My house is.....

So I might not be posting for a few days... I apologize to all of you out there who look at my blog first thing in the morning to get your day started out right. :)

Pretty flowers form J.P. Parker

I had to share this beautiful boquet made by our florist, J.P. Parker. They are capable of almost anything, but I especially like the variety of flowers with the red and pink roses and white orchids. Pretty Pretty.

I LOVE making my dog smile!!!

Take a look at what I found on etsy, my new favorite shopping site. Some of you may know I recently lost my cat, so the need for these cute name tags (and a MICROCHIP!) is a little late for me, but I plan on getting some for my remaining three animals. Makeyoudogsmile has a large quantity of styles to choose from, which of course you get to personalize. Bling for the pets!!!

Ahh... kitty kitty

Ooh la la! Fashion!

My personal favorite... a tag for your pups name, a tag for the address, and a tag for your phone #

Cuteness from Kim @ "The Office"

I have had the fortune of forming a great long distance friendship with Kim Ferry, key hairstylist on NBC's "The Office". She is like the L.A. version of Mimi and I think she is just the sweetest person. I am hoping to enlist her help in finding the perfect wedding hairstyles for brides as she is going to be having her own wedding (Jim and Pam's) on an upcoming episode because the t.v. couple have set the date! Woot! Just to show you how great Kim really is I decided to share this video of "Her Morning Elegance", directed by Oren Lavie that she sent my way. I think this just became "Take Joy in All the Details..." theme song

Meghan + Steven Part I

Here it is readers, my first feature wedding! I am so proud to have completed the first of these little gems and am posting my first one of Friday, the day that "Freaky Friday Happenstances" appear. I hope you enjoy the photos, details, and advice from the the Bride. Monday will have Part II of Meghan and Steven's big day.......

Meghan + Steven

We have 5 Groomsmen and 5 Ushers waiting here to get things started outside of Meridian Street United Methodist Church.

Meanwhile, inside, the gorgeous bride shares a moment with her young attendants.

The flower girl and ring bearer shyly walk down the aisle....


"The Best Moment Ever"



Blessings.... Newlyweds!

A few details from the program: The Bride was carrying the wedding basket of her late Grandmother, The Maid of Honor wore the wedding dress and locket of the Bride's late-great-grandmother, and the Flower Girl's dress and Ring Bearer's suit and pillow wer made by the Brides's Aunt.

1. When and where was your wedding?

July 15th, 2000 in Indianapolis, IN at the Meridian Street United Methodist Church. Reception was at the Columbia Club on the circle.

2. Was there any reason for choosing that particular date or location?

Hmmmmm, Well, Steve was graduating so we wanted it to be after his graduation, and we were also trying to coordinate it around family birthdays and other summer festivities. I think it's also when the church was available.

3. How many guests were invited?

Heck, I can't remember. Maybe 275?

4. What would you say was your inspiration for planning your wedding? For instance, was it the season of the year that guided your choice in décor, a grouping of colors, or a theme?

As for decorations, I think I knew what direction to go in once I had my dress. I also tried to coordinate everything with the look of the reception room, which was already very pretty. I also knew I wanted my sister to wear my great grandmother's wedding dress as her bridesmaid/maid of honor dress, so all of those things made everything else fall into place. Plus, I was obsessed with reading the Martha Stewart Wedding mags and knew all of the ideas I liked from those. We were engaged for over a year and a half so I had plenty of time to plan!

5. What was the best advice you received and implemented as the bride and groom to be?

The best advice I received, was from the pastor that married us. He told us to support your spouse, even when he/she has made a mistake. You should always love them and stand behind them. This was wonderful advice. We are all human and still need love and support and forgiveness, even more than ever, when we are wrong.

6. On that note, what was the worst advice?

Hmmmm, I think the worst advice was after the wedding, when one of our guests bitched about her table being moved so we could open up the dance floor. She said that was rude and tacky and we never should have done that. I mean, she was so pissed that she still won't speak to me or my family, even to this day. She was lucky she was invited.

7. If you had 1 (or 2) “redo’s” what would you use them on? (i.e. cake, décor, programs, etc.)

If I could have a smaller bridal party, I would have. I was young and naive and thought I had a billion best friends. If I had to do it all over, I would just have my sister as my maid of honor and no other bridesmaids. It's silly to "chose" your best friends and line them up. I don't talk to half of them much anymore anyway.

The other thing I would have redone is I would have made sure my luggage made it to our hotel room! No one ever delivered it, and I had no clothes, meds, toothbrush, etc. the night of my wedding or the morning after! I don't think my new hub minded the no clothes part, but I was cold! ;)

8. What were you most pleased with during your planning experience?

I think I was most pleased when the reception finally came and all the months of hard work had turned into a reality. There is nothing more special than having everyone you love, all in one place, and knowing they're there because they love you. It wasn't until that night that I thought all the work was worth it!

