My New Favorite Blog

http://www.womangettingmarried.com

Such A Great Site!!!

It's All Coming Together

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OUR PHOTOGRAPHER IS NOW OFFICIALLY BOOKED!!!
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Let me start off by telling you how completely excited we both are that we've found Heather and Walter @ Meet The Burks Photography to shoot our special day!  They are a wife + husband photography team based out of North Carolina, but are willing to travel to other states (how lucky are we?) for a very reasonable travel fee.  After having poured over literally dozens of local photographer's websites, BC and I had our hearts set on hiring someone who'd be able to truly capture us, and the natural emotion of our wedding day.  Since we both work within the Graphics Arts industry, we were really picky about who we would hire to photograph our wedding.  Each website we visited, we just grew increasingly disappointed and couldn't help but to notice that the images of our local prospective choices just weren't what we envisioned for our captured memories to be.  Then two nights ago I was on one of my favorite wedding resource websites, Wedding Bee, hoping to find more local photography choices that might fall more in line with what we were looking for.  I didn't manage to find anyone local, but I did find The Burks' website instead!  I was immediately a fan and sent their website to my fiance who also really loved their work!  I began exchanging emails with Heather and as it turns out, we didn't even need to meet with another photographer, we ended up booking with them this afternoon!  They were so organized and professional (despite having just arrived back from their own honeymoon the evening before!), and have just made everything so easy for us.  On a final note, I love that they can make such a simplistic photo come to life with an enhanced vibrant tone - - - I can't wait to share our pictures someday too!

 

Source:  Meet The Burks Photography

Now we can cross another thing off our list:

Wedding date  -  ✔
Ceremony location  -  ✔

Reception venue  -  ✔

DJ/Emcee  -  ✔

Photographer  -  ✔

I mean...we could practically get married now...or not.

:)

To read more about The Burks', check out their website or the feature below:

Travel To I Do: Meet The Burks - North Carolina Destination Wedding

Our Engagement Ring's Photoshoot

Whenever BC and I talked about the type of engagement rings that I preferred, I struggled with all the different styles and designs. I knew I loved a simple princess cut solitaire, but the details on many of the settings (especially the prongs) were never quite right. Finally, we found a custom handmade jewelry maker, Mark Morrell, through pricescope.com and immediately fell in love with his work;  we were drawn in by his beautiful liquid platinum finish and fluid lines! Mark was great to work with and was attentive throughout the duration of the design and finishing process. His opinions about what could and would work best for this style of ring and his attention to detail exceeded what we ever expected. Anyway, I was on his website tonight and found that he's added our ring to his photo gallery.  I love how he captured all the fine detail on the underside of the ring.  Pictures taken with my Blackberry just never seem to!

;)

Mark Morrell's Photo Gallery:  http://tinyurl.com/rosaprincess

Which Would You Choose?

Table Cloth Options



Silver Pintuck Table Cloth
(Option #1)

Eggplant Purple Solid Table Cloth

(Option #2)

Silver Solid Table Cloth
(Option #3)

 



Eggplant Purple Solid Table Cloth
With Silver Pintuck Overlay On Top
OR With Silver Organza Overlay
(Option #4)

Silver Solid Table Cloth

With Eggplant Purple Pintuck Overlay On Top
OR With Eggplant Purple Organza Overlay
(Option #5)

Details That I ♥ Adore

Reception Chair

Chair Cushion

Charger Plate

Wedding Cake Stand



Napkin Ring



Eggplant Purple Napkin

Votive Candle Holders





Silver "Egg" Vase

Scalloped Circle Tags

Alfred Angelo #2093 Brides

Has anyone worn, or will be wearing the Alfred Angelo #2093 wedding dress?

I've contacted several local bridal shops looking for one that has a sample available
to try on, but so far, they've all told me that not only do they not have a sample in
stock, but also that it's been discontinued and I would be unable to order it.

I did find one store online that has it available, but they don't accept returns...too risky.

I'd like to see real bride's pictures of this dress, if you don't mind sharing them.

I'd be wearing a white colored sash, not the red color that is pictured.

Wedding Reception Venue

We Booked Our Wedding Reception Venue Today!

After much deliberation this weekend, we decided to go with Costa Del Sol in Union, NJ for our reception dinner.  We booked the "Celestial" room and it is beautiful!  After having visited there, Macaluso's, The Manor, Glen Ridge Women's Club, The Atrium, Perona Farms and Mayfair Farms, it finally came down to two choices --- Costa Del Sol and Macaluso's. 

We met with the owner at Macaluso's and BC was really impressed, but just felt like it was all a little too much for him.  The pricing difference wasn't overly significant between the Costa Del Sol package we got and the "Deluxe" package at Macaluso's (the Royal package however was a big difference), but even with the great discount that they were offering us, and the value of what we'd be getting there, it was still a bit more $ overall.  We also both felt that we'd be more comfortable booking a venue that was on the natural and simpler side vs. a "fancy" venue.  In comparison to the sticker shock we encountered at many venues while searching for our perfect space, both Costa Del Sol and Macaluso's were priced reasonably.

Even though it is a bit smaller than their Barcelona room, we booked the Celestial room because it offers a good compromise on exactly what we were both looking for, which was good food, indoor/outdoor options and an all inclusive package.  It's a really pretty "open" space that has a glass conservatory type entrance and has indoor seating for up to 200 (although I think that would be a tight fit) and outdoor patio seating for up to 160.  I think we will have approximately 150 guests, so space wise we should be fine.  The cocktail hour will be served outside and if it's raining (I really hope it's not), then they have a covered glass pavilion that will be used instead.  So far, all of the feedback that I've received from people who have been there has been that the food and service are good and that they've enjoyed the parties they've been to.  One MAJOR thing off our checklist and about 500 more to go!

For pictures of our venue click here:  http://costadelsolnj.com/photos.html

For their contact information click here:  http://www.costadelsolnj.com

Hmmm, just noticed they've changed the carpet since this picture was taken.

Our Wedding Color Palette

   

Eggplant

Pink

(Accent Color)



Silver

SAVE THE DATE FOR US!!!

{7.07.2012}

Possible Reception Venues In NJ

My Fiance (!) and I just started to look at possible wedding reception venues in NJ and we have two in particular that are at the top of our list. I haven't contacted either one yet, but will be calling tomorrow.  The problem is that I have never been to either of these venues, so I was wondering if anyone had any feedback on either of them (or both)? In particular, I'm worried about the food that will be served (it's flavor and abundancy), but if you have any other personal experience, such a pricing or negotiation recommendation, that would be great to hear as well. We are planning a Saturday night wedding in July of 2012.  It would be wonderful to have opinions from people who have attended events at these venues. 

Perona Farms (Andover, NJ):  http://www.peronafarms.com

Water's Edge by Merri Maker's (Sea Bright, NJ):  http://www.merrimakers.com/locations/watersedge.html

Additional Venues That We'd Also Love Feedback About
Crossed Keys Inn (Andover, NJ):  http://www.crossedkeys.com/
Highlawn Pavilion (West Orange, NJ):  http://www.highlawn.com/
Branches (West Long Branch, NJ):  http://www.branchescatering.com/weddings.aspx
Grounds For Sculpture (Hamilton, NJ):  http://www.groundsforsculpture.org/