groom attire

I decided early on (much like the bridesmaid dresses), that Matt and his gents will be wearing suits on the big day. Matt doesn’t really care what he will be wearing, so long as it comes with a vest. I think I can make that happen!

(photo by Clary Pfeiffer Photography)

We wanted to buy a suit instead of buying/renting a tuxedo for three main reasons:

1) Buying means you can tailor, which means a better fit.
2) It makes sense financially to buy a suit that can be worn again.
3) The specific aesthetic we were going for lends itself to suits instead of tuxedos.

(photo by Ozzy Garcia Photography)

We also decided fairly quickly that the suits would be from J Crew. Matt has a pretty slight build, and most suits tend to make him look like he is playing dress up in his father’s work clothes, if you know what I mean. I love the look of J Crew’s Ludlow suit, and a trip to the store to try on some fancy jackets and pants confirmed my belief that a J Crew suit is the right choice.

(photo by Erich McVey Photogrpahy)

However, our timing was off on the season arrivals, and so we've had to wait until four months out from our wedding date to start seriously considering a suit choice, mostly due to the fabric of the suits. (I am not about to let my groom and groomsmen wear a wool suit at the end of May, in North Carolina, at an outdoor wedding!) The spring suits have finally made an appearance, but now I am stumped on the color! For the longest time I envisioned a light gray suit for the gents, but the lovely tan color is catching my eye more and more. I think it would look gorgeous with the soft pink of the bridesmaid dresses.

(photo by Bob Care Photography)

I emailed a J Crew wedding coordinator for some swatches, but what do you think? Do you like the gray suit or tan suit more? Regardless of the color, I would like the suit to be monogrammed inside the jacket. It will be a great way to remember the day when the suit is worn again! :) 

wedding weekend welcome bag inspiration

I thought I’d share some of the inspiration I’ve been collecting for our wedding weekend welcome bags. I know for sure that I want them to be bags, so that’s why I’m calling them bags as opposed to boxes, sacks, etc. Matt and I have thought a bit about what we’ll put in them, but I’m not going to spill the beans here, in case any readers will be attending the wedding. I don’t want to spoil the surprise! I’ll report back after the wedding weekend, though! In the meantime, here are a few examples that are inspiring me:

I love the simple hand-drawn map that accompanies this welcome bag, including the craft beer, and the little tie-ins to the wedding colors. (photos by Graham Terhune Photography)

A bag like one from Maptote is a great way to incorporate your state or city, and can also serve as an additional favor for your guests after the wedding is over. (photo by Max Wagner)

This wooden box lined with scrapbook paper looks soft and feminine, and pretty easy to DIY. You can find unfinished wooden boxes at Michael’s. Glue in some patterned paper and add a pretty ribbon, and you're all set! This one was designed by SimpleSong for Martha Stewart Weddings and photographed by Kate Headley.

A wire basket is a nice touch for a Southern country wedding, don’t you think? Add a big bow in one of your wedding colors and some carefully curated goodies, and you have an elegant welcome basket. (photo by KT Merry)

I don’t know about you, but I would love to receive an overflowing basket like this one! And that pink peony bouquet? Swoon! (photo by Adam Barnes and Katie Stoops)

A paper bag with sweet and simple touches is great for those on a budget. (photo by Love is a Big Deal)

This one is probably my favorite. I love the personalized bucket (how genius for a beach wedding?), the bicycle motif, and the bright, happy colors. From the very first welcome, this wedding looks like it’s going to be a fun weekend! (photo by Amy Arrington Photography)

bridesmaid dresses

I will have five gorgeous girls standing beside me on my wedding day. One is my friend from when I lived out in Los Angeles, one is my friend from college, another is my cousin, and also my two future sisters. :) I knew before I even knew what I was going to wear what the bridesmaids would wear. I love the look of J Crew's bridesmaid dresses - they are so soft and romantic, and photograph beautifully. I chose a shorter dress to spare the girls from overheating (after all, I am getting married outside at the end of May...in North Carolina), and let each girl choose the dress style that she liked the best and felt most comfortable. It was an added bonus, because I love the look of mismatched bridesmaids! In addition, the light blush color of the dresses was exactly what I was envisioning.

photo by Sara Hasstedt for Style Me Pretty

photo by Hunter Ryan Photo for Style Me Pretty

photo by Anna Page Photography for Style Me Pretty

Since my bridesmaids live in four different states, J Crew offered an easy shopping experience. All they had to do was order online and have it shipped directly to them. Unfortunately, only three out of the five girls had the chance to actually visit a J Crew Wedding store to try on the dress in person, but I am happy to report that all the girls were able to get the correct size on the first order.

vintage stamps

I'm starting to think about the type of postage that I would like for my invitations. I would love to use vintage stamps, though I'm not sure how feasible this is (or how expensive). I just love the look and personality of old stamps. The top pink envelope would look lovely with the invitation design.

P.S. We are officially four months away! Yay!!

wedding bells

When we decided to go with The Sutherland as our venue, we noticed that there is a big, ancient bell next to the cabin where the groom and groomsmen get ready. (While some smaller weddings do happen in front of the cabin, we will be getting married in the walled garden).

Since we're not getting married in a church, I think it would be fun to ring the bell after we are married, though Matt has his heart set on ringing it for me to come out. :)

my engagement ring

I realized that while I've talked about my engagement, I never mentioned my engagement ring! 

Matt is not a fan of going ring shopping together, and so when he decided that he was going to propose, he did extensive research on diamonds, ring styles, etc. by himself. He definitely knows more than I do about the topic! The problem is, I'm not a big jewelry-wearer. I'll wear a statement necklace,  and Matt just got me a pretty Kate Spade watch for my birthday, but other than that, I'm a no frills kind of girl when it comes to accessories. 

I am still a girl, though, and can appreciate a pretty engagement ring.

So while my laid back attitude toward jewelry gave Matt free reign on style, it left him stumped on my ring size. So, he had to guess - and do a bit of thievery by taking the one ring I have in my jewelry box and secreting it away (I did not miss it). He was pretty close - I had to get it sized down a bit after we got back from Disney World, but I was still able to wear it without fear of it falling off my finger.

And here is what he designed!

It's simple, beautiful, and has a cathedral setting with two small diamonds on either side - in other words, it's perfect. 

As for the metal, it's white gold, which I have always been a fan of more so than yellow gold, but I think I'm changing my tune a bit - especially since it's one of the wedding colors!

For those of you who are engaged, what does your engagement ring look like?

wedding planning update: 4+ months to go

We have less than five months to go!!

Since my last update...

- I started the search for invitations, picked a designer, and started working on proofs

- Had a cake tasting and picked a wedding cake!

- Starting putting ideas together for wedding welcome bags

- I'm almost finished putting together the bridesmaid gifts; they should be done next month!

- Purchased wedding day undergarments

- Started compiling reception and ceremony details (centerpieces, votives, signs, etc.)

- Took dance lessons for our first dance and sent DJ other song choices

- Booked a calligrapher

- Purchased wedding rings!

- Figured out the beer choices for the reception

- Scheduled my first dress fitting!

- Finalized our registry picks

- Purchased wedding day jewelry

- Started thinking about ceremony readings

Next up on the list?

- Purchase the guy's attire, which all hinges on when J Crew releases their Spring/Summer line; I've been checking the website like a crazy person and also talking to a wedding coordinator

- I want to start collecting items for my honeymoon, including some new monogrammed Jack Rogers

- Finish up the bridesmaid gifts

- Gather the rest of the reception and ceremony details, including table signage, centerpieces, and cocktail napkins

- Approve an invitation design and send it off to the printer

- Finalize a wedding cake design