The One!

Jennifer's Joyful Boutiqe, Obsession du jour

2010-10-31T10:24:00.000-07:00

It's almost November, which means J. and I are getting ants in our pants to find out whether the baby is a boy or a girl. November 22 is the big day, which means I can finally start shopping for things like clothing, decorations for the nursery- you know, the priorities. And that's why I've started trolling etsy for the cutest baby gear I can find... you know, just in case I don't get enough at my baby showers :)

Today, my obsession is with the etsy store Jennifer's Joyful Boutique! Ok, so maybe some of these goodies will be a better fit if "its a girl" than for a boy, but I'm still having fun window shopping either way! And key wedding tie-in: this could be just the place to find your flower girl a hair accessory or a little thank you gift for the little ones in your wedding.

Ok so on to what I am in love with. First, the custom art- such an affordable way to personalize a nursery!

Or what about a hair flower? Brides love them, and what better way to add a little pizazz to a white flower girl ensemble for $7.95? Or in my case, what better hair accessory to foist upon your baby (they can't stop you!) while you take 1000 pictures? Yeah I'm going to be that mom.

I'm also really loving the little clip and bow holders- also hand painted. I live in a tiny house so I'm really into objects with dual purposes- and this is the perfect combination of decoration and storage. It also makes it easy for your toddler to pick out what they want to wear, since everything is on display. Maybe even teach them to put things away?

Definitely head over to Jennifer's Joyful Boutique to check out all the adorableness happening! All images courtesy of Jen!

Disclaimer: this is totally my opinion and I was not compensated in any way for sharing this post. However, I do actually know Jen- she's awesome- you will love working with her!

DIY Mercury Glass- FINALLY!

2010-10-24T06:49:00.000-07:00

I remember well how last year at this time, I was itching to find a good tutorial for DIY mercury glass. Alas, everyone who had tried it said the same thing- it's very tough to do and very difficult to get a good result. That is, until I came across this post at Domestically Speaking. Maryann (who I'm dubbing genius of the century) came up with a great trick to take basic glassware from this:

to this:

The trick? Spraying droplets of water on the surface before the paint. Why didn't I think of that??!! I solved my own problems by hitting the discount stores, but you could get major mileage out of inexpensive craft store or ikea finds, which would allow you more uniformity too. Love it! Head on over to Maryann's blog, Domestically Speaking to learn more!

Newspaper-Style Menus

2010-09-19T08:10:00.000-07:00

You may recall a few weeks ago I shared some rehearsal dinner invitations I made for my little brother's big day, using antiqued baby pictures and an art-deco Chicago style theme. Since their rehearsal dinner is at a steakhouse featuring checkered table cloths and old-Chicago styling, we decided to carry the theme through by making dinner menus that looked like old newspapers. Look how cute they turned out!! I'm a little in love, not gonna lie...

The fonts are all art-deco style fonts I found on dafont.com, and for this project I featured March Madness, Deco Card and Herald Square. And the baby photos are the sames ones from the invitation. All in all, these took me about an hour to make, and I'm just going to print them on plain paper on a color printer and leave one at each place setting- the fact that everything is a little bit casual only makes it that much better, I think!

Are you working on any fun projects right now?

The Luckiest Girl in the World!

2010-09-17T18:28:00.000-07:00

I know, we're still working on getting those images fixed- I'm sorry friends! But I've got a REALLY great excuse I swear. J. and I have been working hard to get a tenant into my condo, which in itself has been a project. But the big news is twofold: (1) I just got a NEW JOB! and (2) we're expecting our first baby and we finally hit the 12 week mark so we can share the news!!!

The bliss is beyond measure. We are ecstatic! I mean, a baby, that alone is awesome. But to be able to also say that after two years of working at it, I've finally found the perfect position for my career path (and they think so too)?! It's all happening at once and it's almost too much- almost, but not quite- I embrace it with open arms.

So yeah, I'm sorry about the images, and I swear we're working on it. The One! will go on! To make up for the missing images, here's a shot of our little bean at 7 weeks 3 days to tide you over...

SO HAPPY!! :)

Progress! (and patience)

2010-09-09T19:23:00.000-07:00

So you may have noticed... The One! just got a fabulous makeover from Designs By Kassie- and I just want to say right now, Kassie works quickly, is super responsive, has wonderful creative ideas, and was very reasonably priced. I am so excited about our new look and hope you like it too!

Of course, while I was working with Kassie on the new design, all my old images stopped working. Where did they go??? Here's what we do know- it wasn't Kassie's fault!

We think we figured out where they went (hello old server) but you may need to bear with us for a few days while J. and I get them back for you all! But we sure do appreciate your patience and hope to have some good surprises for you in the next few weeks!!

image source

For the Love of a Good Menu

2010-09-09T11:46:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has ever watched Top Chef knows how important presentation is. That goes for menus too- a great looking menu enhances the food and gets your guests psyched for eating. Mmmm I'm hungry just thinking about it. I've seen menus done in donzens of great ways, but my current obsession comes from my friend R's wedding. Girlfriend printed the menus using her home printer on standard-issue brown paper bags- perfect for carrying home the wedding favor post-celebration! I think this is such an adorable idea for outdoor, winery, barn, or really any kind of rustic wedding. But I also might use these for my next BBQ! Or, someday, maybe I'll make little lunch bags for the first day of school- I can see kids loving them too... and brown paper bags cost next to nothing. Oooh the possibilities!

Check them out and tell me you're not in love too...

image source

photo by me- from R's wedding!

Are you considering making menus for your next celebration?

Amazon Mom- For People Who Like Discounts!

2010-09-08T15:23:00.000-07:00

No silly not that kind...

I just learned from the lovely lady over at 320 Sycamore, about a pretty kick*ss program called Amazon Mom where anyone who cares for a child (aunts, uncles, grandparents, sitters) can sign up and get FREE Amazon Prime for 3 months! That's FREE stwo day shipping with no minimum kids!

Of course, this is going to be super handy for all the brides out there. And if you happen to also be a mom, there's some great kids deals like diaper discounts (its 30% off diapers and wipes)- but I'm planning to use my 3 months on CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!

And nobody even paid me to write this. I'm just really enthused!!

image source

You Just Can't Keep Me Away...

2010-08-17T14:51:00.000-07:00

I know I know, I'm retiring. But I had to share these little rehearsal dinner invitations I made for my little bro's upcoming nuptuals because they might be my favorite design ever, and I really did these myself! The dinner is being held at an old Chicago steakhouse where the color scheme involves lots of vintage green, so I grabbed old art deco fonts from www.dafont.com and went wild! I kept things simple because the happy couple is definitely more into "understated" than "over the top" but I think they came out juuust right.

I love them, potentially more than I love the adorable couple (ok just kidding guys)! :)

Cheers!

Moving On, Moving Up

2010-08-09T01:00:00.000-07:00

A year ago when I started this blog it was kind of a bucket list thing. I do a lot of writing for a living, could I write a blog for a year? I thought so. What I didn't anticipate was that I'd develop such a great group of followers, nor did I know how rewarding blogging would be! I have learned so much about relationships, about crafting and planning, and about gathering as a community in support of one another- miraculously, all through a silly, geeky blog. And although it's been gratifying beyond measure to participate in this world, I have to face facts: I'm waaaay too busy to do this for the long haul. I will ALWAYS love weddings but I am officially over-saturated with wedding knowledge- knowledge I no longer need. It's generally a good idea to walk away from something while you still love it, no?

Furthermore, J. and I are looking down the barrel of some big changes right now. None are so big we can't manage, but I need to take some time to prioritize my career and family right now- and unfortunately the blog doesn't make money or cuddle. So even though it's a bummer to slow down, I need to focus on the rest of my life for a while.

The good news is that I can save some $$ because I won't be paying hosting fees anymore. The bad news is that I have to move the blog to another (free) platform- which I will be sharing with you as soon as I figure it out- so all those postings won't be gone forever. And don't worry, I'll still post from time to time when I have something good to share! PLUS I'm still holding out hope that I can hand The One! over to a new bride-to-be who may be looking for a way to share her adventures (so please email me if you are interested)!

It's hard to figure out how to end a post like this without sounding cheesy, so I am forced to accept that I will always be a cheeseball, and end with two of the cheesiest things I can think of. First, the always-quotable Elizabeth Gilbert:

"We search for happiness everywhere, but we are like Tolstoy's fabled beggar who spent his life sitting on a pot of gold, under him the whole time. Your treasure--your perfection--is within you already. But to claim it, you must leave the busy commotion of the mind and abandon the desires of the ego and enter into the silence of the heart."

Elizabeth always nails it, doesn't she? That's totally how I feel- I need to chill for a while and focus on some basics. Oh and the second cheesey thing I hearby bequeath to you? From Titanic...

I'll never let go...

xoxo,

Sarah :)

Not Your Mother's Stencils

2010-08-05T01:00:00.000-07:00

We're all familiar with the stenciling fads that people either love or hate- we all know someone who filled their house with them, and today they incite love or hatred (generally because they are deemed "too country" or because the artist wasn't very talented) among most people. But today there are a new kind of wall decals which seem to have replaced stencils as the new "it" wall treatment. The are peel-and-stick decorations that can be easily removed. And I have to say that when used sparingly with an editing eye,I think they can be really cute! Apparently I'm not alone in this feeling, and that is probably why they're also becoming a hit in the wedding world!

Best of all this trend is AFFORDABLE. Custom designs on etsy or from internet vendors run anywhere from $25-100 which isn't bad when you consider I know people who spent $1000 per centerpiece (not me though!) and I have seen them in discount stores for less. In fact, I recently purchased a little quote for my foyer for 75% off, and it was only $4.50. I bet those of you out their with those fancy little cutting machines like the CriCut could even figure out how to make your own. Definitely worth keeping in mind for budget ceremony decor!

New House!

2010-08-03T01:00:00.000-07:00

I really don't think it's possible to overemphasize how busy this year has been. My most recent excuse? The lovely little colonial you see below! J. and I moved in on Thursday with very little broken to show for it. Yipee! I can't wait to show you the inside! In the mean time, if you need me you can find me unpacking, planning a housewarming BBQ, or maybe even passed out, because I am definitely feeling exhausted... but happy!

We're Moving!

2010-07-29T01:00:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's hard to believe that we're moving today, but we really are. It's kind of incredible to remember how we got to this day. I bought my condo in March of 2008, tried to sell it between January and June of 2010, failed, and decided to list it on the rental market instead. In the mean time, J. and I have been working nights and weekends to renovate his house, one we've had a tenant living in for the past 2 years. It has been a ton of work. A ton. We are both absolutely exhausted and that doesn't even count the pending moving exhaustion we're sure to feel later today!

So with all that said, you'd think I'd be too distracted to notice the small part of me that's feeling sad to leave. I am not a person who feels nostalgic about everything- I have moved many times and never felt much sense of loss. I try to follow that time-tested cliche: it's best to live life looking forward and not backward. But something about this move is different... a significant slice of my life took place in this condo- it's the place J. and I first lived together, where we got engaged, and where we began our married life. I already miss seeing the pictures on the walls, snuggling in front of the fireplace, or sneaking down to the pool after a thunderstorm before everyone else figures out the pool is open again. And I will miss the way this house is pure, unadulterated "me."

But.

The new house is a force to be reckoned with and together, J. and I have put our stamp all over it. It has original subway bathroom tiles, fabulous hardwood flooring, adorable architectural features like arches, and period-appropriate schoolhouse light fixtures throughout. We have demolished, polished, sanded, patched, stained, painted, weeded, and installed this house to near-perfection. Enough is done that we can move in, and enough is left to do to keep us interested (hello yard!)! It's the kind of old, shopworn, creaky old house that I grew up in- the kind of house that really gets me. This house has a story to tell. I'm excited to figure out that story, even if the story starts out, "once upon a time there was a house whose previous owner was bad at fixing things properly..."

I will try to share some before-and-after photos with you guys soon! But in the mean time, onward I go!

image source

Succulents for Norkle

2010-07-27T01:00:00.000-07:00

Today, a gratuitous post of succulent wedding inspiration for friend Norkle, who is hoping to incorporate them into her own upcoming nuptials. In addition to being easy to do in advance, they are adorable, no? They are sort of vintage, sort of modern, sort of southwestern, sort of romantic, colorful, soft, playful- I think that's why they've become so popular! All images link to their sources, except the first which is my own photo, from a friend's recent wedding!

Would you incorporate succulents into your own wedding? How would you use them?

Black Friday Magic- Liberty of London on Sale!

2010-07-23T01:47:00.000-07:00

I'm not even going to pretend this is a wedding related post, though Target's Black Friday sale (today, online only) certainly could be the perfect place to score some wedding gear for your centerpieces or favors. Nope, what I want to talk about is how, as a part of that sale, Liberty of London goodies are 25% off! I am on a spending freeze right now and I already have a LL canister in the guest room so I cannot, repeat CANNOT, buy anything. It's white knuckle city around here. So please let me live vicariously through you all! Go check this great stuff out today if you have a chance! All images are from Target's website:

I'm going to go to work now and daydream! But let me know if you score any awesome deals!

A Perfect Thanks

2010-07-22T01:00:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I helped throw a baby shower for one of my besties and bridesmaids, we'll call her E-Rod, and we had a seriously fun time eating, decorating onesies, and joking around about what the baby would look like and which of his/her honorary aunts he/she would like best (I won that contest hands down, obviously). So with all that fun as it's own reward, I was especially touched with E-Rod gifted us these adorable and thoughtful thank you gifts.

Inside these adorable (and shower-theme coordinating I might add) bags, E-Rod included a lovely thank you note, along with awesome swag- Starbucks gift cards, Vosges chocolate bars (oh baby) and Mad Housewife Merlot. Have you ever seen anything cuter? I love that this is something anyone- even the noncrafty folks- can do, and on any budget. I'm shamelessly planning to steal this fabulous idea one of these days!

I'm a sucker for it...

2010-07-20T01:00:00.000-07:00

Seersucker! Ok, I know, bad bad bad play on words. But who can help it? Little ring bearers in summery seersucker suits are potentially the cutest thing I've ever seen. And more affordable then tuxedo rental too!

You can score this one for $39.99 at In Fashion Kids

My good friend R.'s ringbearers wore seersucker ensembles for her wedding, wearing their vests (sans jackets due to the heat- a great built-in contingency she planned for), and they looked incredibly adorable. With hot pink bow ties too. Who is in love?

A 4th of July Engagement Celebration!

2010-07-14T01:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes having a wedding blog is really, truly, awesome. Like, for example, when I get to share super cute, super fun parties with everyone! This particular celebration was in honor of my brother A. and future sister-in-law Diana, which was held at my mom's home in Ohio on the 4th of July! The weather was perfection and we ended up with a huge crowd and loads of tasty food, courtesy of my mom. I made the invitation-postcards on VistaPrint, my dad brought the red velvet cake and 1931 Packard with him, and the decorations were scored on a budget from the Christmas Tree Shop (my favorite)! Guests brought some great gifts for the happy couple, including customized honeymooner tees, and a book of family recipes my mom and I collaborated on. It was such an all-American party too, with bocce ball, whiffle ball, horses, flowers, and lots of family. Who could ask for more?

We are so excited to welcome D. into our family and I can't wait to share their upcoming October wedding with you all!

A Brief Pause From Our Regularly Scheduled Programming...

2010-07-12T05:17:00.000-07:00

You may have noticed my posting has been a little light lately- my apologies. I've been SWAMPED! J. and I are in the midst of some serious DIY renovations in our soon-to-be new home, not to mention I've helped to throw 3 showers in 4 weeks, and now, to add icing to the cake...

My very first niece was born on July 6! J. and I got to meet her Saturday and she is just absolute and utter perfection. I'm in love. While we were there, of course I grabbed my camera and started playing. Look at this great shot I got while J. was holding her! I'm just so excited to learn all the things my new camera can do, and I adore this one! Though, let's keep it real, you'd be hard pressed to take a bad photo with such a gorgeous subject. Introducing baby Ella Grace!

Those Handy Little Freebies (Part II)

2010-07-09T01:00:00.000-07:00

You may recall that a couple of weeks ago I blogged about the free downloadable template I used to create a bridal shower invitation for my stepsister. Well, after figuring out how simple it was to do I was pretty hooked, and I started looking at other downloadable templates. And that is how I discovered (courtesy of iDIY) these STUNNING downloadable templates from Download and Print.

These templates have quickly become all-stars in my crafting projects because they are so easy to use- you download them in word, print them on cardstock, and then just use a paper cutter. Because the background color comes from the paper itself, you have tons of flexibility in terms of color scheme, and I especially love that you can choose your own fonts. Love!

I used the last ones (Dandelions!) to make an engagement party invitation for my Stepsister's upcoming e-party, and look how cute it came out! I ended up photoshopping the design a bit in order to make it into a file I could upload to VistaPrint (you knew they had to be involved somehow didn't you) because I knew I was not going to have enough time to print these myself, but I'm still extremely thrilled with the product!

Are you sold yet?

