♫ ♪ Musical Wedding Favors ♫

In one of the earlier "ideas only" blogs I posted a picture of mini-records (found on theknot.com) as a suggestion for wedding favors. Obviously, ordering 50-100 mini records is out of the budget, so I have been brainstorming for cute and inexpensive musical ideas.

My first idea was to make fabric cd cases with my

new sewing machine. I bought some on-sale

fabric from Jo-Anne's fabric store and quickly

came to the conclusion that it

tooktoo much work and time to make just one.

Discouraged, I went to Kenny, who found a

simple, cute, and fun solution. He googled it and found this tutorial on how to make a basic paper

cd case.

This green one cost me just about $0.25 to make.

Materials: (Bought at JoAnn's: Everything below was on sale.)

• Card stock (50 sheets): 2.39
• Flower ribbon (4 yds): 0.50
• Ivory ribbon (7 yds): 0.50
• Bird stamp: 3.97
• Plumeria chalk ink pad: 3.97
  
  
  Total: $11.33 (Makes 50 cd cases for roughly $0.25 each!)
  
  Clearly this does not include the blank cds.
  
  

Directions:

[1]

Place cd in center of paper. This helps keep the

case the exact dimensions of the cd and is so much easier than measuring the dimensions. Ruler free!

[2]

Fold the edges over the cd. Make sure the edges line up so it's not

crooked. Now you have the width of the cd case.

[3]

Fold one side over the cd about halfway. This will create a little slot where the cd will slide into later.

[4]

Fold the other side completely over framing in the entire cd. This will enclose the cd case like an envelope.

Technically, the case is complete now.

Below are the Plumeria chalk ink stamp and bird stamp I bought today.

(The chalk ink is opaque and doesn't seem to bleed through paper like other inks can do.)

[5]

Open the paper so you can see the face of the cd case clearly on a flat surface. To stamp clearly, make sure that it is on a flat surface and completely flat, including no folded edges underneath the paper.

[6]

Fold the paper back up and slide the cd into the slot made earlier. Envelope it closed and now for the last step!

[7]

Tie a ribbon around it to secure it closed.

So here is the final project! These three took me maybe 15 minutes to make. So simple! I do have other ideas for decorating the front, but I forgot to buy glue. I might just leave them the way they are though. No sticky mess and fun to make.

Now to just figure out what music to include!

________________________________________________________

$554 - $11.33 = $542.67 to go

Save~the~Dates

Our Save-the-Dates are officially complete and ordered!

80 postcards + shipping/handling = $45.57

To save money, I went ahead and edited the picture I liked in Picasa 3 (photo editing program). In the program, I added all the text you see in the picture, then saved it as a jpeg file.

I did this before uploading it into my Walgreen's photo account, so I could avoid the extra charges of using the pre-made templates at the store. I had two options.

1. Photo cards with pre-printed Save~the~Date phrases (80 cards = $52)

2. Photo post cards (80 cards = $63)

So, given these factors, I opted for option #2.

• More creative with the picture on the post cards.
• Didn't have to use the pre-printed phrases which is cheaper!
• Coupon for 50% off!! Those coupons e-mailed to you are so useful!
• Could pre-print a message on the back of the postcard giving more details.
• Stamps are cheaper

_________________________________________________________________

Original Budget: $1000

Venue: $400

Dress: $100 (Parents paid for it.)

Save-the-Dates: $46

$1000 - $446 = $554 to go

Partial BridesMaid Outing

Yesterday was the day to try on a couple more wedding dresses with three out of five of my bridesmaids and decide on bridesmaid dresses finally. I wish I could say that this happened, but, no, Frankie and her wonderful sense of direction had us all driving quite literally in circles around I-85, Lenox Road, and Buford Highway in search for Affordable Bridal in BUFORD Georgia. Not Buford Highway....

So, I took this as a sign that the dress I have is definitely THE dress. At the end of the night, I attempted to model my beautiful dress for my wonderful and supportive friends. They loved it! So, I believe the general consensus from friends, family, and strangers at the bridal shop is woohoo!

However, before we all went on a looping road trip through a small part of Atlanta, Anna, Iara, and I were able to swing by David's Bridal for a peep at the bridesmaid dresses. We tried on two dresses and looked through the entire booklet one of the associates gave us.

