Getting Warmer

It's Been Busy...

I know that I didn't blog much this week. I'm sorry. And when I did, I wasn't on task or holding to my new approach. I'm sorry. We've just been really, really busy rearranging all of our fall wedding plans and making them work for the spring.

First on the list was calling our venue to inquire about available dates. We also had to talk with our parents and reconfigure our plan to move in together... All of which are long stories, which I do not feel inspired to share about on this beautiful Saturday morning.

Instead, I thought I'd start the weekend with a lovely spring inspiration board! I know, I know. I've made a lot of these. You love them too though, right? Well, with the weather warming up, my heart too is getting hot over a spring wedding. You just cannot just imagine the back flips taking place in my brain with new ideas and revisions to our old plans.

I know I said my last inspiration board (right here) was the closest I'd come to conveying my dream day, but that was before I made this one (see it bigger right here):

Going Green with Inspiration...

Have you ever heard someone talk about their inspiration or their muse? The moment they experienced or the thing they saw that made them say, "Ah ha! That's it! That's just what I had in mind!" Well, my moment came when I stumbled across these awesome invitations from Linzmarie Designs:

 

Source

Aren't they cute? 

I took a deep breath when I saw them. I  can't explain it, but something came over me. I instantly thought of that great gospel song "oh happy day," and felt this was the perfect phrase to describe the excitement we'll have on our wedding day!

In all honesty, I'm not crazy about the shadow figures, but I do love the color (of course, because it's green) and the "oh happy day," heading. I'm not sure whether we will actually use these invitations, but they've served a great purpose in helping illustrate the above inspiration board, which is (definitely, I'm not lying this time) the perfect collage of how I hope our day will look.

We're Getting Closer....

So even though we're technically further away from the actual wedding than we've ever been, the fog and frustration I felt a few weeks ago about what we wanted is beginning to clear. It might be that I really wanted a spring wedding all along and that was the platform I needed to base everything else, I'm not sure, All I know is that ever since we decided to push back the date, I've felt a sense of clarity, a sense of calm.

I'm probably just really optimistic since we have an additional 6 months to plan and I'll more than likely loose my mind again here soon. For the time being though, I'm happy with where we stand. I don't feel as confused about what I want anymore. It's coming together. We're getting warmer (and so is the weather, woo hoo).

Did you experience a sense of clarity at any point during the planning process?

What was your wedding day muse?

SCCRRRREEEEEECCCCHHHH...

Good news and bad news...

The bad news is: We're not getting married in October. Don't worry though, we're still getting married!

The good news is: We're getting married in the spring of 2011 and we have confirmation (whew) that my dad will be contributing to the budget. 

Many of you may not have known this, but the wedding date and budget have been sore subjects for quite sometime now. Aaron and me wanted to get married about a year after his proposal in October (see here and here), but my dad -- being from the old school and all -- thought we needed to give our engagement more time. Meanwhile, he was also staying mute about his part in the budget.

So I know that we said October 24, 2010, and we weren't lying. That would be when we got married if it were up to just us, but that wasn't really a date without my dad's approval. It was more of a hope or a plan. I suppose that's what couples in love who are anxious to get married do, right?

So in a nutshell that means (whether you noticed or not), we've been planning a wedding, with little knowledge of the type of wedding we're going to have (fall or spring, big or small). Well, you can just imagine the stress we were going through not knowing when or how we'd pull this off. I will admit Aaron's been a lot calmer and patient than me. I've been pulling my hair out, crying, and throwing fits, because I wanted to know when and what kind. I wanted my dad to say, "This would make us happy..." and he really wasn't saying much at all. Call me a daddy's girl if you want, but it just means a lot to me that everyone is as happy and confident as I am that I'm getting married.

So now. Well, now it feels real. It feels new again. It feels like a fresh start. Believe me, I won't be getting much sleep tonight. The creative side of my brain is literally freaking out because we're going from a fall wedding to a spring one and it's like planning a totally different day. The logical side of my brain is freaking out a little bit too because now all the calanders, the discussions with vendors, the to do lists and the dates we set for things like the bridal show all actually mean something. We've finally got some butter to put on our bread.


 Everyone's backing us now and I'm so thrilled.


1. I'm really really happy that we don't have to debate the date anymore. 2. I'm super giddy that this time next year I'll be marrying Aaron! Ahh! Yay!!3. I'm relieved that my dad is ready to commit this. It's hard to explain, but my mom said it best... "This is a transition from being with the first man you ever loved to being with the man that you're in love with."

Did your parents help you set your wedding date?

Falling for Fall (again)

I hope our wedding is a fall day as beautiful as this one:

 

 

 

 {Photo credit: Richard Ellis Photography via Grey Likes Weddings}

Hauser Estate Winery

It's my understanding that a destination wedding is one that takes place someplace other than the hometown of the bride and groom. A destination wedding doesn't have to be far, far away, in places like Jamaica and Maui, but just in a different location than where the couple and their families reside. With that said, it appears there is the possibility of Aaron and I having a destination wedding in Biglerville, PA. I know it doesn't sound like a very glamorous, but wait until you see this place!

