“Vendor Obsession” or “Desperately Seeking a Band”

Photo via Etsy

When it comes to this little thing called wedding planning, occasionally obsession will hit… at least, that’s the way it is for me.  I’ll go along, perfectly happy, ignoring the fact that I still need to find a multitude of vendors and then, snap… obsessed…

And when I say obsessed, I don’t mean an obsession with one specific thing… like one invitation suite or one bouquet… although that definitely happens too, especially with tools like Pinterest (and OMG lover.ly – which I finally received my invitation to this week!) … when I say obsession I mean something a little more like WHY IS THIS WEDDING NOT 100 PERCENT PLANNED NOW printers, bands, caterers need to find decisions make?!

… and yes, I do realize I am still over a year from the actual day.

BUT here’s the thing, we’re getting close to that one year mark and it’s starting to get real… the whole planning thing was all pretty blogs and pin boards up until this point.

I could kind of sit back and not stress on the wayward aspects of my planning process… but not now.  One year is the imaginary line in the sand that I drew for myself months ago… the moment when it all gets serious… and…

Okay, I just checked the calendar and the one year mark is still about a month away.  I don’t know how to justify it, the obsession thing just happens.

So, right now here’s what we have…

Read More »

0 Comments | Posted on: October 12, 2011 | Category: Our Wedding, Ramblings

Have You Heard About Entwined 2012?

If you haven’t entered this awesome giveaway… you’re in for a real treat.  This December (entries are due by October 15th) Entwined 2012 will give one lucky couple the wedding of their dreams… and not just a few elements.  The group — including Country Sugar Events and Anne Marie Photography, among many many others — will provide a venue, full planning and design services, a live band, and every other thing you could possibly imagine… for a value of over $75k.

They’ve put together an unreal list of vendors, and judging by this inspiration shoot (one of two, if you’re more into glam… check this out, you’ll love) the event will be nothing short of amazing.

Entries must be postmarked no later than October 15, 2011 (that’s this Saturday, in case you’re wondering) so hurry on over to their site and get your entry in today.

Photographer: Anne Marie Photography / Caterer: Sullivan Street Caterers / Event Designer: Country Sugar Events / Floral Designer: Statue of Design / Invitation Designer: Lilly & Louise / Event Venue: The Studio at Fischer

4 Comments | Posted on: October 12, 2011 | Category: Inspiration Shoots

{Real Weddings} Jess & Zach’s Sweet Minnesota Matrimony

Jess and Zach’s super sweet Minnesota wedding just epitomizes everything a wedding should be… so simple, so beautiful… and two people so clearly in love.  Personal touches were everywhere, with homemade food, gorgeous old books, and wildflowers and hydrangeas everywhere… this wedding was not only affordable, but unbelievably beautiful.

Their oh so talented photographer really hits it on the head when she says, “it goes to show how the right venue & simplicity can go a long way.”

I couldn’t agree more.

Photographer: Shea Christine Photography / Venue: Riedel Mansion, Anoka County Parks

1 Comment | Posted on: October 11, 2011 | Category: Real Weddings

Kate & Steven’s Hometown Engagements

You know those couples that you just look at and immediately want to be their friends?  Kate and Steven are that kind of couple… and after interviewing Kate, I think I’ve decided that my original instinct was spot on… she’s fabulous.  The couple are tying the knot in Houston this November, and it sounds like it will be amazing…

From Kate:

I love the casual feel of your shots, how did you decide on a location… did it have any special significance?

We are very casual people. We wanted photographs of us as we are, not us trying to be something else. We wandered through the neighborhood we met in and live in and stopped in a few different places for our photographer to take some shots. It was very important to us to have a natural feel to our photos, not something that was really staged.

What else did you do to prepare?  I’m already in a fit about what I’ll wear.  Was it hard to choose?

I thought way too much about what I was going to wear! The most unnatural thing was trying to “coordinate” with each other, since that isn’t something we normally consider when getting dressed for any other day. My advice would be to choose something you feel comfortable in.

How far in advance did you have your shots done?

We had our engagement photos done halfway through our engagement, 2 months before the wedding. The timing was perfect since we received our photos a month later, just in time to use for wedding shower decorations.

Your wedding is coming up soon… are you in the middle of a lot of last minute details?  Any big projects?

It IS coming up soon and we are SO ready for it to be here! The main project that I am trying to finish now that I am really excited about is the backdrop for our ceremony. We (my fiance and I) have made 4 large canvases covered in antique book pages which will hang behind the stage. I think it is going to be the perfect touch to the vintage feel of our wedding. It has been neat to work on this together as a couple for our special day.

Any advice for other brides on the planning process?

There are many “do’s and don’ts” and rules regarding weddings. My question is, says who? It’s not their wedding! Decide together as a couple what is important to you for your wedding day and stick to that. You will receive so much unsolicited advice and suggestions but ultimately it is your day to celebrate your commitment to each other with the people you love and who love you.

Awesome, right?

Thank you Kate!  And thank you Joseph West Photography for sharing these shots!!

