Post Meeting the Fam:

The trip home to Texas was a successful one!  Andy finally met my parents and was stuffed silly with Korean food. 

Now it's back to wedding planning!

Meeting the Fam

Andy and I are headed to Texas tomorrow to meet my Mom and Dad for the very first time!  I know they'll love him.  He has no idea about the mountains of food he is about to be fed.  Seriously, he'll have Korean food coming out of his ears. 

He'll also have the chance to meet two of my best friends and bridesmaids...yay!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!!

Cultural Wedding Wear

My mom asked me if she should wear a traditional Korean dress called a hanbok, or a normal dress for my wedding.  Initially I was not for the idea of the Korean attire, but the more I thought about it, the more I really hope she decides to wear it.  I was born in Seoul--but besides that, I don't really identify with Korean culture since I grew up in the states.  I definately identify more with my dad's "American" side.  There won't be any traditional Korean customs incorporated into my wedding, but the fact remains that I'm half Korean, and I think my mom's culture would be beautifully represented (and would make beautiful pictures) if she wore a hanbok.

Music and Memories

I love the way music can completely capture moments.  Andy and I are saving money on a DJ and doing the Itunes thing.  I'm not too concerned about the playlist during the reception...what I am spending hours on is choosing music for certain parts of the wedding.  The processional, the recessional, the first dance, father-daughter dance, etc.  The church we're getting married in doesn't have a very long walkway and the song I want to walk down the isle to has about 1 minute and 40 seconds worth of music that I really want heard.  This is "the song."  After spending days listening to music, when this song played I knew, it just moves me.  Maybe I'll just have to walk     r e a l l y sloooow.  Hah.

Via Maija Karin Photography

 The "first dance" song has yet to be found.  There are lots of maybe's....but none that have just hit me.  How did you decide on music?

Via August and After

Photographed by Sarah Neal 

How cute is this picture?

Last two photos Via Maija Karin Photography

I've got my dress, I've got my dress!!

I went in for my final fitting today.  I have my dress...it's done...I love it!  Now I just need the shoes, accessories, and something to keep me warm.

Yep...this is all you're gonna get until the wedding day!

Guy's Attire

I had no idea 

1.  How hard it is to find a brown suit and 2. How expensive men's suits are!  Holy cannoli!  Some of the suits Andy and I checked out were more than my dress!  We spent the afternoon checking out different stores to look at the selection and we were lucky to find a single brown suit in Andy's size.

I hadn't really thought abouth what the guys in the wedding party would be wearing.  I told my lovely bridesmaids to pick any dress they want as long as its in the dark blue to navy category.  The more I think about it, the more I think the guys might look good in different colors.  I didn't realize how much guys invested in their attire, so I would hate for them to buy a suit that they didn't really want to wear again!  I really like the way the different colors look!

Via Southern Weddings

Via The Brides Cafe

Via Once Wed

Moving!

Not far...just closer to my soon to be hubby.  I know some people would think an hour commute is really no big deal, but I just hate it.  I would rather commute an hour to and from work twice a day and see Andy every day, than see him 2-3 times a week.  So, I'm doing a little winter cleaning, and packing up in preparation for the move.  Fortunately, when I moved to Seattle 8 months ago, I came only with what fit in my car...so it shouldn't be too painful!

Fun Feathers!

I never knew just how many teeny, tiny details are involved with planning a wedding.  It's actually fascinating to see the kinds of vendors that are out there for every possible wedding detail that you haven't even thought of yet!  The latest thing I'm loving, feathers! I adore this designer from Etsy, Aredesign. This woman's work is brilliant!

When Things Go Wrong

I feel like I'm pretty laid back when it comes to this wedding planning stuff...the only thing that I've really been concerned about is fitting everything into a budget.  I know there are a zillion things that could possibly go wrong on the wedding day; a major snowstorm, technical glitches, not fitting into my dress, spilling stuff on my dress, getting zits, having a bad hair day, starting my period, etc, etc.  Yes, all those things would suck, however; if all of them happened on my wedding day, I know at the end of the day I'd still be marrying the love of my life. 

Photo via feijeriemersma

What about when things go wrong before the wedding day?  As in now?  I'm currently dealing with some medical issues that are not the cut and dry type.  It is the kind that leads to lots of referrals to specialists, lots of blood tests, lots of unknowns and lots of frustration.  The timing kinda sucks, but I still know that at the end of the day, for better for worse, in sickness and in health, I'll still be marrying the love of my life.

Winter Wedding Warmers

Trying to find something to go with my dress and keep me warm may prove to be harder than finding the actual dress!  I love the look of a cute cardigan, bolero or shrug...I just don't know which I love the most!

Via Style Me Pretty

Photographed by Cameron Ingalls

 

Via August and After

Photographed by Sarah Neal

Via TianaChes Etsy Shop

Via maryandangelika's Etsy Shop

Via crochetbutterfly's Etsy Shop

 

The Ring

I freaking love it...but love even more what it symbolizes...

The Venue: Foxboro Ranch Estates

There is very limited information online about Flagstaff weddings.  I'm so thankful for blogs like August and After which I've mentioned over and over again because it is the reason I found my venue and has been a source of oodles of ideas, as well as another favorite blog, A Mountain Bride.  There aren't a ton of venues in Flagstaff besides the usual run of the mill hotel banquet rooms.  If you get married in any season besides winter, your options are pretty limitless--you can get married anywhere outdoors because it's just beautiful there.  I said to myself, "If I can't get married with nature as my backdrop, I at least need to be in a pretty building!"  Foxboro Ranch Estates is just that.  See for yourself.

Via Foxboro Ranch Estates  

Via Foxboro Ranch Estates

(This is probably what it will look like at my wedding!)

Via Sarah Neal Photography

Via Sarah Neal Photography

 

The soon to be in-laws!

Bouquets

All I know about flowers is that I like them.  I can't name any but the obvious ones, and I certainly don't know what will be in season when I get married.  My problem is I want to incorporate so many amazing themes I've seen created in wedding photos.  I love the rustic, vintagy look--but also really love glamor and elegance.  My venue is an amazing log cabin which makes you think more of mountains, woods and forest; however I'll be getting married (very likely with snow falling) in the evening which tends to automatically lead to a more formal, elegant image.  Because of the white dress, I tend to think vibrant colors would look better in photos; however, I'm really drawn to the simplicity of white and green...and maybe a hint of color. My colors are chocolate brown and navy...and here's what I've liked so far:

Via The Flower Magician 

Via Modern Romance

Via Jared Birt  

Via Cameron Ingalls 

Via Cameron Ingalls 

Via Snippet and Ink