Inspiration @ Hallmark

Was buying Rocco an anniversary card at Hallmark and saw the color combo of light brown and a silverish blue color in wedding wrapping paper/bags. You can't see the silverish in the blue but it looks really nice with the brown. I really like it minus the heart. Sorry the photos are kinda blurry - with my camera M.I.A I've been using my camera phone a lot.

Saving the dollars and cents

Big question- How do people pay for weddings???? 

I've read a mix of things online from people paying with credit cards because its easier to refund things if necessary to do not use credit cards pay with money you actually have. Across the board I hear stick to your budget at which I have noooo clue on what ours is but I can say that it is slim. I know that my parents probably won't contribute much and Rocco's parents honestly don't have the money either so its basically us on our own.

I do know this... I put a few books and things on Amazon yesterday to sell and so far 3  4 5  have sold in 48 hours!Score!. I might get a jar, decorate it and let that be our money saving jar. If anything we can use it to pay for our cruise we are going on in spring. Rocco wanted to cancel going but I REALLY REALLY want a vacation since we didn't go anywhere last summer.
UPDATE- We sold 13/14 items in a week!!!!! So far we have made $205 - yay!!!

On a silly note- I found that selling books can lead you to unexpected things such as a love note in one of Rocco's books from college (not from me). On a good note, i can sell the book for $20 bucks. Rocco said I should leave the note to make it personal- haha uhh no.

What are some other ways we can save or even limit our spending the next few months? I have some credit card debit I want to pay off and finish paying off my car (only a few more months!). 

Quirky Escort Cards

Concert ticket inspired - I love how there is a Mr and Mrs Rocco - hahaha 

Updated the DO NOT list

Updated 

2 weeks engaged!

I can't believe its been two weeks since Rocco put a ring on it. So far in two weeks I feel like I've accomplished much more than I imagined.

• A wedding planner - my sissy! 
• A potential priest to marry Rocco & I (major accomplishment since the Catholic Church is def a challenge to work around)
• An appointment to check out my dream venue in January
• Potential wedding date/season
• Save the date ideas

The new few weeks I want to lock down

• A list, B list, and C list for wedding attendance
• Engagement party invites
• Date

Happy Holidays to all! 

Keep an eye out for inspiration

I hear that when your planning a wedding you should look for inspiration

Last night Rocco and I went to the restaurant that our first date was at for a family dinner (with my future in laws and future little brothers and sisters). His parents got us beautiful flute glasses for the wedding. I was drawn to the design on the bottom. It almost looks like holly vines.

Today I got an email from a wedding website. I really like the colors and the design of it. It is antique looking snowflakes. Very classy! I love the brown with the tealish/blue color. 

DRESSES for fun

Now..... I'm NO WHERE ready to go dress shopping but there is no harm in browsing. I really like David's designs. They are probably over priced but take a look! 

I like the back much better- now that I think about it, this dress probably won't work for me 

http://www.davidtuterabyfaviana.com/collection.php?styleid=50&val=13&offset=&resultpage= 

David Tutera- probably mucho expensive 

Hot stuff- Not sure how I feel about beaded lace but it looks gorgeous 

I think this dress is pretty cool because the shortened version can be worn during the reception or for someone doing a destination wedding, the back home reception 

Perfect for winter! I really like the design- antique romantic! 

Inspiration Boards

Here are some things that caught my eye that I created into an inspiration board using WeddingWire.com


Late fall/wine inspired 

I love the bouquets with the deep red as well as the fabric of the bridesmaid dresses

Rustic Winter 

I like this one because its rustic but not like pine cone lets hug some trees. I love the centerpiece and cake. So sophisticated! 

Romantic/earthy/antique

I love the cupcake cake minus the yellow. The bouquet with the simple flowers is gorgeous. I also like the candle folder. 

Spanish Inspired

What do you think??? 

Respectable wedding favor idea

Doing wedding favor donation cards- how clever and giving! This could be a great idea for a time around the holidays.

Does anyone ever use wedding favors??? Comment on what you think 

Winter Wedding? It's all in the little details.

I will admit I'm not one that sings Christmas songs all year or even two weeks prior but I do love the smell of the winter air and being able to snuggle up. Rocco and I were dating during the winter time so it is special to me although fall will always be my favorite season.

After thinking about my dream venue and the reality of how expensive it is a winter- week day- brunch reception will be necessary. Just because it's during the day in the middle of week does not mean it can't be classy. The venue is quite perfect for a bunch because it has that sophisticated European feel. Below are some cute winter ideas for favors, gifts, etc...

Winter with Charm


Inspiration board

I love the Smores!!!! 

Real Wedding

Virginia Winter Wedding

Color Palette ideas 

Ideas

Would you have a winter wedding to save money? 

It's Indie Rock & Roll for Meeeeee

DJ with Indie Rock Wedding Mixes

Would you appreciate a mix in music from the normal? 

Cute Little Save the Date Ideas

Save the Date Ideas:

Video
http://bklynbrideonline.com/12439/photography-and-videography/stop-motion-save-the-date/

CD - VERY Rocco & I

http://bklynbrideonline.com/12443/diy-projects/diy-stop-motion-packaging/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+bklynbrideonline/SRBY+(Brooklyn+Bride+-+Modern+Wedding+Blog)&utm_content=Google+Reader

Dream place

http://www.keswick.com/web/okes/events_weddings.jsp

Was looking through a reasonable destination wedding magazine and this caught my eye. It would be about 3 hours away from where I live and potentially more for other family members so it would qualify for a destination wedding. It is BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Hello! Marry me now. 

http://weekdayweddingcompany.com/packages/keswick-hall- Link for wedding package deal for weekday wedding 

Article 1 about Kenwick Hall in the Winter 

Aritcle 2 about Kenwick Hall being kid friendly- also one of my favorite actors Morgan Freeman has stayed! 

