my veil came

via Recherche

and it's exactly like I pictured it would be! I was smiling soooo suuuuper big as I rushed into the bathroom, closed the door behind me and stuck it on top of my head. I was giddy with a goofy toothy grin, twirling in the mirror. Yes. I was twirling.

I am enamored with this veil.

It's still strange to me that I ended up really wanting a veil in the first place. A part of me is slightly embarrassed about wanting a veil. (Why is that?!) I think I spent so much time convincing myself that my wedding style is relaxed, that I didn't want to make a big fuss out of what I looked like...that it was OK if I didn't buy into the traditional bride "stuff." And yet, here I am with a glorious veil? Am I a sell out?

No. I'm not a sell out. Girl wants a veil. On my wedding day, I'll wear what I want. And I won't be apologetic for being a silly girl, or playing into a childhood fantasy. I'll just smile...and twirl.... and feel fabulous.

I had my veil custom created by Fascinating Creations. Cindy, the designer, is wonderful!

wellies for rain

flickr

I've never owned a pair of galoshes (and yes, that's what I grew up calling them....not Wellington's, or Wellies, or rain boots...they were galoshes). There's not a huge need for rain gear in Arizona. Obviously. It rains like 3 inches a year or something like that.

Except, the Farmer's Almanac predicted rain for our wedding day. Well - it didn't specifically say RAIN ON MAY 30th - but it indicated that it is a rainy time (and apparently it's a notorious date for rain and snow. *grin*)

Am I bummed? A little...yea. I really want our ceremony to be outside. I really want to skip in the meadows, and along the hiking paths lined with Aspens and Pines. Well. We'll see. It still might be ideal weather...and I actually adore rain anyway.

So now I'm toying around with the idea of getting some cute galoshes...I'm thinking bright yellow.

frolic!

flickr

Project 10K Wedding

Veil Tales

MyWeddingStory

flickr
BridesCafe

here

love words weekend

Marc Chagall

The night before the day of our wedding
I dreamed that the universe had a party,
And the stars were invited,
Beneath sparkling chandeliers, the planets rejoiced;
In all its beautiful, candle-lit galaxies,
Crowded with glass - clinking revellers,
The Cosmos was Laughing with
Lasting Love and Light.

- Kate Farrell

keeping cozy

By far the most practical pretty lil cardigan I've found yet.
I would so wear this a gazillion times.

I've been browsing the web for a "wedding warmer" these last few weeks. I have a bunch of files bookmarked. SO many options to keep me warm in the chilly May mountain weather...these are my current three faves...all from Anthropologie. (Except JCrew just came out with some cute cardis with ruffles on them - a look that I am a total sucker for apparently.)

*note: I've had these images saved on my comp for WEEKS. and i just went to swoon over them on the Anthro website and two of these three are no longer sold there...kindof a bummer.

But it's not like I know what style will look right with my dress anyway. I still don't even know what look I'm going for. It's sorta driving me nuts.

Me. Yea. I wanna look like me. But if I'm not wearing scrubs and a fleece - ummmm...what do I wear? I feel like I should have a style - but I tend to be all over the place. A lil free flowin' boheme one day...a lil conservative the next...a lil "I don't freaking care that my hair is in a messy bun for the 14th day in a row" ...and sometimes I attempt to look polished and trendy. I don't exactly identify with one specific style or look.

I'm getting a headache.

I feel like I have a split personality where 1/2 of me wants to live at Anthropologie and the other 1/2 wants to live at JCrew. And then I look at the price tag and my reality check comes in loud and clear and I end up at Last Chance (Nordstrom's Outlet which is like a huge garage sale on crack). *sigh* Oh, life.

Very boheme....and romantic. Yes?
To bad. Can't buy it anymore.

I think a splash of dark teal would look smashing with my yellowish bouquet...

and next to my girls in gray and my loverboy in black.
Except, you can only buy it on Ebay now - no take backs if it doesn't fit right. Dang.

honeymoon dreams

Zion National Park

Tommy and I set out to organize our honeymoon road-trip extravaganza a lil while back. Our dream was to road trip it out west, and then make our way across the country to our new home back east.

The Grand Tetons

We would plan to camp out in our beautiful national parks and every couple days stay in a luxurious resort (thanks to my parent's time share points!). The road trip included such incredible locations as the north rim of the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Antelope Island, Jackson Hole, Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Tetons National Park, Mt. Rushmore, the Black Hills of South Dakota and more. *squeal!*

The Grand Canyon (north rim! never been there!)

Mt. Rushmore

WE WERE STOKED! It's pretty much all I could talk about for days.

And then we found out it wouldn't work that way.

And I was devastated for an hour or so.

Back to the drawing board.


