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Whelp, I figure it is just about time to do the big Candy Apple invite reveal. Would you like that, Hive? Would you like to see our invites? Well, too bad if you wouldn’t like to - you have a lot of pictures coming your way! And let me tell you: I can’t wait to share!
First off, I just wanted to point out that, yes, we did indeed use an invisible ink pen to covertly number our RSVP cards. Unfortunately (ahem, I mean fortunately), we did not have to resort to breaking it out, as everyone either wrote their names on the RSVP card, or at least had a return address label on the envelope. I was a bit bummed that I couldn’t put my sleuthing to use, since I spent so freaking long labeling all of those cards with the invisible ink, but oh well.
Okay, on to the goods!
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When we first booked our photographers, I knew I wanted us to have an engagement session. I know Mr. Ticket, and the odds of us having professional photos taken together after the wedding were pretty much zip. So this was a great opportunity to have some nice pictures of us that aren’t from the wedding!
So now it was just time to decide on wardrobe and location. Let’s start with location.
We figured we would most likely take pictures at the usual places—a park or the beach. They are standards for a reason: they produce pretty pictures! But while I was looking at other people’s engagement pictures for inspiration, I ran into these…
Image via Beautiful Day Photography
Insert your favorite expletives above.
I don’t know what the %#@! problem is with tents. They are super pretty, right?
Image via Perfect Wedding Guide / Photo by Karla Fountain Photography
Image via The Merriment Blog
But for some reason, we are having a really, really difficult time conceptualizing this whole tent thing. Hence the use of multiple expletives…often.
I feel like this is a math problem that I am trying desperately to solve, but I can’t because math is stupid and sucks. But I’m wondering if I maybe explain the problem to y’all, maybe one of you will be blessed with the intelligence, experience, and rational thinking skills that I seem to lack in response to this #^%$@! $#@!%^& tent problem.
Here’s the situation. We have rented a place called The Barn at Valhalla. It consists of a structure referred to as a “barn,” but it’s not really a barn, and if you refer to it as such it will piss Mr. Magic off to no end. (I know, there’s already a lot of factors in this problem, right?!?) This structure is not big enough to seat everyone for the reception.
How big is it, you [gutter minded girls] ask? Well, it’s, like, this big…
Image via A Wedding Minister
Ok, fine, I’ll give you some not exactly precise measurements in just a minute, but first, let me just explain that there is the inside part (see?) and an outside covered porch on either side (you can only see one of the covered sides above), and then an uncovered porch (that’s it on the right side of the photo).
Image via Duffy Gilligan, Owner of The Barn at Valhalla
Note that the 50 x 30 for the Main Hall includes the space for kitchens and bathrooms. Below are my crappy diagrams where unusable space is blacked out. The first one is the sunny day plan.
We could also put a couple more tables on the dance floor and then break them down…but that seems like such a pain.
Here is the rain plan.
So, this one has all the guests seated in the tent. Dancing and stuff would be in the barn.
[Ugh, I feel so stressed just writing this blog post.]
Ok, so, we obviously need to rent a tent in case it rains, and probably a 40×60 tent (I have been advised that size is best, and that size is bigger than the one in the above rain plan).
But, here’s my big question. Do we just commit to using the tent rain or shine, as it will be more roomy and will give us more piece of mind…or do we use the tent only as a rain plan? If you are thinking the latter (which is somewhat more cost efficient…might save us 500-800$…which in the big scheme of things is like a drop in the bucket…might as well go ahead and rent some pink ponies while we’re throwing this big huge freaking wedding…), let me tell you that first we put down a deposit, but then at most places we have to cancel the tent order one whole WEEK before to avoid paying the rest of the cost (we still lose our deposit). So, in some ways, it makes more sense just to spend the money, embrace the tent, have plenty of space and peace of mind.
The hive has always been a resource of amazingly creative ideas for personalising your wedding. The amount of innovative DIY and artistic resourcefulness found here is staggering!
Pre-Weddingbee, I had never heard of a bride wearing anything besides the standard white petticoat. But when I stumbled upon coloured crinolines in the forums, I knew they screamed “Miss Funnel Cake”.
Just look at that. Ah-mah-zing.
(image from andrewsbride6411@hotmail.com via Weddingbee)
They happen to have been done in all sorts of colors too. Oh happy day!
Featured on Weddingbee
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
“Make an elegant invitation statement without the fuss. Stylish invitation sets with matching envelopes, reception and response cards included.”
With so many guests pouring in from out of state and country throughout the week leading up to the big show, Waffle and I decided to have several events along the way to entertain and spend time with everyone. Starting on Wednesday we had lunches, dinners, shopping and even a night out two-steppin’ at the legendary Broken Spoke. Can I just say how happy I am again that I finished everything the weekend before things got rolling? Seriously, ladies, it makes a world of difference!
So, with all of the hugs, catching up and preliminary “Welcome to Austin” activities out of the way, it was time for us to get down and have some serious, crazy fun at our Stag and Hen Nights (bach and bachelorette parties)! Woohoo!
