Wedding Highlight Video

I'm taking the blog a little too personal maybe...

Many old friends, new acquaintances and fellow bloggers out there have been asking to view our wedding video. Today it is my pleasure to share the highlight reel with you. Sorry folks, this is likely all you'll get.... unless you receive the coveted invitation to the viewing party! ;)

Best wishes and much love to all!

Best Videographer. Ever.

I'm not even kidding. Other vendors may hope I am kidding because they are getting tired of competing with Ben Mahoney, Stephanie Mueller & Leap Weddings, but I'm not kidding. Leap Weddings mantra is "Film - Hair - Fun" and they are experts at all three!

This week we received our complete set of wedding videos from Leap Weddings. Whoa. Talk about sensory and emotion overload. We laughed. We cried. We watched all eight videos four times! (Ok, maybe I've watched about ten times now.) From the team's professionalism and invisibility while shooting to the flawless execution of production, we could not be happier with Leap Weddings.

It's funny. A lot of family & friends were quite surprised when, during the wedding planning process, Prince Charming and I announced we were not hiring a photographer and instead putting all of our budget into videography. Receivers of this information were astonished, annoyed and quick to try to negate our idea. Boy were they wrong. This was the smartest thing we could have done. {Disclaimer: It's also easier to make this decision when you have family & friends that are pretty dang talented behind the lens, like Cali Fagan.}

Did I also mention the team has a hair division? Steph turned by messy head of hair into something gorgeous. We had tested a style a few months prior to the wedding, but on the day of Steph turned the gorgeousness up a notch and executed a style that really completed my whole look. I walked into that day with nothing but confidence knowing I had been well taken care of and looked amazing. I felt pretty amazing thanks to her and makeup artist Eric Holt. Everyone in the wedding party that had the pleasure of working with Leap Wedding's hair team expressed the need for Steph to move-in with them and be available for hairstyling every day of the week.

Ben, Steph and their team will be friends for life. They are on Facebook - find them here. If you like their page, you may be the first to see a sneak peek of our wedding video highlight reel.

We love you, Leap Weddings!

p.s. Videographers are not just for weddings; check out Ben Mahoney Productions for some less matrimonial information.

Whoa.

Click to view all of the lovely offerings... swoooooooooon!

Thank you, Wedding Vendors!

We were blessed to work with some of the best wedding vendors on the planet in preparation for our big celebration. From flagged straws to a jamming DJ, from a specialty cocktail to a dress to die-for, every detail was perfect in our eyes. I'm going to take credit for some of this - my research skills are incredible! As the bride & groom, we imagined, created and managed every single detail. It was a lot of work but fun, fabulous and I miss the planning process already.

Prince Charming and I had a marvelous time and would do it all over again in an instant... if we won the lotto. Enjoy some pictures below and do visit our vendor's websites - we highly recommend each and every one!

Baumbirdy Ceremony Programs
BHLDN Hairpiece
Love, L - the Bride's company! Flower Design
By Invitation Only Invitations & Wedding Certificate
Cali Fagan Photography (The professional-looking ones!)
Christopher Pines Sparkle Ribbon
Davis Imperial Cleaners Dress Alterations
Elevage Events Day-of Coordinator
Emelie Friday Return Address Stamp
Eric Holt Makeup
Fifty Flowers Wholesale Flowers
Funky Quail Vintage Vintage Decor
Hugo Boss Groom's Suit
K Grace Childcare Babysitting Services during Dinner
Leap Weddings Videography & Hair Design
Lil Missi Chair Signs
Loralee Lewis Straws with Flags
Natalie Briggs Garter
Nordstrom Weddings Bride's Valentino Shoes, Bride's Pearl Baguette Clutch, Mother of the Bride Dress, Grooms shirt & tie
Save-on-Craft Fairy Berries
The Aisle New York Dress
The Elysian Hotel Location & Accomodations
Toast & Jam DJs
Z Gallerie Candlesticks

Day-of Coordinator

Avid readers may remember the daunting decision we toyed with leading up-to our big day....

Hire a day-of coordinator, or no?

As our timeline became more and more detailed, and more and more out of the ordinary, the decision was made! We hired Elevage Events to manage our day-of needs and wow, what a glorious job Emily did! We thank her with all we have for keeping us sane and worry-free on 09.10.11.

If you'd like a personal recommendation for Emily, please don't hesitate to ask - we're happy to oblige. In the meantime, please read the blog post that went live today!

Inadvertently famous.

Our wedding was a The Aisle New York feature blog post!  

Don't be Grey...

... or do!

We opted to not have 'colors' for our wedding decor for a couple of reasons. (1) The hotel is already beautifully decorated and (2) with a focus on grey and neutrals, we'll really get to see each other. Each face will pop, each outfit will shine, each smile will sparkle and all of the individuals will take center stage, rather than the decor.

It's really exciting to see all of the little details coming together; and I thought it might be fun to show you some of the photos I've seen online that have served as inspiration for the last 11 months...

 

The Seating Chart is done!

Whoo hoo! Probably one of the most fun and yet stressful elements of the wedding planning is complete! The following is what I've communicated to our guests.

