An Autumn Wedding Turns into a Summer Elopement (Well, Not Really)
10 July 2009 | by Jen in Whatnot
I’ve been a bit frazzled lately. Last week I started to feel a summer cold coming on (the worst!) I realized that I needed to rest. You know, I’ve been trying to do wedding stuff + shop stuff (although that hasn’t really been happening since the wedding stuff – will have to be corrected soon) and then just all the other stuff that goes on in life. I was constantly waivering between “Wweeeeeeeeeeeee!” and “Aaaackk!” So now, to remedy that, I’m taking some Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5, good for the nerves), cut out the caffeine (green tea, not the chocolate – can’t stop that!) and forcing myself to go to bed at a “normal” (normal for me) time which is difficult since I’m like a child in that I really don’t want to go to sleep. Ever.
And this morning? Mostly I’m “weeeee!,” with a tiny bit “aack.” Better. I’m having a moment of calm, dears, so let’s take advantage of it. Wedding Update! 
You already knew we were on the fast track and had tentatively planned a wedding for autumn. While trying to figure out the logistics (the most fun or the worst part of any planning depending on your personality – guess where I fall?) I started to feel wigged out by the stress of it; I wanted to enjoy my short engagement and all the planning wasn’t helping; so we decided to elope. Just us. It was great. I was still going to make my dress, still going to have wonderful pictures of the event.
For a long time I would say, “When I get married, I want to elope.” My parents knew this. And when I told them about our engagement they told me, “You’re adults, do what you want. Go elope, it’s fine with us.” “Really??” “Yes.” (I think my parents were just happy I was actually getting married and not going to turn into an old spinster [Clarification: I personally do not have a problem with old spinsters].)
So, that’s what I told them – “Scrap the wedding plans, we are just going to elope.” Gave them the date, in August. (Why wait when you’re just going to run off?) Well, guess what? Mom and Dad were not happy about it. At all. (Make a mental note here: When eloping, do not tell parents.)
ANYHOW, we are still going to to have a summer wedding only now the parents are coming to the ceremony! At first I resisted the idea. What happened to my utterly romantic vision of two people running away together? What about my reluctance to become weepy and sentimental in front of an audience? But my parents were truly disappointed and I couldn’t very well run away knowing they felt excluded from our special day. So, I’m over that and am now glad our (out of town) parents are involved. (Not sure if anyone else would be coming. We need to keep it small.) And we still plan to celebrate party-style with our friends and family in the fall so that will be fun! How many people get a summer wedding and an autumn reception?
So, again, I’ve been frazzled lately. But at this point most things are taken care of and I’m feeling really excited about things. On my to do list: I still need to get my wedding band sized, alter my fiance’s vest. Make the boutonnieres. (Yes, I’m making those now, for all three men.) Maybe a bouquet for me, I’ve got some ideas for that. And my dress. The dress!
Yes, I know, this dress just screams “BRIDE.” Ok not really, but it’s working out. I thought at first I would go more 1930s tea-length. Then I thought about a full-length, early 1950s style. But what I really wanted was something pretty but relatively easy. This pattern, from 1948, did not jump out at me at first but I think the silhouette looks pretty good on my figure and it’s not too complicated. Plus I’m customizing it so it won’t end up looking like an everyday sundress.
Fabric: I’ve had this soft white lace for years now – I originally bought it to make my Maid of Honor dress for my friend Natalie’s big, formal wedding. When it was decided that we were going to buy dresses, I knew that I’d find a use for this lace someday. This lace has turned out to be quite perfect for the dress. It’s nice but not overly fancy. Light, not too heavy. The lace is for the lace overdress; the lining will be a separate dress. This way I can change the lining dress underneath (I hope to be able to wear this dress again and not put it away in storage.)
My wedding colors went from muted early fall tones (iris, hydrangea, ivory and mustard) to more light and happy summer hues (pinks and yellows and white – maybe blue too). I may use this petal pink batiste and nude gauze (above) for the lining. I can”t guarantee I’ll use either of these since I’ve changed my mind 3 times already! But it would be pretty, yes? And as far as decorating the dress, I’m still trying to figure out that part – vintage flowers, a velvet ribbon belt, vintage foil-back buttons….just some more ideas I’m playing around with.
