Rehearsal Dinner: Booked

Rehearsal Dinner: Booked

Yes, the wedding day itself is very important. But I feel like people often overlook the rehearsal dinner. Mr. SE and I both have lots of family coming from out of town, and we'd like to spend as much time as we can with them. We put a lot of thought into our rehearsal night, and the feeling that we wanted to evoke.

Those of you who follow me on Twitter know that our rehearsal dinner has been an ongoing battle. We had certain criteria, and finding a place in Nashville wasn't easy. Well guess what? Maggiano's fit the bill and we couldn't be more excited! Let me backtrack a little bit. Here's what we wanted: close to downtown (convenient for our OOT guests), moderately priced, private room for our 50-60 guests, good food (obviously). Oh Maggiano's, how I love you!

I remember fabulous family-style dinners for high school homecoming, along with family New Year's celebrations, and birthdays. This restaurant holds many special memories for me, including FSIL/FBIL's rehearsal dinner in 2007. While these events were all at Maggiano's restaurants, our rehearsal dinner will be at a location that we haven't used before. Their Nashville restaurant! It sits up on a hill by itself, and I just love how it looks all lit up.

Here's a screen shot of the menu that we get to choose from. To say there's lots of choices is definitely an understatement. We're really looking forward to our tasting!

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My Starting Lineup: Part I

My Starting Lineup: Part I

I'd like to tell you about my side of the bridal party. I'm honored to have 6 beautiful ladies who will be standing with me on our wedding day. They're from different parts of my life, with the majority being from Elon, but I think they're going to get along like best friends.

While I'm on this topic, I just want to point out how truly lucky I feel to have these women accept being a part of our wedding. There was a point in my life where I literally felt like I had no female friends. My sophomore year at Elon, I quit my sorority and spent the majority of my sophomore and junior year dealing with the repercussions of such a move. After saying so many times "how could it be any worse on the outside?", I soon realized that by being at a school of 5,000 things definitely were worse on the outside.

So I'm not someone who takes friendships lightly. I'm incredibly loyal, and would stand up for my friends until the end. I've always preferred to have 3 super close girlfriends, versus tons of acquaintances that'll just talk behind your back when you walk away. Some prefer the later, different strokes for different folks. All of this to say, I spent the greater part of college wondering if I would ever have any close friends, and if I could possibly let anyone get close to me again.

These girls stepped in and made me realize that true, honest friendships do exist. I'm forever thankful for them being a part of our life, and I can't imagine getting married without all of them being there. Without further rambling from me, here's the ladies...

Matron of Honor: Kate
We met at Elon. She's actually my big in our business fraternity (yeah, I know we're cool). Kate got married earlier this summer in Baltimore. She's an amazing MOH and she loves weddings just as much as I do! I'm lucky that she's just a car ride away.

Maid of Honor: Dani
Dani and I met while studying abroad in Paris. We were roommates last year, and it was my best year in college. She's such an honest, loyal friend. She's super organized and I can trust her to keep all the bridesmaids on track. She's finishing up her senior year, before applying to dental school. And just because A) Dani hates red-eye, B) these pictures were too indicative of our relationship to pick one, and C) she reads my blog...I had to post these. I know you heart the top one, Dani! Good times :)

Bridesmaid: Shannon
My future sister-in-law! Being an only child, I'm super duper excited to finally have a sister. Shanon is pretty much the best SIL I could ask for. She's honest, up front, and incredibly caring. She married Mr. SE's brother in 2007, and I'm sure she'll be able to let me know if I'm focusing too much on unimportant wedding deliciousness. Chivari chairs anyone?

Bridesmaid: Nicole
We were assigned dorms on the same hall freshman year. Nicole has been there from the very beginning. We have so much in common (left-handed only children), and she was a really important part of my time at Elon. She's studying graphic design, so I can't wait to get her input on our design elements. Being a former pageant queen, I know she'll make sure all the bridesmaids have perfect hair and makeup for the big day!
Bridesmaid: Michelle
I've known Michelle the longest out of any of the bridesmaids. We met our freshman year in high school, while trying out for cheerleading. She gave me a pair of shorts when mine split down the butt. I knew she'd be in my wedding from the day we became friends, and I'm so happy that we've kept our friendship alive after almost 9 years! Shelly is the one that coined the phrase "starting lineup", and I've referred to our bridal party ever since.
Bridesmaid: Ashley
We met at Elon too! Ashley's in AKPsi with Kate, Dani, and myself. Ashley and I didn't really meet until junior year- but I'm so glad that we did. I have so much fun with her! We're planning a visit back to Elon this fall, and I cannot wait for the madness. Is someone making reservations at Monterey?

Coming up in Part II, I'll reveal how I asked them to be in our wedding...

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Banana: The Love Affair Continues

Banana: The Love Affair Continues

Just when I think they've designed all the best clothes possible- they come out with this stunner. Tried it on, it's amazing. I love how they styled it with patterned tights here. The patterned tights trend is great, but I'm not sure how to incorporate it into my wardrobe. What are your thoughts on patterned tights? If you rock them, tell me how you work it into your day-to-day clothes.

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Board #472: Red Bistro Chairs

Board #472: Red Bistro Chairs

Today's wedding board was inspired entirely by Silvana di Franco's photo of the red folding bistro chairs. The simplicity, the muted colors. Like yesterday's inspiration board, something about it feels like this early part of Spring - soft gray with glimpses of color. Used judiciously, red is one of my favorite colors. It has so many moods, from playful to sexy. Here, I think it's both sophisticated and sweet. For this couple, I imagine a low-key luncheon with just a few perfect details - personalized menus, a single peony instead of a bouquet, a getaway bicycle - and just their closest friends and family.

Mood: perfectly simple, sweetly sophisticated
Palette: French red, white linen, stone

{click image to enlarge}

Top row from left: photo of red bistro chairs by Silvana di Franco via Wiley Valentine, bride and groom from Martha Stewart Weddings, photo of single red peony by Elizabeth Messina via Ritzy Bee
Row 2: photo of climbing roses and French house number via Creature Comforts, red nail polish via Mary Ruffle
Row 3: photo of bride and groom on bicycle by Yves Samuel, photo of personalized menu by Elizabeth Messina, berry cake from Martha Stewart Weddings

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I Heart Hello Handmade

I Heart Hello Handmade

I normally don't do individual vendor reviews like this, but since I'm taking a bit of a breather from my regular posts, and since I absolutely love Hello Handmade, I figured why not share this with you. Hello Handmade is the result of collaboration between two incredibly talented people - calligrapher Betsy Dunlap and illustrator Shanna Murray. Together they create such wonderful, whimsical pieces, and they're just in time for the holidays!




Christmas prints inspired by old specimen charts - six types of pine and fur trees printed in white ink on kraft paper.




I love this shot with the black-and-white photo of Shanna's grandparents...


This is probably one of my favorite gift ideas - totally unexpected and special. It's a 2010 calendar, but it's also a tea towel, so even after the year is over, it can be used in the kitchen. Maybe a nice little accent to a kitchen-themed wedding gift? Betsy and Shanna will be adding some download-able items to their Etsy shop at the end of the month too - can't wait to see them!

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