The Psychology of Romantic Love

2010-07-05T01:00:00.000-07:00

I definitely agree with the school of thought that marriage takes work- of course it does. I think everyone can agree on that. But what's even more interesting to me, is the kind of continual soul searching required by marriage. I just finished reading Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, and in it, she talks about happiness in the way I think about marriage:
Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it. You must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it.

One might argue that my attitude is just another predictable manifestation of the Protestant work ethic we hold so dear on the east coast. One might argue I've taken too many feminist theory courses. And of course I've only been ,married for 6 months, so right now I'm still pretty blissful, what do I know? Then again, as a child of divorce I've always been pretty in-tune to the marriages around me (there are some pros- and enormous cons- to this level of "tuned in-ness" but it is just how I'm built). So, for better or for worse, whether I'm being fatalistic or realistic, I think a fundamental amount of work is required to maintain a healthy marriage.

And that is precicely why I was thrilled when my bridesmaids gifted me the book The Psychology of Romantic Love. This is a great book. A. Great. Book. I'm not a huge book-review-writer so I'll keep this short, but suffice it to say that the book is absolutely chock full of insight into modern relationships and it floored me how I could look around me and see one application after another in my world. Once you begin reading the book, you probably won't be surprised to learn that the author is one of the leading authorities on self esteem issues. My favorite insight is that we have to stop fighting the fact of our "aloneness" in order to be ready for a partner. I also like the discussion of one's partner as a sort of psychological "mirror" which reflects the person you actually are. I think this is an absolute must-read if you are in a serious relationship or if you like pop psychology. It is super-duper interesting stuff with super important practical applications.

I'm not saying I have it all figured out- or that Nathaniel Branden does either- but this is a great read!

Have you read any books that have really spoken to you, on the topics of love or marriage?

One Woman's Trash...

2010-07-02T01:00:00.000-07:00

Is another's treasure? This isn't generally a phrase I think of when it comes to weddings. But I recently stumbled upon a new wedding resource, I Do Now I Don't, and I was intrigued. The founder first got the idea when his engagement didn't work out. What to do with the ring? Well, apparently due to the retail markup on jewelry, the retailer wouldn't give much of a refund back, so he found another way to sell the ring and his website was born!

Of course, not all the jewelery on the website has such a sad story, but it's really such a great idea. You can buy rings, obviously, but they also sell other jewelery and even wedding gowns. And the site seems to have a lot of built in protections so buyers and sellers feel safe.

The flip side of buying a ring with a prior story, is that some people are certain to fear passage of a "bad karma" but really, it's just an object right? The meaning only comes from what you assign to it. Seems like a great idea to me! The sellers get more return on their investment than they'd get at a jeweler, and the buyers get more bang for their buck.

What do you think, assuming quality isn't an issue, would you feel comfortable buying a ring from I Do Now I Don't? I kind of think I'd be ok with it, and then I'd be even more ok with taking the money I saved and spending it on a honeymoon upgrade! Plus, isn't there something to be said for taking a found object and giving it a new life? I usually think of this concept in the context of home improvement (salvage an old dresser!) but why not bigger ticket sparkly objects too?

(By the way, I'm not getting comped for this post, I'm just interested! And all images link to their source.)

Why Post-It Notes Will Never Be Obsolete

2010-06-30T01:00:00.000-07:00

Friend R. recently pointed me to this idea for planning seating at your wedding, which I think is an excellent tip, especially for all you visual people out there. R. had 250 guests at her weddding, and so determining seating for her group was quite a task. Overwhelmed, R. turned to a friend in fundraising, who recommended using pink and blue post-it notes to plan the seating. Apparently this technique is quite popular for planning benefits and fundraisers, and it makes total sense. With so many guests, I think it was the perfect approach- and it's the kind of thing that literally anyone can do. Here's how it worked:

Here's what she did:

Step 1: R. blew up an image of the room layout which had been provided by her venue, and had it printed on large paper.

Step 2: R. cut out smaller pieces of paper in the shape and size of the tables in her layout.

Step 3: Using post-it notes in pink (with ladies' names on them) and blue (with the men's names), R. started by affixing post-it notes to the "tables." She played with varying combinations until she had her guests all "seated" into the right groups.

Step 4: R. Then put the tables onto the big sheet of paper in different configuations, until the locations of various tables worked perfectly. R. made sure to take into account things like the location of the bar and band, the location of her family members, and so forth. In her case, she tried to keep generations together, and family members together. Of course, there are many ways to seat people, but this worked for her group!

Step 5: When all was said and done, R. assigned the table numbers based on the room layout.

R. says the biggest challenge in her planning was dealing with all of the different stakeholders in the process- mothers, in-laws, friends, fiances- they all had opinions and she knew she could never make everyone 100% happy. So at the end of the day, she did what all smart brides do- she did her best and then cut herself some slack!

What other tips do you love for figuring out tables and seating?

image source

Kristin and Chris's Dreamy Engagement Pics

2010-06-28T01:00:00.000-07:00

I love engagement shoots. They are such a great way for couples to show off their sense of style, their personality, and their love for one another. Kristin and Chris's engagements- shot by Dreamscape Studio- are no exception. These two have been together through thick and thin for many years (I know because Kristin and I go way back to law school times!) and I can honestly say you won't find a cuter, more loving couple anywhere. And I love how they chose both country and city chic locations for their photos. It just goes to show you that kind of balance works in relationships AND photography!

I can't wait to show you their WEDDING! Coming soon!!!

Carry the Torch: Apply to Blog for The One!

2010-06-27T13:26:00.000-07:00

On August 24, The One! will be a year old- I know it's still a little while till the big day, and yet, it's just around the corner! It's been such a wonderful experience for me to have blogged about wonderful wedding fun for almost a full year now! But as I've moved into my life as a married woman and further away from wedding planning, I've found a whole new world of competing demands on my time. As Robert Collier once said, “One might as well try to ride two horses moving in different directions, as to try to maintain in equal force two opposing or contradictory sets of desires.” The truth is that I want to do it ALL and the reality is that I simply cannot.

But I'm not giving up on The One! Instead, I'm looking for a NEW BLOGGER BRIDE (or two?) to whom I can pass the torch! Don't worry I will still post too, but I think we need to breathe some new life into this place! The ideal candidate will:

- Share my desire to keep The One! as snark free as possible, while still maintaining enough space to allow for a few opinions!

- Have an appreciation for budget friendly, DIY, and otherwise personal and unique wedding details!

- Share my philosophy that weddings are first and foremost about commitment, family and love!

- Be an excellent writer!

- Be willing to post 2-3 times weekly!

If you think you're up for the challenge, please email me, sarah.theoneNY [at] gmail [dot] com, with your name and a brief paragraph about why you'd like to blog with The One! If you have a personal blog, please let me know the link, and if you do not, please provide 2-3 samples of your written work product- any relevant format will do!

I know there are so many of you out there who have good ideas and I'd LOVE to bring you into the fold!!

Tacky Tacky Tacky

2010-06-25T01:00:00.000-07:00

I generally try not to focus on the negative here at The One! but once in a while, I hear about something so appallingly tacky that it would be a crime not to share!

Ok so here's what happened. A friend recently received a wedding invitation where, directly on the invitation was the following poem...

To help us on our way

as husband and wife

gifts of cash are welcome

to start off our new life!

Um, excuse me, I know weddings often involve cash gifts, but seriously? Just because the poem is cute does not mean that the concept is cute. Every single etiquette guide I have ever read has said that under no circumstances may you mention gifts or registries on an invitation, unless you are specifically asking people NOT to bring presents. Because nothing is worse than making people feel like they are being invited to a fundraiser. To make things worse, most people are well aware of the rule and will judge you (severely) for doing it. Sorry guys but as a public service, I simply have to call this out.

But of course, I'm not only about being snarky. Here's a helpful tip- if you want to provide this information in a socially acceptable manner, put your registry information (with absolutely no requests for cash, there are alternative registries that can help you with that) on your wedding website, and the website information can be part of an invitation enclosure. That way your guests can find out gift information if they want to. And don't discount the value of word-of-mouth when it comes to gift giving. You don't need to put it on the invitation, and if you do, you'll just offend pretty much everyone who gets it.

A good cautionary tale though right? Have you ever seen any invitation faux pas? And how about www.tackyweddings.com? That should make every bride-to-be feel pretty good about her wedding choices!

images source

Vedrana and Josh's Gorgeous May Day

2010-06-23T01:00:00.000-07:00

Remember when Josh bought his bride Vedrana last week? Well this week I'm back with the rest of their stunning May wedding! The ceremony was held at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Joliet, Illinois, where the couple participated in a crowning ceremony (as opposed to traditional wedding vows). After the gorgeous, gorgeous ceremony, the celebration continued at The Abbington in Glen Ellyn where the crowd was romanced by accordion AND a DJ. And best of all, these incredible photos were taken by Mark Meravy, who spent the entire day photographing the love birds.

The bride's lace gown is from Maggie Sottero, and the bridesmaids had two chocolate-confections to choose from at Davids Bridal. The darling pink flower girls' frocks were scored at Nordstrom, and the little girl in brown wore an etsy find! Even with so much romance and eye candy, however, the bride's favorite moments of the day were seeing her husband's face when she walked down the aisle, the moment when the crown was put onto his head (he was raised Catholic, so this was new territory for this good-humored groom), and of course, their first dance (to The Prayer)! At the end of the day, the guests had an incredible time, and the couple had a personal, perfect day!

Congratulations and best wishes to Vedrana and Josh!

Those Handy Little Freebies (Part I)

2010-06-21T01:00:00.000-07:00

I've blogged before about my love for the Wedding Chicks. In fact, they are the reason I found my photographer, Jessica Morrisy, and they are responsible for so much of my own wedding inspiration. And they also featured my wedding, which in and of itself was pretty rock star. *love them*

Well, one of the many things I love about the Chicks is their section of freebies. They have so many customizeable, free loveliness, its hard not to drool. So it's no shock that I turned to them when I needed to design a shower invitation for my stepsister!

And while we're on the topic, yes, my stepsister's name really is Sarah. And her future husband? He has the same name as my husband. Ah, the modern blended family!

My stepsister Sarah is planning a summery yellow and orange wedding, and so when planning the shower, we bridesmaids thought we'd stick with the same color family. And once that had been decided, I immediately wanted to use the Wedding Chicks dahlia invitation design I had seen a few months ago!

While the Chicks' design was intended for a wedding, it worked just as perfectly for a bridal shower. And it was easy to do- I just downloaded the template and then added the text- it involved a bit of photoshopping the PDF, but in the end, the result turned out great!

I had the invitations printed on matte cardstock at (where else?) Vista Print, and they came back perfect. I couldn't be happier with how they turned out. I used the same image to make coordinating insert cards and mailing labels. And for the crowing touch:

Have you customized any good downloadable freebies lately?

Happy Half-iversary!

2010-06-19T01:00:00.000-07:00

Today marks our 6 month wedding anniversary. It has been a tumultuous first 6 months with my condo for sale, a move on the horizon, job changes, budget-making, not to mention working on just being married! But I wouldn't change a second of it. I'm having so much fun figuring it all out, and it's nice to have so much goodness to look forward to. If the first 6 months can be interpreted as a sign of things to come, I'll be in for something good!

xoxo,

Sarah

The moment when my new last name was mispronounced for the very first time! (image by Jessica Morrisy)

Love Bites

2010-06-18T01:00:00.000-07:00

As newlyweds, we do a fair amount of cooking, and for me, that old adage "the way to man's heart is through his stomach" has always rung 100% true. J. is a chocolate lover, it's pretty easy to guess what he likes to eat. So when I saw that my high school friend stated a new blog, From the Kitchen of: Mrs. Bettie Rocker, I was totally hooked! With recipes like Whoopie Pies and Little White Devils, even an adorable and budget-friendly DIY cookbook tutorial, I have J's birthday and sweetest day covered already! I think that so many of these recipes would make for great shower fare too- and definitely worth learning! Congratulations to Mrs. Bettie on her rockin' new recipe blog!

Buy the Bride! (or why I wish I was Serbian)

2010-06-16T01:00:00.000-07:00

Coming up soon (as in, as soon as I can get it together) I am going to feature the adorable and absolutely romantic wedding of Vedrana and Josh, but before I do I wanted to first tell you about this awesome tradition they incorporated into their wedding. Vedrana's family is Serbian and so before the wedding, they participated in an event known as the buying of the bride. Ok, so maybe I've taken enough feminist legal theory to know that one might argue this is unfeminist- you know, the whole "women are not chattel" thing. But with those days long gone, the way I see it, embracing a tradition like this is exactly what weddings are all about. Personal, meaningful, and fun. And when you see these pictures, I think you will agree.

On the big day, while Vedrana and her girls got their hair done, her parents pitched big white tents in their front yard, decorated, got out loads of tasty food, and invited over a slew of family and friends. The groomsmen then brought Josh to "buy" Vedrana from her cousin Danilo. Before she was "sold", two fake brides were paraded out of the house (guys dressed as girls) and "heated negotiations" ensued (all in hilariously good fun). Eventually Josh left (clearly fed up with the faux-bride antics), and the best man finally negotiated a "price" and bought Vedrana for the groom- which in actuality, was the best man's wedding gift to the couple. Afterwards, everyone celebrated until it was time to head to the church!

I mean, isn't this the best way you can think of to get rid of those pre-wedding jitters? I love it!

Do you love finding budget and DIY tips on The One!?

2010-06-15T09:06:00.000-07:00

If you like reading about DIY projects and money-saving wedding tips at The One! then please consider nominating us for Wedding Channel's Best Budget Wedding Blog list OR the Best DIY Wedding Blog list! We LOVE finding new blogs on these lists and would LOVE to be among them in the next round!

xoxo,

Sarah

The Keepsake Box: Heirlooms or Clutter?

2010-06-14T01:00:00.000-07:00

I admit that I am biased and think that keepsake boxes are such a great wedding idea. My cousin got me a keepsake box as a wedding gift, and when I realized what I could do with it I was thrilled- and touched! And I hadn't even thought about wanting one. You have to get up pretty early in the morning to think of a wedding topic I haven't thought of, but my cuzzie definitely did!

You can even get cute ones from Walmart!

Mine looks somewhat like this one above (but it isn't wall mounted, and mine is cuter, hehe). It is black (like our other picture frames) and has a hinged lid with a collage picture frame in it, and the inside is solid wood. I love it so much and used sepia colored wedding photos to fill the collage on the box top. Inside, I saved a copy of every paper element from our wedding (our save the date, invitation, rehearsal invitation, menus, favors, OOT bag welcome letters, escort cards, wedding program) along with J.'s boutonniere, my garter, the cards we gave each other on the wedding day, and a few special cards from family. It's the perfect way to store memories- a kind of time capsule that now sits on an end-table shelf in our living room. Close by but clean. I adore it!

: Pottery Barn's Keepsake Box can be personalized!

Another photo box done well on Etsy![/caption]

: From The Memory Keepers on Etsy!

Etched wood, also on Etsy!

How would (or how do) you preserve wedding keepsakes?

Cupcakes Wrappers You Can Actually Afford

2010-06-11T01:00:00.000-07:00

I like to think that cupcakes have magical powers to make someone's day a little better. Whenever J. brings me home a french toast cupcake from our local cupcakery, it makes me a happy, happy wifey.

So when I saw these adorable laser cut wrappers from NY Cake, I was utterly smitten. Just look! Does this make you want to eat cupcakes, make cupcakes, and serve cupcakes at every wedding from now until forever?! (Click on images for their tasty sources!)

Picket Fence Cupcake Wrapper

Ivy Vine Ivory Cupcake Wrapper

Black & White Polka Dots

Shades of Strawberry Pink Cupcake Wraps

Just one problem (or, as I prefer to say, challenge)... this are kind of pricey for a non-essential wedding item. What's a girl-on-a-budget to do? Hit up some DIY cupcake wrapper tutorials, of course!

Click this image for Offbeat Bride's super-easy tutorial

Or for lace versions, check out the Weddingbee tutorial from jen and jakes wedding!

I'm definitely whipping these out for my next cupcake recipe! Don't you just love them?!

Some Fairy Dust to Sprinkle in Your Bath

2010-06-09T01:00:00.000-07:00

Recently, my mother-in-law and I came up with a shower favor that, in my very-biased opinion, is awesome. You may recall the Once Upon a Time invitations I shared a few weeks ago... well, we decided that "fairy dust" bath salts would be an adorable favor to thank all the guests for coming. So of course, I had to share them with you because I think these could be used for weddings or bridal showers just as easily!

[caption id="attachment_3086" align="aligncenter" width="386" caption="Our bath salt favors in action (and yes, I took that photo!)"][/caption]

These were so simple to make! First, we took a few drops of scented oil (we found Philosophy Amazing Grace fragrance oil at Save-On Crafts) and mixed them with equal parts epsom and sea salts. Once we liked the level of fragrance, the salts were funneled into jars. We got ours from the local craft store, but Save-On is a great resource for jars too!

