An Ode to A Ghost Chair

I fell in love with ghost chairs while watching "Wedded to Perfection" on TLC last summer. These funky sculpted beauties added a contemporary elegance to the insanely over the top events planned by Jung and her team at Fete. (P.S. I have a secret fantasy that Jung will randomly find this blog and decide she MUST take-over on our wedding planning)

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Our floral and event designer created a fabulously elegant look for our wedding, including none other than the elusive white ghost chair. The look was breath taking. All white, square tables, contemporary white ghost chairs, showcasing brilliantly robust plumes of coral, raspberry, and butter yellow in clustered centerpieces.

Yet, those dreams were quickly dashed when our caterer sent through the dreaded upgrade price for the ghost chairs. Let me just say...they put the chivari upgrade price to shame. So we have a slightly drastic change to our overall design. I have removed myself from the disappointment at this time and felt it appropriate to leave you with some lasting droolworthy images of a ghost chair wedding or two.

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Lessons From A Dress Fitting

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My first dress fitting on Saturday was a success (for the most part)! It was so nice having my mom in town to see me try on MY dress for the first time. She was fabulously supportive and encouraging as the nerves kicked in slightly. She also took great pictures that I promise to post after the wedding (after all M does know about this blog and I would hate for him to happen upon them).

My dad stopped by mid fitting as well with a bottle of champagne and 3 flutes to celebrate. This was such a sweet gesture and I was so happy that he was able to see the dress as well. M was kind enough to wait patiently on Newbury Street while we were celebrating in a Vera Wang fitting room.

So what went wrong, you might ask? Well, after standing under the hot lights in super high heels in a stuffy room for 30 minutes, I started to feel slightly off. At first it just seemed to be a uneasy stomach but as I got hotter and hotter, I began to panic. I tried to keep my cool but finally I asked Lili (the super amazing seamstress at VW) if I could take a seat for a few minutes and have some water. I felt better after this breather but I made a list of some lessons that I think would benefit any of you ladies who have dress fittings coming up!

1. Eat!

Make sure you have a healthy snack or meal before you go in to your fitting.

We had had lunch at the Union Oyster House (delicious) yet I had only munched on garlicky mussels that were hardly filling.

2. Hydrate!

Drink a full 8 oz. glass of water before you go in for your fitting and keep a bottle handy throughout the day.

I rarely drink water...this is something that I have been working on a daily basis. I had not drank anything on Saturday except for some fruit juice in the morning for breakfast. I felt 100 times better after I drank the bottle of the water during my fitting.

3. Breath!

This is an emotional and momentous occasion. Prepare yourself for these feelings and bring someone along that you love and trust.

I was surprised by how quickly my emotions tangled with each other. It was a mix of joy and nerves as I began picturing myself in that moment next June.

How did your first fittings go? Anyone experience anything similar?

Another Hairy Gathering

I'm heading back to Chicago next weekend for one of my bridesmaid's engagement parties. I've also scheduled several wedding related appointments for myself, including a hair and make-up trial. So I've been searching through my hair inspiration folder as well as gathering new images to bring along to my appointment.

I've had a vision in my head for some time of wearing my hair up in a low loose messy bun with a low veil for the ceremony and a hair flower for the reception. I almost always wear my hair down and I think that a low updo will be boho chic and a little different from the day to day. I would like to have the option perhaps to pull my hair down during the reception if I feel like letting loose without too much hassle. So we'll see what the options are there.

I started with the first inspiration picture I had pulled...featuring Michelle Williams.

And my portfolio has evolved slightly...

via Style Me Pretty

via Style Me Pretty

Trust me...those are just a select 2 from the nearly 50 that I have collected.

I have a couple of requirements from the updo perspective that I'll be passing along as well.

1. Sustainability

I do not want to worry about pieces falling out as we frolic during the first look or walk down the aisle.

2. Modern

I want a modern fresh look - avoid at all costs the prom-style ringlets, severe pull back, or big bushy top of the head buns.

3. Me

I want to look like a fancy version of myself.

What are you hair rules? Are you going up or down?

The Perfect Bouquet II

2 days in a row.

It must be fate...or coincidence!

via 100 Layer Cake

Perfect Bouquet

It's such a fabulous feeling to stumble across a picture on the vast bridal interwebs that is exactly what I am envisioning for our wedding.

May I introduce you to...the Perfect Bouquet?

via Style Me Pretty (of course)

Hunting for Wedding Glass: Milk Glass

A few Etsy milk glass gems.

$8.00 from A Spoonful of Charm

$12.50 from Manland

$19.00 from DD's Restored Furniture

I think I'll really need to eBay hunt for the other types of containers as there were limited options on Etsy (not surprising).

Hunting for Wedding Glass

It's funny that I feel like most of my wedding posts are about a hunt for something or other based on the inspiration pictures I have collected over the past six months. After meeting with several florists over Thanksgiving, I have been able to fully envision the centerpieces that I want for the wedding.

