What To Do With My Wedding Pictures?

Our wedding pictures were on the mail waiting for us to get back from our honeymoon (that's how fast my photographer worked!). I rushed home from the post office and opened the big envelope, there were over 200 edited proofs and a CD with more than 1200 shots, all taken in about 7 hours (I think). I rushed to the store to find a small album where all 200 hundred pictures would fit. I wasn't very lucky and ended up buying a plain black leather one. 

Next up I chose a few pictures to enlarge and frame, I made 3 small plain canvas and hung them in our bedroom. I still needed to frame "OUR wedding picture" and as always I looked at Etsy.com. I had saved GeeZees a long time ago in hopes that she would be able to create a beautiful canvas for our wedding after I received my wedding pictures.

After sending her a "groupie" style tweet we were able to begin working on my wedding canvas. I chose my canvas size and within 10 days I had my canvas proof, what do you think?

I chose that scripture for our wedding ceremony, I think it describes our love perfectly (he did have to wait 8 months for a date!). The proofs were so pretty I only changed one thing, the word "Love" at the top of this one.

We left for Tulum, Mexico for a few days,  once we returned this beauty was waiting on our front door. I was so excited to finally see it!

(Please excuse the appearance of the colors, it was a cloudy day)

 

We are finishing up the painting on our living room, in the meantime this 24"x36" beauty sits above our mantel. I'm still looking for a permanent home for it, I'm not sure if it should be over the mantel or not. What do you think?

Here is a side view that shows how thick the frame is.

 

We all know marriage can be challenging at times (let's keep it real!) but a daily visual reminder keeps us going, for me the last verse is powerful, "Never looks back but keeps going to the end".  I can't think of a better way to remind ourselves everyday why we chose each other.

If you need a last minute Mother's Day gift please make sure to check out GeeZees Etsy store, she can turn any picture into a beautiful work of art with your words. She's also on Facebook, please stop by and say Hi!

(*Disclaimer: I received a discount from GeeZees as a result of this post but I would have GLADLY paid full price for my canvas, it's that good!)

Spring Beauties

**I finally have a new look that I love thanks to Deluxe Designs, please take a look around and stop by my Facebook page, feel free to "Like" me!**

The couture shows are my favorite and Elie Saab is always on point. Look at the lovelies he brought us for Spring 2011.

 Photo: Umberto Fratini / GoRunway.com

  Photo: Umberto Fratini / GoRunway.com

  Photo: Umberto Fratini / GoRunway.com

Photo: Umberto Fratini / GoRunway.com

All pictures found on style.com

All perfect for an encore wedding, don't you think?

The New Mrs

We are baaack! We had a wonderful wedding weekend in Las Vegas. It was as stress free as a wedding could be, we enjoyed our friends and my family who made it all the way from PR to be with us. Best of all, it was done my way.

This is what I mean by my way:

We got ready together

I wore a drop veil, yes I DID (and gold)!

 We walked up the aisle together (come on, I've been on my own for the last 15 years and this is my second wedding, who and why will anyone give me away?) Not to mention, this is a decision we made together...

 We took cool pictures around Vegas afterwards

And lastly but more importantly we had great food with amazing friends

It was great and we had plenty of fun

Pictures: Todd Wilson

(Please do not use)

Can you tell?

I learned a few things about us throughout the process.  Even though there were some disappointments, sticking to our beliefs was worth it and we would have not done it any other way. The day after the wedding we had brunch with our guests and we headed off to Fiji, will post next!

Today's the Day!

Wow, the day is finally here, please send a prayer for us for today but more importantly for a wonderful marriage and future together. We'll be back very soon with pictures and reviews.

How We Did It-Recap

As I planned to write the series I realized the way we chose our vendors was the same every time. Word of mouth from other brides, I would check out their website and hopefully their blog. I would email them, wait for the response by next day (since I am ahead of Vegas by 10 hrs), ask for what I wanted, wait for a quote, compare and make a decision. Wash, rinse and repeat for all the vendors.

I know vendors know this, they know word of mouth is worth more than any ad they can pay for. Having a nice website and hopefully a blog (not to mention participate in other social networks) is very important especially in this time and age of technology. The fact that they responded quickly was high up on my list. As an Encore Bride I was not hung up on the simple details.  My focus was having what we wanted, a nice ceremony along with a wonderful steak dinner among family and close friends.

We wanted and talked about eloping but I wanted to give everyone a chance to attend, to my surprise many of my friends had made reservations before we even sent their invitations!