Photographer: Joseph West Photography

3 Comments | Posted on: October 10, 2011 | Category: Engagement Shots

Quiet Sundays

“To fall in love is easy, even to remain in it is not difficult; our human loneliness is cause enough. But it is a hard quest worth making to find a comrade through whose steady presence one becomes steadily the person one desires to be.”
~ Anna Louise Strong

I Dream of Weddings

0 Comments | Posted on: October 9, 2011 | Category: Sunday Shots

Happy Friday and a Long Sunny Weekend to Me!

Dreamy Whites

YES!  Finally, it’s not raining and it’s not freezing…

This is one of those times when I truly love the east coast.  I looove fall (almost as much as this guy).  The air goes crisp, the leaves start to change, I pull out my scarves — but just for fun, not because my face might die without one wrapped around it.

I have a long weekend coming up and I’m pretty sure a large chunk of it will be spent fall-izing my home with some decorative gourds — I may even throw some multi-colored leaves into the mix.

Besides fall, here are a few things I’m loving this week…

A donut themed wedding shower!  (Have I mentioned how much I love donuts?)

A visual guide to how your suit should fit.

This ah-mazing real wedding at the San Diego Children’s Museum (that dress OMG).

Autumn drinks — yes please!

100 women in red lipstick – a photo essay.

Gorgeous Eva Juliet art prints.

The unbelievably awesome idea of a Royal Tenenbaum themed photo booth — at this all-around cool real wedding.

Pendleton blankets — I’m obsessing.

This 2005 Stanford commencement speech, delivered by Steve Jobs.  Amazing advice from an amazing man.

1 Comment | Posted on: October 7, 2011 | Category: Link Love

A Little Inspiration: Fresh Fig and Lavender

Photo by Jose Villa / Table via Dreamy Whites / Boutonnieres via Dreamy Whites / Cake via Daniella Marie / Figs via The Kitchn / Lavender Mobile via Dreamy Whites / Photo via via Dreamy Whites

You know, I’m not always the biggest fan of purple, but when it comes to this combination I just die.  I love the look and smell of lavender, and there is absolutely nothing bad about a fig… nothing.  I would take every little detail up there.

1 Comment | Posted on: October 6, 2011 | Category: Gatherings, Inspiration Boards

A Little Inspiration: The Welcome BBQ (Neon Yellow and Neutral)

Bouquet by Hannah Koo Designs via Grey Likes Weddings / Farm via Grey Likes Weddings / Couple via Grey Likes Weddings / Sign by Couture Events / Table via Grey Likes Weddings / Limoncello via Matt Bites / Burlap Heart Photo via Grey Likes Weddings

Okay, so I already shared our brunch inspiration (or, well, my mom’s brunch inspiration) … now it’s time for our welcome dinner… or what you might normally call the rehearsal dinner.  The difference for us is that normally, you might only invite 30 out of 100 or more guests to your rehearsal dinner.  Since we only plan to have 50 total, and everyone is coming from out of town, we’re inviting them all.

Like everyone else, I’m a little obsessed with this neon and neutral thing… and apparently it passes the man test, since I’ve been informed by Mark that the rehearsal dinner is supposed to be the groom’s (really? I’ve mentioned I’m a little bit of a control freak, right?).

Even though it will be fall, I’m hoping we can keep the bright colors appropriate by really playing up the neutral… maybe with something like this…

I love the use of wheat anywhere and everywhere… it’s so simple and natural… and so perfect for fall!

2 Comments | Posted on: October 5, 2011 | Category: Gatherings, Inspiration Boards, Our Wedding

A Little More Carnival-Themed Inspiration

I thought I’d run with the earlier inspiration shoot and share a few more carnival-themed bits from around the web… there are so many great ideas out there for gorgeous carnival-themed events! I blame Reese Witherspoon for looking so unbelievably fabulous in all those promo shots for Water for Elephants. Granted, that was the circus… but (at least in my mind) there’s a lot of overlap there.

… I may have also just (finally) seen the movie.

Carnival Engagement Shots / Carnival Print / Carnival Poms / Carnival Ticket Invitation / Cotton Candy Martini / Lollipop Pic

0 Comments | Posted on: October 4, 2011 | Category: Uncategorized

Carnival Inspiration Shoot

The Great Frederick Fair just recently left town and I’m already in mourning… it’s a little known fact that I spent a week out of nearly every summer of my childhood at the Coos County Fair as a proud 4-H’er and later, a rodeo queen (oh ya… that’s right).  To this day, nothing quite spells summer like the fair.  Caramel apples, kettle corn, scones (or elephant ears, whatevs), and those spinning rides I still don’t know how I stood as a kid.  The thought makes me so nostalgic.  It’s easy to see how someone might want to draw on some of that same nostalgia for their wedding… or maybe even their engagement party?  There is so much fun to be had!

Thank you so much to Eventity Inc and Iliana Morton Photography for sharing this fun shoot!

Photographer: Iliana Morton Photography / Event Planner: Eventity Inc / Floral Designer: Sweet Pea Flower Company / Invitation Designer: Nic. Roc. Designs / Cake Designer: Hey there, Cupcake! / Equipment Rentals: Raphael’s Party Rentals / Other: Old Poway Park

1 Comment | Posted on: October 4, 2011 | Category: Inspiration Shoots

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