I'm inspired by centerpiece clusters. Multiple unique yet thematic low and lush arrangements on each table. I'm hoping to tie the arrangements together on each table by color scheme or type of container. So now I'm on to the hunt for the containers. I want there to be multiple types.

Milk Glass

Else Chelsea

Mercury Glass

Project Wedding

Urns

Martha Stewart

Ceramic

Style Me Pretty

Where would I begin other than eBay and Etsy? I'm also thinking of checking out Homegoods and some local beantown antique fairs when it gets a bit warmer. Any other ideas for lil' old me?

The Tail of the Broken Prong

via Martha Stewart Weddings

Okay so that would hardly be a very riveting tale but that is exactly what I found today as I innocently folded my hands in my lap during a rather dull meeting. I felt a small shift in the side stone of my ring almost like a loose tooth feels when you are little. I looked down to examine my baby and lo and behold one of the prongs was missing on the setting of that stone.

Bummer huh? Well to M's credit after I called him in a panic, he observed that it would have been a much bigger bummer if I had not noticed the missing prong until after the stone too was missing. So off to the lovely jeweler my ring goes for a quick repair. It's funny though how it almost feels like a missing limb. I never realized how aware I was of the ring at all times. Throughout the afternoon, after I had locked my ring away in my desk drawer for safe keeping, I would have a near start when for a split second I would think my ring had fallen off of my finger.

All's well that ends well though I suppose. I'll feel much better when that ring is back on my finger.

I Love Shooooes

Some may say that I have a slight problem when it comes to shoes. I simply say that it's nice to feel passionate about something. Some may think it is sad to be passionate about shoes. I say it is actually quite fabulous. As you know, I'm on the hunt for wedding kicks. I know I always write about how obsessed I am with wearing Christian Loubs on my wedding day but I think every girl should dream of such delights.

Something blue perhaps?

How about ruffles?

Who can say no to sparkles?

While none of these beauties are in my future, I think I may have stumbled on an equally gorgeous pair that are narrowly in the margin of my price range. During my last minute Christmas shopping yesterday, I sauntered ever so casually by the Barney's shoe department and spotted a pair of perfect CL's that were more than half off. That's the absolute beauty of the Barney's Winter Sale. I decided to sleep on it before taking action but I have not been able to get them off of my mind. So after M and I manage to dig ourselves out of the 2 feet of snow that this Nor'Easter has dumped on Charlestown, I'll be making my way over to check yet another "difficult" task off of my wedding to-do list. I promise to post pictures!

Veiled Musings

My veil dilemma continues, now I'm leaning much more favorably towards the side of wearing a veil during the ceremony. I say this with unease because I have been so set on having a mostly untraditional wedding. After all, we're eliminating the bouquet toss, the garter toss, we're doing a first look, and I'm carrying bright colored flowers. All of which are not earth shatteringly unique decisions but they are modern wedding choices.

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So the veil feels like a throwback. But I love the beauty of a veil picture and they really do make one feel like a bride. I'm considering a very low fingertip veil that will perch on my low updo and will be easily remove for the reception. Much to my mother's sheer joy, I've relented enough to try one on when I have my first dress fitting in February

P.S. On a side note, the Vera Wang store called yesterday to tell me my dress had arrived! I practically had to restrain myself to not go running across town to Newbury Street to see it in person.

Fa-la-la-la...A Christmas Beagle

It's Edison's favorite time of the year...all the ornaments he can break and tree water he can drink.

Something Blue?

The hunt for my wedding day kicks begins now. I will need them for my first fitting in February (gasp) and I'm incredibly beyond ridiculously picky when it comes to footwear. I dream of Loubs for the wedding day but alas I'm being realistic (blah).

Martina Satin Peep Toes in Bright Hydrangea, $235

I found these beauts on J. Crew. What do ya think?

Bittersweet Wedding Cake

As I mentioned last week was a whirlwind of wedding planning. This planning included meeting with 4 different local bakeries in Chicago to taste some wedding cakes. What could be better than that? We met with two bakeries in the suburbs and two in the city. The city bakeries were clear winners not only in presentation and cake testing atmosphere but also in the modern designs that they had available.

We ended up deciding between Bittersweet Pastry Shop and Alliance Bakery. I recommend checking out both shops if you are a Chicago bride. The staff are fantastic at both and they really make the cake testing an experience! There were dishes of delicious fillings such as mocha creme and salted caramel buttercream that we lavishly spread on deliciously spongey mini-cakes such as banana, red velvet, and dark chocolate fudge.

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Both experiences were truly decadent but Bittersweet Pastry Shop really took the cake (no pun intended). Sue Ann led us through our cake testing with such ease and fun. The flavors were delicious and most of all the cake designs that they had in their portfolio were modern and glam at the same time.

