Corrie's Dream Wedding

My boyfriend Joey and I have been together for the last three years...while not engaged yet we have spent more time than probably socially acceptable discussing our possible wedding. Most guys may be afraid for a girlfriend to have the opportunity to draft their "Dream Wedding", but Joe (Joey as I like to call him) who is currently deployed serving overseas was excited and surprisingly offered a lot of opinions...

So I present you with Corrie and Joey's Dream Wedding!

Some background that will help this make sense: Joey and I met June 6th, 2010 in the JETRO Parking Lot tailgating prior to the Phillies game. We share a common friend and found our way to the same tailgate. We had a series of unconventional first, second, and third dates all of which were road trips to see Phillies away games. The Phillies would become the primary passion that we both share- and now the backdrop for our Dream March Wedding. 

Date: March 

The Phillies will be in Spring Training so we will be able to have a combination bachelor/bachelorette party in Clearwater where we have taken trips together since we first met. 

Ceremony Location: Citizens Bank Park

We will return back to the scene of the crime as Joey likes to refer to it and have a small ceremony (of just family, soldiers, and close friends). We will be married on the field by a family friend and the ceremony will be short- a request of Joe's. 

The Groomsmen

Soldiers like uniforms- but I can see them wanting to go casual for this type of affair. No doubt that they will have some character but for the most part Joe has requested for their attire to be entirely up to him. I oblige as I do not have to find myself being forced to wear the uniforms of the military throughout much of my life so when it comes to the opportunity for the guys to dress in their civilians- I let him have it. This has included a penchant for Joey to enjoy jean shorts...but I would have to draw the line here. 

The Maids

My gals will be able to choose a dress of their own as long; as they feel comfortable it's A-Okay with me. We will be doing blues, so any color blue that works for them, I am open to. 

The Dress

My dress is under lock and key from Joey but let's just say- it's awesome. 

Cocktail Hour

We will set-up a cocktail hour "Tailgate". Many guests will only be invited to the ceremony as we will only have close family/friends at Citizens Bank Park. The Cocktail Hour will begin as soon as we are scheduled to depart CBP so we will not miss much time with our guests. We will have tents with heated lamps outside in the parking lot where Joey and I first met. We will have tailgate games and catered food from our favorite local bar. 

Signature Drink

Budweiser Products. We will have a rented Budweiser Truck as you may find at key events in our life like Irish Weekend in Wildwood, NJ for guests to partake in. Guests will receive a "Corrie and Joe" inspired cup so that they can continue to refill their beverages throughout the evening. This cup will mimic that of a baseball game souvenir cup and have our "Mugs" on it as Joe likes to call it because he finds it to be humorous to have our "Mugs on a Mug"- I kind of agree with him. Let's hope it is pulled off tactfully and refined. 

Cocktail Entertainment

Our beloved Boxer, Fiona, will join us at our cocktail gate in her wedding attire (a Phillies jersey with the date of our wedding as the number). She will be available to pose with guests and sign autographs because both Joe and I believe she is this important and famous. 

From cocktail hour we will have our guests shuttled to the reception in tour buses that will be playing the video of our ceremony for those guests that were not able to attend. 

Reception

For years growing up and well into my early/mid 20's I found myself dreaming of a black tie affair- all things fancy and glitz and glamour. Now that I have found who I view will one day be the perfect groom and more so the most incredible husband- it's all out the window. We want our wedding reception to be "us". Low-key and fun!

Reception Location

Holiday Inn across from the stadiums. Yes, the one that's only about a 5 minute bus ride from the tailgate location. This is how short I believe Joe expects our wedding ceremony to be. If you would have asked me about four years ago if I could see myself getting hitched at the Holiday Inn, I'm not sure how I would have responded. But with many out of town guests, and because we have several memories from this fine establishment, yes, my dream wedding reception is the Holiday Inn-Stadium in Philadelphia, PA. 

