Gifting the Guys

As the wedding neared, I knew Mr H hadn't even considered it.  I asked him calmly (trying to be calm) "What are you thinking about giving the guys as gifts?"  When I didn't get an answer I realized this was going to be another task I would have to do...and I would have to do it calmly. 

I didn't want to do flasks because one of the guys doesn't drink.  Money clips are alright, but I don't know anyone my age who uses one.  I searched through all the ideas out there to give as a groomsmen gift.

Groomsmen Gifts Ltd

Cuff Links are nice, but our men are not even wearing a tux.  They would be a little too fancy for our day.  So would they ever use them?  Surely not my men.

When I went MIA

It feels like I wrote my last post yesterday, I remember clearly writing about how much that darn cross means to me. But it wasn't yesterday.  It was a flippin month ago!  And guess what, the cross is done now!  And it is A-MAZE-ING!!!  I promise to show you pictures...after the wedding.  I have to keep you guessing on somethings.

So were did I go for the last 4 weeks, other than to crazy land and back 172 times?  I've been to the final fitting of my dress, my bachelorette party, I celebrated 2 years of sobriety, attended my sister's graduation, helped plan a bachelorette party for another bride, planed a local outreach and crossed a million things off my wedding list.

I plan to fill you in on all of it.  From the almost disaster with my gown to our flatware design.  I have had a few "playing in traffic sounds fun" moments, along with other moments of laughing, having fun and feeling a sense of accomplishment.  So stay tuned for all of it.

LESS THEN 2 AND A HALF WEEKS TO GO, EEEEK!

The Corss Changes Everything

Since it is the middle of Passion Week, why not make this shout out to My Maker and write about His Cross and what it has to do with our wedding.

Photo: https://www.readerschoicecontest.com/contestid/6

We are not getting married in a church because it was very important to Mr H and me that we do it in his mom's garden. We don't believe that God only lives with in the four walls of a building built by man. He is anywhere I am and likewise anywhere you are. Our choice does not disregard our love for the Lord and we want Him to be the main focus of the day. We believe that God is the one who instituted marriage and that the only reason we love is because He loved us first.

Here is our idea of putting the spot light exactly where we think it belongs.

Center of Attention - Lanterns

To refresh your memory, I'm doing an array of many different centerpieces. You've seen some of my concepts and you've seen some of them come to life in the post I wrote for my VIP tables. 

So where did I go from there? Outward...

My tent layout

And the center of attention on these 2 tables will be rustic lanterns.

Becoming Parents Out of Wedlock

Here is a quick fun fact about Mr H and I…we plan to be childless.  We discussed it early on in our relationship and both of us agreed that kids are not for us.  When I tell people this, they cock their head to the side and say “Really? But, you two are still so young. I’m sure you’ll change your minds.”

I always cock my head back with a strange look in my eye too and say “No, not really, we really are not that young and because of our very sound reasoning, I doubt we will change our minds.”  No one ever truly believes me, aside from the few friends that have known me since I was 5. They will confirm, "Kelly has always been firm about NEVER wanting children."  

To assure this, I made extra especially sure that no bows were broken at the shower.  As for the one sneaky bow that had to be cut (you know who you are trying to trick me), my dad cut it for me so maybe he will get pregnant now!?!

Photo: Friends with Kids

I recently went and saw the movie Friends with Kids.  The Movie had a bit of a far fetched plot, I won't spoil it for you.  Since it is a comedy it of course made me laugh but it neither confirmed nor denied my want, or lack thereof, for children.

Photo Props

Photo props are popping up everywhere and if you have been following me at all you know that I've already bought some (the heart shaped sunnies for me and my maids).  You didn't think I was going to stop there did you?  Heck no, how could I?  Not with my pinterest board being filled with lovies such as these...

Letters Of Love, AWE, its so cute.  And there is so many fun ways to pull it off.

Photo: A Little Sussy by Nicole Hill

Sign Here

When it came to the guestbook I knew I didn't want to go the traditional route.

