IDoYouDoWeDo

Oh ho! Look what I found!

This wedding was featured on Style me Pretty a few weeks ago (apparently, I’ve been spending a lot of time there recently ). Navy blue Bridesmaids and navy blue Groomsmen! Like I originally wanted, before the Fiance talked me out of it  (and then tried to talk me back in)! I have to admit I do like the looks of this wedding party… but I think we’ll stick with our plan. Did I tell you? We’ve come up amicable conclusion… the Groomsmen will wear Brown sportscoats and khakis, and the Fiance will wear a Brown suit. I didn’t need my little white flag after all!

Happy 2009! I hope your holidays were lovely! Now that we’re in this new year I think things are going to get exciting… and seeing as we’re already a week into January, leaving just about 9 months left until I say “I do”, like any bride-to-be, I’m also getting a little anxious!

I have to admit though things have recently been coming together nicely…

• -Over the weekend, the fiancé and I went to an estate sale where we picked up 12 dozen mason jars to use for beer/beverage glasses at the wedding for 35$ (!!), which works out to about 24 cents a jar! Score!
• -Last week, I made my way to the local IKEA for some of these to use as water bottles for our dinner tables (though, since the fiancé thinks he’s going to use them for home-brew beer we may have an tussle on our hands).
• -We’ve gotten over our guest-list-hacking anxiety, and as a result the final list is on the horizon.
• -I’ve started several (and completed one, more about that later) of the sewing projects that will need to be completed before October 3rd.
• -Since my mom is making my dress I’ve been gathering photos of dresses I really like for the last several months. I weeded through those photos and narrowed it down to 3 dresses that I LOVE! Start sewing, Mom!

So, all in all a productive start to my year. There is however the small matter of the groomsmen suits… What’s that you say? You thought I decided on brown suits?

Well, I did!

Originally, I wanted the guys to wear navy suits. But, the fiancé thought that navy suits and navy dresses was just too much blue! So, after weeks of debate and several respectable outside opinions he had me convinced that brown groomsmen suits and navy bridesmaid dresses were the way to go. I was happy to report that my Groom and his guys would be sporting brown suits! It was after all this decision that sparked inspiration for the flower girl’s dress color and the ring bearer’s suit color! Apparently, however, my darling fiancé did not pull the wool so far down over his groomsmens eyes as he did mine. Apparently, a rebellion was building. On Christmas Day, the fiancés brother instated Operation Any-Color-but-Brown Suits.

As far as I can tell, the argument is that if the groomsmen are buying their own suits, they’d like to be able to wear them again. Totally reasonable. I agree. So, what’s wrong with Brown? Brown is in style! It can be as formal or as casual as you need it to be and it looks good! I need some input before I either rally the troops or raise my white flag in defeat.

{Blue suit from here, Brown suit from here}

OK, back to Inspiration Board(s).

This next one still a work in progress.

First Row: bridesmaid dress from jcrew.com; jellyfish buttons purse from RedRubyRose via Etsy.com; veil, unsure. Second row: boutonniere via brides.com; wedding dress by Oscar de la Renta; grooms shoes from real wedding via Stylemepretty.com. Third row:gear tie by Cyberoptix Tielab via Etsy.com; cufflinks, unsure. Bottom row: lotus blossom bouquet, unsure; three piece suit from jimsformalwear.com;shoes by Christian Louboutin

The fiance is going to wear a three piece suit, not a tux, but what color? I’m pushing for navy, his vote is for brown.

My bridesmaids are all going to look lovely in navy. I have two fair skin redheads and one olive skin brunette. I know EVERY bride says this, but I want them to have a dress that they can wear again and love. I was in a wedding last year and the dress was just a little black dress, I’ve worn it six times already! SIX! And every time I wear it I get so many compliments. Thanks, Beka!

I love, Love, LOVE that birdcage veils are back in style! Who knows if they still will be next year?! But I don’t care. I love them!

The gears are going to play a small part in the day. Don’t be surprised if you see them pop up in several discreet (or maybe not so discreet) places… they represent something special to the fiance and I.

The purse and the gear( ! ) tie come from two of my favorite Etsy shops RedRubyRose and Cyberoptix Tie Lab, respectively. Both shops produce such beautiful work. I could hang around all day checking out all of their fun pieces. RedRubyRose uses lots of contemporary prints and some fabrics of her own design. All of her purses are lined with dupioni silk in gorgeous colors. SWOON!  Toybreaker of Cyberoptix TieLab produces some of the coolest ties I’ve ever seen. His silk-screened designs are clever and so much fun! Check them out.

We’re not planning on having a ton of flowers at our wedding, so I want the ones that will make an appearance to be especially beautiful. Isn’t that Lotus Blossom bouquet amazing? I love the huge blossoms wrapped with just a simple bow. And though that boutonniere isn’t really anything spectacular, I think the copper ribbon (yes, actual copper) really makes it snazzy!

Stay tuned for our next board… Wedding Food!