Dougtober 2014: A Recap

I thought this would be appropriate given all of the hard work & planning Doug puts into his crazy antics. Last night, Doug walked into the house after work and immediately said, "I don't want you to judge me by my iPhone photos..." Clearly it's Dougtober again! Creepy Google image searches, awkward selfies to get "just the right face" - welcome to my world!

So, my wonderfully weird soon-to-be hubby started a tradition, I guess! Last year (2014) was the first official "Dougtober!" What is Dougtober, you ask? Last year, Doug posted daily Halloween/pumpkin-themed pictures on Facebook every day in October -- and they were quite entertaining! (It even earned him the nickname "Pumpkin Doug" on his new hockey team!) With the help of some friends (directly through sending Doug pictures or indirectly through Doug using their posted pumpkin pics), it made for quite a treat! I'm pretty sure most - if not all - were photoshopped...but I am often concerned with what might be happening when I'm not home, so who knows!

The tradition continues this year, and so far Dougtober 2015 is not disappointing! To help celebrate its first anniversary, I wanted to share with you last year's Dougtober posts! Enjoy the often disturbing, always hilarious Dougtober 2014 posts along with some comments from Doug's "fans!"

As always...view at your own risk...

Dougtober 2014: A Recap

October 1, 2014

 Likes: 31

"You look gourd-geous."

October 2, 2014

Likes: 57

"This is already my favorite. None of the others could possibly top this hahahaha" 

October 3, 2014

Likes: 29

"You better get to work! These pictures are the only thing I am finding enjoyable about this whole, Summer is over crap called Fall!"

October 4, 2014

Likes: 17

October 5, 2014

Likes: 22

"This one I like, well I take that back......I find it easier to look at."

October 6, 2014

Likes: 20 

October 7, 2014

Likes: 32

"At the end of the month, you should have a vote for the best one, and whichever one wins you print out 100, sign them, frame them, then sell them for $20. Profit."

October 8, 2014

Likes: 25

"You look like a demon child that's going to set both pumpkins, the tree, and the house on fire."

October 9, 2014

Likes: 27 

October 10, 2014

Likes: 24 

October 11, 2014

Likes: 73

October 12, 2014

Likes: 31

"Dustin is involved ? Now its going to get real interesting!"

October 13, 2014

Likes: 48

"Lol dog hill, or dawg hill depending on your swagggg.."

October 14, 2014

Likes: 35

"You and me baby ain't nuthin' but mammals..."

October 15, 2014

Likes: 37

"Omg. They keep getting more uncomfortable." 

October 16, 2014

Likes: 53

"Omg, I can't stop laughing."

October 17, 2014

Likes: 22

"Nice arms!"..."You mean arm, his other one looks nothing like that"

October 18, 2014

Likes: 25

"I'm extremely worried about the end of the month fast approaching."

October 19, 2014

Likes: 24

" No flippin way!!!! Haaaaa!!!!" 

October 20, 2014

Likes: 21

"wtf???"

October 21, 2014

Likes: 20 

October 22, 2014

Likes: 22

"HA HA HA - This one is my personal favorite!!!"

October 23, 2014

Likes: 26

"Lmao! The many faces of Doug!!"

October 24, 2014

Likes: 26

"It's amazing how many people put babies in pumpkins"

October 25, 2014

Likes: 22

"I've never seen myself have beard before haha"

October 26, 2014

Likes: 32

"I'm actually gonna miss these come November..."

October 27, 2014

Likes: 34

"Finally....the last few were bringing me down, this one I approve of"

October 28, 2014

Likes: 39

"Are you wearing booty pop?"

October 29, 2014

Likes: 24

"Dam looking good baby"

October 30, 2014

Likes: 17

"My favorite girl in all the land"

October 31, 2014

Likes: 40

"Thanks for the BEST October ever!!!"

Bonus from the Oct. 31st Comments:

An Update on Wedding Planning

Things are moving along fairly well in terms of planning for the big day! Not knowing where I would end up starting Summer 2015 for internship (stay in Baltimore or off to Miami for a year), I wanted to get as much done as early as possible. (Good news -- I'm staying in Baltimore!!) Plus, knowing that New Year's Eve can be a big party night, it couldn't hurt to start planning early! Here's a rundown of what we've accomplished so far & when:

 

 

 Venue & Date: after visits to several places and being in contact with others, we are super excited to be holding our wedding at Normandy Farm (Blue Bell, PA)!! It's quite a popular place, and when we went to visit on 09/14/14, the earliest available Saturday on 2015 was in mid-December! We found out that they had New Year's Eve available; after giving it a few seconds to sink in, Doug looked like he just won the jackpot in poker! How fun would it be to ring in the new year with friends and family!? Plus, the venue has a restaurant & bar at which we can watch the ball drop! So we decided -- Normandy Farm on Thursday, December 31, 2015! (officially confirmed 10/06/2014!)

Setting up the grand ballroom for a wedding!

Outdoor ceremony space & patio

Catering/Cake: All catering is done by Normandy Farm, so it was easy to check that off the list, too! We still haven't decided which food options we'll choose, but at least we know who will be doing the cooking & baking! What are your thoughts -- Buffet, Served Meal, Food Stations?? Comment with your thoughts below!

Photographer: The great thing about Normandy Farm is they have an on-site photographer (and florist...see below) - Tyler Boye Photography. Why not make it easy & go with them, right?! Not only is it convenient, but they look to be great photographers as well! Doug and I met with Jamie, their sales manager, on Sat. 01/17/15, and decided on Andy for our primary photographer!

DJ: I ventured onto The Knot to check out some preferred/recommended DJs in the area. After sending out some information requests to a few companies, I quickly heard back from Fred Alvisi, owner of VIP DJ Entertainment. Even after a quick phone call (and quick read through of online reviews), we knew he was the one! (And even better, Doug's sister booked him for her wedding as well!) Music is checked off the list as of 01/27/14. 

 

Florist: We're going with the on-site florist - Willow & Thistle - for our venue décor! My mom, Doug, and I met with Steven on Sat., 02/07/15 and worked on some great ideas for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. Steven was amazing at hearing all of our thoughts and coming up with some great concepts. Mom likes the big, fancy, florally things while Doug and I prefer a little more low-key; I think we came up with a good compromise & I'm excited to see how everything comes together on the big day!

SAY YES TO THE DRESS!! My second trip to try on wedding dresses was a success! I went on an impromptu dress excursion on Friday 01/09/14 with my Mom, Sheen & Trey while we were in Florida for an internship interview. Found a dress I really liked, but was still open to trying on a few more. I made another appointment at the Van Cleve Wedding Pavilion in Paoli, PA; right after the appointment with the florist (02/07/15) we ventured down the road to try on some dresses. My Mom, Aunt Vick, Sheen, Whit, Tiff, Lauren, & Brody joined in, and I'm so happy they were all there when I found my dress!! It was the second dress I tried on that day, and every other dress after that one didn't compare! I can't wait until it comes in and I can try it on again!!

 

Me as a mini bride...speak peak of the dress?!

 

 

...So what's left?

            Bridesmaids dresses

            Groom & groomsmen suits

            Outfits for my bubble boys, ring bearer, and flower girl

            Optional things: videography, photo booth

            Am I missing anything??