Changing my Mind- Bridesmaids Dresses Revisited

Last I discussed this topic, I had decided to go with mismatched styles of long chiffon Bari Jay dresses in the color Wisteria. I bragged that it was a simple decision. I boasted about how quickly I had made up my mind. I was proud of my decisiveness. Well, I come back with my tail between my legs and my antlers in a tizzy. I changed my mind.

Even though I am happy with my choice of designer, length, fabric, and decision to allow my girls to pick whatever style they want, I cannot get past this nagging desire to have mismatched colors as well. You see, I have always hated overly matchy things. Even as a child when my mom would buy my beautiful matching outfits, I would take the pieces apart and wear them with other pieces so as to not match too much. So the idea of 8 girls wearing the same color, standing next to each other most of the evening has been getting to me......I am just so nervous it will look TOO matchy-matchy.

And just look at how awesome these look? I mean, seriously, I couldn't help but get a complex looking at pictures like these:

via Flutterfly Events/ photo by Erin Hearts Court

Via Elizabeth Ann Designs/ Photo by Olivia Leigh

Via Style Me Pretty/ Photo by Aaron Delesie

And the photo that truly captured my heart and
made me swoon:

Via Nine Seventeen Eleven/Photo be Lane Dittoe

It was becoming painfully obvious that I wouldn't be happy until I had a completely mismatched look. But I really didn't think it was feasible to get mismatched without looking crazy- to have some coordination! Moreover, I really didn't want to have to pick my bridesmaids color choice for them- I want them to feel comfortable! And so began my feasibility study. I made a powerpoint of 6 colors I felt would go well with my overall look, and sent it to out to my bridesmaids asking which color(s) they would MOST like to wear out of all of them.

images via Bari jay

I knew going in that there would have to be some overlap as I have 8 bridesmaids and only 6 color choices, so I was OK with that. I was just worried that people would have an obvious preference for one or 2 of the colors, and leave the rest behind. Surprisingly, every color (except petal- insert sad face here) has been chosen!

Bridesmaid K- wisteria or periwinkle------>Wisteria
Bridesmaid C- Misty blue or periwinkle---->Misty Blue
Bridesmaid M- Daffodil or Misty blue------>Daffodil
Bridesmaid J- Rose or periwinkle---------->Rose
Bridesmaid D-wisteria, periwinkle or rose->Periwinkle?
MOH L- Wisteria or misty blue------------>Periwinkle

Bridesmaids T and A- MIA

I am SOOO EXCITED this plan may actually work! I know there is a strong possibility no one will pick petal, and even though I really think it would make a good addition to the color scheme I don't blame my bridesmaids for not wanting to wear pale pink. Now I just have to wait for my last two bridesmaid's responses. I also need to decide which colors to double up on and away we go!!!!

Did you decide to do something you thought would be difficult but turned out fairly easy in the end? And what do you think of my color scheme?

Cause cold feet would REALLY suck

When I stumbled across the idea of giving your soon-to-be-hubby socks on your wedding day to prevent cold feet, I couldn't help but think it was ADORABLE.

via The Pretty Blog

I mean look at those bright socks and that cute as can be label! Totally swoonworthy. This was immediately placed on my must do list, which resides in the back of my brain somewhere. Anyway, I quickly realized when I started looking around at cute socks, that the bear WOULD NOT wear brightly colored socks, argyle was a no, polkadots were definitely not going to happen. I was beginning to freak out- I didn't want to give him a plain pair of dress socks- that seemed kind of silly.

And then I thought, hmmm, what does the bear like more than anything else in the world (besides me of course!)? The answer was staring me down from the kegerator across the room- the one he built just for his home brewed creations- BEER! And so the search began for beer related socks- and wouldn't you know I found a pair with only one google search behind me.

Personal Photo

They aren't the cutest socks- I actually think they are pretty horrible, but I know at least he will love them and think they are cute, and will actually possibly decide to wear them on our wedding day. Anyway, on to the crafts!

I found a piece of white cardstock laying around and cut it into a thick strip. Then I used the tool on the paper cutter used to make indents to fold the paper easier, 2 on either side to make the packaging look more professional.

