9/21 Updates

Greg and I are getting so excited for our upcoming nuptials.

10/1 - He and I are having our Engagement Pictures taken. Thanks to my lovely friends and sisters, I have shopped for the perfect outfit. I have a fabulous pair of over-the-knee designer boots, a skinny jean (also designer), a cami and sweater blanket with cute buckle. Not that I am searching for labels I just feel fabulous wearing things that I've afforded myself.

The setting is a farm. We have a few calls into local places with beautiful settings and one that even has a sunflower crop. But in order to obtain the time of day we're aiming for (5:30-sunset) we're struggling to find "The Place".

Furthermore I have fallen in love with a wedding shoe. Behold Jimmy Choo Emerald. This bad boy runs a cool $975 and Mom should have never let me try them on. I'm hoping for a second hand run at these shoes compliments Ebay - obviously not at a lip-smacking price.

I've also gotten my earrings and bracelet - a beautiful diamond set that matches the dress embellishments.

Makeup artist is booked - Thank you, Mollie from BrideFace!

I have a few contractors working on a custom STD and invitations. Which, I promise you, will be amazing!

We've scouted out officiants and found a lovely woman who has grand reviews, Kathryn Seifert. She sent us over three services, and of the three, Greg and I chose one with a slightly religious, slightly new-age feel as a basis. We've scheduled to follow up with her in November to rope in our specific wants. A work in progress.

We're closing in on the menu and love the choices we have so far and our contact at the caterer provided us tremendous tickets to a charity event at Drees Pavilion for the WEBN fireworks! Although, Dad and his whisky drinking made the total of the event over $1200 for silent auction items... I won there too, because one of the items was a Christmas present, FOR ME!

I am trying to slim down and shape up for E-Pics. My goal isn't to lose an exorbitant amount of weight in 2 weeks, but to look good. I've always had a freekishly bad image of myself and I am just hoping that engagement pictures can change that or provide a better self image. So, I have removed the grizzly facial hair and shaped up the eyebrows, and doubled up on H20. If nothing else, Greg's Mom who's wanted a nice picture of us for years, will finally have her wish. And Greg and I can have a fond memory.

Bridey Hair

I, ladies and gentlemen, will be a brunette bride. I have tossed between the two over the years so there really is no STAPLE haircolor for me... And when asked what my natural color is, I blush when I respond "I haven't a clue - it's a dark something or another".

And based on the fact I had a hair appointment last night I had to make that decision yesterday... Here's why:

Fact: Engagement pictures are in October

Fact: For engagement pictures, there should be some similarity between my looks cosmetically even if the settings are complete polar opposites.

Fact: If I am going dark for fall, in order for it to look good in October a flat color is needed now and highlights added later.

Fact: I cannot get my hair done more than once every 8 weeks (it'll fall out).

So going dark is a two-step process meaning that if that's what I wanted for wedding, then I needed to start now for engagement pictures... Looks like my blonde days are over, at least for now.

Shew! I feel like a woman!

Furthermore, I am looking for a girly-buddy to help me:

• Get my skin looking better (less acne, more glow)
• Get my teeth looking better
• Get my body looking slimmer

BUT I am not looking to spend half a fortune on salon treatments in the interim...

So, who's volunteering?

Engagement pictures

I am getting SOOOO excited that I have envisioned the engagement pictures now...


Picture late October, leaves are turning, tall grass fields and the sun-kissed glow of the evening hours just before sunset.

My attire number 1: A sundress with cowboy boots.

Attire number 2: Jeans and a sweater, maybe barefoot.

Capturing a COMPLETELY different look than what our wedding will with the city skyline, and features a city mouse vs. country mouse relationship between the two photo sessions. It will also serve as a snap shot to our kids of today's fashion.

Ahh Bliss!

Under 400

I am getting more and more excited.

We have 397 days to go and yet so much to do.

Things completed last week were:

• We had a tasting where we narrowed down the food choices for our desired caterer.
• Mom in law narrowed her vision of the billowy curtains in the gazebo
• Greg and I saved $100 on the music budget, which he quickly reminded me that it isn't to be added to another line item.
• Mom and I envisioned flowers and put the flower budget on steroids.

Things to do this week are:

• Narrow down the "feel" for our engagement pictures. IE The place, time, month, what to wear, etc.
• Complete the ceremony music contract. If you haven't listened yet, do so. HERE
• Find the person who will marry us.

