Our guests

My fiance' and I both have big families and a lot of close family friends. They aren't distant family members either. We are both close with our family, even with our extended family members. My college friends used to marvel at how often my aunts and uncles called to check in. We all get together several times a year, send cards, and talk on the phone regularly. My point is they're an important part of our lives.

At the top of the, "this is important to us" list is inviting all of our loved ones to our wedding. This means about 150 family members and family friends for each of us. Then we each have a rather large number of friends and a much smaller but still important group of colleagues and local friends.

So, we're planning a large wedding. And while it will mean a higher stress level (because finding a venu that will fit that size of a crowd and a caterer that can serve a meal within the budget is not easy), I'm excited about being able to include everyone. I think it will be a wonderful time for our families to mingle and celebrate with us. So a big family-style garden party it will be.

I'm determined to do this for a reasonable price. It won't be a $2000 wedding but I bet I can do it for around $10,000. We'll be compromising a lot to make this work but I'm determined to do it! More details on how to stay on budget are coming.

Champagne? Yes, please.

I drink champagne when I'm happy and when I'm sad. Sometimes I drink it when I'm alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I'm not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it - unless I'm thirsty. ~ Madame Lilly Bollinger

I LOVE champagne. Speaking of glass (from the last post) I'm definitely going to have these vintage bowl-shaped champagne glasses at my wedding. It might seem silly, but its just one of those details that I've always wanted. I think they look so glamorous, evoking the 1920's. It turns out that they're actually cheaper than the more popular champagne flutes. I'll have our bartender stack them up in pyramid style however, we won't be serving the pyramid style, where you pour only into the first glass to let it run over into all the other glasses, and incidentally, all over the table (I weep for the loss of so much bubbly).

I would love to put Veuve Clicquot in it, however unless it comes as a gift we'll be drinking a less worthy version.

I've always loved this Veuve Clicquot ad. I would definitely exchange my carry-on for a couple of travel cases of this champagne. Delicious!

Quality glassware

I first visited the Simon Pearce factory about a year ago and I simply love their work. Simon Pearce started the company in Kilkenny, Ireland in 1971. His parents owned a pottery shop and he furthered his glassblowing education by working in European glass houses. In 1981, he brought the company to Vermont and later opened a store in West Chester, Pennsylvania. They're famous for producing traditional pieces with a modern twist.

I saw this celebration bowl when I visited and thought it would be prefect personalized for a wedding. It's the perfect container for fruit, candies, or perhaps some floating candles. It's too expensive as a centerpiece on every table but it would be great on a gift or desert table where guests will mingle all evening.

You can order it here but visit the stores if you can to see their beautiful craftsmanship firsthand!

Shabby chic

How about a shabby chic wedding reception full of vintage items like books, lace, and mismatched vases? Add fresh flowers and Voila!, a pretty vintage wedding. Make sure your items have some common theme to keep the decor from looking too kitchsy.

My shabby chic inspiration comes from French flea markets and my grandmother's shop, Morning Glory Cottage. My grandmother has a great eye for potential. She's always finding dusty little things and making them beautiful again. Plus, she's a pro at adapting to modern style while finding ways to include the styles of the past.

Here are some things from her shop, Morning Glory Cottage, that I would include if I was planning a shabby chic wedding:

Assorted white and cream buttons that could be used to decorate seating cards, napkins, or to be sewn to your bouquet ribbon for a little something old.

Swan Salt cellars that could be jewelry catch-all gifts for your bridesmaids. $18 for all 6.

Nouveau Scandinavian Sterling Enamel Pin. Perhaps a gift for your soon to be mother-in law? Or decorate a board with old pins and ribbons and place the seating cards underneath on pin directly to the board.

A pretty little tea cup.

Maybe include a vintage stand like this for cards or frames filled with family photos.

How to ask the bridal party.

Lately, I've put some thought into who I should ask to be a bridesmaid. I've decided to formally ask the women who I'd like to be in our bridal party, rather than asking by phone. A dear friend of mine once took pictures of herself holding a sign asking each girl to be her bridesmaid. I think I might opt for a letterpress card with a handwritten note.

Perhaps this one:

A girl can never have too many ruffles.

Rose ruffles by TheHomeCentric.

A great ruffle shoe.

Perhaps for the bridesmaid? I love this pink and black combination.

A ruffled plum umbrella for a rainy day.

Linen cocktail napkins from MadAspenHome.

The tiered Analisa gown from J.Crew.

A lovely wedding gift

I will be a guest at many weddings this year and I'm looking for a unique wedding gift. I like this sweet little bamboo clock from seller decoylab on etsy. Go here to learn more.

Or perhaps this vintage 1950's milk glass cake stand with gold trim. See Sixpencebluemoon for this and other vintage items.

