Three pairs of wedding shoes!

{Source}
So I've been going back and forth about these Badgley Mischka shoes. I LOVE them but I hate how popular they are. I told myself that if I saw these shoes at more than 10 weddings, that I wouldn't get them. Believe me, I hit the 10 weddings pretty quickly!

Then I got a "30% discount off anything" email from Piperlime and I knew I just had to do it. So, I finally got the shoes! Plus they were only $100 with shipping! (Original Price $215)

But then I saw these:
{Source}
They are kind of cute, right?? In a kind of, "I wouldn't buy them full price but since they are $24.50 AND 30% OFF, I want them" sort of way. Here's what I was thinking. I may still decide to go with flats instead of heels. After all, we ARE getting married on the beach. (Unless it rains, in that case we would do it on the covered terrace at the house...It's important to have a plan B!)

THEN I saw these on Rue La La, which were on Ideeli a while ago but they didn't have my size... SO I GOT THESE TOO! I really like the pale pink, but I don't think I love the silver heel. I also love the leopard print soles, its a little surprise that perfectly reflects my personality!

{Source}

I don't know how I ended up with three pairs of wedding shoes but they are all returnable so hopefully I'll be able to make a decision once they get here...? I just have to figure out how to sneak these shoes past

Which ones do you like? I think I could probably talk Mr. Pancakes into letting me keep two pairs ... one for the ceremony, one for the reception? Is anyone else this indecisive??

How did I not know about this!?!?!

So today I discovered Wedzu via Jenn McMann at Destination Inspiration!! It's basically Etsy but JUST for weddings! For all you brides-to-be who've know about this and haven't shared...shame on you! For all you brides-to-be who haven't been lucky enough to stumble across this site... enjoy!

Here are a few of my favorite items:

{Fingertip Veil - $100}
{four photography boutonnieres $35}

{ Fingerprint Plectrum Sterling Silver-$89}
{Earrings(Repurposed from 1920s bracelet) - $35}

{Shirt Stays - $77}

I was a little worried that like everything else in the world these items would all be more expensive because they are being marketed to brides, but from what I can tell, it doesn't seem like the prices are that different from etsy. Although, much like etsy the prices are all over the place. That being said, there aren't nearly as many vendors so there aren't nearly as many options, but I think it's kind of nice to not have to filter through all the other distracting items! (ie. it's nice to reduce the risk of impulsive shopping!)

What else am I missing? Are there other great resources that I just haven't heard about!?!

On fiancées and weddings

Hi, Mr. Pancakes here! So. I've been supposed to blog since THE BEGINNING but, well, you know how that goes.

So our current (OK really probably one of our current ten) debate/conversation is about "our wedding song." This can either mean the song we'll want on our wedding video or one of the several songs that will play at or wedding. Clearly a huge decision.

Actually, this is a big deal for me. Music is on the shortlist of "ish" that I care about. I have always and will always think music is better than words for expressing important, deep, metaconsciousness type things that we can barely even think about concretely enough to put into words.

sorry. soap boxing aside.

So we had been watching some demos with various songs on them and talking about pros and cons of them as models of what we want our song to be. I said I can't stand that "our love is so dramatic and perfect that when you hear this song you'll imagine sweeping vistas and a story to span the ages" type music for a wedding video song.

Naturally, having (a soul and) been in high school in California and played/sang in various punk bands, I suggested this all time classic love song:

Nerdy - by Poison the Well. (def love on the use of happy feet. not my choice, but totally awesome)



BTW, lyrics matter.

Why do your eyes paralyze me?
What makes me feel this way?
Carry me away with silence and heartbeats as rapid
Thinking about your embrace
And how it makes me feel
I just want to feel this way forever
Sleep on portraits painted as perfect as you
Why have I been given the chance to fly
When I'm not with you I feel lesser alone
Why have I been given the chance to fly, away?
I remember your face imprinted on angels
Your voice as beautiful as the sounds of waves
Crashing against my heart
Time slows down when you look at me
I'm infatuated with this / infatuated with you
I remember your face imprinted on angels
It's so hard for me to understand
Why I hadn't found you before
Don’t dull away,
Hold my hand

Anyway, that got resoundingly rejected. No worries it maybe was the right call. Screaming + wedding /= happy wedding bride.

