Farewell, Summer 2013

Here we are at Labor Day weekend, the unofficial end of summer.  The beach scene above (can you spot my husband?!) shows my typical summer weekend on the Jersey shore.  All I need is bright sun, gentle waves & a good book!  & this is exactly where you will find me this weekend, enjoying every last bit of summer.  Because, as shown in selected shots from my Instagram account, what a good summer it has been:  

& yet when the final 2013 summer weekend is said & done, I am ready to move forward & embrace a new season.  There is a lot on the horizon.  I am excited to see what comes next!  Perhaps a longtime dream come true.  

Until then, have a fun summer weekend!

Photography: Kate Corpuz of Koru Wedding

{puppy love} third anniversary

Yesterday, we celebrated something very special: the third anniversary of Bailey's adoption!

On June 26, 2010, Bailey arrived on P.E.T.S. from Arkansas, where he was found wandering alone on a country road & rescued by an amazing foster family & animal rescue group All About Labs.  After about one month of talking to the rescue group & foster family, I was over the moon for Bailey's arrival & I still remember it like it was yesterday.  Instantly, Bailey became a part of our family, our home & our hearts.  This little tri-color wonder is as sweet, adorable & mischievous as can be!  He drives me crazy & melts my heart on a daily basis.  I wouldn't change a thing!

On Bailey's behalf, I would like to remind you to adopt cats & digs from your local shelter or from a rescue group.  Our Bailey was cut, dirty & infected when we was found in rural Arkansas.  Despite this, he was still so sweet & trusting when a kind-hearted couple stopped to help him.  God knows where he would be without them & All About Labs, the rescue group who facilitated his adoption.  Sadly, too many animals don't get saved.  These innocent animal deserve a second chance just like Bailey!

Happy Adoption Anniversary, Bailey!  Let's celebrate many, many more together!  xoxo

{Fur Babies + Weddings} In Memory of Gucci

On January 15, my husband & I mark two events, each very, very different.  This year on January 15, we happily celebrated our second wedding anniversary (yay!) & we quietly remembered our sweet, precious Gucci who we put to sleep three years ago after a long, happy life (sniff, sniff).  We considered not getting married on January 15 because it was the day our hearts broke & we lost Gucci but, in the end, life goes on.  But my buddy is still missed & forever loved!

Today, I've gathered a few of my favorite images of fur babies in weddings & I dedicate this pet post to my Gucci.

The pretty flower pup & handsome ring pup make quite the dapper duo:

The adorable flower pup perfectly coordinates with the sunny yellow bridal party:

An autumn backyard wedding clearly calls for some participation from the Bride & Groom's pups:

I can't decide what I like best: the pups' frilly tutus or their big smiles!

Hey, not everyone is thrilled with wearing a tutu:

So, SO cute- a little fur adds charm to any wedding!  

For you, Gucci.  You added so much love & laughter & antics & memories to my life.

Photo 1: Jason and Anna Photography via; Photo 2: Clary Photo via; Photo 3: Joey Kennedy via; Photo 4: Stephanie Fay Photography via; Photo 5: Janelle Brooke Photography via

Sneak Peek + Beagle Bailey

Next week includes two major celebrations: my birthday & Fourth of July!!  Cue the sparkly fireworks!!!  & yes, I pretend the fireworks are just for me & my birthday.  Anywho, there will be only one post next week & it will be my monthly Still Standing post .  No worries, we'll be right back into the swing of wedding loveliness the following week!

& here is a sneak peek of that wedding loveliness coming your way for Wedding Wednesday on July 11:

I couldn't let this week pass without mentioning our darling Beagle Bailey's adoption celebration.  Tuesday, June 26, marked exactly two years since we adopted him from the rescue group, All About Labs.  He got lots of love & extra treats to celebrate his time with us.  Bailey has the biggest personality & the sweetest heart & we couldn't love him more!!!  He adds so much love & joy to every day.  We count ourselves very lucky that he is ours (or are we his?)  This is for you, Beagle Bailey:

On Bailey's behalf, I would like to remind you to adopt cats & dogs from your local shelter or from a rescue group.  Our Bailey was found wandering a country road in Arkansas & he was dirty, cut & infected.  Despite this, he was still so sweet & trusting when a kind-hearted couple stopped to help him.  God knows where he would be without them.  Sadly, some animals don't get saved.  Those animals deserve a second chance just like Bailey!  

