No damage to the house, the power is on… actually we’re not just here, we’re as good as ever… and feeling seriously lucky for it.
(Lemon is still feeling uneasy, but he’s kind of a wimp.)
This morning my thoughts are with those who can’t say the same.
Photo: Our Labor of Love
Time is flying by… but I’m excited for a special surprise I have planned for Mark’s birthday this weekend. His birthday is actually on Halloween, so we’re celebrating a little early, but usually the day of is reserved for trick-or-treats and hot mulled cider with rum, running door to door with Austin and then handing out candy at our own… especially since this year it falls on a Wednesday.
Poor holiday babies never get to celebrate on their actual day… but that’s why we have to make this weekend extra special!
Hope you have a fantastic weekend yourself! Tell me, what are you up to?
Here are a few things I’m loving this week…
Speaking of destination weddings… this one is gorgeous.
I need these studded loafers in my life.
Tell me how I do this.
Also… oreo fudge.
… or maybe this salad, because it really does look delicious. (Do you feel like there’s a little devil and a little angel on your shoulder right now? I do.)
This is a really cute DIY.
When I tell people that my wedding is on the other side of the country, the first question they always ask is, “How the !!?# did you plan from here?” And I’m not gonna say it was easy, but here are a few things I did that made the process of planning from afar a whole lot easier…
1 // Get a coordinator. Oh my lord get a coordinator. You don’t have to go all the way, you can just get a day of, but having someone on the ground will make a world of difference. A coordinator can answer questions and provide recommendations for anything from the most kickass band to the place you want to have your dress steamed when you get into town. Most importantly, just knowing you have that person backing you up will relieve a boatload of stress.
2 // Research, research, research. If you can, use yelp. And scour the vendor guides of your favorite blogs like a crazy person. I’m telling you, I can still rattle off who is and is not included in Style Me Pretty’s Little Black Book… and whether they also appear on Green Wedding Shoes and Once Wed. It’s a sickness.
If you’re going overseas use a reputable guide that you trust, like Frommers or Lonely Planet. We depended on these heavily on these for our honeymoon.
3 // Check out the average wedding cost where you’re headed… is it the highest in the country? The lowest? The truth might not change your mind, but it’s a good thing to know going in.
4 // Use Skype. There is literally nothing better for planning from out of town. You can still meet every one of your vendors face to face.
5 // If you can, take one trip there before the wedding. Hopefully you already know enough about the venue so that you don’t need to go early on in planning (if you don’t, I really recommend two trips. Don’t book a venue sight unseen… you never know what little surprises might pop up, and you don’t want to discover them after it’s too late).
On your main trip, try your food, cake, meet with your coordinator and officiant and, if you have time, get your engagement shots taken. Rentals, lights, and little details are easy to book from afar.
6 // Relax. This is a destination wedding, and I imagine that one of the reasons you chose this whole deal is that the place is beautiful… right? So here’s the thing. That beautiful place? It counts as big fat chunk of your decor. You might not be able to carry or ship quite as many little details as you’d like, but even with the most minimal personalization, your location will shine – and I’m pretty sure it will beat a 50′ long crepe paper garland any day of the week.
Trust that your wedding will be beautiful and special and yours.
And if there is any little piece of you that doubts me, watch this.
Photo: Jose Villa
Lately, my brain has taken to spontaneous combustion. I’ve forgotten the date, the time, what it is I’m even talking about in the middle of a sentence… at this point I think it’s safe to say that wedding brain has taken over.
The thing is that it’s not just a wedding I have to prepare for, it’s also the fact that I’m about to leave… for 3 weeks… right in the middle of a busy political season (to put it lightly) and right in the middle of the holidays…
So, that said, this morning I thought it was Tuesday.
But I suppose my recent bout of forgetfulness just emphasizes how badly I need a night out… and tonight I’m planning to do just that. My maid of honor has the whole evening planned and I can’t tell you how fantastic it feels to just be along for the ride. Whatever the stress that comes with these final few weeks I have to say… the one thing I’m feeling more than anything is thankful that I have such amazing people in my life.
Here are a few things I’m loving…
This is pretty on a whole new level — I can’t wait to see the book.
These vegan cookies also count as breakfast — I’m sold.
There’s an app for that.
Yes.
For those of you who love doughnuts just as much as I do.
How cute is this Halloween party?
These Halloween cards too.
Thank you guys so much for all of your awesome book recommendations yesterday, I can’t wait to dive in! Actually I’m kind of dying, I wish I had the time to start now.