But the real resolution "ahaa" moment to this whole thing came when I walked in after she jokingly suggested African Queen. She was sitting with her laptop as usual and "Hey Soul Sister" (or whatever it's called) was playing. (and not the mind-bogglingly awesome version by that cute little kid.)

She was kinda half-crying, which to be honestly didn't surprise me cuz with all the wedding videos and such she has been leaking a bit from the eyes for a while. The real revelation was that she was just WATCHING THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR THE SONG. I sit down on the bed next to her and this douche-y looking dude, Patrick Monahan, is on the screen making his "I'm so cool" face and singing. So yeah. She was just crying about a song on Samsung commercials. It was totally funny and awesome.

and there you have it. my blog post. me.

and now, to play me off, a 5-year old Japanese kid dominating.

Let's talk cinematographers

When I got engaged back in March, I knew right away that I had to have the best photographer (my very limited) money could buy. On the other hand, I had never thought about getting a cinematographer. The reality is that I hadn't seen that many wedding videos. When I thought about it, I just figured that my wedding video was just going to be that video that my husband would accidentally tape over in 10 years, leading to a huge fight that would quite conveniently be resolved in 22 minutes... Yes, I watch a LOT of sitcoms and yes, I recognize that we do not have (and will never again have) a VCR.

Moving on... I don't really have a TV so I miss out on a lot, but eventually I did stumble across this Subaru Outback honeymoon commercial:


It was really game over. I've been stalking wedding videos ever since...

Here are two videos that really touched my heart, gave me chills, an just flat out brought tears to my eyes.

April + Adam's Xcaret Wedding Highlights Film from Joe Simon Films on Vimeo.

Literally everyone one of the videos on this website really takes my breath away. I love the combination of music and actual words from the ceremony.

When I spoke to my photographer to see if she had worked with any fabulous cinematographers she told me that she hadn't made any real connections in Costa Rica but that she loved SharkPig. I mean who wouldn't love a company called SharkPig!!

Then I saw this video on Once Wed and knew I had to post it! Doesn't this video remind you of the Wonder Years or that video of Vada's mom in My Girl.

James & Tiffany Super 8 from Shark Pig on Vimeo.

Turns out, I love the feel of Super 8 Film. It also turns out that it's super expensive... sigh. Champagne taste on a tap water budget :(

I couldn't figure out how to post the rest of the videos so here are a list of other cinematographers that I love:

* Paper Tape Films
* Hello Super 8
* Lola Video

So here's the question: Obviously a GREAT cinematographer is SOOO worth it, but if you can't afford a really great (Super 8 Film, in my case) cinematographer should you just put the money towards something else? Maybe more hours with your photographer? Or is any video better than no video???

Organic Almond Favors

For centuries, almonds were commonly distributed to wedding guests as a symbol of well-wishes for the bridegroom’s new life. In the thirteenth century, almonds coated with sugar, known as confetti, were introduced. Confetti soon transformed to sugared almonds, which later evolved into a wedding favor for modern day weddings. Traditionally, five Jordan almonds are presented in a confection box or wrapped in elegant fabric to represent fertility, longevity, wealth, health, and happiness. Thus, the bitterness of the almond and the sweetness of the coated candy have for centuries exemplified marriage's bitter-sweetness.

These little favors were put together by the wonderful women whose kids I used to babysit. She runs an organic snack company out of her home called Sweet Harlem Pop (because she started with popcorn). These are little favors that she put together for a friends wedding in Arizona. She was nice enough to let me have one as a sample for my own wedding. Not only are they adorable, but the maple almonds are super yummy.

She even includes a sweet little poem which reads:

Sweet Harlem Crunch Almonds for thee
Herein sugared almonds for each guest to eat
To remind us that life is both bitter and sweet
Five special wishes for the new husband and wife
Health, wealth, happiness, children and a long life!

How sweet is that!

