Wedding Inspiration: Country Loving

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

So lately, I've been so inspired by country weddings.  First of all, let me explain that I'm a city girl through and through.  I've never much liked being so far away from the amenities of city life.  I love my mall, love my 10 minute drive to the grocery store, 5 if I just go to the nearest Tom Thumb.  I love being surrounded by people pretty much all the time.  This is why the affinity I have developed towards the country is so strange to me. 

Yet, here I am, falling in love again.  Of course I think I fall in love pretty much everyday, and between following all my favorite wedding bloggers on twitter and having an obsession with pinterest, I'm pretty sure it's not that difficult for me anymore. 

Anyways, after that super long tangent, I am definitely going crazy for super romantic country weddings with lots of color, simple scenery, and of course with the beautiful couples that make the wedding magical.

One particular wedding that I have been staring at this morning came to me on twitter from Brides Magazine. 

Photography by Julie Cate Photography

Kaitlin & Brian got married in Jacksonville, FL.  Isn't everything about this picture absolutely amazing? That was a rhetorical question...Of course it is!  For more pictures of this wedding go to this link! http://www.brides.com/wedding-ideas/real-weddings/2011/10/florida-real-wedding-kaitlin-brian-whimsical-wedding#slide=4

London 2012: The Summer Olympic Games

Okay guys, I'm ready for this! I have my London 2012 coffee mug and my London 2012 key chain, thanks to the amazing Julie Kaye (AKA my sister).  I'm jumping out of my skin waiting for the Opening Ceremonies to start (on TV... I just couldn't stand to watch it streaming live on a tiny lap top screen)!

The Olympics are such an amazing event.  It's not just because of how amazingly dedicated the athletes are, not just because the Opening Ceremonies are always gorgeous displays of the host country's history, and it's not just because there are 23 Aggies (WHOOP!) competing on Olympic Teams! Those are awesome reasons, but the real reason it's amazing is watching competitors and spectators and coaches from all over the world come together in one place.  It's seeing camaraderie amongst peers, amongst collegians from different schools.  It gives me the chills just thinking about how beautiful it is to see them all together.

I've been watching the Olympics with full force ever since I can remember.  Waiting the two years between the Summer and Winter Olympics and counting each day until they return.  I remember sitting in my parent's living room in a pool of afternoon sunlight, staring in awe as the swimmers made waves across the brilliant blue pool. 

These games are not special to me for ONLY those reason though.  This year, my heritage will be highlighted.  As I am a first generation American, I always try to hold on to the cultures my parents have given me.  This year, I get to remember how proud I am to be British and how truly blessed I am to live in the USA.

Winter Wedding Bliss: Mr. and Mrs. Chuck and Erin Gussler

After a CRAZY few months of moving, working on the website, changing the website, and changing it again, I am FINALLY getting Erin and Chuck up on the blog.  Let me just start out by saying that Erin is one of my dearest friends.  She is sweet, kind, and beautiful!  While I've only met Chuck a few times, I can see how amazing of a man and husband he truly is! They are meant to be together and completely, head-over-heels in love! Their wedding was absolutely gorgeous!  I am so blessed to have been able to help Erin through her wedding plans.  I felt so special when she asked me to help her choose a florist and design her wedding flowers, and I'm going to selfishly say that I'm so proud of how amazing everything turned out!

Anyways, without further ado, here are some of Erin and Chuck's wedding pictures.  Photography is by Carlea J Photography! Aren't these pictures amazing???

Location: Briscoe Manor
Flowers: Dream Bouquet
Cake: Cakes by Gina

Officially Mrs. Carpenter

I know, I know. It doesn't make sense that after a year and almost a month of marriage, I'm titling this blog post "officially Mrs. Carpenter."  Or it doesn't make sense if you don't know that I actually never did change my name after Ben and I got married.  Was it because I was avoiding social security and the DPS?  Was I too lazy?  Actually, it was purely due to the fact that I didn't want to have a Maryland Driver's License.  I wanted to move.  I have to admit that I was being pretty optimistic because we might not have been blessed by such a quick move, and my Texas Driver's license expires in August.  I would have had to get a Maryland license in a few short months anyways.

