Two down, one more to go...

Congratulations Tom and Heather! We're so happy for you and your new life together. I had to share the photos from this amazingly beautiful wedding:

Heather and Tom Barry Tilson Photography slideshow

Summertime and the livin's easy

This blog would not be a truthful representation of this wedding process if I didn't honestly discuss how emotionally drained and overwhelmingly stressed I have been lately. I think a combination of focusing all my energy towards the other two weddings and coming to terms with how much work still needs to go into making our wedding a success, has really made this summer a trying time for Josh and I. Also, not having our annual camping trips, beach days, or other usual summertime activity is a bigger sacrifice than I thought it would be. I'm seeing now how important it is to maintain your normal non-wedding life's activities amidst all the wedding planning. So from here on out, the excitement and joy for our Big Day is what will keep us going. We can't sweat the small stuff. And we must remember that despite all the wedding craziness this year...everyday we wake up as the same Josh and Sheila (who happen to be exchanging vows in a couple months). Anyone want to go canoeing?

And so it begins

Zach and Breaha were married this past weekend! Wedding 1 of 3 was quite a success if I do say so myself. Thanks you guys for letting us be a part of your remarkable wedding. Enjoy some photos:

Zach & Breaha's Blaine Siesser Photography slideshow

Photo booths vs Polaroids

I mentioned before that Whitney and I went to a bridal show a few weekends ago. The photos above are souvenirs from the day, the show had two photo booths and they were allowing people to try them out in hopes of booking weddings...for a hefty price of course. These photo booths are available for a rental fee of $1000-$1500. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a fun activity for the guests and a great way to get photos of all your guests but that's a big hunk of money. I believe using Polaroid instant cameras is a great alternative.

It can be even more fun and personal for your guests if you throw in fun props such as hats, glasses, and mustaches:

Or hang up some patterned fabric as a backdrop that matched your wedding colors.

This wedding had a school theme so a blackboard was used for the background at the Polaroid station. Guests could write messages for the bride and groom and a photo album was set out to house the instant photos.So here's the breakdown; you can purchase an instant Polaroid camera off Ebay for $5-$15. As for film, $200 will buy you enough for 100 shots and considering people usually pose in groups that'll give a guest list of 100 at least two times in front of the camera. Throw in miscellaneous props and a photo album and you still have savings of at least $700!!!

Here's a link to a wedding with some horribly fun photos from their own DIY photo booth.

Dont step on my blue suede shoes!

I had a wonderful weekend with Whitney. On Sunday we attended a Bridal Show at the Kellogg Center, went shoe shopping and saw Bride Wars. The movie was cute, the bridal show had lots of great cake samples (too much probably, Whitney and I overdid it) and shoe shopping was hugely successful-Whitney bought shoes for the wedding! We found an adorable pair of blue patent leather flats and it got me thinking that I need to find some show options for myself and the other bridesmaids.

So here they are:
Payless ShoeSource
Payless ShoeSource
Amazon.com
Zappos.com

The two pictured above I am considering for myself. I love wearing heels since Josh is 6'2" but heels will sink into the earth so I will happily wear wedges. For my bridesmaids I'm asking them to wear either wedges or flats like the one pictured below from Amazon.com (all guests - please avoid heels as well)

Please drink responsibly

In lieu of New Year's fesivities I thought it would be fun to find a signature cocktail to be served at Breaha, Heather, and my wedding (not that any of us will be opting to serve signature cocktails, sorry to disappoint)

Breaha's signature cocktail - The Charleston

A classic, this elegant cocktail gives a nod to the swing dance lesson that Beaha and Zach will hopefully be having at their reception.

Heather's signature cocktail - Berry BlushWith a wedding dated for 7/11 a fruity, slushy drink is a must. Maybe even serve them in Big Gulp cups!

Our signature cocktail - Lime 'n' Lemon HourWho wouldn't like a refreshing citrus cocktail for an outdoor summer wedding? We could even set up the bar to look like an old fashioned lemonade stand.

Heather's Inspiration Board

To my wonderful Heather. I hope this inspiration board aids you in convincing Tom that a pink and black wedding can be elegant and classy, which it most certainly can.


A couple thoughts to share with you:

4th photo in the top row shows a bride with an adorable blusher. I had the idea to suggest a blusher to Heather after seeing this pink and black headpiece on Etsy. I think this would be so fun for her to wear for the reception.

On the bottom row, the 3rd and 4th are some ideas for a pink and black candy bar. I think a candy bar screams Heather because it fits her personality so well. Everyone knows that Heather loves her snacks, I'm sure she would have a blast picking out sweets for her big day. And it would be great for incorporating her wedding colors in a fun way.

Merry Christmas Heather and Tom!

Breaha's Inspiration Board

A Christmas present to my lovely sister...my and plum and ivory vision for her big day.


I have two elements in this board I want to share:

2nd photo on the top row are these adorable hair pins I found on Etsy. The set was a bridal party package and included 3 bridesmaid hair pins and 1 hair vine for the bride. She does custom work, so even though they're already sold out you can put in a request for the same set or keep an eye out for similar items at other retail locations.

Love, love, love these lavender seating cards from Martha Stewart Weddings. 2nd photo, 2nd row shows these seating cards which are made by tying paper with the guest's name and the table number printed on them.

It's going to be an elegant and romantic gala affair...I just know it!

Life goes on

What have I been doing with myself? One might ask after noticing how infrequently I've been posting on here.

#1 Belly dancingThe Habibi Dancers had a show at the Riverwalk theater on November 22nd, and 23rd. Beyond the Borders was amazing and I am so thrilled to have been a part of it. We performed many peices that were outside our normal spectrum of traditional Middle-Eastern dance. The picture above is from a fusion bellydance/African number.

#2 ThanksgivingMy future sister-in-law and bridesmaid Breaha invited the family up to her place for Thanksgiving this year. We shared the weekend with her fiancee's family, and I thoroughly enjoyed the time we all spent together. Games, swimming, movies, talking about vampries (see note below) shopping and of course great food. I truly hopes this becomes a long time tradition for our families.

#3 More belly dancingA local Middle-Eastern restaurant, Aladdin's, has troupe members perform during dinner hours on the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month. Yesterday I danced there for the first time and had a blast! I felt nervous and clumsy but loved every minute of it, cant wait to do it again. My beautiful bra and belt set was hand made by the mother-in-law of another woman in our troupe, and that was the first time I've gotten to wear it. Isn't it gorgeous?

*note: I also have not been able to put down Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series. So a lot, if not all, of my free time as been spent reading these books. I've had vampires on the brain for two weeks now. If you know me, you know that I don't enjoy reading books (the last one I read was 3 years ago and before that was required reading for a high school Lit. class) see my bridesmaid Heather's blog entry regarding these books.

some lovely green dresses

Some dress options for my bridesmaids.

zappos.com (1st dress)
overstock.com
overstock.com (2nd dress)
bluefly.com
target (bottom dress)
amazon.com

I can see Nicole in this one.