From day 1 I knew I wanted to wear flip flops underneath my white dress.
Recently I believe I've...
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01/28/2009
 Finished envelope, liner and traced pattern Crease Liner After creasing, bring liner back down to apply adhesive Finished Product! Finished Invitation      |
The Silver (err, Purple) Lining
DIY Envelope Liners
Sticking to my promise to be budget-savvy during the wedding planning process, I purchased the Damask Invitation Set from Gartner Studios. I also had the invitations printed at Kinko's, saving me an even bigger bundle.
While the pattern is beautiful, and they are so simple and chic, I just wasn't completely satisfied with the finished product. After putting all the invitations together, I looked them over, deciding they still needed something more. I started picking my brain and the internet for inspiration. Add a colored inner envelope? Too time consuming and costly. Add colored ribbon to the invitation? Still too boring. Add a liner to the envelopes? BINGO! I thought this would be an easy project...and boy, was it ever! I don't know why it isn't done more often. Here's how I did it.... 1) Find paper in your desired color or pattern. Some suggestions to explore: colored printer paper paper place mats scrapbook paper 2) Trace your envelope, then measure off 1/2 inch from each edge. (Make sure this allows for enough space to expose the envelope seal) 3) After you have measured off the actual liner, cut out in desired paper. 4) Line the liner up exactly how you would like it placed (side corners should line up with the crease of the envelope flap), and fold envelope flap over, creasing the liner appropriately. 5) Lift envelope flap and leave liner folded over (exposing the back of the liner flap). 6) Apply adhesive along edges with tape or glue runner. (Tape is best!) 7) Fold envelope flap back down, and smooth hand over the envelope. (this will ensure that the liner is wrinkle-free and air bubbles are removed) 8) Lift up and...voila! You have completed your first liner. I'm in love with the finished product. Guests will open up the invitations to a very subtle splash of color, and it doesn't distract from the actual invitations. Definitely worth the 2 hours and $10 spent on the liners! Happy Crafting!! |
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01/26/2009
 +error2 |
Typo on our mailed invitations!
(Has this happened to you?)
I had a typo. It was a doozy. And they've already been sent out. *cringe*
I've been aloof for the last month...stressed about many things in life, mostly unrelated to the wedding. (my job, our dwindling savings, etc). So while my mind has been fogged up, I was still putting together the inserts for our invitation. (They contained info about our website, accommodations and directions - the usual - and I thought all was fine). They were mailed out last week, and everything was going smooth. Then today, I was informed by a childhood friend that the phone number we listed for the hotel is wrong!! instead of -4300, we ended the number with -4330. Needless to say, she warned the random gentleman on the other end of the possibility of similar wrong-number calls. I am mortified!! Did you have a similar debacle?? It has me so upset for not proofing my inserts better. I guess when you look at something a bazillion times over, it's easy to miss something so miniscule. I'm planning on printing new inserts with the correct info, and handing them out to people as we see them.... Do you think that's enough? How did you handle your misprint?? |
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01/13/2009
 smilebooks sample SmileBooks_com_Winter   |
Say Cheese!
Photo Guest Book Quest (+ a 30% off coupon code!)
I liken myself to the woman on the discount airfare commercial. You know, the one with the problem confirming the purchase, in fear of a cheaper/better/reduced fare coming available later. I just
.cant
.click
to
confirm.
Its a sickness, really. It masks itself as procrastination. But it's actually a fear of regretting the purchase later. But after I logged onto my wedding website and noticed the countdown is now at 66 days (yikes!!), I knew I needed to get serious about ordering a photo guest book. So despite my fear of finalizing anything, I set a deadline for myself. Get that book ordered by Monday night. I sat down after dinner, finalized the design Ive been messing around with for weeks (Again a display of my fear of something so final) added it to the online shopping cart and hollered at Mr. B. to help me click purchase. =) I just needed a little nudge from the soon-to-be-hubs. Now its officially ordered! Yes, you heard a small sigh of relief from me. Ill admit it! It feels good that its FINALLY checked off my list. Our photo guest book is coming from SmileBooks.com. Out of all the custom photo book sites out there, I found this site had the easiest software and layouts to work with by far. I first attempted to use Blurb, but found there were too many stipulations on what I could/couldnt do with the layouts of pictures, etc. So SmileBooks is the winner this round! Every other page features various photos from our engagement session. The opposite pages are left blank, for guests to sign or write messages. Its something we can appreciate through the years. I will definitely update with pictures of the finished product, once it reaches my mailbox. Im getting antsy already, just waiting!! (Getting fun wedding packages is such a high for me Its crazy, really.) Save 30% on your order by entering coupon code BACK2SCHOOL Stay tuned |
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01/04/2009
 P1040968 |
Cut The Cost, Not The Class
A DIY project to boost your budget....
When it comes to the average wedding budget, one disposable (literally and figuratively) item pops out at me......the wedding stationery!
