Tonight we had our pre-wedding photo session with our photographer Nicky with Mint. She is fun and we are so looking forward to working with her! We're even more excited to see the pictures from tonight's shoot. I wore fake eyelashes that I put on myself. And I hadn't tried any practice runs. It was a bit scary but I didn't get anything stuck together that wasn't supposed to be there, so it all turned out ok. I was able to get some good advice from my buddy David. 20-something years ago he taught me how to apply liquid eyeliner, and now he steps me through fake eyelashes. THAT is a good friend to have! :)
It almost feels that we have more things to do now than we did - but it's just because all the decisions really have to be made! I go for my dress alterations tomorrow which means I have to make the commitment to the shoes that I purchased a few months ago. This means that during the ceremony I will likely tower over Kandi, the heels are high, but she said she's ok with that for a few hours.
We need to make the programs. And while we plan on DIYing those, and have bought some of the materials we haven't finalized a few of the things that would be going into the program so of course that has to happen first!
We need to finalize the layout of the reception space, but to do that we need to know how many tables we will need and for that everyone needs to RSVP (cough, hint, cough). And we have to finalize the layout so we can make sure we get the right rentals which we need to get pretty quickly. And of course, we need the RSVP's to get to the caterer - but everyone knows that, right? (hint, rsvp, hint)
And then there are the decisions like hair and make up, undergarments (oh my!), transportation, accessories, song lists, and all the other tiny little details that go into making the big day awesome. When exactly are we suppose to have time to do laundry? Or get the house ready for all the out of town guest?
We know it will all work itself out somewhere, but my goodness it keeps us busy!
Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
The Save the Date story
Now that we are working on all the fun details for our Invitations, we can share the pictures and story for the making of our Save the Date's.
Our first plan was that we would use these fun "business cards" we had made with all of our info for the ceremony. It would be super simple - the card WAS the Save the Date. And we had pre-bought some stamps to use to help personalize some of our DIY creations, so we'd put a stamp on the back of the white business envelope. Super duper simple, right?
Well, imagine sending a business card in a white business-y envelope. Now imagine being the person to open that envelope and think about how lame it looks to open a practically empty white envelope and see just a business card.
Exactly.
So, I thought hey, let's put in one piece of paper that gives slightly more info, bigger font, and generally takes up more space in the envelope than just a business card. And Kandi decided to not make them just business cards, but magnets - so she applied and hand cut a magnet to the back of every business card. But then we thought - white piece of paper and white business card magnet in business looking envelope? BORING! So I figured if I could get some fun colorful paper we would be set. We contemplated taping the card to construction paper. We contemplated doing some fancy multi-layered paper thing. In the end we decided that it was going to be all about going to the store and getting inspired.
So I did. And there they were. Envelopes that exactly matched our green color. It was so exciting! I'd thought I might find colorful paper but had never thought we'd get anywhere close to our color in an envelope! Then I found acceptable paper - acceptable because while not an exact match, they are "cousin colors" coming from the same family.
Heading home with that and many other ideas we played with what it would look like and what we would do. My favorite discovery was the glue dots so those "cards" could actually stay in one place! As someone who likes to know how something is going to end before it begins, I loved that we would know exactly where that card would be when it was opened up! We thought it looked pretty good after an hour or so of playing around with it, but then Kandi came up with what I thought put it over the top - the stamp on the orange paper. It was perfect!
And so we began the assembly line! I folded. She applied the card/magnets. She stuffed. I sealed and stamped.
Don't we look happy? Ok, there was some cheesing for the camera, but at the same time we WERE so excited! While there have been checks written and decisions made, this really made it feel "official".
In addition to the original cards we'd planned to use, I'd tested out an idea with putting our picture on a card. I didn't get a lot as I was just trying out the idea. Kandi decided that we would include what we had on some of the invitations. So if you didn't get one - sorry! I only ordered a few! We had no idea how we would use them when I got them or I would have gotten more! So here it is our final product...
We hope you all enjoyed them as we enjoyed putting them together. Speaking of which...
Time to go back to work on the invitations! :)
Our first plan was that we would use these fun "business cards" we had made with all of our info for the ceremony. It would be super simple - the card WAS the Save the Date. And we had pre-bought some stamps to use to help personalize some of our DIY creations, so we'd put a stamp on the back of the white business envelope. Super duper simple, right?
Well, imagine sending a business card in a white business-y envelope. Now imagine being the person to open that envelope and think about how lame it looks to open a practically empty white envelope and see just a business card.
Exactly.
