back of DRESS

I absolutely love the back of this Pronovias Valdemar

Fun Photo

How much was it to make thisphoto????

beautiful invite

how AMAZING is this invitation???



c/o OnceWed

Bluuuuuuuue

SO after spending the day at work, rocking out to LeAnn Rimes "Blue" and realising how lonesome I am when my beau is out of town for work.....i stumbled across the beauties!

Simple outdoor centerpieces

Its simple, clean and refined....

dancing, swaying. i'm i LOVE RIBBONS

Seriously I cannot control the thoughts...ribbon swaying in the Summer-September winds.....

(found at michelle rago ltd)

Green Over-Over

Found at Michelle Rago, Ltd

Huge-ass flowers

Flipping through blogs (yes that is exactly what I said), I found a post by Design*Sponge on Zoe Bradley's exhibit at Kate's Paperie.....WHOA check it out!

we set a DATE (thus the name change)

09-19-09

AND A PLACE: Lake Trout Retreats - in Stroudsburg, PA

More info: http://www.weddingwire.com/shannonandjason

Okay I'll write more in a bit but I'm SOOOOOO excited :0)

oooo letter press oooo

Well as for an obsession for any bride the invitations are the beautiful thing that is supposed to excite all invitees and say - i cannot WAIT to go to this wedding! Its as if you order tickets to a baseball game (ahem NYY vs BOS), you wait in anticipation and when they finally arrive its Christmas morning (or July 13th) and you open them up, inspect them and are just thrilled to hold them in your hand - knowing full well that when you get to this game (or wedding) the excitement will explode onto an awesome event.

Enter letter press - the choice (re: expensive) of all exclusive brides. I am not however as fortunate to afford such a luxury item as I am saving (anywhere) to afford not only throwing an awesome wedding/ceremony/reception - but a weekend full of activity PLUS the extra for our honeymoon.

So when I saw this post on Perfect Bound - i nearly had a heart attack!

So i jump over to Dingbat's Letterpress.....and read the rules and want to cry. My thoughts for a wedding invite to go with our uuber casual wedding in the woods - how awesome would it be to get FREE design AND invitations. My OCD may be in overdrive because it's not my design but as I flip through pages and pages on their blog and website....my heart SOARS!
(image Dingbat on etsy)
I certainly don't need 100 invites - my mere wedding of 90 can be kept to wraps w/ 50 invites, etc. but heck they're BEAUTIFUL! I particularly love all of the floral references....and although delicate the simplicity of the colors, just amazing.

So....we wait and see!

Cak-ish Ideas!

What a beautiful setup....this wedding was awesome all over, but i cannot get over this cute idea.

[Found at Sarah K Chen Photography]

Cool Feathers..

I love the peacock feathers....From Sarah K Chen Photography

Insurance

Gotta have it

Wed Safe

Suc-who, SUCC-U!

BOUT - soooooo awesome! From InStyle Weddings Fall 2007 via Brooklyn Bride

Mini-Succulents :0) (from Martha Stewart)

Gourds in white

I saw a display in Better Homes & Gardens today and it featured white gourds. How cool to tie in the end of summer with white gourds in with the ferns?

It's raining...........pink?

So i've made it known to my MOH & mom that if they're going to throw me a shower then out of respect for my paternal grandmother that I would like the theme of the party to be centered around breast cancer. My grandma, Mary Adelade Meyer Donovan was one of the single most important people in my life. Her death was a crush to me and I think of her every day. Many people in my family refer to me as mini-Mae or Mae's clone - something that I am truely proud of - the good and the bad :0)

I recieved an email today from the New York botanical society and i LOVE the graphic (pink)

Hairy and Floral?

I L-O-V-E the smell of gardenia's....unfortunatley they get junky right after you remove the water source...so having the one in the back of my head (for my hair) is iffy.

then i found this:

On Etsy!

Food Glorious Food

Jay's words - I kid you not - sooooo now that we've decided on a place what were you thinking for a menu of....................

