I Carry Your Heart: January 2009

Friday, January 23, 2009

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

Monday, January 19, 2009

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 ;)

Sunday, January 18, 2009

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

Monday, January 12, 2009

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