Matt tries blogging

So, this is our blog, huh? Fancy that. I've heard a lot about it--seems like a happening place. Since I haven't contributed anything to this page yet, or really to any of the wedding planning, I thought I would say hello. Hello.

During the past few weeks I've been a participant in some strange conversations. I'm still not exactly clear on the concept of centerpieces, but, despite this, I am expected to have opinions about such things. It doesn't help matters that I'm often not totally paying attention during these discussions (I claim ADD).

Apparently weddings are a lot of work. I assumed the planning would equate to the effort of throwing a college party--get a keg and some cheap booze and *poof* our friends would show up. I have since learned that this is not the case.

I have also noted some other differences in the way Briana and I are approaching the whole wedding thing. Here are some of my observations:

• She downloaded an application for her iPhone that tells how long it will be until our wedding (down to the second).
• I downloaded a game for my iPhone called “Space Monkey.”

• She spends time deciding on the palette of the wedding.
• I have no idea what this means.

• She regularly updates the wedding blog.
• I browse the classified section of a triathlon website looking for sweet deals on bike parts.

• She knows the name of the designer who will make the bridesmaids’ dresses.
• I wonder if I can get away with having the groomsmen wear board shorts.

• She creates blog posts about wedding dresses.
• I knows she’ll choose a great dress and will look beautiful in it. I also hope we can sell it on eBay after the wedding. Or Craigslist. I'm not picky.
  

Hairy Situation

So the beach is windy. Like really, really windy. And I have long hair. This is a real kick in the pants because I want my hair styled like this:



Or like this:



With maybe some flowers or a hair vine worked in like this:



Or this (except with my hair down and styled like above):



But I just know by the end of the day this is what my hair is going to look like:



*sigh*

DIY Cakestands

So I'm not exactly a crafty person. I'm woefully inept when it comes to creating things. But will I let a little thing like being devoid of artistic talent stop me? Never!

I came across the neatest project on a cool site called Design Sponge. I've been thinking about how Matt and I want cupcakes at our reception instead of the traditional tiered behemoth. This would be an awesome way to display them! This is what Kate had to say about the project:

"This diy project is inspired by one of my favorite ceramic artists, Sarah Cihat. I found most of my plates and candlesticks at goodwill. I also used some of those little vases you get when someone gives you flowers, which normally I think are ugly, but here they seem to have found a purpose! I left many of the cakestands bare because I love the original plate designs. If you aren’t happy with the plate or base you can always paint them, or give them a graphic silhouette design (instructions below)."

Kate’s Recycled Cake/Cupcake Stands

What You’ll Need:

- old plates (any size)
- old candlesticks or vases (look for anything that is wider at the bottom, with a sturdy base and a flat top)
- epoxy (from a hardware store)
- masking tape
- popsicle stick or q-tips without their fluff (something to apply the epoxy with)
- paper plate or scrap cardboard (something to mix the epoxy on that you can throw out)
- rags and cleaning solution

For the variation:

- template of silhouette (or you can free hand)
- contact paper
- scissors
- spray paint

Directions:

1. Pick out which pieces you want to put together and test it out. They should be able to balance on each other without the glue. If not, you may want to rethink your choices... is your plate too uneven or does your base have a flat enough top?

2. Clean all plates and vases/candlesticks thoroughly. Dry completely.

3. Measure the back of the plate and mark a dot in the center with a pen or marker.

4. Squeeze out a little epoxy and follow its directions for use. After it’s mixed, apply it to the top of the candlestick/vase and gently place your base upside down onto the plate, using your dot as a guide to help you center it.

5. Let it sit for a few minutes, then gently press down on it to hold it in place and get rid of any excess epoxy with a q-tip. Apply tape on four sides to anchor it while it dries.

6. Let it dry overnight.

VOILA!

Note: While these are sturdier than you would expect, they are not dishwasher safe. I recommend gently cleaning by hand.

Silhouette version:

After the cake stand is glued together and dried overnight, you can pretty much do whatever you want with it: paint, decoupage, etc. I really love Sarah Cihat’s graphic patterns so I decided to do something similar on one of my less attractive plate/vase combos.

1. Trace and cut out your pattern on contact paper. Make sure contact paper still has its paper backing on it when you do this.

2. Gently peel contact paper away from its backing and place the sticky side on your plate where you want the design to go. Press down evenly and smooth out any and all air bubbles. Make sure all edges are firmly pressed down.

3. Prime the entire plate and base with primer spray paint and let dry (you will need to flip it over a couple times, make sure the top is dry before you flip it to spray the bottom).

4. Paint it whatever color you wish. Let dry completely.

5. When dry, use an exacto to carefully lift the contact paper.

Note: This plate is not meant to have your bare food placed on it. Usually I place cupcakes or pies in their pans on cake stands. If you want to be able to put food directly on it, I recommend sealing it with a varnish or sealant.

Mood Board Mania

Weehoo I made my first mood board! I know I'm a huge dork. I had to ask for a quick photoshop tutorial from the lovely fiance, but it was surprisingly easy. So without further ado, my personal wedding day mood board:



It brings a goofy smile to my face every time I see it.

Spring/Summer 09 Wedding Fashion

Just for kicks (I could never afford this stuff) here are some wedding looks from the Paris fashion week shows that just wrapped up. Most of these designers have their own wedding lines already, but these are from their traditional runway shows.



Gorgeous dress from Badgley Mischka. I think you'd have to have some kind of figure to pull this off without looking like a marshmallow or Big Bird's albino cousin though.



I like the idea of a non-traditional wedding dress color and Monique Lhuillier made a fantastic one. This would be great outdoors, especially on the beach.



This is another great beach look from Blumarine. It looks super comfy.



*Yawn* I'm sure someone would like this dress from Carolina Herrera but it makes me want to take a nap. Too WASPy for me.



Oh dear. This dress from Dolce & Gabbana is unfortunate, no two ways about it.



I loooove Jenny Packham. Another cool twist on the wedding dress.



This is too hipster for me to pull off, but on the right woman these Joanna Mastroianni dresses would rock.



Yes, Roberto Cavalli was purposely going for the sea anemone look here. Interesting, and surprisingly retro.



Hmm... I guess you need toned knees for this Temperley London look.



I saved my favorite dress for last. This is Zac Posen. It's perfection and I would sell a kidney to have it. Well... not really I'm just feeling dramatic today.



Ok I lied, this is the best dress from Maison Martin Margiela. My search is over!

Baby Hands!

This has absolutely nothing to do with weddings but it's the funniest thing I've seen out of Saturday Night Live in some time. It's a spoof on the Lawrence Welk Show (watch more PBS if you don't know what that is). It doesn't get good until they cut to the ladies singing, but when they do, you'll be rolling on the floor...

Those Crazy Brits...

Looking around at what things cost in weddingland makes my head seriously hurt. In honor of that, I would like to share this video. I have no idea where it comes from. All I know is that they are British, and there is some naughty language in it so don't watch it at work. Unless your boss has recently gotten married, in which case invite them to pull up a chair.