Christa's Dress

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Christa (MOH) has changed her mind about her dress.  Which is totally fine with me.  I told her from the beginning that I dont care what dress she wears as long as it's brown.  I think this is her favorite so far.  (Obviously not the right color)

Invite Mock-Up #3 With a New Paisley Stamp

I found a different paisley stamp a few weeks ago at Michaels, I wasnt sure if I could make it work.  I liked the other paisley, but it seems like it was a little too busy for embossing.  It worked OK, but this one looks so much nicer and more crisp.  I thought Nick would think it was too girly, but he liked it better too.  Yippee!

THE Dress...Part II

So here is the video my mom took of me walking in my dress, I love how it moves. 

It needs a couple of alterations, but not too bad. The picture below is what it will probably look like with a bustle and some my mom took when I took her to see it.  She loves it BTW!

So...It's Been a While!

I know, I know, where have I been?  Well, my grandfather got sick and then passed away, so I've been taking a little break from the blog.  That doesnt mean that I havent done anything wedding related though.  I'll do my best to get up to date.  :-)

This is the picture they displayed at my papa's funeral

Productive Weekend

I think it's been a productive weekend.  I made a flower for my hair, made another invite mock-up (see previous post) AND finished the personalized hangers for myself, my MOH and mom.  I will post the pics of my hair flower but not the hangers, because they both read my blog.  Sorry ladies! It's the ONE thing I'm trying really hard to keep as a surprise.  :-)  

The flower was really easy to make.  Just break apart a silk rose, layer the petals how you want them, add some flat back crystals and tada...done!  I attached mine to a bobby pin.

This is the finished flower...

Finished flower in my hair...

The rose before I broke it apart...

There is a cost break down in my Knot Bio.

Invite Mock-Up #2

After reading many reviews on The Knot, I decided to order samples from CardsandPockets.com.

I ordered two different color gate cards (Coffee Bean & Milk Chocolate) 

and two different color matts, (Something Blue & Hydrangea).

I also ordered a sample of the cream invitations.

After trying all combinations, we've decided on the Milk Chocolate & Hydrangea.

I picked up a couple ribbon options today too, one is just a light blue satin and the other is a light blue satin with chocolate and cream swirl.  It was also on clearance, so we'll see.  I'm not sure how I feel about it with the paisley inside.  Ugh, this takes a lot of time, but it's so much cheaper than ordering them.

I want to change the font, and the letter on the front.  So there will be more mock-ups to come.  Yea!

Favors?

Maybe I'm putting a lot of thought into the whole 'getting married at a golf course' theme, but Nick and I loved this favor idea.  Here's the thing...everyone will tell you that non-edible favors don't go over as well as edible ones, and not everyone is a golfer, so this idea could be excluding a large number of guests.  Personalized golf balls are expensive and so I thought about it for a  while and came up with the idea of chocolate golf balls.  Edible AND go along with our theme.  To buy chocolate golf balls, life size one's anyway, is extremely expensive.  Chocolate molds are fairly inexpensive and I was thinking either Easter grass or colored coconut as a bed, I'm not sure yet.  I may be spending a couple weeks before my wedding pouring chocolate into molds, but I think it will be well worth it.  I can recruit enough help right?

Here are some examples...

Ridiculous

Nick and I decided to go play some miniature golf last weekend.  On our way there, I realized we were passing the bridal shop that my friend told me about.  The same one she and her husband rented tux's from and Nick also realized that it was the same shop that he had to get his tux from when his twin brother got married.  Anyway, we stopped in.  They were super busy, and after 20 minutes or so, a sales lady came over to help us.  I told her we were interested in looking at this tux...

They had one on a mannequin with a yellow vest and tie.  Really?  Yellow?  Anyway, I pulled out Nick's pockets square and told her we were trying to match the other guys to Nick's tie.  She said OK, and walked us over to the display.  When I asked her if she had one for Nick to try on, (he's having a hard time deciding whether or not he wants to wear a vest,) she said 'No.'   I can order one in for him to try on, but it will cost you $20.  I'm sorry, what?  And so I asked her if that $20 then applies to the rental if we chose to rent from them, and again the answer was, 'No.'  Wow, if I had to pay to try on a bridal gown I would kill someone.  We'll be renting from another place.  Men's Warehouse and Al's have very similar chocolate tux's. 