For those of us who are bargain-savvy (or just on a more realistic budget), there are more options to consider than just accepting the outlandish prices online and in catalogs. Craft stores are the best alternative, and have recently become a bride's best friend! One of my absolute faves is Michaels, which carries the BRIDES line of products, concocted by the editors of Brides Magazine. For my Black & White theme, I chose to use the damask stationery line by BRIDES, along with the black favor boxes. With some super easy assembly and access to a printer, these are right up there in elegance and uniqueness. You can also easily personalize the invitation by adding colored ribbon, printing a monogram at the top, or adding rhinestones or any other "bling." The possibilities are endless! I've used my 40% and 50% off coupons these past few months, stocking up on a box at a time. Now that the invitations are going out in 2 weeks....it's time to start printing. (So forgive me if my blog is neglected these next few days). |
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12/30/2008
 M905_02 PC300943 PC300939    |
Bridesmaids
We're Making It Personal
One thing that deserves a lot of thought are the gifts for the
wedding party. Especially those nearest and dearest to me - my rockin' bridesmaids! I want to make sure my fave girlie girls feel important and appreciated on our big day. 1) I'll start with these black canvas bags (www.jiffyshirts.com) They range from $1.17 to upwards of $10, depending on size and quality. (Also something I'm considering for my OOT bags!) 2) To add a personal touch, I'm ironing on their initial in our damask fabric....then pinning on some cute flare that's fitting and personal to each BM! (I'm still looking for more fun buttons....Spencers might be my next stop). 3) Next up...the gifts inside! This will include a mani/pedi gift certificate for the wedding day, a nail file case set, Foot Petals, and (possibly) a small Coach wristlet. I'm still tweaking the gift ideas. I'll be finishing these up over the next 2 weeks. I'm super anxious to see the finished product! |
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12/29/2008
 FG dress |
Market Place
Damask FG Dress: for sale!
Here's a girl's dress I purchased in damask, size 4. I love it, but unfortunately it doesn't look right with my ivory dress. (Talk about heartbreak!). This dress is a true white! Damask pattern is also a raised velvet-like texture. Very cute! The flowers near the collar are only lightly sewn on, so they can easily be removed with a couple snips. I would maybe recommend tying a white sash around the waist, to lighten it up a little. (That's what I had planned on doing.) I am only asking for the price of the dress + shipping. Tags are still on it! (It was a steal!) |
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12/23/2008
 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10           |
Just The Right Style
How did you choose?
My indecisiveness has me at a road block.....should I wear my hair up or down??
I have a slender face and nose, and long straight hair. My gown is a babydoll style (empire fit at the chest, and loose from there down). Deciding on a hairstyle that best suits me and my dress has been so difficult! ***My questions to you*** * Are you a bride debating on wearing your hair up or down? * How do you feel about brides, in general, wearing their hair down? *My gown is a "babydoll" style, so which hairstyle would fit it best? ____________________ I'm planning on taking pictures to my aunt soon, in order to do some hair trials. So I need to decide soon! (She did an AMAZING job on my sister's hair at her wedding....so I'm sure she'll be able to replicate anything I show her.) Here are some styles I'm considering....I feel like I'll look more like myself with it half down.....but then I worry that the curls won't hold!! Decisions, decisions. |
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12/18/2008
 damask monogram 3 damask monogram LSA monog 2 - Silver Lotus Photography LSA monog 1 - Silver Lotus Photography     |
A Monogrammed Affair
What's your vote?
So we plan on incorporating a monogram into our event, and my bro-in-law has so graciously designed a few for us. He did one for his and my sister's wedding and reception, complete with a projected monogram onto the wall (see last 2 pictures). It was fabulous!
Here's the final monogram we chose, and I've placed some potential damask border options around it. What's your favorite of the two? The bordered monogram will be located on the favor boxes, table decor, and programs. The monogram sans-border will be projected onto the wall at the ceremony. They purchased the projector used at their wedding, so they're loaning it to us for ours. Cha-ching! I'm so excited to start pulling everything together, and plugging these into my program and favor mock-ups! More to come on those later....most likely during my time off around the holidays. |
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12/17/2008
 MY CAKE |
Wedding Cake
Scrum-diddly-umptious!
Unlike a lot of brides these days....I absolutely love cake. Love love LOVE it! Pretty much anything with sugar, and I'm set!
I have my cake design finalized and submitted it to our cake decorator. This was based on a cake she made previously...and I've just made a few adjustments with photoshop. I've added my own caketopper (again, a photoshop concoction), and I love the swirly designs that she had used previously (that's about as close as I'll get to damask, without forking over the big bucks for this edible reception decor). So we'll be keeping that design, alternated between layers of raised white icing dots. This won't feed everyone, so we still need slices to cover approx. 50-70 more guests (bring the total to approx. 180-200). So we're adding a sheet cake, that will be pre-cut by the caterers, and served after our cake cutting (naturally!). The sheet cake is a great deal, at only $1 per serving that we add aside from our main cake. That total will be be figured once we have our final count. It definitely beats adding another layer, at $2.30 a serving. Plus, I hate those towering cakes, I'm always so nervous that they'll topple over! I mean, I know I like cake and all. But 4 layers is enough for me. Thanks. =) I'm also SUPER pumped that I get to use this cake stand...for free!! Ohhhh yeaaahhhhh. Note to thrifty brides: Definitely ask your cake vendor about sheet cakes, aside from your "main" cake....no need to add expensive layers if you don't want them! They'll be put aside, and never seen. No one will ever know. =) |
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12/15/2008
 wedding polyvore |
Inspiration Board
Polyvore can help you out!
I love how my board turned out! This finally pulls together what I'm invisioning for a black-and-purple wedding theme.
I chose this color scheme to try to be different than most. Some people have been skeptical about the color choice, wondering if its too goth -- which is SO NOT my style -- but now they can see it's quite vintage and feminine. And classy! I'm a very classy girl. =) My background in design initially led me to the site...I've always loved it, and will be utilizing it throughout the rest of my wedding planning. WARNING: It's an addictive site! Visit at your own risk.... www.polyvore.com The dress on the board is my actual dress for the BMs. It's in the color "Lapis," which is a deep purple. Love it!!! |
clbowe
| 4 | years since wedding |
Mar 2009
,
Indiana,
United States
Black
Mr. B & I have been dating for 3 years, living in our new house for 1.5, and engaged since July 4, 2008! And were loving every minute of it. Itll be a black and white wedding, with hints of purples and damask.
number of visits: 4407
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