Place Cards...or...tree cards?

So, My ideal place cards are hung from a tree...but a coral tree instead of the one like the one that is here.

Here is my mock of what I decided to do. I bought the cardstock from Brides.com, and cut them in half. Then I used Printmaster Silver publishing suite and printed the center on sticker paper.
The beads are Glass beads from Michaels...and worth every penny. It looks very elegant in person, but the camera doesnt capture the pearl beads before the larger blue.
Im going to try to hang them by a dark brown ribbon, probably in the center and place a small starfish in the center...not sure yet though!

Getting more done....

So, with some knews on Mom, I realized that depending on her next surgery date, the next year, will probably be pressed for time....even more than I originally thought.

With that being said, her and I sat down and decided to play around with the favors that we are going to have for the wedding. We decided to get them done with over the next few weeks so that we can have them done and out of the way.

Here is our mock :
Raffia: Target

Starfish charms: Oriental trading

Tag: Vin and I's craftyness put together!

Candy Bar Fun!

So, Candy....plus a wedding....equals FUNFUNFUN! Vinnie and I's dream is to open up some sort of a candy store. We LOVE Dylans... and would love to be friends with her if we could haha.
So, since they have all the candy in the world, we decided that we would only get candy that dylans has. They obviously know what their doing. The nostalgic candy, although a bit pricey, is what will get the older crowd up, and their fun candy (like the gummy sharks) will definitely be a kid pleaser!
We may even buy a few of the Old looking bins they have just to give it that real candy bar feel!
So, in lieu to the whole Dylans candy...I created a version of their logo....specially for our wedding! It will be printed professionally on sticker paper and hopefully then put into clear plastic bags. It's the colors of our wedding... a bit dull but printed looks so authentic!

Unity Candle...check!

From the second I got my dress, I knew that everything had to be elegant. The dress is beaded and pearled and everything is delicate. I didn't want the unity candle to be blue... But I did want something I could personalize.
So...here are the candles!

Those are not the holders that we will be using... I am hoping to get silver hearts with illusion diamond...it will got with my engagement ring!

How this will be my DIY... I am going to try to get small silver starfish to add around the main candle, as well as get medium/small ones for the two lighting candles. I still want the starfish/beach element, but like I said, I don't want to take away from the "Church" wedding... just a slight hint....like in the aisle runner :)

Jellyfish Pew Bows!

I'm not sure whats going on, but it seems as though every day I have a new project popping its head into my life!

Once I realized that the aisle runner would be easy enough, I saw that I had a stack...yes a stack! of Tulle that my Aunt gave me from her daughters shower.

I searched and searched online, and yet, couldn't find a nice tulle bow that I could make...
Until I realized I found this one!what do you think? Can I do it?

Starfish Pew Decoration from yourweddingco.com
No beach-themed wedding is complete without starfish! This pretty pew decoration is inexpensive and very easy to make. Decorate pews or chair ends during the ceremony, then move the bows to the reception to decorate chairbacks, tables, doors or walls. This bow also resembles a jellyfish when complete! Great for wedding, prom, or nautical-themed events.
Materials and Tools:
Chiffon Ribbon - Any Color (2 yards)
Satin Edged Ribbon - Any Color (2 yards)
54" wide Tulle Draping - Any Color (2 yards)
Natural Starfish - Large (7 )
Pew Clips (1 )
Sharp Scissors
Hot Glue Gun

When cutting the tulle for this project, decide how high you want your pew decoration to be and multiply the length by two. Fold the tulle in half and gather it about 6 to 8-inches down from the fold. This will form a loop of tulle at the top. Secure the loop at the top by tying ribbons around the tulle and letting them hang freely.

Starting with one edge of the tulle, gently fan it out with your fingers until you reach the other edge.

Tie on more ribbon if desired. Here we added a satin-edged chiffon to the center. The ribbon mimics tentacles on a jellyfish. You could also add pearl strings or raffia depending on the formality of the event.

It's pretty obvious that its simple(to the eye that is...). I ordered daisy's from Save-On-Crafts.com so I am hoping to stick the daisy's in the middle of that and then tiny starfish inside the daisys.... It's just figuring out HOW to make it look like that. The tulle I have is large hole tulle. Not sure how that works, or if it makes a difference...