THE Dress

Lets recap...I went dress shopping really early on.  Like weeks after I got engaged.  I couldn't wait, I had been looking at dresses online for....well, ever.   My mom and I stopped into a David's Bridal on a Saturday, I think I tried on about 8 dresses.  My mom cried when I put on this dress...

I liked the front OK, but I just couldn't get past the back.  I hate how it makes my ass look.  That's right folks, it made my butt look weird.  And I'm sorry, but if I have to stand up there in front of a bunch of people, I would like to love what my butt looks like. 

So, I really really liked this dress, it's simple and I'm a pretty simple girl.  The sash gave it a little something (its dark brown, not black)  I liked it...

I took my MOH back to look at it and she agreed, out of all the dresses they had and I tried on, it was clearly the best option. 

So after a couple of shopping trips I had pretty much made a decision...until last night.   I asked my MOH to go look at veils with me.  I tried on a couple a few months ago, but I was trying to get a handle on how I would look on my big day.  Short, fingertip, cathedral, etc etc.  I happened to notice that David's had some new dresses online the other day and I saw one I liked.  There's no harm in trying it on right?  Uh....its so THE dress.  I loved it from the moment I put it on,  (as did my MOH,) and once they put the veil on, I got overwhelmed and started crying.  Just like those girls I make fun of on 'Say Yes to the Dress.'   I was that blubbering bride, staring at herself in the mirror.  I know it's perfect because I love that it's feminine, soft and simple without being boring.  I can't wait for my mom to see it.  I think she's going to cry too.   Here it is in all it's glory.  I love love love it.

Mild Diamond Scare

I was at work today and I noticed that the center diamond in my engagement ring was a little loose. Not like fall out of its prongs loose, but it would turn a little.   It so didn't do that before.  So at lunch I ran to the jewelry store to have them take a peek at it.   The sales guy asked me what I needed and I told him that my center diamond was loose.  He said 'ok, I'll go put it in the cleaner.'   I'm sorry, what?  so I reiterate that my diamond is loose, and I'm not there to get it cleaned.  He says they always put in in the cleaner before they examine any loose stones.  Uh, does this make sense to anyone?  Yeah, I was confused to.  Anyway, they cleaned my ring, inspected it and then took it to the jeweler, who tightened my prong.  I was in and out in 10 minutes, and my ring is sparkly clean.

Oh, and part one of my samples came today.   I'll keep you posted when the rest get here.

The Wrangler...

I started researching photographer's today...well, if you call gawking at photos online 'researching,' then I guess that's what I am doing.  Anyway, one of the photographers was giving 'tips for brides.'   I know I want someone to be in charge of setting up my reception, and someone for the caterer to go to when they have questions about set up, food timing etc.  (I was this person at my cousin's wedding many years ago)  So, when this photographer was talking about having someone to be the wrangler for photos too, I think it's brilliant.  Now I just need to figure out who I will ask to do all these different tasks, LOL.

Paper Samples & an Invite Mock-up

I had to return some embossing powder the other day.  I didnt realize that even though it says clear on the bottle, if it's 'clear pearl,' then it turns everything, no matter what color your ink is...purple.  Not so good.   Anyway, while I was there I picked up a couple pieces of scrapbooking paper in our colors, just to play around with.  Then I started thinking maybe it's time to start making some mock-ups, like real ones, so we can decide what we like best.  I have been stalking cardsandpockets.com for a while now.  I like that you can buy individual pieces  of paper, instead of packs of 25. (like PaperSource)  So yea!!  I ordered samples from Cards & Pockets yesterday, I cant wait to see what they're like.  Since our colors are brown and light(ish) blue, I ordered samples of the gate fold card in Milk Chocolate and Coffee Bean.  Then I ordered the invitation mat in Something Blue and Hydrangea.  Our actual invitation will be cream. 

I made a pretty rough mock-up just to see what it was going to look like, but I think I love it.  I had some leftover blue paper and since I was trying to explain to the girls at work what I was talking about with a 'belly band,'  I threw it on there for effect.  I think I like the idea of the paper one.  You can open it and dont have to slide it down like a real ribbon one.  I'm still going to make a mock-up of both, just in case.  I'll keep you posted.

Embossing!

Okay, so I think I want to make my own invitations.  Since I'm adoring paisley right now, and my mom and I got a stamp last weekend.  I started playing around with it.  My co-worker had some left over embossing powder and a heat gun, Yea! Saves my budget, but when I was messing with it I realized the powder she let me borrow is too large for my fine detailed stamp.  No biggie, embossing powder is like $3.50.  

