Wedspace!

So Lindsey informed me today of Wedspace.com -- and it could quite possibly turn into a new obsession. I haven't figured out all the in's & out's but once I do, I'll be sure to relay the details. =)

Photographer!

We've emailed back our photography contract and are so excited!

Next we have to choose a place to have our engagement photo shoot and schedule a date for that! Any suggestions?! Some place outside would be beautiful [I think!].

Pretty!

Pink & white peonies!


Cymbidium Orchids

Tie the Knot straws!

From Martha:
Straws tied into "love knots" put a fresh spin on an old tradition when they embellish drinks at your reception. These pink ones, from foryourparty.com, have extra-long flexible necks, making it a cinch to tie them (they match our glasses of sparkling pink lemonade). We'll drink to that!


Wouldn't it be too cute to have these straws at a bridal shower?! =)

447 days left!

From Martha:
No doubt your attendants have the best chance to record behind-the-scenes video of your wedding day, but until now, it was impractical for them to carry around a handheld camera. New reasonably priced and utterly portable digital models (this one, for $108, is from RCA) are small enough to tuck into a clutch or pocket. Buy one, and ask a bridesmaid or groomsman to use it throughout your event, then view those magic moments on the way to your honeymoon.

Such a neat idea!

And it would be useful after the wedding day, too!

I need this...

♥

I need to find it, try it on, and buy it. I hope, hope, hope -- I love it as much in person.

Wedding Style...

I'm taking a break from organizing my scrapbooking things for next weekend [3-day scrapbook weekend in New Hampshire =)] and I decided to take a little quiz on the Bride website. Turns out my wedding style is:



...Okay, could this be more wrong? A BEACH BRIDE! I hate the beach. I don't think I'm bad at quiz taking, especially ones in magazines -- and I didn't lie while answering my questions!

I think I'm more:



Romantic Bride -- I think so. =)

More inspiration

say yes to the dress!

A few months ago, I became obsessed with "Say YES to the Dress" -- after I found my own wedding dress. And even still, when I find myself home from work in time to watch the show at 6:00PM I can't help but glue myself to the TV. It's not because I love wedding dresses so much, or even because I enjoy the agony the bride's family & friends put her through during each new dress [can people please be supportive?] -- but I'm obsessed with the show, because of the idea of a "second" dress, to change into during the reception [for myself, of course].

I watch as a select group of brides walk into the prestigious Kleinfeld's in NYC and reveal that while they've already spent thousands on their ceremony dress they now need a reception dress -- something less appropriate for a church and more appropriate for dancing. I have to admit that seems a little strange to me -- but the purchasing of a second dress... now that idea, I love.

And because it's an idea I've been toying with since I bought my "real" dress -- I have to think that I should look into doing something about it.

At least, try some on. Now I'm not mentioning what my dress looks like because I don't want Sean to know. However, if you know me, you can imagine. As for my second dress, I'd like it to be different than my gown, unique in its' own way, special to me and [of course] inexpensive.

Love it.

Perfect!

So, I found this wedding on The Knot! and I think it's beautiful! I love the light pink and blush. I love the black chiavari chairs with the white chair pads. I love the hanging lanterns [although I don't think they're possible]. I love, love, love everything about it.


These flower arrangements were on each guest table at this same wedding. I love that they're small & simple. This is just what I want!


Same wedding! It's so pretty! I love it!! I know I want an all white cake, and I've never seen anything like this before! It's fantastic!

What a wedding crush, I have. ♥

Flower Faves

Pink roses & peonies!

Pink peonies!

While, I'm not sure which flower shop I'll end up using - [I have 4 shops to choose from through my package] I want to choose one by June. My thought is that I can see which flowers are in bloom this year, [hopefully these beautiful peonies will be available!] and that way I'll know what I can have next year. =)

A day off for me....

