Engagement Party Inspiration

We are throwing together an engagement party for early summer (before things get super hectic) which means I have like NO time to do this thing.

I really just want it to be a casual, fun day where all of our family and friends can come together and meet each other.  We rented a picnic grove and plan on grilling out, playing yard games (maybe some croquet?), and enjoying a few adult beverages.  Here are some initial food and decoration ideas that I found, but you can check out the rest on Pinterest!

And everyone is invited!!!

If I got married today...

I would definitely want my wedding to look like Rin and Joe's wedding which is featured on the etsy blog.

Check it out when you have a chance. It looks so easy and relaxed and they have pizza...

I want pizza at my wedding!

Unfortunately, the kind of wedding I want to have changes very frequently. I don't know what I'm going to do when it comes time to actually start making decisions!

{all photos from The Etsy Blog}

New Kate Spade Watch Collection

This isn't technically wedding or event-related, but I am absolutely loving Kate Spade's new watch collection. Here are some of my favs:

Carousel Bangle in Turquoise

Gramercy Grand in Gold

Metro in Gold/Vachetta

Any of these would make a lovely wedding gift from a groom to his bride. I know I, personally, wouldn't mind (hint hint).

{images from katespade.com}

Wedding-Worthy Oscar Dresses

This year, the red carpet seemed to be full of dresses that could be wedding gowns. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Giuliana Rancic in Tony Ward

2. Amara Miller in Valentino Couture

3. Wendi McLendon-Covey in Elie Saab

4. Shailene Woodley in Valentino Couture

5. Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford

6. Berenice Bejo in Elie Saab

7. Rooney Mara in Givenchy

And my 2 favorites...

8. Milla Jovovich in Elie Saab

9. Kate Mara also in Elie Saab

Elie Saab was rockin' the Oscars.

And So It Begins

It's amazing how getting engaged automatically makes you feel like you have 10,000 things to do. Although we aren't planning on a wedding for quite some time (and haven't even begun talking dates), just the act of having a ring on my finger requires a few responsible, adult-like tasks.

On our 5-hour ride home from Traverse City, we began researching jewelry insurance and everything that comes with it. I can't IMAGINE how I would feel if something happened to my ring. My ring belonged to Erik's grandmother, so it has a lot of sentimental value that insurance cannot replace. Still, I feel a lot better knowing I'm covered.

Because I need my ring re-sized, we thought it would be a good idea to insure it first. When you start researching insurance, you read all of these warnings about how jewelers will switch out your diamond when they take it in the "back room". I'm not sure if this is actually common, but it doesn't hurt to take precautions.

In order to insure your ring, you first need to get it appraised (so you know how much to insure it for). After looking around on Yelp, we decided to go with Leslie Shwartz in downtown Chicago. He was really great and answered a lot of our questions. He tells you exactly what he is doing and even lets you look through the little microscope. His office is also pretty small, so there was no risk of him taking it in the "back room". He recommended that we insure the ring through Jeweler's Mutual. I had already done research on the same company, but it was great to hear that he also recommended them. It was super easy to sign up online, and now we are just waiting for our certificate in the mail! Next step: get this puppy re-sized. Then I think we'll be all set in the ring department.

Next up: Engagement Photos and Announcements

Do people actually do Engagement Announcements? Like in newspapers and alumni magazines? Am I living in 1954?

Someday I suppose I will actually start planning a wedding!

We're Engaged!!

On Friday, February 17th, we made our way up to Traverse City, Mi to escape from Chicago a bit and celebrate our 4 year anniversary.

After driving about 5 and a half hours, we checked into our hotel, unpacked, and headed to the lakefront. We planned on briefly checking out the Winter Wow Festival and then getting some dinner (since we were both starving).

I should have known something was up when Erik suggested we look at the ice sculptures down by the lake before eating (after being so starving? suspicious...), but I had no idea he was nervously trying to make sure I didn't see the ring box bulge in his pocket.

We looked at the sculptures and then spent some time staring out at Lake Michigan. It was perfect - the sun was setting, there were ducks, little boys were wrestling on the grass about 50 feet away. We were about to head to dinner when Erik said he had to ask me something (this part is all sort of a blur). He got down on one knee (he says...I don't remember) and asked me to marry him. I said "duh" and then started crying. We immediately went and got Mexican food. Not telling anyone for the first few hours felt really special and I'm so happy that we didn't immediately call everyone we know.

The rest of the weekend was full of brunching, antiquing, shopping, beer-tasting, and constantly saying, "OH MY GOD WE'RE ENGAGED". It was a great trip and a wonderful way to start the next chapter in our lives together.

New Website - New Blog!

Stay tuned for new posts about wedding, party planning, and all the little details that make events extra special!