~

Nestled between the PA and MD border, Hauser Estate Winery sits atop a large hill overlooking mountains, trees, farms, and fields. It's a gorgeous area and quite possibly the perfect setting for a romantic, destination wedding!

Amber took Michelle and I for a visit to the winery, because Amber knew I was looking for a place with a breathtaking view. She also knows I'm a country girl at heart and has heard me talk about getting married in a "barn," or "near a barn." It might sound crazy, but these hidden country towns and barns are some of the most charming places in the world. I know this because my Mom lives in a very scenic area--the Shenandoah Valley.

I love the little red barn to the right:

The view behind the building:

Aww! This could be Aaron and me!

Pretend Michelle is Aaron!

This is where we'd be standing during the ceremony: Viewing the front of the building from the parking lot: Viewing the building from the designated smoking area:

The area where the ceremony would take place:

Inside the buidling, large glass windows showcase the deck:

When you first walk in:

I really like this stone fireplace:

(of course the tables, chairs, and carpet would be moved)

The room wraps around this bar in a horseshoe shape:

I took a picture of the bathroom! It's nice, huh? ~

Well, Amber's venue pick hit the nail of head!! Hauser Estate Winery is my vision of an outdoor wedding! It's beautiful in the fall, cozy and country chic. Not only would our guests be awe-struck by the view and impressed by the space, I think they'd be quite entertained in the nearby town of Gettysburg, VA as well.

Aaron was not able to make the trip, but I'm planning a weekend getaway there so that he can--the pictures left him pretty much speechless. All he could say was, "WOW!" Thank you Amber! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this place! I can't wait to find out more about it and maybe plan a wedding there!

Deciding on a Date

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall... Help me Pick a Date Y'all!

(Photo credit: Weddingplanningin52weeks.com via Weddingwindow.com)

Do I want to get married in the Winter? No, not really. I'd like to get some pictures outside and not have to freeze!

Do I want to get married in the Spring? Yeah, kind of. I like the lush green trees and tulips in the Spring. However, if I want a Spring wedding, it's going to have to be Spring 2011, because I refuse to plan a wedding in less than six months!

Do I want to get married in the Summer? Eh... I like summer, but we've all been to one of those outdoor weddings where everyone's sweating and suffering! Plus, I can only imagine what the summer heat will do to a girl in a wedding dress! Yikes!

Do I want to get married in the Fall? Well, I like the fall. I like cool breezes and I like the fall foliage, but I don't like all the rain we've had this fall! I can handle a sprinkle, but it's been pouring for days at a time lately!

Aaron and I have talked about a couple of wedding dates. Especially since my mother assured me "this is the first order of business!" I would have avoided picking a date, because once the date is set, there's no changing it! It's kind of a big deal, right?

Well, we've come up with the following possibilities:

September 25, 2010


October 23, 2010


December 31, 2010 (call me crazy!)


May 15, 2011

Our favorite date is May 15, 2011. We really like MAY 15TH! It's the only date listed that has a sentimential value. Also, I think we are partial to the fall. It's just soooo far away!!! It's still an option though.

We've sort of ruled out December 31st, for the obvious reasons. Aaron's family is really busy during the month of December (who isn't, right?). Also, one of my bridesmaids made the very excellent observation "Everyone will be broke!"

September 25th is just a random date. Same goes for October 23rd. We like these days because they are in the fall (and as I stated, we like the fall), but that's it. I'm not sure I'm okay with just picking a random day to get married though.

To make this decision, I've decided

1. I need to take my time (even if it is the first order of business)

2. I need to solicit help!

I've talked to Aaron's mom about the dates and she thinks they are all great (she's just wonderful, let me tell ya)!

I've told a few friends about our ideas and all of them agree, any date will do. A few of my coworkers suggested we go with the sentimental date (May 15th) and my parents are saying give yourself as much time as possible!

Thoughts on this anyone?

Here's what The Knot has to say--"Engagement To-Dos: Picking the Perfect Date"

-considering marrying on the day your grandparents did (go with sentimental if you can)
-consider your wedding personality (for flipflops pick summer and for cider pick fall)

Here's what Elizabeth Anne Designs' Wedvice says-- "Day by Day Picking your Date"

-be flexible and don't pick a date unless you have to (whew)!
-give yourself a big window, such as 2 to 3 months
-consider the discounts that apply to weekday or Sunday weddings
-OH, I love this bit of advice--"Remember the one cardinal rule of wedding planning: you will never please everyone."

Project Wedding says--"Don't get married on these days"

-9/11 and April Fool's Day (duh)!
-During big sporting events ... hmm! Hadn't thought of that!

Well, enough talking wedding dates for now! I get totally bent out of shape on this! I just don't know when I want to do it!! I'm going to give all of this more thought and try to remember that there's no rush! Right?

Trying to stay optimistic!

Olive