Wednesday, August 28, 2013

A rustic Wedding with a lot of Culture

Can I just say how much I love weddings. My heart always skips a beat. Last Saturday two of my friends got married and oh what an honor it has been to plan this wedding. I feel so honored and this wedding definitely made it into my list of favorite weddings.
There ist something so beautiful about two people commiting to a covenant. No decorations, details or flowers could ever be as beautiful than when two people who love each other decide to spend the rest of their lives together. It is romance in its purest essence. That is what makes a wedding special and beautiful.

Now about the planning, the wedding and all the details. This one was a very virtual affair I must say due to the fact that the bride still lived in the States and the groom here in Germany. Therefore all of the planning went over email (good thing I had a class on virtual teams in university - who would've thought I'd need it!) and in essence the groom was kind of the planner on site.
We started the planning process in February and had 7 months for everything which was plenty of time. We actually did not have an official meeting with the three of us until 2 weeks before the wedding, but I had a skype meeting with Claudia and lots of emails followed. The two already had an idea about how they wanted their wedding to look like and a few variables.
It's always so interesting to see the process from the first inspiration board to the acutal wedding where you really have narrowed it down to what you really want.
They wanted their wedding to be a bit more rustic, natural and with both their cultures (Bolivian, German) and their personal love story (from Australia to the States to Germany) flowing into the details of their wedding.
As always I created a pinterest board for them and then gathered a lot of the first ideas and the colors to create an inspiration board for the two of them.
If you have read any of my other events you will know how much I emphasize the importance of a concept. It not only helps you stay focused but it also makes the events look like everything belongs together.
Two things I cannot stress enough when it comes to planning an event, party, wedding are:
1. Don't try to do it all at once with all the ideas you have.
2. Make a checklist and narrow it down from things having to be done first to the last tiny details. That way you will not get lost in the process.
Start with the date, the location and the Save the Dates/Invitations and go from there. That combined with the concept you have in mind gives you a great framework to work in.
Lukas and Claudia chose to get married in an old church in one of the villages and have the reception at the "Zum Fröhlichen Landmann" which is a hotel and restaurant which used to be a farm and one of the oldest ones in the village. It is basically on top of a mountain in the Southern Black Forest and surrounded by pure and beautiful nature.
The ideas for the invitations definitely came from all the travels they had made with meeting in Australia, visiting each other on other continents. We created a bit of a logo for them which then was used on all the other paperwork as well.
Before I go into the details of the wedding and show you all the pictures I just want to give you the concept a little bit. Claudia wanted the main color to be lavendar combined with very soft yet rustic elements. Lukas' sister has such a gift for decorating and made all of the bride's dreams a reality. There was one day a few weeks before the wedding where the whole family and bridesmaids met for a day to craft all the little details. And that joined effort is what made it so amazingly beautiful.

 I still totally swoon over this ceremony. The romance and love were so tangible. It was beautiful.
The time from before the wedding until everybody arrives at the reception place is always the most stressful because everything comes together. People need to be coordinated and everybody is excited and nervous. My attempt and one of the most important things for me at the day itself is to make sure that the couple can lean back, relax (apart from the obvious nervosity) and just enjoy the day with their family and friends.
Like I said before all the decorations were hand made by the groom's sisters and all the bridesmaids. On each table guests had the opportunity to fill our some questions for the couple. There were purple paper straws for the water and for each woman a fan if it got too warm. The flowers were rather simple, lots of lavendar and white roses.
I personally love the "Senor", "Senora" signs. We tried to include both cultures into the wedding as much as possible so the favors were tea from Bolivia.
One of the things I also really loved about this wedding was that it wasn't just two people becoming one but it was two families, two cultures, three languages emerging. The sermon at the ceremony was translated into Spanish and Lukas' parents prayed over the couple in German and Spanish. After the couple had danced their first dance together, the couple together with the bride's parents danced a traditional dance together and I loved that. That melting of two cultures.
It was just an amazing wedding and I am so happy for the two of them. To be part of their special day and to have been given the chance to be involved in the planning process fills me with great pride. Thank you, Lukas and Claudia for including me.

