Yes! it is very possible to have someone design a dress, a brooch, jewlry, or anything else and still be on a budget!! I was researching brooches and I found myself finding brooches that were either too expensive, or just not what I was looking for. I asked my "knottie girls" about looking for brooches and that was when I was introduced to a custom made heavenly site: www.etsy.com..
(shouts out to my knottie friend Mink!!)

This site allows you to search for almost anything that a person might want custom made. I searched for brooches and was referred to a designer named "Tipsy Whimsey". She is great! I sent her pictures of what I wanted and within one week she created 2 brooches for me.

Now, the fun part...adding them to my gorgeous purple slik shoes (see picture below).

Cost of Brooches: $23 (including shipping)
Cost of shoes : $23
Total: $46 bucks!

So I was at a wedding last year and as I was waiting for the ceremony to begin, the pastor makes an announcement. "Welcome all...the bride and groom has requested that you all stay seated as the bride walks down the aisle". My thoughts..oh, what a cool idea! I'll be able to get an awesome picture! 

I had also decided that I was going to steal that idea! I said to myself, "I'm going to have someone announce for everyone to remain seated so that everyone is able to get an amazing picture of me. This will also allow the videographer to capture my walk wihout any guests being in the view of the lens."...Perfect! Right?? Nope, WRONG!

I have to thank fellow knotties "panda" and "missjones" for posting this article. It really made me sit back and slap myself on the hand for having such selfish and stupid thoughts!

Read the article below and let me know what you think.


It's An Issue Of Respect

My experience in officiating as many as 12 weddings in a month has given me a unique insight into wedding etiquette. Some of the trends today concern me, because it appears that people are not very interested in showing respect to other people in ordinary social situations. Either that, or they just have not been made aware of how their behavior impacts other people. I've heard it said that when courtesy is eroded, civilizations decline. That is an interesting thought.

In many parts of wedding ceremonies I'm a non-conformist. I like to take old traditions and put them into new forms, if the content is truly meaningful. However, I'm very, very old fashioned regarding the entrance of the Bride. I believe that everyone who is physically able, should stand when the Bride enters. Why? There are a number of reasons. This is not an empty tradition that is observed just because everyone else has done it. In the first place, it shows respect for the Bride. Every woman deserves to have at least one day in her life where she is the center of attention and people give her the respect that all of us would like to have.

We should stand because she decided to honor the institution of marriage. In this society, a couple does not have to get married. So, the fact that they are honoring marriage is meaningful and should be honored by the guests. We should stand in honor of marriage itself. We should stand to teach our children that there are things worthy of being honored, even when they don't understand it. We should stand because we spend too much time sitting, watching entertainment, or other things. We need to get up on our feet to honor something besides a football touchdown.

Source:http://www.pittsburghwedding.com/pla
nning/articles/33/1/Wedding-Etiquette---Stand-For-
The-Bride/Page1.html


With that being said, I am proud to say that I will not request everyone stay seated. I will hold my head up, look into the eyes of my soon to be hubby while everyone else stands to their feet to watch me take my last walk as a single woman.

Just the thought of us standing before our family, while taking those vows bribefore family and friends to take their vows as husband and wife...wow, that brought a tear to my eye!

See you at the alter babe!!

Happy Planning,
BRob

What is a wedding monogram? A wedding monogram is a visual symbol of the union of two people becoming one. It is a great way to illustrate the union of two families and can be an inexpensive, yet sophisticated way to visually tie together all of the aspects of a wedding. A monogram is unique to the couple and will leave a lasting impression on their guests.

A wedding monogram is almost like having a logo for the wedding. It can be used on anything imaginable for the wedding such as the cake topper, napkins, favors, programs, silverware, plates, seating cards, linens, thank you cards and any other wedding item that can be personally printed, engraved or embroidered. Remember that the wedding monogram is unique and is a lasting representation of the union of a husband and wife and as such, can be used on anything in their new life together as a married couple–think monogrammed towels, sheets, door knocker, welcome mat, etc.

Monograms can be casual, traditional, contemporary or formal, depending on the couple’s style. They can be based on the couple’s initials and can include the wedding date, an image, even the city or location in which the wedding is held. No matter what style is chosen, a monogram is a lasting, classic way to define a marriage.

There are several companies that will design a personalized wedding monogram, but many brides choose to do it themselves. A simple wedding monogram can be designed using Microsoft Word or PowerPoint, however, many wedding vendors will require a monogram in a more graphic format, so depending on the budget and the bride’s plans for using the monogram, it is definitely worth it to have a professionally designed monogram. Another thing to consider when designing a wedding monogram is that many vendors require a longer lead time for producing items using a custom logo, so be sure to allow for that extra time when placing orders.