Yes, you're sitting by someone you don't know. No, you're not going to have a good view. Yes, your seat will probably be wobbly. No, you're not going to have enough elbow room.Yes, you'll be the last to be served dinner. No, the sound is not going to be loud enough.. or maybe yes, music will be blaring in your ears! No, you won't be able to read your menu. Yes, outside lights will be in your eyes. Actually, there is no assigned seating and it's first-come-first-served. Oh, did we mention this gig is BYOB?

Of course, we're kidding... on some of the comments! But one thing is for certain, our guests won't find out where they're sitting until it's time to eat!

Let them eat cake!

Photo via Style Unveiled

We're meeting with the hotel's chefs in two weeks to discuss cocktails, appetizers, meals and cake! After we were asked for our opinions on the cake's look, I quickly realized we had too many ideas. Everyday I think of something else that might be the perfect one... today I saw the one above and added it to the list. Not sure about the purple, but LOVE the textures.



Stay tuned - you're in for a treat!

Geronimo!

Geronimo Balloons currently on half-price sale here.

Yum yum!

Prince Charming and I, as you know, are tying the knot this Fall... we're getting ready for our tasting in just under a month and are salivating at the prospects. Today, I happened upon a blog that featured photos of dishes put together by the same team for another wedding at our venue. These photos did nothing for me, but make me very hungry and get me very excited! Accompanying commentary courtesy of blogger Fat Skinny Girl.

Deconstructed salad nicoise for the cocktail reception

Out of nine or so small bites we chose for the cocktail reception, about six or so were influenced by New Orleans-- where we first fell in love. Shown are the mini crab cakes with remoulade sauce.

My dad really wanted pigs in a blanket. That wasn't happening, so we played with the idea of open face roast beef sandwiches but with beef carpaccio on toasted brioche.

Think that's spinach? We gave a subtle nod to New Orleans by having the chef create them with mustard greens.

The menu for the dinner reception.

The first course was a duo of spring pea soup and a greens salad topped with watermelon and shaved fennel.

The tenderloin tops a bed of pureed yukon potatoes and thyme jus. Not shown is the incredible halibut with sauteed spinach and pickled pearl onions.

Our wedding cake frosted with buttercream icing.

Our wedding cake featured a mint julep ganache filling. Bravo for the pastry team at RIA. They made my dream wedding cake a reality!

Our sweet surprises table featured many of our favorite desserts: s'mores with toasted marshmellows, lemon tarts, bourbon pecan tarts and French macaroons.

The French macaroons reminded me of my teenage years. Through high school, I worked at Provence Breads and Cafe on 21st Ave. in Nashville (in Hillsboro Village).

Lemon tarts. Perfect for Memorial Day weekend!

Pleats Please

I'm currently researching all things 'pleated' for our September wedding and today I've stumbled on this photo of gorgeous cakes! Take a look at that white option in the upper right-hand corner - it's a beaut!

 

Photo via Manolobrides

Have any other pleated suggestions? Share, please!

Wedding Day Accessories

Some say it's bad luck for the groom to see his bride before they are about-to-be-married. Bleh. I will, however, stay true to his wishes to not wanting to see what I am wearing... although I am very very very very very very bad at keeping secrets or surprises from him. Honey, if you're reading... skip this blog post!

Accessories are fun, no? The right pieces can really accentuate an overall look. Some people pile on the accessories, but there is no need - it is not quantity, but quality! The item has to be just right. Not too much, not too little.

I wish I could show you the dress, but instead I'll share my accessories:

the hat via bhldn.com

the clutch via nordstrom.com

the shoe via nordstrom.com

Well, what do you think? When I see them lined up like this, they actually look pretty ridiculous together - but when paired with the dress... swoooooooooon!

That's about as close of a look as you'll probably get until after the wedding... not to be rude or anything... I'm just really secretive about my personal life! This is huge, me sharing these details!

Friday is the Big Day!

No, not our wedding... but another pretty famous one! On Friday, there will be a fun blog crawl full of Wedding gorgeousness! Ideas, photos, thoughts and fun - what more could a girl want? Visit breakfastattoast.com on Friday to participate in the fun!

Audition, or no?

I've been asked to participate in an interview with Four Weddings; 

this is both an honor and a curse!

What a great concept, four girls go to each other's weddings and then vote on which was the best (or most fun?). The winner receives a free honeymoon? Am I missing something? Why wouldn't you want to do this? 

Well, what if the camera crew is invasive on the small family affair? What do you think? Thoughts?

incredible idea

Fragrant Bridal Bouquet

via Once Wed

To shower or not to shower

Bridal shower, that is.

Part of me wants nothing to do with the tradition of the bridal shower. It's pomp & circumstance, opening gifts in front of people... Gifts you've picked out, mind you... And another weekend dedicated to wedding 'stuff'. Ick.

Lately, though, with the removal of most things traditional from our wedding plans, I wonder if this is one of the things we'll regret not having a part of the plan.

 

Thoughts?

perfection

I think this is what we're going for...

the perfect engagement gift

 

...you know, if you're looking to give one. Hint! Hint!

A dress was bought

I bought a dress today, without seeing it in person or trying it on... but I'm not worried, that's how I like to do all of my shopping! Fingers crossed it's the one. If not, Net-a-Porter can be expecting my return.