an eyelet and doily inspired wedding

These days, after 3 months of a particularly harsh and freezing winter, I find myself daydreaming about summertime fun in the sun! Can you blame me?!

So today I’d like to bring you my summer wedding daydream! Oh, if I had to do it all over again, I might have chosen a mid-June, outdoor, eyelet & doily inspired wedding! Talk about casual elegance! And, the number of ways you can showcase eyelet and doily details are almost limitless!

You or your flower girl could wear a fabulous (yet understated) eyelet dress. Your cake could feature eyelet- or lace-punched fondant. You could wrap your cylinder candle vases in paper doilies or eyelet fabric. You could purchase Martha's premade eyelet wedding invitations or decorations (fantastic prices, may I add)! You could use eyelet or lace inspired embossers or hole punchers to embellish your wedding paper, or adhere paper-lace doilies to a variety of your wedding paper like this fabulous DIY bride! You are limited only by your imagination!!

photo credits: Creative Odds 'n Ends, HWTM, Martha's Eyelet Collection via Redbook, Lee and Hamilton Blog, Lee and Hamilton Blog, Martha's Eyelet Collection via Redbook

our budget-friendly wedding III: DIY wedding paper

Almost every piece of our wedding paper was DIY. I didn't mean for it to happen that way, but as I researched costs of programs and menus and calligraphy escort cards, I realized that we could break our budget on wedding paper alone.

About a month before the wedding, I decided to pitch the "candle escort card" idea because I became obsessed with these little books. Obsessed! Inside these beautiful little books, I used a "Story of Us" book theme, which was also used throughout the rest of our ceremony and reception paper. It was entitled, "Chapter II: In the Beginning" and featured our tear-jerking engagement story. (Our menus [not pictured] were entitled, "Chapter III: Eat, Drink and Be Married," of course!) Unfortunately, my photographer did NOT get a shot of the escort cards in all their displayed glory. But, oh well, at least I have something. (I love how you can see the library books in the background!)

Next up are the Bride and Groom chair signs. This was a super quick project; seriously, it only took about 20 minutes, a printer, a xyron, and some ribbon. Of course, since our wedding, I've come across some really beautiful B&G signs, tied with thick, luscious ribbon, and now I totally regret not thinking that part out. But, oh well, live and learn...

Some of you may remember my original plans for our table numbers. Well, I searched and searched and couldn't find any "usable" digital images, so I forfeited that awesome idea, and went the super-easy route. This project was also extremely quick and cost effective. All that was needed were tent cards, a printer, and a xyron. Twenty minutes later, ALL of my signs were done - table numbers, bar menus, advice jar, everything. (There is an abandoned DIY project within these table numbers as well, but that's for a later post...stay tuned.)

(Disclaimer: Please excuse the quality of the next photo. We haven't yet had our final photography meeting, and therefore, have not received the final color corrected images.)

Our advice jars were placed in each of the large seating nooks. Apparently this was the perfect place for them, because EVERY SINGLE PERSON at our wedding left us a little note of advice. I almost feel guilty to have these little tid-bits of marital capital, almost like we should have to figure it out on our own... But, I'll admit, it was so much fun reading the advice with Nathan... One listed the author's version of the top ten marriage myths, the first one of which said, "it is actually okay to go to bed angry, as long as you make up for it in the morning!" It's almost too perfect, isn't it?!)

I expanded on the typical "advice note card" idea by fashioning library-check-out-advice-note-cards (which were inspired by this post by Creature Comforts). I made ours slightly larger than hers and customized it to read, "date: 11.01.08" and "issued to: Colleen & Nathan". I'll post the template in an upcoming entry...so stay tuned.

Last but not least are the programs. I can't believe I'm about to say this, but our photographers only got ONE shot of our programs, and it was only of the back cover. The back cover featured the chorus of "You're My Best Friend" (courtesy of i heart peonies inspiration), which is great and all, but I labored over the eight-page, all-inclusive, programs that featured a vellum pouch on the last page with a single tissue tucked inside...for their tears of joy. I'm so incredibly disappointed that I don't have a photo of them, because the hotel threw away the extra copies, leaving us (and anyone who was in the processional) with no keepsake. Bummer, indeed.

photo credit: Essence Photo and Video

related posts: Vendor Review IV: Photobooth, Vendor Review III: Wedding & Reception Flowers, our budget-friendly wedding II: ceremony, Vendor Review II: Hair and Make up, our budget-friendly wedding I: Attire, The photos are in!!!, Vendor Review I: Reception Music

running with the library theme

This weekend, I researched DIY projects like a mad woman! There are so many great "how to" resources out there, many of which I'm sure you're familiar with, but some of which I haven't seen featured on too many sites... I hope to feature several of them, to give props where props are due, but after the wedding, of course. I can't add another thing on to my plate!

