Inspiration, take 2!

It's an interesting process having a longer engagement, and slowly editing the wedding themes/details.  Remember my original inspiration board?  I still love it, but I decided it would be fun to share some updated/additional inspiration items:

Key features:
- Continuing the tree and bird themed wedding cake
- Wood elements, i.e. candle holders and birch vase wraps
- Chalkboard signs
- Herb bouts for the guys
- Fabric poms for the flower girl and junior bridesmaid
- Goodie bags
- Ribbons!
- Fun garlands, i.e. bird cut-outs
- Food-inspired table names/numbers
- Dahlias, dahlias, dahlias

So what do you think?  I'll be the first to admit that I like too many things, but I think we're keeping on track to some extent...the theme is just farm-food-apple-tree-bird-rustic-DIY-casual.  No problem! :)

Seattle Wedding Show

I'm a little behind on life when it comes to the blogosphere (or in general...).  Oh, well.  This is the life of a grad student and bride-to-be, and I can't complain.

A couple of weeks ago we went to the Seattle Wedding Show with a whole team of awesome supporters - our parents and 2/3 of the bridal party (thank you!).  As expected, it was pretty overwhelming.  I can't even imagine what it would have been like if we didn't already have so many things set - date, venue, officiant, photographer, florist, cake, dress.  We went in focused on DJs, day-of coordinators, rentals, suits for the guys, dress styles for the girls, flower styles, cake styles, and general decoration ideas.

The girls did a wonderful job of entering me in contest using our handy pre-made labels.  Actually we won second prize from a digital camera rental company (they do that know instead of disposable camera), but it was just a discount.  We didn't want to add the service to our budget even if it was a good deal.  Don't worry, though - we're planning a FAUXtobooth.  Think Dave's camera with a remote, a simple backdrop fabric, and some fun props for guests to take silly pics.

Here are some highlights of what we saw:

Fabulous cakes...

Great use of trees...

 

Beautiful flowers...

 

And some DIY decoration ideas...

 

In other news, I got my veil at the show!  I figured there would be good discounts, we looked, found one, and it was all done in about 5 minutes.  We got a coupon that will save us 15% off on our rentals.   We also figured out that DJs are crazy expensive, and are trying to decide how to move forward.

If nothing else, the wedding show convinced Dave that it's time to get moving on some of the remaining details.  I call that a success!

My dress is in!

It's amazing how REAL the wedding dress is.  I think for a bride it's one of those key elements that launches you from, "Oh!  We're engaged!  Oh!  I get to read wedding blogs!" to "Whoa, we're getting MARRIED!  And I'm going to wear THIS DRESS.  Eek!"  It's exciting and scary at the same time.  It makes me think of how much we still have to do, and how crazy it must be to plan a wedding in less than the 16 months we've allowed. :)

Yesterday I got "the call" from the bridal shop.  It was so strange all day, I don't really have close friends in Admissions or my classes, so I didn't feel like I could talk about it.  I kept thinking about it and wanting to be all bubbly and excited.  Luckily, I didn't have to go to school today, so I went to see it.  And since MOH Dana works in Bellevue, she was able to take an extra long lunch break and come with me.

And it's beautiful.  I'm not ruining the surprise, so I won't go into the details, but it's going to be exactly what I wanted.  There are a few alterations that we already planned that still need to be done (ribbon shopping here I come!), but the fit was pretty darn good to start.  I also tried on all of the accessories I've been accumulating, and I was happy with the earrings, necklace, and bracelet - victory!  Even the very rough version of how I'm going to do my hair seems like it will work.  I think my "bling" shoes will work, I just need to check them out with the alterations lady at my next appointment (since I'm planning to go with flats for comfort and because Dave doesn't want me to be tall - like I could ever be "tall"?!).

In other exciting news, I tried on some veils today.  I think I've settled on the style I like, so I'll reveal a few tidbits here - worn low on the back of the head, medium/short length, no edging, two layers for a little "poof".  It feels very playful and pretty, like the farm.  I've been looking for a picture like it, but I can't find one...so, instead, I'll leave you with a sneak peek at my earrings:

From Bridal by Alyson

Who can believe we have just over 7 months?  Now if only I can convince Dave that it really is time to settle the remaining vendors and details...

Sickalopes

What do you call a sick jackalope?  A sickalope.  Yeah, that's about the extent of my cleverness right now...

Dave and I have been sick.  First it got to me, and a few days later he started feeling it, too.  It's some kind of sniffly, sore throat, tired eyes, knock-you-down cold.

I guess it was good timing to get sick if it was going to happen, but I'm definitely sad that I don't have a little more time before starting back to class.  And my class schedule is all messed up...grr...

But, to cheer me up, I thought I'd share a few pictures from Christmas.  First, a couple taken at my mom's house on Christmas Eve:

And some from a hike in Brinnon with my dad and Cathy on the Sunday after Christmas:

It was a great holiday!