McG's Dream Wedding

A friend of mine bought me the Real Simple Wedding Guide (more like a novel) and while reading it I was slightly offended that all wedding magazines, even those without a name with the word 'bride' in it, are targeted to women. It just assumes that the reader is a woman. Do men really not care about planning a wedding? Since I would rather go to a mountaintop to elope and this big party business is all McG's brillant idea I asked him what he would do if he had to plan the whole thing. After he gave me his answers I realized why women, for the most part, take the lead in planning.

The details of McG's dream wedding:

• One bouncy castle
• The In-N-Out trailer
• A dance floor that only lights up when he walks on it (after some pleading he agreed that it could light up when I walked on it too)
• Ice Cream with all the flavors of a meal ex. Steak Ice Cream and Green Bean Ice Cream
• BB Gun favors

'Nuff said.

UPDATE: I actually LOVE the idea of the In-N-Out trailer and would totally do this if it were available on the east coast (there's actually a photo of one in the Real Simple Guide and that's where he got the idea). The point is that the four things above are the ONLY things he would plan. No centerpieces, no cake, nothing. Those details completely slipped his mind.

If you have In-N-Out trailer photos from your wedding I would LOVE to see them!

Location Location Location

My ideal location scenario right now would be my parents backyard, after that it would a summer camp or camp-like location (more on this later) BUT if I was having a decked out East Coast affair I would have my wedding here.

Here are three reasons:

A French Bo-Ho theme: "The Beehive gets its name and inspiration from La Ruche (the French translation of the beehive), which was an artists' residence in the Montparnasse Quarter of Paris in the 1920's.

Like No Other: "Our unique Bohemian space works to provide you with a non-traditional venue to create a one-of-a-kind evening."

Party all night long: What restrictions (if any) are there on noise levels? None

My two new favorite venues though are the Smog Shoppe

and Marvimon.

They are quirky and stylish and green and amazing. I am so jealous of brides who get to have their weddings here (hem hem).

{Beehive photo from here}

Auburn & Ivory

Along with my other blog, I also have a shop at Etsy by the same name. I personally think my designs are very wedding friendly and I love working with people to make custom pieces especially for the brides and bridesmaids. I recently made sets for my friend's wedding for her and her maids. I also make hand-stamped pendants in a variety of sizes that could have your beloveds initials or your wedding date or just a sweet message that has a special meaning for you.

Leave me a message here or shoot me a convo on Etsy if you are interested in any pieces or custom work.

I am also BIG into trade. I love to barter! If anyone is interested in trading services I would be more than happy to discuss it!

Green Wedding Contest Update

We are only a couple days away from the end of the Green Wedding Contest and Broke Ass Bride is only a few votes behind. Let's pull together and help her win this thing! Here is the link to her page and here are today's answers:

Name: Dana LaRue & Hunter Stiebel

Date: 5/24/09

What is more original for Valentines Day as a gift: an acre of trees dedication

How much is the value of the amex gift card on the Love story giveaway?: $250

Where are trees planted for a Bar / Bat Mitzvah?: Moshav Nehalim, Israel

Complete this based on title on our memorial trees page "THE FAMILY RECEIVES AN ELEGANT......CONDOLENCE": Tree

Vote HERE

Wait, They Don't Love You Like I Love You

Maps. I love them. I want one of my very own.

Here are some designs I've spotted and hearted around the blogosphere -

And here are the maps I found while exploring Etsy -

2 Bird Stone

A Hot Pink Petticoat

And of course the lovely, Laura Hopper

And here is the one I made myself during the last hour of work (ssh don't tell). There's a good tutorial in the DIY Bride book. I think I need to work on my skills a bit more.

Has anyone else attempted their own map or some other part of the design aspect of your wedding? I would love to see the results or hear about the process!

Unless Someone Like You

Green Wedding Shoes has an awesome featured wedding today. The couple mentioned that they sent out invitations from an Etsy seller so I just had to check them out. The shop - Unless Someone Like You - is incredible and pretty reasonable from what I've seen so far. The designs are so unique - Scratch Save off the Dates and Rock Poster Invites!