xoxo

Ramona

PS: I will try to get some offical photos from the photographer and also share them here.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Thursday Tunes

It has been forever since I posted a Sleeping at Last song and I am super excited!!! I had not really followed up on his new project "Atlas" (what was I thinking???) until a friend gave me "Darkness" and "Light" for my birthday. And I fell in love with each song immediately!
The one I want to share today is called "Projectionist" and is from the "Light" EP. The lyrics are beautiful, so... enjoy the music and lyrics.


THE PROJECTIONIST

when i was young i fell in love with story,
with the eleventh hour, with the blaze of glory.
the theater lights dim and all goes quiet.

in the darkest of rooms, light shines the brightest.
when hands are tied and clocks are ticking,

an audience convinced: we’re leaning in,
holding our breath again.

just when we thought the game was over
the music lifts and our dying solider lives!
and we breathe a sigh of relief.

we’re leaving, we’re leaving our shadows behind us now.
we’re leaving, we’re leaving it all behind for now.

but even dust was made to settle
and if we’re made of dust, then what makes us any different?
i guess we give what we’ve been given:
a family tree so very good at giving up
when we’ve had enough.
though truth is heavier than fiction,
gravity lifts as the projectionist rolls tape.
and it makes us brave again
and it makes us brave again
and it makes us brave.

so we’re leaving, we’re leaving our shadows behind us now.
we’re leaving, we’re leaving it all behind for now.
and it makes us brave again
and it makes us brave.
we’re leaving, we’re leaving ‘em all behind for now.

xoxo

Ramona

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

A Vespa Ride

One day you and I will ride a vespa through Italy. We will be free and independent and we'll laugh and seize the day.
Yours already.

xoxo

Ramona


picture via


Monday, August 19, 2013

Movie Monday

Monday, oh Monday!
I think after today I might take a little Movie Monday break because after today I will have shared my favorite movies of the past months and I haven't watched a lot of new movies lately- it's summer people and I am trying to spend my time outside at a fire having a BBQ. But you can be sure that there will be more in the future.
Nonetheless I have to share "The Great Gatsby" with you.
People who know me, know that I am a big Leonardo diCaprio fan. I have been ever since Romeo & Juliet (can't believe I am talking about this movie already the second time in a week! But really you should read my journal from back then - ha!!). I have seen most of his movies and have loved most of his movies.
The Great Gatsby has been one of the best movies I have watched in the past year. Baz Luhrmann was the perfect director to bring out the feel and age and spirit of this story. I was completely captivated and wanted to know more.
Everything from actors to costumes to music to camera was executed beautifully.
If you have not watched it yet it is a must-see and I know it will captivate you just as well.

xoxo

Ramona

Friday, August 16, 2013

...

I said it yesterday already that there is going to be more dance today!!
These two dances have a very special character to them too.

The group performance this week was so breathtaking and beautiful. Christopher Scott is an amazing choreographer. The beauty and expression of this dance is phenomenal.

This was one of the dances which held me in shock over the following hours and the second time I watched it I just cried. The story of this dance and the background and what these two young men express. They've both been in near death accidents walking miracles. It's amazing that they both dance again. I think that is what makes this choreography come to life more than anything.

