9/25/2012

Kat & Mark's Wedding

I figured while I'm talking weddings I should probably get around to posting about Kat & Mark's...since it was over 3 months ago.  It was a beautiful Saturday in June, warm enough to feel like summer but with enough of a breeze that you weren't melting into the sand.
They had so many personal touches at every turn.  They even made signs from an old tree house of Mark's that led the way down to the ceremony site.
We spent a few minutes taking pictures of each other and the decor but before long the processional began.
I remember thinking they had such a large bridal party which seems funny now because Kat only had one more bridesmaid then I do and Mark has the same number groomsmen as Joe!  I was very impressed because her bridesmaids were all wearing wedges while walking in the sand and they all managed to stay standing.  I would have definitely fallen over!  The only minor snafu was a reluctant ring bearer, his dad ended up having to carry his sign and guide him down the aisle.
Kat looked stunning in her bridal gown.  She purchased it at an event to raise money for women with breast cancer and had to fit into the sample as there were no other sizes available.  She was really nervous about it being too snug but if it was, I couldn't tell.
Their ceremony was short and very sweet, there were even laughs and a few tears.  Next thing I knew the officiant was saying "you may kiss your bride."
After the ceremony we all walked a couple of block back to the house they had rented for the reception.  It was a cocktail style reception without assigned seating, scattered on the tables were small floral arrangements, shells and burlap runners.
They began the reception with their first dance and the parent dances.  Joe captured a fantastic picture of Kat and her dad!
There was plenty to do between the photo booth, corn hole and even a cigar lounge!
Kat's friend Katie served as day of coordinator and made sure everyone was on schedule all day.  She did such a phenomenal job and at such phenomenal price that we scooped her up for our big day as well!  She'll be making sure all of our DIY goodness is set up just right!
Mark's sister, Lauren, and her boyfriend took care of the cake and it was really lovely.  They even made a custom cake topper featuring Mark, Kat & their dog Charlee!
It was a really nice evening.  We all enjoyed fun finger foods and signature drinks while watching some interesting dance moves by a few guests.
The dance floor got pretty wild and crazy as the night wore on.  The party even continued back at our hotel room late until the evening.  Though I can't tell you much about it because I fell asleep pretty much the minute we returned to the room!



9/24/2012

double digits!

Can you believe it, we're 98 days away from the wedding!  We are by no means having a long engagement but still it seems like just yesterday I was putting things off because we had "soooo much time."  Now, I want things crossed off the to do list and I want them crossed off now!  Here's what we've been taking care of since I last updated you:

Striped Straws.  I loved the pictures from other weddings with pretty striped straws but it always seemed like they were in mason jars and our wedding is not that type of event.  Then one afternoon I was reading another blog post about striped straws and decided to check out pricing.  They were very reasonable and when I saw they came in black I decided we could find a way to make them elegant instead of "country."  Nicole found a sample on etsy with the couples names on the front and a glittery disc on the back, I was sold!  Then, at our last sweat shop session we knocked out 500 of these bad boys.
Bridesmaid Bouquets.  With 7 ladies in my bridal party I was concerned that the floral budget would be high.  Right from the get go it was decided that we would make them from paper or faux flowers or something.  When we stumbled upon these feather flowers at AC Moore I knew we had to have them!  Nicole and I played around but didn't love our creations.  My mom & Kat stepped in and offered to head the bridesmaid bouquet committee.  While this project isn't completed yet there has been lots of brainstorming and mock ups.  The plan is to finish them off this coming weekend.
Bridal Shower Outfit.  It all started back when my sister got married.  She had a special dress she wanted to wear from her bridal shower but since we wanted to surprise her with the event she had to turn it over to me to bring the day of.  While I shopping with Kat we spotted this adorable lace dress and Forever 21.  We were running low on time that day so I made a mental note to return soon.  Just 2 days later my mom and I ended up back at the store and I tried the dress on, super cute!  I also picked up a belt, necklace, bracelets & shoes to complete the ensemble.  And wouldn't you know someone stole it!  It was in my dining room with all the other wedding stuff and on Saturday night I noticed it was missing!  I'm guessing that means my shower is coming up soon?
Speaking of our dining room...It's been taken over by craft supplies and other wedding goodies.  I'm hoping to have everything done before the holidays so we stand a chance of actually having people over.  Right now Joe won't let me invite anyone over who isn't directly related to the wedding!