Invitations

In a dream world I would have letterpress invitations with a beautiful pattern punched into crisp cotton paper. However it's not going to work in my budget. For the girl who loves the look of letterpress, here is a great middle option: thermography. The script is raised and looks almost as nice and it's 50% less expensive than letterpress. It's still more than flat printing but not out of range. Lots of companies online like Blush Paperie offer this option.

Grace Kelly and Jackie O.

These two women have inspired so many with their effortless style. Their wedding's were no different. They managed to keep their wedding dresses classic enough that you could wear it today and not be "old-fashioned".

Jackie's dress on display.

Lovely lace veil.

Grace Kelly.

Love, love, love that lace.

Flowers.

Florists can be very expensive. If you're a creative person (or you have one in your life) then consider doing your own flowers. You can get them in bulk and have them delivered a few days before the wedding. Then you (or creative friend) can put the centerpieces, bouquets, and boutonnieres together. Make sure you have lots of fridge space to keep them fresh.

My friend did this recently for her wedding and she got hundreds of flowers for less than what you'd pay a florist for just the bridal bouquet and the bridesmaid bouquets. She got a TON of flowers for very little money. If you want a lot of flowers and you're on a budget, this is the way to go.

Favors

How about customized little stoneware bowls for wedding favors. You could have the designer put your wedding date or last name or something generic like, "Love" in the middle of the bowl. Guests could use them as votive holders or jewelry catch-alls. You could also just put 2-3 at each table with some flavored truffles or other candy for decoration. I'm sure that folks would appreciate the treat. Check out Stringbeanceramics on etsy.com to order.

I also like these little starburst bowls from catspawpottery, also on etsy.com.

The Dress.

The J.Crew wedding collection includes some fantastic dresses that are simple, well made and easy to accessorize if you want to jazz them up at little. They're also surprisingly well-priced with some starting at $295.00.

For the casual wedding. This dress looks so comfortable.

Add a brooch or belt to this organza piece and you've got the perfect dress. The style flatters everyone.

My personal fav. Chiffon doesn't wrinkle easily and its so ladylike.

The Grand Opera House is a beautiful venue in downtown Wilmington, Delaware. The Grand opened in 1871. Studio One is a beautiful room at the top right of the building with hardwood floors, big windows facing the street and peach colored velvet curtains to cover the walls.

Meghan and Sean.

My friends, Meghan and Sean had the most beautiful January wedding in Cleveland Ohio and Meghan agreed to let me share a few photos from their wedding. My parents got married in January and my fiance' and I are considering it as well. After all, who says a wedding has to be in June?

Meghan chose a bright green accent color which was stunning next to all the white. Also, please note the dark gold Church interior. I hope you enjoy these shots as much as I did.

Their photographer was a husband and wife couple in Cleveland. Their website is www.essenceoflovephoto.com. You should totally book them if you can, they did great work.

Doesn't the bridal party look great?! I dig those green dresses.

I couldn't resist including this photo of Meghan at the reception. She's obviously having a wonderful time. This is how all brides want to feel at their reception.

There is no need for decorations if you get married in a Church like this.

The Happy Couple.

Meghan has such classic taste. Notice the pearls and and the feathered flower barette and veil.

Wedding shoes.

So, I'm on the look-out for cute bridal shoes. I love the romantic chiffon flowers on the heel of these peep-toe pumps.

Or perhaps a little something blue.

Wearing a strapless dress? Want a little extra coverage in case of wind, rain, or chilly weather?

Yes, Please. Alex Bridal on etsy has some good options.

Setting a date.

Is choosing the wedding date a difficult thing for most couples?

My fiance' and I are having a really difficult time picking a date. To begin with, he's in graduate school in another state, so we're working around long-distance and a school schedule.

We're looking at January and May. I'd rather get married as soon as possible. January would be nice for that reason, plus everything is less expensive. But then we'd have to worry about bad weather, its not ideal for pictures and it'd be right in the middle of his first year. On top of all that, we wouldn't have much time for a honeymoon and I'm less than thrilled at the idea of moving in the middle of winter. May would be beautiful- it's a more pleasant time of year for our family and friends to travel. The downside? The wait and the expenses that come when you choose a date in peak wedding season.

I just loathe the idea of living apart for an entire year. Any advice?

How about this for an outdoor reception site?

This is Hagley, an old DuPont estate in Wilmington, DE. The grounds are just beautiful, particularly around this French-style garden. I can imagine a beautiful spring family-style dinner reception at dusk with lots of champagne, sorbet, candle-lit paths, and twinkle lights/paper lanterns in the trees.

My reception will be a little too large for a tent rental. But if you're planning a more intimate affair. How about a place like this?