How have people close to you contributed to your wedding? What sweet treats have your friends and family DIY-ed for your big day? What other creative things have you done or seen done (well) with almonds as wedding favors?

Hanging from the trees...

{Once Wed via Amanda and Luke}My love for hanging flowers has developed into a full blown obsession. I love the look of flowers hanging in jars.

How gorgeous is this table. I love the idea of taking the flowers off the table in order to save table space for food!

{Free People}

{Olivia Leigh via Casa Sugar}

{My Pretty Touch}

Here's the deal, I love the way these flowers look in these close-ups, but what do they look like at the actual wedding? You would probably have to have a few dozen to make a real impact, otherwise they would just look really sad. Nobody wants sad flowers at a wedding. This last picture is actually really great because it's a great example of how to use this beautiful detail!

{Source: SMP}

Have any of you used hanging flowers before? How many did you have to buy and put together relative to your guest list and location size?

Say Yes to the Bridesmaids Dress

{Source}

I, like many people, fell in love with the Two Birds Collection of infinity bridesmaids dresses. Unfortunately, the $270 price tag made this dress a definite no-go.

With this inspiration picture in tow, I started searching the web.

{Source}

I really wanted light pink dresses and dresses that provided my bridesmaid with coverage(and support) up top. (If you know what I mean). Tart also has a great collection of infinity dresses which are ALWAYS on sale on either Ideeli, Rue la la or Haute Look for between $49 - $99. Unfortunately, the Tart dresses don't come in pink and still don't provide any sort of coverage for "the ladies."

I was just about to give up and get the gray dresses when I stumbled across this gorgeous dress on ModCloth last week.
{ModCloth}
I kind of fell in love with it. As you may remember, I decided awhile ago to let my bridesmaids pick their own dresses, but on whim, I decided we should try to get this one instead!

I recognize that the dress is pretty low cut in the front and pretty low in the back, but it's so super cute and all my bridesmaids could definitely pull it off. It has the same kind of feel as the infinity dress but has a padded cup which is definitely a plus. I also think it will look great on a beach with no shoes during the day and super cute with good jewelry and a pair of cute heels in the evening.

Well, I went ahead and ordered a few so they can try them on and we'll see how it goes! It's free returns and exchanges so I figure there is very little risk. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

A labor of love

My StDs were designed and printed in Stamford, Connecticut. I took the Metro North up to Stamford and met with my bridesmaid LA. Immediately, LA got to work in her home office. (She does this for a living!)

This is me giving her a thumbs up! I was pretty useless. At some point I have so many ideas that I become indecisive so I just provide general statements of approval.

We finally got them printed!!! This is LA checking out the prints and making sure they were consistent, making sure the black was black and all the edges were clean. She even washed and cleaned the printer after every 4-5 sheets. I love that my friends are perfectionist. :D

Then she cut and whole punched the individual save the dates. She punched little semi-circle notches in the side of the StDs because we tied a piece of twine around each invite. I thought it was a cute mnemonic device of sorts, since we used "tying the knot." I know it's a little cheesy but I like it :D

Because were were ignoring her cat, he made sure to remind us that he was around!

My job was to put holes in the calendars for the little heart shaped brads.

After designing the StDs, the next step was to line the envelopes. We went to Paper Presentation and picked up some high quality brown kraft paper envelopes and loads of scrapbook paper. I clearly couldn't pick just one so I picked up everything that caught my eye. Mr. Pancakes picked the one with the pink elephants.

Then I traced an envelope onto some cardstock to make a template.

Once I had the basic size of the envelope it was easy to figure out the size and spacing I wanted for the liner.
Then I cut out the template and just traced it onto the paper. This is actually the back of the paper. Mr. Pancakes was in charge of the cutting and the stuffing, and I did all the gluing.


Here's what they looked like when they were done!
Super easy and the whole project envelopes and paper cost a little less than $50.

This is the final product!

For the Fellas: I.heart.boys.in.suits.

{A Mountain Bride}

I adore my groomsmen. They are all amazing and have been best friends with the Groom for-ever! They even all have matching "brotherhood" tattoos!! But whats the deal with groomsmen attire... when did it get so complicated?? What happened to the days of tuxedo rentals at the local Men's Wearhouse??

