Veiled Vows

Come Visit Sweet Emilia Jane

noreply@blogger.com ({un}Veiled Vows) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 19:31:00 +0000

{photo by EP Love}

I can't believe it has taken me this long to tell you about my new website! I started Sweet Emilia Jane way back in 2009 and I am so thankful for and amazed about how it's grown over the past three years! I get to work with some of the most incredible vendors in the most gorgeous of places with the sweetest of clients. It kind of rocks! We provide event design, planning and floral services. So please visit the website and say hello!

Southern Wedding Magazine!!!

noreply@blogger.com ({un}Veiled Vows) — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 18:09:00 +0000

Southern Weddings Magazines likes {un}Veiled Vows! Wow! I just ordered my copy of the latest issue last week and I had no idea this little blog was even in it! I am so honored to be a small part of such a fantastic publication. Maybe I should take this as a sign that I need to post a recap of the wedding soon. It was only over three months ago! Yikes! I'm still crafting and planning over at Sweet Emilia Jane, though, so please visit!

noreply@blogger.com ({un}Veiled Vows) — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 01:36:00 +0000

If you want to see the messiest, most DIY wedding Style Me Pretty has ever shown go check out this post. Oh yeah...and it's our wedding. :)

There are so many more amazing photos from Davina + Daniel of complete mischief and grinding on the dance floor. I'll share those soon. Promise. But for a badass slideshow click here.

And a little bit more...

noreply@blogger.com ({un}Veiled Vows) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 03:08:00 +0000

photos from my uber-talented sis.

heck yes there was cake.

The tattoo table was rad! Even my conservative cousins were rockin' heart tats.

The girlies made their own bouquets. Such an amazing moment.

And the bombass tent that all of our incredible friends helped put together!

noreply@blogger.com ({un}Veiled Vows) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 02:06:00 +0000

My sister took some incredible photos with her Diana camera during the wedding weekend.

She also surprised us with 1000 freaking cranes hanging from a tree.

And a hand-made teepee! She definitely got the majority of the creative genes in the family. She is so talented and also the sweetest, most generous person I know.

The groom getting a head smooch from the officiant (and my booty...ah yeah).

Portrait time.

I am crazy about this shot.

And finally the groom taking a moment before getting ready for the ceremony.

noreply@blogger.com ({un}Veiled Vows) — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 08:44:00 +0000

{Photo by my favorite Phinney. Her mama made us that quilt! Best wedding present ever!}

This photo pretty much sums up how we were feeling throughout the whole wedding weekend. All warm and fuzzy, surrounded by the love of our closest friends and family and each other. It was seriously intense and I was not quite prepared for what it would feel like standing up there with my husband and all these people who have been such a big part of our lives out there supporting us. I was overwhelmed and overcome with gratitude and love towards those people. I think we are still riding the high of it. If I had known the wedding would be so amazing and that marriage would be as crazy good as it is than I would have had a MUCH shorter engagement! Here is to two weeks as husband and wife!

noreply@blogger.com ({un}Veiled Vows) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 22:50:00 +0000

I started writing this blog as a way to express and vocalize my wedding plans, fears, dreams and anxiety anonymously. Over the months, for various reasons (and because I can't keep a secret, apparently), more and more people that I know started visiting and joining the conversation. I was totally fine with that except I didn't feel comfortable being as open as I had been before and the blog started being more about the pretty with a few rants here and there. I have decided that 1) I don't want to focus on the little details anymore and 2) I don't want to waste my energy ranting. So, with much hesitation, I am going to stop updating {un}Veiled Vows. This blog has seriously changed my life. I mean, really, it has. Half of my good friends in San Diego I have met because of this blog. I can't believe I have only known them for a little over a year! I found something that I truly love, something that I can say that I am good at, and hope will become something I can turn into my full-time career soon. I have been introduced to many creative people and creative ideas. It makes me so happy that a world of open-minded, unique, creative couples and vendors really does exist and that there is an open, intelligent conversation going on about marriage and what it means to get married. So it does make me sad to be leaving it but I really want to spend the last couple of weeks of my engagement focusing on my husband-to-be and working on our new life together instead of thinking of what aspect of the planning I should blog about or worrying about nasty commenters. I will still be talking about (other peoples') weddings over at Sweet Emilia Jane because I do really still love weddings. I might come back after July 3rd and tell ya how it all went down.

