{wedding day} pre-ceremony pics and details

photos by daniel meigs

we all had so much fun taking several family photos and other various pictures before the ceremony. it was nice to have everyone together.

Do: use your friends! they are great resources and it never hurts to just ask. my moh worked in a wine store and i asked her to save up any wine crates so that i can use them for different things like putting the packets of rosemary confetti and programs in. my husband's side of the family has musical talent, and when jeff said he would sing in our wedding with an acoustic guitar, i nearly cried. he learned and played (beautifully) a joshua radin song that was just perfect for the day.

{wedding day} for the first time..

photos by daniel meigs

we decided to do photos before the ceremony..and it was so much fun!! so if you are wondering if it's for you:

Do: photos before. it was fun walking up behind him..with all the anticipation..and the look on his face is something i will never forget. it also totally calmed my nerves and i was able to relax and listen to the words that were being said at the ceremony. really, it was probably one of the most romantic moments of my life. and we were able to be ourselves..just the two of us (and daniel) for a few minutes before standing in front of 120 people and then whisked away to celebrate. i highly recommend it.

{wedding day} dress and details...

photos by: daniel meigs
hair flowers by: oh my deer (chelsea)
purse by: red ruby rose
jewelry by: me!

Do: get your nails done the day of or the day before..not a few days before. just throwing that out there.

Don't: get a strapless dress. ok. this is shocking, i know..but in my experience, if i had to do it all over again, this would be the one big thing i would change. don't get me wrong, i love my dress! but i wish i would have added some lacy straps for 2 reasons: 1. i was so worried about my bewbies flopping out and shocking guests, that i was hunched over in most of my pictures. 2. as the night went on, no matter how tight the dress was to get into, it stretched out..and i had to keep pulling it up. not sexy.

next: more vendor appreciation & seeing each other for the first time...

{vendor appreciation} Vintage Florals.

i know i promised details and the dress, but i'm pretty sure y'all are tired of looking at me and would much rather look at these beautiful flowers vintage florals arranged for the day...

photos by daniel meigs

i actually found melissa thru a wholesale flower shop that i used to frequent when i lived in nashville..i emailed the shop, asking if he had any recommendations for a floral designer..and luckily..he knew melissa.

the moment i spoke to her on the phone, i knew she was going to be fantastic. she seemed to know exactly what i was looking for and was just as excited to arrange them, as i was to have them there on the big day.

Do: be prepared. do some research as to what is in season on or around your wedding date. if you must have a flower that isn't readily available..be prepared to pay. try the wedding flower finder on real simple.

Don't: expect her to read your mind. bring pictures of designs/colors you like to your floral designer so you are clear about what it is you do and do not want. try the color image finder on google.com.

Do: check out your options. there are many ladies (and guys!) out there who do this sort of thing for a living out of their own home while trying to raise a family. you might get a better price and fresher flowers than if you use a florist. (but not always..there are good florists out there who won't charge extra just because the word "wedding" comes out your mouth).

{wedding day} getting ready...

my post-wedding blues have stepped aside today...i have pictures, and permission to use them, from the fantabulous daniel meigs. i really cannot say enough about this guy..he has been a dream to work with ... from start to finish. so..without further ado..here are the pics before the dress:























the girls and i got ready at my mother-in-laws house, which was right down the road from the venue. she provided us with a fantastic salad and bread and even broke out her good china for the day.

Do: eat. and drink lots of water. i assigned my mom the job to make sure i always had something in my lap or hand to eat. this was such a big help..there was no time to just sit down and eat..there was always something going on..something to do. so make sure you delegate this job to someone. please.

my hair and make-up was done by a friend of the family as a wedding present. she does the stars of nashville and i was ever so grateful to have her there that day..she did a fantastic job, and even touched up my girls (my bm's that is..not my bewbies). :)

Do: get creative! we needed to have me raised up to eye level for my make-up girl to be able to do a good job..and she needed good light. my bm's got the great idea to use the wine crates we were using in the wedding..and stack them up high enough..AND they made for great photos.

