it’s ALL about “About Love.” today.

If you take a look at this photography company and you aren’t thinking “These are the people that MUST photograph every important moment of my life!”, then you probably don’t follow their work as closely as some. :] And once you check them out, you’ll be chanting the aforementioned line at the top of your lungs.

I am so lucky to have met one of the photographers in high school: T. has changed my life and I’m not sure even SHE understands how much she means to me as a friend, as a newly-wedded wife and role model, as a pseudo-wedding planner/best advice giver, and now (OFFICIALLY!!!!) as a my wedding photographer.

T. has become involved and enveloped in everything she has been passionate about since I’ve known her — I know she has impacted the lives of everyone she has touched, and I’m honored that we were close friends for the time that we were. There is not one person that has met T. that wishes they hadn’t — she is pure genius, full of love and ideas and never one to turn away a friend.

Looking at the photography work she has done with her sister and business partner K., I feel so lucky to have them officially be a part of our wedding day. Nothing else matters to me other than capturing the most perfect moments in the form of pictures, because that is ultimately what lasts the lifetime. I began the photography conversation with my father with this line: “Dad, I would pay any price out of my OWN pocket to have T. and her sister shoot the wedding. To me, photography is non-negotiable and something that shouldn’t be compromised. It is THE most important thing to me, hands down.” I’m not sure if at that moment he was comfortable with the situation or understood my stance on the subject, but he knew I wasn’t budging. :] And he will not regret a penny of the cost when we receive the final product.

Every shoot that I have seen via their BLOG has made me irritated that Z. and I haven’t gone to Arizona yet for our engagement shoot! :] I know, all in good time we’ll begin the capturing of our experience in photos … a media worth a million words. Check out some of my favorite photos of theirs — I’ve linked the blog entries to the pictures if you’d like to see more:

Grad. Shoot -- But could totally be an Engagement Pic.

Straight beautiful.

Recent wedding, with the same color scheme. Must have good taste. 🙂

Ad. Enough said. 🙂

I really can’t say enough good things about T. and I’m absolutely sure her sister is equally as kind and loving. If you are getting married, or want a fun collection of photographs with a best friend or pictures of your newborn,  there is no one else I would recommend for photography. The proof is right before your eyes — About Love is the epitome of pure artistry.

Oh, Nights — You have stolen my life.

I’ve been on 3rd shift coming up on 3 weeks now, so my apologies for not updating so often — I can’t wait to have my afternoons back to work on some wedding details! I feel as though I have been depriving the wedding details of any and all of my attention … this weekend I’ll be sure to post some pictures [a lot]. Z. is gone to Virginia to visit his best friend, so Sergeant and I will have plenty of time to sunbathe and work on some DIY projects.

Although I haven’t been working on the details myself, there are definitely some people that I have found and have put to work. Let me tell you all once AGAIN, Etsy.com is my save haven, my saving grace … quite possibly my wedding planner. I have found the most amazing wedding “suppliers” (if you will), and in the process have purchased a couple of gems for myself. I have outstanding women working on personalized wedding invitations, cake/cupcake stands for the cake/sweets tables, and a gazillion empty picture frames that will be painted and antiqued to match my color scheme for the wedding. I also stumbled across a Tiffany-blue hair comb composed of crystals, old lace and satin — I’m looking for a dress that compliments it well to wear to the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.

My sister/MOH stumbled across a million more gems at the antique store in Cottonwood — I’ve got to make my way there ASAP! There are DOORS (AAHHHHHH!!!!!!!), windows, old bread boxes, furniture, and the list goes on and on. I’ve posted a few of my favorites below: no one get any ideas.

Not too sure what I could use this for, but I love it.

These look a little short - I wish they were tall enough to be Bride and Groom chairs.

E

DOORS!!! Enough said.

WINDOWS!!!

Maybe I could paint this yellow?

❤

I do have a rather important update — haha, mainly for M., one of my bridesmaids. Z. and I have officially chosen our officiant (RIGHT?!?!?!?!?!?!) :]. Some of you may remember the update: the decision to choose to have my priest from home perform the ceremony, a Justice of the Peace, or a friend of mine from Bakersfield that I met at Dreyer’s who actually just left the company to be a Preacher at his very own church. S. has officially offered, and I have graciously accepted; he will be the most perfect officiant, keeping the mood light and laid-back, while still meaningful and special and loving. I just can’t hold it in though — I’m stoked.

