The Witching Hour

I'll try to do a wedding post tonight, but no promises. After we give out the candy to trick-or-treaters, I'm going to babysit my friend's little girls while he plays hockey.

In the meantime, here are some pictures from Hallowe'en exactly 2 years ago, when I lived with Jane in Toronto.

Here we are with our stuffed witch. She had a broom, but it was fabric so it kinda self-collapsed. Our witch just ended up with an extra big bum!


And here's a close-up of our pumpkin:


Happy Hallowe'en!

Wedding Thoughts

Why is it that in so many wedding jokes, the bride is roping an unsuspecting, and often unwilling, groom into a life of ... well, as my grade 8 teacher described this bad word, "h - e - double hockey sticks" (imagine the shape of a hockey stick, and you should figure out what that spells).

When I recently did a post on weddings jokes, I sifted through tons of these stereotypical jokes. I tried to mostly stay away from these jokes, because I don't think it's appropriate (even if I did laugh at some of those jokes). I wanted to post jokes that were genuinely funny, not funny at the expense of perpetuating stereotypes that I see as inappropriate. And there were funny jokes that were not at the expense of a stereotype.

Does the groom (who still traditionally proposes) not her to marry him?
Does the groom not indicate his intent and take his vows on his wedding day?

I know they are just jokes, but many jokes have a basis in some people's realities or attitudes. And I don't want to further those attitudes.

That is why I ended the post with a quote from a man who had been married: "Marriage is a lot like the army: everyone complains, but you'd be surprised at the large number that re-enlist." James Garner

I thought I was the only one ...

I've seen a particular colour combination a couple times as a wedding theme. These colours always remind me of the same holiday. I thought maybe I was nuts ... However, it turns out I'm not the only one: the blogger Nicole at From Prom To Altar wrote a witty and hilarious post on this topic.

Source: The Knot

I repeat: you must click on the link to the post to see what another blog has said on this topic.

Congratulations Kristy!

My friend, former roommate, and bridesmaid recently became engaged to her beau Eric. Congratulations, guys!

L-R: Kristy, me & Emily on Canada Day (July 1) 2007 in our nation's capital

PUPPIES!

I have puppies on my mind. These gorgeous babies are all available for rescue from shelters and foster homes.

Callie the pomeranian (she looks like a mix between my belated Tippy and my parent's Yogi)

Buddy the lhasa apso (my first dog, Chu Chu, was a honey-coloured lhasa apso)

Molly the miniature australian shepherd (isn't she adorable?!)

Pam the shih tzu - poodle mix (somehow the abbreviation for this breed doesn't seem right!)

Chelsea and Angel the shih tzu sisters

Animals from puppy mills are commonly sold in pet stores. Why support a puppy mill when you can rescue an animal in need!

Bridal Party

In my blog-stalking (and I do a lot!), I have come across other brides (and occassionally grooms) who are confused by the idea of the bridal party. Not the idea of having bridesmaids and groomsmen, but rather the idea of forcing people to wear (sometimes expensive) matching outfits, pay a lot of money (through hosting bridal showers, throwing bachelor / bachelorette parties), and just generally run errands for the bride & groom.

I respect that some people do not want to ask friends to make such a commitment. And frankly, that is not what I would ask my friends to do.

I view the bridal party as unofficial cheerleaders.

Of course, I don't expect the bridesmaids to wear cheerleader skirts. And neither Wade nor I expects the groomsmen to wear any skirts! I mean cheerleaders in that the bridesmaids are there to support me (and the groomsmen to support Wade) on our wedding day.

Here's why I want a bridal party:
1. They may help me plan / do little diy craft projects
2. They will calm me down if I get upset, emotional, or irrational*
3. They will get ready with me
4. They will hopefully have fun getting ready with me
5. They will officially stand up with me when I get married

Though I know everyone who will attend our wedding is there to support Wade and me on our wedding day, the bridesmaids are just a little extra emotional support for me!

According to the etiquette books I've read, many "traditional" duties of bridesmaids are not actually requirements: it is not a requirement of bridesmaids to throw a bridal shower; it most certainly is not a requirement for bridesmaids to throw a bachelorette party; bridesmaids are not expected to be literal maids on the wedding day. I don't want my bridesmaids to feel obligated to do anything (duty or not) that they are uncomfortable or unable (financially or geographically) to undertake.

