I am very particular and indecisive when it comes to insignificant things. For instance, a few years ago my parents gave me a digital camera for Christmas, but I wasn’t sure if I liked it because the corners were a little bit rounded. There’s also a specific wooden spoon that I like to cook with, but only because it has a thin handle. See? Told you. Insignificant.

So, can you image how long it took me to find a wedding dress? I think I started about 5 months ago, and after almost 50 dresses, I’ve finally found “the one”. I didn’t cry, or jump up and down. But as soon as they cinched in my waste with the standard bridal-salon-home-depot-clips,  I knew it. It’s a fitted mermaid gown with a rouched bodice and simple, classic train. Here’s a sneak peak.

Every bridal consultant looked at me like I was nuts when I said I wanted little to no glitzy beading, and no tulle. Isn’t that what all bridal gowns are made of?! It was like a needle in a hay stack, but I found it.

I’ve been to “just a few” places to try on dresses and I put together a list of tips to make the experience more enjoyable:

1. Even though it’s tempting to show up on Sunday in your comfy yoga pants and a pony tail, I’ve found that when I did my hair and make up it gave me a better outlook on dress shopping.

2. If you’re being negative about the process, reschedule your appointment. I needed to be positive and patient to enjoy the experience.

3. DO NOT GO WITH TOO MANY PEOPLE. It’s temping to invite every woman you know, but you’re the only person who knows what you like. Trust yourself, and do not listen to others opinions. I learned this the hard way.

4. Wear cute undies. You spend a good part of the appointment in your skivvies, and it’s easy to feel vulnerable. Wearing something cute makes it much less awkward.

5. Do not try on dresses outside of your budget. Even if it’s $500 over and you think this could be an issue. You’ll end up crying in the fitting room… while in your cute undies.

I keep thinking about what I’ll wear when Ryan and I take our engagement pictures. We probably won’t take them until the end of summer, so I still have some time. How adorable is Danni’s outfit for this shoot?! I could wear it every day of the week! (Maybe it’s because I have a thing for skeleton keys!)

I’ve been looking for a unique way to number the tables for our wedding, and fell in love with these! Beautiful, practical, informative, and delicious! Can’t say that about typical paper place cards.

(style me pretty. where else?!)

I hope you all had as great of a weekend as I did.

On Saturday, I went out to dinner in Hoboken with a group of girls I have basically grown up with. My best friends, Kelsey and Dana, toasted to me and Ryan and it was one of those nights where I was laughing with tears in my eyes. There were lyrics quoted, and memories of our young, puppy love shared. It was a perfect night and I’m so thankful to have had such a beautiful night with friends.

On Sunday, Ryan and I scouted locations for our wedding photos next year. I know it’s really early, but we wanted to see what would be in bloom this time next year. (I’ve become hyper organized in my old age of 26.) We came across a sweet little “village” of historic houses that have been turned into a museum in a local park. I was so happy to stumble upon an old barn, a schoolhouse, and a chapel. How perfect would it be to take wedding photos in an old chapel?! It has the most beautiful wood ceiling, and brick flooring. When Ryan asked an employee what their hours of operation were, the teenaged dream killer said that they aren’t open on Saturdays (the day we’ll be getting married) so we can’t take photos inside. I wish I knew someone, who knew someone to make this happen. We’ll see. We do have 356 days after all.

Ryan and I have changed our minds a lot when it came to choosing a wedding venue. At first, we had our heart set on getting married in the Poconos. Then we thought we wanted to have it catered at a local art gallery. But, now we’re getting married in a garden and having the reception in a modern venue near our hometowns. (A perfect location for a small, intimate wedding next Spring). I’m never indecisive when it comes to clients at work, but when it’s something personal, I can never commit to an idea. (Clearly I do not have commitment issues.) When we considering getting married outdoors in the Poconos, I thought these favors were the sweetest idea! They are so perfect for any outdoorsy party and a fun, interactive gift!

(elizabethan designs via apartment 34.)

This weekend, my sister (maid of honor) organized a surprise engagement dinner for me and Ryan! It was my first surprise party, and the first wedding related event since we’ve been engaged. Ryan and I were supposed to be babysitting my nephew but my sister’s plan “fell through” so we all went out to dinner instead. I thought our night would consist of jumping on the trampoline or bowling night, but my family had a different plan. They’re lucky that I’m so easy going, and that I didn’t show up in my sweatpants like I considered wearing to babysit.

It was so nice to have an intimate group of our families and friends together enjoying good food and wine. Ryan’s 8 year old nephew (and Jr. Best man), Tyler, even gave an adorable toast to practice for his best man speech at the wedding. It was a night filled with laughs, and a few teary moments and I’m so excited for the celebrations over the next year!

