This is islandgirl01ca's Green Wedding!

So today I am going to the gym...Curves to be exact. I'm a curvy girl and I wanted to tone up before I order my dress.

Anyone else toning up before the 'I do's'? What are you doing?

OK...so I am way over the stress! And yes it's true! We FINALLY have our photographer! Her name is Lorie...and I LOVE HER WORK!

Forgive me for not posting in a while. I just finished up my college exams, started a new (big girl) job, moving, and am getting ready for graduation. Needless to say, wedding planning has been shoved to the side burner. I have been so out of tune with planning I was shocked to see that we are under the 400 mark in days to our wedding...I know I know...I should be counting down, but I've lost track of time!

Now I need to get jump started. I must get a head start on the BM dresses. Once we have the fabric, I can start doing other stuff. Like flowers, which is number 2 on my list of to do's! Then center pieces.

And some where in there I have to find my dress. OK I lied...I did do one thing wedding related recently. My sister (MOH) and I went to a bridal store and started trying on dresses. Ummm ....not so impressed. They are all very beautiful but none clicked with me yet...I have a feeling this may be quite a challenge. I have it stuck in my head exactly what I want. I tried on all the other options, but I felt right in absolutely none of them. I'm going for the Avril Lavigne (is that how you spell it? ah whatever) look. Really simple, the detail is in how the fabric is sewn. Any suggestions?

Ah so ends my bridal rant. I promise the next one will be better. With lots of pretty pictures!

So in my almost daily stroll through Shopper's Drug Mart, I was stopped in my tracks by a beautiful bottle of Nina Ricci perfume. Not only was it pretty...it smelt amazing! Needless to say all of my Optimum Points are gone and I am a very happy camper.

Also, while going through my new Cosmo...I noticed an add for Essie nail polish...they have a new bridal collection and I am in love with their color "Tie the Knot"

Please help! I am looking for a great wedding photographer in southern ontario/GTA...at a reasonable price.

I love photojournalistic style...I'm not a fan of everything being too posed. Any ideas?

So has anyone checked out Pose Prints yet? HOLY CUTE-NESS!!!!

You can order invitations and note cards with characters that look like you on it!

My sister is going to order some for my shower!

LOVE IT!

So in my journey to find the perfect favors, a light bulb flicked on in my head.

Since I am getting married in a barn, I wanted in some way to incorporate mason jars. I thought about center pieces, but I already had those awesome steel vases.

So I thought may be a candy bar. But then there were going to be 200 people and it may get to cluttered with guests.

And then...it hit me...POP CORN! Unpopped of course! Fill mason jars with popcorn kernels and add a nice bow or twine (since its in a barn) and smack on a pretty label!

GENIUS!

Oh...I am also considering candy apples...but may be if I use the popcorn idea I will have a bushel sitting out for guests to snack on.

So I've been searching for flowers online for some time now and I think I have it! The tulips in the bouquets will be pink as will the bouteniers.

So I know I'm still very far away from my date, but I got a great deal on the table decorations! YAY!

I bought the vases at the dollar store (obviously a buck each). They are galvanized steel and go with the rustic theme. I am going to fill them with white hydrangeas and put a ribbon around them. See photo - it is very similar to ours but ours have no handles. I may also through in a few pink tulips for color.

Then I am going to have 5 votive candles around the vase on each table to add some glow. I paid something like 30 bucks for 72 of the holders. Sweet deal!

We decided to go with all white linens and dishes. Not only is it cheaper for us, I think since we are going to be in a barn it keeps it nice and fresh looking.

So I thought I had an awesome venue for our reception....and it is, it really is. As you may know from my previous post, I am getting married in a barn.

But I loved it for the element of surprise it would have on my guests. So much for that. (Pout grows at an alarming rate!) My grooms cousing just posted photos on her Facebook of this wedding she and other family members just went to ...AT A BARN!!! MY BARN!!!

I suppose its only a few of my guests that now know...and I guess I couldn't have controlled it. But I'm bummed out cause I was really going for visual effect.

