(Image credits, clockwise from top left: Andrea Wyner, France Ruffenach, Moya Minns, Philip Galanes, Jasmine Star, Max Wanger, Deborah McLean, Tec Petaja, flickr)
Emily: Let’s start in the top left corner. I want to continue to make my abode feel less and less like an apartment and more and more like a peaceful, happy, rejuvenating home. The image below that represents love to me. It’s such an important part of what my work and my life are about, and I want to make sure love remains at the center of my work and the center of my life — love for God, for my family, for my friends, for life itself, as cheesy as that sounds. It’s a wonderful thing, isn’t it? The image next to it represents a rich inner life to me. Since middle school, one thing that’s really defined me is the fact that I’m a poet. My senior thesis was a 100+ page collection of poetry. Since graduating I haven’t spent much time developing that part of me, and I miss it. I vow to be intentional about doing something about that in 2010. The next two images (bottom right and the one above it) represent joy and weddings to me. I’ve always found joy in weddings, and want to make sure it stays that way even though weddings are now my profession. The top right image represents personal growth to me. For a while now I’ve said I want to learn how to do calligraphy, but I haven’t done anything about it. That’s going to change this year. And lastly, I want to make sure I bring a little happy into every day, either in my own life or the lives of those around me. Ice cream is a good representation of that, don’t you think? P.S. If this is way too wishy-washy for you, check out my 101 in 1001 progress! My 1001 days end on September 24, 2010.
(Image credits, clockwise from top left: 1. flickr, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9: Laurie Frankel, 4. Rebecca Thuss, 8 & 10: Google Image)
Katharine: This year, I am making a few promises to myself; some big + and some not so big, but all integral to making me happier, healthier and awesomer (yes, I did just coin “awesomer”) in 2010. Top to Bottom, Left to Right: Not to sound like a broken record of the Surgeon General’s warnings, but I’m actually kind of amazed at how much better I feel when I work out. No, seriously: ever since I started sneaking into Lara’s gym after work, I’ve been walking on cloud nine. For the past 3 weeks, I’ve dutifully hit the gym every night from 6 – 7 p.m., and I promise to make this a “must” in 2010. Since I am someone who absolutely needs 8 (okay, 10) hours of sleep every night, I promise to follow my vigorous cardio sessions with good old-fashioned sleep. Hanging around Emily has made me a bit more esoteric, and there’s something about that lone parasol that seems effortlessly graceful to me. In 2010, I hope to be more graceful and centered in my daily life, a la Emily Ayer. I also want to be more crafty and creative (see spool of yarn below), but that’s a bear I’m not sure I can tackle alone. (Hey, Em, I’m looking at you, babe!) And while I definitely can’t promise to cut out candy in the new year, I may consider being more adventurous with my sugar selections. Like the girl desperately – and futilely – trying to push an oversized horse into an undersized stall, I’m going to try to let myself off the hook a little in 2010: I’ll push when I can and give up when I have to… and I’ll be okay with that. As for my shoes (and my clothes in general), I need to start wearing them. No, I don’t come to work nakey, but I am guilty of showing up in my sweats and PJs more often than not. So I’m giving Whitney, our fashion guru, permission to make me wear real clothes, even if it kills me. (You wouldn’t know it, since they rarely make an appearance, but I have a fabulous shoe collection.) Above all, I hope my new year is filled with more books and more love, namely in the form of the playful fighting of the Ninja Bears. (P.S. I am the small crafty one and Kyle is my partner in crime.) I’ll see you in 2010!
(Image credits, clockwise from top left: flikr, Dewey Nicks, Aran Goya, Dewey Nicks, flikr, can’t remember, W Maldives, W Maldives, Schumacher, Schumaker)
Lara: This year I want to experience the world with greater awareness- taking in all the colors, tastes, smells, sunsets, and people as much as possible on my many travels ahead. As you can see in the pictures I gravitated to, I want romance, adventure, travel, surprise, color, and clarity. I’m deeming this the year I find my voice. I vow to invest in people who will not necessarily give back to me, but give to others. I want to start a domino effect of positivity in everything I do. This year, I want to continue to be closer to Emily, Katharine and Whitney and to do whatever it takes to help them grow and foster growth for us as a team. I want to hire a full-time assistant to do the tasks that keep me from doing what I love and excel at. I want to be more creative- paint, sing, dance and write from my heart. I want to laugh with my friends, plant my roots in a church, and read the Bible from cover to cover by December 31st, 2010. I plan to wake up earlier, workout more, get stronger and learn how to breathe more during the work day. I will find us a new, bigger office as a start. I’m very excited to announce we’re in the process of building a brand new Southern Weddings blogsite in 2010. It’s going to be chock-full of revolutionary new technology and features that I just can’t wait to release! I want to sleep more and read more books at night. Most of all, I want to love my husband and family more deeply and invest as much energy into them as I have into my work. This year, I plan to take risks and take more than one day off… with no iPhone. 2010 is the year that I make purposeful, God-filled steps. Wishing everyone a very joyful 2010 and congrats to all of our new readers who just got engaged over the holidays!
Happy 2010 y’all! What are you most looking forward to?
Another tough one at first glance, but you hit the nail on the head… better for them to be in agreement and not serve alcoholic beverages at the reception, citing budget. The party folks can always go on to an after party… quite a trend now for bridal receptions.
