I'd like to interrupt this incredibly exciting, post-filled day to show you a little something I came across while surfing the net. Yeah, I said it. That way.
You know I love a bargain. Like, I LOVE a bargain. There's nothing that makes me happier than knowing a got an absolutly fantastic deal on things- especially wedding related things. I mean, really. I'm still talking about my wedding dress that I got for three times under my budget.
Another lady that loves a bargain is The Broke-Ass Bride. You might know her from another alias, Mrs. Meatball on Weddingbee. This girl is hilarious! And not only is she funny, but she's smart. Anywho- I could sing her praises all day. While catching up on old posts I came across this fantastic idea for a bargain wedding cake. Yeah, that is a Rice Krispy cake. Awesome!
Would you ever think of doing something like this for your wedding? What's the biggest kick you've gotten out of a wedding bargain? I'd love to hear your stories!
Let me tell you, some of the hardest decisions to make are what should be the easiest.
Sean and I had three options for a Christmas tree:
Use my miniature artificial tree to save money.
Buy a bigger artificial tree, which is bad for the environment, but would be reused for all of the foreseeable future. Also, doesn't need water, doesn't demand vacuuming, etc.
Buy a real tree, which is what both of us grew up doing.
I posed this question to the internets and here are two of the 20 responses I got on Facebook:
"Real trees blow. Go with a large fake one, they aren't expensive, they last for years, and best of all they don't flare up seasonal allergies."
"Real. It's biodegradeable and it'll smell like Christmas. Even the Apple Store has one. Think about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, there's bound to be one plastic tree up in that mess....."
I decided that since it's my first Christmas with my future husband, my first in our new home and my first in Newport News, we should go with real. I'm here to say: So far, so good. Watering isn't too much to ask and Sean quickly vacuumed up the needles.
We went to Dean and Don's Farm Market on Warwick Avenue in Newport News, which was such a great choice. The trees sold there are farmed in Floyd, Va. and each is tagged with a name and a price. We saw "Carly Simon," "Hannah Montana," "Bullwinkle" and some other fun ones, but we brought home a handsome fir named "Thing 1."
We also brought home a Target pre-lit artificial wreath to hang on the porch door.
I wish I could say decorating was easy. Sean has a bit of a reputation in his family as a Grinch and I think I might have been a bit grinchy for both of us. I'm a very particular, very just-so kind of person, which makes me a terror when trying to trim the tree.
We didn't have enough white lights for a big tree (since I only had lights for a mini tree), so Sean graciously went out to Target to get two more strands. Then he brought those home and we found he'd bought white cord lights, to which I said, "WHITE CORDS? WHITE CORDS? WHO ARE YOU?!" So he went back and exchanged them.
And hours later, after two trips to Target, several breaks to watch a very anticlimactic Amazing Race finale and other distractions, we finished. And may I say, I think our tree is gorgeous.
I set up my new glass jars (to be filled with candy) in front of a mirror with a garland I used to drape on my mantel at my much-missed Staunton apartment.
I trimmed the garland with my IKEA diamond-shaped lights. LOVE them, but I don't love that LED color.
Most of my ornaments are ones I've had since childhood. I dug and dug through the box to find my favorite -- a glass ballerina. So gorgeous.
And we bought Sean an ornament of his very own, one of two on the whole tree. We need to buy this boy some ornaments, stat!
Lounging Around: Taylor Creative & Your Wedding Reception
I was so impressed with Taylor Creative's booth when I attended the New York Magazine's Weddings event in April. So I made sure that I kept up with what they were doing. Don't you just love these chairs. So perfect for your outdoor soirée. I especially love the clear option. Gives your outdoor party a taste of modernism. See how creative you can be at your reception with Taylor Creative.
Merry Christmas From Our White House Florist Laura Dowling (Recipe Included!) Holiday wreaths
Apple and berry wreath What you'll need
1 12 inch straw wreath form Stem wire Floral wire Floral picks (4 inches) 35 small red delicious apples 1 bunch of red holly berries 1 bunch of red rose hips Trailing English ivy
Directions
Pierce apples through the center with the stem wire. Working from side to side on the front of the wreath, wrap wired apples around the form, twisting tightly in back to securely fasten each piece of fruit. Cover the entire wreath form with apples. Cut small bunches of berries and rose hips (about 2 – 3 inches in length). Wire the berries and rose hips to floral picks. Add the bunches to the wreath, interspersing the berries among the apples. Wrap trailing ivy in and around the wreath as a finishing touc http://www.lauradowling.com/
I bought them. These babies have been on wedding blogs all over the country, and what's not to love? The color is beautiful, and the frills are so girly and fun. I decided to try a nude-peach"ish" heel with the rehearsal dinner dress from the below post. We'll see if they live up to the hype.
*On a site note- I think Zappos should start compensating me for all the endorsements I provide*
I'm not sure why, but this lovely photo by Alicia Bock immediately sent my mind to a beach house-inspired wedding. Something with washed out blues and sun-bleached whites, beachy textures like linen and seashells, and a feel that is both lovely and relaxed. I'm really excited about our wedding plans, but I do love the idea of renting out a beach house for the weekend, and hosting all of our favorite people for a low-key wedding weekend. If you were to host a beach house wedding, where would it be?
Mood: beach house simplicity Palette: seaglass, sand, white
Alison Bank from First Comes Love Photography sent over this charming wedding, and I think both the photos and the story from the bride are great reminders to anyone out there who feels like pulling their hair out over wedding planning. Says the bride, Carolyn:
"Don't plan too long or too hard. You have to listen politely to the suggestions of family and friends but in the end this is your day and it should be what you want so don't feel bad about saying no. We planned our wedding in less than 5 months with very little stress and I think that relaxed and fun attitude came through on the actual day."
And they came through in the photos, too!
Close friends played music during the ceremony and reception.
Carolyn wore a sundress by Ralph Lauren for her August wedding.
From the bride, "We had a lot of help from friends with various areas of expertise which really helped keep our budget down. The invitations, flowers, wine, music, and some of the produce for the dinner were all provided free of charge by friends in those businesses. We purchased all our liquor at Costco and hired a bartender, which greatly reduced cost of the open bar. We let the setting be the decor and kept the linens and decorations simple."
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