Zoey's Wedding Planning

cupcakes and more

2008-05-22T12:14:00.000-07:00

These are from "Sprinkles" a gourmet cupcake shop down here but I love how sophisticated they look!! Those are tiny fondant hearts in the center of each one.

I'm just curious what the stars are made out of. Is it fondant?

What it would look like if we did our purple for the frosting. Hmm... lol.

Displaying the cupcakes is an art! This is simple, they did a square patter to match the shape of the cake stand then added rose petals. Looks easy enough!

Kind of gross looking to me but I saved it for the piped icing of the monogram. I'll ask the baker if they can do this.

Simple and chic. Layered fondant in 2 colors per cupcake utilizing their monogram on top.

Another fun display of cupcakes. This was a winter wedding with a snowflake theme. Can you tell?

2 smaller cupcake trees and a cake in the center?

They made this stand. I wish it had more cupcakes per tier. But...look below...

This is a closeup of what divides the stand layers. A round glass vase with rose petals stuffed in it.

This is to illustrate a pattern done with 2 different colors of frosting.

Simple decoration can give color. Just a pinch of some colorful sanding sugar.

Silver buckets to hold lavender?

Guest picks up name and seating assignment and replaces with their picture.

Table number stands

Thank you card/postcard

Miscellaneous

2008-04-15T15:19:00.000-07:00

Just want to get some pics up. All kinds of stuff below...

How frosting is iced on.
Cute, simple invitation
Alex's ring will be like this only with an orange sapphire in it.

Alex's tux (can you see the faint stripes?)
Groomsmen vests
My dress!!
More of my beautiful dress
Carnations and button mums! Okay, okay, they don't look so "country" here!

Long tables with green and white centerpieces. Simple table layout (no plates, etc)
Picture box to hold envelopes and cards.
Cute handwritten sign welcoming guests.
Card to introduce "wish tree" (see examples below).
Wish tree
Wish line

Interesting centerpiece. No flowers! Patterned runner with 2 tone objects.
Various cutouts for our scrapbook guestbook.
Wire stand to hold our table "letters"?
Piece of lavender
"L O V E" letters on cake table.

Custom CD for guests. Look at songs for inspiration.
Coffee beans!!
Coloring books and crayons for kids.
Extra favor boxes. Lime green fabric!
Hanging letters

Vows

2008-04-04T10:12:00.000-07:00

Ideas for vows:

Vows
http://weddings.about.com/od/weddingvows/a/nontraditional.htm

ALEXANDRA & BENIM
Groom
In your eyes, I have found my home.
In your heart, I have found my love.
In your soul, I have found my mate.
With you, I am whole, full, alive.
You make me laugh. You let me cry.
You are my breath, my every heartbeat.

I am yours.
You are mine.
Of this we are certain.
You are lodged in my heart.
The small key is lost.
You must stay there forever.

Bride
You are my inspiration and my soul's fire.
You are the magic of my days.
You help me laugh, you teach me love.
You provide a safe place for me, unlike I've ever known.
You free me to sing my own song.
You are more of an amazement to me, each day I rediscover you.
You are my greatest boon.

I am yours.
You are mine.
Of this we are certain.
You are lodged in my heart.
The small key is lost.
You must stay there forever.

Frau Ava (circa 1160), translated by Willis Barnstone

-----------------------------------------------------

DANIELLE & GREGORY
Groom
I love you for your beauty, your intelligence, your kindness...and for the way you always know how to make me feel so special. So on top of all the other vows that I will make to you on our wedding day, I also vow to always appreciate how lucky I am to have someone who makes me feel the way you do and to continue to try as hard as I can to make you feel as special as you make me feel, forever and ever.

Bride
You have been my best friend, mentor, playmate, confidant, and my greatest challenge. But most importantly, you are the love of my life and you make me happier than I could ever imagine and more loved than I ever thought possible.... You have made me a better person as our love for one another is reflected in the way I live my life. So I am truly blessed to be a part of your life, which as of today becomes our life together.

-----------------------------------------------------

ALITHEA & JEVAN
Groom
I promise to love and care for you and I will try in every way to be worthy of your love.
I will always be honest with you, kind, patient, and forgiving.
I promise to try to be on time.
But most of all, I promise to be a true and loyal friend to you.
I love you.

Bride
I promise to love and care for you and I will try in every way to be worthy of your love.
I will always be honest with you, kind, patient, and forgiving.
I promise to keep a sense of humor.
But most of all, I promise to be a true and loyal friend to you.
I love you.

-----------------------------------------------------

MICHELLE & ALEX
Groom
I promise to encourage your compassion,
Because that is what makes you unique and wonderful.
I promise to nurture your dreams,
Because through them your soul shines.
I promise to help shoulder our challenges,
For there is nothing we cannot face if we stand together.
I promise to be your partner in all things,
Not possessing you, but working with you as a part of the whole.
Lastly, I promise to you perfect love and perfect trust,
For one lifetime with you could never be enough.
This is my sacred vow to you, my equal in all things.

Bride
I promise to encourage your individuality,
Because that is what makes you unique and wonderful.
I promise to nurture your dreams,
Because through them your soul shines.
I promise to help shoulder our challenges,
Because through them we'll emerge stronger.
I promise to be your partner in all things,
Not possessing you, but working with you as a part of the whole.
I promise to share with you the joys of life,
Because with you they will be that much sweeter.
Lastly, I promise to you perfect love and perfect trust,
For one lifetime with you could never be enough.
This is my sacred vow to you, my equal in all things.

-----------------------------------------------------

AMY & RUSSELL
Groom & Bride
You are my lover and my teacher,
You are my model and my accomplice,
And you are my true counterpart.
I will love you, hold you, and honor you,
I will respect you, encourage you, and cherish you,
In health and sickness,
Through sorrow and success,
For all the days of my life.
-- Allison Micarelli

-----------------------------------------------------

I, (name), take you, (name), to be my friend, my lover, the (mother/father) of my children and my (husband/wife). I will be yours in times of plenty and in times of want, in times of sickness and in times of health, in times of joy and in times of sorrow, in times of failure and in times of triumph. I promise to cherish and respect you, to care and protect you, to comfort and encourage you, and stay with you, for all eternity.

-----------------------------------------------------

I, (name), take you, (name), to be my partner, loving what I know of you, and trusting what I do not yet know. I eagerly anticipate the chance to grow together, getting to know the (man/woman) you will become, and falling in love a little more every day. I promise to love and cherish you through whatever life may bring us.

-----------------------------------------------------

I (name), take you (name) to be my (husband/wife), my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live.In the presence of [our friends and family] I take [you] to be my husband/wife, promising to be unto thee a loving and faithful husband/wife so long as we both shall live.

-----------------------------------------------------

(Name), I love you. You are my best friend. Today I give myself to you in marriage. I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle. I promise to love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard, when our love is simple, and when it is an effort. I promise to cherish you, and to always hold you in highest regard. These things I give to you today, and all the days of our life.

Our ceremony order of events?

2008-04-04T10:11:00.000-07:00

Just some ideas for an outline of our ceremony order of events...

Seating of guests
-Alex, groomsmen and ushers mingle and pass out fans

Procession
-Music plays
- Men enter
-Parents enter
-Bridesmaids enter
-Ring bearer enters
-Mushers and flower girls enter
-Zoey and Bruce enter

Greeting
-Cory welcomes guests and declares purpose of gathering

Opening words on love and marriage
-Cory talks about this

Song
-Paul sings

Anecdotes/story about couple
-Cory shares something personal

Introduction of declarations
-Cory indicates that couple has written some words to speak to each other

Declarations
-Zoey
-Alex

Introduction of words of advice
-Cory introduces words of advice from mothers

Words of advice
-Jodie and Sherri read poem/writing

Vows
-Zoey
-Alex

Ring exchange
-Zoey gives ring to Alex
-Alex gives ring to Zoey
Reading from friend
-Nell or Patty or someone reads something or tells a story

Declaration of marriage
-Cory declares us husband and wife.

