Thursday, December 31, 2009

From My City to Yours

Have a great New Year!  Talk to you in 2010!!!




















Source

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Oh Lindsey . . .

I was flipping through the new Martha Stewart wedding magazine and gasped.  I have never really gasped while looking through a bridal magazine or even while reading one of my many beloved blog.  But, I finally did it.  I gasped and then I excitedly called M. over to see what I was seeing.

It was a dress.  A dress named Lindsey and she was the most beautiful dress I have ever seen.  I thought I had found other dresses that I liked, even loved, but nothing that made me feel that way Lindsey had.  However, after I stared at Lindsey for some time, my eyes glanced to find out who made Lindsey.  It was then I realized she would never be mine.  Damn you Priscilla of Boston and your $3,000+ dresses.  This girl's budget will not allow you to be a part of it.

Now I will go back to looking online and in magazines for other dresses, but I know my mind will always wander back to Lindsey.  Whoever gets her is one lucky girl.


We Like to Read

I've mentioned before that my and M.'s love of books will be making an appearance at our wedding.  I mean, they're kind of our theme, regardless of how much I refuse to go theme overboard.  So, how exactly do you have a literary themed wedding?  And, how do you have one without using anything library-related (M. and I have a weird anti-library thing.  I am all about supporting them, but I like to own my books, yo!)?

Table numbers - We're going to use the book covers of books we've shared together as our table numbers.  I'm thinking that they'll be 4 x 6 and I'll put them in a simple white or silver frame.

Here's our table #1:



















Escort Cards - I loved loved loved using bookplates as a kid, so how about those for our escort cards?  We'll have their name on the card and their table number in the corner.  You better believe that I want the back to be adhesive so our guests can use them afterwards!  I love the ones below, but I kind of want them to say "Ex Libris."













Guest Book - Screw a book . . . how about our very own "Giving Tree"?  We'll ask guests to write us good wishes or advice for the future on tags and hang them on a little tree.

We'll go from this:













To this:














Source

Favors - One of the main characters in Crimson Petal and the White owns a perfumery that uses lavendar.  There's a cool scene in the book that M. and I both love where he takes the other main character to his lavendar fields.  So, how about a lavendar-based favor, like lavender infused honey?  We could make our own and put them into little test tube bottles with an explanation of why we chose to do that as a favor.

Honestly, I am having a hard time with favors.  I don't really want them, so at this point M. and I are just coming up with ideas in case we do have favors.  I know bookmarks would be a cool go-to, but neither of us used bookmakrs and I can't imagine a ton of people picking them up and using them.  Since we're trying to be eco-friendly, I want a favor that either M. and I will use if no one picks it up (we definitely will with honey) or something we can reuse down the road.














Source

I also want to use a song that is in Nicholas Nickleby somewhere in our wedding, maybe a little insert with our invitations  . . . Other than your invites, where can you use a quote if you're not doing programs?

Here's it is . . .
Ta--ran--tan--too,
Throw the old shoe,
And may the wedding be lucky!

And:
Young, loving and fair,
Oh what happiness there!
The wedding is sure to be lucky!

Do you have any other ideas for ways we can interject our love of literature into our wedding?

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Chapter 2: The Engagment

M.'s Dad's side of the family is from Tennessee.  Last year, we reignited their family tradition of going to Tennessee for Thanksgiving.  The general plan was always that they rented a cabin near the smokey mountains and their Tennessee family would come and hang out in the cabin during Thanksgiving.  The women cook, the men watch TV and us kids go and wander around Tennessee for a few hours.




















According to M., when he got my ring in February or March of 2009, he decided that he would wait until we were in Tennessee to propose to me.  Sidenote: I knew he had the ring and had no clue when he was going to ask me, needless to say I went a little crazy between March and November.  By the time we went to Tennessee, I had gotten myself to a point where I wasn't expecting a proposal, especially not on a family vacation.  Plus, once we got through Thursday and Friday with no proposal, I REALLY knew it wasn't going to happen.

On Saturday, we had a great last night at the cabin.  M., his brother and myself made a feast of steak with blue cheese butter, proscuitto wrapped asparagus and rosemary garlic potatoes for everyone, we watched a movie and then started packing to head to Maryland.  Once we were done with everything, I asked M. what he wanted to do and he said that he was going to go hang out on the balcony that went off our bedroom and drink a beer. 















After I milled around and chatted for a bit with everyone at the house, I slowly made my way up to the balcony to drink a beer with M.  I sat down, we drank and started chatting about our life and our relationship.  And then . . . . I BLACKED OUT!  Well, not really but I like to say that I kind of did because I honestly cannot remember a single word he said to me.  The man was down on his knee with some sparkly in his hand!

