Celebrating One Amazing Year

How did we celebrate?

We worked at our new house!  Nate taught me how to spackle, tape and sand (his closet)!

31 weeks pregnant and hard at work!

My masterpiece!

We exchanged cards...and presents!  Nate spoiled me with another ring that came in a tiny blue box!  I surprised him with a highly anticipated new tool for our new house / lawn (that came in a very LARGE box)!  And we both enjoyed our first experience shopping in the "Anniversary Card" section of the drug store.

We went out to dinner at Dock's Oyster House (in Atlantic City), the place Nate took me on the night we got engaged! 

We had a sleepover...at our NEW house!

Our campsite all set up...so excited!

Morning after...our bed was quite deflated!

And we relaxed on the beach!

I <3 OCNJ

Happy (2 days early) Anniversary, Nate!

We've truly had the most incredible year!  I love you, forever and always <3 

Our Wedding Video

I'll be honest, when we started planning our wedding last year a videographer was the first thing I cut to trim down our budget.

First, because I (like most people) hate the way I look and sound on camera...and didn't want to have to worry that my every move on the most important day of my life was being capture by a complete stranger!

Second, because I thought watching the video afterwards would take away from all the emotions, memories and feelings I had surrounding our wedding day.  There is no way a video could live up to how I remembered that day in my head, right?

But then, my grandmother passed away in April (2011), just 2 months (almost to the day) before my mom.  And I completely changed my mind.

At her viewing, one of my uncles set up a TV to display a montage video with snippets from my great grandparents', grandparents', aunts' and uncles' and my own parent's weddings. 

It was the first time I had ever seen video footage of my grandmother when she was "young".  And the first time I ever saw my parents wedding video.  To be honest, I didn't know they had one!

I think watching the videos was an emotional experience for everyone that day. We all got to see the day our families started, starting our great grandparents!  But, you know the saying about how every family occasion seems to be either a  wedding  or funeral?  Well, we were definitely living it.  Wedding one year, funeral the next.  And little did we know we'd have yet another funeral that year... 

I cried watching it for about a million reasons.  Tears of grief over the loss of our dear grandma; tears of happiness to be a part of her living legacy, and to see how in love all those bride and bridegrooms were both then and now; tears of sadness as I saw just how much my beautiful mother's body was failing her, 30 years after she married my dad; tears of joy as I anticipated my marrying the love of my life; tears of absolute fear later that night as my mom had another near-death chocking episode. 

And finally, I cried because I learned that I wipe the tears from my eyes the exact same way my mom did...and because it had already been so long, due to the Parkinson's disease, since I had seen her wipe her own tears that I forgot we shared this little semblance.

Over the next few months, I made my case to Nate about why we now needed a videographer at our wedding.  What will they show at my funeral?  (To which he replied "you are nuts") How will our kids get to see how young and in love we were on our wedding day? ("They don't want to see that!")  I told him I didn't want something 12 hours long that we'd never watch - just some basic  coverage, set to a few songs, that shows the highlights of the day!  Nothing expensive.

But in his mind, we had already written this off the list.  And it was a couple thousand dollars we weren't adding back on...  He didn't budge. 

So, what did I do?  I hired one anyways.  And felt so guilty about it! 

That is, until I got the final version and showed it to Nate.  He LOVED it!!  (So much so that he actually thanked me for going ahead and having this done even though he had said no!).  And so did I! 

Here it is, my friends:  Our Wedding Video. 

I hope you enjoy this little glimpse in our wedding day.  And who knows, maybe it will help you decide whether or not a videographer is for you!

P.S. Wedding day coverage + editing by Well Spun Weddings.  

P.P.S. The infamous tear wipe at minute 1:15...

Will You Be My Bridesmaid?

How did you ask your favorite gals to be in your wedding party?  Did you send the flowers?  Ask them over a bottle of wine??

At the request of a newly engaged lady friend of mine, I wanted to share some cute new ways to ask your 'maids that I have seen around the web! 

"More than a question—a keepsake for years to come."
BHLDN sells these gorgeous handprinted, vintage handkerchiefs made by the very talented ladies at Bird and Banner. Each comes wrapped around a card in which a personalized note can be written. 

