We live in the valley...suburbia, but its nice and we like it and its so central to everything! We are about an hour or so away from San Francisco and Tahoe so that makes planning weekend trips fairly easy. We are minutes away from the lake, which is where we spend the majority of our time in the summer, on the boat. Chris is an avid wakeboarder. Me? Not so much. ;)

Career wise, on paper, we have such serious sounding jobs, but we're actually really goofy and nerdy and have a great time with one another. He is truly my very best friend.

Chris proposed to me on Tuesday, December 4, 2007. However, the story starts on the Friday before, with me wanting to go to dinner and a lot of wedding buzz between me, my mom and my best friend.

I had wanted to go to dinner on that Friday and he had suggested our "place" for some reason I freaked and said, oh no lets go somewhere else - why I did this, I'll never know! Ha ha!

We had planned on going the next night, but plans changed and we ended up going to the Stanford v. Cal game. We were going to get up early, go mull around town and then go to the game, but Chris' work tied us up later than we'd thought and we ended up arriving about 5 minutes before the game started. He mentioned, its ok, we'll go tomorrow. Now mind you, while all this is going on, text messages were being sent back and forth between me, my mom, and my best friend as they are wanting the play-by-play of whether he'd asked me..(oh come on girls, you know how we are!)

Sunday rolled around and we attempted to go to dinner. It was closed. Tried Monday. It was closed. Ugh! Tuesday, we try again. Yippee! Its open! We get through our entire dinner, a bottle of 1997 Morsoli and no proposal. Im thinking, I swear I thought it was going to happen tonight! (Aren't we horrible when it comes to these things? Ha ha!)

We go home, and Im walking up the stairs to our room, a little bummed, but trying not to let it show. I am in the middle of texting my best friend (she was sure he was going to ask that night and wanted me to text her right away!) letting her know it didn't happen, when I hear Chris walking up the stairs behind me. Thinking I'm sneaky, I pop into the restroom and shut the door to finish my text. As I open it, Chris is right there in our room on one knee with a huge smile on his face. He laughs a little and says, so...will you marry me? My reaction? Shut up! Ha ha, then a lot of crying and somewhere in there a yes. I asked him, I did say yes, right? And he said, yes you did and then I said yes about 10 more times.

Later I found out that he had had the ring for about a week and was planning on asking me Saturday in Palo Alto before the game, but it didn't work out.

And, the reason why he didn't ask me in the restaurant? He said it didn't feel right, that he wanted me to be surprised...and he didn't want me to cry in the restaurant, he wanted it to be a private moment. You can say asking me as I walk out of the restroom is definitely one for the books, but it was perfect for us! HA HA!

The Ring: The ring was designed by a jeweler in San Francisco. Its absolutely beautiful and I am in awe every time I look down at my hand.

AUGUST UPDATE:

We bought the wedding band! With my ring having side stones in a kite setting (round diamonds with prongs set like a kite) and with the ring being 1 of 6 made by a jeweler in SF, we were so surprised to find something that matched! This is the best picture I have for now, it still has to be sized and engraved.

We are holding our wedding and reception at the Chateau Felice on September 20, 2008. This location is truly my dream location. It has the exact look of what I imagined in my mind. Carey, the wedding coordinator of this private property is a true gem and so far has made everything so easy and fun! I am soooo glad I found this place!

The cream cardstock and envelopes were purchased through lcipaper.com, the metalic brown backing cardstock was from a local stationary store, "The Scrapbook Station", the stamp was purchased through Inkadinkado.com, Swarovski crystals and gold ink from Michaels. Printed and assembled my moi! :)

We had our engagement party in April and it was absolutely perfect! I didn't wear ANY of the outfits I posted previously here, go figure...

My girls and I started the morning off at my mom's bridal shop with breakfast of champagne, muffins, dresses and presents!

Then my mom surprised us all with having an engagement luncheon and our family friend's home...its gorgeous!

We ended the day with our actual engagement party at my Aunt and Uncle's backyard. They did a BEAUTIFUL job with the decor and a PHENOMENAL job with the food!

Our photographer presented us with 180 shots...180!