Kiss

Cory announces that light refreshments are available _(location)_. Couple would like an attendee group shot and then will be mingling for a bit before pictures.

Presentation of couple
-Cory announces, “I am pleased to present for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Alex and Zoey B----”

Music immediately begins for recession

Bridal party exits

Bridal party walks over bridge to picnic table area

Trays are uncovered

Bride and groom receive guests and socialize

Typical Ceremony

2008-04-04T10:09:00.000-07:00

Order of events for a typical wedding ceremony...

Seating and meditation:
WHAT:
Ushers insure that guests are greeted and seated. Usually the two clans are placed on opposite sides. Guests of honor are seated near the front. Meditative music and an ambiance of quiet and reverence are established.
WHY:
To highlight the coming of two families, to insure you get to share the event with people you know, to set the tone for the ceremony.

Procession:
WHAT:
Grand music and entrance of the groom, groomsmen, bride, bridesmaids and any others who participate directly.
WHY:
To welcome and honor the bride and groom, to highlight their separate states at the beginning of the ceremony, to position the key players for their roles in the ceremony. Also a major photo opportunity ;-)

Greeting:
WHAT:
Usually the officiant (but not necessarily) greets the gathering and declares the purpose of the gathering.
WHY:
Shifts attention from the bridal party to the ceremony and sets the ceremony in motion.

Gratitude:
WHAT:
Words of gratitude to the parents, siblings, and particular friends of the bride and groom.
WHY:
To honor their role in forging the bride or groom or both. To pay respect to the unions that created the possibility of this one. To express gratitude to all present and to particular individuals.

Opening words on love & marriage:
WHAT:
Declaration by the officiant (usually) of the importance and meaning of marriage - what it signifies to the couple, the families, and the community, even the world at large.
WHY:
To clarify what is about to happen, to give weight to marriage, to confirm for the whole community the values they share, to join the community in supporting the couple as they enter their vows.

Vows:
WHAT:
Bride and groom publicly exchange wedding vows - lifelong promises which they make for one another and for the community.
WHY:
This is "giving their word" in a powerful setting. It is sometimes called 'entering their vows' because this is the entry point for married life. It is done publicly because their promise is binding in the community and carries both rights and obligations there.

Ring exchange:
WHAT:
Bride gives the groom his wedding ring and he accepts it. Groom gives the bride her wedding ring and she accepts it. They wear these rings for the rest of their married life.
WHY:
Bride and Groom take on a visible symbol of their married state which is understood in the community. This reminds them and everyone they meet that they have pledged themselves in marriage to one other.

Rituals involving the gathering:
WHAT:
Candle lighting, sharing wine, inviting comments, tie ribbons, readings, songs, music, etc.
WHY:
Something to bring the attention back to the role of the new couple in the community, and the role of the community in the lives of the couple. This is the first encounter the newlyweds have with their community.

Words of encouragement & advice:
WHAT:
Congratulations, encouragement and advice from the community (usually through the officiant) to the new couple.
WHY:
To reinforce that their lives going forward will be different, to acknowledge that there are well understood challenges to living together as spouses, and to encourage both the couple and the community to avail themselves of the resources each has to give in support of marriage.

Declaration of marriage:
WHAT:
The officiant declares the new couple as man and wife.
WHY:
Well, this was the point, and this is the time to make it! To highlight that the state of the couple has changed.

Kiss:
WHAT:
The first kiss for the couple as married persons, shared in public.
WHY:
Hmm. Affection between married people is affirming and reassuring to the whole community. It reflects happiness and commitment to the values held by the community and the couple where marriage is concerned. It is a comfort rather than an intrusion.

Blessing:
WHAT:
The officiant offers a blessing from the community, and sometimes on behalf of All That Is to the newlyweds.
WHY:
The initial, happy response of the community in support of this joining.

Recession of bridal party:
WHAT:
Exit of bride, groom, bridal party, and immediate family.
WHY:
Serves to close the ceremony, allows them to be available for the greeting line which is often in place as the community exits.

Recession of community:
WHAT:
Everyone else leaves the place of the ceremony.
WHY:
It is over. To greet the bride, groom, and immediate families with congratulations in person.

Typical Reception

2008-04-04T10:07:00.001-07:00

Order of events for a typical reception (to help with timing)...

Arrival of guests at reception site
Typically, a wedding lasts about 15 minutes. However, some guests do arrive early to the reception. Therefore, be sure all reception to-dos are complete by the start time of the wedding. Also, all wedding vendors should be wearing proper attire for early arriving and late staying guests. All tables should be set-up including cake table, entertainment’s table, sign-in table, food tables, and tables with chairs for all guests. If you have a seating arrangement, all seating lists should be at the reception with everyone’s name with where they are sitting.

Introduction of wedding party
This step is not mandatory, but it is nice for everyone to know who the wedding party is as many have not met before your wedding. Create a “Reception Planning Guide” and give this to your master of ceremonies prior to your wedding. This details, among other things, the order of entrance into the reception site with their names and titles. The order of entrance is as follows: parents of the bride, parents of the groom, ushers with bridesmaids, flower girl and ring bearer, special guests, best man, maid/matron of honor, bride and groom. In addition, review the pronunciations of the wedding party's names with the master of ceremonies.

Introduction of bride and groom
This is always the last of the introductions. Everyone should stand before the bride and groom enter. In addition, a special song can be arranged with the music entertainment and a special announcement made to punctuate a true grand entrance. Also, inform the master of ceremonies how you would like to be introduced: Mr. and Mrs. Smith or John and Jane Doe.

Blessing
This is another step that is not mandatory, but for the religious couples makes a nice setting. If you invite the person who performed the marriage ceremony to the reception, I would recommend having them conduct the blessing. If they are not able to attend, a parent or family friend is a good idea. Lastly, the master of ceremonies could give the meal blessing. Be sure to communicate with whomever is giving the blessing in advance so they are prepared to give a personal touch.

Meal
It's time to eat! Bride and Groom, be sure to stop and take a moment to eat. This may be your only chance in the day. In addition, it is customary for the bride and groom to start the food line. Most guests know to wait until the bride and groom start the food line. So don't be late!

Cake Cutting
This is the traditional bride and groom making the first cut on their wedding cake. Then, the bride feeds half of the piece of cake to the groom and the groom feeds the remaining half to the bride. The cutting of the cake is a ceremony intended to symbolize the caring and sharing for one another. Forks may be used as they make the image very attractive for the photographer. Forks may also minimize the possibility of someone being hurt with the more playful squashing that sometimes happens.

Toasts
The toast is when the bride and groom toast each other then interlock arms and drink. Immediately following, the best man and maid/matron of honor make toasts to the bridal couple. Be prepared for other family and friends to follow with their toasts too.

Bride & Groom’s First Dance
The Bride & Groom’s Dance is the first dance between a bride and groom as a married couple. The dance is also commonly known as the "First Dance". The timing of the bride groom dance can vary in the evening based on your preferences. The first dance can be done immediately following the grand entrance with the wedding party circling the dance.

