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.