Wedding in Provence...only not

Its probably about time I did a wedding update, right?

Well first and foremost, after getting the planning underway with our original venue and hitting a few snags... we both decided while out one night having dinner in Cambridge, that we would rather do something a little more low key. A little more us. My parents have a beautiful yard, why not rent a tent and do the damn thing there?

So that is just what we are doing. We hired a tent company who is bringing us a gorgeous huge tent and we’re doing the ceremony under a tulle and white light bedecked trellis in the backyard. We booked our favorite DJ. It’s going to be completely gorgeous. It’s also a lot of work!

We are up for the challenge though.

After deciding on the size tent and getting a floor plan from the tent company (who will also provide tables and chairs and the bar and lighting, thank goodness), I had a brunch this past Sunday to get my bridesmaids together with my maid of honor, and my aunts Barbara and Marilyn who have stepped in to help me since my parents are abroad until right before the wedding.

I already had clear ideas of what I wanted. French country theme, lots of white lights and flowers, a low key but elegant garden party atmosphere. And let’s not forget about the karaoke.

It was good to get other people’s feedback as well. And we could not have done it without Aunt Marilyn who came armed with handouts, took copious notes and by that evening had emailed us all of the meeting minutes and our action items! I just love her!

We nailed down the menu, worked out the logistics of the cermony (which was tough to do with two feet of snow on the ground, but we worked it out!) I don’t want to give everything away but I will tell you that we are doing three different kinds of centerpieces, and having several types of table linens. From the linens alone you can kind of get the vibe of the party.

The larger tables will be bedecked in Provence style tableclothes, of varying designs but sticking to the blue/yellow theme. Then the smaller cocktail tables will have solid blue and yellow tablecloths. (Are you getting the color theme yet? My bridesmaids will also be wearing blue though I have given them free reign to buy any kind of dress they want as long as it's blue. Because life is too short to be forced to buy a dress you will never wear again!)

It;s pretty much entirely a DIY wedding which is super exciting for me, a gal who loves a project. And for my wedding party who are creative, fun types and have already come up with great ideas. I reallly just want it to be a fun festive garden party the first 10 minutes of which during we happen to get married.

And lest you think I am becoming a youknowwhatzilla, Adam had final approval on all decisions!

My goal for the next month or so is to Get a Dress. Everyone I speak to seems horrified that I am getting married in June and dont have a dress yet but I'm not wearing A Gown. I'm going to buy an off the rack simple long white (yes white, quiet down!) dress appropriate for a garden party that is not too stiff or stuffy and above all not too bridey. I already have a good idea of what I want so hopefully it's not too difficult to find.

The other big goal is Invitations - which I am on the hunt for. I kind of want to find something DIY just to go with the theme of the wedding. Any suggestions on good websites for this?? We already ordered the save the dates, with the goal of sending them out at the beginning of February. I think they are hilarious and will post them once we have already sent them out.

The only downside of having the wedding where we are having it, is we had to shave the guest list. So there are people I would like to invite, who I really just can't. Part of it is my family alone is like 60 people. Then you factor in Adam's family, the wedding party and close friends and that's about all the space can handle. But one thing I have learned thus far in the wedding planning process is you can't please everyone and you really have to do what works for you.

Anywho that is about it for my wedding post. Don't worry I wont be posting every little thing in here but if I come across something cool or need help I will probably post about it!