This is daisybride's Pink Wedding!

I want to get two of these to put on each side of the "alter." But I can't find any because I can't figure out what its called. I found something similar that is called a topiary globe. But its still not exactly what I'm looking for. You can't really tell in this picture, but there is a little hook hanging down from the top to hold flowers. So its not a topiary. If anyone knows what this thing is called, it would be a huge help!!
Thanks!

I bought a "how to" book/kit on Calligraphy. I am going to try and address each envelope by hand in calligraphy. We'll see how that goes.

Any one else taking this on?

So I was thinking....it would be really cool to have a sunset ceremony. However, that doesn't leave much time for the reception, because we have to be out of the place by 1am. So what about switching up the order of things?

Guests arrive
Have dinner in the ballroom
move outside for the ceremony
have our "first kiss" at sunset
Move back indoors for the PARTY.

I could have a cute little party dress for dinner, and wear my hair differently. Then while the guests are finishing up their meals I could slip away and put my wedding dress on and change my hair.

Issues:
Breaking the tradition of the bride and groom seeing each other before the wedding. I can deal with this, I'm not super into all the wedding traditions, and am throwing out a lot of them anyways. However, I don't want him to see me in my dress.

Biggest issue: photos. If we do our photos after the ceremony there wouldn't be any light left. If we do them before, he would see me in my dress.

Do you see any other issues? Or a way to remedy the photo issue?

Santorini, Greece.

We obviously, haven't planned this yet but we are considering Santorini. It is absolutely beautiful. My mom's side of the family is Greek, and while I may not be 100% Greek, my grandpa has instilled in me, a strong Greek pride. Almost everyone in my family has been to Greece except for me. I think it would be amazing. Plus, Alex is a geologist. Greece is definately a geologist's dream!

I am so excited for this. We are thinking about either flying into Paris and spending some time there before relaxing in Greece. Or going to Greece first and then heading over to Paris before coming back stateside.

I like the look of these short veils, particularly the visor veil. However, I am unsure how this will look with a non-updo hair style. I thought It might look ok, with a half up half down, but maybe not. I don't really know. Also, I am not really sure if it used like a blusher and moved up for the kiss. I don't think it is. But I dunno about that either.

I just thought a veil like these might look cute with a tea-length dress, but I don't know. An elbow length veil probably will look good too. It will definately have to be non-poofy. I definately don't want to look like Madonna, in her "like a virgin video." I also saw a picture of Audrey Hepburn in her wedding dress that has the same silhouette and length as my dress and she wore a veil the same length as the dress.

Taking the risk, that Alex will see this (I highly doubt he will ever look at this) I posted my dress, so I can get veil advice. I know this is something that doesn't really matter right now, since the wedding is so far away. But its fun to think about! :)

I am in LOVE with my dress.
(This isn't my dress exactly, but its pretty close)

edit: Ok so I just found some pictures of girls with their hair down and visor/birdcage veils and it looks cute.

Braving the insanity tomorrow at Filene's Basement. Here are some styles of dresses I like. It won't be surprising if I buy something completely different though.

**UPDATE**

Success!! So went to Filene's Basement today. We had a huge storm in northern Ohio, so didn't get there till about 1 1/2 after they opened the doors. So, I missed the big stampede. Which is probably a good thing. So when we got there, there were very few dresses left on the racks. The one's that were left on the racks were not cute at all. So, we just walked around stalking people till they tried on things we liked. People were actually really nice. Some of the mom's were a little territorial but the brides were nice. No real bartering or anything, basically, "Hey if you don't like that, can I try it on?"...."Yeah, sure, no problem!" After a while the racks started filling back up. There were a lot of really really pretty dresses. I wear a size 2 but there were a lot of size 8's, 10's and 12's and higher, but not too many lower sizes. I didn't see anything lower than a 6 the whole day actually.

I did get a dress though! It's super cute. I love it! Its very Sarah Jessica Parker-esque. Tea-lenght!!?? Who would have thought I was going to get a tea length dress? Not me. But its perfect. It was fun walking around in it because it got some really great reactions from people. Someone even took my picture with their phone and sent it to my mom for me. I don't want to post a picture of it, just in case Alex looks at my blog. He probably doesn't but better to be safe than sorry!

I think its a size 6 or 8. It doesn't have a size inside. I am pretty sure it is suitable for alterations though, so that is the next step. Even if it doesn't work, it wasn't a huge investment so, it'll be fine.

My tips for future filene's brides...