Things are slowly falling into place. Once Z. and I have another trip planned to AZ we’ll be booking tastings with caterers, the bakery and we’ll most likely meet with the florist (maybe). Even though I haven’t been working on this too terribly much, I’m pretty relaxed.

Simply enjoying the engagement — advice I’ve received from many brides. Well, that and practicing my new signature.

Update: Wedding!!

Since it has been a while since I have posted about anything, I thought a little update for those of you who are curious is in order.

Not many things have changed — the biggie was the date, announced in the last post (Official date is now April 9th, 2011). Since then, not too many big things have been happening. I, of course, have managed to save about one hundred more pictures for ideas to both the desktops of my Mac at home and my Dell at work, and as much as I would love to share them all with you, I’d like there to be some element of surprise when you walk into Bentley on that fine, Saturday evening.

Slowly, but surely, everything is coming together. I am in contact with someone on Etsy.com (OMG … if you are not a fan and do not have an account, watch out. It’s addicting) with regards to some stunning and simple wedding invitation sets, which is my next big one to tackle. I’ve requested paper samples from a few vendors and have asked my bridesmaids what they like and believe captures the vision that I am yearning for, and with everyone’s feedback — it would be like me to fall in love, I mean L.O.V.E. with one that not very many of the ladies picked out. :] But it’s my day, right??

Another biggie is photography — in the process of knocking out the kinks, but my next post (hopefully we’ll have deposits down by then) will be all about one of the most amazing women I know and how her passion will capture every little detail of my wedding day. Although we have drifted apart over the last few years, the proof is in the pudding; there is no one else that I trust with such an important day in my life. Literally. I can’t say enough good … you just wait.

Flower proposals have been discussed and we are pretty much a “go” on that, other than the deposit — just needs to be run by Papa Hayes. I have had a recommendation for cupcakes, so hopefully my next weekend in Arizona I will be able to schedule the tasting, along with two caterers that I have been talking with. DJ is still in the air (hey, if you have any suggestions or referrals, please leave contact information!!), along with makeup, hair, bridesmaid dresses, as well as the possibility of a videographer.

Another fun detail — the officiant. I have been back and forth about who I would love to perform the ceremony, particularly between the priest from my hometown church that had been with us for a couple of years before I left for college, and a GREAT friend that I have made here in Bakersfield at work that is actually ordained and has just left Dreyer’s to move and preach at his very own church. To go with the theme and the feel that I want — fun, laid-back, celebrating all the family and friends that have been such an amazing part of our lives — my heart says that my friend is the key, the icing on the cake. As my officemate, he has been hilarious, passionate, and truly a friend that cares about my well being and happiness. I mean, I was engaged for a month before he left us — so he got a month full of wedding questions thrown at him :] . I’ll be asking him for a quote tomorrow.

The details are coming together, even from 500 miles away. But more importantly, I have been astounded by the amount of help that family and friends have offered to us. I feel so blessed to have so many people that are willing to spend their time and hard-earned cash to help me with such little things that in the end, won’t really matter. But it’s the love that is being shared, and their willingness to help make this the utmost perfect day for Z and me literally brings tears to my eyes. I am so thankful for being born into my most perfectly imperfect family that is full of love and faith, my friends that have been there for me every step of the way, and as equally important = the amazing family that I will soon be marrying into. H. (Z’s brother) was the most excited to be Z’s best man, more excited than anyone else in the wedding party. Z’s mother and father have graciously offered their help with my dream of some sort of yellow furniture “alter” for the ceremony — a vintage piece that they want to restore and give to us to keep as a part of our home thereafter.

As much as I was stressed in the beginning about everything being perfect, I know that it won’t be. And that is okay. :]

Venue is Booked. Date is set.

It is official: the deposit has been placed on Bentley Projects for April 9th, 2011. No turning back now. :]

Exterior -- Click for Website

Inside!!

I had a sense of relief when I purchased my gown, but nothing like this.  I used to sit and watch tv with Z. and say to myself “Emma, there are so many little things you could be doing right now in regards to wedding planning” and feel guilty for not committing 100% and spending time not planning the day I’ve been dreaming about for years.

I am now ready to sit and relax and enjoy this planning with no enormous deadlines looming overhead (photographer has been unofficially booked, awaiting deposit time line). I can sit during our weekly “Hell’s Kitchen” episode and tie ribbon around jars and feel as though I am working on the little details that will make it so unique and whatnot — brainstorm new and fresh ideas and love doing it.

