Mindy Weiss the Sequel

Many of you probably also read In This Instance, and if you don't you should start, she recently posted about The Wedding Book by Mindy Weiss. I was also sent a copy of this book, although sadly I do not have a copy to give away (though I may be coerced into passing it on once I have taken notes). I must say it was very informative. This book has it ALL. Dresses, vows, invitations, and much more. The only thing I thought it was missing were images and ideas from all the fabulous weddings Mindy has planned.

My favorite section was toward the back where it had several schedules for the big day down to the hour. Right up my alley. It also included a template for a schedule to pass out to your bridal party (not shown).




I also liked the what to bring list because, well, I love lists!

This book is right on par with other planning books I have seen. It includes so much good information and also has a monthly planner/checklist. It even has cute sticky tabs so you can flag your favorite pages.

Images compliments of Workman Publishing.

If You Ask Me...

If any of you did go to vote for us on Apartment Therapy, thank you. Apparently though it was not enough as we did not make it into the top 4. It is a sad day for us. You can see the finalists here, personally I don't think they are that great, and I am not just bitter I promise! I really think there were a lot of other neat spaces from the Midwest that should have made it.

I also think that since we got posted at 5pm on a Friday we were at a great disadvantage over those who got 72 hours voting time during the week. C'est la vie, just wanted to vent, isn't that what blogs are for?

Here is my homage to our apartment, it is still the smallest, coolest place to us and that is what matters.

For the Boys

Since my fiance and I agreed we wanted to do something other than a traditional boutonniere, or no boutonniere at all, I started searching for vintage flower pins. We can paint them white, green, any color we want. Here are the ones so far I have bought or won off e-bay.

And if they don't work out as boutonnieres I can always use them myself or give as gifts.
I am an e-bay addict now!


All images found on ebay.

Latest Obsession: CHAIRS

So between obsessing about the food and the bridesmaid dresses I have found time to obsess about the chairs we are going to rent for the reception. Our venue does not have chairs or tables so we will be renting everything. Originally I thought we would go with the white wood folding chair, standard and under 4 bucks each (which still seems like a lot for what it is).

Then I thought how nice the Chivari chairs would look nice in white with the square tables, those come in around 9 bucks each and then white cushions are not included in the price, only ivory, so another $1.75 per cushion! This seemed ridiculous and I personally don't like the bamboo detail on the Chivari.



THEN I found the Ghost chairs!


I was in love, my fiance and I have always wanted one of these and thought how awesome would they look at our reception, so unique and very us, and when I got the quote back...


$50 each! For ONE CHAIR.


Ok I DO NOT love them that much, we could buy ourselves 8.5 Ghost chairs with that kind of money. So alas we will probably go with the least expensive folding white wood "garden" chair.
Anyone else been obsessing over chairs?


Images and price estimates from Hall's and Tablescapes.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

My fiance and I entered the Small Cool contest on Apartment Therapy a few weeks ago. For the next 72 hours (ends Monday the 28th at 5pm) they will be collecting votes and this is where you come in, PLEASE log on and vote for us. The votes help decide who the finalists are and who goes on to win the grand prize.

But only vote if you like it, we don't need any negative voters! :)

Here is where to vote, THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Dress Distress

I am once again obsessing, yes I admit I am obsessing, about the bridesmaid dresses. I care more about them than my own dress. I have found a few contenders but still I feel unsatisfied. Anything I like is either a. the wrong shade of grey or green or b. way more than I would ask my girls to spend. These could work...





J.Crew Strapless Florence Dress in Grey Mist, $250.00

Pros: Nice color grey, universally flattering shape, rope belt can be removed, not super "bridesmaidy"

Cons: Cost is $250 yikes, not everyone likes strapless (and one of my maids is fairly well endowed)



Macy's Maggie London Pleated Silk Dress in Vapor, $158.00

Pros: Only $158 and less likely to need alterations, not "bridesmaidy" and really could be worn again

Cons: Shiny grey has potential to look more like silver which I really don't want

J. Crew Polka-dot Rosette Dress in Light Pewter, $168.00

Pros: Pretty spring grey color, love the dots, non "bridesmaidy"and unique, could be worn again, decent price at $168

Cons: Not thrilled about the rosette, fitted through hips which might not be flattering on all bodies, can't find a free shipping coupon so I can order one to see what it looks like

UPDATE: Found a free shipping coupon from J. Crew, woo hoo, and Macy's had 99 cent shipping so I will let you know what the verdict is when they arrive! If anyone else would like free shipping for $100 or more e-mail me and I will give you the code.

Target, Oh How I Love Thee

Picked up some goodies at Target the other day. My friend from college is getting married in October and is having a shower next week. All the items on their Target registry were "on-line only" so I was left to my own devices. What do you think, cute little shower gift no?

