A Callus Builds Character: Invites Part I

From the very beginning of the wedding planning process, I picked out things that I wanted to do myself. Invites were on that list. I, initially, picked out a design from DIY Bride Magazine but it was ruled out quickly. It was almost too DIY for me & looked cheap. I, of course, didn't realize this until I started looking at blogs, magazines, more blogs, and then some more magazines. Soon after obsessing looking at all of these beautiful designs, I changed my mind once four or five times & finally decided!

I've been trying to figure out what the best process was to make the measurements and cuts. After some serious trial and error, I finally found a system! I put a lot of time into them today (while watching WE Wedding Sunday!!) and I feel like I made awesome progress. I'm making them one step at a time and once I get one step done, I'll start the next. That way, I don't have to keep remembering steps & it just makes me feel more accomplished!

I believe that I have the beginning steps of a callus on my finger. That X-acto knife will get you every time! Ha! I'm about 25% done with the first step and this is only my second day working on these beauties and only the first day that I've felt good about HOW I'm making them. It felt good.

Now that I've started a new job *Ehhhhh! :)*, this is going to turn into my weekend (probably Sunday) project for the next few weeks. Hopefully, once I get through this tedious part, it'll be smooth sailing.

Since I think that all blog posts deserve photos, I'll leave you with some invitation inspiration (say that out loud, it's fun).

I <3 Etsy: Katie-Did Designs

This came from WeddingBee, but I don't have the link. Oops!

I <3 Etsy: Little Lady Company

Concepts II Completion

A lot of inspiration! Now, you can see why it took me so long to narrow down what I actually wanted. I can't wait to mail these babies out! .... in approximately 7 months. Ha!

The best of friends... Having so much fun together!

 

If you need the visual to appreciate Disney as much as I do, your wish is my command.

Or maybe you prefer a little Hangover action.

Okay, so here is what I'm getting at: I have the best friends in the whole world. I hope that you all have friends that email you in the middle of the day or late at night to ask you if THEY can make you something amazing for your wedding. Seriously?! Of course you can!

Recently, I had one of my amazing friends email me to tell me that she found something on Etsy & wanted to know if I wanted her to make me one because the price tag was a whopping $200! Uh, yeah... I do. :) I am already visualizing where I'm going to put this masterpiece!

This happens a lot! For the most part, anything that I have wished to have at my wedding (besides a pony.. lol jk.. I don't really want a pony, dad. ;)) has come alive, at least in theory. Even things that I didn't even know I wanted have now been added! Everyone is willing to pitch in! Last night, I went to an American Legion meeting and the women of the Auxiliary ASKED if they could help me.

I don't want to tell you all my wedding secrets, but know that there are a lot of tricks up these sleeves of mine & I can't wait to show you all the DIY awesomeness that I hope makes our wedding unique and lovely. 

I find it completely humbling that people want to take time out of their own, busy schedules to help me make our day perfect. I'm extremely grateful and if somewhere down the road I forget to tell you, I love you and I appreciate all the things that everyone has done and will do to make the day perfect for both Mr. O and I.

Bayside Bride Military Wedding Giveaway

Hi everyone,

I recently found out that Mark and I are finalists in a giveaway to win some pretty awesome prizes from baysidebride.com! I just got an email from them concerning the voting and this is what is said:

"Voting for the Bayside Bride Military Giveaway begins tomorrow morning at 7am on the Bayside Bride website and will continue until 5pm Sunday."

Easy enough, right? I'd love it if you all found a second to visit their website and vote for Mark and I! Some of the prizes include a cake topper, some custom stationary, assistance from a wedding planner, spa treatments, decorations, and more! The total value of the giveaway is $3,700!!! It would definitely be great to win, that's for sure.

Again, just visit Baysidebride.com starting tomorrow at 7am through Sunday at 5pm.Thanks in advance for everyone who finds the time to vote. Wish us luck!!

Raindrops on Roses & Whiskers on Kittens.

.... These are a few of my favorite things! If you got the title reference, you get 10 points!

Had anyone told me a year ago that I'd have a love for some of the most random things I wouldn't have understood. Now, knee-deep in wedding planning, I realize that I develop minor obsessions over some of the strangest things.

The last few days I've been trying to get as much done as possible since I'm starting a new job next week (Yay!). I've ordered the supplies for our invitations. I'm not ready to talk about that JUST yet, but I will tell you that I'm loving it! Well, no one else is going to have the love for them like I do, but I'm okay with that. I can't tell you how many countless hours I've spent researching cardstock. Cardstock! There's that whole "obsession" thing again.

Enough talking. Lets see the goods! These beauties have left me swooning for the past few hours... or days. Okay, months. You got me!

First and foremost, the fuel to my never ending wedding fire: 

If you're planning a wedding & you haven't checked out weddingbee.com you're crazy.

Beautiful Draping - By Invitation Only... (my DOC - Whoop!)

 

Japanese Masking Tape - Sky Blue Pink

Votive Candles - Honey Bee Weddings

Adorable Vintage-Inspired Striped Straw - Make Merry!

Persimmon colored KitchenAid (the staple for all wedding registries) - Amazon

"When the dog bites, When the bee stings, When I'm feeling sad.... I simply remember my favorite things..... And then I don't feel so bad."