Pro Pics!!!

Our wedding was a dream- we couldn't have asked for anything more...a very stress-free, fun, magical day! 

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Getting Ready...

My husband to be gave me this beautiful card with an amazing diamond necklace that looked perfect with my wedding gown...

The photographer captured the intricate details of my dress

 I changed my bouquet at the last minute from white orchids to red roses and I am so happy that I changed my mind-- the bouquet was breathtaking and photographed very well (although it was very heavy!!)

1

 at the church...

The church was truly amazing

Walking down the aisle...so happy that I held myself together and didn't burst into tears!!

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 Details...

Tears of Joy Packets and Programs (did them myself...hours of my life were wasted finishing these!) 

Our Bridal Party looked amazing!! I was a little stressed about choosing red for a May wedding, but I am so happy that I did!  The girls looked stunning and everyone loved that they all chose different and SEXY red heels...(check out the photo in the details pics...)

 Our first kiss at the church, and the other pics were taken at the Tremont Grand, where are reception took place.  They have so many amazing rooms and hallways there, we could have taken photos for hours!

Our grand entrance and first dance... 

 These were not pro pics but still favorites of mine...

Bridesmaids and Gorgeous Cousins Kayla and Karlee... 

My Vegas Girls... 

Welcome Boxes: inside - home-made tomato juice and mini vodka for bloody Marys, pretzels made in my hometown, Webers mustard (Buffalo favorite), monogrammed chocolates from my Aunt's amazing chocolate store, bottled water, tylenol, and a Welcome Pamphlet with the weekend's schedule of events.

Our Wedding Ceremony Programs and Tomato Juice Label for Welcome Box:

My Final Dress Fitting:

Up-Do Hair Trial and Make-up Trial:

Picking up my wedding dress at Kleinfeld:

Some of our engagement pictures:

How We Met...

Kyle's friend Dana told him that she wanted to set him up with her friend (me).  Before that could be arranged, however, he and I met on Halloween night in a bar in Baltimore (yes, we met in a bar...).  I was dressed as a cop (yes, I was dressed like a cop...) and he was not dressed in costume.  There was instant attraction but the timing wasn't right for either of us: he didn't ask me out and we didn't exchange phone numbers.   I told Dana I was interested but we were both busy with the holidays, etc. Three months later Dana called me and said that they were meeting for drinks and she asked me to meet them out.  I accepted the invitation, stopped by for a couple drinks, and he asked me out later that night.  The rest is history...

The Proposal...

Kyle proposed to me on the platform pictured below, overlooking the ocean on Paradise Island.  He told family and friends that he would propose at sunset but his anticipation got the best of him and he proposed an hour after we arrived at the hotel.  I was completely surprised and it was an amazing moment.  Afterwards he had champagne waiting at our hotel room and then more champagne at dinner-- it was perfect because we got to celebrate together for 4 whole days!  It was such a fabulous trip!

 We chose to get married in Baltimore, the city where we both have lived for the past 5 years.  We wanted a wedding that would be easy for us to plan but also new and exciting for our guests to attend.  It was very important for me to have the ceremony, reception, and rehearsal located near each other so that travel time was minimal and therefore maximizing the time that our families could spend together.  Most of the locations we chose are within walking distance so our guests don't have to drive once they arrive at the hotel. 

Our ceremony is at Saint Ignatius Church:

Our reception is at the Tremont Grand:

The ballroom below was the main reason I chose the colors of ivory and red.  I am probably going to use tiffany blue as an accent color.  I just think that those colors will look so gorgeous in that room.  All of my linens will be ivory and all of my flowers will be a creamy white.  I am renting chiavari chairs (if I work enough overtime this winter!)  I will post pictures of centerpieces soon.  I am trying to incorporate a little bit of red, so I may put red rose petals on the tables.

Invitations:

Centerpieces:

All of the tulips will be ivory and the centerpieces will either be in a tall cylindrical vase or in a 10 inch bowl like the other picture.  The bottom of the vases will be filled with deep red marbles, not rocks.  The centerpieces will be surrounded by candles.

Front Entrance of Tremont Grand:

Cocktail Hour will be held in Roman Strada Room:

This is my favorite room!  It will be furnished with beautiful rugs, vintage couches, some bistro tables, and a grand piano.

Tremont's Bathroom got 2nd Place in "America's Best Restroom" contest:

I have 1 maid of honor, 7 bridesmaids, 1 junior bridesmaid, and 1 flower girl

Bridesmaid/ Junior Bridesmaid dress:

Alfred Angelo, in color Claret-- which is a deep red but looks more like magenta in this photo...

