Potential Bridesmaid Dress!

Well...the bridesmaid dress I ordered from Nordstrom arrived today!!! I have been patiently (ok...well, impatiently) waiting for it to arrive since I ordered it and greeted the UPS driver at the door. :)

It's a silk chiffon halter in the perfect color...Pool Party!! My new favorite shade of blue you ask?? That's right. Pool Party!Where are all my BMs when I need them?! j/k. Although, I really wish that one of them was available to come try this on. I tried it on, but they are all a little more enhanced below the declote than I am and it would look much better on them. If I don't see one of them by tomorrow morning, I may have to stalk one of them to try it on. :)

I ordered it big so my pal, who will be 8 months prego by then, can try it on with the fake belly! That will be the true dress test. If I'm this excited about a potential bridesmaid dress coming in the mail, imagine what I'll be like when my wedding dress comes in! I already said today that I may have to keep it at a bridesmaid's house so I don't try it on too much or show Mr. D. OOHHHH....and I found out today that it will be here in a few short weeks!! Good thing I'm training tomorrow. Better go have my glass of wine now. Don't tell my trainer. :P

Save The Dates!

I picked up our save the dates last week! It's so exciting. Stephanie, of Stephanie J Designs had them in this cute bag. It was such a fun gift to get!! :)We sent them out late last week!! Now it's official...people know. We were having a hard time deciding on what we would include in the save the dates, since I hadn't decided on colors at that point, except knowing earth tones and possibly blue or green.

I did know that I wanted to include a sort of family crest that Mr. Detonator and his two brothers have tattooed on their arms. Mr. D has also created a few pieces out of steel for his dad and the bros of this. I sent a pic of one over to Stef, asking her how we could incorporate this into our paper goods somehow. This is what I sent her:And...this is what she came up with:How creative is she??!!! They looks great!

We also wanted to find a way to let the immediate family and wedding party know that when calling to book their reservations, they should book for 2 nights since they will be receiving an invite to the rehearsal dinner which is at the lodge. So Stephanie also made a lodging card insert with the necessary information and used the crest faded in the background of the second card.

Now that we've decided on our colors, the invites will have some blue incorporated. I can't wait to see them!! Thanks to Stef!

Don't be afraid to give your vendors creative control and see what they can come up with a basic idea of your vision. You could be pleasantly surprised at how they've really built on your concept to make it amazing!

To see more of Stephanie's work, check her out on the blog or visit her site.

My Dessert Tasting

I love sweet treats! They are so fantastic! Our pal Carissa of Sugar and Spice and... is who we've asked to create our delicious dessert station for our wedding. She's also creating a small cake for us to cut as well as a surprise for our guests. I invited my best friend and MOH (Made of Honor, I don't love the term matron of honor) to attend the tasting with me. I knew Mr. Detonator would love whatever we chose and my MOH is taking baking classes so I knew she would enjoy the tasting, which she did! We both did! Carissa really outdid herself, although I know this is how she hosts all her tastings. We chose 8 fabulous petite desserts and a 1-tier cake for cutting. Here's a couple pics of what we were greeted with at our tasting!
This is the thoughtful care package that Carissa created for Mr. Detonator so he didn't miss all the sweetness! Check out some more of Carissa's amazing work over at The Memory Journalists blog!

Dress Trials!

Ok...so I have to say that so far my dress trials have been the hardest thing about planning our wedding! I tried on over 40 dresses and went in with no idea about what I wanted. The team at Bella Donna Bridal Salon were great and had me try on tons of different dress styles: with beading, no beading, with rouging, fitted satin, organza, netting...

After weeks of trying on dresses by Pronovias, Casablanca, La Sposa, Melissa Sweet and others, I finally found the dress...it's a Jasmine Couture. While I can't share the dress that I selected for fear of Mr. Detonator seeing it, here are a few that I didn't select, but were still super fun to try on! The last one was choice #2!

Venue Research

Make sure you do plenty of venue research before deciding on a location. You and your fiance should both get a feeling like this is the place! For Mr. Detonator and I, we visited about 15 venues in a short weekend. Many of them were great, but when we visited our final location, we just knew! Our venue sits on its own lake and has multiple rooms available for our guests. Since most of our guests are coming from far away our biggest concern was spending time with our family and friends in a comfortable location.

The only pics we have right now are in the snow, but here's a quick picture of the front.

Introducing The Detonator

I am SO excited to be contributing to Dynamite Weddings as a recently engaged bride!! Here we are just moments after, on the coast in Big Sur!!
Here I was fooling around with the camera, practicing ring shots :)!