Father & Daughter’s Dance
The Father & Daughter’s Dance or the Father Bride Dance is the dance between the father(s) of the bride and the bride. Brides, if you have more than one father in your life, one can tap the other on the shoulder in the middle of the dance so you can dance with both of them. If you do not have a father, a common substitute is a father figure or even your brother would make a very nice gesture.

Mother & Groom’s Dance
The Mother & Groom’s dance is the dance between the mother(s) of the groom and the groom. Grooms, if you have more than one mother in your life, one can tap the other on the shoulder in the middle of the dance so you can dance with both of them. If you do not have a mother, a common substitute is a mother figure or even your sister would make a very nice gesture.

Special Dances
There may be songs in your life that mean dear to your heart. You can ask the music entertainment to play these songs during the night or immediately following the formal dances. An example would be: If someone dear to you passed recently, you may ask the music entertainment to play Angels Among Us by Alabama.

Bouquet and Garter Toss
The traditional tossing of the bouquet is when the bride tosses the bridal bouquet to all single women in attendance. Immediately following the bouquet tossing, a chair is set in the middle of the dance floor. The chair is for the bride to sit and the groom to remove the bride's garter from her leg. The traditional tossing of the garter is when the groom tosses the bride's garter to all the single men in attendance. The people whom catch the garter and bouquet are said to be the next one to marry.

Dancing and Fun
This is what you pay the music entertainment to do...get people to dance and have a good time. Give the music entertainment music examples and limitations of what type of music you want but don’t give them a list of 100 songs they need to play.

Traditions

2008-04-04T10:06:00.000-07:00

What they mean...

Cutting The Cake
Dessert is a high point of any party, but at a wedding, it literally takes the cake. This is the most iconic moment in the reception, and a guest favorite. The couple and the cake often take center stage after the dinner plates are cleared. The bride places her hand on the knife, and the groom places his hand over hers. They cut a slice and feed each other -- a gesture symbolic of their promise to always provide for one another -- with plenty of encouragement from guests.

Breaking Tradition
These days, many couples offer a dessert buffet instead of cake, with an array of pastries and bite-size sweets; or they may create a cake like arrangement of frosted cupcakes on tiers. It can be hard to cut such small confections gracefully, so offer your partner a bite of a whole one. Don't worry about making a mess-- some say the amount of frosting you leave on each other's lips is an indication of how sweet your married life will be.

Week Before To-Do

2008-04-04T10:05:00.000-07:00

Things to do the week before:
-Wrap a cardboard box (12”+) in pretty wrapping paper and cut a slit in the top. (For cards at wedding reception)
-Put favors together
-Create 14”+ signs that lead guests to wedding ceremony site

Father-Daughter Dance Songs

2008-04-04T10:04:00.000-07:00

Lullabye By Billy Joel
My Little Girl By Steve Kirwan
Daddy’s Girl By Peter Cetera
**Unforgettable By Nat King Cole
*You're My Hero By Teresa James
Go Daddy-O
**I Loved Her First By Heartland
'Por Una Cabeza' - you'll know it from the movies True Lies and Scent of a Woman – Wedding tango

Survival/Emergency Kit for Day-of

2008-04-04T10:03:00.000-07:00

Items to bring just in case... (I combined 2 lists so there are duplicates)

This is a list of simple, yet often forgotten and HIGHLY useful items, to bring with you on your wedding day.
Small scissors.
White thread, black thread, color close to bridesmaid dresses also.
A few sewing needles.
Safety pins in several sizes.
Hair pins/bobby pins.
Tissues.
Aspirin / Tylenol.
Hairspray & curling iron.
Strong, wide tape (for holding down the white aisle runner if you are having one).
Double sided narrow tape (useful for temporarily holding up hems & fabric).
Pack of matches, disposable lighter.
Static guard spray.
Extra hosiery.
Nail file.
Clear nail polish, nail glue.
Make-up basics: foundation, pressed powder lipstick, mascara, makeup remover.
Umbrella.
Cell phone.
Telephone numbers for all members of your bridal party.
List of names and telephone numbers for the following services you are utilizing: Church or Ceremony site, Reception site, Florist, Tuxedo provider, Bridal Salon, Photographer, Disc Jockey/Band, Limo/transportation, Wedding Coordinator, Hair stylist, Make-up artist, Rental company, Decorator, Caterer, Cake maker, Cookie maker.

_____ Safety Pin
_____ Tylenol/Aspirin
_____ Band-Aids
_____ Sewing Kit
_____ Kleenex
_____ Wet Wipes
_____ Brush/Comb
_____ Makeup Kit
_____ Mints/Gum
_____ Hair Spray
_____ Clear Nail Polish
_____ Extra Panty Hose
_____ Fingernail File
_____ Fingernail Clippers
_____ Chalk (to cover smudges)
_____ Tampons, Pads or Liners
_____ Baby Powder (for smudges)
_____ Light snack (like granola)
_____ Club Soda (for stains)
_____ Mouthwash
_____ Xanax or Tums
_____ Clear Deodorant
_____ Hand Lotion
_____ Dental Floss
_____ Smelling Salts
_____ Toothbrush/Toothpaste
_____ Shout Wipes (for stains)
_____ Safety Pins
_____ Make Up
_____ Q-Tips
_____ Umbrella
_____ Bobby Pins
_____ Small Sewing Scissors
_____ Bottled Water
_____ Extra socks for the men
_____ White Buttons

straight pins.
concealer
Stain remover pen or wipes
Tweezers
Contacts, eyeglasses, contact solution, eyeglass cleaner
Pain reliever and upset stomach medication
Tape
Back-up music and CD’s
Camera
Camcorder
Your cell phone

Songs by Event

2008-04-04T09:51:00.000-07:00

Songs based on part of event...

Songs
http://weddings.about.com/od/yourweddingceremony/a/ceremonymusicco.htm
http://www.todays-weddings.com/planning/song_library.html
http://www.ourweddingsongs.com/wedding-recessional-music
http://www.a-weddingday.com/ultimateweddingmusic/musicandsongsdirectory.html

Processional:
My Best Friend - (Tim McGraw)

Recessional:
I Feel Good: by James Brown
This Will Be (An Everlasting Love): by Natalie Cole
How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You - James Taylor
I Got You, Babe - Sonny & Cher
I'm a Believer - The Monkees
World On A String - Frank Sinatra
Wrapped Up In You - Garth Brooks

Bouquet Toss:
Girls Just Want To Have Fun (Cyndi Lauper)
This one is for the girls (Martina McBride)
Its Raining Men (The Weather Girls)
I feel like a woman (Shania Twain)
Just a girl (No Doubt)
Diamonds are a girls best friend (Marilyn Monroe)
Single White Female (Chely Wright)
Another One Bites the Dust (Queen)

Garter Toss:
Wild Thing (Tone Loc)
You Can Leave Your Hat On (Joe Cocker)
What A Man (Salt N Peppa)
Can't Get Enough of Your Love (Barry White)
American Woman (Lenny Kravitz)
Cherry Pie (Warrant)
You sexy thing (Hot chocolate)
Foxy lady (jimi hendrix)
Bad Boys (Inner Circle))
The Stripper (David Rose Orchestra)
Hot Stuff (Donna Summer)
Another one bites the dust (Queen)
Fever (Peggy lee)

Mother-Son Dance:
What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)
Perfect Fan (Back Street boys)
Hero (Mariah Carey)
You Raise Me Up (Josh Groban)
A Song For Mama (Boys II Men)
There You'll Be (Faith Hill)
Through the Years (Kenny Rogers)
Unforgettable (Nat King Cole)
I'm Your Angel (R. Kelly and Celine Dion)
In My Life (Bette Middler)
I Turn to You (Christina Aguilera)
You've Got a Friend (James Taylor)
Greatest Love of All (Whitney Houston)
Wind Beneath My Wings

