Monday, December 20, 2010

I'm late, I'm late, for a very important DATE!

Working Title: Why you need a timeline - but the other one is more catchy.

So lately I've been spending time preparing for my friend Caroline's wedding in February. We grew up together in PA, and now she lives in TN with her fiance and will be married there in about 60 days (Wooohooo!!!). This past weekend we attended Caroline's first bridal fitting and her dress fit like a glove!! Only small changes need to be made on the hem and straps and it will be good to go! We have a second fitting lined up in a month to double check things. (We also got to see the bridesmaids dresses on her friend Tracey and they look stunning as well). Following Caroline's fitting we had a big meeting (with wine of course) to hash out her timeline details, check her photo list and generally talk shop about her BIG day.

draft of timeline from our meeting

The bulk of our time was spent on her timeline, which begins at 6:45am on a Saturday and ends at 12:45am late that night. (Can a girl get a '5 hour energy' please?) In my opinion, one of the most important things to think about as you plan your wedding is the timing of the day. Especially if multiple locations and a large bridal party is involved the coordination of it all can get really complicated. Main components to consider include: locations of all events and getting ready areas (including salons and hotels), number of people involved, means of transportation, travel time from location to location, items (flowers, lighting, etc) needing to be moved or set up if any, and the order of special things happening at the reception (intros, toasts, 1st dance, cake cutting, garter/bouquet tosses, grand exit, etc.) And then there are the question to be answered: Where will the flowers be dropped off and when? When should the photographers come and where to? When will you eat? What if there is traffic? What if the limo doesn't show? What's plan B? Are there any last minute VIPs (close family or bridal party members) arriving the day of? Will they need to be picked up from the airport for example?

Ooof. And the list goes on. So if you don't have a timeline for your day, it may be a good idea to start one. Basics include when you need to arrive and leave each location, include any appointments (hair/makeup/nails) and the order of things at the reception. Some are simpler than others, of course! But I don't think you can be over prepared! Closing thought: Build in extra time. You will run a little behind at some point, and that's ok. You can't have a wedding without the Bride -- or Groom, so don't worry, all will wait for you, but you don't want your guests to get too drunk while they wait for your grand entrance ;).

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Artist Spotlight: Aressa, Etsy

I became obsessed with these wire hangers after seeing them featured over and over by another wedding photographer who I love. After about the 10th one I saw, I asked if he knew where the Brides were getting them and he said Etsy. Lo and behold, after some easy searching I found Aressa. I quickly ordered 2 hangers for 2 friends who are getting married this winter 2011 and next spring 2012. Here are the two pics of them. I had this blue one made in the exact shade of my Bridesmaid dress for my friend Sarah's wedding in 2012. She was very excited when she opened it. I can't wait to see her gorgeous dress hanging from it!!
For Sarah

And the black one is for my friend Caroline. I mailed it to her in TN a few weeks ago, and got to experience her excitement via FB. I can't wait for this wedding day (it's so soon)!! Only 72 more days :D
For Caroline
These hangers make great Bachelorette or Shower gifts. They are VERY affordable - ranging from $20 to $25 each. The creator can make them in various colors and finishes. Ordering was easy and delivery was fast (considering they are handmade)!

Friday, December 3, 2010

7th Bridesmaid dress

Lucky #7? Could be. I ordered this dress today. It's different than all my other BM dresses for a few reasons: 1) it's one shoulder, which is cool 2) it's 3 different colors - mostly brown, don't have one of those yet and 3) I don't think I have shoes to match it. And I have lots of shoes. So now I'm on Zappos.com - dangerous.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Photographer Spotlight: AEve Photo

I know I bragged about her a few weeks ago, but here is another plug for my sister's awesome photography skills. If you are getting married in the future, you NEED to look at her stuff. Here are some of her pics from my cousin Katie's wedding. Katie and Peter had a beautiful October wedding in NJ at a winery and had some really cute kids involved in their special day.  Allison captured the joy and love of the day beautifully.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

10 in 2010

I have attended 10 weddings in 2010, in just under 10 months, and clearly I needed to write about this on 10/10/10. My wedding season began on February 6, 2010 and ended yesterday on October 9, 2010. Whew what a year!!! Congratulations to all the happy couples and thank you for including me in your special day. Here are my favorite pics from each of the happy days:

