Geoff & I have been engaged for quite a while: since December 1, 2008. For years I thought that we would just pick a date and go to City Hall and make it official, and talked about doing this, but over the past three years I knew (I knew!) in my heart that that wasn't something we could realistically do. We had to be ready for the alternative, and we are now ready for it. Posting this makes me feel quite nervous, since it's so personal.
We have a date set for next September. We are having a church wedding, which has surprised a few people, but it feels right (I find comfort in tradition, in the repetition of familiar words). We don't have a reception venue, because looking at venues in Toronto gives me a panicked feeling, and fields or farms or even large yards aren't readily available to us. We might have our reception at a restaurant that most of our friends can take a short cab ride to get to (this is actually really important to me). Our every day lives are full of self-expression and creative endeavours. Our wedding will be an extension of that, and not the only example of it in our lives. We don't intend to go all out, and I don't want to spend every moment of the next few months thinking or talking about it. I want it to be a fun party!
I won't turn this into a wedding blog, but I thought that I could occasionally share things like this: these are the shoes that I will most likely wear. They are simple white leather oxfords that I found on clearance. I've worn them around the apartment, and I have strung these pretty laces that Tara sent me through them. They are just so typically me, so chill and comfortable, and therefore perfect (my mother will beg to differ).
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Elise / Pennyweight, sn, Ariel, Chuck, Sara/Matchbox Kitchen: Thanks for the sweet words on the scarf -- I'm amazed because it's hardly visible! Hope you'll like it when it's made.
Julia: No excuse! Just rock that cape!
Rebekka Seale: Aw, thanks.
Angela Barnes: Thank you, and soon, I hope!
Brodie: I have never experienced a summer Christmas and find it so fascinating! I do love a snowy Christmas but think I should try the opposite at least once.
carissa: So sweet! You made me blush.
erica: Oh, then Ezra's Pound is perfect for him! I don't really know much about coffe but I think they are very serious about it.
Erica: Thank you! I've thought about it, but I don't think I can do it. Thanks, though!
geeta: Thanks! Those picks were fun to put together.
erica-knits: I had totally forgotten about the hankie! That really puts it into perspective how long I've been stalling on this... yikes. Thanks for the sweet words.
Kate: Minimum orders make that too risky... but your comment made me laugh!
hila: Aw, thanks! I don't know about that!
p: That tote is from the Wild Nothing website: http://wildnothing.bigcartel.com/. Sure, girls can carry that tote! I do!
Yaaaaaaay! That's so exciting. I'm sure you can Geoff will have a great time planning! xox
ReplyDeletejust so happy for you. you two really inspire me.
ReplyDeleteThose shoes are adorable, and perfect for your wedding! I am in the exact same wedding situation, and you couldn't have put it any better: "Our every day lives are full of self-expression and creative endeavours. Our wedding will be an extension of that, and not the only example of it in our lives." Congratulations and I hope it's a wonderful experience!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I'm sure you'll have a beautiful wedding. Hope you have a lot of fun planning it too!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I find the idea of not 'going all out' when it comes to weddings more interesting, especially since it is more traditional in the way it really represents the couple celebrated. The big, thousand-dollar white dresses, wedding favours, limousine weddings really are a modern, post-WWII invention. For instance, both my grandmothers, who got married in the late 30s/early 40s, wore simple but chic outfits (in blue and pink, respectively) which were worn again on several other occasions. All this rambling to say I'm really happy for you, and that I'm all for more personal, thoughtful celebrations! x
ReplyDelete:D I think it's the first time I comment although I've been following for a while.
ReplyDeleteParabéns! Congratulations! The shoes are lovely and you'll have a lot of fun preparing every detail! please keep sharing, your styling is lovely.
Congrats! I think the shoes are adorable! And they're "so you", it's more than perfect!
ReplyDelete♥
Camila Faria
this was sweet and those are perfect.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy for you and those shoes are lovely, thank for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteahh so exciting!!
ReplyDeleteLove them!