Once the salts were in their jars, we added little hang tags. The above tags were from madebyjackie on etsy, and were super affordable, but you could make stickers or tags at home too. I love how easy it is to personalize these little dudes, and they look so cute on a table too! If you are related to me, there's a good chance you'll be getting bath salts for your birthday, just FYI!!

Do you have any DIY favor tips?

Big Apple Welcome Bags

2010-06-07T01:00:00.000-07:00

Who says wedding planning isn't a transferable skill? I recently became e-pals with Lauren, a fellow wedding lover, who took the OOT bag idea and made it her own! Lauren recently relocated to one of the burbs near me (love when that happens) and just like any other NY newbie, had some friends come to visit and enjoy the city! Lauren, ever the resourceful hostess, put together these adorable bags (made on Vista Print of course) full of city-goodies, featuring starbucks gift cards, bottled water and snacks, a lottery ticket, shout wipes, and circus peanuts. Adorable, no? Her friends loved them too! Lauren saved money by using coupons for everything- and for more info on that, you absolutely need to read her blog, she's quite the bargainista! In fact, she did these bags for the ridiculously reasonable price of $15- but $6 was for the bag and $5 for the gift card, so you can see how easy it would be to keep this project affordable- maybe as a bridesmaids gift, if not for every OOT guest.

And I admit these may not technically have been for a wedding, but they would just be so perfect for big apple nuptials- and could easily be changed for other locations. For example, in NJ maybe you add saltwater taffy. Or maybe in Ohio you throw in some chocolate buckeyes. Maybe add a local map, a coupon book, a subway card... so many directions you could take it. I love them! For more information on how she did them, definitely check out Lauren's blog!!

Phara and Jeff's Sophisticated Outdoor Engagements

2010-06-04T01:00:00.000-07:00

It's not every couple who can pull off looking both ultra cool and incredibly in love at the same time. And yet between the sunglasses, the shoes, and the obvious affection they have for each other, Phara and Jeff do so effortlessly. Of course, that is probably because they are ultra cool and incredibly in love in real life too! J. and I got to celebrate Phara and Jeff's wedding with them recently, and we are so HAPPY for this wonderful couple! These are their engagement photos, which were taken in Central Park. I love how their photographer captured so much of their essence, and yet so simply (and yes, photo credit to come- as soon as Phara returns from her honeymoon!)

Congratulations Phara and Jeff!!

Offbeat Ties

2010-06-02T01:00:00.000-07:00

Choosing groom's and groomsmen's attire can be even harder than choosing the bride's. For some reason, I can distinguish between 8 million white dresses, but rental tuxedos all look the same to me. Some couples get around this by looking into suits or switching out accessories. But another way to personalize the groom's look that I am really drawn to right now, is a great, custom tie. And Etsy is just the place to find them. Check out this goodness, and keep in mind, if you don't see what you want, many of these sellers will do even more custom work with you!

: from toybreaker, 5 for $135

: from RokGear, 3 for $69

: from MeandMatilda, 3 for $63

: from Fantasy Vintage Wear, $27.95

: from tuxandtulle, $18

Which ties do you love?

And the Band Played!

2010-05-31T01:00:00.000-07:00

Well, it took me a while but I'm finally here- my last recap post! In some ways it's sad (I was sad to see the day end; and it's sad that it's taken me so long to finish my recaps!) but every time I look at these photos it's impossible not to smile! We front-loaded our reception with all the traditions so really, from the beginning of dinner we were all dancing. And that was SUCH a good idea! We danced before the food came out, between courses, and of course, after dinner. I don't think I will have to convince you how much fun it was (all images from Jessica Morrisy of course)! But advance apologies for the picture-heavy post. What can I say, last but not least!!

And how did we get here? Checking In; Practice Makes Perfect: The Rehearsal!; The Rehearsal Dinner!; The Rehearsal Dinner Slide Show; Girls Gone Wild!; Got Mah Hairs Did; The Guys Get Groomed; The Girls Get Glammed!; Get Me To The Church on Time!; The Moments of a Lifetime: Our Ceremony!; Love, Snow, and Portraits!; Mayhem and Cocktails!; These Are A Few of My Favorite Things (from the reception); Getting This Party Started; Here’s to Eternity!; Priorities: Cake!

Rielly and Sean's Rustic, Romatic Engagement Shoot

2010-05-28T01:00:00.000-07:00

Today I'm super psyched to be able to feature the kind of photos that simply make me melt every time I look at them. These photos were taken by Sanderson Images for my friends Rielly and Sean out in western NJ (near Bucks County, PA) and really, you don't need to be told much more than that. They speak for themselves! Of course, it helps that it had rained that day, which made the greenery ultra vibrant, and the sky indulgently moody. I think we now know why rain is considered good luck on one's wedding day. And what's even more awesome, is that these two are tying the knot THIS WEEKEND and I get to be a bridesmaid! Remember the Paper Porn from a few weeks ago? Yep, no surprise, that's their wedding! I can't wait to feature more! Congrats to Rielly and Sean!

Pillowcase Dresses!!!!!

2010-05-26T01:00:00.000-07:00

I know, five exclamation points is a bit much but it's hard not to write with so many when I see pillowcase dresses. These are a recent discovery of mine, one that has turned into a full-fledged obsession. There is something so lightweight and airy and comfy and kid-appropriate about a pillowcase dress. They are inexpensive to make, can be made with recycled or vintage materials, and can be totally customized to match a wedding. I think they're the ideal flower girl dress, and I also love that they're re-wearable. If only I was 28 years younger. If you don't like these, you have no soul. I mean it, I am in love. Or maybe I just need to get knocked up. But that's another blog post for another day...

Even if you're not a seamstress yourself, you can score adorable pillowcase dresses on etsy. Take a look at what my own quick research revealed (all images link to their source)!

[caption id="attachment_2745" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="KayKape's version ($19.99)"][/caption]

: Crisp in blue from TheUptownBaby ($25)

[caption id="attachment_2741" align="aligncenter" width="233" caption="From Main Street Bowtique ($40)"][/caption]

: Hummingbirds from CreativeBee706 ($20.99)

[caption id="attachment_2742" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Also from Main Street Bowtique ($54)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2740" align="aligncenter" width="289" caption="Girlie Bow's Damask adorableness ($20)"][/caption]

Priorities: Cake!

2010-05-24T01:00:00.000-07:00

At this point in my recaps I'm going to skip around a bit, because after the toasts, we ate dinner but of course, there was lots of dancing between courses! And after some of that dancing it was time for cake- and then more dancing of course! Our wedding cake was so special to me... and seeing it all made to our specifications really made me smile! There were three layers- the one J. chose (white cake with chocolate ganache and cannoli cream), the one I chose (red velvet and cream cheese frosting) and the top (chocolate cake with chocolate ganache and cannoli cream- J.'s ultimate). Sadly, I never got to taste my red velvet... the staff brought me the white cake, and I barely ate any because I wanted to dance, so I didn't ask for the red velvet. But what little cake I did eat was SO good! Le Petit Gateau did a great job with it!

And remember those cake toppers from my childhood Easter basket? They didn't actually end up on top of the cake, but rather, on a lower tier. I'm not sure if it was on purpose or because the bakery didn't realize I had a topper- but I couldn't have been more thrilled with the placement, it looked great!

The actual cutting of the cake was all pomp and circumstance... the maitre'd kept making us do cheesy things while we tried not to roll our eyes. Our focus was all cake- and when we finally got to taste it, it was delicious! I know that eating one-year old frozen cake is a little bit of an odd custom, but I have to say, I'm looking forward to eating it again on our anniversary!

Free Tees Can Still Be Yours!

2010-05-21T01:00:00.000-07:00

As promised, the time has come!! I have had ants in my pants all week waiting for today to get here... because today we're giving away... wait for it...

100 FREE TEES from Bridal Party Tees!

Wahoooooo! That's right, the first 100 commenters to this post will receive a FREE TEE from Bridal Party Tees valued at $9.97! I think these would be so great for pre-wedding getting ready attire, bridesmaids gifts, or even for a bachelorette party. My friends and I make or order tees for events all the time, so I know they'll be getting psyched for this one too!

I blogged last Friday about my wonderful experience with Bridal Party Tees and it's sister site, Customized Girl, and I'll say it again: this is a fantastic resource for tees and accessories! You can upload your own design or work with their tools to create adorable custom apparel, using regular ink or even customized rhinestone work! They offer clothing for men and kids too, with volume discounts and FREE SHIPPING OVER $50 (I heart free shipping!)!

Here's how to enter: go to Bridal Party Tees's site and let us know what design you like best! I have to pre-approve all comments due to all the spam I get, so if you don't see your comment immediately don't fear! I will email all winners a promotion code for their free tee on a rolling basis as they come in (and once I get home from work of course)!

The best part? You don't have to tweet this, or become my fan on facebook, or blog about it or anything else. But I mean, if you want to do those things, that's cool too!

Yay, our first contest!

A Compendium of DIY Pinwheel Love

2010-05-19T01:00:00.000-07:00

I was recently reading a post about pinwheels over at $2000 Wedding, and ever since I'm been stark raving mad about paper pinwheels. There is something so utterly romantic and playful about them! And I feel like they have so much hidden versatility, not to mention their absolute customize-ability and cost-effectiveness! So far, I've come up with 10 potential ways to use them, many of which could save you considerable cash:

- Have guests waive them in lieu of bubbles, rice or birdseed when sending you off!

- Incorporate them into floral centerpieces.

- Or, forget the flowers altogether and use a bunch of pinwheels AS the centerpiece!

- Write guests' names and tables on them, and use for escort cards.

- Top cupcakes with mini-pinwheels for a playful cake table.

- Leave them on the kids table for the young and young at heart.

- Tuck them into the napkins at each place setting for a whimsical favor.

- Give them to your flower girls to carry during the ceremony instead of a basket.

- Put your pinwheels on extra-long sticks and plant them in the ground for a festive aisle runner.

- If you really want to get creative, you could even make your invite with instructions for how to turn them into pinwheels.

Anyways... I clearly have no life... if you want to learn how to make your very own adorable pinwheels, the blogosphere is filled with great tutorials! I've compiled some of my favorites to share but if you know of more, I'd love to hear them! What would you do with pinwheels at a wedding?

[caption id="attachment_2731" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="via Paper Source"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2730" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="via BHG"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2729" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="via Intimate Weddings"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2728" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="via Style Me Pretty"][/caption]

: via Once Wed

Here's to Eternity!

2010-05-17T01:00:00.000-07:00

After the formal dances came the toasts! Our best man, J.'s brother, started his toast by talking about one of my favorite quotes from Einstein: There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. He went on to share some very kind words about us and our life together, and of course, brought tears to our eyes. Next came the maid of honor, my little sister. And if I was teary before, I was downright waterworks when she got done! She actually had to stop herself mid-speech because she too was in tears-and giggles-and more tears and giggles! But it was so sweet and so special! I will never forget it!

Customizing Your Party (and a GIVEAWAY!)

2010-05-14T01:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes having a blog is the best thing ever. For example, when people let you try things out to review them, which is what today's post is all about! The folks over at Customized Girl totally made my day a few weeks ago when they contacted me and invited me to try out some of their goods (for free, thanks CG!)! And the even better news is that Customized Girl will be offering a mind-blowingly generous giveaway here at The One! next week, so definitely keep checking back- lots of fabulous freebies on the way!!

Customized Girl, together with it's sister site, Bridal Party Tees, has some incredible offerings if you're considering making t shirts or keepsakes for your bridal party gifts, or if you are planning a bachelorette party. I've tried making T shirts through VistaPrint (which were certainly workable), but found CG's products to be of a significantly higher quality for almost the same pricing and with more options. And just as importantly, the print quality was excellent!

I can't share photos of my specific order just yet because it's a surprise for someone special (but I promise I will down the road), but I'll tell you this: I ordered a few different types of shirts- a men's tee, ladies fitted tees, stretchy tanks and even a tote bag. Each and every piece that I ordered arrived looking exactly as I had ordered it, and the shipping was super fast! The fabrics are soft and comfy! The ink was vivid and definitely not going anywhere! And even though everything I ordered was a tad different, it all coordinated so well I couldn't be happier!

One of the best things about these goodies is that they come in a variety of price points (unlike some of their competitors) and they always have some cute stuff in their sale section too, so you don't need to bust out a bajillion dollars to have some fun. And the customizing software is super-user friendly. You can use their pre-made designs and change text, fonts, sizes, graphics, or you can start from scratch and make your own!

Aaaaand... it's not just for girls. They have options for men and kids too, so you can buy gifts for the whole bridal party (even baby onesies)! All images in this post are, of course, from the websites, but you should definitely go check it out to see more!

Don't forget to keep checking back in for the upcoming giveaway- it's a great one!

Project Wedding's DIY Challenge: Finalists!

2010-05-12T01:00:00.000-07:00

If you haven't been stalking Project Wedding quite as much as I have, now would be an excellent time to start. PW recently posted the top 10 finalists in their DIY Wedding Challenge! I have to say, sometimes I feel like I've started to see it all but these projects are all really gorgeous, interesting, creative and they all look doable, even for a novice! Here's some of my favorites... but definitely head over to PW to see for yourself and cast your vote for your own favorite!

[caption id="attachment_2930" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Fabric Boutonnieres"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2981" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Scrabble Magnet Favors "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2929" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Paper Flower Bouquets "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2928" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Monogrammed Luminaries "][/caption]

Getting This Party Started

2010-05-10T01:00:00.000-07:00

I know it's a tad pathetic that it's now May and I'm still working on these recaps... what can I say, I do what I can :)

So when I last left off, we were getting ready for our grand entrance upstairs at the main event! Our band introduced everyone to Michael Jackson's Rock With You, which was the perfect music for dancing into the room! Then, J. and I had our first dance, to Happy by Bruce Springsteen. Our dance lessons paid off, and we didn't fall down when the time came for the big dip!

Next, dances with our parents! My dad and I chose Elton John's Blessed, and J. and his mom chose Joe Cocker's Love Lifts Us Up. Both dances came off without a hitch, but not without some happy tears!

Hi Mom! Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T01:00:00.000-07:00

To the lady who first taught me to play piano (before I made it so difficult for her that she had to delegate the task, hehehe)...

(image source)

Porn for the Paper Lover

2010-05-07T01:00:00.000-07:00

If you're madly in love with paper, just like everyone else I know, then you're going to totally love today's images. My dear friend R. made, yes MADE, these gorgeous invitations, totally from scratch for her upcoming nuptuals. The wedding is being held at an old mill, complete with the original old wood, wrought iron, vintage windows, and it's right next to a river. Her details will all be antique-inspired and her materials will be very natural (think: burlap and craft paper). Her colors are navy, ivory and blush pink. And yes, I do have an exclusive to blog about it (hey, I'm a bridesmaid, so I get the perks!)

The invitation elements are as follows: (1) Navy outer envelope with wrap around craft paper address labels; (2) vellum inner envelope with invitee names, wrapped in baker's twine with a Thoreau quote on a vintage tag; (3) the invitation, also on craft paper and with vintage hot air balloon details; (4) RSVP card (with bright pink envelope), information enclosure, and invitation to the welcome BBQ, also incorporating vintage hot air balloons. DROOL. Most of the elements were printed at home on the bride's printer, though the tag was made with a stamp.

Ok ready to fall in love? And by the way, I've had the good fortune of previewing other elements this bride is working on... I cannot wait to show them to you after the wedding!

Vintage Linen Love

2010-05-05T01:00:00.000-07:00

As part of my home improvement focus these days, along with my always-important focus on doing projects in a budget-friendly way, I've been trying to look at the things I own with fresh eyes and think creatively about repurposing. And as a collector of vintage linens (but only really cute ones on the cheap, or heirlooms from my family) they are an easy thing I always like to repurpose. So last weekend, I decided to tackle two of my throw pillows. Originally, I had purchased the throws from Pier 1 but they were looking a bit ragged and I wasn't sure they had long-term potential. So I took the covers off, stowed them with old fabric, and decided to recycle the pillow forms.

For new covers, I went through my old fabrics and my linen closet. I was so excited to rediscover two old cloth napkins from my grandmother's estate- they are made with gorgeous, quality linen and have pretty cutouts and embroidery. I had a pair, but I definitely wouldn't ever use them for dinner because I only use cloth napkins for company and two isn't enough for a dinner party. Moreover, I would hate to stain such pretty pieces with pedestrian dinner food. And with that inspiration was born!

Next, I went through my fabrics, and located some old green linen curtains which I had custom-made myself for an oddly shaped window when I lived in NYC- and no longer use. I decided they would be perfect paired with the linen napkins. Using the old pillow cases as my guide, I made a pattern, cut the fabrics and then quickly stitched the seams on my sewing machine. I think they work great with our summer quilt (a sale splurge from Anthropologie, my reward to self when I got a bonus this year).

Ok so back to weddings... vintage linens are so versatile- they really can be used all over the place for weddings. Here, I used vintage napkins but vintage hankies are also great to work with. Of course everyone has seen those gorgeous examples of hankies-turned-invites like these:

: via Design Sponge

Or you could wrap a bouquet with vintage linen- I did so with my grandmother's hankerchief but fabric from an old wedding gown, or anything else meaningful would be a nice touch!