Don't: think that you have to have your hair dirty for it to work better. i'm glad i mentioned to my make-up girl that i tend to get a little greasy if i don't wash my hair..she said that i should definitely wash it and we will make it "dirty" with products. so be sure to talk to whomever is doing your hair..she might have a trick up her sleeve...

next up: details and..the dress!

{tap tap tap} it's been 17 days...

and i'm still waiting..on more fancy pictures, on an authentic marriage license (so i can finally change my name!), and for me to decide where to begin...

i want to tell you my do's & don'ts..but would love some images to go with it..i can't wait to tell you the songs we danced to and the little surprises we threw out there, but again..i am sure there are beautiful pictures just waiting for me to post..so we wait.

in the meantime, i am working on thank you notes. first for the vendors..to hopefully go out this weekend. and we have decided to send all guest thank-you's together..in 1 big batch, so there are no hurt feelings over who get's theirs first...and we wanted to be sure to have used the money for something, so that when we send a thank-you card to aunt so-and-so, we can thank her for the money toward (insert fabulous gift here), instead of..thanks for the cash! you know what i mean?

...

photo by daniel meigs

17 days..and it feels like a dream..and the best part is that our families are still swooning over what a magical day it was..so happy that our happiness & love was felt and spread to those around us.

{beauty} buy it.

i know i'm a lucky, lucky girl..especially when it comes to breakouts. it seriously just doesn't happen to me. and when it does..it's ridiculously microscopic. ok. i'll shut up now...

BUT..of course..it happened. 4 days before the big day. just one..but it was GINORMOUS...and not just to me..other people commented on it, etc. i was mortified.

so..i scurried to my face place to see if they had any quick remedies..and boy did they ever:

lavender vinegar from l'occtaine.

seriously. buy it..just in case. it saved my life...er..face.

{beauty} my big fat face..or makeup..

doing some serious catching up at work, but i really wanted to let you in on the whole makeup/hair ordeal. as a matter of fact..there are so many things i learned from my own wedding and i cannot wait to share those with you...but for now..let's do the makeup thing...

remember how i went out and bought a ton of makeup? and i did a ton of research on how i wanted my hair? well..that all got thrown out the window...

photo by daniel meigs

i didn't use a drop of the $150 worth of makeup. lesson here is to find out from your makeup artist if she will be using her own stuff...chances are that's the way you want to go anyway...she/he will be able to see things that you might not..like color, texture, etc...in fact..she airbrushed my foundation on..and it lasted for-ev-er. as for the hair...well, she knew i never wear my hair up..so she came up with her own little do..and it turned out great!

so think about who you are and who you want to see when you look at your pictures years from now.. who cares if it's customary for the bride to wear an updo...do what feels right to you, and you can't go wrong.

{details} caketopper

still honeymoonin' and we cannot stop looking at our pictures! what an amazing day!! wanted to show you all the caketopper i made forever ago..and how great it looked on our grocery store cake (which was the tastiest wedding cake ever!):


like the cake? call publix.
like the caketopper? email me! haha. :)

back to bliss...

{tada} mr. & mrs.

ahhh. on the honeymoon...and oh so relaxed. i have so much to write about! but wanted to check in and tell you that the day went off without a glitch (that i was aware of anyway). it turned out better than i imagined and the whole thing was worth every single additional gray hair on my crazy little head. every single one of my vendors was super fantastic and i can't wait to go over every detail with you..but for now, feast your eyes on these babies:


holy moly. aren't those pics fantastic!!!!??? we ADORED our photog...daniel...not only was he totally professional, he was cute, nice as can be, and really comfortable to be around.

you guys! we are married! i can't stop calling him husband..it's so much fun..and feels sooo right. more to come...but right now..i'm headded to the beach with husband... ;)

{totally random} the day after tomorrow...

it's so close. and i am finally relaxed and excited. this week has been one disaster after another. it's funny now..i mean..i remember when people were saying..omg...there will be something that goes wrong..blah blah blah..and thinking to myself..not at my wedding. i thought i was prepared..that i had started early on every thing. HA. this week has been the most difficult week out of the entire year of the planning process. so many little things that have gone wrong..one thing right after another. the stress at times has been nearly unbearable...and the exhaustion has become a part of my life. ..

