Fans

So, the wedding is racing toward us. Racing!

Today I tried to figure out the programs. We had a draft completed already but I was attempting to do something with the design. I liked the idea of a fan. It's Maryland and though we're having the wedding at 6:30 in the evening, I'm sure there will still be some amount of humidity here. And since the ceremony isn't air conditioned, everyone will want a fan. (too bad the bride and groom can't have fans!)

After working on my fan design I happened to see this blog posting on the Creative Invitations Blog

http://creativeinvitations.blogspot.com/2009/03/cymbidium-orchid-wedding-invitation-set.html

Orchids everywhere! It got me really excited, so now I'm off to look for more of the detail work to pull this all together.

June!! 57 days to go!

Well we just sent out the invitations today! Thanks to Miss Maya Brown those were finished in 1 night (with no thanks to Kinkos and their bad printing job the first time around on the hotel information!) Blogging has been put on the back burner unfortunately. There has just been so much else to do!

Wedding Planning

Moving Planning

Finishing the School Semester

Working

Planning, Planning and More Planning!

But we are very excited to have the invites out. One more thing to check off the list!

We still have a dj and videographer to find, and some other small details for the day. Also, my dress will be finished in 2 weeks and I am so excited to try it on! Then buying rings and we'll almost be done... we hope.

We have a move to complete before wedding day and are busy getting ready for that. Just wanted to put something else on the blog for now.

Hope everyone's getting excited for August! We can't wait to see you all there :-)

Cupcakes! Cupcakes! Cupcakes!

I had to post because I'm super excited that my cupcake place has started delivery in DC!!! I found out reading the Delleicious blog that talks about cupcakes in the DC area. A must read every few weeks!

This means I have a slight chance of convincing them to deliver to my venue (about an hour away but it's worth a try.)

Penny at Hello Cupcake is really nice and will maybe consider it. She's out of town right now but will apparently be back on monday.

Cupcakes are on sale for 50cents a box at Giant this week I think I'm going home to make some!

A Break for Spring

On thursday afternoon my spring break began and I have resolved to get many things done. Mostly school related, some wedding related and some things I've been meaning to do for a while.

I went to select the linens for the reception and the chairs as well. Everything seems to be coming into its role in the scheme of things. And I'm so glad because I was beginning to feel weighed down about the whole process. There is really nothing like this in life, and I'm not sure how it ever got to here. A wedding can have a drastic effect on your everyday life. I'm just trying to keep cool.

A wonderful thing happened the other day. Maya got her dress! It's so cute and perfect for her and has even inspired some of the other girls to actually look for a dress, which I think they'd been putting off. So props to Maya for getting the train rolling!

The florals should be paid for this week along with the chairs. Now I am looking forward to the tasting, whenever Mike can come down again. Yum! Maybe we can do a cupcake tasting again too!!

I also need to make a trip to Rochester soon. I'm not sure how considering the Pontiac can't be trusted, but hopefully I will see Mike along with his family and friends and of course Jazzy Cat soon. I'm as always counting the days until 7 hours turns into zero!

Until I have more updates....

Long Time

It's definitely been a while since I've taken the time to post. Yes, the time has been taken, not had.

With school and work and wedding planning there hasn't been much time for posting, but I wanted to update this since the save the dates are going out soon.

Things that have been completed since I last posted:

1. Michael came to visit and he and I created the save the dates with envelopes printed on the computer. They still need postage and addresses but they will be arriving in a mailbox of yours soon. (And may have already if you're just discovering this blog)

2. We met with 2 florists and I believe we have chosen one, though we are still finalizing a few things. Tierra Floral Design

3. Invitations have been finalized, now working on the RSVP. The Parrott Design Studio is hard at work.

4. Made decisions on a final guest count. (Finally! Hooray!)

5. Went to yet another Bridal expo, this time in Baltimore and won a bouquet, (just at the expo, not for the wedding.) Also won $100 off a video package (though overpriced - we're not using them) it did come with 3 dvds! Wedding Crashers - Uncorked! (I absolutely LOVE that movie! and didn't own it already,) The Wedding Planner and My Best Friend's Wedding. Nice, chick flicks for the whole family. Or just me for doing computer homework in the living room.

Still so much to do! Right now we're focusing on getting the florals finalized, then on to linens! Hooray!

Plus Mom's coming this weekend so hopefully that will go well. There is tons of cleaning to be done before she gets here.

Better get back to homework now. Hopefully I can post some more as decisions are made.

Ciao!

New Wedding Site

We created a new wedding website today that actually can list all of our registries and actually allows us to post pictures of ourselves and our wedding party!

www.mywedding.com/jeffersonreidywedding

Things Are Better With A Parrott

This week has been full of wording. Finalizing that is. We're trying to get our wording for the invitations, and rsvp cards over to Sarah, our wonderful stationary Designer. 

Her work is featured on Etsy and can be found on her site Parrott Design Studio

It is beautiful, and that may be an understatement. As it's all handmade! The details are really what blow you away.

I am so in awe of how she makes the intricate designs and will have to check it out next time I make it to Rhode Island!

Sarah also displays some work on a blog called deSiGNalogue which features she and her future sister-in-law, one of my maids of honor Deb, who is an artist as well!

