This is amarsh01's Green Wedding!

I just thought I would add these. I can't help sharing everything..... I want to help plan someone elses wedding now....

Check out my handsome hubby laying in the grass.

One more piece of advice: Rehearsal was a little hectic. I didn't feel like everyone got it. Mainly cause we started late and then had dinner waiting on us.... But, all goes well on wedding day, so don't worry.

The coffee book table idea worked out great. In a prior... inspiration post, I had the idea of using a Montana coffee table book as our guest book. Guests signed pages of the book with their "best wishes". Since the wedding, we actually look at our guest book! It sits out on our coffee table in the middle of the living room. Check out pics of guests signing it.

So, we were lended a brand new 2008 chevy corvette..... future hub was in "ah". A $50,000 or + vehichle. I think it had like 10 miles on it when he picked it up. I can't believe I forgot to post this before the wedding.

I think we will all have our little bits of information that might help one another........ Mine are rather long, bare with me :) Some are serious and some are a little silly, but they all really played a role in our wedding day.

1) It may not go as planned, but don't worry, no one will notice... hopefully a) running out of chairs, after working dilligently to rent the perfect ones, you still have to break out the white plastic ones for extra guests. b) picking a first dance song, 10 min prior to dance :) c) the caterer not providing water... which was supposed to happen.. only tea and alcohol were offered. d) the best man forgot to go back and get his mom (the mother of the groom) for the recessional.

2) The veil... most of us want to wear one... but keep in mind, that all those male relatives that come up to you are going to put their arm around you and put it right on the veil.. therefore making your head stationery until they move it... cause they never seemed to stick their arm under it.

3) Bring a pair of shoes to change into...

4) and if you dance... your dress is going to get dirty, but when are you going to wear it again?

5) Don't worry, after you leave... mom's (or someone) will take charge and gather up gifts, flowers, decor, etc...... they won't mind doing it

6) Gather up your belongings before the ceremony starts and put them in the exit vehicle..... I didn't so after we left, two BM's gathered all my stuff up, including my purse... we had to pick it all up on our way to the airport the next day... I didn't even have a hair brush at home to get ready with the next morning..

7) So have some good BM's and Mom's/someone to help after you leave, hey you can't do it all! Hey, and the BM's help you potty in that oversized dress that you bought! And, the Mom's took care of every flower before the ceremony... even when we needed another boutinerre

8) Mom's and Dad's might embarass you on the dance floor, and might drink a little much... be prepared and don't let it bother you.... hey Dad payed for it so I guess he can do whatever he wants :)

9) The Officiant might studder, Groom might studder, and you might studder during the ceremony... it's okay

10) I don't think we got to tell everyone hello and thank you... but do your best and that's all that matters

11) Don't stress... don't worry about your hair/makeup, don't worry about not starting on time, don't worry about the Dad's already getting into the kegs... hours before the ceremony even starts :), don't worry the groomsmen might look like they are being tortured while taking all those pics, don't worry about anything...... a great, mellow photographer helps... you don't need to feel hurried at all. I didn't stress and I am so proud of myself and the people that I had around me that were so helpful!

12) Eat at the reception! You took time in planning for the food, most importantly you should get to eat it. If possible someone could sneak the bride and groom a plate in right after the ceremony and before the reception

13) Take advantage of the venue's coordinator. I planned everything myself... I really enjoyed it. But, when it came to the rehearsal and day of coordination, Nancy who operates the Fillauer House is more than willing to step in and she does an awesome job.

14) People might show that were not invited... especially if you have beer or wine at the reception. Don't worry, no one will notice

15) Have plenty of Thank You cards and/or money... special ones... to fill out for people who helped... for example; the officiant and the friend who got elected to operate the ceremony music. Give them the cards at some point during wedding if possible, like at the reception

16) If you make a stop at Hobby Lobby for example on the way to the ceremony local with no make-up and rollers in your hair... you will see someone you know and more than likely you will see them later at your wedding :) And they will take a picture of you looking so silly!

17) Don't forget a garter if you are having a garter toss, if you do.... don't worry, an Aunt/or someone will pick one (or two if you want to keep one) up for you :)

That might be it....... I'll let you know if I think of anything else!
That's by far my longest post ever... Sorry

Okay, so we did it! I am going to go through my previous posts and ideas.... updating them and letting you know how it actually turned out (if the brilliant idea even got executed). Bare with me, this may take a while.

I will continue to update as I get more pics

www.daisymoffattphotography.com

These were on her blog.... I can't wait to see the rest of them!
Oh, and I will recommend her to everyone... her site says she's internationally available.

There is no tv for a slide show or screen to project images of us onto. Therefore, we might display pictures like this some where in the barn. I stocked up on mini close-pins just in case.

