that day, she had no luck and I could feel her sadness as we looked through each box carefully, feeling more and more hopeless asthe rings did not turn up.

Until one long, unsuspecting box, ten minutes into our search, Mom sucked in air quickly... on her palm were her wedding rings that she hadn't seen or worn in probably over a decade.

Immediately, she tried to slip it over her knuckle, but alas, her knuckle had grown (either from all the work she has always done with her hands, or simply age changing her body from 31 years ago this July). I gingerly picked them up from the palm of her hand and they slipped on easily.

I was sad they no longer fit Mom... but it would be really special if we added a little more gold to make it slip past her knuckle and she wore it for her daughter's wedding.

We continued to go through the other pieces of jewelry and found Mom's mother's high school ring... I realized something that gave me chills and I giggled excitedly:

Upon my marriage to Shawn, I am going to have the same initials my grandmother, Mommom, had before she got married. AMC. It felt so serendipitous...

That time spent with Mom in that little room going through that old jewelry gave me a real sense of peace. It is amazing what old pieces of jewelry passed on through the years can still make you feel connected to people who have long since passed.

It also made me realize what you leave behind will live on if there is love in your life and enough people who care. I'm not about a legacy... but I am about leaving and making the world a more beautiful place. After everything, I choose to be happy. I have so much love and beauty in my life, how can I not?

Happiness does not create gratitude. Gratitude creates happiness.

Love,
Alex

65 Days Until 'I Do'

I do not know where to begin! I am beside myself and am so overwhelmed with all the blessings I have in my life and how amazing everything is... especially leading up to when I walk down that aisle toward my future husband.

This past Saturday, June 6th, 2015 (71 Days Until I Do on that day), felt like 3 days mixed into 1! It was absolutely insane.

The night before I was helping Shawn as we got ready to film a wedding the next day. We had to be up by 5am and leave by 5:30 to be there for 6:30 as our bride was getting ready at 7:30 and we're always an hour early!

With rain and gray skies we were feeling a little down... but we did film some amazing dolphins before we headed back because the weather was just too bad to take out our drone in.

When we arrived to the house we were greeted by the bride's INCREDIBLE wedding planner, Diane of Dee Kay Events! If you ever need to plan any party EVER, THIS is your Go-To Girl! AMAZING! When she showed us the house our bride was getting ready in, it's like the heavens opened up and there was rays of hope glittering the sea in front of it. LITERALLY. THE HOUSE WAS IN FRONT OF THE OCEAN! 

It was GORGEOUS. I grabbed Shawn: Get the Drone. We're filming it here!

Long story short the morning was eventful and fun, until I got a text from my mother urgently telling me that we have plans at 2.

I couldn't! But Shawn smiled. "We have an extra cinematographer. It's fine. Go."

"But the wedding-"I sputtered.

"Leave by one," he ordered. And that was that.

Honestly, after being up at 5 that morning, I was relieved to be going home. I texted my mother when I was 5 minutes from the house, hoping they wouldn't leave without me even though I was already a few minutes late.

I parked my car tried to fix my makeup at least a little (thinking we were going out and I wouldn't have the time).

I pushed in the key code, and pushed open the door.

My heart stopped.

"SURPRISE!!!"

There, in front of me, is what seemed like a hundred faces smiling and jumping up and down with excitement.

I screamed, fell over, and tried to hide my tears.

Real classy. That's me.

After hugging (and crying on my part) everyone who grabbed me, my beautiful cousin and Maid of Honor, Alexis, my amazing and gorgeous girl friend since we were in diapers, Erica, and my fun and stunning friend, Thea took me on the most beautiful tour of my own home and their details and decorations.

Once again I was floored.

Between the incredibly delightful desserts that my Aunt had slaved over and the pretty colorful flower puffs that took over the yard and OH MY GOSH MY VERY OWN BALLOON THRONE, I was crying with joy all over again.

Mom threw a sandwich at me and order me to eat so we can get to the opening of what I estimated to be like over a bajillion gifts (I may be slightly off, but not by much).

Between the amazing food, decorations and all the love I felt from the people who came to support the beginning stages of my and Shawn's new adventure together as our own little Caple Clan... all I can say is how incredibly blessed I am to have such amazing, beautiful and incredible friends and family in my life.

I cannot think of ANYONE who is luckier than me.

My Bridal Shower was so amazing especially for all the love and support I received that day. I was sad that Shawn was too busy working to make it, but my father and his father definitely captured it all on their camcorders... as embarrassing as it may be.

