Title Fun

So many of the blogs I've read recap their weddings with a constant title:

That Bride's "That Wedding"
Mrs Lovebug's "One Lucky Day"
Mrs Shortcake's "Old Fashion Love"

So I thought I'd reach out for some creative suggestions.
Keywords being beachy, tropical, stars, relaxed, party, celebration, destintion wedding, hometown.

My current idea is "Hometown Destination Wedding".

Thoughts?

And because every post should have a great photo:

Random Wedding Dress Thought

So its been a lazy Sunday for me. I've been cleaning and organizing, singing to the radio, and watching movies on TV. Luck would have it, "My Fair Lady" was on. As much as I like the movie, I really wasn't watching much as I was writing thank you notes. I looked up and watched a bit when a random thought struck me:
With "vintage" being the most popular wedding theme and style right now, I am surprised I haven't read about a bride somewhere wearing Audrey Hepburn's "My Fair Lady" dress.

Since she tends to be the epitome of fashion and everyone wants to be her, I can hardly believe it. Granted, maybe tone down the bling a bit, but I'm still a bit surprised.

Inviting Invitiations

Choosing our invitations wasn't a particularly difficult process.... but it did take us a while to actually get around to deciding and ordering.... Did I mention I am an uber procrastinator and everything else got done so early that I still feel ok in pushing this one to the limit?

Also, did I mention that while I think that silk boxes and crystal embellishments are beautiful... but for $8 per box (without the invite).. notosomuch.

(As always, click on the image for the source)

We decided pretty early on that invites were not a splurge point in our budget. Engraving is probably beautiful. Letterpress is lovely. But really, for our type of party and friends... they were going to be kept (we hope) for the information up until the wedding before they hit the (we also hope) recycling bin. So we started looking for more affordable options. Enter the wonderful world of Wedding Paper Divas. Beautiful, great range of designs, and affordable!

We loved the natural wood look of this one, but red wasn't in our motif.

Enchanted by the lotus style... not a good fit for our wedding though. So we started out searching for beach, tropical, and destination style invitations. These are some of the options we came up with. We covered a range of cheese and cost levels.

We liked that these didn't have seashells on them... but the hearts in the sand were just a tad too far on the cheesy side for us.

These were nice and not nearly as cheesy, but a tad too plain for us. We wanted something a little more fun.

Lots more fun! And included stars. Best of both worlds! But we felt it wasn't quite formal enough.
Loved the artsy feel of this one. Certainly not something you see every day. Still something we love, but it wasn't our end favorite.

We loved this one. The cut out wave was artistic, pretty, simple, yet elegant... but not quite "us".
And then we found these...

The "splash" design from Olio Style. We loved them. Abstract, but beachy without being kitschy. Elegant, but fun. We ordered a sample pack to check out the paper quality and loved them. So when we decided this, there was still soo much time. So I kept checking around from time to time to see if there was anything else we liked better... and then the next thing I knew I was behind my "order by" deadline! Whoopsidaisies!
No worries, we ordered, they arrived (beautiful!), were addressed and mailed. Phew!

If This, Then That...

I was looking through my google reader stalkings of many a wedding photo and admiring other brides dresses. Some MUCH more ornate/fancy than mine, some much more simple. And it started me thinking... if we weren't doing a destination wedding at home with toes in the sand, but an elegant feel... what might I wear? Don't get me wrong, its not that I want to change any of our plans, or that I dislike any of our plans... these are just a "If we did it this way instead... I'd wear this."

Adam, my dress is not here, but if you don't want to see what I am NOT wearing, then go read this crazy story about a stolen church in Russia instead.

For instance, if we were doing a big fancy cathedral wedding;
I might want to wear Inara's dress from the Shindig episode of Firefly.
(For anyone with no clue what I am talking about, this was a GREAT show that got canceled all too soon.)

Preeeettyyy! (Sorry about the bad photo quality, its the only one I could find and now I also have no idea where I found it to reference!)

hmm.. going full on ballgown route... I did always love Belle's dress...

But of course, the risk of going from cartoon to reality is that it goes from regal and pretty...

To out of control POOF and sparkles and looking all together ridiculous!
A la "Enchanted"

I'd have a look of horror on my face too in that was my dress!!

