Baci Designs | Jami + Eric's Wedding {Defiance, Ohio}

October 8th, 2011 was the best day in my life.

I got to plan my own wedding with the help of my talented sister, Amanda. As most of you may know, Eric and I's wedding date was not only special to us, but to both of our parents as well. October 8th was Russ & Deb Jesse's and Tom & Jane Guilford's anniversary as well. When Eric and I got engaged, Eric called the K of C Hall in Defiance to see if October 8th was open..and IT WAS!!! We knew it was fate :) 

Eric and I wanted to incorporate the special date into our wedding, well little did I know Grandma Shirley put Amanda in charge of getting a custom rosary made for me (Leaping with Faith did an amazing job!) and on the back of my cross there was Eric and I's wedding date and our parents!! It was perfect!!!! I also wanted to incorporate my grandfathers into our wedding because they both meant a lot to me and are no longer with us. I found a gorgeous vintage locket and put a picture of them in it. The rosary and locket hung from my bouquet and was close to my heart!!

Our photographer, Montana of Montography fromWauseon, Ohio did a fabulous job capturing special moments on our big day. One thing Eric and I knew we wanted were pictures having to do with baseball. Eric lives for summer AND fall playing ball at the park and I live to watch my husband do something he loves!! Eric gathered up his grandpa's old glove and an old ball bat to take with us on our wedding day (only in Northwest Ohio would that happen, ha). However, the props made for awesome pictures!!

I can't forget about my wonderful bridesmaids and groomsmen!!! They were super easy to pick and absolutely wonderful people to be part of our wedding!!! 

Eric and I couldn't been any more pleased with how the day went, everything was perfect :) 

Four Years!! {The Reception}

Since I wasn't able to finish posting our wedding photos yesterday, today we are officially bring the Amanda + Ilario Wedding show to an end today (insert sad face - I'd love reliving it all!!) with photos and details from our reception!  Enjoy!!

Our delicious (it was even still tasty on our one-year anniversary!) cake was baked by my grandmother and decorated by my mom who also made the chocolate Groom's Cake and the 10.27.2007 cupcakes!! Those adorable little peach cookies were made by my mother-in-law and the rest of the tasty desserts were made by our aunts.

Before the bouquet toss and garter throw we did a kid-friendly candy toss - it was a huge hit!!

These photos are hands down some of the funniest things I have EVER seen in my life - my bridesmaids wanted that bouquet, lol!!!

My Grandma was a dancin' machine that night - I love it!!  It makes me so happy to see everyone having fun on the dance floor :o)

Four years later, I still can't say thank you enough to our amazing photographers - Brandy J and Sticky of Brandy J Photography!!

Wedding Wednesday | Amanda & Ilario 10.27.07 {Defiance, Ohio}

Since yesterday was Ilario and I's Two Year Anniversary, I thought today would be the perfect Wedding Wednesday to share details from our big day with all of you! All images were captured by the amazing and talented Brandy J and Sticky of Brandy J Photography - since our wedding day we've become great friends with them. Brandy J and Sticky are not only talented photographers, they are truly great people!

The incredible Jordanne Clyde did my makeup that day - she's such a sweet and talented artist! I also personalized my wardrobe for the pre-ceremony preparations - you can get your own "Mrs." Hoodie at the Wedding Channel Store.

I designed all of our wedding stationery - below is a glimpse at our ceremony program. To see more of our stationery, check out the "amanda & ilario" page on baci's site.

My Touch Ups bridal shoes can be found at the Benjamin Walk Corporation - they were incredibly comfortable and affordable!

All wedding day flowers were ordered wholesale from FiftyFlowers.com. Two friends of the family and my mom assembled all of the bouquets, boutonnieres, altar decorations and centerpieces. My bouquet consisted of white tulips, white ranunculus, pearl-studded stephanotis and chocolate cosmos. The flowers were hand-tied with ivory ribbon and my late grandfather's rosary was gently placed in the bouquet. My silk shantung Watters gown was purchased and altered by the lovely ladies at Poffie Girls in Gastonia, North Carolina.

Our flower girls were absolute dolls - their dresses were purchased and altered at Bridal Village in Hicksville, Ohio near my hometown. The bridesmaids were asked to chose one of two styles of chocolate organza layered Watters gowns which were purchased online at NetBride.

I absolutely love this shot of our dads! On the right, my father is holding the ring bearer pillows, which were handmade by Ilario's sister.

The bridesmaid bouquets were made using white tulips, chocolate cosmos and peach roses.

Ilario and I during the "Ave, Maria" - my cousin Sophie brought everyone to tears with her beautiful voice.

Our adorable nephew, Grant! All tuxedos were rented at Men's Wearhouse.

Ilario and I heading out of the church as man and wife :) My floor length veil was hand stitched with our monogram at Poffie Girls - it was my absolute favorite piece I wore that day!

The whole bridal party in the cornfield across the street from the church - we had SO much fun!

A few hot, hot, hot creative portraits of us. . .

In downtown Defiance, the annual Halloween parade was about to commence so we stopped and took a few fun pictures in front of the fried cheese stand!

Ilario and I during our first dance. . . I love the glow of the lights and tulle strung from the ceiling.

We certainly didn't skimp on desserts on our wedding day - coming from two generations of women who bake for a living, it wasn't hard! My grandmother baked our cake and my full-of-talent mother decorated it, she also baked and assembled the "10.27.07" cupcakes. Our aunts and Ilario's mom each made a favorite cookie recipe to add to the dessert buffet.

Ilario's friend, Ashley, created our beautiful toasting flutes and gave them to us as an engagement present - they added a very special touch to our day.

I'm Amanda Cursaro and I've Just Found {pause} the Perfect Wedding Song

You know those Bill Curtis "I've Just Found {pause} the Internet" AT&T commercials (this links to my favorite one!)? Well, the hubby and I always say that (we're quite the quoters of all things TV, movie, song, etc. in this household) whenever we've found pretty much anything. And I mean, anything. Like, "I'm Amanda Cursaro and I've Just Found {pause} the butter." Yes, we are losers, but at least we entertain one another, right?

Well, it's the perfect phrase for what I've just found - the perfect wedding song! Everyone knows and loves Eric Clapton, but "Pretty Girl" off of 1983's Money and Cigarettes is FABULOUS beyond FABULOUS!! Go ahead and give it a listen - it's the most perfect First Dance song. Absolutely beautiful. . .

Pretty Girl (LP Version) - Eric Clapton