Pure Poetry by Megan

Pure Poetry by loveplusmarriage

i carry your heart with me

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

ee cummings

Poetry Wedding by Michele

Poetry Wedding by Michele Simmons
Today's theme is Poetry. As I browse the library shelves and the collection of poetry books I keep coming back to one in particular. Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein. Such fond memories of reading to my boys like "Warning" about your finger getting lost up your nose. Or "Sick" too sick to go to school. Or "For Sale" about selling your sibling. Laughing our loud in the library it was an easy choice! So instead of the more serious readings of Emily Dickenson or Robert Frost mine tends to fall on the silly or whimsical end.

Modern Love by Megan

Modern Love Splurge vs. Steal - Behind the Veil by loveplusmarriage

This Inspiration Idea is close to my heart. As I said in my previous post, my husband is from New York. We met when I went to visit a friend from college and she invited him to hang out with us for a night in the city. When I think modern, I think of urban spaces and high fashion. I love that it is possible to create a high fashion feel with a smaller budget. Modern brides get to think outside of traditional ideas of weddings...a short dress? Why not? Black stiletto heels? Sign me up! Big open industrial spaces...just waiting to be warmed up by some hot lovin'.
This wedding includes one best girl, the matchmaker perhaps, to stand next to the bride and it is a small, intimate ceremony. It could even take place at a courthouse....a courthouse in NYC, of course!
The "splurge" photos below showcase a couture gown by a Seattle designer...Madina Vadache. Wait...couture in Seattle? Yes, ma'am. I die for those feathers. The "steal" wedding dress is still a bit spendy but it is unique and it is for a wedding so the price is fully justified, especially when the hair piece is all of $12!
The lovely MOH dress is a "splurge" but one that could be worn again, a classy little black dress. But, we can't discount the "steal" MOH dress. It's really cute and can be picked up at Target for under $40.
When discussing cakes, one major cost cutter is choosing buttercream over fondant. Buttercream actually tastes yummy so what you sacrifice in perfect fondant detailing, you make up for when your guests bite into a creamy slice. Creme de la Creme in Renton made the "steal" cake and they have very affordable pricing and constantly receive high ratings from local brides.
Save major money by renting items that you might not need again soon - if ever. A designer men's tux can be rented for less than $200 and adorable plates and serving ware can be rented from Seattle's Totally Tabletops.
The "splurge" wedding takes place in New York at an industrial loft but the downtown Seattle Public Library allows private events and a chic, modern couple could easily create the feeling that they are splurging, without having to turn that cute clutch inside out looking for spare change. The pictures alone, I'm just imagining....
Love + fabulocity,
Megan

Modern Splurge vs. Steal by Michele

splurge steal by Michele Simmons
Today's theme is Splurge v.s. Steal Modern. I appologize because this one is going to be short and sweet.

There are many ways to get a steal of a bargain when it comes to your wedding day. The best advise is to keep an open mind. Think outside of the box. Many ordinary everyday household items can be used with just a little addition here or there your guest might think you purchased them from a high end store.

Splurge? Well if you can, the sky is the limit. If you can go for it!

My First Love...FASHION by Megan

My First Love...Fashion by loveplusmarriage

What will be the most fashionable day in your life? I'm sure for any girl, your wedding day will top the list. You want to look and feel your best on this momentous day. You can allow yourself a few little extravagances but it is entirely possible to take inspiration from high-priced fashion spreads and reinterpret them for the size of your wallet.
Feeling like splurging on your wedding day loungeware? Visit Nancy Meyer in downtown Seattle, on Fifth Avenue. However; there are many steals to be found online when looking for loungeware. I found an adorable version for only $50. I also recommend checking out any of the area Nordstrom Rack stores.
A corset will make a wonderful difference in the fit of your wedding gown. In order to push the ladies up and suck the tummy in, sometimes it takes a little something sexy. You can splurge on an Agent Provocateur corset but for a more reasonable corset, consider a search online at Frederick's of Hollywood. Later in the night, when the dress comes off, your new hubby won't know what hit him!
The $6,900, Oscar de la Renta wedding gown is gorgeous, a frothy dream of a dress. Surprisingly, the David's Bridal gown is a wonderful alternative for only $950! The d'Orsay pump by Monolo Blahnik will definitely have you walking tall and proud down the aisle but consider Dyeable's d'Orsay pump for a savings of $550. Both pair have the broach detail that coordinates beautifully with the feminine detailing on the dress.
The going away outfit was completely inspired by Blair on Gossip Girl and her outfit at the White Party. As soon as I saw her in the white Marc Jacobs mini dress I was obsessed. The headband, the shoes, the whole outfit is just adorably chic. Imagine running for the airplane in this little getup, all eyes will be on the bride!
Love + adoration,
Megan

