Putting the R in Mrs.

September 8

Adieu

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August 14
Migration I’ve had these journals bookmarked in my Kaboodle shopping list for goodness knows how long, and I finally realized that the blue one would make a perfect guestbook. So lovely.
August 12
The wedding planning has been on hold these last few weeks as I packed, moved back to Oregon, unpacked, helped with Rebecca’s nuptials, and attended my engagement party. But peonies can always get me back on track.
The wedding planning has been on hold these last few weeks as I packed, moved back to Oregon, unpacked, helped with Rebecca’s nuptials, and attended my engagement party. But peonies can always get me back on track.
July 29
“ Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. Love still stands when all else has fallen. 1st Corinthians 13 (JB Phillips New Testament)
July 28

Say Yes to the Dress

I never had “the wow moment” when I went wedding dress shopping. I expected this obscenely painful process filled with hundreds of dresses and unhelpful employees and total frustration finally culminating in a tear-filled moment of realization. Instead, it was a very rational process where I tried on half a dozen dresses with the delightful Gabrielle and gradually narrowed my list of favorites. Seeing my dress again yesterday, I’m absolutely certain that it’s the one. I’ve poured over websites and magazines, I looked at every dress in the store (and two other stores, for that matter), and no other gown even compares. It’s perfect. Now I just have to face the agonizing process of waiting until January for it to arrive — and then waiting again during the subsequent rounds of alterations.

Of course, I did have my mandatory painful dress-hunting experience at a bridesmaid dress shop in San Francisco. It was quite possibly the worst shopping experience I’ve ever had, and as Mr. R can testify, I’m no stranger to poor customer service experiences. But at least now I have an excuse to visit the Jenny Yoo flagship store in Los Angeles or check out the English Department in downtown Portland.

July 24
My Bella Figura sample set came in the mail today, and it is one of the most beautiful things I have ever received. I expected a few samples in an envelope, but what arrived was a gorgeous brown box filled with delicately assembled samples — each group of items in its own envelope and marked with a lovely little description of the contents. The samples themselves are so beautiful that I feel like I need a new adjective. I don’t mean to pontificate hyperbolically, but this was just the happy surprise I needed today. And at $10, the sample sets are an absolute steal.
My Bella Figura sample set came in the mail today, and it is one of the most beautiful things I have ever received. I expected a few samples in an envelope, but what arrived was a gorgeous brown box filled with delicately assembled samples — each group of items in its own envelope and marked with a lovely little description of the contents. The samples themselves are so beautiful that I feel like I need a new adjective. I don’t mean to pontificate hyperbolically, but this was just the happy surprise I needed today. And at $10, the sample sets are an absolute steal.
July 17
I’ve been sitting with my summer 2008 Martha Stewart Weddings for a couple of weeks, and there really are some fabulous finds in there. I must admit I was slightly irritated that one article is talking about being a bride on a budget (aside: anyone else notice the expanded DIY section?) and a few pages later, they’re talking about giving iPods as attendant gifts. (I love my girls, but how does $1,500 for gifts fit into a smaller budget?) But once I got past that, I found some fun music suggestions and downloadable templates. Oh, and the cuff links… Definitely one of the highlights, great variety.
I’ve been sitting with my summer 2008 Martha Stewart Weddings for a couple of weeks, and there really are some fabulous finds in there. I must admit I was slightly irritated that one article is talking about being a bride on a budget (aside: anyone else notice the expanded DIY section?) and a few pages later, they’re talking about giving iPods as attendant gifts. (I love my girls, but how does $1,500 for gifts fit into a smaller budget?) But once I got past that, I found some fun music suggestions and downloadable templates. Oh, and the cuff links… Definitely one of the highlights, great variety.
July 8
My russell+hazel wedding binder came today, and it’s absolutely perfect. I almost didn’t get to pick it up because the concierge closed early, but I caught the manager just in time to get my much-anticipated box. I then proceeded to spend an unmentionable amount of time setting up my binder — printing my inspiration images, making notes, printing worksheets, composing to-do lists and to-buy lists and to-figure lists. It is now a delightful montage of photos and r+h post-its and bulldog clips and checklists and other lovely things. Why did I attempt to do this digitally at first? I suppose I was just waiting for my favorite paper goods company to come through.
My russell+hazel wedding binder came today, and it’s absolutely perfect. I almost didn’t get to pick it up because the concierge closed early, but I caught the manager just in time to get my much-anticipated box. I then proceeded to spend an unmentionable amount of time setting up my binder — printing my inspiration images, making notes, printing worksheets, composing to-do lists and to-buy lists and to-figure lists. It is now a delightful montage of photos and r+h post-its and bulldog clips and checklists and other lovely things. Why did I attempt to do this digitally at first? I suppose I was just waiting for my favorite paper goods company to come through.
July 3
Amy really ought to have her friends available for hire. It’s not fair to keep them to herself. Don’t worry, we’ll give them back after the reception.
July 1
My official inspiration board… This was actually a bit of a struggle, since so many of my inspiration images are not in my colors. Once I started to approach this as less literal representation of the feelings I want to evoke and the general design elements I want to use — modern elegance, soft light, hints of glamour — it all came together.
My official inspiration board… This was actually a bit of a struggle, since so many of my inspiration images are not in my colors. Once I started to approach this as less literal representation of the feelings I want to evoke and the general design elements I want to use — modern elegance, soft light, hints of glamour — it all came together.
June 27
Turkish shoe-signing tradition, via MSW. What fun! I think I’ll have to do that.
Turkish shoe-signing tradition, via MSW. What fun! I think I’ll have to do that.
June 26
Sample Wedding Timeline For my personal reference: An example wedding timeline to help me remember things like reserving parking for the photographer.
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Sixteen. That’s how many venues we’ve visited this month. Seven in California, nine in Oregon. Add the thirty or so other venues that I corresponded with and didn’t visit and you have a sure-fire recipe for venue overload. But even still, I get excited when I think that somewhere amidst these candidates is our venue.
Sixteen. That’s how many venues we’ve visited this month. Seven in California, nine in Oregon. Add the thirty or so other venues that I corresponded with and didn’t visit and you have a sure-fire recipe for venue overload. But even still, I get excited when I think that somewhere amidst these candidates is our venue.
June 25
MissNowMrs This is a brilliant example of the question, “What is your time worth to you?” In my case, apparently, more than $30.
June 16
Two things I love: peonies and mason jars. Little reminders of why I love spring weddings.
Two things I love: peonies and mason jars. Little reminders of why I love spring weddings.