In the meanwhile, for any of you running with a library theme (which is random, I know, but may be relevant to some), Creature Comforts featured a great little library card DIY project that you might use for a Save the Date or a Favor Gift Tag... I'm not positive, but, I think I'm going to use them for our "advice cards" (for our Wishing/Advice Jar).

The wedding is in 26 days and I still have so much to do... Thankfully, only some of it is "necessary", like the programs, place cards and menus...everything else is just fluff... It's all just fluff...

PS, coffee table book update: I'm totally not buying any Chicago coffee table books - they're like $50 each! Instead, I'm going to the library and renting them for free! Yay for budget-friendly ideas!

photo credit: Creature Comforts

program inspiration

Programs, programs, programs... I can't tell you how obsessed I've been with finding program inspiration. I really want to do something with a bow closure - like the ones below - but, would that just create more work for me? Any thoughts would be super helpful...

photo credit: theknot.com, style me pretty

Menu Inspiration

Thank you, Weddingbee, thank you! Long ago, when I first started this epic journey they call wedding planning, I came across a photo of escort cards in the form of little books... I thought to myself, I have to do this (considering our reception location is a LIBRARY)! Perfect, right? Then, I promptly lost the source, and pined over the memory of them for months! Then, today, Miss Hot Cocoa of the Weddingbees, posted a familiar photo of little books and boutonnieres. I recognized the source immediately, and the memories of the escort cards that could-have-been came flooding back! Rebecca Thuss, of course! Jeeez! How is it even possible to forget the magnificence of Rebecca Thuss!!!??!??? Regardless, feast your eyes on these little books that will become our menus (yes menus, as we have already committed to "escort candles"). I LOVE THEM?! Absolutely PERFECT!!!!

photo credit: Rebecca Thuss

Invitation Crisis Averted

If you had spoken to me last week, you would have heard me complaining about how much I HATED my invitation set. I received a sample in the mail (which I requested to merely double check ink colors), and I noticed the paper weight was about 1/2 the weight as it was advertised, the enclosure cards were cut unprofessionally, the return addresses were crooked, the matte color was PINK - not mauve, and the list goes on and on. It was bad!

So, naturally, I got right down to the business of finding new invitations, and expected that I was going to eat the cost of the crappy invites (after all, I contracted this lady on Etsy, and I kind of thought it was my own damn fault for not ordering a sample from the get go!)!!!

Then, Saturday afternoon rolled around and a package arrived. I ripped open the box and started riffling through it. It was our completed invitations. I must admit...I was pleasantly surprised. The paper was back to the 80lb weight that was advertised, the cuts were straight...etc. They still didn't look as good as they had on Etsy, but they were not NEARLY as bad as the sample. Not nearly.

So, now I'm attempting to find a new matte color (because rosey-pink is SO NOT what I wanted), and making them just plain "prettier". I'm definitely going with Ruby Stardream for the 5 x 7 matte. As for liners, I'm considering the same envelope liner (which comes pre-cut and pre-creased). But, I've also look through the dozens of specialty papers at Paper Source and Paper Mojo (thanks Ami @ EAD!). I'm not sure what I'll ultimately go with, but I know I've got quite a bit of DIY to do from this point. The next two weeks are going to SUCK.

Lesson learned: not everything needs to be budget friendly... If I had just gone to a god damn stationery store I would have avoided this entire situation!

guest book...check

Our guest book came in! Woohoo! Enji Beck Handmade Books and Invitations is the mastermind behind this bound creative masterpiece. The pages are removable (typical post bound), which was important, as I will be printing 2 photo strip borders and text lines on each page... I like things to be neat and in order, and I couldn't stand the thought of my grandmother's well-wishes being written on a slant! Ha, just kidding...I have my quirks...but I'm not that bad.

The photo below is a bit deceiving. Our book has the same aubergine katazome print and eggplant linen, but it's 9.25" x 10.5" (so long, not tall), and it has "hidden" posts.

Anyhow, I would totally recommend Enji Beck - she is professional, quick, and perfect!

monogram love!

Our monograms have come in!!! I LOVE, Love, love them! Charlotte over at Delovely is a doll! She got the color scheme immediately, and she was all too happy to make the revisions I requested. I could not be happier! (And, I still can't believe that they were only $20!)