Reception Theme

Baseball, Beers and a Ball and Chain. The baseball theme will permeate but hopefully not be tacky. Guests will have game tickets for their table assignments, centerpieces will be vases filled with baseballs, and table numbers will be replaced with key sections of Citizens Bank Park where Joe and my relationship has grown. He has Sunday tickets in 421 and I have Sunday tickets in 106- these will definitely be table assignments for his family and my family respectively. 

Food

Simple and easy, just like we like it. Guests will be able to choose from a lot of different options that are closely linked to meals that Joe and I like. We're not exactly sure but that's because it's not very important to us. 

Dancing

All night long. Have you ever seen Army guys cut a rug? You will the night of our dream wedding. 

Traditions

The only tradition that Joe and I hope to have at our dream wedding would be to create new ones. We are looking for the wedding to be a celebration of our past, present and future together and an opportunity for those that are most important to us across all different periods of our life to come together under one roof to share in an evening that we hope they will never forget.

After Party

The Holiday Inn will be where most if not all of our guests will be spending the night so we will have Joe's all time favorite activity of karaoke set-up for all to enjoy. Joe's idol is Pat Burrell. While this at times has been a source of contention in our relationship- it is likely that guests making it to the after party will be able to witness Joe's greatest impression of Mr. Burrell dancing shirtless on a bar/table or another structure. In addition to that the tailgating games will make a re-appearance and we hope that everyone is up to task to channel their inner Lionel Richie and let the party go "All Night Long". 

While this may not be the dream wedding that I had growing up and into my more formative years, after meeting my Joey three years + ago, I can certainly say that this is my fairytale wedding. During the long days of deployment, we are grateful to have had this opportunity to daydream a little bit of a day we are very much looking forward to after Joe returns safely home in 2014. 

-Corrie

Sharron's Dream Wedding

Being an event planner has it perks. The world of entertainment and events is constantly changing and we get to see the new styles and trends firsthand. Since the industry is forever changing, my idea of my perfect wedding is forever changing! Here is a look at my dream wedding...for now. 

Location: The Biltmore Estate- Asheville, NC

The Biltmore has been one of my favorite venues for a very long time. It represents many of the things I want to capture at my wedding: classic elegance, grand decor, and breathtaking features. If you've never been to the Biltmore, it is worth the trip to walk this amazing estate for yourself. Words don't do it justice. This property house 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, 65 fireplaces, waterfalls, and views of the mountains. A glimpse into a Biltmore wedding can be seen here. 

Fun fact: You may have seen The Biltmore in Hannibal, Patch Adams, My Fellow Americans, Richie Rich, Mr. Destiny, Private Eyes, Being There, or The Swan, as these movies were filmed on their property.

Decor

What woman doesn't love that perfect Tiffany blue color? If there is one thing that is constant in my future wedding plans, it is that the decor will be that color. I love Tiffany blue with red, white, or a platinum/blingy accent. Large floral centerpieces will adorn each table; each centerpiece will be unique but will have to be tall and dramatic to match the venue. Each seat will be draped with white linen, accented with a Tiffany blue bow. I have always loved the idea of having cupcakes with a one-tier cake for cutting instead of a 3 or 4-tiered wedding cake. The display below is similar to the design I'd like to have for my Tiffany cupcakes. Lastly, guests will receive a mini bottle of champagne as a favor; the bottles would be clear with a custom blue label. 

Wedding Attire

I'm always toying with the idea of having two dresses. I know I'm too indecisive to decide on just one so I won't be able to pick between the slim-fitting mermaid and the beautiful ball gown. I saw this Tara Keely convertible dress while watching an episode of Say Yes to the Dress and fell in love. It would give me the best of both worlds but I'd want it customized to make the bottom dress longer as opposed to the mini lace pictured. My hair would be a loose up-do similar to the style Eva Longoria is wearing and finished with a long floor-length veil. OPI has a nail polish that matches the Tifffany blue almost perfectly; this nail style would be perfect for me. I love a little sparkle!

