I really loved photographing my sister’s wedding, which was just this month at Studio 450 in New York City. She had a small budget, so she enlisted help from family and friends to put the wedding together. Her friend designed the flower arrangements, my other sister put them together, her sister-in-law cooked the food, and I took the pictures. I was really scared, but luckily {phew} she loves the pictures and I think we’ll be able to make a really nice blurb book from them! Here are some highlights of the day out of the 300 pictures I edited. My hand is tired from clicking–pro photogs, how do you do it??

[Yes, he did indeed wear shorts.]

[My oldest sister made this bouquet!]

[I made the table numbers, the arrangements were put together by friends.]

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Subtitle: Why people usually don’t try to get married on the 13th.

All images are from Olivia Leigh Photographie

I couldn’t sleep at all on the night before our wedding day. I had thought about getting flowers when we got to San Fransisco but it seemed like too much trouble (I can’t get around the city at all) and I called the florist too late to get a delivery. It bothered me. I wanted a bouquet. And then I talked myself out of it (what’s the point of a bouquet? I had fantasies about throwing it to a stranger post wedding, but outside of that I couldn’t see the point. Plus, ranunculus was out of season and would’ve required 2 weeks in advance to order from Holland). I eventually got to sleep and had a nightmare about my mom making me wear some flower wreath around my neck. Ick.

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I am not sure how I came across this blog, but I believe that finding their logo is an omen:

{ images from Orange Blossom Ink }

Seriously, someone’s trying to tell me to go with this orange blossom thing…so off I go for some orange inspiration!

Recently I have been seeing lots more oranges (or kumquats) used on tables or flower arrangements:

{ photo from Details Details via Style Me Pretty }

{ photo by Josef Isayo via Style Me Pretty }

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Oh Martha you have done it again! This little gem of a cupcake is adorable!

I would absolutely love to make these for a family BBQ, or for a shower or even at the wedding! I love sprinkles that come in all different colors. I wish I had a huge kitchen where I could keep sprinkles in all different colors at all times- don’t sprinkles just make everything better?

This past weekend I did a bit of shopping and couldn’t help but notice that several retailers have gotten in the first pieces of their Fall collections. Just typing this is getting me all excited - that means my wedding’s season is here! The more I think of cozy sweaters and wool skirts the more rapidly my heart beats (even though it is supposed to be 90 degrees in North Carolina today…).

I have to admit that I usually get this way about Fall because I love the change in seasons and the start of Fall means that baseball season is coming to a close and Brian will be home soon! However, *something* about this particular has me more giddy that I normally am…

Are any of the other Fall brides out there feeling this retail-induced excitement? I have to say, it is a pretty wonderful feeling…

Hello friends! This is my final post before becoming a MRS. I had wanted so much to share more details with you this week: centerpieces, signs, favors, sparklers, etc. But, not surprisingly, the week has just flown by.

I’ve let go of all of my concerns — about logistics and the weather — and am a calm, collected, and excited bride! I can’t wait to see our family and friends who have traveled from California, Michigan, Utah, Florida, and Germany to share in our celebration of love and marriage. And I especially can’t wait to see the man of my dreams, to kiss him, and to call him my husband for all the days of our lives.

Thank you all for sharing ideas and offering support during these past few months. I may not be able to post to EAD until I return from my honeymoon, but if you can’t wait to see a photo from the big day, you might be able to find one over on my personal blog.

Until we meet again, may you all experience the pure joy I am feeling at this moment! xoxoxo

I’m at that point in wedding planning where I’ve already made a LOT of big decisions but am not ready to tackle the smaller ones yet. So, there is nothing much to report except the lamenting to myself about my dress (that I do not yet have).

I’ve resigned myself to the fact I found THE DRESS and should just stop looking. It imprinted me - it’s fate (for Twilight fans). I found it a year before I even got engaged and after trying on hundreds of others it is still the ONE. Unfortunately however it is also $2k over my budget. Moreover, I truly had an aversion to spending that much money on one dress to wear one time. I tried to find it used, tried to find it at sample sales, and tried it find it on clearance – to no avail.

So even I was surprised when I told my fiancé last weekend that we needed to cut 20 people off our guest list so I can buy THE dress. This did not go over well. It’s not that I am a bridezilla (or is it?) but it’s my wedding and I can cry if I want too and I should wear my dream wedding dress right? I know what this sounds like…do you know what you sound like? Have you noticed yourself whining about the small stuff? Have you noticed yourself turning into (gasp) kind of a bridezilla? It’s happened a couple of times now….and I’ve still got 10 months. Yikes.

The Library has been updated with more fabulous wedding vendor links this week, and the event planning page is completely updated with everyone’s cities and states! Remember that listings on the Library are absolutely free, so that we can provide you with the most comprehensive wedding vendor listings possible. If you would like to be added to the Library or have a vendor you would like to recommend, simply contact us!

If you are a vendor and would like to participate in our new expanded listing program, contact us and we’ll get you all set up.

{EXPANDED LISTINGS}

Drew B Photography

Momental Designs

Papermints

Alex Rodriguez Photography

Laura Kay Photography

Bella Signature Design

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I’ve put my face on a beauty regimen, which is something I have never done before.  I’ve always had pretty clear skin, which means that I totally neglect my face (I’m ashamed to admit that I used to only wash my face in the shower, even if I had been wearing makeup - yikes!).  I always felt pretty okay with this system because I never really wear make up (out of laziness mostly - if I know there are going to be pictures taken, I wear makeup, that’s pretty much the only thing that will motivate me - I mean, I need to look good on Facebook, right?!) and I’m diligent about wearing sunscreen.  I just didn’t see the point in spending a lot of money on something I thought I didn’t need.

This all changed when I received the gift of a facial at my local salon as an engagement present - I think it was for the relaxation/pampering benefits more than the “your face needs help” benefits, or at least that’s what I’m telling myself!  During my facial, I chatted up the lovely esthetician who told me that people who have good skin tend to neglect their face and end up having bad skin sooner than those who have temperamental skin growing up!  Shocking!  This scared the bergebers out of me and I quickly started peppering her with questions about products, techniques, routines, etc.  She was most helpful and also told me that I would be happy about this at my wedding because my skin will be predictable - no breakouts at the wedding! Yea!

I purchased Dermatologica products - Daily Microfoliant, Special Cleansing Gel, Sheer Moisture Face Lotion, and Multivitamin Body Block.  I have loved how my face has reacted to this new regimen, and I especially love the exfoliant.  My face just feels more fresh and like I have a sort of glow about me - and who wouldn’t want to glow!

Have any of you out there started a beauty regimen for your wedding or for your life in general?  If you happen to be like I was, I recommend getting on board!

This is my Dad. He’s pretty awesome. Recently at my sister’s New York City wedding, he wore this tie:

“Dad, where’d you get that tie?”

“Uncle gave it to me. Like it?? It’s the statue of liberty.”

“Yes…yes Dad, I can see that.” And then I proceeded to take his picture. His outfit (even though it was charmingly dorky) prompted my oldest sister to declare that we would pick out an outfit for him for my wedding, shoes included. I think he was wearing tennis shoes that night in New York.

Are you giving much fashion direction to your parents for your wedding, or are they just picking out their own outfits? Don’t you just hate that tie so much you love it?