I hope that was a satisfying update! I don’t want to give away too many details – I think it will be more fun this way when I show you the wedding pictures eventually. (Which I will, of course!)
Thank you for letting me share with you all and have a lovely weekend!
What are your thoughts, dears? | ♥ 12 Comments
oh deary, I can’t wait to see the dress!
Love your dress & your colors! You still have time to elope.
But I understand wanting to follow your family’s wishes too.
I really, really wanted to elope but Steve said that his mother would kill him. His sister had eloped and I think he just wanted the whole ceremony/party anyway. So fine, I planned the whole wedding because he wasn’t too helpful. He tried, but he had no concept of how to go about it, despite my every effort to get him involved. (Poor Steve – I’m not trying to bash him here, it’s just his personality type. He’s not a planner)
Anyway, it was stressful to plan but ended up being a very nice, small celebration. At the reception though, his mother walked up to me and said, “Oh honey, you didn’t have to go to all this trouble. Why didn’t you two just elope?” hahahaha
I can’t wait to see that dress, it’s going to be AWESOME!
Hooray for August wedding!
How exciting! Very happy for you. I CAN’T wait to see the final dress. Beautiful lace!
Yea! I was so excited to see this. Lovely dress, I can’t wait to see the final version. I love the idea of the lace overdress too. Have you cut the dress out yet?
I was wondering, had you seen NotMartha’s website, Planning to Elope?
Hahahaha! I was thinking of eloping too!! It’s still on my mind and I would be scared to tell my parents too because they always imagined that they would be apart of the ceremony. But eloping seems easier doesn’t it? Oh I love the dress that you have picked! It’s simple and chic! I can’t wait to see pictures jen!
It’s your day—have the wedding you want.
We didn’t want a big wedding either and decided to elope. We didn’t tell our parents but we did take them along (they thought it was just dinner out). They were so happy that we were married they immediately forgave us for forgoing the big bash (which incidentally they threw anyway three months later).
Have a wonderful day and do it your way. You’ll be glad you did.
I love the pattern you picked out for your wedding dress–it’s so perfect for a small, informal wedding!
The fabric is to die for too… I cannot wait to see what little details you add to make it “you”! 
I must admit: I gave a sympathetic nod of my head while reading about your feelings of being overwhelmed with wedding plans and scheming an elopement. I definitely felt the same way you did–I just wish I had been able to convince my husband that eloping would be fun!
(It came down to an issue of his family expecting us to have a “real” wedding, and my family being “whatever you want!” about it… So in the interests of family peace, we just stuck with our initial plans.) I had always dreamed of a simple wedding with just my parents and sister, his family, and our pastor marrying us. Then going out for dinner at a posh restaurant. hehe! I love your idea of an autumn reception–it sounds so grand!
Anyway, just wanted to say you are not alone in being wigged out about planning a wedding. I think I managed to get myself so worked up while planning mine, that it took me weeks to not be on edge. hehe!
Best of luck, dear Jen!!!
Wow! That is an amazing change in plans! You will be a beautiful bride no matter what:) I am having so much fun dreaming about your wedding with you, <3
I’m sure everything will look so adorable. You have such a cute petite frame,that your dress that you have planned will look very nice on you. I can’t wait to see the actual pictures!! WEEE how fun to see all the planning and fun fabrics.
I forgot to change your blog address so I’ve been missing your posts! I’m catching up this morning! I hope your cold is better!
Oh. My. Gosh.
A dress you’ve made yourself and that AMAZING lace – I’m a lace lover big time… I can hardly wait to see the during and after pictures – assuming you are kind enough to share them here!
I just love your jewelry, too! I’d love to feature you in my shop on some future post. Let me know if you’d be interested!
Happy wedding planning to you :O)
Ssuan