My Hair!

So, a huge thank you to my hair stylist Becky from Vicara Salon in El Segundo, Cali!! She hunted me down some beautiful hair extensions for my big day! So now I can definitely achieve this hairstyle for my wedding! It is human hair..and we can curl it..cut it..wash it! I'm excited for my trial!

Did you use extensions to achieve a certain look?

photo:ME

Please Help!!!

I am desperately needing some assistance in picking out a design for our wedding cake! This is the cake my Fiance picked out...Feeds exactly 150..which is our goal! I think it is a lovely cake but I want to add a little personal touch? Any ideas? PLEASE!!! Inspiration palates both here and here.. Primary colors is White-Green-Black..with hints of country blue. Getting married here, in nature.

The Knot

I thought the cake part..would be simple! HAH! forget that!! Here is a rough draft copy of our invitations...

Any suggestions...or links...please share with me! Now that we have passed the 100 day marker...and living on the opposite side of the country...the stress...panicking has begun! I could soo use a night out dancing! Thank you everyone :)

Secrets!

The honeymoon is done! Secrets Maroma Resort and Spa is where we will be spending a fabulous seven nights! This resort is not even a year old and has had some pretty good reviews. Last summer we went to its' sister resort, Secrets Capri, (which I totally recommend).

Why did we decide Mexico? Well, first was cost and we also wanted an all inclusive. My Mother is a travel agent and had traveled to many places and just recently did a couple day tour in Cancun-Riviera Maya to several resorts. This is how we chose Secrets Resorts for last summer's vacation.

An adult only resort, was also top on the list. Personally, I have been to several resorts and cruises...and after going to my first adult only resort, I'm not sure if I could ever go back! Well, maybe if we ever have kids :) It was very quiet and relaxing! Also, with these resorts there is a no wristband policy!

We also decided to go one month after the wedding for our honeymoon...since we are having an East Coast Wedding :) it is just a little too much for us! Plus, we saved about $700 dollars going 1 month later...We will be going to a hotel near our venue for two nights to have a mini-moon :) So we can sorta have that "newlywed" feeling! Then back to Los Angeles!!

Photos: Secrets Resorts

Oh, I am so excited to get there! Dig my feet in the warm sand and sip on a mohito!!

Rosette & Matt

I came across these gorgeous photos from Hazelnut Photography's blog. There was just something about this wedding...that caught my attention. Was it those beautiful roses? Or that look in the brides' eyes? Regardless, I had to share these with all of you! There are more photo's from this lovely wedding in the blog! This bouquet definitely makes a statement! Do you notice how the white roses are tight/closed...the red roses are open? I have never seen anything like it!

A Father seeing his beautiful Daughter for the first time in her wedding dress!

The bride peeking out..looking at all the guests...possibly catching a glimse of her groom!

I just love that red rose in her hair!

What a darling photo! They tied the knot at Rancho Capristrano in California! Gorgeous venue!

Have a wonderful Monday everyone!

Bling Bling!

So, today the Fiance and I went up to Rancho Palos Verdes to play around with our new camera! I just couldn't help but take several pictures of my ring..So, after playing around with different settings...and reading the manual... These were our favorite shots of the bling! I think we did good considering it was our first time!

Photo Credit: ME

And of course I had to add my ultimate favorite shot of the 2 favorite men in my life!

Does anyone know of any good photography classes in the Los Angeles area? Have a great weekend!!

Poems...Readings!

We would like to have a close friend do a reading at during our ceremony. We want it to be something people can relate to and at the same time it is easy to read. We are looking for some beautiful readings! Do you know of any good ones?!

The Art of a Good Marriage, by Wilferd Arian Peterson
Happiness in a marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created.
In marriage the little things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry. It is at no time taking the other for granted;
the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through the years.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers the whole family.
It is doing things for each other, no in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.
It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not looking for perfection in each other.
It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow old. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation in reciprocal. It is not only marrying the right partner,
it is being the right partner.

photo: The knot

This beauty caught my eye! Simple...elegant...gorgeous!

Make up.....hmm....

Are you hiring a makeup artist to do your makeup the day of the wedding? I hired an artist for my boudoir shoot and I have absolutely no regrets...Was it a bit pricey...Yes...was it worth every penny...Yes! It made me feel so much more confident and beautiful! I am getting married in Central PA, near Gettysburg.. which is not a Los Angeles by any means... plus, it is not near any large city..Do I want to pay someone to drive all the way to the venue for my big day? When I go for my hair trial I am hoping my hairdresser will assist with the makeup..and make all my makeup fears go away!

photo: Jessica Claire

Bridal Shower!

Today, I found this adorable invite in my mailbox! I can't believe how fast events are approaching! My one bridesmaid was in charge of the invites and I must say... I ABSOLUTELY LOVE them! The best part....there is a black & white dress code! Now, I must find something special to wear!

I think that bird is adorable....along with the leaves falling.
Thanks Danelle!

Thank you Craigslist!

Almost everyday I scroll thru the wedding items listed in Craigslist.com. It's another great place to look for items reusable for your big day! I purchased 6 of these tea light lanterns for 8 bucks! They go for $3.20 a piece here. I think I will be placing these on the long wooden bar...it just adds a little something....Any other ideas?

