108 dtg!!!!

Aww what pretty ceremony aisles......

Photo courtesy of theknot.com

This is similar to what I have in mind......minus the draping of the white fabric (although that would be nice...but $$$)....anyway, same color pomander, except ours will be made out of tissue paper. :) I'm not sure what color ribbon though.....white maybe??? Or green-- stick with the color scheme!?

Photo courtesy of theknot.com

Now this one is really pretty....look how they made the rose petals into paisley designs!!! Cool eh!?

109 dtg!!!!

EEK! Getting closer to the under 100 mark! Geesh!

Didn't really do much today. Spoke with my FFIL about the cupcake tower that we need to design. Turns out we're going to build a mock up out of foam core to make sure that the sizes/structure will fit all the cupcakes and look savvy.....since I'm such a visual person.

I'm still having difficulty selecting all the special songs.......like for the processional, the entrance songs, the father/daughter....so on and so on. I THINK we have our first dance picked out. Key word: think. :)

110 dtg!!!!

Felt like we were living inside a cave today.....as all the windows and blinds were closed, as well as all the lights turned off and fans ablaring..........trying to keep cool in this heat. It worked!!!!

With that being said, there wasn't that much that I was able to do except enjoy a couple movies with Casey...........

Finished cutting out the rest of the table numbers.

E-mailed the wedding coordinator about the wine/beer selections that we have made.

Worked on the menus some more.

Researched some restaurants in Vegas as well as some spas.......The one at the Venetian/Palazzo is VERY schwanky and well known apparently.

Actually did a "little" (and I mean little) bit of painting.

111 dtg!!!

Yep.....Felt like it was time for a change and the blog needed a little uplift.....

I was able to make sure that all of my finished envelopes were addressed, and double stamped (inner and outer envelope). I still have 20 or so envelopes left that had mistakes, I'm waiting for the correct wording/address....or the person is in the process of moving or might be moving, so I have to wait till the last minute. But other than that, the majority of the invitations are dunzo....sitting waiting to be mailed out!!!

There is an article on Yahoo about "Red Flag" warnings of weddings and wedding planning that the couple will not last and mostly end in divorce.

1. Bride refuses to let the groom pick the cake.
It's just a cake ladies!!!!! Get over it!
2. The groom lets his mom call the shots.
My FMIL has been nothing but helpful and very gracious with all the advice she has given to us.
3. The Bride blows half the budget on the dress.
Yeah, I knew there was no way I would do that, since I'm not a fashionista/label girl.....and there were other things that were more important to me.
4. The Bride freaks about the Bachelor Party.
I say Party On Case!!!! I want him to have a great time and I trust him 150% so I know I never have anything to worry about.
5. The Bride and groom fight in front of the wedding planner.
We rarely fight, but may have disagreements. But we always have stayed true to our pact that if we do feel like an argument may ensue....NEVER have it in public....wait until you're home behind closed doors. Nothing like creating negative energy and causing awkward moments. No Bueno.

So anyway, I could totally picture brides and grooms going through these circumstances, since I have seen it happen on various bridal/wedding shows. I always wonders how long they stay together as a couple.

112 dtg!!!!

Photo courtesy of..... moi

So I dug out all the gazillion scrapbook papers that I have, that I never use....and started to trace out numbers for all the tables. I have so many cool patterns, but only picked out ones that are green, orange and I found one cool purple that I wanted to use. So they are all different!

Each number will be mounted onto a small piece of black mount board....in the range of 5x7 to 6x9. Then they will be on each table with a easel back/frame, or stuck onto one of those table number holders that are metal (rented from Pleasanton Rentals of course).

I haven't quite decided which way to display them. I figure if I put them ON the table, then they will be out of the way, and clustered around the centerpiece, candles and other frame I will have on the table (that is a surprise until later). OR if I put them in the number holder, it will be more visible from a distance, add some height to the table.....but then it could be blocking vision across the table, and I would have to cut out 2 numbers for each board, since you would see both sides.

Decisions......

113 dtg!!!

Picture courtesy of doesthedressfit.com

Just goes to show you that orange and green really do go together. So pretty.....love the Calla Lilies.

114 dtg!!!

Found these new flower pictures both from TheKnot.com

This arrangement was actually at a wedding in Saratoga! I love the cute simplicity with the rocks and neat shaped vase......and the flower seems so exotic!!


This arrangement was at a wedding in livermore. I love the color combo! So bright and cheery.....but I'm not quite into pink. Never have been.

115 dtg!!!

Found some really great ideas on etsy.com this morning....all having to do with paper obviously....something I can copy an idea from and do it myself!

This is cute. You can take pictures together with the sign saying "Thank you" or "Just Married" and then send those out as your Thank you cards.......then the guests get a picture/card in one!

I totally didn't even think about having a drink menu until I saw this picture from theknot.com. And this one will be easy, since I really only need to make one or two....I could probably even hand design these myself instead of using the computer.

If we didn't already have our escort cards/place cards figured out........these are DARLING!

