Wedding Wednesday : Alex's Portraits

I know, I know, I know. Worst blogger of the year award goes to me.  Sorry for my radio silence, but y'all, life if very full right now.  So, I have been a little MIA while trying to keep up with areas of my life that do not include blogging -- like being a bridesmaid in a beautiful "white wedding" over the weekend.  To hold you over until I can wrap my head around a full recap, please check out Alex's Bridal Portraits here.

Dana Cubbage shot Alex's engagement session and her bridals here in Charleston, and she did an AMAZING job.  I had the privilege to accompany Al to her makeup session on the day of her portraits, help her shimmy into her dress, button all of the buttons, rig her belt to fit her, and assist Dana during the session.

This was the portrait Al chose to display at the reception, which made me feel extra special because... in case you were wondering who Alex is staring at with those loving eyes... .its me! hiding just past the hydrangeas... where I ran after fluffing her veil to perfection (if I do say so myself....). Now go check out the rest of these gorgeous shots!

xo, 

SVH

Wedding Wednesday : Invitations

Nothing sets the tone of a wedding better than said wedding's invitation suite.  It is the first glimpse at what is to come for your anxious guests.  That is why it is so important to make sure you pick the most perfect thing.  Chances are you'll have at least part of the suite on display in your home (or your parents') for years to come. See here how sweet Paige has hers displayed in her living room.  

Given the importance of an invitation jiving with the details of a specific event, I can't exactly throw random invitations at you today. But, I can show you some ideas that floated around my head in narrowing down the perfect thing for #AlmostAustin.  To save the surprise for Lauren's guests, I won't share the final product until after the big day! 

For reference my brainstorming for this suite sounded a lot like this:

gold, foil, peach, mint, lace, pocket, banded, natural, elegant

And here are a few of the top contenders:

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Every single one of these suites possessed something we loved.  There were few that we loved everything (minus the price point). But, don't you worry your pretty little heads.  The one we ended up choosing is everything we could have hoped for (and at an excellent price). I can't wait to show y'all next Spring! Stay tuned next week for a peak at how I intend to address these bad boys. 

xo, 

SVH

Wedding Wednesday: Let them eat cake.

By this point you all know I suffer from a severe wedding addiction, but I'm not sure how serious you all realize it is. You see, I am currently planning my first wedding professionally and while that sweet couple's pending nuptials are always on my mind, I often slip into a coma of random wedding-related items.  This week it is cake.  

Why? Lauren and I haven't even really delved into the dessert arena yet (although I do have something very specific in mind for her big day), yet I find myself daydreaming about red velvet, buttercream and beautiful flower toppers.  Today, I share with you my latest cake obsessions, including - but not limited to - the direction I am hoping to take with #AlmostAustin. 

First: Naked Cakes

These cakes are so not my style, but something about them is so...enchanting? They make me think of little sugar plum fairies? (I'm crazy?) I'm hoping I will eventually be able to talk some poor, un-suspecting bride into having one of these beauts for their after dinner treat. 

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Second: The Traditional 

This is more my style really (then again, I think if my wedding had a theme at all I would call it "The Traditional" as well). Pure, under-stated beauty. 

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My cake was actually fashioned after the one above. Minus the fondant (because fondant tastes like poo?), add buttercream, minus the lace and minus the flowers. So, pearls and a monogram. So, my cake was sort of like this? 

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Third: Rustic Elegance

I like to think of this third category as a nice mix between the previous two.  Rough icing on a well structured and beautifully adorned cake fits perfectly with the feel of  #AlmostAustin.  You  hear that, Lauren? :) 

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But, no cake without a little glam will do my little Lauren.  These toppers are my top contenders for her: 

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Ah, I'm feeling much better after having had the opportunity to spill some of this cake-themed brain clutter out into the internet. Which is your favorite?!

xo,

SVH

Weekend Roundup: Part Two

Welcome back for Part Two of my weekend in DC! 

Sunday morning, Paige and I woke up and anxiously got ready for the big day ahead of us. 

Y'all should know that at this point I was freaking out. I was so afraid that Marla was going to call us to give us the exciting news. So I turned off my phone. I wouldn't be able to keep the secret had I answered, and I wouldn't have been able to resist answering if my phone had been on. 

