My wedding is a second wedding. Any one else on their second? I am enjoying this process a lot more than the 1st time around (I was 21 and just wanted to get it over with). This time the focus is going to be on being with all of the people who are important to us and having a good time with good food. We expect about 110 but are having a brunch wedding. At first we were going to go all fancy in a venue that is a castle on a hill in the country. But they were being very fickle about the food we could have. I was getting very frustrated and discouraged. My fiancee and I were discussing my frustration whilst (no I do not really talk like that but it just kinda sounds good, lol)… any ways, we were discussing my whoas whist dining in our favorite restaurant. I just kind of jokingly said; "I wish we could just have it here"… and he made me see it as a real possibility.

The restaurant is in our "Old Town" which is a cute town center with an old timey feel. The actual building is all brick inside with really tall (like 75-100 feet) exposed beam ceilings. It is a Mexican restaurant but there is not one scrap of Mexican decor. There will be 2 long rows of tables with white table cloths adorned with burlap runners, primarily white flowers with French lavender pops. We are both scholars and have a vast collection of books which will be used in the center pieces tied with twine. There will be mason jars with Baby's Breath and white candles along with fresh logs cut into thin circles of differing sizes used to elevate parts of the table scape.

When our guests arrive they will help themselves to our hot cocoa bar and they will choose a seat. They will mingle and enjoy some breakfast quesadillas along with freshly made chocolate chip cookies and chips and salsa while the rest of the guests arrive. At 9:30 we will begin our ceremony which is going to be a very nontraditional joining of our families consisting of our kids and then we will exchange our hand written vows at the head of the room under this cute little frame and drape that my step dad is making.

After the ceremony, breakfast will be served and will consist of fresh fruit, the best homemade tortillas on the planet, fried potatoes, beans, and our favorite dish chilequilles. There will be a candy buffet. Our cake is going to be 3 tier with the top being the only part that is actually cake, the rest will be donuts and flowers for decoration. My cousin is a photographer and will be providing his services along with making a video.

It will be short and sweet… the only form of entertainment will be music playing in the background. On our wedding website we are having all of the guests write their favorite love song and we are going to compile them all to play during the wedding.

The only detail I do not have nailed down yet is my dress. At first I wanted a traditional wedding dress but then I went shopping for one and felt foolish trying them on. Now I know I want a nice dress that is deep purple that I can wear again (like on formal nights on cruises, we are avid cruisers). But, I have not found one yet. I think the dark purples don't make their appearance in the fashion world until Fall.

Rachel, your plans sound super fun! I think it's great that you found all those little things that you can bring in that tie to you and your fiance's interests. I think the hardest part for me is that I don't feel like either I or my fiance have a clear vision of what we want our reception to be. I want the fairly traditional ceremony at church, but don't really know what I want for the reception. There's some pressure to do a hotel reception just because there will be a lot of people coming from out of town and that way there are less worries about people getting home (or needing to have cars/cabs). Hopefully, I'll have that moment where I really get that "wish it was here" and find the way to make it happen.

Sarah, just ask yourself… "what is MOST important to me?" Is it color, over all feel, food, decor, flowers, entertainment? Pick one and create a kick *kitten* plan for that then just build around it. I think so many brides try to focus on too much and they end up a) spending way to much trying to make everything perfect, b) not entirely happy with any one thing, and/or c) so stressed out that they don't get to enjoy their special day. All of those things were def true for me the 1st time around!

Jill, I know right? Brunch rocks! Your wedding sounds like it is going to be quite an event!!! That pic you posted looks like my venue. I love the treat table idea, yummy yummy yummy!

Deposit paid, food tasted, string duo listened to, need to book flights..............

Fortune cookies sounds good, and Hawaii! Our wedding is in Italy, we've hired a villa and are staying for the week with some guests camping, the string duo are ace so booked them. The venue is taking care of all food and wine and flowers and setting up wedding tables, reception and wedding. Need to book flights, some guests already have buy clothing, decide on favours, design a cake and a vegan cake (for vegan and allergic guests), have to do my own hair and make up I think, so will need to learn how to do that! Oh yes, rings, hmm, even a relaxed wedding seems to have lots of parts, and now the best man is pestering me for numbers and stag/hen party venues! He's too organised for a man, guess that's why he's best.....