Happy Weekend!

Photo 1 Kunio Photography  /  Submitted via Two Bright Lights
Photo Collage Koru Kate

{Real Homestead Wedding} Micah & Hardy

Today's lovely wedding brings us to the western slope of Colorado, a budget-friendly location with million dollar views!  With a beautiful Bride, a reluctant ring pup, plenty of cowboys & cowgirls, this wedding is truly country-western.   Vendla Stockdale shares the beauty with us through her photos:  

Micah & Hardy's summer wedding took place on a homestead in western Colorado.  With a rustic log cabin & gorgeous grounds, they let the nature's beauty shine bright on their wedding day.

Micah wore a white, strapless wedding gown embroidered with red flowers & a matching veil.  She carried a bouquet of red roses accented with pearls & green leaves.  With a big smile that never left her face, she was a pretty Bride!

The bridal party matched with the bridesmaids in red dresses & the Groom & his Groomsmen in red vests & ties.  Cowboys hats were a must for the men!  Micah's cute pup served as the ring pup with red & white roses decorating her collar. 

Micah & Hardy said their marriage vows in an open meadow.  The ring pup wasn't thrilled about walking down the aisle but her Mom was more than happy to walk down the aisle & marry her handsome cowboy!

The celebration continued on the wide front porch of the log cabin with its sweeping meadow views.  The cowboys & cowgirls danced to country music until the sun dipped below the horizon!

VENDOR LOVE
Photography: Vendla Stockdale Photography  /  Submitted via Two Bright Lights

{Sneak Peek} Cheryl & Mike

Allow me to tempt you with a sneak peek of the fabulousness coming next Wedding Wednesday:

Oh yes.  A beach wedding.  A beautiful Bride.  A BULLDOG with pink toenails!!!!  Who am I kidding- they had me at the bulldog.  You don't want to miss this incredible wedding next week!

Until then, Happy Weekend!

Photo by Chi Photography of Charleston

{fur babies + weddings} flower lab

Adorable pups in weddings get me every time!  The brown beauty above is no exception.  The bright ribbon collar.  The pretty flowers.  The sweet face.  Oh, the sweet, sweet face.  I die.

I had to post a pet wedding photo today in honor of our fur baby turning four last Sunday.  Beagle Bailey, this one is for you.  We love you so much!

Do you have a special pet in your life?  

Photo by Christine Farah Photography
via

{fur babies + weddings} pups

Is it just me or do you imagine these adorable bulldogs stole a bit of the spotlight during this wedding?  The flower collar, the little tux, those sweet, wrinkled faces- it's too much cuteness!!  

One little regret I have in regards to our wedding is not taking any photos with our fur baby, Beagle Bailey as he is such a huge part of our life.  Due to restrictions at our church & our ballroom, there was no way to include him in the wedding.  But I got ready at home & I wish I had snapped a few photos with Bailey.  That wasn't in the cards either.  As soon as my bridesmaids, moms, hair stylist & make-up artist arrived at our condo bright & early, Bailey started helping himself to bagels & searching the hair stylist's suitcase.  He's such a beagle!  I had to haul him to doggie daycare before he got himself in trouble.  So no photos of us.  Maybe if I'd had a bit more patience, we could have worked it out.     

Would you include your pet in your wedding?  Or perhaps in a few wedding photos?    

Photo Joe Mikos Photographers via

Thankful.

Him, I am so thankful for him

Photo by the great Timothy Glenn Photographers

Thankful.  Very, very thankful.

My husband RZ is at the tippy top of my gratitude list this Thanksgiving.  I dedicate this post to him.  