So with my phone off, we headed over to Marla and Josh's apartment building where the surprise would be taking place. 

Car selfie. Obvi. 

We were reunited with Alex once we arrived and at this point the nerves were really setting in. We knew that by this time, the question had been popped and our girl was engaged and then it was just a waiting game. We nervously took photos to pass the time...

As the couple's arrival inched closer, Marla's mom instructed the three of us that she wanted us front and center when they came through the door. You see, not to toot our own horns or anything, but second only to getting engaged, we all knew the surprise of seeing us there was going to send Marla over the top. And Marla's sweet mama wanted to witness the full effect.

We arranged ourselves near the door and  prepared to scream Mazel Tov at the top of our lungs as soon as Marla was in our sight. (Side note: Marla and Josh are a match made in Jewish heaven and we have all been anticipating the moment when we could yell Mazel Tov for her basically since the day we met her...or maybe the day she was born?) 

I think we did a pretty good job?

I'm not sure you can tell from the video just how much she is crying, but it's a lot. She's also saying over and over again, "you're here?". It was the sweetest. 

We then proceeded to take more photos. And cry some more. And smile a lot. 

The gang all together. With rings on our fingers. 

Get a good look at the rock why don't ya. 

Sadly we couldn't hang out forever because we had a dumb flight to catch (and Shake Shack to eat for the third time before said flight). 

Sad to be leaving Shake Shack behind... 

From Shake Shack here, we headed to the airport to experience our second three-hour delay of the weekend.  Curse you, U.S. Air. And there you have, the most magical weekend! Hope you enjoyed.

xo, 

SVH

Wedding Wednesday - #AlmostAustin

Last week I mentioned that Wedding Wednesday may be back to stay. Today, I'm here to explain.

No, I'm not getting married again. I like the husband I got. :)

Over the last two years I have been struggling significantly with my wedding addiction. Y'all, I have an entire Pinterest board entitled "every other bride's wedding dress". BECAUSE I CAN'T STOP PINNING. 

So, I've been on a hunt for something anything that will help sustain this desire for wedding planning. I mentioned earlier that I took a stab at wedding blogging, but it turns out I don't do well with assignments? So I quit. And then I was back to the drawing board. Praying to the Almighty to help me find something. 

It was then that the heavens opened up. And out popped Lauren, a sweet bride who has agreed to let ME plan her wedding. Lauren and her sweet red-headed groom are tying the knot in Charleston next spring, and I am already up to my elbows in planning. 

I plan to use Wedding Wednesday as an outlet for documenting their wedding planning process. I hope you will join me ( I mean us? I mean them?) on this sweet little journey. 

As a teaser, I've included below a few anchor items from the #AlmostAustin mood board. Enjoy! 

FYI. everything you see in the photo above is happening. (Plus a little extra glam.) 

 Ladies, I introduce you to Old Wide Awake Plantation

xo,

SVH

A Little Late, Our Wedding Reception Recapped

By a little late, I mean 2 years late.

It just occurred to me that I never recapped our wedding reception. Although I did a very thorough job (if I do say so myself) of recapping the entire day leading up to the reception, I abruptly stopped upon our exit from the trolley. How rude.  

Well, no time like the present, right?  Starting from where I left off... here is very delayed Wedding Wednesday for your viewing pleasure. 

My sweet groom, C. 

Making our entrance into the reception. 

I think it is safe to say Mom was pretty excited that we had made it this far. 

Also, it appears C is still concerned about stepping on my dress. 

This might be my favorite?

C started to get a little rambunctious towards the end. He was highly annoyed about how slowly the band (who I loved) was playing our song, Crazy Love. 

A sweet moment with my daddy. He should be so lucky. 

After all I did stand in the middle of the dance floor waiting on him for a small eternity... 

He was checking out the food. 

If my memory serves me correctly, he is chewing celery in this photo. 

C and his mama. Like I said.. he was starting to go a little stir crazy.

Some of the details. 

Cutting the cake.

C thought he was being funny... I mean this is funny. In the moment however...

A sweet Zeta moment.  Do any of you girls remember what song this was??

And Paige catches the bouquet! Y'all should know that she was engaged within 3 months. 