Photo: Amazon

Beside the fact that all this leaves me with is a name [and an address if I'm lucky]...BORING, these also scream 1992 to me.  And, with all the fun and unique ideas out there I didn't have to settle for the fabric book, with the pen stand that would certainly sit in a box for the rest of my life after being used for 4 hours at my wedding.

Center of Attention - The VIPs

To refresh your memory I posted about how I'm doing many different centerpieces. 

I wanted to take care of my most importants first and this is where it all started.

Photo: Erin Ever After

That is amazing!  A little over the top for me, but amazing.  I love the plushness and fullness of hydrangeas.  A little can go a long way.  And, in this case a lot went a very long way (right on to the floor).

Center of Attention

You caught me, I confess, I haven't talked much about centrepieces if at all. So here is the first of many more centerpiece posts. Since I'm leaning a wee bit in the shabby chic direction I wanted the centerpieces to be different on each table.  

Photo: Love and Lavender

Isn't shabby chic sort of defined as a mis-matched style that still matches...hmmm...I hope that makes sense.  Stay with me here.

Falling In Love...With Another

I have my dress, I have my theme and I even have my color scheme but with all the wedding searching I’ve done for inspiration and cheap deals I’ve come across two weddings I can’t get out of my head.  So, to put it simply I've fallen in love with another's wedding. Two other weddings to be exact.

Link: Style Me Pretty
Photography: Three Rivers



Link: Green Wedding Shoes
Photography: Katie Neal Photo


Notice anything? Yeah, these two photos have two completely different feels.  The first being very vintage and serious and the other being very colorful and fun. 

Getting Nailed

I shared with everyone my Shower Style long before the shower took place, but there were a few things that had to be done right before the shower as well, for instance my roots certainly needed some attention and my legs needed to be shaved.

I also wanted to get my ring cleaned because some people who were invited hadn't seen it yet and if these folks were going to be focusing on my fingers, my nails needed to be half way decent.  I originally planned on just using a light shade of pink that I already owned.

But, while out shopping for some last minutes things like a memory card for my camera, lip stain, a new round brush and bobby pins I spotted the famous nail stickers. 

Photo: Plasmetic

I've seen them in the stores, in catalogs and online but I've always been too afraid to try them.  I didn't want to waste my money if they were going to end up looking like crap.

The Perfect Blend Shower

I was so anxious leading up to shower day.  My biggest fear was that no one would show up.  The nightmare looked something like this…there I’d all dolled up with no guests feeling seriously stupid.  Most importantly I would feel bad for the ladies who spent all the time, effort and resources into putting the day together in honor of me.  This thought terrorized me for four weeks.  Maybe that is why I was so adamant that Mr H had to be there.  So if no one showed I wouldn’t look stupid alone.

My step mom and dad threw the shower.  They are the best!  And with the help of my MOH and three sisters the tea party themed shower came together so perfectly.  Seriously these ladies went above and beyond what I could have imagined.  It was hard to believe it was all for little old me.  I’m so thankful.

The Perfect Blend

Shower day came and went with an overwhelming amount of love and support for Mr H and me.  We feel extremely blessed to have so many family members and friends that came out to celebrate our upcoming partnership and lifelong commitment. 

Personal Photo

When the shower date was set I was happy to know it was planned for a Sunday, Mr H’s natural day off.  He wouldn’t even have to miss any work.  You didn’t think I wasn’t going to make him come, did you?

A Cause For Will Call

It's a circus or a country fair or whatever, IDK anymore…I'm so totally confused these days. But whatever IT is, if you want to come you'll need a ticket either way.

When you Google Image search "circus themed wedding", really cool stuff pops up.  Like this... 

Photo: Thoughtful Day 

Always the Hair Dresser, Never the Hair Dressee

Since I was about 10, I've been fascinated with hair. I even considered becoming a hair stylist with dreams rooted in owning my own salon. Then after working as a receptionist in a salon for years, I realized...I in fact did not want to do that. Maybe it's because I lack in the customer service department and I really don't care all that much about a stranger’s drama. However, I learned a thing or two along the way. At some point my sister started paying me $7 to do her hair every time she went to the club. I thought it was a fair exchange.

It wasn't long until I started thinking I was the whip at it. I started to do all my friends hair for proms, weddings, holiday parties, you name it.  In the picture below, I did my own hair as well as both my sisters.

