An excerpt from our vows

To marry is to form an equal partnership, tied together by the tenuous bonds of emotion and love. It is at once the most fragile of relationships and the strongest. Fragile because it requires exactly the right mix of freedom and inter-dependence, of caring and of sharing, of being together and of being alone. But it is strong because it involves the unseen forces of something we call love - mutual devotion, concern for the happiness of the other, and joy in each other's company. For there is no stronger force involving human relationships that this silent bond love.

Remember that this wedding day is only a symbol, a celebration, a public recognition of what already exists in the silent places of your hearts. It is your marriage and not something created by the state or the Church - it is yours to define, yours to make real, yours to live. Nothing I can say can make it anything more than what already exists in your hearts. Remember also that marriage is a shared relationship, not a matter of possession. It is a means of showing your commitment to one another, not a blind surrendering of personality. It is not an excuse to become limited in your outlook; it is an opportunity for mutual growth.


I thought I would share part of our wedding vows as it may be helpful for any brides looking for readings or to be inspired to write your own. Unfortunately I do not have the writer's name, but wanted to share it anyway. Patrick and I had been together for almost 8 years prior to our wedding, so we wanted a reading that didn't talk about starting our lives together, as we were well underway, but more about the mutual respect we have towards one another and about what has existed in our hearts for so long.

Sprout Studio

Last week attending the Renegade Craft Fair, I came across the amazing Sprout Studio, a designer of hairpins, brooches and earrings and I couldn't resist picking up a pair of hairpins for myself. Although I am not a big hair pin person, I will definitely slide these little gems onto a jacket or purse as I am a huge fan of subtle accessories and pops of color.

{photos from thoughtful day}

Fancy Cupcake Wrappers

I love cupcakes and I would love them so much more if they all came in cute little wrappers like these.

{images from fancy flours}

Dance Party!

I absolutely love all of these dance party photos, taken by Mike, Anna's boyfriend/b-roll rockstar! At any given point he was jumping around, dancing, moonwalking, you name it, while taking these shots. I don't think I ever once saw him look through the lens, he was just wildly pointing and shooting, and they turned out fantastic, some of the best moments of the weekend were captured out on that dance floor!

Our First Dance

For our first dance as husband and wife, we had the deejay play Taj Mahal's "Queen Bee", a song that we both love and saw them live shortly after we moved to NYC. We didn't want a slow and serious song, but something a little more upbeat, so it was perfect. Luckily for us, we were joined on the dance floor by my niece and nephew and they proved to be a great distraction from us stepping on each other's toes!

{photos by anna wolf}

more Renegade

I am loving these small meadow drawing dishes by Beehive, a nice little ring holder for your bedside table or even better, a great and affordable gift for your bridal party!


I just had to pick up one of these fantastic pins by the Pin Pals, such a great way to colorfully accessorize your clothing; a nice little take on the modern brooch.

{photos by thoughtful day}

Renegade '08

The printed vintage handkerchiefs by Bird and Banner were even more beautiful in person, and I loved their vintage stamped envelopes, a perfect find for a bride to be!



All of Wonting's prints were just too cute in person, I am really loving her new illustrations.

I hope you were able to make it out to the Renegade Craft Fair this weekend, despite getting caught in the rain (and being Vané's p.u.h.) it was well worth the trip! Above are some photos from a couple of my favorite booths, Bird and Banner and Wonting. There are just too many to post in one day so I will be sharing some of my other favorites throughout the week.

{photos from thoughtful day}

California Ranch Wedding

Our friends, Terese and Tom just got married at his family ranch near Santa Barbara on May 25. I can't get over how gorgeous their wedding photos are, all shot by the incredibly talented Nancy Neil.

Here are more details of their day:

Location of Wedding: El Chorro Ranch located in Lompoc, California (just north of Santa Barbara).

My husband's family ranch:
In March 2006, the Isaacson Family, California Rangeland Trust and the Wildlife Conservation Board secured a conservation easement on the 817-acre El Chorro Ranch.The conservation easement fulfills the desire of Esther Isaacson and her sons Bill, Deming and Bob to keep the land as a working cattle ranch in perpetuity.The Isaacson family purchased the scenic ranch at a public auction held on the steps of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse in 1939. Located along Highway 1 in Santa Barbara County, the El Chorro Ranch possesses unique grazing, farming and ranching resources; remarkable wildlife habitat; and rich oak woodland and riparian areas.The project is one of several collaborative projects between California Rangeland Trust and the Land Trust of Santa Barbara County.

{photos by Nancy Neil}

Renegade Craft Fair

Be sure to check out the 4th annual Renegade Craft Fair this weekend at McCarren Park Pool in Williamsburg, June 14 + 15, from 11 am - 7 pm. I'll be there on Sunday!

Lladró

I absolutely love these incredibly detailed and delicate porcelain figurines by Lladró. I saw them last week over at Future Perfect in Williamsburg. What a nice little wedding gift to give or to receive. I wish I could give it, and I dream of receiving it!

{images from moco loco}