Kenny's Ideas

Kenny's been pretty awesome about letting me plan the wedding how I want it. But I do want him to be a part of the planning process, so he does have some ideas. And, of course, they mostly revolve around kendo.

Originally, he thought it'd be awesome to wear the kendo attire at the wedding, which I really didn't like for the wedding. So he found this suit modeled after the late 1800s. (I love it!)

The only problem we have now is where to find this suit and for what price. He found this at Gentleman's Emporium. I love the whole look. And the green is the perfect color for the wedding matching the overall theme of what I am looking for.

Because I don't want the wedding party to spend a lot of money on their suits and dresses, their attire will be simpler and less expensive.

How cute of an idea is this?! A kendo cake! Though we may not do this for the wedding cake, he wanted to have a kendo groom's cake. I find this to be absolutely adorable. Now, we just need to find Kendo cake toppers.

I find this too cute to not include in the wedding.

When he told me he wanted a sword at the wedding, the first thought I had was, "This is what Erica must have thought when Paul made this suggestion." One of my bridesmaids has just recently gotten married and her now husband, Paul, insisted on having a sword included in their ceremony. I guess we'll see how this goes. I'm not sure exactly how he wants to incorporate this just yet.

← This is Killian, his brother and sister-in-law's pup. She is the most adorable and expressive dog Kenny wants to make the ring bearer. I doubt we will be able to do this because it depends on the venue and whether anyone would be willing to be the puppy-sitter. I really doubt we will do this, but it's a cute idea.

And, also, I'm sure Killian would probably hate this, but how cute would this look on her?! On second thought, nevermind. Poor pup.

(Pictures found on GoogleImages unless otherwise specified.)

♪ ♫ It's De-Lovely ♫

For those who question my ability to plan a wedding with $1000 dollars, let me let you in on a public secret. Supportive friends and family. This seems so obvious, but, in fact, I can't do this without them. Between school and work, completing all the little details alone would not be impossible, but incredibly stressful and exhausting.

Therefore, I would like to post all of the helpful ideas and offers made to me by my awesome friends and family! I have been so lucky to be surrounded by such awesome people! Here are a couple tips I have learned to help keep it within budget.

You might know someone who already owns beautiful property cutting rental costs.

The first suggestion comes from my dad. His idea is absolutely beautiful and fits perfectly with the theme. Rock Mill, Alabama. At this location, there is a river that runs over a bed of rock next to an old mill. The idea is to wed on the bed of rock facing either the mill or the beautiful landscape down stream, then have the reception

across the road on the pasture next to the stream. Unfortunately, the location is a bit too far for most attending the wedding to travel, including myself. Ideally, I would like to find a location central for all and be easily accessible for pre-wedding arrangements. During Thanksgiving break, we were able to revisit this location and I absolutely LOVE it! I'm thinking this will be the

perfect location for an engagement photo session.

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. You don't have to have one thing for each. If friends are willing to lend it, borrow it. Of course, be sure to return it afterwards.

My mother said that she is willing to lend/give my the veil she wore at her wedding. We thought about me wearing her dress as well, but my mother was skinny-minny at her wedding. (Plus, she's shorter than me...) Not only am I honored to wear this, but we all know how expensive veils can be.

Also, Kenny's mother has offered so much as well. She has offered to make the guest quilt and the jams for the party favors. I love the quilt idea, but, until I know I will be able to help with the jam making, I have not decided whether that is do-able or not. How awesome are out parents?!

Not only have our mothers offered to lend me her veil, but I have had several other friends offer help. As I mentioned before, two coworkers have offered mason jars and twelve flower vases. Speaking of coworkers, I would just like to say that I love my coworkers and there couldn't be a greater group of people who show their care for each other as much as they do. I truly feel like I

am working with a family. They have really made the transition from home so much easier.

Keeping it simple.

People have been asking me what my colors are and my response is none. I have a theme, but none of this is set in stone. If I decide on colors, I have to shop based on those select colors possibly raising the cost of the wedding. Even the theme is up for negotiation, though I doubt it will be changing by much. After all, I DO need something to help guide my decisions.

Also, keep the decorations simple. My decoration ideas are pretty simple. Candles, jars, and simple flowers from the grocery store in simple vases or large mason jars.

Second-hand shops are my best friends.

Though I haven't had the chance to check any out yet, I can't wait to browse through and see what I can find. Once I find something, I'll upload the photos. I'm even open to second-hand dresses given the condition. I mean, really, they are only ever really worn but once. A friend recommended this website for second-hand dresses → www.preownedweddingdresses.com

Speaking of dresses, I have no idea what kind I want... I like them all. Mom and I need to go shopping so I know what silhouette fits me best.

And lastly, be flexible.

Yes. I have a theme. You can clearly see it through this blog alone, however, we haven't found the venue yet, so all of this is subject to change. (Though I hope not by much.)

Yet again, I am at Starbucks and discovered that every Tuesday they release a new free song download! Given I love the music they are playing right now, this is awesome!

This weeks download is Down in the Valley by The Head and the Hearts.

