Inspiration Tuesday

"The most important marriage skill is listening to your partner in a way that they can't possibly doubt that you love them." Diane Sollee

"Just the thought of being with you tomorrow is enough to get me through today." Author Unknown

"To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish to death do us part." Anglican Book of Common Prayer

Top photo: Kulik Photography

Engagement photos

I absolutely love engagement photos. Something about them seems so sweet. Could it be that it is the happiest time of the couples life up to that point? I think so. Everything is full of possibility and that is what I see in the pictures. It is also such a wonderful way to get to know your photographer BEFORE the big day. I would suggest going to some of you favorite places and having shots taken. Don't be afraid to have your photographer take candid shots as well. Chat with each other while they are shooting. I guarantee one of you will say something that will have the other in tears ( happy) or laughing creating a wonderful picture. You can also take several outfits just to spice it up. Have a pet? Why not include your pet on a few shots. You'll be glad you did. Enjoy the photos I have included a few by some AMAZING photographers : Megan W Photography, Erin Hession.

Girls just want to have fun......

I love that these brides are having fun with their pictures!

Photos from: bobbie + mike photography, atlanta bride, jefferson todd photography

Will you be my.......

............bridesmaid, maid of honor or flower girl? He's popped the question to you. More than likely, he planned some sort of surprise or romantic way to ask. He probably spent months or weeks practicing and planning what he would say to you. Now it's your turn to do the asking. Your attendants - that is. Hopefully, you have given or will give a lot of consideration as to who will be in your party. Sisters, very close friends, cousins, etc. - whoever it is , take the time to really make it special for them. I have been doing my wedding research - like most days- and found some of the coolest things to present to your potential attendees.

Some ideas are:

• Plan a luncheon and present each person with a letter written especially for them
• Have pictures frames engraved with " Will you be my bridesmaids(etc,) and a nice picture of the two of you in it.
• Plan a shopping trip near a bridal shop and while window shopping, ask them which dress they would like to wear to YOUR wedding?

What ideas do you have for asking ?

Photos courtesy: Mindy Weiss, An Atlanta Bride, Cookie Pots, Bella Regalo

Friday Favorites

These shoes are soooo cute. They remind me of a tropical Honeymoon. Here is a bit about them from their website:
Sandals 4 Events is a Hollywood Florida based company the sandal capital of the world. We have 25 years of experience with shoe design and development in womans shoes.

Sandals 4 Events is the only personalized Sandal Company featuring full grain leather sandals. Our shoes are comfortable and will be enjoyed long after your special occasion is over. Your guests will be delighted with the quality and comfort of these event sandals. We use top quality components including Swarovski Crystals, Patent Leather as well as Kid Suede.
Our sandals are all packaged in a beautiful shoebox along with a satin drawstring bag. For an additional fee, the drawstring bags can also be personalized for your special event.
We are sure you will love your sandals and we know your guests will remember your special event each time they slip on their sandals...
Check them out on the web : http://sandals4events.com/

Remembering......

I'd like to use my blogging today to remember those who lost their lives on 9-11. We should also keep their family and friends in our prayers. This time always reminds me that life is so fragile and you never know when it will be cut short. So, hold your loved ones near and thank God for every moment you have with them.

Fitness for Brides (and others)

Angela Ganote - Fox 59 Indy
I am in LOVE with the Wii game system. Of course, we don't have one YET. My husband is a BIG PS3 player. However, we both LOVE the Wii. Especially the fact that it is interactive. As I was sitting on the couch drinking my coffee watching Angela Ganote from Fox59 try the Wii fitness system, it occurred to me this would be a great tool for brides to be who want to get or stay fit for their wedding date and after. I think it's a great idea because brides have so much going on with meeting with their planner and vendors, attending showers,etc.. The Wii is right in your home!
I watched Molly Tittle from the fitness section show Angela how the yoga and skiing worked. The yoga is amazing. It's a great tool especially if you feel a bit timid to go to the yoga studio. Not into yoga? The bowling , tennis , baseball are all great for a workout ,too. Mind you I am STILL sitting on the couch drinking coffee..............

Have a LOVE-ly Day!

Can I get a lift? Limousines

you've decided you want a limo for your wedding or any other special occasion-right? So, all you or your planner need to do is call and reserve one for your day. WRONG! I can't tell you how many stories I hear of limo rides gone wrong. Some suggestions I have for you:

• Make surprise visit to the limo company - is it clean,are the employees friendly?
• Ask around - most people have used a limo at some point, What did they think?
• Before signing a contract, ask to see proof of insurance and a permit.
• Ask if there will be a backup in case your limo is involved in a wreck before your event,
• Get to know your driver- how long has he been driving? The company should be happy to give you this info. If not,RUN!!!
• Most deposits are non-refundable- so make sure you or your planner do the homework.
  

Inspiration Tuesday

I found the one whom my soul loves. I held him, and would not let him go…

Song of Solomon 3:4

I love this idea...........

I've written about candy bars (kinda) and coffee bars. Seems that you can "bar" just about anything. My new favorite is THE COOKIE BAR! It is set up much like the other bars. Guests are given bags (like the ones you get from the bakery if you only order one or two cookies) and a cute little sticker to seal the deal. You can have your sticker designed with your names. One idea I really like is having the bride and groom 's favorite cookies featured at the bar. Better yet if you can get family members to give your baker the family secret recipes!

Thanks!