Maid of Honor Kerchief
$28



Bridesmaid Kerchief
$28

I recently discovered these beautiful, hand-engraved spoons made by Etsy vendor L'Esperance Design Inspiration.  I think this is a piece I'd save forever in my china cabinet!

Bridesmaid Spoon -
$15 for 3 (bulk discounts available)

I've mentioned what a great gift these custom hangers make before, but thought this DIY touch featured on Something Turquoise was too cute not to show you again!

Something Turqoise DIY Tutorial

"Will You Be My" Cards

I think people underestimate the fun of getting mail.  Like actual snail mail with an envelope and stamp.  And I can't think of a more proper way to ask someone for something than by sending them a card!

Rifle Paper Company, a favorite of mine, sells this gorgeous card:

Will You Be My Bridesmaid -
$4.50 per card
$18 for a box of 8

Oncewed featured this adorable Bridal Party card...with DIY instructions!


DIY Bridesmaid Card

Care Packages
Forget snail mail, who doesn't love a good ole care package?!

I personally love this champagne themed box because, if there ever was a time to celebrate with your friends, it is now!  :)

Something Turqoise DIY box

Painted wood box from the craft store plus some goregeous fabic and little mementos equals instand jewelry box.  Swoon!



Bridesmaid Box



This idea has so much potential...but is definitely lacking on execution.  I know you ladies out there could pull this off much cuter!

But this girl got it right.  Mmm..cookies!

JaeBellz

Have you been asked to be a bridesmaid in a unique way lately?

P.S. Bridesmaid gift ideas

And of course, don't forget to check Etsy - this site is swarming with cute, handmade "Will You be My Bridesmaid" cards!  (Which is actually where I got the card I used to ask my my bridemaids!)

Father of the Bride, Part I

I used to think a wedding was a simple affair. Boy and girl meet, they fall in love, he buys a ring, she buys a dress, they say I do. I was wrong. That's getting married. A wedding is an entirely different proposition. I know. I've just been through one.

There's no mistaking that the entire Rowley family has a thing for the movie, Father of the Bride.  My siblings and I can recite almost every line, my Dad thinks he's the real Steve Martin...  It's the movie that not only stamped our childhood but now, in our adult lives, has taken on a whole new meaning. 

Call me cheesy, but taking cues from the movie only seemed natural and appropriate when planning my own wedding...and I started by giving my parents an anniversary addition copy of the movie when I got engaged.  My dad and I then chose our father-daughter dance song (which was a classic in its own right) from the movie.  I also gave my dad a pair of decorated high tops to wear on the big day.  We did not serve our guests the "chipper chicken".  My dad even had a minor breakdown in the grocery store over hot dog buns and my mom had to bail him out of jail!

Ok that last part I am 100% joking!!  (Sorry, Dad!)

But, some girls want princess carriages and tiaras; I wanted my own version of a fairytale that places as much importance on the joining together of husband and wife as the merging of our two families, and that significant and everlasting father-daughter (and mother-daughter) relationships.  One that truly captures all those crazy nuances of planning a wedding!  And ours most definitely did.  (Although my Dad handled the "giving me away" part a bit better than his alter ego, George Banks!)

Though my chapter in playing the leading lady in Father of the Bride has come to and end, I know it continues and will continue to hold a special meaning for our entire family.  Particularly as my dad is already up at bat again as the Father of the Bride as my sister Ashley plans her wedding...and will have one final turn one day with Emily!  :)

But what's most remarkable (in my opinion) is that this 20+ year old remake of a 1950s movie has transcended generations and still remains very relevant today. 

And I honestly can't think of a movie that reminds me more of my parents, both Mom and Dad, than Father of the Bride...

Except maybe one. 

(To be continued).

Wedding Gift Ideas

Attending a wedding this spring / summer season and not thrilled about the idea of giving money or another registry item? 

That was me a few months ago when I started my search for a unique gift idea for a couple that is one of my nearest and dearest.  The pressure was one...not only because I was in the wedding, but because they outdid themselves with their wedding gift to us! 