Katie & Matt 2.6.10 Downingtown, PA

Rob & Amy 4.2.10 Portland, OR

Brad & Alyssa 5.1.10 Wilmington, DE

Berry & Doug 6.12.10 West Chester, PA


 Mark & Mandy 6.26.10 Philadelphia, PA

Crystal & Steve 7.24.10 Washington, DC

Liz & Tim 9.4.10 Rochester, NY

Katie & Pete 10.2.10 Egg Harbor City, NJ

Emily & Vijay Hindu Ceremony 10.8.10 Flushing, NY

Emily & Vijay Civil Ceremony 10.9.10 Manhattan, NY

Friday, October 1, 2010

What I am wearing! A Hindu Wedding

In mid-October my cousin Emily is having two wedding ceremonies in 2 days. The first on Friday is a traditional Hindu ceremony beginning at a temple in Queens, NY and the second on Saturday a civil ceremony, followed by a fancy reception in the evening at the University Club in Manhattan.  For this weekend I will need 2 outfits, both formal enough for ceremonies but suitable to the very distinct times of day (7am and 5:30pm).  I'm pretty settled on my wardrobe for this event, but as always I love feedback!

Friday Hindu Ceremony and Lunch in Queens, both at the Temple:
Solid Purple Donna Morgan, purchased at Marshalls for around $30.You can see the true color better here.
Saturday Ceremony and Black-tie optional reception, both at the U club:
 
I'm super proud of this purchase. I originally saw this dress at Saks online and immediately fell in love, but it was $495 - out of my reach for sure. A few weeks later the dress went on Rue la la for $99 but they didn't have my size, blast! Then the fates were very kind and with help from my sister, it was mine at last! I am so excited to wear this, but I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Cobalt Nicole Miller full length dress with gold and silver embroidery, TJ Maxx St. Davids, PA $99

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

WTW Winner - Jersey Winery Wedding

Thanks so much for all your votes! The purple and black BR dress was a clear standout and I'm super excited to wear it to this weekend's wedding. As you can see, my dress is drycleaned and ready to go, card signed, and gift wrapped. There's only one more thing I need and that's my sister! She is arriving on Friday night from Pittsburgh and I haven't seen her in ages because she just got home from 3 weeks in Europe (lucky girl, I know). I can't wait to pick you up kiddo! We're gonna have a blast at this one.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Perfect Paper: Early Fall

On Saturday I attended a wedding in upstate NY - now you may be thinking "Wait, thats still summer" and yes technically it is, but when you're in upstate NY it's a little cooler and the colors of fall are beginning to show. The Bride and Groom chose gorgeous invitations, which tied in with the chocolate bridesmaid dresses, colorful flowers and traditional woods and neutrals found at the church and country club. All the invitation items came in a convenient brown folder, which the main invitation was glued to on the right and had a pocket on the left for the reception card, response card, and list of weekend events.

The couple also tied their theme into a beautiful and delicious cake. The cake sat on a cake stand printed with the same paper you see on their invitations. Read more about this wedding here.


Wednesday, September 1, 2010

What to Wear? A Jersey Winery Wedding

My cousin Katie is getting married in early October at a very traditional Catholic Church in central NJ and then her reception is at a nearby winery.  I'm especially excited about this wedding b/c my sister Allison Eve is her photographer, check her out!  Again I need your help deciding what to wear. I've been thinking of wearing this black dress with pearl embroidery.  My friend L.A. has a great Milly dress with pearl embroidery that inspired this purchase. Her dress was a huge hit at a black tie wedding where I was a Bridesmaid in July. Some people frown on wearing black to weddings (unless it's black tie of course) and admittedly I am one of them especially in the summer, but in fall and winter I embrace the classic black. It's also easy to mix up a simple black dress with pearls, turquoise jewelery, or a colorful sash. Fellow Bloggers, what are your thoughts on wearing black at weddings?  I'm also considering wearing the Banana purple and black dress from the WTW post in August. The BR dress received lots of votes last time and I do love it (mostly b/c it's purple), but in the end it just wasn't right for the Labor Day outdoor party setting. So we will give it another chance. Here are your two options, vote away!!!

