Weddingbee bios

We started dating in our Junior year of high school but have known each other since 3rd grade. While our first attractions for each other started in middle school, we didn’t acknowledge our deep-rooted love until high school. Within the first month of dating, Mr. Knight had already asked me to marry him… and he kept asking just about everyday up to our actual engagement. What can I say Mr. Knight was smitten (and so was I!).

Mr. Knight and I in Middle School Band. Please ignore the big hair… everyone has an awkward stage… most people don’t broadcast it on the internet but I love WeddingBee too much to keep this baby hidden :-)

Mr. Knight and I all dressed up for our Junior Prom.

Although we wanted to get hitched right away, we knew we needed to wait till both of us were out of college. It was (and is) the logical thing to do (for us), but certainly not what are hearts were telling us.

Here we are at the UCF vs. UF game in Gainesville, FL. Mr. Knight choose to not wear his schools colors and go for Gator colors (he knows what team will ultimately win :-))

We both went on to the University of Central Florida for a year. Then I transferred to the University of Florida (GO GATORS!) to pursue Architecture, while Mr. Knight finished up his degree at UCF in Digital Media. We are just a pair of designing fools now! :-)

 

Just to be clear, before Mr. Knight proposed, we had talked about getting married. So, it wasn’t an absolute surprise—which I believe engagements shouldn’t ever really be). Before getting engaged, we talked about what we wanted for our future… how many kids (he wants 3… I want a soccer team), where we wanted to live, what we wanted to do with our lives, etc… I mean… we had a lot of time to talk about this. Mr. Knight and I had been dating for 5 years before we got engaged!

Mr. Knight proposed on February 14, 2008, Valentine’s Day. I know… kinda cheesy; but, I absolutely loved it! Mr. Knight didn’t propose in a packed restaurant, or on stage in front of a crowd of our friends and family. He didn’t propose on a ‘jumbotron’ at a UF football game, or at Gator Growl on the field… he did it exactly as I would want it… in the privacy of our home :-).

We had just come back after having dinner at one of my favorite Italian restaurants. I was sitting on the couch and he was sitting on the floor with his head in my lap. He was kind of fumbling around with something in his pocket and then he just looked at me. At that moment, I sort of knew what was happening and it all hit me at once. I started to get kind of jittery and my whole body felt hot all of a sudden. When he started this super sweet speech, professing his love for me, I started to get teary eyed (yes… I’m a crier). Mr. Knight asked me to marry him and (hello… you all should know this) I said YES!

Mr. Knight and Miss Gator the night after ‘the proposal.’
Oh! Look how my ring sparkles! Gorgeousness!
*and yes… that is a Pirate boat behind us… don’t ask

 

The Mister and I had an Engagement shoot in March of 2009 on the University of Florida Campus (my alma mater... hence the 'Miss Gator'). The pictures turned out incredible and we have photos of us in the Stadium and all over campus. They are sweet and sentimental, as we both share a love of the Florida Gators. Here are a few of my favorites from our first shoot (is it a little crazy we had two shoots? I don't think so! haha.) Campus Shoot by Starks Photography

A few months later (after I started up my blog www.GatorBride.com, with tons of help from the Mister!), I entered a contest to win a free photography session with the lovely Lindsey of Pure Photography here in Gainesville (via Unique Designs).... and I WON!!! I couldn't believe it! 

The only problem? Where and what was our shoot going to be? So... off to Blue Springs we went (just North of Gainesville). And the photos turned out amazing (if I do say so myself). :-)

My bridesmaids will be wearing a David's Bridal Online Exclusive in Pool. It is incredibly cute (and a knock off of a very expensive J Crew and Watters version). With a coupon code, my bridesmaids were able to get their dresses for around $119 (including shipping and tax). They arrived 2 days after they were ordered and are absolutely beautiful in person!

As for accessories, my sweet bridesmaids are in for a treat. I had earrings and hair flowers custom made through sellers on Etsy. Most of my bridesmaids have seen these (I couldn't keep them to myself!), they will be their gifts, along with some other goodies I've put together.  

Earrings by Etsy seller Sabtisdesigns for $6.30 a pair.

Hair Flowers custom made by Etsy Seller JMGJewelDesign for $14.60 a piece.