I wanted something personalized and sentimental, which can be tricky since people's tastes are so different.  I also wanted something of lasting value; it is their wedding gift, of course!

We went back and forth with idea after idea, but ultimately this is what we came up with!  Would love to know what you think...or if you've given or received a great wedding / engagement gift lately!

1. Wine Box. Not just any wine box, a gorgeous, personalized wine box from Wine for a Wedding with wine to toast their 1 year, 5 year and 10 year anniversaries!

First, you select the style box you want from a variety of creative designs.  Then you personalize the front with the anniversaries you want to celebrate and add an engraved toast on the inside of each lid!  You can even select one of their wine packages that are assembled to age for future anniversaries!

I think this will be my new go-to gift idea for my friends' weddings!

2. Engraved Door Knocker. A friend of mine had told me one of the best gifts she received (not on her registry) was an engraved door knocker with her new last name.  Since the couple we were buying for had recently purchased their first home, we thought this would be a cute idea.  Plus, I know firsthand the thrill of seeing your new last name on wedding presents - so exciting!   This Baldwin door knocker is from Things Remembered and comes in polished brass and satin nickel.

3. Personalized Door Mat. One of my favorite wedding presents was this personalized door mat from Williams Sonoma.  It was on my registry, and I was crossing my fingers someone would get it for us!  It is both gorgeous and sturdy - we have had ours out on our front porch for the past year and it still looks brand new - and went perfectly with the new house / new last name theme!

My Best Friends DIY Wedding!

I still can't get over how amazing Luis and Kathryn's wedding was! 

(I also can't believe I'm still recovering!  Weddings have such a wonderful way of knocking you on your ass and reminding you can't hang like you used to, don't ya think?!)  :)

The church and reception venue were both pitch perfect.  That dress - breathtaking!  And the couple?  Absolutely, positively the happiest I have ever seen them!

But guess what else really caught my eye?  All those little DIY details!  I was sooo impressed with both Kathryn's inspiration and execution that I just had to share with all of you!  I of course was along for the ride in the brainstorming process, but seeing as we live a couple hundred miles apart, it wasn't until her wedding day that I got to see her vision become a reality!  And all I can really say is, WOW!

Wedding Sign
Inspiration
I can not think of a more appropriate wedding venue than Kathryn's to have such a beautiful, rustic wedding sign.

  

Execution

I would have loved to see Kathryn in action with a hammer and nails!!

Place Cards / Seating Chart
Inspiration

Chalkboard paint at its finest!  Key requirement: nice handwriting!

Execution

Can you believe one of our college friends found a pair of french doors in the trash on her way home from work?!  Or that she was thoughtful enough to trash pick in high heels? 

This definitely was one of the highlights of the reception because everyone HAD to look at it in order to find their seat for dinner! I think I'd save this forever...

Card Box

Inspiration

I love the idea of alternative card boxes.  How clever to use an old fashioned suitcase!

Execution

What a lovely little sign in table!

Chalkboard Details

Kathryn had so much fun with chalkboard paint, she painted the glass of two picture frames to display the dinner menu and signature cocktails. (And her table numbers, below)

Mmm I could go for a Luis right now!

Floral Arrangements

Inspiration

How simple yet gorgeous are those twine wrapped vases with white flowers...

Execution

Kathryn's tablescapes were stunning!!  And I was lucky enough to snag myself one of the small twine wrapped vases (sans peonies or hyndrangeas, unfortunately!  who just takes home the flowers?).  Perhaps someone will bring me home fresh flowers soon...or perhaps we could fill it with sand and a votive to put out on our front deck?

Favors / Drinks

Inspiration

I love that mason jars are coming back in a huge way.  Who even uses them for canning / jarring anymore?!

Execution

Kathryn invited a bunch of girlfriends over a few weeks before the wedding to help put together these adorable mason jar water glasses / favors!

Personal Flowers / Bouquet

Inspiration

All white peony bouquet.  Gorgeous.

Execution

Here comes the bride!

This DIY bride gets an A+ in my book!!

My Best Friends Wedding!

It's here!  It's finally here!  My best friends wedding weekend has (almost) officially begun! 