Thank you so much for sticking with me through this and for all your insight and advice. You guys rock. xoxo.

noreply@blogger.com ({un}Veiled Vows) — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 22:32:00 +0000

Miss Erin, Jenna and I created a bohemian love shoot for the Inspired Creations Contest! Check out our entry here and here. Even more pictures here!

The Style: Sweet Emilia Jane & Erin Ever After
The Dress: The White Flower – Bridal Boutique
The Photos: flutter glass Photography
The Hairpieces: Lo Boheme

Coordination

noreply@blogger.com ({un}Veiled Vows) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:50:00 +0000

{via}

Even though I plan and coordinate events for other people, and I understand how incredibly important a coordinator, especially on the day of, can be for a couple, I really thought that I could handle my wedding all by my little lonesome. Well, now I'm started to realize that I am a fool through and through. I don't want to worry about lighting 150 candles or keeping the booze full and I don't want my friends to have to worry about it either. Like one of my warriors said - "I am all yours and will do anything you want until the ceremony is over but after that game over. I'll be hitting the cocktails and the dance floor." A men. I am right there with ya. But now, of course, the funds are feeling a wee bit sad and there isn't a whole lot more room for any new expenses. Does anyone know of a budding coordinator in Massachusetts who wants to gain some experience and be a part of the most kick-ass wedding extravaganza EVER???

noreply@blogger.com ({un}Veiled Vows) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 23:27:00 +0000

{via}

Oh and ps: we are 30 days out now. And here is some 30 day out advice* -

I wish I had stuck to my guns more and not given into what other people told me I HAD to do. There are elements that are not going to feel like us or ours. I mean they're stupid little details and I probably won't give a crap about them on the day but, right now, I kind of wish I had told everyone to just eff off and deal with it. So if you have a gut feeling about something don't compromise. Sure there will definitely be times that you have to give in a little bit but keep the things that are important to you and express who you are as a couple.

*I think this post was a bit misunderstood. I am not looking for a pity party here. The majority of our wedding will be all us and will be f*ing amazing. I just wanted to let those out there who have a little bit more time to plan to know it's OK to put their feet down and not compromise on things that are important to them.

noreply@blogger.com ({un}Veiled Vows) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 22:45:00 +0000

The mister has some long, silky locks right now. I think he feels like it is his last harrah as a young man before he gets married and his hair falls out (just kidding). Anyway, he was planning on cutting it off before the wedding but I actually think the long hair is pretty hot so I'm trying to convince him to let it stay. Here are some sharp grooms with little to no grooming.

{via Once Wed, Bride's Cafe and Once Wed}

Hey Sister/MOH

noreply@blogger.com ({un}Veiled Vows) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 23:46:00 +0000

I was inspired by Coquette and Dove's posts to create a dream outfit for my sister and maid-of-honor.

Dear Sister,

If I had any wiggle room in the budget I would buy you all these accessories to go with your pretty dress.

{sweater, belt, necklace, shoes}

noreply@blogger.com ({un}Veiled Vows) — Wed, 26 May 2010 23:54:00 +0000

Does anyone have any ideas for a creative processional? The thought of making our girl friends walk arm in arm with our guy friends makes me gag.

UPDATE: Thank you all for your advice and suggestions. We have decided just to have all the dudes standing up with the mister and just the ladies will walk down the aisle. Still somewhat traditional but not as awkward as some other processionals I have seen.

noreply@blogger.com ({un}Veiled Vows) — Tue, 25 May 2010 21:30:00 +0000

{via}

I just made an appointment to get my hair blown out at 9am (!!!!) on the day of the wedding*. I am so excited to scratch this off the to-do list as EVERY SINGLE wedding related nightmare I have is about me not having my hair and makeup done and the ceremony about to start.