: via Nana Lulu's Linen Closet

And of course one of my personal favorites, the hankie-turned-ring pillow! I just love this one from AK Collections on Etsy!

: via AK Collections

Or even vintage fabric bunting hung for a festive touch.

: via Olive Someday on Etsy

Anyone else have any good ideas for incorporating vintage linens into wedding plans?

When You Can't Change the Wind...

2010-05-03T01:00:00.000-07:00

You know, I've been writing about cheerful things for many months now (weddings! babies! cute outfits!) but frankly, lately I've been feeling pretty blah. They say early marriage can be stressful, and who ever "they" are weren't kidding, but it has not been stressful for the reasons I would have predicted. From what I understand, the first year of marriage is supposed to be stressful because of things like families, money, and that whole "honeymoon is over" thing. But for us, that hasn't been the case... as two "oldest kids" who are also control freaks, we are a great team when it comes to managing money. We like each others' families, there's no drama there. And I still feel that whole "honeymoon" feeling all the time, so I don't know what that's about. Nope, for us, the real stresses have been entirely external.

Stress Source #1: The big girl house. In January when we left for our honeymoon, we listed my big girl condo for sale. And we've had plenty of open houses and interest but the condo isn't selling. We agonized and then agreed to drop the price to below what I paid, substantially, and still, no offers. Definitely not what I was going for.

Stress Source #2: The 2-bedroom colonial. When the condo didn't move, we tried to sell J.'s house to the tenant who currently lives there. She was 100% financed through a special program and we were selling at a below-market price (at an enormous loss to us, another agonizing decision) and yet, the house still apprasied by the bank at far, far below the sale price. The transaction fell through. Now, we all know how banks work these days, especially when they are trying to avoid 100% financing situations (what?? you mean a bank might purposely under-appraise a risky transaction?), but it was still a huge disappointment- we had been through the ringer negotiating a contract with an unprofessional buyer's attorney and two people who didn't know much about the market or buying a house- so much irritating hand-holding with no reward. We even attempted to bridge the gap a few weeks later, but then we were given an even worse offer on the house. We stood our ground and walked away. I stand behind the decision but it still stinks.

Stress Source #3: I have spent the last three months attempting to make a career change- complete with a near 50% potential pay cut and a totally different accompanying lifestyle. The "target job" is something I know with absolute certainty that I want to do, but in this hiring market there is extreme competition for everything and it's nearly impossible to make a change- I'm lucky to have a job at all, let alone the job I have- and I know how good I have it. Still, I hoped I could forge a modified path forward for myself. And despite a lot of apparent promise and progress, I didn't get the job. For very good reasons, none of which reflected on me or were in my control. I was pretty bummed when I found out. And of course, there was all that stress of trying to come up with a new budget for our household in the months leading up to that moment. In retrospect it was good because we're living more leanly than ever and maximizing our money- but still, it was stress.

Well-meaning people have tried to make me feel better, saying things like "it wasn't meant to be" or "don't worry it will get better." These things can feel a little patronizing when you're feeling trapped and stubborn, but the truth is that those well-meaning people are right. There's good underneath all the stress. In a strange way, these challenges have provided J. and I with an "us against the world" mentality that is both incredibly romantic and thoroughly grounding. By forcing us to reexamine our priorities and goals, and make choices about what we want most, fate, it seems, is working to strengthen our marriage.

I personally hate phrases like "if you can't control the wind, adjust your sails." But no platitude could more closely conform to our present situation. And so, we're adjusting. I don't know what we're going to do next and neither does J. But we're going to loosen our grip because it's obvious we can't control anything (we tried, we failed). I'm not the kind of person who believes in a benevolent universal force at work... I'm a realist and I know this could still end poorly. But I do feel a safety in our one-ness, and a confidence that as long as we keep our sense of teamwork, it will be ok. I mean, we've been married for 4 months, longer than most celebrities, so that's something at least!

So how are we adjusting our sails? First, aggressive savings and a hardcore budget. Suze Orman would approve. Second, I'm expanding my bucket list... I signed up for another 10k in June, I'm searching for a fun place to go camping this summer, and I've decided to continue working on fixing up my condo whether it sells or not. The master bedroom is getting painted dammit and I'm giving the textiles a makeover Amy Butler style (no throw pillow is safe). I'm trying my hand at starting flower seedlings for my window boxes. I am even going to start quilting (famous last words). Third? I'm going to start packing my lunch, because its less expensive and healthier. It may not sound like a big deal to pack lunch, but for me it's huge- and it's a daily reminder of my commitment to the budget and the goals and to taking care of myself. And it's nice to remember to be thankful for all that is good... one of the reasons why I've put honeymoon pics in this post, I'm definitely thankful we got that!!

Could this be what marriage is all about? For better or for worse, right?

Now for the million dollar question... all you newlyweds and not-so-much-newbies out there, did you find your own marriages challenged in similar ways when you first started out? War stories!

Oh Yes she DID!!

2010-04-30T01:00:00.000-07:00

I just read about this news yesterday over at the Bride's Guide and it is just such good news that I had to share it with you. Ready?

... Vera Wang ...

is collaborating with David's Bridal to launch a new collection for 2011 at a $1500 or less price point!

*cue Halleluiah Chorus*

That's right my friends. I've noticed David's has really been stepping things up lately with more updated gowns and better looking fabrics... it's really a breath of fresh air to see retailers offering better gowns at better prices! Hooray for affordable fashion!

And you know as soon as I get my hot little hands on some preview images, I'll be sharing, so stay tuned!

[caption id="attachment_2842" align="aligncenter" width="230" caption="One of my faves from Vera's fall 2010 collection"][/caption]

These Are A Few of My Favorite Things (from the reception)

2010-04-28T01:00:00.000-07:00

After cocktail hour, the guests headed up to the dining room with it's incredible picture windows and snow-globe atmosphere while the bridal party lined up for the grand introduction. Fortunately, my photographer (Jessica Morrisy! All images are hers as usual!) made the rounds first and captured some of my favorite details before the party was in full-swing. She's a regular reader, so she already knew what was important to me, and she caught it all with all the trademark style and flair I've come to love! Here are some of my favorite little details from the reception!

[caption id="attachment_2817" align="aligncenter" width="553" caption="The Location"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2819" align="aligncenter" width="553" caption="The menus (double sided!)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2818" align="aligncenter" width="436" caption="The tablescapes"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2820" align="aligncenter" width="553" caption="The table names"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2821" align="aligncenter" width="436" caption="The toasting flutes"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2822" align="aligncenter" width="409" caption="The escort cards"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2823" align="aligncenter" width="553" caption="The hot seats"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2824" align="aligncenter" width="408" caption="The guest book"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2825" align="aligncenter" width="409" caption="The good stuff!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2826" align="aligncenter" width="553" caption="The wisdom"][/caption]

Of course, you'll note there is one important thing missing: the cake! You'll just have to wait for that one! :)

Beachy-Casual-Budget-Eco-Friendly Wedding Ideas?

2010-04-26T01:00:00.000-07:00

Today, we have another great reader-question to share here at The One!

My mom is getting married to her incredibly sweet and very-into-environmentalism fiance. They initially wanted to throw a tiny beach wedding, but after realizing they couldn't accomodate all of their friends, they decided to move the party to a golf club. So I'm wondering if you have ideas for how to bring the casual beachy vibe they love to a country club scene, while still being both budget and eco-friendly. Thoughts?

Oooh this one's going to be fun! It helps that I know the reader who posed this question, so I'll take some liberty with my assumptions as I answer this question. And as usual, all images link to their source.

First, I suggest using beach-pails for the flower girl and ring bearer to carry down the aisle. The flower girl's could be filled with flowers or shells, or flower petals for tossing- and all of this could be done very inexpensively using local craft store supplies. And for the ring bearer, I say tuck crumpled fabric leftover from dress alterations inside the pail and call it a day. Simple, cost-effective, and the kids can re-use the pails in the sand later!

[caption id="attachment_2804" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="for the flower girl"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2805" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="for the ring bearer"][/caption]

Next, I'm thinking repurposed centerpieces. I've recently seen lots of brides picking up dozens milk glass vases at thrift stores, a trend I love. And of course, you can DIY your own faux-milkglass out of old jars and bottles if you'd like. Fill the glasses with a few informal buds, put 3-5 on a table, and voila, instant centerpiece! Mix in some sea glass and sand, and you have a polished, not-too-matchy arrangement that has impact and casual softness. And let's say you have 10 guests per table and five vases- the vases could double as favors, 1 per couple. So cute!

[caption id="attachment_2806" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Milk glass vases"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2807" align="aligncenter" width="283" caption="Sea glass"][/caption]

Another thought that instantly comes to mind is using bamboo or wooden flatware. As I've said previously, I'm madly in love with this concept.

[caption id="attachment_2808" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="And hey look, these can be done in the right colors too!"][/caption]

Instead of doing a fancy cake, the couple should definitely consider a small cake for cutting as part of a dessert bar. This isn't a totally original idea, but since they live in Florida, there are a lot of great local ideas one could incorporate... like my favorites, Key Lime pie, honeycake, and orange cake (which is shockingly tasty, if you haven't tried it before). And let's not forget cute sodas or ice cream as part of the spread! Of course, these could also be used as table centerpieces if you have enough desserts!

[caption id="attachment_2809" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="yum yum yum"][/caption]

For escort cards, another adorable idea is to write the names and tables on found sea-shells or recycled paper, and then hold them up in a container of sand. SO cute, and especially budget friendly and personal if you find the shells yourself!

[caption id="attachment_2810" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="the paper version"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2811" align="aligncenter" width="240" caption="another variation on the theme"][/caption]

What other ideas do you have for this theme? I just love the idea!

Real Wedding Friday: Kate and Justin's Coney Island Wedding

2010-04-23T01:00:00.000-07:00

Get ready. Get set. Because today's wedding is an absolute stunner from start to finish. I seriously have never seen a more gorgeous, personal, vintage-inspired wedding, and I think you're going to fall head over heels for it too. Kate and Justin got married at Coney Island last fall and they planned an incredible, colorful, vintage wedding. The celebration involved oodles of DIY touches. Take for example the parasols: custom-made by the bride herself from fabric, with lace, beads, hot glue, silkscreens, paint, fringe, feathers, flowers and so forth. The bride says they were a serious project but I think seeing the guests carrying them during their post-ceremony second parade- a nod to tradition in the groom's home town, New Orleans- makes it all worthwhile.

Of course, it helps that the couple is so gosh darn adorable. I love the juxtaposition of the bride's tattoo (tattooed brides unite!) against the ladylike wedding dress- an incredible thrift shop find. And can we please talk about that birdcage veil (she made herself), not to mention the amazing hair and makeup? I'm inspired.

The ceremony was held at Our Lady of Solace church, where the priest played accordian and the guests threw fruit loops at the couple as they exited! And the reception was held at Cha Cha's of Coney Island, right on the boardwalk. The venue is both nontraditional and totally breathtaking and was the perfect spot for all the great entertainment the couple planned! Jambalaya Brass Band led the parade, and of course there was a sword-swallower, a fire-dancer, and a fire-eater. Al Duval played the banjo, and sparklers were provided for the guests. One of the evening's highlights took place when Coney Island launched it's weekly fireworks display- the couple didn't even know it was going to happen, but they took advantage, enjoyed the moment, and told everyone it was their own special arrangement. :)

And those cupcakes? They are from Babycake's bakery and they are both vegan and gluten free. I can personally attest to the deliciousness of Babycakes because I recently sampled a red velvet cupcake, sweetened with agave, from their bakery, and I totally forgot that it was vegan/gluten-free/sugar-free! Well that did it, now I'm hungry.

Congratulations Kate and Justin!

First, the incredible engagement shot. And then, the spectacular wedding. Who's in love? MEEEEEE!

Vintage Window Weekend

2010-04-21T01:00:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, I decided to give in to my urge (it's a terribly persistent urge) to start another home improvement project. But since my condo is for sale, I needed to make sure it was something we could take with us. It didn't take long for me to start thinking about our living room- over the sofa, we have been using a set of Chinese watercolors (my first real art purchase, from a gallery in Shanghai) but I've been using them there for about 6 years, and I'm a little bored with them. So I decided to swap them out. But with what?

I recalled seeing a giant barn window in a friend's house a few years back, and that is when things started clicking. I called my Dad, who is the best person I know for tracking down budget-friendly antiques (after all, he scored my vintage steamer trunks)...

Hey Dad, do you happen to have any old windows lying around?

Of course I do! How many do you want? Actually, I'll just send you them all...

And that's how I became the proud owner of five antique paned glass windows!! Turns out our family friends had recently redone their farmhouse and had gotten rid of a slew of windows- I love knowing where they're from! They arrived in great shape, but filthy, so the first thing I did was clean them up. But even post-cleaning, the paint was chipping and peeling all over the place, and I was worried about lead. I tested them and they tested negative, but given the condition of the windows (and just to be safe) I decided to give them a coat of paint anyways.

[caption id="attachment_2756" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="These are the two I didn't use yet- you can see that they are clean but need some work."][/caption]

Some of the windows are from the house, and others are from old kitchen cabinets. I selected one house, and two cabinets, and got to work. First, one super-thick coat Zinser primer, leftover from when we redid our kitchen cabinets. This stuff is pretty thick so it seals, covers stains, and also because of the thickness, it shows brush strokes- which was perfect here. I went for a very rustic paint job- imperfections were ok because once finished, I took sandpaper all over the windows to distress the finish. I further distressed the finish using watered-down antique white and brown paint (the white was leftover from a wedding project, the brown was a sample size from Home Depot). Then I screwed eye hooks into the tops of the frames, along with 8-inch strands of chain (also from Home Depot). It took me about two afternoons (not counting dry time) to get this project done from start to finish and I'm in LOVE!

[caption id="attachment_2757" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The finished project over my sofa!"][/caption]

Best part? The cost! Here's how I came out:

Windows: free (thanks Dad!)

Primer: free (leftover from past project)

Paint: $2.99 for tester of Behr paint from home depot

Lead paint test kit: $9.99

Eye hooks: free (leftovers from a past project)

Chain: $2.00 for 6 8-inch lengths of chain

30-Lb wall hangers: $.99

TOTAL SPENT: $15.97

Ok I know what you're thinking: that's nice Sarah, but what does this have to do with weddings? Well, doing this project made me think... wouldn't it be awesome to use old windows like this at a wedding? Old windows could be used to make a folding screen to hold escort cards, a frame for old family wedding photos, or they could even be painted with chalkboard paint to use as a menu like this bride did:

[caption id="attachment_2758" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="DIY Window Chalkboard Menu, from Ruffled Blog!"][/caption]

Or maybe you could have guests use permanent ink to sign your window as a creative guest book, one you could hang in your home later? Or simply use a window to welcome guests into your space. Oh how I love antique windows.

[caption id="attachment_2759" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="This may be a Christmas vignette, but you could definitely do this to coordinate with your wedding too!"][/caption]

What uses can you think of for vintage windows? Any ideas for what I should do with my remaining two?

Mayhem and Cocktails!

2010-04-19T01:00:00.000-07:00

I know it's been two weeks since my last recap, but for the reception recaps I have SO many photos it just takes me forever, and I've been busy doing other things in the outdoor world! But, I've managed to get it together to bring you cocktail hour recaps! Our cocktail hour at the Nyack Seaport was outstanding. J. and I got to the Seaport and did photos before anyone else got there. After photos, the chef made us our own plate of appetizers and we sat in a private lounge and reveled in our newlywed state! It was both tasty and romantic good times. The food was, in fact, outrageously good. I didn't eat anything at cocktail hour because I was worried about getting my dress stained, but we served some good stuff. 15 different passed appetizers, a carving station with roast beef (with rolls and horseradish) and turkey (with gravy and cranberries!), and a pasta station with vodka sauce, bolognese, steamed mussels and mozzarella, tomato and basil. Oh and did I mention the cold display with cheese (mmmmm) and crudite?? And all of our guests commented again and again about how much they loved the food.

Since most of our guests stayed at the Pearl River Hilton, they took the shuttle bus to the reception- which meant the guests arrived in waves. That was actually perfect for us, because we got to enjoy guests in waves too! My favorite favorite favorite part of the cocktail hour was the music. Two members of our band played jazz on the bass and grand piano. It was so elegant and perfect for a cocktail hour.

Meanwhile, the serves mingled with the guests as they brought out plate after plate of appetizers. Baby lamb chops with mint aioli, mini quiches, and of course J.'s personal request, piggies in blankets. Yeah, we take our food really seriously.

Once everyone had the chance to grab a plate and a drink, the mingling began. J. and I were so excited to see everyone after the adrenaline had slowed back down! I think everyone enjoyed themselves thoroughly- and I think everyone appreciated the repast after driving in the snow!

I have to say, I was sad to see the cocktail hour end because it was so lovely. But more fun was ahead, so off we went to line up for our grand introduction!