Sister Dress

Dear Lil Sis,

You can come out now. I know you found this blog.

I've wanted you to own this dress since before I even had an inkling this blog would exist. Well, I wanted to own it but it would look 100x better on you. Plus, it's your namesake. What do you think? Fushia or blue? We'll wait till it goes on sale and then snatch it up big time!

xoxo,

Big Sis

Budget Outfit Board #1: Summer Garden Party

UPDATE: My dress shipped today. Woo-hoo! I can't wait to try that bad boy on. Since it was only $100 (shipping and tax stinks) I have a few dollars left in my budget to create a dreamy ensemble. Here is my first Budget Outfit Board.

$80 + $20 shipping Rebecca Dress J Crew

$17 Flower + $6 shipping - Smittenxoxo

$53 Promiscuos Belle + FREE SHIPPING (love the name)

$0 Love Necklace $40 from Finch Metal (but I actually made one similar awhile ago so I'm saying $0)

TOTAL OUTFIT COST: $176

Love Through the Ages

I did a fun search on flickr last night for weddings of the past few decades and I came up with some real gems!

1940s

1950s

I really want to know what the ladies on the left are gossiping about!

1960s

These guys look like characters from a John Waters movie.

1970s

I love everything about this photo.

1980s

I have no idea what is going on here but it's spectacular.

Sabine Scherer

I love the light and whimsical quality of these two Sabine Scherer photographs.

Sabine is also doing a giveaway right now! For details, go to her blog.

{found via Green Wedding Shoes}

Fleur Wood

The dresses from the Fleur Wood Summer Collection would really compliment a dreamy, late summer, evening wedding, don't you think? I would feel so relaxed and luxurious in the flowing layers of white silk and cotton.

And I love her philosophy: "'Every item in our collections is a little piece of luxury,' explains Fleur Wood. Customers can feel better knowing that all garments are ethically manufactured, no animal products are used, and a percentage of company profits goes to charities in India."

{found via frolic}

Premature Dress Buying?

I have seen this dress on a couple of real brides lately. Everytime I see it I fall in love with it all over again and I wonder where she got such a pretty dress. Lo and behold, I'm searching through the J Crew sale and there it is! For $80! Now, let's remember, I'm not even engaged yet (technically) and the wedding wouldn't be for another year and a half. My best friend says to think about it over the weekend. What do you think?

Do I snag this deal now and then re-sell the dress if I change my mind (it's selling on Ebay for $189)? How early did you buy your dress?

{top photo by A Bryan Photo}

Frugal Friday

Since I worked a bit on the budget this week my Penny Pincher of the Week will have to be the couple who inspired me with most of my budget decisions. A lot of the ideas from A Backyard Wedding matched what McG and I had discussed about our own nuptials - Quaker ceremony, A LOT of DIY, good DJ and, oh yeah, the backyard. I was very thankful when she laid out exactly how they budgeted and what they actually spent. I used this as a model when I attempted my own budget earlier this week. If you haven't taken a look at A Backyard Wedding from start to finish I highly recommend it. They pulled off a spectacular day UNDER an already low budget. I just think they are rad.

I saw this really great tutorial for a handmade teabag tag over at Creature Comforts this morning. I thought it would be a really sweet favor or even bridal party gift especially paired with a personalized mug of some sort. If anyone thinks they might do this I would love to see how it turns out.

Next week I'm hoping to make Frugal Fridays bigger and better with real interviews! Have a great weekend!

Bust Sizes of the Past

I found these two dresses that I LOVE on Vintageous last night. But what's up with itty bitty titty committees (can you say that on the internet) of the past? I am by no means a big busted lady but 32 inches??? And what size waist? I would have to remove some ribs to fit into these beauties.

This is How We Do It

This is a photo from a college friend's wedding from last year at the Guemes Island Resort.