Since our engagement in November we are planning diligently to get married this August. It's been fun, but trying at the same time, working to keep perspective on what's important to us and still plan a really fun event! To read more about our engagement story, check out my past blog post.Photo provided by The Memory Journalists

I am excited to share that we are planning a real Dynamite wedding, meaning all the professionals involved so far are Dynamite Experts. The purpose behind Dynamite Weddings was to share tips, trends, bridal advice and recommend professionals that we would be honored to work with on our own wedding. Well, our wedding will be an opportunity to showcase a real Dynamite wedding where couples can see that those we recommend are truly trusted professionals. While Mr. Detonator and I would be grateful to work with all the Dynamite Experts, we could only choose a few for our 100 guest wedding. The experts we are excited to be working with are:

Bella Donna Bridal Salon
Blooms by Martha Andrews
Celebrations! Elegant Party Rentals
Profinish Design
Sheffield Multimedia
Stephanie J Designs
The Memory Journalists

Check back next week for my dress trials that have proved to be the most difficult part of this wedding so far!!

Destination Tahoe!

Since announcing our engagement on the blog we have been taking wedding planning slowly. We are thinking about getting married this summer in North Lake Tahoe and I have been thinking that I would like our ceremony (and possibly reception) to take place on the beach. I am reaching out to those that could possibly have some suggestions on venues to check out. I'm not opposed to having our reception indoors but would like to have a fantastic view of the lake. We're expecting around 100 guests. Thanks for the help! :)

When Work Becomes Personal

Well...I guess it's time to share since Jen, The Memory Journalists, can't wait any longer. I'M ENGAGED! We've only been engaged since November 29th so it's still new, but I plan to share my journey with all of you as you have shared yours with us. Here's a few pics that I borrowed from The Memory Journalists' blog, that the team snapped of us over the weekend. To see the rest of Jen's posts about our engagement (with a few more coming) check out The Memory Journalists blog.

Even handsome when he's serious!

Posted by Nicole, thanks to Jen for the pics!

Vintage Shades

If you are looking for a unique wedding photo op or just love vintage style the way I do, check out this site dedicated to vintage sunglasses. Although these retro babies can be a bit pricey, they would make great bridesmaid gifts and allow for some fabulous pics for your album. These pink Paloma Picasso beauties are a personal favorite.

Photo courtesy of vintage-sunglasses-shop.com

as well as these straight from the 70’s bi-colored Dior divas…

Photo courtesy of vintage-sunglasses-shop.com

Another fabulous fact; all the sunglasses listed have never been worn. Vintage and brand new? Yes, please!

Take A Trip

My husband and I are truly very fortunate. One of our wedding gifts was a trip to NEW YORK. And, now I completely understand why people confidently wear their I Love New York shirts. We chose to delay the trip for awhile due to work schedules, weather, etc. This flexibility allowed us several months to enjoy being newlyweds and get work time off. We also knew that right around the corner, a fun trip was waiting. It was like having 2 honeymoons, really. Our friends (who live there and gave us the gift) were amazing. They allowed us the opportunity to go to fabulous restaurants, great sites, fun attractions and the top of the Trump Tower (and, yes the view is quite spectacular, not to mention the other aesthetics). It was so nice to be able to have one on one time with my husband too. If you like to travel, I definitely suggest trips as gifts. Sometimes groups of people enjoy going in on a large gift, so I recommend picking a fun destination. I don't know how I managed to get soooo lucky in receiving this gift because I hadn't even thought of it, but I will tell you, I can't imagine my life having not gone on the trip. We got to get away for two honeymoons?? What a great first year of marriage!!

Relive Your Engagement

My husband and I agreed on starting a great tradition. Each year, on the anniversary of the weekend he proposed, we will take a trip to where it happened. We got engaged in San Francisco and both love visiting the city when we get the opportunity. This year was a ton of fun. We visited the same places as on the day we got engaged and reflected on the past year. It is crazy to think how quickly time passes. We hope to keep this fun tradition alive regardless of busy schedules, kids (someday) and work obligations. The most fun part about this is we literally get to watch ourselves grow old in the same spot. We took pictures together on our engagement night (obviously) and our first visit. My husband already thinks in just one year, mind you, his hairline is receding and I feel like I've got some extra wrinkles, but just imagine these pictures in twenty years! I can't wait to keep track.