So I picked up some clear (fine detail) powder yesterday and this is how they turned out.  I think they look cool.  Nick likes how they feel.  (Boys!)  

Today at work I made a mock-up of just top part of the invitation,  complete with wording, so Nick and I can start stamping, and hopefully get an idea of what we like.   I will post some pictures when I get some good examples.  Yippee!  Another project!  :)

450 Days?

There are 450 days until our wedding...that's only 63 weekends....I better get moving.  I have like 500 paper flowers to make.

Paisley Everywhere? Maybe!

I am loving paisley right now...inspired mostly by Nick's tie.  So my mom and I were at Hobby Lobby on Saturday and we picked up a paisley stamp and some brown ink.  I love it. I think I want to use it for the invitations, or I hope I can come up with at least something to do with it, like belly bands or the monogram on our centerpieces.  We'll see...I'll keep you updated.

Location and Date...Check, Check!

My mom and I headed up to our location on Saturday (it's an hour north of Denver,) to put the deposit down, and most importantly, secure our date.  On our way up there, the event coordinator, Rhonda, called to say she wasn't going to be there.  Um, excuse me?  I called her on Thursday to make sure she would be there.  One, because it's a golf course, and Two, the weather called for rain.  Her words when I called...'yes I'll be here, rain or shine.'  So on Saturday she said they told her not to come in because it was raining, uh yeah, that's why I called to check.  Anyway, we were already half way there, so we went ahead and met with another manager.  Ray...He was great!  I had 2 pages of questions.  Are the chairs included?  Can we hang things on the gazebo...blah blah blah.  He answered all my questions and thought it was SO funny when I asked if they charge to cut the cake.  So, no then?  LOL, Yea!   They were so accommodating and it's going to be a great day!  Now if I could just decide on a time of day....ugh, we'll talk about that another time.  Our unforgettable date?  09-10-11!  Yippee!  Location....Check!  Date....Check!

Sparkles!!

Is anyone else obsessed with their ring being as sparkly as possible?  Nick and I are going to visit his family in Wyoming this weekend.  So, I am leaving work early to make a special trip to Shane Co (where we bought my ring,) just to get it cleaned before we leave.  Am I crazy?  Nick's grandma hasn't seen it yet, and I guess I just want it to look extra pretty when she sees it for the first time.  We all know pictures don't do diamonds any justice. 

Have a good weekend everyone!

The Story of My Ring...

You may or may not know that Nick asked for my help picking out my engagement ring.   He wanted to make sure I loved it.  Anyway, I thought I would share the story of when we went ring shopping with you all, well, because its funny.

It was a chilly Wednesday night in early January.  I was taking a bath, like I do almost every night in the winter.  Nick came in, sat on the toilet, and asked me if I would go ring shopping with him.  I think I said something like 'of course', while inside I was super excited.   So I tried to play it cool and waited a whole week before making a plan to go shopping.  I spent the week looking at rings online.  Who am I kidding, I'd been looking for ages.  So, I knew exactly where I wanted to go, Ive heard the commercials on the radio since I was a kid.  "The Shane Company, one half mile east of I-25 on Emporia Street, " Sorry, that makes sense if you live in Denver.  Anyway, shopping day rolled around and I thought it would be a good idea to take Nick to get a drink or two before we went, you know to calm him down a bit.  So after a pitcher of beer and something called a tackle box, we drove across the street to the jewelry store.                                                                            

We walked into The Shane Co and this very sweet lady, Carol, asks if she can help us.  I froze.  Yup, froze, I stopped walking and no words came out of my mouth.  I sure wasn't expecting that to happen.  Nick poked his head out from behind me and said 'We're here to look at engagement rings.'  I think I smiled, and the lady led us to the counter, and asked if I had something in mind.  I opened my purse and pulled out a printout of what I liked.  She was excited that I knew what I wanted to look at first, since they have like 800 settings.  It took me 10 minutes to start talking, I think I had the setting on my hand when she asked what our budget was for the diamond, before I said a word.  The top picture is the first picture I took of my ring, I wish I had dainty fingers so it would have fit from the beginning.

I think I tried on one other setting, it was plain, with no diamonds, and Nick turned his nose up.  So this was it, I knew it, and now he knew it.  I tried on the band, and boy oh boy was it a lot of bling.  It was way more than I ever thought I would want.  Here it is with the band, that same night.