And how did we get here? Checking In; Practice Makes Perfect: The Rehearsal!; The Rehearsal Dinner!; The Rehearsal Dinner Slide Show; Girls Gone Wild!; Got Mah Hairs Did; The Guys Get Groomed; The Girls Get Glammed!; Get Me To The Church on Time!; The Moments of a Lifetime: Our Ceremony!; Love, Snow, and Portraits!

Bacheloretting, Just $4.74

2010-04-16T01:00:00.000-07:00

So, it's not news that I heart VistaPrint. But I recently learned that VP makes T shirts and totes, with prices starting at $4.74 (or in some cases, free, if you have the right coupon). And so I did some looking into it. Turns out these inexpensive tees are actually quite cute, and of course you can even upload your own design. Now, I love companies like Zazzle and Custom Ink too, not to mention the adorable custom finds you can get on Etsy or Wedding Chicks, but hey, times are tough. Sometimes you have to make the call to cut costs, and this is a good way to do so while still getting a product completely personalized (for instance, you could put each gal's name on their own shirt; or make the bride's a little extra special)!

Wouldn't these be wonderful, affordable bridesmaids gifts? Or perfect for an upscale out of town bag? Personally, I always love wedding swag and have not stopped wearing my most recent wedding related item, a zippered hoodie from friend P's bachelorette. In fact, I *may* or *may not* have recently designed some tees for two different events I'll be a part of in the near future, and I'm so excited with how they came out! Here's some of my favorite VP options!

And remember, if you order from VistaPrint, be sure to use Ebates so you can get cash back too!!

Oh yeah, and I almost forgot, they make tote bags and hats too. What designs are your favorite?

A Vintage Mexico-Inspired Shower

2010-04-14T01:00:00.000-07:00

So today I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited. Because I can finally share with you the details of a shower I helped to plan for a good friend of mine! I worked on this for a while but because friend R. is a reader of this blog, I didn't want to spill the beans by saying anything too early. But now that the shower is over, I'm so excited to be blogging about it!

R. loves Mexico the way I love horses. And the theme of her wedding is vintage travel-inspired. We bridesmaids decided to take this love of the vintage, the travel, and the Mexican culture, and throw her a vintage fiesta for her bridal shower! We started with invitations which used a vintage Veracruz travel poster and a pair of Mexican lovebirds. From there, I used the same imagery to create luggage tag favors and little snapfish photo room cards (a place for guests to upload their shower photos)! I also took bottles of two buck chuck from Trader Joe's, and slapped some custom labels on them- these were used as prizes for the game. They were a huge hit, and looked adorable as decor until we gave them out!

To decorate, one of my favorite elements was the custom papel picado banners we had specially made in the shower colors by aymujer on Etsy! We used the lovebird theme again and I think they provided a perfect pop of color. Hopefully R. has a few of these that survived the wind that day, for scrapbooking or recycling at other wedding events, because I absolutely loved them!

Of course, no shower would be complete without beverages. We served homemade sangria, margaritas, lemonade and tea. Look how cute it all looked on the bar!

We also decorated using lemons, limes, and flowers. To hold the flowers, we found these great recycled juice glasses which are made from vintage Mexican topo chico glasses. I loved them because they provided a great vintage touch for the shower, and after, the bride can use them for brunch! (Marfa also makes glasses using Sol beer bottles which are equally adorable). To finish off the look of the space, we hung white paper lanterns from the shade umbrellas- a Martha Stewart crafts collection score which were made even better with some coordinating ribbon!

Another special touch at the shower was the music... since one of the bridesmaids lives in Brazil, she supplied a mix of festive latin music, which the bride's parents played on their outdoor speakers. Subtle and effective!

And let's not forget the presents! We found a pinata and put a bridal veil on it, and this became the card holder. We also decorated a basket to be a "wishing well" filled with surprise goodies for the kitchen, and of course, the presents table was overflowing with goodies!

I think even Katie (the dog) and Chi (the cat) had a great time!

Now, no discussion of a fiesta would be complete without mentioning the drool-worthy food. The bride's mom worked with the same caterer who is doing her wedding, and arranged for an amazing spread. We started with cheeses, fruits and crudites, homemade tortilla chips with guacamole and salsa, and even artichoke dip. Then for the meal, we feasted on tortilla soup, fajitas, beans, rice, sauteed mushrooms, and all the accoutrements.

Last but not least, sweets! Delicious tres leches cake served with iced coffee and fruit. The caterers really outdid themselves and I can't wait to eat more at the wedding!

All in all, I think everyone had an amazing time, especially the bride! I'm so glad we were able to have such a fun celebration- with great weather, great food and great company!

Bickham Love

2010-04-12T01:00:00.000-07:00

I've noticed that I have been fielding a lot of questions lately about how I found the free version of Bickham font that ended up all over our wedding goodies- when one simply runs a google search for the font, all we find are versions that cost $$$. But fortunately, you don't have to shell out cash for the expensive look of these letters.

I love this font so much that it not only ended up gracing our wedding paper, but also is finding it's way into baby shower invitations, personal stationary, and much more. I love the swirls and the vintagey loveliness of it all. And so as a public service, below are some places you can download it for, yes, free!

Bickham Script Two Regular from 911fonts
Bickham Script Fancy from Shanbrite (scroll down to the fonts section)
Beautiful ES and Beautiful Caps ES from Fonts101

image source

For the Bachelorette Who Has Everything

2010-04-09T01:00:00.000-07:00

What do you get for a bachelorette who has everything? Or at least for bachelorette who prefers to avoid strippers, phallic symbols, etc. at her bachelorette party? Well, I'd start with a bottle of wine, maybe make some T shirts. And I'd buy some fun books for the ladies to peruse while drinking that wine and wearing those shirts! Here's my top recommendations for bachelorette books to give, to share, and to receive (and some of these are not just for bach parties, hint hint):

Porn for Women: this book features hunky dudes doing things like asking for directions or saying things like "As long as I have two legs to walk on, you'll never take out the trash." They also make a Porn for New Moms book.

Adult Mad Libs: Specifically made for Bachelorette parties. Yes, really, truly fabulous!

What in the World Did I Do Last Night?: I have no personal experience with this concept, I have no idea what you are talking about.

Words of Wisdom for the Bachelorette: This looks downright boring, but making fun of it might actually provide you with a new world of entertainment!

All images link to their source.

Once Upon A Time: Invitations!

2010-04-07T01:00:00.000-07:00

I am so excited today to FINALLY be able to share with you a project I'm particularly proud of... baby shower invitations for my sister in law! I made (designed, printed, assembled) these myself, 100% from scratch. And I'm so excited about how they turned out! Sure, they were work, but I love projects and crafts-- and these were a labor of LOVE!

The first thing I love about them is their theme. Sister in law T is a teacher, and so a book reference was a no-brainer. When searching for invites online, I was instantly drawn to the "Once upon a time" themed invites, but the company I liked best did not make enclosures or RSVP cards-- and since we needed both for this set, I did some thinking. I realized, I could totally do this myself! And so I ordered the paper and got to work!

The invitation consists of three parts printed on light pink cardstock- the main invite, the RSVP postcard, and then an enclosure with registry information, asking folks to bring a baby book in lieu of a card (cute, right?!) The components are wrapped in a belly band of bright pink, and the envelopes are lined with the same shade. And then, around the belly band, I wrapped and tied some yarn. It's a little nod to my mother in law who knits, as well as baby appropriate- and on top of all that, it's a great little textural addition that peeks out of the envelope when you open it. LOVE!

Since we saved some money making these, I splurged on custom Zazzle stamps for the postcard and envelopes... I think they add just the right finishing touch, and of course I had some coupons and Ebates to help with the cost!

One of the other things I love about this concept is that it would also work well for a girly-girl bridal shower. And the components themselves are simply 5 x7 paper/envelopes, traditionally sized postcard RSVP's, and then smaller enclosures- all of which are easy to find at Paper Source or the craft store. Seriously, anyone could make something like this!

Have I convinced you? Would you try making your own invitations for an event??

Love, Snow and Portraits!

2010-04-05T01:00:00.000-07:00

After the ceremony it was time for portraits! Though the sun set early, we were able to get some great dusk shots and, of course, some snow in the photos! I won't go on describing because I'm 100% sure these speak for themselves. (Once again, these are all courtesy of the fabulous Jessica Morrisy!)

Speaking of Spring Cleaning

2010-04-02T04:03:00.000-07:00

Admittedly, this has absolutely nothing to do with weddings, I was just so impressed by mother nature today that I had to share! Today it's more than 70 degrees out, so I decided to uncover the patio furniture, clean the patios and put out the cushions again... someplace to sit with a glass of wine later! Last year I purchased heavy duty covers for our wicker furniture and they survived the winter in great shape. Well this year, the winter was significantly harsher, and apparently someone figured out that hiding in our chair, under a waterproof cover, was the perfect place to hibernate!

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not at all psyched at the new hole in the seat of our chair. But look at the construction of this nest-- and you can't even see the part that fell out but it used to look even more impressive. Think of how many hours it must have taken our friend the squirrel to get all those twigs in there... this is a second floor balcony that is only accessible by climbing a gutter. It's really quite a brilliant feat when you think about it. My friend C. thinks they must have known it was my house and used the Martha Stewart book of nest building to aid in their work.

And of course I'm 100% sure J. will strongly disagree with me on this, but, since the damage is done, I have to say that as an animal lover I'm kind of glad we were able to offer a little creature a warm place to hide for the winter. I just wish she or he would have lived there without eating all the wicker. At least it's in a place we normally cover with pillows, but these were a gift to J. from his parents, so I'm still bummed that it happened. And you'd better believe next winter we'll be investing in some moth balls for under the patio furniture covers!!

Oh and do you know what the best part is? When I cleaned off the upstairs patio, I found ANOTHER nest in our GRILL! That one's getting tossed :)

Spring Cleaning!

2010-04-01T01:00:00.000-07:00

It's April Fool's Day! But, although I toyed with writing a post about throwing a pirate wedding (or ninjas, or pirates versus ninjas) I realized there's probably something better to say, and a bit more serious at that. This is the time of year when I always make sure to do some spring cleaning. I donate old clothing to goodwill, clean out my fridge, add some miracle grow to the plants, and throw out old receipts. To name a few things!

And another thing I have needed to do is simplify my life a bit. During wedding planning, I got so used to moving in hyperdrive-fast-forward that I have not had the chance to be "normal" in a really long time. I literally never say no or stop. This has been compounded by a great many demands on my time- we have been trying to sell two homes, and I also have been an active bridesmaid (or close friend) for a slew of weddings (with their associated showers and bachelorette parties), and three baby showers (babies! yay!) The good news is that I have high-quality problems: two homes, lots of parties, plenty to keep me busy, good friends to celebrate with. Lots of DIY projects to do and almost no PWD (post-wedding depression). Definitely don't feel sorry for me. The bad news is, I *might* be going crazy. I am quite possibly addicted to my computer and I can't remember how to sit still. It makes me a little embarassed to even admit it but facts are facts.

So as I spring clean my home and my life, one of the things I am going to have to do is pare down the blog posting (a little). I mean it, just a little. But I simply can't continue to work fulltime in a law firm while living my crazy life and posting meaningful daily content. So maybe you'll see a few less posts (maybe 3 a week?) but hopefully my content will be that much better, and you'll enjoy reading it even more! I don't want to bore you with nonsense, I want to blog about the worthwhile and meaningful! And I want to keep my own self sane and fresh so I can continue to enjoy blogging, weddings, and all the fun that go with them!

And so, wonderful readers, that's my spring cleaning commitment to me... simplify and get sane! Learn to sit still again! But don't worry, I'm not going anywhere! :)

Do you have any spring cleaning to do?

image source: the vintage moth

Dollar Store Ingenuity

2010-03-31T01:00:00.000-07:00

No matter how much my relative economic status improves in my life, I never stop loving the dollar store. Between Jack's 99 cents store here in NYC, and the Christmas Tree Shop I visit in the 'burbs, I find inspiration and ideas everywhere! So imagine how excited I was when I discovered a contest that strikes right at the heart of my dollar store love over at Living with Lindsay! Lindsay has challenged readers to come up with a Spring decor item for less than $5, and the readers have responded! Head on over to see the great ideas folks have had! Oh oh oh, the love. Here are my current favorites, all of which seem perfect for bridesmaids gifts, shower or wedding decor:

[caption id="attachment_2642" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Spring vignette from 320 Sycamore"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2640" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Silhouette bird plates from Frugal Flourish"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2645" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Vintage inspired calendar from The Paisley Pair"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2644" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Apothecary Jars from My Swanky Crafts"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2643" align="aligncenter" width="182" caption="Nikki's tea cup bird feeder"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2639" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Lindsay's petal-fringed tea towel"][/caption]

Paper doily garland from Decor to Adore

Do you have any favorites? What would you make?

Venue Scout: Dylan's Candy Bar

2010-03-30T01:00:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been to Dylan's Candy Bar? I know there are multiple locations, but I'm talking about the NYC based confectionery where sugar is the law. Where I will never bring my children. EVER. Because they might bounce right through the ceiling. Yep, it's basically amazing.

Well, I'm super excited because I recently attended an outrageously fun bridal shower there (all photos in this post courtesy of friend-bride-to-be)! I knew that Dylan's could throw private parties, but I always figured they would mainly cater to 10 year-olds. And I was so excited to learn that they do much, much more! Like showers and bachelorette parties!

Ready for the best part? If you throw a party at Dylan's, they do all the heavy lifting for you. They provide you with invitations AND thank you notes, a private, decorated room, food that isn't just candy (read: tea sandwiches, fruit, crudites) and of course a tasty dessert of your choosing! At the shower I attended, a bartender made tasty cocktails right next to a lovely dessert buffet, and ladies made the nicest-smelling cotton candy while we noshed and visited. There was also a very tasty and lovely candy-land style cake on display. As Rachel Ray would say, yum-o!

They will even offer you a professional photographer, games (we decorated cupcakes, played a celebrity couples game, and of course the purse game!), and post-shower courier service so the bride doesn't have to lug all those gifts home in a taxi.

Perhaps the best part, other than all the other great parts, was that each guest got signature Dylan's paint cans to fill with candy from the personalized candy bar- which had things like gummies, chocolate covered oreos, jelly bellies, and so forth. The lids of the paint cans were personalized for my friend, and the guests were elbowing each other to get to the candy. You really haven't lived until you've seen 50 and 60 somethings elbowing over candy! :)

Even if you don't live near a Dylan's, this seems like the kind of theme anyone could run with for a grown-up girl party! I think it is pure brilliance. Friends take note, for my next big birthday, this is the place to throw my surprise birthday party!

Newlywed Nesting, Notsomuch

2010-03-29T01:00:00.000-07:00

Most people who know me, know that I'm a die hard fan of home improvement projects done on the cheap. In fact, nothing makes me more excited than working on a project for our home... I devour the blogs until I find the perfect look, then I shop for bargain materials, learn techniques, and go! For example, we added our fireplace mantle to the living room for about $150, but it would have cost $1,500 to have the local professionals do the same exact thing (with the same exact mantle). All it took was some google searching for the right supplier and some high gloss paint. J. and I also did our own marble kitchen backsplash by scoring clearance tiles from Expo when it went out of business. They didn't have enough 2-inch tiles, so we got a box of 4-inch tiles too and figured out how to stretch the materials. I made a plan on graph paper, J.'s cousin came over with his tile cutter, and for $150 in supplies and a weekend's work we had a new marble kitchen backsplash!

Unfortunately, I can't do any more nesting for a while, which is really too bad because I'm in full-swing-newlywed-nesting-mode. We've been trying to sell J.'s house for the past 4 months to the tenant who lives there- she is a lovely woman- but unfortunately the sale fell through on Friday. And so we're now trying more aggressively to sell my big girl house. I have to believe that somehow, this will all work out, but it's incredibly frustrating to now know where we are going to be. I am a planner, and not being able to make plans for my home is making me nuts. But for now, home improvement projects do not make sense. Maaaaaaaaan.

But a girl can dream! In an effort to get my design fix, I've resorted to blog love. Check out these great blogs I've recently discovered, with their incredible offerings! You'll probably notice these are very "me" (lots of vintage, eclectic, cozy, with a substantial dose of country and only a touch of modern/contemporary) but there's tons more out there for every taste and style. Please go forth, nest and share so I can live vicariously through you!!

320 Sycamore: Check out her little makeovers. Or her recent $5 dollar store spring vignette.

Apartment Therapy: An old favorite! With craigslist finds, madeover furniture, and lots of reader feedback, this place is like an encyclopedia!

Better After: Spectacular projects, before and after!

A Country Farmhouse: Self explanatory and brilliant.

Kelly and Olive: Design inspiration at it's best.

Frugal Farmhouse Design: This author has killer taste and great ideas.

My Repurposed Life: This blogger takes trash to treasure in simple, genius ways!

Anything Pretty: So much loveliness in one house, it's hard to believe. I wish I was as good with woodworking as Jenny!

Life as a Martha Wannabe: I feel like I myself could have a blog with this title. But I love this one so much, I don't need to!

Young House Love: So much adorable cuteness, so little time.