After asking him if he was kidding me and if he was serious and if this was for real, he told me that his knee hurt and it would be nice if I gave some kind of an answer.  And, I said yes.



Monday, December 28, 2009

Chapter 1: How We Got Here

I've realized that I have been talking all about my and M.'s wedding without really telling where it all began.  For those of you who know us, this story isn't all that exciting because you've heard me tell it before, but for those of you dropping by, it might be a good way to introduce you to me and M.  A lot of little pieces of our relationship is being interjected into our wedding and it is because of that, a little back story might be nice.

So here we go!  Once upon a time . . .

M.'s younger brother dated my best friend, and now my future sister-in-law, for years and years.  This friend, who we will call BM J, determined very early in her relationship that her husband that M. and I were meant to be.  I would say that it was all of our mutual interests that made her decide that we were perfect, but honestly, I think she knew that he was a difficult person and I didn't take crap from anyone.  She knew that we were both strong enough personalities that we could wrangle one another in.

Her plot to get us together began in 2005, when I moved home from college and M. had broken up with his most recent girlfriend.  She spent a good bit of the spring and summer trying to push us together, and all of these efforts resulted in one terrible date that included a text message invite out, a free happy hour at a club in Baltimore and M. losing his temper while playing a game.  After that night, I didn't hear from him until October, when we both went out for Halloween.  At this time, he had a new girlfriend and I was starting to date someone else.

In November 2005, I moved to NY and that was that.  Whenever I came back home, BM J would talk about M. and how I was so much better for him than his girlfriend and that I should break them up and so on and so on.  I was always intrigued by M. but just blew BM J off.  Although nothing had happened, I had already moved on.  Time passed, I broke up with my boyfriend, I had fun in NY and life was great.

However, BM J had a strong pull on me and kept bringing my mind back to M.  In 2006, I was reading a book called The Wind-up Bird Chronicle, which was by far the most difficult book I have ever read.  For some reason, I got an itch to email M. and recommend it to him.  I feel like it was that email started the path to us coming together again.

I came home for Christmas that year, and BM J was brimming with excitement.  In her mind, this was my time to get M. to like me and break up with his girlfriend.  So, imagine her surprise when he came to her Christmas party single, freshly broken up from his girlfriend of a year.  So began an evening of BM J running back and forth between the two of us, trying to negiotiate something, anything for us to spend time together.  Late into the night, M. and I found ourselve on the porch, discussing books.  It started with Wicked, went into Harry Potter (me arguing that it's a great story and him arguing that it is the worst novel ever to get so much acclaim) and ended with a recommendation of Crimson Petal and the White.

We ended that night sleeping on the same couch together, me threatening him to not touch me and him heading my threats and somehow making a foot of space between the two of us . . . difficult for anyone sleeping on a couch.

We spent the time between Christmas and New Years casually ending up at the same place together and coincidentally sitting next to one another.  I was like an idiot giddy teenager, just dying to be near him as much as possible.  Of course we ended up at the same New Years party, with everyone asking the same question, which is whether or not we would kiss at midnight.  I had to play coy, of course, so I tried to ignore him all evening, at midnight I kissed a girlfriend of mine . . . basically, I was not going to cave in and be the first to initate whatever it was M. and I was going to have between us.  A few bottles of liquid courage later and we kissed.  And, for both of us, this was what sealed us together as a couple.

In February 2007, we had our first date.  He drove to NY and we saw Wicked on broadway.  We found out later that both of us had escape plans in case the date didn't work out.  Luckily, it did.  There was no awkwardness, it was easy and happy and it was final.  Oh, and he brought me a copy of The Crimson Petal and the White for me to read.  It weighed about 10 pounds and marked the very first gift he ever gave me.

On January 1, 2010, we will celebrate three years as a couple and 2 months together as an engaged couple.  We had shared tons of adventures from living in NY to traveling to London to my moving back to MD to us moving in together. 
















The first countdown we shared together.
 

Next up . . . Chapter 2: The Engagement

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Going Green

Since our wedding is being held at a Nature Conservancy, M. and I are trying to be respectful to our venue by being conscious whether what we're doing is environmentally friendly or not.

To be perfectly honest with you, when you're working with a budget and having to deal with vendors, this can be a little difficult.  Going green can be expensive and my budget doesn't want expensive!  Plus, there are little things, like etiquette, that can dictate how green you can go.  And, in the end, if the green vendor doesn't respond to my request for information, I am going to go with the not so green vendor who does.

Honestly, starting with using an environmentally friendly venue is a huge step.  I know that whatever happens, we're contributing to a non-profit and our whole day is going to take place at a location that is green.  It's a great way to get started.

Another way we're considering going green is with our flowers.  As I mentioned before, I met with Local Color Flowers, a florist who uses only in-season and locally grown flowers.  Again, this helps out the local community and farmers, while ensuring that it didn't take a plane, truck and car to get my flowers to me.