Ahh... but then there is the wonderful Kirstie Kelly who designs "Disney dresses" that definitly exude their princess roots without being insane. A la "Belle" below:

oooohhh... pretty.....
Of course, those dresses start at $1200 (too rich for my blood) and, we aren't having a big cathedral wedding and I think I'd feel a little silly.

Or if we were going the other direction and being totally casual, maybe something like this from Brides.com

Anyone else have their "If I changed this, I'd wear that" dress ideas?

Happy Halloween!!!

This was Adam and I dressed as gangsters for Halloween in 2006.
(note: gangstERS not gangstAS... obviously)
Trying to track down pictures from last year when we went as Sam Adam's and the St. Pauli Girl.

Anyway....

While this is nothing new or ground breaking, I thought I'd share a couple of Halloween Wedding things I like!

Loving these "celestial pumpkins" from Little White Book Blog.

First up, this creative board I found on Boston Bride Blog.
Somewhat "traditional" or as traditional as a Halloween wedding can be, with a touch of whimsy.

This board I found on Green Orchid Events Blog.
Personally, I like this twist on Halloween a little better. A little less pumpkin, a little more dark and spooky... just a little.

And finally, there was last year's Halloween Post on The Offbeat Bride Blog...

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Tina’s haunted house halloween wedding

October 31st, 2007 · Posted by Ariel

The offbeat bride: Tina, Makeup artist for 7 Floors of Hell (haunted houses)

Her offbeat groom: Rob, Haunted house architect

Location & date of wedding: October 24th 2007 at The Cemetery of 7 Floors of Hell in Berea, Ohio

What made our wedding offbeat: It was love made in heaven, but a marriage made in Hell. What didn’t make this happy day offbeat? The theme of the wedding was “Love Never Dies” It was full moon, which we did not plan. The location was one of the big things — we were married in front of the Cemetery of a haunted house. We chose that location not only because we both work there, but because we fell in love there and it has become a huge part of our lives.

The groom “Rob” arrived in a coffin, delivered by a hearse and carried by 6 pallbearers. The bridesmaids wore red hooded capes and placed a red rose on the casket. When all the bridal party was present, Rob emerged and took his place next the the Grim Reaper, who officiated the ceremony. I walked down the isle to “Ice Dance” from the Edward Scissorhands soundtrack, and was escorted by my dad dressed as Dracula. The guests came in costumes.

The reception hall started as a empty white building they use for the fair, and ended in black linens and red votive candelabras on each table. We decorated the place with props from the houses, including zombies, gravestones and a chandelier. Our cake topper was sweet. It was a skeleton couple dancing with a tombstone that said “love never dies.” We even cut the cake with a butchers knife to the theme song from the movie Halloween.

Our biggest challenge: Planning a wedding for a Wednesday night. Family and friends were upset, but the haunted house is open thurs-sun. So it would be next to impossible to hold a wedding with customers walking around, not to mention the entire crew from the houses attended or we in the bridal party. So to make sure everyone could make it, the ceremony started at 7pm after most get off work. We had a reception that lasted till midnight and most people we able to stay for at least most of it.

The other big problem we had was the weather — it was really cold! 52 degrees and windy. Not ideal for an outdoor ceremony. It didn’t rain and the ceremony was short and sweet but it packed a dramatic punch!

My favorite moment: Well everyone loves Rob’s entrance. Why does it have to be all about the bride? Its our day not my day. So we shared in the limelight. I love everything about my wedding, I can’t choose a favorite moment.

My offbeat advice: On a budget ask for help. We wrote a letter to local vendors telling them about the wedding. And I got a bunch of freebies and discounts out of it, including our photographer. I did a little advertising for them and everyone is happy. March to the beat of your own drum. This is your wedding, not someone else’s. I’m glad I didn’t listen to everything my family and friends said.

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If I had had a Halloween wedding, it would have fallen under the Blue/Orange style board above.... but I sure would have liked to be at this last one as a guest!!

Save The Date Info Card Closeup

All photos courtesy of me, in my office that currently has one lamp becuase I REFUSE to use the seizure inducing overhead light and all my other lamp bulbs have burnt out.... and I'm too scatterbrained to remember to bring new bulbs!
Just call me Goldilocks...
Too bright...