I have 4 lovely ladies standing up for me: Jocelyn, Emily, Kristy and Crystal. And I am so thrilled and honoured that they have accepted to be my bridesmaids! That is part of the reason I am struggling so much to find a great bridesmaid dress: I want something they will look and feel great wearing for a day.

P.S.1 I'm so excited to have them as bridesmaids, I've already started their gifts. I started about 3 months ago! I'm nuts, I know, but I have already had a lot of fun picking out ideas!
P.S.2 I do expect them to book the day of June 6th off work, but I'm sure they already knew that! :)
*I am not talking bride-zilla upset, but rather if I have a panic attack or overreact to something silly, my friends help me put things into perspective!

Economy

Okay, I'm relenting. I'm writing about the economy.

Even just this past September, Canada's economy was booming. Now, with the global economic meltdown, our economy is sluggish.

Well, honestly, everywhere I go, I see help-wanted signs. Granted, it's not at the types of places you'll pull in 6-figures. But it seems like every other restaurant, department store and call centre (okay, there are only 2 call centres that I know of in Kingston, but 1 is doing a massive hire) are all hiring.

Now, those aren't the jobs that necessarily boost the economy. Some of the bigger employers in Kingston have a freeze on hiring until the end of the year. However, some other bigger employers are still hiring.

So why is Kingston (and many parts of Canada) so different from the rest of the world? If I knew the answer to that, I'd answer a lot of people's questions!
[Update added on November 17: the news agencies have been reported the last few days that we are about to enter the global recession, but the reason we were so protected until now had to do with our stricter banking laws, which prevented some of the things from happening here that happened in other parts of the world.]

I know my limited investment have depreciated by 1/3. I know not to panic, I know the market will recover, and since I'm young, I'll recoup it all back and then some with time. I'm lucky. I feel bad for those within a couple years of retirement. I really feel bad for those who have lost their jobs.

Hang in there. It'll get better. This, too, shall pass. And all that sage advice that you've already heard is true, even if it doesn't help right now.

As a consequence of the economic issues, The Salvation Army, The United Way, and other charities are reporting that donations are lower when compared to this time last year. However, the CBC just ran an article indicating that Kingston's United Way campaign is up from last year. According to the CBC, due to the nature of some of our big industries (two universities, a college, a hospital and several prisons), we are less affected by economic pressures. I don't know if that's the real reason (did you see today's numbers? we can't be immune for much longer) - I suspect the desire to help others who are in need is a greater factor.

The fact that local charities are (thus far) doing well does say something about our community (whether it says something about our economy or about the goodness of people's hearts is difficult to prove). Regardless of the cause of people's goodness, it's a good thing for local charities who are devoted to helping others.

A couple jokes

A couple wedding-related jokes. I hope they make you smile.
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Blue-haired old aunts used to come up to me at weddings, poking me in the ribs and cackling, telling me, "You're next!"

They stopped after I started doing the same thing to them at funerals.
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I thought this was a cute line: "Honey, how do you expect me to remember your birthday when you never look any older?"
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She left him on the sofa when the phone rang, and was back in a few seconds. "Who was it?" he asked. "My husband," she replied. "I better get going," he said. "Where was he?" "Relax. He'll be late, he's playing poker with you."
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A little boy was a ring bearer in a wedding. As he was coming down the aisle he would take two steps, stop, and turn to the crowd (alternating between bride's side and groom's side). While facing the crowd, he would put his hands up like claws and roar loudly.

So it went, step, step, ROAR, step, step, ROAR all the way down the aisle.

As you can imagine, the crowd was near tears from laughing so hard by the time he reached the front. The little boy, however, was getting more and more distressed from all the laughing, and was near tears himself by the time he reached the pulpit.

When asked what he was doing, the child sniffed and said, "I was being the Ring Bear."
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And finally:
"Marriage is a lot like the army: everyone complains, but you'd be surprised at the large number that re-enlist." James Garner

Tiara ... or not tiara

I always assumed I would wear a tiara when I got married. Let me back about: I pictured all brides wearing tiaras, when I thought about getting married, anyway. Planning a wedding was not a preoccupying thought in my mind, but I won't deny I never thought about it. At least a little, anyway.

