would you change it if you could?

As I was driving to work today I passed a billboard announcing the weekly mega-millions lotto amount. We buy tickets sometimes when the prize gets up there (20 million +only, because really what would we do with like a measly 8 million?! ha). Since I had another hour and a half to go before I reached my destination the wheels really started turning - say, we won the lottery tomorrow, how would our wedding be different?
Well, after I thought about it for awhile - I really wouldn't change anything! Although, I wouldn't worry about the ridiculous cost of linens as much, and would probably upgrade to the coveted Chivari chair, but really I love everything we have done so far!
I wouldn't change our venue to some amazing and luxurious ballroom with a plated six-course meal from some famous chef and buy a dress from the upscale Vera Luxe collection.

I might change our invitations to letterpress - just because it is soo delicous, but really - raised or indented our guests won't care.
I would hire a Day-Of-Coordinator just to ensure everything flows smoothly, and someone to apply make-up to my face since I rarely do......... and fly in Still Motion for the most amazing videography ever. But really, these things will not make-or-break my day, just make it a little more amazing.
Well, to be honest, if Still Motion was there I might just have heart palpitations, but other than that, I could be a millionairess and I would still want to get married on our boat, with my family and closest friends standing beside us and details that I lovely crafted myself - and that is very comforting to know.

Would your wedding be vastly different if you won the lottery?

secrets secrets...

I have a exciting secret for you ladies. Hopefully I can wait until Monday before I spill the beans (I'm not very good at keeping secrets).....hence this post.....but I was just too excited not to half tell you!

image from here

midnight and mimosa...

I searched for the prefect wedding inspiration photo for a very long time - something with our color scheme and all the qualities I was looking for in our wedding day.
I needed:
a. Something classic (so our wedding pictures wouldn't feel dated in 5 or 10 years).
b. Something modern (so our wedding isn't exactly like every other wedding from the past).
c. Elegant, but not formal or stuffy.
d. Strong sense of design/style without being trendy.
e. Our color scheme du jour - navy, yellow, white and a cool gray.

And then I found this:
Crisp, modern, classic lines, navy, yellow, hint of cool silvery/gray.
And I was sold. That helped me to really pair down all the images on my hard drive into one cohesive inspiration board.

Presenting, Midnight and Mimosa:

click to make LARGER

Most of the images are from Snippet and Ink, they all have been saved on my hard drive for too long to know where I got them. If they are yours let me know!

honeymoon excitement...

Mr. Gloss and I have been discussing where to go on our honeymoon. Iit has made me so excited to wear this:

somewhere like this:

and drink these:

confessions...

shame, shame.
i have totally fallen off the wagon and have not gone to the gym in two weeks. one week i was sick, and am somewhat still recovering....but it shall be an excuse no longer.

except i really don't want to go tonight -

the invites...a work in progress

I've been working on invitations as of late. I originally fell in love with the 'handwritten' invite featured in the MS Weddings a few months back.


And then found this great suite at Mr. Boddington's Studio:
I have a few design options laid out - but as of right now, this one feels the most 'US'. All the navy 'handwriting' will be embossed (since letterpress is not in our budget), and the edges of the pieces will be a bright yellow. This invite was inspired by a combination of elements from ChereeBerryand Linda & Harriett.

-click to make larger -

What do you guys think? Too informal? According to our etiquette adviser, Ms. Emily Post, a handwritten invite is the most formal of all invitations. Do you think this form of handwriting applies?

today lists ARE NOT my friend

It's been pretty quiet around here and I apologize, but it just seems I have back lacking inspiration lately. When I started this blog I thought I would have tons of DIY posts (knowing the amount of stuff I had planned to make for the big day), and so far that has not really happened. In my mind I don't have that much left to do for the big day, most of my major vendors are either signed, or just about signed (minus flowers).
I had a free moment at work today and decided to make a list of all the items I plan on creating prior to August 15th. It started off sensible, and quickly turned into OMG.

Bathroom:
1. Bathroom baskets - (2 for the boat/2 for reception) *need Dramamine and SPF in addition to typical bathroom items.
2. Monogrammed hand towels for the bathrooms. *Buy towels.

Ceremony:
3. Programs.
4. Signage. *Cute rustic-y wedding signs pointing to the boat.
5. Wishing rocks. *Artfully write our names and wedding date...on rocks.
6. Make something really pretty to hold our vows.
7. Stitch handkercheifs to wipe away any happy tears for me and my favorite ladies.

Reception:
8. Mason jars with cute tags to hold the girl's bouquets.
9. Buy containers for beverages. 5 large glass containers for specialty drinks, large galvanized tubs for beer/soda/wine/water.
10. Monogrammed table runner for beverage table.
11. 120 Navy linen napkins. *Tied with rope.
12. 15 Navy linen table runners. *yellow stitching.
13. Table numbers.
14. Signage. *Food ID, S'more station, beverage ID.
15. Entry table word search. *Chalkboard
16. Favors - Homemade Jam. *Made by mom, make cute tags and labels, package with string and cloth, buy jars.
17. 100 Chinese Lanterns. *300 LED battery powered LED lights with ON/OFF switches. String to hang lanterns, string to hang lights.
18. Make string candle holders to hold tealights on cocktail tables. *Buy string, and tealights.
19. Grow flowers for centerpeices. *Mom
20. Make large light installation to frame dance floor.
21. Find the perfect birch trees to light inside the tent.
22. Find something to hold cards.

Food:
23. Monogram stickers for to-go coffee/tea cups.
24. Purchase selection of unique teas and something to display them with.
25. Water bottle labels.
26. S'mores Bar. *Purchase marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate. (Already have lg. glass apothecary jars). Buy sterno, roasters, and bamboo skewers. Make cute labels.
27. Buy and monogram drink stirrers and appetizer sticks.

Paper Items:
28. Invitations. *With lined envelopes. Hand addressed?
29. Flickr Cards.
30. 'Just Married' sign for the back of the car.
31. Napkins with 'Fun Facts'. *Come up with fun facts.
32. Placecards.

OOT Bags:
33. Syrup. *Being boiled by a friend, buy containers and cute packaging.
34. Postcards.
35. Information package of things to do/eat/go.
36. Snacks/water/candy.
37. Invitation to Sunday brunch. *Are we having one?

Miscellaneous:
38. Cute hanger cover for fabulous dress shots. *Find great base hanger.
39. Sparklers and matchbooks.
40. Make jewelery for bridesmaids.
41. Make homemade sugar-scrub for bridesmaids.
42. Kids Bags. *Watercolor paint with personalized bookmark. Crayons and coloring books.
43. Paint cans white, tie together with bright yellow and navy ribbon to tie to the back of the car.
44. Make some type of veil/headpeice.
45. Aisle runner?
46. 'Just Married' flag to raise on the boat's flagpole?
47. Make a cute bow for #2 shoes.
48. Find/make a cake topper.
49. Find/make my own jewelery.
50. Bride/Groom signs for dressing rooms.

So, if you made it to the end of the list - you'll know what to expect in the next 6 months. and it seems I better get crack'n. No wonder I had dreams about not getting everything done....I had no idea I was so behind.