(image via snippet and ink which inspired our wedding.)

These modern rings are such an interesting way to personalize your wedding bands!

(something old, something new.)

We all know I have a love affair with camping! I’m dying for it to warm up just a bit more so we can plan a little weekend in the woods. With that said, this camping themed engagement shoot has my heart pitter pattering. How adorable are these two?!

This last kissy photo kills me!

I never pictured myself getting married in a church, but for this church I would do it. Imagine getting married in this beautiful space?

(style me pretty.)

The colors in this bouquet and boutonniere  are just gorgeous! Check out more photos if nothing else but to see the brides beautiful shoes!

(green wedding shoes.)

This is such a great idea for a quirky, DIY wedding! If you’re getting married in a major city or travel spot this is such a great way to introduce your guests with a vintage charm. Love it!

(oh so beautiful paper via elizabethan designs.)

Sarah Yates photographed this adorable young couple for an engagement shoot, and created this adorable photo video montage. How sweet was that as a little wedding gift?!

tori and austin from sarah yates on Vimeo.

I’m really excited to share this inspiration board for our wedding! We don’t want to have a theme but we’re drawn to the deep plums and grey neutrals in these images. (And by we, I mean I love them and Ryan just agrees.) While we originally planned on having our wedding at a local museum, we had cold feet about having a party in an unconventional location. The thought of having to coordinate everything the day of the wedding stressed us both out. We thought it would be easier to host the party in a venue that includes tables, chairs, china, etc., instead of having to rent and deliver everything seperately.

After some more research by my amazing sister and “wedding planner”, we found a beautiful location to get married! (We will not change our minds again, promise.) Ryan and I will be exchanging our vows outdoors with a backdrop of exotic plants and trickling modern waterfalls on our 11th anniversary, April 23, 2011.

Click here to enlarge the mood board by penny rounds.

This cake is a fun way to incorporate color and a unique “cake topper” to a wedding!

(coco+kelley.)

This simple wedding gown from Priscilla of Boston is so beautiful! I love mermaid gowns that show off the bride’s body instead of unnecessary layers of itchy tulle! The bow on the back adds just the right amount of girlish detail!

I really love these invitations printed on wood veneer! I just can’t see spending over $1k on invitations people will eventually throw out. For all those of you who have endless amount of money, please use these invitations just to make me happy. Okay? Thanks.

Ever since I saw these photos, I have been head over heels in love! This California wedding is the perfect wedding, seriously. It is romantic and low key as a celebration of their marriage. Click here to see more amazing photos of their wedding!

Somewhere along the many sites I visit, I came across ModCloth and I’m loving their inventory! I love this dress  for my four bridesmaids as a sexy and sophisticated cocktail dress. (The only negative is that you can’t really wear a bra and it doesn’t look like it has much support.) We’re having our wedding in a non-traditional location, so I’m thinking that a shorter flirty number similar to this would be perfect for the occasion!

Check out that back! It’s so sexy!

How lovely is this Australian wedding? The venue is perfect for a low, key modern wedding for a young couple. (If it was in the tri-state area, I’d totally have a party there!)

I love the details from this SMP wedding! The Malibu wedding perfectly reflected the style of this young, modern couple. This asymmetrically tiered cake perfectly reflects the architectural background of the groom. How beautiful is that?!

I love how the “alter” is created by simple flowers on pedestals. I’m thinking of doing something like this for our wedding.

We finally booked a venue for our fall nuptials! Here’s a little sneak peak!

So the “blizzard” over here on the east coast didn’t amount to nearly as much as the bundled up weather people anticipated. (Shocker!)  We only got about an inch or so where I live, so this didn’t stop me from going wedding dress shopping with Dana. She’s pretty hard core and is really excited about having all things wedding surround her. (It’s almost as cute as she is!) I found two really great options, and I think I may have found “the one”. It didn’t make me cry, but it made me feel like myself, only sexier.  It’s going to take some time to think about it, but I think I’m in love with the strapless, mermaid dress. Sigh.

(mandr.)

I love the idea of having one or two long tables set up similar to this. It seems more intimate like a family style meal. What do you think? Do you prefer round tables for parties?

the amazing style me pretty.

I’m loving online publications of magazines, and now that I’ve got wedding fever, I’m all over Nonpareil! This isn’t just another pretty magazine with inspiration images, it’s a useful tool when planning your wedding with DIY projects for crafters of all skill levels.

Even if you’re not getting married, these images are an excellent inspiration for dinner parties, too! I love how this setting looks like the dinnerware are a mixup of family heirlooms!