Simple and classic. Maggy London, Steinmart sale, $59

 I was thinking this could be cool, because it's sorta the color of red wines... haha. Banana Republic, clearance, $49

Monday, August 16, 2010

WTW Winner - Labor Day Weekend Wedding

Wow that's a lot of Dubyas. After tabulating the votes from last week's WTW and reviewing the wedding itinerary a bit more, I've decided to wear...

Lilly on Friday (still can't pick which one - will have to be a spur of the moment thing with consultation from my wedding weekend roomie, The Tipster)
CK on Saturday:

And MK on Sunday:

Thanks for all your votes!!! Look for more WTW (What to wear) episodes coming in September - I have two October weddings, two weeks in a row, BRING IT ON!

Friday, August 6, 2010

What to wear? A new series

The main part of wedding season has come to a close, and now I have a few upcoming off-season weddings to attend as a guest.  As fun as being a Bridesmaid is, I am relieved to be a simple guest for the next few months. However, one thing I struggle with when I'm not a Bridesmaid is what to wear. Today I went to Steinmart in search of a deal and I found two great dresses (with assistance via text from Bex). Then when I got home I started to think about where I would wear my new dresses. This led to another text exchange with my friend J-mandy, and then to me thinking up this new feature.

So up first is a wedding on Labor Day weekend: my friends from college Liz and Tim will wed in his hometown of Rochester, NY. I went to their engagement party last fall, you may remember the story. The Bride and Groom's families are very generously including out-of-town guests in a Friday night party, the wedding itself on Saturday and a BBQ at a lake house on Sunday. I'm so excited about all these fun events. But what to wear? I have 2 options for each of the 3 events. Please vote in the comment section, thanks :D

(please forgive the BB pics, I live alone and my digi doesn't have a self timer)

Friday night cocktail party at Groom's parents' home:
Banana Republic jersey and satin cocktail dress, BR clearance $49
Lilly Pulitzer beaded Jubilee dress, LP store $378

Saturday Ceremony - Catholic Church/Reception - Country Club:
Aqua full length sexy back Calvin Klein, Marshalls $40
Navy ruffled Eliza J, Nordstrom sale $69

Sunday BBQ at the Lake House:
Michael Kors maxi dress, Steinmart sale $48
Lilly Pulitzer cotton sundress, Warehouse sale 2010 $69

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Happy Anniversary to me

I can't believe it's been a whole year since I started this blog!! Since then I've attended 12 weddings, been a MOH twice, thrown 6 showers/bachelorettes and learned a great deal. This year the blog will begin to focus more on saving money as you plan weddings, participate as an attendant or go as a guest. You've seen a little of this already with this summers DIY Bachelorette Accessories posts and it will continue in my new series beginning tomorrow about clothes. I have a bad habit of buying something new every single time I have a party or event, so I am going shopping tomorrow for dresses and then I'm not allowed to buy another dress until Christmas. My challenge is to dress for 4 weddings, a few showers, and a couple of bachelorettes in that time with clothes I already have and what I can buy tomorrow for less than $100 total. Bring it on!!

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Perfect Paper: Formal Letterpress

My friend Crystal had a very formal and traditional wedding in Washinton, DC this summer. She and her husband were wed in a traditional Catholic Church and then we proceeded to an elegant reception at the historical Willard Hotel downtown. Below you can see her formal invitation, which was letterpressed in black on off white heavy card stock. The invitation set the tone for the ceremony and reception. Guests weren't quite in black tie, but it was certainly formal - just what the couple wanted.
Other examples of gorgeous paper are their programs, menus and favor tags.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Lilly Wedding Dresses


I could not be happier about this latest development. Lilly Pulitzer's FB account just confirmed the rumors I heard swirling at this year's Warehouse Sale in June - Lilly Wedding Dresses are a reality! I've never been happier to be yet unwed, to think someday I'll have these to choose from as well, HOORAY! In no particular order, here are my top 5 (all pics via Lilly Pulitzer):




Sunday, July 4, 2010

Happy Fourth!


This blog isn't always about weddings, sometimes it's just about delicious dessert. Today I made Red, White, and Blue desserts for our Family BBQ in honor of Independence Day and my dad's 59th Birthday. I made an Angel Food Cake and my sister made a strawberry topping. Also I made what we call Blueberry Fluff. It's a delish combo of sponge cake, cream cheese, dream whip, and stewed blueberries. YUM!