(1). Getting there super early isn't necessary, there are tons of pretty dresses. Just watch what people are discarding, and grab it. So if you're worried about getting trampled, go later.

(2). Try stuff on, even if it wasn't what you envisioned, you might be surprised. Especially if its not your size, these dresses are so inexpensive that alterations are worth it.

(3). People are going to see you in your undergarments --people's dads and fiance's and brothers too, so wear something that will allow you to feel comfortable changing in front of others. I wore leggings so that I could just slip the dress right over them and not have to worry about taking off pants and putting them back on all the time.

(4). Taking your own full-length mirror is also a good idea.

hmm I think thats it. If you are planning on going to one and want some advice, I'd be happy to help. I think its definately worth it, even if you don't get a dress. I read something about someone flying in from somewhere to go, I don't think its worth the plane ticket, unless you have free miles that are about to expire.

Having fabulous pictures of our day is incredibly important to me. We're still looking for a photog but I have been collecting some of my favorite pictures. I posted just a few of them.

I wanted to have a vintage photobooth at the reception, for the guestbook, but that's probably going to be a little out of my price range. Instead I think I'm going to have some sort of set-up with a polaroid camera. I love polaroids.

Also, a wedding video is one of those things that you feel like you have to have, but you will barely ever watch it, and spend a ton of money on it, and it always turns out sorta corny anyways, so what I am going to do is have a friend video our day with a super 8mm camera, which I own. I am SO excited about this. Our video will have a vintage, artsy, sort of indie feeling to it. I love it.

So, I am having my ceremony outdoors, and had originally wanted my reception outdoors as well. However, Ohio weather is very unpredictable, it isn't unheard of for it to snow in May, and be 75 degrees in December. So, I decided to move my reception indoors. But I have all these really pretty outdoor reception pictures I said I would share.

So here ya go, enjoy!

I actually thought I had more, I dunno what happened to them all.

I think I want something up, but loose. Or maybe half up half down. Something Romantic. Possibly something that could be worn up for the ceremony but then easily let down, for the reception, with the removal of just a few pins or whatever.

I think I will be wearing a veil, but probably not a tiara, maybe a headband of some kind.

How exactly does this work? If you have escort cards, why do you need place cards? Are they not one and the same? A little confused.

I have to have place cards because I am having a plated dinner. However, I don't want to make a seating chart because I would rather people sit where they would feel the most comfortable. Can I just have all the place cards set up in the lobby for the guests to find their name and then just place it at whatever seat they want? Does that work?

Has anyone ever done this?

I am thinking about taking part this weekend. I know it is going to be insanity, but I thought it might be fun in a weird way. Even if I don't find a dress, I think the experience might be worth it! haha. Maybe I could even get a paper topic out of it, I am looking for a topic for my sociology of deviant behavior class.

If anyone has ever experienced this, I could use some tips! :)

Thanks

So, I was thinking a little more about my invitations. And I came up with my own design.

I made these in "Paint" so obviously they are just a prototype, not perfect by any means.

What do you think?

So I did some more location scouting this weekend, and am now able to rule out the rustic location, and keep my original plan.

I have it narrowed down to three places. One of which I have yet to visit, but unless its amazing, its probably going to be ruled out as well, because it is quite a bit further for guests to drive than the other two. I also still have to take the fiance to see each of them.

In rank order:
(1) Atwood Lake Resort
(2) Lakeside Center
(3) Mohican Gardens (haven't visited yet)

I don't know what is wrong with the pictures.

Here are some of the new decorating ideas I have for the more rustic location, should we go that route. I think maybe I'll go with a rustic-vintage feel. My engagement ring has beautiful filigree work on the side of it, so maybe I'll incorporate that into the design. I really love my earlier retro-mod ideas though.

Maybe make the bridesmaid dresses navy blue. Still allows the pink daisies to pop, and still sophisticated, but not quite as formal. Or maybe, I'll go back to pink? I dunno. I have tons of time though! :)

QUESTIONS:

Is it necessary to switch my style, if I go with this more rustic location? Or could it work? Do you think I can still use the fabric below, as a table runner, or should I go with something more subdued for a more rustic feel?

Any ideas on how to cover up major eyesores? - two large pictures about 2ft x 2ft. Thanks!

So, this past weekend the fiance and I completed round one of our wedding location search. I was a little disappointed and a little discouraged as well. One place, although they advertised a capacity of up to 200 people, was way too small. The other was nice, but the surrounding area wasn't very appealing, and the closest hotels were at least a 15 minute drive.