Cake Cutting:
Sugar, Sugar (The Archies)
The Sweetest Thing (U2)
Thank you (Led Zeppelin)
Everlasting Love (Natalie Cole)
I Got You Babe (Sonny & Cher)
Recipe for Making Love (Harry Connick, Jr.)
Cut the cake (Average White Band)
I will never find another more sweeter than you (K-Ci and Jojo)
Love You Madly (Cake)
Chapel of Love (Dixie Cups)
Ain't That a Kick in the Head (Dean Martin)
It's your Love (Tim McGraw & Faith Hill)
How Sweet it is (James Taylor)
That's Amore (Dean Martin)
Love and Marriage (Frank Sinatra)
Hit Me With Your Best Shot (Pat Benatar)
Eat it (Weird Al Yankovic)
When I'm 64 (The Beatles)

As -- Stevie Wonder
You and I -- Stevie Wonder
You are the Sunshine of My Life -- Stevie Wonder
There Is Love -- Peter Yarrow, Paul Stookey or Peter, Paul and Mary
Always
Give Yourself to Love -- Kate Wolf: Give Yourself To Love (Live In Concert)
True Companion -- Marc Cohn Dance ME to the End of Love -- Leonard Cohen
May I Suggest -- Ellis Paul & Vance Gilbert (by Susan Werner): Side of the Road
Gulf Coast Highway -- Nanci Griffith: Little Love Affairs
I Believe -- Emmylou Harris
Red Dancing Shoes -- Peter Ostroushko: Down the Streets of My Old Neighborhood (out of print)
Forever Young -- Bob Dylan
Somebody Loved -- Weepies: Weepies
In My Life -- Beatles
Wedding Song -- Bob Dylan
Tomorrow is a Long Time -- Bob Dylan
any song by -- Steve Newman
any song by -- Tony Cox
any song by -- Steve Newman
any song by -- Tananas
Corinna, Corinna -- Leo Kottke: Standing in My Shoes
Magnolia Wind -- Guy Clark: The Dark (2002)
All I Want to Do is Sing Your Name -- U. Utah Phillips
Riddle Song
Song For Asking -- Paul Simon: Bridge Over Troubled Water
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
Friends -- Elton John Time
In a Bottle -- Jim Croce
I Will -- Ben Taylor
It's Only Love -- Mary Chapin Carpenter
Grow Old With Me -- Mary Chapin Carpenter: Party Doll & Other Favorites
Can I Have This Dance -- Anne Murray
In Spite of Ourselves -- John Prine and Iris Dement: In Spite of Ourselves
The Lover's Waltz -- Jay Ungar and Molly Mason: The Lover's Waltz
Have I Told
You Lately That I Love You -- Van Morrison
At Last -- Etta James
I'll Never Find Another You -- The Seekers
World of Our Own -- The Seekers
Perhaps Love -- John Denver
Give Yourself to Love -- Kathy Mattea (cover by Kate Wolf): Treasures Left Behind: Remembering Kate Wolf
Dimming of the Day -- Richard and Linda Thompson: Pour Down Like Silver
Night Comes In -- Richard and Linda Thompson
Mairi's Wedding -- Silly Sisters (Maddy Prior and June Tabor)
Trumpet Voluntary
When I Need You Most of All -- David Buskin
The Roseville Fair -- Bill Staines: The First Million Miles Vol.1
Last First Kiss -- John McCutcheon: Greatest Story Never Told
Morning Has Broken
Dodi Dodi From Israel
Marie's Wedding
Unhappiest Squirrel in the Whole USA -- Ben Colder
Mick O'Connor's -- Seamus Egan: When Juniper Sleeps
Jackie Wilson Said -- Van Morrison
You Are Love -- Tom Paxton
If I Were a Featherbed -- John McCutcheon: Water from Another Time
The Great Storm is Over -- John McCutcheon: Water from Another Time
Fields of Gold -- Eva Cassidy: Songbird
Bridal Veil Falls -- Chris Thile: Not All Who Wander Are Lost
Since You Asked -- Judy Collins: Colors of the Day: The Very Best of Judy Collins
Careless Love
Long Dark Night of the Soul -- Loreena McKennitt
Song of Songs -- Pierce Pettis: Great Big World
Family -- Pierce Pettis
The One Who Knows -- Dar Williams: Beauty of the Rain
When Love Begins -- Don Maclean
If I Needed You -- Townes Van Zandt: The Best of Townes Van Zandt
Star of the County Down -- Northeast Winds
Hearts Overflowing -- Brewer and Shipley
45 Years -- Stan Rogers
Beggars to God -- Bob Rogers
Romance -- Gordon Lightfoot: Salute
Longer -- Dan Fogelberg
Beautiful -- Gordon Lightfoot: Don Quixote
Inisheer -- Greg Trooper
Today -- Jefferson Airplane
Open Windows -- Sarah Harmer: You Were Here
Always Marry an Ugly Girl -- Al Batten
Love's An Injection -- Mike Monroe
Annie's Song -- John Denver
Blue Bonnets Over the Border -- Natalie MacMaster: In My Hands
Like We Used to Do -- Tim O'Brien and Pat Alger
I Will Whisper Your Name -- Michall Johnson
Beautiful Dreamer -- Stephen Foster: Beautiful Dreamer: The Songs of Stephen Foster ( Raul Malo )
Hymn Song ( Here With You) ( I Believe if I Lived My Life Again) -- U. Utah Phillips: The Legends of Folk ( RedHouse records )
Seize the Day -- Ellis Paul: Ellis Paul LIVE
Here She Is -- Ellis Paul: Stories
Red, Red Rose -- Dave Mallett: Artist in Me
I Will -- Alison Krauss: Now That I've Found You: A Collection
The Water Is Wide -- Eva Cassidy: American Tune
Greensleeves -- Henry VIII
This Love Will Carry -- Dougie Maclean: The Dougie Maclean Collection
For You -- Tracey Chapman: Tracey Chapman
I Want You -- Tom Waits: The Early Years Vol. 2
I'll Prove My Love -- Gordon Lightfoot
I'll Lay Ye Doon Love -- Enoch Kent
Years From Now -- Dr. Hook
For the Rest of My Life -- John Denver
Gentle Arms of Eden -- Dave Carter: Drum Hat Buddha
Nothing Without You -- Steve Earle: Train A Comin
Silver -- Carrie Newcomer: The Gathering of Spirits
Hey Baby Hey -- Greg Brown: Further In
Waltz Across Texas -- Ernest Tubb
Attics of My Life -- Grateful Dead: American Beauty
Follow Me -- John Denver or Mary Travers
Judith's Song -- Judy Collins
One Time Only -- Tom Paxton: I Can't Help But Wonder Where I'm Bound: The Best Of Tom Paxton
Love Song -- Lesley Duncan
Child Song -- Neil Diamond: Tap Root Manuscript
Ireland Forever -- Patrick Moore
Rising in Love -- David Roth: Rising in Love
Intertwined -- Debi Smith: More Than Once
Let a Woman Flow -- It's a Beautiful Day
Sunlight -- The Youngbloods: The Best of the Youngbloods
Beautiful -- The Youngbloods: Elephant Mountain
Time Is -- It's a Beautiful Day
B.B. King Was Wrong -- John Gorka
Double Yodel -- Lou and Peter Berryman
Gadeng Vadoo -- Lou and Peter Berryman
It's Better Than That -- Lou and Peter Berryman
Don’t Should On Me -- David Roth and Christine Lavin
Somos El Barco -- We Are the Boat or H.A.R.P.
Singing With You -- H.A.R.P.
Might As Well Dance -- Patty Larkin: Angels Running
Irish Blues -- Maura O'Connell: Wandering Home
Silver Lining -- Cheryl Wheeler: Driving Home
Magnolia Street -- Buddy Mondlock
In My Dreams -- Debi Smith: In My Dreams
The Tree -- Megon McDonough
Lookin In for Number One -- David Roth: Digging Through My Closet
Summerfly -- Maura O'Connell (written by Cheryl Wheeler): Helpless Heart
Arrow -- Cheryl Wheeler: Cheryl Wheeler
Ten Complaints -- Dee Carstensen
All That Is -- Garnet Rogers: All That Is
Anniversary -- Claudia Schmidt: Essential Tension

