DIY: A Family Affair!

The two apparent themes for my wedding can be summed up in 6 letters, FUN and DIY. I am very lucky to have two parents who have willingly joined in on the FUN with some awesome DIY projects. They share my practical views, and are loving the price tag even more then I am!

The Dress

It's a tease I know! :-)

After a great deal of craziness, disappointment, and excitement, I HAVE A DRESS! I knew my amazing talented mother could pull it off, even if she only had a couple weeks. Last weekend was supposed to be the final fitting, but in my mom's 40 years of sewing she had her first zipper BREAK (with me still in the dress). It was not fun. I made the trek to Gorham again after school today, to try it on with a working zipper. The dress couldn't be anymore perfect, even though it is very different from the first one. My memere is currently hand sewing the lining and hem to make it 100% done. I have always been a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and I couldn't be any more certain of that at this moment.
DRESS COST: $35    COST OF AVERAGE WEDDING DRESS: $1,500

The Dessert Stand & Dessert

 This is the nearly finished dessert stand that was build by my very talented father out of leftover wood and other materials. He even ventured into a craft store to purchase the "Live, Love, Laugh". That is a true indication that he loves me! All it needs are some buttons to jazz it up. On this dessert stand will be some amazing goodies made by my very amazing mother.
DESSERT STAND COST: Few Dollars   COST OF WOODEN DESSERT STANDS: $70-$500
DESSERT COST: $50-$60   COST OF AVERAGE WEDDING CAKE: $500


We are now officially out of the double digits! See you all in 9 days!

What not to say to a SOON to be bride!

Being the planner and perfectionist that I am, I have had most everything planned out and ready for months. Now that the wedding is only 23 days away, I thought everything was good to go until the comments and questions started coming from others within the last week. Now my brain is playing cruel tricks on me. As a result, I've come up with a very important list of things NEVER to say to a woman who is getting married in near future.

http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-ash2/48591_1801232083_2740_n.jpg

Question: "So, are you ready?" 
My Response: "Yes, I'm now just anxiously awaiting the big day!" 
My Brain: "Am I ready? Uh oh, I actually still have a lot to do! Can I get it done in time? Am I going to have time to sleep/enjoy the next 3 weeks? What if I forget to do something important? OH CRAP, we don't have a marriage license yet!"


Comment: "I don't see how you aren't stressed about not having a wedding dress yet." 
My Response: "I just have a much better feeling about this one, and I have full confidence in my mom." 
My Brain: "Even though I feel confident, what if it doesn't work? How will I get a dress with 2 weeks to go. This NEEDS to work!"

Question: "Are you getting Nervous?" 
My Response: "A little, I'm just excited for the day to get here." 
My Brain: "I'm marrying my best friend who I've been with for 6.5 years. Why should I be nervous about that? Wait, I'm going to have to be the center of attention in front of 100 guests. Maybe I should be nervous!"

Comment: "You must be freaking out!" 
My Response: "No, actually I think everything is all set to go." 
My Brain: "Should I be freaking out? Is everything REALLY all set to go? Holy CRAP I'm getting married in a few weeks. AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"


With that being said, I suggest the following comments when speaking with a bride to be about an upcoming wedding:

"It's going to be great, I can't wait."
"You are going to have a great time. Enjoy your day."
"Everything is going to come together beautifully."
"Just remember, the day is about you and __________."
...and what ever bride likes to hear: "You are going to be a beautiful bride!"

Everything Happens for a Reason: A dress Update

Not only was it my wedding shower this weekend, but it was also supposed to be my final dress fitting. First off, let me give you a run down of the dress making proccess:
   August: Tried on dresses to see what looked good
   September: Bought pattern/fabric from a very RUDE woman at Jo-Ann's in Auburn
   December: Practice dress was complete and a success
   February: Actual dress was complete, but did not fit right
   March: Second dress fitting, realized the entire thing needed to be taken apart and put back together
   April: Sewing machine died and had to buy a new one.
   Yesterday: Tried on dress again, after 4 more attempts to fix it, decided to cut our losses.