Tiaras look so fun and regal ... and as I mentioned in this past Thursday's post, how many opportunities do most of us have to wear tiaras?! However, when you actually look at many tiaras, they just don't look right on so many brides. Sometimes, they look overdone, some are too big, some look obviously cheap, and some just don't look right.

Here are some examples from glamgal Click Glam Gal Designs, which are all very pretty examples, but I still don't know if I like them for me:



















Not to mention, most tiaras look best with high updos or high buns, which is not necessarily the hair style I want to wear. Although it's fun to find a reason to wear tiaras, it may not look appropriate for me on my wedding day.

As an aside, they do look right on some brides:
Source: Hello! Magazine

Yesterday's post was all about accessories. The accessory can really change the look. However, the bride's look can change the accessories. Just look at the deer-in-the-headlights bride and the come-hither-bride. On a normal bride, the two necklaces worn by the two brides would look great! So, here are the accessories from yesterday, as worn by model (not necessarily normal brides).

The astoria necklace is very glamorous on this model, though she does have a bit of a deer in the headlights look:


The vega necklace as shown with a strapless dress, with the come-hither look:


There were two looks to the fiona: the 20 strand version (on the left, as shown in yesterday's post) and the 10 strand version (on the right). I think the 10 strand version actually is more flattering, though I am sure I could find reasons to wear both of them.
















Oh, I just realized this orla headcomb would serve the dual purpose when housekeeping of looking divine and keeping my hair out of my face!


And, for the final hairpiece, wouldn't I fit just in at Starbucks in the rosemary comb? I can just see myself ordering a tall americano with room wearing this!

Fun With Accessories

When do normal people get to wear luxurious (or even over-the-top) accessories? I mean, really, other than playing dress-up as a little girl, I've never worn a tiara. And how often do I wear crystal and pearl necklaces?

I think most of the world does not get to do these fun things. Some girls occassionally wear tiaras to their prom or formal, but other than that, the only other day is your wedding day.

When you get a chance to wear wear gorgeous necklaces like this, you take it! Marquis necklace

Find any excuse to wear this necklace. Today's excuse: Grey's Anatomy is on! Astoria

Wouldn't this necklace look stunning with a strapless gown? Vega

How gorgeous!

Speaking of crystal studded accessories for the bride, how about tiaras? I think we should all wear tiaras more often. I think I could find, somewhere in my day-to-day life, a reason to wear something like this: Fiona headband

And wouldn't I just look divine doing housekeeping in this? Orla headband

Or how about wearing this to Starbucks? Rosemary haircomb

Personally, I don't think we wear tiaras enough!

Tigerlilly Jewelry, source of all those gorgeous accessories, is having a sale. Click here for more information.

"A place stand, a place to grow, Ontario, ari, ari-o!"

All Ontarians can sing the above song. It's a requirement of living here.

Tonight, I was busy blog-stalking and watching tv (go Rick Mercer) in a hotel in Sault Ste Marie (about 950 km or nearly 600 mi from my hometown). Both cities are in Ontario, by the way. Ontario's a big province. I was thinking of how big it is, when that song got stuck in my head. Google "Ontario ari ario" and you can find the song on you-tube. Editorial note: I never said it's a good song, just a catchy one that gets stuck in your head.

So, I'm going to post some information on Ontario, and Canada.

Ontario is big. Over one million square kilometres big. 1,076,395 km2 or 415,598 sq mi, to be exact. That's bigger than your province. Unless you also live in Ontario. Or Québec. La Belle Province is bigger (1,542,056 km2 or 595,391 sq mi).

However, Ontario is bigger than some countries. Like France. Or Spain. France and Spain together is slightly bigger than Ontario. Go ahead, look up the areas on wikipedia. I'll be here.

Believe me? :) Ontario's that big.