Well, so far what I know about my shower is that it is in the morning at my mom's friend's BEAUTIFUL home. I searched and searched for a dress, but found nothing...until I went into my own closet, ha! Im wearing a strapless, flower print dress, very cute and I didn't have to spend any more money on another dress, whoo hoo!

AUGUST UPDATE:

The shower was phenomenal! I had such a good time and was surrounded with such love. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.

We initially decided to have our rehearsal dinner at Willi's Wine Bar...however, things changed (like their price per person quote) and we have decided to have the rehearsal dinner on the property of Chateau Felice, across the pond in their rose garden.  We are still planning on the same decor of white linens and two flower arrangements with limes in the bottom of the vases to keep it feeling light and fresh. Here are some examples:

The Dress.  I bought this dress from VS and am having my mom hem it short.

The shoes.  I also bought these shoes from VS (on sale for $40!) in lime green.  LOVE THEM!

This is my dress. The pictures do not do it justice. It's an Augsta Jones, style Tiffany. However, Im going to have a lot of changes made to it, so really it won't look like this at all! Ha ha! The ruffle will be gone, the beading down the front...gone. Adding an extra foot to the train as well. I'll post pics of the dress as soon as I get it!

Here is the first picture from the dressmaker:

JUNE UPDATE:

Here are pictures from when I first tried on my dress.  Im going to be making some changes, taking it in, changing it to more mermaid and adding rhinestones to the existing beading pattern.  Stay tuned :)

AUGUST UPDATE:

Well, I had my first alterations and I realized two things: 1) I actually do love my dress now; and 2) Im wearing my hair down! She is pinning in the sides a bit, pulling it in through the seat to make it more mermaid-y and hemming it.  She also adding more rhinestones to the beading pattern under the bust for a little more "bling." :)

I am having a bracelet made resembling this one by Haute Bride. I am also planning on wearing small, pear-shaped, drop earrings. Picture to come :)

My shoes: Pelle Moda, style Romance. LOVE THEM.

I just purchased my garter from the GarterLady on Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5444525).  It will be white shuntung. I love it because its so simple yet chic.  I should get it sometime next week so I'll let you all know what I think!

Ok after all the updo hair drama, I've decided to wear my hair down! I had my hair down and loosely curled when I tried my dress on for alterations last week and LOVED it. So...yeah.  Down hair it is! I'll have to find some inspiration pics now...

...yeah, don't ask me what Im doing with my face, I have no idea...

HAIRSPIRATION:

We have finally figured out what my mom will wear...whoo hoo! Its Taupe European satin by Bill Levkoff. She just ordered it so it should be coming in soon. I can't wait to see how it looks! You can't really tell what the fabric is like in this pic, but its really pretty.

AUGUST UPDATE:

We got the dress and it looks gorgeous! We aren't going to have the sash like that though, we are having the alterations gal reverse the sash so she can tie it in the back and secure it with a brooch.

My Matron of Honor and Bridesmaids will be wearing chocolate brown, satin, floor length dresses from After Six.

Try not to pay attention to the horrendous background, bracelets and hairband! Ha ha ha! I will also be adding a brooch to the front of the dress.

Here are the shoes, they are Capri, by Salon Shoes. They will be in the mocha color (frustrating when you can only post some random color and not the color you want! Ha ha ha, but you get the idea!)

This is the brooch that will go on the front of their dresses. I am planning on making this a "day of" present, wrapping it up in a small white box with a thick, brown ribbon.

JUNE UPDATE:

The dresses just came in! By the looks of the images from my mom's phone, they look gorgeous! Here is a picture of the dress and a close up of the brooch:

Well we started out thinking that my mom would make my Jr. Bridesmaid's (step-daughter-to-be) dress. We were planning on a standard scoop neck with straps, a gathered sash at the waist and then the skirt would bell out. The length would come down just above her shoes. However, after perusing Little Flowers by Odyssey's website, I found exactly what we wanted, right down to the fabric used!

We have decided to go with the color Nectar. The sash will also be the same color. We decided to that keeping the dress all one color would make it more "grown up."

This is how she has decided she wants her hair:

Then, we will just dye ballet slippers to match the dress. We most likely will be using the below brooch on my Jr. BMs shoes as shoe clips.