I actually really like it and might look into buying the album. If you like the Avett Brothers, you may like this. I love it!

(Pictures found on GoogleImages unless otherwise specified.)

Bless me!

Between the couple sneezes and "sick-taste" I have, I am afraid I might be coming down with something. And this means one thing. I will be getting more than eight hours of sleep before I am forced to break down and drink dayquil. I refuse to get sick right now and end up like the girl in this Norman Rockwell painting envying the dance she seems to be missing. Forcing myself to stay awake last night to post more wedding ideas may not have been the best decision given my current state...

And though I should probably take this time to sleep, I can't help but post my slightly more refined vision of The Day.

First off, I love this blog! It's a diy wedding with incredibly cute

and unique ideas. The picture to the right is of wedding pictures

the guests donated. The bride and groom requested everyone provide a picture of their own weddings which were used to line the aisle the bride walked down for her own wedding. They have several other cute ideas I may use. If you want to see their wedding, click here.

Secondly, the picture I posted earlier of the hale seating did not depict exactly what I am looking for. The picture to the left is definitely a better representation of what I want. If we were to set this up in front of the old-country-store-style-shed in my parents' backyard, I would love it. After the ceremony, we could then turn the bales around in a way to provide a more welcoming lounge area for the guests. (Price: $5 per

bale/ $150 max for ceremony)

Because the reception will have to take place at night, I have already started the process of asking for any mason jars anyone may have to use

as candle holders for the wedding. I have already been given/loaned

about 15-30 mason jars so far. Though we will have globe lights at the reception, I love the look and feel a candle gives. Not only does it look beautiful, but, because of the size of mason jars, it's safer.

AND, as a side note, a co-worker has offered to loan me 12 flower vases! This cuts the cost by at least $50 to $100. Given bouquets of flowers can be bought for $5 to $7 at Kroger, Publix, or Walmart, having real flowers at the wedding may actually be an option now for less than $100.

Though I can manage to decorate cheap and pretty, the challenge is to find seating, food, photography, and location that fit the budget.

I have had several suggestions for photographers so far and am torn. I have one official starting rate for one

photographer/videographer. ($300 for one/ $500 for two) Though this is incredibly cheap and they would be doing me a

GREAT favor, Kenny and I are still unsure of whether we can afford this just yet. But at least we have a price.

As far as food goes, I am leaning towards lasagna and renting chafing dishes. In doing so, we do not have to fret over the cost of having servers and preparation time. Also, we can feed both our vegetarian and non-vegetarian family and friends. Though I don't have the cost of the food just yet, the average cost of renting chafing dishes is about $25 each. Hopefully, we can manage to feed everyone with about $500. This may be a stretch, but my fingers and toes are all crossed.

So, now, what about tables and chairs? I plan on using personal dressers as tables for the main tables, such as the buffet table, party favor, and guest book table. My parents have a linen dresser similar to the one on the right, except theirs has a wooden top, is painted an off white with wooden knobs as handles, and is longer. This would be perfect as the buffet table or gift table. (Price: Free ^_^ )

I have ideas for seating, but no set plans just yet. The issue with this is that we have not decided on the venue. Hopefully, we will have a place within the next week. I can't wait to get the big stuff figured out so I can focus on the small details. ^_^

(Pictures found on GoogleImages or TheKnot.com unless otherwise specified.)

The 22nd sequel

After doing more research and reading suggestions from friends, I couldn't help but post another blog before calling it a night. Here is a list of cheap ideas I found with help.

1. Do-It-Yourself Paper Flowers

by: greenweddingshoes.com

I have a box that looks like this and Mexican coke bottles that would be perfect for this look. Placed with our pictures on the dresser would be the cutest and cheapest decoration.

2. Guest Quilt

I love this idea my future mother-in-law had. She offered to make this by having guests sign pieces of fabric so she could stitch over the writing and piece the fabric together to make a quilt. She made one for her oldest sons wedding and it is absolutely beautiful!

3. Glass Jar Decorations

Not only is this safe because the flames are hidden behind a tall jar, but it's a really cute way of decorating a reception. I have always loved to put a bouquet of flowers in a large mason jar my parents have, so why not do the same for the wedding. Which leads me to number four on the list.

4. Wedding favors = Jam

Though this idea of giving homemade jam to all of the guests is adorable and heartfelt, the cost is what is refraining me from committing

100%. Because of this, number five is the most logical and personable option.

5. Mixed CD: Our Album

Granted, our favors will not be nearly as cool as the ones pictured to the left, we will have the same concept. Kenny and I have incredibly different tastes in music. I like oldies, country, folk music and rock. He likes heavy metal and classical. We thought it would be fun to give our guests a taste of who we are through music. The cd would be an interesting mix to say the least.

6. Photo Booth

This is exactly what it is called. I would like to include this into the wedding in order to remember who all came to the wedding. In a sense, I would like this to become somewhat of a guest book with pictures and notes from everyone. Along with this concept, I would like to include props ranging from top hats to gloves to silly mustache glasses. The point of this is to remember who the guests are and their personalities, not just their smiles.