Canada is the home of many great things, including Mike Meyers, The Guess Who, Martin Short, Avril Lavigne, Leslie Neilsen, Alanis Morisette, Donald Sutherland and his son Kiefer. Yep. That's just the short list*. I left out the really famous ones, like Blackberry cell phones and Winnie the Pooh.

Oh - you didn't know Winne the Pooh is Canadian? Well, we Canadians have a source of pride called the Heritage Minute. These Heritage Minutes are how the average Canadian is educated about our history, through commercials.

Click here for the story of Winnie the Pooh, famous Canadian bear.

*If you want more information on Canadian actors, just google Canadian actors. Or Canadian comedians. Or Canadian singers. Or Canadian bands. Yes, there's wikipedia articles on each of those topics. I'm sure it was written by Canadians. We're modest that way.

Photography

Our photographers are a husband and wife team, Katie & Steven, of Unveiled Photography. There are so many benefits to having two photographers! When we were initially looking at photographers, I had my short list of about 4 local photographers, including Unveiled Photography. Then friends of our mentioned that Unveiled Photography were their wedding photographers, and they were thrilled with the results. We were sold. We didn't even ask Katie & Steven for references - we already had a glowing review from friends of ours!

As part of our photographers' package, an engagement session is included. I didn't initially want an engagement session, but they gave some very good reasons for getting one. In their opinion, an engagement session allows the photographers to learn how we photograph before our wedding. Plus, as Katie mentioned, if we love another season, we get can professional pictures in that season. I was sold at that point!

Many people love the fall. For many people, it's their favourite time of year. Many people get married in the fall. Many spring/summer brides get fall engagement sessions. But I'm not like most people. The fall initially depresses me: it's the end of the summer, the days are getting shorter, and it gets colder.

Once autumn has actually arrived (there is not a hint of summer), I love the warm autumn days, the crisp nights, the colourful scenery, eating fresh apples and enjoying apple cider. But the initial depression I always get at the end of summer / start of the fall always bums me out.

I also love the winter. I love the beautiful light that is reflected off the evening snow. I even love winter weddings! We got engaged in December of last year, on December 15th, so let's have a winter wonderland engagement session!

Click here for images of our photographers' recent engagement sessions.

Bridesmaid Dresses

I have posted on this topic all-ready. I thought I had a bridesmaid style picked out. I was thinking a-line, with ruching. Something like this:
Source: Alfred Angelo (available here in Kingston)

I was looking a styles that fit that style. I dragged two bridesmaid across Toronto to look at 3 stores that carried the entire Watters line. We got there, and even though all 3 stores indicated on-line that they carry the full line, none actually carried the full line. I looked at some Watters dresses, some Alfred Angelo dresses, and some Mori Lee dresses.

Then I started looking on-line again. And I discovered the many virtues of non-bridesmaid dresses.

Source: Alfred Angelo (okay, this is a bridesmaid dress, but it does not have a traditional look).

Source: J. Crew (an American chain, but easy enough to drive to from here!)

Source: BCBG Max Azria (although hard to tell, this dress is actually silver, not white)

Ack! Why am I struggling more with the bridesmaid dresses than with my bridal gown!
(The bridesmaid dress will be a gold or red dress, not necessary the colours above)

I, Krista, take thee, Wade ....

Okay that phrase is rarely used in real weddings; most just in television weddings! Most churches modernized their language about a hundred years ago. Or less. I'm not sure!

The United Church is a Canadian religion. I think it literally only exists in Canada. It's a fairly liberal church, founded a long time ago from a merger between the Presbyterian Church (aka the Church of Scotland), the Methodist Church, and two smaller church groups. (Some of those church congegrations remained separated, but most became United Churches.) Wade and I are both United ... Well, when we went/go to church, it was/is United. Our mothers were both raised United. I don't know about his dad. My dad was raised Anglican (but they often went to the closer Presbyterian Church).

The traditional United wedding vows are fairly similar to that tradition television/movie vows (that we all know), but are actually in normal English. Our minister has given us the option of writing our own, personalized vows or using one of a half-dozen traditional vows.

As an aside, our minister also informed us that the United Church has never allowed women to be given away in a marriage. The United Church has never viewed women as property. The father can walk his daughter down the aisle, indicate that he is bringing his daughter forward and that he blesses the marriage, but he cannot give his daughter away. Cool, huh?