Aqua will be incorporated by wrapping the bridesmaid bouquets in an aqua colored ribbon

My lovely maid of honor is on the right trying on the dress...

Possible bouquets, but the green orchids will be substituted with white orchids:

Flower Girl Dress-- The sash will be red, not white...

She will wear cute little ivory ballet slippers with her dress and a white pomander with an aqua/red ribbon

It was my future mother-in-law's idea to go to Kleinfeld.  I was a huge fan of Say Yes to the Dress and I was so excited when she suggested it.  My mother agreed to come along for fun, and we asked my brother's girlfriend (and my close friend and bridesmaid) Chessa to come too.  Then my mom asked her 2 sisters to join us, then her 2 sister-in-laws, and then her best friend.  I couldn't believe that they all wanted to come, I was ecstatic.  We all met in Philly and then took the train to NYC Saturday morning.  With so many women, I thought the trip would be total chaos but it was very relaxed.  We dropped our stuff off at the hotel and then went to an Irish Pub for a couple drinks.  Yes, I did have a beer before trying on dresses at Kleinfeld!  Once we got there I was very nervous, but also determined to find the dress.  I loved the first one I tried on (Kenneth Pool's Pheobe) but I could tell my mom didn't like it.  After that I tried on a ton of A-line "ball gown" dresses but didn't like any of them.  In retrospect I think I was trying to make my mom happy with a more traditional dress.  My future mother-in-law even pulled a $6,000 (way over my budget) gown off of a mannequin so I could try it on because we were getting desperate.  I kept going back to Pheobe because it was my favorite, so I decided to look at more Kenneth Pool...and that's when I saw Sophisticate....I grabbed it and took it back to the fitting room and quickly put it on.  It was the runway dress so it was really small, but they zipped me in with a little force and I instantly loved it.  Sophisticate had everything I wanted...a little ruching, a little beading, sweetheart neckline, fitted mermaid shape, and a gorgeous train with more fabulous beading.  I modeled it for the family and they loved it as well, even my mother.  So I narrowed it down to two dresses, Pheobe and Sophisticate, and who was going to help me choose?....Randy, of course!  So I put Pheobe on first, and Randy loved it.  Then I put on Sophisticate, and he loved it too.  BUT, he thought that Pheobe made his eyes look down at all the beautiful beading around the skirt of the dress, whereas Sophisticate had beading below the bust, and it drew his eyes up towards my face.  In  other words, in Sophisticate, I was wearing the dress, whereas in Pheobe, the dress was wearing me.  He suggested a really intricate sparkly beaded headband, which helped give me a little more "bling" to draw more attention to my face and not to the dress.  It was perfect and just what I needed....so I said "Yes" to Sophisticate and then we all cried and cheered and then eventually went back to the Irish Pub to celebrate!  Truly unforgettable...

So here is a picture of Pheobe, and I still think it is an absolutely gorgeous dress (even more fabulous in person).  I showed my FI this dress and he wasn't a huge fan, so I know I made the right choice : ) Although, the pictures do it no justice, I still think he would have loved it if he saw it himself in person.

Shoes:

Clutch:

Earrings:

Bracelet:

whiteaisle

Make-up:

Hair:

My FI would really like me to wear my hair down so I am going to do my best...

Or half down.....

 Some updo's I like...

Thank you CLD606 for this fabulous up-do!

 Colors:  Deep red, ivory, and tiffany blue

Friday:

--Welcome Boxes:  Welcome note, Baltimore maps, weekend agenda, ceremony transportation info, koozies, tylenol, water, snacks, Ertter tomato juice, mini vodkas (for bloody marys) and old bay seasoning

--Welcome Party:  possible slide show

Saturday:

--Groom/Groomsmen Attire: 

Red for Groomsmen, aqua for groom:

--Before Ceremony:

Wedding Dress Hanger: From Kleinfeld

Bride Hoodie:

iron-ons from etsy and buy a hoodie

Bride Flip-Flops/comfy shoes: 

--Ceremony:

Pew decorations- florist to do

Programs: Start working on these soon!

--Front of Program:

To the world you may be one person,
but to one person you may be the world.

--Back of Program:

Falling in Love is Like Owning a Dog by Taylor Mali

A Tribute to Kappa

First of all, it’s a big responsibility,
especially in a city like New York. ----------------------------Will probably change to Baltimore : )
So think long and hard before deciding on love.
On the other hand, love gives you a sense of security:
when you’re walking down the street late at night
and you have a leash on love
ain’t no one going to mess with you.

Love doesn’t like being left alone for long.
But come home and love is always happy to see you.
It may break a few things accidentally in its passion for life,
but you can never be mad at love for long.

Is love good all the time?
No! No! Love can be bad. Bad, love, bad! Very bad love.