I get all sorts of wedding submissions… big parties, small parties, venues where everything is pre-planned, elopements that were planned in 3 days… there’s no one formula for a beautiful wedding.
But in the end, what really gets me are the emotions. The bride dancing with her father… the first time the groom sees his bride… the pure joy on each and every person’s face. That’s the best part…
Here’s the story straight from the bride…
Keith and I met through a sorority sister at UCF, who somehow knew “we were meant to be” and that we were perfect for each other. And sure enough we are. Keith and I love being outside, boating, beaching it up, and other fun things. We dated long distance for a while which was hard, but we some how managed to make it this far.
He proposed simply on April 9th in my bedroom. I think he tried to get my little beagle Lucy involved somehow but she wasn’t cooperating with him. Aka, I found him under the bed trying to get her to come out moments before the proposal.
I will move to wellington fl once I graduate. We are pretty simple people and love to have fun.
Photographer: Root Photography / Venue: Longboat Key Club
Today we had a long talk with our officiant, and I couldn’t help but think how surreal it all is. We’ve been planning for this day for nearly a year and a half, but it’s always felt so far away… almost like the moment would never come. But now we’re down to the final details, and not just the little ones… we’re talking about the marriage itself, and the reasons we want to be married at all… our background, our beliefs… everything that brought us to this place, and every little thing that makes us want to travel on.
And it’s kind of amazing… all of this is almost real. I’m sorry to spill my sappiness all over you tonight but… you guys. I really can’t wait.
Here are a few things I’m loving this week…
Gorgeous fall hair (anyone know the original source of this awesome shot?).
These beautiful DIY save the dates.
Myra Callan of Twigs & Honey is making wedding gowns. (OMG)
Why women should stop trying to be perfect — thoughts?
Margaret Atwood’s 10 rules of writing.
I might be particularly partial because it was shot on the coast of Oregon, but this gorgeous little engagement shoot.
I really need to make me some granola.
Living and working with intention and supporting others who do the same.
A small, beautiful church, a happy couple, and their closest family and friends… as far as I’m concerned, the gorgeous simplicity of this Nashville wedding is as good as it gets.
Photographer: Alicia Looney Photography / Venue: West End Church of Christ
One month to go, and we’re down to the details… but let me tell you, there are details to be had!
From menus to table lists to just plain mailing stuff to the west coast (extra work for the destination bride) I’m pretty sure our weekends from here on out are done.*
There are the details on the surface, and the details underneath… and right now my head is reeling trying to keep up with them all.
But really, in the end, aren’t the details half the fun?
And how about this for some (moderately disturbed) motivation? A little old, but really, if I could be the most organized person on earth I would die happy.**
*Okay actually we made pretty good use of this particular weekend (sorry for the terrible shot of the back of the camera… I mentioned we’ve been busy right?).
**I’d like to dedicate this post to Pinterest and the terribly dated but absolutely fantastic discoveries I make on you nearly every day… clearly we’ve been spending a little too much time together.
Photo: Backstage at Rodarte Fall 2012 Ready to Wear via The Doppelganger
Okay, call me cliché but I really do love the fall. It’s sweater season (in theory… in reality it’s been 80 all week, but go with me here) the apples are at their best, the leaves are turning and the holidays are about to begin.
Fall is a time for savoring rich flavors, rich experiences, and gorgeous rich colors like the ones above.
Finally — finally!! — Mark and I have gotten on a bit of a roll with our healthy eating… of course, that means that shots like the one above are quite literally beginning to kill me. And we’re headed up to New York this weekend, where I will no doubt be faced with heaps of deliciousness at every turn. I’m thinking the trick is to only have ten a few delicious things?
Okay it’s a plan.
Do you have anything planned for this weekend?
Here are a few things I’m loving this week…
This Finnish “quark” pie that I’m dying to make immediately (and this beautiful blog that I didn’t know about).
Are you changing/did you change your name?
Oh my goodness these dresses, via Miss Moss.
Cutest recipe card ever.
Be mine please.
Plus! In honor of the award I mentioned yesterday, I’d like to pass on the love. There are so many more, but here are just a few of the lovely ladies who inspire me on a daily basis…
A Crimson Kiss, Hey Gorgeous, Little White Whale, His Little Lady, Emily Lunt, Kyla is Inspired, Beautiful Elysium, Caught on a Whim, The Book of Love, Hooray
If you don’t already know any of them, you should visit!
** And ladies, I’d love it if you’d tell us all about why you blog and pass on the love, but don’t feel pressured. You’ve already done more than enough to deserve this award.
A Thousand Threads 