As of right now, the leader in the race is a place called Yeowza resorts. We like it because it has a beautiful outdoor ceremony location on a lake, has guest room capacity of at least 26 with hot tubs, and wrap around decks off of each room, a reception hall that is on the small side but often fits groups of 200. The fiance loves it, and I like it too, but the problem is, it doesn't exactly fit with the ideas and themes I had in mind thus far. It is very rustic, and I feel that my decorating ideas may be a little too retro-mod for the locale. If we go with this place, I think I may have to develop a completely new scheme. It's a good thing I have plenty of time to plan this wedding. It's a bad thing, that the whole reason we are waiting this long is so that I will finish my thesis on time, but I would much rather look at wedding stuff than thesis stuff!

We still have more places to check out though, so I guess I shouldn't worry about discarding my decorating ideas just yet. But I have do have some new rustic ideas if we should go with Yeowza.

The pink, is obviously supposed to be Hot Gerbera Daisy Pink! (I think that is basically, "watermelon" at David's Bridal).
I didn't try the dress on with the sash but, it looks sort of cute in the picture. And there would be a crystal broach in the center of the bust. Also, there would be another man on the "bride's" side, but the program only allows four on each side.

www.mypersonalartist.com

Michelle Mospens, stationary artist, custom designed my mom's recent wedding invitations. My mom and her new husband are both pilots and so she painted a picture of the actual biplane that they own. The invitations were so pretty.

She already has gerbera daisy ones that I love. She does have a print your own version - so that always cuts down on the cost. I have been in love with them for so long. She has all kinds of stuff that match too, even tote bags! love it.

I have several fun ideas for favors. This is something I think I can really have fun with, and will probably come up with multiple ideas before I actually really have to decide on something. I guess it will all come down to money. But most of these ideas are pretty reasonable. I don't want to do the same boring thing, or something people will "forget" to take home, or they will just throw it away when they get home anyways.

I think I got the Jones soda idea off of someone else's blog, I'm not sure. If I ripped you off, I will give you credit for it if you let me know.

I love all of these ideas. Let me know which ones you would like to take home if you were a guest at a wedding.

*Buckeyes candies in cute little pink boxes with polka dot ribbon
*Miniature Jars with skittles
*Jones soda with personalized labels
*Daisy sugar cookies it a cute little clear bag with cute polka dot ribbon
*Monogram Cookies, one 'A' and one 'J' in a little bag with ribbon
*shot glass with daisy suckers -- I really like this idea :) and along with the skittles idea, it might be the easiest because it doesn't require us to make anything. We're already making the cake!
*The frisbees I'm thinking not of as a favor really, but maybe fill a basket with a few of them and place it by the door for something for people to do, especially the kids during cocktail hour while we're getting our pictures taken. Or I might make a special favor for the kids that has the frisbee and maybe a wedding coloring book or something depending on ages.

My mom is an amazing baker (I'm trying to get her to open her own bakery) and Alex loves her made-from-scratch cake creations, so who better to have make our cake than my mom? She is always making cakes for someone but she has never done something on this large a scale before (Our guest list includes about 200 people so far). This is quite a large undertaking for her, but I know she'll be ok, and the cake will be fabulous; she is one of the least easily stressed people I know (I take after her in that regard).

So in an effort to make things easier for her and easier just in general, we are going to create a cake out of styrofoam and decorate that, leaving the bottom layer real cake of course, for the ceremonious cutting of the cake (no smashing in the face here!) Then the guests will be served sheet cake. Doing things this way allows the cake to be decorated ahead of time. And the actual cake made the day of so that it is fresh and tastes delicious. Decorators' frosting doesn't really taste the greatest, so this way she will be able to use the most delicious recipes and not have to worry about the part we actually eat looking flawless.

Yae for moms! :)

My dad has an Old VW Beetle, which we are going to use to make our getaway.

How cute will it be with strings of daisies hanging off the back, and a "Just Married" sign.

I really like this dress and I think that this is something that my bridesmaids will feel comfortable wearing and also something that they can wear again. Its by Maggy London, and can be found at Nordstrom and I think Macy's as well.

I have been debating whether I want to go pink or black for the bridesmaids dresses. I was thinking black because the pink gerbera daisies look so great and pop against a black background. But, I dunno, I think I want colorful dresses.

If I did black dresses I would do all pink bouquets.
If I did pink dresses, I think I would do different colored bouquets.