I am thankful to call you my husband.  I am thankful for the beautiful moment we clasped hands, looked into each other's eyes & pledged our vows in front of our nearest & dearest during our marriage ceremony.  I am thankful for the fun, rockstar party that followed.  I am thankful for our sunny, dreamy Hawaiian honeymoon.  I am thankful for the incredible, lovely newlywed times that came after our wedding & honeymoon.  & for the times that were not so happy or easy, I am thankful we weathered the storms together.  I am thankful for our sweet home we share with our sweet pup.  I am thankful that I look forward to the moment you walk through the door every night.  I am thankful for every big & small moment that we make special.  I am thankful for this amazing life that is ours. 

More than words. 

Dear Koru Family & Friends, I wish you the most Happy Thanksgiving!  

Koru Kate Finds: Gratitude

Give Thanks Always

Banner available at Etsy in thedancingwren's store

Today's Koru Kate Finds isn't a pretty something you can buy in a store.  Nor is it a beautiful something you can ask a florist to create for you.  Nope, this find isn't for sale.


With Thanksgiving on the horizon, I wanted to bring you my greatest Koru Kate Finds of all: Gratitude.  Gratitude is found in our hearts & souls.  Every day, usually during my evening walk with Bailey, I pause & give thanks for my beautiful, imperfect life.  It's all mine, my one & only.  I love my life!  I thank my lucky stars for my husband RZ, my pup Bailey, my family, my friends, my health & my happiness.  Depending on the circumstances, I add extra gratitude for things like a wedding booked or a new baby born.  I'm never at a loss for gratitude no matter how hard & trying or wonderful & easy my day has been.  Trust me, I have my fair share of problems & heartache but my blessings far outweigh them.  


Gratitude is a daily part of my life.  I hope you'll find the space for gratitude in your daily life!  

♥ 6 Months: A Reflection ♥

Oh So Happy: Our Wedding Day
Photo taken by Friend

Six months ago today, RZ & I got married. A big grin spreads across my face & my heart fills with joy at the sweet thought of our happy, beautiful wedding day.

Six months is mere baby steps in the lifetime of a marriage. Still, I believe in celebrating the big & small so this day is worthy of celebration. Six months of being husband & wife, of creating our baby family (**), of becoming an official team. And I've loved every moment!

Pure Joy: Our Wedding Day
Photo Taken by Friend

Everyone & their neighbor ask me if our relationship feels different now that we are married. Tough question. No & YES. Day to day, in the regular routine of our lives, I don't feel like much has changed except perhaps that Mrs. applies to me. We go to work, we spoil our dog, we eat, drink & be merry. Still, there is something there that says everything has changed. Something that is hard to put my finger on, let alone describe. I suppose it's a subtle undercurrent to our relationship, always there, always flowing. Always reminding us of our vows, our promises, our forever. It makes us stronger & makes us better.

To RZ, my best friend, my love, my husband:
Cheers to many, many more!

** Disclaimer:
Baby Family is one of my favorite terms adopted from A Practical Wedding.
It doesn't mean we are having a baby!

Honeymoon: The End or The Beginning?

Boo hoo. Sniff, sniff. The time had come to bid good-bye to tropical Hawaii & return home to snowy New Jersey. Our incredible honeymoon was over.

I wasn't pleased to say the least. I pouted. I begged to stay. I wished I could rewind time & go back to the start of our honeymoon. Nothing RZ mentioned changed my state of mind. Beagle Bailey? He seemed to be having a ball with my sister & brother-in-law. Family & friends? I was sure they would love to visit us in Hawaii. Home sweet home? We could set up camp here easily.

"I'm so sad everything is over," I tried to explain. "The wedding, the honeymoon . . . done & done. It's sad."

RZ shook his head. "Nothing is over. We just got married, this is only the beginning."

He was right, of course. The leisurely, sunny days spent enjoying life with my new husband had caused me to lose sight of our truth. Our positive new beginning was as fresh & bright as the Hawaii sun!

Day in the Park

On Friday, I decided to kick off Memorial Day weekend with a trip to the local park with Bailey. All I needed was plenty of water, my beach chair, my Kindle & my furry best friend. We walked the short two blocks & set up camp in the generous shade of the tall oak trees. I intended to get lost in my book but I couldn't help but watch Bailey.