After 9 months of planning for this dress, we now have less then 5 weeks to begin a new plan. Here is how it happened:
   May 19th 9PM: Searched online for a new pattern
   May 19th 9:10PM: Were both drawn to a brand new pattern, and knew instantly it was the one
   May 20th 10:00AM: Bought everything needed at Jo-Ann's from Portland from the nicest, most helpful women.
   May 20th 10:45AM: Mom and I drove home with no more dress stress (hey, that rhymed) and with a tremendous amount of excitement
   June 2nd: First dress fitting (fingers crossed)
   June 8th: Final dress fitting (fingers crossed)

This time around my mom will be using a pattern, and we both see little room for error. While we were pretty bummed all that time and effort went down the drain, we are convinced everything happens for a reason. Nothing went well in the process the first go-around, and now everything just feels right. This dress is even more nontraditional then the first, and I couldn't be happier. With 34 days to go, I'm getting very excited, and it's feeling very real. A special thanks to to the many people that made this a FANTASTIC weekend!


For all of you who love a deal:
First Dress (R.I.P.): $25
New Dress: $35
That's a total of $60 for TWO dresses! I'm thinking that's still pretty fantastic!

Dream On

After 9 months of planning, we are officially at the 2 month mark! Time flies!

For as long as I can remember I have been a very vivid dreamer, with dreams that tend to have very odd story lines. My dreams have ranged from my dog being kidnapped by a tribe of cave dwelling trolls to a very sweet obese couple asking me to marry them. Weird, I know! Steve thinks a therapist would have a field day analyzing my dreams. Since getting engaged, I have had wedding dreams on almost a nightly basis. It occurred to me the other day that I should be documenting my dreams, and for your entertainment I will share them with you.  

Photo Credit: http://dreamstudies.org/

 Here is a collection of my most memorable dreams yet:

1. My mom changed the ceremony location last minute to a funeral home. When I asked my mom how guests would know where to go she said not to worry, they would figure it out. To my surprise, they all showed up. When it came time for the reception, only my parents and a family friend showed up. So sad.
2. Before the wedding we were setting up at the Phoenix and they brought the buffet food out. My mom was excited to try the food and ended up eating ALL of it. At least we knew the food was good!
3. My mom surprised me by making me a new veil. She wouldn't let me see it, but while walking down Main Street in my wedding dress I could see my shadow. The veil was a bird cage with a mini top hat on top. To make matters worse it was red!
4. The reception was held in a Bollywood themed reception hall. My brother organized it and was very proud.
5. I got to the wedding all dressed up with everything going perfectly and realized that I forgot to mail the invitations. Oooops!
6. My parents followed us to St. John on our honeymoon since we have 4 extra bedrooms. Our villa ended up having a giant furniture warehouse in the basement. Other then that, our trip was great!

I know there are plenty more that aren't coming to mind, so a follow up post might be in order!

65 days...

As we quickly approach the 2 month mark, I'm reaching a lack of motivation. I'm not sure if it's the nice weather or that I'm officially weddinged (is that a word?) out. Steve and I are at the point where we are ready for the wedding to be here and  to enjoy our time in the sun on St. John. Luckily I only have 2 more projects to do until crunch time (early June). Unfortunately, getting those things done during vacation has not been happening. I've found it much more enjoyable eliminating the invasive Japanese knotweed from my front yard. I think that right there proves my "weddinged out" theory. The only thing keeping my slightly motivated is the 1-4 reply cards arriving in the mail daily! Keep them coming people, I have craft project to finish!

Here is a preview to some of my FINAL wedding projects all made from leftover supplies and things found in nature:

Seating Chart Tree made from sticks and paper roses.  This will be much more exciting when the place cards are attached.

Just a few pieces to my ceremony decor.

Wordle Round 2

"Sign, sign, everywhere a sign"

PINTREST STRIKES AGAIN!

Since I have a lot of leftover materials from other projects, I have been going on a sign making rampage...all thanks to Pintrest. 

Here are my Pintrest inspirations:

http://media-cache.pinterest.com/upload/9640586672045121_oNo0ZpdV.jpg

http://karenpecora.com/2011/12/philadelphia-wedding-planners-send-summer-vintage-wedding-style/

http://www.projectwedding.com/photo/browse?photo_to_show=58168&tag=cake

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62840376/wedding-signs-beautiful-vintage-large

In my online searches I found many of these signs available on Esty for upwards of $49.99. With my leftover buttons, paper, and twine staring me in the face there is no way I could justify that expense. 


Here is a taste of what I've come up with so far:

I made one for each stairway leading to the deck where the ceremony will take place.

For our chairs and possibly a photo-op

For the "cake" table

Photo-op for our thank you notes and also card table decor

Once again, this was all done with NO additional cost to me!

Other signs include:
- Dessert table description
- Guest "book" direction
- Door hangers for hotel guests
- Wedding "favor" description