The nay-sayers

So we're not sharing much with friends and family about this wedding, but I did share a few details about what I wanted my day to feel like with some friends. I was shocked by their negative responses.

I'm honestly surprised by how bothered I was even days later by this. It's someone's wedding; it's one of the most important days of someone's life. And someone else thinks they can just poo-poo all over it?

Boooooooooooooooo

I feel like the gossip etiquette should be keep quiet or fake happy until you've been to the wedding, then you can complain behind my back like normal gossipers!

I don't want bridesmaids. I'm not saying that anyone who has had bridesmaids is wrong, or even that I am right! Only that I plan to have my sister up there with me BECAUSE I CAN'T CHOOSE BETWEEN MY CLOSEST FRIENDS!

I believe that my wedding is our first family reunion together. A family reunion is just family coming together -- exactly what will happen. No, I'm not having games or a big informal day, but if I did, would it no longer be a wedding? The only thing that is mandatory at a wedding is that two people pledge their lives to one another, and that's happening! 

I have learned my lesson. Don't talk about something if you don't want to hear someone's feelings about it. Simple as that. It's no one's fault but my own.

Here comes the bride signs

I'm not big into flowers except tulips, and they won't be in bloom on my big day, so I started looking into alternatives. I'd like to have a young attendant walk down the aisle with a sign that reads "Here Comes The Bride".

Martha Stewart Weddings

Love and Lavender

Love and Lace

I'm definitely going to make my own. Just trying to decide what to go with!

Odd-ball centrepieces I'm liking

$6.99

$9.89

The wedding is real!

We agreed not to get engaged until Chris was done school, but we also want to get married asap! So we're in this awkward place where we're getting married next summer but I don't have a ring on my finger. We just can't afford it until we're both working full-time.

To be honest, I want the ring, but I don't need the ring to know I want to spend the rest of my life with someone and make that happen.

We've picked our location and photographer; we've made our guest list; I'm looking at dresses. It's happening. August 2012.

I don't have a ring, but I'm engaged to be married. And it doesn't feel any different.

Chiavari chairs: worth the money?

I know loving a chair is a little odd, but I love love love the look of a chiavari chair. We're looking at some rustic buildings or outdoor historic properties around Ottawa and I think the contrast between the gilded chair and the rough wood walls or large field or white tent would be stunning.

Here is some inspiration:

Clockwise from top left: via Style Me Pretty; via Events by Heather Ham;
via A Million Little Details; via Landlocked Bride

The issue? In Ottawa, you're looking at about $10 to rent one chair. Let's say 100 guests, plus 20 extra chairs for the dancing area, in case extras show, or for vendors looking to rest their feet, that's 120 X $10 = $1,200. Plus taxes and delivery. For chairs.

Ouch! Don't forget we'll be renting tables, linens, dishes, utensils, lights, and more. Cha-ching. CHA-Ching. CHA-CHING!

But they're so pretty! And so comfortable! And they wouldn't hurt my bottom...just my bottom line!