Even though I was exhausted, felt a little uneasy, and felt like I looked like a mess, no one believed me that I didn't know. I wore a dress that day because of the wedding we were filming. Shawn and I both agreed that this wedding was over-the-top and I needed to dress a little nicer, so taking a feather out of my photographer cousin's cap (who always dresses in designer dud DRESSES) I followed suit.

I was a little hurt that people didn't believe I knew about it and was honestly surprised, but maybe I should take it as a compliment because they said their reasoning was that I looked TOO good.

Well, that's great, because I didn't feel it... 5 am on a Saturday shouldn't exist for anyone, just a side note for the world. You're welcome.

The very next day Shawn and I were meeting with a client an hour and a half south near where Shawn's parents reside.

We went to our favorite guilty pleasure: Twin Kiss, got our favorite burger: the Hollywood Burger, met up with a GORGEOUS bride who not only loves us, but understands how important film is, and then met up with Shawn's parents for a quick visit before we went back to Cherry Hill to pick up specific hangers because Shawn likes everything to match.

It was a long and exhausting weekend but it was absolutely amazing. I wouldn't change any of it for the world.

I really truly am so blessed to have such amazing and beautiful people who love me so much.

Thank you to everyone who helped make my dream party a reality! I love you all so freaking much! THANK YOU!

72 Days Until 'I Do'

Hahaha! We always have fun during the day!

So our Wedding Season for Sweet Start is upon us. And so is my own Wedding season! This past weekend my best friend, Lauren took me out on a very special girls weekend. She took me out to my hands-down favorite sushi restaurant ever, had a Home Goods Date and cuddle-chatted all night long.

She also got me an early bridal shower gift that I am absolutely in love with! They are seriously my favorite glasses on our registry!

No matter how I'm feeling, this girl literally makes me so happy and brings out the best in me... which lingers a day or two after because I get a special high being with someone who is so contagiously happy and beautiful in every way.

So much so that even Shawn notices a huge difference and encourages us together more often! Haha!

How many people can say that the people they hang out with inspire them and make them better people everyday? I WANT to be a better person, but Lauren literally makes me feel better, and act better, and I AM better. To me that is an amazing person.

Beauty inside and out

My heart breaks knowing she cannot make it to my bridal shower, which is why we went out this past weekend. I'm not sure when it is, but I'm super sad she cannot make it.

I wish it could be rescheduled, that's how sad I am about it. But it's not my decision for whenever it is. But I know it'll be absolutely amazing because my group of girls are incredible!

My bridesmaids are so amazing and I am so blessed to have them in my life as well! I am so excited for everything they have in store! They are an amazing group of girls and I really just am so excited to spend these days leading up to our wedding with such beauties in my life!

This week has been a little stressful and I literally have 12 school days left when I can finally just RELAX! 

Speaking of Relaxing I got this amazing mask that really just makes my skin look AMAZING! I used it once and my skin feels absolutely vibrant after I used it! I am already planning on using it Friday night!

Hahaha! Feelin' fly!

I think the results already have me feeling relaxed! What do you think?

Anyway,  I am so excited for this weekend! I am ready to breath a little!

80 Days Until 'I Do'

This past weekend was bursting at the seams with everything we needed to do that even though it was an extended 3-Day weekend ... Between our Wedding To Do List, guests at a wedding, + Meeting with our Sweet Start clients... Tuesday morning came too soon with nothing but exhaustion and still the feeling that we haven't even scratched the surface of what we still need to accomplish.

The wedding was a blast, made only more epic with Shawn's INCREDIBLE dance moves, and spending the evening with my best friend, Lauren. It was amazing.

Watching our friends come together and become one family in front of everyone they love and care about was so beautiful that there was nothing about that day that could have ruined it.

It did make me think about seating arrangements + how far away I was from my bestie...

We're about 1/3 of the way in terms of responses, a few surprises from across the ocean, which will prove to be VERY exciting, I have no doubts!

We've got about 42 RSVPs.... which leaves us with about 100 left to be returned.

When we get texts saying our guests cannot make it... that's a little frustrating especially because, we like to have the hard copy of the RSVPs and they are more dependable than a text. Plus we can keep count for how many we have left that still need to respond.

So if you guys have the RSVP please send them back so we can keep an accurate count and we can start our seating arrangements! Besties seated with besties and whatnot!

Anyway, the little gifts for the guests was this AWESOME strawberry jam that I am ALL ABOUT! We need to figure out our little guests gifts and how many... so exciting!

Oh my gosh! 80 DAYS! Okay, this is just getting more and more exciting with each day that passes!