After admiring the ring for a few minutes, Carol handed me one more band to try on, so there would be one on both sides of my engagement ring.  I wasn't so sure it was something I wanted.  As soon as I put it on, Nick's eye's got big and he started nodding like a little kid.  He really liked it with both bands.  We decided because of price that maybe the second band could be a first anniversary gift.  He agreed. 

So that's the story of my ring, and how it came to be.  I'll tell the story of the proposal another time. 

More Flower Stuff

I took my mock-up centerpiece to work yesterday to get some opinions.  They all loved it.  I explained my symmetrical issue to one of my co-workers, and she said 'Get out of your head Jess, it looks great!"   Ok, Ok, I think that sums it up.  I like it.  I think I'm going to tweak some things (ribbon, filler etc) , but the idea is going to stay the same....I think.  :)   

On that same note, the Michael's store called today to tell me the flowers are there, ready for pickup.  Faster than I thought, no transfer fees and I didn't have to pay for them in advance. (So, if I change my mind, no harm, no foul)  Nice customer service Michael's. 

I have also decided I don't really like the blue hydrangeas I bought for my bouquet.  I think I'm spending all this time and energy trying to find the most realistic looking white hydrangeas for my MOH and centerpieces, and mine look fake. I think they're beautiful, but they aren't real looking. So back to the drawing board.  I did see some light blue hydrangeas that I liked, so we'll see.

Update:  I picked up the rest of the flowers.  I now own 46 stems of white hydrangeas.  I'm so happy I found enough.  I had to put them in the top of our wine holder to get them off the floor.

Centerpiece Mockup

Ok ok, so after stressing about getting enough flowers yesterday, I sat down and made a centerpiece tonight. It took some time, cutting the length of the flowers, over and over again, but I think I got it. Then I used the leaves off the stems to wrap the inside of the 4 1/2 in cube vase, so you cant see the stems. Then I realized I had some leftover ribbon from my DIY Necklaces, and so I wrapped some around the vase. I think its pretty close to my inspiration picture.

I think I like them...I need some opinions. Anyone?

My MOH's Bouquet Flowers

Here are my MOH's bouquet flowers, I think they look pretty real and will definitely pop against her chocolate brown dress.

I Had To Pick Flowers That Are Impossible To Find

Ok, after thinking about it last night, I decided that I want to try to make a centerpiece mock-up, just to see if I even like it. Who knows if what is in my brain will actually look right. I really like the white hydrangeas I got for my MOH's bouquet. They look great and as close as Ive ever seen to real.

At lunch today I ran to the Michael's to buy 4 more stems of the white hydrangea and a vase. Apparently they don't have any more, they wont be getting anymore, they cant order them, and the lady I talked to asked me if I was going to hire her to 'do my wedding?' What? I just asked for the stupid flowers. The bottom line is I have to call all the Michael's stores in my city to see if anyone has anymore. I called 12 stores....they're on sale and have been out on the shelves for months, so most stores don't have any. NONE! nada, zip, zilch. I managed to find 8 at the store closest to my house, and 12 at the store 18 miles north of the city. I started to panic. What if I cant find enough? Luckily, I called a store in Colorado Springs, tada, they have 26 of them. They offered to ship them to a store closer to me. Yippee, I should have enough for all my centerpieces. If I choose to make them. HA!

After work, I ran my sweet piece of crap car all over the city picking these stupid things up. Here they are in the floorboard of my car...

Lets Talk Flowers...

and the universal bridal debate of real vs. fake.

My mom and I grabbed a bite to eat today, then ran off to our local Michael's to look around. We wandered into the floral section. To my surprise there were a few hydrangea flowers that looked surprisingly real. I never considered fake flowers.  I always assumed they would be real, until I realized how expensive they are.  Anyway, after an hour and a half of walking in circles, I think I've decided on two different colors. One for my bouquet and one for my MOH. I love the white hydrangea's I picked out for my MOH so much that I'm thinking of buying more and using them for our centerpieces. (but that's another post) Anyway, here is the thing. I like the dark blue hydrangea's I picked for my bouquet because they will definitely pop against my dress, but I'm not 100% sure about them. Ugh, why cant I just make a decision and stick with it when it comes to these flowers? I had no problem picking a location or a dress, but this is blowing my mind.

The picture on the left is a better indication of what they look like in person. The one on the right is what they look like photographed outside. See why I'm torn? Help!!