Tuesday I had one of my bridesmaids, Ji., visit both MonOrchid and Bentley Projects for another opinion. Let me tell you — she may have been more excited than I was. :] She completely fell in love and agrees that it captures everything that I told her I want April 9th to be — and it’s exactly what I wanted to hear, and Z. is probably glad that we’ve come to a decision. The reaffirmation was overwhelming as I drove home from work and held back tears, listening to her and her vision and ideas come to life after seeing the space.

I’ve let the photographer know that the date is set, so those ideas and contracts and details are in the works — be ready for a post about one of the most amazing females that I know and her photography business with her sister. There is no one else in the world that I’d rather have photograph my wedding.

I’m stoked. Right now, I wish April 9th was tomorrow (okay, maybe not literally). ;]

Bridesmaids, Anyone?

I am awaiting cards to formally ask my ladies to be my bridesmaids — I cannot help but to update my opinion on their dresses.

For the sake of slightly/sort of matching aspects of my dress and the groomsmen, I’ve taken a liking to grey dresses. I know, grey isn’t necessarily your typical color for a bridesmaid dress … but check out some of the pictures below.

3-Toned in the top-right corner.

I am TOTALLY digging the 3-toned dress at the top of the inspiration board. The cream at the top should compliment the skin tones of all of my bridesmaids and would lessen the stress about specific shades being too harsh. The yellow at the waist will not only emphasize the natural waists of the girls, but also tie beautifully into the yellow accents that the boys will be sporting — and the grey is beautiful. The dress is elegant and sophisticated. And a bright yellow shoe would match perfectly.

Patterns and textures.

New idea: patterns. I LOVE the pictures and the way that the wedding party almost looks like a quilt — hand-sewn and just “patched” together. The different yellows and patterns create great contrast and would compliment any shade or texture used in decoration. And there would be less stress on all the ladies finding one dress that compliments all of their body types and personal styles, although I’d still prefer to have one thing that ties everyone together so we don’t look too hodge podge-y.

All grey.

This all-grey dress is gorgeous. I’m not too sure how I feel about the seams on the chest, and I was thinking of something a little less poofy.

I’m still loving my yellow picks from Dessy.com and C.  and the troops found some of the styles at a bridal boutique that we were at last weekend, but we aren’t too sure about the shades of yellow and what fabric options are available. Any suggestions??

The Purpose

As Z. and I have busted budgets and worksheets and scribbled ideas down on notebook paper, I stop to think about what this wedding truly means to me.

We have mentioned the idea of a destination wedding, foregoing all the planning and the stresses of prepping for such an important event, a day that will be mine for forever. And I have come to realize that the food and the venue and the decorations are not what matters when it comes to planning a wedding — it’s about having the people that you love around you, celebrating the joining of two lives. And maybe throwing back a few in the process.

For me, the destination wedding kind of defeats that purpose. Yes, the people that are closest to us would still be there, we’d still be celebrating such a wonderful relationship, but it may be limiting on some guests that would be invited. And that is not something that I want to be concerned with. We have kept our guest list pretty light — family and the closest of friends — but I do think that leaving the state or country would knock our guest list considerably.

We’ve ex’d out the idea of favors; we’d rather donate that money to a great cause rather than buy all of you something that would probably be eaten or tossed after sitting on a shelf and collecting dust at home … and that’s assuming it makes it out of your car the night of the wedding. I’ve been contacting some of the caterers in regards to customizing a menu and making it more “home-y”, more comfort foods that we had when we were growing up to help emphasize our laid-back, enjoyable atmosphere (no Mom, I won’t ask if they will make Pokemon Macaroni & Cheese). We want to zero in on creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable, at home, and with the people that they love — rather than a stereotypical wedding with flower centerpieces and a plated dinner where butlers are placing napkins on your lap because you haven’t taken it out from under your silverware in a timely fashion.

So, maybe I should relax a little more and know that other things are a little more important: a venue that matches your ambiance, a photographer that will promise and deliver the utmost perfect memories captured on a day that can’t be matched or re-lived, and a memory that lays in the minds of every guest that won’t be forgotten as a wedding that highlighted the true meaning of the gathering, rather than worrying about minor details that do not matter in the end.

I still like black chairs better than white.

Venues Unveiled.

The trip to Phoenix in search of the most perfect place to get married was much simpler than expected and what the previous venue post may have had you believe. No, we actually didn’t end up seeing every venue — schedule conflicts, lack of interest, pure tiredness.