Invitation Wording

2008-04-04T09:50:00.000-07:00

Ideas:

“invite you to join in the joyful celebration of their wedding”
“Please join family and friends for the marriage celebration of…”
“Dinner and Dancing at the Arroyo Room”
“Together with their parents; Zoey Marie Dillman and Alexander Wayne Boyles; invite you to share in the celebration of their wedding”

Cupcake Tree Decorating Ideas

2008-04-04T09:46:00.000-07:00

All ideas can apply, some were just specified for different occasions...

Weddings:
-Use double sided tape or a glue gun to adorn the edges of the Cupcaketree with... Paper doilies, lemon leaves, ribbon, silk flowers.
-Add color between cupcakes with...Strawberries, fresh flowers in floral tubes, silk flowers, seashells, chocolates.

Toppers...
A vase of wedding flowers a pillar candle in a crystal vase, an ivy plant, porcelain figurines.

Bridal Showers:
-Glue silk daisies along the edges and top with an arrangement of fresh daisies.
-For a personal shower, decorate edges with white lace and top with a marabou slipper

Baby Showers:
-Trim edges with pink or blue gingham ribbon, hot-gluing baby rattles or diaper pins every few inches. Top with a pastel teddy bear.
-Alternate the cupcakes with wooden alphabet blocks and top with a toy sailboat.

Kid's Parties:
-String candy necklaces around the edges and glue candy rings and suckers every few inches.
-Top with a jar of jelly beans.
-Affix crayons to the edges and place a drawing by the birthday boy or girl on top.

Birthdays and Tea Parties:
-Drape edges with vintage hankies and top with a potted miniature rose plant.
-Run colorful bric-a-brac along the edges and top with a balloon bouquet

Christmas and New Year's:
-Try plaid ribbon along the edges with a vase of white tulips and red roses on top.
-Decorate edges with silver and gold star garland and top with a matching wrapped gift or tinsel surrounding a bottle of champagne.

Cupcake Toppings and Ideas

2008-04-04T09:45:00.000-07:00

The cupcakes are crowned with fondant hearts imprinted with the first initial of the bride or the groom using a rubber stamp and shaped with a cookie cutter.

Use cupcake liners if putting indiv. Candies in favor boxes

Toppings:
White chocolate
Sprinkles
Mini chocolate chips
Blueberries
Kiwi
Lime rind
Fresh mint
Grapes
Apple slice
M&ms
Gumdrops
Jelly beans
Pears

Creative Ideas

2008-04-04T09:42:00.000-07:00

Unique ideas to add to the festivities...

Unique Wedding Idea: Attention to detail will make a definite impression among your guests - one not soon to be forgotten. Create an atmosphere of luxury for the ladies. Place vases of fresh flowers, or elegant dried flower arrangements, in the ladies room. Add fragrant bowls of potpourri, heart shaped soaps in decorative dishes, perhaps candles if the venue will permit (votives safely contained in glass holders). Include a lovely basket filled with items such as hairspray, a container of safety pins, tissues, hair pins, and a decorative dispenser containing hand cream, along with other such convenience items as a courtesy to your guests.

Unique Wedding Idea: Create unique and meaningful centerpieces for every table with a collection of pretty frames holding photos of you and your fiance. Include pictures from childhood through your courtship. Place them upon mirrors and surround them with votive candles, and rose petals or metallic confetti. If desired, go a little further and wind pieces of ivy garland between the frames. Voila! You will have simple-to-design, unique and meaningful centerpieces! You can later re-use the frames within your home or them away to special guests as gifts at the end of the evening. As an added benefit, all those photos will create interest and will serve as wonderful conversation pieces during the reception. Check out the fabulous selection of items you can use to create these centerpieces in our Online Wedding Store.

Unique Wedding Idea: Can't come up with a unique gift idea for your flower girl? What little girl wouldn't love a Bridal Barbie? All the magic of your wedding day is certain to capture her imagination & keep her mesmerized. You can bet she'll spend hours reliving it over and over again in the fantasy world of Barbie. This is one gift that is sure to be both cherished and well used!

** Ask your caterer about the availability of children's plates. You may not be aware that you can usually save about 50% by ordering these special meals for the little people on your guest list who are 12 years and under. The child's plate is usually a smaller portion that the adult meals and, in fact, often consists of something which will have more appeal to the little guys as well, such as cheese burgers or chicken fingers and fries instead of the more fussy food you and your adult guests will likely be dining on. Many caterers will not mention the option of children's plates unless they are specifically asked because they make a larger profit by selling adult plates. So, if you have a number of kids on your guest list, take this tip to cash in on the savings.

Wedding Ideas...My fiancée and I are not having a traditional wedding. We are marrying at my parents home, in their huge yard. We do not have a huge budget and were stuck on favors. My sister, the maid of honor, came up with the idea of flower pens at the guest book. Just take regular pens, wrap them in ribbon (in your wedding colors) then take a silk flower (to match the flowers in your bouquet) and hot glue it to the top. We then prettied it up with some more ribbon and bows. We are going to have them sitting in a flower pot beside the guest book for each guest to take and sign with. This is a very inexpensive (about $40.00 total) and cute way to incorporate favors into something useful.

**We made some very special thank you cards. On our honeymoon in Jamaica, we went to the beach and wrote out the words "Thank You" in the sand. Then we laid down next to it and had our picture taken. When we returned home we printed the picture on cardstock and now we have thank you cards no one will throw away.

** Consider filming parts of your wedding planning process (wedding dress fittings, staying up late making favours or other home made items, the bachelor/bachelorette parties, showers, engagement party, etc) if you have you own video camera (or have someone lovely who will lend theirs to you. Give your videographer this video/photos and get them to add it into your video (photos can be made as stills with music background) so that your wedding video will cover the whole process of the wedding and not just the end product!!

** We are going to make sure to have a couple of high chairs available for those of my friends with babies - a lot of people don't think to do this! Also, something my brother did at his wedding reception for the kids that was cute was to put a few Fun Pads at their place setting with some colored crayons. The crayons we're tied together with a ribbon to match the wedding colors - it didn't stay that way for long but it sure looked good! This kept the kids occupied and entertained so that they didn't become fussy.

** I am not a bride-to-be but I thought this idea my save someone from possible embarassment on their big day. Bring along in your purse/bag, a needle, mini scissors & thread in the color of your dress and your bridesmaid's dresses. When I got married 8 1/2 years ago I did this and was so happy I did. One of my bridesmaids had been dancing when the stitching on her zipper gave away. She and I scrambled to the bathroom and did a "quick fix" on her dress so she could enjoy the rest of the evening. Hope this helps someone.

