Summery Additions to Your Big Day!

{photo from Martha Stewart Weddings}

Even though it hasn't really felt like summer, especially summer in Bloomington here lately (I'm not complaining! Its been wonderful), I love these summery ideas (Summer Good Things) for weddings from Martha Stewart.

From sorbets, to ice creams, cold drinks and other summer inspiration (think sea shell bouquets)...these ideas are great. I think many are actually do-able too which makes them extra-wonderful (her how-to's and recipes...amazing!)!

I think its worth a conversation with your caterer, baker, coordinator or maid of honor about how you can bring the best of the season, and some fun, personalized touches to your big day.

Happy Planning!

Congratulations Mr + Mrs Cost!

Saturday was a great day all around! Ryan and Andrea's wedding was perfect and so much fun. Their friends, bridal party and family were all awesome. Here are a few pictures of the IU Auditorium with the fun and summery bright colors of pink and orange in the Foyer and bright green in the Hall of Murals.

The floral was beautiful from Artful Blooms, including some great creative touches and gorgeous bouquets.

Nick from Cake and the Caterer did the cake. It was delicious!

Oh, and for those that were following my step count on Twitter...the total for the day was...drumroll please...28,606 steps!

Eric + June's Wedding Photos

I'm so excited to post this link to Eric and June's wedding from May in Greencastle.

Check out Stefanie and Brock's (SB Childs Photography) photos on their blog.

Here is a sampling...

Stefanie and Brock are great to work with and a lot of fun...
The storms stayed away and they caught some amazing shots. Thanks for sharing you two!

Enjoy!

Fall '09 Bridal and Bridesmaids Collections

{Silk tricotine Sophia short dress from JCrew}

Brides search for months and months for the perfect dress and perfect bridesmaids dresses. I have talked to brides (and we all know stories) of brides who look and look, second guess and think about dresses. Of course you want to look your best & make sure the girls look and feel great....so it deserves this time and energy.

But also look to your favorite stores for great options!

For example, JCrew has introduced their Fall Collection and Ann Taylor has great, new options as well.

Both include modern, chic styles in great colors and styles that fit many body types. Many also coordinate in color and style so all of your girls don't have to match. And, don't forgot those accessories...cute shoes and other items are also available, of course!

As an extra, I also love that they have "real wedding" pictures on their website. You can see how those orange dresses fit and look on real women.

Indy-Area Boutiques

For Indianapolis area boutiques (no, you don't have to go to Cincinnati or Chicago), check out these great options that brides I know have bought dresses at:
Bliss Boutique, Brownsburg
Nancy's Bridal, northside of Indianapolis
Something Old, Something New Bridal Studio, Pendleton
Sophia's Bridal, southside of Indianapolis (many private labels)

If you additional boutiques you love, let me know by leaving a comment!

Happy Shopping!

Reflections...

As I reflect on the amazing couple I met with yesterday who just recently got engaged, Laura, a dear friend who is starting a new adventure in Boston, and on the funeral I'm getting ready to leave town for, a quote I recently saw in O Magazine comes to mind. So often in life we dive in, head first to the great unknown, excited, a little scared, perhaps anxious, hopeful, or sad. But, we do go forward, one step at a time...I think this quote captures what so many women (and men for that matter) feel often...

"Every one of us is called upon, probably many
times, to start a new life.
A frightening diagnosis, a marriage, a move, loss of job...
And onward full tilt we go, pitched and wrecked
and absurdly resolute, driven in spite of everything
to make good on a new shore.
To be hopeful, to embrace one possibility after another--

that is surely the basic instinct...
Crying out: High tide!
Time to move out in the glorious debris.
Time to take this life for what it is."
~Barbara Kingsolver (another DePauw grad!), from High Tide in Tucson

Summer Vacation...

Sorry I've been MIA for a few days...or a week! Time has gotten away from me...

{Jon and I at the lake recently}

{the renovated lake house...a "small" family weekend project}

Jon and I took a quick trip to see his family in Louisville (yum, homemade meatballs!), my sister and her husband visited for July 4th weekend, the baby robins were born (or hatched I guess!) on our back porch and Jon and I have had some time to enjoy summer! Its been nice...though I have thought about this blog and weddings (a lot!) and I am getting back in the swing of things...

For now, here are some great things from around web:

I agree with this bride who blogged for The Bride's Guide (one of my favorites!, from the editors of Martha Stewart Weddings)...in the end it is the details that you think about a lot...keep close track of those ideas from early on in your engagement. Its worth dedicating space to in your wedding binder or journal as she mentions. Check it out here.

Wedding Bee is looking for new bloggers ("New Bees"). If you have a unique perspective, willingness to share details, be open and write for them..they are accepting applications. I know a few of my future brides (and many of my past ones) would be excellent! Check it out!