*We already have some ideas to explore. And we aren't bummed or sad or let down. We will see those places someday :-) and WE ARE STILL STOKED FOR WHATEVER ADVENTURE COMES OUR WAY!!

b*tching and bragging

Both things are totally unrelated to wedding news...reader beware.

B*tching:
I'm doing a particularly tough rotation right now - at a hospital that will not be disclosed (obvs.). And it is awful. I got b*tched at by the chief resident today. Never my favorite thing. Especially in front of other students. I hate it here...and it takes a LOT for me to hate something. But this is right up there. (I might even just hate her too.)

Bragging: (best for last)
I received a phone call today telling me that I am OFFICIALLY ranked at the top of my #1 choice surgical residency program! I was doing cartwheels in my heart all day long. *sigh* I'm so relieved...and excited. NEW YORK HERE WE COME!!

postage paid

As we sent out our invitations last week (whew!) I only then thought about the postage stamps we would use. For some reason, I just assumed that there would be some great "nature" type postage stamps available, since I seem to remember there always being some stamp of some quantity having birds on it, or wildflowers, or something.

Nope. Nothing like that. I even searched through alllll the different lower priced stamps, to see if we could combine several stamps together (I know I know, this would have probably had to be a "project" that took collecting for many months on Ebay or something - which I never would have done in the first place). Let's just say, that my "nature" options were not that great. There were a couple higher priced stamps of mountains...but rather expensive...if 98 cents per stamp is expensive (ummm...yes...) So we opted for my current fave stamp set...the King & Queen of Hearts.


Pretty stinkin' cute for stamps 'eh? But since each of our envelopes only needed 44 cent postage, the lil love duo had to be separated...which affected me for like 1 second.


And while browsing the 2010 stamps that are set to come out this year - I got a lil jealous - 'cuz there are some goodies:

Hello perfect stamps of conifer branches. You would have been delightful on our invitation envelopes. Not that anyone would have noticed but me :-)

Or what about you fine fellows...abstract expressionism makes my knees wobble I love you so much. How awesome would I felt slapping a Rothko or Pollock on our invites?
Really really awesome.

our invitations came!

Here's a DIY tutorial from Design*Sponge
about addressing your own invitations in faux-fancy handwriting -
I didn't do this...there were no loops or swirls on ours...
but I think the idea is marvelous!

Our invites came in the mail last week. I ripped open the package before the UPS guy had even walked down the steps...and you know what...they are quite lovely.

So I set out to address all of the invitations. I have nice handwriting - it's not calligraphy...it's not loopy and whimsical...but its legible, and actually rather nice to look at thankyouverymuch. I got them all done too. In one sitting. (I was just too excited...I couldn't wait.)

I gave Tommy the "task" of stamping our return address on the back flap of all the letters. You may remember from here that I wanted to buy a pretty return address stamp. And we probably should have...but we decided to save the $20 and use the one we already had (despite it's stark, and rather unfun teeny tiny font). He did a good job. I was pleased.

I thought, "what the hey?" and sent one to Obama. Eh.

The Honorable Barack Obama and Mrs. Obama
The White House
Greetings Office Room 39
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500

And we mailed them the next day. I probably should have triple checked for spelling errors...but I didn't. And I didn't even "look up" how to appropriately address them....I just went for it. Shocking. Sometimes etiquette escapes me.

loverly things

TinaTarnoff - I am a sender of Valentine's Day cards...and the idea of sending cards that can be framed as art are my favorite - how sweet is this "autumn kiss" design!?

Valentine's Day is a short 14 days away! I was browsing some of our sponsors and vendors shops and had to share 'em!

*personal note: my apt in Tucson is pretty dang beautiful - terribly nervous about my rotations...emergency med, general surgery, inpatient....ahhhh.

midori designs - these hand crafted clay flowers last forever....and there are so many pink and red bouquets to choose from! I'm thinking my mom would love one of these on her desk at school.

BeyondTheRockz -antique keys were used to create the molds for these beautiful pendents. The whole "key to my heart" makes keys a subtle symbol for love (you know...if heart shaped things just aren't your style)

quirkybeauty - I featured some of her unique necklaces last week...but this pretty purple headband is perfect!

bcyr: I've always loved her organic vine collection, and she's added new pieces! These are dazzling with those tiny red garnets glowing at the bottom.

NatureFavors - sweet lil Valentine's that are embeded with wildflower seeds! Just plant them!


Megan Hamilton - I've been noticing more and more that fun and fabulous hair accessories are making their way main stream. This hand beaded pink flower is so delicate!

moving. again.

Today I move to Tucson.