Too dark....

Just right! (Ok, not really. But that is as its gonna get for now!)

I wanted to make sure that yall could see the faded in words and designs in the background. We went to a brick and mortor store to look at some Save The Dates. We liked some paper, we liked some fonts, but nothing really latched on as even a maybe. But one wedding invite had the faded "Unite", and Adam really liked it. So thats where that came from. The swirl and the tree were photoshoped right off the magnet design (which was a little photshop elbow grease, a little website design crop, and a lot istock photo. Best $5 ever.). Still can't tell from these photos, but there is a really nice linen finish to the paper, and in between the dark blue border lines is a bright blue aqua jsut for a bit of POP!

Get Thee to a Printery: And Back Again! The end of the Epic Evolution

They're here!!! But hopeully won't be for long. I want to get these babies out the door ASAP!! I know sometimes a Save the Date just isn't necessary, but since 2/3 of our guests are from out of town, and the airlines are insane in their prices, I feel the need to get the info to our guests as soon as possible so they have the best chances at being able to snag tickets at a decent price and join us!!

So you've now seen our Save the Dates evolve and can share in the "oooohs" and "ahhhhhs."

When the box arrived, it looked liked on a rainy day, someone forgot the soccer ball, so they subbed in my box of Save the Dates. Let's just leave it at - I was nervous to open them. Shipping gods be praised - the insides were just fine and dandy!

Ta-dah!!!

For anyone thinking it looks lopsided - look closer... there used to be last names there but I photoshopped them out.

Like the tree on the envelope?

So there they are in all their glory. (More or less - obviously bad lighting - I'll see if I can't manage a better picture of the info card and its linen texture.) Oh - and very cool part? I wasn't in a huge rush so i did the 14 day shipping method to save a couple of bucks. From my clicking "order" to DHL guy handing them over - 10 days! We've already got a bunch of them addressed and ready to go (I'll post a photo of our printed addresses soon) and are waiting for my parents to get back from vacation to send us the remaining addresses we need!

While this whole ordeal wasn't as easy as point click and pay - I wouldn't have changed a thing. I hand delivered the first Save the Date to Guru, who beamed proudly and stuck it to his filing cabinet.

Ironic part? They are exactly what the files look like. That's a good thing - except when I actually opened them I was almost let down. I love 'em, I really do. I couldn't be more proud for the result of the time, and effort that went into making Save the Dates that are really "us". It was just a "This isn't new, I've seen this a million times already!" Silly and ironic? Yes. True initial reaction anyway? Yup.

Anyone else have a bizarre mixed reaction to their papery?

Get Thee to a Printery: Part 2 -When its All Sent and Done...

So the magnet from the last one, and this file were what I sent to Guru expecting a little alignment and resizing and then uploading to VistaPrint.
ummm....notsomuch. Guru opened the info card (above) and literally yelled "AHHHHH" and scooted back from the computer. hmmmm..... He just looked at me, and then yelled to the computer guru of the office to come see. Computer Guru walked in and grimaced and said "eoww" and looked at me. Mind you, this one had gone through us, my bridal party, my family, and the wedding planner and was approved by all. I thought this was going to be the easy one! 2 hours and 2 gurus later I give you our info card!

Much better!

So, while you might not be able to tell, this is resized, lightened and the people are outlined. (And of course info blurred for bloginimity!)

Thanks to many other brides to be, I knew a few key things about Vista Print.

• Order more than you need, some will probably be screwed up from the machines.
• Coupons are evvveerrywhere... must google first!

So because of their available increments, we were going to end up with 200 magnets and 200 info cards (only needed about 130 of each) so we've got the first one covered!
AND (this is a great and - I hope yall stuck it out to read this) due to the wonderful coupons, we got 200 4x6 magnets 200 4x6 info cards (with linen finish) and 200 personalized envelopes with design below and return address AND all shipping for UNDER $200!!!!!!!!!! SWEET!!!!


Hell yeah!!!
Anyone else find a MAJOR score for their Save the Dates?


Obviously, Dad is much happier about these than the original! :-) Gotta Love Family!

