Tomorrow I will marry my best friend.

Well, I'm outta here for now! My last post as a single lady! *squeal* Thanks to everyone that posted here for all the inspiration, advice, support and guidance over the past year. I always loved logging on to see a comment from a fellow bride, all my girlfriends from MH, or my life-long friends. I promise to post pictures when I can. Wish me luck!

Tomorrow I will marry my best friend...

Nine days left as a Ms.

So, we're finally done with just about everything.

To Do List:
• Finalize the band-breaks mixed cd
• Wrap the bridal party, parents gifts & I need to wrap Drew's gifts.
• Get something borrowed from Drew's mom (I'm hoping for a silver bangle bracelet of some sort)
• Pay venue, caterer, band and officiant
• Get balloons for the turn into the Cave
• Final dress fitting & pick up (yay!)
• Finish pom poms
• DIY bouquets (flowers will be delivered next Wednesday & we'll DIY on Thursday
• Beverages for the reception (punch, lemonade, tea..)
• Fill kegs & buy wine
• Get our wedding license

Anyways, I think that's it. Of course, I feel like I'm forgetting something...

I'm super anxious and having more trouble sleeping as the wedding gets closer. I just can't stop myself from thinking about the wedding and how much fun it will be for all our friends and family to be with us on our special day.

I wrote my vows last night. I still want to revise them a little but I'm really happy with how they turned out. Drew read me the vows he's going to say to Emma. I cried of course. They were so him. Sweet and thoughtful with a small hint of humor.

I'm going to try to go to bed now. Here's some pictures to hold you over. This is a back room, which is currently referred to as "the wedding room". Everything packed away, ready to make it's way to Cave Hollow next Friday night for the rehearsal/dinner/decorating party.









I'm so excited!!

16 days out

We're less than three weeks from the wedding! I'm so anxious and nervous and excited all at once! I still need to write my vows. Drew has his written already. He's doing one to me and one to Emma, which I think is so sweet. I can't wait to marry my best friend! New photos coming soon!

Wall sticker giveaway!

The Roddy Bride is doing a wall sticker giveaway! You could use it to display a favorite photo, piece of art, or a monogram. I'd love to use it for one of our favorite wedding pictures that we'll be taking this weekend or a picture of Emma!

She'll choose two winners using random.org. So head on over to her blog to enter - All entries must be submitted by September 11th! Thanks Roddy Bride!

Geezees Custom Canvas Art GIVEAWAY!

Geezees Custom Canvas Art is giving away one of their fabulous 9x12 or 10x10 canvases to a lucky person. Check it out on her blog and also check out her Etsy store. Beautiful!!

I need help with bubble instructions!

Our 150 programs are done. yay! Drew helped me finish them up last night.

Tonight I realized that I didn't say anything about blowing bubbles after we're pronounced husband and wife. So now I'm trying to think of a sign to put on the bubble basket or somewhere so our guests know to when to blow the bubbles. I'm thinking something like, "Shower the newlyweds with bubbles after they're pronounced husband and wife," but I'm not sure that I like that... Any ideas?

New stuff (really creative title, haha!)

First up - our programs. Super easy, super inexpensive & multipurposeful (is that a word?)


I've blurred names. :)


My daughter and I are wearing red shoes - aren't they pretty!?


We bought my dad, Drew's dad and Drew's stepdad ties on Etsy from rabbitstop. She even makes cute personalized labels for the back.

I work at a newspaper as a graphic designer. After our engagement announcement was published, I came home to this in my mailbox. It's our announcement on the metal plate used to print the paper. The press operator is a totally awesome guy and dropped it off at my house. Isn't that totally cool? Love it. (again, I had to blur out the whole thing since all of our immediate families names are on it)


I'm going to finish another 50 programs tonight and mark that off the list. Hope to post more soon! Cheers!

The Day After the Bachelorette Party

and I'm tired. Last night was a blast. We started out the evening in our backyard, playing games (like, playdoh penis beauty contest), and they all bought me some of the cutest lingerie. I will add photos as soon as my bff Matron of Honor emails them to me.

In other news, I've been getting tons of stuff done. I'm sorry for the lack of posts but it's been super hectic lately. I start school next week so I'm glad I don't have that much left to do.

My list is down to:

Finish the programs
Finalize ceremony/reception music
Wrap bridal party and parents gifts
Solve the unity candle vs. wind at our outdoor ceremony issue
Write my vows
Make Reserved Ceremony Signs
Buy kisses & put stickers on them
Apply for our marriage license (yay!)
Order flowers from SamsClub
Order Solemates for my girls
Get food for cocktail hour
ummm...
I feel like I'm forgetting all kinds of things... ugh.

