{Happy Rehearsal Day, T}

Dear T,

I know you're SO excited about tomorrow, for the first day you will begin to share your life with M, as Mister and Missus.

{Jonilyn Photography on Southern Weddings}.

We're all *so* excited for you, to have your someone to cherish you for the rest of your life. Okay, yes, technically, you're supposed to also be cherishing him for the rest of your/his life, too ;) -- and I know you will.

Jonilyn Photography

You are such a true model of strength, compassion, and fashionista-style before I ever even learned that was a word; of coming into our own + loving who we are; and you have a brilliance and radiance like no one else I -- or any of us Fab Five ;) -- have ever seen, truly.

{Jonilyn Photography on Southern Weddings}

And I know everyone thinks their friends deserve a love that is truly magnificent, a love that makes them even better a person than they are -- but truly, you are so special, and I wish this harder for you than anyone I know -- Not because you need the help :D, but because if M does this for you, then I know he's worth it, cuz you certainly love everyone so hard, you can't help but make us all better people :) So I hope you got some of that too ;)

{Todd Pellowe on Southern Weddings}

Here's to a fab finger-lickin'-good dinner tonight :), and a splendid day tomorrow + ever!
Hearts - me

Kellee Smith via Utah Bride Blog

BC 24: in the bag

[Mary Norton, Ginny, via Gilt Groupe]

T, I know your big day is going to be infinitely more fabulous as this bag. But damn, this purse is *seriously* fabulous, right :)?

Here's to a happy one month until you're a Mrs.!!

Betsey Johnson Fabulousness

{Betsey Johnson}

So I know we've all seen this confection + loved it, right? Well, T yesterday was *rocking* this super fabulous Betsey Johnson dress that was *pure* *delight.* Like a fabulous cupcake, no lie: all sweetness + cute + clearly the perfect bridal shower dress, in my opinion. I told her she needs to figure out how to wear that dress more often, b/c she was *gorgeous* in it -- I forgot my camera, but here's an idea...
Or, for a smidge better quality but a bit more obscured:

CUTE! T emailed me a bit of a while ago to let me know Betsey was having a sale, but I stayed away (out of fear I'd buy *way* more than I should!) But pretending I had places to wear these, I'd snatch up T's dress + these below...


The shower itself was super cute -- pink + rose petals + a guest book + a purse hook for a favor (we get favors??) . With delicious food. And amazing cake. And it was *so* fun -- while T was opening her gifts, her sister had asked everyone to introduce themselves + say how they knew/met T + what time they had (and explain their gift if necessary).

My gift was... probably the lamest :D I think I was too literal on trying to stay PG for 2AM! Two girls who each had 4PM branched from the registry, and one made an awesome gigantically-huge tea gift basket -- I mean, this basket was like 2x3', filled with a tea pot + 3 teas + cookies + chocolates -- GORGEOUS. And my friend who also had 4P went for an early happy hour idea (hee!), and got this rockin shaker/mixed drinks barware set from Crate and Barrel and a cocktail book!

How awesome! Le sigh. Next time-bridal shower I'm attending, I am definitely going to think outside the box! (hahaha, get it?)

BC 22: shower wrapping

{massdistraction @ flickr}

Okay, this isn't really about your wedding. i am just super excited about your shower. And that it's time-themed :)!!! And I've got 2am!! So what I bought months ago will be *perfect*!! And, of course, what's on your registry :D Now my only q is wrapping. Hee. Clearly, I need more on my plate, if I'm excited about wrapping your gifts, right? Maybe I can squeeze these in somehow...

{cuppielove}

Dude, this might be it.

{nycblondieandbrownie @ flickr}

What could possibly say 2am better? Maybe there's pizza gift wrap out there....
omg. that's it. i'll snag a pizza box from doubledave's. I am *such* a rockfest. you're gonna love it. and all the other guests will think i am nuts. huh, maybe i will more conventionally wrap that gift, right? damn, i know you would crack.up. if i actually walked in with a pizza boxed, all glitzed out. i dunno, somebody veto me. this shower is being held at a country club, where (incidentally) one of my friends' weddings actually took place.

somebody stop me.

