Happy Anniversary Erica and Jimmy!

Erica and Jimmy said "I do" one year ago today! Their wedding day was an absolute dream. Not only does Erica have gorgeous taste, but she has the most genuine heart. She chose such lovely details for her day and both her and Jimmy were an absolute JOY to work with. 

Happy Anniversary you two! I hope that the best is yet to come! 

Wedding Photos by Andrew Bowser Photography

Any big plans to celebrate your anniversary?

We are planning on sleeping in, spending the day outside on the trails then going to our favorite restaurant in Columbia, CC’s City Broiler and eating our cake topper for dessert!

Erica, what is one thing you learned about your new husband this year?

I have learned that Jimmy makes mean oatmeal-chocolate chip cookies. But more importantly, I have learned that he is more selfless than I ever realized and really is such a caring husband to me and puppy-daddy to our sweet puppy, Franklin!

Jimmy, what is one thing you learned about your new wife this year?

I’ve learned about Erica’s huge heart. Before we were married, we only saw each other on the weekends. Being with her everyday I’ve been able experience how much she cares and is willing to sacrifice for her family, friends, and patients.

Do you have any advice for those planning a wedding/marriage now?

One of our favorite things about our wedding day was the mere fact that all of the people we love in this world were all in the same place, celebrating us! We made sure to enjoy every moment of the day and therefore we really didn’t notice or care to notice any mishaps. The details of the day are so much fun to put together and help set the scene, but what it comes down to is celebrating the beginning of something so wonderful!

Looking back, do you have anything you would do differently on your own wedding day?

We wish we could have added more hours to the day. We wish we could have spent even more time with our individual loved ones before leaving on our honeymoon. We were just so grateful everyone was therefor us! It went by too fast.

What is one of your best memories from your past year as newlyweds?

There are so many! Probably our favorites are moving into our house, living in the same city for the first time and adopting our puppy, Franklin! We used to dread Sundays because it meant saying goodbye. Now it’s a sleepover every night!

What do you have planned for the future?

I, (Erica) am getting ready to enter into my second year of residency in Ophthalmology and Jimmy is working hard in his law firm. We will be staying in Columbia, MO for the next 3 years while I finish residency. We also hope to do one last fun trip abroad before then! We hope to start a family in the next couple of years, and until then we are getting good practice with Franklin.

Vendor Spotlight: Style by the Slice

We LOVE Style by the Slice for so many reasons! Tanya, owner and creator of this "Couture Cakery" is an absolute gem. Not only does she welcome you into her shop with a vibrant and hospitable presence, but she usually feeds you cake! And not just any cake, life-changing cake! She was gracious enough to host us for some tasting and some questions about her business. AND she is doing a giveaway with us for a $50 gift certificate to her bakery! See how to enter at the end of the post! 

How long have you been in business? 

Making cakes for 38 years and owning my own business for 22.

What is your favorite part of an average day?

People picking up their cakes! Especially when kids come into the shop and see their cake. Their joy brings me joy. 

What are your most popular cake flavors right now?

Chocolate truffle peanut butter, banana foster and vanilla with fresh strawberry filling. 

What kind of cake design gets you fired up?

Something strange or funky! I love something with a gothic feel or doing a black cake! It's different and I like doing different. 

What are the biggest cake trends you are noticing right now?

The whole "shabby chic" trend. Lots of ruffles and lace details. 

Enjoy these fun behind the scenes photos from our trip to the bakery located at 325 South Patton Avenue Springfield, MO 65806

Here's what we tasted! (from the bottom left going clockwise) - Lemon, vanilla with berry filling, red velvet with cream cheese frosting, white cake with fresh strawberry filling, white chocolate vanilla bean, chocolate truffle peanut butter, turtle, and in the center, banana foster. YUM!

 Employees, Jane and Rochelle, digging in! 

 If you are lost for ideas, Tanya has so many books and photos to look through to get the creative juices flowing. She is great about making suggestions and guiding you to design a perfect cake for what fits your theme and budget. 