I have enough to make eight so far. I am sure it's pretty simple to get the tulle. I am just trying to save money wise as much as possible. So if I can do this, and make it look like the 30 dollar ones seen above...I bet I can! I will start playing and as soon as I figure it out, I'll be sure to post my own how-tos and be honest with the problems/issues lol

Aisle Runner Runner Ups!

So, we all know that the newest trend at wedding is... EVERYTHING MUST BE PERSONALIZED! You know it's the truth. From napkins to toasting flutes.. we know we have all gotten a little carried away... With that being said... who wants a Personalized Aisle runner? I do! I do!
So, with that being said (Along with the coffee taking over my brain this early) I started to work towards my Aisle runner logo. My wedding theme is "Tea By The Sea". Different, yes... but it comes along pretty nicely. I wanted my aisle runner to look like it belonged in the church, but I didn't want it to SCREAM "IM HAVING A BEACH THEMED WEDDING!". So, I worked... and worked.. on something elegant and classy... and once I got the "Woah thats awesome" from Vinnie, I knew that I was on the right track!
I ordered my lace aisle runner from Save On Crafts. And here are the four runner ups for the decoration on the aisle runner:

They all look similar... yes! But the details in the middle are what changes. For once I think I can say Im proud of it... I always find fault in what I do and this time I was pretty pleased with the results (Of course, Vin's happiness makes it all worhwhile too!)

Followed by that going up the aisle runner will be "Sometimes in an ordinary Life, God gives us a fairy tale"

Something like this:

As soon as I start to do it, Ill upload my instructions :)

Getting things together...

So, besides feeling a bit like a small bridezilla...I still need to book the DJ and Limo, I did do some e-mailing... and searching... (Wishin' and hopin' and thinkin' and prayin'... why do I have the song from "My best friends wedding" in my head?...)
We are going to make appts with Dash of Class and Classy Sounds. Both based here in BK. I also emailed the person who runs the site with the old fashioned taxi cab... we will see :)
Now for the DOC. We have to get one because, well, I do not want my mom to have to be the D.O.C...she should enjoy the wedding. But first we have to find out what comes with the package at the hall. Hopefully if we need to get one, it will be someone that we can trust to do the job right... esp ifits another LIW girl...:)
I ordered my aisle runner today. I will definitely be DIY that soon... to get that started and done with! I want to make sure I love it enough to walk over it of course!
The favor boxes came as well! So thats more things that can get done before the wonderful school year begins.
The church decorations will be simple. Tule with some kind of starfish design. Nothing outrageous.Just to help give the nautical effect to the *Gigantic* church.
So, hopefully, by the time December rolls around (6 months till the big day then) everythingwill be booked... I just want to be able to enjoy the engagement without having to worry much... I think that's pretty important...esp how my immune sytem is the size of an ant! (oops there goes another rubber tree...)
lol
I think this wedding planning has invaded my brain...

Sparkley Fazz=Fun

Since these two months were Cram In Wedding Months, I have been doing a new DIY every week.

So, I fell in love with the Sexy little bride from VS. But, I am also the cheapest bride ever and would not buy myself it! I knew I could do it myself and customize it, so last week I got started!

Any of you girls that want the instructions, I will be adding them.

Things needed:
Sweatshirt/hoodie (I got mine from old navy for 10 bucks on clearance)

Rhinestones (Michaels has these for 2.00. They come pre-written, but yu canjust peel them off)

Use a program that will allow you to print your letters backwards, or let you flip them.

The good thing about these is that they come with a sticky plastic. Place the sticky plastic sticky side UP. THen start to stud your letters over the print out.

The next step is to place the sticky lettering onto your sweater. MAKE SURE that you have it secured before turning it over. You have to iron it from the back. A friend of mine didnt read directions and tried to iron it from the top...needless to say the plastic layer burned and it resulted in a Oh No DIY.(Inside of the hoodie)

Then, let it cool. It's that simple! Be careful when peeling off the plastic because you want to make sure all the gems stuck to your material! And viola!
Next Ill do the same with the numbers... just wanted to make sure the fazz worked:)

She Sells, sea shells...

