Hope everyone has been having a wonderful weekend! I'm sure its a big Christmas shopping weekend for most of you.. well that is if you're like me and NEVER get your Christmas shopping done more than two weeks before the big day! :-)

My sister and I spent yesterday in Royal Oak. We had our hair cut, lunch at Pronto!, and spent the afternoon shopping along Washington and Main. It was verrrry chilly, but we bundled up and had a wonderful time! Yesterday evening we spent a good hour in the craft store, but I'm happy to say that I have my Bridesmaid gifts (they will receive as their invite to be a part of our special day!) ALMOST finished! They have turned out so well, and completely handmade! I can't wait to show you all.. but I will wait until I know the girls have received them! My goal is to finish them up today, and have them in the mail tomorrow!

L has chosen his groomsmen as well. He will also (with my help lol) be doing something special for them as his invitation to be a part of his "wedding-day crew". I really like the idea that we came up with for both the bridesmaids and the groomsmen, which I'll post once they're out!

So, speaking of wedding attendants, L and I are both going to have two honor attendants, instead of just one. We are both the oldest of 3 (siblings around our age.. I also have a 7 year old sister). I have two sisters within 5 years of me, and he has two brothers within 4 years of him. So, my sisters E & K will both be Maids of Honor, and his brothers C & J, will both be a Best Man. I couldn't imagine choosing one sister over the other because the three of us are so close, and the same goes for his brothers so that worked out perfectly! Then, we will each have three more attendants, totalling 5 on each side. I'm really excited for our siblings and close friends to be able to be such an important part of our big day :-)

Today, I have to run around to find a finishing touch to my bridesmaid gifts, get L's groomsmen gifts, and finish them all up. We're having dinner at my mom's tonight, and getting her condo decorated for Christmas yay! I'll also be doing some catching up on things around the house somewhere in between.. maybe I should do that part now before I venture out into the cold!

Time to talk WEDDING!

Ok, I am excited to say that a vision for our wedding is starting to develop :-) I was worried that it would be difficult to decide on an overall style because I have seen so many wonderful inspirations!!

So, we're planning to have the wedding next September. Probably mid-September when its still warm enough to be comfortable outdoors. I have this "late-summer day in the country" idea that is developing more and more as I have been able to find a lot of inspiration! Here is one of the ideas that I really like!

(courtesy of Brides.com)

I love this idea as a guest-gift! These are carmelized cranberries in mini galvanized buckets. I especially love the straw tied monogram, giving it a personal touch!

I really want to have pies at the reception, too. Not in place of a wedding cake, but our cake will probably be a little more simple.

My grandparents (where we're planning to have the reception) have a big old barn on their property that I would love to tie into the reception somehow. I know I want photos taken outside and inside of it, but I think it would be neat to have a "cider-stop" or something along those lines set up.. I'll develop that idea further and keep you posted!

L and I are going to the west side of the state this weekend to babysit my youngest sister while my dad and step-mom are in California for my dad's business trip. I plan to get some important pieces of planning done while we're there! On my list of goals-

• Set up consultations with a few photographers
• Narrow down a couple of dates/weekend
• Get some ideas/get started on bridesmaid invites (I want to send each of them a special little package, asking them to be a part of my special day!)
• Finish our rough-draft of our guest list so that we can...
• Get moving on our budget!

I'm excited for us to have this downtime to make some wedding progress! So much fun!

Gowns, Baubles and Tables - It's a Lovefest!!

So this year BHLDN opened, 

and if you've not yet been entranced by their dreamy gowns,

you've got to experience it.

 We eloped to the Bahamas for our wedding, and we loved every single moment,

but if anything would have made me want a larger affair, this would have been it.

How is anyone supposed to resist the romantic appeal of these...

I mean, REALLY!

And if the frocks and frills aren't enough to tempt you, now they've expanded to include decor items.

um, staying away... staying away... sort of :)

The other day, when BHLDN sent me an email with a peek at their take on table themes,

I had pretty high expectations... and I wasn't disappointed.

Of the six presented, the Naturalist is my favourite,

with butterflies and flora frolicking amongst antique linens and moss, 

bits of glass and mirror lending a dash of sparkle.

It's such a romantic, timeless look.

I wonder which one will be your favourite?

These tables aren't just for weddings,

there are so many ideas here for your next soiree, right?

How about using those vintage, beribboned keys featured in the Naturalist as place cards...

the dove clips from the Oiseau collection would be stunning hung anywhere, all the time, as an installation...

Go ahead, have a peek,

let yourself get lost in the pretty  :)