Get Thee To the Printery!: Evolution of our Save the Dates Part 1

Ok. Maybe Shakespeare just rolled over in his grave, but I think Hamlet would just laugh. (Anyone who doesn't have a clue what I'm talking about; pick up Hamlet and start reading, or Netflix the Kenneth Branaugh film version.)

Let me start out by saying "All hail Guru!" Yes, this is the same Guru who (correctly) suggested/told me about my photographer.

Now let me show you why we are giving thanks to Guru. Without further ado, I give you - the evolution of our Save the Dates!

We started with a fun magnet from

This was my Dad's way of saying it was OK. (Anyone else loving the Glamour shots photo of Momma Duck in the background?)

This was my FIRST EVER attempted at using photoshop. I knew it was incredibly rough, but thats where Guru said he'd fix it.

Much better. But too many squiggles and having some sizing issues.

Oh, and in the midst of this, Momma Duck forwards me her favorite Save the Date because of all the info it contained.

So I started working on an info card to accompany the magnet.

And then this happened. This is Guru and his brand new beautiful baby girl. (Courtesy of Rae Leytham - for anyone whos bells aren't ringing - Rae is the photographer that Guru suggested and is now our photog!)

Needless to say, the evolution of the Save the Dates was then slow going because I was working on them myself and I know next to nothing about photoshop! But for your entertainment until I come back with the final stages, I give you, the evolution of dance!...

Burning Cake to Burning Love

That cake has been around the blog world at least once now and most people react with WTF?

Then yesterday, Blushalicious posted this and it was all clear...
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26.8.08

Real Wedding :: Spy + Spy

Or should I say "Reel Wedding"? My very favourite thing about weddings is when a couple injects their personality into their special day. It's my very favourite thing.

This couple took that to an entirely new level; Nikki + David both work in the film industry and reflected that into their day.

View their Wedding Trailer here ::

'Getting Married' Trailer from David Malki ! on Vimeo.

And here are some details from the day ::


The entire bridal party wore Converse Chucks {did you know you can design your own?}, the groom designed the cake {note the second layer riddled with bullet holes}, and made by Mike’s Amazing Cakes.

This blog will self destruct in five seconds..... {jk!}

Posted by Lisa from Blush

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I thought that was just hilarious! Then I followed the link to go to their site and saw what might be one of my favorite "you may kiss the bride" pictures ever.

Now thats a kiss!

Anyone else not too concerned about who's around them and really want a knock your socks of kiss and maybe a picked up hug and twirl type of thing? Anyone else want all that AND have a pretty shy guy? =(

Wedding Dream.. or nightmare... not sure which

This requires a few tibits of preface.

For starters, I am a light sleeper with weird dreams on a regular basis.

Secondly, Adam and I spent this past weekend with my parents in Fairhope, AL at the Marriott Grand. HOLY COW. First of all, it was a beautiful, somewhat less cheesy version of Kellermans. (Think Dirty Dancing.) Any bride wanting a wedding in the Gulf Coast area with a large venue budget - check this place out. Beautiful, lots of options, never have to leave the premises - but if you do it a cool town. also.... not cheap!! While there we did a Segway tour, and had a great time. This has spawned a wedding guest activity I think we'll be including, but I'll post pictures and info on that here in the near future.

Anyway, we had a great weekend, and came home Sunday evening to watch our recorded Indy race at Nashville. It was a good race. (For anyone interested, the video clip below is a 3 minute highlights reel.)

View IndyCar.com Video Library

So, Adam and I headed off to bed.... enter bizarre dream...

Here I am, at the Marriott Grand, planning my wedding.. with Jack Arute (the sports commentator for Indy Racing) was my wedding planner. We were working on a seating arrangement.... grandstand style! The invites were Indy 500 tickets and I am pretty sure the Marriott Grand had magically acquired a race track near the pool. There was something about a key lime pie being our wedding cake, which somehow led to a debate as to whether or not our guests would need earplugs and if they should be the favors. Oh yeah - not kidding. Thats the jist of what I can remember, but I gotta tell you, it was interesting... and if I have any spare time, I am totally making an Indy Racing inspiration board!! =)

Anyone else have any BIZARRE wedding dreams?