16. Write special love quotes on the inside of everyone's place cards.

1. Write a welcome note for your out-of-town guests on postcards from the city your wedding takes place. It's a nice personal touch that shows tremendous thought as well as a keepsake that can be saved with photos of the wedding.

2. Include an "About the Wedding Party" section in your programs or on the reception tables for your guests to learn more about the members of your bridal party. Not everyone will know that you and your Maid of Honor have been best friends since preschool.

3. Hang your dress on a pretty silk coat hanger the day of your wedding. People will be taking photographs of the dress before you put it on and you'd like to avoid having it on an old wire coat hanger.

4. Send your invitations to Loveville, Maryland first -- they've developed special wedding postmarks that add a nice "love" touch to your envelope. Call 301-475-5243 for details.5. Invite the President, Pope, and the Queen of England for a special wedding surprise. Be sure to send their invites out early.

7. Place tissues or personalized embroidered handkerchiefs in the rows where family will be seated for their "tears of joy".

20. Be sure to have your parents and married siblings first dances played at the reception- and make sure the DJ or band recognizes them when its played!

23. Be sure to have a kid oriented table. Lay down block paper for them to draw on, have them make you cards, serve hot dogs, chicken fingers, ice cream sundaes. Perhaps even have a side room for them with Disney movies playing or a magician for entertainment. Your guests will love you for getting the kids out of their hair for the night!

24. Wrap a "keep out" or "no trespassing" sign around your leg outside of the garter. Your groom will find a shocking surprise when he dives in and your guests will find it to be quite humorous!

• If you choose to use colored icing on your cake, the food coloring can stain your gown and your hands. Butter and shortening used in the icing will also stain, particularly if you wipe your hands on your gown (a natural tendency when they are sticky). Use forks, not your fingers, to serve each other and don't under any circumstances shove cake in each other's face.

**Note to put next to photo guestbook in frame:
“Please sign our guest book…
Say “cheese” and get your picture taken, then sign your name on a label and add a message if you’d like! Place the label in the vase and we’ll put it all together when you’re done.”
*Next, include a small basket with the “labels”, a few colorful ballpoint sharpies/pens and a clear vase for the labels to be put in.
- Put this table at first landing? On second landing put guest book for names and addresses only? Include instructions running up staircase so people know what to expect.

Vejay held this game where the audience quizzes the newlyweds and they raise the right shoe for the answer. It was pretty funny. (Bride and groom each hold one shoe of theirs and one of the other person’s. Questions are formed like, “who does…” “who is more…” and B and G raise shoe of person who they think the answer is. B and G stand semi-back to back but facing out to audience as well.)

Ceremony Readings

2008-04-04T09:37:00.000-07:00

All just ideas...

http://weddings.about.com/od/yourweddingceremony/a/NovelReadings.htm
http://weddings.about.com/od/yourweddingceremony/a/UniqueReadings.htm

EXCERPT FROM 100 LOVE SONNETS~ By Pablo Neruda
I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz, or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off. I love you as certain dark things are to be loved, in secret, between the shadow and the soul.I love you as the plant that never blooms but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers; thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance, risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride; so I love you because I know no other waythan this: Where “I” does not exist, nor “You”, so close that your hand on my chest is my hand, so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.

FIDELITY~ Dorothy Colgan ~
Man and woman are like the earth, that brings forth flowersin summer, and love, but underneath is rock.Older than flowers, older than ferns, older than foraminiferae,older than plasm altogether is the soul underneath.And when, throughout all the wild chaos of loveslowly a gem forms, in the ancient, once-more-molten rocksof two human hearts, two ancient rocks,a man's heart and a woman's,that is the crystal of peace, the slow hard jewel of trust,the sapphire of fidelity.The gem of mutual peace emerging from the wild chaos of love.

MY LOVE~ Linda Lee Elrod ~When I met you, I had no ideahow much my lifewas about to be changed...but then, how could I have known?A love like ours happensonce in a lifetime.You were a miracle to me,the one who was everythingI had ever dreamed of,the one I thought existedonly in my imagination.And when you came into my life,I realized that what Ihad always thoughtwas happinesscouldn't compare to the joyloving you brought me.You are a part of everythingI think and do and feel,and with you by my side,I believe that anything is possible.(this day) gives me a chanceto thank you for the miracle of you...you are, and always will be,the love of my life.

APACHE MARRIAGE BLESSING
Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be the shelter for each other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be the warmth for the other. Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before. Go now to your dwelling place to enter into the days of your life together. And may your days be good and long upon the earth.Treat yourselves and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your connection deserves. When frustration, difficulty and fear assail your relationship - as they threaten all relationships at one time or another - remember to focus on what is right between you, not only the part which seems wrong. In this way, you can ride out the storms when clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives - remembering that even if you lose sight of it for a moment, the sun is still there. And if each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight.

A HISTORY OF LOVEBy Diane Ackerman
Love. What a small word we use for an idea so immense and powerful it has altered the flow of history, calmed monsters, kindled works of art, cheered the forlorn, turned tough guys to mush, consoled the enslaved, driven strong women mad, glorified the humble, fueled national scandals, bankrupted robber barons, and made mincemeat of kings. How can love's spaciousness be conveyed in the narrow confines of one syllable?...Love is an ancient delirium, a desire older than civilization, with taproots stretching deep into dark and mysterious days.....The heart is a living museum. In each of its galleries, no matter how narrow or dimly lit, preserved forever like wondrous diatoms, are our moments of lovng and being liked.

BLESSING FOR A MARRIAGE~ James Dillet Freeman ~
May your marriage bring you all the exquisite excitements a marriage should bring, and may life grant you also patience, tolerance, and understanding.
May you always need one another - not so much to fill your emptiness as to help you to know your fullness. A mountain needs a valley to be complete; the valley does not make the mountain less, but more; and the valley is more a valley because it has a mountain towering over it. So let it be with you and you.
May you need one another, but not out of weakness.May you want one another, but not out of lack.May you entice one another, but not compel one another.May you embrace one another, but not out encircle one another.May you succeed in all important ways with one another, and not fail in the little graces.May you look for things to praise, often say, "I love you!" and take no notice of small faults.
If you have quarrels that push you apart, may both of you hope to have good sense enough to take the first step back.
May you enter into the mystery which is the awareness of one another's presence - no more physical than spiritual, warm and near when you are side by side, and warm and near when you are in separate rooms or even distant cities. May you have happiness, and may you find it making one another happy. May you have love, and may you find it loving one another.

EXCERPT FROM THE VELVETEEN RABBIT~ By Margery Williams ~
"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?" "Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but Really loves you, then you become Real." "Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit. "Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt." "Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?" "It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get all loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

SONNET 18~ By William Shakespeare ~Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate... When in eternal lines to time thou grow'st So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

I CHING~ Excerpt ~When two people are at onein their inmost hearts,they shatter even the strength of iron or bronze.And when two people understand each otherin their inmost hearts,their words are sweet and strong,like the fragrance of orchids.

EXCERPT FROM TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE~ By Mitch Albom ~
“Still,” Morrie said, “there are a few rules I know to be true about love and marriage: If you don’t respect the other person, you’re gonna have a lot of trouble. If you don’t know how to compromise, you’re gonna have a lot of trouble. If you can’t talk openly about what goes on between you, you’re gonna have a lot of trouble. And if you don’t have a common set of values in life, you’re gonna have a lot of trouble. Your values must be alike.“And the biggest one of those values, Mitch?” Yes?“Your belief in the importance of your marriage.” He sniffed, then closed his eyes for a moment. “Personally,” he sighed, his eyes still closed, “I think marriage is a very important thing to do, and you’re missing a lot if you don’t try it.” He ended the subject by quoting a poem he believed in like a prayer: “Love each other or perish.”