... means talking about the wedding to whoever will listen! =)

I spent my day in Mendon with the usual crowd plus special guests Lindsey and Lois! Us, "brides" talked [pretty much] nonstop about our wedding plans, what we've done, what we need to do, what we want to do, what we don't have money to do, and what we don't have money to do but will do anyway. =)

Now, I'm second guessing my decision of black, white & pink. I can't stick to anything!

I just can't imagine things! I need displays of all my table setting ideas...

ut-oh!

I've been in contact with a DJ and we're in the process of setting up a time to meet and chat! Yay!

Also, my wedding to-do list on The Knot! says I need to get into wedding day shape -- starting now. Although I think it's a little soon, [besides the fact that I've already purchased my dress and cannot lose any weight or it won't fit] I'm going to take that seriously.

By taking it seriously, I mean that my intentions are set to go to my very first yoga class tomorrow. Unless of course: I sleep through it, I forget, or I'm feeling like next week may be a better week to continue with the transformation.

Along with getting into my wedding day body I'd like to announce that I've stopped drinking Coke. =) It's been 14 days today. And while that may or may not seem like a big deal to some, let's just say I've been drinking an awfully unhealthy amount of Coke since I was little. And this is totally a huge deal.

Unfortunately, I've replaced my Coke obsession with Sprite [not so much of it, I swear!]. But because I don't particularly like Sprite and it has no Caffeine I plan on replacing it with water as soon as the 12-pack in the fridge is gone.

Good plan!

DECISION MADE!

Black, white & pink!

Same stuff, different source!

From Table 6 Productions Blog.

I love it! I just can't picture it...

Color Possibility!

From The Knot! ♥

I'm clearly obsessed...

Before I dive head first into the title of this entry, let me announce that we have booked...

Yayy!

Now, let's talk about this title:

Look above at that "graphic" -- do you see it? [our photographer & our officiant]...

I was up until 2AM trying to figure out how other blog writers create those! And then up until 3 being fascinated by my talents and skills [okay, I may have squeezed in a little racing game on XBOX -- Sean's RIGHT -- they are addicting!]

And although I think there has to be an easier, more convenient way to make them [besides, the 15-step process I've found -- okay, okay there may not be that many steps] -- I'm proud to announce that through my perseverance, obvious obsession, a teeny tiny amount of help from the love of my life along with a 3 day weekend which clearly means sleep isn't necessary -- I'm able to create my very own "pretty little phrases... using pretty little fonts". =)

And I'm proud!

I've also switched up "our" blog a bit -- from a new layout, our "About our Blog" and rearranging some things on the right side of the page.

I'm pretty sure there's more to come!

I'm obsessed...

But, mainly I'm just excited.

Cute "Save the Date" idea!

I've been glancing through the DIY pages of the Wedding Bee site and I found this:



A bride used this photo as the cover of her Save the Date card. Her engagement ring standing in place of an "O" from the Scrabble game is so creative!

Update!

So, today we met with Justice Thomas Welch at his home. The meeting went very well. He explained everything that would happen, gave us handouts and described things he would say, and why and what their meaning and relevance was to us. It was really perfect, and easy and he had an amazing house with three dogs. So... you know -- we're contacting him tomorrow to tell him we would love for him to be a part of our day.

And another plus -- is that he performs several weddings a month at our venue -- so he's familiar with it. =)

We also met with Damien Gaudet and just loved his work! We love that he captures the whole day from getting ready to dancing at the reception and he does it all through a photojournalistic style. It looks so beautiful and we'll receive all the pictures in both color and black & white. I love that! I'm going to contact him tomorrow, as well.

Also, I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with purple as my color. =)

So now, I need a DJ -- ASAP.

=)

Yay! We're on our way to meet a potential officiant and later this afternoon a potential photographer!

That is, as soon as someone gets out of bed...

Happy Day! [Even with the rain/snow/cold weather]

It's been a few days...

FROM THE KNOT!:
Guests’ tables were named with Chinese characters for marriage-themed words, like “wealth” and “luck.” The corresponding symbol appeared on the escort cards.

