So my Save the Dates were sent, location arranged and caterer picked. Once we had the the catering details more or less in stone, I could move on to the invite ordering. Since I now had the specifics, like start time and when I would need the RSVP's back I could make the invitation decisions.

Invitations by Dawn

Initially my plan was to make them myself and print them from home. But as I thought about it more, I really wanted to have them done professionally. I found Invitations by Dawn online and I really liked the styles. That, and the prices were ones that I could afford and be happy about. I was completely happy with my order, I do wish you could order in more specific quantities but I'll survive with the extra 15 or so that I was sent.


They are a cute and simple "western" theme, but I felt they fell into that vintage feel as well. The paper is made to look a little old and "burnt" or branded. I have even gotten some comments on how nice people think they are. They aren't fancy and embellished with ribbons and bows and bling. They are just what I wanted.

Just some Ideas

Button Confetti

Decor was probably one of the first things I started working on after the Save the Dates. ( I'd shorten that to be like all the people on the wedding message boards and call them STD's but that just freaks me out.) I went out to craft stores and started buying. I am using a traditional Ball Mason Jar at each table and a smaller jam sized one as well. I have wrapped each large jar with green ribbon and added a raffia bow. I filled the bottoms with small river rocks, pebbles really and they will act as the main vase for each table. With the smaller jar I have filled the bottoms with assorted buttons and they are each going to hold a small votive candle inside. I wrapped this with a smaller version of the same green ribbon as well. Now to fill out the tables I have been scouring different Goodwill's and other thrift stores and have found the most beautiful vases and old colored glass bottles that are now being re-purposed as vases. They are all sizes colors and shapes and each table will have it's own unique piece.  These photo's are just some ideas I put together quickly. The flowers will probably include the 2 colors of sunflowers but the super pink flowers were more a filler. I plan on using lots of ivory and green hydrangeas instead but the store I went to didn't have any in at the time.

I am really excited to talk about my bouquet! At first I planned on making my own bouquet since we are doing all of the flowers ourselves, but instead started scouring Etsy and realized there were so many creative people around the world and I could choose any one of these people to create a bouquet for me and it would last forever. I chose to have a paper bouquet created by Lauren Houlihan in London, UK. You can visit her Blog here or her Etsy Shop. I am excited to see what she creates for me and my maid of honor! :)

90 Days! Here We Go!

Well, here it is. The 3-month mark has come. We officially have 90 days left to make this happen and hope that the final day is relaxing and just plain, good ol’ fun.

I am going to first show what has been done so far and then introduce what I am still working on.

The first step after letting the family know that we eloped and were married but were still having a wedding was to send Save The Dates. I started crafting them in October and November of 2009. What can I say, I get excited and tend to start projects way to early…

My Save the Dates were each handmade using a 5x7 scrapbook style cardstock that came in packs of multi-colored wonderfulness. They were hues of blues, greens, oranges, reds and gold’s. There were definitely some hits and misses as I tried different styles and ideas. All part of the creative process I suppose. The final product was a-ok with me. I ended up getting paper flowers and button shaped brads to accent some and fall themed ribbon, one with acorns and one with sunflowers for others. For some I used both a flower and the ribbon and for some it was one or the other. On the back of each I put on a stick backed magnet so they could be thrown up on the fridge. The actual wording included our names and a calendar with a heart around the date. I printed these myself on ivory paper.

I sent them out in mid January, allowing for people to have a nice head start on planning trips as none of our families live here in Colorado. It might have been a little early but like I said earlier, I get antsy and tend to do things before I really need to. I mailed them in plain ivory envelopes obtained at the always helpful Hobby Lobby, where almost all of my hand crafted creations have gotten their start.

