Today's Dilemma

Today's Dilemma is whether to have a smaller bow or a bigger bow on the programs. I realize this is such a silly problem but these are the kinds of things you ponder 2.5 weeks away from your wedding. I will trim the tails, but you get the idea from the pictures. Which do you think is better?

Lots of good things!

Today I found out that I am getting lots of good and unexpected things.

First I spoke with my florist today to confirm all the flowers and final designs. I found out that ranunculus is pretty much done for the season and even if I was Oprah I couldn't get them. So I was a bit bummed when I heard this. Especially since we are having a gum paste ranunculus on top of our cake to match our flowers, o well.

However instead my florist is going to get for me the coral peonies which are the exact ones from my inspiration picture that we are using to base my bouquet off of. Because of the last minute change due to mother nature I am going to get the peonies without the extra up charge, yay! These peonies are tree peonies and not like the bush ones, they don't have as many layers of petals but either way are pretty!

The big bright flowers are the exact coral peonies I am going to get.

My second good thing is that I found out I am going to get a second photographer the day of my wedding for free! Yep, that's right free. We spoke with our photographer and initially wanted the second photog for the ceremony and bit before hand so that we could make sure we got all the important details. It's not like the photographer can say, "Wait walk back down the aisle I didn't get the shot I wanted."

But when we looked at the timeline we realized we were going to have to add on an hour or two and we couldn't afford adding time and a second photographer. Our photographer's business is starting to boom and she is going to bring the second photographer with her to start to get some more experience before she starts making it standard to have two photographers.

We are Legal!

We picked up our marriage license today! It was extremely easy since we did the online application first. From the time we got out of the car, walked in, signed the papers and walked out it only took 15 minutes. Now we can legally get married!

Weekend Progress

Over the weekend we made good wedding progress. We completed the seating arrangements on our way to Lucy's wedding. This actually wasn't as difficult as I thought it was going to be. We did however unfortuneatly have to break up a couple of groups to fit them within our table layout but I know everyone is sitting with someone who they will be able to socialize with and have a good time.

I completed the bridesmaid jewelry for their gifts. Also I was able to make a program mock up and realized the ribbon I have stocked up is not going to work because it is too thick.

Each girl is getting a set like this. Sorry the picture isn't great, I have had the hardest time taking clear pictures of crystals. All the jewelry is pearls and swarovski crystals.

Lucy's wedding this weekend was this weekend. Lucy and I have been emailing back and forth all year talking about our weddings and helping each other with details. It was fun to see everything we had talked about and all the details come together! Her wedding was so much fun and all of the hard work definitely paid off!

Bouquets as Centerpieces?

One of the good things about our florist is that she provides us with bloom boxes which are these decorative cardboard boxes that the girls can place their bouquets in when not holding them. This way the flowers continue to get water and stay fresh.

However during the reception I am thinking about where the bouquets should go. I think it would be a shame to have them just laid on the table next to them during dinner. Instead I would like to stretch our money and use them as decorations around the room.

We can't put them on the cake table since it will be draped in gathers of fabric. I don't think the reception hall wants them on the bar as they might get knocked over. The only other solution I can come up with is that 2 could sit on the escort card table and one on the guest book table. I was also thinking that maybe my bouquet could sit as the centerpiece in the middle of our table. If not then I'm not sure what to do with my bouquet during the evening.

I don't know what do you guys think? Any other brilliant ideas?


This is the inspiration for my bouquet. I think it would look good sitting in the middle of the table.

Flower Struggle

Today I am really struggling with making the final floral decision for the centerpieces. We are going to DIY the centerpieces since I really wanted fresh flowers but a florist's prices weren't in the budget. After looking around, Costco is the best price. However they can't guarantee that the flowers will for sure make it. So you have to have a second choice. I am struggling with saying if they can't get the orange roses then I will just put candles in the hurricane vases or going with orange carnations.

I'm just really not sure what to do. I do think carnations when tightly bunched can look really nice, I'm just not sure if I want them if I can't get the roses. It was explained that because where Costco gets their flowers and the fact that they are bulk and so inexpensive they don't always make it on the truck. I'm not really sure if any of that truly makes sense all I know is it's leaving me with a dilemma.