Thanks to my cousin Tracey for my beautiful new banner. She also did the last banner. She is the one who inspired me to start blogging! You can view her blog at
http://www.lifewithmykidsandothermisadventures.blogspot.com/ . You will be in tears from laughing at her adventures in motherhood.

THE Indy Area Vendor Showcase

I am having such a ball planning this showcase in March. I can't wait for you all to come to the event. The event will feature planners,photographers, spa services,caterers, dj's florists, bakers, favors and a SPECIAL SURPRISE from e-vents: a wedding and event planning company! If you can't make it to Indy, then rest assured I will definitely post pictures on the e-vents webpage and here. In the meantime, I will post monthly vendor profiles. I am pleased to announce that a portion of all proceeds from ticket sales will benefit THE PINK ENVELOPE PROJECT. You can read more about the project here http://pinkenvelopeproject.org/

More details at http://indyareavendorshowcase.com/

Brides Against Breast Cancer

Yesterday, I blogged about TRASH THE DRESS. I promised you that I would blog on donating your wedding dress at a later date. Well, today is that day. Brides Against Breast Cancer can use your help. They are currently requesting any gowns, veils from year the 2000 or after. Below is an excerpt from their website. My wedding gown just made the deadline! If you have an older gown, don't worry - they are making room for them later. Please check out their website at http://bridesagainstbreastcancer.org/#donategown .

NATIONWIDE TOUR OF GOWNS
“FIND THE GOWN OF YOUR DREAMS AND MAKE A WISH COME TRUE”
"Brides Against Breast CancerTM" gown sales continue to be important fund-raising events for Making Memories. Our more than 32 yearly shows provide brides-to-be with an opportunity to find their dream gown (at an incredible savings) while making wishes and dreams come true for women and men who are losing their fight against breast cancer.
The worldwide support of designers, manufacturers, bridal shops and individuals (who donate a most treasured possession) make possible our Nationwide Tour of Gowns sales. The proceeds from these events help bring a moment of joy into world of someone for whom a cure is too late.
"Brides Against Breast CancerTM - Nationwide Tour of Gowns"
This unique opportunity allows brides-to-be a chance to find the gown of their dreams at a remarkable price, while helping to make wishes and memory-making events come true. Most gown prices range from $99 to $799*, including hundreds of beautiful new name brand and designer gowns valued up to $8,000. *Exclusive designer and couture gowns valued up to $20,000 are also available at an incredible 25% to 75% savings. We gladly accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and debit cards.
REMEMBER – more than half the gowns presented during each event are NEW designer gowns that arrived directly from designers, manufacturers and bridal retailers.
Our Brides Against Breast CancerTM program has received more than 50,000 wedding gown donations, with an estimated resale value of over 4 million dollars. This generous endowment is due in part to Making Memories national media coverage, including magazine articles in Redbook, Family Circle, Woman's Day, Martha Stewart’s Winter Wedding, Time, Philanthropy World and Modern Bride, along with appearances on, Oprah Winfrey, CNN, MSNBC, Ananda Lewis and hundreds of television and newspaper interviews.

How to Donate Your Gown
How can you help make dreams come true? At this time, we are in need of contemporary gown styles, slips and veils dating from 2000 until the present day. Each gown that arrives at our organization is carefully prepared for our upcoming "Brides Against Breast CancerTM, Nationwide Tour of Gowns" sales. The thousands of generous donations we receive from designers, manufactures, bridal shops, and individuals worldwide, enables Making Memories to grant final wishes to women and men suffering from terminal breast cancer.
Until recently, we have been able to accept gowns from all eras and in any condition, which we sell nationally and worldwide or produce into quilted artworks. However, due to our extensive inventory of vintage, antique and retro gowns, we recommend all generous potential classic era donors withhold their contributions until we have room to accommodate these prized garments. We anticipate posting an announcement on this website when we once again have the ability to manage these treasured gifts with the respect they deserve.

Friday Favorites

Ok- so, I just came up with the idea of Friday Favorites yesterday. I had the great fortune of meeting a wonderful designer, feel in love with her product and decided - I should do Friday Favorites.

Shana Dreher is the owner of Crossroads Cottage. She creates the most amazing pinwheels. They absolutely take me back to my childhood! Remember pinwheels and those big multicolored lollipops? Anyway, her pinwheels are great for birthday parties, bridal showers, weddings - just about anything! She lovingly creates each pinwheel herself and you can tell she loves what she does. She has a large array of papers for your pinwheels. Don't see one you like, Shana will design one for you. I can not wait to see what she designs for me!

For more info, take a trip over to her website http://www.crossroadscottage.biz/ . You can follow the links from there to her blog. Shana is so sweet and we wish her the best of luck with her company!

Trash the Dress

blu nalu photography

Jen Stewart Photography

Remember the days when brides preserved their wedding gowns? Well, those days are over (for the most part). Many brides are now opting to TRASH THE DRESS. This means they take pictures - after the wedding- in the water, in the mud, drenched in colorful paint. You may think this is strange, but the pictures are absolutely beautiful. While I think the dresses would be better given to a charity, I can appreciate what the brides are doing. Many are saying they are doing it to show their commitment to the their new husband and the marriage. Some say the chances of their daughters actually wearing their dress is SLIM. After all, they didn't wear their mom's gown. My thought on the daughter wearing the dress is - why not save a piece of the gown fabric for your daughters "something old"? These same brides are also donating their dresses to charity. I LOVE this idea. The dress can be cleaned if it gets too dirty and donated. Check this blog out at a later date for more on Donating your wedding dress. Hope you enjoy the pictures.