Z. and I were non-stop; I worked Thursday night from 10:45pm until 3am, and when I got home I woke Z. up and said “We’re out”. The good things about this: I had caught my second wind and could drive while he woke up, he could then drive while I slept, we would for sure miss any and all traffic in the LA area, and we were sure we’d have enough time to drop the puppy off at my daddy’s and catch a nap before our appointment at Chase Field. I ended up with two hours of sleep in the car and one hour at my dad’s, so needless to say we were pooped.

Chase Field is an amazing venue — totally unique and inspirational, you are forced to make it your own because weddings there are SO rare and it is not set up to host that type of event. A few of the suites were out of this world with fabulous views of the field that would lend to some one-and-only photographs. Biggest downside and the closer for us: the Diamondback’s schedule isn’t finalized until October/November of this year and if a game falls on the day of your event, you MUST reschedule. Mind you, that would be only 4 months before our wedding. Bummer.

One of the suites.

View from the suite.

Tempe Center for the Arts — one of the biggest disappointments. My contact said that the venue would be open at 11am on Saturday for preparation for another wedding. Z. and I walked around and tried every door for about 25 minutes and had to leave to stay on schedule for our other obligations. The outside is astounding and funky and may have lent itself well to our vision, but Pops isn’t too keen on poor service.

The back of the building that faces Tempe Town Lake.

The room for rent: Lakeside.

Arizona Grand Resort, much too formal for our vision. It is a beautiful site, but reminded me slightly of the hotel that I helped host our 2004 High School Prom in.

You can rent the green for the ceremony.

Ballroom -- excuse the blurriness.

The Farm at South Mountain — looked quite lovely online, but the layout is pretty spread out and maybe a little too casual. I’m also hesitant on an outdoor venue even though our pending dates are during a promising time of the year. I’d rather be safe than sorry on this one. [Didn’t even snap a photo here … dang, that says something.]

Phoenix Art Museum. Beautiful, but I’m afraid the ballroom is a little too big for the number of guests that I am planning on inviting and expecting to show up. It’s definitely not as cozy as I would like, and I’m looking for more of an intimate space. If I were inviting more people, this would be a favorite … but I’m not, so it’s not.

Cool ball of lights at the entrance.

Right outside the gallery we'd rent -- supposedly I could walk down those stairs, but I think that's a little dramatic.

We canceled on Arizona Science Center and Tre Bella. AZ SC for the same reason as Phx Art Museum — I assumed their amenities would be similar and I know some friends that held their Senior Proms there. Tre Bella — it’s in Mesa, and we think that with our guests flying into Phoenix for the wedding, that it would be the easiest and most convenient to have the wedding in a more central location that is close to the airport and near hotels.

That leaves us with the contenders: MonOrchid and Bentley Projects. Both are amazing in their own ways and both have some unique characteristics that me and Z. both love. MonOrchid has a more modern vibe which doesn’t aligned with our vision as well as Bentley does, but Bentley is more expensive … so there will be plenty of number crunching and decisions to make this week.

Bentley:

The front door.

The largest gallery.

Back side of the previous picture, original brick work.

Here is MonOrchid:

To the left -- where the ceremony would take place.

To the right of the last picture -- where the reception tables would be set up.

The choices, the choices. :]

Day 7 — A Sigh of Relief, but More Options??

Little do you know, this last week has been incredibly stressful … up until yesterday. I’d like to thank everyone that looked at my blog and voted for venues because today was the first day that I woke up and felt as though I didn’t have a million things to do. This blog is what is going to keep me sane until the minutes before I walk down an aisle, somewhere … :]

I have a great amount of support pouring in, from friends and family alike, but I still felt disconnected as a bride planning an Arizona-based shindig from the beautiful state of CA. This blog has been my connection to all of the people that I hold dear to my heart: here in California, one in Colorado, and countless from my home, sweet home Arizona. I love being able to pour my heart and passion for perfection onto this website and have a single, simple way of communicating with the people that want to know every little detail. So I hope you all stay interested for the next 10 months.

I have taken the time to attempt an inspiration board — who knows if I will ever do this again. Placement of specific pictures, layering, palettes, blah; I’m in need of a nap, now. This board almost perfectly depicts what my original vision is/was. Please be kind, I’m not nearly as talented as M., who’s blog I was recently featured in @ http://jetsetmeg.blogspot.com (ahhhh-mazing, might I add).

My original scheme/feel/goal, the best that I can create.

