Fur Sure

I know fur sure that my Grams wished and wanted to attend our wedding. We kept her in our prayers and hoped she could. Unfortunately, the daunting 5 hour trip proved too difficult. So instead her sister, my Great Aunt Ma, boarded her plane from Dallas, Texas to be the stand-in-grannie. Great Aunt Ma was just a hoot and a hollar! We fur sure missed Grams and hats off to Great Aunt Ma for keeping her there in spirit. I miss you Grams --- thank you for surrounding us with your love and we hope you feel better soon! Xoxo-BLC

You've Got Veil

Would it make you worry if I told you I didn't have a veil one week before the wedding? Well, I wasn't and I definitely didn't pester my seamstress because it was the holiday season after all. I returned from the bachelorette festivities and viola --- you've got veil! My seamstress was Mamatella and my my my did she do a fantastic job. She made it so that the lace on the veil would match the lace bolero perfectly. And that it did! The scalloped lace went the entire way around the fingertip length veil. I had so much fun wearing the veil that I did not take it off the entire night. Ha! It was such a blast to wear that I have offered it to my soon-to-be-married friends. Keep your fingers crossed it matches their lace frocks too! Xoxo-BLC

The I Do Hair-do

One thing I really love about our wedding is the personal connection we had to each vendor. Hair and make-up was no exception. My childhood friend and talented hairstylist Lisette had a team ready to work their magic on the mothers, bridesmaids, and me.

It was so much fun getting gussied up! I really cherish the girl-time with the moms and bridesmaids while primping before the I dos. It was calm, fun, and unforgettable. Xoxo-BLC

Bouquet List

As you know, my college bff Apsy owns a flower shop: Moss Floral Design. And oh la la did she just do the most fantastic job. Pictured is my bouquet filled with: roses, peonies, lisianthuses, spray roses, hydrangeas, eucalyputs, heathers, and kochia sedifolia. And it smelled just as pretty as it looks. See the vintage hanky? That was a present from my Granddad's friend. Without the flowers and the vintage hanky, there just would not have been enough pink and green! Xoxo-BLC

Something ...

Borrowed: Monique Lhuillier lace bolero from Ale's sweet cousin. I felt soooo special wearing her bolero and oh la la is it just gorgie!!!

Blue: Errr, its an unmentionable. :)

Old: My grandmother's vintage fur.

New: Veil, dress, shoes, etc.

And a Penny for my Shoe: A six pence that Mamatella snagged while in England.

Did you keep with this tradition?! If so, do share!! Xoxo-BLC

Shoe In

"I had a little shoe tree, nothing would bear

But Manolo Blahniks and vintage Taittinger

The Queen of Style, Ms. Wintour, came to see me

And wrote a piece in Vogue about my shoe tree."

Excerpt from This Little Piggy Went to Prada by Amy Allen

I really thought I would use my wedding shoes as an excuse to purchase Manolo Blahniks or Jimmy Choos, but these Badgley Mischkas stole my heart! And I am so glad they did (so is my bank account). I cannot wait to wear them again. Talk about a shoe-in! Xoxo-BLC

Monique Lhuillier

You pepped me up during my dress stress and celebrated with me when I found the dress. Now it is time for the big reveal!!! While I follow fashion with great interest, I knew little of the wedding-fashion-industry. I did my homework, tried on countless dresses, flirted with Ulla-Maija, and then fell in love with Monique Lhuillier. I initially leaned towards an alllll lace dress and then switched to eyeing a tiered number (just think: detach the bottom tier and you have the perfect reception dress to dance the night away).

On one hand I wanted to be classic, elegant, and aisle-appropriate but on the other hand I wanted haute-runway-couture. With my mom, my sissy Elsie, and two bff's in tow, we landed at New York Bride Loft (now New York Bride and Groom). I could not sing higher praises of the boutique owner, Krista. She is the wedding dress whisperer!! It's neither lace nor tiered, but it had the edge of couture coupled with timeless elegance. Can you tell I loooove my dress!? Want to see it on!? Sooooon enough. Xoxo-BLC

We're Going to the Chapel ...

And we are going to get marrrrrried! This is our church. When I was born, my father was the youth minister here. As such, this is where I was baptized as a tiny tot. Ale and I had our Save the Date taken on the front steps. I felt verrry special marrying Ale at this church that meant so much. Xoxo-BLC

Rehearse and Dine

Ale's parents hosted a lovely rehearsal dinner for 100 of our closest friends and family. The event took place on January 1, 2010 at one of our favorite Charlotte restaurants: Providence Cafe! It is a hop and a skip away from our church and the food is delish. The best part: we had the whole restaurant to ourselves! Ale's sweet madre, better known as Galibo, worked with our wedding planner, Apsy, and Moss Floral Designs to have these stunning flower arrangements on every table:

