Wedding Invites

So...the clock is ticking on our wedding planning. It is coming quick! Just a few updates, the graphic designer is finally finished with my invites so I sent her all the wording that I wanted. I was glad to see my FH involved in that process. He had a great phrase to put on the invitations. Now I just have to finish...err start the programs, directions from church to reception, and of course physically go to New York and SNATCH my parents' guest list from them. I have to baby them through this process because they are being so difficult. They've been working on this list for months and still refuse to stick to the guest count my fiance and I decided. No more Mrs. Nice Bride. its time for Bridezilla to rear her ugly head.

I almost forgot; we finally booked our church! If you didn't know, we lost our previous church when we moved the wedding from New York to New Jersey. Read all about it here.

I'm really excited to have my invitations come so I can start addressing them. That sounds like an excuse for a party me. My goal is to sent them out by March 5th, 8 weeks before the wedding. I have a few invites that are out of the country so we''ll deal with those first of course.
Here are a few invitations that I personally loved and sent to my graphic designer for inspiration. All courtesy of Theknot.com of course! We definitely included a floral motif in our invitations and I plan to add some ribbon myself to each invite. Hence my DIY project...lol...baby step, people!

My Wishlist

Thanks to fellow wedding blogger Bicoastal Bride's post here about acessories for the big day, I shamelessly browsed the Etsy's website. Once again I am a believer and you should be to. I have been very hesitant about what type of jewelry I want for my wedding day and I think I am now in the right direction. Looky looky here:

I guess I am a romantic bride because these earrings scream romance and they still give me the pearl effect that I wanted, in a chandelier type fashion. I can also customize the colors if I want, although I love the way they look just so.

Here is the bracelet that I can wear with it, ohh la la. And it has just enough bling bling for a bride on a budget. Platinum weddings here I come!

I can't help but love the idea of a bridal clutch, of course I would have mine lined in purple satin. I don't really know what the purpose would be since I have my bouquet but the ones I found on Etsy.com are so pretty. I would love to give each of my bridesmaids one, they are so cute! I love the bow detail on the pink one.

And you know this ring caught my eye since it has a purple amethyst stone! Love it!! I want it, I want it, I want it!

I thought these blue stone dangly earrings were really pretty as well. I think there's little too much sparkle for my taste, but they are fabulous! Just had to post these. I haven't been this excited about accessories in a really long time. Where has Etsy been all my life.

Moving on from accessories, I love this black vase. I love black as well and we have a lot of black themed furniture in our home. This would fit in perfectly. I should add it to my registry somehow.
Have you found any must have accessories yet?

Tips to Stay Sane during the Wedding Craze

First of all, I would like to say welcome to my new followers. I am really excited that people are willing to follow my lil' ole blog. I hope I can keep you interested, haha.

While I am no relationship or wedding expert, I decided to post a few tips on how to stay sane while planning a wedding. Actually scratch that, I AM an expert...lol...I have been juggling family drama, graduate school, my rotations and now studying for my license while planning this wedding. In fact we are all experts because unfortunately life does not stop just because you are planning on saying "I do". To all those brides who are living real life which comes with drama, unexpected twists and turns; here's to you!


1. If you have any spiritual affiliations, use them all the time. Planning a wedding requires lots of prayer. Meditation is another good way to keep the stress down.

2. Exercise: I know many brides are working to tone and sculpt that body but exercise is great stress reliever. Whenever your FH or FMIL, or Mom get on your nerves, pound the pavement or lift some weights. You'll be pleased at the end results as well.

3. Communication: It is so easy to get into heated debate with your FH about the difference between calla lillies and geraniums. I have to agree, there is a huge difference but there is no need to get into a HUGE argument about it. Take a deep breath, relax, and start over. Remember that this wedding is about the two of you proclaiming your love before all your friends and families. Its not the same if you guys hate each other.

4. Dig your feet in the ground: As a bride who has been turned around many times by family, stick to your guns. If you want the postcard save the dates, get the postcard save the dates. Its your day and it should reflect that. Everyone else will attempt to have you change your mind so that they can get some control, don't let them. It will only lead to deep resentment if you are not satisfied and then the cycle will continue with your kids. Lets break the cycle, please.

5. Wedding Planning 24-7: Its so easy to have Bridezilla and Platinum weddings on TV in the background while you are trying to finalize your guest list as you keep up with twitters from Getmarried.com. Been there, done that. Give your mind some much needed wedding break. There is life after the wedding and you should live it to the fullest. Try to have at least one non wedding related conversation a day.

6. Spend time with your fiance, friends, and family. And I don't mean take them registry shopping or to a bridal show. Do something fun; like paint ball, or watch a movie, or go bowling. Build positive memories. This goes back to Tip #5.