*UPDATE* This is the one thing that I wished I had made time for. Actually, I had everything ready to do it with, another snag with ceremony music caused me to put this project on the back burner... and it didn't get done :( However, at the rehearsal dinner, we did show a DVD slide show of pics of us.

So, we registered, or I did... I picked it all out. With the exception of the trip to Lowe's, where Tim will be registering for a cordless hand drill :) We are now registered at Lowes, Target, Pottery Barn, and Southern Traditions (local store carrying China, etc.) I keep getting online and updating, adding, and deleting.

I ended up registering for everyday use dishes. Actually, they are really expensive everyday use dishes that cost as mush as China, and I didn't register for China. So, I also registered for cheaper, coordinating dishes from Target. Now I feel like I did the wrong thing. Am I crazy for second guessing myself, or does this sound okay.

These are the some-what expensive Vietri dishes that I registered for. The coordinating Target ones are solid in sage, sangria, and chocolate. I also added pics of other things that we have registered for.

Just a little FYI.... I am in two weddings before my own: Feb 23 and Mar 8. Wish me luck cause mine is just after these coming in at Mar 22. The stress levels might rise :)

To get a better perspective, I am a first year teacher, my honeymoon is during my spring break... I may be recooperating instead of skiing :) and then back to the daily grind the day after we return.

But, I love my two busy bride friends and am willing to help them in any way. And, I am as excited as ever! The count down is only going to go by faster with upcoming showers and weddings!

So I found a new favor idea since I was thinking about using sparklers instead of rice, etc.
Matches! Kill two birds with one stone.... light your sparkler with a couple and take home the rest. The cover will say something cheesey like "Perfect Match" with our names and the wedding date on it. The match book should allow a couple of sparklers to slide through for a cute display like this one.

*UPDATE* Had no money left to buy favors :(

This picture was taken at the Fillauer House in November. The couple used the same caterer that we are using as well as the location. So.... we are using the exact table linens, centerpieces, and chairs. This picture was taken looking out from the barn, which is where the reception is going to be. We are going to add some flowers to the centerpieces.

Does it need anything else?

We reserved the cabin at Big Sky Ski Resort in Montana! Yay, I feel very accomplished because we kept putting this expense off. As you can tell in previous posts.... we got engaged on the slopes so why not do it again for our honeymoon! The cabin is ski-in/ski-out with a hot tub on the porch. We will have access to the lodge as well. We plan on visiting Yellowstone and going snow mobiling through the mountains. We've never skiied out west before, so we can't wait! (We go to Sugar Mt. in NC every New Year's..... but it's not much)

*UPDATE* We had a great time! Everything looked like the beautiful pics that we had seen, check out some of ours (the last 4)!

So, this is plan B if I decide not to do the DIY invitation project. But I must decide soon... like in the next few weeks! This one is chocolate brown and has a really light shade of green font. The response card is green with brown font. These are about $150 more than the DIY and these won't require all the work :)
Which should I choose? The DIY is a previous post.

The others are all invitations that might be used for showers, etc.

Found this pic of the perfect alter decorations! I am now looking for an arbor to buy or rent and have the florist decorate like this.

*UPDATE* We didn't do the arbor :( It got pricey as well. But, my heart wasn't set on it.... I thought the ceremony looked great without it.

These are just a few that the photographer had posted in her blog... we haven't seen all of them yet, but we love these!

www.daisymoffattphotography.com

*update* We've seen all 235 of our engagement pics! We couldn't be happier. Now we just have to buy them.... picking and paying is the hard part.

For our guest book, I liked the idea of using a coffee table book that reflected our honeymoon destination. Guests sign the pages of the book and it will be something that you actually set out in the living room (or somewhere) and look at in the future. You can look at it as a reminder of the trip and company should even enjoy looking at it.

The other option that I liked was the instant photo guest books where polariod cameras are needed.

*UPDATE* We did use the "Montanta Century" coffee table book as our guest book. It turned out great. Guests picked pretty pages to sign on and it was spaced out thru the entire book.

140 days and counting!!!

My mom and I are ordering this from Dillard's for her. I picked out something similar for the Mother of the Groom.

*UPDATE* Check the mom's out, they looked great!

I can't believe that I haven't posted that we had a band. We've had them since the very begining of all the planning. The Collins Brothers are a local band that plays just about everywhere. It's five guys singing their own songs and others like Brown Eyed Girl, some country hits, and some old stuff. I have compiled a list of songs for them, hoping they can play them... it's kind of long. Fiance's parents have footed the bill for this, yay!

*UPDATE* They did a great job!
Yes, a band does limit your music selection..... but they were the life of the party! I would definately choose a band over DJ if you are okay with limiting your range of music genre.

