Etsy Buy of the Week

One of my favorite buys on etsy was my charm from Hazelnutcottage. I just wanted something really simple for my bouquet and I loved this look when I came across it. Jan was wonderful to work with and I have to say it came out looking beautiful. Now I am thinking of incorporating into a charm for a bracelet, so I definitely can use it over again!

Wedding Day Shots

SO - It is very surreal I have to say to go through our wedding photos, because I actually have to pinch myself a little bit. It is a little crazy, because I have spent the last year and half at a computer - looking at thousands of wedding blogs and wedding websites to plan this event. Now it is done but I have these beautiful photos to show for it. Again - just very surreal when I think of the many hours I would take going through other wedding photos and thinking oooh, I would love this shot. StudioThisIs - AMAZING. They are just wonderful photographers!

I know everyone says - that their special day was perfect. But I can honestly say ours was absofrigginlutely perfect. (sorry I had to throw in a SATC reference (the TBS edited version though)). So if you have not gone here first - please do, but I also posted some of my favorites from the day as well below. More than likely I will do a bunch of themed posts - details, getting ready, oh and peacocks (considering they upstaged me - they deserved their own post).

I loved, loved my flowers.

One of my favorites, because I am just dying with laughter.

First time we see each other...

Jeremy just got some unbelievable intimates of us...

This was on Meyer's Castle property, but we look like we are in some

enchanted forest!

Do you see our little friend who camped out behind us the whole ceremony?

Our awesome bridal party.

My groom loving the speeches...

My favorite dance move - No. 1

I love this shot, because my father is just laughing and laughing...

My cousins and bridesmaids decided it was time to welcome my husband into the family

Just a stunning shot that Jeremy got of the our first dance...

My Photos!

This is why I love these ladies. They are awesome and I don't think I could have said it any better. Please take a look at Elizabeth Anne Designs as they showcased my wedding photos today. (More photos coming here today as well - once I get out from underneath my crazy workload!)

I Am Alive...

No. I did not fall off the face of the earth. I did take off work three weeks and then thought I could ease right back into it without a problem. Ha! Well the ease part turned into I don't think I ever left my desk for the last week and a half. This morning I actually checked my google reader and saw that I was up to 517 posts that I had not read. I also had an email from a lovely blogger friend who thought I might have died and gone to married heaven. Not exactly.

But good news, I am back. Even better news...I have photos. (Did you hear that squeal of excitement?)

More to come tomorrow - I swear.

Branding 101

If you have not made it over to Elizabeth Anne Designs this week and you are planning a wedding - please head over there right now. I will write more later on what I did for my wedding, but they have written a wonderful series on branding your wedding! Very well done, ladies!

Not So Perfect Wedding

Interesting that I came across this...I actually did not have a horror story (unless you count the peacocks (but they were funny) or that my father stepped on my dress (sort of a tradition because he did it to my mother during their wedding), but they are looking for any wedding horror stories here.

The Pay Yourself First Consumer Challenge

I have talked about this before that I was very, very naive on the cost of weddings here in Chicago. Then when I started looking at different downtown sites, I realized it was going to cost more than double what I had budgeted. This contest arrived in my inbox the other day and thought I would pass along.

According to The Wedding Report, US couples spend between $14,366 and $43,098 for their wedding. This does not include cost for a honeymoon or engagement ring. If you’re saving for a wedding you should check out The Pay Yourself First Consumer Challenge. Enter to win and you could earn an extra $5,000 and a free honeymoon!

All you have to do is create a one-minute video telling them about the wedding you’re saving for, and why you should be selected as one of the five challengers….. Upload your video by July 31 to win. Here are detailed instructions for brides to be.

We Are Back

We had a wonderful honeymoon and now we have so much to do -catch up on google reader, write thank you cards (silly me - thinking I would be able to write all of them on the plane ride), unpack, laundry and see the Sex and the City movie! I am hoping photos will be up soon so I can share!