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.