In addition to that, we're using slightly less flowers by not having boutenierres for the guys and by having smaller bouquets for the girls.  Less flowers being used equals less waste in the long run.


We're also using recycled material for our centerpieces.  Honestly, I know it'll be better to rent vessels because that means they're being reused over and over.  But, I love taking centerpieces home after weddings and I would like to offer that to my guests.  The main focal point of our centerpieces are these:











Yes, those are Patron bottles, as in the tequila.  I know it seems a little questionable, but have you seen how beautiful these bottles are?!?  If we use Local Color Flowers, we will use a Patron bottle on each table and then include 3 other smaller recycled vessels around them to hold flowers.

As we plan, I'll update you on what other environmentally friendly things we have going on for our wedding.
Did you have a "green" wedding?  If so, what things did you do to make it "green"?

Friday, December 25, 2009

For those of you who celebrate, I wish you a very happy Christmas!




















For those of you who don't, enjoy your vacation day!  And I hope whatever holiday you celebrate throughout the year is as happy for you as today is for me.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Ornament Exchange

Last year, M. and I decided that we would start a new Christmas tradition of exchanging an ornament.  Our task was to purchase an ornament for one another that represents something that we did during the year.  On Christmas Eve Eve, we exchanged the ornaments, so we would have plenty of time to have the ornament on the tree before we have to take it down.

So . . . ornament tradition part I was kind of a fail.

You see, we got each other the same ornament.

Yea, so we apparently are just way too much on the same wavelength.

He said that he already has our ornament plotted out for next year though and I am guaranteed to not get him the same thing.  We'll see . . .

Here's a peek at the Santa and elves white water rafting ornament that we both got each other.  Believe it or not, we're regifting the spare one.
















What are your holiday traditions?

If the Shoe Fits

I hope whatever wedding dress I find goes well with these shoes.















Cute. Flat. Gray. And I already own them!

We'll see what happens.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

All I Want for Christmas: The Wedding Edition

So, I am definitely a bride who finds herself wanting stuff for her wedding that might not necessarily included in her budget.  I'm going to try to keep my shopping a little slow and weigh every item out in my mind to make sure it's necessary . . . but who knows, it might actually all be necessary!

So, here's what I want!

I take off my engagementt ring every night before bed, so how nice would it be to put my ring in this?














A beautiful robe to wear while getting ready . . . How beautiful is this?




















But what if my armpits get too sweaty to keep on the robe all day?  No problem, I can take it off to show off this tank.















For right before I get dressed . . . How cool would pictures turn out if my wedding dress was hanging on this?  Heart or names?






















A fun headband to wear at the reception!




















A cardigan to wear when it gets cold, maybe?  I think the pale pink would offset the bright pink headband quite nicely.





















I love love love Kate Spade and polka dots, so wouldn't this be a great excuse to get these toasting flutes (all the way to the right)?













or these made me giggle a little (OK a lot!).  I could use the pink glasses and M. could use the blue glass!  AH!















When you got married, did you find an excuse to buy stuff?  If you're not married, what excuses do you make to buy stuff?

Monday, December 21, 2009

It's Almost Time . . .

My countdown candles tells me so!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

My Weekend in Retrospect

I finally have pictures documenting my weekend!


First fire in our apartment



Snow . . .



Snow . . .



And more snow . . . Almost 2 feet!

But, that didn't stop M. and I from going to his brother and sister-in-law's Christmas party.  We were two of four who made it there.  They had food and booze for 25.





We played Rock Band on the Wii, had a dance party and kept ourselves up until 5am.  I'd say it was a fairly successful evening considering the circumstances.

How was your weekend?


Saturday, December 19, 2009

Picture Perfect

So, I left off showing you the photographer we didn't select but liked.  But, how about the photographer that we liked and booked?

We are so excited to be able to have them photograph our wedding day, in fact, when I found out that they were available still for our wedding (I emailed them a week after our meeting), I squealed a little bit.

Here you go - our photographers are Procopio Photography

Here are a few pictures from their blog that I love.  Check out their site and blog for more pictures.  They really are all so beautiful!






I love how this picture captures the nervousness and excitement all at one time.  It looks like it could be in a movie.


Oooo, steamy!


(I had to include this one, Sunflowers are one of my all-time favorite flowers!)

We'll have engagement photos taken with them about 4 or 5 months before our wedding.  I'll share those when we get them!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Freeze Frame

M. and I began our search for wedding vendors with one word of advice (demand even) from my father, to interview at least 3 before selecting one.  I am heeding his advice for somethings and going with the wisdom of my friends who planned a budget wedding and already took care of the interviewing of vendors for other things.