Thanks for letting us stop by Tanya!  

Here are a few of our favorite cakes from Style by the Slice recently!

You might recognize this one from the styled shoot we did that was featured on Wedding Chicks. 

And this was Kristi and Jason's cake from their wedding that we planned this fall!

Another amazing thing about Style by the Slice, is Tanya can literally create anything out of cake! Not only are her wedding cakes beautiful, but she does other custom cakes as well. Check these out! 

Ok so to enter the giveaway to win a $50 gift certificate to Style by the Slice Bakery all you have to do is "Like" Style by the Slice and Abby Mitchell Events Facebook pages and then let us know you did on our pages or on here! Winner announced in 1 week! 

Website: www.stylebytheslice.com

Phone: (417) 396-1634

Email: stylebytheslice@yahoo.com

Engaged: Lauren and Chris

Meet Lauren and Chris! 

This beautiful couple will tie the knot this summer. Enjoy getting to know them a little bit better and their stunning engagement photos by Christine Bonnivier Photography. I love the sun soaked images she captured for them! 

How did the two of you meet and how long have you been together?

Chris and I met at Drury University during a greek life event. It was my freshman year and his sophomore year. I had just joined Delta Delta Delta and barely knew anyone. Both of us, being sort of shy, made our way to the sidelines and struck up a random conversation about his shoes. The conversation ended with him asking if I liked spaghetti. I said absolutely, I love Italian food. And then he asked if I could make it for him and that led for our first date. (I had my mom make the sauce beforehand, because I am a terrible cook and I really wanted to impress him). 

Tell us about one of your favorite dates!

My favorite date was one of our first. I have always had an obsession with Christmas lights. One day he asked if I would like to go out to dinner with him and I said of course. While on our way to the supposed dinner he said, “oh wait I forgot to get something at the fraternity house, would you mind coming in with me for a moment.” So we walk up to the steps and one of his brothers opens the door wearing a full-on-butler-style suit. I could definitely tell something was up at this point. So his brother tells us to follow him and he opens the door to their formal room-inside is a complete winter wonderland. All the walls are covered in Christmas lights with ivory sheets draped from ceiling to the floor, fake snow covered the ground, Frank Sinatra music gently playing in the background and in the center was a single table set for the two of us. We then spent the rest of the evening being served food (which he prepared earlier) by various pledges wearing tuxedo t-shirts. After the dinner was served (my favorite cheesecake) we danced and tracked fake snow through the rest of the house. 

When did you know it was the real thing?

I never really knew when it became the real thing. It wasn’t a singular incident that let me know he was the one, it’s just been day after day of little surprises and comfort and I grew to feel that I knew that he was the one. 

Was the proposal a surprise? How did it happen?

The proposal was after our 5 year anniversary we had went out to a fancy sushi dinner and then walked around a winter wonderland ( I really like Christmas lights if you can’t tell). According to the mayans it was the day the world was supposed to end 12-21-12. Then he plopped down on one knee and said that he wanted to spend the rest of his life no matter how short or long that may be with me. Then he asked if I would marry him. 

How do you envision your wedding day?

Throughout our relationship we have always had loads of fun and liveliness. I want my wedding to capture that spirit. We want our full-of-life energy to radiate for the entire night and share that with the ones we care for. 

Are there any fun family traditions or special details that you are planning to incorporate?

My parents have had a wonderful, happy marriage and I would like to pay homage to that. On my bouquet I will have a small charm that has a picture of them on their wedding day. Chris and I have never been big fans of wedding cake, we will be serving fresh apple-pie with ice cream instead.

Lauren, what are you most looking forward to on your big day?

I can’t wait to have all of my family (new and old) all in one place celebrating together

Chris, what are you most looking forward to on the big day?

Seeing her walk down the aisle. 

Lauren and Chris, we can't wait to celebrate with you this summer! 

Photos by Christine Bonnivier Photography.