Fresh Hubby of LA

Ater posting photos of her most beautiful wedding................

The Broke-Ass Bride revealed another bit of awesomeness, a love story video! Holy Cow!

Tulle! Tulle! Tulle!

Oh wow....this is a wedding do-over dress.

What other time could you wear layers of frothy tulle (if you aren't a ballerina or a six year old)? The Etsy seller, Monique of Ouma, will custom make it for you. You can even specify color! Pink please!

I know that many brides love the look of a simple, modern gown but she makes girly, fluffy dresses look completely new and fresh and kinda punky and totally fun to wear.

The shop was found through a guest post by 100 Layer Cake on The Storque. 100 Layer Cake have also been on a ruffle kick like me. They posted this real wedding earlier and the bride and her maids are so amazing!

Dress by Monique Lhuillier and photo by Sweet Monday.

Love + ruffles from heaven,

Megan

Mother's Day Blessings

My mom was the MVP of my wedding planning, my most valuable partner. She has very strong opinions and her taste is perfection. She helped me filter my ideas and when she didn't agree with them, she made me justify them and thus decide for myself if they were important or not. She always jumped on board when she knew it was something that mattered to me. All my life I have known that she was there for me, my cheerleader. She looked so beautiful on my wedding day!

I have also been so blessed to have a very loving mother-in-law. She raised my husband to be a compassionate, quality man and she has welcomed me into her family with tight hugs, loves and special stories of her life raising my husband and his sister. She said that it was destiny that I joined their family. She always calls me from St. Lucia and says, "well, hello Mrs. Loctor" and we giggle because we are both Mrs. Loctors!

During our wedding ceremony, we chose to have our mothers take part in a handfasting ceremony. When I asked my mom to do it, she said it was appropriate because we were both tied to them and now they were tying us together. Asher's mom brought the cloth we used from St. Lucia. Isn't it beautiful? It was one of my favorite parts of our day.

I am so blessed to be surrounded by strong examples of motherhood, including, my sister-in-law and my very own sister. Both are new moms that have shown me how to parent gracefully.
My sister-in-law had a four month old baby Josephine at our wedding. I love how she can always put Josie (and I) into giggle fits! She was the first person close to me to have a baby and it seemed effortless, she is a natural.

And most recently, my sister, who was about five months pregnant on our wedding day. She looked absolutely beautiful acting as an amazing Matron of Honor, playing the violin in our ceremony and giving a speech. All while making life in her tummy. Little Hank was in there all along.

So today, before I go off to breakfast with a few of these special ladies, I want to wish a Happy Mother's Day to all the special mamas in my family. Thank you for being there for me, you mean the world to me.

Wishing on a Do-Over

One thing that is difficult about being in the wedding industry is looking at all the amazing pictures and styles that come around AFTER your wedding.

I mean, I would totally have worn feathers in my hair. I would have forced my mom to accept my sparkly aqua heels under my wedding gown instead of the died to match champagne white pair. I would have had a makeshift photo booth with pretty fabric for guests to stand in front of. And I wouldn't have let my makeup artist put all that stuff on my skin.

There are so many places to find inspiration but I guess at the end of the day you pick what you like the best and filter out all the rest. Otherwise it is way too overwhelming.

I'm sure when I was looking through inspiration images there were girls in feathers and naturally flushed cheeks standing in colored shoes in front of a pretty sheet but ya know...it just didn't make it into my wedding. And things would have been different. Not more perfect, just different.

I guess maybe that's why wedding continue to infatuate me. There are so many ways to do it and nothing is right, it is just best when you make it your own.

Love + trend spotting,
Megan

P.S. Oh my goodness, look at this...from Martha.

Ringless

I recently lost a diamond in my wedding ring and today I took it in to have the damage appraised. The woman scorned me for buying online. She actually asked if I would want to trade it in for credit in order to get a ring from them that would come with a lifetime guarantee. Really? This is the ring I got married with and someday if the hassle of losing diamonds becomes so extreme, I will still treasure it. I picked this ring, knowing the risks and I would pick it a million times again.

She also took long blinks between each sentence which made it difficult to focus on what she was saying but at least she had pretty eye makeup on.

What I did get out of it however, is that with pave diamonds, it is common for diamonds to come loose. Also, if I wear it, the other diamonds around it will loosen up and I am in danger of losing them as well.

I decided to check a couple other jewelers to see what they would charge but until then, I can't wear my ring. Right now I am rocking an impostor. The diamond from the top of the J.LO Still perfume bottle. It is ridiculously huge and fake.

Here is my ring, starring in the most beautiful ring picture ever, from our wedding day...

photo by Cheryl

And another...

Photo by Cheryl

And the ring I am hauling around on my ring finger to the hockey game tonight...see it there at the top...