NOTE: Rachel Ray was cookin' up some to-die-for meal as this is going on

Here's a quick stab:

PRE- Ceremony:
(1) Wine & Cheddar Cheese
(2) Deviled Eggs
(3) Pancetta wrapped Asparagus
(4) Mini-Turkey balls on a stick

*Jay wants a sign in front of the Asparagus that says "Everything's Better Wrapped in Bacon"*

Dinner
(1) Horseradish & Rosemarry Mashed Potatoes
(2) Veggie-Somosa's
(3) Biscuits (and of course Butter)
(4) Veggie option - curried chickpeas & cauliflower

Just thoughts for now

Links Links and MORE links

So i've been reading a lot of blogs and websites but haven't had the time to clip all the items. So I have to load and keep sorting through - damn wedding season with all your wonderful ideas!

http://tecpetaja.bigfolioblog.com/

http://www.vinenyc.com/weddings.html

http://ohmydeerhandmades.blogspot.com/

http://thebridescafe.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/07/post-27.html

http://thebridescafe.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/07/post-31.html

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YQD1ViTNOruQ7yKt4ng8qeZ3TC6g8y_I1SfN2dbIu-CY32nxvy_gksKGylVs9CZOeRa1Gh1Y6Y9FgyiYJ1lYh2H3eHwrCgm6eMp26fRTXVbccWOIyLeMfngO0oMgoG1Mj3QR82X7tuc/s1600-h/Run+Jason+Run!.jpg

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNDlfX2f3YAkZt6a9SK0ci32AZh3BJn8y16Sgev8XUQOSOLe2xQ0HpNg1BP5ulaMYGj3aW4f_n0ETKXRF0D9cBUR4f4oqzYutU4VxojSWBnBx7E06OLQPB5KtXGtxSsTKkvBhrq4kwGeo/s1600-h/Picture+6.png

http://www.tinytotdressshop.com/whvtaspocdr.html

http://www.beau-coup.com/blog/bridal-showers/top-20-unique-bridal-shower-games

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12524396

http://yellowbrickblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Wedding?updated-max=2008-02-05T07%3A32%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=20

http://with-this-ring-i-thee-obsess.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2008-07-01T01%3A00%3A00-05%3A00&max-results=20

http://awindycitywedding.blogspot.com/

http://inthisinstance.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2008-06-05T12%3A19%3A00-05%3A00&max-results=5

http://www.whiteboxweddings.com/

http://www.cmart.com/ (in landover, md)

http://www.fiftyflowers.com/product/Centerpiece-with-Height-Combo-Pack_274.htm (flowers)

http://thebridescafe.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/08/post-19.html

http://www.invitationsbydawn.com/WE_SearchResults.cfm?prev=1&TempPrev=0&blnPreviewRequestSubmitted=0&recordsperpage=32&CompletedOrder=0&sBasketID=0&lCriteria=247&Group=WedEnsDDa&alogo=1&menu=none&morethanonepage=YES&HostDomain=0&FirstTimeThrough=1&option=WE_SearchResults.cfm&format=WedEnsDDa&CFID=58784976&CFTOKEN=24763250


http://www.magnetstreet.com/store/page/market/517/mloc/ib_french-country.html


http://www.shopwildthings.com/clgecu.html

http://ourjourneydowntheaisle.wordpress.com/

http://wiseoysters.blogspot.com/

http://www.infusecreativity.com/images/idea01.jpg



http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/lighting-paper-lanterns-with-throwies
http://futurlec.com/LEDGen.shtml
http://www.flickr.com/photos/everythingdigital/104038643/in/set-72057594069888500/
http://www.instructables.com/id/EWL9H74LX4EP286JFD/
http://www.weddingbee.com/2008/03/13/paper-lantern-inspiration/

http://brideslittlewhitebook.blogspot.com/2008/07/real-wedding-sherry-and-john.html

http://www.bestweddingblogs.com/

PAPER FLOWERS
http://blumchen.com/craft_shop_crepe_fancy_paper.html#crepepaperfolds

http://theauctionrebel.com/457/dennisons-party-magazines-crepe-paper-and-party-favors/

http://judemiller.com/press1.htm

http://invitemedo.blogspot.com/

http://www.purlbee.com/mollys-party-garland/

http://www.creaturecomforts.typepad.com/

http://racheltrobertson.com/

http://pacificweddings.typepad.com/love_notes/page/4/

https://www.fabulousstationery.com/personal_notes/blush/sakura/

http://pacificweddings.com/destination-wedding/real-weddings

http://thebridescafe.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/08/real-wedding-je.html?cid=126216360#comment-126216360

http://2000dollarwedding.com/search?updated-max=2008-07-13T11%3A24%3A00-06%3A00&max-results=20

http://www.campchoconut.com/events.html

http://www.frostvalley.org/lodging/family_rates.php

http://www.indiebride.com/index.html

http://www.onesourceweddings.net/

http://budgetsavvybride.wordpress.com/

http://theeverydaybride.blogspot.com/

afternoon delight - starland vocal band

http://www.pgparks.com/places/eleganthistoric/newton_intro.html

http://www.kentisland.cc/kiweddings.htm#target_Event_here

Running of the Brides...okay I walked :0)