BC 21: Succulents

{erinheartscourt for Succulent Love Designs, feat. on 100layercake}

T, I know this is too late for your centerpieces. And I'm ignoring my agreement to quit this :D But it's just that 100layercake pointed out Succulent Love Designs -- and since you wanted more modern florals/design, I thought you'd want a peek. Cuz this is the bride with the fab bouquet, too -- all that love for her wedding flora ==> new business! Hooray, entrepreneurship!

{erinheartscourt}

BC 20: Billy buttons

T. I know it has been ages since my last post for you, I promised you last time that I would phase out these posts.

But I am pretty sure you mentioned billy buttons at your florist's meeting that you kindly allowed me to attend -- and I'd said I'd never seen them before.

Wow. Green Wedding Shoes rocked [i want to say "the hizouse," but wow, i really think that's a stretch for me to get away with] it on her bb post. No wonder you love these things! These are gonna be sooo cute!

{Green Wedding Shoes, feat. erin hearts court photo* - florals by la partie events, the knot, atelier floral design}

And seriously. I think I've fallen in love with succulents. Which, before like 8 mos ago, I thought was an improper pluralization of an adjective's synoynm for "yummy, juicy/moist meat." Oh, blogworld, how you have broadened my horizons.

And I think these bouts + that spotted feather (guinea?) would be *fabulous*!

{Green Wedding Shoes, feat. dellables, erin hearts court photo* - florals by la partie events, blue bouquet, janie medley vis the brides cafe }

*Holy cow, I had no idea these (*)-cuties were from the wedding of Kelly of yes, please! Here's a link to full coverage of their adorable wedding @ Once Wed + a slideshow put together by their photographers erinheartscourt!

BC 19: Coreographed BM dance

I really meant to taper these off. But I had no idea the bride coreographed a bridesmaids' dance to Beyonce's "Single Ladies," in addition to their first dance!!!

Please do this. Maybe not Beyonce (though *what* an awesome song). I mean, I think you & M have the first dance down -- although, shoot, apparently the first wedding dance coreographers are right near you! [Whoops, mis-read on my part: first NY team] AND their bio reads, "They've been delivering kick-ass wedding dancers to New Yorkers and Texans alike ever since." !!!

I think it's fate. Squeeze them in somehow. Hee. Or you know I'd totally create some coreography for y'all :)

And in case you & M do need some inspiration:

{(c) Our Labor of Love}

BC 18: Jump shot (+ cowboy boots)

T. Please tell me you will make this shot happen.

{Matthew Morgan Photography, feat. on Blushalicious/Blush Events}

And seriously. Forget about those cowboy boots as a favor/thank you gift -- let your fab ladies wear them with those gorgeous clover dresses!!

{Matthew Morgan Photography, feat. on Blushalicious/Blush Events}

(Okay, and just for me, b/c I think I'm in love with how cute Hope & Adam are + Matthew Morgan Photography [+ okay, you know I love that veil] ...)

BC 17: Shoes!

{Green Wedding Shoes}

T, I wish I could tell you who designs these shoes, but with all your fabulous shopping skills, maybe you've seen these already? I can't wait to see what you pick! I for sure am crossing my fingers that you'll have feathered-toes somehow!

BC 16: Last veil push

{The Bride's Cafe, feat. Boutwell Studio}

T, I had *such* a fabulous time this weekend! It's almost kind of weird -- well, first, since I've relinquished my push to exchange vows in the church next year since I'm still so indecisive, I've lost that little extra oomph to search wedding blogs like crazy -- But especially after spending this weekend with you + all your seriously amazing + brilliant + beautiful friends, I've almost completely lost the drive to search for wedding treasures, b/c hanging out with all of you guys so brilliantly drove home the point of a wedding: to bring together loved ones! And all the details -- which were fabulously created by your sis + DB -- still paled in comparison to all the love surrounding you this weekend -- and dude, that was your B party!

Despite the non-push in me, clearly I'm still looking (hee, 3 posts in one day yesterday? more?) -- but this *I promise* is the last veil deal I'll push on you. BUT FOR REAL: it is practically non-existent!! And that edging -- normally I'm not a fan, but it's practically transparent + the edging just brings a little bling (hee, despite our hatred of that word!) and doesn't look formal at all!!

But you're right, that fascinator is gorgeous --- and you absolutely do not need a veil. But eeeee, this would be perfect, if you were going for one, hee.

