In the Same Vein...

Italian Wedding Cake Martini, anyone?!

Here is the recipe straight from Carrabba's:
1 1/2 Ounce(s) Vanilla Vodka
3 Ounce(s) Pineapple Juice
1 Ounce(s) White Creme de Cacao

1. Add all ingredients and shake over ice
2. Strain & Serve

And what should you serve this concoction in?



For more fun glasses, visit Wrapables.

Ah, Well

Apparently there is a wedding dress called martini:

It's by Ian Stuart and you can see more about it here. Sure, it's not my style, but that's a great name...

Really?

Dear Future Husband,

Despite what this commercial suggests, I hope you will love me regardless of what I may or may not smell like at the end of, oh, 12 hours of celebrating our wedded blis.



Really Secret? Really?

Happy Christmas!

Your present? Some gorgeous winter wedding photos!

Here is a lovely shot from Photography By Stacey Wight, based in Ontario Canada. See more on her blog.


Now from Paul Retherford Wedding Photography & Photojournalism (covering Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, and the Midwest). More on his website.


I love this one with the carriage, by Sainte Phalle Photography in Vermont. More at My Vermont Wedding Photographer.

You Are the Best Thing

Special thanks to Jay and Katie over at Spydercricket for including this in their favorite songs of 2008 countdown. I believe we have a new entry in the "must play, Mr DJ" list for the weddin'

Merry Christmas Eve

All is quiet, all is bright...

...on this snowy shot from our reception site.

Another Dress Option

Here's one found by the Sister of the Bride on Lazaro Bride's site.

Of course, this is related to Jim Hjelm which I already love.

Crate and Barrel Event

Apparently, Crate and Barrel is hosting registry events throughout the spring for couples looking to set up their wedding wish lists. I don't know too much about them, but plan to check it out soon.

According to the site, you get the store to yourself (and other like minded couples, I would assume) for two hours. There is food, expert advice, and you walk away with a free bowl.

More details after I check it out.

I Found It!

Ladies and gentleman, I have found my ideal wedding cake:

Imagine that shape, in carrot cake. Mmmmmmmmm!

Thanks to Cake Wrecks for posting this, created as a baker's final project for her Wilton class: Themie from Deviant Art.

Stamps!

For possibly the first time ever I care about what stamps we use. After all, if the Save the Date is the first impression of the wedding, then the envelope / stamp is the first look at the first impression.

That having been said, is there any better first sight than ol' Blue Eyes?

Best stamp ever. See USPS for more.

Success!

Save the Dates are ordered!

We decided to go the magnet / engagement photo route. Should be printed in time to sucker some families members to help me address and then off to the guest list for the first of the year!

Whoot!

Analysis Paralysis

There is something about ordering Save the Dates that is oddly terrifying.

I think the fiance put his finer on it last night: its the first thing people will see of our wedding. No, its not a big deal and yes its just to give them a heads up about it, but it is the first taste that they will get and I want it to be a good one.

Eeeek

So Cute

Okay, so its a little saccharine, but I really love this song. Oh, and enjoy the baby animals:



No, not for the first dance but maybe for some time in the reception.

Musical Stylings

So we decided to drop our search for the perfect wedding band (ie. one that plays Sinatra, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Journey, and Meatloaf flawlessly) and decided to go with a DJ. We're having fun writing our Must Play and Do Not Play Under Penalty of Death lists. But the real musical question is what will we play during the ceremony. I have two possible soloist but I have no idea what to have them sing.

Any suggestions?

Ain't That a Kick In the Head

So in order to marry in New York State, we need to visit a town clerk no more than 60 days and no less than 24 hours before our ceremony together and in person. That is the only way to get a marriage license in NY. The downside for us is we are 5 hours from the state and already planned a trip up in June, too early to get a license that will still be valid on our wedding day.

After the 12 hour marathon from Thanksgiving / wedding planning I am not looking forward to yet another trip up. And I just don't think I comfortable waiting until the week of.

Buff Bride

So I decided to go ahead and do the personal training.

My goal is to be happy with how I look on the wedding day but to get there without being super obsessed.

I'm not sure that's 100% possible, but its worth a shot. And its probably one of the best birthday present's a bride to be could get.

Wedding Maps

Since we are planning a wedding in a small town followed by a reception in another smaller town attended by lots of people from outside the area of both small towns, we are gonna need some maps.

Right now, I'm loving Wedding Mapper which lets you create an online, searchable map of all your locations (rehearsal, reception, ceremony...) and print directions.

The only problem I've having is my sites are far enough away that they don't all fit easily onto one shot of the map.

Themed Drink

I think I really want a themed drink. Something that could be served with or without alcohol and which would not cause everyone to get too crazy too early.

Extra plus if it matches the wedding colors.

...Cherry Lemonade?!

If We Were Doing Favors

Here's an interesting idea for a fall wedding that I had not heard before: candy apples as favors.
In our case - to go with the color scheme - yellow delicious with red candy coating. Yum!

Wedding Signs

As we're being married in Upstate New York in a smaller church and having a somewhat outdoor reception, I'm trying to walk the line between cute and waaaaaay to much outdoorsy stuff. Still, there is something about painted wooden 'Wedding' signs that I just love.

