!

That is all, thanks. :)

Centerpiece Idea

It is T-6 months until the big day!  I am feeling a bit overwhelmed because school is starting in a few weeks and I was totally going to have everything pretty much planned by now, so I can focus on my learning.  We aren't quite there yet.... 

However, lucky us (my mom and I), because right down the street from where we live a HUGE Joann's craft and fabric place opened up.  I think this may be one of my mother's favorite stores, so she was there the first day it opened, lol.  And did she find a gem:

That's right!  David Tutera, of My Fair Wedding fame, has a whole line of wedding decor things at Joann's now.  So fun!  I used to be a huge fan of that show, but it has sort of turned into "David Tutera Tries to Turn my Circus Wedding into Something Attempting to Resemble Elegance Show". Thankfully some brides' (err...) unique (?) tastes are left out of the design/style of these pieces.

The design theme I am trying to have in the reception is one of a winter wonderland kind of look.  Think snow covered trees, lots of white and silver, and sparkle. 

My mom found this super cool lighted tree branch thing:

David Tutera Battery Operated LED Branch

And it is kind of hard to see, but the picture there on the bottom of the box is the look we are going to try to recreate with our collective DIY skills.  Here is the picture from the Joann's website, but the bottom part is cut off :\

But I am pretty excited, if we can pull it off I think it will look really cool!  And I love the bonus of getting a lit up look without creating a fire hazard at the top of a skyscraper.

I will post the pics once we have a completed centerpiece making dress rehearsal, send us some good crafty vibes :)

BHLDN in Houston!

!!!!!!!!

Cake!

My favorite topic! :)

So we have come to that portion of the program where we need to figure out a cake concept and find a bakery to make it!  I have had a couple referrals of some good places around town that are reasonably priced, so I just need to schedule a time for Aaron and I to go sample some of the goods.  This will no doubt be my favorite part of wedding planning, I can already tell!

As far as cake concept goes, I am still proceeding with caution.  We don't have a humongous cake budget, and we need it to feed 200+ people, so I have no idea what I can afford at this point.  I only know the obvious - the more detailed = more expensive, fondant = $$$, regular icing = $$.  With that being said, here is the picture dump of cakes I like from the internet!  (they are all from http://www.weddingchannel.com/)

I like the interesting texture on this cake.  Aaron is like dead set against fondant because he claims it tastes horrible, so I think something like this could make everyone happy.

I think the details on this cake are just gorgeous!  It is just my style too.  I like simple, with a touch of something to give it some personality. 

I sort of dig the square shape.  And I adore the vibrant colors, and how each tier is a different design.

I like how the middle tier is different, and I like the birds on top :)

I like this cake because it is tall, and I like the criss-cross-ish design.  Very modern looking.

Bows <3

How cool looking is this?

I like all the different shapes, makes a simple cake much more interesting!

Man, I wish I had some cake right now.

Building a Beautiful Table: Chairs

Building a beautiful table:

Phase one

Chairs:

I know, I thought I said this was about tables.  I lied.  Lol

My favorite wedding chairs are just those chiavari chairs simple and don't really draw attention away from the table.

 I don’t have this option at this venue, which is fine.  Renting them from an outside company is in the neighborhood of $8 a chair.  Idon’tthinkso!  The Petroleum Club of Houston has some okay chairs.  They are black cathedral chairs with a rounded back with this sort of weird gold rope trim, and gold legs.  They aren’t the most unfortunate looking chairs in the world, but they will just look immensely better with chair covers.

 closeup of the trim (ignore that guy)

That being said, I usually hate the look of chair covers.

I feel like I am drowning in a sea of fabric.  And while they look pretty before the party starts, they soon start to look like your couch once that couch cover gets all mangled and tangled from being sat on half a dozen times – and you are doing pretty good if you don’t trip all over them just to get to the bathroom! 

someone throw me a floatie.

And then the spandex chair covers are available, but those just look like alien chairs to me.

Tell me what's next, alien $#% - Kanye

And I would imagine those would be kind of slippery to sit on?

And the giant bows on the backs are bothersome too.  Can we not get anything a little less 80’s prom looking?  Let’s evolve, people.

And I bring you, distinctive details!

http://www.distinctivedetails.com/

I want that chair.  (The one on the right)   



Theme Inspiration

An Elegant Candlelit Winter Wonderland.

That is our theme :)

Our colors are going to be navy blue with accented icy blue and silver
And Flowers and stuff I am thinking ivory and pale pink

excited!!!

Love at first sight does exist.

The most beautiful clutch known to man.

The new Valentino line is sick, I love it so bad.  (I'm even using slang I never use!) See all of them here...

Oh, if only I had an extra $1000+ dollars lying around! 

Photo booth deal!

www.groupon.com

Can I get a 'heck yes'?!?!  I am so lucky my little brother is looking out for me and my budget and informed me of this killer deal on something that I was planning on getting anyway!  Photobooths are mega fun!  I was at a wedding a few summers ago with one and had a blast!  Groupon, you amaze me and I love you!! 

BHLDN

Behold(en)!

I know it is Valentine's Day and I should be gushing about A and how much I adore him, but I will get to that post later.  I am so excited to annouce that Anthopologie's bridal boutique BHLDN launched today!!!

Frills and ruffles and bows, oh my!

I looooooooooove anthropologie, and thank the Lord that I am too voluptuous to shop there for clothes because I would be broke as a joke.  But now their take on all things bridal is available, and I am already in love (but I knew I would be).  They have everything: bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, underwears, shoes, hair accesories, and more!  And I hear in May they will have even more, like invites and such.  So exciting, go take a look!!! http://www.bhldn.com/

<3 <3 <3 <3

Hotel Zaza

Want.  OMG Want.
I know I said I thought I was in love with the Magnolia Hotel, but the Magnolia is like the ex boyfriend who you thought was the one until you really meet the one and realize that before, you had no idea what you were talking about.  I don't know what it is about Hotel Zaza, but that place has got a spell on me.  I can't get it out of my head.  Before I had ever even stepped foot in that place I had already deemed it my dream wedding spot.  And that decision was made well before I was ever engaged. 

Source

Source

It is so... unforgettable, over the top, trendy, chandaliers out the wazoo, edgy, extravagant, and I could go on for days.  I feel like I could die happy if I had my wedding reception at Zaza.  Dramatic much? lol

Hotel Zaza is in the most perfect and ideal location because it is literally down the street from our church.  And the views are breathtaking.  If we go with the downstairs ballroom we get a view of the fancy fountain, and if we go with the 11th floor ballroom we get an incredible view of Herman Park and downtown.  

Part of me feels like I am not cool enough to have a reception there, lol. 

A sort of poo poo-ed the idea of Zaza at one point because he was under the impression that it was more fancy-trashy with like photos of naked people hanging up and all that animal print.  But when I toured there with my Mom on Saturday, the only weird thing we saw was a painting of a girl and she had a goat's head instead of a little girl head.  I don't know, the decor is very Andy Warhol does Victorian Era.  I just totally am in love with all the chandaliers everywhere.  And the space is big enough for everyone comfortably, which my other favorites haven't been able to provide from what I can tell.  When I told A how amazing the place was, he had a change of heart and switched his No to a Maybe.  He's a good man ;)  So much for that $2000 wedding idea...

Good News!!



My best friend Katrina (and also my MOH) is sooooooooooooooo awesome!  She and my mom and I were all at the Houston Bridal Extravaganza a few weekends ago and we kept seeing all these totally fab linens on tables that were flowers.  I totally cannot describe them with words, but I loved loved loved loved loved them.  So of course while compiling my budget I was trying to figure out how much these bad boys were going to cost.  I checked every linen place's website in town and couldn't find them anywhere!?  And I am certain I saw them at least 4 times at different booths around the extravaganza show.  So of course my heart broke a little thinking that I couldn't find the most perfect linens for my perfect day.  (totally kidding with all the perfect talk, but I was a little bummed).  But what to my wondering eyes should appear?  An email from Katrina, and a link to the elusive satin ribbon rosette linens!!

http://www.wedding-linens.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=114

YAY!!!

Want!!!

I am not really a Vera Wang gal, I'm more of a Betsy Johnson/Marc Jacobs girl (when I am not a Ross Dress for Less girl) but these are ADORABLE!  I am nuts for bows!!!
These are from the store on www.theknot.com