So there are a couple of things that people often overlook in me. I myself even underestimate them sometimes. One is that I love DIY projects. Martha Stewart is one of my favorite people on the planet. Maybe this admiration and respect comes from my mother, who in her own right is every bit as crafty as dear Martha. Maybe it's that when I am creating things, I am more focused than any other time and I like that focused feeling. It's probably a combination of the two, but either way Martha Stewart and her genius really evoke the creativity and DIY-ness in me. Another thing that is often overlooked is that I constantly change my mind. It's not so much a complete change though as it is me tweaking things until they are just right. Most people do this I believe, but I can't settle if it's not just so. Just another thing inherited from my mother no doubt, OCD. So knowing these things now, I can present you with this latest rendition of that most important event in any young woman's life: her wedding.

''Here comes the bride...'' I think that every girl has at some point or another hummed this tune to themselves while imagining that they are glowingly walking down the aisle towards a future full of love. I may or may not hum this song more than others, but here's what I am imagining when I do hum it to myself. This gown is by Elizabeth Darcy, from her new designs for 2010. It is the gown I have dreamed of my entire life, and finally someone designed it. Chiffon over charmeuse with hand beaded lace applique. I really can not decide if I love the front or the back more. My favorite feature is an equal toss up between the train or the ruffle lace scoop neckline. Complete honesty here, when I first saw the picture of this dress I cried. Regrettably, yet excitedly, moving on we come to my hair style. Also not going to lie here, I would wear my hair like this every single day if I wasn't so in love with this style for my wedding. This picture really made me think long and hard about what color I want my hair to be for my wedding. When I first died my hair dark, I couldn't get past the image of being a brunette bride. Now I am really, really leaning towards returning to my natural golden locks. I loved this bridal comb, the antique look of it especially. Which gave me the brilliant idea that I want almost all of my jewelry to be antiques and therefore my something old. The bracelet shown here is Marcasite set in silver. Other than the wedding bands picked out by my future husband and I, this necklace will be the only new piece of jewelry adorning me. Yes it is a compass rose. There are three reasons for this. One being that for graduation I received a compass rose necklace and I figure that by the time my wedding rolls around I will be in dire need of a new one, and I'd like to keep the tradition going. Reason two, I love symbolism. The symbolism behind wearing a new compass rose around my neck on my wedding day was far to great for me to pass up, wearing it in honor of setting out into the new uncharted territories of our (my future husband and I's) marriage, and that love should be our guide whichever way the winds may blow. Have I ever mentioned that I am an utterly hopeless romantic? The third reason is just that the compass rose reminds me of the Neverland star, and I love Peter Pan. Although now that I think about it, symbolism can be applied to this too. This star represents us flying off to our own personal Neverland of each other, where we will always be together. There was a fourth reason that had little to do with the actual pendent and more to do with the size, I thought that something very dainty suited both I and the dress nicely.
Enough about the necklace, let's talk flowers. This bouquet is fabulous. Andromeda blossoms, parrot tulips, ruffly lady's slipper orchids, hyacinth florets, and trumpeted narcissus with the stems wrapped in lace are the perfect floral compliment to the dress. About the shoes, you must be thinking ''she's mad! Blue shoes, the girl's lost her mind.'' Well my friends, I have not lost my mind. Colored bridal shoes are quickly becoming quite trendy. That is not the reason for my picking them. One, I absolutely love these shoes, and two it takes care of my something blue. I like this makeup (ignoring the freckles, since I am freckleless). It's very soft and low key, and I feel only emphasizes while enhancing the rest of the ensemble. We know from my previous wedding blogs, that I am not a veil girl hence there is not one shown above.