I recently came across Magpie Designz and ordered a couple of necklaces for newly married friends and new moms. They are perfect! Mapie Designz features personalized, hand stamped jewelry. I love the originality and sentimentality that comes out in every piece (they are also packaged in a cute eco-friendly pouch). Prices are reasonable and production time was quick…her etsy shop is here .

Check out this awesome, beachy, breezy, beautiful summer wedding from Brides.com…I love all of the white, the lanterns up the pathway and the details!

And, last…an awesome photo slideshow {by amazing photographer Shea!} of dear friends Sarah and Patrick’s wedding back in May! Happy 2 month Anniversary you two!

Enjoy!

Already Behind?

I chuckled a little when I got this e-mail and my heart also went out to this bride-to-be. She captures 100% what so many brides feel...

I have done absolutely nothing wedding related, and I’m starting to freak out a little since it’s already been a month since we got engaged!....I started looking at different things online (colors, centerpieces, announcements, etc.) and got overwhelmed and had to stop. I put a semi-fake date in on theknot.com of 5/15/10 at the beginning of May, and it told me I was already behind on at least 6 things for something that was over a year away. (!!!) I know a lot will depend on the date we choose, and the date we choose will depend on venue availability, and so on. I honestly don’t even know where to start. People tell me I need to by a wedding organizer book, and I haven’t even gotten around to doing that yet. (Can you tell I was never meant to be an event planner?! :-)

~Bride-to-be 2010


She's not alone, right?

I had to post this because so many brides feel this and it's okay. I also wanted to say that it can get overwhelming with the approx. 272,000,000 (that's million) google hits for "wedding" and the mountain of information.

My thoughts....Don't necessarily start with theknot.com and "googling" as it is an uphill climb that can feel like too much. What do you want? What have you dreamt of? What are your gut instincts? Think about those things first and search out specific information on the web in due time...as well as ask for recommendations from friends, vendors and recent brides.

While of course I think perusing many related wedding websites and blogs for a little distraction is fun and necessary :-) ...when you are in the early stages it can be a little much. You are searching out for tid-bits of information in a vast ocean.

My advice to this bride, and others like her...take a breath, remember what matters most, and enjoy this process! It's such a fun and special time!

Happy Planning!

The Night Before the Big Day: The Rehearsal Dinner

{Sarah and her dad walk down the aisle.}

The night of the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner can be so fun and meaningful.
Generally those in the bridal party and participating in the service are at the ceremony rehearsal learning about the “geography” (as one local minister puts it) for the next day. I see a lot of brides that suddenly realize at the rehearsal when they are about to “practice” walking down the aisle, that they are in fact getting married the next day. I think the rehearsal is special, and also worth capturing in photos either by your photographer or a friend. And after the "geography lesson" everyone shares a meal together (generally hosted by the groom’s family), a time to get to know each other better, and for the couple to say some words of thanks if they so wish.

More and more, rehearsal dinners are including many out of town family and guests, to welcome them to town and give them time to see the couple and others before the next day. I really love this…it adds to a fun and festive atmosphere to the night before. And, why not think outside the box for the rehearsal? Do something different than the next night…perhaps, a luau or honeymoon theme, a barbecue, an outdoor, pool side venue, or other theme or location that has meaning to the couple.

Consider these options:
Eagle Pointe in the Bloomington area, though it is a short drive, it would be worth it…a great pool-side terrace, fun atmosphere, good drinks and a space that could be quite different than the next night. {Pictured above is the Eagle Pointe Terrace.}

Barbecue in the backyard. Is your fiance from Texas where barbecue is king? Does your family love flavorful, smoked chicken, ribs or pork? Explore options to host a casual barbecue.

{Photo from Style Me Pretty}

A Mexican fiesta…almost anywhere!

FARM Bloomington, for great sophisticated local food in a more casual atmosphere, in the heart of Bloomington. They have the Root Cellar which has several space available for groups of different sizes.

The IMU...if you are not having your reception at the IMU, or even if you are!, why not consider it for the rehearsal dinner? It's in the heart of campus, is beautiful and has many great options and room for personalization.

Grazie, are you honeymooning in Italy, did he fix Italian for your first date? Grazie combines great food and wonderful wine in downtown Bloomington in their private dining space.

Also, if you don’t want to go all out on favors for the next day, why not consider a meaningful small favor for those that are with you the night before? A tree they can plant, a donation in their honor, if sweets are your thing maybe personalized cookies or a small box of chocolates from local favorite Blu, or even a favorite Oliver Winery bottle of wine. My advice is to keep it personal, keep it fun, and think outside of what you are doing the next day.


Happy Planning!