My fiance’s family doesn’t drink, but my loud, Italian family definitely does. We are having beer and wine at our reception. My thought is that if someone doesn’t want to drink, then they shouldn’t. But if one side of the family drinks, then alcoholic beverages should be provided for those who would like to partake. Just my two cents :)
I think that if you spend too much time considering whether your event will upset or hurt people’s feelings, you’re never going to create a day that reflects you and your to-be-spouse or truly and fully celebrate the beginning of your married life together. That said, sheer disregard for discomfort is inconsiderate. If Sydney’s cousin is going to be embarrassed about her family in front of her fiance’s family (which is, truly, what I read from this situation), that has more to do with Sydney’s feelings/insecurities than with her family. I disagree with Larry and agree with Christin that providing the choice will allow the drinkers to do so and the non-drinkers to decline. I guarantee these adults who do not drink have been in situations before where alcohol has been available and were perfectly fine with their own choice to choose non-alcoholic beverages. I think talking about your budget and what you can and cannot afford as an explanation for what you do or do not have at your wedding is extraordinarily tacky.
I’m on the side of serving alcohol. Taking alcohol off the menu is merely satisfying one half of the guest list is leaving you open to negative feelings from the alcoholic drinkers. If the concern is that the alcohol consumption will result in embarrassing or uncomfortable moments, perhaps consider offering limited choices during cocktail hour and dinner, and having a cash bar for the remainder of the night. That also helps to cut back over consumption!I think it’s most important that you make choices that reflect your values so that you are happy and comfortable with everything. If that means no alcohol then that’s the right decision but if it’s merely to appease a select group of people then you are on the wrong path. Unfortunately you will never make everyone happy so focus on making sure you’re happy first and the rest should fall into place.
I had that problem (my side of the family isn’t big drinkers, for religious reasons, his side is) and was uncertain about what to do. I definitely didn’t want liquor there, nor did I really want the presence of a bar. However, my fiance and I both enjoy wine with dinner and know some people appreciate that as well. We decided we are serving wine with dinner, and a champagne toast with the cake cutting. That way, it is still elegant, without making the non-drinkers feel uncomfortable and there’s no risk about people getting too tipsy.
We had the similar thing happen with our upcoming wedding. Think about what you want and when you go to a wedding what you expect but most importantly how you and your fiance see your wedding and what is affordable for you. There are many options other than supplying a full bar. Just provide unlimited champagne, or a bottle or wine on each table, or have a signature drink, or host the beer and wine with a champagne toast. My fiance and I opted for the last option. Hopefully your venue will accommodate your needs and budget. Good luck!
I agree with several others above saying go ahead, serve it in whatever fashion you prefer (limited offerings, full bar, whatever). To say that the side of the family who doesn’t partake has never been exposed to it, would be pretty rare. If the bride and groom are both comfortable with it, that’s what’s most important.However, I have seen two similar situations handled in equally crafty methods:1 – I have been to two country club weddings, and one restaurant reception, where the bar (that served the alcohol beverages), was a bit set apart (either in different rooms because of how the building is built, etc.). People will find it! And the ones who wanted to drink and chat instead of dance, that is a great space for them to do so without trying to talk over a DJ.2 – My best friend erred on this side because of her budget. They had an early afternoon wedding and then reserved space at a local bar (LARGE bar, because they had a huge guest list of post-partiers) and invited anyone who wanted to attend to come out after for drinks, more dancing, and post-reception shenanigans. I called ahead and worked with the bar to ensure free cover for all attendees, some VIP service and DJ recognition for the bride+groom/parents/bridal party, etc. and it was a HUGE hit. Tons of people came… drinkers and non-drinkers alike… all had a good time. Some people just stayed for a cocktail or two, some of us stayed until closing time. (This is also a good idea for a budget-conscious couple who would still like to serve a round libations for attendees at no cost to their guest. A bar or restaurant may be happy to provide say, a round of one type of drink, beer, glass of wine, or shot for 50-100-or more guests at a low, flat price that the bride+groom can arrange before hand to get tons of people in their venue at once… especially ones who might stay around and spend more money!)
How about a reception that almost flows backwards? Perhaps a dinner in the beginning with just your regular tea and soft drinks then a champagne toast, and then… move into the full bar and cocktails. That way, most of the non-party type people will probably be starting to pack up and head home and everyone else can get the party started without having been smashed before dinner was even served. That’s a little unconventional, but depending on your venue and the logistics, it could potentially work.
Although I don’t drink, I think it would be appropriate to serve alcohol at the wedding. The guests who don’t like to drink can choose not to, but if there is no alcohol, the guests who do enjoy drinking have no choice. I think it’s better to have the option than to have the choice chosen for you. Since the couple already knows that not everyone will drink, perhaps they can cut cost by choosing only to serve limited choices at the bar.
I think it is fine to serve alcohol at the reception. If the conservative family doesn’t want to drink, they don’t have to. They can still have just as much fun as those that are partaking in spirits. Issues only stem from one side of the family judging one another’s choices. This can be conquered by simply having the bride and groom speak to each side of the family and explaining how the other is likely to behave. People are always able to cope better when they are prepared.Plus, I’d say if the bride and groom are personally okay with drinking alcohol, then they should include it. The day is supposed to be a celebration of their love and their relationship, right? :)
This is exactly the situation with my upcoming June wedding. My family will drink alot, his will not. I agree with Sharon, if you choose not to drink you don’t have too but if it’s not even present at the wedding people who would enjoy a drink cannot have one. While I think it is ok to have a bar and I want all of my guests to have a great time, (not a cash bar!! I think this is very tacky and if you need to do it just limit choices to beer & wine), it is never appropriate to get smashed, even if both sides were partiers. Guests who have chosen to drink in excess should be escorted out by a sober wedding guest.