Personal Photo

I then googled "free labels' and came across these pretties

free download from Miss Cutiepie Goes 80

I imported them into powerpoint, my favorite program ever, and added words to the template. I had to do each word separately for "So You Don't Get" because I couldn't figure out how to make the sentence curve.

personal photo

Next I printed off the label, cut it out and pasted it onto my cardstock. I finally stapled the cardstock together in the back to complete the project, and voila!

Personal Photo

While I think I achieved the obvious goal, I can't help but sort of dislike the final product. I definitely am going to buy different, thicker ribbon for the top (or maybe get rid of the bow altogether). I also feel like the white cardstock is maybe too brightly white? I don't know- maybe I am just hating on this because I really despise those socks and wish they were fun and brightly colored.

Are you doing a cutesy gift for your fiance for the big day?

whoops...I said the V word

I must admit I am a bit nervous to write this post as I know I will get slack for it- oh well.

I've noticed a bit of backlash in the wedding community because of the overabundance of "vintage" weddings. Where people used to ooh and ahh at the novelty of mismatched china, the affordability of mason jar centerpieces, and amazing DIY details, there are now cries for the "regular everyday brides" to unite and show more "real" weddings that are more "doable", and if not doable at least not that horrid word vintage.

I am here to say, I am sorry you feel this way. I love all weddings, and whatever you decide to do I'm sure it will be gorgeous and lovely. But over a year ago, before it was a sin to say, I fell in love with ~shudder~ milk glass vases. And moreover, I happen to love peonies and garden roses. And wouldn't you know it, I ENJOY doing DIY projects! Yes I am busy, but preparing for my wedding months in advance gives me an outlet of excitement and enjoyment.

So even though this new movement would have me feeling bad that I happen to like a certain style, make me feel that my wedding details are overdone and not fresh, I don't care!

And what's more, not a SINGLE wedding I have ever attended has included but one of the details we are discussing as overused. So while the world of wedding blogs might be totally over the v word, I know my guests, who don't spend their days on style-me-who-must-not-be-named, don't even know such a wedding exists yet!

And with that, I'm heading to the salvation army to pick up some more milk glass.

gratuitous photo of peony bouquet picked by the bear

Where do you stand on the v word?

Our Jecular Wedding: A Chuppah to Call Our Own

The Chuppah:

via Sukkah Soul

For those of you not up on the Jew Lingo, a chuppah is a wedding canopy, under which a couple marries. It is there to symbolize the home a couple will build together as newlyweds, and moreover it is gorgeous! Good symbolism and prettiness? I can definitely get behind this tradition! When i first started thinking about a chuppah for my wedding, I fell in love with something like this:

via davinci Florists

I quickly realized, though, that a chuppah like that, covered in flowers from head to toe, would be super expensive. Plain chuppahs with barely any flowers covered in just fabric can cost 500 dollars to rent, so what would something so intricate cost? I didn't even want to think about it.

And then, one day I stumbled upon the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Simple, elegant, with my favorite- a chandelier smack dab in the middle to bring a little bit of glamor to the outdoors! I died a little in side when I saw this gorgeousity- it is PERFECT

via Cheeky Mar on Project Wedding/Photo of unknown origin

Now again, the cost of something like this is still worrisome to me, but I have a secret weapon to keep costs down and make this chuppah even more special to me-Daddy Elk. (Yes, I am a daddy's girl and proud of it). One of my Daddy Elk's favorite past times is wordworking- he has his own work room in our basement, and happily agreed to build the structure of the chuppah. And even if it isn't exactly cheap, I'm willing to splurge on the only decor for my ceremony- it is worth it to me. I am soo excited to have something so beautiful and meaningful to marry the bear under, and I can't wait to show you how it all turns out!

Are you splurging on something pretty for your wedding?

People want what they can't have....

And that is especially true when it comes to hair! Girls with curly hair only wish they could straighten it out, and girls with straight hair want beautiful ringlets. For me, all I have ever wanted is thick locks. Through the years, I've noticed a definite thinning of my hair. Here you can see my dinky pony tail (and yes I am petting an elephant!!)