Anna tried on a dress with a bubble bottom that cut off just above her knee with a high neck and slightly open back, while Iara tried on the dress that matches the neck line of my wedding dress but cuts off at the knees. We all didn't care for the bubble bottom dress and loved how the matching dress looked. Unfortunately, this isn't of much help, since I really don't want the bridesmaids' dresses to reflect mine. Instead, I would love for it to match their own personalities.

WHICH leads me to my favorite idea for the wedding! Originally, I liked the concept of knee length, but now I'm really liking the idea of same color/ different style floor length dresses.

Here is what I'm thinking for each bridesmaid. I'm still a little undecided and the dresses may change, but I love the overall look of it. Now, you have to try and imagine them all the same color. Then you may have an idea of what I'm envisioning.

Maid of Honor: Chiharu (my cousin)

I haven't decided exactly how I want to differentiate her from the rest of the bridesmaids just yet. Maybe with the jewelry or possibly a different bouquet from the rest...

Click on the dresses to see the link to David's Bridal.

The color I like is either Wine or Lapis (see Iara's dress below).

(Below) Left to Right: Anna, Erica, Iara, and Katie

Registering should not be so overwhelming.

Can openers. Peelers. Hand towels. Bath towels. Dining sets. Mixers. Vacuums. Rugs. Bed sets. Silverware. Cooking utensils. Coffee makers. Knives. Curtains. Glasses. Crock pots. Etc.


So many things AND so many options for all those things!! Since I am trapped at my apartment due to the snow/ice weather, I have been trying to stay as productive as possible. And so, today I have been attempting to register at Target and Macy's.



In order to alleviate my anxiety over the numerous options we have, I tried to focus on what we truly need. This is when I realized what little we actually have and quickly became overwhelmed again. So, THEN, I decided to focus on just the kitchen.

Random funny story: When I first moved into the apartment in May, I decided to make spaghetti. I bought the ingredients and $.99 wooden spoons at the local Wal Mart while using the large pot with missing handle I already had. But once we got back to the apartment, I realized I didn't have a can opener. So, Kenny, being the resourceful guy that he is, grabs a hammer, screwdriver, and my cans of tomato sauce and proceeds to hammer them open on my balcony.

Okay, so back to the registry. Here are a couple things we could decide on.

Kitchen Aid Artisan Mixer

Not only do I love the durability of this mixer, how cute is it in red?! It's kind of pricey though, so this is more of a wish list item than anything.

Chicago Metallic Tart Pan

I am super excited about this one! It speaks for itself. I just can't wait to try my hand at making tarts. Strawberry ones in particular.




Red Wine Glasses with skull etchings

My first thoughts were, "Kenny would love these." And he did, so they are on the registry. I know that these are seasonal for Halloween, but, since the etching is so discreet, we could definitely use these year round. I love drinking out of stemless wine glasses as regular drinking glasses. Everything just tastes better to me.





Giada De Laurentiis Gadget Set

While trying to determine which whisk, pizza cutter, or can opener I wanted, I found that I loved everything with her name on it! They all get great reviews too!






The registry is still very incomplete and I hope to finish it by tomorrow. So far, my assumption is that most of the items will be registered with Target due to the prices. But the linens and china will be at Macy's. Oh so many options!

Kenny, do NOT click on this link!

I found the dress! I found the dress! I found the dress!

Now, first off, I have to apologize to my bridesmaids for initially looking for the wedding dress without them. Erica, you were right. I did find the dress my first go round. I only tried on two dresses and the second one was just for the heck of it since I already knew I was getting the first one.

Originally, I wanted to browse Saturday, return the next weekend and decide with everyone present. But the dress I loved was the last one in my size on the rack and they weren't able to hold it for me.

Okay. So, now I HAVE to tell the story of THE dress.

When Mom and I arrived at the bridal shop, needless to say, it was so busy being right before Valentine's Day and so soon after the holidays. There were women everywhere. The staff was really great and had us a consultant incredibly quick! Mom and I picked out four dresses to try. (It kills me to not tell the details!) I tried on Mom's pick first, came out with my black tights still on underneath, and with my messy bob. And I just loved it! Mom loved it and then I started getting all these compliments from the women/bridesmaids/mothers helping the other brides-to-be. THEN, my consultant gives me a bouquet, veil, and headpiece and I just start crying... I never expected that reaction. I just assumed you only see that on t.v., but I guess I proved myself wrong.

