Wedding theme

I decided to incorporate some of the things that I love into the wedding theme (isn't that why people have themes?).
· Apple picking
· Fall
· Ireland
· The outdoors (climbing, hiking, camping, etc)

So to sum it all up, we’re having a rustic autumn Irish countryside wedding! Not in the irish countryside of course, in upstate NY (where else?). In having this theme, its made decision making so much easier! Especially in terms of décor choices, favors, reception location, bridesmaid’s & groomsmen apparel.

So, we’re having the reception at the Braeloch Inn in Cazenovia. Jon & I love the atmosphere, it’s a Scottish Inn, but also the food (Jon’s #1 priority). We also liked that it was different from many traditional wedding halls.

To incorporate the outdoor and fall theme, we’re going to have birch bark centerpiece vases with fall flowers – mums, sunflowers, hypericum and bittersweet berries, etc. all in the fall color pallete.

I’m sure those of you that know me know that I LOVE apple picking – I think one fall during college, I went every other week! so without fail, there will be apples at my wedding (and not just cooked ones). I’m just not at liberty to where exactly they’ll come into play. But have no fear – they will be hand picked! J

For the bridesmaids dresses, I saw this picture in a magazine that I fell in love with – it was a wedding party where every girl had a different dress in green. Different fabric, textures, shapes, sizes, but all green! So I decided to put some boundaries on this – they’ll all be tea length. But other than that, everyone is picking very different dresses for the most part. I’m excited to see it all together! I also drew inspiration from my matron of honor Jenn’s wedding where she had us all in different shades of blue. I thought it was so beautiful & different (plus, the dress was awesome). :) So far, about half of the bridesmaids have found dresses. Its fun going shopping with the ones that I can (and I wish I could go with everyone!). Dress shopping is just fun. Especially when you go there knowing that the sample sizes will never fit you – even if its in your size, so it takes the pressure off! Just try on as many dresses as you can carry, weed them out (and if you can’t fit it over your hips, it automatically goes to the NO pile!) but when you find one (or two) that just look awesome on you & you love the details and everything, young or old, size 2 or size 22, pretty dresses unite us. :)

Now for the guys – the story in its entirety is actually a ridiculous saga that I won’t get into right here… but I will divulge the general vision. They’ll be in black tuxedos. Now, before a few months ago, I was running under the assumption that there was a “standard” type of tuxedo… HAHHAHAHAH!!! How naïve I was!!! How ignorant! There are different cuts, numbers of buttons, tails, fabrics, colors, styles, etcetera and so on! I picked out the vest – it’s a closed back black watch patterned vest (a green and black plaid). Which I thought was the hard part – but apparently, there’s a whole list of choices from there. I couldn’t believe it! the saleslady started asking Jon & I these questions “what do you want for this, or that… blah blah blah?” we must have had the most blank stares… finally I asked her “what is the standard tux? That’s what we want – just regular” turns out there is no regular. So she showed us a couple of jacket types that are popular & I just pointed “ok – that one looks nice…” I blame “what not to wear” – apparently they have entirely too many women on the show! I know nothing about menswear. So we stumbled our way thru that experience. But we made it out alright (for the most part). But they’ll be in black tuxes with dark green plaid vests & green ties.

For favors, my mom had the best idea. It’s a “do it yourself” type thing, but I think everyone will like it. its really the only thing that I’m “doing myself” so I think I’ll be able to handle it. we’re going to make mini apple pies for everyone! Apple pie is one of my favorite things to make! I always make the French style: crumbs on top with a single crust. I’ve found these mini bakery boxes