So, not to confuse any of you … but (perhaps, unfortunately) I have now come across two additional colors that I am forcing myself not to adopt until I talk to you all (I haven’t even warned my fiance, Z., about this yet). I do not know if I would simply add one to the previously stated color scheme, or totally throw my favorite color out and opt for something that is new and fresh. I’ll fill you in:

1: Peach. It’s feminine and subtle, but not pink. Pink is not the color for me, nor one of Z.’s groomsmen who has fair, freckly skin and a head of Red. I think that the peach would pop with the mustard and grey and creams, presenting a color palette that is season-appropriate (looking for venues that are available any weekend in March or the first couple of April, so a spring-time wedding).

Peach and grey board ... imagine the yellow with this. Maybe I'll make one ... blah.

2: Mint or Seafoam. This is normally a color that wouldn’t top my list, but these inspiration boards are just that: inspirational. I think that if not careful, the light green may get lost in an outdoor setting, so I am leaning more towards this if my love lies with MonOrchid next weekend. Just imagine the black and stark white walls and architecture with a grey and seafoam or mint theme — I truly think the mint would create amazing contrast.

Seafoam = dreamy.

Please please please leave your comments!!

Oh yeah … yay for being engaged for a week!! (baaahh … hahahahaha)

Day 6

I have now been engaged for 6 days, and my head is already spinning from the blogs and venues and color palettes and potential DIY projects. I wish I could clone myself, solely so one of me could sit at home all day, every day, and plan this wedding as quickly as I did a friend’s a couple of years ago.

Stereotypical is my name: have been dreaming of the day that I would say “I Do” for years. I have DV-R’d the series Say Yes to the Dress even before I was engaged. I creep on Facebook profiles of people I don’t know if their profile picture is from a wedding (it takes some humility to say that). There is nothing more in the world that I want than a most perfect wedding with no flaws — but my problem is that I don’t trust anyone else with making any of my decisions, and I am indecisive myself.

So I will post some things that I have flagged and bookmarked to key you in a little on what I am thinking. My initial plan was a home-made day, nice and low-key with neutral tones on a bright, crisp spring day in the greater Phoenix area. My most favorite color in the world is mustard yellow (you should see my kitchen and my Williams-Sonoma apron), and what would compliment that more than a soft grey suit and some light khaki tones? Nothing, is hopefully your answer. Below is a picture that is a little more “done-up” than I am imagining, but it has the yellow (i’m aiming for a little darker) and grey tones.

I have many DIY-projects scribbled in my handy notepad that hasn’t left my side, but I’ll post about those in the future.

There are a few venue options that I am considering, and am trying to set appointments with for my visit next weekend. The Farm at South Mountain (http://www.thefarmatsouthmountain.com/) may have the ambiance that would most perfectly fit my vision, so I’m hoping to make a stop there next Saturday. If that doesn’t work out, there is another venue that has an extremely different vibe, MonOrchid in downtown Phoenix (http://www.monorchid.com/). It’s modern and chic, but I’m not 100% sure I could pull off DIY projects to match.

In terms of places that would be uber special for my fiance and I — it’s either Arizona State University (somewhere on campus or perhaps Tempe Beach Park or Tempe Center of the Arts) or Chase Field, the home to our beloved Diamondbacks. Unfortunately I’ve contacted them and they are not giving tours on Memorial Day weekend :(. But it is where Z.’s heart lies, until we exchange “I Do’s”. 😉 And it is also the site of our first date …

So as you may conclude, hours and hours of my future will be dedicated to one event that may last 6 (?!?!!?!?!??). Which venue do you like the best?

Any suggestions to spice up the color scheme??

Evening of Day 6 (just for jill)

As the night lingers on and I become more and more inspired by the increasing view count on the dashboard, a text message enters @ stage right.

It’s Jill, of course. She’s requesting more blogging — ironically, right after I agreed with a friend that I need to balance my life and not let all this planning take over my thoughts and dreams.  I laughed.

I don’t really want to take my mind off of the idea: a (insert not-yet-chosen adjective) yellow and dark grey flood of pictures and DIY projects and suits and suspenders envelope me. I am so unbelievably excited and at the same time, the most stressed I have been for at least a year.

My trusty notepad is tucked tightly into my nude-toned purse, it’s permanent home until probably the wedding day. Every idea that comes to mind, every song that must be played, every ounce of inspiration gets jotted down or pseudo-sketched in hopes that I capture the ambiance it portrays.

A friend from school is in the midst of creating two inspiration boards for me — how adorable is she?!? She is one of the most creative writers and designers and I follow her blog rather religiously. Check her @ jetsetmeg.blogspot.com — I really cannot wait until she posts them. I’m honored to be featured  :]