Special Touches

I'm always thinking of different ideas that would make my wedding unique for my guests. A signature drink is a must, everyone knows about my love for a great cocktail, but I'm definitely always thinking of different ideas to make that day memorable. One thought is to use a customized music CD for a Save the Date instead of a magnet or postcard. I would also like to offer some sort of snack related to my favorites or a Philly staple such as Rita's Water Ice truck, a donut or Philly pretzel truck, or even a truck serving Philly cheesesteaks. That last little something is important for me to have to thank my guests for participating in our day. 

Ultimately, my dream wedding is a day that will perfectly mesh my vision and my likes, with his. I want a ceremony and reception that people walk into with amazement that captures who I am, who he is, and who we are as a couple, in the details. 

-Sharron

*All images found via Google 

Melanie's Dream Wedding

Frankly, I was never one of those girls growing up fantasizing about who I would marry. I also never imagined what my wedding day would ultimately look like. I can't even remember a childhood play date that revolved around a pretend wedding. So I was behind from the start, but that's not to say that nowadays I can't appreciate the beauty and allure of all the details that go into a wedding. Unlike most, my dream wedding has only just begun to manifest itself over the past few years. 

Theme/Season

After attending the August wedding of a college friend in a Minnesota state park, I decided that an "Indian Summer" would set the perfect tone for a rustic wedding. Seeing as Mother Nature is fickle, I'd opt for early Fall, hoping that the weather would be warm with only a light chill in the air. Rich colors like dark purple, moss green, and raspberry red, would complement the season and my fair complexion. I'm not a country girl, but the idea of a rural backdrop for friends and family to take in throughout the day seems peaceful and inviting. 

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Venue

Growing up, my family and I attended outdoor craft fairs and frequented state parks for hiking trips. I guess it's fitting that a barn or covered bridge would be the first place to come to mind when setting the scene for my wedding. I don't consider myself very religious so I'd like for the ceremony and reception to take place in the same location. The dual setup also makes it incredibly easy for guests traveling from out of state. I've also never liked the downtime between ceremony and reception, so this would solve that problem too.

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An outdoor area would also provide ample room for guests to spread out and mingle for the ceremony and throughout the festivities that would follow. The barn would house the seats for dinner/dessert and the dance floor. A deck with lounging space would be ideal since some family and friends may not be interested in dancing. Guests could sit, wrap themselves in flannel blankets and relax under the stars into the wee hours of the night. 

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Decor

Sticking with the rural theme, the barn would be decorated with hanging lanterns or strings of lights stretching across the width of the room. Any exposed beams within the barn could also be wrapped with strings of lights to keep the room well lit. I wouldn't want much else cluttering the space. The natural look of the wood would give off a down to earth feel. 

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My parents always decorated our home with trinkets like old fashioned glass milk jugs, which I think would be perfect to hold bundles of wildflowers at each table and throughout the barn. Tea lights could also be placed in miniature jugs to give a more intimate feel at the tables when the natural fades as evening comes. Mason jars would serve as drinking glasses. Refinished wood tables would look amazing spread out throughout the barn. I've never really thought about seating arrangements, but I like having family and friends intermingled. It's a day of celebration, so what better time to mix people up a bit. 

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The final touch would be floating lanterns as a sendoff at the end of the evening. This is honestly something I've stumbled upon in the last couple of months, but I've fallen in love with the idea of having the night sky lit with these lanterns as a cap to the day. 

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Entertainment/Food

As much as I'd love a live band, I just don't think my dizzying music taste would be handled by anyone better than a DJ. Plus, some of the best pictures come from the dance floor, so I wouldn't want to miss the opportunity to catch those I love losing all inhibitions as they cut loose to any song their heart desires. 