Love + bling,

Megan

Keyword: Vintage, Beaded, Clutch

I used a vintage beaded clutch when I was bridesmaid for my sister's wedding. It was my grandma's and it was always in the drawer in my mom's dresser that held all of her special things (her wedding night negligee and silky scarves).
My sister's wedding took place at St. James Cathedral and the reception was held at the University Inn which is now the Hotel Deca. It was all so glamorous. We heard that Dale Chihuly often drinks in the dark hotel bar. Who would know that three years later, I would get married surrounded by Chihuly glass myself (at the Museum of Glass)?
It seems that every time I do a keyword search on etsy, I come up with a goldmine. Today's item is the best yet. Someone snatch this up so it will stop tempting me. The feathers are just darling and perfect for a vintage bride. For more detailed shots or to just buy it already, click here.
Love + a glamour puss,
Megan

Free Photo Book!

I have to share the news.
Shutterfly is giving away a free 20 page, 8×8 photobook through March 10th.
Simply enter PHOTOBOOKS at checkout.

After creating wedding photobooks for my mom and my mother-in-law for Christmas, I have been thinking that one day I should make my own. This is a bit too small for a wedding album but could be a cute little book to have for any occasion.

I'm going to send this deal to my sister and she can make a book for Hank Cameron, my nephew. He had his picture's taken by our friend Cam (who he is named after) at his baptism earlier this month. Cam is a talented photographer who also shoots weddings in the Portland area. We are particularly proud to say he is also the Portland Trailblazer's staff photographer. If you watch a Blazer game you can sometimes see him under the basket twisting his body to get the best shot. He was also roped into videotaping at our wedding by my mother-in-law, bless her heart. Look at his work with Hank...and then go check out his website.

Love + capturing moments,

Megan

Happy Valentine's Day

Today is one of my favorite holidays. I know about all the cynics but what could be wrong with a day celebrating love? I have so many special memories from past holidays. Dale brought me chocolates in a brown paper bag in the first grade and Marky gave me his sister's earrings in the second grade.

Freshman year of college, I got a care package from my mom, bursting with candy and chocolate, temporary tattoos, stickers and a pop-up book. All over the white shipping box she had written special messages of love (I still have this box).

The first year I celebrated with Asher, he sent me on a scavenger hunt through our apartment with special little clues at each stop. At the end of it there was a pair of Nike Dunks in the oven and then he airbrushed me a shirt to match.

Last year we went to a Caribbean restaurant and he watched me while I cracked crab with juice running down my arms. We finished the meal with fried bananas and vanilla ice cream and it was so decadent. I could tell how much he loved sharing food from "his home" with me.

This morning I woke up, a little grumpy, and while I was getting dressed to take him to the bus, he surprised me with a fresh pair of Nike Dunks (he really likes me wearing fresh kicks). He said it was to "cheer me up" and it worked. But the best part of the day (so far) is that he decided to stay home from work and love me all day long!

So...Happy Valentine's Day to all!

Love + candy hearts,

Megan

PS. Thanks to Biggie for modeling my new shoes. Notice how they are the same colors as the conversation hearts? Is is a coincidence?

Valentines from Gaza

This is incredible...last I heard Israel was restricting food and aid trucks through the border to Gaza (and almost no exports) but they allowed 25,000 carnations to pass through, bound for Europe, in time for Valentine's Day. (Read more here). It makes me think of this print....by him.

Frugal Flowers

Today I was researching flowers for a summer wedding. The bride wants something simple, easy, loose but hoped for calla lilies in her bouquet. We have talked before about getting her flowers at the Pike Place Market the morning of the wedding. Since my husband is a vendor at the market, I went to visit him and talked with some of the flower vendors. The told me that they can bring in extra flowers with advanced notice but that calla lilies wouldn't be available in late July.
So on to Google I go. I called some local florists for single stem prices which were (gasp) $10 and up per stem on average. After poking around, I found the best deal.
Costco!
They offer 50 stems for $84 and the shipping and handling is free. There is a $5 extra fee if you aren't a member. I called Costco and learned that the pricing can vary, depending on the season, but that there should be too much of a fluctuation. An all around incredible value! Don't you love finding deals?

This is really just about love

I watched this today and seriously sobbed. So much happiness and love. My sister-in-law and brother live in Long Beach, CA and she was visiting us during the November elections. She was so upset by the "Yes on 8" campaign. My brother called in from the midst of the rally taking place outside their apartments. So many people, shocked and saddened by the results.

So here's hoping that these marriages continue to be acknowledged (go here to learn more and sign the petition) and that someday Washington gets with the program (though state law does allow for "domestic partnership, it isn't the same as marriage rights).

This is love people, this is love.

