Organizing the To-Do's

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With our wedding eleven months away, I am starting to get a little overwhelmed with all of the many details that need to miraculously fall into place.  As we start to collect quotes from vendors, expenses are quickly adding up and this week I have been looking for ways to make sense of it all. Luckily Google has come to the rescue with their amazing wedding templates! They have everything from an all in one wedding planner to templates to keep track of your budget, collect your guest's addresses, manage your guest list and plan your seating chart.

I am also loving the Real Simple Ultimate Wedding Checklist because it reminds me that we are right on track and maybe a little ahead of the average planning curve.

This week I have also been researching average wedding costs to get a better idea of what to expect and I found the infographic below on the average wedding. Derek and I fit the mold exactly for the average age of the bride and groom, but when it come to vendors like catering and photographers, everyone we like the most seems to be above the average cost.

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 How are you staying organized for your wedding? What tools did you use to track your budget?

Photographic Memories

This week we have been on the hunt for our wedding photographer. I thought that picking a wedding photographer would be one of our easier decisions. After spending hours and hours pouring over wedding photographer websites, I now know that finding someone who can take the candid photos we love is not an easy task. I'll be the first to admit that I can look super awkward in photos.  My fake smile looks forced and I look uncomfortable (because I am!). So, finding a photographer who can capture our wedding story with candid photos like the photos below is very important to me.

First Look

Sources: Sarah Culver Photography & Kyle Hepp

For more amazing first look photos, check out this article.

Happy Tears

Source: Sarah Culver Photography

After all of this photographer searching, I have learned that there are primarily three different approaches to wedding photography: traditional (more posed), photojournalistic (more candid) and artistic (clearly more artsy). We want a photographer who is primarily photojournalistic who can capture the entirety of our special day from the mascara application to the last dance of the night.

Sources: Future Weddings, Wild Flowers Photography & Sarah Culver Photography

I finally feel like we are starting to make some headway. We skyped with one photographer yesterday who we absolutely loved, but happens to live across the country. I also discovered the Wedding Photojournalistic Association which has been a great resource because it provides pricing estimates and lists photographers by region.

Sources: Future Wedding, Adria Lindquist & Lulu Photo

How did you decide on your wedding photographer? How many photographers did you meet/Skype with before you found THE one?

Sweet Tooth Central

This past weekend Derek and I hit up a local french cafe and pastry shop Petite Reve Cafe we had been meaning to try and were pleasantly surprised with some wedding cake inspiration. What could be better than hundreds of layers of crepes to impress your guests? While waiting for our coffees Derek spotted some photos of some stunning crepe wedding cakes.  He spoke with the owner and learned that she is one of the only people on the West Coast who makes theses special cakes and that they can be customized with any flavor filling and to match our wedding flowers.

Sources: Lavendar & Twine (1, 3 & 4), N Barrett Photography (2)

With dessert being one of our favorite things in the world (no meal is complete without amazing dessert!), we have some pretty big sweet teeth to satisfy for our wedding day. With so many wedding cake options these days we would like to do something a little less traditional and on the smaller side for ours, especially since it seems like most guests do not even end up eating the wedding cake and we plan to have several other dessert options.

Sources: 1, 2 & 3

For me, the simpler the cake, the better.

Sources: 1 & 2

And, of course we have a special sweet spot for cake pops too.

Sources: 1 & 2

More to come in the next few weeks on our other non-cake dessert ideas.

How did you decide on your wedding cake? Did you go for a less traditional option? I certainly can't wait to start tasting!

Oh, The Places You'll Go!

This past weekend marked our negative one year wedding anniversary! So far our engagement has flown by and I have a feeling that the next year will fly by even faster. With 362 days and counting until our wedding, it is definitely time to nail down a destination for our bachelor/bachelorette party. Having friends spread out across the country, we decided that a joint bachelor/bachelorette party would be a great way for everyone to meet before the wedding. Attending our friends’ combined bachelor/bachelorette celebration in Mexico a few weeks ago (with fellow bride blogger Rachel!) has only solidified this further. Austin is at the top of our list so far.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

I hear Austin has an amazing nightlife, music and food scene. Plus, it's central location will hopefully make it easy for everyone to get there.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Another front runner is Palm Springs.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

Pretty hard to beat a weekend lounging by the pool with your favorite people in the world.

Sources: 1, 2, 3 & 4

Of course we have tossed around the idea of Las Vegas as well.

Are you planning or have you been to a joint bachelor/bachelorette celebration? Any cool (easily accessible) destinations I should also look into?

Crazy for Confetti

Now that our venue is about 98% booked (just waiting for them to confirm that they received our check in the mail), I can start to think about some of the smaller details for our wedding, like confetti! Who doesn't love confetti and the awesome photo ops it provides?

