I’ve been agonizing over the programs for a couple of weeks now, but I’m close to being ready to print. In the meantime, I thought I’d share my favorite inspiration images… Stationery and dresses are the two things that make me wish I could get married (to the same person, of course!) over and over and over.

Since I originally wrote about music in October, I’ve been adding songs to an iTunes playlist as they come to mind or as I play them. Last weekend, Josh and I drove to my parents’ and back, and on our way home, we went through his (extensive) music collection and picked even more songs for the reception.

The only problem: We now have more than eight hours of music for a four-hour reception. Oops! And we haven’t even tackled our list of “artists we need more tracks by” (ABBA, Janet Jackson and Lenny Kravitz, just to name a few). Here’s our unedited list, by approximate genre. (Mr. R is the genre king and would certainly disapprove of these sweeping categorizations… ;)

Oldies through Early 90s
ABBA, Dancing Queen
Alison Krauss, When You Say Nothing At All
B52s, Love Shack
Bay City Rollers, I Only Want to Be With You
Beach Boys, God Only Knows
Beach Boys, Wouldn’t It Be Nice
Beach Boys, Kokomo
Beatles, Ob-la-di
Beatles, She Loves You
Billy Idol, White Wedding
Cranberries, Dreams
The Cure, Friday I’m in Love
Dead or Alive, You Spin Me ‘Round
Dramarama, Anything, Anything
Edwyn Collins, A Girl Like You
Gloria Estefan, 1-2-3
Hall & Oates, You Make My Dreams Come True
INXS, Need You Tonight
The Mamas & the Papas, California Dreamin’
Mike & the Mechanics, Par Avion
Phil Collins, You Can’t Hurry Love
Phil Collins, Two Hearts
Phil Collins, A Groovy Kind Of Love
Police, Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
Sade, Smooth Operator
Sade, No Ordinary Love
Spandau Ballet, True
Thompson Twins, Hold Me Now

Singer-songwriters, Piano Rock, etc.
Air, Cherry Blossom Girl
The Autumn Film, Can This Be
Chairlift, Bruises
Chantal Kreviazuk, Feels Like Home
Duffy, Mercy
Duffy, Oh Boy
Eastmountainsouth, So Are You to Me
Feist, 1234
A Fine Frenzy, You Picked Me
Flunk, On My Balcony
Frou Frou, It’s Good To Be In Love
Goo Goo Dolls, Slide
Goo Goo Dolls, Iris
Greg Laswell, I’d Be Lying
Ingrid Michaelson, Giving Up
Ingrid Michaelson, Way I Am
Jon McLaughlin, So Close
Kent, Quiet Heart
KT Tunstall, Universe & U
Michelle Featherstone, We Are Man and Wife
Missy Higgins, Warm Whispers
Sara Bareilles, One Sweet Love
Sarah McLachlan, Ice Cream
Shivaree, All Because You Told Me So

Jazz
Diana Krall, Gee Baby, Ain’t I Good To You
Diana Krall, I’ve Got You Under My Skin
Duo Mecanico, Love Luxury
Ella Fitzgerald, Ain’t Misbehavin’
Ella Fitzgerald, Isn’t It Romantic
Ella Fitzgerald, Sentimental Reasons
Etta James, At Last
Nat King Cole, When I Fall In Love
Nat King Cole, You’ll Never Know
Norah Jones, Come Away With Me
Norah Jones, The Nearness of You
Renee Olstead, Taking a Chance on Love
Renee Olstead, A Love That Will Last
Renee Olstead, Sunday Kind of Love
Tony Bennett, The Very Thought of You
Tony Bennett, Alright, Okay, You Win