So, I thought hey, let's put in one piece of paper that gives slightly more info, bigger font, and generally takes up more space in the envelope than just a business card. And Kandi decided to not make them just business cards, but magnets - so she applied and hand cut a magnet to the back of every business card. But then we thought - white piece of paper and white business card magnet in business looking envelope? BORING! So I figured if I could get some fun colorful paper we would be set. We contemplated taping the card to construction paper. We contemplated doing some fancy multi-layered paper thing. In the end we decided that it was going to be all about going to the store and getting inspired.
So I did. And there they were. Envelopes that exactly matched our green color. It was so exciting! I'd thought I might find colorful paper but had never thought we'd get anywhere close to our color in an envelope! Then I found acceptable paper - acceptable because while not an exact match, they are "cousin colors" coming from the same family.
Heading home with that and many other ideas we played with what it would look like and what we would do. My favorite discovery was the glue dots so those "cards" could actually stay in one place! As someone who likes to know how something is going to end before it begins, I loved that we would know exactly where that card would be when it was opened up! We thought it looked pretty good after an hour or so of playing around with it, but then Kandi came up with what I thought put it over the top - the stamp on the orange paper. It was perfect! 
And so we began the assembly line! I folded. She applied the card/magnets. She stuffed. I sealed and stamped.
Don't we look happy? Ok, there was some cheesing for the camera, but at the same time we WERE so excited! While there have been checks written and decisions made, this really made it feel "official".
In addition to the original cards we'd planned to use, I'd tested out an idea with putting our picture on a card. I didn't get a lot as I was just trying out the idea. Kandi decided that we would include what we had on some of the invitations. So if you didn't get one - sorry! I only ordered a few! We had no idea how we would use them when I got them or I would have gotten more! So here it is our final product...
And once all the work was done, the pile was ready to head out to the post office.
We hope you all enjoyed them as we enjoyed putting them together. Speaking of which...
Time to go back to work on the invitations! :)
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Where did the time go?
How is it 3 weeks have gone by already??? Time is fly fly flying by - and that is NOT a good thing when you are trying to do so much planning.
One reason for the time slippage is that we went to Ohio for the Memorial Day weekend for a graduation celebration for Kandi's cousin. It was really great to be able to catch up with friends and family. And of course, talk about the ceremony. Lots and lots - which is always fun for us! We have many folks who are going to try to make the trip and it would be great to get to see them.
We officially received the contract from our reception venue. That had a few bumps in the road that we needed to work out but as of yesterday we got the confirmation that it should be smooth sailing! Woo hoo!
So as of today we have deposits/contracts out on our florist, photographer, bartender, venue and by the end of the week we will have one out for our caterer as well. Then hopefully in the next few weeks we can make a decision on a "Day of Coordinator" because we realized that no matter what we want to do or wish we could do, we just can't be in two places at once. We can't be at the venue making sure stuff is getting ready AND be at the church at the same time. We even have a really strong lead on a seamstress for Kandi's outfit!
It's exciting to think that the "major" planning will soon be over! Of course, this means that the really major planning it still to come. We've been looking into doing electronic RSVPs and we need to figure that out before we can send the invites, but of course before that we have to send the goodies we got for Save the Dates. All the tiny paper goods details can be almost mind numbing. And then there's the details of what the ceremony itself will include. What DIY projects we've been looking at that we will decide to undertake. All of those little details that don't seem like much, but when applied consistently could be like Chinese water torture - IF you weren't doing it with someone you love so very much and laughing about it the whole time.
Luckily, we are. :)
One reason for the time slippage is that we went to Ohio for the Memorial Day weekend for a graduation celebration for Kandi's cousin. It was really great to be able to catch up with friends and family. And of course, talk about the ceremony. Lots and lots - which is always fun for us! We have many folks who are going to try to make the trip and it would be great to get to see them.
We officially received the contract from our reception venue. That had a few bumps in the road that we needed to work out but as of yesterday we got the confirmation that it should be smooth sailing! Woo hoo!
So as of today we have deposits/contracts out on our florist, photographer, bartender, venue and by the end of the week we will have one out for our caterer as well. Then hopefully in the next few weeks we can make a decision on a "Day of Coordinator" because we realized that no matter what we want to do or wish we could do, we just can't be in two places at once. We can't be at the venue making sure stuff is getting ready AND be at the church at the same time. We even have a really strong lead on a seamstress for Kandi's outfit!
It's exciting to think that the "major" planning will soon be over! Of course, this means that the really major planning it still to come. We've been looking into doing electronic RSVPs and we need to figure that out before we can send the invites, but of course before that we have to send the goodies we got for Save the Dates. All the tiny paper goods details can be almost mind numbing. And then there's the details of what the ceremony itself will include. What DIY projects we've been looking at that we will decide to undertake. All of those little details that don't seem like much, but when applied consistently could be like Chinese water torture - IF you weren't doing it with someone you love so very much and laughing about it the whole time.
