Bits of my Summer

All of these photos are from a little get-together I held for my bridesmaids to get to know each other. It went off without a hitch, and I got an excuse to make a lot of food and spend some time with three of my favorite people!

Another Trip to Letchworth

This Father's day, Shea and I spent the day with my family at Letchworth State Park. We had a picnic lunch and scoped out reception and ceremony locations.

There are two excellent enclosed shelters in the park. They have a fireplace, and an open grill area with food tables. They fit about 140, which would probably be exactly what we need.

We found a perfect spot for the ceremony, if we are able to reserve it. It overlooks the top of a waterfall!

This waterfall, to be exact. This spot is just around the corner from where the ceremony would take place. I can see some amazing photos coming from this area.

Nothing is decided yet, but these are some options!

A Special Little Book

Shortly after Shea and I got engaged, my mom passed this book on to me. It  was published in 1951, and used by four other family members to plan and document their weddings. My grandmother passed it to my mom, and now it's my turn.

Alternative Wedding Shoes

I've never really liked wearing heels very much. They are loud, painful, and I feel very clumsy in them. I find it hard to enjoy myself and feel pretty at a fancy event when I'm worried about tripping over my own feet, rolling my ankle, or getting my heel stuck in a crack and losing my shoe just as someone is snapping my picture (all of these have happened, by the way). By the end of any event, my feet are aching. I'm also not the type to take my shoes off during the event. Such events usually involve sticky floors and if you are just going to take off your pretty shoes, what's the point of wearing them?

So, when I get married, I do not wish to have sore, aching feet at the end of the night. I do not wish for my heels to assist in aerating any lawn I happen to step on. And I really do not wish for there to be photos of me stumbling around looking clumsy or fishing my shoe out of some weird crevice that only I would manage to step on when I'm in a fluffy white dress. While such photos would certainly be entertaining, I have the whole rest of my life to make a fool out of myself when there aren't cameras around to capture the evidence.

However, I want to have really pretty shoes. I've had my eye on a pair that I would just love to get for the wedding. They are a little pricey, and I don't know how I would stop myself from wearing them before the wedding (I guess the solution is really obvious... get two pairs).

These are from Darlingtonia Moccasin Company, and they are just gorgeous. 

I think these would be my first choice. I'm pretty sure blue is going to be one of our colors.

 

I think these are my second choice. I like the teal and brown combination, but they don't look as formal.

 

These ones are made specifically for brides, but I like the other two more.

These are the ones I'd pick for casual everyday wear if I could get two pairs. I love navy.

They would be so cute and so comfy. And they are on sale right now... I'll have to make a decision soon.

Click on the images for their original sources.

Wedding Wishes

I'm starting to scour the internet for everything wedding, even though it won't be for over a year. I can't help it! I'll share some pretty things with you.

From Giftworldz

From NHWoodscreations

From urastarhouse

From Offbeat Bride