He was so, so happy to be relaxing in the green grass & watching our fellow Hobokenites pass through the park. Just look at his big smile:


When the urge struck him, Bailey rolled joyfully in the grass:


Give this sweet pup a patch of grass & a beautiful day & he bursts with happiness. As summer approaches, he reminds me to take pause & appreciate the small, wonderful things in my life. Reading in the shade of oak trees at the park. Casual, backyard barbecues. Sunny beach days. Ordinary days with my hubs & pup. I'm surrounded by an abundance of blessings & happiness each & every day. It's time I start noticing!!

Happy Memorial Day! Our gratitude for our past & present troops who dedicate their lives to our freedom!! God Bless America~

It's A Wrap! 6th Edition

Bailey practices his favorite yoga move, The Resting Dog
No, it has nothing to do with weddings but it was too cute not to share!

Happy Friday! Here are my picks of inspiration & information from around the web this week:

You don't have to love it, trust me. You really don't, you're not alone.

They had me at the proposal story but you'll love the wedding eye candy too!

Are you mailing your wedding invitations after April 17th?
Please, please read this post with the dets on the postal rate increases!

I want this beaded tulle cape so badly it isn't funny.

How did you ask?

Enjoy your weekend!

It's A Wrap! 4th Edition

Just a Pretty Picture of Cheery Clementines

I skipped It's A Wrap! last week due to the good cause of For Japan With Love but I'm back this week with some fresh pretties for your enjoyment.

While none are as cute as my Gucci & Bailey, these furry friends are pretty adorable!

I need this, I want this! Please, please let it be MINE.

Flowers with serious spunk!

I admit it, I adore winter weddings- especially this stunner!

I welcome the opportunity to learn more about marriages that are different from mine.
And pleasantly surprised to learn we share some common threads!

Happy Weekend!

Ready, Set, GO!

Our sweet boy Bailey before he was sent to doggie day care

Red roses from my fiance!

My wedding dress: I wish I could wear it again & again!

Me & My Gorgeous Bridesmaids

I'm going to the chapel & I'm going to get married!
(Above photos were taken by friends)

The night before our wedding, my cousin/bridesmaid & I stayed up until 4am packing up the wedding items, cleaning the condo, finishing DIY projects & gossiping. It was a little crazy & I wouldn't recommend it to everyone but it enabled me to wake up on our wedding day without a single care or worry. Everything was done! I noted the sunshine & blue skies & immediately text RZ to say, "It is our beautiful wedding day!" From that moment on, I was on Cloud Nine.

My getting ready crew consisted of my fabulous bridesmaids, my lovely Mom & RZ's great Mom, plus the make-up artist, the hair stylist, the wedding planner & the photographers. Our condo quickly transformed into a dressing room. I had an open house policy so my crew showed up throughout the morning in various stages of hair, make-up & dress. My heart warmed at the sight of each girl's bright, happy, shiny face.

I have to say, I did little more than relax in the hours before our ceremony. My biggest task was walking Bailey & taking him to his doggie daycare/hotel. Then I was able to chill & eat (seriously, Brides-to-be- eating is important!!) while everyone buzzed around me. The hair stylist & make-up artist worked their magic. The beautiful flowers were delivered. Red roses & a sweet note from my fiance arrived. Candid photos were snapped. Girls dashed here & there. It was shaping up to be a wonderful wedding day!

Of course, I was the last lady to get ready. The bridesmaids & Moms were dressed & they looked stunning!! I had my "Classic Bride" make-up done, then had my side chignon styled & my chiffon flower placed. At last, it was time to put on my wedding dress!!! I had waited for this moment for so long & I savored every second. The gorgeous dress. The simple veil. The sparkly shoes. The pearl earrings & the pearl/rhinestone bracelet. The calla lily bouquet. I had carefully chosen every last detail to transform me into my ideal version of a Bride. I've never felt more beautiful!!

Before we left for the church, we had an almond champagne toast & it was my very favorite part of getting ready. Here I was with my favorite women in the world. We looked beautiful & we were pumped: we were on the brink of my marriage ceremony! It doesn't get more special than this (a true understatement). We huddled in the living room & cheered the wedding day. Cheers!

