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)

FLOWER POWER

I know that there's probably no way I'm going to get flowers since I love the shell/flower look (see post) but I absolutely LOVE these combinations!

orchids, peoonies and roses with what looks like either lily-of-the-valley or babys breath (curtoesy Soiree)

MOB Dresses

Nordstroms

Love the color - i wonder how the cut would work?

bridesmaid dresses???

BCBG MaxArzia Laser Cut Dress

At Nordstroms - $288

* I'm not sure what I like more, the color, the shape or her hairdo!*

Maggy London Silk Chiffon Halter Dress

Nordstrom's @ $138

*I think this is so cute but unfortunately yellow is NOT apart of the wedding scheme! So cute though with the peek-a-boo & bow!*

Maggy London Bateau Neck Chiffon Dress

@ Nordstroms for $138

*I love the bow on the side, and i just think the color and fabric are so sweet and delicate!*

Engagement Party

okay here's a photo of my engagement party centerpiece - note it's not till January but this what i'm thinking. (this includes: fescue grass, succulents, river stone & a single gardenia)

(courtesy of Beth Beljon via Faye and Greer)

workouts???

Okay so I've come to realize i'm GROSS - but so are like every other bride out there! So I've come up with a short list of workouts i plan on starting in the coming weeks up until my nuptuals.

Check them out and maybe do them with me!

Arm Flab Solution
Wedding Workout

Invitations take 1000

It's called Crushed Apple....and all said and done with RSVP's its only $250!

I'm not super psyched about the green background color so I'm going to have to order to see if i love it. (Courtesy of Invitation Consultants.com)

So I fell in love with the fern's below - but all in all spending $500 on just the invites is SOOOO not in my budget. I did come across a great site though that has what i'm kinda looking for and at much better rates! Minus the monogram

Maybe I'll make them myself on the Gocco!

LOVE these (seen on Soiree)

Inspirations

ceiling and tent ideas

swatch portraits

I was also thinking that it might be cool to have photos or fabric circles suspended from the ceiling - economic and attractive (and not paper lanterns!!)

I was thinking that it might be cool to include blue "theme" lighting with the typical rope christmas type lighting. Just a few accents up towards the tent ceiling or something....I also think it would go well with twigs twined up and down the poles with the lighting underneath (to act as though the posts are tree trunks

Lighting - courtesy of 7 Degrees (laguana beach ca)

Invites

The Coolest thing is that these look like ink blots at first glance but are actually countries/states overlayed by one another. How cool would these be for me and Jay - and he likes them too!!!! i'm so excited i'm going to see if i can do something like this on my own

**THRIFTY, ARTSY & AWESOME**

As seen on Mi Mi Designs

blogs blogs and more blogs

So i've become a fan of others blogs - beyond their aid in figuring out small bits and pieces they also provide insight to some really wonderful larger scale items...if only someone found me the affordable and pretty dress!!

Wedding Chicks - possibly having a fully back lit blue wall?? (use blue lights mixed with the vine christmas white?)

The Bride's Cafe

Janie Medley Flora Design - great inspirational ideas (such as martini glasses w/ "sea glass/glass pebbles" and tea lights! or peacock feathers tucked into the bouquets!

Not a blog but a great set of photos from a personal wedding

Love this wedding dress:


Peonies & Polaroids

CreativeFlairChic - what about something like this 2 sided hanging from the ceiling - either photos and/or fabric?

Beautiful Photography at One Love Photography - like this photo - i LOVE IT!!! - too bad they're in Washington State!!!!


Mi Mi Wedding Design - GREAT ideas

Like this centerpeice idea from Jesse & Deanna's blog

TO check out dress shop - Bridals by Danielle as recommended by Deanna

Of course there's snipet & Ink

Practical and Saavy - The Practical Wedding

Mother of the Bride

searching through the gazillion of wedding blogs I found a great dressmaker website. The dresses are somewhat reasonable in price and you can choose the style & colors!

Lyn Lugo Bridal

I found out about it on a new found blog: Wedding Chicks