don't get me wrong..it's still so amazing. especially the people who come thru for you..is just..well, i can't explain...well, let me just say that my moh is a-freaking-mazing. she has a solution for every problem and i don't know what we would have done without her. she has made my life so much more .. easy...relaxing..she has fixed my broken wing on more than one occasion..and no little trinket, or well written card could ever show her just how much she means to me.

and my future mil. so organized...so able to carry on, despite my breakdowns..and my own family too.. seriously..this list could go on. the people in my life are really just normal, humble people..but let me tell you what..they do amazing things and i am ever so grateful to be sharing the MOST important day with them..the day after tomorrow.

and tomorrow. tomorrow..we are all getting our mani's/pedi's...having rehearsal AND..rehearsal dinner. sigh. it's almost (finally) here. and i think i will finally sleep tonight...

{holy moly} best girl party ever..

i really cannot put into words how stressed out we all are right now..in fact..i feel a bit guilty for taking a minute to write about it! i need to blow dry my hair and get out the door to run more errands..but i had to give you a sneak peak at our girl party photo scavenger hunt from last night:


we split up into teams and one of the pictures we had to take was with a person in uniform..well, we were the people in uniform! going to the firehouse was the most fun i've had in a long, long time! there are so many more great pictures to come, but have to run for now!

looks like clear skies on saturday! thank you for the support! i will try to keep you all updated as the week progresses!

xo

{random} and then one day..

seriously. one day, you are just living your crazy single life and then all of a sudden...

love just comes along and smacks you in the face.

(pic first seen here).

peace out. i'm off to nashville..to marry.

{random} really?

'cause that would totally break my heart. thank goodness it still has time to change it's mind..

{random} finally!

after a year of planning, speculating, dreaming, wishing, hoping...i finally feel like a bride. although there are still a few stressful details that i have to take care of today..i have finally let go of everything and am sitting here with the biggest smile on my face knowing that i am getting married in 10 DAYS!

...

i used to go to church on a regular basis, right after i was baptized in 2001. it was an amazing time in my life..i felt such peace. i revisited that place again last night in my sleep as i handed over all of my burdens to God. all of the stress, the fears..it's all in His hands now. and i'm not worried about the little things that will inevitably go wrong next saturday..whether it's the cake toppling over, the wrong color of linens, a spill of red wine on my beautiful dress, or even if my brother's crazy ex-girlfriend shows up and causes a scene...years from now..it will be memorable..no matter what happens..and it will be beautiful.

(but in case you want to add a few extra prayers in, please pray that everyone makes it there and back home safely. pray for good health. pray for long lives..and if you're feeling extra generous in your praying moments, please, for petes sake..pray for clear skies!)

thank you. thank you to all of you who have no doubt been there with me thru my heartaches, scary moments, and the good times too. i wish i could invite you all! and in spirit..you will be there too, as you also helped make this day happen.

i'm so freaking excited!! :)

{ideas} because i have control issues.

i am in the process of drawing out every little detail. not kidding. so last night i finished the table layouts..let me tell you that i do realize i am no graphic artist. i am okay with that..but i think this is good enough to get the point across...

Table Scheme:
15 5' tables. Each will have the following:
1 ivory table cloth that goes to floor
1 centerpiece
8 chairs
8 settings (see below for setting details)
3 white votive candles in clear glass holder
(6 of the 15 tables will have reserved signs - thanks to my fab readers who insisted upon me doing so..you gals are life savers!)

Place Settings:
The following will be set at each chair (8 at each table, 120 total):
1 khaki napkin with pocket fold.
1 large fork
1 large knife
1 sprig of rosemary


Cocktail Table Scheme:
5 tall tables. Each will have the following:
1 ivory table cloth that goes to floor
1 khaki tie halfway between tabletop and floor
1 centerpiece (budvase - smaller than the large table centerpieces)
1 white votive candle in a clear glass holder


is anyone else out there as crazy as i am -- taking drastic measures to ensure fewer miscommunications?

{ideas} Minus 3 Weeks .. and counting..

Some things I need to think about...