(Pictures found on GoogleImages unless otherwise specified.)

♫ ♪ Anything Goes ♪ ♫

I began to start this blog by describing how stressed I have become recently, but, instead, I think I will begin with the thoughts that make me feel more at ease. In fact, how about I dwell only on those thoughts.

Wedding planning. Life planning. Originally, Kenny and I found a beautiful historical home and garden we would have LOVED to have had the ceremony and reception. The picture on the top-left shows where the reception would have taken place. The large grassy area is now a flagstone patio with a brick walkway leading to a grassy

area where the photo was taken from. In this grassy area, we would have held the actual ceremony.

Does this not sound absolutely beautiful?

Unfortunately, the money spent on this could-be-beautiful day would be better spent helping us start our

new life together. And therefore, I say to Mansell, "Sayoooooonara." It's just not worth the stress the cost of it could induce on the beginning of our married lives, even if it's the cheapest location I could find for a wedding. In conclusion, this leads to one solution.

Creativity. We need to get creative, inventive, and cheap. What do we have to have and what can we do without? What if we did completely without? We toyed with idea of going to the courthouse, but we both are not entirely enthused with the idea. Which brought us back to square one.

So after doing some googling, I found a couple ideas that fit my original d.i.y. style ceremony. What if we got married on a nature path in a

park? We could treat the trail as the aisle. In fact, we could create a trail like the one on the left with sticks and hay. I love this idea, because it reminds me of the moment he proposed (on a nature trail).

By looking at his picture, can you tell what we can do without? Chairs! This cuts a lot of costs in itself. Three dollars a pop! With this idea, I could save a lot by just getting enough chairs for the elderly and wedding party. All who are healthy can stand for the short ceremony. I promise it won't be long at all. Simple and Sweet. That's all it takes.

As far as the reception goes, I want it to be simple and fun. Kenny and I are goofs and not entirely traditional. So what if we had a large picnic? I'm still playing with the concept and brainstorming about how to make it slightly traditional, fun and comfortable. If I were to do this, then I would want to include pillows and furniture.

(I can make pillows out of old sheets and clothes from around the house.)

To the right is an example of how I would like to use furniture in the wedding.

This dresser was used as a breakfast bar for another wedding, however, I would like to use it as a table for our pictures or non-traditional guest book activity. Rather than renting tables to set up a gift table, etc., why not use furniture from the house? How adorable would this all look? We could hang a mirror above the dresser using a stand Dad could make. This would create a cute set-up for a wedding picture.

However, because the picnic idea must take place during daylight and may cost more in the end after the cost of buying all the materials needed for blankets, pillows, etc., we may be able to toy with this idea, my favorite. I absolutely love the globe lights! In order to cut the cost of chairs and tables, we could rent a couple larger tables to seat more, a couple bar tables to lessen the number of chairs needed, and create a lounge area with our patio furniture.

We may even be able to create a lounge area with rectangular haystacks and blankets incorporating the picnic concept.

So many ideas! Like I said, we are trying to get wed on a budget. So what is our budget? A thousand dollars. I know this is challenging. Incredibly challenging. But I'm determined. Hopefully, in the next couple blogs I will be able to attach prices to these ideas.

(On a side note, I would just like to say Starbucks has had the best soundtrack during this blogging moment. Cole Porter's Anything Goes. What a perfect song for this blog.)

(Pictures found on GoogleImages unless otherwise specified.)

Our Engagement

Every once in a while, I catch glimpse of the shiny rock on my left hand and am shocked at why it is there. I'm engaged! Engaged to Kenneth, with whom I've been with for seven months and three days today. And I've known him for possibly a whole of two weeks longer. I never
would have dreamt this a year ago and I couldn't be happier. ^_^

I have never been more true to myself than when I am with him. He sees me at my worst and best and always makes me feel better. For example, he made me feel better October 11 when he proposed. I had just surprised him at his place and immediate took a nap. I was exhausted for reasons I honestly do not remember at the moment. Oh, my best friend, Erica and Paul's wedding. ;) He woke me up about an hour and a half later insisting on going for a walk. I refused. He insisted it would make me feel better. I continued to refuse. He insists yet again, and I give in. Grumpy, I change into black pants, black tank, and black sneakers complaining of my hair and makeup. I was not in the mood.

Finally, we get to the park and the "fresh air" actually lifted my spirits. I nearly immediately felt better. I remember thinking of how great it felt to go for a walk outside and how he was right. A little further down the paved path, we see a beaten path extend into the woods. Of course, we follow it. No gravel or woodchips. Just a beaten little path leading us deeper into the woods. It was simple and beautiful. Unfortunately, we had just finished a conversation about how people could and do live in parks, so I was also wondering why this little beaten path was there. Should we turn around? Would we run into anyone? Just at that moment, Kenny taps me on the shoulder and expecting him to motion the "let's head back" signal, I turn around. Instead, he is on his knees with a little gray box in hand.

"A moment without you is a moment too long. Will you marry me?"