This wedding is going to be incredibly epic and we are so excited to share it with the amazing people who love and support us these past 9 years of our relationship together. 

Anyway... this weekend left me exhausted and I'm still trying to recover...

Thank you to everyone who has been there for us throughout everything. We love you and we are so excited to say 'I Do' with you!

Love,

Alex

86 Days Until 'I Do'

Today is Thursday, May 21, 2015. It is also my father's birthday!!!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Lately we've been getting a flood of "Declines with Regret" RSVPs... which was to be expected... but that rejection pile is severely outweighing the "Accepts with Pleasure". I knew that was going to be the case... which is why when we get TWO 'yes's in the mail it's cause for celebration! Today we got two yes's! WOOT! 

Today also happens to be the day my students have prom! I wish I could go, but driving another 140 miles on a Thursday when I have to come back on the next day and do it again is a little too much...

But I love them and wish I lived a little closer to have made it worked...Anyway, while they were in school one of my co-workers/beautician/friend was threading the students' eyebrows for their prom. OH MY GOSH! I had no idea how amazing my eyebrows could look! I love them! I've never loved my eyebrows more! Is that a weird thing to say? I don't care. I love them! She did an AMAZING job and it was worth the extra 15 minutes I stayed after school for her to do them. It was actually really relaxing and I know for a fact that I am going to do it with her before I leave for my wedding in July. In a weird way it was like being in a spa because it was just so relaxing... a spa that  was actually an empty classroom full of natural sunlight... as I sat in a wheely chair, scooted all the way forward so that when I leaned back, the base of my neck rested on the back of the chair... a spa where random students walk in a gawk... yeah. Whatever kind of spa that is. Hahaha

Anyway, I knew when I got home we had quite a list we needed to get through... I mean, I am really glad that I have everything written down on my 'To Do' List... but I still feel like there are a few things missing...

Just a few on that list include picking up my veil, get Shawn's suit tailored, send a check to out officiant, find a nice place for our wedding night... and maybe even next few days if we can swing it, some Sweet Start stuff... and a few other things like apartments, making sure that registry is properly populated, and getting ready for a (sadly) VERY busy weekend... It feels like we never have a weekend to relax anymore... it's just exhausting...

If you can think of anything we need to add to our list, we would love to hear any thoughts! We want to make sure we have taken care of everything as much as we can before diving into our wedding season next month!

So much to do, so little time!

I'll be sure to come back with any exciting updates!

Love, 
Alex

89 Days Until 'I Do'

So we've been getting in our RSVPs this past week, still waiting on a few... Even though we know most people cannot make it, it's still a little sad they can't make it.

We got a few of the sweetest declines that don't make the rejection sting so much. Haha

Yesterday (Sunday) was such a beautiful day! After Shawn's best man (and my baby brother), Victor and I went out for a beautiful walk before Shawn + I went out to meet our beautiful photographer, Brandi of Alexis June Weddings. 

She is as breathtaking as the images she captures and we are so lucky and cannot wait for her to join us for our special day. Her incredible talent is only going to make our wedding that much more special. 

Lunch was in Princeton and was wonderful. We had the opportunity to meet her beautiful daughters and enjoy the afternoon chatting and getting excited about everything going on. We had plenty of wedding war stories to share, too, which was a lot of fun now that we're not going through it! Haha

She also came bearing the most awesome gifts which is so sweet and thoughtful. We love that our photographer thinks so sweetly and shares such wonderful things with us.

Below are some of the goodies you get for having the most awesome photographer we've had the pleasure of working.

90 Days Until 'I Do'

We have been so busy these last few days that I was not able to do my 100 Day Countdown entries! So I'll fill you in now!

Friday was awesome because not only did I have a field day with the kids all day, but as soon as I got home I got ready (Shawn is always ready) to meet with one of our gorgeous soon-to-be Sweet Start Brides in Fishtown, Philadelphia, PA!

It was an awesome evening of chatting and getting to know each other, and even though it was late and we were exhausted by the time we hit the hay, it was worth it. We love spending time and getting to know new people, and this one, in particular, is a really special and sweet one!

The next morning, Saturday, I woke up to the sound of rain pitter-pattering on the window pane outside... my heart sank. We had wanted to go to the city and make a romantic day out of it, but I hate walking in wet city streets... So we decided to go to the Macy's at Quakerbridge Mall around the corner from us... except the wedding registry person will not return from where ever she went until this upcoming Thursday... So Shawn and I looked at each other... and with a collective sigh, we populated our registry online. It wasn't the romantic shoot 'em up in the store we imagined, but it worked.