Here are the pictures of the trial and the intended centerpieces with orange roses. Who knows maybe they will be filled with orange carnations.

Recycling

I should have posted this on Earth Day but we are recycling an item I made for Lauren's wedding. We are using the cardbox I made for her. I thought I might make a different one for me but at the end of the day it really isn't a big detail that will impact much. Let's be honest I am going to be the only one who notices the cardbox and this way it doesn't add to my long to do list. I like the cardbox I made for her and so this is my way of contributing to our Earth and not being wasteful by reusing the same cardbox :)

More Calm

Today I am feeling more calm about my wedding to do list. For a couple months I have been slacking in the wedding department getting ready to move and focusing on other life events. So when I recently restarted the wedding projects I was feeling completely inundated. However this past weekend and yesterday I had a couple meetings at The Madison, our reception hall. After those two meeting we got a lot of the details squared away, was given enough info to be able to make outstanding decisions, created the room layout and such. Today is going to be another wedding errand day and I am feeling good that items are getting checked off the list. We are soon on our way to the altar!

Hair Ideas

This week is my hair trial and I have yet to post anything about hair. So here is the deal: Andy hates updos. Mostly because when he thinks of updos he thinks of 1980's prom hair. He would prefer I wear it down and straight like everyday. But I disagree considering I am not wearing everyday clothes, jewelry or makeup, my hair should fit the rest of the look.

While I wouldn't mind a loose updo I know he would be disappointed. Since he is doing so many things for me in terms of the wedding to make me happy I am going to meet him halfway on this one. I would like something half up, half down. I want something done with the hair and this way part of it is done but part of it is also down like normal everyday life. Here are some pictures I plan on taking to my stylist:

I will however let my stylist play around with different ideas, I don't necessarily want to replicate something I have exactly.

Program Time

This week one of my big projects is to get the programs designed and going so that they can be sent off to the printers and assembled way before crunch time. I plan on using the same paper from the invitations along with the same graphic and font in order to have continuity. We are going to do a booklet fastened together. It is going to be similar to the program below however customized for us.

License

You know that your wedding is getting really close when you fill out the online application for a wedding license. Now we just have to wait to hear back that we can go in together to pick it up and sign some papers. YAY!

Let's Eat Cake!

Over the weekend we had our final cake tasting and design meeting. First to the important part the cake flavors: on the bottom will be carrot cake with a cream cheese filling, the second layer a lemon cake with raspberry filling and on the top a chocolate cake with a chocolate hazelnut filling.

In terms of design the cake will incorporate all of the same design elements that have been going on in the invitation and that will be repeated on the programs and such. Most cakes have two layers: one layer, filling, second layer. The second tier of our cake will be three layers to make it a little bit taller than the rest of the cake. On the second tier an orange ribbon will be wrapped around the middle that matches the ribbon on our invitations. Then in a purple icing that matches the invitations she is going to pipe the graphic that is on all of our paper products. This band around the cake will mimic the band around the invitations. Lastly she is going to put an orange 3 inch gum paste ranunculus at the top. Ranunculus is being used in my bouquet and as Andy's bout so it will tie in nicely. I am thrilled not to have to buy an expensive cake topper that I won't ever use again.

The cake will mimic the band on our invitations above.

We are really excited about the cake! The design is simple but I still feel its dramatic and classy. Additionally it will flow with all of the other elements of the event. But most importantly it is going to be very yummy!

1 Month To Go!

I'm back finally after a long hiatus to work on our new home we just moved into. While there are plenty of things to still be done I finally feel like I am not living amid boxes and chaos so I can get back to the wedding stuff.

Today is exactly one month from our wedding. I am pumped and stressed! Because I have been focused on the house for so long all the small projects have crept up on me. But I also can't wait for the wedding to get here.

