Wednesday, June 30, 2010

My First Wedding Post!


I did make some major wedding decisions yesterday...or at least I made up my mind about certain things.  I had already decided the location with my mom's help about a week and a half ago.  I've decided to get married in Ischia, which if you don't know is an island off the coast of Naples.  Basically my dad grew up there and besides that it's a very beautiful, idyllic place.  I've summered in its neighbouring islands Procida and Capri.  Capri had initially been my honeymoon destination choice but I feel like it's become a little bit spoiled or overdone, if that makes sense!  Ischia is more special to me for sentimental reasons anyway and I feel it's less well-known which appeals to me!

My favourite part of Italy is of course, Naples because that's where my family is from.  My grandparents'/now my uncle's house is there and I feel it's my home away from home.  Aside from the fact that the weather should be gorgeous in the summer-time, as my dad can't be at my wedding in person this feels like the right location to get married.

I was chatting to my friend Polina on Twitter yesterday, which happened to be her name day.  If you don't know, in some countries people celebrate your name day which is like your birthday, only it's not the day you were born, it's the day of the saint you were named after.  Because my family is Italian I've always celebrated my name day, which in Italy is called your "onomastico".  Mine is on July 26th - Sant'Anna.  I feel like this would be a really special day to get married on July 26th 2011...my mom got married on her birthday so this would be very similar to that.

It's going to be quite an intimate wedding in the sense that only family and close friends are invited.  I'm toying with the idea of having a beach wedding.  Also, it maybe extremely difficult if not, impossible to get married in a church on July 26th.  As well as that, I've never been very religious.  Isn't it somewhat hypocritical to get married in a church if you've never practised your religion?  I don't know...!


At the moment I'm looking at nice hotels because we will be staying there for our honeymoon too.  This one in particular caught my eye.  I love the decor - simple yet chic!  The hotel is also a spa and since I can't stand hen parties, bachelorette parties or any of that tackiness, I think a girls' spa day would be much nicer!  Jonathan and his brother (best man) are into motorbikes so they'll all probably go on a biking trip around the island.


I haven't fully decided on my bridesmaids yet...at first I was going to only have 3 (all close family members), and then Jonathan would have 3 groomsmen but a tiny part of me thinks it might be more fun to have more.  I'm not really sure.  My two sisters, Emma and Erika and my cousin Valentina are all definitely bridesmaids.  I want a very neutral colour scheme, so all the bridesmaids will be wearing champagne coloured halter-neck dresses.  Here's my dream dress...




I love the embroidery and lace!  The sweet-heart neckline is a favourite of mine and I've always wanted a full skirt.  What do you think?!  I also googled some inspiring images that fit with the theme of my wedding in my head ;)  Such as the cake/flowers, invitations and candles.






   I'm getting excited just looking at all of these things!  I know it's over a year away but I don't think there's any harm in planning ahead of schedule ;)  Let me know your thoughts and what you have planned/already did for your wedding!

Stay Stylish!

xoxo
Anna  

Disclaimer: Images from Google.

25 comments:

  1. Anna, you're going to look absoloutely stunning, I hope that it fulfills all of your dreams!

    www.sshlow.blogspot.com

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  2. Everything looks perfect and beautiful! I got married last year on July 24th in my home country Portugal. It was hard planning it from Canada but all my family is there and they helped immensely. I got married at the church where all my family got married.
    Anyway, it's never to early to start planning and word of advice: Enjoy your (yours and Jonathan's) day. It goes by so quickly so have as much fun you can and don't stress the small things.

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  3. It looks like it will be completely amazing Anna! I adore the dress and think that it suits you perfectly! Again, congratulations on the engagement and I hope that you and Jonathan are happy together for ever! :) xoxo

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  4. Oh, Anna, this makes me feel so excited! I am so so happy for you two.
    Lots of happiness wishes from me!

    XX

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  5. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are getting married????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is just way to exciting!! I think it's going to be the coolest wedding ever. You as a gorgeous bride and Jonathan with his sense of humour and jokes. Oh, God... It's just wow... Can I come? :)

    I love love love the place (haven't been, haven't known, but am sure would love as it's Italy and it's impossible not to love Italy), love love love love the dress and the flowers. You will be like a princess.

    What are you going to do about the lil one? Is Albi staying at home?

    xxx

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  6. By the way, we have "name day" in Russia too. Mine is 8th September. :)

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  7. Hi everyone :)

    Thank you so much for all the lovely comments!

    @Pink Butterfly Thanks for your advice I will definitely take that on :) And your wedding sounds like it was beautiful!

    @Little Rus Of course you can come! Albi is the ring-bearer!! :)

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  8. Hi Anna!
    I read a wedding blog called 100 Layer Cake (google it and you'll find the blog link) and they have some really really cute ideas. A lot of it is about putting personal touches on little parts of your wedding. THey have beautiful suggestions - you may want to check it out!!

