Cool Tool

Wedding Mapper 

Vera Wang comes to David's Bridal

Jump yips~!

They are very romantic. Not sure if its my style but definitely makes me want to pop in Davids and check them out.

SUCKS

Wedding planning sucks. Meltdown #2.

Wedding Dresses

Ask and you will receive ;)

I should be doing report card comments but of course Say Yes to the Dress is on so of course I have to look at dresses. I'm definitely open minded to dresses. Through photos you may notice I like strapless, sweetheart neckline, and pockets! I do not like big poofy dresses with too much stuff and I realized I'm not much of a fan of corset backs and lots of pickups.

I love the crystals and the back is gorgeous. The fabric is also appropriate for winter. 

My fav! Allure Brides- Check it Out

I love the how this dress has lines that look so architectural! I'm just not too sure about the pink belt. Good news is I will be checking out Mori Lee designs at a trunk show in March.

Classic beauty - Discount Price 

I love the asymmetrical design but not sure about the flower for winter. This design is really similar to one I loved that used to be a David's Bridal. Check it out. 

Speaking of David's Bridal. I do like the design of this dress. I'm just not sure about if the fabric is appropriate for winter. The back is also a little boring. 

Check it out at David's Bridal. 

Two in one dresses are getting pretty popular. I really like the idea of it especially if I do an "at home" reception. Check it out at David's Bridal. 

How cute is it used again! 

However, the back is boring. 

I love the front of this dress and the fabric. But..... I'm not sure about the back. What do you think? Check it out here. 

Ballgown? I love the neckline and belt but not sure about ball gown. This dress is beautiful though. Check it out. 

Which is your favorite? 

New Fav Website

Hi-Fi Weddings! 

I'm addicted to their playlist so be prepared for more music on the blog. Also, speaking of music Project Playlist finally has Rocco & I's song so I just added it. One Republic's Won't Stop- enjoy!

Wedding Photographer Booked!!!!

So I was a little aggressive this week/weekend in booking a photographer because I couldn't pass up the great deal. It all started when I posted on Facebook that I keep seeing people I know on wedding websites/blogs. One of the girls I dance with in HS suggested Nicole and basically two days later I booked because for $1,700 I get 8 hrs of coverage for two photographers, online password with photos, files from wedding with print release, engagement session, and 20% off products. This would normally be 3,000 so its almost 50% off. I had to be aggressive because it was only for the first 5 people who book someone who is building their portfolio.

Score! I really like her work and the photographer basically read my mind on what I want to do for engagement session. (At first I didn't want to do an engagement session but it can be fun and useful at the same time)

Nicole K Photography- check her out!

Save the Date

Here are some Save the Date's that I found quirky and def anti-bride.

Concert feel 

I really like the wood rustic background which can be continued on in formal invitations and venue. Really cute for a destination wedding. VA is for lovers! 

Little more traditional but the words are the lyrics to a couple's "song"

Concert tickets!!! How cool! 

I like the idea of a postcard formal invitation or save the date because its cheaper to mail 

love birds! 

Who doesn't like penguins? 

This came from a blog of another anti-bride. It was custom made but still really cool. I like how the website is emphasized. 

Good news is that I have a custom design it can be printed from Vista Print at a pretty decent price. Vista Print is also pretty cool because you can can modify the font size, color, and more. Also, they have save the dates for same sex marriage and that's pretty amazing. 123Print.com is always a great value as well because you can upload your own design for 10.85 for 100! 

What do you think? 

Colors?

Thanks to Dessy for their inspiration boards. I did not create but just take a look at color mixes. I definitely want something that will compliment holiday colors. 

What colors do you think would work for a December wedding?  

BORDEAUX AND CHAMPAGNE

PoMEGRANATE, ANTIQUE GOLD, IVORY, and cameo 

Hunter,  Quarry, Ivory

Marine AND CHAMPAGNE

Ribbon Red

Red and green ORCHID

 

Etsy Finds

So many great little details/ideas from Etsy. 

At my potential venue the light covers looked like half bird cages so I think it would be cute to have a birdcage to hold cards. 

Selling on Etsy 

Example 

As a kid I LOVEEEEED my chalkboard. I mean seriously I go nuts. Whenever I go out to Seacrets (OC MD) the bathrooms have chalkboards in them and that is cool. Below are mini heart chalkboards which can be used to show table numbers or whatever. 

Etsy 

Etsy larger chalkboard

Someone makes I believe paper roses/flowers on Etsy and sells them. The bouquet is around $65 and just gorgeous!!!

Wedding gift/favor ideas: Smores kit! I can't believe someone actually makes and sells these. 

Etsy

New addiction to Etsy with their cute vintage- home made details great for a wedding. But has anyone ever purchased off it?

BLAAAAAAH

So.... I didn't really want to put this post but I wouldn't be the anti-bride If I didn't.

This wedding planning business is just NOT FOR ME. I want to get pumped up and excited but its just really hard right now. I hate making decisions and I'm just worried I will make the wrong decisions and piss off a bunch of Italians or whatever heritage my guests are.