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Our cake design is simple - 3 tiers with white on white flourish design and topped with a few peonies to tie in with the color scheme of the wedding. We have alternating layers of cake, one will be almond cake with vanilla creme brulee filling and fresh strawberris and the other will be almond cake with dark chocolate mousse. I'm salivating just thinking about them. Bittersweet offers a great option of side tiers so that we were able to have a smaller decorated cake that would feed approximately 100 guests out for cutting and 2 side tiers (undecorated by the same height and flavors) that will be in the kitchen to feed the remaining guests. Oh and they also will send a freshly baked top tier of our cake to enjoy on our first wedding anniversary...so we can avoid the freezer burn experience.

Flowers, Flowers, Flowers

I have to admit that meeting with florists last week may have been one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning so far. It was the first time that I felt like I could actually picture the day. All of the florists we met with were fabulous and they totally understood my vision for the day.

I am hoping to use the flowers as the pop of vibrant color against the neutral palette of the gray silver bridesmaids dresses as well as to liven up the classic sculptural feel of the Chicago Room at the CHM. We're now waiting anxiously to see the proposals that come back.

I cannot lie that one event designer / florist that we met with in particular really understood everything that I was thinking about for the design of the space. I felt like they could take it to a whole new breath taking level. Fingers crossed...if and when it works out I'll do the grand reveal.

Wedding Week Whirlwind

I hope all you dearies had a fabulous Thanksgiving weekend filled with fun, laughter, and loved ones. I had a delicious time in Chicago with my entire family for the whole week.

We had a whirlwind of a wedding week as well. My mom and I spent most of the week going from appointment to appointment downtown, we met with florists, cake vendors, and stationers. M and I decided to postpone our engagement session as the weather was so not enjoyable on Tuesday (rain and cold) so we'll probably end up doing them in the Spring.

I have many stories to tell and I cannot wait to talk about the fabulous vendors we met with this week but that will all have to wait until I head back to Boston. I'm off to enjoy the last few hours in Chicago with Mamacita!

Wedding Puppy

Our 2 year old beagle, Edison is the love of my life (second to M...at least until we have children). I am so sad that given the many circumstances, we will not be able to include him in our wedding. We really wanted him incorporated somehow but given the flight to Chicago (he's too big to go under the seat) and the venue (surprisingly enough, museums tend to not allow dogs on their property), it just did not make sense.

He's my baby though and I will miss him. I'm still looking for some cute way to include a snippet of him along the way. We'll see.
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I love looking at wedding posts that have dogs in them though. It makes me slightly envious but happy for those folks who can include these fantastic family members in their big day.

LOVE - It's A Sign

I am obsessed with this wedding featured on Martha Stewart Weddings (and just about every other wedding blog at the time). I love the aqua and poppy colors, the classically beautiful church, and the fantastically joyful bride and groom. But it was truly the signage that pushed me over the edge of infatuation and envy on this one.

The L - O - V - E signs flanked the alter until the bride and groom shared the marriage beginning smooch at which point the bridal party turned the signs around to reveal X - O - X - O.

Now I'm not sure that M and I can pull this one off. I think the signs look incredible against the church backdrop and it may not fit into our outdoor plaza wedding ceremony. Regardless, a girl can dream, right?

Throw Me That Bouquet

One of the first questions that people ask me when they find out I'm in the middle of planning my wedding is "What are our colors?" Before I had gotten engaged and started reading the lovely blogs and researching inspirational decor, I had never even considered that one would have a color theme for a wedding. I'm rather indecisive about many things and our colors is one that I have been particularly fickle about.

We decided to keep our decor in the neutral color schemes with the bridesmaid dresses silvery gray and the groomsmen in black with neutral ties. Therefore, we'll use the flowers, particularly the bouquets to add the pop of color to our celebration.

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An all white bouquet is delightful for some brides, it is pure perfection (especially in peony or ranunculus).

Yet I am envisioning something a bit more vibrant for myself. I love a pink soft bloom against a white dress.

I've gather nearly 50 pictures of colorful bouquets to bring along to our floral appointments over Thanksgiving and I'm so excited to see what other ideas are out there.

Engagement Shoot Look for Less?

I'm on the hunt for two perfect engagement shoot outfits. Although the weather may not be perfect, I want to look autumnly chic. I want us to have two distinct looks - one cozy cute and one more dressed up.

So for the cozy chic dry run:

Marled Cap-Sleeve Cardigan in Cocoa Powder

Old Navy

$32.50

Silk Pleated Posy Top

J. Crew

$49.99

Skinny Ankle Zip Pant

Gap

$69.50

J. Aldridge by Sea of Shoe Gladiator Heel

Urban Outfitters

$29.99

One complete look for less than 200 bones...not too bad if I do say so myself. I'm thinking I could probably swing it without the shoes (although at $29 that is not a bad deal). My one concern is that the cap-sleeve sweater may be a bit chilly in November Chi-town weather.

What did you wear on your engagement shoot? Did the weather distract from your style expectations