Yummy Eats, Hot Beats

Last night, Michele and I had the pleasure of attending a tasting with Ravishing Radish at the Yacht Club on Lake Union. The food is organic, locally sourced and delicious! We started with the night's signature cocktail, a martini mixed with vanilla vodka, Midori melon liqueur and lemon. So sweet and smooth.

We moved on quickly to the tasting where we sampled Organic Lemongrass Chicken, calamari, baked Brie with cranberry and pistachio and so much more. I have to say my favorite was the salad with organic greens, candied walnuts, blue cheese and beets. So tasty and served on cute plates from Totally Tabletops. I highly recommend attending a tasting. You will get a really good feel for how your event will be handled with fresh food waiting to be scooped up at the buffet. The women behind Ravishing Radish have really thought out this event.
Setting the mood for the party was DJ Tecumseh of Bamboo Beats. He spun records that started out jazzy and progressively got more lively. JoJo, the DJ's wife, attends each wedding and works directly with the coordinator to ensure an event will flow smoothly. They help you to "green" your wedding and practice it in their own lives. Most of all, they will add the perfect soundtrack to your event.

Michele and I stayed late and had so much fun talking with other vendors, all of whom I am sure I will talk more of soon (flowers, photo, linens, and a planner). A very nice evening!

Love + Tastings,
Megan

Our Save the Date Cards are Famous by Megan

We wanted to set the tone for our wedding and we used our engagement photos to do just that. Before the shoot, I went to Nordstroms and had my makeup done. When she heard I was getting my picture taken, she pancaked it on. My skin felt terrible and I didn't look like myself. When I got home, I cleaned my face and did my regular makeup. Then we were ready.

We grabbed Cheryl at In A Frame Photography and had her take pictures of us in alleyways and in front of graffiti walls just south of downtown Seattle.

We actually made her squeeze behind a fence in order to take some pictures. Asher brought a can of paint with him and he sprayed a heart with our initials inside. Yes, we trespassed and tagged a wall on our engagement shoot. We are dangerous like that. It was all for the perfect photos and we could not have been happier with how they turned out. I wanted to find a way to use several photos on our STD cards and I found an option on the Kodak website.

In November, our STD cards were featured on the renowned wedding blog, Brooklyn Bride. I wrote more there. Check it out!

And the photos....

Setting My Wedding Date by Megan

We knew we wanted to get married as soon as possible but thank goodness we didn't rush it because I never imagined how much I would love planning our wedding. In the end, I could have had a few more months of DIY projects. We crammed as much as we could in to our 8 month engagement.
The date was vaguely set for May 2008. My mom thought it would be great because working in the public school system, she gets two little spring breaks so she could help me during that time.
We also had to plan enough in advance so that Asher's family could come up from St. Lucia for the wedding. St. Lucia is an island in the Caribbean West Indies and it takes about 16 hours to get to Seattle from there. Plus, his mom owns her own business so we didn't want to interrupt the busy tourist money-making season. We knew that she would come up for the wedding, whenever we had it but we wanted to make it easier on her.
In the end, we decided that Memorial Day weekend, May 24th, would be best. We had a lot of friends and family traveling to be with us and that would make it easier because they would have a three day weekend. Our goal was to have as many people we loved there for us and in order to make it happen, we tried to consider everyone's situation as best we could.
Love + a date with destiny,
Megan

My Proposal by Megan

On September 26th, 2007, Asher picked my dad's retirement party as the perfect time to propose. Asher's sister, Judy, was visiting from St. Lucia and due to fly back the next day. At my dad's dinner party, Asher found time to ask him for my hand. My dad gave his full support and kept the secret from the rest of the gang. My family does not keep secrets well so this was a smart decision.
It was a double header and at the 8th inning of the second game (nearly the last possible moment), Asher went down on his knee on the sticky ballpark floor. I was looking at him like, "why are you on the ground?" It took a second to dawn on me and then I saw the box, and then, the ring! My whole stomach did a somersault. He simply asked if I would marry him and I answered, YES!

Just after I accepted!
The whole section clapped and we had family and long time friends all around to congratulate us and celebrate. We left the stadium with people cheering and giving high-fives the whole way up the stairs! I was shaking and crying and totally shocked - in the best possible way.
My sister and her husband had left earlier so they met up with us at my brother and sister-in-law's house and brought champagne. My mom went home and brought the family toasting goblets and the handkerchief she had bought years ago for the day I would be engaged!
To make it so much sweeter, his sister Judy (who I love!) was there and was able to relate my joy to her family back in St. Lucia. Amazing!!!

The cell phone pic I took the next day at work!