David's Bridal Bridesmaid dress $119 (including shipping and tax)

Found this super cute Orange and Blue garter on University Ave. in Gainesville at Gators Plus. The guys who worked there said they were made by "a little old lady named Mona." Since I have been trying to buy as much handmade as possible for Mr. Knight and I's wedding, this was perfect! Check out my sweet find:

Orange and Blue Garter by Mona (found at Gators Plus); $5.33 (including tax)

This little inspiration board I put together is quickly becoming our reality. From Bridesmaid dresses, to accessories, to ceremony decor. When I made this board I wanted to use pictures of things that I felt I could actually do and afford. I think this board perfectly describes the type of wedding Mr. Knight and I are planning. We are wanting a little Garden Romance (and whimsical) wedding. 

 

Okay… I have to confess… I knew about the ring before the proposal.

Oh the HORROR (*cue horror movie screams). Before everyone gets their panties in a twist over me knowing about the ring, you have to give Mr. Knight some props. He knows that I am a picky person, I like things a certain way. He wanted to make sure he gave me a ring I absolutely LOVED, because… face it… I would be wearing it for the rest of my life—I better love it.

We actually found the ring by accident. Mr. Knight had been taking me into jewelry stores for months leading up to our engagement. I tried on countless rings—all the while becoming (a wee bit) upset over not finding any I liked. We then went into Shane Co near theMall at Millenia in Orlando (it has since moved :-( ). At Shane Co, you choose your setting and then choose the diamond to be set within it. They had cases and cases of beautiful settings and a gorgeous wall filled with diamonds (in little plush coves).

When we came across a setting that I absolutely loved (and that was within our price point), Mr Knight immediately put down a deposit. The sales associate had to practically pry the ring off my finger (soo… Mr. Knight knew it was a keeper!).

 

So I have been eyeing the Nina Electra shoe for months now. The only problem? They only come stock in a 4" heel and I need the custom 3.25" heel that is about $199 ($110 more then the 4" heel). I just so happen to be skimming the WeddingBee classifieds and found these beauties on sale for $80 and in my size! As my Mother says, IT WAS MEANT TO BE!

The previous Bride bought these beauties for her wedding and decided to wear a different shoe. Score for me!

I'm so happy I was able to get such a great deal on a pair of shoes that I love. I can't wait to bedazzle the bottom of these babies with me and my sweeties initals and slip them on my feet on our wedding day. :-)

One day, while doing what I do best (browsing Etsy and wasting time), I came across Khamm75’s shop. She had this adorable print to commemorate a baby’s birth. It got me thinking, how cute would this be as a Save the Date for a Wedding? And just as soon as I had developed that thought, I browsed her shop more and found a Save the Date she had done (in a very similar fashion as below↓).

If I could I would have ordered them in an instant. They were perfect, modern and already in our wedding colors…but alas Mr. Knight and I are on an extremely tight budget and I would have to make them myself. So out came my trusty Photoshop and away I went to putting together our Save the Date. Mr. Knight and I felt it was important to send Save the Dates out, not just because our wedding is in an extremely busy month but we also changed our wedding date (so that it would not coincide with one of our groomsman’s graduations). So as to not confuse our guests we felt Save the Date magnets would be appropriate. So without further adieu, here they are ↓

We had the design printed on magnets through VistaPrint and received 100 magnets for $49.99 (+$10 Shipping) with a 50% off sale that VistaPrint was having. We then picked up 100 of these cute (and environmentally friendly!) recycled envelopes at Envelope Mallfor $12.25 (what a deal!). And of course a cute dragonfly stamp from the Post Office to top off our little Save the Date. After it was all said and done each Save the Date came out to about $1.42 a piece.

Since sending them out, we have received so many sweet comments from our guests about them. What is it about cute magnets that just make people smile?

Mr. Knight and I are big fans of our Alma Maters. So when we came across Etsy seller bunnywithatoolbelt we were super excited to get her to commission cake toppers that resemble our Alma Mater mascots. His being a Knight for UCF and mine being a Gator for the Florida Gators.

Here is a sketch she sent us before she made our cute little toppers:

And here is what she sent us:

Absolutely adorable! We love them and can't wait to see them in action on our wedding day! Thank you bunnywithatoolbelt!