With my job, I have seen every trend in weddings since 2007. But once I started to plan my own wedding, I was so overwhelmed. Which trends would I include? Many people assumed that I would instantly know how exactly I wanted my wedding to be. To be perfectly honest, I had never thought about my wedding. I had thought about being married but never the wedding itself. For this reason, when Tom and I sat down with Regina (MEANT2BE EVENTS) and she asked "How do you picture your wedding day?" All I could respond with was, "I picture an event with my family and friends, great food and touching speeches." But how that answer would take us to our surprise wedding was an interesting process.

Shortly after getting engaged, Tom and I started planning a wedding. It very quickly became over the top and not at all reflecting our dream. (This was right around last April) One night Tom asked me if that wedding was really what we wanted, I said "No". Then he brought up something we had spoken about for years, what if we had a surprise wedding? He told me to think about it. I did. The more I thought about it, the more I loved the idea. Not really thinking about how we could pull it off, I called my Mom. I asked her what she thought. At first, she was not happy about it. Then she called me back and said, "As long as I can walk you down an aisle and you wear a REAL wedding dress, I'm in!"

I told Tom that I was in. He told me I had to think about it some more. If I really wanted to do the whole surprise wedding in two months, then we'd call Regina. So in June, we called Regina and told her the news. Then we called Tom's Mom and discussed the idea with her. Right off the bat, she was in! Then we waited a few more months before we would REALLY start coming up with a plan---this was Regina's advice to make sure everyone was really on board with the plan. Lucky for us.....they were!

Thee Bridal Show on Jan. 23rd, can be summed up as simply A HIT! The vendors were set and ready by 9am when a steady unending stream of brides came through the doors right up until 3pm! Everyone came with their "A" game. The brides ready to conquer their list of "what do I still need" and the Vendors loaded up with information and their enthusiasm to make every event perfect. Certainly the hourly specials that piqued the interest of whomever was in the store at the time did not hurt the level of energy felt in the room at any given moment. The announcement for the hour of Noon to One; "the special for the next hour is Ring Pillows Guest-books & Flower Baskets are 50% off" certainly created a line at the register in a hurry! A successful event takes a lot of planning and people involved who know how to work together for one common goal. In just two years, Thee Wedding Warehouse owners Jacque Dearing and Kathy Baggett have assembled a team who really knows their stuff and work seamlessly together not just at bridal shows but at events, and it was eminently apparent this past Saturday. We are left to bask in the glow of an amazing turnout, to look forward to watching the many dreams brought to fruition by Thee Wedding Warehouse and their Amazing team of professionals.

By now, you all know my husband and I pulled off a SURPRISE wedding on Saturday, January 30th! The day was amazing and would not have happened if not for my bosses, Taudra Ramsperger & Betsy Goreham, our Mothers for keeping the secret and finally, our wedding planner REGINA OSGOOD of MEANT2BE Events.

A special THANK YOU to all of the vendors that helped us keep the secret and make our wedding day an amazing experience!

VENUE: MonOrchid, monorchid.com

PHOTOGRAPHER:priddy photo, Priddyphoto.com

CAKE: Let Them Eat Cake, Inc., letthemeatcakeaz.com

RENTALS, LINENS, Etc: Y-Knot Party & Rentals, yknotparty.com

FOOD: Arizona Party Wizards, arizonapartywizards.com

BAR SERVICE:Pour Masters Bartending Service, pourmasters.com

FLOWERS:Garden of England Flowers, gardenofengland.com

OFFICIANT & SOUND:Reverend Giovanni, revgiovanni.com

PLANNER:MEANT2BE Events, meant2beevents.com

BRIDAL GOWN:Suzanne's Bridal & Boutique, suzannesbridalboutique.com

MAKE-UP:Heather Wilson, makeupbyheatherwilson.com

HAIR:Tracey Smith, (602) 380-9676

So, how did we do it? Well that is going to take a few days to fully explain, but here's how the timeline of the event went:

5:30pm Guests Arrive-at this point I am wearing a purple cocktail dress. (It was super cute and I got it on sale!) Cocktails.

6:00pm My mom and I head into the back room to change into my wedding dress. Tom heads with Rev. Giovanni toward the front of the room. All guests are then asked to sit down for dinner. 6:10pm Rev. Giovanni tells the room, the event is NOT an engagement party but in fact our wedding day. The room erupts into applause! My mom and I are standing by the back door and we can hear all of the reactions! (My personal favorite was Tom's Grandpa's very loud "Oh My Goodness!")

Music starts (Mom is a HUGE Beatles fan, so we walked down the aisle to ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE!) and we head down the aisle. This part was SO amazing! I instantly started to cry. Seeing my family and friends all is shock and so happy truly made the walk so amazing. Then I locked eyes with Tom.

6:30pm Ceremony ends and another mini-cocktail hour begins before dinner.

7:15pm Dinner

8:45pm Tom and I cut the cake and I toss the bouquet. My friend Megan caught the bouquet.

9:30pm Event Wraps ---it was the perfect evening!

I planned on telling everyone in a grand fashion....but the word has spread VERY quickly.....I am married!!!

On Saturday night, Tom and I invited our friends and family to an "Engagement Party".....little did they know it was our WEDDING! The surprise was amazing!!! Tomorrow, I will post a full listing of all of the AMAZING vendors that helped our day come to life. And all week, I will be explaining how we pulled off the SURPRISE wedding of our dreams!

