LOVE. Sweet Love.

This post is about two things. One, incorporating banners into weddings. I LOVE BANNERS - this one is burlap but if you search wedding banner on etsy the options are astounding. I decided to drape mine in front of my wedding table, but they really can be put anywhere. The other thing this post is about is incorporating song lyrics into your wedding. This one is very subtle, but I was going for the song "Love, Sweet Love." I think it works pretty well and says a lot about who my husband and I are as people and the type of mood we wanted to set for our wedding.

Wedding Song of the Week(ish)

So not only have I not written a blog post in what feels like a bazillion and one years - I haven't done a song of the week (which has now turned into song of the couple of weeks or whenever I get around to it). Anyway, for those of you who saw 500 Days of Summer (and fell in love with Joseph Gordon Levitt just as hard I did) you'll recognize this song. I think Regina Spektor is one of the greatest female vocalists of our time. I love her voice. I love this song. I think it works well because its not slow and it's epic and beautiful. My husband and I put it on our wedding CD. LISTEN. ENJOY.

FANTABULOUS guest book idea

I LOVE THIS IDEA! It's a perfect mix of my two (ridiculous) obsessions - Polaroids and chalk boards. Have your guests write a message on a mini chalkboard and then, get this, TAKE A PICTURE OF IT WITH A POLAROID. AH, I just love it. Also, honestly, its a great way to get pictures of everyone from your wedding - we (unfortunately) didn't get a picture of EVERYONE who showed up (which wound up being both good and BAD) but still. LOVE. IT.

*from http://thehandmadehomemaker.blogspot.com/ - great blog!

Adorable - Tattoo Wedding Rings

I'm going to preface this post with saying this is probably NOT the SMARTEST thing to do on the planet - but I think it means a lot and I wish I knew about it before I got married. Even though I currently do not have any tattoos (I'm working on it) - I LOVE LOVE the idea of tattoo wedding rings. It's definitely outside of the box and a great way to really show someone you'll love them forever. Maybe the only downside is not being able to exchange rings on the big day, but if you really love the idea it shouldn't matter (that's what a hand-fasting is for).  Maybe one day I'll get one underneath my wedding rings for when I don't really feel like wearing them.

*picture from mommyminded.blogspot.com

First Day of My Life - Song of the Week

Honestly, I'm not sure why this song is coming as song of the week so late in the game. I have been obsessed with this particular song since I first heard it many moons ago in college (it's so sweet and went along with the whole emo thing I had going on). Also, I would marry Conor Oberst in a hot minute (lead singer of Bright Eyes - my favorite band in the entire universe). Anyway - as a wedding song it works perfectly - it's super indie and different and a little upbeat without being disgusting. I wanted to use it as my recessional but decided on "Home" (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - see first song of the week) instead. Although, this is a perfect choice as well. Hope you love it as much as I do. Enjoy.

Vintage Dessert Tables

So we all know for the most part that the most awesome aspect of a wedding meal is dessert (okay, maybe that's just me - whatevs). A lot of people do the traditional cake thing and I love it (but it can get boring!). SO! having a dessert table is my personal favorite way to do dessert. Have a little bit of everything for everyone. This bride specifically did chocolate covered strawberries and mini cupcakes of all different flavors. At my wedding (I didn't have a full dessert table - boo - I had an amazing sampler of cupcakes, cheesecakes, and tiramisu - but did get rave reviews).  I like dessert tables because they are different and it's really easy to make a dessert table vintage and offbeat and you. And, it's also delicious. How great!
*pic from savethedateforcupcakes.com (check them out. adorable ideas!)

SPARKLERS!

Okay so really since I've developed an unhealthy obsession with Pinterest (if you don't know about it, I'm sorry), something I've become crazy about (but wasn't allowed to use at my wedding... silly historical chapels) ARE SPARKLERS! I'm really not sure in terms of legality whether or not you may be allowed to use them in your state (are they considered fireworks? and, who cares) BUT I love them. This is a picture of people spelling words out (LOVE) but you can also have people use them as you leave for the evening, or after the ceremony. It's a personal thing. But please, don't be ridiculous like me and use sparklers at your wedding. You will not regret how awesome it looks in the end. I promise.