Another consideration for wedding monograms is etiquette. Traditional wedding etiquette dictates that the monogram should not be used until after the couple is actually married, so the best time to unveil the monogram is at the reception. Many modern couples disregard this rule and have adopted the anything goes rule to wedding monograms and use the monogram on everything from the save the dates to the invitations as well as at the reception.

The order of the couple’s initials is also dictated by etiquette. The bride’s initial goes first in a monogram. For example, if the bride takes the groom’s last name, the order is bride’s first initial/name, shared last initial/initial, groom’s first initial/name. Of course, many couples stray from the typical monogram format and opt for a more creative, logo-like look for their wedding monogram.

Of course, not every wedding has a theme but all weddings have one thing in common—the union of a man and woman in love, celebrating their new life together. A wedding monogram is a classic and convenient way of symbolically illustrating this union and creates an instant theme for any wedding

Source: http://www.joesanphoto.com/2009/05/monogram/


My knottie friend “miss jones” designed the monograms for me and I am so in love with them! They truly represent the theme and colors for our wedding. Check out her website! She is awesome! http://thebuckeyebride.blogspot.com/2009/08/design-time-colorful-wedding-monograms.html

Thanks for reading!

Happy Wedding Planning!!
BRob

 

I remember my first weeks as a newly engaged bride to be. I joined just about every wedding website possible! Ha! I know very crazy right? But my favorite wedding site is "theknot.com". I am totally addicted to this site! It’s like a crazy bride club. We vent, share tips and vendor recommendations, but the fun part of it all is all the D.I.Y. projects you come across. I never thought I would be that bride that enjoyed working on different wedding projects, boy was I wrong! I'm going to tell you why I am now addicted to D.I.Y. projects.
1. You learn that you have creative talents that you never would have thought you had! I was forced to know that I am creative! LOL
2. It saves you lots and lots of money to create items that someone else charges an arm and a leg for.
3. Last but certainly not least. I feel that once my wedding day gets here, I will look around at all my projects and appreciate the hard work being paid of.

So I am ready to share some of the small projects that I have been working on.

Pomander Ball: A ball usually covered in flowers, fabric or ribbon. Used at the ceremony as decoration on each pew down the aisle, or at a garden ceremony they on each chair or at the reception as decoration.
I was inspired by a knottie (hippy) to use ribbon for my pomanders. I'm not sure how many of these I will make and where I will use them, but the project was so simple and pretty, that I just had to create one.

Items used: Green Styrofoam ball, ribbon, craft flowers and bridal push pins.
Time Spent: 45 minutes
Amount Spent: $6

 

Here are a few more D.I.Y
1.I Do Letters. These will be placed on the cake table.
Items used: wooden letters and purple paint, random silk flower petals.
Time Spent - about 1 day..including drying time
Money Spent:about $4

2.Picture Frames: Not too sure what I am going to do with these either, but it was a very simple and easy project. The best part of this is that I found these at a garage sell and I had to buy them! they were only .25 cents a piece! I'm sure we will find some way to use these. If you have any suggestions, please share here and leave a comment!!

Items used: picture frames, paint brush, purple paint.
Time spent - about one day, including drying time
Money spent : $1.25 ( for all 6!)
*paint was left over from other D.I.Y projects.

Here is a sneak peek at centerpiece/table decor ideas.
The flowers are silk. I paid Michaels arts and crafts to create the
 floral centerpiece for me. The cost of the centerpiece was $25

Ok, I'm done with the DIY stuff for today. Please share your comments with me!!

Happy Wedding Planning!

 

Thank God it's Friday!! So, I have a few exciting things to do this weekend.
Friday- Possibly get my hair done and mail out my "save the dates"
Saturday - Take the kids to the circus and attend one of my bridesmaids daughters birthday party.

Happy Birthday Miss. Layla!!


Sunday - Meet with my BFF's (Ladawn) sister to discuss wedding plans for my BFF!!
Lastly, on Sunday I plan to go over what's left on my wedding check list.

 Needless to say, I have a busy weekend ahead of me.

Lets  discuss wedding checklist. It seems as if it is a neverending list of wedding related things to do. I really haen't been following a typical wedding checklist, but since I only have 8 months to go from here on out, I plan to follow one,so that I don't miss out on important tasks that need to be completed. So, to all my fellow bride-to-be's, I thought it would be nice to share a wedding checklist with you. I'm at the 6-9 month mark, so I will only list months 6 - 12 months out.

All things bolded and underlined have been completed so far!

Happy Planning!

