Shop till you drop...

Kevin and I (yes Kevin came), shopped until we dropped last weekend. We went everywhere: Target, Michael's, World Market, another Target, TJ Maxx and Marshall's.

Just check out this list
1. metal tubs
2. vases for alter and head table
3. chocolate molds
4. ribbon
5. tea lights
6. stick handles
7. paper lanterns
8. sand dollar ties
9. pinwheel supplies
10. 2 basket trays
11. cookie wrappers
12. chocolate wrappers
13. fake orchids
14. hooks
15. fishing line
16. white rope
17. thick wire
18. sand
19. bags
20. snack pricing

Wow, needless to say we either priced out or purchased everything on that list. What an accomplished weekend.

The Alter

I was not going to have an alter but after meeting one of Kevin's "booth buddies" (the person his booth was next to for 3 full days) from the home show last year I changed my mind. She is going to try to recreate this beautiful alter from Karen Bussen . I've actually written about Karen before, she wrote the Simply Stunning Weddings.

The artist, Sarah from center it designs will be taking on this wedding project. She specializes in event artistry and I've very excited to see how she comes up with this. More to come about Sarah as we finalize the project details.

What a week!

My mom and sister (along with my two adorable nephews) just visited South Carolina for the whole week. We did tons of wedding stuff. Here's a quick summary of what we accomplished. I will try my best to write an individual post about each one.

1. Hair & Make-up Trial for me
2. Hair Trial for my mom
3. Dress fitting
4. Veil selection
5. Bridal jewelry selection
6. My mom's jewelry options
7. Bridesmaid gifts COMPLETE
8. Complete brainstorm of ceremony & reception set up (that's a big one)!
9. The alter
10.Rehearsal dinner location
11.One big shopping trip to Target
12.And a very long list for Michael's (arts and crafts)for me to go shopping for
13.Welcome Packages

And can you believe I'm forgetting some things....a BIG thanks to my mom, sister, and Kevin for helping me out so much this week. We're under the 2 month mark. It's time to go, go, go again!

Oh the process of making decisions...

Aunt Arlene to the Rescue!

I would like to say a big thank you to Kevin's Aunt Arlene. After reading my blog post about the Heidi Grace fabric, she went to JoAnn's in Chicago and found another 8 yards! That put me to the exact amount I needed to finish the tables and have a few extras just in case. Thanks so much for reading and helping me find that mysterious fabric! Here's a photo of Aunt Arlene, Kevin, and I at her son's wedding.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

Final Invites

Here are the finals. My apologies, I had to blur some of the text. Ya never know! Thanks again to everyone for their help. I couldn't be happier with the final project!

Invite Mania!

I want to thank my mom, sister, my bridesmaid Kendra, and her sister Stacy for helping me finish this ambitious project, the invites. Another big THANKS to Kevin for printing ALL envelops, exterior and interior. Also a very, very special thanks to my sister Sam for designing all the graphics including the save the date all while she was pregnant. Here are a couple of photos of us working hard stuffing the envelops.

Table Decorations, Heidi Grace Fabric

I was trying to think a little more creatively than renting overlays from the rental company, so this is what I came up with, Heidi Grace fabric from Jo-Ann Fabrics. My mom collected this stuff from every surrounding Jo-Ann's in Ohio (THANKS MOM). This fabric is in high demand. I cannot find it anywhere. I think we barely have enough, but we will make it work. This will be in a circle or square shape over ivory linens on all the round tables at the reception. A bright pink runner will be on the rectangle "head table". I would like to make a few more items with it, but like I said it's a mysterious fabric. If you find it, give me a shout. Heidi Grace Midnight Kisses Large Floral Black.

Free Webs

I almost forgot webs.com, formally freewebs. Our friends the Almy's used this to design their wedding website. Webs.com is great because it allows you to set up and paypal feature where guests can donate money to the honeymoon. Since Kevin and I already have a house, this is a great way to contribute to something you know we will use! I was also able to incorporate my blog, photos, videos, a map (from wedding mapper), and hotel rates. A wedding website is a great way to share updated information with our guests and it also allows them to plan a vacation, contact us, or just browse around to see what's new.

Invite Graphics

Invites will be going out in May, keep your fingers crossed, so be on the lookout! Here's a sneak peak at the design . It reminds me of the DIY pinwheels.

Simply Stunning Weddings by Karen Bussen

How could I forgot to mention the book that started it all. This book is AMAZING. Every wedding vendor has it, loves it, and knew exactly what I wanted when I told them how much I loved this book. If you are planning a wedding or know someone who is, READ IT, GET IT! It has simple, beautiful concepts and ideas throughout!

Seating Cards

Since last summer Kevin has been sand dollar hunting. We plan on using these as our seating cards & favors. We are still planning all the details and we have to do some more hunting to do this summer before the wedding (that's why we had to get married at the end of summer), just kidding!

How do we display the sand dollars and decorate the lobby area of Alhambra Hall? My sister came up with the bright idea of making them part of the decor by hanging them on Manzita branches. I haven't figured out how to do it yet, but I like it. I will have to ask my florist, Charleston Flower Market. It would look like to big trees in the lobby. Fun, fun, fun :)

Martha, Martha, Martha....

The guest book can be so many things these days. People use handmade scrapbooks, coffee table books, photo frames with a large mat for signing, and even individual photos of each couple arriving. So many options.....what is a girl to do?? I am thinking of combining a few ideas into one kick butt book. The idea pictured above is from good old Martha Stewart (click her name for the article). Each guest can write a personal note to the couple and I make a book full of envelopes for everyone to put their messages in. Well, that's just too easy. What about combining the envelops with photos and me and Kevin? I am trying to make something that we will look at again. I can also leave a few spaces for wedding photos. Sounds like a fun project, now I have to search for a book.

Holy smokes...it's time to send the save the date!

It's March! Oh my! Officially under the 6 month mark! Just when I thought it was time to take a break, it's time to send the save the date. At first I didn't want to send one, but I found the cutest design. My sister, the matron of honor, said she could adapt the design to reflect a more casual beach theme as well as the beautiful color scheme of black and pink. Here's a sneak peak, I can't show you the full design yet!