Love + surprises,
Megan

My Love Story by Megan

The summer of 2006, I was single, free and had just turned 30. I had recently reconnected with Jessie, a close college friend on myspace. I had some extra cash so my sister and I decided to join my brother-in-law on his business trip to Philly. We had plans to visit Jessie in Brooklyn. When we met up with Jess, we decided to go out and she invited a friend along. As soon as he walked through the door I was struck. Here was this Brooklyn guy with an accent from St. Lucia, an island I had vaguely heard of, and he was so honest and genuine.

We talked shoes, music, and culture while we mazed through trains, tunnels and city streets. I giggled and my stomach buzzed. The next day, he came with us on the bus back to Philly and he played with my hair and whispered silly things in my ear to make me laugh. That night, we danced to our favorite DJ and finally, we kissed.

It is the truth when I say that my sister foretold the future. Before we left Seattle on the plane to Philly, she said something like, "Time to meet your husband." On the flight home, the woman behind me was wearing a St. Lucia shirt and then I won a free round-trip flight from my gym the next day. It seemed it was destiny.

Several cross country trips on JetBlue, phone calls, letters and gifts through the mail followed and three months after we met, Asher arrived in Seattle to be with me. And now he is my husband. This is the best love story I could imagine, it was a fairytale and sometimes I couldn't believe it was happening but I knew I didn't want it to stop. And now it never will.

Love+destiny,

Megan

By the Brooklyn waterfront

Jessie and I (I'm eating a yummy falafal)

Waiting for the Chinatown bus back to Philly

Shopping in the city

So Blue by Megan

So Blue by loveplusmarriage

This wedding inspiration combines so many of my current loves. This statement necklace by Alexis Bittar was inspired by Queen Victoria and it is the centerpiece of this whole look. All of the other elements - the modern dress and color scheme - were inspired by the necklace. Three years ago, I interviewed with Alexis Bittar and I barely knew of this line of jewelry. Instead of moving to Brooklyn, my soon-to-be husband moved to Seattle. What an opportunity I missed. His jewelry is amazing, take a look!

Because of the blue in the necklace, this is also a perfect time to introduce the idea of colored stones in an engagement ring. The ring pictured is an aquamarine custom designed by Faye Cullen. I wish I was born in March so I could be showered in aquamarines every year on my birthday.

I envision a formal reception taking place in a chic backyard with a sparkling blue pool, passed champagne, cocktails and hor's douerves. Bell Harbor would also be a lovely location, overlooking Elliott Bay and the Seattle cityscape.

Now all you need is your something old, something new and something borrowed. Your Something Blue? That's been covered.

Love + twinkling blue eyes,
Megan

1950 by loveplusmarriage

I am just dying for the day when I get to help plan for a 1950's themed wedding. I love the timeless femininity and all of the textures. Looking at the dresses, I can feel the frothy tulle in my hands.

The bridesmaid's dresses are all vintage pastel prom dresses. They are each unique but together they look like so much fun and go perfectly with the theme. Even the wedding dress fits with it's layers and layers of tulle and pink satin sash.

Though the claim that the coupe champagne glass was molded on Marie Antoinette's breasts has been discounted the sexy shape of the glass and the bubbles that float up its hollow stem remind you of a certain lady's charm. The cake is a decadent, swirly, frosted piece of heaven. Let them eat cake!

Escape away in a classic car. My sister and her husband were driven to their wedding reception in a convertible white Cadillac and were greeted with horns and waves from people on the street. Create memories to cherish, for fifty more years!

Love + pink tulle,
Megan

So...so...CUTE!

Payless by loveplusmarriage

All of the above items are from Payless. You can even fall into their BOGO trap and buy one, get one half off. Crazy cute!

In Flying Colors by Megan

In Flying Colors by loveplusmarriage

This inspiration board looks very similar to yesterday's board. I don't normally get pink stuck on the brain but apparently, this weekend, I am feeling it. Today is all about color, even though I am looking out on a grey Sunday afternoon. Probably, because of Seattle's grey.

Yesterday at the Seattle Wedding Show, I saw a cake by Tallant House with butterflies on it. The various colors of butterflies and the fact that a wedding is a big transformative event (caterpillar - butterfly, single people - marrieds) it just seems appropriate. And how fun to incorporate butterflies in a really classy, refined way.

The bouquet, by Bella Rugosa is glorious with purple feathers! The photo captures the detail and was snapped by La Vie Photography who are located in Seattle and also took the photograph of the location inspiration.

The dress is, of course, influence by Gwen Stefani's wedding dress which was the first time that I remember seeing a shockingly colored dress look appropriate for a wedding. This one is by Badgley Mischka via Something Old, Something New. I would lose the flower at the bust to keep it from vearing into cutesy.

Love + fading to pink,
Megan

Click on the Polyvore board for more details.