It's all in the details...

Okay, be honest. Do you notice the little details when you attend a wedding as a guest? Did you before you were engaged and planning your own wedding? I know I didn't notice pre-engagement. However, that didn't stop me from putting thought and energy into the little things that made our wedding day special. So, without further ado, bring on the details.


Mr. Onion's beautiful tie and belt were gifts from his best friend/GM. The tie was purchased in London and the custom belt was purchased in Spain. The lengths he went to make sure Mr. Onion looked his best on his wedding day! We realized Mr. Onion didn't own cufflinks so we asked my father to borrow a pair -- can you believe he just happened to have purple cufflinks that went so well??


I had my grandmother's pin converted to a hair comb for the wedding. I miss her every day and I was so happy to have her with me this way.


Mr. Onion had a custom suit and shirt made from Alan David Custom in NYC. His initials appear on the bottom of his shirt and on the inside of his jacket.


This is a photo of our wedding rings (on the right of the image -- look closely). Mr. Onion and I both had our rings custom made by a jeweler in Connecticut. In this photo you can see that the inside of Mr. Onion's ring is yellow gold while the outside is platinum. Another hidden detail.


Every bride searches for the perfect shoes. In my case, as my dress was tea length, it was even more important to me that my shoes be perfect as everyone would see them.


My dress didn't have working buttons -- the top of my dress had a zipper and had decorative buttons. Because I wanted to be sure no one could see the zipper I had Mark Ingram's seamstress remove all the buttons and put them back on the other side of the zipper so the weight of the buttons didn't weigh the fabric down and make the zipper visible. Talk about details!


Throughout the planning process I had an amazing experience with my florist. How beautiful is my bouquet? I know all brides must think their bouquet is the loveliest, but this really was perfect for me.


Photos like this make you realize how important a quality manicure is for your wedding day! I had my nails done at Dish Beauty Lounge & Spa on the Church Street Marketplace the day before the wedding.


I was really pleased with how my DIY paper projects came out. Here is our ceremeony program which I laid out in Publisher. The page didn't fold flush allowing the pattern that appeared on our invitations to peek out.


Back to our flowers for a moment. Not that this was an original idea (I was inspired by a Martha Stewart Weddings issue), but I really like how the pew decorations came out. Best part? They were repurposed as cocktail hour table decorations.


And here the pew decorations are in action along with our wish bowl, wish bowl directions card, BM bouquets etc.


MMmmm cake! Our cake was not only beautiful to look at, but it was sooo yummy. My mother's biggest regret is that she didn't get to taste both flavors. I even had marzipan (Mr. Onion's favorite) shaped like pears flown in from Italy via www.marzipanworld.com.


Our favor boxes were sealed with sage green ribbon and monogram stickers from Creative Montage.


We used two different monograms to keep things interesting, and why not?!


We used another monogram at the top of our wedding menus. Pictured is a menu and a lavender bundle which acted as a place card.


On the lavender bundles were tied mini moo cards with a series of engagement photos on one side and the guests name on the other.


To continue with the lavender we had dried lavender sprinkled around candles on each table.


Like many couples, we decided to display wedding photos of our grandparents.


My mother had pearl shoe clips made to go with her green pearl necklace. I thought it was a really nice touch and brought the outfit together.


Immediately after our first dance Moscato was passed for a toast. This was the wine we were drinking the night Mr. Onion and I first kissed.


Inside our favor boxes were three, melt in your mouth, delicious, hand made maple sugar candies.


Our florist had three vases with water waiting when we arrived at the reception for each bridesmaid to place her bouquet. It kept them fresh and it was more re-purposing making our flowers major bang for the buck!

Up next...the reception continues -- cake cutting and a trip to Ben & Jerry's!

Photos: Daria Bishop Photography
All flowers: Fresh Floral Design Studio
My Shoes: Cynthia Rowley Trilogy
My Dress: Romona Keveza from Mark Ingram's Bridal Atelier
Mr. Onion's suit: Alan David Custom
Wedding Cake: Mirabelles Cafe
Monograms: Creative Montage. Mouse over "Standard Monograms" and you'll see our menu!! So fun.

Our Wedding Album

Like Mrs. Bee, we haven't ordered our wedding photo album yet. We were married almost 7 months ago and for the last few months our 1900+ photo proofs have been sitting our our sideboard waiting for me to prioritize them.


Daria and Andy Bishop provided us with our proof prints in these nice black archival photo boxes.


There are five of them FULL of lovely proofs. But how do I narrow down almost 2000 photos to 100 or so for our album? I keep thinking I'll tackle the task over the weekend.


And then the weekend comes and goes....


And here our proofs sit. (I have to admit I dusted them before I took these photos.)


We have started talking with our photographers about a lovely matted Queensbury album (photo sample from www.queensberry.com).

I am very excited to get the ball rolling. Because the album wasn't included in our package I think we've put it off a bit as it will be an expense we'll have to budget for now. I think a beautiful archival quality wedding album will be something our children and their children will cherish. I know I'm thrilled to have old photos of my family -- it gives me a real sense of history and belonging.