BC15: Cake!

Okay, T, I know this isn't in any way your style at all. And that you've got cake florals already ordered. But, let's just pretend, you could have *this* cake that's *perfect* for your theme instead!!

{Style Me Pretty, feat. Papillon Cakes}

Okay, minus that it's not green + orange. But doesn't it remind you of a popcorn box?!!! I hope the ladies at PC aren't offended, b/c I believe their actual inspiration was Springtime in France -- but really, those mini flowers remind me of popcorn! And duh, red + white stripes!! Hee.

And unrelated to you, but is a must to post with the above: the Vera Wang-inspired cake is (surprise) *stunning*.

{Style Me Pretty, feat. Papillon Cakes}

BC 14: Those shoes!

T. The Shoes come in green. I know you saw these, b/c you're the one who sent me to the fabulous blog Grey Likes Weddings. But hey, I'm just compiling all of these for you, in case you, um... I have no idea. Okay, fine, I just want a pic of these myself :D Maybe the green ones aren't $1600...?

PS: i love everything in this GLW post!*

*edit: The Grey Likes Weddings post was removed though for now I've got it cached via google search (whoo!) -- but here's the link to the photographer's [Leigh Miller Photography] blog post of the wedding!

BC 13: Different BM dress materials

(Style Me Pretty)

Ahh, a much better pic, I think, illustrating the fabulousness that is dresses of different materials in the same color! Well, perhaps not the same exact color, at least in this photo, but still -- Yours will be *gorgeous* :)!

PS - I realize I'm beginning to post lots of things that simply support your decisions -- but I think that's a good thing! I've been reading on some other blogs how some brides just keep searching searching searching and reading reading reading all these wedding blogs, too close to the final day, and they begin to doubt themselves. So I hope by posting all these supportive posts that sort of illustrate what you have in mind, you maintain your confidence in your decisions, because your wedding, I *know* is going to be fabulous! And as everybody says, and is *so* true: the most important thing is that everyone is there to celebrate *YOU* and *M* and your *obvious* love (and fun! I think you guys are loads of fun :) ) And I know we're all so detail-oriented + all -- but no matter what, your day is going to be amazing + gorgeous. I mean, didn't each of us write "style icon" or something in your 30th Book, and how you're all of our fashion inspiration? So you clearly have *incredible* style. Anyway. Hope this helps -- the future posts of positive affirmation :D, and this not-mini-explanation :D

BC 12: Groom style

Aw, T, here's a tie-less suit groom! M's going to look so precious! Er, handsome, you know what I mean.

Marianne Taylor Photography, courtesy of The Wedding Cabaret

BC 11: Lashes lashes lashes

Oh, T, you really need those lashes. Courtesy of Style Me Pretty, featuring photography of Clifford Brunk.

BC 10: Orange + Green wedding theme

T, look at this orange + green wedding goodness! Yours is going to be *stunning*!

All courtesy of Style Me Pretty: Little Black Book, featuring the (actual) wedding of Heather Dwight, wedding coordinator of Calluna Events. Photography by Recherché Photography, Boulder, Flowers by European Flower Shop.

BC 9

Look, T! Green dresses of different materials (and some shades, true) w/ orange bouquets! And they look fab :)!

(Style Me Pretty, featuring Genevieve Nisly)

BC 8: draping + antler chandelier = not so much

+

= Not so much, right?

Instead, you've got the fabulous exposed beams w/ kitsch:

See, T, no draping necessary!

Er, at least, I hope this is encouraging -- I think it's a fabulous space + very Texas!

1. coco+kelley, featuring Gloss Creative
2. Country Creek Furniture + Gift Shop
3. Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Water Park, Ontario, Canada

BC 7

$15, from Dessy. What *fab* little bridesmaid favors, T! IRIDESCENT TAFFETA FLIP FLOPS. That's just crazy.

BC 6

(Marry Me, citing Our Labor Love (and what it linked to) )

Whoops, another veil shot for you, T. And I *know* that there are *tons* of brides who don't do veils. I'm not sure why I can't let this go... sorry :}

And check out this bride's boots! You should for sure do that. Somehow. Not necessarily these snowboot-ish things. (They were getting married in Salt Lake City.) But sexy fun boots.

(Jonathan Canlas)