Goodbye 2012!!

It's hard to beleive that 2012 is almost OVER!!! This actually makes me incredibly sad, I can honestly say that 2012 has been the best year of my life!!! After almost 9 years Brad and I got married this year, he got a new awesome job, and my business has been booming!! 2013 has a lot to live up to!!!

I decided to put together some of the milestones that have happened this year.

January 7th, 2012: I decided to become strictly vegan, no animal or animal products for me!!

January 14th, 2012: Brad and I decided it was time to change my last name to match his, yup we got engaged!!!! 

We decided it was going to be small and intimate. Our parents were to be out only guest, I asked my cousin Ashley to be my Matron-of-honor and Brad asked our mutual friend John to be his best man {John is the one who set me and Brad up so it only seemed appropriate to ask him} Plus I had been Ashley's maid-of-honor last October and Brad had been John's Best man a few years earlier. We asked my wonderful friend Mindy if she would get ordained and perform our ceremony. Mindy agreed to do this for us!! 

January 16th, 2012: was a HUGE day, Brad started his new job, and I picked out my wedding dress!!!

Wedding dress shopping on a whim... let me tell you DON'T do it!!! I was shopping that day with my friend Mindy and decided to go in and look at a dress that I had seen online. The store didn't have the dress I was looking for. I told the girl that I was having a beach wedding, I didn't want a ball gown, I wanted something more soft, she did great, bringing dresses that fit the description I was giving her, plus it was a lot of fun trying them on.   I almost felt rushed though, like I had to choose one of the dresses that she brought in for me to try. My advice to you on this would be to have your consultant throw in a curve ball, something unlike the rest of the dresses you are trying on, you will never know what else is out there unless you try them on. I was overwhelmed and over excited!! I ended up saying "Yes to the dress!" I was so excited!!! {{for those of you who have seen my wedding pictures know that I didn't keep this dress, keep reading to see when I bought a new one!}}

What to wear for professional pictures, and make up tips.

We had our engagement pictures taken in May this year and our pictures turned out amazing. Mostly because our photographer is the best, she is a creative genius! http://www.stephaniejphotography.com/  and the other part was knowing what to wear and how to apply make up that shows up in pictures and doesn't wash you out!
1. Choose clothing that is comfortable, we were laying in a ditch at one point.
2. Match each other but not to matchy matchy. Notice we wore neutrals, our coats were both brown, but Not the same exact brown.
3. Wear clothing that is timeless, don't wear the latest trends... Trends go out of style leaving your pictures looking dated in no time.
4. When applying make up wear more then you normally would. I had my eyes lined thicker and darker then I would normally do, wearing black eyeliner really makes eyes pop, in photos.
5. Contour under your cheek bones 2 shades darker then you're foundation, and apply blush to the apples of your checks, so your face doesn't get washed out.
6. Use a liquid foundation, then set it with a powder one.
Tip: If your guy isn't into getting his pictures taken, before you leave home have him drink a beer... Not a whole case just one to take the edge off. This really works!! Our scheduled 45 minute session turned into 2 hours because we were all having so much fun!!
Another Tip: Find a photographer who has the same style you do, talk to them look at there work. Just like anything you have to like there work and personality, to get the best results!! Remember to smile pretty and have fun.
Take a look at a few of our pictures, I hope this helped!