Unpredictable Weather: Cozy Cardys

I have no idea what the weather will be like in southeastern PA in early October.  We could have an Indian Summer, a hurricane, or it could be downright chilly.  I plan to be prepared for anything, and to brave the elements with style and grace.  What better way to keep fashionably warm than cardigans for my bridesmaids?

I'm not the first bride to incorporate a preppy, cozy cardigan into my wedding day look, but I am proudly hopping on to the button-down bandwagon.

from J.Crew / source for pic

I have a habit of finding pre-Fall fashion I love and waaaaiiting for it to go on sale... only to forget all about it and kick myself later when I can't find it in stores anymore. (Anyone else a shopping procrastinator?) So I started my search early and found some sweaters with potential:

1. Target, 2-4. Forever 21, 5-6. Old Navy Dress: B2

Sticking to stores that have great year-round deals, I kept my eyes peeled for online promos, and visited the store in person to make sure my choice would work with the girls' dress.  I also considered mixing them up for a semi-coordinated mix-matched look, but I have too many other accessory ideas for them I decided to keep it simple.

You'll have to wait to find out my pick!

Are you or your 'maids sporting cardigans at your wedding? What do you think of the dress and sweater look compared to a traditional wrap?

A Wedding Band with Heart

Last week, I posted about my tough decision to spend big on videography, and keep the budget modest for wedding bands. But I could't settle for just any 'ole plain band, so I scoured the internet for a palladium or titanium band that suited me. Frustrated, I clicked over to Etsy to see some clever indie designs, and it was love at first sight:

5mm Palladium Band with Heart by WroughtGold

Here's where I should confess to over-thinking, plotting and planning:  I found this ring before I found Well Spun Wedding Films.  And I was torn between this and the Tacori platinum dream ring.  I wanted both! Fortunately, I found a distraction and a wise use of money in videography which made my ring decision for me.  (Although, if you look at this thought process... you can see I was just using the ring as an excuse to get the videography... it's a case of bride-brain logic if I've ever seen one).

Have you used or considered Etsy crafters for your wedding bands?

Making Tough Choices

I'm not very exacting. I'm an eyeball-it kind of gal, a how much do you think this weighs, a these two shades of yellow can work together, good enough kinda' gal. So you can imagine, I'm not very good at sticking to our budget.  My parent's told me what they can pitch in and we're staying in those boundaries, but there are a lot of extras on the peripheral budget that I can't quite see or keep track of. But I'm trying to get better! Today, I made a tough choice.

This intricate wedding band that compliments my e-ring:

Tacori 462ET

Elegant with a timeless heirloom quality... All this craftsmanship is concentrated in a dainty band that measures about 1.5-2mm wide.  I didn't really love any other band on my hand or with my engagement ring... but I felt guilty wanting such a glam designer ring! I mean Marc was okay with it, and after I confessed that simpler ones weren't really doing it for me he said we should just get it... and I was pretty giddy about it...

Versus beautiful heartfelt videography:

Well Spun Wedding Films

And then I stumbled upon Well Spun Weddings on the Weddingbee boards. I had completely nixed the idea of professional videography for our wedding. Every time a beautiful video in the blogosphere moved me to joyful tears and made me want to hire the filmmaker on the spot, I'd click over to their website and find prices starting in the 6K range. (I know, I mention how much things cost a lot. But my "eyeball the budget" methodology sees 6K as tooo biiig). I was scared away and never fully researched my options. Then 82 days before my wedding I found Well Spun and checked out their ala carte price list and thought, Hey! We were going to spend close to 2K on that ring... could we spend it on this instead?

My original video plan was to hand my friends some Flip Vids and tell them to get as much as the could and DIY edit. I was curious and excited to see what we could come up with, but also wary that I'd forget about this plan and lose video all together- and I didn't really want to make my friends work when they could be celebrating.  But then again... on the other hand... my friends are tv-film and theater folk who would do a great job...! 

See the over-thinking in action?

The only thing these two items have in common is the similar cost, which makes for an apples to oranges comparison.

I asked my mom her opinion, and she likened it to a recent anecdote about her friends: C and G were coming up on their 20th anniversary (or so....) and C had a choice of a diamond anniversary band, or a romantic trip to Paris with G, a destination she has always wanted to visit. My mom voted for Paris, I voted for Paris, C and D chose Paris!! I mean, for me it was a no-brainer. 

Translate to:  Marc can always gift me with a diamond band later ;) But we only have one chance to capture our wedding in HD.  We chose videography!! A new vendor, completely on a whim, and it feels sooo goood!! (Barring any competition for our date of course. There was one other bride who had inquired and it was 1st come 1st served to complete the online contract and deposit...)