Pop
Barenaked Ladies, Light Up My Room
Britney Spears, (You Drive Me) Crazy
The Cardigans, Been It
Christina Aguilera, Candyman
Colbie Caillat, Magic
The Darkness, I Believe in a Thing Called Love
Edwin McCain, I’ll Be
Gwen Stefani, Wind It Up
Gwen Stefani, The Sweet Escape
Lady Gaga, Just Dance
Letters to Cleo, I Want You To Want Me
Madonna, Cherish
Madonna, Express Yourself
Madonna, Holiday
Natasha Bedingfield, These Words
Pussycat Dolls, Wait a Minute
Ryan Cabrera, True
Shakira, Whenever, Wherever
Smash Mouth, Then the Morning Comes
Sugar Ray, Someday
Tal Bachman, She’s So High
Third Eye Blind, Never Let You Go
Vanessa Williams, Save the Best for Last

Hip-hop & R&B
Alicia Keys, No One
Alicia Keys, If I Ain’t Got You
Aretha Franklin, Natural Woman
Ashanti, Happy
Beyoncé, Crazy in Love
Black Eyed Peas, Don’t Phunk With My Heart
Cassie, Me & U
Ciara, 1, 2 Step
Common, Light
Fergie, Clumsy
Kanye West, Flashing Lights
Rihanna, Pon De Replay
Outkast, Hey Ya!
Timbaland, The Way I Are
TLC, Diggin’ On You

Rock, Alternative, etc.
The Asteroids Galaxy Tour, Around the Bend
Blaqk Audio, Semiotic Love
Blue October, Into the Ocean
Coldplay, The Scientist
Dave Matthews Band, The Space Between
Dave Matthews Band, Angel
Dave Matthews Band, American Baby
Death Cab for Cutie, I Will Follow You Into the Dark
Fall Out Boy, Dance, Dance
The Fray, You Found Me
The Fray, Look After You
Gnarls Barkley, Crazy
Gorillaz, Feel Good Inc.
Hard-Fi, Gotta Reason
Jimmy Eat World, A Praise Chorus
The Killers, Read My Mind
Maroon 5, Sunday Morning
Oasis, Wonderwall
The Postal Service, Such Great Heights
Robin S, Show Me Love
Shiny Toy Guns, I Owe You a Love Song
Smashing Pumpkins, Beautiful
Smashing Pumpkins, Perfect
Smashing Pumpkins, Tonight, Tonight
Smashing Pumpkins, Today
Tegan & Sara, Take Me Anywhere
U2, Sweetest Thing
The White Stripes, Fell in Love With a Girl
Yellowcard, Dear Bobbie

Soundtracks
Grease, The One That I Want
Moulin Rouge, Your Song
Moulin Rouge, Come What May
Once, Falling Slowly

I know that everyone is blogging about Erin today, but how can you not talk about these? So gorgeous.

Last Thursday, I attended the Art of Weddings at the LUXE Autohaus in Portland. I spent the better part of the evening either a) feeling like I was too far along in the planning process to really be there, or b) wishing that an event like this had taken place eight months ago because I could’ve booked 90% of my vendors in one stop. And I went to the event alone, so that was kind of a drag. But there were fun parts too: Tons of vendors who are new on the scene (in business for a year or less), half a dozen independent wedding dress designers, and lots of yummy treats to sample. And not that I’m any kind of Portland aficionado (hope to get there one day), but for whatever reason, I rarely venture into southeast Portland — especially not to go to luxury car showrooms — so it was a little adventure too.

One of the big highlights was the Noah Peterson jazz trio (pictured above). How I didn’t find these guys online when I was looking for a jazz band, I’ll never know. (Maybe they need a little SEO from a trusty web designer…) Peterson Entertainment has a myriad of different jazz ensembles of various sizes and styles.

Missionary Chocolates is amazing. Only in Portland would you find vegan chocolate truffles that taste this good. I tried them all and, seriously, you would never guess you were eating something without any animal products. I couldn’t choose a favorite, although the cinnamon chipotle (second row, far right) is a stand-out for uniqueness. Super spicy and flavorful.