Happy Weekend!!

xoxo

Ramona

Thursday, August 15, 2013

On a personal (dance) note

I apologizie in advance for the complete overload of dance that't coming today and tomorrow! I just cannot hold myself back from posting such beautiful routines.
Yesterday's episode of So you think you can dance was again breathtaking. I already started crying 10 minutes into the episode and was at the edge of my chair (sofa) the whole time.
Dance for me is an artform so expressive, so real, so raw it can transcend, it can show what words can't say.
You might say, "oh this is just commercial dancing, it isn't real." You might be right. It is commercial dancing. My question though is, "does it make the emotions expressed and the story told less real if a choreographer put their whole heart into creating such a piece to tell their personal story and the dancers performing such story bringing it to life?"
Anyways, here's two very emotional and very personally imporant dance for me from yesterday's show: This dance had me crying by the first note of the song mostly because of the song as it holds a special place in my heart ever since watching "Romeo & Juliet" by Baz Luhrmann when I was 13 years old. It is fearless and full of trust and a picture of true love. Of holding each other up, of doing life together. Again this song has had a very special place in my heart since last year when I had it on repeat for weeks. The dance is about the process of a break up and the letting go.

I hope you enjoy the dances as much as I did.

xoxo

Ramona

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

The Art of making fire

There are moments in life which are so beautiful you cannot capture them on photo. All you can do is take a mental picture and save it as a memory forever.

Yesterday was on of those moments as my friend and I drove up to a little lake to make a picnic. The drive alone was already so captivating it felt like going on vacation.
After a quick hike to the lake which by the way is under nature protection we unpacked our goods and collected some wood to make a fire.
Due to wet wood we had some trouble getting the (mini) fire going and kept on blowing kept on trying until the final ignition.
It had already gotten dark as we roasted our feta cheese, tomatoes, bread and sausage. We laughed so hard and had so much fun cooking our food on open fire.
Then the night set in and the stars came out. As we roasted our marshmallows and let the fire burn down we talked about the beauty of nature, about stories, about dreams in life. The world and our daily lives felt so far away.
It was a night of many shooting stars and wishes made.
I climbed into bed with a heart full of happiness and delight. These are the moments.

xoxo

Ramona



Monday, August 12, 2013

Movie Monday

Happy Monday!!
Can I just say how wonderful rainy days are when you get to spend them at home with candles lit, popcorn ready, a blanket and a good movie. The best!
I cannot even remember how I found today's movie. I think I was just researching potential movies and then found it and I am so glad I did. The movie is called "Evening" and is definitely more on the drama/romance side, but hey we all need that every once in a while.

It is one of those movies about looking into the past and reveils all sort of secrets. It is about first love, weddings, the 1950s, endless summers and heartbreak.
I thought the cast of the movie was just perfect and the chemistry between the actors really fitting for the overall atmosphere of the movie.
I like those kind of movies because they just take you back in time and make you wish for summers by the lake and love.

xoxo

Ramona

Friday, August 9, 2013

Pictures in my head

The other day I biked home from work and it started to rain and at some point of the ride I just looked skywards and said, "ok, rain, today I surrender to you."
My ride goes through some pretty beautiful places and riding there with the rain pouring down and my being a hopeless romantic you can imagine (or maybe you can't) the films going on my head.
I kind of started laughing at myself thinking, "all these movies have really corrupted my thinking and imagination and because of them I see all these things in my head."

But then I remembered being a little girl playing outside in the fields and imagining all these stories. I had films and pictures in my mind of grand romance and adventure and I could hear the music playing to these scenes and I could build this whole world in my head. And that is exactly how it still is. The movies have definitely influenced it and probably sharpened it in many ways but the films have always been there.

So I guess it is how Stasi Eldredge so very wonderfully said in her book Captivating: "... every woman in her heart of hearts longs for three things: to be romanced, to play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure, and to unveil beauty."

How we desire these things and how we imagine them is different for all of us. For me it's films in my head and music and great romance which reminds me that the desire is there and that I agree with every single word of this quote.

xoxo

Ramona


picture via

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Ah.... more dance.