But don't worry!  I have a plan B forming in my mind grapes for a beautiful sentimental wedding band. And another layer to my over-thinking tendencies so stay tuned.

In what ways have you prioritized wedding costs? How did you decide which elements are more  important?

♥ Lost

From Punam Bean

I Love Lamp Jar

source

Srsly, I love that this mason jar trend won't die! They are easy to get, affordable (with the exception of the aqua ones- they go for $6.00 a piece at barn sales near my parents' house), they're cute and homespun-feeling, and they're easy for a DIY wedding. The best part about them? They are versatile.

Hanging lanterns and vases? Check:

source

Once Wed

Centerpiece vase or votive? Got it:

Once Wed, Shop Talk

Favors full of jam or honey? Perfect:

Once Wed

Cute for Cocktails? You betcha (Miss Hot Dog is all over this one!):

Once Wed, Eat Drink Chic

And finally (I know, right? Soo many uses!) Serve your guests a sweet treat:

Ice cream in a jar from Style Me Pretty

What kind of role will jars fill at my wedding? Hanging lanterns and vases for the ceremony, and table-top vases and mini-votives for the centerpieces.  I'm dying to get more for drinks, but I don't want to overdo it!

Are you hopping on the jar train too?

Theatre Meet Wedding: Blue Dress Reduction

All I can say to intro this is, if it's aaaanything like the show I did with this gang last summer, we're all in for an absurd comic treat!! I'm gonna go! Wanna come with?

Thinking Person’s Theatre

Presents

As part of
the 4th annual
undergroundzero festival

GREAT DAMES, SLEAZY GROOMSMEN AND INNOCENT BRIDESMAIDS TAKE THE STAGE IN A HYSTERICAL, TRUE-TO-LIFE COMING-OF-AGE STORY AT PERFORMANCE SPACE 22. PERFORMANCES BEGIN JULY 20.

Blue Dress Reduction, a workshop performance, follows a wedding weekend full of foibles, folly, and faux pas—ultimately exploring the nature of modern-day friendship and what it means to say goodbye. Three childhood friends, (Bent, Hoo and Stevenson; directed by Meghan Finn) reunite to tell their story as bridesmaids at an English countryside affair. As the trio navigates the tensions between the bride's ashram-going Jewish family and the groom's upper crust Brit clan, they must tag along on a quest for "wedding weed," endure "luxury loos," and encounter a parade of wedding party characters including great dames and sleazy groomsmen. Can childhood bonds survive the tests of travel—and weddings—on foreign soil? Why do people have to grow up and change? Social calamities, travel mishaps, (dis)invitations, and misunderstood emails are exposed through storytelling, video, song, and dance. Though a satiric romp in tone, at the heart of Blue Dress Reduction is an exploration of the growing pains into adulthood.

All performances are at PS 122
150 1st Ave (b/w 9th and 10th streets)
downstairs theatre

Tuesday July 20 at 7.30pm
Wednesday July 21 at 7.30pm
Thursday July 22 at 9.30pm
Friday July 23 at 7.30pm
Saturday July 24 at 7.30pm

Tickets online at www.ps122.org or by phone TheaterMania 212.352.3101

Praise for Thinking Person’s Theatre

“Writer-performer Eliza Bent’s She of the Voice is a rascally amuse-bouche.” —Helen Shaw, Time Out New York

“Bent's song lyrics are a riot.” —Richard Hinojosa, nytheatre.com

“She of the Voice sure thinks big. The direction (by José Zayas) is polished, the songs (lyrics by Eliza Bent) catchy, the sound design (by Matt Tennie) superb.”—Garrett Eisler, Village Voice

Finding Florals

If there is one thing I didn't particularly care about (pre-planning) for my wedding, it was floral decor.  I didn't know anything about flowers, and from what I could tell, a typical bridal bouquet was just an expertly bound bunch of white roses- lovely, but it didn't inspire me the same way that, say, the food on our dinner menu did. A few months after discovering Weddingbee and other inspiring blogs, and after devouring several wedding magazines, I realized I had a lot to learn-- I hadn't wanted to spend thousands on something that didn't take my breath away.  For better or for worse, I found a world of florals that fit my vision to a tee,  and now I can't get enough of these beautiful blossoms!