So, I know, I know -- it's been a few days since "our" last post. Not that I haven't been searching through wedding books, magazines and websites in my "free"-time, [pretty much anytime I'm home...] the problem is - I've seen it all! I'm bored with the same old things.

This is not to say I don't see cute ideas and want to post right away! Sometimes, I do... for example: above! But, lately, I've had so many ideas in my head I'm not sure which ones I can forget about and which ones I want to follow through on. It's a problem!

There are four things I'm trying to focus on:

1. Photographer - we have a meeting with one on Saturday
2. DJ - we're still up in the air on that one...
3. Officiant - we have a meeting with one on Saturday
4. picking a color! I just, cannot, decide

The problem with not having a color is that it really puts a damper on any "DIY" projects because I don't know what colors I want, yet. So, instead of going out and being proactive and getting a major head start on these projects - I just search and search for more ideas leaving all my others behind. So sad.

My immediate goal is to pick a color within the next week. It's just such a decision!

I Spy

I LOVE THIS!

Next Saturday we're meeting with a potential officiant and a potential photographer: Damien Gaudet.

I'm so excited!

=)

The wedding officiant I emailed has emailed me back with sad news that she is already booked on our wedding day. People are so busy and organized!

However, in her reply she not only supplied us with websites that are geared toward finding the perfect officiant but also gave us a name of someone she works closely with and who is highly respected in the area: Thomas A. Welch. Because she copied him on the email, I received a phone call & voicemail from him this morning saying that he is free for our date. Sean thinks he looks like Sean Connery and I liked his voicemail because his voice has that certain soothing ring to it -- like he was made for public speaking.

We've set up a meeting with him next Saturday. =)

Also, the photographer I recently blogged about Studio Nouveau has emailed me back with an estimate of $3,995 for 5 hours of service. Ummmmm, I just don't think that's reasonable for us.

My mom emailed a photographer who we met at an open house at Lake Pearl: Artistic Expressions. He's responded with a pretty reasonable price. I think he's a strong candidate -- if I can convince Sean to agree.

Tasks!

I've been emailing plenty of photographers and DJs for the last few days. So hopefully, I'll find ones that are talented and within our price range. I hope, I hope, I hope...

There are a couple of cute ones, my mom has found in her searches. My favorite has to be Studio Nouveau. Their website is so cute! I've emailed them and now I'm waiting to hear back. =)

Also! The first DJ I wanted to meet with [the one that was referred to us] has emailed me and requested we send our information: who, what, where, when, and how many guests. And he's going to look into his schedule. So maybe he's not already booked [?]. A little confused.

That's all for now.

Some setbacks... some progress...

So, when I woke up yesterday and updated my daily "to-do list" I wrote:

1. contact DJ
   
2. contact photographer
   
3. contact officiant
   

----- ♥ -----

1. So I've emailed the DJ that Tenara [our wedding coordinator from Christina's] had suggested. She gave me a list of the four most popular DJs from their venue. Unfortunately =( the top two are already booked. So upsetting.

So now I'm going to attempt to contact the others! Their website is not that convenient though and their emails aren't available -- each time I have a different name in mind, I have to fill out a generic form on their website and then wait for them to get back to me. Although, I must admit that each time they responded within the hour.

2. I've emailed Charles Lyons Photography and they've gotten back to me with a quote. This is the package:

• 6 Hours wedding day coverage unlimited locations

• Unlimited, high-resolution Digital Images on DVDs

• All Images in Color and Black & White

• All Images Individually Retouched

• Unlimited Personal Reproduction Rights

• One-Year Online Gallery for viewing images

TOTAL = $1,700.00

It just seems so outrageous! I do like the idea of having all the images on a DVD and the rights to reproduce photos as we'd like. I don't like that it doesn't come with an album though. I guess I'll have to scrapbook one.

3. I've found an officiant, Carol J. Merletti, and I think I really like her [through her website anyway!]. So I've emailed her and I'm waiting to hear back.

Hopefully, good news will come in soon and we'll be able to book more vendors! Yay!