I think it all started the other day when I realized MY DREAM PHOTOGRAPHER was like a million dollars- ok not a million but A LOT OF MONEY. So then I went to a second choice and they are expensive.

Photography is the one area of the wedding that I feel is worth it to spend a chunk of your budget on but there comes a point when someone taking photos, editing them, and posting them online at $6,000-$9,000 is a little ridiculous. So now I need to find a photographer on my budget who doesn't suck (like around 2,000 if thats possible). Its like I tried out the BMW and now I can only afford a Honda. (no offense to the Honda owners out there because I come from a Honda family and boy I rocked my Honda till it was dead to the ground). I think (think...) I have a pretty good eye on what kind of photographer I want and who is good. I like ones that are photo-journalistic and a tad artsy. I want them to be able to capture the simple moments that tell a story.

Anyways hopefully I can come across someone legit with the right price who will make me psyched.


As my sister always says- at least I'm not pregnant. And at least my wedding won't be this ---->

Hot....

Indie Wedding Ideas

http://ruffledblog.com/christmas-wedding-ideas/- I have fallen in love with this website! Above is some little details for a Christmas Wedding.

The website also sells used wedding items perfect for an indie wedding.

Weekend Field Trip

So this past weekend Saturday was the big field trip to Charlottesville, VA. It was exciting to check out the two venues I loved.

The first was a dream at Keswick Hall

Danielle and I going home- cough cough I mean arriving at Keswick Hall

Pros: 

• Gorgeous venue with a European Bed and Breakfast Glamorous feel 
• Spacious room with dance floor 
• Deal for bedroom stay for guests- each bedroom is also different
• Decorated for the holiday season

Cons:

• Expensive!!!! $135 per person for BRUNCH. Seriously... This price includes the space but not drinks. Basically price is SUPER important since I'm on a budget. 
• Paying to reserve the rooms? 
• Will have to get my own cake made by bakers

The second was a reality but a GOOD one. Below is some photography I collected from Clifton Inn. 

Romantic but modern! 

Pro:

• More me! I love the little details and the shabby chic romantic yet modern feel. It would be perfect for an indie wedding.
• Value! Around $40 per person for brunch + the space cost which is lower for being winter time and during the week. 
• Discounted rooms that are each different. 
• Bar already there! 
• Decorated for holiday season 

Con: 

• Space- I'm worried that 50 people will make things crowded.
• Dance floor? Can we make it work?
• Will have to have my cake made by their bakers

We also checked out Keswick Vineyards to see if we could do a rehearsal dinner there or go there as an optional activity on the itinerary. 

Decision- Not for a wedding or rehearsal dinner BUT... would be a fun activity to go and do a wine tasting.

Bridesmaid Dress Websites & Dresses I Can Tolerate

If it looks like a cookie cutter bridesmaid and you need  to dye your shoes to match NOT WHAT I WANT. I know that a long dress isn't as appropriate for a winter daytime wedding so a shorter dress that would look nice with some sort of cover up is what I should be looking for. I want it to not look like a bridesmaid dress so obviously something that can be worn again.

Here are some favorite styles:

I really like the feel of this dress- sexy sexy! 

http://alexiadesigns.com/Bridesmaids/Alexia-Designs/-0-Style-4054/

I like the simplicity of the dress and that it's jersey which means super comfy

http://www.dessy.com/dresses/bridesmaid/2791/

Not sure how I feel about the chiffon but I like this color and the style

http://www.dessy.com/dresses/bridesmaid/2787/

Another one shoulder but by Lela 

http://www.dessy.com/dresses/lelarose/LR140/

Work it! Love the holiday color. After Six

http://www.dessy.com/dresses/bridesmaid/6597/

http://www.dessy.com/dresses/bridesmaid/d462/- Alfred Sung

Another adorable one shoulder. The fabric is def more appropriate for winter. I dunno about the pleats though.

I love this dress! Maybe it reminds me of my New Years Eve dress two years ago I destroyed. I just wish there were color choices. 

http://www.thelimited.com/detail/cap-sleeve-ruched-dress/3217028

Which is your favorite? 

Bridesmaid Dress Websites: 

• http://www.inweddingdress.com/discount-bridesmaid-dresses.html- There are a brunch of reasonable prices dresses
• http://alexiadesigns.com/- Most of the dresses make me cringe but their are some decent dresses
• http://www.dessy.com/- Dress mania!!! 
• http://www.thelimited.com/category/apparel/weddings-events/bridesmaid-dresses- Really like the dresses but there are no color options 
• http://www.perfect-bridesmaid-dresses.com/- I like most of the Bari Jay dress designs scratch that like a lot of them minus the ones with pickups 
• http://www.modcloth.com/store/ModCloth/Womens/Dresses/Party- Even though they are not "bridesmaid" dresses they are dresses
• http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/wedding-bridesmaid-dresses?origin=topnav
• http:///www.houseofbrides.com
• http://www.lightinthebox.com