ReplyDeletecongrats, anabela! how exciting. I hope planning goes well for you. I think restaurant receptions are great for a lot of reasons (that's what my husband & I did earlier this year). Looking forward to seeing more little snippets...
ReplyDeletegosh, I love those shoes. So unique. Congrats to you.
ReplyDeleteumm, loving these. xoxo
ReplyDeleteI love these. They're gorgeous. I feel the same about not making too much of a wedding; instead just making the most glorious party! This reminds me of how I wore my black Chuck Taylors to prom, with pink ribbon strung through to match my dress. I loved it! My date's mother, however did not (not that I cared one bit!)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Anabela! That's wonderful! I think you will be a gorgeous bride!
ReplyDeleteThe shoes are perfect!
What pretty shoes! Have fun planning!
ReplyDeleteWow, congrats, to you both! I just got married in Vancouver in September and it was so much fun! I know you'll have a great time figuring out the big stuff and the details! I can't wait to see some of the things that you share. I also wore soft leather oxfords on my wedding day and having comfortable, pretty shoes was the best thing ever! That and the party bus that got our friends to and from our regional park wedding! Enjoy the planning!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! Such pretty shoes, the laces are perfect. I'm engaged, date set next year etc.. We're having our reception in a restaurant, no speeches, cake cutting or even dancing. Just good food, good wine, good company. It sounds to me like you have similar goals for yours. Best of luck to you both!
ReplyDeleteAnabela, what exciting news! I am sure it will be every bit as perfect in your own way :). Not having to worry about mine for months on end was the best decision I ever made!
ReplyDeleteYay so exciting! Congratulations to both of you!
ReplyDeleteamazing shoes. love that you guys are following your gut on what to do on your special day. it's the best way.
ReplyDeleteOh wow! Congratulations! How very exciting:) Seeing how you're so creative, I can't wait to see what your wedding will look like.
ReplyDeletexx
So exciting, your shoe is beautiful, Good idea.
ReplyDeleteParabéns, Anabela e Geoff! :D
ReplyDeleteIt will be a beautiful wedding, I'm sure!
Congratulations!!!
ReplyDeleteDid you see the pictures of John and Juli's wedding over at www.kitka.ca? Very very pretty how they have done everything. Modern and romantic, kind of like your shoes.
These are perfect! I hope you guys can just take the fun parts of wedding planning and enjoy it. Sounds like you are! Congrats. :)
ReplyDeletehooray! congrats on setting the date...it's always so hard to pick a good time, especially with canadian weather, huh? :) (luckily, either way it goes i think you're covered, with those shoes!)
ReplyDeletefor the venue, don't forget smaller art galleries....i saw one of the galleries on queen west (across from 69 vintage? i think) hosting a wedding and it looked awesome.
I know what you mean about finding comfort in tradition. While I'm not sure that I would have a traditional ceremony myself, I always tear up at church weddings when I see & hear how sincere and meaningful it is to the couple. It's a beautiful thing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing :)
Wow! That is so exciting. Thanks for sharing all this with us.
ReplyDeleteI had the same attitude about my wedding this past summer: I just wanted it to be a party where everyone could relax and actually have a good time:P We kept it on budget, did all the things we had wanted and God blessed us with a fabulous day. I know he'll do the same for yours:)
Congrats!
~Jennifer
www.horaceandmae.etsy.com
Have you ever been to Le Select Bistro on Wellington? I was just there for brunch, and it just seemed like ther perfect place to have a wedding reception. Thought I would throw that out there!
ReplyDelete<3
ReplyDeleteOh, how wonderful! I'm so excited for you guys! Good luck with everything! xo
ReplyDeleteoh, these are beautes, for reals. i love low key, too.
ReplyDeleteyipee! my advice from recently having a wedding...do whatever makes you and geoff feel the happiest and most comfortable. don't worry about who it bothers or surprises or how much you have to argue about it- it will be worth it. our wedding was so perfect and i'm so glad i stood up to people (mostly my parents) about what we wanted. in the end, they loved all the things they had thought would be a terrible idea. and everyone had a great time and couldn't stop talking about all the personal touches- they loved it! i know yours will be just the same in that way.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shoes and I love your approach. I tend to get wedding / baby fatigue around the blogs, so little left private. But you always strike a balance with your life and I find that endlessly inspiring.