To recap, this is how we did it:

1. We spoke to other brides getting married in the same area.
2. We asked for references
3. We checked vendors reviews and feedback
4. Emailed vendors to inquire about their services
5. Waited for reply
6. If they did I would go in the detail of what I was looking for but I let them do what they do best, offer the best suggestions for our event.
7. Agree to a price
8. I received all contacts via email, I signed them, scanned them and sent them back
9. DONE!

Who said it couldn't be done? We are planning a small, intimate but elegant wedding for 30 in beautiful Las Vegas and we did it all in about 3 months.

Now if Uncle Sam could only assure me that I will be there, it would be alright!

It's Coming Together-To Do List

I love my To Do Pads from Etsy

It's been a while since I've posted any updates around here. Sorry my friends, working all day everyday doesn't leave much time to organize one's thoughts outside of the work realm. The wedding planning is coming along, in fact is almost done. Here's the list:

Ceremony-✓

Reception-✓

Save The Dates-✓

Flowers-✓

Cake-✓

Dress-✓

Shoes-✓

Hair/Makeup-✓

Block of Rooms-✓

Photographer-✓

His wedding band-✓

The invites are done but I am waiting on the calligrapher to send back the envelopes. I still need to make our travel reservations to Vegas to include which rooms we want to stay at and when. The last thing I'll book will be the shuttle for the ceremony to the reception once I found out how many guests will be joining us.

I am still looking for are a headpiece; I found a few I liked only to find later they were way out of my price range. I found a great Etsy vendor who is preparing my favor stickers, table numbers, place cards and menus for the reception. Not necessary but convenient and affordable since we're having such a small guest list.

Not bad eh? It took me about 2 months to get this done from the moment we decided to move it up and go to Vegas. The worst part has been the fact that I am 10 hrs ahead of Vegas, most of the time it would take a day or two to hear back from someone, not bad at all though.

I think my list is pretty much done. Am I forgetting anything? Any recommendations on what I should focus on?

There's a Date and Place

Not only do I have my ring, we also have a date and place. It is only weeks after I return home so there will be a lot of planning from here, not to mention there will be no DIY projects. So, without further due...we are getting married in:

Yes, wonderful Las Vegas, we'll have the ceremony at the Little Chapel of the Flowers:

 Little Chapel of the Flowers

The Chapel is much nicer than I thought inside and we will have a small dinner with the few family and friends that make the trip.

Any recommendations on where to eat, stay or play?

My New Favorite Wedding Colors

I found a wonderful new color combination on the beautiful blog The Inspired Bride. The deep jewel tone colors make for a beautiful romantic fall wedding. Don't you think?

 

 Source: The Inspired Bride

What do you guys think? Yay or Nay

Fiji on My Mind

In order to get through the long hot days around here (the high today was around 117°), my mind has been wondering to far away places. Romantic and exotic places where we could just sit back and have a drink. One of those places is Fiji; I found this resort on an article titled, Take the Plunge! on the latest Destination, Weddings and Honeymoon Magazine, I LOVE it. It's the Royal Davui Island Resort.

There's nothing else on this tiny island but you and 31 other guests, max!

Look at this awesome plunge pool!

The canopy over the bed is so romantic.

Finally, we can get married here as well. There would be no stress, just a long flight to Fiji where we can relax, get married and enjoy our honeymoon before we return to the "real world".

Have you ever been to Fiji? Are there any other resorts you recommend?

I'm here, Discussing Wedding Colors

(Cont.)

It had been relatively peaceful in Baghdad since the elections and we even thanked God for that on the service before Easter. The next day I could hear faint explosions, frankly it sounded like thunder to me but the next day I walked in the office and read about the Easter explosions in Baghdad, up to 30 people dead and hundreds wounded. It is one thing to be here alone, another to be with the one you care about. I don’t worry so much about me but I worry about him worrying about me.

Days are long around here, I will probably be at work around 10-12 hours a day but that includes several breaks for lunch, dinner and workout time. It is one of the keys to staying sane around here, staying busy as much as you can throughout the day and only going to your sleeping quarters to sleep.

The good news for us is that Mr. Encore and I have designated specific days and times to spend together. We have dinner together on Wednesdays, spend a few hours together on Friday afternoon and we meet up at the WiFi spot to check email and surf the internet and few nights a week.

We have discussed wedding options and I love this look I found here a while ago:



Once I saw these pictures I sent them to Mr. E via email a while back and asked him what he thought, he replied: "I love the pictures you sent, the first one with the really vibrant colors on the table entitled Peacock Tables is absolutely beautiful!! It reminds me of you. If I had to draw a picture of your love and passion I would use those colors to do it".