Gifts to "Flip" For (and apologies for the bad pun)

2010-03-26T01:00:00.000-07:00

I crack myself up with my dad-style use of puns :)

Have you seen those cool little video cameras known as the Flip? They are these adorable, teenie tiny video cameras which start at just $149 and can basically go anywhere. It seems like they have lots of bells and whistles in those tiny packages too! I feel like this would be such a great thing to bring on a honeymoon- small, portable, great for capturing funny moments along with those special ones.

Ok but here is what is really cool about the Flip right now. If you order one of these from the company, you can upload an image and they''ll put it on the video camera. For free. SWEET!

[caption id="attachment_2320" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="It would appear to be just that easy"][/caption]

I have to say, I'm obsessed with this idea and I don't need a video camera at all. But still obsessed. I feel like this would be such a wonderful gift for newlyweds... or parents who have helped plan your wedding; or your maid of honor. You could put the couple's engagement photo on it, or your parents' wedding shot, for example. And with free shipping offers available, it is that much more appealing.

What do you think? Do you love the Flip? Actually, while I'm at it, has anyone out there actually used the Flip before? What did you think?

Why Am I So Obsessed With Wooden Flatware?

2010-03-25T01:00:00.000-07:00

This is why. This gosh-darn adorable set of wooden cutlery spied at Kate's Paperie. In a sewn paper pouch, with a cloth napkin, it makes me think of picnics and summer, strawberry shortcake and potato salad! But at $5 per set, it might be best to use these for a dinner party and find something else for a wedding.

Good thing there are affordable alternatives out there! Jessica over at Budget Savvy Bride was the first blogger to call my attention to wooden flatware, and she made her own cutlery sets for her wedding. She found them to be quite sturdy and perfect for her guests.

[caption id="attachment_2601" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Look how cute hers turned out!"][/caption]

A little wooden flatware, a little paper, a little baking twine or yarn, and you've got yourself an easy DIY that is as cute as a button! And did I mention that this stuff is biodegradeable and compostable, unlike their plastic counterparts? Earth friendly! I'm TOTALLY stealing this idea for my brother's engagement party cookout this summer. A quick google search will find you some affordable flatware from a great many retailers. Quick tip: buy in bulk (BSB got hers in cases of 1000 from Ecoware Biodegradables for $56.99 which includes shipping) if you're planning a wedding. But if you have a smaller crowd, you can buy sets of 100 wooden forks, knives or spoons for $6.49 at the Web Restaurant Store.

So all this is quite excellent and lovely. But my crush was taken to a whole new level when I saw these over at Totally Tabletops: monogrammed, personalized perfection. This sort of personalization doesn't come cheap, but it sure is cute. And you can find them, for example, at Neiman Marcus (36 pieces for $64). But the crafter in me has to wonder- don't you think you could do this yourself with a little custom stamp? I'd love to hear if you've tried!

[caption id="attachment_2614" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Who needs boys when you can have these?"][/caption]

Do you love this flatware as much as I do? What would you to to personalize it?

[caption id="attachment_2602" align="aligncenter" width="199" caption="Ok, one more adorable example for you, from the Bride's Cafe!"][/caption]

My Bridal Shots- No Trashing of Dress Required!

2010-03-24T10:24:00.000-07:00

So I know I've mentioned how much fun I had with Jessica Morrisy working on my bridal shoot at the Brooklyn Bridge... and now she's got highlights up on her blog!! Here's some samples, but definitely head over to her blog to check them out!

Vendor Review: BluePrint Cleanse

2010-03-24T01:00:00.000-07:00

Is it just me, or is cleansing the new fad diet? (Well ok, cleansing and gluten-free). You probably have heard of these cleanses either from people who love them or people who hate them. Personally, I know people who have literally lost ten pounds in a week on these things and kept it off. So when it came time for me to take my boudoir photos, I was tempted... quick and easy weight loss? Seems like something most women would like!

Of course I should mention- most cleanses say that they are not intended to be a weight loss technique. What they are actually supposed to do is rid your body of toxins and all that yucky stuff. So take it for what you will. Also, a brief legal disclaimer: be careful, talk to your doctor, and know that I'm making no claims, promises, etc. regarding the safety or effectiveness of cleansing. You're on your own peeps.

And thus, my research into the world of cleansing began. Now, my first exposure was to the Master Cleanse- which seems wildly unhealthy to even my non-medical mind. The cleanse involves drinking only a concoction made from fresh lemons, grade B maple syrup and cayenne pepper.   For days. No solid food is eaten for the entire cleanse, and for me that was a deal breaker... I was not spending all this time and effort to get skinny only to wreck my metabolism.  Plus, no food is a really bad idea for me, because I get cranky. So I kept looking.

Next I considered GOOP which is the cleanse made famous by Gwyneth Paltrow. The nice thing about this cleanse is that you DO get to eat. The drawback for me was that you have to have lots of fresh food on hand and you have to fix everything yourself. For regular people this is totally doable. But for me, given my work schedule which is generally hectic and unpredictable, it wasn't realistic.

But then, I found the BluePrint Cleanse. BP is actually a company that makes a few types of cleanses and they're all pre-made and juice based, but the juice has calories so your body doesn't go into starvation mode. The drawback to BP is that their 3 day cleans runs about $190- that is a lot of dough to spend on juice. But they delivered it to my office and it was all pre-pressed and convenient, which was ideal for me. I decided to try their Renovation Cleanse, which at the time was the best for beginners. I loved that the juices tasted good- nothing to grassy or gross- and for your last juice of the day, you get this cashew milk blend which has cinnamon in it, and it is downright delicious. It is also the most filling of the beverages, so when you're really about to chew off your own arm, the cleanse comes through for you with some sustenance.

These days, BP is also offering a new cleanse, the Juice 'Till Dinner, which the website says consists of a daily supply of four juices, a two course vegetarian meal, and two snacks. With foods like Cucumber Basil Soup with Cashew Cream on the menu, I think it sounds pretty good. If you've tried it, I'd love to hear about how you liked it!

So, ok, review time.

Pros: The BP Cleanse offers tasty juice, and is 100% convenient. I did my fast in very hot August weather and worked out every day, but in spite of these two facts I was never left feeling shaky or weak.  The cleanse helped me lose 3 pounds, at a point in my wedding diet where I had been at a three week plateau.  My tummy was as flat as it has ever been in my boudoir photos and I felt great.

Cons: I was hungry. Very. No lie. I was cranky. I was emotional. I cried once (or twice). The BP Cleanse was also expensive- but then again, that may have been a pro because when you spend that much on a cleanse, you ain't cheating.

Would I do it again? Sure, so long as I have the kind of job where I can afford it.  But my MIL made a good point too- you could probably do a day drinking V8 and get similar results. Ok, you might not feel like you were eating 10 pounds of freshly pressed cabbage, but for less money I might try that next!

Have you ever tried cleansing?

Horseshoes And Weddings? Yes, please!

2010-03-23T01:00:00.000-07:00

Today, I am madly in love with all the horseshoe wedding inspiration I'm finding on etsy. As a girl who hearts horses, it is only natural. But even if you're not an equestrian, I bet you'll feel the love too!

For instance (click images for source):

[caption id="attachment_2393" align="aligncenter" width="344" caption="Check out this incredible red glossy horseshoe heart by AlteredIron!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2396" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="How can you not love this Horse Heads Horseshoe Trivet from brianbrazeal?"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2395" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="And of course, BringingHomeBrandi's rustic version"][/caption]

Can't you just see it now? Decorating an escort table, incorporated to hold table numbers, weighing down outdoor tablecloths, or hanging at the bride and groom's sweetheart table-- I feel like there are so many ways one can use horseshoes to add a touch of country chic to your wedding! And let's not forget the element of jewelery inspiration too!

What do you love today?!

: jewelsbyn's lucky horseshoe necklace

The Moments of a Lifetime: Our Ceremony!

2010-03-22T01:00:00.000-07:00

Once again, these fabulous photos are courtesy of Jessica Morrisy!

Well, we all made it down the aisle and nobody fell! Bridesmaid R. said she nearly did (whoops, aisle runner!) but graceful as she is I'm sure nobody knew. And my dad walked me down nice and slowly, so as to savor the moment and also to help me keep my balance! It was so nice to see all the amazing people in our lives who came to show us their support and witness our marriage. I was overwhelmed! But something happened when I got to the end of that aisle-- J. and I sort of went into this perfect "bubble" and I barely noticed anyone else for the rest of the ceremony!

The pastor began with a welcome, and then the congregation was invited to sing a hymn (we chose "Joyful Joyful" by Mozart). I'm not sure how thrilled our bridal party was to be singing, but they pretended well. And given that I come from such a musical family, it couldn't have been any different! I sang my heart out and it calmed whatever nerves I had left. I still remember the feeling, it was incredible!

Next came the questions of the parents. I loved that the pastor allowed us to customize this part of the ceremony such that questions were asked of both J.'s parents AND mine. I can't stand the idea of a woman being "given away" like livestock (no offense to you traditionalists out there! I see the romance, even if it doesn't work for me). But I adore the idea of entering into marriage with a public declaration of support from the parents of the bride and groom. I think it was a teary moment for all of us! And then, my dad raised my veil and gave me a hug. (Yes, awwwwwe!)

Next, readings from my dear friend J. who read from the Song of Ruth ("where thou go I will go...") and J.'s cousin B. who read from I Corinthians ("Love is patient, love is kind...").

Followed by the homily. One of the reasons I really liked our pastor was because he was so intelligent. His homily was about us and not simply some regurgitation of whateverpeopletalkabout. He spoke about the importance of being individuals, not just of being a couple. Of finding unity though our differences, and allowing each other the space to be the people we are- and using those differences to find strength together. For two people who lived a fair amount of life before finding each other, it was beautiful, poignant, and perfect.

And by the way, remember that aisle runner I made? Turned out pretty great, huh?

Ok ok, back to the important stuff. Some prayer, followed by vows.

J. said his vows so loudly and clearly, it literally brought me (and him) to tears. By the time it was my turn, I could barely get them out. But I did!

And then the rings. We had them engraved with a private message, and our wedding date. And we even put them on the correct fingers!

Then, more prayer followed by the lighting of our unity candle. At this point, I was trying hard to savor every second, because I knew the ceremony was coming to a close!

And then, the best possible thing happened. We were pronounced husband and wife. We kissed! And then, "Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. J... MISPRONOUNCED LAST NAME!" Um, what?! Hilarity ensued! It was the first of many mispronunciations I expect are in my future, now that I have a new last name. But I don't mind AT ALL. We got a great memory and a great photo out of it!!

We were married! Hooray!

Real Wedding: Amanda and Wesley!

2010-03-19T01:00:00.000-07:00

Hey, its Friday (!!) and I know it's been a while, but I've got another jaw dropping wedding to share with you this week! Today's feature comes from Kim Chelwick of Black Pixel, an up-and-coming photographer in Columbus, Ohio who, as you can see, absolutely nails the casual, natural-and-yet-glamorous elegance of this outdoor event. Of course, it helps that she had such a drop-dead gorgeous bunch of subjects.

So let's talk turkey- if you can believe it, Amanda and Wesley are actually high school sweethearts who met at a ninth grade dance! After learning they lived only one mile from each other, the couple soon found out they were "meant to be" and the rest was history! After six years together, they finally tied the knot on September 26 at Brush Lake Lodge. The day started out gloomy with rain but the clouds parted just in time for the ceremony, sending out the most perfect light for the photos! The bride wore a stunning full length gown with intricate lace and beading, and the bridesmaids wore green and fuchsia frocks which suited them and the outdoor event perfectly! I am particularly fond of the flower girl's 1930's style party dress, which to me channels everything both subtle and glam about this wedding! Perhaps most special of all, the couple's adorable baby girl (the charmer with those sparkly eyes!) was there to celebrate with them.

I won't ramble on, I'll just let these amazing photos do the talking. Congratulations to Amanda and Wesley, and to Kim for capturing their day with absolute and utter flair!

Ten Wedding "Musts" You Can Live Without

2010-03-18T01:00:00.000-07:00

I think it is pretty obvious at this point that I heart weddings. But I do not heart the wedding industrial complex. And since the season of bridal shows has arrived, I feel compelled to share how much I likewise do not heart bridal shows. Generally, I found I could categorize them into two classes: (1) full of great things I could not afford or (2) full of overpriced, mediocre things I could do without. In either situation, I left the shows feeling guilty (is my wedding good enough? is my wedding too over-the-top? am I too judgmental? am I too picky? am I being too cheap?)... I ended up with a lot of email spam too, and no, I did not win any contests. And these sorts of events made me feel insecure about my choices... something in retrospect I now see was ridiculous. Vendors and websites often try to tell you what you "must have" or "must do" when planning such an event. I'm here to tell you it's all a lie. You can have whatever you want (within reason and budget of course). So with this in mind, I wanted to give you a list of the top ten things I think you CAN live without. Let's all breathe a collective sigh of relief!

[caption id="attachment_2339" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="this bride clearly went to the same bridal shows I did"][/caption]

(1) Wedding Planning Books

Admittedly, this is probably controversial, and I mostly love books. But you don't need this kind. All you need is a box, scrapbook or binder with ideas torn from magazine pages, inspirations from fabric, and so forth. I did, and it sure helped when trying to explain my vision to vendors. But with so many free online resources, why spend money on one more? I suggest you visit The Knot, Brides, and WeddingChannel for starter checklists and tools, and then make your own.

(2) Fancy Undergarments

If you are going to shell out cash for a nice wedding gown, chances are it has good lining and support. You probably don't need to spend $200 more at the bridal shop on their fancy undergarments. I've seen seamless, strapless bras and corsets at Macy's for very reasonable prices, and I got my own strapless from the Body by Victoria line. And though I am generally pro spanx, you're probably going to feel hot in your wedding dress as it is- you don't need to layer shapewear under it too. If you are not comfortable it will show in pictures. Basics are best.

(3) Ceremony Programs

Sure, programs are nice, but let's be real- nobody saves programs. In fact, most people hardly notice them. Of course, I had them, I slaved over them, I loved them. No regrets. But I don't really think anyone else cared. So if you're looking to shave some savings and sanity off of your wedding planning, this is the place to do it.

(4) Bridal Party Gifts

Ok this is a situation where I definitely did not take my own advice- but- you really don't need to go overboard with the bridal party gifts. My wedding planner had to, on two occasions, remind me that people were in our wedding because they loved us, and we did not need to feel the need to compensate them somehow. This was excellent wisdom. Keep it simple!

(5) Favors

Most wedding favors languish in people's junk drawers. I've received a few really great, personal, thoughtful ones, but if you just don't feel like you can find the right favor for your budget, don't buy junk, just skip it. Make a small charitable donation instead- people never mind, and it is a nice touch.

(6) Calligraphy

Let's keep it real here. Callgraphy goes on the envelope. Envelopes= garbage. Even people who save invitations do not save envelopes. I love calligraphy so much - it is an amazing luxury that I adore. But it is not a need and you should not feel guilty for spending money elsewhere.

(7) Wedding Websites (at least, the kind that cost money)

With so many free options that can be totally customized, you need a really good reason if you are going to spend money on a wedding website.

(8) Fancy Engagement Albums

I'm all for taking engagement photos (in fact, I think this is an absolute "must" to get comfortable with your photographer before the wedding). But I don't think you need to buy a fancy album of photos-- if your photographer is willing to give you digital images, you can make a very nice album for yourself using programs like Snapfish. We are planning to splurge on a nice wedding album, so we saved on the engagement album by designing our own, and I have no regrets.

(9) Anything That Says "Bride"

If you really just must wear "bride" gear, get it on sale, ask for it as a gift, or wear it as a "something borrowed" because you'll NEVER wear it again. Ever. Look, I'm not a total killjoy, I know that it's fun to wear that stuff for one day, I just don't consider it a "must".

(10) A Ridculous Floral Budget

You do not need to throw thousands of dollars at flowers if you can't afford it. Men can skip boutoniere's and wear pocket squares instead. Ladies' bouquets are always negotiable. Centerpieces can be simple and candles can always be used instead of fancy high arrangements. I love flowers, but I don't think this is a place where you should feel guilted into spending money. Speaking from personal experience, my florist tried to guilt me (in a nice but persistently annoying way) and at the end of the day going with my gut kept our budget- and my vision- in check.

Do you agree? Disagree? What wedding "musts" do you think you could live without?

image source

Today I'm Loving: Vintage Wedding Gowns

2010-03-17T01:00:00.000-07:00

So let's say you are like me and you love vintage clothing. The history, the care, the preservation, it's all so special! And let's say you are also a budget-conscious bride. Worried? You shouldn't be- this dilemma is easily resolved! Here's my quick list of great places to look for incredible vintage gowns at reasonable prices (all but one of the gowns below are under $1000). I know, I know, these dresses are generally teenie tiny (JEALOUS of the girl who could wear one of these sans starvation!!), but I've heard through the grapevine that seamstresses are quite capable of making dresses like this larger- and they can do things with some of the less than desirable sleeves you sometimes see- so it's worth the effort. All images below link to their retail source. Happy hunting!

