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Don't you love it when you order something online and when it arrives it's 10x better in person than in the pictures? I seem to be in luck lately because this has been the case with everything I'm getting for our wedding. Our shabby wreath from Victorian Petals, my Twigs & Honey hair piece, the cards from Things are better with a parrott, and now, the bottled fortunes I recently purchased from The Hope Jar:

(I promised Rachel I would share photos of them when they arrived and have been a bit behind schedule)

If this is any sign of things to come then the rest of our wedding planning should go off without a hitch!

 There is something absolutely stunning about a wedding with traditional and elegant decor. Banquet style tables dressed to the hilt and "Old World" charm are sure to enchant all of your guests. Transport everyone into a dream like fairytale.  Glamorous gold, silver with clean white flowers will set the scene for the Prince and his Princess Bride.  

So far I love these flowers...

Pussy Willows Image Source

Dogwood Image Source

Baby's Breath Image Source

Cherry Blossoms Image Source

What's your flower roll call?

Bridesmaid Gift Idea: Boone Books on Etsy uses vintage book covers to make blank journals! These are gorgeous and one of a kind. Being a lover of books and a lover of all things vintage, these are right up my alley!

With the plan to downscale the guest list comes many emotions. We love everyone - everyone is special to us in their own way - who is invited and who isn't? We're both close to our families which is what the list consisted of in the first place, so how do you tell a family member who is looking forward to our wedding that they can't come...or do we get married and tell them after, lol - I dunno.

So the slashing of the guest list has gotten around and everyone wants to know who are going to be the chosen 30! My mother and God-Mother were speaking on the phone and she told my mom that she would pay for her family if she had to in order to make sure she was in attendance because it was that important to her...somehow that conversation got around and others started jumping on the bandwagon saying that they would pay per plate for their families - my initial thought "That's great!" - I wouldn't have to pay for food, and could then focus on the photography, video, flowers, etc.

...then I started thinking, are people really going to pay for their own plate at the wedding, plus the cost of travel (for some of them) & bring us a gift - that's a lot! We're in a recession and I don't know if I feel comfortable putting that kind of burden on people - but at the same time I'm not going to go broke so that everyone can come - I love everyone, but point blank I can't afford it which is why I wanted to cut the list down in the first place.

So what do I do?

Do I let guests foot they're own bill (they're suggestion not mine)

Or do I keep the list down, break some hearts so that my fiance and I can pay for everything ourselves without help?

HELP ME OUT GIRLS!!!

I love bling, but I love my family more. What does the bling, brooch, and family have to do with this brides blog? (twister huh?) Well here goes....

My parents, whom I adore, offered to purchase my wedding gown shortly after we announced our engagement. It was important to me to pick a dress that they liked. My dad said he wanted it timeless, nothing poofy or goofy. My mom wanted to see me in lace and Marvin, who's opinion matters most, wanted me happy. :) Just my luck because every ones wish was granted when I found my dress at a local bridal shop in my city! Its a gorgeous ivory A line dress with a sweetheart neck line and just a touch of lace designed by Vantana Watters. I knew it was perfect the moment I saw it and when the sales girl asked if I'd like to try it on first I refused. I wanted it to be last because I didn't to be disappointed. But after trying on more than a dozen dresses with no love connection I slipped it on. I melted! I'm usually an emotional train wreak, but this no reason to cry. I was so excited I started jumping up and down and hugging the sales girl. I walked out and my SIL said, "That's the dress!" I said "Yup!" and she turned to my mom who had her check book out and said "Hurry I don't want her to change her mind" (I have the tendency to do that). Later that week the store called to give me the arrival date of my dress and I KNEW it was the right one when they told me it would arrive on my FH birthday! No joke. If that wasn't a good sign that I don't know what is.

Ok back to the brooch bling and family....my dress has a sash which I wanted to find the perfect brooch for. I search and search and guess where I ended up? In my own closet! I had borrowed a brooch from my mom for something (I don't even remember) but never wore it because it was TOO fancy (apparently I never returned it either because it was still in my closet!). I took it to the bridal shop and tried it on with my dress and it looked perfect! So on my day I will sporting a beautiful dress that my parent's purchase and with my something "borrowed" by my side that represents those that I love most. My family. TA-DA! :)

Below are some brooches that I loved but couldn't affordsome that I loved but knew wouldn't work

some that came pretty close to being purchased......and finally the one I had all along that means more and has more value than any of these. (sentimental value that is!)...