While I was gone we did do a few things wedding wise. I had my alterations appointment. I am anxious to see the dress because it is going to have to be taken in 2 dress sizes, but I am positive it will look great. Andy picked out his final tux details. Everyone is wearing a 2 button black tux. The only difference is Andy will have a silver tie/vest, groomsmen purple tie/vest, and my dad black tie/vest. Lastly we had our final cake tasting and decided on a design, the cake details will be coming to you tomorrow!

Moving

Just wanted to give an update for those who have been regularly checking the blog. Over the weekend we moved into our new house. The move went smoothly and was extremely more productive than I ever could have imagined because of all the wonderful help we recieved! However unpacking and organizing is going to take a bit longer so unfortuneatly I am taking a break from blogging in order to get our lives organized.

I am having my first fitting this evening and will let you all know how it went late this week or early next.

Two Post Day

Today is a two post day because Andy and I had an exciting landmark in our lives. We closed on our home and are officially home owners! I know this isn't directly related to the wedding but we are thrilled and I had to share.

Our new home sweet home!

Wedding Shoes

Is it possible to absolutely be in love with a pair of shoes? If so I am head over heels, pun intended. I L.O.V.E. the color even though it looks a little off in the pictures.

Fierce and Fabulous, 'nuff said!

Ceremony Planning

Today we met with our pastor for a second time to plan the ceremony some more. He walked us through the traditional ceremony. I am very excited that we have decided to do this because to me there is something about saying vows that others have been exchanging forever. We also chose our readings. Ultimately we ended up with all Bible verses. Initially I wanted at least one reading that wasn't from the Bible but to try to find something that spoke to me and Andy was difficult. So in an attempt to simplify things we went only with bible verses. The verses we chose are: Colossians 3: 12-14, Mark 10: 6-9, Ecclesiastes 4: 12.

Day After Brunch

Today I am revisiting the Day After Brunch, which was something I REALLY wanted to incorporate with our wedding. But after looking into a few options we realized this was an expense we didn't really have room for.

Well after attending the Day After Brunch at the wedding we were at this weekend Andy is now also very much on board with attempting to make it happen for us also. By having a brunch the day after it just gives everyone a chance to visit again in a more relaxed atmosphere. Also you want to make sure that you get a chance to really talk with everyone who has traveled to be with you.

Unfortunately we aren't going to be able to have the superb catered event that we attended this weekend. Instead we were thinking of a much more casual event. Our hotel has a courtyard in the back with a gazebo and a few tables. We are hoping to assemble: bagels, pastries and a few other items under the gazebo just to provide some breakfast before the guests hit the road again and a chance to mingle one more time.

Happy Memorial Day!

I hope that everyone had a great 3 day weekend. It's been a week since my last post but with being sick and trying to keep up with daily life I didn't find time for blogging. This past weekend we went to a wedding up in Wisconsin. It was nice to get away for a few days and visit old friends. The wedding was held in a very unique location, an art school. The ceremony was in the gallery of the school, dinner outside in a tent and then dancing resumed back in the gallery.

Since we were visiting and spending time with friends I completely forgot to take pictures of anything: the ceremony, centerpieces, programs, cake. I got nothing, sorry. But one of the best details of the wedding was the jar of homemade cherry jam at each place setting. The couple used local cherries and made jam for all of their guests to take home, and I can tell you it is very yummy.

Busy Day

Today was a supremely busy day. Work all day, pick up Tiffany's wedding dress, makeup class, and birthday dinner for Tiffany (even though it was yesterday). From beginning to end I was away from home starting at 8am until 10pm.

Tiffany's dress was beautiful and perfectly her. She had the same experience as me trying it on for the second time, which was a bit of a let down. You idealize the dress in your head that when it finally comes in it isn't perfect because it still needs alterations and such. However despite the demons in her head it was a beautiful dress and looked great on her.

The makeup class tonight was fantabulous!! For two hours I got to play with makeup with my favorite girls and by far the best makeup artist in town, who happens to be kick ass person also. I was really excited when she asked us to be her guinea pigs for a new service she would like to start offering. But it was way better than I had anticipated. I learned that while I might really be into makeup and have decent technique I really need to up my game in the products department. However I did learn enough to be able to pretend to be a pro to do Tiffany's makeup for her wedding since her's will be out of town.