This one is from Butterflies and Daisies. I don't even know that we would need one since we're being wed inside a church and likely transporting the bulk of guests from the hotel, but I just love how the look.

Ideally, I think ours would be a bit more weathered looking, perhaps even for the rehearsal dinner or to point guests to different parts of the reception.

I Got My New Shoes On

So, I think it is necessary for me to get some kick ass shoes to go with my super kick ass dress.
And I'm thinking red. After all, our colors are red and yellow with the girls wearing either copper, gold or brown depending on what we find. So I'm imagining the bridesmaids in strappy red heels and me in something similar, only comfortable. I hope.

I Bought a Dress!

Let me just take a moment to highly recommend Ellie's Bridal Salon to any and all in the Washington DC area.
They were super sweet to me and made the whole process fun and (reasonably) low stress.

Go, go now! And enjoy!

Wedding Pie

In my family, we never really had birthday cakes, we had homemade birthday pie. So at least part of me would really like to forgo the traditional tiered cake in favor of some wedding pie; I've even seen some tiered pie plate stands.

Going Dress Shopping

Okay, so my addiction to election coverage has somewhat zapped my interest in blogging.

Now that we've got a president elect, I can once again focus on the things that matter; bridal gowns!

Mom and I are going to our first salon on Friday.

After that, I need to focus on save the dates, and music for the reception.

Engagement Photos are In!

The ever awesome Michele has finished our photos!

They are super cute and I will get permission to post them soon!

Yay!

Thoughts On Cake

So one of the things I really can't get excited about is wedding cake. I don't get it. I don't get spending tons of money on what is - essentially - a very expensive dessert.

Here is one of the few I've seen that I find stylish: I like that it's off white and I would replace the roses with ones from our florist in red and yellow, or the carnival that features both colors. I think it's just the angle of the picture, but I like that the cakes looks off center.

Still, if it were cheaper to get a plain white one, I don't know that I'd care. Guess we all have to decide what to splurge on (hello flowers and photos!).




Cake picture courtesy of Specialized Cakes for Every Occasion.

More Bridesmaids Dresses

I gotta keep the MOH happy, so here are some more beautiful dresses from Jim Hjelm:





Click on the image for a larger view. I really like all of these, so I think it may be a matter of what looks the best of everyone.

Much more at the Jim Hjelm Website

Jim Hjelm Occasions

Possible bridesmaids dress:

From the Jim Hjelm Occasions collections. The above is shown in one of the colors I'm considering.
The fiance approves as it is "close to burnt orange". The question is, how will it go with red and yellow roses?

For more, visit Jim Hjelm

3 Months?

We've already been engaged for three months?

Wow, that went fast.

Engagement Photos

Visit our photographer's blog for a sneak peek!

Michele and I used to work together and she did a great job on today's photo shoot!

More to come...

Engagement Photos

Our engagement photo shoot is this weekend! I still need to figure out what I'm wearing and am off to shop for new jeans this afternoon. We're thinking Eastern Market, Union Station, and the Capital would all provide great backdrops. Neil suggested wearing our jerseys for a few shots as well as the "Georgetown Crew" tee I was in when he proposed.

I have no idea what I've doing with my hair, so here's hoping it cooperates.

I'll be posting links to pics / the photographer (one of my friends) soon!

Our Church

Our church was built in 1879 and is the oldest church in the village, now home to 5,000.

One Shot I Have To Take

From my grandparents' wedding day. Mom and dad redid the shot on theirs. I may ask the photographer to do this one in black and white to match.

Reception Site #2

View from reception site #2. Also gorgeous.

Reception Site Option #1

Here is the view from one of our possible reception sites. Note the Olympic ski jumps in the background.

Stolen Ideas: Brett & Erin 2

I love this idea:

Framed pictures of the couple's parents and grandparents on their wedding days were placed by the cake. Each had a small label with the names of the couples and their wedding dates. So awesome!

Stolen Ideas: Brett and Erin

So we are in the middle of a large block of friends getting married. I am happy about this because, well, first of all I like my friends and I'm glad they found some great people and, in a more selfish way, it helps me pick out things for mine!

Brett & Erin were just married this past weekend and here is the sign outside their church:


This is such a simple thing, but it was so cute.

More stolen ideas coming soon...

Bridesmaid Dress

I love this one by Watters & Watters.

I'm surprised I'm drawn to a dress with a pattern, but I love the style and think it would be flattering and, dare I say it, reusable.

I also love this one which is a similar style, but sans the pattern.

I'm really hoping I can find something that's attractive and flattering without being too expensive.

Photobooth Rental

Possibly the coolest idea yet for a wedding reception: rent a photobooth (yes, like the ones in malls and carnivals) for your guest to mug in.



Not only does it give guests a fun diversion while waiting for the wedding party to arrive, but would be a fabulous guest book! Imagine all these strips of pictures in a book together. Or, better yet, framed with a few shots of our reception site, bridal party, or invitations...