I don't think I need to make too many of these, except for a couple of them in the front row for the ceremony. I like how she added some little sparkle jewels in the corners to spice it up.

116 dtg!!!

Photo from a seller on etsy.com

Found this cupcake tower on etsy.....seller wants $200 for it! Maybe we could sell this thing once we're done making it.

The setup, design and decoration is very similar to what I was thinking about doing. Maybe a little less damask, but I do like some. I'll probably add more plain purple ribbon.

117 dtg!!!

Well, after waking up with a nice hangover, I headed off to work for another busy Father's Day.....remember Mother's day was busy too!

So, it's 6pm, and I'm all ready for bed. Yep! I'm an old woman.

I did however find this picture of a Fairy Wedding....yeah....

Photo courtesy of weddingcabaret.blogspot.com

yeah, that's a little weird!

118 dtg!!!

I love my fiancée.......can't wait to get married!!!!

119 dtg!!!

Well after a fun evening of charades... Pictionary and drinking with
my friends at the beach house..... It is 2am, and I just realized that
I didn't blog today! But at least I remembered.....and in my
inebriated state none the less!

Checked out the petstore for the rocks....and was a little
disappointed. They weren't as white as I thought they would be. I
guess the lights they use in the tanks play tricks on you. So I will
have to keep looking.

120 dtg!!

http://www.swsmag.net/blog/2009/6/17/real-georgia-wedding-laura-jason.html

Looking at pictures of this beautiful wedding remind me of a couple things......

I love candles

I want to show off pics of Casey and I, our parents, and other loved ones lasting marriages

I love green and purple

I love hydrangeas....even though I'm really not having any in the wedding

121 dtg!!!

4 months to the day! Crazy!!!!! This summer is flying by!

After casey cut out 50 menus last night, I punched all the corners
today. I thought I was going to emboss parts of the design, but after
realizing that it wasn't turning out the way I wanted, decided I will
have to leave them in the plain black text.

Scoured through every nook and cranny at Ikea today.....and found that
all they had were red and gray sand. Boo. But FMIL realized that maybe
we should try a pet store in the aquarium section!! Brilliant!

122 dtg!!

Picture courtesy of blogs.wishpot.com

Thought this was cute....we would have to be Brewers fan's though to take advantage of the M if we both were baseball fans.....him, yes.......me, not so much. Hockey anyone?

So Casey jokingly mentioned to me that he wouldn't marry me if we put decor on the back row of the chairs for the ceremony. Hah! That obviously didn't phase me, but it will be one of the small, last things I think about if I get bogged down with everything else.

123 dtg!!!

Picture courtesy of www.weddingsbysocialites.blogspot.com

Something I never really thought of!? Decorating the back row of chairs to add a little something. Whether it's a bow or sash, garland, lanterns, fabric........hmmm....something simple and cheap that I can think of?!

124 dtg!!!

Well, this morning turned out to be a lazy one......got so into watching National Treasure:Book of Secrets....I really didn't want to do anything else!?! But alas, I had work and a party to attend.

I have realized that this summer is going to be all about binging.....a week of eating healthy food, then Friday and Saturday parties of junk and drinking. Sounds smart eh? Especially right now when I am trying to get wedding dress ready.....maybe I'll just leave that all for the month before. I'll just be on a major cleanse. HAH!

125 dtg!!!

Today was busy busy busy. I had gifts to buy, outfits to plan,
painting to practice, shopping to do....a nap to take....and then a
double date with one of Casey's groomsmen and his girlfriend. We ended
up having a great dinner at Sino--one of our favorite places--and saw
the movie UP. Cute.

Tomorrow is another busy one; we'll see how much I can get done!

126 dtg!!!

FRIDAY FRIDAY FRIDAY!!!!

I didn't have any clients today, so I got busy with lots o' errands.

Tried to call various Ikeas to see if they carried the stones I'm looking for, because apparently you CANNOT order them online. And the Palo Alto, Emeryville and West Sacramento locations SHOULD all have them in stock. But their system seems a little janky (I was on hold for forever and gave up), so I'm not sure how much faith I can put into that stock availability. Guessing I'm gonna have to go and scour the store myself.

Finalized the menu with Jacquelyn at the Martinelli Event Center, so now I can begin printing, cutting and embossing all the menus......all 100+ of them.

Called a couple of the bridal places in the area to see if they carry my Audrey shoe in stock in my teensy 6.5 size. Bay Area Bridal in Cupertino apparently does, so I can head over there to try them on again and make my final decision.

Watched You, Me and Dupree.........kind of a lame movie, it wasn't the first time I'd seen it. But all the "married life" stereotypes really irked me.....not all marriages are like that!? If Casey wanted to have the guys over, or wanted to go out with the guys......I would not be furious or give him a curfew......come on!!!

127 dtg!!!

Photo courtesy of i-do-it-yourself.com

How cute is this story/invitation!?? You have to read the whole thing........So creative!

128 dtg!!!