Well, that's partly (mostly) my fault.... we were obviously never going to have tuxedos on the beach in Costa Rica. So then it became a toss-up between khaki and gray and destiny made the decision for us!

Beach Weddings

{Michael Wachniack}

There is the go-to look... khaki pants and the white button down.

{Aloha Island Weddings}

Or a colored button down with khaki pants and flip flops. I am not on board with the groom in an all white linen outfit... that is way too out of character for me! I want Mr. Pancakes to look like a dressy version of himself.

Preppy Attire
{Ballcaps and Neckties}

Originally, I also considered something super preppy, like seersucker or putting them all in pink pants. Can you imagine?! I think it's adorable but I can only imagine the number of complaints I would get... it doesn't seem worth it.

Suspenders

{Green Wedding Shoes}

I also adore suspenders... since my guys are all going to be in gray pants this look may be doable. However it looks so vintage/barn-yard chic to me and not very beach-y...It's hard for me to tell if it's just the setting or if it's the outfit itself.

{Green Wedding Shoes}These thicker black suspenders paired with matching ties look less barn-yard chic and more dressy/formal but maybe it would be too dressy for the beach. On the other hand, maybe with gray pants it would be the perfect middle ground. I have no idea?!?!

{Ruffled}
Here is some more guys in skinny suspenders with matching pants and bow ties. I REALLY love bow ties and was considering doing bow ties before I realized how much the groomsmen would all hate that as well. At one point, I was considering pink pants WITH bowties. Silly me.

Vests

{Wedding Chicks}What about vests! Vests are popping up at weddings all over the place. I also love the matching Cons (i think those are Converses?) I don't know why but I kind of hate the black belts with the khaki pants... but I do love the look of the mismatched ties with the vests.

{Once Wed}

Amazingness... I love the vests with the bow ties... my only problem with this look is that you can't tell who the groom is (it's obvious in this picture that he's the one in the center, but you know what I mean). I kind of want Mr. Pancakes to stand out... after all, it is HIS day too!

{Green Wedding Shoes}
What about if I just let them all wear whatever they want?!?! What a novel idea... don't control ever detail. hehehe. That doesn't even almost sound like something I would do. I would be much too terrified that someone would show up in brown cords (no offense, he is adorable... but really!?!?).

{Anne Marie Photography}Or they could just do matching suits. This seems the least Costa Rican and the least appropriate for us as a couple.

Best Option:

I think this is the exact look we are going for (except in gray)... matching ties, jacket for the groom and no jackets for the groomsmen. I also really like the rolled-up sleeves and the barefoot look.

{Brenda's Wedding Blog}

What do you think??

Shoe Festish: Best Bets for Buying on a Budget

So the best thing about shopping online is that you can try the shoes on in the comfort of your home, and if you already have your wedding dress, it means you can try it on with your dress!

I am a huge fan of shopping online because I love getting packages in the mail. I know its a little ridiculous but I was always one of those kids who loved having a pen pal. I just love mail!

I heart shoes. I am going to have a really difficult time finding the perfect wedding shoes, but these are my favorite websites:

Romantic Soles - Arleigh $47.97; Betsy Johnson - Ardin $98.00; Nina - Effie $62.97; Bouquets - Colette $23.81

6pm offers the most affordable selection, with the widest range of prices, however shipping per order is a flat $6.95 and you only have 30 days to make a decision.

Martinez Valero - $87.97; Liz Rene Couture - Saskia $94.95 Luichiny - $68.95; Badgley Mischka - $200

Best thing about Endless is that they focus on just shoes so they have a great selection. Plus, they offer free overnight shipping on all new styles. So if you love something and you can't wait to try it on, Endless is the place to go! They also offer free 2-day shipping and free standard shipping on most of their shoes, free return shipping, and 100% price guarantee... it really is one of my favorite places to shop. My problem is that I order 5 pairs "just to try on" and convince myself that I need them all. So as long as you have self-control its a great place to go crazy!