Sometimes love just wants to go for a nice long walk.
It runs you around the block and leaves you panting.
It pulls you in several different directions at once,
or winds around and around you
until you’re all wound up and can’t move.

But love makes you meet people wherever you go.
People who have nothing in common but love
stop and talk to each other on the street.

Throw things away and love will bring them back,
again, and again, and again.
But most of all, love needs love, lots of it.
And in return, love loves you and never stops.

Ring Pillow: Looking for an alternative prop for ringbearer to walk down the aisle

Unity Candle:  Give Gigi inspiration and she will make!

from etsy

--Cocktail Hour:

Grand Piano Player:  Kyle's cousin?

Cocktail hour centerpieces-- gold vintage frames- find out how many needed

Placecards: cards will be white with red writing and red design similar to invitation design, would like to bling them up with tiffany blue crystals.  The table will have white and red orchid bouquets in aqua colored vases

-- Reception:

Menu on stationary:

Cake Topper:  Just flowers...florist to do

Cake Stand: Hopefully our venue will supply this since they are doing our cake

Monogrammed Napkins: from For Your Party

Card Box: Use Jenna's

Thank You Parasol:

from etsy

Bride/Groom Chair Decorations:

Flip-Flop Basket: $1.00 flip flop sale at Old Navy on May 22nd!

Bathroom Basket:  needed?  Ask venue- kleenex box with picture on it

Memory Table:  table of photos of bride/groom and their families

Guest Book- blurb photo book

MUST HAVE PICS

(courtesy of my photographer: Arthur Remanjon Photographers)

After our ceremony we will be taking pictures in Mount Vernon Square, here are some of my favorites:

If time permits, I am hoping to take the limo a couple miles south to Federal Hill Park, which overlooks the city:

Love this one, courtesy of Tovaqt (www.linajarmond.com)

Ceremony Music

Seating of Parents- Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

Processional- Canon: Pachelbel

Bride entrance-Vitamin String Quartet: Yellow (Coldplay)

Recessional- Trumpet Voluntary: Clarke

Ave Maria

Others:

Water Music Air:  Handel

Sleepers Awake:  Bach

Sheep May Safely Graze:  Bach

Clair De Lune

7:00-8:00pm  Cocktail Hour Music in Marble Room (15-20 songs):

Nat King Cole- Unforgettable, When I Fall in Love

Sinatra- The Way You Look Tonight, Best it Yet to Come

Al Green- Let's Stay Together

Louis Armstrong- What a Wonderful World

Big Band Favorites- In the Mood

Isreal- Somewhere Over the Rainbow

The Temptations- I Wish It Would Rain

Billy Joel- For the Longest Time 

Blood, Sweat and Tears: You've Made Me So Very Happy

Beach Boys- God Only Knows

John Lennon- Imagine

Andy Williams- Moon River*

Mamas and Papas- Monday Monday

Shirells- Will You Love Me Tomorrow

Everly Brothers- All I Have to do is Dream

Bobby Darin- Dream Lover

Diana Ross- Can't Hurry Love

Smokey Robinson- Tracks of My Tears 

 Ben E King- Stand By Me

8:10pm Introductions:

Bride's Parents: Maxine and Daniel Rackovan

Groom's Parents: 

Song:  Boogie Shoes

Song: Black Eyed Peas:  I Gotta Feeling

Bride and Groom

Song: Kevin Rudolf- I Made It

First Dance Song:

Ray Lamontagne- You Are the Best Thing

8:20pm Welcome Speech by David Swarts

8:20pm Blessing by Father Nash

Toasts by MOH Jenna Persio and Best Man Gaeton Camillo

8:25pm Meal Starts

Dinner Music (15-20 songs):

Josh Kelley- Amazing

David Gray- Please Forgive Me

Death Cab- I Will Follow You Into the Dark*

Coldplay- Viva La Vida, Clocks

Snow Patrol- Open Your Eyes

Matt Nathanson- Come on Get Higher

Sara Bareilles- One Sweet Love

Tracy Chapman- Talkin About a Revolution

REM- Nightswimming*

Norah Jones- Come Away With Me

Dave Matthews- #41, One Sweet World

John Mayer- Stop this Train

10,000 Maniacs- These Are Days

Ben Harper- By My Side, Forever

Counting Crows- Angels of the Silences Acoustic

Fuel- Shimmer

Keane- Somewhere Only We Know

Peter Gabriel- In Your Eyes 

Howie Day- Collide

Plain White T's- Hey There Deliliah

Kenny Chesney w/ Dave Matthews- I'm Alive

Band of Horses- No One's Gonna Love You

Jason Mraz - I'm Yours

Train- Hey Soul Sister

9:25pm Father - Daugter Dance - Bono/The Corrs- Stars Go Blue (May change this...)