He wants a black wedding band. I found some black tungsten ones. I haven't completely warmed up to black yet. But, this is one thing that he is really persistant on.... and I like that, so black, here we come! Sometimes I want more input from him!

*UPDATE* So, his band already cracked... dropped on tile floor. We have to exchange it. I thought this stuff was the toughest thing to get? But, he is very pleased with the looks of it... so we won't be returning it for a refund, he wants another one.

I love her bouquet. My florist and I decided to do something similar with ivory and green hydrangea's. I'm not sure what the taller flower is in her bouquet, but I like it as well.... maybe freesia?

*UPDATE* Here's my actual bouquet

I wanted wedges because the ceremony will be outdoors in the grass. I found these for me on BlueFly.com. However, they are like $195 and I can't talk myself into buying them... but I love them soooo much! I found the girls some bronze Steve Madden's on gothamcityoline.com. We can't decide whether to get the Steve Madden's or get the dyeable ones. Dyeable is a little safer.

*Update* So, I hesitated too long and can't find these georgous wedges in my size :(
I did however order both shoes for one of the BM's.... we are going to try out both and see which one looks the best!

*Update Again* I waited long enough and they got more of the ivory wedges in stock! YAY! I ordered them today and can't wait til they get here. I also ordered the BM's shoes today, we went with the bronze wedges.

It will be this chocolate brown color, but it will have a light green sash. We did however stick with Bill Levkoff. This is style #471. My neice who is 11 will be wearing the other dress in the same colors.

I think I am going to buy all the girls a chocolate cardigan. The wedding is in March, so as the night fly's by, it might get chilly. And who wants to dance with a pashmina?

*UPDATE* Look at the beautiful girls! They enjoyed their sweaters. It got a little cold :)

I am very excited, I finally booked a caterer. One reason I finally narrowed it down was because he even had chocolate linens, gold chilvari chairs, and a really cool centerpiece idea. I can't wait. Once I find something similar to his ideas, I will add the pics!

www.alshabibi.com

Prior to this post, I had a different save the date in mind. However, I designed a new one and Magnet Street Weddings printed it for me. Here is the pic of what I designed on my computer. They turned out just like this... our names are just in a different font and its more clear.

The dress shop called last week saying that they had received my dress! A little earlier than expected, but yay anyway! It is really killing me however, to not go be fitted for alterations. Am I crazy? Or am I being completely logical when I consider the fact that the wedding is 8 months away..... I should wait until the date gets closer right?

Moreover... the dress shop is an hour away, so just going to see it for fun and trying it on again is kind of out until I actually get time!

All the pics are of the dress that I purchased. There are more on a previous post. Alfred Sung Pure Style 5174 in Natural

For the boys, I am thinking brown ties to go with the girls dresses. For my furture hubby, I am thinking a green tie or an ivory one. The hard part is going to be when it comes down to actually picking.

*UPDATE* They were handsome! Just wait til I get the pics back of them fishing in the lake with their tuxes on!

We will be having our reception in the barn. This was my favorite part of the venue. Obviously the decor (table linens, chairs, etc.) will be different. The linens will be chocolate brown. We will have the gold chilvari chairs. Right underneath that chandilier will be the food.

*UPDATE* I added some pics that took place in or around the barn.

This is the ceremony site. It looks a little drab here because there is nothing going on.

I am going to fill the fountain with floating bouquets to represent each of our loved ones that could not be there on our special day; grandparents, great aunt, brother, etc.

*UPDATE* The fountain bouquets were beautiful.... and other pics of us hanging out at the site.

When I saw this in a magazine, I tore it out. It is just like my ring. Round, solitare, wide band, and without the claw looking setting. I want a band similar to this.

*UPDATE* My band looks just like this. I got it on bluenile.com.

* I added some more of my favs*

My hair is brunette, long and straight, (I roll it everyday with rollers for some curl and body) so...doubt I can pull some of these do's off. But I love them so much! How do I get it to be wavy?

*UPDATE* This is what I ended up doing, and I loved it! That flower actually came off my dress.

Right in the middle of one of the ski slopes on New Year's weekend. Everyone knew, except me, so we even got pictures!

I added a couple more!

This is my favorite picture.....
There isn't much to the cake, but I love the look of this. My caterer didn't feel the same way. He was afraid that it was too plain. I may do something similar, incorporating some of the other looks that I included.

*UPDATE* Here's our cake, it was yummy as you can see in another pic :)

Bought It!
It was the first dress that I saw when I walked into the store. I like the fact that it is just fabric, no beads, sequins, etc. I also wanted a pick up skirt. The fabric is gorgeous in person. It's shiny and silky. It is almost a sweetheart top, which helped because I'm not that endowed :)

Is anyone else patiently awaiting their dress to COME IN so I can actually say I have it.... and try it on.... and it be fitted to fit me?
I can't wait!