*I'm doing my own hair but I am not capable of using a blow dryer. Plus this salon uses bumble and bumble which I refuse to buy for myself but love.

noreply@blogger.com ({un}Veiled Vows) — Wed, 12 May 2010 22:11:00 +0000

The invites are gone, gone, gone! I have a little glimpse of life back and that's very exciting. Except the in-laws-to-be continue to invite more people. What? Is this legal? We have ZERO invitations left yet they keep running into old friends that HAVE to come to the wedding. And ya know what I do when this happens? I invite them. I bitch and moan in private and then I invite them because I have no fight left in me. If 150 people show up...not sure where we are going to put 150 people...then I will gently remind my lovely mother and father-in-laws-to-be that they INSISTED that so-and-so from way back when be on the list. I hope we don't run out of booze.

Has Anyone Tried This???

noreply@blogger.com ({un}Veiled Vows) — Wed, 12 May 2010 22:06:00 +0000

Does it really, truly exist? Can I put into champagne? Anna commented about elderflower liquor and champagne which is one of MY FAVORITE drinks in the whole world. Originally, I was going to use St. Germain in one of the cocktails except I found out it's hella expensive. I was trying to figure out if there was such a thing as a ghetto version of this sweet, sweet nectar when I came across the IKEA Elderberry syrup. Has anyone tried it? Can I use it in a champagne punch*? I'm going to IKEA right now to find this.

UPDATE: This tastes nasty. There are two different types of concentrate at IKEA and I got the one not pictured here so I'm not sure if it tastes very different. I mixed it with champagne and it was pretty gross. I'll have to experiment in other ways.

*We are doing a champagne punch and another cocktail (McCool Mule, anyone? Thnx

Jamie!) instead of champagne toasts. We would only be able to afford crappy champ and that's no fun.

noreply@blogger.com ({un}Veiled Vows) — Sat, 08 May 2010 07:13:00 +0000

{via d*s}

I need some cocktail suggestions. A simple, sweet cocktail that requires no crushing or muddling just a bunch of booze and some ice. And no whiskey - that stuff turns me into the devil.

noreply@blogger.com ({un}Veiled Vows) — Fri, 07 May 2010 09:15:00 +0000

Another ridiculous article coming your way (via jezebel)! Apparently, weddings bring out the most cliche personalities in women so BEWARE. I'm pretty sure that after the being friends for 29, 20, 10 years I know my girls pretty well and I'm not worried about any surprise personality disorders popping up. And, hello, if you were really their friend wouldn't you love them because of (or in spite of) their "funky, dyed hair" and tattoos? "Be cognizant of friends who march to the beat of their own drummer." God forbid, our friends have personalities and styles of their own!

And in regards to romance - "If the thought of a bridesmaid getting busy in the banquet hall's bathroom makes you cringe, rigid requests, like a 12-hour vow of celibacy on the big day, are perfectly legal." Fornication at my wedding is not only allowed but STRONGLY encouraged! Mingle and be merry people!

There was never a question in my mind about who I wanted by my side the days leading up to and at the wedding. I'm pretty lucky to have a bunch of rad ladies in my life who have known me through the good and the bad times and know how to handle my crazy. I have no doubt in my mind that these girls will rock out and totally MAKE the party happen.

noreply@blogger.com ({un}Veiled Vows) — Thu, 06 May 2010 15:13:00 +0000

We received the sweetest little package of photos from davina + daniel the other day. I know you're probably sick of looking at our ugly mugs but look at this face! I love that pup.

And I couldn't resist showing a couple more of my favorites.

What Wedding Planning Looks Like

noreply@blogger.com ({un}Veiled Vows) — Thu, 06 May 2010 15:08:00 +0000

{I apologize for the crappy cell phone pic. BOTH of our cameras broke!}

Fabric, paper, envelopes all over the table and floor. Garlands hanging from the walls. What you can't see from this cell phone photo is all the cat fur in the carpet since I haven't had any free time to vacuum. Oh and I won't show you but trust me when I tell you this is the cleanest room in the house. Not.pretty.

Exactly What I Needed

noreply@blogger.com ({un}Veiled Vows) — Thu, 06 May 2010 05:38:00 +0000

An email from this practical, perceptive lady.

This remarkable recap.

