First Dance Alternative

Via Maija Karin Photogrpahy

Instead of a first dance, this couple performed an Acra Yoga routine instead.  How cool!

The Face

Living in Southern California for most of my later years I got used to putting on "my face" before going out for the day.  I enjoyed putting on makeup and experimenting with different looks.  However, since moving to the Pacific Northwest, makeup has gone out the window.  Apparently the goal of women here is to look as pale and granola-ish as possible.  I haven't tossed all my makeup out (I still can't leave the house without mascara), but I think I have lost some of my ability to apply it.  I tried experimenting with my makeup last month and it was a disaster--I think due to the fact that I went from doing my makeup as a bronzed gal back in Cali, to a pale-ish, pasty gal here in Seattle.  So, I've started tanning (I know, ghasp...no lectures please) and hopefully when I try practicing my makeup again it will look better.  I'm thinking about going to Sephora to pick up some pointers.  The look I'm trying to achieve is something similar the pictures below.

 

 

I don't have a Kim Kardashin crush... we just have similar coloring. 

Are you doing your own makeup?  What are your ideas and inspiration?

Our Wedsite

I looked through a ton of different web hosting sites before choosing a wedding website.  I ended up going with Wedsite, and the end result I'm really happy with.  It wasn't the most user friendly design, but after toying around with it a bunch, I finally got an end result that I'm really happy with and have gotten tons of compliments on.

Check it out here and let me know what you think!

(It takes a few seconds to load)

DIY Hair: Part 1

I keep fretting about what I'm going to do with my hair.  At first the plan was to wear it down because I wasn't planning on wearing a veil.  Then I got a veil and decided half up, mainly because I know I can do my own hair half up.  The more I thought about it though, the more I realized how annoyed I get with my hair and decided I have to have it up or it will drive me crazy all night.  The problem is that I have no clue how to do an "up do" by myself.  I have fine, stick straight hair with zero body or volume, so I experimented with it the other night and I think I know how I want the front to look, I just need to figure out what to do with the back so it's not just hanging in a ponytail.  This is what I've come up with so far.  Any suggestions?

After curling it (it goes straight again in about 20 minutes!)

 

Pulling it back...what do I do with it now?

 

The side:  sideswept and pouffed up in the back

Flagstaff: Winter Storm

Via The Examiner

(That's about 5 feet of snow in someone's driveway)

Let's just say I'm thankful I didn't pick last weekend to get married in Flagstaff.  The city has been hit with a record setting snowstorm which has shut down the town, the airport and the roads.  I pray that by February 20th things will be back to business as usual.

I Solemnly Swear...

From this day forward I will RSVP on all invites that come my way....especially if it's to a wedding.  I really underestimated the importance of an on time RSVP.  I feel like such a nag.

30 Day Count Down!!

Holy Cow!  I can't believe it!  I don't feel overwhelmed...in fact, I'm a little stressed about not being more stressed.  I should be stressed; according to The Knot.com  I have about a gazillion tasks to check off my list.  One thing about a destination wedding is there is only so much you can do from another state.  (Which could possibly cause more stress depending on your viewpoint!)  I'm so fortunate to have a mother-in-law who is not only awesome, amazing and wonderful, she also has mad Martha Stewart creative skills and is helping out with a ton of the details that I just can't really take care of from Washington.  I've taken care of most of the "big" stuff, or at least what I consider "big."  Most brides-to-be would probably consider the decor and centerpieces "big,"  but I'm not uber concerned about those kinds of details.  I'm relying on my mother in law's creative juices to help everything look good.  I told her I would be happy to just show up and marry her son.  Truly, I have to remind myself of the big picture.  I don't want to be thinking after the wedding, "this or that didn't go right," I want to be thinking, "I'm a wife!  I'm married to the love of my life!  I'm moving overseas and have nothing but adventure and life ahead of me!" 

Thirty days to go and I'm feeling good....we'll see how my stress level fares as the days inch closer.  Let's just pray that I get my task list whittled down!

Contest!

This is so freaking adorable from Cobalt Blue--I want it.   Check it out at Bridalhood!

Traditional Vows

Via Maija Karin Photography

I'm so happy to see that so many weddings today are truly personal and have done away with tired "traditions."  The only tradition that I truly want to keep are the simple, perfect words of traditional wedding vows.  I really don't think I can add anything more meaningful to the words love, honor, cherish, and faithful--or the phrase "In sickness and in health, for richer for poorer."  Each word packs an emotional punch and encompasses what a lifetime commitment is about.  Plus, who needs the stress of coming up with your own vows?!  (And who wants a long ceremony?  Let's get to the party!)

Honeymoon: One Way Ticket To Central America

Yes, it's true.  Three days after we get married in Flagstaff my love and I are moving overseas.  We will honeymoon in Panama and then trek up to Costa Rica, lead a short term missions trip in Nicaragua and finally settle in Honduras.  From there we will see where God leads us.

The thought of moving overseas with only what fits in a backpack is terrifying and exhilarating at the same time.  But when else can we have this kind of adventure?  To live life simply and seek God for direction and provision is a calling both Andy and I share.  I'm so excited I can't even stand it!

Fantasy Photograph

I soooo want to be the girl in this picture. 