I couldn’t believe that Oh Baby Lingerie was giving out $50 gift certificates, but I’m planning to check them out this weekend to see if I can find a bustier for my wedding dress fitting. I tried to get some photos of their pieces in the fashion show, but I was too far away to get any decent pictures of the runway. Both Oh Baby and Lille Boutique had pieces in the show, and they both used models of varying ages and body types. I give them huge kudos for that.

Swanky Tables had a great candy station set up, complete with vintage favorites like rock candy. They coordinate all kinds of small events — bridal showers, bachelorette parties, wine tastings, etc. — and they also provide standalone elements, like candy stations, for larger events. I think it’s completely brilliant to find a niche market and focus on the details. Annette clearly has a vibrant, fun aesthetic, and I bet she’d be a blast to work with.

I wasn’t just about the food, I promise, but Pure Sweet is definitely going in my mental rolodex. I’m planning to DIY the edible favors for our wedding, but if I run out of time, that is something I’d like to pass off into their very capable hands. I just ate one of their cookies this afternoon and it was pure, rich chocolately goodness.

One of my hands-down favorites of the evening was Duchess Clothier. Their business cards, their collateral, everything is so unbelievably well done. And in the fashion show, they had actual customers modeling their custom suits — these adorable guys in their pinstripe, patterned, and even mustard-yellow velvet suits. Too cute.

Speaking of which, I was really impressed by all the custom wedding attire designers. The fashion show showcased so many dress styles that you’d never see anywhere else. I am constantly inspired by the talent I see in Portland, especially in areas like art, craft and clothing design.

Oh, and did I mention that Duck Pond was there giving away complimentary glasses of wine? And brides got to keep their wine glasses. I highly recommend the next Art of Weddings to any bride-to-be in the Portland metro, or anyone else who wants to check out some of the freshest, most original vendors in the Pacific Northwest.

I love all of the creative ways people display their escort and seating cards. Like a ribbon board (how cute are all the buttons scattered at the bottom?), via Snippet & Ink.

I’ve seen several hanging from branches, but this one on Style Me Pretty has some really cool, unique little hangers.

These are actually favors, but I really wanted to do this for seating cards — until I realized how many of my guests would be traveling. Via MSW.

This would be perfect for a summer wedding. And that calligraphered mini-scroll? Love that. Via Snippet & Ink.

How fun to do some on black paper and others on white. From Kristina, with calligraphy by the wonderful Jenna Hein.

Another Snippet & Ink find. This would be fun with an ecclectic mix of playing cards from multiple decks too.

Something like this, with the names attached, would be a great way to combine sweet treats and escort cards. Via MSW.

The classic favor seating card never goes out of style. Also via MSW.

I really, really, really adore this. But of course I do, seeing as I have a deep affinity for cards. Found on Oh So Beautiful Paper, and designed by one of my most admired letterpress shops, the Lettered Olive.

One of my all-time favorite ideas: using fabric swatches. The best part about this is that the fabric swatch matched the napkins on that table. From Details Details.

I decided a couple of months ago that I wanted to do a magnet or pin board. A pin board I could make out of cork and cover with fabric (like the one above), or I could make a magnet board with magnetic paint. In either case, I could frame it — either by finding a cool frame or making one out of moulding from the hardware store. Something like the ones in Shabby Vintage Mom’s shop.

I could attach the escort cards with a variety of bird magnets, to tie into our “fly away with us” quasi-theme. Kikkerland makes two sets (I know this because I have some from each set); one is sold at Anthropologie, the other I can get through the Arbor in Salem. These would double as favors, or I could keep them and cover every square inch of my fridge after the wedding.

And then the board itself would go on display on a metal floor easel. I’m sure I could find a place for this in my house after the wedding, no?

We aren’t doing a served dinner, but I think there’s a certain amount of comfort in knowing where you’re going to sit. There’s none of that “cool kids table” awkwardness, and you can seat people together who have never met but would enjoy each other’s company. And I know that I, for one, would love to have a calligraphered escort or seating card for my memories box.

This is basically my dream bridal shower brunch.

Amy Atlas, you rock.