Matchy bridesmaids? Hell no
Beached boat shot? Hells to the yes

Watch What You Eat

This Valentine's Day, I would say a good chunk of dudes will be proposing to their loved ones. A handful of those dudes will probably get a little too creative and should, therefore, read this Gourmet article prior to ordering. And if you want my advice, guys, if you want to be creative at all do not propose on V-Day.

Smash went the crust. In went the spoon. And before Lopes could say, “Um, I have something to ask you,” his brilliant-cut one-carat surprise went sliding down his intended’s throat. “Our first hug was the Heimlich maneuver,” he recalls. “My advice to a man about to propose is: Use creativity only up to a point. You don’t want your girlfriend to end up in the hospital on her engagement night.”

You too, ladies -

A surprising number of proposals are, in fact, turned down. At Gramercy Tavern, a woman once asked a man to marry her. When he didn’t accept the offer, the woman stood up, started cursing, and began throwing plates onto the floor. “Clearly, he made the right choice,” says the captain on duty at the time.

{Found via Jezebel}

Inspiration Board: Exotic Bohemian

I almost fell over when I saw this photo in Domino Magazine. Vibrant and vivid pinks, purples and reds paired with deep blues has been calling my name lately. This photo just encompasses all of that in one gorgeous image. So here's my latest inspiration board just for you.

Top Row: Domino, $10,000 Wedding, Frolic, Auburn & Ivory

2nd Row: Oh Happy Day, Housemartin, Brooklyn Bride, Craig Paulson

3rd Row: Coren Moore, Oh Joy, A Backyard Wedding, Southern Weddings

Bottom Row: Once Wed, Brides, Blueprint, Amelia Lyon

April Reed

How incredible are these April Reed cakes? I noticed one of her cakes on Green Wedding Shoes this morning and I just about died. So simple and stunning. I'm usually anti-fondant but I just can't get over how gorgeous these are. I bet it wouldn't be too difficult to recreate the look on a plain cake by just adding your favorite flowers.

At Home?

I'm starting to think that an "at home wedding" is not the most financial-savvy move. Seems like some people got away with spending less at a venue. Maybe the ceremony can be at my parent's house (it is just so beautiful there I can't really let go of wanting to get married there) and have the reception somewhere else? Anyone else discover this?

{Photo from Rachel Getting Married}

The Budget

Dun dun dun...

I was over perusing The Knot today (something I don't normally do but I read a comment recommending their budget worksheet) and decided to make a go at a budget. Originally I really believed that we could just throw 100 people in my parents backyard and have them sit on what? picnic blankets??? for $3000. I know that this is do-able for some people (how I don't know) but I don't think it's do-able for us. I don't even want anything remotely over the top or wedding-y. It's really just the must-have things like, um, chairs and tables. Oh and food. Maybe a couple of flowers here and there. I never even thought about the bathrooms. I can't ask my parents to let 100 people use their two bathrooms for 8 hours, can I? It all adds up.

$0 CEREMONY LOCATION FEE (if the 'rents say yes)

$0 OFFICIANT FEE/DONATION (our good friend will conduct the ceremony)

$100 CEREMONY ACCESSORIES (I want mini-tambourines for the guests!)

$2500 $2300 RECEPTION VENUE/RENTALS (TENT, TABLES, TOILETS, ETC.) (I'm taking out those pesky porta-potties!)

$1500 FOOD & SERVICE (a little help from our friends??)

$1000 BEVERAGES & BARTENDER (thank you, New Hampshire)

$100 CAKE(S) & CUTTING FEE

$500 THE DRESS & ALTERATIONS (The Knot budgeted $1800 here and I think that's crazy!)

$40 HEADPIECE/VEIL (all I want is this)

$100 BRIDE'S ACCESSORIES (I'm not really sure about this one. I definitely one some sexy under things)

$100 HAIR & MAKEUP (Make up I can do but hair I'll need to splurge on. My hair is a hot mess)

$0 PRE-WEDDING PAMPERING (there will be no time for this!)