Via Style Me Pretty

Photographed by Christian Oth

Obsessed

Itunes and I have been spending way too much time together lately. Picking out the music for the ceremony and reception have been taking up every spare minute I have.  I can now understand why paying for a DJ is worth it; music just has so much meaning to me and I feel that it is a really integral part of the wedding.  I can't just pick any ole' love song and I couldn't fathom walking down the aisle to "Here comes the bride" or the other traditional stuff.  I want music that represents Andy and I.  I'm still trying to figure out the processional music for the bridesmaids and the father/daughter dance; what I have picked out is what I'll be walking down the aisle to, the recessional music, and I have narrowed it down to two songs for our first dance.

Lovely - Michelle Tumes

This song is amazing...I wish the aisle I was walking down was longer so more of it could be played!

Son Of A Preacher Man - Dusty ...

This song is hilarious because I am marrying the 'Son of a preacher man!'

Marry Me - Train

Either this for our first dance....

Magic - Colbie Caillat

Or this

Omg...I just love these songs...I don't know how I'm going to choose!  Which do you like best?

Pre-Marital Counseling

I feel so unbelievably blessed to have found someone who is an incredible communicator.  We talk easily about the "big stuff" and have gotten through conflicts successfully.  We met on e-Harmony and we joke about "27 levels of compatibility," but perhaps there is a formula behind successful relationships.  (I know, how un-romantic.)  We are not naive to the hardships relationships endure, but felt that if we didn't go through pre-marital counseling, we would be ok.  We both really wanted to, but haven't until now, found someone who we felt comfortable with and was in our budget, i.e...free (well...his father who is a pastor could have counseled us...but um....awkward!)  We were lucky to find someone at the last minute, but what we were doing in lieu of talking to a counselor was going to Borders bookstore every week and reading chapters out of relationship books and discussing them.  We would make a date out of it and it was actually really enjoyable and brought us into very relevant, meaningful conversation.  It was also very confirming; we have very similar views on the "big stuff" and with every chapter we read I felt more and more sure that I am marrying a man I know I will grow old with.

The book shown at the top of the page and above are the two books that we read through

The Bridesmaid's Dress Search

Via The Knot

I think it may have been easier to choose the dresses for my bridesmaids rather than let them choose their own, because so far none of them have had any luck in their search.  I was in Nashville for the weekend visiting one of my best friends who is a wardrobe stylist; you would think of all my bridesmaid's she would be the first to find something!  Boy was I wrong. After visiting multiple boutiques, searching the malls and scouring the internet I've come to the conclusion that I have chosen the two toughest colors for the groomsmen and bridesmaids to find outfits in....chocolate brown suits for the men and navy blue dresses for the gals.  Too bad I'm not fond of pink...there were a ton of pink dresses!  

I decided that navy was just too tough of a color to find a dress in and let the girls go with a shade of "dark blue."  There is a good variation of dark blue colors right?  Regardless, I know it's going to look beautiful.
I wonder where these girls found their dresses?

Via The Knot

Feeling Bubbly

Who doesn't love bubbles?  I think I might steal this idea for our first dance. 

Via Blue Six Creative

 

Via Kentuckystudio.com

The Playlist

I was just thinking about different receptions I've been to...the one's that stand out in my mind are the one's where the music was great and people danced the night away.  What is interesting is Andy and my friends are literally flying in from across the US and 98% of them have never met each other.  In fact, a few of my bridesmaids have never met each other.  Both Andy and I feel we mostly have friends who would not shy away from the dance floor, but a great playlist might help ensure that.  How did you choose your reception music?  Any must have songs to get the party started?  Me and Itunes are about to spend some quality time together.

Via Blue Six Creative

Cutting Corners

I really, truly had absolutely NO idea how much a wedding would cost.  As frugal as I am, the costs just keep adding up, especially as I'm getting down to the nitty gritty details.  Having a winter wedding prevents me from doing the back yard potluck which I'm all for and saves tons of cash; eloping was out of the question (although my and my man seriously considered it), so cutting out or back on typical wedding details has been my main option.  So far, this is how I'm "cutting corners:"

• Bought my dress off the rack
• Found my shoes for less than $20!
• Made my invitations
• Created a wedding site for online RSVP's
• Doing my own hair and make up
• Buying my cupcakes at Sam's Club
• Using an Ipod instead of a DJ
• Decided against wedding favors
• Having the ceremony at my fiance's dad's church (Thanks Rich!)
• Having my fiance's dad officiate
• Bought my bouquets and corsages from Etsy (decided against real flowers)
• Using Candles and on sale items at Michael's, and my incredibly crafty future mother in law to create centerpieces
• Bought a ton of white Christmas lights on sale after Christmas for the lighting at the reception venue
• Buying cases of Charles Shaw wine at Trader Joe's (yay for 3 buck Chuck!)
• Found a church member who is volunteering his time and talents to videograph our wedding (totally lucked out on this one!)
• I have a friend who is an event planner who is going to help "coordinate." 

There are probably a few more things that I can't think of right now, but even with all those cut corners this wedding is still adding up quickly!  Anyone have any other great money saving ideas?  Please share!

Remembering Flagstaff

What a truly wonderful Christmas.  I spent my first holiday away from home and with my future in-laws and it was absolutely wonderful.  I am so grateful and feel so blessed to become a part of this family.  There were lots of exciting things that were discussed relating to the wedding.  It was awesome to see everything covered in snow...hopefully it stays that way through February because it was just gorgeous.  The church where the ceremony will be held was just finished in time for their first Christmas Eve service.  It was beautiful...our wedding will be the very first held in that sanctuary.  I was really sad to leave...I'm counting down the days for my return to marry the man of my dreams.  I'll see you soon Flagstaff!

 Downtown Flagstaff