Source: Tamara Lackey Photography

For our wedding, I would love to have something colorful thrown at us our way back down the aisle after we are pronounced husband and wife. Colorful possibilities include flower petals, colorful sprinkles, paper confetti (would have to be biodegradable for our venue), pom poms, dried lavender or streamers.

Source: EP Love

So, how did the rice/confetti tradition come about? Throwing rice at a newlywed couple is an ancient tradition that is meant to bring good luck, and more importantly, it symbolizes fertility. Sounds great to me! Unfortunately rice throwing is an ancient tradition now mostly because venues don’t allow it.

Sources:1, Braedon Flynn & Diana Rush

If you have spent anytime on the Pinterest wedding boards, you have probably already seen the above pin that tells brides to throw sprinkles at their wedding instead of rice because the photos will turn out amazing. I love anything sugary, so incorporating sprinkles sounded fun to me until I read wedding coordinator Danielle Pasternak's advise. She points out that, "if any of your guests hands are sweating as they are holding the sprinkles – or if it’s a little humid out – the color from the sprinkle will loosen and very likely end up on your gorgeous, white gown." So, sprinkles are off the table for us.

Sources: Closer To Love & KT Merry Photography

I am leaning towards having lavender tossed because it would be easy to acquire (locally it grows like a weed), it fits with our venue, and has an amazing color and aroma.

 

Sources: 1, Dixie Pixel Photography &  Shell de Mar

Are you planning on having anything tossed, thrown or shaken at your wedding? How did you decide?

Doggie Do?

On my wedding day I would like to be surrounded by the people who I love the most. This also includes my dog Otis (pictured below). Derek and I adopted him from the Humane Society right after we moved to Ventura almost two years ago.  Otis truly has changed my life for the better with his constant cuddles and easy-going personality. I know he will play a huge part in keeping me sane through the wedding planning process, and naturally I would like to include him in some way.

Despite my large family, Derek and I do not have any relatives or close friends with children around ring bearer/ flower girl appropriate age. This is where I am hoping Otis can step in (if he is up for it) and take on a dual role. I am envisioning him in a special bandana (I don't think a bow-tie is his style) led down the aisle by a leash adorned with flowers or ribbons.

Sources: Gambol Photography, Shannon Renee Photography, Chattman Photography, 4, Cedar House Photography

I have been researching tips and pointers for including your pup in your special day and I have put together a "DO" list.

The Pet Parents' Check List of Dos before the Big "I Do"

• DO double-check that your wedding venue allows dogs.
• DO have realistic expectations of your pet. Even the most well-mannered pup may let out a bark or two, or some other unpredictable behavior.
• DO prepare to be flexible on your wedding day. You can't force it. If you expect your pet to perform a certain task, have a backup plan in case he is not up for it.
• DO assign someone who can handle your dog. Preferably someone your dog is familiar with, or a professional pet sitter -- keeping tabs on your pup does not have to be your job!
• DO practice with your dog as much as possible before the wedding. If you want him to carry a basket or walk down the aisle with the rings, run him through his paces regularly as the wedding approaches.
• DO schedule a grooming appointment a couple of days before the wedding. You'll want your dog to look his/her best, but not quite as good as you :)
• DO prepare a travel bag of must-haves for your pet (include treats, toys and comfort items).

Sources: wscottchesterblog.com, 2 & 3, Victoria Souza Photography, Dottie Photography

For more tips on including your pet, check out this Huffington Post article.

Are you thinking about or did you include your dog in your wedding ceremony? What kind of role did they play? Anything else I should be considering?

Venue Love

Have I told you that I absolutely love our (hopeful) wedding venue? Finding it was probably one of the easiest parts of the planning process so far. Locking in our reservation has been another story. Last February when we decided that we wanted to get married locally, an internet search for Ojai wedding photos yielded many of the breathtaking photos below.

Source: Jessica Loren Organic Photography

Our favorites were taken at The Dent House, a private estate located in the heart of Matilija Canyon. Now, almost eight months later, we are excited and relieved to be finalizing our venue.  Yesterday, the four page rental agreement arrived in my inbox! Luckily my fiance is a lawyer, so I am hoping that the whole daunting contract process will be more of a breeze.  As we read through the agreement, I am realizing more than ever all of the little details we will need to work out to make sure our special day goes off without a hitch.

Sources: Kurt Boomer Photo, Jessica Loren Organic Photography

With this venue we will need to bring in everything from tables and chairs, to bathrooms and a generator. We know this will be more work than a traditional wedding venue, but it will also allow for endless creative possibilities for all aspects of the wedding.

Sources: Kurt Boomer Photography

With gorgeous natural scenery, another huge perk is that we will be able to take all of our wedding photos on-site.

Sources: Braedon Photography, Kurt Boomer Photo

Do you have any pointers for finalizing a venue rental? What do you think are the most important things to look out for?

Lock-in the Date!