Server Trays. - servers & caterer's will poor champagne in the kitchen and serve everyone at one time with champagne. We will need at least 5 trays - may be able to borrow some?

Ice! - How can we keep ice outside/inside near the beverage jars for those who like ice in their glasses? and without using a big blue ice chest...(will also need 2 scoops for this)

Sweet Stuff. - Will need something to put the simple syrup (ice tea sweetener) in for guests to pour. Thinking about a syrup bottle? (something that can stay covered and is easy for the guest to pour).

Curious George. - Something to keep the kids happy (coloring books, crayons?)

Bathroom Baskets. - (1 women, 1 men, full of spray deodorant, gum, tide to go stick, etc. placed in the bathrooms)

Sorry, VIP only? - Should I make "reserved" signs for certain tables for bridal party, etc. since we are not doing place seatings?

What else should we be working on at 3 weeks out? I am about finished with the programs, will need to finalize a few details and print...

I can't wait to see it all come together..

{ideas} carried away...

from here.

{dress} good...better...

i heart my little alterations lady. not only does she know what she's doing (she was a seamstress for chanel for 10 years!)..but she's also fun to go to ... it's just like visiting my grandmother..complete with kisses on my cheeks (only with a thick italian accent that is sometimes hard to understand)..anyway..the point is..she rocks...and i'll show you why..

when i first picked out my dress, i wasn't exactly crazy about the little belt. it was cute, but i wanted something else..this became less a priority over time and it did look good with my fh's suit:

but my little italian seamstress said no way was she going to let me walk down the aisle with that ugly thing..so she made me this:

eek! isn't that so much better?! i pick it up next week!

moral of the story...trust a good seamstress.

{diy} stamps, wishes, and thank you's..

if you are a diy bride, and you have not yet discovered the wonderful world of rubber stamps...well, let's just say..read on..

i love them. i have found so many uses for them and have found myself addicted. first off, i used them for my save-the-dates and my invites..now i will be using them for my "wishbowl," thank you notes, and sachets..check it out:

wishbowl - n. apothecary (or other fancy jar) for your guest to place wishes, advice, or other notes inside..this takes the place of the traditional guestbook. we aren't opening ours until our 1 year (paper) anniversary.

so our guests can choose from one of these cards (hand stamped by yours truly):


and place it in the jar(s):

from here.

i also used the stamps for my thank you notes..which i hope to get a head start on before the big day:


and last, but not least..if you remember, i have a ton of leftover rosemary from the confetti project...with some great advice from my readers, i decided to make little sachets for my luggage, bm's and moms:


with all the stamping madness..i think elvis (my pug) is afraid he's next!

{ideas} check, check, & check!

candles:

from here.

violet mints:

from here.

and my scent, of course:

from here.

all currently on their way to the future mil's house!!

{woohoo!} butterflies-a-flutterin'..

heck ya! i'm getting married this month!

omg. i am so nervous. nervous that it might rain. what a bummer that would be..or nervous that i get pig flu and sneeze instead of saying "i do"...

and i'm pleased to announce that my programs are about finished..just have to print, stamp, and cut! here's a little preview:

front: cast & crew, ceremony ... back: letter for the parents, meaning of rosemary...all printed on the same cardstock as the invites. thanks to my co-worker friend for giving me a good "kick in the pants" (as she called it).

happy weekend everyone...

{final countdown} this time next month..

i will be in nashvegas..running around like a crazy person trying to get everything done..and i am..panicking. crap! i have sooo much to do y'all. for reals. here's the breakdown:

1. programs! - and i am so dreading this part for some reason. i am completely uninspired and i have no desire to make them fancy..(i am diy'd out!).

2. wish bowl papers. - instead of a guest book, we are having a "wish bowl" and i need to find pretty paper for our guests to write their wishes on.

3. candles. i need several votives already in glass. i would love to get beeswax (mostly for the beautiful color and slight smell of honey)..but daaang. they aren't cheap. i also need several tall candles to go in the fireplace.

4. final dress fitting on monday! this i am excited for!

5. make my bm's necklaces. i have the stuff..i just need to do it!