$200 GROOM'S TUX/SUIT

$40 GROOM'S ACCESSORIES (I want to get him this)

$0 BRIDE'S BOUQUET (I'm just going to buy a bunch of flowers for everything and see what I come up with)

$0 BRIDESMAID BOUQUETS

$0 GROOM & GROOMSMEN BOUTONNIERES

$0 FLOWER GIRL'S FLOWERS

$0 ADDITIONAL BOUTONNIERES/CORSAGES

$100 RECEPTION DECORATIONS/CENTERPIECES (hopefully Whole Foods won't fail me)

$50 CEREMONY SITE DECORATIONS (twinkly lights and candles are OK with me)

$0 CEREMONY MUSICIANS

$0 COCKTAIL HOUR MUSICIANS (jeez...how many musicians do you need!?)

$0 RECEPTION BAND/DISC JOCKEY (Let me introduce DJ IPOD)

$1500 $500 PHOTOGRAPHER'S FEE (I have some pretty talented friends so this could be $0 and if not craigslist, baby!)

$0 VIDEOGRAPHER'S FEE (Another uber-talented friend)

$100 ADDITIONAL PRINTS/VIDEOS

$250 INVITATIONS & REPLY CARDS (I will harness all the crafty ability I have to do this myself)

$100 OTHER STATIONERY

$300 $200 HER RING (I actually think we can do this cheaper thanks to Miss Tiffany's comment)

$300 $200 HIS RING (I'm totally guessing on the rings. ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS?)

$0 LIMO(S)/CAR RENTAL

$0 GUEST SHUTTLE/PARKING

$0 BRIDE/GROOM HOTEL ROOM(S)

$100 $400 ATTENDANT GIFTS (We're only having lil' sis and lil' bro in the party but I forgot about all my friends who I will put to work!)

$100 FAVORS (EACH)

$100 PARENT GIFTS

TOTAL = $8180

Any reality checks or ways I could save you want to let me know about would be stellar!

UPDATE: Thank you for all your comments (keep 'em coming!). I just wanted to respond to a few things.

I had always planned on having us cook all the food. We love to cook and we are actually pretty good. But then I realized that if everything else is pretty much DIY when are we going to have time to cook. Plus, someone would need to be around to make sure everything is hot and placed out when it needs to be. I really want everyone who is at the wedding to be AT the wedding and not miss a thing. So this is something that I have battled with and, as of right now, home-cooked meal has lost. And, yes, we are beer snobs and a wedding is always fun when there's at least one drunk person (this time it won't be me) so booze stays in. There's always TJs for that and no sales tax in NH.

As for the photographs, this is REALLY important to me. This is pretty much the only lasting thing from the day besides the memories and I want them to be really nice. Granted I went to art school so I can probably beg a colleague to come do it for travel expenses only so we'll see.

Again, thank you for your comments. MWAH!

Ask and You Shall Receive

Remember that photographer I was searching for last week? Well, Once Wed has done it again and given me exactly what I was looking for. Turns out that was the stunning work of Carl Zoch.

Thank you, Color Me Green!

Contest

There is a contest going on at Auburn & Ivory. The winner will be picked on January 30th, 2009.

DIY / Crafter Must Have

I went to Michaels today and got a 50% coupon with my receipt. Woohoo! I want to buy one of the big DIY items next week but I'm not sure what to get. What is your suggestion for the #1 must-have DIY / crafter tool?

And speaking of...

Michele M. Waite. I love this wedding. The colors, couple - everything is so vibrant!

Sneak Attack

I love the idea of a pre-ceremony sneak attack. I think it would ease my nerves to see McG for the first time before walking down the aisle. And I'm sure either why I'll get the excited, giddy, butterflies in my tummy feeling when I see him. Michele M. Waite is the queen of sneak attack photo-shoots (and my new favorite photographer).

Lazy Sunday Video

I LOVE this video. The song is so cute and there's a rollercoaster!

Kaori & Chris from Justin Fone on Vimeo.

I had to post this sweet video because it features a Paloma's Nest ring bowl and has another great soundtrack.

Manila Wedding from Manila Wedding on Vimeo.

A couple inspiration boards for the long weekend

Aubergine and Pistachio

Faux Bois Party