Luckily, we are. :)
Sunday, April 3, 2011
The first check is written!
This weekend we officially put money down to hold "our date" for the reception. We explained the potential need for date flexibility and she was good with that considering we are far enough out on the date. Thank goodness!
This weekend we went out searching for tables, chairs and other rent-able items. Sexy, right? I know. We could barely contain ourselves. Poly-cotton linens. Organza Overlays. It's like wedding dirty-talk. Thank GOODNESS we aren't those people. I'm a basic black chair white table cloth kind of girl. Kandi is thinking maybe another solid color besides white. We are so wild and crazy. So hard to please.
We also went to a super mega wedding store called Wedding Accessory Superstore. They have wedding, bridesmaid, flower-girl and mother of the bride dresses, shoes and other accessories. They also have the other basic accessories like cake toppers and ring pillows and all the other crap that every bride "needs". We spent a really large amount of time in one section - invitations. We realize now that we have locations and are SO close to having a date, the next big step will be to officially send out invitations. Well, next step is a funny thing because while that one really matters, we also have to finalize florists, caterers, photographers and every other vendor that we have to pay lots of money to in hopes of having an awesome celebration. BUT - for the outside world - they just care about getting an official invitation. So we looked. And looked. And looked. It's tougher than we thought. Trying to find that something that looks like "us" is hard enough. But trying to feel like "us" and be under budget - whatever that is... - is SO hard.
As of right now our #1 pick is coming from Vistaprint. They have some awesome options for invites and all the other pieces related to that. And because they print so many things, it lets you carry that theme into quite a few other areas which we really like. Not sure what we'll do for sure, but we know we definitely have more looking to do!
Finally - we've thought a lot about doing a "candy bar" for the wedding favor. And while there are businesses that do it all for you, we've thought that was one piece we could really DIY. So we hit a few second hand stores to look for some cool candy holders. We found a few nice ones to officially start the collection. And we found out that Goodwill is doing 50% off all items next Saturday. Who will be right there when they open those doors? Oh yea - that's us.
But with this an interesting question has come up. Where the heck to we stick all the stuff we are going to be collecting over the next six months? And how much stuff exactly will we be collecting? And did I include all of it on our budget?
I've come to terms that it will never all be there. But that doesn't stop a girl from trying to catch it all! One check down and many, many, many more to go.
This weekend we went out searching for tables, chairs and other rent-able items. Sexy, right? I know. We could barely contain ourselves. Poly-cotton linens. Organza Overlays. It's like wedding dirty-talk. Thank GOODNESS we aren't those people. I'm a basic black chair white table cloth kind of girl. Kandi is thinking maybe another solid color besides white. We are so wild and crazy. So hard to please.
We also went to a super mega wedding store called Wedding Accessory Superstore. They have wedding, bridesmaid, flower-girl and mother of the bride dresses, shoes and other accessories. They also have the other basic accessories like cake toppers and ring pillows and all the other crap that every bride "needs". We spent a really large amount of time in one section - invitations. We realize now that we have locations and are SO close to having a date, the next big step will be to officially send out invitations. Well, next step is a funny thing because while that one really matters, we also have to finalize florists, caterers, photographers and every other vendor that we have to pay lots of money to in hopes of having an awesome celebration. BUT - for the outside world - they just care about getting an official invitation. So we looked. And looked. And looked. It's tougher than we thought. Trying to find that something that looks like "us" is hard enough. But trying to feel like "us" and be under budget - whatever that is... - is SO hard.
As of right now our #1 pick is coming from Vistaprint. They have some awesome options for invites and all the other pieces related to that. And because they print so many things, it lets you carry that theme into quite a few other areas which we really like. Not sure what we'll do for sure, but we know we definitely have more looking to do!
Finally - we've thought a lot about doing a "candy bar" for the wedding favor. And while there are businesses that do it all for you, we've thought that was one piece we could really DIY. So we hit a few second hand stores to look for some cool candy holders. We found a few nice ones to officially start the collection. And we found out that Goodwill is doing 50% off all items next Saturday. Who will be right there when they open those doors? Oh yea - that's us.
But with this an interesting question has come up. Where the heck to we stick all the stuff we are going to be collecting over the next six months? And how much stuff exactly will we be collecting? And did I include all of it on our budget?
I've come to terms that it will never all be there. But that doesn't stop a girl from trying to catch it all! One check down and many, many, many more to go.
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