More photos of my work...

The Good Junk

It seems like ever since I became a Bride to Be, my email inbox fills up with hundreds of junk email every day.  I don't even like to look anymore.  Deleting this crap has become more of a chore than just a small bother.  Since all my vendors are set, I don't need to know about photography pricing, DJ specials and bounce house deals (how I started getting those, I'm unsure). 

I guess I didn't protect my email address like so many brides before me warned :(

Photo : No Spam Plzzz Blog

Recently when a friend of mine picked up my phone to hand it to me, she actually yelled "105 new emails!!!"  Yes, sadly I confess, it is true.  Every day I fight through all the junk...delete...delete...delete...but for some reason this heading caught my eye:

Enter for a chance to win your dream wedding!

The Little Reg Wagon That Could

Check out this hottie...

Photo: Drop Jaw Photography

There was absolutely no way I could plan a wedding without having my very handsome first nephew in it.  Mr. Hudson Christopher, our fearless leaf eater.  Okay, here's the scoop...he will only be 11 months when it's time for the aisle.  Even if he is walking by then I'm sure this trip would be a little too ambitious for my little man.  Since he is a must on my list of wedding details I am determined to "make it work."

Shower Style

Many things crossed my mind when I started thinking about what to wear to the shower.  I want to look very lady like and somewhat conservative without skimping out in the style department (after all my nickname was Fergalicious for a long time).  

Photo: Wikipedia

Shake it Like a Salt Shaker

If you have a venue, be thankful because there many things that are included...like toilet paper. 

Photo: http://www.toiletpapercouponspro.com/

If you are planning an outdoor wedding like me, there are other odd things your bridal guides and check lists won't mention like a coffee urn, extension cords, garbage cans, a generator, garbage bags, paper towel and of course toilet paper.

Kick the Can

A while back I started asking friends and family to save me their cans, their tin cans.

Photo: http://www.uscontainer.com/cans.html

It isn't unusual for me to get an odd look in response to this request, even more so when I explain they are for the wedding.  "Really? You want my cans? For your wedding?"

Yes, I do thank you! 

The Story Behind the Marshmallow

"I think rice would hurt, why don't they throw something like...marshmallows?" ~personal quote

Photo: http://creationsyouruniqueevent.blogspot.com/2011/01/tuesday-wedding-facts-throwing-rice-at.html

I was like seven when I said it, okay! No one will let me forget and I'm now terrified the threats they have thrown my way for the last 20 years are actually promises.  I'm the youngest of 5 and my life experience proves these people are not joking and they will do it. 

I TRIPLE HEART IT

As I took a step back and analyzed my wedding, I realized there was a very strong  common theme outside of the intentional “country fair”/circus theme and my main color scheme. And the more I looked, the more I loved it.  It’s a sweet effect to my shabby chic day.

Can you find the common denominator?


Check out the header to my invites...

personal photo

Rustic Camping - Say What?

Rustic camping... and I'm not talking about a honeymoon either, I'm talking about rustic camping as it pertains to our wedding. 

Seriously, I'm sure your thinking dude WTF???   Can we say Hillbilly or what? 

Personal Photo

Country Fair, yeah maybe I can run with that, but Hillybilly-esque, I can assure you, that is not the case.  Let me explain and try to get the above photo out of your head.

Reuse and Repurpose

Okay time to reveal the new love of my life, move over Mr H and make room for Oh Happy Day.  Have you been there yet?  It has given me a new reason to "pin".  Some of the ideas they highlight have made my mind race with more and more must have details for the wedding.  This site is an over flow of amazing DIYs, ways to reuse or repurpose things you may already have and it also has free printables...BONUS!

Check this stuff out...

Photo: http://ohhappyday.com/2011/02/fringey-streamers-diy/

A new twist on crepe paper streamers...HELLO circus themed wedding.

An Online Bride

As you may or may not know, I'm currently not mobile, meaning I can NOT drive.  Yes ,it is a result of my own actions and it certainly has been a humbling experience in every way.  I have found many blessing as a result of this current life circumstance.  But, can you imagine planning your wedding without wheels? 