I wish I could go into all the details of why I am soo excited about the dress, but I can't say much. Kenny might honestly and accidentally read the details and I could not figure out whether googleblog has a privacy setting for any of the posts. Nonetheless, I can say that I love it, it's white, $99, and I LOVE it.

(Granted, I think I might go on one last spree with my girls to make sure I haven't missed anything. I doubt it given my reaction, but after all, I only tried on two dresses.)

KENNY, DO NOT CLICK ON THIS LINK!

And here is the link for my Absolutely Wonderful Dress.

♥ ♥ Sticking to My Resolution ♥ ♥

Okay. So originally our budget was $1000 and still is, so... we had to make some modifications. First, we had to say no to the country club and start all over, (which is incredibly nerve racking). I really loved the concept that I knew the staff at the club and could truly trust them, however, if it's not in the budget, then that's that. Plus, even though they were willing to work with us, they would be losing an opportunity with another bride whose budget may be higher than my own.

All in all, we found and have officially rented out a venue! You won't believe the cost! $400! What is included you ask??

The Carriage House (seats 80)

I love it! It's simple and cute. The inside has beautiful hard wood floors with a stone fireplace to the side. And the walls are part green and part cream color which ties in perfect with the theme of a fall wedding!

Inside the Carriage House:
~ Kitchen with crushed ice maker, full fridge, stove/oven, sink, and counter space
~ Man and Woman's bathroom
~ Stone Fireplace
~ Dressing Room

The furniture in the dressing room is donated furniture, so we will have to bring in chairs and a full length mirror. I have to say that I LOVE the little dresser!



100 White Wooden Chairs!!

I had toyed with the idea of using hay bales as seating for the actual ceremony, but, after speaking with Kenny, we decided against the idea. His main argument was the comfort of our guests, which I completely understand. However, trying to plan a budget wedding when chairs alone range from $1 to $4 per chair is difficult. So needless to say, we were super excited about this! 100 white wooden chairs, 80 metal chairs, round and rectangular tables to seat all of the guests INCLUDED in the $400!?!


And can you believe there is more?!


Right in front of the Carriage House is a grassy area with an arch, gazebo, and large absolutely, gorgeous tree!

Clearly, it was set up perfectly for the actual ceremony, but I would rather use this space for the reception. I imagine using large, bulb string lights to light up the arch and gazebo while stringing lights overhead to illuminate the entire reception. Just imagine white table cloths under the lights with various sizes of mason jars with tea light candles in all of them. A candlelit dinner.

My main concern here is the cost of lights.


As far as the ceremony goes, we want to have it in an open field on the property. Technically, the Carriage House is a piece of a public park that we are renting out, however, because the park is public, we can still have the wedding anywhere on the grounds we wish. I can definitely imagine our wedding in a field with simple white chairs set up in rows.

(fyi: I took the pictures on a rainy/misty day.)


All in all, the venue and date is set. With $600 left, we now need to figure out the rest. Just thinking of what all has been yet to be finished gives me a headache. We have made some headway on various other things such as party favors, food, and attire, but this update will all have to wait until next time.

Good night everyone and have a great Friday night!

.~* Happy New Year *~.

Happy New Year Everyone!! I can't believe we are already on to the next year. For myself, 2010 was such a whirlwind of welcome change!!

Graduating at the end of '09, applying and entering grad school, moving out to a place I know very few people, finding a job WITH insurance provided, starting a new relationship, and now planning a wedding!!

And so given this past year and all the expected change to come in 2011, I though this would be an appropriate year to actually make and commit to a New Year's Resolution.

During the past couple of days, I have been asking customers if they have a New Year's Resolution. Most of them say no and others say they made the resolution to never make another resolution. Not once did any one actually commit to anything, so it makes me wonder if anyone ever really makes and commits to a resolution anymore.

I thought about not making one myself, but then considering the new upcoming wedding filled year, I figured, why not. So, here's my resolution.

To stick to the D.I.Y. wedding I had originally wanted. After much thought, Kenny and I agreed that, yes, the country club would be easier planning, but the wedding would not be "us". AND we would be a couple hundred outside the budget.

So HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone and I hope 2011 brings you as much joy as I'm sure it's bringing me!!!