Monogram Mania

My invitation designer (Annie of Annie's Invitation Studio on Etsy) just sent me a copy of the monogram she designed for us today. It is going to appear in several places:

• Our invitations will set the stage.


• Guests will encounter our monogram again on the wedding programs.


• Our monogram will also make an appearance on signs throughout the reception.


• The lovely monogram will be featured on the escort cards.


• Guests will find the monogram again on their table numbers.


• When one gets a drink at the bar, or a treat from the chocolate fountain, they will find the monogram on the napkins that I ordered at http://www.foryourparty.com/.


• Last but not least, the monogram will be projected on the dance floor, via a gobo projection.

I get so excited just thinking about it!! I suppose we will be getting good use out of our monogram!

Santa Fe!

Andrew and I have been together 4 years tomorrow! To celebrate, he is flying me with him to Santa Fe this weekend (He has to be there for business on Monday/Tuesday). I am excited to go to the Georgia O'Keefe Museum, to explore some beautiful architecture (and maybe find some fun new jewelery...hint hint) and to go to the spa for a 3 hour treatment on Monday. Aaahhhh...I am already feeling more relaxed!

Gifts For My Gals

Since many of my best gals have never been BMs, I wanted to make their first experience a positive one. Translation-they are going to be very spoiled!!

When they arrive, the BMs, GMs and their dates will be picked up at the airport in the 3 cargo vans (15 passenger) we have rented and will be whisked away to beautiful Estes Park and the cabins we have reserved for them there.

The lovely ladies will each receive one of these reusable grocery bags, which I found at Target. Since we are having a Colorado wedding, and Andrew and I are certified "greenies", I thought this gift would be great from our hearts to theirs...



Now for the inside of the bag....

And on a green note, but a practical one, as Colorado is VERY dry and you must drink A TON of water when you are here, each BM will receive a Nalgene bottle (very Colorado and also very environmental) in their favorite color, like so....

Additionally, in their favorite color will be a pair of the ever affordable, ever useful, Old Navy flip flops (purchased and image from www.oldnavy.com). I am proud of myself because I got them on sale!

Because I found them on sale at Target, and because I am a sucker for a good theme, I got the girls brown enamel frames with pink/green polka dots to add to their bags. This is not the exact frame, but is also adorable. It can be found at http://www.lapetiteplayhouse.com/.

I thought the bags were a fun, on vacation, summer-campish gift, which will be appropriate because we are staying at a summer camp!! The bags will also include each BMs favorite treat.

On a more formal note, the girls will each be receiving one of these to wear on the wedding day. I bought them at http://www.shaneco.com/. which is where this image is from. Thank you economic stimulus! I almost had enough to cover all 7!

And, the fun does not stop there. On the night of the rehearsal dinner, along with their pearls, the girls will all receive a letter than says a day of pampering has been planned in their honor. They will be treated to a brunch at the Dunshabe Teahouse, a mani/pedi at ten20 and will receive a $50 gift certificate toward getting their hair done. It will be an entire afternoon of pampering before our 7:00p.m. ceremony.

What do you think? How did I do?

Cute and Totally Unnecessary

Since becoming a bride-to-be, I have become obsessed with some things that I never even dreamed would matter to me. Today I reached a new level of detail orientation and bought the groomsmen socks in our wedding colors! I heard that it would look "cute" in pictures, and I am sure that it will be:) If nothing else, it will prevent the groomsmen from wearing white socks!! These socks and this image were found on http://www.bananarepublic.com/.

Gifts for the Parents

Another item in under budget! I found a digital picture frame on sale with a rebate at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Score! I thought it would be a more "modern" alternative for our parents than a wedding album; as a bonus, we will receive all of our pictures digitally, so they will not have to choose favorites! I also thought that this was an especially cool gift, because we will be able to update them as significant events pass; since Andrew's parents live in MN, my parents live in IL and we live in CO, this will be a wonderful way for all of us to feel more connected across the miles.

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart)

I just love this poem by e.e. cummings !

