Check Out Our Photographer

Hey, Ladies!

How are you all doing? (I'm missing your beautiful faces!)

I found a photographer this week, and I just wanted to share the link with ya! Her name is Nicolette Clark, and she's gonna come down from Sacramento to shoot our big day. Check her out here. (Go to her website and then the gallery.)

Tell me what you think about her style.

Hope you're all doing well!

xoxo

Mark Your Calendars: October 16, 2010

That's the day I'm getting my dress fitted, and I want you all to be there! I was bummed that we didn't get the chance to do the classic "try on a bunch of dresses" day, but I want you to come see it!

I bought the dress today, but it's being ordered and won't get here for a while. I have a fitting at 11 a.m. on Oct. 16th and I'd love for you to come. (Toni, you don't leave til the week after, right?)

Hope you can be there!

xoxo

We Found a Venue... and I've Chosen My Dress!

Yay! I am SO happy to report that we found and booked a venue today! We will be getting married at Nicholson Vineyards in Aptos! It's on Pleasant Valley Road— right between my parents' house and Travis' parents' house. It's absolutely gorgeous, and I can't wait to post pictures (we're going back next weekend to do all the paperwork, so I'll take a bunch of photos then and post them here.)

Our official wedding date is September 10, 2011. (I love the date: 9-10-11... so cool! Haha)

I think you all already know that my mom and I went to David's Bridal once to try on some dresses. I was positive I wouldn't find anything I actually liked there. I just wanted to get a better idea of the styles/shapes I liked. Well, I accidentally found the perfect dress! (Actually, it's not perfect... it has a horrid bow on the front that I will be removing PRONTO!)

I was hoping you'd all be with me when I found the dress, but I'll definitely bring you along when I have my first fitting, so you can see it in person and all that! (It has to be bustled and altered a little bit.) Wanna see it now, though? Remember... NO BOW! :)

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Another thing I love about it is that it has hidden pockets!!! How cool is that??

So, what do you think? I'm sooo happy to have these two major components picked out because now I feel like I can really start thinking about the details (and we can figure out what you lovely ladies are going to wear!)

I'm soo happy to be sharing this with you, and I hope you're all having the best weekend ever!

xoxo

Fabric Swatch

I got the grey chiffon fabric swatch from J. Crew today and it is BEAUTIFUL! I still haven't decided for sure what to do about bridesmaids dresses (mostly because I haven't figured out the venue yet, and I can't seem to make any decisions until I know where the wedding will be.)

Anyways, just thought I'd update you all!

Hope you ladies are doing well— xoxo.

Mindy Weiss

Mindy Weiss, a famous celebrity wedding planner writes an awesome blog. I have heard of her before and have seen pictures of some of the AMAZING weddings she has done, but never thought to check out her blog! Though she plans for mostly extravagant weddings/events, she has some great ideas. She even mentions JCrew's new wedding shop (See May 2010).
Check out her blog here.
http://www.mindyweiss.com/blog/
Check out her website here-- my favorite part is her eStore! It has some great favors, gifts, etc.
http://mindyweiss.com/

Enjoy :)

Scratch That

I think Travis and I may be looking at venues on July 24th, so we'll have to do the bridesmaid fitting #1 in August.

Let's stay in contact about it :)

Bridesmaid Dresses

Hey Lovely Ladies!

Here's a little update:

Travis and I found THE PERFECT location yesterday and got all teary and happy and excited. And then we found out that we can't afford it. (Lesson learned: when people tell you that a place is affordable, find out actual numbers. Apparently, affordable is a relative term!) Anyways, we're a little bummed out and we took the day off from wedding planning today.

For some better news, I have a cool update about bridesmaid dresses. I talked to the woman at J. Crew Weddings (she is the best, by the way) and she mailed me a fabric swatch of the dress I showed you all, so I can see if the color is cohesive with the palette Travis and I are going for. I should get the swatch by Friday or Saturday— yay!

I also decided that rather than forcing you all to wear that exact same dress, I'd give you guys the choice of 3 dresses, so that you're more sure to find something that you really like/that's flattering/that's in your budget. Here are the options:

The original dress is $215.00.

The second dress has straps and is the cheapest at $165.oo

The third option has a natural waistline and is slightly longer than the other two (just below the knees). It's priced in the middle at $180.00.

The color for all of them is "graphite" and assuming the swatch is good, you ladies can choose any combo of these. I don't care if you each wear one of these, if two of you wear one and one wears another, or if you all wear the same option. Whichever style suits you is fine by me!

Rather than ordering them online, we can go to J. Crew at Valley Fair and do a real fitting! (We'll have to book 2 appointments: one where they can do your measurements, then one with the dresses. They'll order the dresses to the store in the perfect size for you once they get your measurements.)

Are you ladies available to do the first appointment on the 24th? (Toni, will you be busy with your play during the morning/early afternoon?) Let me know and I'll book it!

xoxo

Wedding Music

I found this article on the Knot today and it cracked me up! Music is one of the most important aspects of the reception-- a good DJ can make or break you. I think it's a great idea to allow guests to request songs on the wedding website (good thinking Kim!) and an even better one to provide the DJ with a thorough list of songs to be played so that the music doesn't go awry. Frankly I agree with the article and sure hope the Chicken Dance isn't played!! ;)

Wedding Music: 8 Wedding Songs to Skip

Something Small...

...to help us all with the big day. Looking through my new "Inside Weddings" magazine, I found this handy little tool to keep shoes from sinking into grass, gravel, etc. Perfect for the outdoor wedding--cute shoes that you can still walk in.

http://www.thesolemates.com/index.php

Also, I love the color choices--a little lavender in there would be beautiful! Also, I am so ready to start DIY as soon as possible!

Let's Get It Started!!

Hey, Ladies!!

I don't know which of you thought of this blog idea, but it is totally brilliant! What a great way for us to keep in touch, post photos/inspirations, run ideas past each other/etc...

Sara, Marina, Toni: I am SO excited to have you as my bridesmaids! I couldn't ask for 3 more fabulous people to share my special day with (and all of the fun leading up to it!!) I want to warn you ahead of time that I am already overwhelmed, so please bear with me as we figure out this process together. I know you are all so wonderfully supportive, and all I ask is that you have my back when this process gets a little crazy. I promise to keep you updated on all the big decisions, and don't be surprised if I rope you in to a little DIY-action :)

Mom: The day has finally arrived!! I will never forget the moment I told you the big news— you are such an amazing support for me, and I can't wait to plan this day with you! You've already helped to keep me grounded, which is SO necessary and much appreciated :) Please feel free to post to the blog as little or as much as you want to!

Updates so far: Travis and I might be coming into town to drive around and scout out a few venues. I'm not sure how this will go down. If we are torn between more than one place, I'll likely be calling upon all of you to come out with us for a second time, so we can get opinions. If we find a place that we know is perfect right away (I'm hoping this will happen!), I promise to take lots of photos, so you ladies can see what the fuss is all about :)

I'm feeling stuck on the color palette. I am LOVING grey, yellow, and white and wondering if I should just keep those or if I should add a 4th color (we're thinking either navy, plum, or lavender.) Thoughts?

We're also working on the guest list (by WE I actually mean ME... I think Travis is overwhelmed/doesn't really care very much haha) and it looks much more manageable than I was anticipating. Yay!

I'm looking forward to future posts and whatnot! Hope you're all having a lovely Tuesday.

Let the process of becoming a Guiley Girl begin!

xoxo