Kathryn - I can't tell you how excited I am to see you walk down the aisle on Saturday, and I am so honored to stand by your side as you did mine.  I wish you and Luis a lifetime of love and happiness <3 

 

one of my favorite candids of us from my wedding...

All my love! xoxo

Wedding Wine

Have you guys seen the adorable line of wedding wines from Swanson Vineyards?  I think they'd be perfect to serve your guests on the big night...or to give as a gift to a newly engaged / married couple!

  

Mmmm, wine! <3

NYC Bachelorette - a review!

As I mentioned on Friday, I went to NYC this past weekend for my best friend's bachelorette party! 

Planning a bachelorette can be, well, difficult, especially when you're not only coordinating activities, dinner, surprises and hotel accommodations for 20 people, but there's also just about a gazillion options of things to do in New York!!!  

Where do you even begin?! 

But, this bride's sister / matron of honor did such an incredible job planning the entire outing - the weekend was right out of a movie.  Ridiculously fun and crazy - and definitely not your typical night out (nice dinner plus clubbing? boring!).  And I can honestly say I haven't had this much fun in a long time!

Anyways, I don't know about you, but I'm the type of person who appreciates a good recommendation before trying something out blind.  And since we all had so much fun, I thought I'd pass along two of the highlighted activities of the weekend in case you're faced with the exciting task of planning a bride-to-be's last fling! 

Pole Dancing Class @ Shockra
114 East 28th St. - btw Lexington and Park
Private Pole Party - $28pp

After taking this class, I can honestly say I have a whole new respect for strippers.  Not only is pole dancing physically challenging - talk about the need for both upper and lower body strength - but working the pole while also looking sexy?!  Now that is a fete all in its own! 

The private class is $28 pp and there are 10 poles in the room.  The instructor is friendly and funny and teaches you a number of different "moves" that you eventually build up into a sequence / routine.  The level of participation depends on you / your interest / your ability, but I can honestly say there wasn't a girl in the room who wasn't too shy to give the pole a try! 

Did I mention dressing up is encouraged?!  (Our bride, Kathryn, wore the most amazing sequined bra with a neon cut-out top - you go girl!)

Oh, and be prepared for some soreness the next day!  I wasn't kidding when I said it was a workout...!

Lucky Cheng's
24 First Ave. - btw 1st and 2nd St.

When you hear a name like Lucky Cheng's, you probably think its just another Asian restaurant in New York.  And you're right, they do serve Asian food for dinner (pre-fix menu, family style - food is just par).  But this is wayyyy more than a little Asian restaurant in the LES.  This is a drag show - a full on, no doubts about it, DRAG QUEEN CAPITAL OF THE WORLD type production.  And it is amazingly hysterical!  

this is honeslty the only blog appropriate picture I could post...
and of course this doesn't do the Queens any justice!

This spot is MADE for bachelorette and all-girl birthday parties!  Each table has their own "waitress" (read: queen) that literally works your table all night.  During dinner, you're entertained by the most energetic "dancer" who selects a few unsuspecting audience membesr to join her(him?) on stage. For a drag queen lap dance. In front of everyone.  And it includes the most vulgar of imitations that you'd never think you'd ever see in a restaurant.  And some mild groping. 

The show continues after dinner with a parade and introductions of all the Queens in the house.  (Which gave our group the opportunity to speculate which surgeries, hormone therapies, etc. these ladies had undergone..).  Regardless of the how or why, my hat is off to these performers!  They were so entertaining, personable, friendly and fun!  And most had better boobs and legs than the rest of us!!!  (not fair!)

The grand finale includes 6 audience members competing in a lap dance contest given to one of the very few gay men in attendance (because there were a few!).  I applaud all of these participants, including our bride, for their balls (no, that's not the right word...).  I have never laughed so hard in my entire life!

Did I mention there's a guy that also makes naughty balloon animals for your table?!  How's that for adult entertainment?

Anyways, let's just say Lucky Cheng's is an experience you both can't wait and don't ever want to forget.  Oh the things we saw...

Have you planned / attended a bachelorette in New York recently?  I'd love some of your recommendations, especially since we'll be throwing my sister one soon (and for some reason, don't think a drag show will be on her agenda!).

xoxo