Sam and I were married on March 5th, 2011. I guess being engaged for 7 years (he says 8 years) was silly but I just couldn’t wrap my head around the enormous expense and all that itchy taffeta. Everytime I started working on the wedding I got distracted or bored. What can I say? Anyway, I found my wedding plannin’ groove in December when Sam got very sick. His parents were leaving on a 4 month trip around the world and I truly understood that it was my job (for realz!) to make important decisions in case he got sick again (he spent a very scary month in the ICU a few years ago). Sam is fine now and it got my butt in gear. Other than the wine bill, we kept expenses very low.

I made the centerpieces, and my bouquet, and the table numbers, and the bunting. And, I’m nuts. My total flower budget was $70. I scoured flea markets for the vintage blue Ball canning jars. The table number thingees were made out of items from flea markets and Agway (will do a full blog post on them later, super fun project!). We had lots of party favors, I went a bit over budget on them but I couldn’t help myself. Since it was early March we thought it might be a bit chilly so we put a blue pashmina on every chair. Of course this ensured us that the day would be unseasonably warm (and my hair went FLOP within 30 minutes).  I used 3 vendors on Etsy for the invitations, thank you tags on the pashminas, and stickers on the seed packets (to honor my Dad). Vintage travel tags were used for the seating cards. I cheated and used clear labels and a nice calligraphy font. The other big party favor was a Pucker Pack – a muslin bag with wax lips, mustaches,  Burt’s Bees lip balm and other silly items. I found an incredible sale on line for the lip balm (45 cents each!).

With the help of the world’s greatest friends, sisters, and waiters at Gascogne, we got the place set up and rolling in about 30 minutes.

Did I mention that Eddie Izzard‘s make up artist did my face up all fancy? I even wore fake eyelashes (so much fun!). She wanted to dye my eyelashes but I declined. Later she told me that Eddie lets her dye his lashes. I’m a fool! I should have totally done it.

The Joyce Theater in NYC is beautiful (and near the restaurant) so we dashed over there for some pics. Love the lights!

Here’s Mom showing off the flowers on her table. I bought (and borrowed) lots of vintage Ball canning jars to hold the hydrangeas.

We brought old ornate frames to use as picture props and after a few cocktails, the pashmina shawls became head wear. You know how it is…

More party favors! The pucker pack had wax lips/mustaches, Burt’s Bees lip balm and silly plastic jewelry. I also made up envelopes with Poppy seeds to honor my Dad’s memory. I hope everyone planted their White Cloud poppy seeds!

My very simple bouquet. It took all of 5 minutes to put together. Plaid ribbon, floral tape, the locket with a picture of my Dad and Grandmother and a big handful of flowers…voila!

More silliness with the frames, wax lips/mustaches and crazy sunglasses. Unless I have kids, these brats are picking my rest home. I am so screwed. 

This is Josh and Katherine. Josh married us! A few weeks before the ceremony he obtained the necessary paperwork at the Church O’ Something Or Other. Since we were having a simple ceremony, having a friend perform the marriage was extra special. Josh was all business while he read the vows – whereas Sam and I were giggling and making cross-eyes at each other.

We had a quick photo shoot at Grand Central. I love the warm yellow light in this picture – and the chandeliers!

Yes, Beyonce – I put a ring on it. 

The ceremony and luncheon was at a French restaurant in Chelsea. Cheese! Bread! Champagne! Yummers!

One of the tables – just seconds before it was covered in wine glasses, digital cameras and yummy treats. I believe this was “the party table” where most of the madness started. Love these people!

There was A LOT of wine. The heat and my floppy hair couldn’t keep me down.  All that bunting behind us? I made that in one night. Something like 140 fabric triangles. Sewn. Madness! Complete madness! 

Really, A LOT of wine…

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