All My Days (song of the week)

Okay so there are a ton of great things about this post/song. The first one is this song is one of my all time favorite love songs. It's so beautiful (what an epic voice). The second great thing about this post is that it's an actual live performance of Alexi Murdoch (who is super adorable so you get to look at him). The third best thing about this song is that it's featured in the movie Away We Go with John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph (my two favorite people in the world). Enjoy the song of the week (pretty sure no one noticed I missed last week).

Mason Jar Love

This blog post is slightly about how cool I am. So those who know me, know that I spent about a bazillion dollars on mason jars for my wedding. I love them. Honestly, I think the best way to use them is for drinking glasses. So as you can see, a super great idea is to (do like I did) and get cheap chalkboard decals (I'm also obsessed with chalk boards too) and have guests write their name on them and use them as glasses for the night. I doubled this as my favors and my guests raved about it.

(yes, this picture is from my wedding!)

Vintage Typewriters

So ever since I could possibly remember (and even more so when I knew I wanted to be a writer) I was obsessed with typewriters. Now that they are  completely aged out (sigh, technology) it seems like such a sweet vintage idea to have one at a wedding. What an an adorable idea using a typewriter as a guest book. How. Sweet. Seriously. (I've also been watching too much Mad Men lately)

Make You Feel My Love (wedding song of the week)

I love this song. I love Adele. It's more of a traditional song but I think it's perfect for a first dance (especially if you're like my husband and I and think swaying is the best way to go). Honestly, this song makes me tear up. It's stunning. Enjoy.

Offbeat Dining

At my wedding we had the standard round tables, but since I've become a planner I've been absolutely obsessed with using long tables versus round tables. Here are a couple of amazing examples of how to use the long table to make your wedding absolutely stunning.

Never Had Nobody Like You - Song of the Week

So I'm in LOVE with M. Ward - and this is my absolute favorite song by him.I know you'll love it too!

Inspiration: "Wedding Under the Trees"

For anyone who is getting married in an indoor venue who (like me) steers away from a traditional look - I don't think there is anything better than giving an indoor wedding that "outdoors - under the trees type" romantic feel. It's pretty simple to do. Low-hanging string lights, candles (I prefer mason jars with votive candles) and low minimalist flower centerpieces.

VENDOR SHOUT OUT!

Okay so part of why my wedding was so incredibly amazing was because we had the best DJ's in the entire world. And I mean WORLD. We used DJNYC http://www.djnyc.com/ based in (obviously) NYC but they were willing to travel all the way to Sandy Hook, NJ for our bay side wedding. We worked with Dan and Sean and they were the most amazing, down to earth, super friendly guys that I have ever met. They basically knew every song we wanted to play including some really underground stuff (think: Feist, MIA, M.Ward) and all of the really fun songs on the radio (think: Katy Perry, Lady Gaga) and not on the radio anymore but still super fun and reminiscent of our 13 year old selves (think: Spice Girls, Green Day).

Please please check them out. They were wonderful! We loved them (as you can tell from the picture of us all dancing!)

"I hear the music when I look at you..." (SONG OF THE WEEK)

Tired of the same old traditional wedding songs? I definitely am. I decided to dedicate a portion of this blog to a wedding song of the week (WOO!) that didn't make me sick when I thought of it (think: "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel). First choice? Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros "Home" - not only is it the song that my husband and I walked down the aisle to (after we said "i do") but it's such an absolutely adorable song that just makes me smile every time I listen to it. Whether you use it as your recessional or just any time during your wedding (I wouldn't recommend it for your first dance - but that's just me) it's just a super down-home fun lovie-indie song for all to enjoy.

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Here's a great way to be an indie bride AND save trees, money, and time (weddings take up quite a bit of all of those things!). A great alternative, chic way to display menus, table numbers, or even seating charts is with a mirror. You can take one from your house or even an antique store - get a marker, and go to town. It's relatively easy and of course much more cost effective than printing all of those menus!

*photo from Martha Stewart Weddings