"Hope Is The Thing With Feathers" by Emily Dickinson Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul, And sings the tune without the words, And never stops at all, And sweetest in the gale is heard; And sore must be the storm That could abash the little bird That kept so many warm. I've heard it in the chilliest land, And on the strangest sea; Yet, never, in extremity It asked a crumb of me.

Ideas for Mom and Patty

2008-03-24T13:08:00.001-07:00

City landmarks. Couple took a pic of themselves at each place. That pic is on 1 side, pictures of just the place is on 2 of the sides and the name of the location and a description of its significance is on the other side. (White lights instead of a candle inside?)

Each bridesmaid had their favorite flower put all in white.

Those are PEAS in the vase!! Interesting!!
Small vases wrapped in satin ribbon. Different kinds of all white flowers.
One floating candle in small square vase with flower buds (instead of petals) surrounding it.

Rocks up to the top of a small square vase and a cymbidium orchid floating on top.
Look at that green ball. You can buy those cheap at save-on-crafts.com.
Blues and purples.
Long "trough" with fruit. For the long tables?

-Gardenias floating amongst candles (for the scent and because they're one of my favorite flowers)

-Using the battery-operated twinkle lights in the centerpieces

-Adding ribbon for color

-Using FRUIT (kiwis, green grapes, limes, green apples, pears) in vases or as part of a centerpiece

-Keeping one element the same throughout all tables (ie. All white flowers but each table gets a different kind of white flower.)

-Tall vases with single branch or stem (could also add rocks, ribbon, or lights to bottom of vase)

-Variation of this, entire stem/branch submerged in water

-Play with the vessel the flowers or candles are in (glass, ceramic, silver bucket, wrapped in ribbon, painted, wood, etc)

Cupcakes continued...

2008-03-20T12:32:00.000-07:00

Glass rounds? (Too small though)
The tiers are painted! Definitely brightens it up. I believe this one is made out of cardboard.

Initials on top cake.
Cookies spread around base of cupcake tower.

Yuck! This is what NOT to do with the cupcake tree. It's too squat and wide and the greenery is hideous.
Will this be what ours looks like? They added the red ribbon to the cupcake stand, then the monogrammed fondant accents.

Cupcake stand without the cupcakes.

A different color cupcake stand. Interesting decorative foil cups that you put the baked cupcake in (so the cupcake holder is still around the cupcake, this piece is just decorative).
What are these accents on the cupcakes?!
Is this the cupcake from above? I can't figure it out.
Fondant initials in 2 colors with 1 color frosting. Maybe 2 colors, green and purple, to distinguish lemon and white cakes?
Big flower fondant pieces.
Monogrammed fondant piece up close.
Same color scheme, various shapes of fondant accents.
Dark fondant accents look good on light colored frosting.
Paper cranes on the cupcakes?! Hm...
I think these are real flowers. Maybe not. But they could be!
Simple fondant hearts.

Custom Items

2008-03-13T16:05:00.000-07:00

www.myownlabels.com
www.customlabels4u.com
http://www.printmything.com
http://www.beau-coup.com/personalized-designer-labels.htm

Invitation Embellishments

2008-03-13T12:51:00.000-07:00

Looking long and hard for some unique, cute, colorful, in-our-theme, brads to hold our invitations together. I've been looking for green, purple, silver, heart-shaped or the letter "B" brads. Here is the start of a list of sites I've found:

green: http://www.acherryontop.com/type/embellishments/company/queen_%26_co./80840
http://www.acherryontop.com/type/embellishments/company/queen_%26_co./73393
purple: http://www.acherryontop.com/type/embellishments/company/queen_%26_co./80841
http://www.acherryontop.com/type/embellishments/company/queen_%26_co./73392

Important Pictures to Get

2008-03-13T12:21:00.000-07:00

I found this list on a website but I wanted to remember what pictures were suggested to get.

Wedding Photography Shots Before the Ceremony
___ Wedding dress lying over a chair
___ Zipping up or buttoning the wedding dress
___ Mother of the bride fastening the bride's necklace
___ The bride's garter
___ The bride's veil
___ A close up of the bride's shoes peeking out from under the dress
___ Bride looking into a mirror
___ Bride looking out window
___ Bride and bridesmaids putting on makeup
___ Bride pinning corsage/boutonniere on mother/father ___ Bride hugging parents___ Bride touching up
___ Bride and parents leaving for ceremony
___ Groom tying tie
___ Groom looking into mirror
___ Groom looking out window
___ Groom pinning corsage/boutonniere on mother/father
___ Groom hugging parents
___ Groom and parents leaving for ceremony

Wedding Photography Shots At the Ceremony
___ Outside of ceremony site
___ Guests walking into ceremony site
___ Bride and father entering ceremony site
___ Parents being seated
___ Grandparents being seated
___ Maid of honor walking down the aisle
___ Bridesmaids walking down the aisle
___ Flower girl and ring bearer walking down aisle
___ Groom waiting for bride
___ Ceremony musicians
___ Officiant
___ Altar or canopy during ceremony
___ Close up of bride, just before she makes her entrance
___ Bride and father walking down aisle
___ Groom seeing bride for first time
___ The back of bride and father walking down the aisle – with the groom waiting in the distance
___ Bride's father and Bride hugging at end of aisle
___ Shot of the audience from the bride and groom's point of view___ The unity ceremony___ Close up of bride and groom saying the vows
___ Wide shot of bride and groom saying the vows
___ Exchanging the rings
___ Close up of hands
___ The kiss
___ Bride & Groom walking up the aisle
___ Receiving line
___ Bride & Groom outside on steps
___ Guests throwing confetti/rose petals/birdseed
___ Bride & Groom hugging guests, laughing, getting congratulations
___ Bride & Groom getting in car
___ Bride & Groom in back seat

Posed Wedding Photography Before the Reception (These can also be taken before the ceremony)
___ Bride alone (full length)
___ Bride with Maid of Honor
___ Bride with bridesmaids
___ Groom with bridesmaids
___ Bride with parents
___ Bride & Groom together
___ Bride & Groom with parents
___ Bride & Groom with families
___ Bride & Groom with entire wedding party
___ Bride & Groom with flower girl and ringbearer
___ Groom with parents
___ Groom with best man
___ Groom with groomsmen
___ Bride with groomsmen

During the Reception (to help your photographer, you may wish to list these shots in the order they will happen at your reception)
___ Outside of reception site
___ Bride & Groom arriving
___ Bride & Groom greeting guests
___ Table centerpieces
___ Table setting
___ Bride & Groom's table (head table)
___ Musicians or DJ
___ Guest book
___ Place card table
___ Closeup of bride and groom's place card
___ Wedding cake
___ Groom's cake
___ Gift table
___ Decorations (specify which _________________________)
___ A shot of bride & groom with guests at each table
___ Bride with college alums
___ Groom with college alums
___ The buffet or, if having table service, a dinner serving
___ Bride & Groom's first dance
___ Bride & Father dancing
___ Groom & Mother dancing
___ Guests dancing
___ Bride & Groom cutting the cake
___ Bride & Groom feeding each other cake
___ Toasts (specify who is giving them: ____________________)
___ Bride & Groom drinking champagne
___ Signing the marriage license
___ Bride throwing bouquet
___ Groom retrieving garter
___ Groom tossing garter
___ Garter/Bouquet dance
___ The getaway car
___ Bride & Groom leaving party
___ Bride & Groom driving away

Flower Girl Dresses

2008-03-07T23:36:00.001-08:00

Flowers for the flower girl.

