Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Planning for the Marriage

Often in the wedding planning process we focus on the centerpieces, table cloths, clothing, accessories, invitation fonts and all the small details. But the whole point of the wedding it to join to people together and often people spend too much time planning the wedding and not the marriage. We are attempting to also properly plan for the marriage even though planning for the wedding can be so much fun!

Andy and I have been together for a long time, 8 years so of course we have discussed many of the big things, but you don't always discuss the little things that can have just as much impact. It has been very important for me to find premarital counseling that would address the differences between the two of us as individuals and not just problems of marriage in general. With the help of my future mother in law I believe we have found the right person who will give us each a personality test and then discuss the differences in our tests and how they will affect our marriage in the long run. I am really excited to talk to this woman the problem is I have to actually call her even though I have been sidetracked by the impending holidays and day to day life.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Dress Options

My sister found this dress at Nordstrom that we are definitely considering. Now if only we can find a store nearby that carries it so that she can try it on.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Rustic Flowers

I think these field inspired floral arrangements are beautiful for an outdoor garden event. Sometimes I surprise myself at how much I like some "country living" looks. Or maybe it's because they look like they were freshly picked from the garden which is very refreshing. We will go reason #2.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Save the Dates

Before getting engaged I was enchanted with the whole wedding process. I would flip through glossy wedding magazines thinking about my turn to partake in the wedding industry. Looking at those magazines my favorite parts to look at are the details, the centerpieces, escort cards, lighting, invitations and save the dates. However with my reality of wedding planning we have decided to forgo one of those details, save the dates. I love receiving them and getting a preview of what the wedding will be like. We have decided not to send them because we are trying to cut the extra fat out of our budget and while save the dates are a great detail they aren't necessary.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Feathers

In February I am the Maid of Honor for a vintage inspired wedding. The bride is wearing a fabulous cowl neck sheath dress and a birdcage veil with a feather accent. These shoes would go perfectly with the look she is trying to create. However I am not sure if the Christian Louboutin price is within her budget.

For more info about this wedding check it out over on snippet and ink

Monday, November 17, 2008

The Real Vanessa and Andy

Andy and I most of the time are loving, kind and caring towards each other. But at the same time we really enjoy harassing each other. Not in a mean and negative nature but in the haha, I just got you, kind. We are sarcastic with one another, tickle, poke, prod, joke, tease and play tricks on each other. Both of us trying to out do the other each time, all done lovingly of course.

Andy normally is the one to initiate these "games" and I hate to admit it he normally wins. But during our engagement pictures Andy was sitting on the bench and I was right behind him. He couldn't see me or what I was doing and it was just too easy, he was like a sitting duck. Even though these pictures were supposed to be loving and sweet I just couldn't resist the temptation to really get him. So I did it, I gave him a wet willy, yeah I know reeeaaal classy, but it was so much fun!




And of course in true fashion Andy had to try to get me back. Notice how I said TRY since he didn't go through with it. He must have decided a mouth full of makeup wouldn't taste very good, however I am sure his version is that he was just too much of a gentleman, ha. This round goes to Vanessa! I love you baby :)

Photos by Geri Ciulla

Engagement Pictures

It has taken me longer than expected to post our engagement pictures because I was having problems with blogger uploading them, but finally here they are. We are really happy with our pictures and have way too many favorties! There is no way we could post all of them so here is a sampling. Yes, there are a lot. But I just couldn't help myself and how do you pick just 2 or 3 out of 172? Yes, I said 172.









Photos taken by our fabulous photographer Geri Ciulla

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Border, Corners and Swirls, Oh My!

The final ideas I have use flourish fonts to create borders, a flourish in the corners or just a swirly font placed somewhere in the invitation. At this point I need to stop thinking about all the ideas and try a few of them out to figure out what I like best.






Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Name Change

I addressed the whole name change concerns awhile back and posted some information about how to change your name. Since then I have come across another document that is more comprehensive and is the holy grail of info for when you are getting ready to change your name. Hopefully someone will find it helpful, you can find it here.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Ribbons and Bands

Another invitation idea I am considering is skipping any sort of graphic and using a ribbon or band across the invitation. The ribbon can be horizontal or vertical and is normally close to one of the sides so that is pushes the text up, down, left or right. This idea would be possible using a simple word document and complicated computer skills or programs are not needed. However there would be the factor of assembly time to put the ribbons on each invitation.


These invitations with the tied ribbon are really pretty but I am not sure if I like this idea. Inevitably the carefully tied knot is going to get smashed in the mail so when it gets to the receiver it won't look nearly as nice as how you sent it. Also the knot will add bulk and all the pieces won't lay flat in the envelope which for someone like me who is slightly anal retentive that would drive me crazy.

I was unable to find any pictures of invitations with a flat ribbon that I would be willing to post as a good example. If you can imagine it a flat ribbon would be just like the band in the picture below. I have seen many in person and I think a flat ribbon looks just as nice as the fancy knots and bows.

Friday, November 7, 2008

They are Here!

Today was just like Christmas morning because when I opened up my email there was a special surprise wating for me, OUR ENGAGEMENT PICTURES! I was so excited I actually squealed out loud. As soon as I pick out some of my favorites I will be posting them to share with all of you!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

DIY Birdcage Veil

It's been awhile since I have posted any DIY directions or tips. Earlier this year I posted about how to make a traditional veil but birdcage veils are also very popular. One of my MOHs (yes I am having 2) is getting married in February and plans to wear one. Realizing how much they cost most likely we are going to attempt to make her's. To make your own you can find directions here and here.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Small Graphic

Maybe instead of using one large graphic we could use the same graphic but at a much smaller scale. Instead of being a prominent part of the invitation it would be more of an accent piece. Here are some examples:


Screw the Dress

I want to know where to find those shoes!

For a pop of color I want to wear a pair of a bright, true purple shoes just like those under my dress! Here's hoping I can find something similar. Oh and if you do like the dress it's from the Reverie line by Melissa Sweet.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

More

More pictures of invitations with one large graphic.



Monday, November 3, 2008

Back to Invitations

I have spent a bit of time away from thinking about invitations because we were so focused on getting ready for and taking our engagement pictures. Now it is time to really think about what we are going to do for invitations so that we aren't left scrambling last minute. For the most part I have decided to go with either the gate fold or flat invitation card. The only difference is that the gate fold has the flaps that cover the invite and will enclose the extra cards. The focus is now on design which is difficult because there are endless opportunities.

One idea I am considering is using a graphic/flourish that I have found. Originally I thought I was going to use damask but I don't have the software to properly manipulate damask graphics so instead using flourish fonts in power point seems to be my best option at this point. Here are some pictures of invites that use one main graphic on the invite.