The problem is, for my wedding day I have dreams of hair like this:

via OMG I'm Getting Married/ Photo by Gavin Casey

So how exactly do I expect to get that look without breaking the bank? My secret is Jessica Simpson's Hair-Do ponytail:


It is this crazy contraption of fake hair that wraps around your own ponytail, elongating it and making it extra thick and delicious. And the best part? It only costs $40 and it matches my hair PERFECTLY. When its straight, it looks a little crazy, but I decided to take a risk and curl it for my cousins wedding. And the results:

All night long people were complimenting me on my (superfake) hair! I LOVED the results. So when I finally went to buy my dress, I brought along Jessica's hair secret (OK, I'm sure she doesn't use it herself....) and tried it on to get the full effect.

My consultant thought I was absolutely nutty when I pulled out what must have looked like a rat's nest in the dressing room, but I am so glad I got to see the whole look together. Now I just wonder what my guests will think the morning after my wedding when my hair miraculously shortens almost a foot! I guess I won't need a PWC!

Did you always want what you didn't have with regards to hair? Are you getting your wish for your wedding day?

**All photos personal unless specified

The Warblers

No not Miss Warbler, but these Warblers from Glee:


AHHH I love them!

Why, you may ask, am i talking about the Warblers. Well, as I've told you before, Mr Elk and I met in college during our freshman orientation. During those four years, we had more fun than I can tell you! God I miss college, especially now in medical school. What I wouldn't give to go back to those lazy days hanging out by the Japanese cherry blossoms....but I digress

Mr Elk and I sophomore year

Us at Graduation

Even though college is almost four years behind us, we still look back at our time there extremely fondly, especially considering we never would have met otherwise! I definitely want to incorporate the University of Rochester into our wedding, as our time there represents half of our relationship!

I've already shown you one of the small ways I'm incorporating our time at the UR in our wedding, with our personalized fun fact cocktail napkins, but I'd like to infuse our wedding with a few other things UR, and unfortunately the colors (blue and yellow) just don't fit the bill.

Enter the Midnight Ramblers, one of the University or Rochester's accapella groups. I thought, wouldn't it be awesome if I could have some alums of the group come sing at the wedding? And wouldn't you know, 4-5 of the guys are interested! I am SOOO excited about this possible addition to the wedding, and with that I leave with a video of them doing one of my favorite performances- enjoy!!!




Did you pick a unique way to infuse your wedding with personal touches?

PS- does anyone watch The Sing Off? Another of UR's accapella groups was on this year- the Yellow Jackets!

Lighting up the Night

Long before I started actually planning a wedding, I decided that no matter what I would somehow incorporate fireflies into my nuptials. You see, ever since I was a little girl, one of my favorite things in the entire world has been fireflies. That first night of summer when the fireflies come out and light up the night is simply magical! Unfortunately, my wedding date is a little early for actual fireflies, so I have been on the lookout for other possible ways to get that magical feel.

And then there was Pinterest- the most amazing website EVER (ok, I may be in my obsessed with pinterest mode...) . One of the first pictures that I saw on pinterest was this gorgeous shot, and I thought hmmmmm that kinda looks like fireflies caught in a jar on a warm summers night!

via: vintage rose garden Photo origins unknown

Not only does it look gorgeous, but it looks easy enough to make (and cheap!). Mason jars at 69 cents each, a packet of tissue paper, and a bottle of mod podge and I was off experimenting (Personal photos ahead):

I ripped up the tissue paper and crumpled it a little to give it some dimension
mod podging is SUPER easy- anyone can do it!
and Voila! In about 5 minutes it was complete! I wish I had used more colorful tissue paper like i the inspiration shot, but unfortunately I only had pink lying around (from a baby shower).

I lit this one up with a candle, but I would use a flickering battery operated light to get that firefly effect without worrying about maintaining a real flame.

I do like the way this came out, but I'm not sure if its worth it to make an army of these for the actual wedding. I'd only light these once it is actually dark out, and I know that the sun won't set until later- when everyone is inside the ballroom eating dinner and dancing. Will enough people go out onto the porch to enjoy them? And are they too rustic for the more formal look I am going for? I'm not sure how I feel about them, but I have plenty of time to make up my mind.

Did you have a childhood dream for your wedding that you are trying to make come true?

Another Very Important Dress

Or should I say 8 other dresses! In case you haven't figured it out, I am talking about bridesmaids dresses. Long ago I fell in love with mismatched bridesmaids dresses like these:

Via Nine Seventeen Eleven/Photo be Lane Dittoe

I absolutely love the coordinating colors and unique look of each bridesmaid. I think it is an awesome way to allow each girl to have their own style, and feel comfortable. That being said, I didn't know how to do this with 8 girls realistically, and still end up with a semi-coordinated style.

