6.15.2009

Wedding Update!

Several of you have asked for a wedding update, and I am so happy to share some fun details with you! We have rented a house that is supposed to be nice and private, and is right on the saltgrass marsh. This is the view from the house (this dock belongs to the property). Next two photos from Vacation Rentals By Owner.
The back of the house, facing the marsh. As soon as I saw the nice green lawn with the adirondack chairs and palm trees, I knew this was the perfect spot. The house has an open floor plan, tons of windows, and saltillo tile floors. Even if we are driven inside by storms, bugs, or heat, there should be plenty of space. (Sorry for the underline. No matter what I try, I can't get rid of it. Blogger is being uncooperative today.)
Our officiant is just perfect. Her name is Betty Rose (<---- her first name, how sweetly southern), and I just loved her from the minute that I met her. She is retired from working on an island hopper boat and she used to own a charming little group of rental cottages called Mermaid's Landing. Betty Rose owns this adorable neat-as-a-pin cottage on the gulf. Her gardens are so lovely, and she has artfully incorporated all sorts of found objects. Her home really captures the vibe of Cedar Key.


I suppose if there is any design theme for our wedding, it would be "southern preppie barbecue". I still haven't bought a dress. I know, I'm getting nervous about that too. I found a dress on J.Crew that I love, but I'm going to hit a couple more boutiques before I order it. This is the back (not the color that I will wear, but the only color that the back of the dress was shown in):
The front of the dress. This is the color I would order, called Tea Rose. I was really looking for a white cotton dress, but I haven't found anything quite right for me. I love this dress.
The Boy will wear madras. This is my favorite pair, from Brooks Brothers. The Boy found a place in Nantucket that has a pair he likes a little better. I'm still voting for this pair.
Because some family members have severe food allergies and there is a vegetarian in the mix, it seemed easier to prepare some of the food ourselves. My Mom is an amazing cook and it will be fun to spend the afternoon in the kitchen with her, my sister, and anyone else who wants to join in. The menu will be a sort of formal southern barbecue, with pulled pork brought from Tennessee. I can't find any good barbecue near Cedar Key, plus it will be a taste of home for my family. We will also serve shrimp, lots of fancy cheeses, fruit, pasta salad, deviled eggs, a big salad, cake, and some gluten-free, casein-free cupcakes for those with allergies (believe or not, my Mom makes some that are soooo good). I'd like to serve a couple of regional specialties too, such as mullet dip or fresh steamed clams (Cedar Key is the nation's largest producer of farm-raised clams), and a good key lime pie. The Boy loves pie, so it seems fitting to have one at the wedding. Sandwich photo source forgotten. Sorry!
The cake will have simple white frosting, though we're undecided on the cake flavor yet. Probably good old chocolate. I posted a pic of the cake topper a few months ago, but here it is again for those who missed it. We will probably arrange flowers around the base, and the cake will be placed on a simple silver pedestal. Photo Source: Middleburg
Flowers, plates, serving dishes etc will probably be pink, green, chocolate brown, white, and silver. We plan on using some of our favorite vintage serving pieces. Photo source: wedding-flowers-guide.com

Having a wedding on a tiny budget has been challenging to say the least, but I think it will be beautiful and we cannot wait to share this special place with our family.
I really want to thank you all for your kind words of encouragement and support! I am so grateful to have made many friends through the blogging world and Etsy. I had a really rough weekend, but I'm determined to not allow myself to wallow in a funk, but rather to look forward to seeing my family in a few weeks and having a fun wedding-week/family vacation. I know there will be many difficult days ahead for my family, though I won't post much about it because I don't want to bum everybody out. I'm sure everyone will understand if I just disappear for a few days from time to time. However, I'm setting aside time tonight to start catching up on what everyone else has been doing. Your blogs always are funny, and/or thought provoking, and beautiful in so many ways. This is just what I need right now!

P.S. I haven't forgotten about the Giveaway. I'll announce the winner tomorrow!

29 comments:

Kitty Stampede said...

Gorgeous area!! I may post some photos after the face hehe. I have a Green and White Polka Dot theme...its the colors of the vintage style bridesmaids dresses so we just kinda went with it! Its pretty cool...we even made green and white polka dot wine labels.
its so crazy,the days are flying by...just a few days to go....eek.
I got my Diana camera so hopefull we'll get some good shots with that.
Take Care and Have a Great week...I won't be on here much...

Kitty Stampede said...

Super cute dress btw!! oh and madras...;) Too cool!

Hello Lindello said...

Your such a sweeting. Never feel bad about not blogging. You need to take time for YOURSELF and do what you need to do!


That said--Holy crap! I'm so excited for your wedding. It looks like a dream. I am LOVING that dress, the back!? So cute. The food, place, topper, and everything just looks amazing. Well done!

Anonymous said...

It sounds like it's going to be a great wedding! Love the location, your dress and the madras! I don't think I've seen a groom wear those before! Best of luck with everything! And keep us posted when you can. :)

Carol {Everyday Delights} said...

Wow!!! That all looks great and I adore that J Crew dress. Sounds like it will be a fun time for all! i'm also working on planning a wedding on a small budget, so I love your inspiration and am taking notes!