When it comes to not being able to get in the car and go, this is one of those "make it work" moments...

Photo: http://twisted-focus.blogspot.com/2010/08/quote_15.html
BTW, I'm so in Love with the Runway and Mr. Gunn

When All Things Are Possible

Having a tight budget and planning an over haul DIY wedding you realize there are many things that don't even cross your mind.  Things you don't even consider because you just don't think funds will allow it.


Here's my story about when something that seemed impossible happens... 

Millions of Pennants - A DIY Gone RIGHT!!!

My whatever, theme/title my wedding has now evolved into, it is one that "berry" NEEDS pennants.  Feel free to call the pennants - circus or call them - vintage, I personally like to call them  - a must have.  Not only are they a must have, of course you'll find them on the DIY list of details. 

When I tell people about this idea, they always look at me a little strange and then say "like at used car dealers."   

Photo: http://www.janm.org/collections/item/96.267.671/

Put Your Love Glasses On...

In honor of my two favorite songs, "Life" and "#PutYourLoveGlassesOn" both by Beckah Shae, I want to incorporate her famous heart shaped sunglasses in my wedding photo-ops.  After all, I believe, God is love and marriage is one of the ultimate gifts of love He gave us.

My plan is to have them in with their gift bags at the rehearsal dinner.  I hope they love them as much as I do.  Me personally, I want to strut these bad boys for days, weeks, even months after the "I do".

So, out I set on a journey into the Internet unknown.  First I looked to see if I could find any examples of other brides that have used these fun and flirty glasses (secretly hoping that maybe I was the first one to come up with this idea) and bingo I came across this pic.

Photo: Walker Photography (AliWalkerPhotography.com)

Where is the "BUMMER" button.  I'm not all that unique after all.  But we all can agree that it looks great, right!  In this example I love that the bride is in white and the girls in pink.  Pinning it to pinterest, I marked it a "Must Have <3".


Do you have any must have props in mind for your photos?  Please confess.

Hunting Down the Pastor

When I started planning I already made my mind up on a lot of things and many choices and decisions were in the end, no brainers. But, not everything was a cake walk. As you may already know I suffered from photog phobia, that thankfully I conquered my fear and can now live to tell about.

photo: http://philippbrady.wordpress.com/2010/08/15/100-ways-to-develop-your-mind/

Sugar and Spice

When I learned that cake can cost anywhere from $3-5 per person, I was excited to think "Aint my problem!" I knew for a very long time that I...I mean we...were going with cupcakes. Yes, the trendy, over played cupcakes. Why...because they are super cute and CHEAP...why else? Beside I triple <3 most cupcake displays I see, over played, trendy, call it what you may. I'm on it, regardless.

I just didn't know where we were going to get our cupcakes. Very early on in my planning I started pricing out local bakers. I wanted to keep the cost below $2.00 each, but dreamed of finding them at $1.50. The average cost I found was $2.25. I even started to consider the major box stores, Costco, Sam's or Wal-Mart. I thought I could order plain white and decorate them myself.

Photo: http://www.patricialapadula.com/category/graphics/

May Flowers

My silk flower order was placed six months in advance, from Afloral, which was either a result of being proactive or obsessive. Either way the more I check off my lists of things to do now, the better it will be for me come May. 

Personal Photo

Now it’s time to show you what magic I worked on them.  I should mention that I was more than impressed with the flowers and stems I received. 

Go Ahead, Show Em Your Nuts

Cheers, to yet another DIY detail, it is the elephant in my wedding planning (hehe, you'll get it later). Last week as I sat at my desk, doing nothing wedding related it hit me, for the love peanuts, why didn't I think of it sooner!?!

Since I'm having a Glamorous, Vintage, Shabby-Chic, Circus wedding. Notice, the theme keeps getting longer and taking on more personalities, pretty soon it will just be the Scitzo Wedding because it won't even make sense any more. For now let’s make it an acro and see how many letters we can add between now and May. The GVSCCW is making room and head way for peanuts.

