WW: Save the Date

Even though we are still 8 months out from the big day, we wanted to get our save the dates out early since about half our guests will be traveling to Wilmington and we wanted to provide ample time for planning. Not only is it a plus because hopefully more people can plan to make it, but also it's a HUGE check mark off our list :) Now that everyone has got them (hopefully), I can share!

Since we're looking for all possible ways to save some dolla bills, I decided to DIY them and am so happy with how they turned out!

Next up on the big ol' to-do is catering....any words of wisdom are welcome!

Linkin' up again with Jordon & Meredith!

Wedding Update!

Things have been very busy in the world of wedding. We just passed the 9 month mark & we're getting in the swing of things-- I'm starting to feel a bit of the "pressure" but it is the good/fun type right now! Here's a little update on the good ol' checklist-I feel like I have got a lot done until I take a gander at this monster...

Biggest news first, I found my dress and veil. It is perfect and I can't wait to wear it. It was an amazing day with my mama and some of my maids. I won't be posting any pics on here of course, because the mister tends to peruse every once in a while, but here is a dose of the happiness expressed between myself and my mama after "the find"! 

Our Save the Dates will be in the mail this week! Yes, it is pretty early according to traditional wedding etiquette, but because our big day is a "destination" for many, we wanted to give everyone plenty of time to plan/book flights. Once all have received their Save the Dates, I will share the rest of our engagement photos, which I still can't get enough of!

Engagement Pics Planning

In just a few short weeks Alex and I are headed Eastward to celebrate Thanksgiving with his family. While we're back there we figured we might as well get some wedding stuff done, since we're already making the trip. I'm excited to tour the venue with him (since my mama was with me when we chose), but we are also taking our engagement pics, so I've been on the lookout for different styles, settings, poses (yes, i'm a weird!), and most of all outfits that I like. I want them to be classic (since we're going to have them forever).

Yesterday, I finally stumbled upon a dress that is very close to what I imagined, so I decided to purchase it! I'm thinking we'll have two outfits (or maybe just me...not sure how A feels about wardrobe changes!). This dress will serve as the more "fancy" one, and then I'm still on the lookout for a more casual one.

Of course some of these pieces are way out of my price range, but that's why they are "inspiration!"

Dress/Bangle/Green Necklace/Green Blouse/Blue Blouse/Gold Necklace/Crystal Necklace/

I need to find a good statement necklace for the navy dress, but I love the classic feel and the simplicity it has (with the fun back). For the "casual" outfit, I'm thinking something like a button down blouse with a necklace and cute skinnys.

If anyone knows of good shops/sites that have affordable pieces within this realm, send them my way!

The Colors

It's Monday and back to the grind, ugh, but I am happy to report this weekend was a successful one! I'd been going back and forth on what colors to choose for our wedding, but I kept gravitating towards the more neutral tones. I realized that in order to move forward with any more planning we had to choose at least the color scheme we [or I :)] wanted. So, yesterday I set out determined to come home with our wedding colors. After a couple stops, I finally succeeded. I'd wanted a light peach color, but still loved the stark white, grey and gold. First I wasn't sure we could have them all, but then I put some different sheets together and realized it could work (and got confirmation from my sis and my SIL). So, I guess you could say we have a "color palette" rather than "colors."

I wanted to choose colors that I won't get sick of looking at over and over, and that are subtle enough to not "go out of style" and classic enough to be timeless. I know not everyone may agree, but for me they do just that! They'll go great with the beautiful lush green/natural setting our venue provides. I'm so excited to get on with planning...and so is the fiance! When I showed him our colors for "approval", he said "great, so I can wear a peach or a white suit?"...he's so funny, isn't he?

As you can see I love the softness of the lacy style and textures. I'm sure we'll be incorporating a lot of that, too! Not exactly sure what we'll do with the flower stamps, but I love the simple elegance they add. Now here's to hoping I don't change my mind on these between now and the big day!

Asking My Maids.

Being the crafty person I am (or like to think I am) I went back and forth on all different ways I could ask my bridesmaids. There are tons of ways out there, and especially with Pinterest...it could quickly get out of control! For me, I also had to think of creating something I could mail, since 3 of my bridesmaids are thousands of miles away.

So, although it's not as creative as I maybe would have hoped, I settled on designing a cute little card and wrote a meaningful note inside. As a little add-on, I grabbed some of the pics I shot while at our venue back in August, and made a mini collage card with our date written on it. I added some glitter, and wrapped both cards in twine and yarn and called it a day.

I'm pleased with how they came out, and loved that I got to ask each of them "in person"...even though "in person" sometimes meant via FaceTime...thank you Steve Jobs!

And, equally as important--we also "asked" our ring bearer, my nephew Easton, who of course gladly accepted (he's currently only 13 months, but is very excited), and our adorable flower girl, Alex's niece Olivia, who is just as excited as me!

Wedding Blooms

One of the first things I thought about when we set our September date was "what flowers are in season in September?!". Maybe it's because I'm the daughter of a passionate gardner and I grew up dead heading all the plants in my backyard...whatever it is, I'm happy I have a love for flowers and can't wait to pick our wedding flowers!

Since our venue is already very green, I want flowers that will pop, and not take too much away from the natural setting. I love the contrast of green/white, and also love the traditional white bouquet. And I love the idea of white lily's or roses mixed with baby's breath. I know baby's breath is always at weddings, but I think it is so pretty and adds that nice soft touch, so we'll definitely have a lot of it!

The barn doors at our venue are the perfect spot for a baby's breath wreath, and I absolutely love the pomanders to line the aisle. So many wonderful options!

Any other September brides out there? What flowers did you have, or do you plan to have?!

And So it Begins...The Plan!

Anyone that knows me well, knows I'm the furthest thing from a procrastinator there is. When I know something needs to be done, whether it's tomorrow or a year from tomorrow, I'm always eager to get it done right now! While at one time I thought of it as one of my vices, I've learn to accept and embrace it.  I even remember in Elementary School when assigned Book Reports, I would rush home and do them that night, regardless of when they were due. And as soon as I graduated college I needed a job right away and started my career that same month [in between meeting my fiance ;) ].

Anywho, as soon as we got engaged I started thinking about ALL THE PLANNING. I have been blessed enough to be in a handful of weddings, so I know there is a lot that goes into this big day. Being the organization lover I am, I knew I wanted a "plan book". I searched around & couldn't find one I loved...so of course I made my own!

I headed to Staples to get a small binder (since I know I'll be traveling across country with it, and throwing it my purse/overnight bag a lot!) and found some cute little paper, along with some pocket dividers. Unfortunately they didn't have tabs on them, but that didn't stop me! I grabbed some washii tape my sista had & made my own tabs. For the cover, I used a Martha Stewart "chalkboard" label, with a gold paint pen.

I simply cut the washii tape the length of the tabs I wanted, then set in on the divider, and folded it in half and created the tab to then write on

And of course, my cute Ring Bearer was eager to help...he adds such a great point of view :)

I made a tab for each of the "large" vendors I know I'll have, and one for all the other miscellaneous stuff:

1. The Place (venue)

2. The Blooms (flowers)

3. The Jams (DJ)

4. The Eats (yummy food)

5. The Stuff (every other vendor/thing)

I know this little book won't keep me from some of the crazy-ness associated with the planning, but hopefully it will at least help me keep track of all the contacts, details, and inspiration that I collect up until our big day! I can't wait to start filling it.

What are/were your wedding planning tricks?!