Coming from a large family, I can't think of anything better than buffet style food tables. This way guests can help themselves throughout the night. I myself can eat all day, so the thought of being able to pick and nibble over the course of a few hours sounds wonderful. Realistically it may be a bit of overkill, but seeing as this is my dream wedding I'm going with an unlimited supply of finger foods available. The buffet would continue through dessert. Mini pies, tarts, cheesecakes and other single-serving sweets would be spread out for guests to enjoy at their leisure. 

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Dress

Monique Lhuillier. Those two words just about sum it up. She's a genius and all of her gowns are absolutely jaw dropping. Anything concerning lace would make me ecstatic. The cut really depends on my mood, it's changed several times while planning out this post, but elegant and simple always wins out in my mind. 

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Weddings are ultimately supposed to celebrate the love and commitment of a couple. With that being said, I can only hope to have a day that is filled with laughter, joy, and memories that will last a lifetime. 

-Melanie

Stephanie's Dream Wedding

When Erin told us we would be doing a dream wedding post for the blog, I immediately got to work! I thought to myself, how perfect, as this is something I have been planning for as long as I can remember. My boyfriend and I have been together for three years. We met in college; he is the love of my life and best friend and I cannot wait to marry him. Although not engaged yet, I have already begun putting together those special touches and intricate details for my wedding day. 

The Theme

Simplistic Elegance. I have always thought myself to be a person of simplistic taste. I am not drawn to extravagant colors and over the top designs. I picture my wedding to be very traditional with soft colors and elegant lighting and decor. 

The Ceremony

I find one of the most romantic places to be Napa Valley. A vineyard displays such a rare, natural beauty that you do not find too often. I've traveled to Napa Valley once before and would love to return. There is something about a vineyard that is so relaxing and puts your mind completely at ease, something that is so important for a bride on her wedding day. My dream wedding ceremony would be outside in late September or early October; that perfect time when it's still warm, as Summer ends and the transition into Fall begins. To personalize my ceremony, I'd walk down the aisle to a classical rendition of "With or Without You" by 2Cellos. Ideally, I'd like a small, intimate ceremony followed by a reception of only my closest friends and family. 

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The Flowers

I'd have an infinite flower budget if it was up to me! Flower arrangements are so beautiful to me and in my eyes, they can brighten up/change the look of any room. I like the colors white and mint. For flowers, I like hydrangeas, white roses, and tulips so I'd like those incorporated into my flower arrangements. 

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The Dresses

My Wedding Dress

The dress is the most important piece of the wedding for me. I want a dress that expresses my personality and style and something I can feel comfortable in for the entire evening. A classic and simple, yet elegant dress--with blue shoes of course! Much like the gown pictured below; all over lace, form fitting, to the floor with a small train but nothing too over the top. 

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Bridesmaids Dress Color

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The Venue/Reception

For my reception, I would move it indoors or in a tent space. I'd want lots of natural lighting on the tabled sourced by candles (votives and floating candles) with a soft, neutral color scheme. 

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The Food

Coming from a Food and Beverage background, I critique the food I'm served everywhere I go, so I want my food to really wow my guests. If you're traveling to Napa for my nuptials, you deserve to be spoiled! I want a variety of hor d'oeurves, specialty cocktails, and champagne (lots of champagne!) passed at my Cocktail Reception. I want food stations also set up. When guests enter a room, I want a different food and drink to be available so everyone is constantly trying something new. For dinner, I want a traditional sit down meal with a first and second course. Being in Napa, I'd love to have sommeliers traveling around to each table pouring the perfect wine complement to each course. 

The Cake

No one loves cake more than myself and if one thing had to be the most extravagant piece of my wedding, it would be the cake and dessert table. I dream of a multiple tier chocolate chip wedding cake with buttercream icing and subtle decorative touches. 

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In addition to the cake, French macarons are my absolute favorite, and I want a slew of them, of all different colors and flavors at my dessert table!

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-Stephanie