Ruby Lane

Ruby Lane is one of my favorite places to shop for antiques- I have scored everything from the perfect 1933 Chicago World's Fair souvenirs for my dad's birthday, to hats from the 1950's and books from the 1920's. So it comes as no surprise to me that many of the Ruby Lane vendors are carrying wedding gowns. Just look at this gorgeous gown which hails from the 1940's and is only $145. I bet it looks a lot better on a real person than on a shapeless dress form. Not to mention, the antique lace alone has to be worth that price!

[caption id="attachment_2279" align="aligncenter" width="222" caption="Click through to check out the stunning detachable train!"][/caption]

Posh Girl Vintage

The name says it all- this online retailer's collection of fabulous white dresses will blow you away. Like the dress below, a 1950's eyelet confection which is begging someone to wear it in their backyard wedding! Just make sure you watch the website often and buy quickly if you love something because these lovelys seem to sell FAST!

[caption id="attachment_2280" align="aligncenter" width="163" caption="1950's White Eyelet Organza Long Dress only $323!!"][/caption]

The Frock

You are going to melt when you see the goodness over at The Frock. A well-edited collection of high-style, high-quality vintage gowns that will knock your socks off! If you've got the cash, they've got the goods. For example...

[caption id="attachment_2281" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="This Harlowe Era Fantasy gown is from 1930 and will set you back $4700 big ones. But oh my."][/caption]

Cherished Bride

Much like the Frock but at lower price points, Cherished Bride has incredible offerings, all in ready to wear condition! Right now, I'm drooling over this 1930's masterpiece of structured, art deco magic.

[caption id="attachment_2282" align="aligncenter" width="228" caption="And at $750, I think most people I know will be drooling too."][/caption]

Etsy

Last but not least, every girl's go-to resource for all things fabulous- etsy! In particular, I recommend you check out Timeless Vixen Vintage if you want to drool some more. I'm not even going to waste any more time discussing-- I'm getting to the good stuff-- just click the images for links to the store!

[caption id="attachment_2283" align="aligncenter" width="223" caption="There are about 8,000 things I love about this dress. Including the price: $325"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2284" align="aligncenter" width="191" caption="Sweet pink perfection, and only $660"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2285" align="aligncenter" width="233" caption="In the words of Rachel Zoe, I DIE. I DIE. $325"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2286" align="aligncenter" width="202" caption="Such a shame I can't wear white to someone else's wedding- I don't know where else I would wear this. But I heart it. $410"][/caption]

Tiffany Blue Dress Finds

2010-03-16T01:00:00.000-07:00

Here at The One! we always enjoy getting reader questions, especially about cute clothing! So today I have one to share that's been lots of fun to research:

Help! My cousin/bff is getting married in July and I am an "honorary bridesmaid" (special, but don't get to actually be a bridesmaid!) I need a dress-- I'm thinking cotton, summery (it will be North Carolina and hott!) and maybe tiffany blue. Any suggestions?

Yes, we do have suggestions! Tiffany blue is not an easy color to find, so actually, one of the best places to shop for such a dress is, probably, bridesmaids stores. But here's some other cute options that would at least coordinate with Tiffany blue that we found to consider!

Nervous about rocking such a strong color all-over? Consider a pattern instead of a solid- this can be a great way to introduce a second color you love too- and especially flatter your skin tone! Also, don't forget that you can always buy an inexpensive dress and spend a little money on alterations to make it perfect-- sometimes the total cost of a cute Target find with some alterations is still much, much less than the cost of a department store dress, and because it fits properly, actually looks better! Happy shopping! (All images link to their source)

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="503" caption="Both from the Merona collection at Target! Left: Bridget Shift Dress in Green Floral. Right: Karissa Shirt Dress (both $39.99!)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2521" align="aligncenter" width="215" caption="David's Bridal: Cotton Sateen Strapless Dress ($135)"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="178" caption="American Eagle: Bubble Print Tank Dress ($34.50) (no, you don't have to be 16 to shop there, the sizing is reasonable!)"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="140" caption="Urban Outfitters: Kimchi Blue Zip Pleat Ruffle Dress ($58)"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="293" caption="Ann Taylor: Silk V-Neck Dress ($215) (Ann also sells a very similar dress with a scoop neckline in the same color)"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="232" caption="Anthropologie: Caballo Falls Dress ($168)"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="198" caption="Nordstrom: Trixxi One Shoulder Dress ($68)"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="224" caption="BCBG: Front-Twisted Printed Dress ($148)"][/caption]

Get Me To The Church On Time!

2010-03-15T01:00:00.000-07:00

It was time to get to the church! (All photos in this post courtesy of Jessica Morrisy or from family and friends!)

Well, by some miracle even though we were all running late, and even though it had just started to snow, our group still made it to the church and our ceremony started on time! I like to take the credit for this, since everyone was shuttled to the church on our ultra-glam school bus! Ok, maybe it wasn't that glam, but what it lacked in glamour, it made up for in cuteness!

Of course, as much as I wanted to join everyone, J. and I also wanted to keep with tradition and wait until the ceremony to see each other. So I went to the ceremony with my sister and dad, who had pre-parked our getaway car in front of the church. Isn't it gorgeous? I didn't want a traditional white car (not that there's anything wrong with them but I wanted something a little more interesting) and since antique cars are totally my father's "thing" we decided on his 1937 Packard limo. My dad trailered this car all the way from Ohio just so we could have it there! I especially love how this car has been a member of our family for a while now-- and has driven around some famous people!

When I got to the church, I was shuttled into a top secret preschool classroom to wait with my ladies, but soon after, my bridesmaids were whisked off to line up for the ceremony. At this point, all I felt were butterflies and excitement!

And with that, the prelude began! J.'s parents and then my mother and stepfather made their walks down the aisle and lit the candle to Bach's Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring. It was gorgeous!

And check out that gorgeous unity candle I made! It wasn't a huge element of the wedding, but I was glad I had found an inexpensive way to make it personal. And I love the contrast of the mossy base with the smooth wood of the altar!

And then, the men lined up for the processional (Water Music, Air, by Handel- one of my all time favorites)!

J.'s two close cousins laid down the aisle runner at this point. Remember that project? Well, given the snow outside, I was sure glad I'd listened to my mother and made one!

And with that, my girls did their thing.

And my flower girl did her thing too! I can't wait to share with you more of the video recaps, because what this photo doesn't tell you, is how she was throwing the petals high in the air like fireworks!

Remember my DIY poms? La-la-love them.

But where was the ring bearer you ask? I think he was a little intimidated by all the people- he just didn't have it in him that day. Which I understand and respect. I wish I had the fortitude to say "no" sometimes when I need to! And anyhow, he was so cute it did not matter a bit!!

And then... the big moment! Time for my grand entrance! To Trumpet Voluntary by Clarke. I wish I could find the words to express the way the organ sounded- the whole room was vibrant with song, and the moment felt exactly as it should have! It didn't take long for J. and I to lock eyes, and it was perfect perfect perfect.

Up next, the ceremony!!

Vendor Review: Miss Now Mrs

2010-03-12T00:00:00.000-08:00

I went and did it. I spent $30 on an online-based name-change program because I was worried changing my name would turn into a typical North-Jersey experience replete with stereotypical desk ladies with their bad dye jobs and worse moods, telling me I'd have to wait in two hour lines because I filled out the wrong form, etc., etc. So when I saw that there was a service that would at least ease the process of getting the forms right I signed right up. And having spent the money, I think it's worth giving you the benefit of my experience on this one.

Bottom line: you don't need this but it's a nice convenience if you have $30 to spend.

How it works:

The name of the service I used is Miss Now Mrs but I know there are others out there too. Basically, all you have to do is pay them and then you're in. Using their online questionnaire, you fill in some blanks. Using that information, the service generates forms and letters for you to help you change your name. For example, it gives you the form for the Social Security office, tells you what to bring with you when you go, and links to the US Social Security website to help you locate the correct office to go to.

Pros:

- You answer some questions and the service fills out all the forms for you- which the people at my Social Security Office really appreciated- legible forms are happy forms!

- You know the form you are using is current and that you're using the correct form so there is no drama when you get to the place you're going.

- The program tells you where to bring the form, and what else to bring with you.

- It gives you a checklist of parties you may need to notify and drafts letters you can send them- from your student loan lender to your professional licensing board. (I found this very helpful.)

- The company claims they save an average of 13 hours per person on this process. I think that's reasonable, when you consider the amount of time one might spend online locating the proper forms, figuring out what to bring with them, and filling the forms out.

- You can give this service as a gift. I would so much rather have gotten this as a gift than a couple of other things we got, har har :)

Cons:

- If you know someone who has ever changed their name, you can easily find out what you need to do without needing a software-based checklist, simply by asking them. Let's face it, this is not rocket science.

- You only really get the benefit of less hassle when it comes to your new Social Security card (and maybe passport). The rest can often be handled with a phone call, email or simple fax.

- Having the forms only gets you halfway there. Companies still want to see that marriage certificate and new social security card.

- By the time you enter all the information into the service regarding banks and such for the form letters, you might as well have just drafted the letter yourself. Very little time is saved on that step.

- Some of the forms are not accurate- for example, I could not use their form for the New Jersey DMV. When you buy the program, their waiver says that they don't have to give you the most updated form- and in at least this case, they didn't. But they say they will "undertake commercially reasonable efforts" to give you the right one, and they claim to have a 6 month money back satisfaction guarantee, so it seems like the risk isn't too great.

Summary:

At the end of the day I decided I could afford to spend $30 for a reduction in hassle with respect to my name change. That doesn't mean changing my name has been hassle-free. Au contraire. It is a huge hassle every step of the way. I can't tell you how much MORE I'd pay if I could just hire someone to handle it for me. If you'd rather spend your $30 on a pedicure, I'd see the merits of that too.

From Project Runway to Project Wedding

2010-03-11T00:00:00.000-08:00

Who loves watching Project Runway?! Ohhh me me me!! If you watched last season, then you know of Carol Hannah- she made the final three and in my personal opinion, should have won... she is a-maaaaz-ing. And guess what else? She now has a live etsy store AND a bridal etsy store! With great fashion finds if you're looking for wedding attire- either as a bride, bridesmaid, or simply a guest. And in a whole host of great colors. I know, I've mentioned all this before. But it is too awesome not to talk about again.

Here are some of my favorites. All images are from Carol Hannah's etsy store- go check them out in person for more information!

[caption id="attachment_2232" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Calhoun Street dress"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2231" align="aligncenter" width="184" caption="Hasell Street gown"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2230" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Queen Street dress "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2228" align="aligncenter" width="223" caption="Spring Street short dress- so cute!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2229" align="aligncenter" width="184" caption="Pinckney dress"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2227" align="aligncenter" width="188" caption="And last but not least, the Wentworth Street gown... LOVE LOVE LOVE!"][/caption]

What do we think ladies? Love a lot or love the most?!

Update on Gilt Groupe's Wedding Weekend

2010-03-10T00:00:00.000-08:00

If you read The One! already, then you know from yesterday's post that Gilt Groupe has collaborated with Martha Stewart weddings (my all-time favorites, working together! yesssssss) to bring you an incredible sale this weekend- it's called Wedding Weekend, and I think it's a definite must-see for anyone who loves weddings! But today I am extra excited because I have even more goodness for you. Yes, it's true, we scored PREVIEWS of some of the stunning gowns (and shoes!) you can find at the sale, straight from the source! Thanks to the fine folks over at Gilt for sending these to us!! Grab a tissue because you're about to drool... and sign up for Gilt today, if you haven't already, so you'll be ready on March 12 when the sale starts!!

[caption id="attachment_2467" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Gown by Carolina Herrera: Original Retail: $5790, Gilt: $1999"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2468" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Carolina back view"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2469" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Carolina overlay (sigh!)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2470" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Another perfect gown from Carolina Herrera: Original Retail: $4990, Gilt: $1599"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2471" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Carolina back view"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2472" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Carolina detail"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2473" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="From Thread Made To Order, Silk Faille Strapless Notched Bust Liddy Dress: Original Retail: $305, Gilt: $228.75"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2474" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Thread back view"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2475" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Thread detail"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2476" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Vera Wang Lavender Label, Bias Satin Draped Neckline Gown: Original Retail: $655.50, Gilt: $196.65"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2491" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Vera back view"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2477" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Vera detail (how I love thee)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2478" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="The icing on the cake! Sergio Rossi: Original Retail: $770, Gilt: $128"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2479" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Sergio looks good coming or going"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2480" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="This shot makes me so psyched for summer shoes again!"][/caption]

What other cyber-sales have you visited for wedding deals? Or non-wedding deals for that matter? After all, a girl doesn't have to wait for her wedding to get glam!

Sale Alert: Gilt Groupe Partners with Martha!

2010-03-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

I have excellent news for you today if you are planning a wedding and have a "champagne taste but beer budget" problem (or just like a good bargain). Gilt Groupe is partnering with Martha Stewart Weddings this weekend, March 12-14, starting at noon ET! I have been a big fan of Gilt Groupe for a while now, because I always score great deals there. But now, gowns by designers like Carolina Herrera and Alexander McQueen will also be for sale there... not to mention bridesmaids dresses from Amasale and Vera Wang Lavender! If only I had known about this sale a year ago! Ah well, my loss is your gain! I would love to hear if any of you score a great find at this sale! If you're not a member of Gilt already, click here to sign up- even if you're not looking for wedding duds, you're likely to score some great deals!

The Girls Get Glammed!

2010-03-08T00:00:00.000-08:00

Warning: photo heavy post ahead. Not sure if you'll appreciate it or not, so just a heads up now! And of course, all the a-maz-ing images below are from Jessica Morrisy!

To make up for all the photos, I'll try to keep my narrative to a minimum. Really, all that needs to be said is that when I returned from the salon, most of my ladies were already dressed, and they looked outrageously stunning. I immediately started to get misty when I saw them, they were so beautiful! And then, I saw my flowers, and was so relieved that they weren't ugly! It was, after all, my biggest irrational wedding fear (I'm pretty sure every bride has one).

When I walked in the door, my bridesmaids got me a mimosa right away, followed by a Power Bar (I forgot to eat! which NEVER happens...), while my mother and sisters finished themselves getting ready. To pass the time, I visited with my cousins and danced with my flower girl... and then it was my turn to get dressed! And yes, there were more tears, but we enjoyed every moment. It was perfection!

Sadly, we were running behind schedule pretty badly at this point, so we had to hustle to get portraits done. But you really can't tell in the photos. Reason #10,000 why I heart Jessica!

See, there, I kept the words brief. Enjoy!

And how did we get here? Checking In; Practice Makes Perfect: The Rehearsal!; The Rehearsal Dinner!; The Rehearsal Dinner Slide Show; Girls Gone Wild!; Got Mah Hairs Did; The Guys Get Groomed

Creative Approaches to The Breaking of the Glass

2010-03-05T00:00:00.000-08:00

Attention Jewish brides... today's post comes from guest blogger Phara, who has found great ideas for the breaking of the glass portion of Jewish wedding ceremonies- one of my favorite wedding traditions! Read on to learn more about Phara's creative approach to the breaking of the glass...

The breaking of the glass is an important tradition at Jewish wedding ceremonies. Traditionally, the groom smashes a glass with his foot at the conclusion of the ceremony. There are two main schools of thought about the meaning of this tradition. One interpretation is that the broken glass symbolizes "forever" - that the marriage will last as long as the glass is broken. Another interpretation is that Jews need to remember those who are suffering even during the most joyous occasions, and to remember the destruction of the second temple. Rather than delve more into the background of this tradition, I would recommend The New Jewish Wedding by Anita Diamant to anyone who is interested.

[caption id="attachment_2305" align="aligncenter" width="162" caption="The New Jewish Wedding by Anita Diamant "][/caption]

Regardless of its meaning, the breaking of the glass is certainly one of the more "popular" traditions at Jewish ceremonies. I have heard many terrible stories about errors occurring during the execution of this tradition. There are stories about the glass not breaking, leading to a lot of embarrassment for the groom and some rumors of bad luck. There are stories about the glass tearing through the groom's shoe, leading to a night at the Emergency Room. The list goes on. I wanted to avoid this at all costs. Hence, I did a little research.

The best idea is to not rely on the catering facility to provide the glass. While your caterer should be able to provide a drinking glass wrapped in a cloth napkin, the glass is often too thick, and not easily breakable. The most common recommendation I received was to bring a light bulb for the groom to break instead. Light bulbs break very easily, and make a great "popping" sound. It's an easy, low-cost idea.

But of course, I continued the search to find something a little more special. I came across Shardz, a company that sells products at most Judaica stores. Shardz sells "wedding glass" in every color, so you can coordinate the glass color to match your wedding. While their price is a little expensive for a thin glass (approximately $30), I thought it was worth it.

[caption id="attachment_2307" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Look at these great colors!"][/caption]

The glass that I ordered came in a lovely satin pouch. The most wonderful part of using Shardz is that your broken wedding glass can be made into a wonderful memento of your wedding. After your wedding, you mail the broken wedding glass (in a sealed, ziploc bag) back to the company. Shardz will turn put your wedding glass into a mezzuzah, kiddush cup, candle sticks, picture frame or menorah. I'm very pleased that I can incorporate the remnants of this Jewish wedding tradition into a Judaica item for my home.