Wade and I have a big and important decision to make. The vows are the heart of the ceremony. The ceremony is the reason for the wedding. And the wedding is the reason we party at the reception! I do know want to overlook the ceremony in order to plan the "perfect" reception. (Does a perfect reception even exist? I don't think so. I hope I don't even try for perfection, just to make sure it's a fun time!).

So back to our decision. Do we write our own vows, instilling a deep sense of meaning into this very personal commitment? Or do we accept and embrace the tried-and-true traditional vows?


P.S. Sorry about not posting yesterday. I was not in the mood to turn on the computer last night. I hope the 2 posts (and 1 non-wedding post) on Tuesday helped tide you over.

Cakes (drooool)

Yum ...

Remember the last time you had a birthday cake? Did you bake it from scratch? I don't know if I've ever done that, so I'll estimate it costs $5 to do bake a cake from scratch. Or maybe you baked it from a Betty Crocker mix? I've done that before, and that'll set you back about $5, plus the cost of two eggs. Did you buy it from a bakery? That'd be about $10-20. Or maybe you got a Dairy Queen ice cream cake (yum)? Those are more expensive, but oh-so-worth-it! They cost about $20-30. Each of those cakes will serve 6 - 10 people (depending on how big you cut the slices! It might serve even more if you cut normal sized slices, unlike my family). That cost ranges from $1/person to $3/person.

Get a wedding cake, and it costs $5/person ... AND UP. Okay, that doesn't sound that much more expensive than other cakes when you break it down by the slice. Only $2 to $4 more per slice. But multiply that by your 75 or 100 people, and that's $375 to $500 for a cake. A cake!

So let's drool over those confections that cost so much:
Source: Martha Stewart Weddings

Your cake can be your something blue!
Source: Martha Stewart Weddings

A Charlotte, a cake made up of lady fingers:
Source: Martha Stewart Weddings

Croquembouche, a French traditional cake made up of little creampuffs and caramel. Divine!
Source: Martha Stewart Weddings

Sugar at its finest:
Source: Dolci Fiori (local baker)

Now let's eat!
Source: Mrs. Lovebug on Weddingbee

Hungry yet? Oh yeah, not only do these confections cost more per slice than any other cake you've ever purchased or made ... And not only are you buying more cake than you've ever needed any time in your life before ... But often (depending on the bake), the cake tastes like cardboard.

Have you ever had cake that tasted like cardboard before? Please share the story of cardboard goodness! Hey, at least you're getting your fibre ...

Elections Canada

Today is a federal election in Canada. On the CBC this morning, it was noted that only 60% of eligible Canadians voted. The youth vote (18-25) has particularly low voting rate. I have voted in all Canadian elections (federal, provincial and municipal) since turning 18.


In all seriousness, if you don't vote, you don't have a voice. If you don't like any of the candidates, at least go and spoil your ballot. It does send a message!

It's very easy to register to vote in Canada; you can even register at the polling station if you have the proper i.d. with you! Go to Elections Canada for information on valid identification.

In case you were wondering, Elections Canada does in fact answer the age-old question on their website: "Is someone allowed to eat a ballot?"
Click here to read the answer.

I (heart) sparkles

This dress has been blogged about in a few other wedding blogs, but I just couldn't pass it up! Bride Kelly Devoto decided to wear the dress she wanted to wear. It happened to be a prom dress. It happened to be a bright blue and purple dress. It happened to be sparkly and sequined. It happened to be stunning on her!

This wedding dress may not be the conventional dress, but it's definitely her dress.





Source: Offbeat Bride

Happy Thanksgiving

In honour of this long week-end, Happy Thanksgiving!

Say Yes to the Dress? ... Say whaaaat?

Another guilty pleasure: the show "Say Yes to the Dress" on TLC.

I just watched the most ridiculous episode. One bride brought her parents, her fiancé, and her fiancé's parents. Okay, kinda weird, but to each her own. Her parents were moderately critical, his parents were moderately critical, and he was an absolute jerk.

