Finally....

I just logged in and realized I gave myself almost a month off from my wedding blog. Which also means a month of no wedding planning. Surprise, surprise: exams, graduation, and work took over my life. So here I am, at work, bored to death watching summer architecture students stroll by...leaving me thinking, don't I have a purpose? Don't I have something amazing to prepare for? Why yes, I do. A wedding. How glorious!

So what now?

So far we scheduled our ceremony at St. Augustine Catholic Church. 

Being that I am not Catholic and not particularly religious, the whole process should be interesting. We have our first meeting with a religious counselor in June and plan on talking about the usual topics of marriage-finance, sex, children, communication, etc. Even though my fiancée doesn't consider this fun, I think these classes might be a good use of our time and prove beneficial in the long run. To be honest, I'm looking forward to be a part of something bigger--the religious community. 

With that said, we are both still considering an outside wedding on his parents' beautiful and remote Shiloh estate, Cracklin' Moose Vineyard. The land is a blank slate for planting flowers and decorating, not to mention it is currently the site for our reception. From what I understand, having a one stop ceremony-reception site has proved time to time a desirable option.

Again...with that said: At first glance, yes, an estate reception appeared to be the most budget friendly. After thorough research of tent rentals in our area, we quickly found the tent alone would eat up about $2,000-$3,000 of our budget. Since my dress, veil and shoes came out to cost well, way too much, were talking big bucks shelled out already. We would like to consider Plan A with no tent and instead plan it under the trees, stars, twinkie lights, etc, BUT since it is Florida and March for our wedding, the weather will be predictably unpredictable.  No matter what, we will have the reception at their estate; even if plan B, C, D, or E must be applied.

All those negative thoughts aside, one inspiration comes from a website I came across on the blog The Sweetest Occasion. These photos are a couple of my favorites.

My main inspiration comes from a vendor website, Karen Tran Florals, who I would love to employ if I could afford her. The gallery is tabbed under Wedding Theme as Vintage Glamour (the theme I came up with before I saw this site), and she does a spectacular setup. Honestly when I saw this site, it was everything I had imagined already, but put into full effect---and it is dreamy.

Until next time, enjoy!

And Realty Sets In...

Today I realized wedding planning was not at ALL it was cracked up to be. I went into my first month, level headed, completely logical, --and bam--I find a dress I love and it all goes to hell.

Let's rewind to March 17th, where all this began. My lovely, then boyfriend, decided to pop the question on the front steps of our newly finished home, complete with a handmade box and 2c cushion cut custom made ring. A girl could just die, right? Of course I said yes-- who could turn down a handsome man with a tear in his eye? I gave myself the entire night to be excited and promised myself, as any soon to be college graduate with back to back exams for the next month and a half, to NOT pursue any wedding plans until I graduate. Guess how long that lasted?

As each day passed, I allotted myself time on the knot.com, bought a bridal magazine every trip to Publix and then, finally asked my maid of honor if we should go dress shopping--just to browse of course--to see what shape dress looked best on my body. She said yes.

Worst. Plan. Ever.

Maybe I'm a bit cynical about this whole wedding process (I blame my wonderful, yet frugal father), but I thought trying on dresses this soon was entirely too premature for a wedding almost a year away and with the price tag of a vintage car, (beat up, yes, but a car nonetheless) was insane. BUT trying to fit the part and with an urge to procrastinate from my studies, I made an appointment with my local boutique, brought pictures of what I liked  based on what I'd seen on the internet and what suited my style. "No satin," I screamed..."vintage lace for a garden wedding," I insisted. With 6 dresses ready to try for fun, I asked for the ivory satin dress in the storefront window--again, just for fun.  The first dress was stylish, fashion forward, but not "the one." Duh. This was just a test run, of course I wasn't going to find anything I like.

Then it happened. Dress 2 left me speechless. I pranced out of that dressing room like a six year old girl in her first princess dress from Disney. No other dress could trump this beauty. I think I decided in my heart right then and there I wasn't going to leave without that dress. Truth be told, 1 week, 5 family witnesses, 1 way too pushy saleswoman, and $4800 later, the dress, a pair of Swarovski crystal pumps, and a cathedral veil were mine. All mine. Yippee.

And this is what I ended up with:

Exhibit A.
Lazaro 3018
And I rest my case. Stunning. Breathtaking. Elegant. All with a hint of vintage glamour.

And way too damn expensive.

So begins my intoxicating obsession with wedding planning.