Kate Spade Guilia -$325; Pour La Victoire Stella - $151; Badgley Mischka Eavan - $152; Me Too - Jeannette $72.00

Best things about Zappos is that they have 365 day return policy, which means you have ONE YEAR to return your purchases... PLUS its free shipping BOTH WAYS!

Badgley Mischka - Fidel $229; Vivienne Westwood - Anglomania + Lady Dragon $99; Kate Spade - Charm Heel $325; Juicy Couture - Flora $72; Marc Jacobs MJ14034 - $339

I love Zappos Couture for their great selection but most of their shoes are a little beyond my price range.... I still enjoy looking at all the pretty, shiny things. Plus how adorable are the Vivienne Westwoods! They are a definite a real contender.

Where'd you get your wedding shoes? What sites am I missing?

How I knew she was "the one"?

My fabulous MOH bought me the "Offbeat Bride" book which I read feverishly on the train every morning. I really loved the book even if it didn't really apply to me. For instance there is a chapter titled "Vanity, Fashion & Other Things We Shouldn't Care About"... anyone who knows me (or has seen my credit card statement) knows that this chapter almost certainly doesn't apply to me. Her chapter on wedding dresses titled "Clothes for her: On Poufy Dresses and Barefootedness" ended with a story about a bride who got "white blindness" pretty quickly and eventually gave up "in disgust convinced that every single dress looked exactly the same: hideous!"

(!!!!!!!!)

Now, I recognize that everyone is entitled to their opinion (even if it is wrong..hehehe.j/k) but this made my stomach turn. I L.O.V.E. WEDDING DRESSES! I had the hardest time finding a dress because I LOVED the trying them on so much.

The first time I went to look at dresses I went with my MOH and learned 3 things: (1) I love looking at myself in wedding dresses, (2)I could try on wedding dresses forever.... and (3)Did I mention that I look A-MAZING in wedding dresses? (This is actually not a sign of my vanity... I swear. I've just always been a fan of playing dress up).

Five bridal salons and 30 some dresses later, these were my top two contenders:



I called the first one "Kate" and the second one "Anne." (Ten points to anyone who can guess the reference!). I raced home and emailed my mother and sisters to ask them to weigh in. My sisters both loved Kate so I was pretty much sold. Then my mother sent me an email which basically said "You don't have to settle. There is still plenty of time."

Devastating, right? I was so defeated that I decided to stop looking for awhile. A few months later I went home to visit my family back in Texas and my sisters suggested we try again. The first store I went to, De Ma Fille was an adorable little boutique but with their limited selection I wasn't really able to find anything I wanted to take home. Next I went to Bliss Bridal Salon where I tried on 10 BEAUTIFUL dresses and finally FOUND MY DRESS!

I am not going to share my dress now but I will once it comes in!

I am just SOOO excited. I can't believe I actually bought it! It was all very surreal. . It was gorgeous. It fit beautifully and it wasn't like any dress I had ever seen (considering how many blogs, tv shows and bridal boutiques I've read/seen/been to, that was actually quite a surprise.) Even though I was head over heals in love with the dress, I wanted to make sure my mother loved (liked?) it. I took her back the next day and she LOOOOVED it. Color me surprised!

It was amazing and it was obvious that I had to just pull the trigger. There definitely were no tears when I tried it on but I did definitely know almost immediately. Instead of squealing like I had with so many other dresses, I just stared. I was speechless.... that was how I knew she was "the one."

How did you find your dress? Were you surprised by the dress you ended up with? How important were other people's opinions in the process?

Love for ALL things lace

Despite Mr. Pancakes' strongly held belief that all things lace are "grandma-y", I adore lace. I think there is something timelessly bridal about lace. I though I understand that somethings have to be done in moderation, I don't believe blogging/posting images is one of those things so.... here are some of my favorite lace (and lace-inspired) items (this week):
{Source:Etsy}
{Source: Etsy}
{Source: 100 Layer Cake}
{Source: Brooklyn Bride}
{Source: Etsy}

I think that these little touches will satisfy my love for lace without making Mr. Pancakes' feel like he's getting married to a grandma. Compromise, that's what it's all about, right?

What have you had to compromise on during the wedding planning process?