What changed my mind? Creative use of texture, and bouquets that feel hand picked from an overgrown garden (full of coveted varieties, of course):

Bouquet by Amy Osaba

Once Wed, Murphy & Klein, Once Wed

My particular floral obsessions include Crespedia and Button Mums:

Bluestone Perennials, Once Wed

Dahlias:

peach and yellow

Chamomile and herbs:

chamomile, lambs ear

When I shared my inspiration for my florists, they were completely on-board with my vision. They also informed me that I like large bouquets based on photos I provided, which made me laugh and throw my hands up in surrender. Not only am I newly obsessed with flowers, I want to carry a LOT of them. I can't wait to see what they come up with!

Was there an aspect of wedding planning or decor you don't/didn't care too much about?  Floral fans: what are your favorite trends you plan to incorporate?

10 lbs in 24 hours!

I need to lose 10 pounds by 6:30 tomorrow night!

I'm KIDDING!! But did I get your attention in an email spam kinda way?

Obviously this is impossible and an unhealthy way of thinking. I also don't really need to lose ten pounds; that's just my bridal brain talking. I am comfortable with myself. But fitness and diet are an important part of a healthy body, and even if I'm mostly ok with how I look, it doesn't mean I'm okay with how I feel: often stressed and sluggish. And I am a fitness procrastinator.

Our engagement photo shoot was rescheduled last month due to impending rain, and here I am, 3 weeks later, and I've done nothing with my extension to better myself for our session.  How do you kick your own butt out of a rut?

To paint a clear picture for you, I'm eating mashed potatoes on my parents' back porch, looking at the pool in which I could be swimming, but choosing to surf the 'Net instead.

Fortunately, three months is a reasonable time (here I go counting down to the wedding again!) to make a lifestyle change and see some happy results. Much better than 24 hours, am I right?

I've heard that if you had to choose, diet has more effect on weight loss or gain than exercise.  I certainly have a problem with my eating habits with so much crave-worthy food at my fingertips in the Big Apple.  So where do I start to get myself on track?:

Reducing Carbs? This has worked for a bunch of my friends... but I don't know if I could do it!

source

Counting "Points?" This is kind of easy and fun- except when I eat out. Which is a lot.

source

Shake for lunch?  Old fashioned chocolate-cravers' shortcut...

source

As far as fitness is concerned, I know what works for me...  I just need the motivation to make the time in my day for it, and make a commitment to myself.

What are your tips and tricks for jump-starting a healthy lifestyle? Is anyone else in a rut and need some motivation?

Following the Leader

There is a voice that sounds from the deep within seemingly logical side of my brain (but perhaps truly stemming from my ego) that tells me to resist timely trends and to keep my wardrobe/wedding/general aesthetic classic and timeless. But what if the current trends are your definition of classic? What if the current trends are right up your alley and you feel happy to be in your 20s-somethings reveling in flattering natural waist silhuettes, drinking from mason jars at a fancy soiree and gorging yourself on organic brunch with hand-mixed cocktails on your Saturday morning?  Is it somehow selling out to give in to the tide of the popular trend?

sources: Green Wedding Shoes and Eat Drink Chic

Miss Knitting's recent post on Weddingbee about her love of on-going, possibly "overdone" in the blog world wedding trends hits the nail on the head, and reminds me of my passion about this topic.  Ever since junior high school, I've been well aware of how a trendy new style, item, or even pastime can sneak up on you.  You casually notice it in passing and it marinates in your subconscious until you put it into practice and think it is your own genius idea. For my best friend, it was butterfly hair-clips.  For me, white eyeliner.  I thought, "Brilliant! White eyeliner will make my eyes look bigger and will make my brown eyes pop!!" A few days later, I noticed half the girls in school were also sporting white eyeliner-  what a bunch of posers.  A week later, I learned it was in that month's issue of Seventeen. 

I do not regret wearing white eyeliner.  It was a passing teenage fad. It's what we did.  It was a late-90's look. Likewise, I love my parents' wedding in all of it's long-sleeved high-necked empire waist gown and butter yellow tuxedo glory because it was awesome and beautiful.  These days vintage, handmade weddings are holding strong because they too are awesome, beautiful, thoughtful labors of love.  And it's the love that makes them timeless.

Our guests won't know this Anthropology-inspired wedding aesthetic is a popular trend because they're not researching wedding inspiration twenty-four-seven like we blog-obsessed brides are.  But most importantly, if a choice you make happens to be a recent trend, or if a recent trend in the blogosphere and in a magazine makes your heart sing, I think you should embrace it! I think it just means that it's a great time for you to get married and cash in on the popularity. There is no need to spend our effort and energy trying to be different for the sake of being different.  It's a headache to explain a left-field vision to every vendor you meet and defend your ideas against eyebrow-raised loved-ones. If you love something, go for it, and chances are your guests will think it's 100% unique.

