More venue visits

The venue visiting is starting to get a little out of control. It actually feels a little surreal at this point. In case you missed it: venue visit 1, venue visit 2, venue visit 3, venue visit 4, and venue visit 5. Yeah, I know. Ridiculousness.

This last weekend F, Ma and I went to visit another two venues.

This is a place called Bethany Vineyard, which is about 20 minutes north of here. I don't have much information about the weddings they hold because there was a serious lack of communication. I called there they Tuesday before we left and left a message asking about setting up an appointment to come tour the venue. I got a message back that said "No need to set up an appointment, just come out to vineyard on Saturday during the tasting room hours and there will be someone to show you around and give you information". Ok, cool. The next weekend, we drive up there and go into the tasting room. The woman behind the counter then proceeds to tell us that the women who does the group sales isn't in and they don't have any packets of information left. I was slightly angry so say the least. I told her what the message had said and she was apologetic, but there wasn't anything she could do about it. So we walked around and took some pictures, and then did wine tasting... you know, since we were already there.















So all in all, it's very pretty and I've heard good things about it, but I just am concerned about getting into a contract and relying on people who has some problems with communication.

One more venue to show you all, but I'm saving it for last :)

More cuteness ahead

Found this from One Pretty Thing

Carnival Themed Bridal Shower!
Carnival Bridal Shower

Includes printables for:
Bridal shower invite, games, name tags, drink labels, and striped paper.

Serious cuteness.

Like to DIY?

A while ago I stumbled across a website that has since become one of my toolbar links because I check it everyday, it's called One Pretty Thing. I don't know how many of you know about this website, but it's awesome! There are bunches of new DIY crafts and ideas from all over the web gathered on this site. I found this one from the other day:

Plus, there are a lot of pictures, which keeps my attention because I'm really 4 years old and get really easily distracted. I use the site a lot for craft ideas for my kids (have I mentioned I'm a preschool teacher?). But I think you could find bridesmaids gift ideas on here, mother's day, father's day, graduation, free printable things.... need I go on?

It is a lot of fun, check it out if you get a chance!

inspirations, lately

1. My favorite restaurant in Bellingham, Flats Tapas Bar (this is where I got the idea to put white butcher paper and a box of crayons on each table)

2. "The Way I Am" by Ingrid Michaelson.

3. Hydrangeas

4. The Great Gatsby

5. Pomegranate margaritas and white zinfandel

6. This gazebo that I found in Balboa Park during my trip to San Diego last week:


~Anna

Organizing my Google Notebook

I was busy yesterday organizing one of my favorite Google tools- the notebook. And I saw all kinds of pictures I hadn't looked at for months and I thought I would share some of them

Today, bouquets!

Looking through all these pictures I realize that I'm drawn to tight bouquets and more loose centerpieces (but that's a different story).

And I love the idea of using not just flowers in the bouquets, but other fun textures too.

Okay, it doesn't have added texture, but I love it anyway. (SO many interesting bouquets in this group, check it out!)

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I love the colors and feathers and vintage glam of this all

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Have I mentioned that I love color and texture?

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And that I love yellow and succulents?

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More vintage glam?
Yes please.

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Last but not least

I love this bouquet, but it's not flowers... it's made of clay! I love it anyway and would love to duplicate it with fresh ingredients.

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Droolworthy, all of them.

deconstructing jewish weddings

"You know Anna," a reverend that I frequently work with on campus told me, "you will probably lose some friends in the process of getting married."

Maybe this is true to a minimal extent, but then again those people probably aren't my true friends.

Indeed, planning for an interfaith wedding is just the tip of the iceberg. Interfaith marriage brings up many questions and requires about twice as much soul-searching. It is also difficult to find good resources on Jewish life for interfaith couples. Luckily, I have found both a supportive congregation in the area where I will be living next year, as well as quite a few mentors in the form of professionals, family members, friends, and excellent books.

No matter what form they take, Jewish weddings are considerably more complicated than the watered-down mainstream Christian ceremonies we often see on television. There are very specific traditions and these carry requirements that include people, resources, and knowledge. Whether or not the wedding is in English or Hebrew, on a holiday or not, long or short, formal or informal--these things all make a difference.

I found this article to be very straightforward. It is like a "Jewish Weddings 101" class in a brief and succinct format. So before I get tangled up with what color kippot to order and whether or not to DIY benchers, I need to spend some time with Fiance discussing what is important to us and how we can include it in the ceremony. Beginning at square one is easier said than done. Weddings have a tendancy to rush you into obsession over the minutia while the really important things get left behind.

~Anna

Ketubah from Levine Judaica

Kvetch

Today is one of those days where I just want to be finished with graduate school. Seriously, I will enjoy wedding planning so much more once this chapter of my life is finished.

No further reports for now. Humph.

~Anna