We had our engagement pictures taken!  I started by having Jessica come over for a cut and color since it had been FAR too long since my last one.  The best part about having your stylist come to your house, you can drink while your color sets!

 

We met our photographers (and my sister) at a local park and wandered around with a picnic basket and fishing pole taking what I'm hoping will be fabulous shots.  Shana acted as wardrobe coordinator, tossing me different pairs of shoes when the shot called for it and letting me know if my bra strap or spanx were sticking out!  We're supposed to have the pictures back by the beginning of October and I'm super excited to see how they turned out!



Tissue Packets.  I've always thought putting out packets of tissues for the more sentimental guests during the ceremony is a cute idea.  Nicole single handedly designed, printed and assembled these bad boys.  She did such a great job that I'm not sure I want to see people rip them open!
Lotto Tickets.  We are having a photo booth at the wedding and those photos will serve as our guests primary "favor" but I really wanted to give them something else.  The $1 scratch offs didn't seem like too much of an investment and no one can win more then $5000 so we won't be too sad not winning ourselves.  I found a cute logo online that says "Lauren & Joe Lucky in Love."  My sister's college roommate Dana has been doing the majority of our design work and tweaked them to match our color scheme.  All that was left was to punch out 175 labels.  Joe tackled that project one night after work (shirtless apparently) then I spent an evening putting the tickets and a penny in vellum envelopes and sealing them with our fancy stickers.  Why is it that cats always find it necessary to sit in the most obnoxious place possible?  I ran an errand mid stuffing and when I came back she had parked herself right on top of my work area...
Star Drink Stirrers.  Joe knocked out more then 600 of these bad boys while he was off from work last week.  We're planning to give them to the bartenders at our cocktail hour and reception for the shorter glasses that would look silly with the striped straws.  I'm sure I'm going overboard with all of these projects but I just really want our wedding to be memorable and different then your average hotel ballroom event.
I made a pit stop at Michael's when I was out that way picking up some new yoga pants at Old Navy.  Imagine my surprise when I rounded one of the isles looking for clear glass bubbles and found everything I've ever wanted for my wedding in one spot.  Unfortunately our local store didn't have any more of the bubbles we needed and they weren't sure when they'd be getting more in.  But seriously, mirrors and glitter and feathers, oh my!  If only I had an unlimited budget! 
Saturday night Joe and I were major party animals, we stayed in and worked on our centerpieces!  He set up the ping pong balls assembly line style and then we started filling the vases based on a sample we'd made a month or so ago.  We managed to finish all the small vases and will be able to knock out the large ones later this week!  Another project checked off the list!


On Sunday afternoon we were driving up to the Phillies game when Joe remembered that there is a Michael's in Deptford right off the Expressway exit.  We made a quick pit stop and were thrilled to find 3 containers of our precious bubbles.  Two 40% off coupons later and we were on our way to the game.  Now we just need to find one more and we're set!


9/21/2012

Congratulations!!

Carol & Chris are engaged!!
These  two crazy kids took a vacation to Greece and one of the first nights there Chris proposed!  They were in a restaurant and he bought everyone a round of drinks.  While Carol was trying to digest why he was buying everyone a drink Chris started giving a toast.  He told an entire room of total strangers how much he loved her then popped the question!  They stayed up late celebrating and the crazy woman called me from Greece to share the news!  We couldn't be more excited for them and can't wait for them to get home so we can celebrate!

Five for Friday ~ 9/21/12

1.  You went to bed at 9pm on your birthday (it was a Saturday).

2.  You encourage me to keep running when I really want to quit.

3.  You picked up dinner on your way home to make me feel better after a crappy day.

4.  You told me I look skinny.

5.  You're just as worried about my foot as I am.

August 2012