Yay, we are done with the bride lol. Time to talk bridesmaids. I wish I could tell you the designers of these dresses. Unfortunately I forgot to make note of that. I do, however, recall that they are not the same designer. I really let my mom guilt trip me for not including my little cousin Madison in my wedding plans before. But I still do not want a flower girl or ring bearer. Instead Madi will serve as a junior bridesmaid. I will only have two bridesmaids. I like odd numbers and having three bridesmaids would make the number of each sex on the altar even. These dresses are, how do you say it... Perfect. Dusky pink, with black ribbon sashes in a knee length. I love the lace detail on the older bridesmaid's dress (If guessed the one with the puffy sleeves was for Madi, well you guessed correctly. Bravo, go get yourself a cookie.) Again loved these shoes. And again, can't tell you the maker of them. Each is shown next to the bridesmaid who would wear them. The detailing on both is utterly fantastic. I just adore the whimsical little cameos on Madi's shoes. They would carry a lovely, delicate clutch of hellebores, allium, sweetpeas, and ranunculus all tied up with a bow. The flowers for both the bride and the maids are very delicate and sort of effervesce summertime. At least that is what they do for me. Can't you just imagine this makeup style with these dresses. It is a stunning effect. They would don this very romantic upswept hair do, of course honoring my partiality to contrasting bride/maid hairstyles. The dangling pink chalcedony earrings are for the older maid. Each would wear a pink chalcedony bracelet with a toggle clasp as well as a carved rose locket complete with pictures of the lovely bride and according maid inside. The carved rose stud earrings are for Madi.

Okay so we already know that I don't want traditional groom and groomsmen attire. I don't have anything against it, I just like this a whole lot better. The top two pictures show how sweet and unexpectedly timeless a slim vest suite can be. If I was a big ball gown type of bride, I don't think I would like this style as much, but since I am not I may very well be in love with it. The center picture shows what I would like when it comes the the actual clothing the groom and his two groomsmen would wear. Simple and black, definitely with the sleeves rolled up. The black and white striped tie is for the groom himself, the pink tie's for the the groomsmen. The white ranunculus boutonniere for the groom and the pink ranunculus for the groomsmen. Side note, there aren't any ranunculus blooms in the bridal bouquet, but plump parrot tulips and this flower are very similar. I decided that leather dress shoes would be far to formal for this wedding. I love classic vans. The groom would wear the white ones, the groomsmen in the black ones. The entire effect is almost too chic for words.
I am toying with the idea of classic Ray Bans for the men, but at the same time I could be sold against it. I want to be able to see any tears I may produce in my groom's eyes when I walk down the aisle.

Here is where some major changes from the original wedding come into play. The time of day is definitely a bit different, so decor also changes. I want a late evening wedding. About an hour or so before sunset. The lighting is the best at this time of day. I definitely still want that garden theme of the prior plan, but I love how romantic the gazebo is. I want flowers EVERYWHERE. Well, actually I want them exactly as they are shown here, with the exception being they would be off white blooms with hints of pink. Think a mixture of my bouquet and the bridesmaids' bouquets. The wedding still would have the very intimate feel, I don't want that to change. I know I say this a lot, but I really, really, really love these unity candles. The gold toned, beaded appliques are the perfect compliment to this wedding. Always before I thought I would just have some recording of my songs of choice played during the ceremony. I now definitely want to splurge and have a string quartet. There's an added quality with having them there, that would be lacking otherwise. Plus once I saw this picture I knew how perfect they would look for my outdoor wedding. These programs are DIY fans printed with all the details of the wedding. I just love that idea, and since I want a early summer wedding the guests can keep themselves cool. I love the idea of postcard save the dates, the picture being one of your engagement photos. I'd want the back of mine to be kind of quirky. These can be another great DIY project. I loved these invites. They are each different, which I feel is a great way to make guests feel included into the festivities, by choosing similar prints tailored to each individual.