    So excited to watch you plan your dream wedding. How sweet of you to keep your dad in mind every step of the way!

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  9. Sounds incredible! It can be so much fun planning your dream day, just enjoy and relax...everything will fall into place and be beautiful for you! :) Can't wait to hear more!

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  10. Start planning as much as possible right away! lol, when my sister got married she had over two years to plan, and was still doing stuff at the very last minute even though she started the plans right after they got engaged. It's never too early to start, because the big day will be here before you know it!

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  11. OOOOhhhhhhh I love you dress it is fab!! It all looks amazing, your dad would be so proud.

    Congrats again guys :) xxx

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  12. Anna!! Everything is stunning, the location, the dress, you and jonathon!! Awww I can't wait to see what your dress will be like! I'm so excited for you! :D x

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  13. Anna Banna - This post gets me all excited and sentimental for you! :) You will have such a beautiful wedding and you will look so gorgeous. I can't wait to see how the planning goes. :) Maybe a 2nd honeymoon can be in CALIFORNIA! TEEHEE... kidding, well, maybe just a smidge.

    Love ya!
    Charlotte

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  14. I love the location, the invitations, the dresss, the flowers, color theme, ect. Everything is so beautiful and it SHOULD be what you desire/Jonathan desire - it's YOUR day. On the church theme, being Christian, I WISH I had married in the church. Jesus hated religiosity too - He hated ritual/rote prayer - He wants relationship. I cannot imagine leaving HIM out. I keep him first in my life, as life IS all about HIM. That is just my take on it. So, I would suggest at least, if nothing else, keeping God first in your life. I know you'll have a beautiful wedding and be a beautiful bride/handsome groom!

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  15. Sounds beautiful. This Saturday will be our 6th anniversary! I am from the US and he is from Scotland. We got married here in the US and combined our traditions together. I loved the bagpiper that led us out of the church after we got married! We also had a castle theme. We honeymooned in Hawaii.

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  16. Oh Anna Film yourself trying on a few wedding dresses, even if you have already made up your mind...It would be fun to see....

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  17. How beautiful, Anna, and what lovely choices...so exciting and I know you must be enjoying every moment! :)

    Liesl :)

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  18. You are going to be a beautiful bride!! And that goes hand in hand with the fact that your wedding will be perfectly beautiful!! I think a year to plan a wedding is necessary so many details to work through!! I had 8 months to plan & some things went forgotten! I love seeing other peoples ideas for weddings its nice to see how each and everyones is different because obviously everyones style is different!! I think July 26 is approprite date!! (also my dads birthday) And you picked a perfect location since it has meaning behind it!!

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  19. That's soooo crazy. That's my exact "Dream dress" too! it's actually alot more affordable than I was expecting it to be too! It's by Justin Alexander. Sooo love it. You have great taste and you'll be a beautiful bride!

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  20. I am just really happy for you Anna. You will be such a beautiful bride you will look like a princess. :] I know this sounds silly but Albi should deffo go!!!! He can't miss his Mammy and Daddys special day! I am so excited for you and Jonathon :)xX

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  21. That is the sweetest idea about getting married on that island for those reasons :) As soon as I saw that dress I thought of you too. It looks like it was made with you in mind. All so lovely and classy Anna!

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  22. Hi Anna, congrats from a fellow Dubliner on your engagement. I'm also getting married next year, on the 4th June in South Africa. I get how excited you are. I've just been to a couple of wedding dress shops in Dublin, was quite exciting. Happy wedding planning!

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  23. The dress is beautiful, but if you decide to have a beach wedding, I think you should have a less formal one... Or have two dresses: one for the beach and one for the reception. :D

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  24. Hi Anna!
    I hope you are doing great :)
    I am also engaged and I have been that now since 2006. We are planning to get married, but we dont know when. Our plan is to get married here in Finland where we live. We are thinking about going up to lapland since we both love the desert landscapes up there.
    Our honeymoon will go to Venice and then we will travel around Italy :)
    I have relatives in Italy. My dads aunt and her family lives there :) If I remember correctly they live really close to mount Etna :)

    Im so sorry that your dad cant be at your wedding in person, but by having your wedding in Italy will have him spiritually with you and I am sure he would be so proud :)

    And that dress.. wow, what a dream dress :)
    And oh, Im not christian.. so we are wondering if we are going to have an outdoor wedding. My fiancé is christian, but he has said that it would be amazing to get married outside.. maybe on top of the small mountains up in lapland :)

    Ofcourse it is okay to plan ahead sweetie :)
    A wedding is something so important and so huge that even tho you would start preparing 3 years ahead it would be totally ok :)

    I wish you all the best :)

    P.s My nameday is in December. December 9th to be more precise, and my name is also Anna :) D.s

    Hugs
    Anna in Finland

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  25. I love all your youtube videos! You seem like such a wonderful person! You and Jonathan will be so happy together! Best wishes from me <3 xoxo

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Please be nice...the world could use some positivity! :)