We're going to use the "Colleen & Nathan" mono for our programs, while the "Colleen C Nathan" will be used on our cocktail napkins and menus! Then, the bottom two are going to be used for water bottle labels (I think I'm outsourcing this to Charlotte as well)! I'm not too sure if we're going to brand our OOT totes...the impracticality of it... But, I'm considering placing a small iron-on monogram on the inside of the tote...kind of like a merchandise tag...cute, eh?

Save the Dates...

It dawned on me that I never posted my save the dates! Well, here you go. They were double sided: business in the front, party in the back :). I don't love the way they turned out, but I'm not mad at them!

Monograms...I love them!

I love, love, love monograms. Love them! I was on Delively Designs, admiring Charlotte's b-e-a-utiful work, when I saw her pricing... $20.00 for four, four, stock monograms! But here's the most amazing thing. There are nearly hundreds of designs to pick from, and really there's nothing "stock" about them! So, naturally, I emailed her immediately and order some! I mean really, $20.00 is like a week's worth of Starbucks. I can totally stay away from Starbucks for a week! I will be sure post my wonderful monograms as soon as I get them!

Inspirational DIY Stationery

I've been doing my research on as many DIY Save the Dates and Invitations that I can get my hands on... It's amazing how crafty some of you are. For instance, Mrs. Daffodil not only to created the most b-e-a-utiful invite, but she wasted, like, NO paper whatsoever. Seriously, nearly every strip of paper was put to use! And, she was even kind enough to create a complete set of instructions.

Amber from My Aim Is True created the MOST AMAZING photostrip Save the Date I've ever seen. So amazing, in fact, that my fiancé and I created our Save the Dates a la Amber's... Ours aren't nearly as amazing, but they're pretty close. I'll post them once they're back from our printer (Print Xpress, $25.00 for ALL of the printing and cutting).

Lastly, Ms. Cupcake totally inspired me to layer, layer, layer, use bold colors...oh, and round my corners! I am totally confident that our Eggplant and Pomegranate color scheme will read as well as her tartan and chartreuse color scheme. AMAZING!

clip art, what?

I was so happy when my fiancé opened the mailbox yesterday evening and said, "oh great, another wedding magazine..." I promptly snatched it out of his hands and said, "another wedding magazine, another wedding magazine…really? This is Martha Stewart!” Of course, I proceeded to spend the rest of the evening reading the mag from cover to cover…

I hate to say it, but there were only a couple of articles that really caught my eye. There was one in particular that I may even use in my own wedding. In the article, Click, Print, Fete, Martha somehow managed to make even clip art, yes clip art, unique and attractive! And, what’s more, some of the clip art designs go with our Vintage Chicago theme!!! I particularly liked the place card designs…super vintagey swirls…I love it!

We’ll see if I actually use it, but for now, it’s stored in my google docs…for safe keeping (read: our laptop pooped out a couple of weeks ago, and all of my files, yes, ALL of my files went with it…unless we want to pay the Geek Squad $250 - $1,699 to do some serious data recovery…and there’s no guarantee that they will even be able to do it!!!)

Anyhow, I'm a fan of Martha's clip art...what about you?

i love iStock!!!

My prayers have been answered! After weeks of losing sleep over our invitation design, I have come across iStock.com. Royalty-free vintage graphics galore! Creating our invites has just actually become an option. And, I don't have to worry about them looking "homemade" (i.e., BAD) anymore. This designer has a huge selection of vintage graphics (scrolls, corner swirls, lace-inspired medallions, etc.) I'll be sure to post a couple of examples of our invites in a bit.

Speaking of DIY stationery - I just found this AMAZING spin on a Save the Date. Apparently the couple took this picture at the cafe (and at the very table) they first met, and they photoshopped themselves (and their kitten) into it! So inspirational! I think I've been inspired to do something cool like this for our STD's!

photo credit: A Practical Wedding

Stationery Drama

I consider myself a DIY kind of a girl. If I can do it myself, then why wouldn't I, right? However, this is proving to be more of a problem than I ever imagined. For instance, our Save the Dates and Invitations should be a total synch on Publisher or Photoshop, right? Not so much. I can't find a single graphic that I like enough to print out and distribute to 80+ people... The stationery sets the tone for the wedding; it's the very first thing people will see...and that's a lot of pressure! For now, I'm going to continue browsing different stationery options, and see if I can find something good... I'm off to Paper Source this weekend. Hopefully it will be a successful trip.