AUGUST UPDATE:

We got her dress! Its not a very good picture, but its really pretty and fits her perfectly!

The groomsmen will have the same tux, but black vest and tie and bout with just one rose.

My FI and I bought these monogrammed, leather flasks for the guys from www.potterybarn.com in Espresso. We also bought these engraved cufflinks for them from www.epersonalized-gifts.com.  We will put their gifts in a white gable box and brown satin ribbon.

We have decided to have a famliy medallion ceremony to include Chris' daughter in the ceremony.  The wording of the ceremony will go like this:

"Often, we think of a wedding as the union of two people. In reality, it is much broader. It is a coming together of families.

<daughter>, will you please come forward and join Ashley and your dad.

Two merged circles often symbolize love. This family medallion has three circles to represent not only the union of this marriage, but the importance of <daughter> within this family.

Groom to daughter: Daughter, in presenting you this bracelet, Ash and I pledge our continuing love. (places the bracelet on her wrist.)"

FI and I love the idea and I think its going to make his daughter feel really special.

I found these GORGEOUS invitations on http://www.dochelle.com and found them very inspiring for the creation of my own invitations.

I am having Phyllis of Sweet Paper Designs create my invitations, table numbers, programs, etc. and am so excited to be working with her!

I really like the top right invitation and will probably pattern my invitations after this one, but will change the color of the ribbon to go more with our color scheme.

JULY UPDATE:

My invitations are done! I just received pictures from Phyllis Wong of Sweet Paper Studio.  They are FABULOUS!

I made this photo guestbook through www.mypublisher.com  It was really easy to use and the book came out so nice! I was also able to find a coupon code that gave me a two for one deal, can't beat that!

Favor Tags for Guest Favors

These are REALLY easy to make.  I used a template found here for the text of the card. 

Print the text on white cardstock.  Cut them using both scissors and/or a paper cutter. 

Use double-stick tape to attach the white card stock to the Stardream Gold Metalic card stock.  Cut to size (and I eyeballed it as far as the border was concerned) using a paper cutter. 

Punch two holes at the top (still within the white area) with a hole punch.  Thread the brown satin ribbon through the two holes, forming a loop behind the card.  Slip the cello bag inside of the loop, pull the ends of the ribbon tight scrunching the bag closed and tie a bow. Voila!

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Day of Timeline: For the Gals

* * * * *

Door Hanger

I made this door sign for our suite.  One side says "BRIDAL SUITE Enter at own risk!" and then after the wedding we'll flip it over and it will say "Please DO NOT DISTURB the newlyweds" :)  I just printed it from my own printer on cardstock and used double-stick tape to adhere it to a piece of metalic paper.  I also added a glass rhinestone to embelish the flourish on the bottom.  I finished it by using a whole punch to punch two holes at the top and then threaded some brown satin ribbon through, tying knots at each end.

This was a labor of love...let me tell ya!  My mom and I spent our Labor Day wiring close to 200 votives!  We used the basic directions from Martha, found here. However, here's a basic rundown.

My mom bought wire at Lowe's.  Its a heavier gague wire and comes greased so it wont rust.  It was cheap and it was not green or silver so we went with it. :)

Depending on the size of the votive, we used wire cutters and cut sections anywhere from 18-21 inches. 18" for the smallest votives and 21" for the medium and larger votives.  You can use 21" for all if you want, you'll just have a little extra when you close the sides.

Cut your desired length of wire with a wire cutter.

Fold the wire in half and crimp just below the fold with round-nose pliers.

    To form a hook: Wrap crimped end over a pencil to form a hook. Hold the base of the hook tightly with pliers,     separate the two lengths of wire, then twist tightly around each other three times.

    To form a loop: while still     holding the wire with your pliers, take the "legs" of the wire in your other hand     and twist one to two times.

To form the cuff that will hold the votive, use pliers to make a 90-degree bend, 4 1/4 inches from the hook base, on each length of wire. Situate the bends on opposite sides of the votive, about two-thirds of the way from the bottom of the glass.