So my mom and i drove up to Laurel & Greg's on Thursday night - a LONG drive up as for some reason the Connecticut DOT thinks shutting down an interstate to one lane is a SMART thing to do! Thank you TOM-TOM you made driving a whole lot better. We had a lovely morning with Josie, L&G's adorable little girl. She's gotten so big and absolutely a bundle of joy! Once on the road we were in Boston in no time (again thanks TOM-TOM). All of a sudden we found ourselves at the Hynes Convention Center...and no hoo-ah!?! It was crazy - here I was expecting there to be tons and tons and TONS of crazy screaming people. I guess that's what happens when you show up 4 hours after they open the door. There was still dresses EVERYWHERE, and of course possessiveness over dresses that the other brides (or brides-to-be) were trying on or thinking about. I heard lots of screams of joy and excitement...while i was struggling. It seemed like if you were a wedding dress size 8-12 you were golden. I on the other hand am a size 16-20. Yes I know, I KNOW. Devastated with the size - thank you swimming bust size - and annoyed that the selection was sub-par. I was sort of expecting to walk into the Princeton boutique that currently houses my uuber expensive dress yet all the dresses were under a grand. Sadly, this was NOT the case. A lot of the dresses were cheap looking, a lot of them had LONG sleeves and the rest - well hello ball gowns. So i was definitely disappointed but heck I drove all that way, I'm gonna try some on.

Overall my mom and I had some really good laughs...and I did wind up with a dress. Time will only tell if its the one.

my minds churnin' out wine-y thoughts!

So on Friday night FI and I went to the racking party for our wine. This is the third step in the process, and where we pump out the wine in the barrel, then spin the barrel around and dump out the sediment and then pump the wine back into the barrel and leave it on the shelf till March 2009. Yup, MARCH 2009 - with a wedding in September 2009 - that leaves six months for the wine to get over bottle shock and mature for our guests to guzzle it down. So while there (and of course drinking wine a plenty) my thoughts started running rampant about introducing wine into equation a little bit more. Here's what I came up with:
1) instead of using a a pot or a bowl or whatever, I like the idea of using the grape crates as the base. We can mix up what we put in there, whether ferns or cut flowers (using a block of foam to hold it together) or even rocks/stone and succulents
2) using corks scattered around the table with candles
3) using corks with the place cards stuck in the top, littered in a separate box for each table
4) using corks in a vase to elevate the candle
5) using upside-down crates to stack boards for the cupcakes (using a fabric covered board for the display)

Camp Rentals

OKAY!!! so new plan could be in the works as the original location uped the price and i'm p-i-s-s-e-d....check out what i just found

http://www.rentmycamp.com/

I emailed a bunch of camps....let's see what happens!!!

Colorful Invitations

Water Lily - Willow (wedding paper divas)

Sea Grass Wedding Invites (Sarah Hawkins for Wedding Divas)

Le Papier Boutique for Wedding Paper Divas in Kiwi

pretty silk!

bridesmaid??? (from aria)

Hanging Lights

FINALLY a shot showing the hanging lights in jars w/ twine (via style me pretty)

Decorating the Tent

Here's another thought (not pink of course) (via a brooklyn bride)

Six Degrees

Okay so i'm just adding the hypelink because this is just too awesome to describe:
http://www.oncewed.com/index.cfm?postID=109

A sedum and subdued bouquette

So you know my quiet (or not so quiet) obsession with sedums. How awesome is this? I could do a green and blue bouquette this way! (from once wed)

Sparkle Sparkle

I really like this as a creative way to pass out the sparklers. I especially love the copper wire though I'd have to use ribbon to match the color scheme...or maybe i'd use insulated electrical wire??? (from once wed)

What an AWESOME approach!

