The Round Up: No. 3

A few of my favorites from the last week or two. Some are full of great tips and advice. Some a laugh or two. And some are just big announcements. Be sure to check them all out!

• Pearls Events explains a new way to think of your guest list.
• April Foster Events gives tips on how to pick out your wedding colors.
• Emily Ley announces the launch of Emily Ley Paper. You simply must check out her adorable designs.

Tips on hiring vendors seemed to be a popular trend as of late.

• The City Bride explains the difference between cheap and affordable.
• Every Last Detail explains why you should hire a wedding planner.
• Paul Von Rieter [who just did an amazing rebrand] explains in a very personal post why you should hire a professional photographer.

Enjoy! And come back in a little bit for a super fast giveaway...

Weddings We Love: Kristin and Angelo

Fell in love with this beautiful wedding coordinated Madeline Chapman of Madeline's Weddings & Events from Winnipeg. With a Greek background myself, I suppose it is only natural that I fell immediately in love with the Greek details and cultural inspiration. I also love the strong, vibrant colors - red and orange - set as soft details like the candy buffet and the menu design. And the fact that the carpet matches all the colors and decor? Well, let's just say they get major bonus points for that. Wow.

Beautiful work, Madeline. And to Kristin and Angelo - may you have many beautiful years together to match your beautiful event. Many thanks for sharing with all of us.

Enjoy - and opa!

All photos courtesy of Trevor Brucki Photography.

All design and coordination by Madeline's Weddings & Events.

See below for a full list of professionals.

Loving the plate breakage.

Full coverage of the wreckage!

And nothing like the bride cleaning it up. Hahah - too funny.

Bride – Kristin Klyne

Groom – Angelo Sarlas

Ceremony – Greek Orthodox Church

Reception – Fairmont Winnipeg

Wedding Planner & Coordinator – Madeline’s Weddings & Events

Photographer – Trevor Brucki Photography

Bride’s Attire - Sposa Wedding World's, Private Collection

Groom’s Attire - Jean Yves, Aldo Formal Wear

Stationery (Invitations, Reception Stationery) – Papery Artistry

Floral Design – Whyte Ridge Academy Florist

Live Music – Armadillo String Quartet

Décor Design & Linen Rental – Madeline’s Weddings & Events

Horoscopes

I'm not a horoscope reader. I'm not. Really. I swear. But the fact that it just so happens to be on my Google homepage means I just so happen to read it sometimes. Have you ever had those days where all you need is a kick of encouragement? Well, Saturday was one of those mornings for me, and lo and behold, my horoscope for the day:

Inspiration is the keyword for the day. You may be feeling highly motivated to move on with what others may consider impossible dreams and turn them into reality. Do not let anything stop you. Instead, you should consider all contingencies carefully and practically in order to make them work. Friends could be inspired by your vision and determination, and follow your example. Go for it!

And, though I've been told by many that horoscopes are ridiculous [and perhaps they are] let me just warn you all now that this one might just have a little something to do with the future of this blog.

Ohhh, I'm such a tease, aren't I?

Vaudeville: McLellan Style

When I first saw this on the McLellan Style Photography Blog, I fell in love. The McLellans did such an amazing job not only capturing the moments but putting them together in such a way that is, well, indescribable. The images match the theme which matches the presentation of it all in such a remarkable way that... well, I guess I should stop talking about it and let you watch it.

To the McLellan's - amazing, amazing job. Thank you so much for allowing me to feature this. As always, your work is unparalleled and ever inspiring.

Bonnie & Daniel's Vaudeville Steampunk Wedding from Sean McLellan on Vimeo.

What do you think? Pretty amazing, right?

Engagement Love: A Tuba + Some Balloons

I think it's safe to say that most SWOONOVERIT readers are aware of how I feel of themed engagement shoots, especially if they involve props of some kind. In a weird way, I think this has prompted more submissions of shoots that fit this type. And, I have to admit, I love it.

So, when Jenn from Book End Media sent over these images by Dove Wedding Photography, featuring not only my beloved balloons, but even their cute pup and a big 'ole tuba, well, it was really no question as to whether it was suitable for the blog.

So, without further ado, I bring you the adorable, bright, fun, and prop-loving images of Emily and Neil's engagement session.

Be sure to check out Dove Wedding Photography to see more of their work.

And, congratulations Emily and Neil. We're totally digging your bright and colorful images to brighten our Monday morning.

Polling Around

So, I've been mulling around some business and blog decisions and realized, what better way to make a decision than to get the input of you, my dear wonderful readers? You see, I am pretty bad, quite awful actually, about keeping up with my Google Reader. And so sometimes blogs move addresses and it takes a long, long time before I even notice. Then even longer for me to change it and start reading again. [See, I told you I was bad.]

What about you? Are you bad about resubscribing to blogs after they move? Would you keep up with SWOONOVERIT if it just so happened to change addresses [I think it's time people stop calling this The Blissful Bride - don't you?]. This may be a hint to one of the big things coming for SWOONOVERIT. Or maybe not. You never know.

