mis-matched

'Wouldn't it be fun if we had all mismatched chairs set up for the wedding ceremony? You know, Friends style"

I processed that sentence through my mind after the better half brought it up in a random conversation.. Sounds to me like a hip idea for the nuptials.. I instantly agreed with him..

I could see this being an incredible feet to achieve though. Here's why. Guest wise we're looking at a head count of around 125. We know a lot of people.. just not sure if we know a lot of people who would be willing to give us/ loan us that many chairs... We could probably end up finding 20 chairs at thrift stores, garage sales and flea markets.. Not sure where we'd find the other 100.. We can save that head spinning thought for later..

But in a perfect world, say we had 120 mismatched chairs.. We'd either have them painted a certain color or leave them as is and set them up in a way that there are different chairs in each row (no similar chairs side by side) Maybe paint a few chairs with accent colors to make it work. This would add so much charm to the already very bohemian/laid back setting. It would be a very romantic site.. I see lights and lanterns strung through trees where the ceremony would be held, mismatched lanterns lined along the center isle, some kind of arch made of branches and wild flowers..

Ahhh to dream..

It would be perfect..


via with this ring

P.s. we might be close to deciding on the potential wedding site this week… but I'll save that post for a rainy day..

Martha Fridays: an offbeat celebration

After spending the night browsing the Martha site for some DIY inspiration, I stumbled on this super cute rustic wedding. Details ranging from vintage fabrics, 1060's surf music to boutonnieres of oak leaves and acorns , I absolutely LOVE everything about this wedding!! Definitely more ideas to add to the inspiration book.. the color scheme would be perfect for a late summer/fall celebration.

This gorgeous bouquet of roses, cactus dahlias, and pom-pom dahlias is accented with oak leaves and acorns.

I find this arrangement very whimsical.. just adore it.

p.s. how sweet is his tie?

photographs via Martha Stewart

Rainy Summer..

via jeremyandkathleen

After this summer, I have vowed to always have a backup rainy wedding day plan. I really think Mother Nature has it out for us.. So far this has been the rainiest spring/summer we have seen in yearsssss.. that's enough to drive a sane "Bride to be" crazy!

I have always fantasized about having a big backyard wedding. My dad owns a home/country decor shop about 20 minutes East of Ottawa, and everything about it would be the perfect setting for our outdoor dream wedding. It truly is perfect. The store is located in a gorgeous century old home with a wrap around porch at the front entrance. Attached to the store, is a rather large barn (recently painted Red) which I absolutely love. Once in a while when we have a chance to visit the shop, the better half and I take a stroll around the parking lot and around back of the store and chat about what we could potentially do with the space if we do decide to set up camp there.

Realistically, we couldn't use the store itself as a backup venue in case of rainy weather. The store is already short of space, and I really don't think our guests would enjoy being cramped together in such tight quarters. The plan would be to have the wedding ceremony behind the store in the garden area and the reception on the parking lot located next to the store. Without a doubt, we will have get very large a tent and a dance floor.. maybe a stage for the band.. I may have gone and jinxed it by talking about "le plan" with all of you.. All this to say, it would be perfect.

We're just hoping when the time comes for us to say our "I dos".. Mother Nature will be kind and keep us in mind. ; )

If you are planning on having an outdoor extravaganza, the only rule you have to keep in mind for outdoor weddings, always have something up your sleeve for un-predictable weather.. you never know what'll happen! Weather is 1 thing you cannot control. But if anything happens, go with the flow.. rain won't ruin your special day. A pouting bride will.

And PS. make sure you have a backup plan for footwear.. This will give you a justifiable reason as to why you should buy super cute wellies, like these!

**for additional tips on how to deal with outdoor weddings, visit bridal wave!!

Perfection..

This is it..

this is THE inspiration boards of all inspiration boards (well for me anyways) Now if we could fuse this board with this post and this post, it would be perfect.

Photo Credits:row 1: Victor Sizemore Photographyrow 2: EyeSpy Photography, Gertrude and Mabel via Snippet and Ink, Jupiter Imagesrow 3: EyeSpy Photography, J. Crewrow 4: Jupiter Images, EyeSpy Photographyrow 5: Gertrude and Mabel, EyeSpy Photography

Debating the outdoor weddings?