Ready for any Emergency

I think we all pretty much know that you have to be ready for anything. I mean who knows what could happen on your big day? Good or bad. We have all seen those wedding stories involving everything from fainting brides to disappearing vendors. So in an effort to be ahead of the game I had my bridesmaids help me put together a "Bridal Emergency Kit."

Picture provided by mindyweiss.com

There are actually quite a few pre-made Bridal ER kits out there. You can find them here, here and even here at Target. What I did was read a great article I found at the Knot, divided up their suggestions amongst my bridesmaids and had everybody bring their stuff to the house the day of the wedding. I supplied the bag and we dumped it all in and I gave it to my maid of honor to bring to the church. It actually worked out great because we ended up needing those tissue's and hairspray! The key is to remember you aren't just providing this stuff for yourself. Make sure you have enough stuff for all your bridesmaids and mom's and anyone else you know will be hanging out with the bride.

It's all about YOU!

So you're probably not (I hope not at least) planning your own shower, but maybe you have a friend getting married or your bridesmaids check out this site. I have come across some MOST ADORABLE finds for the one wedding event that really is ALL ABOUT YOU! Let's get to it!

First of all you have to get it started off with the sassiest, cutest invites you can find and I think these just might be it!

You can buy these invites at Nella Designs on Etsy.

A great place to pick up your party supplies is Polka Dot Design. I wanted post some of their designs but they no-likey. So you'll just have to check out the website. I really like the Poppy design and the Bridal Shower Starlights design.

And how about this for a unique favor? How adorable are these? They are actual cake size soaps that are in the shape of cakes and pies! Your guests can walk off with a "slice of cake" in their hand!

The LemonGrass "Cake"

Pearberry "Cake"

How about these super cute notepad favors, shared by another fabulous wedding blog: Love, Honor, and Cherish? Too cute!

Photo courtesy of Beau-coup.com

Or these darling pink purse manicure sets...useful and cute!Photo courtesy of littlethingsfavors.com

What ideas do you have for the perfect bridal shower favors?

Respect the Budget

As little girls growing up we dream about our wedding day. We hope and pray that Prince Charming will come and we will be swept away and have a glorious wedding day. Or whatever your version of that fairytale is. And then you get engaged and reality sets in. Or at least it should. For some it doesn't.

While it is grand to have a dream and the desire to have the beautiful fairytale day, you have to be smart about it. I have seen girls run over those supporting them (whether they be parents, grandparents or all those in between) in the desire to get what they want. You have to be conscious of what you're doing. You have to be sensitive to what you are asking. All of our parents/guardians want us to be happy. They want to give us what we want. But sometimes they just can't. Sometimes it is just beyond their means. Be aware of that when you are asking for that extra $1000 for your dress. And do what you can to not make your family feel guilty about it. It can be so hard for us as brides to not cling to or get upset about ideas or dreams that we may have. But one the most important things we can remember is that this beautiful day will be beautiful whether or not I'm standing in the $30 shoes or the $300 shoes.

Photo courtesy of Sharpe Photographers

Tag You're It Firecracker Style

Tag You're It with a twist--make this one all about your wedding! You have to write a blog with 10 weird, random things, facts, habits, or goals about anything to do with your whole wedding process--anything from engagement to relationship to planning to day of is open territory.

I'm tagging any of the bloggers from the Wedding Bee!

1) I went to 4 weddings before ours! It was great to get ideas from our friends!

2) I spent more time researching the bridesmaids gifts than I did the flowers for our wedding. I don't really care about flowers that much and I LOVE to give gifts to my friends.

3) My mom and my sister actually dismissed me from a vendor meeting. With the florist. I was SO over it and they told me to go get something to eat and come back later.

4) My dad offered us the all the money that they were going to give us for the wedding to use for whatever we wanted. He told us we could just go to HI and do whatever we wanted with the money.

5) I was the calmest person the day of my wedding. Everyone was freaking out around me and I was the one telling everyone to chill out.

6) I had a planned first sighting with my dad. I am such a daddy's girl and I wanted the moment he first saw me in my wedding dress to be so special.

7) I hated our first dance song. It wasn't at all what I wanted but I couldn't get hubby to weigh in and I finally just picked a song.

8) I hate the unity candle. So I skipped it and had a sand ceremony instead. I thought it was more beautiful and gave me a better keepsake afterwards.

9) Before I got married I was super independient. I still am independient but I find that now I really want hubby's advice or take on the things that are going on in my work and/or personal life.

10) The happiest moment to date in my life is walking back down the aisle after we were married. There is even a picture of the pure joy on our faces.

Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Mrs. Cleaver?

