Make it real - WEDding WEDnesday

I encourage brides {and grooms} to meditate, communicate, and stay focused on the real reasons they are planning a wedding;  whether it is a big blow out or small intimate event, be on the same page.

It was important to both Gabe and me to include our guests as much as possible in the festivities.  Everyone played a part in the ceremony and reception, from showering us with flower pedals as we walked as husband and wife down the aisle, to forming a circle around us on the dance floor and passing around a microphone to share warm {sometimes surprisingly blunt} wishes.  Also, as I have shared with you before, our guests wrote us personal notes on comment cards.  We didn't want our guests to just be our audience, feed them and send them off with favors, but to {in a sense} play supporting roles--one person just as important as the next person.

Several gave speeches.

And everyone got to say a little something ... followed by a huge group hug.     

 

If it wasn't so important for us to make our guests a special part of our day, we would have just eloped.  Which, I'm not gonna lie, sounded like a mighty good idea when we reached the one-month mark before the wedding day.  So many things come together in that last month that really test one's tolerance level.  It was well worth it looking back, but I wouldn't do it again.  Luckily, I don't have to. ;)

This is probably my last WW post.  I hope you've enjoyed reading them the past few months, and been inspired to take the DIY route when planning your own wedding.  I have been delighted to share my wedding with you.  :)

.group hug.

It's technically still my birthday month.

So, I'm sharing with you a very special gift I received from a very special friend.

Thank you, Abby!  I'm busy planning outfits around my little carnation now.  :)

Love.  EmersonMade.  You should too.

me, elsewhere.

Thank you Marshal for finding me and taking an interest in my furry children + my coffee addiction.   I was honored to contribute to your wonderful project.

Check out Coffee With A Canine, not only because it is a super cool blog, but also because today's interview features my family!

It's my birthday!

Happy birthday to me.

And happy birthmonth to all my fellow Virgos!

{photo source}

RUE: clever. all encompassing. not at all amateurish.

RUE mag is up and running as of today, and it does not disappoint.  I am only roughly half-way through the issue, but I am too impatient to wait 'til I am finished reading it to share with all of you!  Sometimes the procrastinator-Virgo takes on the extreme other end of the spectrum persona and introduces impatient-Virgo.

Some of my faves so far:

  p. 85  Victoria Smith's place.  Victoria, you took the words right out of my mouth and your home is breathtaking.  In her own words, Victoria admits:
"I fake it 'til I make it;"
"I'm pretty much a homebody with a social side;" and
"I think I missed my era, so I like surrounding myself with bits of the past."

I can relate to all of the above.  For example, I fake it with an IKEA Docksta table in my formal living room, until I can afford the coveted Eero Saarinen tulip table.  And like Victoria, Gabe & I agree we missed our era, which was late 50s - mid 70s, so we dot our home and wardrobes with retro vintage pieces reminiscent of the bygone era, which, mixed in with true antique pieces makes for a very pleasing and interesting aesthetic in our home.  If I do say so myself. 

  p. 138  It's Emily!  As in Emily Henderson of The Brass Petal and HGTV's 2010 Design Star.  Yeah, that Emily.  In this story, Emily got to live out her dream party with the help of the Rue team and some close personal friends.  Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the party. So cute.

Check out the premiere issue for yourself & discuss.  :)  Much love goes out to this very talented team!  I'm really looking forward to future issues, and, well, finishing this issue.