Anyway, I've added a poll in the top left sidebar of this blog and I would appreciate it oh so very much if you'd either participate there or leave a comment here with your thoughts on this. Even if your thoughts are "wow, Amanda, a poll on subscribing to blogs - what a lame idea." And if you leave no feedback at all then I'll just assume that that was what you must have been thinking.

Seriously. Any input appreciated.

Facing Uncertainty

This post has been a long time coming. Way back in November, I vouched to be the type of blog writer that would tell you not just about all the things I love, but also the things I do. Who I am. I promised to start putting myself out there a little more. And, dear Internet, that is exactly what I intend to do. Let me begin by saying, there are oh so many things that you do not know about me. Jemma suggested back on the original post that I tell you more about Breakfast Tuesdays, and I will [oh will I!]. But, well, I'll save that for a more random entry. Today I have a purpose.

All my life I have hated surprises. I loved them in and of themselves, but I have always hated the anticipation. The angst leading up to them. And so forth. I'm known in my family for opening gifts early and rushing things just to get them over with [sad, I know].

But, in two and a half months my husband, my dog, and I will pack up and move across the country. The catch? We have no idea where we are moving. We won't, in fact, know until about six weeks before the move. It all has to do with my husband and the matching system he's placed into, so we have a little bit of say, but not much. Can you imagine, dear friends, what this has done to me? Initially, I think I was so bewildered by it all that I would complain to anyone that would listen. Let's be clear here: I'm excited, thrilled even, at the idea of moving - it's the not-knowing-where and the not-knowing-until-right-before-we-go parts that kill me.

But now? I have gotten so used to the idea that - and I'm being totally honest here - I think it's kind of fun. I mean, we don't have to choose. We will just go wherever we're told. Wherever we land, it will be an adventure. But most importantly? We'll be together.

Of course it doesn't hurt that the prospects aren't so bad either.

But, coping with this uncertainty I truly feel has made me a stronger person. Sure, it might sound silly. But in two weeks I will begin cleaning and packing our house for a destination unknown. And, I can't wait.

If you've made it this far you most certainly deserve a prize. So, I give you my precious furbaby Kira. She is, without a doubt, the love of my life [along with my husband, of course].

Weddings We Love: Ashley and Franco

As an apology for my lack of posts this week, I bring you one of the most fabulous real weddings that has ever been featured on SWOONOVERIT. When Paul of Paul Von Reiter Photographica sent these images over, I couldn't stop looking at them. Each and every one is full of so much warmth, so much love. Paul did an amazing job capturing the happiness and the excitement of the day.

And, well, you might even recognize the bride. Ladies and gentleman, I bring you the incredibly beautiful and talented Ashley Hartman with an exclusive release of her wedding day images.

Photographer: Paul Von Reiter Photographica

Coordinator: Chic Celebrations

This one (below)... gahhhh, I can't stop looking at it.

Perfect in every way!

Look at those eyes! Isn't she gooooorgeous!?

Don't you love them? They are pretty amazing, right? A huge thank you to Paul for sharing with us. Happy Thursday!

Sponsor: Turtle Love Committee

I'll admit, I've lusted over Turtle Love Committee ever since I first heard of them on Lucky Me!. So, when they contacted me recently about working together through SWOONOVERIT, I could not have been more excited.

For those of you out of the loop, Turtle Love Committee is an eco-friendly company focused on making jewelry pieces that matter. Simple, lovely, symbolic jewelry. Owner Adrianne Zahner provides some insight into the founding of the company and what they do:

Turtle Love Committee started out as a source of unusual wedding and engagement rings for cool people. I was working at a large Boston law firm, and I noticed that most of the women I worked with had nearly identical engagement rings. When I looked for a place to get truly unusual engagement rings, I didn't find one, so I decided to make it. It seemed to me that marriage is about the unique commitment that two individuals make to each other, a concept that can get lost in preparing for and talking about weddings. I believe that the rings that you choose to symbolize that commitment should honor your lifestyle and your relationship, not some weird calculus of how much to spend or how big the stone should be.

And now, without further ado, I present you with just a few of my favorites of their gorgeous pieces.

Stunning, no? Simple. Clean. Fresh.

Be sure to check out the Turtle Love Committee website to see the rest of their designs, including wedding bands, earrings, necklaces and more!

*Please note: Content of this post, while sponsored, is under the sole editorial direction of author Amanda Young. All content and materials contained within this post are her opinion alone and are not directed in any way by the sponsorship.

High as the Sky

It's no secret: balloons have been all the rage for quite some time now. And, I must admit, I'm still quite smitten with them. They're fun. Playful. Whimsical. Something about them is just so light and lovely. I just can't decide which I like more: a big bunch of them or one, really big one.

Photo by Max Wanger.

Photo by Studio This Is.

Photo by Boutwell Studio.

Photo by Boutwell Studio.

Photo by Caroline Tran.

Photo by Caroline Tran via Style Me Pretty.

Photo by Jill Thomas Photography.

Photo via Polka Dot Bride.

Photo by Charley Star.

Photo by Jessica Johnston.

Photo by Cheyenne Schultz.

Photo by Pure by Lindsey.

I was going to say which one was my favorite, but there is no way I could pick just one. Do you have a favorite balloon shot? I think I love them all.