The Visual Mom

No, I'm not talking about the rocking out that we're going to do at the future reception. I'm talking about those beautiful symbols of our everlasting love. Ha ha. How's that for romanticized? Anyhow, we picked out our wedding bands yesterday. I'm thrilled with the option we chose for me. Dave went with a simple and elegant gold band. I have two small bands that will create a wrap effect around my engagement ring. We've also narrowed down the choices for a rehearsal dinner (or sorts) and the wedding night dinner. We've found a couple restaurants that fit our taste and our budgets for the evening. I'm looking forward to celebrating with friends. Speaking of friends, there is a couple from Australia that I met through the Klemmer & Associates leadership development courses I've taken over the last year and they are thinking about coming. I would simply love it if they could make it, but understand if they cannot. The thought of it is wo...

Do to a glitch in the system of the resort website, we weren't able to book the condo I mentioned below. Plus, after talking with Kris, Dave's sister-in-law, who is also our resident Maui expert, she recommended we stay near Lahaina on Maui's west coast. And so, our reservations have been made at the ResortQuest at Papakea Resort . We have an ocean front 1 bedroom condo for the week of our honeymoon. It will be perfect!

We made reservations at the Wailea Ekahi Village in Wailea, HI (on Maui) for our honeymoon week. I'm excited about staying there! :) And I must admit, I'm also relieved to have all of our accommodations booked. Phew! Now there are just things like flowers, photographers, etc. to get the down payments to and we'll be set!

We've made our reservations at the Kona Coast Resort for the week of the wedding. We'll be staying in a one-bedroom condo for the week. Here is the resort website: Kona Coast Resor t I'm really looking forward to spending the week there. We also have a bed & breakfast booked for the night before and the night of the wedding. The night before, my mom and I (and possibly Dave's mom) will be staying there. The night of the wedding, Dave and I will be staying there. It is a very private B&B with a luxurious feel to it. The owner has been wonderful to deal with and I'm very much looking forward to our time there. Now we just need to get our room booked for our week on Maui!

So I was in Greensboro, NC this past weekend for the Market America International Convention. I was there with friends and business partners Alice, Becca and Carol. On Friday night, we ventured over to the mall near the convention center to look for a place to have our eyebrows done. On our way through the mall, we happened by a Nine West shoe store. Becca is a shoe-a-holic and I teased her about stepping away from the entrance to the shoe store. However, upon a little more though, I decided to join her. After all, I still needed to find shoes for the wedding. Nine West has some CUTE shoes. They also were having a sale. Some pairs were on sale on their own, however you got an addition 20% off the total bill when you bought two or more pairs. A girl can't hardly go wrong with a deal like that. And so, I found two pair of fabulous shoes that will be utilized on my wedding day. The first are a pair of silver, strappy heals with big rhinestones on the front. They remind me...

We are getting married at The Painted Church, aka St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church in Captain Cook, HI. www.ThePaintedChurch.org

The scenery is a photo of Kealakekua Bay and the Captain Cook monument. The church where we are getting married overlooks this bay and monument.

David was born in Janesville, WI and is the son of Steve & Judy Latka. He has 4 siblings: Dean, Sara, Austin & Acacia. He attended elementary, middle and high school in Janesville and graduated from Janesville Craig in 1991. He attended college at the University of Wisconsin Platteville where he graduated with a BS in Civil Engineering and minor in Math. Traveling: David enjoys traveling and visiting new sites. He has been to all 50 states, traveled extensively around Europe and has also spent time in Hong Kong. One of his favorite vacation destinations is his cabin, the Moose Turd Lodge , just outside of Wasilla, Alaska. Motorcycles: One of Dave's favorite past times is riding his motorcycles. He began riding in college and currently owns two Hondas: a 1985 VF700 and a 1994 VFR750R. He has taken both over to O'Reilly Raceway Park where they have Tuesday night street-legal drag racing. He also has tickets to the upcoming Motorcycle Grand Prix at the Indianapolis M...

Amy Brachthauser is the daughter of Ken & Suzie Budensiek, of Janesville, WI. Amy was born in Kansas and then lived for a short time in Ojai, CA before her family moved to Janesville, WI. She has one sister, Sarah. Amy attended elementary, middle and high school in Janesville graduating from Janesville Craig HS in 1994. She attended the University of Wisconsin (at Madison) and studied Animal Science, English and History. She graduated in 1999. Horses: Amy has had a life-long love affair with horses. She currently owns a Thoroughbred ex-racehorse named Jewel In The Hills . Jewel raced for 3 years and is the great-granddaughter of the legendary racehorse Secretariat. Amy has invested many hours retraining Jewel for dressage. They are currently schooling 3rd level dressage. Amy also volunteers with the Thoroughbred rescue group Friends of Ferdinand, Inc. Photography: Amy's dad is a photographer. As a result, as Amy was growing up, her dad always made sure she had a camera in her...

Well, we're a little less than 3 months out and wedding plans continue to move forward. We've decided to send out announcements to our family friends so that they are able to keep us in their thoughts and prayers. Even though we're having a destination wedding, it still seems like there is so much to think about, to plan and to do -- not to mention pay for! Ha! But I'm excited to be able to share a lot of the experience with friends and family through our blog and website. While we know most of our friends and family members will not be able to attend, we also know that each of you will be thinking of us on our special day. :) So lets see...what's left to do: - book condo - book rehearsal location - book wedding night dinner - book wedding night hotel - book ceremony photographer - find dress shop to press wedding dress - decide on hair style & find salon - contact local dress alterations person - buy wedding shoes - get announcements mailed - order bouquet Hmmm...