Well, traveled to Ikea today in search of some candles (check), a few more votive/tealight holders(check) and the white rocks for the manzanita centerpieces...............they didn't have em! But I was able to still find them online, so if they are not at the Emeryville location, or the Sacramento location......I might need to order them.

No biggie.

129 dtg!!!

photo courtesy of entertainmentwallpaper.com

Well.............after seeing The Hangover, and I can finally bring my face back together from laughing so hard...........I am really looking forward to Vegas! Hah!

It definitely portrayed a typical bachelor party, well, not totally typical. But Casey and I definitely will not be hanging with strippers, chickens or tigers on our honeymoon......but we will try to have a whole lot of fun! We just wish we could afford a really nice suite like the one they stayed in........but for $4200 a night, I dont think so.

At one point, the guys were all trying to convince him to take in the last few minutes of freedom before he got married and started to slowly die. I whispered to Casey that this probably isn't the best movie for him to be watching if I want him to marry me. He just laughed........maybe he just already got the same memo.

130 dtg!!!

Check out this dress that this girl made...............

photo courtesy of intimateweddings.com

.................out of coffee filters!!!!! Talk about getting creative! Like those girls who make prom dresses out of toilet paper, or duct tape! Pretty crazy eh?

131 dtg!!!

• Organized a lot today.
• Made a contact list for the wedding planner..........realizing we STILL do not have an officiant. Starting to make me nervous.
• Prioritized what we still need to purchase, which seems like a lot.
• Received a new BRIDES magazine in the mail.......which had some stuff to look at, but not much. AGAIN........those magazines are all about the dress, which sucks when you have already found one.
• Looked at wedding flute glasses.
• Went to Michaels to look for ribbon, candles and crafty ideas for the decorations I'm putting on the centerpiece boxes and the cupcake tiers.
• Also received the remainder of the crystals for the centerpiece trees. Then divided them all into sections to make enough for 9 trees.
• Finished the evening watching Marley & Me, which of course resulted in me balling my eyes out. But also realizing how hard the first few years of marriage and family are going to be........it seems to get fun when the kids get older. At least that's how I perceive it.

132 dtg!!!

Had a very exceptionally successful garage sale with the in-laws today. Sold quite a few items that added up to around $100. Nothing like making some extra grocery money! Haha!!

Realized I only have 20 invites left to address! Nice progress!!

133 dtg!!!

Got some more calligraphy done this morning, after realizing that I left the ink somewhat open, allowing it to spill everywhere in the bucket that I was storing it in.... Oops!! Oh well, was able to clean it all up!

Also put together 12 of the 17 table frames with the names/numbers of each table. They look great!

134 dtg!!!!

I love lighting.

DIY candles Photo courtesy of intimateweddings.com

These personalized and bedazzled candles totally are in sync with the colors and patterns of our wedding. They look so chic!

Photo courtesy of intimateweddings.com

And lanterns.......love em. Could never have too many. I'm thinking about putting a couple along the aisle, along with the DIY paper pomanders we're going to make.

Lighting just adds that ambiance.....romantic feel.

And I'm lucky........cause Casey loves candles too! :)

135 dtg!!!!

Photo and info courtesy of geeksugar.com

So, I have read numerous blogs about how disposable cameras are a thing of the past. There have been couples who have had such cards at each table (shown above) giving their guests instructions to upload their pics that they took with their own cameras (since a lot of people have their own digital cameras that they bring).

Some couples have also brought laptops and have a loading station where you just load up the pictures right then and there......the only thing with that is you need to have someone to man the laptop, and sometimes that takes time.

But I really like this idea from geeksugar.com. Just upload the pics to a flickr account to share with everyone! That way you don't have to waste money developing crappy pictures, and you can filter through the ones you really want!

We just need to print out business cards with the info on it, and that cute little camera box can totally be made......or I could incorporate it into the menus on each plate somehow. Hmmmm.....

136 dtg!!!

It's funny to see what people consider to be beautiful.

Allie and I were watching "Say Yes to the Dress" this morning.....and some girls picked out some hideous dresses. They just didn't look good at all! I guess that's the thing with fashion.....it comes and goes. Some people follow the trends and some people get stuck in a bad decade. Hah!

137 dtg!!!!

First......as I was flipping through channels, I saw someone on The Amazing Wedding Cake show proclaim........ "The wedding cake is the centerpiece of the wedding.".........and another woman shouted, "The wedding cake is the most important element"..........

Hell No!!!!!!

Well, at least not for us! How can a large baked pastry be the most important part of the union of two people and two families!? This woman was just ludacrious, and basically pimping out her beautiful cakes that she thinks are oh so wonderful that they deserve to be expensive.

Needless to say, I laughed at her.

Second..........I was watching a wedding ceremony, and the days leading up to one, and the groom stated how they were customizing the ceremony, leaving out certain parts. I'm wondering what are the "ESSENTIALS" of a cermony, and what can and cannot be left out. Because we don't want anything long, and we especially don't want fluff and stuff. Just words that matter.

I guess it all really depends on when we figure out who is going to marry us. Kind of a big deal eh?