6. get started on thank you cards. for serious. we've received so many great little gifts already.

7. buy my perfume!

8. get my man his wedding day gift. i wish i could share it with you all..but i know he reads my blog..so that ain't gonna happen. it's truly perfect..y'all would die..

9. beauty prep. hair, nails, facial. you know..the works.

and that's the stuff i need to get done before nashville..there's a whole 'nother list of things to do once i get there. and i'm tired already.

can i get it done?

{beauty} hello lovely..

i am seriously having a hard time breathing right now.. a couple of months ago i asked the ever so talented chelsea of "oh my deer" to work some of her magic for me and my girls..and just look what she came up with:

for my beautiful girls...yellow "ranunuculus" with guinea feathers and "bling":


and for me:


eek! aren't they just perfect?

if you are looking for some lovelies to add to your big day..drop her a line on etsy..and get your very own!

{vino} our picks for the reception...

knowing we will have about 150 people attend the reception..choosing wine has been a rather .. delicate matter. we both love our wines. we would really like to share our favorites with the ones we love..but let's face it... that can get expensive.

looking back..i remember the first red wine i first truly appreciated..a pinot noir made by toad hollow. ever since..i've been a die hard fan. so, naturally when we visit wine country, we like to stop off in healdsburg at their tasting room. the wines are easy to drink, easy on the wallet..and easy on the eyes..meaning that the labels have a lot of character...

lucky for us, ryan's uncle is a wine distributor in nashville and has worked hard to get us a good price on our pics and is delivering them for us..thanks uncle bill!

and without further ado..our wine pics:


you can find tasting notes and other information on their website..now..on to the beer...

{random} always up for a contest...

i am so glad this little lady posted a comment on my blog..i would have never known about hers...and she has some great inspiration ladies..so be sure to check it out.

right now she has a fun little giveaway that concerns this fun set (can you say margarita's?!):

{random} one lovely weekend coming right up!

tomorrow is supposed to be 76 and sunny in the city. we can't wait! fh is taking the day off and first thing in the morning we have an appointment with her to do a little bit of this:

and then we are going to grab a bottle of wine, pack a picnic lunch and head out to the beach or a park to do a little of this...

...write our vows..together.

sigh.

you can go puke now. :) hope your weekend is full of sunshine and romance!

{beauty} oh yea..hair!

i got a note from the lovely miss chelsea yesterday saying that she will be working on the flower for my hair in the coming weeks...which got me thinking about how to wear the hair on the day...

i've imagined from day one that i will wear my hair in a low side bun sort of thing..but loose and romantic. but here's the thing..i loathe wearing my hair up. i have always been that girl who hides behind her hair..mostly because to me...my nose is freaking ginormous and i don't want anyone to see it. it's a vain problem, i know..but i really can't help it. so what am i thinking? i want to feel beautiful..not self conscious...i thought that maybe at least if the bun thing was more on the right with the flower, when i stand at the "alter" with my fh..no one will notice my sniffer.

sigh.

so here are some ideas for the low bun thingie:



of course these beautiful girls have cute little noses...so i've started to wonder if maybe i shouldn't wear my hair down..like this:

what do you think?

{gulp} 6 weeks and counting.

when people ask me, "when are you getting married?" i find myself answering, "next month."

holy crap.

really?

i mean..it feels like i've been planning this day forever..deciding every little detail, tying knots around hankies, searching for the perfect shoes, thinking about wines we will serve, carefully writing out addresses and now i'm filling in the rsvp's as they come in and my list of things-to-do is getting shorter and shorter.

and i'm getting married next month.

i'm ready.

but..still. have i forgotten anything?

on another note..dad has almost finished the signs:

we realize the "wedding" sign needs to point one way or the other..not both. but don't they look great?!

{google} this is handy..

this is a dream tool for all us girls who know the colors we want to include in our wedding day..now we can find pretty little images to match. google released their image search to now let you choose colors! check it out:

so..i typed in ranunculus (of course) and chose yellow. after perusing the pretty images..i clicked on my favorite and it took me to toast and tables where i found these lovlies:

sigh. aren't they just breathtaking?!