Pretty, Pretty!

Our Easter cake from Konditor Meister!

Photography ideas!

To save some money we've decided to look into The New England School of Photography in search of a photographer. On their website they have a form that can be filled out about what type of event you're hosting, the style of photography you're interested in, whether you're looking for a student or a graduate student and a box to put all the details about your event. Then they post it on their website and I assume people who are interested in the task would contact us.

I think it's worth at least looking into the prices and artistic abilities of these students and/or graduate students. It definitely won't hurt...

I've also been in contact with two other photographers. Charles Lyons Photography seems more inside our price range than Erin Chapman Imagery although artistically I think I prefer Erin Chapman's style.

Honestly, it all kind of looks the same to me. It all blends together and if the people in the pictures are good-looking it's hard to say it's a bad picture...

I'm sure we'll figure it out soon enough!

Konditor Meister! [AGAIN]

So, last weekend we celebrated Nan's birthday and we choose another cake from Konditor Meister. =) Unfortunately, I left my camera in Mendon all week so I couldn't post pictures until now! This cake was absolutely amazing! In between the different layers there was a whipped cream frosting with fresh cut strawberries. =) So delicious!




Luckily, for tomorrow's Easter dessert we are trying ANOTHER Konditer Meister cake! Birthdays and holidays are such a great excuse to try all the different choices they offer! I'm sure tomorrow's cake will be just as fantastic!

Watters Maids

Where does the money go?

So, luckily [and purposefully] we chose a package through our venue that included a lot of things -- invitations, ceremony, cocktail hour with an open bar and hors d'Oeuvres, reception and a choice between two meals, table linens, a decorated room [however we choose], a limo, a DJ, a videographer, most of our flowers, and our wedding cake. That's a lot, right? I know, and I'm probably forgetting some stuff.

This is not to say that we don't have a choice in our selection of things - just because it comes in our package. We still have to pick and choose every company and every individual to be a part of our day. We still need to meet with them, talk with them, decide whether it'll be a good match and even view their "investment" list [No one calls them their prices -- I suppose we are making an "investment"... because the numbers are SO freakin' high].

One thing not included in our package is a photographer. And at first, we said to each other... "that's okay - we know people!" Unfortunately, we don't know anyone who feels comfortable enough to do our wedding.

SO, I researched all the things you need to ask a photographer and there's even an online checklist to assure yourself you're making the right choice. So I took my links for photographers and I had my checklist on my desktop and I went through the online pages. But you know what? Do you know what's NOT included on my handy-dandy checklist... The Investment we'll be making...

There's no mention of MONEY or BUDGET! So I researched more and EVERYTHING says that if you're going to "splurge" on anything, make it your photos. But you know? I wouldn't say that we are going "splurge" on anything... So I revisited my favorite site The Knot! and found that with our said-budget we should set aside $1,200.00 for a photographer. Okay, well guess what? That number, doesn't even exist between the pages of these sites. I haven't found anything below $1,700.00 and that "investment" doesn't even include a wedding album! What kind of investment is that?!

So, the next trick up my sleeve was/is to look for companies who are offering specials... but even if you factor in their "deals", we aren't going to save what we need to or what we should quite frankly. I mean, come on, not for nothing but everything is digital these days and I don't think any photographer we hire will be slaving away in a dark room somewhere after the wedding. They, most likely, will be in the comfort of their own home, with a laptop in bed, having snacks and watching T.V. while they retouch our photos... worth $1,700.00 - Sean says no.

Dilemma? I think so.

So, I'm thinking... honestly, what's the point? There's going to be pictures of it all because no one, I KNOW, leaves their house without a camera. So my fear is not that I won't have great memories or even great pictures to look at for the rest of our lives... MY FEAR is that I'm going to spend all this money -- because, if that's what you're supposed to do then I'll find the money to spend -- and it's going to be a waste. What if we spend all this money, and then they aren't even flattering pictures? That wouldn't be good...