36 days left (Drew mentioned this today. sweet, huh?)

We're down to 45 days

Working on the programs this weekend and some last minute details. Hopefully I can post some photos on Sunday! :)

Off to relax for a while in a nice hot bath. This wedding stuff is too much sometimes...

I love etsy! Lots of Little Details.

Just thought I'd post a quick update. Lots of little details have been ordered, shipped and received. We're down to 56 days until the wedding. I'm anxious, nervous, excited & super happy all at once. I've decided to change my dress from a straight-across strapless to a sweetheart neckline. Here are some of our recent goodies delivered by the most-wonderful usps. I'm sure our mail carrier is hating us right now for all the heavy packages. We're getting stuff done though...

My garter flask which will be filled with three shots of either crown royal or patron. Haven't decided which yet... Isn't it adorable!? It's a handmade by offtherecord at Etsy.

A custom banner made by Chao Bambino also at Etsy...


and 150 clear cup soy tea light candles from worthysoycandles (etsy)


Other updates:

• The band is working on our first dance song & we're working on other music for the ceremony & reception.
• The guys are getting measured for their tuxes this week.
  
• My dress fitting & my matron of honor's dress fitting is scheduled for August 15th, the day after my bachelorette party, which I'm so looking forward to.
• The mason jars are almost finished. Just need to buy some more ribbon.
• I'm going to start working on the programs next weekend.

My classes start August 19th so I'm trying to get as much done as I can before then. I'm really starting to look forward to the honeymoon. lol.

Take care, I'll update again soon!

Embossed invites, wrap around labels & maps, oh my!

Sorry I haven't posted lately. I've been super busy getting stuff done. The invites are in the mail!!! Yay!

I love the stamps, super cute!

104 days till our wedding...

and I'm freaking out... seriously. I have so much to do and the food prices for the reception blew me away. Hopefully I can update on some completed projects soon... I need to get my ass in gear.

Etsy Love: My Necklace

I'm in the process of ordering this necklace from Etsy seller RachelleD. I fell in love with her necklaces the moment I saw them. It's beautiful *eek*!


I'm getting my girls some jewelry too but I can't post them here. I have some pretty resourceful girls and I don't want them stumbling upon any of their surprises...

Off to work on the wedding website since I put the URL on the map and invitations are almost ready to go out! I'll post a link to it this weekend after I add something to it.

Gettin' things done

Invitations: check (still need to do wrap around labels, envelopes & map inserts)


I bought 8 of these garlands to decorate the gazebo/handrails for the stairs. I bought them at Michaels at 50% which made each cost $4.99 (score!)

Here's my decorated birdcage card holder. I'm really happy with the way it turned out. Dad still needs to cut the perch out and I need to buy a cute little padlock.

Baskets for bubbles & programs (Michaels, $9.99):


Handkerchiefs I ordered from http://www.thegartermaker.net/
Drew's mom's says "Thank you for raising the man of my dreams. Love, Sarah"
My mom's says "Mom, to dry your tears as you dried mine. Thank you for everything. I love you. Sarah" I LOVE THEM!!

8,000 silk red rose petals (ebay, $39.99)


Toss garter from thegartermaker.com Beautiful!!

More to come soon.... ;)

Sarah

More Engagement Photos!

The first one is my favorite. Before the nipple tweak one, Will said, "we're shooting a porno" and this is what he got. haha

Photos taken by Will Leffert (classicwfl.com)

Sarah

Engagement Photos

Photos taken by Will Leffert (classicwfl.com)

I love them! I'll post the rest when we get them.

Sarah

Never-ending Checklist

Things to book:
Manicure & Pedicure
Boudoir Shoot
Hairstylist/Make-Up (check)
Officiant (check, we need to meet with him)
Ceremony Site (check)
Reception Site (check)
Band (check)
Photographer (check)
Wedding Cake (check)
Honeymoon (check)
Rehearsal Dinner Site (check)

Things to Order/Buy:
Flats
Veil?
My Garter
Bra
Hershey Kisses
Tea Light Candles
Table Runners (Sashes)
Reserve Table Linens from Cave Hollow
Outdoor Chairs
Head Table Skirt - Celebrations Party Shop
Drew's Ring
Tuxes
Gift for Drew
Guest Book Pen
Soda/Apple Cider for Reception
Cups, Plates etc.
Unity Candle
My Jewelry (check)
Shepherd's Hooks (6) (check)
Bridal Party Gifts (1/2 check)
Bridesmaid Dresses (check)
Wedding Dress (check)
Flip-Flops for Bridesmaids (check)
Parents Gifts (Mother's, check)
Red Shoes (check)
Toss Garter (check)
Spanx (check)
Emma's Hair Flowers (check)
Hair Flower (check)
Red Rose Petals (check)
Cake Serving Set (check)
Bubbles (check)