Mother - Son Dance-  Barbra Streisand- If I Could

Everyone Join Bride and Groom- Train- Hey Soul Sister or Jason Mraz - I'm Yours

9:30pm First Set of Dance Music~ 45 minutes

Neil Diamond- Sweet Caroline

Earth, Wind and Fire- September

Sister Sledge-We Are Family

Kool and the Gang- Celebrate Good Times

Stevie Wonder- Signed Sealed Delivered

Jackson 5- A B C, I Want You Back

Elvis- A Little Less Conversation

Lipps, Inc- Funkytown

Blondie- Heart of Glass

Dion- Runaround Sue

Commodores- Brick House

Rob Base- Joy and Pain

Michael Jackson- PYT, Billy Jean

Madonna- Like a Prayer

10:15pm Generations Dance

Song:  Etta James- At Last and/or Blood Sweat and Tears- You've Made Me So Very Happy

10:20pm Cake Cutting

Song: Snow Patrol- Just Say Yes

Get Back on the Dancefloor Song:  John Denver-Country Roads

Dance Music:

Alabama- Dixieland Delight

Zac Brown Band- Chicken Fried 

Kings of Leon- Sex on Fire

Journey- Don't Stop Believing

Metro Station- Shake It

REM- It's the End of the World

Beck- Where it's At

Franz Ferdinand- Take Me Out

Lady Gaga- Poker Face

Rihanna- Disturbia, Please Don't Stop the Music

Chris Brown- Forever

Timbaland- The Way I Are*

Beyonce- Single Ladies

Flo Rida -Apple Bottom Jeans

Jay-z- Empire State of Mind

Bil Biv Devoe- Poison

Kelis- Milkshake

Usher- Yeah

Salt n Pepa- Shoop

Estelle- American Boy

TI- Live Your Life

Lady Gaga- Bad Romance*

David Guetta- Sexy Chick*

Kanye West-Gold Digger, Flashing Lights

Lupe Fiasco- Superstar

Taio Cruz- Break Your Heart

Jay Z- Young Forever

It Takes Two- DJ Easy Rock and Rob Base

Regulate- Nate Dog and Warren G

Usher- OMG

Missy Elliot- Get ur Freak On

Kesha- Tic Toc

Chelley- I took the Night

Bob Sinclair- World, Hold On

House of Pain- Jump Around

Justin Timberlake- Sexy Back 

Timbaland- Carry out

Pit Bull- I Know You Want Me

11:55pm Last Dance:  Coldplay- Yellow

Bonus Song:  John Denver-Country Roads

*-- must play

My new favs...

Rihanna- Only Girl in the World

Kesha- We Are Who We Are

Katy Perry- Firework

Drake, TI and Swizz Beatz- Fancy

Far East Movement- G6

Tiao Cruz- Dynamite

Kanye West- Flashing Lights

This is my dress...Sophisticate by Kenneth Pool...I love love love it but every once in a while I have my doubts about it (I am told this is normal!).  When I tried it on it was 2 sizes too small (it was a sample sale and it was the runway dress)-- so I was able to be zipped into it but, since I am not a size 0,  I didn't get to see the dress fit like it is supposed to fit.  I have pics of me in it but I HATE the pictures because the dress is too tight.  The dress had everything I was looking for...I wanted a dress that wasn't too heavy, with a sweetheart neckline, some ruching, a beaded belt or something similar (a little bit of bling), mermaid fit, and a short train-- and that's the dress I found!  So why do I have occasional panic attacks about my dress?   

We hate the S, it looks like an L....

All of these taken from http://liza0828.googlepages.com/redandaquaweddings

Dinner Menu

Tremont Salad

Wild field greens wrapped in a carrot ribbon with diced red and yellow peppers, red onions, parmesan cheese, and balsamic vinaigrette

Pasta Station

Three Cheese Tortellini, Penne, and Fusilli Pasta sauteed with your selection of Alfredo, Pesto and Sund-dried Tomato sauces with Spicy Chorizo, Chicken, Medley of Mushrooms, Proscuitto, Artichoke Hearts, Asparagus, Roasted Red and Yellow Peppers, Parmesan, Romano and Fresh Mozarella Cheese.

Carving Stations

Herb Roasted Sirloin of Beef served with Peppercorn and Red Wine demi glace accompanied by Petite French Rolls

AND

Roasted Loin of Pork served with a Thyme demi glace accompanied by sliced breads

Dessert

Wedding Cake

AND

Viennese Dessert and Coffee Station to be served in the Roman Strada Room following dinner