So, in case you really wanted to grab something from Macy's, there's PLENTY to choose from now! :)

We then went to my favorite lunch, Panera Bread (which I could eat at everyday!) and enjoyed our salads outside as the clouds gave way to beautiful blue skies.

It was wonderful.

We then made our way to Nordstrom Rack and found some great outfits for Hawai'i and to replenish our Summer Wardrobe as we're pretty much about to purge our closets. Spring Cleaning and whatnot.

Today we're going to meet with our gorgeous and amazing photographer, Brandi of Alexis June Weddings, for lunch today. We cannot wait! She's so wonderful and just such a pleasure to be with it is going to be a great day, we already know!

Well, were off on another adventure. New entry to follow soon on any awesome updates!

93 Days Until 'I Do'

So today we set up our appointment at Macy's in NYC this weekend to the 5 star treatment creating our registry! 

We are so excited to do this together and create our home by choosing things that we handpick together. From what I'm told, we're going to have a truly magical time doing this!

I'm thinking we make a whole day out of it, and go out somewhere special for dinner or lunch, and just make the whole day a really amazing experience!

Does anyone have any tips for the day? We would love to hear any feedback on what we should do in terms of things to pick, or anything at all about our trip to New York City. We'd love a few suggestions on great places to eat in NYC.

We love food and we're very adventurous, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

94 Days Until 'I Do'

So we decided to make the RSVP a competition!

There will be a First, Second, + Third prize winners for the RSVP we receive in order at the wedding! 

It's really important that we get an accurate head count! The goal is to get at least 75 - 80 people so that we can have a special performance at our wedding!

We will also give out prizes for the guest who traveled the farthest!

Who's excited?!

Right now we are just getting all of our documents together to have our Catholic Ceremony so we can officially be married! MARRIED. 94 days until I become Mrs. Caple...!

There are still a few invitations that we need to send out because of simple errors on the address, but we'll get those out asap! We are so excited!

We're going to populate our Macy's registry, but the registry we prefer is ZOLA because if you cannot make it to the Bridal Shower (whenever that is ;)) then this way we can get our gifts whenever we have an actual home to ourselves to put them.

Our Engagement Party

As of right now finding our own crib may take us a little past our wedding simply due to job things happening, and if things change we want to make sure that if we're locked into a place that works for both of us.

Zola is perfect because we wont receive our gifts until we request to have them shipped to us.

Now if you want to bring a physical gift (to the Bridal Shower, which makes perfect sense) Zola will tell you exactly where to get the gifts we want and you can order directly from them to bring.

Anyway, we're super excited + we cannot wait to share this events with you!

95 Days Until 'I Do'

So everyone should be receiving their invitations about yesterday or tomorrow or sometime this week. How freaking exciting is that?!

I got the sweetest message from my bestie along with a picture gushing over our very special invitations. I'm so lucky to have such amazing friends!

More than anything I hope that my shower isn't just the ladies... I really would love for my Mr. Caple to join me at such a beautiful celebration. I cannot think of anything more special than spending that day with EVERYONE I love! 

As for the RSVPs: We know they say respond by June 1st, but really please feel free to respond by June 15! We sent out the invitations a little later than we intended, so we're giving everyone a little more time to respond.

Check in here and on the website for updates!

Also, please feel free to use our RSVP link to let us know digitally as well! That would absolutely perfect!

www.alexnshawncaple.com/rsvp/

Anyway, we're so excited + we cannot wait to spend our amazing day with everyone!

Aloha + Mahalo!

99 Days Until 'I Do' (technically 96 today...)

So yesterday it was 100 days until we really say 'I Do' in Hawai'i! Oh my gosh! As soon as we finally got home we were stuffing envelopes and perfecting our invitations for their arrival to our friends and family! 

The day was a little stressful because of the sheer number and pressure of literally starting from scratch.

All the days leading up to it trying to figure out the style of the addresses, the amount of invitations, information cards, and RSVPs... oh my gosh, head reeling... stars bursting... how am I going to get all of these done?!

With a lot of love and time given by my beautiful mother + amazing fiance, those envelopes were stuffed, addressed, and mailed the very next day (Friday)!

When I started writing this, it was 99 days until we say 'I Do'... but now that I'm back here to edit, it's now 96 days until 'I Do'! It's been quite a roller coaster!

As soon as I got home Friday, Shawn came to pick me up so we can pick up our wedding bands! It was so exciting!