Some of my favorites from Sarah's ever-growing portfolio

More Venue Pics

Some more pictures of our venue

Cupcakes For My Girls!

As I was browsing some of my favorite blogs tonight I stumbled upon a list of Cupcake shops across the country and wanted to post some for you girls to go enjoy in your various areas.

Meanwhile I had no idea there were so many cupcakerys across America. I can't wait to go back to FL and try some of those while i'm visiting my family!

Bon Appecake!


DB

http://www.famouscupcakes.com
http://www.joansonthird.com/
http://www.mylittlecupcakela.com/Contact.htm
http://www.cakeandart.com/
http://www.auntieemskitchen.com/
http://www.buttercakebakery.com/
http://www.sprinklescupcakes.com/ (these were de-lish!)
http://www.sugarhillcupcakes.com/
http://www.susiecakesla.com/



KD
(you may now have to move just for the lack of cupcakes in your region ;) )

http://www.eatdaisycakes.com/
http://www.artisancupcake.com/
http://www.thecupcakeshopperaleigh.com/


J & J

http://dotstreats.blogspot.com/
http://www.heysugarcupcakes.com/
http://www.houseofsweetsbakery.com/
http://www.mishascupcakes.com/index_2.html
http://www.buttercreamcupcakes.com/
http://www.cheekycupcakes.com/
http://www.thecupcakebistro.net/
http://www.cupcakedivamiami.com/
http://www.cupcakesnouveau.com/
http://www.stellassweetshoppe.com/
http://www.sugargirlbakeshop.com/
http://www.sweetcakesedibles.com/
http://www.wishuponacupcake.com/iWeb/WishUponACupcake/Welcome.html
http://2girlsandacupcake.info/



M & M

http://www.hellocupcakeonline.com/ (where i'm getting my cake from)
http://www.cakelove.com/
http://www.baltimorecupcakecompany.com/
http://www.bakeshopdc.com/
http://www.nostalgiacupcakes.com/
http://www.bakedandwired.com/
http://wish-cake.com/

A Place For Everything

We have finally chosen a venue for our wedding. After much turmoil and back-and-forth about which place was best it came down to two, one was just a little closer to our home and hearts... literally.

Mountain Branch Golf Club is in walking distance from where I spent my first 7 years of life and where my mother and her family spent most of their lives. I can remember when it was only woods and some houses close to the road.

Now there's a sprawling golf course and driving range just up the hill from my grandmother's house. We can see it from her yard and hear the music on thursdays in the summer when they have their special events.

They have a tent as we wanted and having the ceremony overlooking the golf course really reflected something both Mike and I would enjoy. We wanted to make sure it was close to us both and I think that's really been achieved choosing Mountain Branch.

I'm just glad that the venue choosing portion of this 7 month ordeal is over and we can start with more exciting things like a dress maybe ;)

Hooray For Choices!

Today is an exciting day! After a morning discussion we chose our planner and photographer. By the end of the day we'll have chosen a venue and we can finally send out the save-the-dates!!

Our Planner Choice:

Tameka Smallwood of Blush

Tameka was wonderful to meet with and it was clear that she really loves weddings. She was very organized and had some wonderful ideas for our wedding. When we met over tea at Starbucks she was understanding and it was very clear the amount of experience she has. She also let me know about her 2 hats, one to be wonderful as she was at the meeting, and one to take care of business. She really stood out to me as the right woman for the job.

Check out the Blush blog

Our photographer choice:

Andrea Jacobson of The Observatory.

Andrea's work really represented to me the kind of documentary art photography I would take if I were shooting a wedding. Nothing looked too posed or stereotypical. Also I didn't see a lot of repetitive shots for each wedding she did. Nothing seemed like "a normal picture" from her portfolio. They all looked very personal to that couple on their day. Her work also seemed to represent successful images of different skin tones, something that not all photographers can master.

Check out The Observatory Blog

Some of my favorites from Andrea's images:

I can't wait to stop and smell the florals

I can't wait for spring! It's been so cold here in Maryland this week and it's making me miss the grass between my toes. I've been scoping out wedding florals to add to the Orchids, since Orchids can be a bank breaker and otherwise I only knew I wanted Calla Lilies.

 Here are some of the other lovely flowers I've come up with.

Viburnum Opulus

Syringa Vulgaris

Stephanotis

Peony

Sweet Peas

 

Hydrangeas

Hyacinths

Grape Hyacinths

Gentiana Vernana

Gardenias

Dahlia Karma

In The Works

Planning really doesn't leave much time for blogging, much to my dismay.

We've been viewing and discussing all the venues, including 2 I haven't posted on Elkridge Furnace Inn and Mountain Branch.

So we're still trying to narrow that down.

Also I've met with one planner from Blush , and am meeting with a 2nd today from Blissful Affairs. Yesterday's meeting was wonderful and I'm hoping for either the same or a clear choice.

I've been spending some time with family and haven't been on my past weeks 24-7 wedding planning which was nice for a day. Still, I'm not ready to start school and feel as though this is slipping away from me. And of course missing Mike as always. Planning is much more difficult without him. <3

More Photographers

More Photographers We Like

Documentary Associates

Andrea Jacobson @ The Observatory

Pereda Photography