Photography is an area where I did take my dad seriously.  Unfortunately, none of my friends really had anyone to recommend, so M. and I had to start from scratch.  Luckily, I had no problem coming up with people to meet. 

We knew photography was the one area that we wanted to splurge, so we took our search as an opportunity to meet with photographers who had photos that we loved and to keep a more open mind about whose personalities that we liked, more so than we might have if we restricted ourselves.

Our criteria was mainly that we wanted a photographer who was a little less formal and traditional - we favor a photojournalistic style, we wanted 2 photographers at the day of our wedding and I wanted a DVD of the photos.  My mom had a request that whatever package we get include an album or a credit for an album.

We met with 4 photographers, only had one meeting that was disappointing and managed to find one that we clicked with the most.  However, since we liked 3 of the 4, I still want to share who we met with and the beauty of their photos.

The first photographers that we met with was Borrowed Blue Photography.  They were in the higher end of the budget and that was one of the main reasons we didn't go with them.  They had photographed a wedding at our venue before, had a great attitude and personality and just stunning photos. 

Here are 3 of my favorites that I pulled from their blog:
















The other photographer we met before selecting OUR photographer is Spence Photographics.  Again, gorgeous pictures and fit our criteria.  I have nothing bad to say about our meeting with him.

Here are 3 photos that I like from his blog:






















And how about our photographer?  Well, that is to be continued . . . Oh the suspense!!!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

My Weekend in Retrospect

I had a really great weekend again, but not many pictures to support that.

M. and I finished up our annual viewing of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.  We watched the first movie last weekend and watched the Two Towers and Return of the King this weekend.  It's a really nerdy pleasure I get each year, especially when M. starts explaining what is happening to me, despite the fact that I have seen the movies at least 5 times.  Thanks M.!  We have decided that we're both going to read The Hobbit before the film, that we are eagerly awaiting, comes out.  I need to get cracking on that!

We also had our bowling tournament.  I got 1 strike and ended up doing pretty well.  The biggest shocker was my 85 year old grandmother who got the 3rd highest score!  It only took her about 5 times to finish up her turn each round, but she smoked everyone!  I'll show a few pictures when I get them.

I also got myself a guardian angel when I went to Target this weekend.  Hello Domo!


He hang to the left of my computer at work and brings me happiness throughout the day. 

How was your weekend?

Where It's All Going Down

Wanna see where I get married?  I do!  I wish it was summertime now and that I could go and see it's gardens in bloom.  For now, I just have pictures and not very many of them at that!

Our wedding is going to take place at the Howard County Conservancy.  It's a nature conservancy with a nature center, a rustic barn, an honors garden, a smaller scale garden, a community garden and composting heap.  And I love it!

I know for some people, the venue search can be long and laborious.  To be perfectly honest with you though, I had selected the Conservancy for our wedding site almost 2 years ago.  My girlfriends and I drove up to it on a random Sunday after tea and wander the grounds, taking photos and oooing and ahhhing over how beautiful it was.  As we left, I told them that this was where I was getting married.  A few months later, I took M. there and showed him around and he agreed that the Conservancy would be perfect for us.

I got engaged on November 28th in Tennessee, we toured the Conservancy on the 30th and I signed the contract on the 2nd.  It was probably the easiest decision that we will have during this whole process, and I am so happy about that.  Actually, if they didn't have an opening around the time we wanted, I had no clue what I would do next or where we would look.  I just knew that there wouldn't be anything as perfect.  I got lucky though and am so excited to get married there.

Check it out (unless noted, pictures are by self or Bridesmaid D):

A view from the street


Coming up the road



The Montjoy Barn, which is visible from the street.  It might make for a few neat pictures.


Entrance to the Honors Garden (Me in 2007, my first visit to my future wedding venue)


The front of the Honors Garden, one of our possible ceremony sites, although I think we might use it for the cocktail hour



A shot of the Honors Garden from the Gudlesky Center


A view of our reception (and possible ceremony site if it's rainy), the Gudlesky Center


Another shot from the outside


Inside the Gudlesky Center



A view from above, see those wood beams!


Here's a warmer shot of the inside, from a wedding held at the Gudlesky Center.  Unfortunately, we will not be using Chivarti Chairs.  Sigh.  These are the only pictures that I have been able to find of a wedding held at our site.





Unfortunately, it's hard to find a lot of good pictures of our venue.  I wish I could find one of our other ceremony option - and most likely where it will take place, since the Honors Garden is more hilly and has gravel, which is not good for my poor grandmother who shuffles her feet, my Maid of Honor's mother who has rhematoid arthritis and a few other family members who have a difficult time walking.    But this will do.

And just for fun, a shot of my Maid of Honor doing a pirouette in an open space - possibly for group photos.



What do you think?