So I was talking to one of my girlfriends the other day and she is fairly newly married herself. Only about 2 years in. Anyway we were talking about being married and how things change including your expectation of yourself, your spouse's expectations of you, etc. Anyone that knows me knows that I have always been the career girl. I've always been too busy to worry about cooking, baking or anything of that nature. I was climbing the ladder and fighting the crowds to get to the top.

But what happens when you get married? I find myself suddenly under this pressure to be the perfect little wifey. And it comes from no where in particular. It's not as if the Hubby is standing over me demanding I be his perfect little homemaker. But I feel it. I feel it everytime someone comes to our little homestead. I want to make sure it is clean and smells good, candles lit and I should have homemade cookies ready for them. In fact when my parents came to visit for the first time I felt SO guilty I didn't have anything to cook for them for dinner. They weren't orginally planning on staying for dinner but I begged them to hang out so they did. It wasn't my fault there wasn't a plan but I seriously felt like a bad hostess!

So where does this pressure come from? I think it's just ingrained in us as women. Sort of like that maternal instinct. I just figured mine was broken after laying dormant for so long. Apparently not so. So I run around doing all my usual stuff but also suddenly trying to be this super Suzy Homemaker with the homemade meals, the perfectly clean house, not a dirty shirt to be found and a happy husband. I'm wondering how long this will last. I wonder if I will lose myself in this shift. I hope not. I kind of like who I've become. I survived my 20's to become someone I really like in my 30's. I don't want to lose that. So I have to find a way to merge my inner Suzy Homemaker with my personality I've always had. I'll let you know how it goes. Right now, I have to make a cake. Watch out Mrs. Cleaver.

Summer Style

We've all been getting the feeling that summer is here, with the warm weather and fires galore. with that in mind here is the run down on hot fashion trends. Consider yourself a fashionista? Work with your coordinator to make the most of these trends and to make your wedding the fashion statement everyone will remember.

Sheer layers and peekaboo accents are popping up everywhere. Both are wonderful options for table linen layering. A wonderful effect that will make sheer layers more dramatic is with theatrical lighting.Not into pinks and lavenders like some of your girlfriends? What about mixing gold and/or silver with black? Black may seem an ominous choice for a wedding, but when combined with metalics you add reflective surfaces for light to bounce off. Chargers, centerpieces, and favors all add to the drama. Add a splash of candle or theatrical light and you have a dazzeling event that not only will be glamorous and memorable it will help you express your more edgy rockin' style.Eu naturale has been upgraded to hippie chic with fringe and soft femine spring colors. Again, fringe is a wonderful way to add movement and texture. Table skirts and centerpieces in shades of lilac and teal will be seasonal without feeling like Easter.We've discussed the trend toward vivid color before. This trend is continuing and expanding. Borderline neon shades of green, orange, yellow and pink. Chartreuse, electric blue and tomato red. Ultrabright hues and explosions of color are a to work dramatic color into your special day. Flowers are, of course, the most natural choice, but why not pick one or two vivid colors for your table linens and then go with shades of white for your flowers? Summer screams for color. This would be particularly dramatic for an outdoor wedding with verdant lawns and trees providing a lovely green backdrop for pinks, oranges, yellows and blues to pop!Floral prints, both oversized and tiny are back. I didn't think the day would come, but these prints are splashy and abstract and, again, in the vivid colors of spring. Think about Monet gone punk. Punk flowers? Why not??!! White and red peonies with splashes of vivid yellow callas or spiky dahlias.The wedding industry is great about the decorative touches, feathers, beads, and all things sequin and glitter have never gone out of style. Now they are going mainstream. When used in moderation they can add texture and flair to your event.Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists, Flowers by: Blooms, Design by: Arcularius Events

Ethnic prints and safari colors are also back in fashion. This trend is not just for multicultural weddings or destination honeymoons. Think of the romantic edge that mosquito netting or draped saris can add. Gauzey fabrics worked together with ethnic prints can make a dramatic statement and express your personal style. (Take a look at Asian or Southasian weddings, there is an amazing amount of color and pattern layered together to make a very dramatic end product.)
All photos courtesy of Celebrations! Elegant Party Rentals, unless otherwise noted.

It's Raining Weddings

WARNING: Another selfish post!

I told you earlier that I have two cousins getting married this year. Well MORE NEWS!!! My little brother will be joining us in the realm of the engaged! YEA!!

He is marrying a very lovely young lady that we all adore and had even told him that if he ever broke up with her we would break up with HIM. Yes, we love her that much! So congrats to my little bro and my brand-new little sister! Let the games begin!