9. What advice do you have for a bride or groom to be?

1. Forgive. Forgive. Forgive.

2. There will be times in your marriage where you have to work at falling back in love. It takes work. You have to want it and it takes patience, sacrifice, and work. (It's all so worth it though. Nothing is more valuable than unconditional love. (and hot sex).)

3. Tell your spouse you love them at least once every single day.

Favorite Find for Friday: A Child Wannabe Bride

Mom tossing the bouquet to a hopeful Anne.

I found this in my own collection of my parent's wedding photos. That's my oldest cousin waiting to catch the bouquet. This sweet image makes me rethink my idea of NOT having a bouquet toss, but, because most of the women atmy wedding will already be married, I have decdided to have a bouquet dance that is passed the to the couple who has been married the longest. This great photo shows a little love for tossing the bouquet though so I thought I had to share.

Another Favorite Find: The Perfect Hotel.......

The Library Hotel

This is the "Love" Room

The exterior of "The Library"

This is literally, the most amazing hotel I have ever seen. The concept is beyond me. I can't attempt to explain it so I will let the hotel speak for itself.

"The Library Hotel in New York City is the first hotel ever to offer its guest over 6,000 volumes of books organized throughout the hotel by the Dewey Decimal System.* Each of the 10 guestroom floors honor one of the 10 categories of the DDC and each of the 60 room are uniquely adorned with a collection of books and art exploring a distinctive topic within the category it belongs to."

Do you understand readers?!?!?! These hotel rooms are lined with BOOKS!!!! Pick your favorite subject and happiness ensues. The Categories included are: Social Sciences, Literature, Languages, History, Math & Science, General Knowledge, Technology, Philosophy, The Arts, and Religion. Check out the Hotel Room Menu to see each floor which has some of my favorite rooms including, 300.003 Law, 800.005 Fairy Tales, 800.003 Poetry, 800.002 Classic Fiction, 900.001 20th Century History , 500.006 Astronomy, 1100.006 Love , 700.005 Music, 700.004 Photography...... no, the list doesn't end there.

When you get back from a long day of site seeing in New York and your wonderful new Hubby grabs that darn remote, you won't even care. Bath, Bubbles, Candles, and BOOOOOOOKS! Then put on your robe and slippies and drink wine on your private terrace. *sigh*

{images: The Library Hotel}

Favorite Finds: Love is in the air!

Hmmmm.... what is the most grand exit a Bride and Groom can make? Yes limosines and vintage cars are classy. Carriages are romantic. Bicycles and mopeds are pretty cute. But a hot air balloon? THAT is something. Imagine being whisked away up into the wild blue yonder. Wowzer. Asheville Hot Air Balloons in North Carolina offer some great packages for anyone who is interested in something completely unique. They offer a variety of weddings to suit the many needs of groups or couples and can accommodate parties up to 28 passengers in three or four balloons for an in-flight wedding. Afraid to fly? Some Ceremonies are preformed on the ground with balloons tethered in the background for guest to enjoy.

{images: Asheville Hot Air Ballons}

Week of Favorite Finds....."Let them eat CUPCAKES!"

I don't usually like getting all the "junk wedding email" in my inbox, but I finally received on e I was delighted to open. Maribelle Cakery in Ohio is embracing the new trend in wedding and offereing cupcakes to Bride's who just want something different or easy. It helps cut down costs too because you don't have to worry about the pesky cake cutting fee or the cost of decorating a big elaborate cake..... Just look at how cute these cupcakes look all stacked on tiers.

{image: Maribelle Cakery}

A week of my favorite finds.... starting with Photo Booths!

Your guests will never forget the fun they had goofing off in this photo booth! This is added to my "If I win the Lotto...." list. This booth is offered from Indy Photo Booths Inc., Indiana’s premier photo booth rental company. The "Model 12" is a genuine 1950’s vintage-style photobooth, with today’s digital techology. The bride and groom gets one photo strip and the guests get to take home the other! If you have the $$$... you HAVE to utilize this service.

Base Package
On-site photo booth delivery, set-up and removal
Four hours of unlimited photo booth usage
Choice of black and white photos, color, or both
One lifetime guaranteed creative memories photo strip scrapbook and scrapbooking materials (adhesive, two archival pens)
On-site certified photo booth attendant

Platinum Package
On-site photo booth delivery, set-up and removal
Choice of black and white photos, color, or both
One lifetime guaranteed creative memories photo strip scrapbook and scrapbooking materials (adhesive, two archival pens)
On-site certified photo booth attendant
Digial CD of all pictures taken at the event
customized photostrip
Customized magnetic clips to use as party favors
5 Hours of unlimited photobooth usage

{image: Indy Photo Booth}