8.15.2015

Friday night, after all the invitations were sent out, Shawn treated me to a very special sushi night and took me to my favorite store, Home Goods. Nobody can understand the joy of Home Goods unless they experienced it themselves! Friday was amazing.

Thanks to my amazing girl friend, Lauren, we figured out how to put curtains over Shawn's glass sliding door in his apartment (despite the horrible vertical blind jutting out so far)! The revelation was awesome and the result was perfection! Lauren totally made my day when we recreated her technique. And the result just makes it so much more home!

Saturday morning Mom took me out to mail out the invitations that need special postage as they are going overseas to different countries.

That evening Shawn + I drove to Allentown to meet an amazing couple who is getting married in September. Spending our evening with them was like spending an evening in Sicily with my family. It was amazing. The food was perfection, the company even more amazing. It was the start of a beautiful friendship.

It made me think of how excited I am that this time next summer we'll be getting ready to fly out to Rome with my family and Shawn will get to meet all of my cousins in Sicily and see all the incredible sites I was so blessed to experience last summer. It is going to be a trip of a lifetime and I cannot WAIT for all of the amazing adventures we're going to have and Husband +Wife and with my adventurous family!

Today is Mother's Day. We went down to South Jersey to have brunch with Shawn's mother and family which was really lovely. Shawn's mother was really moved which was sweet. We got her a really beautiful card and a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

We came home to prepare for my mother's special day next. Shawn helped me pick out our favorite flower combinations and created our own bouquet, even though Mom is leaving with Dad for Italy this Tuesday. On our Home Goods date Shawn helped me and we found the perfect picture. In gold foil it says "You are my Sunshine" which is something Mom used to sing to me all the time. It really meant a lot to me and I was hoping she would love it, too. Shawn also grabbed some cherries which turned out to be a huge hit. It didn't even occur to me that was something Mom would have wanted, but Shawn is always thinking outside of the box. It was special because she really loves cherries!

Anyway, this was long entry and I plan on updating every day until we make it in the single digits! Very exciting!

Aloha ❤

Our Engagement!

IT'S FINALLY OUT! The official proposal film of your very own, Alex + Shawn!

Filmed in picture perfect Hawai'i, this proposal was a hike worth taking! Alex has no physical scare from the experience... just emotional... you'll see why ^.~

A very special thanks to our amazing friends at Propeller! They stayed with us all day and trekked through all the creeks, rocks, trees, waterfalls and, oh, yeah, the mountain we climbed!

They are amazing at what they do and we are blessed to have had them with us.

Also a very special thanks goes out to Jason Stephens of Jason's Voices and Beer + Boardgames on YouTube.
His voice-over + story-telling really captured the exciting feel of our who proposal!

Thank you!

Edit: Sweet Start
Cinematography: Propeller - http://www.propeller-usa.com
Voice-Over: Jason Stephens, JasonsVoiceovers.com

How to Book Your Wedding in One Week (hint: >.<)

As you know I left Saturday, November 1st to come here to Hawai'i to meet, greet + eat everything the Hawai'ian vendors have to offer here on O'ahu.

A few things I have learned, so far:

Without guidance this process has been intimidating, mind-boggling, + exciting... + not necessarily in a good way.

The aisle I walk down has pretty much been confirmed. It's gorgeous.

The venue has been flip-flopping since we got here, so that's been interesting.

The flowers, photography (plenty of options from home + plenty of talent here on the island), (cinematography is done, no brainer), caterers, rental company, space designer, invitations, centerpieces, lighting, tents vs canopy, booze, DJ/Music, entertainment... we're still working on that. All of it. Except cake. We have cake. Cake was easy (AND FREAKING AMAZING). Thank god. If nothing else, WE HAVE CAKE! (I know my priorities)

Tomorrow... actually today... (I've been up since 3:30am -  it is now 5am) we don't have any appointments... however, we do plan on checking out a venue right next door to our original venue just to check it out. Our vendors are totally torn on both. Chef likes Paradise Cove because of the kitchen, DJ likes Lanikuhonoa because of all the outlets... they are literally right next door to each other, so it's going to be interesting making that decision.

We're feeling the crunch, so it makes me nervous to not have any appointments today, but maybe we can finalize our venue, sign the chapel contract, + get our Save the Dates printed that Shawn designed. Originally post cards... but Mom wants to put them in envelopes... even though the beauty of a postcard is that you put a stamp on it and shove it in the mail... plus it goes with the whole travel theme. Her thought is people throw away postcards... I alway save mine, Save the Date or otherwise... I'm not sure she sees the vision yet...

ANYWAY, Pictures of what we're considering so far!