I am on the hunt for seashells...and starfish. But not just any...the nice looking ones that are usually more money (go figure)
I found a couple of places I think I may order from, but I know its too early...I am thinking December I will start everything again (My card box, my aisle runner)
I have an image of whatI want my tables to look like, we already have sand cast sandcastles on chrome pillars, and some candles for each table, but then I was thinking of making a million different things... Candle number votives? sand dollar votives? There is just too much to think about... too many options.
I want the wedding to be different, but I also want it to be nice. I dont want too much or too little, I dont want it to be overwhelming either, and I dont want to get myself in too deep with a project I cant finish...
I am planning on getting a coral tree (or 3) for the place cards. Hanging from each branch, with beads and a sand dollar with their table number on it. in my head, it seems nice? So what do i do? What i always do...go to paint and make it lolol..

I was debating using (for my rb) a life saver, like the nautical ones, that says "here comes the bride" instead of handing him a pillow. Or, a banner with starfish. Either way, I have time, but it all depends on how he reacts..
I fear that he will still be too young to walk down by himself, or with the flower girl that he doesn't know.

DIY Engagement Recreation

So, I wanted to capture the memory of my proposal... and I think I did a pretty good job. I even added the little snapple cap and bottle!

I made another one for a friend with the castle from Disney behind it *The castle was so hard and I had to make it simple...*BUT I love capturing the moment...where people can see it...forever!

I'm a DIY Bride!

Over the last couple of months I have been doing alot of orders for brides on LIW/NYCweddings.com. Although that site will not allow me to pos what I've done, i think it's pretty awesome that I am able to do what I love as a hobby...and make other brides HAPPY!

I started my DIY with my "Will you be my Bridesmaid" cards. It took me some time, but I wanted them to be completely personal. The poem was cute, about shoes.. and I added pearls (actually strung them on) to the flipflops and the dress!

(The same for the JBM)

Once I realized Vin's nephew would be 2 1/2 by the time the wedding came, I HAD to have him as our Ring Bearer... So I figured making a small bag that said "Ring Bear-er" and making a practice bear pillow. It was alot of fun to make... the "Ring Bear-er" was a little tricky to paint though!

Believe it or not, FH made these! They are oragami Shirts! I thought he was so cute when he made them...and I thought that was so awesome of him to be so involved!

We also got the bridal party Starfish Pins to go with the theme. I made cute little tags for the top of the boxes as well. I wanted them to have something that would be personal.. and yet usable!

Fact: Out of the Blueberry....engagement

Yes, we had spoken about how we would love to marry eachother... actually, we realized we would probably get married within 6 months of dating! But, the time period of that...in my head... was probably 5 years from now!

The day was like any other. I was teaching Saturday School... it was raining (rain seems to be our "signature") and I was dressed in jogging pants and a sweater...

So, we were supposed to go to Ikea. I come in and he puts his wallet in his pocket. "Where are we heading" I asked... "Not sure yet...lets watch some TV"

His mom was acting odd. We had a fast conversation about headaches and sniffles... and she left. I thought "What did i do" So, Vin comes out of the kitchen and says "I got you something!" I was excited to see a snapple (MY FAVORITE) bottle... "Out of the Blue berry"

I open the bottle and of course, look at the cap to read my fact.
"Real Fact # 111

Will you marry me"

(I am actually crying re-writing this)

At first I thoughtto myself "Thats not nice someone may think that their proposing!"

But I look up and theres my Vincent, on one knee, "Jen, Youre hte love of my life will you marry me?"
its a bit blurry from there but I ended up sitting on top of the couch going "No, what?No? What is this? Is this a joke?This isnt funny! What?"
Then I finally said yes! It was just, the most amazing proposal and I dont think I could have thought of a better proposal! It is soo original and so creative *Just like him*

Anyway... later that day after telling everyone... we went to IHOP (Yes IHOP) Because we celebrate everything with BREAKFAST! lol.

July Fact: This Is My first blog!

So, here I am. I love to document everything and anything that goes on in my life (probably from fear of getting "oldtimers" when I get older...

And since this is going to be my ONLY wedding, I really want to remember all the Up's and Downs.

Ive only had UPs so far. All the downs have been pushed away by amazing people, family, friends... and just, life.

I really think that this is going to be... the most amazing experience for me. At first it really didn't "Click". I'm getting married? I'm old enough to do so? It scares me... because at times I still feel like I can whip out my New Kids On The Block cassettes and act like a kid... but I guess that's what will keep my youth! lol

So, the facts are simple...
Fact #1: Im getting married!
Fact #2: I was proposed to on a snapple cap!
Fact #3: You are in for alot of reading!!