So here’s a picture of what my morning is looking like so far:

{ photo by me }

Along with finishing off the puppy collars that I knitted for FMIL’s dogs (you can kinda see the buttons I’m painting in the photo) and several other chores around the house, I’m also going through a bunch of cardstock color swatches for our invitations.

Going with of our lack-of-”wedding colors” idea, I had this idea of a multi-colored invite but now that I see all of the colors together I definitely feel like it’s going to be too much. So, now I’m trying to figure out how to use more than 2 colors without making it seem like an invitation to a circus!

Some things I KNOW I want to include with our invites:

• vintage stamps
• pocketfold
• a cool font
• some nod to something Spanish - either a Spanish tile pattern as an envelope liner, iron scroll work as detail on the invite, or the orange tree my mom drew for our save the dates.
• natural-colored envelopes addressed with white calligraphy
• color

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Since Garrett and I got married in San Francisco without our families and friends (with the exception of Garrett’s aunt, uncle, and best friend who all reside in CA), we both wanted a way for them to be part of the marriage and we knew we wanted to have the marriage blessed, because God is the important part. We decided on the chapel of the church Garrett grew up in, a side portion of the sanctuary with its own altar and a more intimate setting.

I love this image, by Kristen, of us walking in. You can see the priest’s white robe as we follow him in, walking together, hand in hand. It was really nice to go in together, I was only thinking about Garrett the whole way. We decided on having the church’s music director play organ for our entrance and exit which was lovely. Once we got up to the altar I remember Garrett asking if it was okay that we were holding hands. (”Yes!” I said, “we’re married!”) Either way, I wasn’t letting go.

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I loves me some vintage stamps. Tell me that by next summer they won’t be overdone?

{ image via Wiley Valentine }

{ image via Wiley Valentine }

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You won’t believe all of the changes taking place in the Brennan/Power Household within the next month!

{via In This Instance}

In the next two weeks we will be moving to the suburbs of Boston and finally living in a house with a little yard for Bradley.  I cannot wait! It’s happened a little sooner than expected but we are very excited about the move.

We’ve begun searching for a washer and dryer to buy for the house (I was shocked to see how expensive they were) as well as a car for us to get around in.  Not to mention settling in a new town, finding movers, gearing up for the Christmas season and finding out how to get back to Pennsylvania for the holidays with Brad!

The big secret however is that while we are back in my hometown, we will be getting legally married!  I wanted to keep it a secret and share with you after the big day but who was I kidding.  I can’t keep secrets!  Although the “real” wedding ceremony and reception is still in Ireland in August, this will also be very special to us as well.

To make the visa process as easy as possible, we learned that getting civilly married before traveling over to Ireland would be most ideal.  Originally we had thought of doing it after Ger graduated from Grad School however, we soon found out that it could take up to 5 months to process all of the papers.  This is when I had the bright idea of getting married over Christmas and to share the experience with all of my family that aren’t able to make it over to Ireland! Remember my dilemma? Problem solved, right?  I love that we are able to incorporate both of our families into this great celebration and I am even able to wear my first wedding dress!

I’ve always been the type that whenever I wanted to get a new hair style or a hair cut, I needed to do it right away.  It would drive me crazy to wait for days until my appointment and by then, I usually changed my mind anyway.  I admit, I can be quite impulsive at times.  I get so tired of planning and researching EVERYTHING.  Sometimes you just need to go for it, right?

Has anyone else been impulsive when it comes to life and wedding planning?

Holly and Matt’s Seaside, FL wedding is one of those that just makes me nostalgic for the South. Paul Johnson Photography did such an amazing job capturing all of the sweet and Southern details!

Holly is an absolutely stunning bride.  Classic, natural, and beautiful.

Her adorable King Charles Cavalier helped her to get ready (you know I can’t resist posting a good puppy shot).

Favorite photo of the event… heading to the church!

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