How awesome would this be???? (via Desire to Inspire)

Hangings

How cutie are these??? - Another Loving Photo from Once Wed!

Photographers

Oh I'm in L-O-V-E with these photogs!

I think this is some really bad-ass ideas too! Michele M Waite

A Bryan Photography

Amy Deputy - i LOVE this and she's "local" but the least expensive package starts at $4500!!!

Table Settings

All from Once Wed

How adorable is this??!!!???

Or this one?

And the top left one!!

The White Dress

It's pretty and it's white!

ABS by Allen Schwartz Strapless Chiffon Gown @ Nordstrom's $358

Simplicity about

(Pottery Barn)

I'm in love with the simplicity of these vases - nothing even needs to be in them and the bonus - if i mix them all up and get different sizes, colors, shapes, etc.....i can keep them ALL!!!!

*okay i know that its overboard for 3 sets of vases at 13 tables - who needs 36 vases?!?*

A non-traditional wedding dress for a non-traditional bride

Okay so i know its not white, but i also know how flattering this pleating is on me...plus i LOVE the bodice!

$537 badgley mischka at saks

table settings

Nancy Liu Chin Designs

oooooo found something neato! Really like the simplicity of the polished riverstones, not a fan of the (a) orange flowers and (b) somewhat dead looking flowers. I also like the colored bottles with the singular flowers. Also, how cool is the banana leaf wrapped candle holders!

It's all about the location

So here's where i have been having my breakdown. I have this image as to what I want my wedding to look like in my head and I can concede to certain things but the bottom line is this. if its not what going to be the perfect day - the one perfect, semi-controllable day - what's the point in even having it. And, for that matter, Jay and I could just go to the justice of the peace. But, that's just it - it IS our day. The one and only day that we decide the date on. Kids - not in our hands, buying a home - not in our hands (closing dates, etc). A wedding, and our wedding, that day is our choice and damit - i'm gonna try and perfect it!

So here's my list of things I desire for the ultimate Shannon & Jason wedding.

1) An outdoor ceremony AND reception. As optomistic as I can be, there is the mother who constantly (daily, hourly) reminds me that yes if its all outdoors and it rains then what's hour back up. And that's the thing - backup - I don't mind tents or even a stand alone shelter. In fact, if that had to be the set-up and the sides were removable that'd be just fine as well!
2) Sleeping quarters - I would love to accommodate everyone, however I would be okay if 40 people or so (about half the expected) could stay onsite.
- these accommodations have to be CLEAN and reasonably priced (i'd love to get it so its around $250-300/couple for the weekend OR less of course)
3) At around $100pp for food and open bar for the entire evening
4) I kinda sorta need a water source and trees. Like kinda as in HAVE TO! The romance of tree canopies and serenity of water.....SCREAMS shannon and jason's wedding :0) Also, I do not whatsoever want to see any highrises, or neighbors or a parkinglot.
5) No end @ hour - no requirements that we have to have everything shut down by 10pm, 11pm or midnight....or that i can't take photos after 6pm. NO RESTRICTIONS!
6) If I could I'd love if I could bring in my own booze. But if I can't then it MUST be reasonably priced.....not $30/hour/person.....
7) Required - as per Jason - that it has to be within a 4 hour drive distance from Asbury Park
Here's what I've gotten so far.....most of the things I need......check'em out:

Maryland's Eastern Shore:
Ransome's Chesapeake Bay Retreat - $4500/weekend, sleeps 34 comfortably, other rentals nearby, bring in EVERYTHING
*runner up: Captain's Quarter's, Cod's Point

New York's Catskills:
Full Moon Resort - $145pp (includes, 3 hours open bar) + LOTS of additional costs....

Bridal Dress Ideas

Stumbled across these guys while searching around for ideas (as usual)

Lela Rose (Fall Collection - The Chapel)

Lela Rose (Fall Collection - The Cloisters)

Power Shots

Here's kind of what I'd love/dream of having my wedding like...lots of cool ideas!

Loving the tree canopies, candle lit pathway and blue linens!
(curtoesy of Soiree)

Nice Arched Area and Huge Trees.......
(Curtoesy of Liz Banfield Photography)

I love the simplicity (and the scent) of lilies and these are a great example! I also think that it might be a great idea to take flowers (fake handmade ribbon / not real) like this from the trees!(curtoesy Soiree)