#SingleWeddingPlannerProblems

After spending a summer interning for a wedding planner, one of the questions I get frequently is, "So, do you have your entire wedding planned out now?"  I suppose the reasonable answer is that the plans are in the works.  I have ideas for locations, the overall feel, the types of dress and colors I like, etc.  However, there are a few minor details to be worked out...i.e., deciding whether to have a "first look" or not, picking out the caterer & the photographer, and finding the groom (like I said:  minor detail).   Anyways, having been inspired by photos from my favorite wedding of the summer, I wanted to share some ideas that are currently floating around in my brain.

One of the things I absolutely adored about Chelsea and Evan's wedding was their rehearsal dinner.  It was held at Ashlawn-Highlands, the home of James Monroe.  (Side note:  Charlottesville is quickly becoming a prime location for destination weddings in that it has some of the most gorgeous venues possible.  Ashlawn is one of these stunning venues).  It was a sophisticated-BBQ feel, with picnic blankets spread around the area, lawn games, and cafe lights strung between trees.  They served BBQ and also had a fish taco bar.  And dessert?  Strawberry Shortcakes, of course.  These details are crucial because I am probably going to copy every single part of their rehearsal dinner when it comes to planning my own.

Considering how absolutely perfect their wedding weekend was, it may come as no surprise that I would copy the ceremony and reception as well.  They had the wedding and reception at the BREATHTAKING Pippin Hill Farm & Winery.  Please go look at that site.  Yes, I know you just had to scrape your chin off the floor.  My second choice for wedding & reception venue would have to be Keswick Vineyards, located in the beautiful horse country of Charlottesville.  You'll probably have to wipe up drool after looking at that website too...my apologies.  I'd be completely content having my wedding at either of these properties.  *Sigh.*     

Other details I loved about Chelsea and Evan's wedding:  

-The band:  Amaretto.  I used to tell my mom that I wanted a DJ at my wedding.  The fact that I argued with her about that is laughable.  I'm now a hardcore believer that everyone should have a band.  Also, their last song was "Signed, Sealed, Delivered."  How perfect is that for a wedding reception?!

-The florals/design scheme, done by Pat & Sherry (sweetest ladies EVER) of Southern Blooms.  

-The COOKIE BAR in lieu of wedding cake (I am so sorry I don't have pictures of that.  Just imagine heaven spread out in a few cookie jars and you'll have a pretty good mental picture).  However, being the traditionalist that I am, I will probably be one to stick with a wedding cake (obviously I already have a couple picked out on Pinterest). 

FYI:  I promise that I will be somewhat creative and not copy c&e entirely.  For instance, I would love to have a fall wedding...like late September/early October.  Because fall in Charlottesville?  It's perhaps the most incredible thing you'll ever see.  Also, I want to incorporate royal blue into my color scheme (it's my power color, so of course it needs to be included somehow).  

Okay this has been fun, but I should really get to some of my school work.  I'll do another inspiration post sometime soon when my Pinterest is working and I have something important to avoid doing!

Happy Monday, everyone!

*credits*

Photography (minus the crappy night shot) is all by Eric Kelley.  Some found on his blog, others found on the Elizabeth Anne Designs blog.  The rehearsal dinner shot is by yours truly (the best of the bunch, right?  Whatever...I thought it was good at the time).

It's Up to You, New York, New Yorkkkkk

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of taking a little trip to NYC to visit one of my childhood friends.  Let me tell you, New York City has me absolutely SMITTEN.  As in I can't stop thinking about it.  As in I want to go back monthly.  As in I'm living there next summer if it's the last thing I do.  Oh goodness.   

So, in honor of the new love of my life, I wanted to do a little trip recap.  Today, Life in Progress is a travel blog.  Enjoy.

Obviously, I prepped for the trip by watching tons of Gossip Girl and stressing for days over what I would wear.  After I finally got that figured out, I hopped on a train and rode up to the city.  Aren't train rides just the best?

Upon my arrival, Z and I went to dinner at the wonderful McCormick & Schmick's.  I had Salmon Rigatoni and it was fab.  Sadly, we had to eat extremely quickly because we were running late to our show:  Wicked!  It was PHENOMENAL.  Worth every cent of that ticket (which was not cheap).

We spent the rest of the evening hopping around New York City like true city dwellers.  You see, that was one of my favorite parts of the trip:  I went to visit someone who had spent all summer there, so I wasn't just stuck doing the touristy things.  It was the coolest.

The next day, we explored TriBeCa (aka downtown NYC)...it is so cute and so very different from Midtown.  We brunched at Izzy & Nat's--it was yet another fantastic meal.  Z walked me there along the river...oh my, it was beautiful.  Later that day I went to coffee with my great-grand big from Chi O and then explored Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue.  WOW...be still my heart.  Dinner on Friday was at Zutto, where I discovered, contrary to prior belief, that I actually do like sushi.  It was the best.  We stayed in that night because Z's roommates were having a party at their massive apartment...I felt like I was in Breakfast at Tiffany's.

See?  There I am!  Saturday consisted of more exploring after an AMAZEBALLS (Giuliana Rancic terminology) breakfast at Pecan.  It was a gorgeous little restaurant with exposed brick.  Exposed brick just gets me.  I love it.  Later, we went to Chelsea Market and Central Park before heading to dinner at The Yard.  We wrapped up my trip with a fun (and quite eventful) night on the town.