Photo: http://www.emmaculatereflections.com/2011/12/peanut-covered-restaurant-floors-a-safety-hazard/

What I want to do is use the peanuts as filler in some of my vases, since I plan on doing a variety of centerpieces it wouldn't be a nut overload. Also I'll leave these tasty little treats out for guests to enjoy or incorporate them in with our favors. Perfect for a circus, right! And my nonexistent elephants! I know most people associate peanuts beer and baseball and think it won't be appropriate for a wedding. But I'm at my wits end with hearing that weddings are supposed to be a certain way. So bring on the nuts.

There is Something About Woogie

When it came to booking a DJ, all I had to do was contact the DJ we used for my sisters wedding. He was a retired radio disk jockey who used to work for a local rock station. When I found him on Craig's List 3 years ago I was surprised by the $400 he charged for 8 hours!!! That is amazing right. We hired him sight unseen. Kind of scary and risky but I figured how bad could it be, after all he was in radio for like 20 years! What was the worst that could happen? I guess it would have been really bad if he wasn't who he said he was and would end up a big no show.  That would be really bad!!!  What is a wedding with no music? I pictured him sailing on a boat, off the coast of Mexico, enjoying a drink on us and laughing about how he rip us off.

Photo: http://www.photos4travel.com/travel-photos/sailing

Yes because $400 is worth running off to Mexico over and it can get you all of that, boat, drink, laughter. 

Up

I dropped a few hints about getting engaged while on a hot air balloon ride for years, every time I saw one, I would swoon and talk about how romantic a hot air balloon ride would be.   And since my house was attached to millions of balloons, like in the movie Up, my dining room was a far cry from my dream.  Don't get me wrong my engagement was perfect in every way.  But I still love hot air balloons and still get excited every time I see on the horizon. So in a way my hot air balloon dreams do live on.  How can I incorporate into my wedding though? Perhaps in the form of a card box.  It will add a something special for people to look at and I think it fits my circus theme, yes?

Maid in Taget

The bridesmaid dress saga started with this... 

Photo: http://www.stylemepretty.com/

I fell victim to the miss matched dress trend.  I love the, dare I say it, shabby-chic-ness behind it.

Don't be a Chicken

Let me start by saying, I love chicken.  If there was a Monthly International Chicken Club I could sign up for, I'd be all over that.  I love me some chicken, as the great Molly Shannon once said, "I Love Em, I Love Em, I Love Em"

Photo from: http://springtime-bride.blogspot.com Quote added my me :)

I love em grilled, I love em battered, I love em deep fried, I love em fatter. I'll take BBQed, I love em flowered, I love em sweet, I love em sour. I like em bit sized, I like their breast, I like their wings, Chickens are the best!

Lady in Red

Some call it a sweet tooth, I call it a prime evil addictions.  I have been known not only to devour the brownies, cookies and candy bars that are presented to me, but to also go out of my way to seek out these diet demons as well.  Explaining my 18 pound weight gain after I quit drinking.

So, when it came time to start thinking about what yummy goodness we were going to cut into together for the first time as a married couple (okay it will be the first ever, we don't cut into many thing holding hands on a regular basis as a non married couple), I knew it would be cupcakes.

Photo: http://seemaloni.tumblr.com/page/4

Flower Power

Have you stopped to smell the roses lately, or any flower for that reason. Maybe from a far a beautiful flower draws your attention and when you get near you realize, you'd been hoesed, they're fake!

The internet is filled with many, how to, DIY, fake flower tutorials. These crafty little beauties are showing up in all shapes, all sizes, and all colors and springing up in weddings everywhere. Some look real, some look artistic and you can make them out of just about any material or medium you want.

There is the Famous Tissue Paper Flower

Photo: The Enchanted Gallery

A Dash of Glamour Here and A Pinch of Tacky There

I think that once or twice...or maybe a gazillion times...I threw in the word glamorous when describing the wedding I'm planning for myself. Even if nothing else seems to be going that way, I’m pretty effing glamorous all by myself, and that is enough to describe my wedding that way.  Then when I saw someone write that one of my ideas sounded "country fair", I wasn't in the least bit offended. I thought "well duh, because my theme is a little country fair." A circus is kind of close to that right?