Our guests arrived for cocktail hour and then a sit down dinner. In keeping with tradition, the menu included New Year's Day food: pork chop, greens, black eyed peas, etc. After dinner we had a champagne toast. The toasts warmed our hearts, had us in tars, and some where even ca-toast-trophic! Galibo hired Almond Leaf Studio to photograph the event. And I am soooo glad she did --- Elizabeth did a fantastic job capturing the moments --- I just love reliving the night through her lens. More to come from Elizabeth because is our wedding photographer too! :)

Many thanks to Ale's parents for a divine, unforgettable night and the perfect start to our nuptualpalooza!!! Xoxo-BLC

The Wedding Planner

Since my mom is a real life Martha Stewart, I never imagined hiring a wedding planner. However, when Apsy offered to come on board as our wedding planner, we knew we couldn't refuse! Apsy just has the best taste, I trust her completely, and ohhhh did we need her. She handled everything from flowers to decor to vendors to wedding woes. And she was an honorary bridesmaid! She is Wonder Women. Everything was just perfect because of her. Until her, we thought those wedding planners only existed in movies! Ha!! Xoxo-BLC

Here Comes The ...

Bridesmaids' presents! But first, I am one lucky girl: I have a lot of family and a lot of dear friends. As a 7-time-bridesmaid myself, I know how fun and how special it is to be a bridesmaid. My maids included family and bffs: I had 5 bridesmaids and 10 honorary bridesmaids. My 5 bridesmaids included my two sisters, Ale's sister, Ale's cousin, and my childhood best friend. My 10 honorary bridesmaids included my college bffs, my post-college bffs, and my law school bffs. Now ... here really come the bridesmaid presents!!! The gifts: pearls, a pashmina, and Lilllllly!

Christine and Anne from On A String handmade gorgie pearl necklaces and oh la la did the bridesmaids wear it well (pictures to come)!!! As you know, I am a HUGE fan of On A String. These girlies are living the dream and make s-t-u-n-n-i-n-g pieces. If you are ever in Charlotte, I insist you visit their darrrrrrling shop!!! In addition to the necklaces, the bridesmaids received pashminas (blue, pink, and green) and the best book ever: Essentially Lilly!

Oh, and my littlest friend: our sweet flower girl!!! I gifted her This Little Piggy Went to Prada, a flower headband, a cardigan, and a bracelet. And she thought Christmas had come and gone! In 50 years, my hope is that our wedding party will still be the fabric that brings the color to our lives!!! They mean so much to us now and I cannot imagine life without them then. Chin chin maids!!! Xoxo-BLC

Lunch Is Maid

I am truly blessed: I have the most amazing friends a girl could wish for. As such, I wanted to honor them in a special way before our big day!

Mamatella hosted the bridesmaid luncheon at her beautiful casa on the eve of our wedding. The menu included: "The Lilly" cocktail, chicken salad, quiche, fruit, carat salad, and cranberry bread followed by cake and coffee for dessert. The cake was made by my sweet friend who just opened her cake business, Dee Cakes, and oh la la was is just delishhhh!!!

I just had the best time with all my favorite girls in one room. Many thanks to all for attending, standing by me, and being my bffs! My life is colorful because you are the company I keep. Oh, and above are the bridesmaids presents I gifted the girls. Don't you want to know what is in each!? Stay tuned until tomorrow! Xoxo-BLC

Bachelorette PAR-TEE

Every since I saw this movie:

I knew I just had to have a golf themed bachelorette par-tee! My friends did a fantastic job caddying the whole event. Everyone arrived early afternoon to the Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, North Carolina. We then decked ourselves out from head to toe in our preppiest clothes, ordered room service, and I opened gifts.

Once in full swing, we split into two groups:

and headed to Southern Pines with our scorecards for a round of bar golf! Each team had a scorecard and could earn "birdies" or "pars" or "bougies" at each hole. After a few proposals, a serenade, and three holes, we were all golfed out! I just had the best girls night with my best girls. 19th hole cheers to you and yours! Xoxo-BLC

Housekeeping

I know, I know, I know. I promised photos ASAP, but a few housekeeping matters ...

1. Happy MLK Day to you and yours! I believe in the power of dreams.

2. Remember to pray for Haitians. Wishing them Godspeed.

3. She is back ... and better!!!! Check out Beantown Prepster's big news. Welcome back lady!

Okay, as promised ... pictures tomorrow. How about I start at the very beginning? First up, the bachelorette festivities! Oh la la. Xoxo-BLC

I'm Back!

I'm back and ready to blog! As most of you know, Ale and I married, honeymooned, and he moved far far far away to be with me. His move is bittersweet and we are mile high in boxes. Also ... Ale started a new job while I am back to law school! I am about to overload you with oooodles of pictures. Thanks for your patience and I hope you enjoy our wedded bliss!!! Xoxo-BLC

Off To The Moon

Our bags are packed and we are jetting off to Barbados for our honeymoon. I promise to update with LOADS of pictures from our wedding and our moon upon our return! Till then Happy New Year to you and yours. Too-da-loo! Xoxo-BLC

I do! I do! I do!!!

It's official ... we are Mr. & Mrs!! Much more sooooon. Xoxo-BLC