Should I get murried (yes murried) here? 

Destination Wedding

This website had some great information and tips for Planning a Destination Wedding. I definitely want to go this route but we shall see.

Advantages:

• Location. Often the scenery cuts down on a lot. 
• Cost 
• Intimate wedding with less guests
• Less stress that is if i'm willing to just go with the flow and trust that everything is being handled on their  end
• Weddingmoon. Let the party begin

Disadvantages: 

• Guest list- some will not be able to attend because of heath or financial issues
• Less control
• Red tape- is it legit in the US? 
• Need to let guests know at least 5 months and in my opinion a year in a advance so that they can plan accordingly. At three month mark send official invitations. 

Brainstorm of places

Someplace with a beautiful garden/ romantic feel. A fall garden would be beautiful! 

Boston Public Garden 

Jamaica - There are some great all inclusive places that would be great places to have the family of all ages. Rocco and I would like the kids there so having tons of fun activities for them to do as well as romantic/ fun activities for the adults would be great. 

Above- Where we stayed on vacation. Great resort and all inclusive! 

Florida-  Miami, Key West, etc.... 

Costa Rica- My fabulous friend Nicole is there now and I've heard its the big hot spot for destination weddings

Winery somewhere 

If you could get married anywhere, where would you? 

What We DO NOT want

My fiancé and I have left it up to future Rocco & Chrissy to make the big decision on when/where but at least we know what we DO NOT want.

• Months of January ---> April . Rocco is an accountant so basically he would be useless in helping out with last minute details and I would want to pull my hair out. Not to mention this is around the time of state testing and it is definitely a stressful time for myself. 
• Summer- Not a fan. We are not the beachy kind although we love Caribbean warm weather but a beach theme is not in the cards. 

2009 Vacation to Jamaica 

All he wanted to do was read a book and I couldn't stand frying to death. 

NO WAY

• Large wedding. We are just not the showy types of me me me's. 
• Pink as a color scheme. Apparently I can call the shots and pink is def a no go unless it comes in a shot glass ;) 
• Flip flops as shoes to wear under a dress or at ceremony.
• Disposable cameras on a table- how many balls do you think show up in the film? Ummm I bet a lot. 
• Growing up slideshow. No need to relive my awkward stage of life from age 8 to 17 years old.
• Useless wedding favors. 
• Monogrammed stuff like R&C as a cake topper or light showing 
• Sweetheart table. Like I'm going to be sitting down???

• Super matchy matchy wedding party (female). Matching shoes, earrings, dress, etc... I'm not cruel.
• Not sure how I feel about some of these Photography Cliches but I agree with some.
• Exits with rice, sparklers, or bubbles. At first I thought sparklers were really cool because they are tons of fun but I've seen them EVERYWHERE in photos. Its like that song you loved when you heard it the first time and then when it was overplayed you couldn't stand it. 

• Lame DJ. Whoever is in charge of music definitely needs to throw in some music that we love from hip hop to alternative rock to indie. The music must flow and there will be a list of songs they CAN NOT PLAY. This is probably the only detail that I will be bridezilla about. Life is a soundtrack and the following songs are black listed.
• Crazy Bitch by BuckCherry 
• Cha Cha Slide- although if I'm drunk and its the end of the night I probably will let this one slide- no pun intended. 
• Any song by Celine Dion 
• Any song by Michael Buble 
• Any song by Whitney Houston. She a hot mess.
• Any song by Miley Cyrus unless Rocco begs for Party in the USA
• Check out Wedding Museum's List of Songs Not to Play- I would def play some of the songs like Love Stinks from The Wedding Singer or White Wedding by Billy Idol. I love that song!!! 

What are your DO NOT WANTS? 

If the book stays next to my bed will it magically just plan my whole wedding???

My Mom and I were checking out the wedding section in Barnes & Noble. My mom is so cute and picked out this super girly and tradition wedding planner. I held this one up and was like yeah---- more me! I went through a highlighted a few things and added a business card for a Limo company so I'm taking baby steps. The big question is --- If I shake it will it magically just plan the wedding for me???


For those of you who have planned a wedding, is it really all what its hyped up to be?


For those of you who are not married: have you been dreaming of your wedding since birth? 

The Time has Come!

For those of you who don't know me this is where I say who I am and what I've always dreamed of in regards to weddings. I did not grow up dreaming of the big day or looking like a princess although I knew that I was going to marry someone who would treat me like a princess. I'm what someone would call the anti-bride although I have a sick addiction to My Fair Wedding and Say Yes to the Dress. My dream wedding is cheap, classy, and intimate. Although here is my issue- getting married into an Italian/Spanish family where there are a million cousins with the same name. This blog will be my experience through a process that i'm not psyched about but It will be worth it in the long run because I will be married to my fiance! Who is the most amazing man ever (more about him later).

My sister will be checking this blog often of course for my ideas as she is my designated wedding planner. She is seriously that right brain with planning and i'm the left brain with the creative things although she has done some cutesy things and is a kick ass cook.

My goal is to continue to stay true to me and not get caught up in this bridal world mess.

Basically my dream wedding except I want to party afterwards- <3 Sex and The City