LenoreNeverM♡re said...

very exciting...love the details!
Above all, enjoy the process darling...
XO & much blessingsss*

Gangsta Bride said...

i always thought renting a house was the perfect plan for a wedding. now some of your guests have a place to stay, and you can take your time decorating.

AND that dress is bada**.

Pyzahn said...

Oh gosh my goodness. A wedding! I didn't know. Wow, this will be my first blog wedding and I'm already very excited. Love, love, LOVE the dress. Elegant simplicity. And the cake topper is so charming.

I'm all a twitter. You have such fun taste this is going to be absolutely amazing.

Tina Tarnoff said...

Love it, love it, love it! The house is gorgeous and cute, the dress is absolutely lovely. Very chic. Everything sounds just so charming and so wonderful. I'm so exited for you! I went to a lovely wedding on Saturday, and I got a bit teary when I saw how the bride was so happy and excited. You did a great job of planing it all so perfectly! God, I remeber how exhausting it is! xoxoxo

Piper Jacquelyn said...

Everything so far sounds & looks amazing! The dress is positively gorgeous & classic. And the madras pants?! AWESOME! The house looks amazing & the dock is too great. I want to come!

Awesome Sara said...

OMG, your wedding sounds absolutely divine!!! i am just so shocked!!! its lovely but not in the sick hallmark sorta way. i want to come!!

Christina said...

i hope everything's ok, or at least, that things start getting a little better for you...
your wedding looks as though it's going to be amazing. i like the style of the wedding dress you're thinking about and it made me smile that your future hubby is going to have mardas on for the wedding, how cute!

Alicia @ boylerpf said...

I love that dress and the boy wearing madras...the setting is fabulous...wow is all I can say...everything from the cake to the menu. Pure perfection!

Anonymous said...

Oh this place looks beautiful! I love the dress too! Best wishes!

Steph Bond-Hutkin said...

So exciting! I just LOVE all the aspects of your wedding! And the dresses are killer. And the pulled pork sandwich is from Gourmet magazine June 2008 by Roland Bello. I know this as I have it on the benchtop right now and bought it for my husband who is from Virginia and has been craving pulled pork since we moved to Australia. OH, and I've tagged you!

Francie. said...

i absolutely love that simple white/ivory dress.

Beth said...

Everything looks wonderful -- and that dress is so lovely! I hope you have a simply fabulous celebration!

drollgirl said...

i love that tea colored dress!!! just gorgeous! and the menu! and the flowers! and the location!!!!

your wedding is going to be FANTASTIC!! i am so happy for you. :)

Solid Frog said...

Looks lovely and perfect!

Cheryl said...

I just found your blog through the appropriately named Awesome Sara. I love the location you chose for your wedding. I can imagine that deck with candles in the evening. And your dress! Either one is a gorgeous choice. I think having a tiny budget has not hindered your wedding plans in any way, but may have helped you to plan an even more wonderfully creative, personal and really beautiful wedding than you might have had otherwise. Good luck!

Sabine, La Marquise des anges said...

how lovely ... thanks for taking the time to share this blog post with us ... I love the dresses, both of them and these cake toppers !!!

Laura @ EdenRose said...

Everything sounds blissful! I love that dress, hope it's perfect for you x

Tikimama said...

Sorry I'm so late to this post. Your wedding ideas are amazing! I love the colors, location, the dress, the food, your cake topper...everything! I can't WAIT to see photos (you are going to show us photos, right?)!

India @Apt528 said...

I LOVE your wedding! My fiance and are a planning a low-key, funky wedding. Most people look at me like I'm crazy when they hear my "outlandish" ideas. Now I know I'm not alone!

me melodia said...

This is soooo beautiful.
I want to copy all of these details.
You and your hubs are going to have a smashing time. Cheers!
Clams, vintage ware, brooks brothers, shady beach shore, that dress! :D.... ah! It's just perfection.

Sixpence and A Blue Moon said...

OMG!!! I so love your ideas, your style! This is going to be an amazing wedding, an amazing time for you. It is so refreshing to read what you are doing; I feel like I just read a romantic novel. The dress is so lovely, oh my, I love it! This post makes me want to cry it is so pretty. You've done an amazing job planning your wedding, a unique elegance that comes across as genuine as gold. I hate pretentious weddings, ceremonies - nothing pretentious here. The cake topper is ADORABLE! The place you have chosen is so beautiful and quaint.

Seriously, I love everything!

I wish I lived close to help you, I am pretty good at this stuff. I used to be a coordinator at the Radisson Hotel; my services might come in handy if I were there.

xoxo

Cassaundra said...

oh, your wedding seems like its going to be really charming and sweet! i love all the details!

thanks for the advice on the car issue .. i think i'm going to check out some local places + ebay to see what i can dig up. i was definetely considering going with a honda or toyota.

i'm sorry to hear you've been so busy ... i hope your father gets well soon.

take care :-)

kadler said...

Ok, can I come crash your wedding? It sounds like the perfect time - more of a party than some fussy formal occasion.

Congrats! Mazel tov! Can't wait to see the pics :)

auntsuesoldnewlovely said...

SWEET!
I am so happy for you!
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
borky borky bork!!