The Great Debate

J and I managed to get into an argument about or so-not-happening-anytime-soon wedding. Do we buy a house first or get married first?

J says we save money for a down payment and then we try to scrounge up enough money to pay for the wedding he envisions (300+ people, out of town guests from Ireland, fancy schmancy reception hall that charges a RIDICULOUS amount).

I say we save money for the wedding (smaller than he wants, but still wonderful) and then take any gift money we get to use as a down payment. There is no way to know if we will get enough money, let alone any money, as gifts, but I don't see us being able to afford both a house and a wedding on our own.

Ugh. An easy Vegas wedding is sounding better and better every day.

Any advice?

xoxo,
J

Source of pics: architecture.about.com and www.smh.com.au

Purple and Gray Wedding

The first time I came across an inspiration board, I was awestruck. So many ideas in so many places. So..... I made one last night.

J watched me laughing the whole time - he thinks my slight obsession with weddings is funny. I think he'll thank me later when all of our planning is done before he officially proposes.

Anyway, below is the inspiration board that I made. I have been obsessed with the idea of a deep purple and gray wedding theme. Good for a winter wedding, without the winter theme. I don't really think those colors would work well in a fall, spring or summer wedding because they are very dark. You need a bit of mystery in the air to pull off those colors, and I've always felt that the winter is a bit mysterious. Who knows whats around the corner?



So, what do you think of my first inspiration board?

xoxo,
J


Sources:
Purple purse - www.echicool.com, Purple colour sheet - blog.weddingpaperdivas.com, purple heels - Piperlime/Gap, gray/purple centerpiece - inspirador.files.wordpress.com, bridesmaids dress - www.elisabethhannedesigns.com, gray tux - www.utahbrideandgroom.com, silver and purple bouquet - www.graysflowersandgifts.com, and the gray bridesmaids dresses - random weird address, click to see

Rings! And under $5000

I have been slightly "obsessed" with engagement rings ever since I dated a guy who worked for a well known chain jewelry store. He would take me to stores and have me try on engagement rings, telling me what was what and what I should want. Needless to say, when he broke it off after 10 months, I was a little upset.

I digress.

J and I have been looking at rings online lately, so he knows what I like. And we realized I have a definite taste and style preference.

RING 1

www.rogersandhollands.com

From the dreaded Rogers and Hollands, but it is just under $5000 and over a carat total. And it is lovely!

RING 2

www.rogersandhollands.com

I actually really, really, really really like this one. So much, that I don't want to post any more pictures. I would just want a slightly bigger stone, but at this price: $2998!!!!, its a steal.

So, please tell J that I love this ring. I love him more, but I love this ring.

We can totally afford this (in 2+ years, ha!) and it won't bankrupt us. We just may be able to afford that wedding we've (I've) been dreaming of.

xoxo

J

PS, the ex worked at R&H - I can't believe that I even looked at their website, but I found reasonably priced rings that I like there. Its some weird take on the circle, what goes around comes around phrase.

Rock Candy Centerpiece

Ever since I saw the below picture, I have been obsessed with the DIY aspect of weddings. The ladies at OnceWed.com are amazing, and the rock candy chandelier idea is from them. Look at it:

For instructions on how to make it, go to this link.

Now, what I like even more are the pictures and ideas below that. Imagine a manzanita branch covered in rock candy strings, with soft candlelight underneath.

I think that would be perfect for a winter wedding.

J and I are thinking of a offseason wedding to save money, so to create the romantic atmosphere I have to image things outside of what I usually consider romantic - flowers, outside, nature.

These look beautiful to me.

What do you think?

This wonderful centerpiece from www.etherealdecor.com, but with rock candy instead of crystals. I think the crystal strings are kind of overdone, but I love this idea as the rock candy. It makes it so EARTHY. Like being outside almost for me. And in the winter, if you can create that inside without having to go outside, you've figured it out.

Well, J is trying to figure out why I'm obsessing over weddings today (what/who/how did this happen to me today) so I will give him piece of mind for a few hours. Until I show him some more engagement rings that I like.

Haha.

xoxo,

J.

Hello World - First Post

I have had numerous blogs throughout the years and never got farther than a few posts. I think a lot of that had to do with blogging about some topic I didn't care much about, so I grew bored and forgot about it. While creating this blog, I found out I already had an account and two blogs in it. Silent laughter on my part.

Anyway, something I have become quite passionate about in the past year and a half is weddings. Mostly because that's when I met my wonderful boyfriend, who will be my future husband. No, unfortunately he has not proposed to me yet. But he will and I will post about weddings until he does and after he does. :) I believe in thinking positively.

So, my posts will include references to things I like from other websites and ideas I have for my future wedding. We are looking to save money when we get married and have both agreed that we want a party. And a beautiful reception. So lots of drinks and food and dancing - and flowers and candlelight and special touches.

I imagine I will try to make as much as I can myself DIY and that him and our baby (dog) will watch me. Thank goodness for my friends who are the best and my man (cause the dog is quite a handful).

So I will post as I find things on blogs and at stores and around the city of Chicago. I have a few favorite venues and places and clothing shops. And a whole slew of people around me that are getting married. I hope I can give you some cool ideas.

xoxo

J.