So I decided if I couldn't have mismatched colors, I would at least have mismatched styles! I decided on a purple/gray color (not really sure how I came to that decision), and knew that I wanted long chiffon dresses (light enough for summer but still have a more formal feel!).

Enter Bari Jay chiffon dresses in Wisteria:

All Photos via Bari Jay

These are only 5 of about 30 options I gave to my bridesmaids, and in all the dresses range in price from 130-200 dollars (with options at all price points). I'm pretty excited to see what dresses my maids pick, and hope this makes them all comfortable at the wedding.

Overall, this was one of my easiest decisions, which is pretty surprising considering how long it took me to pick a wedding dress!

Did you surprise yourself with your decisiveness?
And do you have any experience with mismatched bridesmaids dresses? How did it go?

I have a new boyfriend....

And his name is Dusty, Dusty Miller:

via Fernlea Flowers Ltd

Looking at this picture, I'm not sure why I love this plant. There is nothing particularly appealing about it when it is all alone. BUT....add in some gorgeous peonies and a few garden roses, and my heart starts pitter pattering out of my chest!

Just look at this gorgeous bout! Beautiful white pairs amazingly with the frosty feel of the dusty miller- perfect for a winter affair!

via the flower lab

And look at how amazing it looks with the pops of color in this next bouquet! AH GORGEOUS

Via Elizabeth Ann Designs/ Photo by Michelle Cross Photography

And last but not least, paired with romantic blush tones for a soft, feminine effect. Le sighhhh

Via Bollea/Photo by Jill Thomas/Created by April Flowers

I never really thought I would care all that much about greenery in my bouquets and centerpieces, but now that I know Dusty there is no going back! He MUST be everywhere.

Did you fall in love with an unexpected minor detail? And what are your thoughts on Dusty: love him or leave him?

Our Jecular Wedding: Infusing an Irish Flair

As I've mentioned before, Mr Elk's parents are fresh off the boat Irish immigrants, who moved here in their 20's. (Note- gratuitous personal photos of our trip to Ireland)

(no I am not pregnant, and no, Mr Elk does not have an amputated right arm- TERRIBLE photo)

When we first got engaged, I knew I wanted to incorporate some Irish traditions into the wedding so that both of our cultures would be expressed, and I immediately asked his parents if there were any Irish wedding traditions we could use. His mom's response: "The only Irish tradition I know is getting drunk". His dad didn't really have anything to add, either. Not too helpful....

Flash forward almost a year, and I have scoured the internet for actual traditions. I came up with two that I completely love and definitely want to incorporate:

1. Hand Fasting- our hands with be tied together (hopefully with gorgeous ribbon as in this picture), and our officiant will speak of our hands being those that will take care of and love each other the rest of our lives. LOVE THIS IDEA!

via Style Me Pretty; Photo by Larissa Cleveland

2. Pebble Toss- apparently, in ancient times, Celtic couples were married near bodies of water. Their guests were given small stones to toss into the water and make a wish for the newly wed couple. This fits PERFECTLY in at our outdoor wedding on an inlet of the bay! I plan on putting out a pretty bowl filled with pebbles, with an explanation of the tradition.

I feel that these two additions to our wedding (plus the obvious supply of booze-including plenty of beer) definitely add that Irish flair that I was looking for!

Unfortunately, 10 months after I first asked for input and got nothing from my soon-t0-be in laws, Mr Elk's dad has decided he does in fact have a request for the wedding. The other day Mr Elk let me know that his father would like us to play Irish music. Ok, I can deal with some Irish music during cocktail hour, or during dinner. But no. He wants it during the reception.... for people to dance to.



We are only having 8 Irish people at this wedding, max. I want the reception to be a party! I want people dancing and having fun, and I can't help but feel like this is totally going to ruin that mood and break up the vibe. ARGH....I guess it's not as bad as the electric slide, requested by Mr Elk's mom at his brothers wedding (which will be on our DO NOT PLAY REGARDLESS OF WHO SAYS ITS OK list).

Any suggestions on how to make this work?