Read this...

http://www.kwweddingring.ca/planning/outdoor.html

I am inspired..

Photography by Tim Chin Photography

Champagne Weddings...

via Snippet and ink

Top row from left: tissue paper pom poms from Blueprint via All Things Bright and Beautiful, carrot cupcake from Martha Stewart, button seating cards via Black Eiffel, gold fish wine glass photo by Michele M. Waite via Married & MoreRow 2: save-the-date by Cheerup Cherup, J.Crew image via Nibs, crepe paper flowers from Martha Stewart Crafts, crudite centerpiece from Martha StewartRow 3: Tory Burch Olivia banana flats from Net-A-Porter, ribbon board via Weddingbee, convertible Bug photo by Amy Squires, dahlia boutonniere via {frolic!}Row 4: burger truck, orange candy from Martha Stewart, orange iPod nano, birdcage veil via Brooklyn Bride


I'm really warming up to this board posted via Snippet and Ink.

This is by far the sweetest inspiration board I've seen in a while. I love Love LOVE the color scheme, love the burger truck idea, and ABSOLUTELY love the fact that this can actually work!!
I've been trying to piece this 'imaginary' wedding together and I can draw quite a few ideas from this inspiration board.
This is very much the vintage feel I'm trying to go for. The initial idea was to have a carnival theme incorporated with the modern wedding. The key word was (I'll spell it out for you) F-U-N! Now here's the thing we have a carnival for your wedding. If you're having an outdoor extravaganza, you have to keep many factors in mind during the planning.
Everyone already knows these, but it doesn't hurt to re-iterate them.

1. Weather, 2. Mobility (for your elders of course) 3. Comfort (you don't want to be outside during a heat wave or a very cold and blistery day!!) 4. Washroom accessibility

Weather: A key factor in why many people decide not to host an outdoor wedding. If you are a firm follower of the Almanac, (to this day, I will not look at one) or follow the weather network religiously (again, not looking) you might be out of luck for long term decisions. In the past year alone, I figured the weather network has had a 12/365 day ratio of getting the weather accurately. With these odds, I always wonder what they're still doing on TV!! The weather is something no one can really control. That said. The lesson here is ALWAYS HAVE A BACKUP PLAN in case things don't exactly go the way you planned them too. P.s. Rain on your wedding day is supposed to be good luck. Embrace it. I wonder what kind of luck you'd get If a hurricane decided to hit your city on your wedding day?
Mobility: This might tie in with the washroom accessibility. It's nice to say it's your wedding day and you'll cry if you want too.. But this, you really have to think about. You don't want your poor Grand-father Lou to have to climb himself in a Porta-potty.. Do you? If you're thinking of doing an outdoor wedding with no indoor washrooms in sight, you might want to think twice and get the real deluxe portables. They have a full flushing system, vanity and light. If you're having a reception over a grassy surface, try to see if renting a floor would be something worth doing. It'll be a lot easier when the time comes to kick up your heels and dance the night away! That said, these things can be a little expensive, but it's better to think smart and explore your options.
Comfort: Ok this is another big one for outdoor weddings. If the attire is semi-formal-casual, you want to make sure your guests don't end up wearing a tux. Nothing worse than dancing in a sweaty dress shirt. My boy's dad always brings a spare wherever he goes. It's quite funny!!

If you plan on getting married in July or August, RENT A FAN OR A/C SYSTEM. Please!!! You will not have a good time if someone has a heat stroke during the party. Just make sure everyone is well refreshed. If you're planning Spring or Fall outdoor wedding, consider getting blankets as favors. They can use them during the reception if the weather changes.
Washrooms: We've pretty much covered everything in this area… The only extra thing I can think of is having tons of towels on the side with a laundry hamper (keep things fresh) and have a basket full of goodies (if people need them) hairspray, gel, Advil or Tylenol, feminine products, man scent.. The essentials!
By the way, a HUGE shout out to the folks at Snipet and Ink. You folks do an amazing job sucking us all in to beautiful detailing and wonderful inspiration!!!