keep it kind, keep it good, keep it right

Warning: This is an update that talks about wedding stuff. Be ware!

I've been working really diligently on wedding nonsense and have made quite a bit of progress, thank you. It's been a lot of fun, I just hate the fact that everything has a price tag on it. Still though, we're doing pretty well and I feel like everything is right on schedule. According to the fierce Martha Stewart I only have a 140-something more things to check off my to do list! Hoorah!

Over the past several months I've made massive strides with bookings and whatnot. Let me divulge:

Florist: Miranda from Bloomz. Miranda was my neighbor in Indianapolis (which Ms. Amber and Ben are keeping warm until we get back) and owns Bloomz in Irvington. I've heard great things and so I'm eager to work more with her! Nothing is finalized, but I've been talking with my grandmother, who was a florist for many years, and I'm so far I'm letting this ensemble inspire my color palette and flower choices:

Musicians: In all my childhood wedding dreams, I always envisioned a live, string trio or quartet to play at my wedding. Well, I acted on that desire and booked a string trio (violin, viola and cello) for our reception. We hired the Troika String Trio because I've heard rave reviews and also I've actually performed with Sarah Atterson before (when I performed an aria from Copeland's "Tenderland").

As for the ceremony, a church friend, Sabrina Falls, will play the harp (beautifully, might I add), my Aunt Grace and sister (and maid of honor) Jessica will sing with a church friend, Linda Showalter, accompanying with piano. Lovely!

Photography: Kris Arnold, a dear friend and staff photographer at NUVO Newsweekly, will shoot the wedding. His style is uniquely him, quirky and always eye-catching. Here are some of my favorite pieces of his:

Stunning, right?

And of course, David loves Kris because he shoots bands like Slayer:



For more of his work, check out his Flickr (a great way to spend your afternoon!)

Tents/etc.: I've learned more about tents and supplies than I ever wanted during this whole process! I literally talked to 5+ tent renters in Indianapolis and settled on Montgomery Tents and Awnings because a) They were incredibly kind and prompt, b) They've worked at The Benton House before and c) They had everything we needed.

We went with a 40x60 pole tent with cathedral-window siding, 10 round tables, 5 cocktail tables, space for musicians, wedding white chairs and of course tables for the party/food/cake! Outside there will be room for 130 or so and inside the actual house there's room for 50! Perfection. I assume people will flow from one space to another since it's a cocktail type event. Here's a diagram:

Are you worn out yet? :) Now we're working on food items, hair/makeup stylists, wedding party attire, favors (organic, hand made soap with autumnal ribbons) and a few other odds and ends things. Oh, which reminds me. INVITATIONS. Wanna help? David and I have narrowed the styles down to these (from WeddingPaperDivas.com - awesome). Colors will obviously be of the autumn variety!

What's your fav.?

'Tis all for now. Ciao!