7. DIY: Its nice to have the title of being an DIY bride. I personally, would love to be a DIY bride. But we are all not DIY brides. Just because you are getting married does not mean that you suddenly have that creative part in your brain that can make fabulous invitations or centerpieces. Don't stress yourself out by planning to do all these DIY projects the night before your wedding. Let it go.

8. Its not a Competition: This is your day with your fiance, not your chance to show up your best frenemie who got married last year. This isn't about her, its about the two of you. Who cares if she had nude Brazilian dancers at the reception with fire spewing out of their mouths? While very entertaining, it is not your job to top that. Your job is to enjoy your day.

9. Just Let it Ring: Sometimes you just have to let it ring; your cell phone that is. If the person on the other line is just going to stress you out, just let voice mail get to it. Nobody will know. Why let them ruin your day? Do you really want to hear that your parents invited fifty more people to the wedding than previously agreed upon? Yea...let it ring.

10. Hire a Wedding Planner: Even if its just for the day of; do yourself that huge favor. Do you really want your Aunt Clara rushing at you in the middle of your bridal party photoshoot to ask you where to seat Cousin Bobby who wasn't even invited? They are really not that expensive and they are worth the penny. Even if you don't hire a professional WP, make one of your friends do it. Take her out for a nice sushi dinner later.

11. Savor the Process: People have said this to me many times and I've never believed them. Enjoy every minute because before you know it, its gone. Take the time to enjoy picking out the linens, tasting the food, or selecting the song list.

12. Retail Therapy: Go out and buy yourself one item that is unrelated to the wedding. Just a lil' something to treat yourself. A cute pair of shoes that does not match the wedding colors, or a cute dress that you will not wear to your bridal shower/bachelorette party/rehearsal dinner. You deserve it, you're planning a wedding. Good luck!!

What are some of your tips to stay sane while planning a wedding?+

Aisle Runners

One of the small details that I have neglected to think about is in regards to the aisle runner. Though it may seem insignificant, it is a big deal. It plays a pivotal role in the momentous entrance of the bride. Even so, I don't want to spend a lot of money because I can't remember ever looking at the aisle runner at previous weddings I've been to. I'm thinking of taking a trip to Michael's and purchasing a few initials to place on the runner myself. Just another DIY project for me to do.
Hopefully the church we get married in doesn't place too many restrictions on flowers because I like the idea of walking on rose petals. Lol.
Does anyone even know where to get aisle runners from? I personally have no idea but thank God for google!
Target is selling assorted white aisle runners for $35-$43
Linen TableCloth has white and ivory for $20-$30
Amazon.com has assorted aisle runners ranging from $10-$40
Ooh Ooh!! I just found this great website called Originalrunner.com where you can purchase aisle runners in all colors and with customized designs. Its sad how excited I just got, lol. They have some great pictures on their website.

Here a few pictures from Theknot.com
(Photos courtesy of Karen Lisa Artistic, Danny Weiss Photography, Sharon Shuster Photography, In His Grace Photography, Photomomento.com, Heather Donlan Photography)

Real Life Purple Weddings

I can't help it. I just LOVE anything purple, so you can just imagine how excited I get when I see purple featured in real weddings. I bookmark them so I can gaze at them anytime I want, I kid you not.
Here are two really cool purple weddings I found recently. I just loved the way both brides incorporated the beautiful royal vivid purple hue in their wedding.

This wedding is from Theknot.com with photography courtesy of Scarlett Lillian Photography.
I love her bird cage veil with the purple flower on the side. Its such a great way to incorporate color and its modern and vintage at the same time. I've seen a few of these similar veils on Etsy.com. Can I say how much I love her peep toe purple pumps! I was thinking about wearing purple shoes as well but the shoes that I really want only come in silver, copper, and gold.
Of course I love the vibrant hue of her bridesmaid dresses and their bouquet.

The next wedding was found on Essence.com with photos courtesy of Joseph Pessar.
I love how their traditional attire is purple. I am also going to wear traditional attire for my wedding but I haven't seen the fabric yet. I can't wait to see what we will be wearing. I love the purple satin wrapped around the bouquets, it looks very vivid against the white flowers. And i just love the purple calla lillies in the last picture. I never cared for calla lillies until I started planning my wedding, now I am obsessed with them.

Hairstyles of the Rich and Famous

I am still working on what type of hair style I would like for my wedding day. What better source for ideas than our very own celebrities? Here are a few from last night's Grammy's as well as from assorted red carpet events.

I am really feeling the side ponytail thing as shown on Lala Vasquez and Nia Long, its so pretty and feminine! And it works on various lengths. I want to showcase my dress and this will allow people to see the details without my hair getting in the way.

I love the half up-half down look on Kelly Rowland but I think its a style that I wear too much in my regular life. I want something a little different than my usual style.

Here is another side style as worn by Melanie Fiona ( my new favorite R&B singer). It looks really elegant on her.

I just LOVED Rihanna's make-up. I don't think I could pull this off but it looks amazing on her.
Have you decided on your wedding hairstyle?