I got a nice potholder set from the new Dwell Studio for Target line, bamboo spoon and spatula from Kitchen Aid, cute octopus dish scrubber, vegetable peeler, and the mixing/serving bowl. Is this good, should I add something? This is a typical for a shower gift right? Plus they will be flying home so I wanted them to have a gift to open but nothing too huge.

While I was at it I picked this up for myself. I am envisioning filling it with Boylan or Izze sodas at the wedding and having it out for those who don't want to wait at the bar for a beverage or for the kids.

Only $12.99! But I am not sure it will look right, that might work for a day or more casual affair, is a bucket of drinks unappealing? Thought I could make a cute sign for it and jazz it up...

Images 1 and 2 taken by my fiance (hi sweetie) and 3 found here.

FOOD: Cast Your Vote

It looks like we have pretty much narrowed down our caterer to two choices, both said they would e-mail me last week and never did but I guess I am getting more used to that. I know I have a ton of time and that is probably why they are in no rush but to me if you say you are going to send info, send it.

The real question is, how to serve the food? I was completely against a plated dinner and all for food stations, but now I am realizing just how much space in our venue the food stations would take up. Then I was thinking we could do all passed, like appetizers? but one of the caterers said you would have to eat a whole lot of those to feel full. Then the idea of tapas style was appealing. Bring several little plates at a time to each table, eat from those and then more plates come and so on, no food tables taking up space and still have the variety.

The whole point is I just want it to feel fun and relaxed, no: you have to sit and eat for x amount of time, no: your turn to visit the food station, just fun, party atmosphere, eat, drink, dance, mingle. Have you seen of heard of any unique ways of serving food? If you were a guest what would be your preference?

Please vote over on the top right!

(I realize I spelled hor'doeurves wrong but it won't let me change it now!)

Is it June 2009 Yet...

In early June of 2009 I hope to be somewhere like this:

We have thought about going on our honeymoon in the U.S., since it will be June and already warm it seems silly to go somewhere tropical. We may just have a second honeymoon the following winter when we will be in dire need of some warm weather and sunshine. Also, I am not a huge fan of flying so the idea of being on a plane for 8 hours or more doesn't appeal to me.

I have read that the drive from Los Angeles up to San Fran is just gorgeous. Maybe overnights in San Luis Obispo and Big Sur? I do hate driving however and want to make sure this would still be relaxing, rent a cute convertible though and it could be worth it. Has anyone ever done this? Where are the best places to stay and to eat?

Images from Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur CA.

Could be Table Numbers??

I saw this post on design*sponge today and immediately thought, wow I would love those as table numbers. I love typography and these are multi-purpose (flowers or drink) and simple. Sadly, they only come in numbers 32 (for 32 oz.) and 8 (for 8 oz.), bummer, but I may still buy them for around the house. So cute.

Pictures and purchase from Three Potato Four

Dress Love

I was officially in love with this dress from J. Crew. I was not in love however with the fact that I could not try it on before purchasing it, granted you can return online purchases to any store so you don't have to pay to ship it back, but still something about ordering a dress from a picture seemed off putting.

Then I came across Jenny Yoo "wedding alternatives." They offer their bridesmaid styles in ivory and white and I love them! FINALLY what I was looking for, simple, classic and doesn't cost a fortune. Luck has it they have a showroom in Chicago. Here are some of my favorites.

I am BAD at Sports...

I got tagged by Tina from With This Ring, I Thee Obsess! Last time this happened it took me like a week to figure it out so I am going to get on top of this sucker now.

RULES:
1) you link back to the person who tagged you.
2) post these rules on your blog.
3) share six unimportant things about yourself.
4) tag six random people at the end of your entry.
5) let the tagged people know by leaving a comment on their blogs

Here are my six:
1) contrary to popular belief i did not name my cat misha after actress mischa barton. i rescued her from treehouse animal shelter in chicago and that is the name she had been given, i didn't feel right forcing her into a new name, although if i called her poop in the same tone as when i call her misha she probably wouldn't know the difference.
2) if new kids on the block decide to go on a reunion tour (it looks very possible) and stop anywhere near the chicago area i am there. new kids was my first concert and joey was my favorite.
3) i hate mayonnaise, i mean i don't know many people who love mayonnaise but i HATE it.
4) i never told my friends or family i had started a wedding blog, my mom randomly came across it and sent me a link saying how weird it was because it was so similar to what i had been talking about for my wedding, it took her a few hours to figure out it was me.
5) i started putting -ies on the end of words, friendsies, sammies, chipies, drinkies, i think it is fun but i bet everyone else thinks it is really annoying. and then i have to catch myself from saying it when i am not supposed to, like when i see my boss.
6) i think i apologize a lot, i always apologize when other people run/bump into me.