And you guys. Thank you for all the sweet, smart, sensible comments over the past few days. You are all so amazing.

noreply@blogger.com ({un}Veiled Vows) — Tue, 04 May 2010 20:18:00 +0000

Bill kindly reminded me yesterday that we are at the 2 month mark. It must be so nice to feel excited about the wedding and not worry about the fact that we have no stamps for our invites yet* or that our savings and cost projections do not equal out anymore. I was up to 2am trying to catch my breath.

*Stamps are here and 1/4 of the invitations are out. Yay!

Eff Your Gripes

noreply@blogger.com ({un}Veiled Vows) — Tue, 04 May 2010 19:52:00 +0000

Not like it should come as a surprise that I disagree with an article on The Knot but this one (via MSN)* in particular just makes my blood boil with rage. Don't you think a couple planning their wedding has enough going on with trying to please themselves, their parents, the budget, etc.? Why would you even consider creating this ludicrous list to make us feel more guilty and stressed out than we probably already do??? You are a wedding publication and, therefore, I would think that you know something about all the different factors that go into planning one of these shindigs and understand that not everyone has the budget or the resources to follow every single one of your rules. Our weddings aren't all about us and therein lies the problem.

First, of all, I've been to weddings on a holiday and I was happy for the chance to party with my friends on New Year's Eve. If your vacation time is that important to you don't come to my wedding. Take the fam to the Cape, watch some fireworks and have a blast. I won't be offended. And if you would rather be "watching the game" then most likely I didn't invite you.

I have never once been to a wedding of a friend or loved one and thought that I had "given up my free day" to be there. When did a wedding become about putting on a show and making sure people were entertained? If you need help having a good time then you are problem a boring person and weren't invited anyway.

I HOPE that the people who have an issue like any of the items on that list just stay home. If you are going to complain, if all you came for was the free food and booze and not to, oh I don't know, celebrate a marriage of a loved one then please don't come. I would much rather be surrounded by the people who truly care about us and matter to us and who want to be there. Our guests are all adults (for the most part) and can make grown up decisions like whether or not to go to a wedding on a holiday, outdoors, with maybe some *gulp* bugs and a buffet dinner.

*and here. Beth - you are one of my heros. You are usually so practical and savvy. Why would you even consider putting your readers through the stress of worrying about this list???

noreply@blogger.com ({un}Veiled Vows) — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 05:41:00 +0000

Vintage stamps don't support animal rescue. Just sayin'. I'm sticking three of these cuties on each of my invites.

noreply@blogger.com ({un}Veiled Vows) — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:07:00 +0000

I am not affiliated with any organized religion and don't really have any attachments to a certain belief system. Our ceremony will be completely non-denominational except for maybe a ritual that we found that has roots in Wicca. So there are no classes that we need to take or meetings with a church pastor we need to complete before we can marry but I have to say that I have always been intrigued by some of these pre-marital weekend "boot camps" people go on. In the midst of the invitation making and the dress shopping, I think it is so important to really sit down and talk about what it means to be married and what each person's expectations and needs are. As much as I want to have these conversations with my future husband sometimes I just don't know where to start or what questions to even ask. Though we may not necessarily need it, I recommended maybe going to a couple's therapist. Bill was totally on board but we couldn't really afford it. Then I saw this book recommendation for 1001 Questions to Ask Before You Get Married from A Los Angeles Love and bought it hoping it might spark some conversation. Though he thought it was a stupid sounding book (the book he insists not the idea), Bill agreed to humor me. We started in chapter 1 - Growing Up in a Traditional Family - and we only got through 8 of the 20 or so questions in an hour. And we were EXHAUSTED by the end of just those few questions. I fell asleep right away for the first time in days. It was really interesting to each talk about our upbringings and families and what we thought worked and what didn't, what characteristics of our parents' marriages we do not want to have in our own and what we admire and hope to bring into our own. The traditional female/male roles is a subject that I think about quite often but these were questions I had never thought to ask even myself about my own parents. It's so strange to have to think about your parents as a couple and not as parents. Our answers would turn into long discussions and, I think, we learned a lot about each other and ourselves through just that short exercise (Bill no longer thinks it's a stupid book). I am excited to get through the rest of the book but I don't think we'll even be able to finish it before the wedding! I recommend it or something similar to any couple in a committed relationship. It is a great tool for learning more about your relationship and for learning how to discuss, sometimes touchy, subjects with one another.