We started off with a small group at Ms. Pigeon’s house for a lingerie shower with ladies who were involved in the wedding. I just wasn’t sure I’d be comfortable opening boxes of naughty underpants and things in front of a large group. Then, there was a knock at the door…
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Like many brides before me, at the beginning of our engagement (a whole 15 months ago) I vowed to lose weight and get in better shape.
Don’t get me wrong - I consider myself to be fairly thin, and understand that I am not overweight for my height and body type. However, I had gained weight in the years since college, and wanted to look more lean and toned. Not only that, but I wanted to feel better. We’re talking about my wedding day, after all! I wanted to look as good as I possibly could, and be healthier to boot.
So, alongside Mr. CA, I started eating even better than we had been previously, and exercising.
The real kick in the butt was when I went to try on wedding dresses. I was shocked that the dresses I tried on had such tiny sizes. To give you an idea: I generally wear a size 4 in dresses. The dress I ended up purchasing was a size 10. A TEN. What is the deal with that?? How is that possible? I honestly do not understand how their sizing is so different from regular clothing. Even though I knew the sizing was irregular, it made me really self-conscious and worried about my weight.
Nevertheless, I waxed and waned in my exercising over the next few months - going through spurts of sustained work-outs, then lapsing into indolence.
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Create the honeymoon of your dreams.
Well, now that you’ve seen my headpiece and veil and my shoes, I suppose I should share with you all the rest of my wedding day accessories, eh?
I know, I know…I’ve yet to even show you my gown, but I think that may be coming soon. Just maybe.
Anyhow.
As far as jewelry is concerned, in addition to my engagement ring and the yet-to-be-found wedding band, I plan on wearing a necklace and earrings. Whether I will be donning a bracelet is undecided—perhaps if Mr. Seal buys me one as a wedding present the decision will be made more easily. Juuuust kidding, kids—I’m not that overt with my gift hints! 
The earrings I will be wearing were given to me by Mama Seal for Christmas last year. She knew I had been looking for pearl and diamond drop earrings for the wedding and she completely took it upon herself to find, purchase and gift the perfect pair.
I love them. They are from Macy’s but appear to be discontinued.
Today it seems like big wedding parties are all the rage. It’s not uncommon to see six, seven, or even eight (or more!) people standing on each side of the bride and groom, and a lot of wedding parties spill over into double digits.
Image via Jim Kennedy Photographers
What is the best way to be a rebel bride when it comes to your wedding venue? Well, it depends on a couple of factors. For me, it was all about avoiding the church.
I kind of considered not writing a ceremony post. I thought it would just be like “here are some pictures, and then the usual things happened.” Alas, I want to document my complete wedding, and this is kind of a major part. So here’s our ceremony in one fell swoop- our music choices, how I avoided being given away, our readings, how it felt to all the sudden be married.
Seating/hugging & chatting with people you haven’t seen in awhile music:
*My mom was horrified—horrified—to hear this song pop up as the CD played at our rehearsal the night before. My dad laughed and asked [proudly, I think]: E, is this The Who? My mom paled while my brother dissolved into snickering. I smiled at her and said, No, it’s the London Philharmonic Orchestra. She asked why I hate her. I don’t! I just love ’70s rock. Sorry Mom, and God, and Bach!
Amazing Grace—Sufjan Stevens (Moms & Grandma’s Entrance)
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So I told you about Mr. Sweet’s band & then I shared the details about mine.
But before talks of wedding bands even began, Mr. Sweets and I both knew we wanted beautiful words to each other written inside of them. I loved the idea of having some sweet language carved in the bands that would remind us of our feelings for each other that are bound to grow throughout our marriage and life.
I know that I’ve shared with you the idea of having the cinema serve as inspiration, and while I might not having any “movie” ideas woven into our big day, I did get a little idea from a little picture from the big screen I’d like to call License to Wed. (I promise I don’t just watch silly romantic comedies… but my love for thrillers don’t exactly fit into inspiration for weddings—although I am sure that it’s been done… and probably been done beautifully!).
In the movie, John Krasinski’s character gets an engraving on Mandy Moore’s band to surprise her on the big day, but as many of you know, a little sloppy handwriting turns a sweet sentiment into something silly that Mandy Moore winds up telling him never to change…
{Such a cute pair in this chick flick!} via IMDB
This is where I tell you all about how ridiculously anal I am! Shame, shame…I am way way too organised sometimes. Not to worry, it is becoming a great strength to have when it comes to wedding planning!
From the day after we got engaged, I started putting Post-It notes on the wall above my study desk every time I thought of something that we needed to do for the wedding. I like to call it the great Post-It note wall! It is still there in all its glory! However, now there are a lot more things on the “done” side of the wall rather than in the month-by-month organisation area.
In between all of the dancing, our guests took the time to get more drinks and hop into the photo booth.
Our getaway sign was a perfect way to add color to the booth
lkswim was perfectly coiffed with a sculpted updo on her wedding day.
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