Next came finding a location! Not easy, but it wasn't terribly difficult either. I spent some time on The Knot looking at local Colorado ideas for venues as well as simply googleing like nobodies business to see what I could find. I looked into a few different locations and then decided to try Craigslist and posted an add describing the "envisioned" location. Some beautiful mountain ranch with meadows and fall foliage and a view of the Rockies. Is that so much to ask for? I actually received quite a few responses however most didn't fit either the description, or were too far down a 2 lane road into the heart of the mountains. We did find one we thought might work and went to see it. It was a beautiful home and the views were a great however there just wasn't enough space and the owners who became inspired by our interest decided to make a business out of it, and decided to charge more than most venues and that didn't include being allowed to have a reception on site.
 

Ultimately we decided on the Chief Hosa Lodge. It is run by the Denver Parks Department and it may not have meadows but it does have mountain views and perfect lodge feel that fits my rustic vintage style perfectly. Now booking the details became a hassle. The events coordinator double booked our date after we had sent in the contract and credit card info for the deposit. He then called and wanted us to change the date. AFTER my save the dates had been sent. Not only was it annoying, the date was special, it's the day we eloped and will mark our 1 year anniversary. I wouldn't budge and it was too late at that point to secure another location. Thus creating our Morning Ceremony and Brunch reception. And it turns out it's the best thing that could have happened. Not only did it get us a few breaks on the venue because of his mistake, but catering it turns out is much cheaper too.
 

This brings me to the caterer. This was a no brainer for us. I was able to see their display at the one and only bridal show I attended. They had an amazing fruit and veggie display and a yummy prime rib sample. I scheduled a tasting right then and there. Meet The Food Guy. They are amazing and I love that they have no set menus, anything and everything you want, they will make. Even your grandma’s recipe that you grew up eating and must have at the wedding! They are also doing all of the set up, decorating, clean up, rentals, linens and day of coordinating. They will make announcements, move things along and make sure we are in and out in time. They will be my meltdown interveners. (I hope… I can see myself still having a freak out moment.)

That wraps up today's post. I will soon be posting the Invitaions we chose and where I am getting My bouquets and well as boutoniers and brooches.

Etsy Finds!

My Current Etsy Treasury!

Check it out. It's not for my wedding my a friend of mine has a wedding in May of 2011 and she inspired the brainstorm.

So I'm 4 days early. Shoot me.

Yes, I know it's only June 14th and the 3 month date isn't until June 18th. Well I'm getting a jump start on things. It's how the rest of the planning has gone so far so I'd like to stick with that pace. It doesn't mean I'm not completely stressing deep down inside.

Back story is as follows:
One night while laying in bed after a few fairly dramatic events occurred in our lives, and a few weeks before we were to move from the dreadful Bay Area of California. (no offense, well actually I don't really care if I offend the state, but to Bay Area residents, I'm so sorry for you and your cost of living) we had a random conversation. We should get married, but not tell anyone. Then have a wedding next year or something. Ok.Cool, it will guarantee we both have insurance when we get to Colorado. Sweet.

That was the proposal and engagement summed up. So we planned a Friday afternoon trip to Santa Cruz, CA and brought along his best friend and mine. My mom tagged along since she was in town to help us hit the road the following morning to trek to a cheaper and more beautiful state. We signed the papers and our justice of the peace took us out to the park outside the courthouse. We said vows which I can't for the life of me tell you what they were. We were too busy cracking up the entire time. She wasn't the friendliest lady and seemed quite bitter. But it makes for a good story. We then waited a few months to let the rest of the world know. Turns out that was a mistake, but hey, we laugh about it and what the upset people do is up to them.

So since January of 2010 I have been in active planning mode. Hand making my save the date cards, setting up a wedding website, securing a location, caterer and mapping out the day. Ordering invites, managing a guest list that is much bigger than my liking, determining a "theme/style" for the event and changing my mind a thousand times for each decision making process. I will create entries for each of the above mentioned task and I will include photos and links where needed.  This is just an intro for you, come Friday the 18th, our 9th month of marriage I will start giving you specific details.