Until tomorrow....

Here's is a picture with my Mom right before we walked down the aisle!

With the end of the "headband craze" nowhere near, we thought we'd add fuel to the fire with a shout out to Jennifer Behr and her wonderful line of headbands and belts! Her famous hairpieces grace the heads of high-profile fashionistas and low-key gals alike, and her Bridal Collection offers tons of gorgeous options for brides-to-be looking for a chic alternative to a traditional veil. With pieces ranging from $68.00 and upward, her timeless collection offers something for everyone! Here's two picks from us:

Dahlia

The dazzling crystals on this creamy satin headband add a hint of old-school Hollywood glamour to any bridal look! $248.00

Encrusted Crystals on Silk Chiffon Headwrap

With raw-edged silk chiffon that frays gracefully with wear, this wrap would look great with an understated cream wedding dress for a touch of pizazz! $595.00

For more information, and to see the rest of Jennifer Behr's collection, visit http://www.jenniferbehr.com

Ever since J. Crew released its first Wedding line a few years back, brides have turned to the simple elegance of their designs for every type of event possible. From bridesmaid dresses that actually WILL get worn again to understated, yet elegant bridal couture, J. Crew has become a go-to for brides all around the country. For this reason, when we saw the Spring 2010 Lookbook pop up online a couple of weeks ago, we were thrilled to show you the new styles and colors that J. Crew has to offer the Brides of 2010! Here are a couple of our favorites for spring:

Silk Taffeta Bow Monde Dress

A whimsical, yet sophisticated party dress that comes in great new colors for spring! We especially love it in Rosebud, Fawn and Caspian Blue!

Chiffon and Organza Dune Gown

For beachside or backyard nuptials, this breezy and easygoing dress is perfection. And at under $1,000, you're getting a lot bang for your buck with this one!

For more information, and to see the entire Spring 2010 Lookbook, visit http://www.jcrew.com

Save the Date - January 27th 5pm – 8pm

If you are looking for a beautiful, quaint venue in Phoenix with lush trees in a country setting then be sure to go to Venue at the Grove's Open House this Wednesday, January 27th. Sample fabulous food and take a stroll through the facility. In addition to wonderful food we will have free cake tastings, a chocolate fountain, our ceremony arbor draped, reception hall set-up, Rachel with Priddy Photo on-site, and DJ One Productions playing music for you to see and experience Venue at the Grove. Also, by attending this Special Open House receive a $300 discount on a ceremony and reception package (not applicable with any other discount and is good for reservations made by end of day February 6, 2010).

Venue at the Grove Special Open House 7010 South 27th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85041 5pm – 8pm

For More Info Contact Edward or Abigail at (602) 456-0803 or info@venueatthegrove.com

THE COUPLE: Courtney Thissell and Bradley T. Blake

HOW DID THE COUPLE MEET? Brad and I actually met at work. We are both Mortgage Officers, and always got along but it was no big deal at all. It wasn't until I stopped working there that we started hanging out and really hit it off!

HOW DID THE ENGAGEMENT HAPPEN? After about 2 years of dating he popped the question during my birthday trip in San Francisco California. The next day we headed to Napa Valley for the weekend to celebrate. It couldn't have been any better! Here's how it happened-

We were at a restaurant called Absinthe. Bradley had brought my birthday gift so that I could open it after dinner. When I opened it, I was amazed! He had put together a collage of photos from the last 2 years that we were together and it was incredible. I was crying the whole way thru....and then I flipped to the last page of the book.....there was a picture of the ring and it said marry me! When I looked up he had the ring on the table and the waiter brought over a bottle of Dom. Of course I said yes, and was in ecstasy the entire rest of our trip. We headed out to Napa Valley the very next day for a weekend of wine, limo's and massages.

Now one thing on your check list, EVERY bride needs is a MARRIAGE LICENSE. So, grab your groom and either take a day off work or make it a long lunch date...but don't forget your MARRIAGE LICENSE! Here are something you should know before you go.........

REQUIREMENTS: Both the bride and groom must be present to apply. No blood test or physical examinations are required.

AGE: 16-17 years old need a notarized parental consent form signed by your parents. Your parents may accompany you and present proper identification and may sign the parental consent form in front of the clerk issuing the license. 15 years or younger need a notarized parental consent form mentioned above, as well as a court order.

COST: $72.00 (sub. to change) Cash is accepted at all locations, some locations accept checks with proper identification-check the office near you for specifics.

WAITING PERIOD EXPIRATION of LICENSE: There is no waiting period; you may marry immediately upon the issuance. The license expires one year from the date of issuance.

WHERE TO GO: You may obtain a marriage license in any county in Arizona, as long as your wedding will take place in Arizona.

DOWNTOWN PHOENIX 601 W. Jackson, Phoenix (602) 506.3360 FLAGSTAFF 200 North San Francisco Street 800.559.9289

GILA BEND 209 E. Pima 602.506.1589

EAST MESA 4811 E. Julep #128 480.985.0188

MARYVALE 4622 W. Indian School #10 623.245.0432

NORTHEAST PHOENIX 10255 N. 32nd St 602.506.3731

TOLLESON 9550 W. Van Buren #6 623.936.1449 TUCSON 110 West Congress 520.740.3200

WICKENBURG 155 N.Tegner, Suite D 602.506.1554