Debbie Downer...

I have been searching for a floral piece since..like forever!! So, when I came across these online at Etsy I thought my prayers had been answered. Until I opened it up to find myself not smiling. I guess I was expecting something a bit more even color...I do like the center of the flower but the ends of some of the petals are just too yellow?! Take a look for yourself. Maybe I am over-reacting... maybe not... I will be taking them with me to the hair trial to see if they work...but in the mean time I am back to searching...and trying not to be a debbie downer...
.

photo : ME

Any suggestions as to where I should be looking ?
Have a great Wednesday!

Our Very First!

Yesterday my neighbor sent me a text saying, "You have a very big package sitting outside your door!" huh...? I didn't order anything that big! But then, once I saw what the box said...a huge smile splashed across my face! It seriously felt like Christmas morning :) Our very first wedding gift! One of my Mother's friends sent it (to California) knowing how difficult it will be for us to get stuff back out west. I immediately called the Fiance to tell him the good news and with him on the phone I opened the gift!! I love C&B!

Little man had to smell the gift! Wow, after receiving our official first wedding gift...it is definitely making it all feel real!

What was your first wedding gift?

THANK YOU UNAL FAMILY!

Okay...{ugh}

Before we set our date...picked a venue...it was decided early in the planning that we wanted an adult only wedding/reception. I appologize if this offends some people and makes absolutely no sense..this is our decision. {that was bold, so unlike me!}

One major reason why we are going this route; $$ & $$. Hopefully when the day comes..the parents will look at it as a night without the kids and to have some fun together!

This was a very hard post to type up today...I just feel regardless of how we approach it....someone is going to be upset...but then I think...."We are paying for that whole day, this is our day!" We also sent out our STD's very early in advance and I put up a little blurb in our website stating the adult only wedding. I also feel we have done a good job spreading the word verbally to our guests so they have plenty of time to find someone to watch the kiddies.

What made me think to write this today?? Well, I was checking up on my daily Hazelnut Photography Blog and came across these adorable "details" for children at a wedding...if we were going this route..especially having an outdoor reception..or a farm wedding.....I mean how adorable are those lolipops?!

photos: Hazelnut Photography

Are any of you opting for an adult only wedding? Feeling bold today?

Stamps

We want to incorporate our little man, Kingston, somehow in our wedding. Unfortunately, pets are not allowed at the hotel so physically including him in our big day will not work. So, off to other ideas!

I want to make custom Kingston mailing stamps for our invitations. So, we need to figure out which picture would be perfect! He is a very photogenic pup!

Kingston had hip surgery last month and is still growing his hair back on his back two legs. Let me tell you how hard it was to hand him over....go and visit him....and pick him up the next day. We were emotionally exhausted!! Well, he is not recovering too well and me being a therapist..we have decided to take him to CARE rehab center in Santa Monica for physical therapy :) His first visit will be this Thursday and I am sooo ready for it to start! We hate to see him hop around..keeping his leg up and afraid of bearing weight. You can kinda see in the first 2 pics towards his back legs...his short hair growing back :( He looks much better now.

photos: ME

Kingston is known for his ears...we are leaning towards the one above..

Which one do you suggest for us to use for our postage?

There are two sites I have found to use: Zazzle.com or Stamps.com

Has anyone had any experience with either one?

Happy Monday!

Napkins have arrived!

So, I love receiving packages..letters in the mail!!! When I saw a rather large envelope on top of the mailbox I hoped it be either my flower hair piece or the napkins...

photo: ME

They are exactly what I wanted for cocktail hour. I highly recommend Terequade from Etsy. I am not sure if she can do monogram work etc.. but she is definitely worth checking out! It was also a quick turn around.

Wrap it Up!

When I fly home at the end of March I will be making a stop at my florist. I will be finalizing everything {yikes} and the last little detail I need to figure out is if I want to add anything to my bouquet. I have come across several different options!

1.

photo via: Nicole Green

2. 3.

4.

There are many different styles...My favorites are option 1 & 2. I also love the idea of a locket... hmm..

What are you doing for your bouquet? How did you decide what you wanted? Did anything influence your decision? I'm looking for something vintage for my bouquet... any suggestions? Is there someone who sells bouquet wraps?

Back to Cake....

So, after listening to all of your opinions...(thank you by the way!!) I thought I was settled...until I came across this cake! Am I crazy or is this a perfect cake for our setting? Soon as I saw it I thought of a tree...the way the icing is put on...it reminds me of bark on a tree. Our cake will only be 4 tiers.

Photo credit: The Knot

Then, I pictured these two adorable cuties standing around the cake..or making sure the tiers are deep enough for one of the birds stand so it can look down at the other.....

I found these on Etsy from seller Middleburg Shop. I mean, they would fit right in with the other blue birds on the invites...etc.. Oh my! What do you think? A family member does not prefer this cake...and my friends say they do..or they just being nice :) My wedding coordinator just told me loved it... so votes are looking good...

Thoughts?? I guess I like how the cake reminds me of the bark on a tree... OR should I stick with a smooth...simple one!? The other question is...should I splurge and get these cuties?

Placecards

When it came to figuring out which way to go with seating...there was a million different ways to go about it! Since we must show the servers which meal option each guest requested..I must do cards at each setting. The other obstacle that I had to work with is the limited space to put all placecards without being blown away...etc. At the venue, the coordinator showed me the area that is typically used for placecards and at first sight I did a little yikes...It was directly aside of the door! A million thoughts..."blown away" or "knocked over" omg... So, it will be a little extra work but {sigh} I will do a chart and placecards. I think having the board will keep things simple too!

My inspiration seating board:

We will be having many more tables but I love how simple it is. I absolutely love the frame. It is classy yet sticks with the theme of nature. I found these pictures from Once Wed. Now my next task is to find a frame like the one above but a bit larger.

The placecards have already been designed and need a couple adjustments but this can give you an idea. I really love the three little characters:)

My placecards:

Since I will already have a chart with which table they are at I will remove "table" and I think move my cuties over to the left. Then, simply circle which meal they choose. I have already asked Jessica, from Penned & Pretty to do all the caligraphy for the placecards! Please give design credit to Teresa VanWagner. I also think..the green on the placecards will give a little color to the table.

Napkins!

So, today I put in my order for some personalized cocktail napkins! If you are looking for someone please check out Terequade's Shop at Etsy. She was really easy to work with and made any changes that I wanted. I paid about 20.00 for 50 napkins. (shipping included) Honestly, I didn't compare prices with anyone...I just went with it. She got back to me immediately and I am anxious to have them in my hands!

My inspiration for what to put on the napkins came from the picture below. Great conversation starters! It just adds a little detail! I hope to keep one for myself :)

photo: Unknown

So...Fresh!

I fell in love with these pictures from the talented Jenna Walker. I just had to share : ) Infact..the brides' dress...kinda reminds me of mine...hence..the attraction? On another note....That is one happy couple!

I mean seriously...you couldn't have asked for a more perfect day!

photo: Jenna Walker Photography