She wore a trumpet style. He thought it made her butt look big.
She wore a ballgown with ruching. He thought the ruching looked like the gills on a fish.
She wore beads. He thought it was too beaded.
She wore simple. He thought it was too plain.
She wore an A-line. He thought it was too pouffy.
Another A-line. Not pouffy enough.

When the consultant asked what looked good about the second last gown, in front of both their parents, he declared that the only good feature about one dress was that her boobs looked good.

If any man said that in front of my parents, I would be livid. Her parents should have been offended, or at least embarassed. His parents should have been ashamed that their son would say something like that in public.

And how did they react? The mothers both giggled, as if he was a naughty boy. Why do we accept such sexism? Granted, editing can leave out the remainder of conversations preceeding that comment, as well as the conversations that followed. That was, at best, a private comment; but given the audience, it was a sexist comment. He knew he was being filmed for a show.

How do we, as women, tolerate such blatant sexism? I am not about to suggest a feminist tirade on all men all the time, but when someone close to you says something that is inappropriate, please politely and calmly let them know that such comments are inappropriate.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing."
(I realize the irony of using a gender-specific quotation; however, I am comfortable quoting 'men' because at that time it was used to refer to all people.)

How do I love thee? ...

No, I'm not referring my fiancé (though I do love him, too).

I love thee, Martha Stewart, let me count the way! I love your Weddings magazine. I love your website, even if it is slow. I love your show, with craft ideas, fashion shows, crafts, flower arranging, and almost everything else. Even if I won't use 95-99% of the ideas, I love knowing that I could ! Most of them are do-able by the average person, or even by me!

What I don't love is how my Martha Stewart Weddings can't find its way to me!

I subscribed after swooning over the magazines, and buying 2 or 3 in a row. I realized that if I'm going to continue to buy the magazines, I should take advantage of the savings by subscribing! Plus, I believe I got an email from Martha (okay, someone on her team, but I like to pretend she sent it personally) with a link to her website's subscription form.

My first edition was expedited to me. It was the spring edition. And I couldn't believe it! Oh so exciting!

My second edition, the summer edition, did not arrive as I had hoped it would. I waited and waited, thinking it ought to have arrived. I excitedly went to the mailbox, day after day, only to be disappointed, day after day. It broke my heart! A couple weeks after first seeing the magazines at Chapters and at Loblaws, I decided to call and ask if it had been sent. When I called, a charming young man informed me that the magazine had, in fact, been sent weeks ago. He offered to send a replacement magazine. Oh joy! It arrived several days later, and I was so very thrilled!

Now that it is officially the fall, I have been waiting for the magazine. My heart was hurt, but not broken, by the disappointment of the late summer arrival. However, when I saw the magazine at Chapters on Wednesday, I knew my magazine went missing. Again.

I called tonight, and was informed that it should have arrived early this week, but it's still to early to send a replacement magazine. I understand that we have to give it a few days. But why, oh why, does my heart get hurt again? I love thee, Martha Stewart Weddings, why don't you love me back?!

Click here to check out the goodness that is Martha Stewart Weddings: http://www.marthastewart.com/Weddings

Readings?

Readings add so much to the ceremony. They can be used to impart widsom. They can be used to pledge love. They can be used as an interlude in the service. Yet, they are are integral to the meaning of the service.

Since we are getting married in a church, it's only appropriate that we select a reading from the Bible. The minister suggested a list of appropriate readings. My favourite of that list is I Corinthians 13:1-13.

Here is a highlight from I Corinthians 13:1-13: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. [...] It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

I also like including non-religious readings, love poems written for and inspired by love, including Sonnet 43 from Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnets from the Portuguese, Robert Burns's A Red, Red Rose, and Shakespeare's Sonnet 18. Each of those readings has a story behind it, but also stand on their own in just the words.

Highlights from Sonnet 43: How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. / I love thee to the depth and breadth and height / My soul can reach [...].

Highlights from A Red, Red Rose: O my luve's like a red, red rose / That's newly sprung in June; / O mu luve's like the melodie / That's sweetly play'd in tune. / As fair art thou, my bonie lass, / So deep in luve am I; / And I will luve thee still, my dear, / Till a' the seas gang dry.