Fashion Splurge vs. Steal by Michele

Fashion Steal v.s. Splurge by Michele Simmons
Today's theme is Fashion splurge v.s. steal. I had fun with this one because I love trying to find a bargain but if I had the money would totally be a fashion freak!
The venue: I choose the Museum of Glass for both my splurge and steal sets. This is such a beautiful site located along the waterfront in Tacoma. Your guests can stroll along the sky bridge and the waterfront taking in the scenes prior to the wedding. Chihuly is the inspiration behind the museum and an awesome artists and many of his pieces are showcased along the sky bridge.
Your splurge would be reserving the museum for a full day with opportunities for your guests to stroll the exhibits and the hot shop. Your steal would be reserving your wedding date on an off date such as a Sunday or weekday and only for an hour or two keeping your costs down.
The dress: Researching the hot trends for 2009 and wedding gowns I found that tiers are one of the new hot things! I love this because tiers are so versatile for all body types. My splurge dress is a Jenny Packham for $15,000 or a similar, just as pretty gown by David's Bridal for $700.00.
The favors: I love both of these favors! I love glass! The glass hearts are made by Bedrock Studios and are a simple memento of your special day for $6.00 each, definitely a steal! The triangle glass vases are hand made by Dehanna Jones and are $185.00 each.
Dinner: Your splurge dinner would have to be a sit down event. With prime rib and maybe a halibut dish. The place card holders are soo cute! An art easel with an erasable canvas! For your steal I would suggest a buffet style with a salmon and a chicken dish, still delicious but not as spendy.
Music: Your splurge would be hiring a band to perform for the entire event. There are many local bands for hire that offer a variety of sounds from your walk down the isle to dancing the night away. For your steal a DJ or even an I-Pod plugged into your favorite music can do the trick!
Flowers: To keep your costs down on flowers use one type of flower such as roses. Most roses are fairly inexpensive and come in so many colors, at about $1.00 a stem they can be used in so many ways! For your splurge go for the hard to find exotic flowers. Mix and match the exotics with common roses and such.
The cake: Your specialized baker can create this tiered cake for your wedding day. White cake with fondant and embellishments it is sure to be eye pleasing. For a steal wedding your clever relative can bake yummy cupcakes and use special filigree liners to dress them up. You can display them on a tiered serving tray to keep with the tiered theme.

A Fairytale of Fashion by Megan

Fairytale of Fashion by loveplusmarriage

Today's wedding is inspired by a modern fairytale and the image that comes into my head is the photo from Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony's wedding. There were very few photos released from the wedding but the image of her parasol in the sunshine just sticks in my mind.
There are amazing parasols , I love the ruffled style for a wedding. The "splurge" umbrella makes me weak in the knees but I would find it hard to spend $200 for an umbrella I would never dare expose to Seattle's rain.Enter Bella Umbrella, the Seattle shop that rents bridal parasols for $10-$30! They even have a section of their website for umbrellas with ruffles.
In the "splurge" wedding there are lavender calla lilies which would be abundant throughout the wedding, even featured on the beautiful invitation. For a lower cost alternative, lavender sprigs can be substituted and still convey a dreamy, feminine feeling appropriate for this fairytale wedding.
My absolute favorite element is the wedding gown. I am amazed at how closely the "steal" gown, a prom dress, resembles the gorgeous designer dress by Marchesa (who happens to dress Jennifer Lopez for red carpet appearances). The dress is a departure from a typical white wedding gown but the soft grey/green color is so elegant and the flower detailing at the neckline is lovely.
The makeup is soft and natural with pretty lavender lipstick. A bride can splurge on a makeup artist or save money by going to Nordstroms, Macys, or one of the new Mac Cosmetic's stores early on her wedding day to have her makeup applied. The only charge is for the items you want to buy.
Lastly, a bride can go all out and have an orchestra play her down the aisle but to save money for the honeymoon, consider hiring a student quartet.
When you wake up the next day, the fairytale continues, and you and your new husband get to live happily ever after!
Love+dreaming,
Megan