Ongoing things I could use help with are:

• Attending random wedding outings. Like Veils and Cocktails Aug 18... Anyone interested? I like finding inspiration there.
• Organization
• I need a person who is good in photoshop or creative to help me envision our Save The Dates and other paper products.

13 months to go?

Where did the time go?
Seriously, our engagement was over 600 days at one time. Now we're under 400?! Cannnn't wait!

So, to organize myself a bit better, I think that I'll mentally separate the functions of the wedding and work in a chronological timeline. Although the things which need attention now aren't necessarily the first things to happen on "the big day".

Ceremony:
My vision for this is peaceful. I want white flowers, white flowing fabric, white serenity. I want this to be a special moment for Greg and I. I want to stress the importance of that moment and how beautiful it is that Greg and I found each other to complete the other.

For this: I've hired a stringed trio. And envisioned two large flower arrangements heading the aisle. I don't want the decorations to be overkill, because the backdrop will be enough to already be distracting for our guests... But I want to create a private ceremony, where I feel like Greg and I are the only people there aside the support of our 300+/- friends and family members.

Reception:
For this I want retro elegance. I don't want it to be stuffy that people aren't certain which fork to use first, but I want it to be pretty. I want it to feel like a celebration. Most of all, I don't want to FEEL like I have flexed my and my parents checkbook to the max. I picture long and circular tables. I picture tall and low centerpieces. I picture tons of lighting. I picture a party esque scene where people aren't afraid of the other. Or to get a little goofy.

Honeymoon:
I want beach. I want to be able to get to a few fun things, and for those days where I don't want to leave bed, we wont. :-P

Bridesmaid's Dresses!

YAY! Looks like I have a FEW choices of dresses from the bridesmaids.

6504 in Ruby

2716 in African Violet

2500 in Ruby

6501 in African Violet (can be trimmed in a different color)


2780 in African Violet

2808 in Ruby


2807 in African Violet trimmed in Ruby

I really like all these choices!

Still looking to finalize that weekend in October where we can have our Maid's Party, but I am getting very excited! The more you're interested in, the more that will be available to try on!

Final Answer

Ok, here's my final answer. I think, maybe, as long as it still looks good and I don't change my mind after seeing it again... But it's getting about that time to really settle on a color...

So the color I choose is...
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purple.








Let's do this!

I might be onto something...

Black and white interior, with greenery, and red (wine) dresses?

Compliments of David Turtera's website - who I desperately hope comes to Cincinnati for his "My Fair Wedding" series.

Honeymoon

I am also full swing into honeymoon shopping. Our destinations, though long, consists of:
Aruba
Curacao
Bermuda
Fiji
St. Lucia
Costa Rica
Tahiti
and *shudder* Hawaii. (I shudder because Hawaii seems so cookie cutter, so unoriginal, so.... not us. However, I'm guessing it's cheaper than the aforementioned destinations, it offers what we're looking for, and we have the ability to "island hop" like we're traveling to several destinations.)

The criteria we're looking for is as follows:
1) Beach-y
2) Warm weather, no hurricanes (despite hurricane season)
3) Something outside of the USA (not something we could drive to)
4) Not something over 15 hours travel time
5) Would like a lot of activities
6) Would like a rain forest
7) Would like romantic and secluded activities too
8) I think everyone doesn’t want to break the bank
9) Minimal children

You, know.... Something exotic that we won't be able to actually do again. Hawaii, England, Florida, NJ, NY we could do these all again....

A yellow wedding?

As per usual, I am still searching for inspiration online... And here in it lies, ladies and gentlemen, why I thought it would take me 4.6 bagillion years to decide on a wedding dress...

Luckily deciding on the guy wasnt that difficult.

Who's a fan of yellow?

Peacock Wedding

So the general consensus is, Peacock is awesome. As long as it it tactfully not overdone. And in my search for more inspiration I found these pictures



Mori Lee Top Right, unsure of designer.

Mori Lee

Peacock Theme

So my mom put this together a while back and I wasn't 100% sold on it because Greg isn't on board completely...

But, he said that whatever I fall in love with he can learn to love too. And no I don't want him to sacrifice on the biggest day of his life, so far, but I am swinging back around full-circle to the peacock theme because:
-It's unique
-It's easy
-It's colorful, it can be blue, or green, or purple, or you name it...
-It's classy
-It can be EASILY accessorized

Tell me what you think.