Wedding Checklist

Source:
 http://wedding.weddingchannel.com/planning/checklist/12-10months.asp

10-12 Months Before

  Introduce both families and officially announce your engagement.

  Find out who pays for what and start a budget.

  Create a guest list and manage it with our easy-to-use tool.

  Compare calendars and select a tentative date.

  Choose your wedding party.

  Create a wedding website to share your engagement.

  Consider whitening your teeth for your engagement parties and photographs.

  Conduct interviews and hire a wedding coordinator if applicable.

  Decide if you want premarital counseling.

  Start looking photos of wedding dresses for inspiration.

  Send your engagement photo to the local paper. n/a

  Begin thinking about where you want to honeymoon.

  Visit and book your reception site, and arrange for parking.

  Visit and book your ceremony location, including rehearsal time.

  Create a save-the-date guest list.


6 - 9 Months Before

  Alert out-of-town guests of wedding date and/or send a FREE
  save-the-date email.

  Find a bridal salon and begin trying on wedding dresses and veils.
  Bring stockings, heels, a strapless bra, and a hair clip to
  each appointment.

  Get in shape for your wedding gown by starting an exercise routine. (LOL, I'm trying!)

  Get ideas for honeymoon locations and research pricing.

  Start looking at floral designs and interview florists for style
  and cost.

  Search for menu ideas and start meeting with caterers.

  Research wedding photography and interview wedding
  photographers/videographers.

  Get ideas for music and interview bands/DJs.

  Finalize flower and décor ideas, and select a florist. Include
  specifics of each floral arrangement in your contract.  

 Sign a caterer.

  Order your gown and wedding veil.

  Shop for and select the perfect bridesmaid dress.

  Book your honeymoon!

  Find out if your ceremony location requires liability insurance.

  Finalize contracts with your wedding photographer and
  videographer.

 Book your DJ/band.

  Browse and purchase wedding dress accessories, including shoes,
  lingerie, purse, and gloves. (Yes, I only have my shoes..LOL)

  Choose your officiant and discuss ceremony ideas.

  Start thinking about all of your gift registry options.

  Select three hotels in varying price ranges and reserve rooms for
  out-of-town guest.



So it appears that I am just about on track!!! wish me luck!!!

 I am so excited! I have finished printing and putting together my "save the dates". Let me tell you, this was a frustrating process! Creating these suckers in powerpoint, sizing them so that they are 4x6, and getting them printed was such a HEADACHE!!! But thanks to my knottie BFF "Taryn" and lots of wasted ink, I finally am at that stage of assembling and putting them in the mail!!

So everytime someone asks me "hows wedding planning going?"My response these days are "well everything is great so far. Right now i'm working on getting my "save the dates" out".

I immediately in return get the question "what is a save the date?''. I find myself growing tired of explaining what they are and why they are so neccessary. I really get tired of asking "you've never heard of save the dates", but I spare myself that entire converstation and commence to explaining what they are. For those of you reading and wondering what they are, here is a formal definition:
Save the Dates: informal announcements which precede the wedding invitations by several months ahead, ideal for weddings close to major holidays.

now! there you have it! So now anytime someone asks me or you about save the dates, send them over to my blog!!  Have a great day!!!

Paragraph.

Well with this being my first post, I was trying to determine what I should post about first. Then it dawned on me... FLOWERS! I know you are asking yourself "why flowers". My answer is because this is what I am struggling with at the moment!! People don't realize how important it is not to make snap decisions when planning your wedding. Your wedding is a very special and important day. Every decision needs to be made with a clear mind. Also, remember that picures will be taken and you will have to live with every decision you make FOREVERRRR....

Okay, so moving on. The first thing I have to decide is a theme??? Okay it's "A Tropical Romance".  Secondly do I want real or silk flowers? I'll take real. Now, the most important question..Whats' my budget? Yikes!!! I don't know? I have about 25 tables that need centerpieces, will this budget include bridesmaids bouquet's, bouts, coursages and decor for the church??$500, $800, or $1,500.00? I just don't know. So with all these questions that have to be answered, it's important to do some research. Make decisions and try to stick with them!

Think outside the box. My suggestion is instead of going to a traditional florists, visit your local farmers market, research and find licensed florists that work out of their homes. Visit your nearest Costco or Sam's  Club (they sell flowers in bulk).
Grocery food stores like Krogers have a wonderful floral display with amazing prices (ie. if i decide to go with the floral manager at my local Krogers, my bridesmaids bouquet's will be about $14 a piece!!!). I know right, that price can't be beat!!I'


Future DIY plans:

I'll buy a bouquet of roses, wrap some beautiful ribbon around the stems and take a photo..give me a few days and I will come back with pics!! Good Luck with your floral selection!!