{puppy love} Love on Paws

Bailey is waiting for his Pup Dad to come home

I often describe our Bailey as Trouble on paws. No, that isn't a typo- Trouble with a capital T. If there is something he shouldn't have, Beagle Bailey finds it & attempts to destroy it. Then again, Bailey is as sweet as the day is long. He is Love on paws.

Case in point is RZ's homecoming each evening. When we were in the process of adopting Bailey from the fantastic All About Labs, his foster Dad warned us that Bailey gets overexcited at reunions, perhaps because Bailey isn't used to people coming back for him which breaks my heart. Now Bailey seems to realize that RZ is coming home but his excitement never wanes. Bailey patiently plants himself at the front door around the time he expects RZ to arrive. RZ's schedule fluctuates so sometimes Bailey waits for close to one hour, sometimes mere minutes. He doesn't care- he stays in position. As soon as RZ opens the front door, I witness pure joy & exuberant enthusiasm. Bailey leaps up, cries, whines & wags his tail so hard that his whole body wiggles. He receives some pets, then drops back to the floor for his favorite belly rub. Any worry & stress disappears from RZ's face, replaced with smiles & happiness. How could he not grin when Bailey is throwing a party merely because he came home?

Can you imagine what a better place the world would be if we greeted each other with such passion & joy day after day, night after night? Our pets demonstrate unconditional love for us day in & day out, yet we're too slow to follow their stellar example. Bailey may be Trouble but he has much to teach us if we pay attention. He is Love on paws & we are so lucky to have him!

As Valentine's Day quickly approaches, I can't let this lovely time pass without mentioning the love for our furry friends. They provide us with endless love & ask for so little in return, it's simply amazing. This post is dedicated to Bailey & those who we loved before him, Gucci & Kaydee~

Welcome 2011!

RZ and I had simple New Year's Eve plans: Ring in 2011 with our brother, sister-in-law and baby niece. Life had other plans. I was sidelined with a high fever, sore throat & general yuck. By the time the sun set, I was feeling better but there was no way I could risk getting the baby sick. Our plans became even simpler: Ring in 2011 at home with our Bailey.

RZ, being the fabulous guy he is, was determined to make our simple night special. And he did!

First, we had wine, shrimp cocktail & brie with crackers:


Notice the shrimp cocktail beautifully served in margarita glasses:


Then a yummy, yummy steak with mashed potatoes & broccoli:


And our official almond champagne toast to ring in 2011:


Bailey puts on his sweetest face in anticipation of his first 2011 treat:


Our last night of 2010 was filled with my favorite things: RZ, Bailey & delicious food & good drinks. I couldn't have asked for a better night!

Now it's 2011! We're getting married SOON!

O Christmas Tree

Our Christmas Tree decorated

with the sentimental bridal shower ornaments

Bailey takes a holiday nap by our Christmas tree

Our condo is decorated for the holidays & transformed into our personal winter wonderland. We hauled out the decorations, played Christmas tunes & made holiday memories. This year, we had the most fun decorating our Christmas tree with the new Christmas ornaments handpicked by our beloved family & friends. I don't think our tree has ever looked more beautiful or meant so much to us.

Happy Holidays!

We Are Family

Festive & Fun Foyer Decor

Our Family!

What is family? They are the crazy, lovable bunch I call my Mom, sister, Grandma, Aunts, Uncles, cousins, etc. Now my family is extended to include RZ's fun, sweet bunch of relatives. And, of course & perhaps most importantly, RZ is my family.

RZ & I started our family unofficially years ago. It was us, plus our sweet Gucci & spunky Kaydee. Now it's us, plus our goofy Bailey. Who knows what the future may bring our family. No matter what, our family is always & forever us. We're thrilled to make our family official on our wedding day!

Because our family is my number one priority, I was absolutely over the moon to receive our "Corpuz Family" holiday wreath hanger as a bridal shower gift from my bridesmaids. They included a cheerful, red berry wreath. The festive wreath & personalized hanger were amoung one of the first bridal shower gifts to be placed in our home. I look forward to hanging it year after year during the holidays as our family grows & changes.