From Top to bottom:

Aquamarine brooch by Tiffany & Co.; Seahorse w/gems on Ebay; Stafish w/pearl & chocolate diamonds by RossSimons.com; Starfish w/gems by Zales; Silver Starfish by Bella True

On our morning walks to work (FH and I work about 1.5 blocks from each other), the Great Music Debate for the Wedding arose (yet again) between FH and I. As I've explained before (here), FH and I do not have the same taste in music. We've come up with our first dance song ("Walk the Line" remix style) and the last song of the night ("One Love" Bob Marley). Coming to an agreement on the last song of the night was definitely an accomplishment for us...

So Fh is very concerned about the type of music I will want played at our wedding. You see, i'm a dancing fool. I love to dance. FH does not!

When I consider mental images of FH's type of music, this is what i see...a Moshpit

Image borrowed from Here

And When FH thinks of my music... he probably see's images of this borrowed here

And granted, I don't want metal played at our wedding and FH says, neither does he... He says he doesn't want techno/house/trance music played at our wedding... and I had to specify - NEITHER DO I!. You see, when I say "dance" I think he automatically thinks crazy loud booming bass and electronic sounds. But When I say "dance" I literally mean dance music. Anything from top 40's, hip hop, pop and beyond.

So although it took the whole ten minutes that we walked to work to argue that "i don't want your music" back and forth, we finally were able to communicate clearly, that we actually both don't want the same type of non-danceable music at our wedding... So no metal (Slayer, Pantera, Ozzi-unless its slow and not about killing, death or mutilation) and no House/techno/trance PERIOD!

The types of music that will be played:

Top 40 (most people are at least a little familiar with it) to include: Miley Cyrus (for my neice... and ok, for me too), Rhianna, Beyonce, Brittney, Christina Aguilera, etc etc
Some 80's (FOR SURE)
Bon Jovi (He is from NJ and I love JBJ)
GnR (a little sweet child'o mine won't hurt)
Hip Hop
Tupac (I am from cali!!!)
Some oldies (Frank Sinatra, etc)

Basically if you can hear it on the radio, it has no foul language, no overwhelming bass and no record screeching (per FH's request) AND it IS danceable...and not just booty shakin' danceable, but just danceable period - we will play it.

We want this at our wedding as seen here, where everyone, both young and old are dancing

Did anybody else have issues agreeing on the type of music that will be played for the reception? Do you and your FH differ in music style and taste? Are you a dancer? Is he? How did you agree upon your music guidelines?

Save the date cards are much fun.
Even if you are thinking about a formal wedding you can always add some fun or unique ideas to your STD announcement.
Inspired by Brooklyn Bride who recently posted a series of amazing STD cards, I decided to share some of my favorite findings:

 Save the date book with announcement, accommodation and travel information shipped inside a gold metal compact. by Grapevine

 Boarding pass save the date that replicates a real plane ticket.      by Grapevine

Unique floral designs sit inside a plastic luggage tag. Perfect for planning a destination wedding. by invitation consultants

  Cakes, every single week!

  Now, don’t get me wrong. I love what I do. And, I really enjoy this opportunity to speak with you every week. I am very grateful for this forum that Get Married has so graciously given me.
  But, seriously, wedding cakes every week? I mean, I’m an expert. A professional.  I talk to Brides every single day, but we talk about their dreams and visions for their special day. I’m lucky to get a word in. Brides, I’m here to make YOUR dreams come true, not to tell you mine.
    So, here I am racking my brain trying to think of something new to tell you. We have touched on Groom’s cakes, cake toppers, and individual cakes. We have talked about cakes that taste as good as they look, we have talked about fitting your cake design into your venue.  I’ve touched on everything except how to beat the cholesterol out of your cake. Which is something I can’t tell you, by the way. The Baker’s Union rules forbid it.
  I’ve decided to show you some cakes from Kuwait. Really. You can’t find content like this anywhere else!

  This is a cake with a lamp in it. I'm not sure if I've ever suggested a cake that needed to be plugged in.

  This appears to be a cake with large marbles. Some feather type things also. I actually kind of like it, in a kids birthday party kind of way.

  Once the packaging peanuts are removed, this will be, well, tall.

 
  This cake comes complete with Nacho cheese.

  I am, of course, just playing. These are beautiful cakes designed with love and affection for the art. The Designer is a true Artist. The world is, thankfully, full of different people with different tastes, and I'm sure the Brides were very proud of these wonderful creations.

  Please pass the chips.........

Video has become the new journal of our lives.  The written word will always have its charm, but nothing captures the full essence of our experiences like video. 

The "Lookback Interview" has become a very popular trend in Wedding Video because it allows you to reflect on your special memories on the day. 

With many of my clients, we sit down for a candid interview when they return from their honeymoon.  They have the opportunity to talk about their remembrances. 

In many ways, it's like adding a Director's Commentary to your wedding.  Your personal memories are chronicled forever within your wedding video.

Here's an example to stimulate your imagination: