I haven't been to Target in FOREVER because there isn't one in Wooster. This is hard for me because I used to be able to walk to Target. It's good though because I save a lot more money!
Anyway. Target is awesome and they have some really cute and REALLY cheap stationery right now that would be perfect for wedding thank-you's for brides who can't afford to (or agree that it is ridiculous to) spend hundreds of dollars on cards.
Check them out:

Head over to the Target website to browse their entire online selection!
They also started carrying really cute party supplies too, like photo booth prop kits and pretty table decorations for those of us who don't have time to make every single little thing we fall in love with on Pinterest :)

Dakota and I took a walk in Smithville the other day and came upon this church: It's the Smithville Historic Church of God, and it was built in 1867. Isn't it beautiful? I tried to go inside but it wasn't open.

You can get married here for $200. The chapel holds about 100 people.

This got me thinking about other historic churches in Ohio, which led me to try and do a search... They are HARD to find information about! I think that it is hard enough (if you don't already have a home church) to find a church to have your wedding at, but if you're looking for a historic church, it can be almost impossible to find a site with complete information.

Here are some resources I found to be helpful:

1. Remarkable Ohio: Lists all of the historic markers in Ohio. You can browse by keyword (churches, obviously), or by city or county (or any other number of things).

2. Cleveland Area history blog: Has posts related to historic churches to give you an idea of different ones in the area. Has a lot of great information about history, too.

3. Flickr: Flickr is a great place to search for images, since a lot of local people are uploading pictures of local places. Some photographers are more specific than others (they actually list the name of the place they took the picture). This can help you find pretty churches which can aid in your own search. I did a search for "small churches" and then searched for Ohio in that group. Lots of great stuff.

4. Sacred Landmarks: Has a pretty nice list, by county, of historic churches in Northeast Ohio.

5. And of course, one of the best places to look is on the blogs and websites of local photographers. Many of them have very organized sites, which can be helpful in finding cool venues or photo spots...

I want to open a wedding venue, but until that dream can become a reality, I have to just search google for swoonworthy venues and drool over commercial real estate listings.
I thought today I would include you in on the fun.
There is something wonderful about old buildings (I have a special place in my heart for historic structures) and I have a particular fondness for old schools (Michael and I had our reception in a historic school). I guess I've always been a school-loving nerd :)
Here are some wonderful converted schools that make for truly unique and fun wedding venues:
Old Bedford School, Texas: est. 1915
Wedding at The Old Bedford School. Image via Inspiring Brides Blog
Wedding at the Old Bedford School. Image via Inspiring Brides Blog
Ceremony in the auditorium (!!! so cute!!!) at the Old Bedford School. Image via Live Laugh Photograph.
The Enoch Turner Schoolhouse, Toronto: est. 1848
Exterior of the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse. Image via Sash and Satin. Wedding at Enoch Turner Schoolhouse (with amazingly cute details). Image via Silverlight Photography
The Old Albion Schoolhouse, California: est. 1924. The cool thing about this venue is that it was actually converted into a home by legendary record producer Bill Bottrell. It is now a venue and hotel.
Old Albion School. Image via Home Away. Interior at Old Albion Schoolhouse. Image via Schoolhouse Properties blog.
The Hollywood Schoolhouse, Washington: est. 1912. Beautiful brick on the outside with a stunning inside event space. Hollywood Schoolhouse Exterior. Image via the Hollywood Schoolhouse.
Hollywood Schoolhouse Interiors. Image via the Hollywood Schoolhouse.
And I couldn't do a post on Schoolhouse venues without including one of my favorites...
The Boston Township Hall, Peninsula Ohio: est. 1887
The Boston Township Hall, Ohio. (Where we had our reception). Image via Remarkable Ohio.

What do you think about schoolhouse venues?? Would you get married in one?

Hi everyone! Just wanted to write a quick post to say sorry that I haven't blogged in a few days. This is why:

Even though I love you all and thoroughly enjoy writing about weddings, I just can't sit inside when the birds are chirping and the sun is out!
I promise I will post some fun stuff this week to make up for it :)
Happy sunny weather!

Spencer and Casie are two dear friends of mine and my husband's who were married last September. Spencer and my husband have been friends basically their whole lives, and so it was particularly awesome to be guests at his wedding (the whole time we just kept saying, "I can't believe Spencer is getting married." Isn't it weird to grow up?).
Now, I may be biased, but I've been to a lot of weddings, and this one was by far one of my favorites. It was intimate, the ceremony was both sentimental and laugh out loud funny (i.e. when the Pastor quoted Beyonce during the ring exchange), and the reception was not only beautiful, but comfortable (which I think is hard to achieve). It had all the feel of a well-planned out wedding without being TOO planned out or stuffy. PLUS, there were DIY details galore.
I asked Casie to tell me a little bit more about her planning process, and she had some really good advice for brides looking to plan a beautiful celebration on a budget. Look through the pictures and I think you'll agree: it is totally do-able to have the wedding of your dreams without spending your life's savings.
From Casie:
Spencer and I met at Lakeside, Ohio working at Hoover Auditorium. Lakeside holds a lot of special memories for the both of us so it was a no brainer to have our ceremony on the historic grounds. We had planned to wait a year and a half to get married. But there were other life changing things that were happening, so we decided to move the wedding up. A big over-the-top wedding was out of the question. My sister was getting married a month after Spencer and I and we were handling the majority of the finances. I literally had four months to plan this wedding while working full-time, but found that if you keep things simple, you can do it! No reason to wait. I also found that family members wanted to help out, either with physical tasks or monetarily. Let people help, but give direction and keep it reasonable.

Image via Sarah Whitwell Photography
"Dress: Oleg Cassini via www.preownedweddingdress.com. (I saved over 60% and the bustling was already done!)"

Image via Sarah Whitwell Photography
"I made, cut and assembled all of the invitations. I did leave out the RSVP card and planned on all attending (even though not all would attend). I loved the website www.downloadandprint.com. The price of the membership out weighed the cost of have them professionally done. The paper and envelopes were picked-up from Staples and Pat Catans. FYI: A sturdy cutting board is important. Ask around, someone will have one."

Image via Sarah Whitwell Photography
"My cousin created a beautiful heart out of one of my dad’s old shirts and sewed it into my dress. It was another lovely little addition. I also used a piece of my mother’s wedding dress to be the sleeve of my flowers. The dress had otherwise aged poorly but I still felt it was special to incorporate."

"I felt like the investment of pants, tie and suspenders would be more affordable for the boys then renting. Spencer’s groomsmen were from all over the country so we had to find a source that would be available to everyone. We went with JCPenny because they had the right style and price."

"I wanted something quick and simple so I had my girls pick-up a dress I loved from Old Navy. It was perfect and only cost $30. I had them get gladiator sandals or use a pair they already had."

Image via Sarah Whitwell Photography


"I borrowed mason jars and filled them with Epsom salts and tea candles (bought the tea candles super cheap at a garage sale). Then I had the local bar save their liquor bottles from the weekend. I soaked and removed the labels and had my sister write faith, hope and love on the bottles, then I spray-painted them. I also placed some old sheet music underneath the bottles and jars. I also strung pictures of Spencer and I growing up along with our engagement photos. It was fun to look over the years in just a few minutes."

"I planted a mix of Zinnias and other wild flowers. I also “borrowed” flowers from other gardens- no one misses a few flowers here and there. Flowers like black-eyed Susans and Purplecone flowers are plentiful. Don't limit yourself- Queen Anne’s lace is beautiful and foxtail is rustic and they’re considered weeds! Also, go with a local florist to do arrangements. They are more likely to be flexible with pricing."

  
"The bonfire added to the summertime fun picnic theme. Plus, guests were able to use their favors right away (little smore's packs)."

Image via Sarah Whitwell Photography
Other details:
Ceremony location: Perry Park in Lakeside, Ohio
Reception location: Private household
Date: September 8, 2012
Guest Count: 180
Photography: Casie chose a good friend and sorority sister, Sarah Whitwell, and gave her suggestions of what she wanted (using Pinterest for inspiration).
Food: Picnic theme: hamburgers, hotdogs, watermelon, chips and lemonade/water.
Best part of the day: "Finally kissing my husband!"
Worst part: "Spencer forgot the vases for the sand ceremony. It was labeled in the program and the band was going to play during that time so I couldn’t just pull it. I found out literally five minutes before walking down the aisle. Both my maids of honor and best man sprung into action, grabbing the vases the flowers came in and river rocks to place in the bottom. I felt helpless but, in the end, everything worked out."
Favorite DIY project: The invitations and favors. ("I felt like I was getting one step closer to the big day!")
Splurge: "Haha."
Advice: "Cover the details or get someone to handle them. Day-of, you do not want to be worrying as to whether the lights are plugged in as guests are arriving to the reception or that all the right people are paid. Also, don’t forget your marriage license!"

There are a lot of good items for sale this week, especially for brides looking for great deals on linens and table decor! Click on the pictures to take you to the original posting.

Wedding Magazine March/April 2013. Image via Wedding Magazine.
I especially love the way the new issue incorporates traditional layouts with a contemporary feel and use of imagery. For example, the feature on seasonal flowers is beautiful and comprehensive, without being too busy. I like the idea that I can pick up a magazine and have a wealth of knowledge at my fingertips that is also pretty to look at.

Wedding Magazine Seasonal Flower Spread. Image via Wedding Magazine.
Wedding Flowers & Accessories has definitely stepped it up with this new makeover, and this is a magazine I would be referring to a lot if I were planning a wedding. Brides, check it out! You won't be disappointed.

April 1st. Some people like to think of Fools, but I prefer to think of Flowers. It's been a long, cold winter (especially here in Northeast Ohio), and Spring is *finally* in the air. My skin is just aching for sunshine, and my eyes are longing for beautiful pops of floral color.