One Year Anniversary

On Saturday we celebrated one year of marriage; here are a few of my favorite details from our wedding day.

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All Photos :: Jason Thrasher Photography // 1/ John before the ceremony // 2/ Matron of Honor's Bouquet (Logan's Bangles: Lauren by Ralph Lauren (Similar), Logan's Dress: J.Crew Taryn Dress) // 3/ Bridal Bouquet // 4/ Corsages & Boutonnieres // 5/ Bracelet: J.Crew (similar, similar, similar) // 6/ Earrings: Kate Spade Pave the Way Studs, Hair by Dersy at Republic Salon in Athens, & Makeup by JennySue Makeup // 7/ Nine West Shoes (similar by DVF) // 8,9,10/ Florals by Rosie Haines // 11/ Gocco'd Coasters (thanks to Missy for letting me borrow her gocco) // 12/ Favor Buttons by our friend Missy Kulik who runs Shoppe Sugar Cookie on Etsy; these were a huge hit with all of our guests, Bowl: Crate & Barrel) // 13/ Vanilla & Red Raspberry Cecilia Villaveces Cake // 14/ Cutting the Cake // 15/ Last Picture of the Night in the Town Car, Dress: J. Crew Dune Gown, Cardigan: J.Crew (similar)

Bringing the Hurt

Found: Wedding Ring Brass Knuckles.

Merely for intimidating anyone who doesn't follow suit when you're planning your wedding (hopefully most will honor your wishes, but some, well, they're going to try to make everything about themselves... consider yourself warned, ladies & gents). Found on Refinery29.



Hitting the Bottle

With less than a couple of months until the wedding, I've been super busy working on all of the odds & ends that arise after you've picked your venues & all of your vendors (oh and yeah, did I mention that we're also looking for a place to live too? we will hopefully be moving a couple weeks prior to the big day!). At the moment, I am feeling pretty in control of the whole process, but that feeling fluctuates from low moments of stress to very high moments of stress & sometimes make you want to hit the bottle (haha, just kidding! but yes, you just can't keep everybody happy, can you?).

Found this very cute occasion wine in my Reader tonight & it's just too adorable to resist. We may or may not be throwing this bottle back on the night of the wedding.

(*via Oh! Joy Eats)

Lucky Thirteen

Thirteen of these 8" galvanized planters arrived a couple of weeks ago for our centerpiece arrangements [& we will be departing for our honeymoon on the 13th of November; I love when numbers coincide repitiously]. Currently on sale for only $4.95, we had to scoop them up as soon as I got approval from John. Even after shipping costs & taxes, these planters were only about seven dollars a piece. 

After the wedding, we'll keep a few of them for plants around the house & most likely try to re-sell the rest. The largest size planters would be gorgeous on an outdoor deck. Capitalize on CB2's awesome sale prices here.

Low Light

Last weekend John & I were able to visit our friends in Atlanta [they are new parents to the cutest little boy!] which meant an inevitable trip to IKEA. There we stocked up on twelve packs of these GLIMMA tealight candleholders which are a steal for about $2.00/pack. I'd love for the pavilion & the ballroom to be filled with the soft light of a zillion candles [slight exaggeration], so I may be going back for a few more packs of these. Love 'em!

Photographer? Captured!

Last night, John & I booked our wedding photographer [yeah!]. Extremely down to earth with a dark room in the basement of his home, Jason Thrasher wowed us with his images of musicians such as Elf Power, the Drive-By Truckers, Booker T, & Andre 3000, as well as adorable images of his two daughters, & beautiful weddings shot in various locations. Above are some enhanced sample shots of a recent wedding he captured at Willow Oak Farms in Madison, Georgia.

We're extremely eager to work with Jason for an engagement shoot in October & then seven hours of quality time on our wedding day in November. If you're in need of someone talented to capture an upcoming milestone in your life [or a new addition in the family; his images of children are precious!] then you should definitely set up a consultation with Mr. Thrasher.

[*images: jason thrasher photography]

Wedded Bliss Bling

All of the beauty that is this necklace arrived last week. I've promised myself that I won't wear it out in public until November 12th [doesn't mean I can't pair it with my pajamas or wear it around the house whilst vacuuming].

[*image via: j.crew]

My [Sole]mate

Found on Piperlime as one of Rachel Zoe's picks, the Nine West Bonfire in Gray is my official wedding platform [these stunners will aid me in getting to the end of that aisle!]. "Til then they will be safely tucked away in their box. I'm very glad that I scooped them up when I did because the gray is no longer available; there is, however, this pattern for those more adventurous than I am.

C'mon Baby Light My [Candle]

[1] Trix Candleholder, $4.95 from Crate & Barrel

[2] Beaker Glass Candleholder, $0.95 (!!!) from CB2

[3] Reflex Candle Tray, $79.95 $39.95 (watched it like a hawk just a'waitin' for it to go on sale) from CB2

[4] Piper Candleholders, $2.95-$3.95 from Crate & Barrel

[5] Clear-cupped Tealight Candles (Set of 12), $5.95 from CB2

[6] Whirly Hanging Candleholder, $3.95 from CB2

Above is the idea board that I created (when I was holed up in my hotel in China) to document all of the candleholders we want to incorporate into our wedding decor. 

So far I've only ordered the Reflex Candle Tray & Clear-cupped Tealight Candles from CB2; it arrived yesterday & is crazy gorgeous. I'll admit that I didn't unwrap each tealight (there are thirty-six of them total!), but John & I will run a trial set up soon. Ideally I would love to incorporate it into both the ceremony decor as well as display it on one of the main tables in the ballroom during the reception. After the hitchin' & dancin', it'll make a great accent piece on our living room coffee table or perhaps it will reside on top of our (hopefully clutter-free) bedroom dresser. 

Found the event tip from Tara Guerard in the most recent Martha Stewart Weddings Color Issue featuring pink (& I plan to follow said advice). You may follow Tara's advice as well (on Twitter), check out her site, purchase her book, or follow her blog. 

Sole Searching

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know that I have been seriously M.I.A.(I can explain, promise!). John & I went to visit my NYC family March 12-14th, work has been crazy busy, & last weekend we spent the majority of our time in the ATL for a friend's birthday party & for our favorite expecting couple's first baby shower. Not to mention, we've been increasing wedding prep. Last night we met with the Sales Manager at the Foundry Park Inn & Spa to discuss available dates in November and additional costs to consider. Been crunching the numbers again since I got home, but enough with the financials, on to one of the more exciting decisions -- stiletto selection. The Randall is a luxe 4.5" black satin Badgley Mischka stiletto with soft fabric flower detail; all of which could be accompanying me down the aisle.

P.S. -- John won $1000 on a scratch off lottery ticket today (crazy, huh?!) JT, if you're reading this, baby needs a this new pair o'shoes!

Potential Venue

 With pre-purchased tickets in hand, we're attending the 6th Annual Foundry Park Inn & Spa Bridal Open House in Athens this weekend. I'm very ready to meet the 20+ vendors that will be in attendance & sample cuisine options from the Foundry's kitchen. Maybe I am getting a little ahead of myself, but I am already really leaning toward this quaint space for our ceremony & reception. The Hoyt House Pavilion would be perfect for our evening ceremony & the reception could be in the Foundry Ballroom or one of the Galleria spaces. Our out-of-town guests could easily explore downtown Athens by foot instead of dealing with the hassles of a rental car or having to wait for us locals to drive them around everywhere (especially since we may be a little busy with last minute DIY). If everything goes well this weekend then we'll be making an appointment to set a date (woohoo!)

Have a great weekend y'all!

[image: foundry park inn & spa]

Message in a [Jar]

 

How adorable is this jar? Cute, no? Just found this & nabbed it right away (especially after my disappointment to find the Digit Spice Jars I wanted are sold out already). My morning-of-the-wedding letter to John will be delivered before the ceremony by my sister in this Refracted Ambiance Jar.

[image: anthropologie]

$$$

 

While it's not very fun to discuss, it's quite necessary... dun dun dun... the budget (Aaaaaaah!). Thanks to the generosity of John's parents, my Mom & Dad, & my Aunt B, we were finally able to finalize ours (so let the real planning commense!). 

Mrs. + Mr.

Just purchased one of each of these monogrammed mugs from Anthropologie which I have loved since I purchased them for a few newlywed friends over the past year. We'll be using these as props in our engagement photography session then they will be set up at the wedding reception near the guestbook to hold a bunch of my favorite pens -- Papermate's Flair Felt Tip (perfect for sketching & notetaking). After the nuptials, the mugs will be perfect for a lifetime of Sunday morning lattes with my Mister (probably wouldn't hurt to register for this bad boy). 

[images: 1/2/3/4]

You Really Got a Hold on Me

Just made our first couple approved wedding purchase from CB2 (can't wait 'til we officially set a date, so we may start a registry with them). We will be using their chrome storage basket to house all of our wedding favors. The open weave chrome-plated steel will allow for our guests to get a look-see at the packaged mix CDs we are making for 'em prior to the reception's end when they get to take one for the ride home (or for the after party in their hotel rooms; no drinking & driving allowed!). Best part -- this doubles as a purchase for the home office I plan to set up in our first place.

Get Carried Away

Love this glass cups & carrier set from Wisteria for a clean, modest centerpiece idea. A coupla stems & you're set!

STARBURST + supernova

As a past purchase, these J. Crew Starburst Earrings are currently nestled in my jewelry box & have made a few special appearances. They would look perfect with this Crystal Supernova Bracelet from J. Crew. Perhaps for the wedding? They are definitely contenders. 

LOVE + loyalty

In wedding news or lack thereof... we have yet to finalize our budget, so we haven't actively started planning, but that doesn't mean that I haven't been plotting & perusing. Mainly online.

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It doesn't take long to know that J. Crew is most definitely my go-to site (& occasionally store) for classic pieces that I know will impressively last. Therefore I feel a certain sense of loyalty when on the prowl for my bridesmaids dresses & wedding gown. They've always done me right & it just wouldn't be the same without 'em. 

LOVE + loyalty = SILK + chiffon... & lots of it too.

Their Vintage Blue Shade has got me completely hooked in both of these silhouettes which is pretty perfect because we're already set on two attendants each (does that count as planning?). In sticking with that number maybe I could rationalize two dresses -- one long for the ceremony, one short for the reception? Either of these gowns below would do for the hitchin'. Simple, chic, & easy on the wallet. Love love love!

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Don't worry, you'll be seeing some potential wedding weekend appropriate J. Crew jewelry on my Christmas List TBP (To Be Posted) soon...