The "tacky" idea that was dubbed country fair, is one I was all over. Surprisingly enough, Mr H was on board when I ran the idea past him. I thought the only way I’d get him to agree was if I plead with blood, sweat and tears. Nope, he thought it was a fantabulous idea too (maybe he didn't use those words exactly).

Photo: TV Disney

It all started with a bridal magazine and if it's in a bridal mag, it is confirmation it is an awesome idea.  And, I’ll be darned that I can’t find the stupid article now as proof.  But I swear, no joke, it was listing off some fun reception ideas and it said "challenge your guests to a bake off” (I can’t make this stuff up). I didn’t try very hard to find the list again to prove to people that, no it wasn't in a dream, before giving up and doing what I should have in the first place, I googled that shizz.

The Ring Master

Long before we were engaged and I was in the official "waiting" stage, Mr H would say, but what kind of ring are you getting me? Or he'd tell people he was waiting for me to pop the question, to which I would give him the stink eye, very very very stinky eyes at that.

So to pass the waiting time I shopped men's rings.

Photo: http://www.amazon.com/

10 Wedding Bride

I have been in (stood up or participated in) 8 weddings to date and to top it all off I’ll be standing up in another wedding one week before my own. When I set off down the aisle with my dad, it will be the tenth time I charted the territory.  I am an aisle walking whore.

Photo: Wedding Pros

Pitch A Tent - Part 2

In the last post I told you that I found a company that would fit my tent budget (my new revised tent budget, *sigh*) and it included linens (no plastic table cloths, *clapping*).  Meanwhile I was waiting to hear back from another company.  When I did, my ability to make a clear choice was gone.

Photo: http://everydayuncommon.wordpress.com/2009/02/

To avoid confusion I will refer to the first company, the one from the shopper’s ad, as TENT 1 and the second company, my co-worker’s friend, as TENT 2.

Weighing the Pros and Cons...

Pitch A Tent - Part 1

There are many wonderful things about having an outdoor, venue free wedding. I listed some of these things in an earlier post. What really sucks about it, is finding the right rental company that can provide all my needs. I set out in search of an all inclusive rental company. I didn't want to piece it together through many vendors and have the hassle of coordinating with all of them. A one stop shop was what I was looking for. One contact, one deposit, one balance and one company setting up, that is what I needed.

Facing the Judges

I got my big fat rejection letter from the hive's editor in chief that told me I pretty much sucked and that my blog wasn't good enough. Okay that's not what it said but that is how I initially interpreted it. It was my Simon Cowell, you'll never make it in show business, moment.

Photo: http://www.squidoo.com

Dear Kitchen Aid, WHY?

Dear Kitchen Aid, 

Oh how I love your mixers. Each color makes my lips turn up into an unexpected smile. I just need to know why you have offered me so many choices. My obsessive bridal brain can't handle making yet another HUGE choice. I'm at a loss. 

Confused Bride,

Kelly Nicole

Photo: Photo: mrsmcporkchop/flicker.com

Facing my Photographer Fear

If you've been keeping track you know how freaked I was about finding a photographer. I just can't get over the prices of such a service. I get it, no need to justify these outrageous prices, it so expensive because these camera ready secret agents capture the only memories I'll have left of my day. I once fell victim to the thinking that this aspect was the most important part of the wedding.  Excuse me, but my husband will be a pretty good reminder and memory of my wonderful wedding. I don't think I need to spend $5,000, to prove that once upon a time I participated in such an event.  And when I'm 75, there is a chance I won't want to remember that I ever married my husband.

Photo: http://www.mainecoastpropertiesblog.com

After getting over my fear of people and economic insecurities, I buckled down and did the work. Confession: I'm not over this fear (I'm still continually working on Step 9), but I had to get it done because my wedding was drawing close with every second that passed.

Are those Fake or Real

Flowers have been for...well for basically ever, very important to brides everywhere.  So they had to be important to me too, right? Well not exactly.  Why must they be important when you have stuff like this going on.

Photo: http://www.etsy.com/listing/54365589/large-pink-and-ivory-brides-feather?utm_source=googleproduct&utm_medium=syndication&utm_campaign=GPS