Wedding Wednesday: Reception Venue Reveal!

Yay for Wedding Wednesday with Mary and Joelle!

I'm very excited to reveal our reception venue, The Athletic Club of Columbus!

Andrew and I are so thrilled!

I took these pictures when we toured the space. Lucky for us there was a wedding there later so we got to see it all dressed up and ready to go. 

Here are a few other photos I found on Pinterest:

Source: benjaminscot.com via Mary on Pinterest

Source: emandersonphotography.com via Mary on Pinterest

Source: accolumbus.com via Mary on Pinterest

Source: benjaminscot.com via Mary on Pinterest

YAY!
I think it's safe to say that this venue is quite possibly the most beautiful place we could imagine for our reception. We are just so very thankful! Obviously we can't wait to celebrate our marriage!

Is it 2014 yet?!?!

Wedding Wednesday!

Yay for Wednesday! I'm so excited to link up with Mary and Joelle again this week!

I wasn't quite sure of what to write about this week.  We're still nailing some details down before I broadcast any news/share pictures.

Luckily, Andrew had a great idea.

Have you ever heard of The Engagement Series on YouTube?

It's seriously hysterical.

Admittedly, some of the videos have foul language. (Sorry, Mom! Love you!)

Here's one of the best, but I highly suggest watching all of them!

We do pro/con lists, too.

Also...I'm not going to lie, I kind of want some napkin rings.

Wedding Wednesday

It's that time of the week again to link up with Joelle from Something Charming and Mary from a Happy Wife in New Orleans!

So, um...big news today:

{P.S. I got the cool silhouette for this image via}

That's right! We set the date with the church!!!

Andrew and I are smiling ear to ear and are so excited!

We are going to get the contract for the reception venue today, too!
But that's another post for next week!

Also, take a look at this gorgeous palette that has inspired me.  Classic and whimsical? Yes, please!

Source: theperfectpalette.com via Mary on Pinterest

Until next Wednesday, happy planning!

Wedding Wednesday: Getting the Planning Party Started!

Well hello! I just love linking up with Mary at A Happy Wife in NOLA and Joelle at Something Charming!

This past weekend was a whirlwind of planning. Andrew and I drove to my hometown for a jam-packed venue shopathon. I am not exaggerating when I say that we seriously had a blast touring the facilities with my parents!

On Saturday we went to six different venues. We fell in love, like, and almost-loathe for the different spaces. We stopped by another on Sunday and kept researching to ensure we weren't missing anything.
We went to two more on Monday in Columbus on our drive back to Chicago. 

Needless to say, my fiance and parents are amazing. We really did have a ton of fun!

We are going to get married at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Lancaster, Ohio. I went to school at St. Mary, attended Mass, was an altar server, and musician at this church growing up. In fact, my trips home don't feel quite complete until we go to church!

{via}

{via}

As of right now we have three venues in the running. All of them are completely different from each other and have their own pros and cons. All meet my dream in one way or another of being classic and whimsical. Who knows if we pick any other venues for the list, but time will tell! Numbers 2 and 3 were not on our list before this weekend!

{Center Image via, others via me!}

We have a little bit of time before we must make our decision, but we're working on it!

Tell me, how did you decide on a venue? Did you make a pro/con list? Was it the place you imagined as a little girl? Was it something totally different than you imagined?

I can't wait to hear what you think!

Please go check out other wedding-related posts at A Happy Wife in NOLA and Something Charming today!

Wedding Wednesday: 27 Dresses-Inspired

Hey there, dudettes and a few dudes!

I originally had nothing to contribute today for A Happy Wife in New Orleans' link-up. We have yet to set a date and plan to scope out venues in January for our Spring 2014 wedding. I can't wait to set a date! By the time we say "I do" I will probably run down the aisle, cut to the chase, and scream my vows.

Unfortunately, the classy side of me must prevail.

Until then, however, I have to post some nasty bridesmaid dresses just for fun.
27 Dresses is on right now, and I just couldn't help myself.

So here we go: some "gowns" that some poor gals may be asked to purchase and wear. Good thing I love my girls too much to do this to them...but goodness it's presenting very humorous mental pictures!

Le voilà!

 

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I'm all for floor-length gowns, but sheesh.  I really don't know which one is worse. 

Heck, at least they're 60% off.

 

{via}

I just...I just can't.

 

{via}

Give me polka dots and I'll give you many ways to wear them in your outfit. 

Give me many polka dots in one outfit? 

I'll point and laugh.

...and quite possibly vomit as you walk down the aisle.

 

{via}

My dear darling friend, won't you please be my bridesmaid? 

Yes?

Sweet. 'Cuz you're wearin' wings.

And finally...

 

{via}

This would fit my Sesame Street theme PERFECTLY. 

Now if I could only find dresses to match that would represent Elmo, Cookie Monster, Bert, Ernie, and Oscar.

Give it time. I'm sure they're out there.

Wedding Wednesday: How I asked my MOH and our Flower Girl

I am so excited to join the Wedding Wednesday link-up today with A Happy Wife in New Orleans!

If you've been reading a while then you know I have a big sister and a niece. I love them to pieces and miss them dearly - they live in California, so we rarely see each other in person. However, the Internet is awesome so we video chat once a week!

Lucky for me and Andrew, though, they came to town this past Friday for a quick visit!!!

They both knew their roles in our upcoming nuptials (because I told them, not asked, immediately after I told my sister how Andrew proposed!).

Even though it was no surprise, we still wanted to "formally" ask them to be the MOH and Flower Girl.

For Lizzie it was easy. The day after Andrew proposed in DC I hopped over to Eastern Market and bought her a handmade flower headband from one of the vendors.

When we asked after dinner on Friday she shyly and sweetly said "Yes!" and then wore the headband proudly on Saturday.

She will be 3 by the time we get married. I think she's ready now, though!

For Kate I got a little more creative, thanks to the inspiration from Callie and picture hunting from my parents.

That's Kate holding me as a newborn! She can add a picture of us from the wedding in the bottom frame.

Obviously Kate said yes. I wouldn't let her say no anyway. I need her!! :)

Now I need to get creative about asking Bridesmaids!
To be honest, I am having a tough time choosing among my wonderful girlfriends. It's really tough!
Any advice is welcome!