If life wasn't crazy enough with working on our home, Ryan and I getting used to living together after having opposite schedules, trying to figure out my place in the photography world, enjoying our adorable lil' nephews Evan, Forrest, and Levi plus Vivian, our adorable niece... Ryan and I also have a puppy or at least is the size of one, Jack, who is a Jack Russell mix! How fun and YES, and a little crazy, but we wouldn't have it any other way!

Friday, February 26, 2010

BIG and FAKE?!?


I've been looking for earrings I'm thinking for noticability (not a word) for the simplicity is to go BIG... which means either expensive or FAKE, well CZ isn't fake, but its no diamond!

I'm looking for princess cut, as simple as possible... and well big... since I will be having my hair in a low updo with the only jewelry being my diamond bracelet and my AMAZING ring! :)

Here are some I was liking.... let me know what you think! If you want to see size-wise go to emitations.com!

Monday, February 22, 2010

More decor...

What I purchased tonight was a few rolls of 19' grapevine garland... the idea which I got from a wedding K. Holly took, see the link below, is they used the grapevine as deco on the head table winding it threw out the top with candles and tableware.

http://www.khollystudios.com/blog/2010/01/29/katie-luke-married/

Why not use grapevine... it is a Leelanau themed wedding, isn't it?!? :)

I also found another adorable way a person used Blue Ball Mason Jars, sparkler holder! I wish it would be darker when we get married but unfortunately it will probably still be a lot of day light to use the GIANT sparklers...



Sunday, February 21, 2010

YIPPEE To the HONEYMOON!

After a few hours at the travel agent yesterday, we decided and booked our Honeymoon! Secrets Silversands Rivera Cancun... HERE WE COME!

From September 13 to the 20th, we will be at the ultra modern resort! We hope to get massages again and make a trip to Cancun or take the boat over to Cozumel.

When we got engaged we were at Secrets Capri... so it only makes sense to go back to Secrets to celebrate our special day! :)

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Coupons Anyone!

I know that I said lets try to go order dresses March 6... but I found out this coupon only runs until February 28!! I'm willing to go earlier... like Feruary 28, if you want to try to save $10 more!

Monday, February 15, 2010

Quick Stop at Michaels

Gave up on my search for an antique 1/2 gallon Ball Blue Mason Jar... so I bought a 1/2 gallon regular Ball Mason Jar for my bouquet on the head table for the wedding! I also picked up some adorable 1/2 size sand pails to be used one way or another for the wedding... or for the bach parties I'm planning! :)

Also found another star for the houses wall of stars! Got to love a good trip to Michaels or Hobby Lobby! :)

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Etsy... Brides Best Friend!

Elyse has been using Etsy to find beautiful and "one of a kind" like items for her wedding. Obviously, when you go in to a bridal shop you know there are about a thousand or so other brides that have bought that same item in the area. But for the bride who wants a more creative unique item visit Etsy!

I have found bird cage veils, bridesmaid hair pieces, personalized signs, and wedding gifts for others all on Etsy! The pricing is reasonable and all the pieces are so unique and some even customized!

I look forward to seeing how everything comes together in the end! This won't be a no cookie cutter wedding... thats for sure!

The BRIDESMAID Dresses! :D

I've been very wishy-washy when it has come to bridesmaid dresses cause I want the ladies happy and looking fabulous! But from the sounds of it, I'm not the only one that goes in to bridesmaid dress shopping want the girls to pick what they like. I thought letting every girl pick their own style would be the easiest but as time went on I noticed not every material looked good in combination and to give more style options, we looked at 2 designers. Than I got worried about matching colors with 2 designers. But you forget time is a factor too... and with about 6 months to the wedding it really is pushing the ordering of some designers dresses.


After a lot of thinking and stressing... I've come to a decision! We are going to go with the Liz Fields style #230 in Tiffany. Which makes me think of Tiffany & Co. blue! :D

Jenni and Vanessa rode down to Beckers with me! I'm so thankful for their feedback and support. They made the decision so simple! As funny as it is, they told me to think more about myself than all of them and to do what makes me happy, which is what a lot of the married ladies have been telling me! Thank you girls... I'll do a lot of babysitting for you to make up for all the help you given me so far! :)



Here is a pic of me in the long version of the dress! I am also going to order it for my rehearsal dress just not sure what color! :D (Ignore the hair and how PALE I am!)

Also, talking about dresses, Linda, my mom-to-be, bought an adorable dress to wear to rehearsal! She is going to look fabulous! :D

One more thing down! :D YIPPEE!!! Getting so excited...

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Let's get the Party Started!

One more thing down... Yon will be Dj'ing/MC'ing our wedding!

Jill and Yon have been friends since probably middle school! I was lucky enough to know his sister, Andrea, who is one of the sweetest most talented people I know!

So how could we not have Yon and Party in a Box!

Looking forward to Yon's energy and spirit guiding our reception!

IT WILL DEFINITELY BE A PARTY! :)

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Trip to Fowler, MI!

Weather permitting... I'm going to make a trip to Fowler to stop in to Beckers Bridal's Bridesmaid Shop! I need to leave the vicinity of Grand Rapids to hopefully feel comfortable with whatever decision I decide to make about the bridesmaid dresses. They have the dress that I've been talking about below in the blog to try on. I, personally, was going to order the long version for myself without trying it on but the short version would make an awesome bridesmaids dress, which means I better see it in person before I ask others, "will you buys this to wear in my wedding".

Would anyone like to ride along with me?!?

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Since it was mentioned...

Here is the short version of the wedding/long bridesmaid dress that mom and I just LOVE!
It would be an ADORABLE bridesmaid dress... but I know you girls really are about trying stuff on and seeing how it looks and to this point this dress isn't an option cause they don't have it in the Spring Lake shop yet! Maybe I can find it else where to try on!
I've not tried on "the" dress but I've tried on one almost exact! It's perfect for the beach and a good possible dress to where again?!? (maybe)!
It needs about 90 days to order but it would be a dress that I'd say everyone would have to wear. I'm trying to be as flexible as possible making sure everyone gets an opportunity to find something they like but I also want pictures to look awesome of all of us and I also want to make sure you all look good when your together!
Just some of my thoughts... if you only knew how stressful this bridesmaid dress decisions were on me... ugh... I thought my dress would be the hardest! :) I know its hard to understand but I'm doing my best not to be a BRIDEZILLA!

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Rehearsal Dress?!?!

It took me a little bit to decide on my wedding dress... before I made my decision I had found one that was perfect for the feel and venue of our wedding! Well I found the identical dress at Spring Lake Bridal and am thinking cause it's not crazy expensive that maybe I'll buy it as a rehearsal dress?!
Its from Liz Fields who is a newer designer! Spring Lake is the only place around that carries her at the moment... what do you think? Am I going overboard with wanting this dress too?

The white is the wedding dress version and the grey is the bridesmaid dress version... the bridesmaid dress comes in many different colors! Might I add... the wedding dress is $230 and the bridesmaid version is $190!

Bridesmaid Dresses... When to Order?!?

Hey Beautiful Bridesmaids! Jilly and I made the visit to Spring Lake Bridal to pick up her veil and we talked to them about ordering. We will want to schedule a visit coming here in the end of February/beginning of March. Turns out that Alfred Angelo dresses are made in China so we need to make sure to give ourselves enough time to come and if they need any altering.

What about February 27th or March 6? I know this is going to be tricky for Jenni.... cause the baby should be here. Its my fault for putting this part off...
Here are some that Jill tried on to pick from... remember Jill is like a "0" so they are a little big, especially the one with her and the funny face...
(I think this higher neck is her favorite)