Engagement Shoot

I never thought I would be the one to say this, but I LOVED taking engagement shots (and I know Jon did too)! It as way less stressful and awkward than I thought it would have been and I can not thank Emily from Tell Chronicles more for making our engagement photo session so much fun. Both Jon and I were so pleased with how the pictures came out and we are so excited to see how the wedding pictures turn out. So, without further ado... here are some of our favorites.

Thanks, again, Emily! We love them!

Wig and 'Stache Bash

OH.MY.GOODNESS. I have the most amazing friends!

I think my friends have been ready for J and I to tie the knot almost as long as I have. Awhile ago I noticed a bunch of wig and mustache themed invites pinned on my bestie Kelly's pinterest board, with the caption M+J? and I knew we were in for a treat.

Kelly is my party planning idol, seriously she's amazing, and she always pulls out all the stops so, I knew the second that she offered to spearhead an engagement party for us that we would have the best time! Kelly and another bestie, Sarah thought of everything from invitations to cute little coozies.

invitations

coozies

I wish I had taken more pictures of the fantastic decor and dessert table but here are some that I did capture and that great family and friends have posted on facebook.

getting ready

at the bash

with my bestie, Kelly

with my future mother in law

with my future sister in law and my little sister

with my family

Kelly kicking off the karaoke, stone sober, that's a real best friend. She rocked it!

our first duet

it's not a party until there is a "Baby Got Back" performance

feeling the groove

really getting in to it now

We had such a good time and could not ask for better friends and family. Super thanks to Kelly, Sarah and the set up crew for all of their hard work. We love you!

Love, 

Malia E (and her pink haired karaoke singing alter-ego)

Need more? Check this out!

He Proposed!

And I Said Yes!!! At least I said yes after I got over the shock! I can't believe he pulled it all off!

Jon and I met in college and were just friends for years. It wasn't until the last few months of undergrad at George Mason University that friendship turned to flirting and then it was months before flirting turned to texting, then came casual dating and eventually came the realization that we just didn't want to date anyone else. So, after 6 years of dating, 2 years of co-habitation, experience overcoming some of life's biggest hurdles and disappointments and countless memories of good times we are making it official.

The proposal was a total shock. Jon has been seen many times over looking at me and saying," I got you good chicken f*$%er!" And, I have to admit he certainly did.

After months of trying to get Jon to agree on a plan for his 30th Birthday, I finally put my foot down a week before and told him we were going to grab a keg two kegs, hit up Costco for bulk burgers and dogs,  send out a last minute E-vite  and call it a party. And a party it was!

Jon has great friends so there was a great turn out of fraternity brothers, high school friends and family and the party got off to a great start. My dad manned the grill and Jon and the guys guarded the kegs. We drank margaritas, played corn hole and caught up on gossip. We had so much fun that time flew by and so as many were getting ready to head out, I ran inside to grab the cake.

We sang, made fun of Jon for hitting his 'old man' 30's and then Jon told me he wanted to make a speech. I found this fitting as he is an 'entertainer' so I stepped out of the spotlight to let him bask in the glory of being the Birthday Boy.

And to my surprise the spotlight was flipped back on me....

You can't see much, but needless to say, I was completely shocked and of course, after the tears and shock subsided, I said, "Yes!"

Let's end with a close up.....

Ahhhh!!! So excited to be marrying my best friend!

Love,
Malia E