holy cow. holy cow. holy cow.

we are 16 days away from the big day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wedding dress ready to go--  Check!

bridal portraits taken--  Check!

grooms attire picked out and ready to go--  Check!

i can't believe that the big day is literally right around the corner. it feels like yesterday that we were engaged and just picking out our wedding date which back then seemed so very far away. as i reflect back on everything that has happened it just amazes me how times actually does fly. we have accomplished so many things that i couldn't be more proud of. this adventure we are about to embark on makes me nervous but in a make me cry i'm so happy kinda way lol.

as we were sitting on our couch eating brownies the night of our second year engagement anniversary (4/29) neither of us remembered that it was 2 years ago that we got engaged lol. it wasn't until the 30th that either of us remembered. why is this? how on earth could BOTH of us forget? hmmmmmm well there are a million wedding thoughts roaming through our heads, we have a 5 month old puppy running around, and we were putting together an offer on a FREAKIN' HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!! not only did we put an offer on said house, they accepted!!! we are officially about to be newly weds and will hopefully have a new-to-us home about 2 weeks after the wedding waiting for us to move in to :)

Life is GOOD!! So it looks like after this wedding shin-dig we are going to turn this blog into a house improvement/decorating blog :)

stay tuned! love,

ashley

no invite. can't come? no fear!

So you sadly did not receive an invitation, or you did and have to miss the big day. Do not fear!!!!!

At a "to be announced" date we will be having a reception in Elmira, NY :)

As our guest list was narrowed down to accommodate our Maximum of 50 people we quickly realized there would be many people we wanted to invite, but simply could not invite due to space. We also were aware that there would be a few if not many people that couldn't make the trip down to the OBX, so we have decided to have a little backyard BBQ in Elmira.

Once the dust has settled from our wedding, and moving into hopefully our new house we would have come up with a date to have this New York reception :) Stay tuned for more info!

the countdown begins.

Wedding events have already started!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had an incredible bachelorette party planned by my maid of honor, my sister :) A group of the most incredible and beautiful women joined me in the festivities and I couldn't be more thankful for their help in..... managing me :) Let's just say my party ended with me unable to walk upon my own will and some good ol' drag queens. I'd say SUCCESS!!!! 

Next up, I must thank my beautiful Aunt Cheryl for throwing me what I am sure is going to be an incredible Bridal Shower. I couldn't be more thankful for her generosity in opening her home and throwing this shower for me! 

I have learned quickly that getting married is not something that involves just you and your future hubby-to-be, as it takes many people and many hands to create a meaningful and successful slew of wedding events. i am thankful and grateful for each and every one of those people. 

So on to exciting stuff......... We are 58 DAYS AWAYYYYYYY. YAYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!

I've had my first official dress fitting :)

Taylor's dress fitting is next week :)

Zack is going to be buying his wedding attire within the next week :)

Invitations are out :)

ANDDDDD we are already getting reply cards :) yipeeeeeee!

nothing could prevent me from being as happy as I am right now <3

lilly bear

set your eyes upon the cutest dog on the planet!!!!!!

look at those eyes!!!!!!!

temporary home at aunt taylor's dorm

love at first cuddle 

breakfast time! look at that fur :)

<3

Sleepy Pants

hotel?

are you looking for a place to stay for the wedding?!?!?!

well here is your answer :)

The Hampton Inn in Corolla we have found is the closest and most convenient to the wedding venue. although we do not have a block of rooms saved we have made an arrangement with the hotel to get you a discounted rate for atleast two nights (they have a minimum visit of 2 nights). When you call (252) 453.6565 to book your reservation mention the McCarty-Hemphill wedding and they'll know what to do :)

are you thinking about making our wedding into a week vacation?!?!?!

I also have that answer :)

Carolina Designs Realty has been unbelievable throughout the process of booking our dream wedding! If you give them a call at (800) 368.3825 and mention that you'd like to be close to the home Absolute Ambiance, and they will provide you with a list of available homes for rent the week of our wedding!

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact myself or zack <3

in shock

so here is the deal..... i'm in complete shock that there are only 80 days until our wedding. i'm excited, nervous and practically giddy over the fact! not to mention that in less than two weeks i will be celebrating my single days at my bachelorette party planned by the best maid of honor, my sister, taylor :) i couldn't be happier with her incredible planning skills and creative mind!!! oh and let's not forget the planning of my bridal shower which will be this month yayyyyy! so now on to some updates

in january mom and myself ventured down to the outerbanks to finish up all of the nitty gritty. we went through the house again (it's still perfect!), lined up all of our rental items and we got to meet with our fantastic caterer, Deb from Argyle's! We couldn't be more thrilled by all of our incredible vendors. Oh and not to forget the beautiful Ginger Harvey from GingerSnaps Photography introduced us to the most precious coffee shop for our finalizing meeting. we thank her for the newest addition to our home decor, a beautiful picture frame with one of our engagement shots already in it.

side note..... many of you know my dress is in and looks awesome!!!!!!!!!!

oh and another side note WE GOT A PUPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! many pictures to follow :)

love, ashley

tis the season.

Merry Christmas from the soon to be McCarty couple! From our home to yours we wish and hope that you have a fantastic holiday season! 

This is our first year in our apartment during christmas and let me tell you, I have had so much fun decorating. Let me show you

:)

tacky light tour <3

yay new banner!!!

oy vey the no shave november facial hair, but look at our tree :)

christmas kitty: she loves the tree skirt