Rant Alert: It cannot go without mentioning that I was less than satisfied with my photography experience. For instance, this photo brings all of my pint up wedding photography based anger to a head again. This photo is one I would consider a must have photo. I mean why did we buy those sparklers if we weren't going to capture it on film?

This photo is the product of a guest's iPhone. 

End of Rant.

Hope y'all enjoyed this better late than never wedding recap.  

What a coincidence, that it landed on a Wednesday....

Teaser Alert:

(lots of alerts happening here this morning...)

#WeddingWednesday will be back.

xo, 

SVH

Wedding Wednesday: Updated Checklist

Just a little checklist update for y'all today.
Again, I am sorry for being such a poor blogger lately.
Sometimes life just gets in the way!

Things are moving along rather smoothly!
Lots of things crossed off-
the italics denotes almost being ready to cross off
aka things in the works.

Enjoy!

Set a date

Book venue

Book photographer

Book band

Ask bridal party to be in wedding

Book caterer & bar

Create wedding website

Register

Book florist

Shop for wedding dress

Book rentals

Finalize rentals

Take engagement pictures

Select bridesmaid dresses

Select groom & groomsmen attire

Find veil

Book cake baker
Decide on day of coordination

Buy cake knife & server

Buy champagne flutes (on the registry!)

Order save the dates

Send save the dates

Book officiant

Pre-marital counseling

Order guest book

Finalize guest list

Find a reasonably priced videographer

Engagement announcement in Post & Courier

MOB & MOG dress shopping ( a process!!)

Find wedding shoes

Find wedding jewelry

Book makeup artist & hair stylist

Take bridal portraits / hair & make up trial (March 2nd)

Dress alterations (1 down at least 1 to go!)

Make ceremony programs ( I have designed them!)

Order invitations (All picked out just need to order)

Mail invitations

Book rehearsal dinner venue

Book RD caterer (Duke's BBQ)

Book RD rentals

Buy RD dress

Buy sparklers for send off

Order matches for sparklers

Get canisters for sparklers

Order koozies

Order cups

Buy bridal party gifts ( 1/2 done)

Get date set for bachelorette party
Go on bachelorette (next weekend in Savannah!)

Bridal showers (one down two to go!)

Purchase wedding bands

Create wedding day timeline

Put together picture list for photographer

Get marriage license

Book transportation from reception to hotel

Pick out RD invitations

Order RD invitations

Address and mail RD invitations

Final vendor payments

Music selections to band

Order thank you notes

Wedding announcement in Post & Courier

Walk down the aisle.
Say "I will."

xo,
Shans

Wedding Wednesday

Only a few photos to share from this weekend's shower.

Promise there will be more to come.



My girl Chelsy did such a fabulous job on the burlap pendant banners.

I wish I had half the creative talent she has.

Paige and Alex did an over the top job putting it all together.

All the little details were there,

and I loved them all!

Who knew Alex had a secret life calling to be florist?

A BIG thank you goes out to all 3 of these ladies

as well as my sister and brother in law

for making the oyster and beer

of this "oysters and beer couple's shower" happen.

SO blessed.

xo,

Shans

Wedding Wednesday: Tux Edition

Last night C and I made a little trip to Men's Wearhouse.

I heard so many great things about how simple the tux renting process is there,

and Coleman has experienced it first hand.

So, we decided if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Simply, we would be using Men's Wearhouse for our tuxedo rental needs.

I highly recommend if you are not sure where to go!

Here is what we decided.

Coleman will be wearing full dress tails.

White bow tie.

White pique vest.

The rest of our handsome group

will be wearing a classic black tux

with black cummerbund

black bow tie

and suspenders.



What do y'all think?

I am already swooning over Coleman's look.

I can't wait!

xo,

Shans

Wedding Thursday?

Work has been so busy lately.

I can't believe I miss Wedding Wednesday!

I'm sure you are dying for some updates

so to tie you over,

I will have to "borrow" Charlotte's idea from yesterday

Registry Faves!!

Eat your hearts out.

I am obsessed with our registries,

and I was jumping up and down at my desk on Monday

when I discovered our first gift has been purchased!

Thank you anonymous gift giver!!

everything via Pottery Barn



Every single one of these images make me swoon.

Oh, Pottery Barn.

I will stop while I'm ahead in order to prevent posting the entire registry.

Happy Thursday, y'all.

Almost Friday!

xo,

Shans