Sunday, December 23, 2007

I have a dream...

...or more like a vision! And a clear, consistent one for that matter! I met a potential florist today and you have no idea how excited I was when I showed her the ideas and pictures that I had been putting together for months, and she said that I have a very consistent vision for our wedding! No one is more shocked (and proud) than I am! Having experience in the special events industry has been both an advantage and a disadvantage during this whole planning process. On the bright side, I have been exposed to so many ideas, wonderful vendors, different styles, etc. BUT this has also created chaos in my own head because I have been exposed to so many fabulous ideas and I obviously cannot throw it all in one wedding! It would look like a nightmare tornado hit the wedding scene!

But going back to my story, I am so excited that someone else "gets" me. Someone thinks my madness makes sense. And from this I have drafted the following inspiration boards, composed from my super stalking blog skills and my favorite girls on the knot :)








Florist Update: Coming Soon...

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Go ELF Yourself!

Mark & I did!
Merry Christmas & have a safe and Happy New Year!
xoxo, Markessa

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Speaking of "If onlys"

Puggy in a tux

If only my dog did more than just look like this dog

*sigh*
My puggy who wouldn't be caught dead in a tux



If only I got paid to plan! $$$

Ya I strongly feel like there should be some sort of PAID wedding leave, similar to that of maternity leave! Wedding planning is a full time job! And Im not talking a 40hr, 9 to 5 kind of job. I am constantly wedding planning - at work, before bed, on the weekends, in my sleep...! If only I got paid to plan, then maybe I could afford these -

PuraLopez $300.00 shaa-right!

Truthfully, we all know my god given clutziness would never permit me to wear these day-of.

Saturday, December 1, 2007

As Promised...

Pictures of the church

FUN FACT: This church is actually featured in several movies but most recently, "Liscense to Wed" with Robin Williams & Mandy Moore. I actually got Mark to watch it w/me!

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

6 Months to go!

Today begins our 6 month countdown... 180 days to go, and still so much to do! But today Mark and I secured our ceremony location. We decided to go with a traditional church wedding right around the corner from the reception venue. During this whole wedding process, Mark and I have figured out that we both are very old fashion in a lot of ways and we both want a wedding rich in traditional customs... kind of not what everyone would expect from the two of us! Anyways, the church itself is beautiful - dark wood with stained glass windows and an amazing organ which we will most definitely utilize. I will try to post some pictures later.

So what's on my immediate to do list? I am working on getting my save the dates out really soon! We are meeting with a florist this week, videographers next week, and I am still anxiously waiting for my dress to come in! I am finding inspiration in absolutely everything and our vision for our big day is become more and more clear. I feel accomplished... at least for tonight. Tomorrow I will step back into my chaotic state of mind :)

XOXO, G'night!

Saturday, November 24, 2007

My Pain in the Arse "Must Have"

My Dream Dress Nightmare... Before I even looked at a wedding dress I had described this exact dress to Tanya - "spanish inspired, vintage, glamour" After my initial unsuccessful hunt, I came across this dress online and its a Maggie Sottero - budget friendly and easy to find right? WRONG! While its thankfully in myprice range, it is part of the Spring 2008 line and will not be available as a store sample till late January/February so the soonest I could get it would be possibly early May! *Really cutting it close to the wedding! plus I would not have the opportunity to try it on before buying* Everywhere I called told me I could purchase the dress but had no sample to try. Buying a dress before trying it on = not a markessa policy!

After many many calls (I even called shops in AZ and NY - I'd use any excuse to go to NYC!), I finally got a local bridal shop to order 1 of the 4 dresses the designer had in stock (one of them happened to be in my size). These are not samples but an actual "turn key" model that would be available for purchase as soon as it arrives. The owner took mercy on me, as she did not require me to make a commitment to buy (we all know how indecisive I am). This no pressure sales quality may ironically be a huge selling point for me! Anyways, here she is... lets hope I am still in love with her after I try it on Wednesday!



Dress Update: These pictures don't even do it justice. The dress is a thousand times more breath taking in person and I am happy to announce that it has been purchased and should arrive early April, thanks to Mariposa Boutique. If there was only one bridal shop left on the planet, I would hope it was this one. Kacey, the owner, is beyond helpful and her vision of providing affordable dresses in an aesthetically pleasing environment is a rare find. The customer service is top notch and biased as I may be, I will forever sing their praises!

Monday, November 12, 2007

Photographer BOOKED! :)

Ok so I dont have a ceremony location yet (eeekk!) but at least I booked our photographer and she is AMAZINGLY TALENTED! I am so happy she was still available and I cannot wait to work with her! Check out her new website and blog...
http://sarahkchen.com/

Thanks to the wonderful MRS. Catherine Tang for the referral ♥

Saturday, November 10, 2007

SAVE THE DATE!!!

Our Wedding Date and Location have been set! Please Save the Date...
MAY 25TH 2008!

Here are some pictures from the Madison in downtown Long Beach,
where we are holding our reception.


(Click on picture to see full screen!)




Ceremony location TBD

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Bridal Party Luncheon 10-28-07

Pictures from when I asked my Bridesmaids at our first bridal party lunch, & pictures of the do it yourself gifts boxes I made them :)

*Click on picture to view full screen*




Bridesmaids
*Tanya (Maid of Honor "MOH")
*Emeraude
*Linette
*Dania

Dont worry guys, Mark plans on having a groomsmen outing soon! ;)

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Welcome to my bridal blog!

I completely realize that this blog may be more for me than it is for you and I happen to be ok with that ;) Wedding planning is such a crazy, fun, emotional time. Already, I have learned so much about the industry, myself, my fiance'. It also provides the invaluable experience of learning how to research, budget, understand/negotiate contracts, make decisions as a couple, compromise, etc etc so forgive me in advance for I have a feeling this blog will be a record of this growth bumpy growth period. I love everything about it though -(even the times when I feel like pulling my hair out or crying at 2 in the morning!)

Secondly, I want to make something very crystal clear... While I engage in this love affair with our Big Day, my future hubby is still my first and only love. Everything is nothing without him and he is the reason all of this means what is means to me.

Some pictures from our 3 Yr Anniversary when we got engaged in NYC!...

(click on photo to view full screen)




Oh and the ring, of course!



Mark + Vanessa = Markessa! C'mon people, duh! j/k