Simple but really pretty with the purple sash and flower.
Close up of the above and in green.
I really like this one.
I like the flower-petal look of this dress. It's different and cute.
Flowers and bows are perfect for the little girls.

This maybe looks a bit too old for my girls but the dress design is simple and cute.
Could be brightened with a colored sash or flower.
Something a little different, more in the ivory color to match my dress.

Again in ivory, I like that it has something little-girly on it with the butterflies.
This one looks a little more formal to me.
A little different but really adorable!
Simple
Cute little rosebuds.

Shoes

2008-03-07T19:28:00.000-08:00

Little bit of jeweled accent, full strap around ankle, thick heel.

Strap up the leg, jeweled accents, open toe, think heel.
Wedge heel, jeweled accents.
Same as above in ivory and black.
Lower heel than others, small jewel accents, sling back.

Reception Decor

2008-03-07T19:20:00.000-08:00

Pieces of bamboo with a tiny slit for placecards.
Interesting way to tie ribbon on favor boxes.
All white table with color centerpieces.
Simple to make centerpieces.
Interesting centerpieces with tree, flowers, dangling jewels, and a flower box. Also, lime soda bottles (probably with custom labels) as favors.

Hair Accessories

2008-03-07T19:04:00.000-08:00

Hair pins

Headband that also converts into a necklace.
Artsy headband.
Hair pins
Love this hair pin
Hair pin with color

More cupcakes

2008-03-07T18:59:00.000-08:00

Cupcake tower, ivory colored frosting with silver wrappers.
Cupcake tower and display, alternating colorings with frosting a toppings and lined up cupcakes.
White chocolate shavings.
Swirled frosting with small accent.
Chunks of chocolate in the flavor of the cake.

More flowers

2008-03-07T18:56:00.000-08:00

Calla lilies with green accent flowers.
Lush looking green and white
Purple, green and white bouquet.
Purple and white bouquet.
Green and white bouquet for bridesmaids.

Websites

2008-03-07T12:20:00.000-08:00

Do It Yourself Weddings Guide

Site to get ideas for centerpieces/decorations (too expensive to purchase, just for ideas)

Lots of different sizes and shapes of tags for guest sign in

Cupcake decorations:
purple "jimmies"
purple non pareils
dark purple sprinkles***
green sanding sugar***
green sprinkles
#2 purple non pareils
purple sanding sugar

Fabrics:
green organza
purple satin
sparkle purple organza
purple linen
green spandex knit
purple chiffon

Ribbon:
green double faced satin: all sizes
different green double faced satin: all sizes
natural raffia: programs? fans?
purple double faced satin: 2 sizes
purple sparkly metallic cord: programs? fans? around vases or flower pots?

Miscellaneous items:
program kit
green tissue paper: inside favor boxes
bulk candy wearhouse in L.A.

Overall resources for details:
http://www.bloglander.com/paperarts/
http://www.papermart.com/ - ribbon, boxes, bags, vases, tulle, mirrors, etc
http://www.paper-source.com/ - creative ideas, DIY projects, paper
http://paperandmore.com/ - bulk paper, envelopes
http://envelopemall.com/ - envelopes and paper
http://www.save-on-crafts.com/ - crafts, vases, mirrors, beads, rocks, tulle, fabric, flowers, petals, ribbon, lights, candles, decor

Ceremony

2008-03-07T12:10:00.000-08:00

Single flower accent on chairs.
Use bridges for posing. Water reflection.
Pillow to accent colors.

Brown chairs in green setting, set up of chairs
Flower aisle, accent flowers on back rows, ribbon to section off, brown chairs, fabric archway in front
White plastic chairs, flower aisle
White wood chairs, no flower petals, no archway.
Stick and accent flowers archway, beads hanging down.
Same as above with couple. Large displays on either side.

Hair Styles

2008-03-07T12:02:00.000-08:00

Pulled back, folded over on self, part in middle or on side.
Sloppy bun, floral accent, part on side.
Pulled back to clip accent, loose curls, wavy, no part in front.

Bangs, smooth, straight, flat, little flip, no veil.
Two styles: one for ceremony, one for reception. Ceremony: Loose, wavy curls in low bun with veil on top of bun. Reception: Half up with accent clip, loose, wavy curls, part on side.
Half up, loose curls, part in middle, accent clip.
Bangs, half up, accent clip, straight.
Side pony tail/low bun, wavy, side part and bangs.

Curls in lose bun (I wouldn't want it so high up), side parted bangs.
Half up, curly, simply accent clip, parted on side.
Same as above, front shot.
Smoother in front, half up, accent clip, long down back.
Parted on side, bangs, accent flowers over ear, loose curls, wavy.

Cupcakes

2008-03-07T11:27:00.000-08:00

White frosting with all different white decorations.
White sprinkles with 1 piece of fruit. Blueberry for us?
One color scheme but all different styles, shapes, sizes and amounts of decorations.
Sliced kiwi. Don't like how frosting is put on.
Varied toppings. Again different sizes, types and amounts. Simple.
How frosting is piped and monogrammed hardened fondant.
Same as one above. One color scheme, different toppings.

Simple different decorations. One on each cupcake.
Piped frosting. Simple green accent on top. Cupcake tower with small cake on top.
Green frosting with large fondant or buttercream icing flower.
A couple different fruits varied in their pattern and amount.
How frosting is piped and again, monogrammed fondant heart.

Cookie cutter cookies with initial removed from center.
One color sprinkles cover entire top.
Blueberries
Nonpareils
Frosting. One decoration: fondant cut out.

Simple, varied decorations.
One style decorations (cut out fondant shapes) in varied colors.
Four styles of frosting, simple decorations.
Piped frosting.
Jelly candies as accent.

Bouquets

2008-03-07T11:21:00.000-08:00

Greens and whites. Lush looking.
Shape of bouquet. Cut stems.
Purples
Pretty white flowers.

One or two types of flowers. All white.
Greens.
Colors in bridal bouquet vs. bridesmaid bouquets.
Simple bouquet for bridesmaids.
What is that purple flower? (Otherwise, hideous.)

Centerpieces

2008-03-07T11:13:00.000-08:00

One color for centerpiece flowers.
Alternative to vases and flowers. Lantern, moss, stone and rock placecards.
NOT tall centerpieces but interesting use of grass and silver container.
Pretty flowers in our colors. Large green leaf covering vase from inside.
Small centerpiece hanging off head table.

Apples in vase.
Tall centerpieces.
Alternative to flowers. Candle amidst water in glass orb with other items under water.
Limes in vases.
Flowers submerged in water.

Decorations

2008-03-07T10:46:00.000-08:00

Placecards hang from ceiling.
Tall bamboo coming out of vase with rocks and water.
Movie-themed table cards.
Princess Bride bridal party table.
Theatre playbill programs.
Luggage tag cards for embellishment.
Simple centerpieces on long tables.
One stem of flowers inside vases. Flowers in napkins. One table runner on round table.
Cymbidium orchid stem in tall vase with stones and water.
Varying patterns in same color scheme. Initials.

First Post

2008-03-07T10:24:00.000-08:00

There's so much wedding planning going on I decided to create a blog to keep track of my thoughts. As it is now I have 3 different computers worth of wedding planning, pictures, ideas and whatnot and it's starting to get confusing! I'll probably post pictures more than anything but I also have lists of creative ideas, songs, and details to try to include in the big day.

Feel free to comment on what you like, don't like, etc!