Bring each cut end around to meet the opposite bend. With the tip of the pliers, make a tiny loop at each cut end. Hook the loops to the bends; use pliers to close loops tightly. Insert votive into the circle formed.

This is a very simple DIY project.  All you need is ink jet vellum, glass cylinders, votives and ribbon.

After finishing your design, I would first print it out on regular paper and put it around your cylinder so you know for sure that its exactly how you want it.  When you've finalized your design, then print it on your ink jet vellum (you can find vellum at your local scrapbook store, Michael's or JoAnn's).

Before permanently adhering the vellum, double-check the heigth of your vellum and if needed trim any extra with a paper cutter or scissors.  Using double-stick tape or adhesive, line one edge of the vellum.  Wrap around the cylinder and secure.

Next, take your ribbon and wrap around the bottom of the cylinder to see how much you need.  Cut and place on the table.  Use your double-stick tape or adhesive and put a strip on the ribbon the same length. Adhere the ribbon to the bottom of the cylinder and secure at the back.  Repeat this process if you'd like to put ribbon at the top as well.

Put a votive candle or LED light in each.  Do not use a tall candle as this will not illuminate the entire cylinder.

For more instructions, click here.

Im doing all white flowers, greenery and branches.

(courtesy of Celebration Photography)

I think I've decided to do an all white bouquet, maybe shades of white, ivory, antique etcetera, but I love the traditional, romantic look of an all white, rose bouquet with exposed stems.

(courtesy of www.theknot.com)

For the girls, I think I'd like to just do smaller versions of my bouquet, but wrap them in brown or bronze satin.

(courtesy of www.huckleberrykarendesigns.com)

These are some of the flowers/foliage that I like:

Mount Everst White Rose                        Amelia Creamy White Rose

Anastacia White Rose                           Akito White Bulk Rose

Hanging Amaranthus                                 Birch branches

Curly Willow                                                         White Lillies

White Gladiolus                                 White Snapdragons

White Bulk Tulips                           White Fresia

My mom stitched this label for me to affix to the inside of my dress. I love it.

* * * * *

While leafing through magazines one day, Chris and I found this really cool "detail" we wanted to add to our wedding.

Wild Hibiscus Flowers (in syrup)

http://www.wildhibiscus.com

We are going to use them in the champagne for our champagne toast. The flowers look so beautiful in the glasses and you can eat them afterward! We bought a small jar of them to test them out first. I didn't end up eating mine, it was kind of a texture thing to me, but Chris said that it was kinda like a plum. I just love the look so we will be ordering more for the wedding.

* * * * *

We are going to do moss covered letters "A" and "C" on the entrance gate to the property. We are also going to do smaller "K"s in the courtyard. They will look something along the lines of these:

AUGUST UPDATE:

My mom's friend make moss "K"s for us!

So Im trying something out, we'll see how it goes...check out my new blog and see what ya think!

http://bridesophisticate.blogspot.com/

Here is where I will post all photos and info of the inventory my mom is selling from her store, Bliss Bridal Salon.  Here's what I know she has so far.  If you see anything you're interested in, please PM me for more information.

BRIDESMAID DRESSES:

Bill Levkoff, Style 555, in Taupe

The following sizes are available: 0, 2, 6, 8, 12, 14, 16, 18, 24, 28

*****

FLOWER GIRL DRESSES

Dessy, Style FL4002, Ivory with Rose sash, size 6: SALE $75

Dessy, Style FL4004, Ivory with Ice pink skirt, size 8: SALE $75

My mom also has an Augusta Jones flower girl dress, all ivory with tulle sash that makes a big bow in the back. Size Medium (4-6) for $75, regularly $230.  Pictures upon request.

VEILS:

cut edge was 150 now 70

pink bead edge 250/95

2 layer satin band w/3pearls at coners 29x34 215/95

24x45 scalloped 175/70

28x38 1.5" ribbon white 150/70

22x22 serged dianond white 110/50

24x110 1/4" ribbon ivory 195/85

1 layer beaded edge 250/85

28x44 no gathers 95/45 serged

24x44 serged edge w/crystals 175/70

24x110 1/4" ribbon diamond white 195/85

17x107 serged edge white 175/80

26x46 1/8" ribbon ivory 15/65