Highlights from Sonnet 18: Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? / Thou art more lovely and more temperate: / Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, /
And summer's lease hath all too short a date [...].

You can look them up for the full text by doing a simple google search.

Of course, the ceremony is not anywhere near being finalized ... or even started for that matter. These are just some ideas I have!

Gimme a head with hair ...

Another detail that does not directly contribute to the wedding (the wedding being the exchange of vows and the marriage commitment). And yet it's so fun to think about.

HAIR.

I love, luve, looooooooooove getting my hair done. For anything or for any reason. I especially love updos. I love the way I look in updos. I love their formality. I love their grace. I love their style. I don't often have my hair styled into an updo, but my hair, which is medium-long, does well in updos.

Should I get an updo for my wedding day?

They do secure the veil nicely:
So beautiful!

On the other hand, a structured and styled "down-do" can be verrrrry flattering:
My hair doesn't grow this long (ever) but if it did, the debate would be over!

But updos can give you a very stylized silhouette:
Swoon.

A beautifully structured "downdo" is so flowing and romatic. My hair doesn't get as long as the above model's hair, and I'm not thrilled by the idea of hair extensions. Could my medium-long hair even look this good? And if it does, will my hair maintain this flowing shape all day? I would hate for my hair to lose its volume and lie flat by the cake cutting.

An updo is stylized and graceful. I love the look of updos, but I don't necessarily love taking them out at the end of the day. And I don't usually have my hair styled on a daily basis. Do I want an updo just to "hold" the veil in place? Or do I actually want an updo? Do I want such a structured style all day? I would hate to spend half an hour taking out 40 bobby pins at the end of the night.

Oh, the decisions. I clearly have a hard life.

(All pictures from theknot)

Tables Numbers (aka minutia)

And this post is about some of the many, many wedding details that don't really matter. Let's be honest here: does it matter how I number or name the tables? In the grand scheme of things, not so much. Shh ... don't tell that to a bride planning her tables!

So let's review the options for numbering and naming tables, and discuss out options. The most obvious, and simplest, option is just numbering.

Numbers are nice and easy to find where you will be seated:


However, guests must still find out at which table number they are assigned. The traditional manner is through "escort cards". Inside these cards indicates your table number! Easy breezy, right? Well, these cards can be quite time consuming to make, depending on the design. If thoughtfully designed, however, the escort card display can complement the reception decor, and maybe even be a focal point.

And aren't these escort card displays so chic and so worth the effort?!
Source: Martha Stewart Weddings

Source: Martha Stewart Weddings

A lot of couples, to save money (understandably), post the guests on a single board, organized by table number. This is an economical option, but it is somewhat embarrassing when you realize you're seated at table number last. That's happened to me a couple times, and though (deep down) I know it doesn't mean anything, it's kinda like being picked last for the schoolyard baseball game. I will avoid this option if I can, because I didn't like being picked last!

Another new and fun option is to name the tables by themes. Some couples do streets on which they've lived: Johnson, Lincoln, Muirfield, Unity, etc. Some couples pick places they've visited together: London, Vienna, Toronto, Ottawa, etc. The downside, however, is that it can be difficult to find the table, because you pretty much have to go up to each table until you find yours. It's not like a big number sticking out!

I have to say, the animal themed tables for this reception dinner at Disney's Animal Kingdom is so cute. And I do like giraffes!
Source: A Diseny Bride Blog

So now I have to make this seemingly meaningless decision.

Peony Alternatives

Previously (here: "http://kristaandwadeswedding.blogspot.com/2008/09/i-heart-peonies.html" and here: "http://kristaandwadeswedding.blogspot.com/2008/09/more-peonies.html"), I discussed the many virtues of peony bouquets. I also discussed their downfalls (namely their short season and their cost).

Now I'm going to discuss a common alternative, English Roses, and a hidden alternative, carnations.

English Roses, also called David Austin Roses, are a great alternative to peonies:

Claire Austin:

Fair Bianca:

Glamis Castle:

Lichfield Angel:

Winchester Cathedral:
Source for all English Roses: David Austin Roses, Limited

And even carnations, when you have enough, create a full look:
Source: Amy Lynne Originals


Any other alternatives to peonies?