16 months to go

And according to The Knot I am behind?

...OK not severely but here is this month's "to dos".

Begin envisioning your wedding style and wedding colors -- formal, eggplant-and-gold hotel reception? Or a modern, black-and-white loft? Colorful, tented, backyard barbecue celebration? Or exotic, orange-and-yellow beach wedding? Um, formal? Colors: TBD. Reception Location: Check -- I don't know!!! I don't know!!!

Decide on a wedding budget and hash out who's contributing to the wedding. The Knot Hint: For a quick and easy way to determine your budget, use The Knot Wedding Budget Tool. Um? Mom and Me and an occasional garage sale?

Let friends and family know you're engaged. Send them a just-engaged video Ecard and submit an engagement announcement to the local newspaper. You may also want to have your engagement photos taken in time for this. Not sent anything, wont have photos for a while... Can't we just get married on a beach?

Choose a wedding date and time, and finalize after okaying with important guests (parents, siblings, and grandparents), ceremony and/or reception location, and ceremony officiant. 9-10-11. Drees Pavilion. Be there.

Begin interviewing wedding coordinators (if you'll have one) -- look online and ask family and friends for local wedding coordinator recommendations. Won't have one.

Brides: It's never too early to begin thinking about your wedding dress. Start by figuring out what wedding dress style will look best on you. Check.

Start taking better care of yourself. Get in wedding day shape by eating right, joining a gym, and/or even hiring a personal trainer. Check

Interview wedding caterers look online for wedding caterers in your area and ask recently married friends for recommendations. We have a choice of three? Oh good Lord.

Post wedding

I am cutting my hair...

I wish I could do it now, but my whole life I have had long hair - so cutting it short before the wedding is not a direct reflection of who I am.

BM Dresses

OK, so recently I have been presented with a few ideas of BM dresses.

Here's my thoughts:

♥ I know that it may be physically impossible to find a dress which fits everyone off the rack for $20, but I will search high and low for that dress and when I find it, I hope you'll agree that you can re wear it. And no, not to a prom. ♥

I have no clue whether I want long, or short. Everyone in the same cut, or not. Or everyone in the same cut, different color. Or even a print.

A lot of my life, and wedding, is kinda based on sporadic thoughts. Yes, I get those lightbulb moments where I'm like, "Yes we will paint the dining room today and in THIS [holds up an item of food I am eating] color".

So far, I've had zero, lightbulb moments. But keep the suggestions rolling, I love that you're involved!!!!! XOXO

Vows

First, today is 500 days until we do. Yay!

Next, my Aunt Char sent me this little bit that I'd like to document because it's really nice.

The Hand Blessing ceremony occurs most often right after the wedding ring exchange or before the couple takes their wedding vows. I have included two versions below... the "Blessing of the Hands" is quite a bit longer than the "Celebration of the Hands", but both are very touching and quite lovely.

CELEBRATION OF THE HANDS

BRIDE, please face GROOM, and hold his hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you.
BRIDE and GROOM, please face each other and hold hands.
BRIDE, these are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you.
These are the hands that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever.
These are the hands that will work along side yours as together you build your future.
These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
GROOM, these are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief wracks your mind.
These are the hands that will hold your children in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go.
These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.
And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.



BLESSING OF THE HANDS
BRIDE, please face GROOM, and hold his hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life.
These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams.
These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too, feels his child stir within you.
These are the hands that look so large and strong, yet will be so gentle as he holds your baby for the first time.
These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your new family.
These are that hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.
These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief wrack your mind.
These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes: eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you.
GROOM, please hold BRIDE hands, palms up, where you may see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life.
These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go.
These are the hands that will massage tension from your neck and back in the evenings after you’ve both had a long hard day.
These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.
These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving.
These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.
These are the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement and hope, each time she tells you that you are to have another child, that together you have created a new life.
These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realized.
Bless these hands that you see before you this day.
May they always be held by one another. Give them the strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment.
Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love.
Help these hands to continue building a relationship founded in grace, rich in caring, and devoted in reaching for your perfection.
May GROOM and BRIDE see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter and guide.