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart)

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

I plan to use this reading as Andrew and I are watering our unity tree. What is a unity tree you ask? A unity tree was our idea to replace the unity candle at our outdoor, mountain top ceremony. Our mothers will each bring mason jars with water (at which point we will give our FMILS roses) and we will use the water to nourish the tree. Same symbolism as the unity candle, but with a twist. Since we are getting married in Colorado, what is more appropriate than a pine tree? We will plant it after the wedding at our home to remain a symbol of our union. It's a nice bonus that this is a "green" option as well!

I LOVE it!

Isn't this the cutest idea ever? This knottie and her hubby donned monogrammed aprons to cut the cake and then passed out slices to their guests. What a creative way to visit with everyone! Knottie Mrs. Pink AJV Idea found on http://thepreppywedding.blogspot.com/. Hmmm....I wonder if this would work for our wedding?

Pretty Pink Parasols

For all of my girls to carry....2 light pink, 2 lime green, 2 fuschia and a chocolate brown one for my MOH/Little Sis. They arrived from www.idealfavors.com today. Melanie from Ideal Favors has been a pleasure to work with!

Eye Candy

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Andrew and I decided on a less traditional route for an engagement ring. He was against the idea of financing anything, and I stood by that choice. I told him I would be fine with a band first and a ring later, and he did the rest (much later than I would have liked-he he!) We hope to be able to plan the wedding without debt and to begin our marriage debt free. So....my engagement ring is actually a white gold, channel set (with filigree) diamond and sapphire wedding band (I promise to add a picture soon!). And my wedding ring will look like...the one above (top ring, round stone without the matching band)? This is the first ring that Andrew and I have both fallen in love with. It is by precision set, so it actually sits flush with my band, and has filigree detail just like my e-ring. The only difference is that my wedding ring will be in platinum (I'm too clumsy for soft white gold, even though I like its shine and weight better!). Andrew has made it clear that he gets to pick it out without any help, though I am allowed to weigh in;) I am looking forward to see what he picks out and to that extra special surprise on our big day! Has anyone else gone a non-traditional route when choosing an engagement or wedding ring?
Photo courtesy of www.precisionset.com.

Under Budget...Hurrah!

I finally found a vendor under budget instead of over(Insert victory dance here!!). The discovery?Presidential Limousine offers a Lincoln Town Car for under $150 for two hours. This is just enough time to jump into our "getaway car" after the reception and to cruise around together for an hour as husband and wife to reflect on the day's events before turning in for the evening at our wedding night suite (TBD). I really think that it will be special to share that time with Andrew and to revel in the idea of being newlyweds! When it comes time to do a final booking, I will definitely use Presidential Limousine in Denver http://www.presidentiallimo.com/.

Another Note to Self

Steal Miss Lovebug's idea from http://www.weddingbee.com/ and order a power tie collar for Teddy to wear if he participates in the wedding ceremony. Link to Etsy shop here http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5254658. Hurrah! How cute!

I Dream of Gobo....

As you know if you have been reading my blog, or if you have the pleasure (He! He!) of knowing me in actual reality, you know that I am obsessed with details. In fact, my high school friends dubbed me "Martha" because of my liking of holiday decorations, themed parties, baking and the like. You can imagine that this wedding is just the thing to put my detail obsessed self into overdrive. My latest gotta have it? A gobo. What is a gobo you ask? A gobo is a carved steel (or glass) plate that filters light through it to create a pattern like the one pictured above. I've found a custom kit for $200 here http://lightyourname.com/WeddingGobos.html and I think that I am going to go for it. Instead of on the wall as pictured, I am thinking of adding it to our dance floor to spice things up a bit. I thought that I would have a monogram created to match the ones on our invite (more on that later). But, as my wedding is a ways away (Darn it!) and I have not yet asked my dj if he can accommodate it (Note to self...ask dj about gobo), it will just have to wait until closer to the big day!

Details Cubed

It's the little things that make a big difference. I can't wait to add one of these (a "T" of course) to my bouquet.

At Last....

