Thinking of Venues

UGH!! It's been in the 80's these past few days, which is totally killing my fall euphoria...or should I say eufallria? I've been distracting myself by making a preliminary guest list and checking out venue ideas. I've been looking around town, checking out other local weddings, and finding some serious inspiration. There are actually a lot of awesome non-ballroom options that I'm thrilled about. Here's a running list so far.

Quivey's Grove (literally a couple blocks from where I live)
Agora Pavillion (Fitchburg)
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (downtown! I'm in love with the architecture)
Goodman Community Center
Overture Center

As you can see from my choices, I'm really torn between a stylin' city wedding and a rustic country wedding. I plan on devoting a separate post to each location, complete with pros and cons. I'm sure I'll add more locations to the list as I find them. I haven't even had time to look at the many parks in town yet. If you, dear readers, have any experience with any of these venues I'd love to hear about it. More on this as it develops...

Videography? Maybe Super 8 Style.

I am really digging the super 8 trend that is emerging in wedding videography. I'm not too keen on having someone video tape the entire wedding because I really will never watch it again. We never watch the home movies we have already...the play by play is so boring. Plus, I hate seeing and hearing myself on camera. There's a reason I never took those film acting classes. It's like a giant bug eye staring down at you, but for some reason I'm completely fine with photographs. Go figure.
Here's where Hello Super 8 comes in. I think I first discovered them through Offbeat Bride, but don't quote me on that. I am in love with the Hello Message Booth! It's like a living photobooth where your increasingly inebriated loved ones can write and leave you filmed messages. These are then edited and placed to a perfect soundtrack, and the result is pure magic.

I Love Fall

Ah, these are the potential wedding months: September and October. The temperature is comfortable and cool, there are strips of orange on the boughs of green trees like a streak of grey at your temple. This is my favorite time of year. It's not quite Halloween or Thanksgiving, but I'm starting to think of the holidays and my family. I'm taking Andrew to New York at Thanksgiving to meet my extended family for the first time! It's going to be rad. Everyday there is an air of harvest and celebration in the air, and it just feels right. This is the time of year we should be married.

Fall Color Palette

A few lovely examples from Design*Sponge. While I'm not super keen on the idea of a "theme" per se, these just make me feel festive. Drink it in...

Officiant Update

One of my co-workers who got married in Milwaukee told me that she had a friend get ordained online and perform her ceremony. This is good news for all of you who want to go this route!

Tiny Top Hats! Yes!

Okay, so, as I've mentioned before I really like hats. I am also not wearing your traditional long veil so I am seriously interested in alternative hairpieces. I've been seeing a lot of brides in tiny hats and I LOVE THEM!!! I've scoured the internet for affordable milliners, but the ones I like the most are a pretty penny. Side note: for the longest time I thought a hat maker was a haberdasher. Come to find out that's someone who makes men's clothing. A milliner is a hat maker, but haberdashery is so much fun to say.
Anyway, this tiny top hat tutorial made its way onto Offbeat Bride the other day. Thanks, Offbeat Bride, for being so awesome. I have no idea if I'm a tiny top hat lady or not, but we'll just have to find out now won't we. I suppose I could always alter the pattern a little to come closer to these other beauties I've found. I mean, come on....

Yes, please. Can you stand how awesome this is?!

And this one! I am in love!

All photos from the exquisite Jane Taylor Millinery in the UK. I may just have to buy one in the end. I'm drooling over that first comma hat. Maybe not in black, though.

I Have My Dress!!

This is what it looks like when you get your dress in the mail.

This is what it looks like when you open the box to reveal a sweet purple garment bag!

This is more of what it looks like when you open your garment bag to reveal a slightly cockeyed dress on a hanger and, even though it's been several months since you saw it, it takes your breath away all over again.