Things to Do:
Wrap Around Labels
Reserved Signs
Design Stickers for Kisses
Write Vows
Choose Readers
Talk to Lisa about White Lanterns
Talk to Raymond about Sound for Ceremony
Get mirrors from Teresa
Check w/ Tomi & Whit re: Songs
Ceremony Readings and Script
Formal Dances Music (First Dance, Father/Daughter, Mother/Groom) (First Dance check)
Wedding Day Timeline
Register for Gifts
Reserve Kegs
Wedding Website
Make Mixed CD for Reception
Print Photos for Photo Line
Schedule Hair & Make-Up Trial (check)
Engagement Announcement in CP
Schedule Dress Fittings
Apply for Marriage License
Make List of Must-Take Pictures for Photographer (Started...)
Wrap Bridal Party Gifts
Change of Name Paperwork
Prepare Toasts or Thanks to Guests
Give Wedding-Day Directions, Schedule and Contact List to Parents, Bridal Party and Vendors
Confirm Final Payment Amounts with Vendors
Confirm Delivery Locations, Times and Final Arrangement with Baker
Pack Bags for Honeymoon
Leave Honeymoon Itinerary with Parents
Rehearse Ceremony
Drop Off Required Materials to Venue
Write Thank-You Notes for Wedding
Change of Name Paperwork
Buy Stamps for Invites
Something Old, New, Borrowed & Blue (Something new and blue are done)
Guest List (check, need some addresses)
Get Engagement Photos Taken (check)
Decorate Mason Jars (1/2 check)
Ceremony Music (check)
Photography location (check)
Confirm Honeymoon Reservations (check)

Things to Make/Decorate:
Punch Holes in Cans
Ring Bearer Pillow (check)
Put Ribbons on Bubbles (check)
Flower Girl Basket
Hand Painted Wedding Signs
Ceremony Program
Wedding Day Emergency Bag
Centerpieces (1/2 check)
Bouquets & Bouts (ribbon, pins, etc.)
Finish Invitations (check)
Map/Accommodations Card (check)
Photo Sharing Cards (check)
Birdcage Cardbox (check)
DIY Cake Topper (check)

Things to Mail:
Invites/RSVPs/Maps
Thank-You Notes for Shower
Thank-You Notes for Wedding

Week-of-Wedding To Dos:
Rehearse Ceremony
Put Final Payments and Tips in Marked Envelopes
Wrap Bridal Party Gifts
Make Centerpieces, Bouquets & Bouts
Prepare Toasts/Thank Yous
Give Wedding-Day Schedule/Directions/Contact List to VIPs
Pack Bags for Honeymoon

I ordered my red shoes!

I love the trend of wedding shoes in the same hue as one of the wedding’s accent colors and wearing fabulous shoes is so me. Not to mention, they’ll make for great photo ops! I ordered a my red wedding shoes yesterday and here they are!!! Aren't they super hot!?

How many of you are secretly thinking I’m crazy for wanting to wearing heels for an outdoor ceremony on grass? Well don’t worry, I’ve thought this through! I found a way to do it without sinking into the grass on the way down the aisle: heel stoppers!

They come in many designs, most in clear with crystal embellishments. They make the surface of the heel wider, so you don’t sink into the ground. I love these so much that I’ll be ordering extra, so my girls can wear heels as well during the ceremony! (Ha ha, I just realized that my girls are going to know everything I’m getting/doing for them because of this blog! Oh well!)

Invitations in progress

I was able to get all the stamping & embossing done this weekend. Here's some pics... completed invite to come soon!

Dad got these for me from some guys cutting down trees at a local car dealership. $1 a piece and I have 50 of them!!


They're cedar & they smell so good! We need to wash them and let them dry out and then they will be used for our centerpieces. I've posted my inspiration picture below for the finished look.
I will be wrapping red & natural raffia around the mason jars, and using the mason jars to hold our red gerbera daisies & tea lights candles.

I'm so excited!!! I have so much more to do.... *sigh* :) I hope to post tomorrow with all the goodies I bought at Michael's this weekend.

Wedding Ring Giveaway

"Superior Wedding Rings is an online company that offers a HUGE selection of wedding rings. Their rings come in everything from ceramic to palladium, and in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Superior Wedding Rings is going to giveaway your choice of ring from their site (up to $120 in value)."

WOW! What an amazing opportunity to save some money & get a beautiful wedding band! I hope I win! The giveaway is taking place on one of my favorite blogs - Greylikesweddings! Check it out!

Sarah