Don't you love finding deals?!!

Recap

A couple months ago I posted This about a contest I won from WeddingBee! I never win anything so when I got the email that I was the chosen one I was smiling ear to ear! Penny People Designs were doing an amazing giveaway...Here is what was delivered in my mailbox! I loved how they were so detailed as to how they packaged everything...from green ribbon to the "Enjoy" sticker on the box.

For the card selection, I went with a design that was geared towards the holidays. I had printed, "Happy Holidays From the West Coast." They turned out great! The pictures are not the greatest..sorry!

My beautiful bridesmaid Danelle, knows how much I loved my stationary from Penny People Designs, she bought me a PPD gift certificate for my birthday! I just got those in the mail today!!! They are adorable and perfect personal stationary!

I definitely recommend Penny People Designs! They were very personal to work with and will go the extra mile to get exactly what you want! I hope everyone had a lovely Valentines Day!

The Letter Game!

You post ten things you love that begin with your assigned letter. When people comment on your list, you give them a letter, and the chain continues on and on. I got the letter A from my fellow blogger, Make Mine a Mohito!

AngelFood Cake! Especially if you mix 1 box of AF cake with 1 can of crushed pineapple. (weight watchers recipe) Top with light whip cream.

America

Asparagas-soo yummy!

Animals--I grew up with dogs..fish..1 cat....hamsters....Here is our son..Kingston Jay :)

Atonement-I love Keira Knightly! I just purchased the soundtrack and I absolutely LOVE it!

Airplanes-If it wasn't for these I wouldn't be able to see my family very often! Living on opposite coasts can be difficult at times!

Automobiles-Last year I purchased my first beautiful car! A gorgeous white saab!

Art-I love going to art museums! The Getty Museum in Los Angeles is something to see!

photo: Getty Museum

Avocados! Yummy!!

American Online of course! I have had the same screen name/email since 9th grade!

Whew that was tough!

Ring Shot!

So, during my incredible boudoir shoot...Jordana took a couple shots of my ring! I have yet to have any pictures of my ring so I soo appreciated it! She took a couple of pics of the ring with my face in the background..very soft pictures..I wish I could share those with all of your but they are rather a bit not appropriate to post!

Photos: Hazelnut Photography

Oh, my pretty ring! I love my ring!!!

I received my cd full of images today!! Now, seriously..how am I going to really keep this from the Fiance? Good thing he is out of town this week! :) So the next couple of days I will be putting together my boudoir book with all of my favorite pictures...again...if I haven't stressed it enough...EVERYONE SHOULD DO A BOUDOIR SHOOT!!! Its soo much fun! If you are in the Los Angeles area..I know of a great photographer :)

Hand Fasting

photo:My Spiritual Wedding

Over the last couple of days I have been looking through a packet of papers our Officiant supplied us a while back. We decided to do our own thing when it came to the ceremony and who would doing the ceremony. We met her during an open house at the resort and I was immediately sold and new she would be perfect for our wedding. She told us we could do anything we wanted and then she discussed the tying of the knot ceremony. Now, I am Orthodox and it is custom in our weddings to do a hand fasting with a white piece of silk. So, I was already understanding the basic concept of it but was interested in how she performs the ceremony. To give you a little idea of how it goes...The bride and groom join hands right to right and left to left forming the sign of infinity.

Hand Fasting Ceremony

The are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that will countess time wipe the tears from your eye; tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief racks your mind. These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times. These are the hands that will give you support and encourage you to chase your dreams. Together, every thing you wish for, can be realized.

Then specific questions are asked to the couple and they reply accordingly...after a couple questions a cord is draped across their hands. After the 6th cord is draped and a knot is formed. The binding is made! It is definitely symbolic! For more information and details about the ceremony go HERE. Mrs. Hummingbird from Weddingbee gives a great explanation and more detail of the ceremony.

Are you doing anything special...different in your ceremony?

Marry Mommy!

Many months ago I came across this adorable shot! For the life of me..I can't remember where! If you know please let me know :) This particular pic caught my eye...due to the fact we have a little yorkie/maltese Kingston! He is our child...our little man! So, I figure my next task is to start now and try to get that perfect picture! The Fiance will absolutely LOVE it!

What did you give your Fiance prior to the wedding?!

photo: Unknown

Here is our little man Kingston Jay!

photo: gotta love self-timer!

Here is one picture from today...I really love it! I may wait..and do it outside..not sure! But I could not believe how well he just sat there as I snapped away! Look at those eyes!

Update...

A while back I posted THIS about these beautiful DIY candles. I requested my Father to take on the challenge..and he sure did! In fact, the parents gave them out as Christmas gifts! Take a peak as how they decorated them.

Oh! it turned out good!!! I love it when DIYs recipes turn out soo good! I already placed an order for my Father to complete!!!! Thanks Dad!

Hoops & YoYo

photo: Hoops & YoYo

This has absolutely nothing to do with planning my wedding but something I must share with you all! Their names...Hoops & YoYo...Their mission...Make you laugh!! Next time you are at the card section..take a minute and check these boys out!! I can't get enough of them! Infact, they even have a blog! Geared towards children and they just blogged about a child with cancer and how Hoops & YoYo has helped him get through the tough times.

Have a fabulous Monday!