CHOCOLATE.

Chocolate menu. Need I say more?!

To Splurge or to Save?

There are certain parts of a wedding that just can't be contested as major money suckers (photography, for one!). While I still have NO IDEA what my budget is going to be, I definitely know where I want to scrimp, and where I want to indulge!

Splurge
- Wedding Day Photography
- Dress (within reason)
- Hair
- Venue

Save
- Centerpieces (DIY or floating candles in water, minimal flowers..)
- Engagement Photography - with my camera by a friend or my sister
- Having an "exhibition cake" - (smaller) with extra sheet cake in the back ALSO going with 15% less cake than what your guest list calls for should suffice (this way I can still get a pretty sweet Ace of Cakes cake - so it's not exactly a save... but relatively!)
- Don't serve any other dessert besides the cake - unnecessary

Getting closer to finally picking a color scheme!

This picture really stuck with me - I love the mix of fig (ribbon color), candy pink, and peach. But then again I kind of want an old school/great gatsby-esque essence to my wedding - and I don't really feel that from these colors. Sigh, back to the drawing board...

NEW favorite inspiration board!

So while I thought I was going to definitely go with royal purple and an accent color (Jon wanted a light orange, I wanted pink) -- I am now thinking about pairing the two colors we were deciding between as the two main ones... light and sweet for an early summer wedding!

My Favorite Flowers!

Since I am having such a hard time deciding on colors, I decided to look toward possible bouquet flowers for inspiration. I find myself attracted to deep reds and pinks--maybe it's a sign! And I'd have to say my favorite flower is the Burgundy Ranunculus!

Orchid

Purple Speckled Phalaenopsis

Scabiosa

Burgundy

Ranunculus

Pink

Burgundy

Roses

Black Baccara

Light Pink

Dahlias

Pink

Red/White

Burgundy

Peonies

Dark Pink

Burgundy

Schwarzwalder Mini Calla Lilies

Dark Burgundy/Red

Nephrines

Hot Pink

(Not great pic - but see them in the last

bouquet - my favorite one)

Tulips

Red

Pink

Pink/Sunburst Wooden Shoe Variety

Hydrangeas

White

Green

Pre-made Bouquets I like

 

Flava flav

Upon perusing the Charm City Cakes website (Jon and I love the foodnetwork, especially Ace of Cakes, and we really want our wedding cake from there!) I started thinking about wedding cake flavors. And boy, do they have a large selection of interesting tastes. While I considered a coffee-flavored cake, Jon quickly dismissed it (probably not the most universal flavor. However, if it were up to him--it'd be an ice cream cake!). That brought me to a lemon-y or raspberry cake. Here are my top 6 Ace of Cakes flavors: Lemon curd & berries, Chocolate Raspberry, Bananas Foster, Pecan Pie, Butterscotch Walnut, and Chocolate Orange. Delish. Can I start cake-testing now??

http://www.charmcitycakes.com/flavors

Seating assignments - with a twist!

An interesting idea--using personalized fortune cookie messages to direct guests to their table (that is--if I end up doing an asian flair? Or it could just be cute?). Fancy Fortune Cookies has an amazing assortment of treats ranging from cappuccino to mint to banana to black raspberry flavored. And they are really fun colors too--which would be perfect and easy to match to a wedding. They also, of course, do chocolate covered and sprinkled versions as well. But how cool would that be--finding your name card, opening the fortune cookie and seeing "Table 5" (I am also thinking of giving my tables distinct names, depending on the theme). YUM. Could be cool with the Maymont Japanese Garden! ...if only I could have multiple weddings with different themes!

Must have.

I want/need a parasol. The end.

C&J Hook Photoshoot

Almost forgot! Here are a couple of pics from the photoshoot with Jen Fariello, the Hook photographer. I love them! And of course Jon and I are color coordinated ;o).

Designer Dresses: Simone Carvalli

So far I'd have to say Simone Carvalli is my favorite dress designer. I'm also pretty certain about how I want my dress to look: a sweetheart strapless with intricate detailing on the backside. I also want a dress with a train. Not too too long though, because that'd probably overwhelm my small frame. I am also thinking about going for an ivory dress as opposed to white. Here is an example of one of my favorite Simone dresses.