Needless to say friends, he's a keeper...

Wedding Color Inspiration

Mr. Encore has suggested we marry in Puerto Rico in the Fall of 2011, I've begun to research different venues and we hope to visit them during our mid-tour vacation to PR. I've also showed him pictures of colors and decor that inspires me and he is loving it! The other day while visiting my sister we were walking at the mall when we came across what will be the focal point of our wedding style design.

The Shoes!

There were inexpensive but very cute, so here you go, a total frugal purchase but hey, they're cute!

Aisle Style-150 Years of Wedding Fashions

Last weekend Mr. Encore and I headed to Charleston, SC to hang out in what was our last weekend together for a while. I dragged him to the Charleston Museum where the Aisle Style exhibit was on display. The exhibit was a nice size and had many original gowns from the 1800's. I learned that many of these gowns were handmade in France, most were two pieces because it was perfectly acceptable to wear your gown again with a more simple top during the first year of marriage. Also, as we know colored gowns were popular at the time as well and they had a few on display. The exhibit will be on display until June 30, 2010, stop by if you're in Charleston.

(Click to enlarge)

All photos taken by me

For more information please stop by the Charleston Museum website!

The Encore Bride Style File-Elopement in Mexico

By now I know everyone has seen this beautiful elopement ceremony Style Me Pretty featured a few weeks ago. It was designed by Lisa Vorce of Oh, How Charming! and photographed by Aaron Delesie. As soon as I opened the blog it blew me away and spoke to me, yeah, it said "You should totally do this!" I haven't been able to stop thinking about it and the idea of eloping. It seems to carefree, romantic and courageous!

(Click photos to enlarge)

Credits: Photos by Aaron Delesie

I can only think of all the beautiful places I would elope to. Would you do it? Where would you go?

The Encore Bride Style File-Very Pink

I'm usually not a "pink" girl, but lately I've been seduced by the different shades of pink, I think this board would be great for an intimate civil ceremony in a nice courtyard. What do you think?

Credits: Dress: Jim Hjelm via Brides.com, Bracelet: Etsy.com, Flowers: TheKnot.com, Earrings: Etsy.com, Shoes: Emilio Pucci via Zappos.com

Amazing Encore Wedding

Wow!!! Please stop by Junebug Weddings and check this amazing encore wedding. From an amazing gown, flowers, colors and intimate venue it has all the ingredients for everything an encore wedding can be. Enjoy!

Credits: Trista Lerit Photography via Junebug Weddings

Headed to San Fran...

I made this board some time ago with San Francisco on my mind. Their City Hall is one of the most beautiful I've seen and their marriage requirements are very easy: You can get your license within 30 minutes after your appointment without blood tests and a fee of $93.00. Not too bad. I have never been to San Francisco and an elopement would be a great excuse!

Credits: Please let me know if you recognize any of the photos

Check Out This Encore Wedding

Hurry! Please click over to the Southern Weddings Magazine Blog. They featured a beautiful encore wedding that truly reflected their style. I love it!

http://www.swsmag.net/blog/2009/6/1/real-texas-wedding-leigh-kelly.html

Bridal Market Spring 2010, many options for the encore bride!

I love this very stylish Oscar de la Renta gown, the asymmetrical line creates interest and it looks very modern. I created this inspiration board to showcase the bride’s look for the day. It would be a nice look for a “loft” wedding. Enjoy!

Dress: Oscar de la Renta via Martha Stewart.com, Earrings: Etsy, Headpiece: Etsy, Shoes: D&G via Nordstrom.com

The Encore Bride Style File

  This Carolina Herrera Spring 2010 gown is the reason I returned to blogging. I’ve been wrestling with the idea for a while but once I saw this gown I fell in love and I knew I had to share it. The contrast of the black flowers against the ivory fabric makes a bold statement and along with the A-line silhouette it is very forgiving to any figure. As an Encore Bride, this time around I would definitely wear this gown proudly. As I am committed to supporting the handmade industry I created an inspiration board showcasing many beautiful items from Etsy.com. Enjoy!

Photo Credits:

Center:

1. Carolina Herrera via Brides.com

Clockwise:

1. Etsy 2. Etsy3. Etsy 4. Valentino via Norsdtrom.com 5. The Knot 6. Etsy 7. Etsy

8. Etsy 9. Etsy 10. Etsy 11. The Knot.com 12. Brides.com