Although this trip cost me an arm and two legs, it was completely worth it and I plan to go back as soon as possible.  Y'all, I am IN LOVE with this place!

COMING SOON: a summer recap, thoughts on being a Third Year and a birthday post! I promise!

getting #crafty

One of my goals for this summer is to actually do some of the crafts/cooking ideas I've pinned on my pinterest boards.  Inspired by this blog post, I got out some canvases, painters' tape and acrylic paints in order to make some fun prints for my sister.  It was a fun project and I am going to try to make a larger scale version sometime in the near future!

Wednesday Ramblings

My brain/heart as of Wednesday, May 23: 


-Sometimes, I wish more than anything that I lived at the beach.  Now is one of those times.


-I have decided that one of the most attractive things in men is confidence/the ability to lead.  Maybe it's because I'm not really into overly emotional guys, but I just think when a guy is solid and confident in who he is, that makes him even more handsome.  This goes to explain two important characteristics of my love life:  1) my tendency to be attracted to over-confident a-holes and 2) my tendency run away as soon as a guy shows signs of being too attached.  There has to be a balance out there somewhere...


-Last night, I saw "What to Expect When You're Expecting."  It was SO GOOD.  I highly recommend it. Honestly, I think a good movie is hard to come by these days, but this one was a pleasant surprise.  I liked it a lot.


-Couldn't have said it better myself:

What you are is a complicated girl with simple needs. You need your books and time to read, and you need a few friends and you need someone-not to take care of you, but to care for you. If you have all those things, you’ll always be alright.

-Brian Morton, "Breakable You"

-Homesickness is kicking in.  It just feels weird being here without a million things to do.  I think I am the type of person who needs a schedule...but then when I have one, I think otherwise.  Grass is always greener, right?


-I really wish I knew why the spacing on here is so weird today.  I guess my blog just hates me more than usual this week.


Happy Wednesday...the weekend will be here before we know it!  Although, now that it's summer, does anyone really even care what day it is anymore?
xoxo.

Always Remain Young

**Please excuse the lack of photo captions in this post.  I'd love to make some for you; in fact, I actually did.  But apparently, my blog hates me and does not want them to show up.  Basically they're snapshots from the semester...you can use your imagination and make up fun stories about each one.

***Please also excuse the excessive number of pictures.  I just get a little photo-happy sometimes, that's all.

In In Tune with the Infinite, Ralph Waldo Trine writes, "Would you always remain young, and would you carry all the joyousness and and buoyancy of youth into your maturer years?"  As I say goodbye to my second year at UVa, Trine's words are heavy on my heart.  The problem is, I want to remain young so, so badly.  I'm not ready to be halfway done with college.  These two years have been amazing beyond belief.  I cannot start the down-slope toward true adulthood yet; I'm only twenty!  But that's the thing:  I'm twenty (...and a half...).  And this is happening.  As much as I hate it, life is barreling on so very quickly--and I have no means to slow it down, much less stop it.  I hate being so emotional and so attached to the present time.  But I can't help it that I've been blessed with an amazing environment, marvelous people, and excellent memories.

This post is really just me being dramatic attempting to put my emotions into words.  But it's weird because I can't fully do it.  The feeling in my heart just doesn't go into one neat and tidy sentence.  It's a mixture of sadness, joy, nostalgia, and a few other things...all tied up with gratitude.  I'm so grateful have a life that is filled to the brim with good things.  With good peers...good professors...good challenges...good scenery...good food...good friends...good family...good living all around.  It's actually the best--I can't imagine my life any other way.  And while I know that God has a wonderful, sweet plan for my future...I just can't help but want to hold on to right now for as long as possible.

So.  Here's to being half way through undergrad.  Here's to the "joyousness" of these past two years-- and figuring out how to carry this feeling into maturer years as life does what it is so annoyingly good at:  progressing.

I Used to Think a Wedding was a Simple Affair...

Hello, friends, and HAPPY SUMMER!!!  I can't believe it has already been a week since school finished; summer has been great so far, but also weird because I'm not going home for awhile.  This year, I'm summering in Charlottesville, and while I am SO EXCITED, I will miss the typical summer activities--hanging out at the pool with my family, sleepovers with my friends, and family dinners on the porch.  This will be an entirely new experience, to say the least.  

Why am I staying in Charlottesville for the summer, you may ask?
WELL.
Let me fill you in.

This summer I will be interning with a local wedding planner.  While that may seem kind of random, I'm quickly learning that I love it with my whole heart.  I mean, I have always loved weddings.  I was a "junior bridesmaid" in my cousin's wedding many, many years ago, and I think that's when my obsession began.  Last year, my love for weddings was re-sparked when I started doing some serious wedding blog stalking.  And now that I have Pinterest, well, I guess you could say my obsession is signed, sealed, & delivered (a song I've recently decided will be the last song played at my reception).

I've worked one wedding so far and done a few other random wedding things (location tours, etc).  I think Steve Martin sums up my thoughts pretty accurately:


 

Now while I knew weddings aren't super simple, I didn't always realize the immense amount of planning and behind the scenes work it takes to make such a magical event.  And though the planning and set-up are grueling (a wedding day is basically 14 hours on your feet.  And yes, a few of those hours are spent in heels), the moment everything comes together is so, SO worth it.

I look forward to sharing some experiences with you throughout the summer and I can't wait to see what the next few months hold!

Hope everyone's summers are off to a fabulous start :)
xoxo,
C.