I have asked three lovely ladies to be my bridesmaids. I haven't decided if I am going to have a 'maid of honor' or just call all of my bridesmaids, 'maids of honor.' I may also ask my two younger brothers to stand beside me as 'bridesmen' or 'men of honor.' Not sure yet, it depends on how many groomsmen Alex has on his side.

I think I want to have either daisy pomanders or cones made out of a print of the Henry Alexander fabric with daisies in them on the chairs that line the aisle.

Also, I am thinking about a hand-painted monogrammed aisle runner, maybe with little daisies painted hanging off some of the letters, and maybe with a polka-dot border.

This probably sounds really anal, but ohwell. I've been to outdoor weddings and church weddings, and while I love outdoor weddings, there is always one thing missing from them, that is present at Church weddings -- The climactic experience of seeing the bride enter. Usually in outdoor weddings you can see the bride as she approaches the aisle, and the excitement is greatly reduced. I want to avoid this by creating some sort of entrance. I think I can do it rather inexpensively.

I would like some sort of doors built, or opaque screen something that conceals me before I walk down the aisle, but opens like french doors. And a "J" on one door, and an "A" on the other.

Anyone have any better ideas?

I love the look that Brides Magazine created for this wedding reception. I totally want to steal the whole look. I had previously wanted to get some sort of printed charger plates or bread plates to add character to the table setting but conceded that I would never find something that I liked from a rental place and if I did it would be too expensive. But this idea is fantastic and gives the same impression I was going for. They took a piece of fabric to a copy store and had prints made on glossy paper. So I think I will do the same with my retro Henry Alexander fabric (shown below).

Also, they incorporated the fabric on the walls as well. Love it!

Then I had envisioned paper lanterns and stringed garden lights across the cieling, so why not incorporate the paper lantern idea into the centerpiece like Brides magazine did here. They placed a battery operated lantern on a clear pole which was inserted into an arrangement of spider mums. I would like to do the same only have some sort of daisy arrangement.

Also, I am completely in love with the bar they created. In between each section they placed rectangular paper lanterns. I love it! Then they draped the fabric over the center and adhered vinyl letters to the wall behind the bar.

Other ideas I love: I love the wheatgrass and flower combo in a flower box idea.
I love the idea of a polka dot table cloth, overlay or table runner. I also love the idea of wrapping vases with polka paper. However if I do the polka dots on the plates that would be a little overkill. So one or the other for the centerpieces obviously. But I might use those ideas in other places.

This fabric swatch perfectly displays my color scheme and completely fits with my personality! I love it!

Unfortunately it has been discontinued so it might be difficult to get my hands on more of it, but I am thinking about making the flower girl's dress out of this, as well as a little bow tie for the ring bearer.

Additionally, this fabric or prints of this fabric will be found in random places throughout the reception site. I will explain those ideas later. :)

We are doing our first visits to ceremony/reception sites this weekend. I am so excited. I have been planning things for ever it seems, and this is the first "real" thing that we have done, and that we have done together. It finally is starting to feel like we are actually getting married!

We have appointments at Springlake Party Center, in Lakemore Ohio; The Oaks Lodge, in Chippewa Lake, Ohio; and Yeowza Resorts, in Dundee, Ohio. (We have additional interests in other locations, but that is for another day (: )

It is important to both Alex and myself to incorporate the outdoors into our wedding, and I would really like to be able to have the ceremony and reception at the same location. These three sites do accommodate all of those wishes. I am so excited to see them in person!

8/8/07
For our third year in a row, We took a summer vacation to Martha's Vineyard. The first two days were beautiful. However, the third day, began cold, rainy and gloomy. We had planned to visit, Aquinnah, a side of the island that we had never been to before. Despite the crappy weather, we decided to hop on the bus and make our way to Aquinnah anyways.

We had to stop at a farmers' market to wait for about an hour for another bus. It was really depressing; it began pouring and got colder. We stood in a barn, bored and wet, waiting for the second bus to arrive. Finally, it came and as we rode the bus to Aquinnah, the rain stopped and the sun came out. It was beautiful.

We enjoyed the view of the beach and the lighthouse from the top of the cliffs, and then decided to make our way down the beach. I was snapping pictures all along the way. I told Alex to sit on a big rock so I could take his picture in front of the waves, and he said "ok, just let me put my backpack down." As he put his bag down and was getting out the ring, I continued to obliviously take pictures.

Then he told me to sit on the rock, and I thought he wanted to take my picture. So I sat down and he got down on one knee and proposed!

Of course, I said YES!