Here are links for companies in Upstate NY and the Washington DC area. The photo is courtesy Saratoga Photobooth Company.

Group Shots

So I've recently come across several wedding photos that show everyone in attendance. Some are arranged shots in the church, others are informal ones that encompass everyone at the reception, still others - and these are my favorites - show the crew slowly wandering into the reception hall or waiting for the bride and groom. I really like that these pictures capture everyone who was there on this special day, I'm just not sure how I will actually get this done at my own shin dig.

One Place We Will Not Be Hosting Our Reception

Once a Washington, D.C. trolley car depot, the Historic Car Barn building is now home to the Georgetown MBA program.

With commanding views of the Potomac River and Washington, D.C., it is a thoroughly modern complex of classrooms, study areas, student service offices, and the MBA Career Management Center.

It is also no longer available for private events which is too bad because its pretty neat looking and would certainly make for a memorable reception.

Couture Cupcakes

One thing I really don't get about weddings is how expensive the cakes are. Sure, I love some of the creations I've seen and I do realize that some designs can take forever to put together, I just don't understand paying thousands of dollars when the cake is not - or at least should be not be - the centerpiece of the day. If my guests eat sheet cake but get to dance into the night I think my money will have been well spent.

Here's one alternative I think is nifty; cupcake bouquets!


From Couture Cupcakes in DC

Invitations

So I'm having a very hard time finding a wedding invitation that doesn't make me ill. They're all either very dull or over the top girlie. Hearts, doves and flowers? All on one invitation? Really?

There are a few very fun ones out there that are very unusual, like this one from Corndog Industries:

But while I do like the idea of sending tickets or behind the all access passes as invitations, I think wedding invitations should be a bit more classic.

I do like My Gatsby especially because you can customize everything about the invitations. I'm thinking yellow invitations with red writing and a red envelope. Although that might be a little too much color coordination...

For the Bridesmaids

Among the small number of things I know about the wedding thus far involve the length of the bridesmaids dresses and the probable color.

I love the Sophia dress from J.Crew:

I actually own it in dark green and pretty much wear it to every party I can. If the come out with a bronze one we're in.


While we're on J.Crew, here is the first bridal gown I can actually picture myself in:

It's actually the same dress as above in a gown instead of knee length but I think it's just gorgeous. Not sure it's bridal enough but everything else I've seen just doesn't look like me.

Themed Garters

So I've found WVU and UT garters from both schools, but I'm not really a fan because they're kinda big and I'd rather just have a simple garter in the school's colors. Also, if I get one in blue and gold with both charms it could cover me for APO and WVU (not to mention something blue).

I found these online for UT. The 2nd one (the toss garter) is more in the style I want:


These are from Kristi's Charmed Life eBay store.

Guest Book Ideas

So the last two weddings I was a part of I made the guest book. Both were essentially scrapbooks; we provided the guests with squares of paper (made out of leftover invitations and programs) as well as pens and stickers. Some guests just signed but most left advice or well wishes. After the ceremonies, I created a scrapbook / guestbook out of all of these great thoughts left by the guests. I love how both books look but I think I might want something different for me (plus I'm not sure I will ever get one done for myself).

Ideas:

Polaroid Guest Book - Guests shoot quick pictures of themselves them sign them (or paste in an album and sign around them).

Coffee Table Guest Book - We purchase a book of DC (or NY, or Tx) and guests sign around the pictures.

Poster (or Map) Guest Book - Either we get a map of the location or a poster of it, or we get something completely different (ie a movie poster) and guests sign this. A Casablanca poster served as Neil's birthday card two years ago and we still have it up in the living room.

Pottery Guest "Book" - We get a piece of unglazed pottery (probably a pasta bowl or platter) and have the guests sign it. After the wedding we can take it to one of the many stores that let you glaze your own pottery and add our wedding colors before putting it in the kiln.

Photo Booth Guest Book - Similar to the Polaroid idea, but you can rent a literal photo booth (like you see at carnivals or malls). Guests leave a signed strip of pictures which we could put in a album.

Registry Item #1

Just had to share, because I think this is the coolest thing:
Basically it's a picnic basket for big kids. Comes with everything you need for a great picnic (which for us would occur on the lawn at WolfTrap while watching a show). Comes with a blanket, 2 glasses, silverware, a cutting board, salt and pepper shakers, plates and, most importantly, a corkscrew. They also have 4 man versions in case we make friends.

This version is from thewinebag.com

Wedding Toppers

Possible Cake Topper:


Slightly Sweeter One:


Both from My Dream Wedding.

Pretty...

One Reception Option:


So remove the calla lilies and add centerpieces made of these:

Color Schemes

So as I tried to reflect in my blog, the color scheme for the day will be (I think, who knows?!) bronze, red, and yellow.
I know it sounds strange, but I have a specific flower scheme in mind (red and yellow) and I think bronze is about the only thing I can put the bridesmaids in with ending up with a Christmasy wedding or a hideous mess. We're aiming for a fall ceremony, so I think this will work.

Play with colors here colourlovers.com

My Mantra

My wonderful fiance made this for me. I feel it will me more and more true as the days and weeks pass...