Your wedding is your day to express your creativity and personality!  And when I see another bride post about gingham linens, I need to remind myself: I didn't invent gingham. 

Becky and Marc Request the Honour of Your Presents...

Also try: Together With Their Families, Becky and Marc Request the Pleasure of Your Company, and One of These Spendy Gifts as Specifically Outlined in Their Registry, at Their Nuptial Celebration...

Now that the sarcasm is out of the way, I can come clean...   I went nuts on our registry!

{source... and I mean, sure, I don't HAVE the items yet but you know what I mean}

We spent a Friday night scanning our wish list in Macy's Herald Square, I dragged Marc to a Crate and Barrel registry party early on a Sunday morning in March. In my defense, they said there may be waffles present.  When my mother convinced me to add Bed Bath and Beyond for our guests' convenience, I spent hours comparison shopping online and finding the best deals at each store for a well-rounded, hopefully reasonable registry. Hopefully, there will be no want for choice when it comes to shopping for my shower. 

There has been plenty of excellent advice offered over the Web regarding how to approach your registry. My advice is to trust your gut along the way, starting with when to register. Some relatives suggested that we register as soon as we got engaged so they would know what to get us for our engagement party. I personally felt like that was presumptuous of us to expect gifts so early and I thought it would look rude. I just wanted to celebrate in the company of our loved ones! Plus we knew we had two years ahead of us before the wedding and our tastes might change, we might move, etc. After registering, I can see why it would have been fun to start the process that early, but I think we made the right decision. Yes, we did receive gifts at our engagement party- but I love each one, and I now I don't need to add serving platters to my registry! ;)

Defeated, I waited for our mothers to settle so they could watch us open the gifts... it was pretty late.

Next, I trusted my gut instincts on where to register: I just shopped where I wanted to! I like the fine china and bedding at Macy's, the cookware and everyday dishes at Crate and Barrel, and the appliances at Bed Bath and Beyond. At first I feared that three stores were too many, but I soon realized it doesn't really matter- I for one enjoy having plenty of options when shopping for my friends' weddings, and I'm sure our guests will appreciate it too.

Finally, I gave in to my lifelong expectations of what my registry should be. There are certainly excellent arguments for keeping everything practical and budget friendly.  But I had always expected that I'd choose a china pattern when I registered, that I would consider crystal, and I would finally get my hands on those sought after kitchen appliances I may only use twice a year, but I would never buy for myself. Ready to see some items I'm especially exited about?

from Macy's: Lenox Lifestyle China in Platinum Leaf

From Macy's: just one piece of Waterford Crystal to make my Irish Grandmother proud.

From Bed Bath and Beyond: Majestic Yellow Kitchen Aid stand mixer and Ice cream maker attachment

From Crate and Barrel: Cove Stoneware dinnerware- in Cobalt blue and White

One piece of Le Creuset from Bed Bath and Beyond (image from JCPenny)

AND FINALLY, something I really do need for reals:

All-Clad starter set from Crate and Barrel- I can't wait to deglaze these shiny pans!

In other words, I'm pretty stoked about everything on my registry. Even the tiny kitchen gadgets and bathroom towels- but I'll spare you the slideshow on those items. 

What was your attitude towards registering: Apprehensive or all about it? And is there an item (or 6) you're crossing your fingers you'll receive?

The Final Countdown!

Okay, not the final countdown. But by the time tomorrow rolls around, we'll be double digits days away from the wedding. Dear me time flies- even in a long engagement. Maybe especially in a long engagement because over two years out you can't imagine reaching....

10.10.10 brides, need some motivation? Lets go!!

Yeah, I went there. (And I love Arrested Development).

Where do the we stand?

• We're in the throes of the invitation design process (okay not "throes." I looveeee this stuff! But it's time sensitive. We'll be in the "throes" of assembly when that time rolls around).  

• Our E-pic session rain date is next weekend and I'll need a quick turnaround for guest book and Moo Card info-inserts for the invitations. 

• I have a bunch of DIY projects on hold until.. well... I have time to do them. Including table runners, trying my left hand at calligraphy, flower sashes, a hairband and veil, and an escort cards/family tree set up.

• I still need to buy cardigans for the bridesmaids, my mother still needs to buy her dress

• The ceremony needs to be ironed out

• I have to email my florist about some stuff. 

The GREAT news is that we are not looking at a move to PA before the wedding!!! Marc will be lawyering here in Manhattan.

It may be in light of this recently breaking No Move news that I'm fairly stress-free about this 100 days out business.

But fill me in, fellow brides! Where do you stand in your countdown? Are we stressed out and exhausted or pumped up and excited?