This next year is shaping up to be a pretty action-packed year for us.  Not only is my fiancé’s brother getting married about three months before us, but a couple of my good friends are also tying the knot next summer.  Not wanting to miss out on any of these weddings and pre-wedding festivities, getting our Save the Dates out is at the top of my wedding to-do list. Of course, selecting a Save the Date design may not be as easy as I had thought. With so may clever and fun Save the Date ideas out there, the pressure is certainly on to come up with something unique and creative.

Source: 1, 2

Below are a selection of DIY ideas I found, ranging from stamps, fingerprints to just hitting print and tying a bow (might be more my style).

Source: 1, 2, 3, 4

Since the majority of our guests will be traveling from out of town, I also like the idea of incorporating our state/wedding location into the cards.

Source: 1, 2, 3

My engagement ring is a gorgeous vintage ring, so I have also been playing around with more of a vintage feel.

Source: 1, 2, 3

And, since we did meet on Match.com (more than 4 years ago...wow how time flies), I have also thought about incorporating matchbooks into our Save the Dates. Maybe a little too cheesy, even for me though.

Source: 1, 2, 3

So, there you have it, so many ideas to choose from! How did you decide on your Save the Date concept?

Over a Year Till I Do & Halfway Dressed

Okay, so, I’m going to admit it:  I have never been one of those girls who has dreamed about her wedding day since she was a little girl. When I got engaged last November, the questions started piling up fast. “Where will you get married?”, “What do you want your dress to look like?”, “What is your vision for your wedding?”.  Almost 9 months later (yes, I realize 9 months is an entire engagement period for some couples), I still can’t completely answer any of these questions, but I certainly have a better idea of what I want and how to best make it happen. I never thought that I would care as much as I do about my wedding dress.  I started my search by aimlessly and casually browsing through Bridal magazines mentally tearing apart everything I saw.  Searching for wedding dresses on Pinterest only confused me further, because the styles and silhouettes I was gravitating towards were all so different.

Source: Dove Sparrow Photography, Watters Brides, Samuelle Couture, Jenny Packham, Lindee Daniel, Melissa Blackburn

After looking at three bridal shops (Panche Bridal in Santa Barbara, Lovely Bride in Los Angeles (my favorite shop!), and Camarillo Bridal in Camarillo), I discovered that I have expensive taste. At each shop, the dresses that I liked most were on the higher-end of my dress budget, and I was not completely in love with any of them.

The search continued while I was visiting some friends in San Francisco a month ago and decided to try my luck at Glamour Closet, a discount bridal shop that sells sample wedding dresses at up to 75% off retail. I was in luck! I walked away with a Monique Lhuillier lace corset (very similar to the photo below) at a price too good to pass up and a new vision for my "wedding dress."

I had never thought about looking at two-piece dresses. I had wrongly mentally labeled them as 90's prom dresses gone wrong. But, once I started trying on two-piece dresses, I began to see how this concept would give me more flexibility, more creative control, and maybe even keep me within my dress budget.

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And so, my search for a perfect bottom continues. I am leaning towards designing my own (maybe even two: a long skirt for the ceremony and short skirt for the reception) with the help of a local tailor. The following are my inspirations so far.

Source: Sarah Seven, Bonzie on Etsy, Carol Hannah

Have you thought about or gone the two-piece dress route?  Do you have pointers for designing your own dress? Am I crazy??

Introducing E&I Bride, Gretchen

I love introducing new brides! New venue searches, new styles and a whole new perspective on wedding planning from a fabulous girl that is as giddy as ever to plan the most amazing day of her life. So let's do this! Help me welcome this gorgeous couple that is about to embark on one of the most amazing (and stressful) events of their life! We are thrilled that she is going to be blogging her way to the alter with us :)

Gretchen hails from Southern California and is planning a totally fun wedding in Ojai, CA. Find out more about her below including her awesome inspiration board.

Age: 28

Where I am from: Originally from Springfield, Illinois and now living in Ventura, CA after moving down from San Francisco two years ago.

Wedding location: We plan to get married in September of 2013 in Ojai, CA. We decided on Ojai for many reasons: my fiancé, Derek was born and raised there; proximity to where we live now, and we found a venue that we absolutely fell in love with.

Bio: Derek and I met on Match.com four years ago. He was the third guy I went on a date with, so lucky for me, the third time was the charm! He popped the question when we were in the Bay Area over last Thanksgiving so that we could celebrate with our friends and my family. We are excited to incorporate personal touches into our special day and I plan on taking on lots of DIY projects to make our wedding uniquely “us” (without turning into this couple).

Derek is a real estate lawyer, but his true passion lies in fashion. He has an incredible eye for style, so we will truly be making joint decisions throughout this entire planning process.

I work in Santa Barbara, CA for a public affairs firm running their in-house social media and marketing. I pride myself on being a bargain hunter, baking whatever is most unhealthy from my Pinterest board, and knowing way too much about bad reality T.V.