This week was so amazing on So you think you can dance. I applauded alone in my living room, I cried, I was so excited and I wanted to jump into my TV and be with the dancers. I would like to post all of the routines from this week because they were so amazing but I won't.
Enough said. Here are my two favorites:



Two more words: 1. I cried when I saw the first video, really cried. The beauty and the looks and the frames and transitions are so stunning and breathtaking 2. In the second video it portraits the struggle for men to commit in relationships but how they ultimately want it.

xoxo

Ramona

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

An new step of courage

A little while ago I told myself that I needed to be more courageous when it comes to men. I have a strong tendency to get a little shy and insecure (and anyone who knows me can testify I am NOT a shy person). I often find myself at a loss of words when a handsome man talks to me. I lose all spontaneity and get even more clumsy than I already am.
So I told myself that I needed to get out of my comfort zone. Risk something. Be bold.
There was this particular young man. There was just something about him that was very attractive, very appealing.
I decided to challenge myself and introduce myself to him. I told myself to get out of my comfort zone and that I had to do it and there was no way around it.
I worked up all my courage and went straight up to him, reached out my hand and introduced myself. Frankly I was a nervous wreck on the inside but I tried to play it as cool as possible. He shook my hand and introduced himself too.
What followed was a brief conversation in which he did lay his hand on my shoulder several times quite to my surprise. At the end of the conversation I wished him a great rest of the day and we departed.
There was no exchange of phone numbers or anything else and frankly that was not the intent of my introduction. It was not the reason for my doing this. But there could have been something. We could have exchanged numbers and that in itself is enough.

I walked away from the conversation, my whole body shaking and it took me quite a while to calm down again but oh the happiness I felt for putting myself out there. For being bold and courageous.
I walked away from that conversation knowing that I had just grown a little bit. That I can actually do this if I want to and feel the urge to.

And it is not like I am now walking around introducing myself here and there and everywhere. No. It was something I needed to do in that particular moment. I needed to proof something to myself.

xoxo

Ramona

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Dinner, a Bridal Shower and my favorite festival

One of my favorite things about summer is warm summer nights. That moment when everything is cooling down a bit but still warm enough to sit outside. Last Thursday I went out for dinner with my friends to this great restaurant called Mondweide. It's a real inside tip on this region and it's all organic. As we sat there in the shade, talked about our summer, watched the sun set it was total bliss. Total happiness.
I am currently planning the wedding of two of my friends. Only 3 more weeks to go!! On Friday we celebrated Claudia's bridal shower and the maid of honor and her bridesmaids did such a beautiful job in planning it all. What a special shower it was, full of emotions and honesty and encouragement. That was followed by my favorite summer festival, the "Kieswerk Open Air", which is an outdoor movie festival. It combines some of my favorite things: music, food, art and a movie! My sister, brother in law and me went to see Les Misérable. I sang along while I watched the stars appear on the night sky and followed shooting stars.
What a night! What a summer!

xoxo

Ramona

Monday, August 5, 2013

Movie Monday

It's Monday again? Time seems to fly.
Last week I stood at a traffic light with my bike on my ways to work and I saw a poster with advertisement for a movie. It didn't say the name of the movie but it said, "A film crew that doesn't exist is making a movie which doesn't exist." Now... can you guess what movie that is?
... of course it's Argo!!!
I had also heard about the movie at the Oscar's and put it on my to-watch-list. I didn't watch it though until a few weeks ago and loved it!
It was so intense I was unable to move, eager to know what will happen next! I loved the whole feeling of the movie, the time it was shot in and the way they displayed this time in history.
For me personally it was one of those movies which I keep thinking about for days after I have watched them. I try to understand things, figure them out. For me that is also a sign for a good movie because it sticks with me.

Have you watched it yet? What did you think of it?

xoxo

Ramona

Friday, August 2, 2013

Surprise!

Last Saturday my friends through me a little birthday suprise party! I was completely amazed, felt loved, honored, blessed.
And they didn't just do a little, no they went full out and I must say they know me pretty well and did a beautiful job with decorations and atmosphere in general. They also seem to know the things which are my favorite: friends, food, fire and a film. The 4 F so to speak! Ha!

Everything was so beautiful and I had such a wonderful time with everybody. I thoroughly enjoyed myself!!!

I have the best friends!

xoxo

Ramona

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