Ahhh anyways...I'll get over it. Oh speaking of barn!!! I paid it a visit last week for a vendor show and grabbed some new photos!!! Enjoy!

Hello Everyone!

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, but school has kept me busy. My wedding in general is somewhat unique. I'm trying to make everything unique and different. So why should my favors be any different?

So far I have a few options (keep in mind we are getting married in a barn):

1. Apple Butter - In a clear jar with a piece of paisley fabric on top tied with ribbon. ($1.40 each)

2. Trees - Yes...an actual tree. Ok well saplings. White Spruce to be exact. I(Approx $1.30 each) found this website...check it out:

http://www.forestcare.com/specialty.htm

3. Honey or Jam - In a jar with the paisley fabric just like the apple butter. (Around the same price as the apple butter)

4. Potted Flower - Probably a pansy or something. (Price is unknown)

So what do you think? Are your favors unique? What are they?

Ok...so I know I'm supposed to but out when it comes to the Shower, but there are so many ideas. My little sister is my MOH and she's shared with me some of hers to share with you!

First of all...for invitations visit www.poseprints.com. Here you can customize invitations to look like your bride and/or groom. They also have characters with pregnant bellies so these invites are great for baby showers too!

Second...Cake! Instead of having a plain cake, why not add a twist! Try a victorian charm cake. Pretty much the bride puts charms with ribbons attached in the layers of the cake (one for each bridesmaid). Each girl (or guy in some cases) get to pull one out. The charm that you get represents something to come in your future. Example: The bridemaid to pull out a ring charm will be the next to get engaged! Google Victorian cake charms to buy them online. They are fairly inexpensive and are a great keepsake. To take it one step further...visit your local Walmart and pick up a charm bracelet in the craft aisle for about $2.00 for each girl!

So since the bride brings the Charm cake, what can the bridesmaid do in the cake department? How about a towel cake. Pretty much roll towels to look like a three tiered wedding cake and decorate with cake and ribbon….here are the instructions: http://www.yourweddingcompany.com/index.php/action/showProject/projectId/26/categoryId/109/#

Because my fiance was leaving with the military for four months, we decided to get our registry done first. For those who have already made one, you know how much fun it is! It's like guilt free shopping.

We registered at a two places. For all you Canadian gals, I would have to recommend The Bay. The staff were amazing. We sat down first and talked about our needs and our guests and they figured out how much of everything we needed. Then they gave me a pile of wedding magazines and a bunch of coupons for bridal stuff (dress discounts, dry cleaning discounts, hair discounts, free makeup on my wedding day!) Who doesn't love free stuff?!?

The staff took us around the store and showed us everything...man there was a lot we didn't think of! If at all anything on my registry gets discontinued, they call me immediately. Also I get to go to special events such as cake tasting exclusively for brides with registry's at The Bay.

We also registered at Walmart...after being at The Bay...I was kinda disappointed. Just a computer and me...and no online access (unlike The Bay)

Needless to say...I think everyone should be treated like a princess when they are getting married and would definitely recommend The Bay!

My finace and I bought a boat. A fix 'er up 'er of sorts. We worked all winter on it, right through the spring, and half way through the summer. When we finally got it in the water, it was July 15. Half the boating season was gone, but we were thrilled to have the only a few weeks.

We decided to sail to a near island for our first voyage. I've been on boats my whole life and am a great swimmer...so I didn't want to wear a life jacket (I know I should!) But he strongly insisted, so I did.

After sailing back and forth to the island for the millionth time, he told me to close my eyes. I was scared (because he's a daredevil) that he was going to pull a crazy move on the boat. When he told me to open them he had my ring and asked me to marry him (FINALLY!). Once I said YES (immediately) he told me I could take the life jacket off. He said if I said no he would have thrown he overboard! Lovely! (still don't know if he was joking)

When we returned to shore, my parents had a huge BBQ ready with all my family and friends. Ah they are so awesome!

PS. This is a pictured of what ring kinda looks like. Isn't it pretty!