Julie Roberts via Southern Weddings
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via Coastal Living
One of my very favorite things — perhaps my actual no. 1 favorite thing — about outdoor evening weddings is the lighting possibilities. From votives, to hurricanes, to lanterns and string lights, there’s just something so warm, inviting, and celebratory about light shining out of the darkness.
Wedding planning took a bit of a backseat this month (especially compared to last month!), but I still feel productive because of what we did get accomplished.
Breathtaking photo by Anna Kuperberg
— We finally signed a contract and put down a deposit with our recalcitrant venue
— We chose a caterer and signed a contract with them (SO excited about our pick!!)
— We inquired with ceremony musicians
— We received a proposal for a custom lounge grouping
— We chose save the dates (thanks to your help!)
— I’m really starting to flesh out what I would like our invitations to look like
— Completed some hotel block research, thanks to my Momma
— I’ve been working hard on our wedding website, which I’m crafting from a Blogger template (can’t wait to share this sucker, plus a full tutorial!)
November promises to be a full month, with likely decisions on a wedding gown, bridesmaid dresses, a band, and ceremony musicians!
Happy Wednesday! Recently, we’ve started to think seriously about save the dates. One thing we’ve been debating is the best time to send them out. I don’t want them to get lost in the Christmas letter shuffle, but November seems too early — that would be ten months out — and January seems too late — eight months out. Thoughts? When is too early (or late) to send save the dates, in your opinion?
One thing I have decided is where our save the dates will come from: Minted! As you all know, I love Minted. (I’ve previously posted about them here, here, and here!) I love that their products all come from independent designers, I love the quality and price combination, and I love that they are very open to customization.
Some of you might be surprised that I’m not making our save the dates myself (especially considering I designed a set for my sister), but I’ve decided to take the easy route this time and save my energy and creative ideas for the invite suite :) Plus, I honestly do love Minted, and I’m happy to have the opportunity to use some of their pieces!
Now, which design to send? There are a few we’re considering, and I’d love your input.
A. “Fireflies” save the date ($209 for 100)
This is such a sweet design, but I think it might not be formal enough for the celebration we’re planning.
B. “Charming Go Lightly” save the dates ($190 for 100)
Simple, classic, and beautiful. Plus, I love that this one is designed by Cheree Berry, one of my very favorite stationers!
C. “Midnight Vineyard” save the dates ($190 for 100)
Simple and striking. I think this design fits well with the style of our wedding.
D. “Fling” save the dates ($163 for 100)
Lighthearted and lovely. This one reads a little more “spring” than “late summer” to me, though.
E. “Winter Flourish” save the dates ($190 for 100)
Love the swooshy font! That blue is a gorgeous shade, too.
What do you think, ladies? Share your pick below, por favor!
Something I’ve always wanted to do, for as long as I’ve known I wanted to get married in a church, is ring the steeple bell at the end of the ceremony.
Photo by Samm Blake via Style Me Pretty
I think pealing church bells are one of the most beautiful, celebratory sounds in the world, and I always smile when I hear them in the middle of a Saturday afternoon, because it probably means a wedding is taking place nearby!
Photo by The Nichols via Style Me Pretty
Though I’d be happy to have the sound of bells at all, I think it would be extra fun to be able to ring it ourselves. Pulling the rope to ring the bell was one of my absolute favorite things to do as a child, both at church on Sunday mornings and on vacation in Maine for the Sunday evening service.
Photos by Bryan Johnson
Plus, it makes for some pretty cute photos :)
P.S. Though I know our chapel has a bell, I have not yet looked into the logistics of personally ringing it :) I am pretty sure that the bell is rung for weddings, however, so there’s a start!
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