I am gonna tag....
1) Hasel Bride
2) These Little Moments
3) With This Ring
4) Waterfront Preppy
5) i heart peonies
6) grace's birdcage wedding

Photo Props

According to the Knot my budget for a guest book was around $75, between the two vintage Polaroid cameras, the packs and packs of Polaroid film, sharpies, we have spent...well let's just say a lot more than $75. Since we are having our second photographer take the Polaroid pics I had the genius idea of getting props too. Here are some we picked up over the weekend, I actually got some good deals on these and my fiance made the Bears hat (channeling Bill Murray) last year. If you know anywhere to get fun vintage or just silly hats on the cheap please let me know! I am thinking hitting up some after Halloween sales in October might be a good place to look.

I am also thinking of getting a few of these from Etsy seller Lupin, so fun.

(prop photos taken by my adorable fiance)

IF...

IF it was reasonable to ask my bridesmaids to spend almost $300 on their dresses:

IF I was daring enough I would do this as a wedding day gift to my fiance:

IF I hadn't already spent over $1000 on a trolley:

IF I could figure out where I could buy this dress from the series finale of the O.C.:

IF this isn't too expensive, looks expensive:

IF I knew how to fashion my own striped awning and could acquire fun candy displays:

Images: one, two, three, four, five, six

Martha, Martha, Martha

Thanks to Tara at In This Instance I was informed the new MS Weddings had come out. I rushed (really I did, I rushed) to pick it up and also picked up InStyle Weddings while I was at it. I know I should stop spending money on these things but come on it is Martha and I figure it beats reading In Touch or Us Weekly.

I love these thank you cards from Paper + Cup that were featured.

I also like the Ask Martha section. They had a question on what to register for and although we are months and months away from needing to start a registry it is fun to think about. Originally I was just wanting not to register and then hopefully end up with money (we are not greedy we just really want to buy a house) but realize we would then end up with gifts we may or may not have a use for so we might as well register. Martha suggests you "upgrade, replace worn items, or fill incomplete sets." Since my fiance is the chef in the family we will probably be registering at Williams Sonoma and then cb2 for home items/dishware.

Some things I have my eye on:

All images/products at cb2 or Williams Sonoma.

No Dress and Paris Hilton?

I thought I would post a follow-up on how my dress shopping extravaganza went, well it didn't really. Thanks to good ol' American Airlines my mom's flight was delayed 4 hours or something ridiculous thus causing us to miss our appointments at both shops.

I did however get excited to see a crew filming a reality show at the airport but then disappointed to realize it was no one I recognized, a group of about 5 guys, I am guessing another one of those making the band or something shows, boooooring. I was thinking I was going to see LC!

Ah well, so we didn't get to go on Friday but I still had my Macy's appointment on Sunday. I was dreading Macy's because I was afraid I would fall in love with a dress I couldn't afford. I did try on some dresses I liked and yes they were all around 4000 big ones, but I still didn't find anything FABulous. I am yet to be impressed with the bridal selections this year but the sales woman did tell me I looked like Paris Hilton. I have heard this before and have yet to decide if this is a compliment or not... if I am feeling brave enough maybe one day I will post a picture and let you all decide, my vote is no, I don't even have blond hair!

So yeah, back to square one. I am going to definitely still hit up A L'Amour, they carry a lot of lines I am interested in (Watters, Jim Hjelm, Siri, Augusta Jones) and I am tempted to go to Neiman Marcus just so I can try my Amsale dress I am still obsessing over. There is no way I can afford this dress but my mom seems to think if we can't find anything we might be able to have a similar looking dress custom made.

The quest continues in June as for now I leave you with my dreamiest dress of all time compliments of the genius that is Amsale. Remind me again why they don't make more dresses like this?

Reception Venue, oh How I Love You

I realize I have never posted about my reception venue. I suppose I was weary to do so since my venue is not as well known, even though not that many people read my little blog (a huge thank you to those that do!). We went to visit it this weekend in Oak Park and I fell in love with it even more, it is perfect! We will have a few logistical issues since I am pro-food station and anti-plated dinner and the space is a little limited but I heart it nonetheless.

My fiance took these pictures so I thought I would share.

Want to know more? Click here. There are some great interior pictures on the Pleasant Home website and information on tours and rentals.

The BEST of The Knot

I know these weddings have probably been posted about a bajillion times but here are my top picks for real weddings from The Knot:

Katie and Nathan in Minneapolis


Kathy and Shane in Chicago (A New Leaf)


Renee and Gary in Glen Echo

Emily and Colin in Minneapolis

Terri and Heath in Galveston

Vanessa and Matt in Sonoma

Please share if you have a favorite I did not mention!