Needless to say, I got home, and almost immediately, started the process of becoming Mrs. C! So far it's been pretty easy.  I've already taken care of many of the little details of changing my name (well let's not pretend the DPS has been anything short of a pain in the butt). But while we're on the subject, can I just express my deepest sigh of relief in finding out that I didn't have to spend the almost 40 dollars on software that would have been a waste of my time?

Yes, there is a software that all brides can by called a name change kit. I almost bought this completely overpriced kit so many times thinking that this process was supposed to involve all sorts of crazy paper work.  Am I just lucky?

So... just a note to brides out there considering the name change kits.  Do some research before you buy it, and make sure that it's actually necessary for you to change your name.  Most places just require your marriage license and proof of age. That's it! Easy Peasy.

Wedding Tip: Bridesmaids Dresses

Remember in the '80s and '90s when bridesmaids' dresses were the puffiest, most hideous dresses that came in the ugliest hues of your wedding colors?  Remember how much fun it was to joke about how becoming a bridesmaid meant putting on a hideous dress and standing next to your best friend before shoving that dress in a closet never to look at it again?  Well, there's good news.  Those days are over.

Bridesmaids no longer have to be subjected to being ugly just so the bride can stand out, and they no longer have to wear the purple dress so it matches the purple flowers with purple table cloths and a purple cake.  Let's face it, weddings are much classier than that. 

Today, we can put bridesmaids in dresses that, not only flatter their body type, but are also colors that everyone will enjoy.  Here are some tips on how to have your best friends feeling amazing without sacrificing your wedding day visions.

1) Bridesmaids dresses are always pretty when put in NEUTRAL colors like black, beige, and gray.  These days, your bridesmaids can even wear white, although it is rarely done.  Don't worry, you'll still stand out on your day! How could you not!  The neutral look against flowers in your wedding colors will really make those flowers pop and give them some attention as your friends walk down the aisle and stand beside you at the alter.

2) Use colors that may not be part of your COLOR SCHEME but will compliment it!  The flowers your bridesmaids hold can either be white or can match your wedding colors.  This idea makes sure that you have your bridesmaids as brightly dressed as you'd like them to be but also ensures that nobody feels like their blending in with a table cloth or the flowers they hold!

3) Don't let your bridesmaids CHOOSE THEIR OWN dresses without you! Why, you ask?  Well, if you tell them to get their own gray dress, they could come back with any number of different grays, lengths, materials, styles, etc.  Your wedding will be all sorts of messy.  It's great to let each girl wear a style she's comfortable with, but how about going with her to shop?  Make sure that what she likes fits your visions for the day of, AND make sure she feels pretty and comfortable in the style she's in.  The dresses don't have to match, but by all means, make sure they compliment one another!

4) Lastly, just HAVE FUN picking out these dresses.  After all, it is part of planning your wedding, and you should be enjoying every second of it!

(I do not own any of the pictures shown.  They were all pinned on my Event Planning Ideas pin board on pinterest.com)

Have a Lovely Sunday!





Everything is better in Texas

For the first time ever since I got married, I'm living in Texas with my husband!  Our first year of marriage in Maryland was amazing, and I will never regret it.  We had so many fun adventures and got to feel important living so close to our nation's capital, but there's nothing like coming home.  Part of me still doesn't feel like we're staying.  Just moments ago I had the thought that I'd leave something packed so it wouldn't be a pain when I go back, but I'm NOT going back!! It's such a relief. 

Yesterday, while running errands with Ben, he said he could already tell how much happier and more confident I am here.  I actually drove to the store and to get my very very expired inspection taken care of (oops!!!).  It's amazing what a year of fearing insane traffic will do to make you appreciate the crazy drivers here in Dallas. 

Today I'm excited to be helping my sister design the decor for her apartment. This makes me feel like I'm putting my event design skills to the test and to work.  And tomorrow I'm headed out to a Rangers game.  I've never been to one before.  Again, it's insane what a year of being away will make you appreciate and do.

That's all for now.  P.S. I promised a picture from our anniversary shoot, and here it is! Kara was amazing!!!

Photo by Click Chick Images