These past 4 weeks have flown by, and it has been heavenly to be back home in Phoenix. I've LOVED all the meals shared with friends, my daily doses of my favorite guy (Tommy!), the loud boisterous reunions with my sisters....home is always awesome.

My time in Tucson will be another adventure - wish me luck :-)

love words weekend

via Green Wedding Shoes

Moons and Junes and ferris wheels
The dizzy, dancing way you feel
As ever fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way.

- Joni Mitchell

real life: wild{flowers}

My dreams were answered when I saw this wedding featured over at Once Wed earlier this week. Spectacular. Natural. Organic. Radiant. Real. Fresh. Effortless.

I've been exploring floral design this week, as we have decided to "officially" go the DIY route for this...and the flowers used in this celebration are so perfect and fitting for the beautiful mountain setting. Just lovely.

And that bride? No seriously - how jubilant does she look!!! Yes...this is a rad wedding.

No tears here - only SMILES!

Here is that clustering effect of same bloom in different vases. Looks amazing.

via Once Wed

floral itemization a la Lori

One of my readers went above and beyond and sent me a "mock itemization" for our reception decor. Good Lord. She made this all look easy as pie...as I was having a hard time picturing everything meshing together. Lori....you are amazing for all this crazy help!! Your ideas are awesome!!

This is AN EXAMPLE of one way we could do things....take it away Lori:

The Supplies

Crystal Candlesticks, Candles, & 80 Mason Jars - Paid For

Pine Cones - Paid For

6 Lemon Cypress Topiary - $210 http://www.ftd.com/green-plants-pcg/new-heights-lemon-cypress-topiary/product-plants-greenplants/p365/

108 sprays Sunny Romantica Roses Yellow (3-5 blooms per spray) - $200

http://www.wholeblossoms.com/producto.php?ids=36&id=165&idt=537

200 stems Freesia Bi-color Orange (orange-yellow) - $200

http://www.wholeblossoms.com/producto.php?ids=3&id=4&idt=14

16 bunches Green Hanging Amaranthus (8-10 stems per bunch) - $161

http://www.wholeblossoms.com/producto.php?ids=16&id=136&idt=408

Case of 8 - 5 pound bags Brown Polished River Stone - $40.00

http://www.jamaligarden.com/apps/catalog/product.asp?pID=19688

2 Feathered Robins - $6

http://www.save-on-crafts.com/arbi.html

2 bags - 100 Skeleton Leaves - $7

http://www.save-on-crafts.com/peepultree.html

Small Glass Votive Candles - Cheap

Floral Supplies - Cheap

Needle and Thread for Leaves - Dirt cheap

The Plan

Brides Bouquet - Sunny Romantica Spray Roses Yellow

Bridesmaid's Bouquets - Freesia Bi-color Orange

Boutonnieres - Pine Cones

Guest Book Table - 2 Lemon Cypress Topiary at ends of table & Crystal Candlesticks

Escort Card Table - 2 Lemon Cypress Topiary at ends of table & Crystal Candlesticks

Family Love Table - 2 Lemon Cypress Topiary at ends of table & Crystal Candlesticks

Cake Table - Sunny Romantica Roses (flower heads only) placed on cake tiers, one complete spray Sunny Romantica Roses on top with 2 Feathered Robins clipped to it. Crystal Candlesticks in back or around cake.

20 Guest Tables - Ivory Tablecloths & Napkins, 3 Mason Jars in center, each filled with 2 stems Green Hanging Amaranthus, 1 spray Sunny Romantica Roses, 2 stems Freesia Bi-color Orange, Brown Polished River Rocks scattered all around Mason Jars, small Glass Votive Candles nestled in rocks all the way around.

Reception Space - Thread Skeleton Leaves on strings and hang from rafters.

Ceremony Site - You can tie more Amaranthus and Sunny Romantica Roses to an arbor or railings. The Amaranthus hangs down beautifully. Scatter Skeleton Leaves down aisle and at the spot where you will stand.

Etc... - You can also scatter Pine Cones and/or more Skeleton Leaves on the Guest Book, Escort Card, Family Love, and Cake Table to coordinate with the boutonnieres.

grouping "like" flowers

The Sweetest Occasion

One thing that I have noticed, and have read, and have been told by those "in the know", is to group like flowers. I have also heard that it's easier to DIY your flowers if you stick to the "same color" of all the blooms.

I think this looks smashing. It is clearly a fancy shmancy formal arrangement, not what I'm envisioning for our day, but it's easy to see the the idea of grouping similar flowers here. (And would look just as lovely with a bunch of hodge podge glass jars for vases.)

This concept is touch upon in this article at Real Simple. (Seriously, if you are into doing your own flower thing, you should probably read this....or if you like to decorate your home with fresh flowers...very sound advice.

how many flowers do I need?