It's five o'clock somewhere, right? Well, for my wedding it is well past five o'clock actually.
Addressing the top row of pictures first. I want tall bar tables scattered throughout the cocktail hour area. NO LINENS. I'm so tired of wedding linens I could puke. It's much more interesting to have mixmatched tables with character to me than it is to throw some satin over top. I definitely want a bar, this one was beautiful. I want some different lounge areas interspersed throughout, and I loved these little day beds. I want my guests to feel like they are at some chic backyard party. Tall white centerpieces would be placed on each of the bar tables, each a little bit different, but very similar to the one shown. Not shown though are the twinkle lights hung, here is the general idea though if you can't imagine for yourself. I loved how quaint and summery the different jugs of beverages are. There would be lemonade, sweet iced tea, and cool ice water in mine. Instead of a guest book table, I would have a table set up with some smooth river rocks, a glass vase, and some paint markers so that guests could sign their name and write down a wish for the blissful newlywed's future. That way, we have an interesting piece of decor for our new home, and can always be reminded of all the wonderful things the people we love want for us. MMM, now on to the food and drinks. Different cocktails in varying glasses would be passed around by servers. Burger minis, small chicken wraps, and vegetable fritters topped with sour cream and olive slices would be passed around as well. The last option is for any vegans/vegetarians present.

Yay, we now arrive at my reception. When I close my eyes, this is what I see.
Walking into my reception will feel like walking in through the entrance to a secret garden. Twinkle lights adorning the furtive passage way. Out before you, you see a spread of tables with centerpieces of all the fore mentioned flowers and candles. In the center, completely lined with candles, is the dance floor underneath a blanket of stars. I never see a moon in this image so I am guessing that the wedding takes place during a new moon. Each dish shown in the third row can be found on Martha Stewart's website. We start with a light vegetable soup. The main course consists of a chicken, beef, and vegetarian/vegan option. The final course is one of various fruit sorbets, which in my opinion it is not summer until you have had some frozen fruit.
I used to be dead set against cupcake cakes. I would even go as far as to say that I HATED the idea. Not only has my heart been warmed towards them, I am choosing to have one. I love the coloring of this particular one, but of course I have my own twist in mind. Each cupcake will be topped with a butter cream rendition of one the flowers featured in this wedding. This may or may not be one of my best ideas ever... when it comes to my future wedding. I also used to not want people on top of my cake, but just as I have decided to go with a cupcake cake I have decided to use the people. These particular people actually. Sometimes you see a picture and you know that that is the general idea of what you want. Other times you see a picture and you know that is EXACTLY what you want. This was this kinda of picture for me. There is just something about this wood carved sculpture that moves me so. It seems very... innocent.I think that's the word I am looking for. Either way I love this and WILL have it. The grooms cake is actually boxed up for the guests to take home with them -this particular cake can be found on Martha Stewart's wedding website.

Favor time. Well this wedding is almost a wrap, so it's time to tell you what your consolation prizes are. I really like the idea of gender specific favors. So I thought long and hard about what I could give each of my guests. As mentioned many other times in the this wedding Martha provided me the right inspiration. For the adult females we have these be-ribbonned DIY clutches, with a pretty little mirror in each. For the men we have this combination wallet/money clip and a pocket tool engraved with my husband and I's monogram. For any little boys in attendance we have these little ceramic car piggy banks with a paint set (not shown, and to be handed out AT THE END of the wedding) for them to have a little DIY project of themselves. For any little girls, these clear jars with DIY ribbon tops are perfect for holding their little ''jewels'' or ''monies.''
For everyone we have these embroidered handkerchiefs which will actually be set on each seat during the ceremony with the fan programs. A fun makeshift photo booth will be set up. I love the idea of the makeshift photo booth -it's so charming and gives guests the perfect little break from the dance floor. Copies would go to the guests and the bridal couple of course. For me, no wedding favor list is complete without the little brass rings. Plenty of those to go around.

The perfect wedding has come to an end. It's time to send the bridal couple off towards their honeymoon and future. I love the idea of riding off on a little ''just married'' mo-ped. This could not be done in the wedding attire so special send-off outfits are required. I want to spend a week in Fiji then a week in Australia, so these outfits are perfect reflections of that type of atmosphere. For me, we have a little white sundress and white flip-flops. I loved this head band which is part veil and having my hair loose to be whipped around by the wind as we ride off together. For my lucky groom we have a linen ensemble witch distressed leather flip-flops which is undoubtedly sexy and will probably make me very much not want to wait until we reach our honeymoon suite. As we ride off together our guests will send us off with sparklers.

The End.