I'd love to here your thoughts. Were you quicker to get working on your wedding album if it was included in your photography package?

And a little poll...If you are already married have you made your wedding album yet?

Yes
or
No

Get me to the church on time

After we blew through our family and wedding party photos we headed off to the church which was less than three minutes from the inn. We actually arrived about 10 minutes early so we were able to relax a bit and enjoy the stunning weather. I still can't believe it was 82 degrees and breezy in early September!


I love this close-up detail photo of my bouquet and engagement ring. And ladies -- THIS is why you get a manicure on your wedding day.


Some people set aside money in their budget for an antique car. While I think that is a nice touch, we just couldn't afford or justify this as we were walking from the ceremony to the reception.


Instead we were driven by Mr. Onion's best friend/GM and his wife in their BMW. Not too shabby! In fact, how to get to the church wasn't something I had planned in advance (I know -- GASP)! Our GM was all over this though -- honored and excited to get to spend a quite moment with us before the ceremony.


OK, I'm ready...can we go now?!


The front of the church as we arrived.


I didn't carry a purse -- it was wonderful to have nothing to remember but my bouquet! My BM carried a little extra lipstick for me (remember to ask your make-up artist for this as you will need to reapply throughout the day).


Finishing the touch-up with the wedding party all ready to go.


I just can't resist, my flower girl is so sweet!


Mr. Onion's best friend, his wife and Mr. Onion. No one remembers what was so funny -- this photo cracks me up!


More silliness before Mr. Onion went around to the front of the church to wait with our minister. He was holding my bouquet for me and Daria thought this was too cute.


My adorable dear friend from college with her boyfriend (they flew from Milwaukee to join us -- ended up taking a week vacation in New England and ending their trip with us). The night before the wedding I asked her if she'd greet people at the door and offer them a program. She was the PERFECT person for the job -- I love her smile! Note: She is wearing a JCrew Bridesmaid dress she wore in her sister's wedding earlier that year. See -- you CAN wear a Bridemaid dress again!


Here is my DIY program. Printed on additional card stock and a monogram from Creative Montage. I think they came out quite well.


Momma Onion getting excited for the ceremony to begin!


Dear family friends who have known my family since before I was born. The woman on the left I call my "aunt" and the woman on the right was my grandmother's best friend for 30 years (you might remember from a previous post that my grammy passed a few years ago).


Mr. Onion's Grandmother and his brother's girlfriend patiently waiting for the ceremony to begin.




More friends get settled pre-ceremony.


Our minister with her warm welcoming smile!


I love this photo. This is the moment that it hit me -- I was about to get married to the love of my life. I wasn't scared, just a little nervous that in a moment everyone would be focused on me walking down the isle. I closed me eyes, took a deep breath and a moment later we were told we were ready to begin.

Up Next....the ceremony begins.

Photos: Daria Bishop Photography
All flowers: Fresh Floral Design Studio
Location: First Congregational Church, Burlington, VT
My Dress: Romona Keveza from Mark Ingram's Bridal Atelier
My Veil: Two tier elbow length from Rose's Bridal, NYC
Mr. Onion's suit: Alan David Custom
BM Dresses: Ann Taylor Celebrations Collection
GM Suits: Rental from Dante Zellar

Wedding Party & Family Portraits

Last time I shared photos of our wedding party and family getting ready for our quick portrait session. Now I'll share the portraits with you. No matter how much you love "documentary" style photography, you really want to have a few pictures to frame for parents and grandparents when all is said and done. Daria and Andy had a way of making everyone feel and look relaxed so these images don't feel stuffy.


Mr. Onion with his brother and parents.


With Mr. Onion and my soon to be in-laws.


With my parents and brother.


With my parents.


With Mr. Onion's family - mom, dad, brother and grandmother.


Mr. Onion with his brother. I love this picture because it's so them -- laughing and smiling!


Mr. Onion's parents -- aren't they a handsome couple? They celebrated their 35 year wedding anniversary the weekend before our wedding.


My beautiful flower girl -- she turned 8 a few days after the wedding.


Great photo of her tulip bouquet. Because she is such a mature little lady I wanted her to have a bouquet too, and tulips are my favorite flowers.


My girls! The bridesmaids are wearing Ann Taylor Celebration's dresses and our flower girl's sash is also from Ann Taylor. Their beautiful dangly pearl earrings were part of my gift to them and are from Dasha Boutiques.


The entire wedding party.


A fun moment of me with the guys.


This is Mr. Onion's favorite photo from this part of the day. From left to right -- His best friend/GM, Mr. Onion, his brother and his father.


My lovely bridesmaids. Don't they look elegant?


Stunning photo of their dresses and beautiful bouquets.

Up Next...the ceremony is about to begin

Photos: Daria Bishop Photography
All flowers: Fresh Floral Design Studio
Location: Willard Street Inn, Burlington, VT
My Dress: Romona Keveza from Mark Ingram's Bridal Atelier
My Veil: Two tier elbow length from Rose's Bridal, NYC
Mr. Onion's suit: Alan David Custom
BM Dresses: Ann Taylor Celebrations Collection
GM Suits: Rental from Dante Zellar