I sought out the help of Abbie, the lovely lady behind, A Glimpse of the Girl Next Door, who did a flipping bangerang job DIYing her own wedding flowers. Her arrangements are crazy drool worthy. My flowers will be much more simple, I don't think we will be arranging them so artfully like Abbie so flawlessly did...we will probably be grouping them into mason jars. None the less, I was still at a loss as to "how many flowers do I need?"

Her advice rocks. And seriously...check out these arrangements of hers. Holy amazing.

Here's the advice I found on the "how many" question. The only thing about this advice is that most brides aren't DIY'ing with actual vases. If you're using mason jars, then I would suggest buying a few bouquets or floral bunches and playing around with it before you place the order. That way, you can see what you think looks good as far as how many stems of the flowers you prefer.

How do I know how many flowers to order?

First you need to make a list of all the arrangements you will need. As a general rule you want 18-24 stems per table arrangement or bridesmaid bouquets. 12 stems work nicely for a small bouquet for mom or a little girl in the bridal party. 20-25 stems is a nice amount for the brides bouquet as well as large arrangements using line flowers such as gladiolas or snapdragons. Each boutonniere is 1-3 stems, corsages are 3-5 blooms. The definition of stem here is a main flower like a rose, carnation, delphinium, snapdragon and so on. Large flowers like sunflowers are most often used in groups of 3-5 with other flowers added in for a total of around 10 stems. For fillers such as babies breath, misty limonium or statice a field bunch will do approximately 3-4 arrangements. For greens you will need 1 field bunch for each 3-4 arrangements.

how do you make your flowers do that?

Little did I know that when I wrote this post about flowers confusing the bejesus outta me, I would get such INCREDIBLE feedback. It was probably the best feedback day of my "blog-life" as it answered all of my questions and gave me concrete direction for what to do for our wedding blooms.

So. Welcome to Flower Week.

Abbie sent me a tutorial from Weddingbee about bouquet making. Check it out my friends...very very insightful.

GOTTA get one of these bad boys to strip all the thorns away :-)

ta-da! perfection.

big n' bold bibs

QuirkyBeauty

I spent last night drooling over rad fashion statement jewelry. I did so while wearing a XXL sweatshirt, old ripped jeans with the ends stuffed into my furry Uggs and my hair in a ponytail on the top of my head.

That's right. I'm a freakin' fashion disaster. I don't know what it is about winter...but there is nothing I want to wear more than big roomy warm sweatshirts, jeans and my Uggs.

Until I spotted these necklaces on Etsy. And I instantly want to wear something hott so I can flaunt one of these. I think that some of these would be amazing wedding jewelry.

QuirkyBeauty

savagesalvage

FloraBond

FirstFan - only $10!

QuirkyBeauty

Jacey's Girl - $2,750.00 (wow!)

love words weekend

Julie Harris Photography

Next to you.
In our favorite hats.
On a park bench.
Watching.
Until we are wrinkly.
And then some.

victory #9: dj

Tommy dancin' with the flowergirl

Yay!

We found a hip young local guy to bring our party to life :-) He has a phat music collection, will download music on the spot during the party, has incredible sound equipment ...will do the sound for the ceremony site and reception, and is an all around cool dude. Oh. And was in our budget.

Hallelujah.

I took some suggestions from you fine ladies and inquired if he would consider a discount if we paid for everything in cash up front. Turns out this is something that he does quite frequently. So. Hello radical discount.

And Tommy really wanted lights...(who knew?) so we will have lights. Umm...and there is a fog machine...I dunno if we really need all that...but it's there if we want.

I have to tell you that just doing general searches for a DJ online didn't get me anywhere. The difference was asking for referrals from people "in the know". For example, I asked friends/brides in the area for DJ suggestions, our venue coordinator suggested a couple different companies, and the party planner at the hotel gave me a couple numbers (she led us to our GUY!)

I'm just relieved we don't have to download all the music we would want to play via the iPod route - some people have patience for that. We don't. :-)

shoe-in

Feather's & Frills

I've been browsing shoes lately. It's fun. (Especially with my sister Leslie...the girl is straight mad about darling shoes...)

Surprisingly, I'm loving the ones with the fun stuff glued all over the front of them... the ruffles, the flowers, the feathers. This is interesting because usually I'm quite the plain Jane...and am seriously considering just wearing Chaco's to my own wedding (have you ever worn Chaco's? a life altering experience...for real.)

That's why these shoe clips are beyond bodacious...take a pair of simple shoes and make 'em dazzling.

I'm love love loving these shoe clips from Etsy. It's too hard to pick my favorite.

bpoetic

Feathers & Frills

Fabulize

Cultivar

RouziliGarden

Fascinating Creations