Wedding Bands

This weekend Greg and I spent a whopping 30 minutes watching a wedding special on WE. Yes, I do follow Wedding Sundays on WETV, but Greg is usually finding another tv to get his sports fix. This weekend, unlike any other, I watched very little wedding stuff.

More or less though, I did discover that our wedding bands should be of the same, or like, metal creating unity. Does that mean that Greg needs a White Gold Band, no, but mine should be a white gold band based on my engagement ring.

I pretty much love this.

I really, really like the peacock look and feel.

BM dress?

Ignore the colors, but I just thought this was a very cute dress!

Thoughts?

On second thought, I do like the colors...

The Color Purple

It turns out there are about 40 BAGILLION shades of purple. There's Easter Purple, and blue-purple, and lilac purple, and teal purple, neon purple, dark purple, light purple, pink purple, plum, violet, indigo, good Lord the list goes on and on.

I COMPLETELY understand "bridal colors" now. Like, where brides are say {insert ditsy voice and hair twirling} “it's a faint moss green on a wet summer day when there aren’t any clouds but you’re in a forest without much sun and the day is near the end so there’s a shadow from the northeast – that color green!” ...And magically everyone gets it?

Jesus, describing PURPLE or gathering inspiration from "purple weddings" shouldn't be as involved as a collection of 5,664 images, presented 8 photos per page... Yes, MATH, that's 708 pages of purple inspiration I'm sifting thru people.

Page 64 (<-- marking my place) I called it quits, but here's what came of my perusing.

I like the trees with the dangl-y things...

Not that I even remotely like this color, one bit, but here's an example of a fan/program for Greg.
I think the chair covers in the right corner are the coolest! As if Greg and I will actually need to be distinguished for our friends and family, I just thought they were fun.
Again, hate this specific color, but I am digging the flower balls, flowey fabric and the flower petals on the edges of the aisle runner.

Invitations! (Paper Products)

I was just told, by my Mom, that our wedding invitations, save the dates, menus, stationary, thank you cards (ANYTHING paper) will be custom designed for FREE by a local company. *

I don't think they get more personalized than that!!!

*My mom works for the marketing department and was approached by a close friend who owns a custom designing company and offered to design my paper products!

Hmmm, now what to do, what to do?!?!?

Colors

I've tossed around colors, changing and adjusting once about every 2 months...

This session's feature is:

And yes, I did wiggle away from Greg at Home Depot to gather these paint chips... :-P

I think it has a mature, sophisticated look to it... And the purple adds a pop of color which we were lacking with our previous, chocolate and champagne theme... WHICH, I am please to announce that I will no longer be a "follower" of someone who stole my theme out from under me anyway. YAY!

So, given these colors, what color are suits/tuxes?
What color are flowers?
What color are table cloths?
Does this make our entire wedding purple?
Can I have an ACCENT of purple without making the whole wedding girly?
GAH!

Also, does anyone know a purple flower, which is a seed, that can be grown in our Ohio Valley area that isn't cheap-looking, or common? Horticulturists unite!

Wedding catch up

Since I am starting this blog about 10% of my way thru wedding plans I'll update everyone who doesnt know of the details.



Date: 9-10-11

Ceremony Location: Drees Pavilion

I'd like to accomplish this white flowey fabric feel in the gazebo too.
I'm thinking that my Mother in Law to be might be able to help me asseble something like this!

I also have a feel for these flower balls... Not sure where I'd put them, but I like them nonetheless.


Here is a view of our reception location at night.


Ceremony time: 5:30pm, reception immediately afterwards with coctail hour beginning.

DJ: Julie Jameson from Weddings Remembered
Photographer: Geri Cuilla from Cuilla Photography

Dress: Impression Bridal

Wedding Pics

For those who are tired of the wedding postings on my other blog, here is a new one to describe my wedding adventures and how my thoughts evolve over the next 511 days!



It an outdoor wedding, thinking these fans... Wouldn't need too many, just for the chicks and look at that price!!! Cheap!
I'd fashion a pretty colored ribbon on it and remove the current tassle.

I like the feel of this picture...
Loving the purple tie and the boutinere

Given that it's an ourdoor wedding, at this exact location, we will NOT be wearing green dresses, look at that matchy-matchy!
I'm liking the color of these plum dresses in the top left.
A neat flower, Picasso Lily.
Loves this bouquet.