Will not be the title of our first dance song. No, "at last" is how I felt when I discovered this chic and elegant evening bag from Nelle. I ordered one on Friday and I can not wait until it arrives. Even the FI is excited about it because Nelle is out of Minneapolis, the closest city to his native hometown. I'll be sure to post an actual picture when it arrives!

Wedding Party Party

Andrew is a very easy going guy who is rarely adamant about what he wants for the wedding. Naturally, when he is I take note. One aspect of our wedding that he was very excited about was the prospect of renting cabins where all of our bridal party would be able to mingle and to enjoy eachother's company in a more party-like atmosphere before the big day. Accomodating a bridal party of 14 and their dates is no easy task. I searched high and low before finally remembering a retreat I had been to at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado....

The YMCA has been in several publications including Better Homes and Gardens, Outside Magazine, The Chicago Tribune, and The New York Times. Not too shabby! When I looked into it more, I realized that they offered a plethora of outdoor activities that would be fun for all including a swimming pool, horseback riding, a rock climbing wall and rollerskating, to name a few. Note to self: book a hayride for the bridal party the night everyone arrives.

Until I am able to take some pictures of my own, this link will have to do:http://www.ymcarockies.org/.

No sooner had I fallen in love, than I realized that they book far in advance. Like two years in advance. Just my luck.... they had just the number of cabins that I needed. I snatched those babies right up and am now more excited than ever for my big day to be here!

Yessssss!

Just like every other bride out there who stalks www.weddingbee.com, I ordered them. I found my copper ring orbs at www.everydayartifacts.com. I did go with the ever present "to have" and "to hold" orbs, but I ordered them in spring green to at least retain some originality factor. I can't wait to receive them! If I love them as much as I think I will, I may send them to my future cousin-in-law as a bridal shower gift in April :)

Here Come the Bridesmaids.....

So, I know that every bride says this, but I really do want my 'maids to look and feel their best on my wedding day, and I want them to do so in dresses that fit their personal styles and figures best. No cookie cutter BMs here. I've decided on choosing a designer, a fabric, a color and a length, and letting the girls choose from there. Right now, there are two places I am looking to to find the perfect dresses to make my girls look as dazzling as they are......

J. Crew, how I adore you. I have shopped in your store since college, and your clean lines and classic styles never cease to tickle my fancy. And, best of all, you have many dresses that are not taffeta, thus increasing the chances that they might be worn again....

Ideally, though not necessarily, there would be 2 BMs in each of these dresses, with my MOH wearing her choice of dress with a pink sash/sparkling broach to set her apart.

First up, Daisy. Simple, classic and clean......This would look great on just about anyone with it's flattering waistline and A-line skirt.

Next, and possibly my favorite, is Lydia. Flirty with a touch of retro. I'll bet this one is fun for twirling in.

Last but not least, Camilla. The ever popular strapless gown. It's hard to see in such a small picture, but the gathering at the waist is just too cute!

First three dresses courtesy of http://www.jcrew.com/.

J. Crew pros-these dresses are the cutest! These do not look like BM dresses and could definitely be worn again.
J. Crew cons-More expensive than other dresses ($225-255) and no storefront to try them on.

Next up is the ubiquitous David's Bridal. Since my best gals are scattered all over, it would be nice for everyone to be able to try them on in person. That, and dresses are much more reasonable than J. Crew ($180 is the most expensive dress).


Very similar to Lydia, only in taffeta. One of the 'maids commented that it was a bit "busty", but I think the fit would flatter almost everyone.

I love the sweetheart neckline on this dress! It's hard to see in this picture, but the bodice is ruched, which is always very flattering!

This next one is like Daisy, with a bit more cleavage, but is still classy. I am picturing my MOH sis in this with the sash as pictured, and a sparkly broach on the sash. I will give these to her as my gifts (in addition to others that she and the BMs will get).

Second batch courtesy of www.davidsbridal.com. I love their "favorites" and their "dress your wedding party" features!

Pros for David's- are the national locations and prices.

Cons for David's-are that the dresses look very bridal (read taffeta) and alterations can be spendy.

What do you think? Does either option strike you as being better than the others? Ultimately, I will let the girls decide. We started voting yesterday! I will be curious to see what they think!