ReplyDeletemany congratulations!!! i know that your day will be perfect and full of love.
ReplyDeleteand wonderful choice of shoes. very you.
i <3 them
ReplyDeletecongratulations to you and geoff! i have no doubt it will be a wonderful event.
ReplyDeleteexcellent choice of shoes too. they look both elegant and low key - who wants to be teetering around in agony in high heels anyway?
firstly, yay! I remember reading your engagement post and I was excited for you then, as I am now. I think approaching the wedding like a fun party is pretty much my take on weddings. I've never really been into weddings, and I'm honestly a bit baffled by how much money people spend on them. So I personally love the idea of just approaching it as a cool party with family and friends.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations again anabela!
♥ I'm happy for you.
ReplyDeleteThese shoes are both sweet & chic. Hope you have a lovely wedding that is everything you want it to be!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I'm so happy for you and Geoff. I really like your choice of wedding shoes. I imagine that you will look so beautiful wearing them on your wedding day. I'm very excited to see what you will be wearing too, you always choose beautiful garments. I really like your style!
ReplyDeleteeeee! this shit is gettin' real! when I finally move there, can I come over and help make fancy wedding crafts?
ReplyDeleteI don't think there could be a more perfect pair of shoes for you, dearest A!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to you and G!
Big hugs!
xoxoxoxo
I am so happy things are working out! You and Geoff are going to have the perfect wedding! Have an amazing time planning. It will go by so fast!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Celince...it goes by so so fast! You & Geoff will have an amazing time leading up to it, during it & after it xoxo
ReplyDeleteI'm sure whatever your decisions are and how it turns out will fit you both perfectly
ReplyDeletecongrats to you both
xx
what a lovely post to read! these shoes look soft but hardworking, they look delicate and light, perfect for such an event. i love them !
ReplyDeleteThose laces are too pretty! I think that sounds perfect. Congatulations again! x
ReplyDeleteI love your wedding shoes. & as much as I hate it when blogs go wedding crazy, I feel like you can do it in a way that I won't find irritating! & congratulations again.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know where you and Geoff are (not that I should, but I knew it was serious, I just wasn't sure if you were married or not). Congratulations on your choosing what's best for you. You will have a beautiful wedding and will be a beautiful bride!! I know it's a long time away, but it will go by quicker than you think! Cheers!
ReplyDeletei love those shoes and i love that you're having a church wedding! so capricorn of you ;) can't wait to see more, i'm sure you'll look a vision!
ReplyDeleteoh what I would give to see an Anabela + Geoff wedding! Will Pony be a ring bearer?
ReplyDeleteI'm excited for your wedding! I can't wait to talk flowers. xo
ReplyDeletebeautiful shoes! i am certain it will be a charming wedding.
ReplyDeletethose are perfect.
ReplyDeleteHi....you got a very nice blog.
ReplyDeletehttp://freyarose.co.uk
Congratulations! So so cute! I'm in the midst of planning a wedding myself. Have you found a dress yet? There's this store downtown called White that has a great selection non-traditional wedding dresses, you would love it.
ReplyDeleteThey're beautiful! Congrats on setting a date... and good luck on all the rest! Try not to be nervous... in the end, it's the people who come to your wedding that make it so special :)
ReplyDeleteI know I am late to the party, but I still wanted to say congratulations! And I love your idea for flats at the wedding--I think I would do the same. :)
ReplyDeleteOh I love those shoes!!
ReplyDeleteI think they are perfect! And your plan sounds like a good one. Restaurant weddings are the best (not that I've been to one, but it's what we were going to do before we realized we had a free venue).
ReplyDeleteAww... Thank you for sharing something so special with all of us. Your wedding sounds perfect. And I love how considerate you are being toward friends.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful and unique wedding shoes. Congrats to you!
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