[caption id="attachment_2306" align="aligncenter" width="224" caption="Mezzuzah made from Shardz"][/caption]

I ordered my Shardz from www.galleryjudaica.com. Shardz is not the only company that sells this. www.Judaism.com sells "groom's glass" from various artists. I'm sure you can find even more options with a little web browsing. What creative ideas do you have for this great tradition?

Avoiding the Middle School Sway

2010-03-04T00:00:00.000-08:00

When I first told J. that I wanted to take dancing lessons for our wedding, this basically sums up the image I had in my head.

[caption id="attachment_2201" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="click image for source..."][/caption]

Only kidding. I love me some Jennifer Gray and Patrick Swayze, but what I really was hoping was to simply avoid reliving the middle school sway during our first dance. You know the one.

[caption id="attachment_2203" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="click image for source"][/caption]

J. on the other hand, reacted negatively to the idea at first. He wanted the moment of our first dance to be personal and romantic, and was afraid of showboating. I maintained that showboating was highly appropriate given that it was, um, our wedding. But since he wasn't feeling it, I didn't really push it. I just focused on the fact that my dad and I were taking dance lessons (something I was already psyched about) and figured J. and I would be fine.

[caption id="attachment_2205" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="This may be what J. wanted to avoid (click for source)"][/caption]

So imagine how happy I was when J. surprised me on my 30th birthday with... dancing lessons! We went to Arthur Murray in Ridgewood, New Jersey, where we took a private lesson taught by a very pleasant and patient teacher. And we were both shocked by how much easier it was than we thought it would be. For me, dancing isn't too hard because I took years of lessons growing up. But when J., who has no dancing background, also figured it out quickly, we were especially happy! J. has always been an accomplished athlete (having wrested in high school and college, and he holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) so I guess the same technique for memorizing moves and combinations there was helping him remember the moves with dancing. And when all was said and done, not only did we have better stage presence, we also had a really nice time!

I highly recommend these dancing lessons to everyone! I think what made our experience so successful was the following:

- We kept it simple with just three dance steps and a turn which could be done in any order we wanted, so long as we communicated. That was nice because it left lots of wiggle room when we got to the dance floor, and also helped us hide mistakes-- and the ability to hide mistakes was good for the nerves!

-At the end of our dance we did a dip. One - and only one- signature move that required some practice and concentration. We did not let things get over-complicated and it worked out well for us.

- We took two lessons and then practiced for 5 minutes a night at home, just to any music that happened to be on the radio. J. would try to trick me, so that I'd really pay attention to his movement and allow him to lead. And when all else failed, he'd just tell me "ok I'm about to do a turn." Being able to talk may not fly in ballroom competition, but people at the wedding just thought we were whispering sweet nothings into one another's ears.

- Having the dance to concentrate on also helped take some of the pressure off of us- I know, it is ironic that doing something like that actually made it easier to have so many eyes on us. But when you're thinking about all the dance moves, it leaves less time to think about the fact that so many people are watching, or how nervous you are. And after some practicing, it wasn't even very hard, which meant there was still space in our brains to absorb the magic of the moment.

- We had fun with it at home! We goofed off and laughed a lot, and it became it's own memory.

At the end of the day, our dance wasn't at all showboat-y. It was simple, romantic, and to top it all off, looked nice in photos. J. and I still talk about how much we enjoyed it! I'm still working on recaps with pro pics but in the mean time, check out these lovely first dance shots taken by friends and family! Are you sold yet? Would you try dance lessons?

And by the way, if you are thinking of taking lessons and live in NYC, NJ, or Long Island, be sure to check out today's Groupon: $45 for four weeks of lessons at Dance with Me!

[caption id="attachment_2206" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Starting out and working through the nervousness..."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2207" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Starting to relax and enjoy the moment!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2208" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption=""ok now I'm going to turn you...""][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2209" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="The big finish!"][/caption]

Inspiration in the Form of Ice Skates

2010-03-03T00:00:00.000-08:00

Whenever I watch Project Runway and Tim Gunn warns a contestant not to let their outfit look like a "figure skating costume" I gasp in abject horror. I love figure skating costumes (and ballerina costumes, and princess costumes)! And since winter isn't quite out of sight, and the Olympics have dominated my viewing over the past couple of weeks, I thought a figure skating inspiration board would be in order. In a palette featuring lots of winter white, some sparkles and some purples- the color of power- to keep things from getting too soft!

image sources: tea cup; orchid invitation; San Patrick Gown; vintage ice skating beauty; Jim Hjelm bridesmaid dress; aisle decor; wedding cake;ice skates; ice sculpture; wild flowers; winter bride and groom; tutu flower girl.

Win Free Wedding Photography from Unusually Fine!

2010-03-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

Today I am super-extra excited to share with you a very cool contest- you can thank bridesmaid H. for sending this goodness our way! If you are getting married in NYC in 2010 or 2011, you definitely need to check this out: a full day of free wedding photography (including an album! what?! yes!) from the incredibly talented folks at Unusually Fine! But make sure you enter soon- the deadline is March 12! The photos featured in this post belong to them...

[caption id="attachment_2371" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Is this not 100% totally adorable?"][/caption]

Here's the scoop, from the source:

Attn: All lovers.

Unusually Fine is going to shoot one lucky couple's New York wedding for FREE. We're new to the city and it's our way of saying, "Hello, New York. Can I buy you a drink?"

Here's the deal. Max and Margaret are suckers for a good love story. Send yours our way by Friday, March 12th. Tell us why your love is special and why you think Unusually Fine ought to shoot your wedding. A team of highly-trained monkey judges will choose three finalists. The top three entries will be posted to our blog and we'll leave it to our fans to decide who wins.

That's it. The winner receives up to 8 hours of wedding day coverage, a gorgeous album, and the DVD of images. There are no strings attached, no hidden costs, no taxes, no obligation to buy a single thing. This is so free. It's 110% free. So. Send this link to your friends, family, coworkers, boss, or nominate them yourself, and make sure you do it before March 12th.

RULES:
1. You must be in love.
2. The wedding must take place in the great state of New York.
3. The wedding must be in 2010 or 2011.

HOW TO ENTER:
Send your love story to look@unusuallyfine.com in 1,000 words or fewer, along with a snapshot of the engaged couple.

And here's the adorable blog: http://unusuallyfine.blogspot.com/

[caption id="attachment_2372" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Go sign up now!"][/caption]

My New Pet Peeve

2010-03-01T02:39:00.000-08:00

I just need a moment to rant, and I'm hoping I'm not alone in this... I just went to Bank of America to change my name on our joint checking account, and they would not do it without my original marriage certificate. Even though I have electronic copies of everything- and I brought my old, cancelled drivers license and my new one, along with my social security card showing my new name.

The thing that really irks me about this, is that my marriage certificate is not the legal document that changed my name. I know in some states the marrige certificate does change the woman's name if she wants it, but in NJ all it shows is that I am married, and who I married. The legal document that actually changed my name was the social security card... and now the drivers license. And why does BoA need to know the underlying reason for my name change anyway? I guarantee if a man went in and said he changed his name, they would not ask for his marriage certificate.

According to BoA, it is an anti-fraud and anti-money laundering measure, and also for tax reporting, etc. I don't buy it for a second. J. and I could close our account today and then walk in tomorrow and open a new one with just our drivers licenses. It makes me so angry that I want to just close all of my accounts with BoA- even though it would be simpler and easier just to bring in the marriage certificate.

And the other thing that really gets to me about this, is that everyone else wants to see the marriage certificate too. Nobody ever asks for my license or social security card. Case in point: Signature Property Group, who manages my condo complex. They wanted the marriage certificate as evidence of the name change; when I offered to send the other, actual name change documentation, they said they didn't need it.

I feel that it is incredibly paternalistic that every major institution I have worked with on this issue has asked for a document that shows who my husband is- as opposed to a document showing who I am- as evidence of my name change. As a woman who has managed my life without a man on my paperwork for 30+ years now, I am 100% offended.

Has anyone else found this element of starting a new life frustrating? How did you salvage your pride without ruining your own life? All I want to do is sue people :)

image source

The Guys Get Groomed

2010-03-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

* note, all recaps going forward feature the photography of Jessica Morrisy! *

While the ladies and I were getting all gussied up, the men were... relaxing. Eating sandwiches and drinking beer, and eventually, putting on their tuxes. J. in particular looked pretty dapper, so Jessica pulled him aside to capture his look.

Jessica also took some time to show John his wedding present- an album of boudoir photos of yours truly! I absolutely love how they came out and had such a hard time keeping them a secret from John, so it was great that she could be there to capture the moment he opened his book!

Of course, little M. was unimpressed by all the commotion. He was busy pretending to be a ninja and avoiding hugs from all the bridesmaids. It's tough being so cute.

But the rest of the men were in excellent spirits. I love how great the tuxedos looked with the handmade bout's!

It probably didn't hurt that I sent some cigars over either...

Eventually the guys rallied for some official portraits, and first came a key shot: J. with his best man and brother, D.

Followed by some cute, cheesy, and traditional hand shake shots. The top two, and bottom right shots are of J. with my brothers. I really like how amused they look (you know they are thinking "joke's on you buddy!") But hey, they looked great! And PS, the bottom left photo is J. with our brother in law, S!

With all this serious portraiture going on, the men did not let it get to them... J. had plenty of folks around to make sure he didn't take himself too seriously enjoyed himself.

Including J.'s dad of course! (Where was my dad, you ask? Taking the vintage Packard to church, so we'd have it in case of snow... more on that later).

With that, a few more photos of the dudes in action... what a handsome group!

And then they were whisked back to their hotel rooms for a while, so we ladies could come do pictures too!

And how did we get here? Checking In; Practice Makes Perfect: The Rehearsal!; The Rehearsal Dinner!; The Rehearsal Dinner Slide Show; Girls Gone Wild!; Got Mah Hairs Did

Free Money For Shopping You Do Anyway...

2010-02-28T00:30:00.000-08:00

I have seen other brides blog about this in the past, but I have no idea what took me so long to get on the bandwagon. Well, I'm on it now. I signed up for Ebates. Ebates is this website that gives cash back for shopping, only you don't have to pay for anything or get any email spam in order to participate. Here's how it works (1) go to Ebates, (2) look for the retailer you want and click on their name, (3) Ebates will reroute you to the retailer's website where you make your purchase as usual, (4) four times a year they will send you a check.

For example, I just bought some custom postage for shower invitations at Zazzle, spent about $100, and since they give 10% cash back I'm getting about $10 for it. I also buy online from Sephora pretty often, and they give 4% back. See how this could add up? My personal rule is that I don't use the service unless it is for something I need to buy anyway and the coupons make it all make sense- which has been more often than I expected.

I am also a big fan of Ebates because they have coupon codes on their website, which you can use for even more bargains. And of course, once you have started shopping, there is nothing to prohibit you from using other coupon codes. So my Zazzle purchase, for example, I used a code for 12% off, a code for $20 off, and a code for free shipping, so with the extra $10 from Ebates, my fancy postage became much more affordable.

My favorite stores on Ebates include:

The Apple Store (1%)

Ann Taylor and Loft (3%)

Barnes and Noble (8%)

Bliss Spa (4%)

Borders (4%)

Crate and Barrel (3%)

Gap (4%)

iTunes (3%)

JoAnn (5%)

Kate Spade (3.5%)

The Land of Nod (4%)

Nordstrom (3%)

Payless (3%)

PetFoodDirect (5%) - I use this one a LOT

Red Envelope (6%)

Target (3%)

Urban Outfitters (2.5%)

Vera Bradley (3%)

Victoria's Secret (2%)

Vistaprint (5%) - HEY BRIDES, SEE THIS?!

White House Black Market (2%)

1-800-FLOWERS (5%)

And the list goes on. It's also a great place to book travel (car rental, hotels and airfare) for cash back too! I will definitely be hooking this up for my next trip.

In the interest of full disclosure, I want you to know that if you sign up for Ebates by clicking on a link in this post, I get a referral credit- so signing up through this post would be very nice of you- but if you would prefer not to do so, you can navigate to Ebates directly in your browser, and I think in either case you will be happy you did! I don't really mind if you use my referral link or not- I just think this is an easy way to watch pennies- and I think this would have been extra handy when planning our wedding, since we bought SO much stuff online!

Dating and Engagement: How Long is "Right" And When Should You Ignore Conventional Wisdom?

2010-02-26T00:00:00.000-08:00

I'm going to say it up front: I don't pretend to know the answer to the above question. But as February comes to a close, I'm primarily just curious to know if there even is a right answer. The reason why? One of my besties just got engaged! To someone who she had not been dating for very long (i.e. weeks, not months- and yes, she has a serious rock, it is for real). My attitude? We're all quite grown up and capable of making decisions, and she will always have my love and support. Besides, if she is happy, who is anyone else to judge? Frankly, if we all accepted conventional wisdom, most of us would be too frightened to ever even get married.

Just think of all the rule breaking that goes on these days. I know happily married people who had kids before they were married. Or people whose parents thought a 6 month engagement was too short and thus, a bad idea. I know people who married someone who has been divorced. And I know people who've been harshly criticized for meeting their spouse online. Plenty of people poo-poo on these matches, and yet these are very happy couples, as far as I can tell. And some of the plain vanilla, so called "perfect" marriages I've seen have completely fallen apart. Is it all a crapshoot? Does it come down to hard work?

What do you think? In a society of increasingly fuzzy boundaries, are there any dating/marriage rules that just shouldn't be broken? Or is it just more gray area to give us more gray hair?

image source

Free Fonts and Why I Love Them

2010-02-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

I love me some free fonts. They come in handy so often these days for various projects, from shower favors to thank you notes. Adding an element of professional polish to even the most basic of labels, and making me look a lot more like a graphic designer than I am (which is not at all). I have a pretty nice version of Microsoft Word at home, but my favorites were all downloaded from DaFont for FREE. All you have to do is move your downloaded font into your computer's "font" folder, and it will be available to you in Power Point, Word, and more for use on special projects.

What fonts do you love? Do you have any good tips for how to find great free fonts?

We're So Famous!

2010-02-24T00:00:00.000-08:00

We are officially famous. Don't believe me? Let me give you my most lawyerly argument which indisputably proves how famous we are! :)

First, J. and I were in the NY Times wedding section a few weeks ago! I didn't blog about it in order to preserve our anonymity (or what little of it is left) but it was so cool to share and enjoy with friends and family!

Second, President Obama sent us a congratulations card. (What, you say everyone who invites the President to their wedding gets one? Psshhh, please, you know nothing about how famous we are).

Third, of course you know our wedding was featured on Wedding Chicks, with incredible photos by Jessica Morrisy.

But did you know we were also famous on our honeymoon? Well ok technically, it was after our honeymoon, but nonetheless, the good people over at the U.S.S. Bowfin (an incredible WWII submarine we visited at Pearl Harbor) read the blog and saw some photos from our trip and now we are featured on their facebook page!

It makes me want to talk like a pirate or something. Ahoy! So anyhow, I have to say, we really enjoyed our time visting the Bowfin museum and are overjoyed to have some of our photos featured on their page. Hooray for American history, vacations, and new cameras!

[caption id="attachment_2333" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Arghhhh"][/caption]

Matching 'Maids, Not Poor 'Maids

2010-02-23T00:00:00.000-08:00

It is my long-standing personal opinion that when it comes to selecting a bridesmaid dress, anything goes if you are the bride- you get what you want and your girls will wear it because they love you. But shoes are a slightly different story. Maybe it's because they're more likely than the dresses to be worn twice. In any event, it's my personal belief that the nicest way to do bridesmaid shoes is to either (a) tell people a color (such as silver or black) and let them choose their own, or (b) pick a really inexpensive shoe. I think either approach builds goodwill among the ladies... and I've said it before and I'll say it again, woe to the girl with a load of unhappy bridesmaids on her hands!

For example, my dear friend R. recently chose shoes to go with our navy blue Jenny Yoo bridesmaids dresses. The dresses are super swank, but the shoes are cheap n' chic. From none other than Lela Rose for Payless!! I heart these shoes. And I can vouch that they look even better in person, if that is possible!

[caption id="attachment_2325" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="$29.99 (click for source)"][/caption]

But of course you don't have to limit yourself to just Payless. Check out these hot pink lovelies from, yes, Target!

: $22.99

And don't forget the junior's stores. Charlotte Russe, for example, carries this great shoe in teal, gray and black, and I am loving the bling!

[caption id="attachment_2327" align="aligncenter" width="188" caption="$34.99"][/caption]

And these peacock flats are to die for. Am I right?

: $22.99

Even Baker's has some cute options (and I have't shopped there since I was 14).

[caption id="attachment_2329" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="$29.99"][/caption]

And don't forget chains like DSW, TJ Maxx and Marshall's either. Just make sure you buy fast - they carry limited quantities- so your ladies aren't left shoeless!