Wedding Wednesday - I Couldn't Resist

I know it's been a long time since I've done a Wedding Wednesday post, but I just could not resist when I saw this on Pinterest!  It took J and I a long time to come up with groomsmen gifts, and I know that if I'd seen this while we were planning, it would have been a STRONG contender!

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As are so many amazing things, this is an Etsy product!  The seller (MyPersonalMemories) has a lot of great stuff on her site, but these are definitely my favorite!  I loved that it's something that's personalized, but more importantly USEFUL!  Don't get me wrong, the pocket watches we gave to our groomsmen were great, and I liked the idea, but I'm guessing they aren't carrying around in their pockets all that often.

You can check out this and all my pins on my Wedding Wednesday Pinterest Board!
Happy Hump Day!!

Wedding Wednesday

By the time you get around to planning the rehearsal dinner, you may be exhausted and completely out of brilliant ideas.  I wish I would have thought of this super cute idea...

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So much fun in this cute little bag...

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They included a wedding day schedule and a list of phone numbers with the title "Call Anyone bu the Bride"... GENIUS!!!  Simple, modern, and a little bit quirky... what could be better?!?!

You can check out this and all my pins on my Wedding Wednesday Pinterest Board!

Happy Hump Day!!

Wedding Wednesday

As you saw on Monday, I really love lace.  There is something so classic about it, and it just screams ROMANTIC to me.  For anyone who is trying to really pull in a vintage feel to their wedding, you can't go wrong with lace, and when I saw this amazing accessory, I had to share!!!

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It may be something that is more appropriate for a bridesmaid than a bride (depending on the bride's dress), but I don't think you can go wrong with something that is delicate, but makes a great statement!

You can check out this and all my pins on my Wedding Wednesday Pinterest Board!

Happy Hump Day!!

Wedding Wednesday

I found this really awesome aisle runner turned "love time line" that I just love!!

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From what I can tell, it starts with photos of them as kids, chronicles their first date and so on... how cool is this!?!?!  It would be so fun to look at old photos and memories as you make it, and what a cool thing for guests to see!  If you're someone who doesn't want anyone walking down your aisle, though, you'll definitely have to block this out... guests will DEFINITELY want to see this!!

You can check out this and all my pins on my Wedding Wednesday Pinterest Board!

Happy Hump Day!!

Wedding Wednesday

I just love the creativity that can be used when making Save the Dates.  I have seen lots of photobooth save the dates, but there was something about this one that I loved even more than any others I have seen... maybe it's the way they've edited the photos so the colors stand out!

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You can check out this and all my pins on my Wedding Wednesday Pinterest Board!

Happy Hump Day!!

Wedding Wednesday

As any bride who has worked tirelessly on things for her wedding, the morning of my wedding started with a much needed cup of coffee.  If you are a coffee drinker and have bridesmaids that are too, these would be a really fun thing to add to the scene... such great pictures!!!

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You can check out this and all my pins on my Wedding Wednesday Pinterest Board!

Happy Hump Day!!

Wedding Wednesday

I thought an inspirational photo would be a good way to start of the month of September!  I still see wedding photo ideas that I love and I can't help but share them here, for those of you who may still have a need for them  :)

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How strikingly beautiful!!!  I'll definitely be sharing this idea with my cousin whose wedding is exactly 31 days from today... HOORAY!!!!!

You can check out this and all my pins on my Wedding Wednesday Pinterest Board!

Happy Hump Day!!

Wedding Wednesday

It's nice to have something to read while you are waiting for the big event to start, but nothing beats a wedding program with some personality...

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Check out the link for the entire program and it's contents.  I must say, not just any couple can pull this off, but if you are one that can, you gotta do it!!

You can check out this and all my pins on my Wedding Wednesday Pinterest Board!

Happy Hump Day!!

Wedding Wednesday

If you are someone who doesn't think that giving money at a wedding is personal or thoughtful enough, here is a way to dress up those dollars and make them more fun!

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I think one of the things I love most about this picture is that there are $2 bills in this balloon... where do you even get those anymore?!?!

You can check out this and all my pins on my Wedding Wednesday Pinterest Board!

Happy Hump Day!!

Wedding Wednesday

As you may remember, we had sparklers for everyone during our exit from the reception (our little piece of 4th of July on our July 2nd wedding day)...

Our awesome Maid of Honor and Best Man were in charge of getting everyone's sparklers lit and they did a fantastic job, but how fun would it have been to have these

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This site lets you personalize the match boxes however you want, and they look so great!  If everyone had their own matches, it would be a great way to make sure your sparklers all get lit  :)

You can find this and all of my Wedding pins on my Wedding Wednesday board on Pinterest!

Happy Hump Day!!!

Wedding Wednesday

I'm back with more cake inspiration.  I know that a lot of people want their cakes to make a bold statement, but I am all for a statement being made with simple elegance.  I just love these three cakes... they are beautiful and ornate.  I am so drawn to them!!!

Ross Ben-Israel on WeddingClan.com

Zoe Clark on WeddingClan.com

Mark Joseph on MarkJosephCakes.com

You can check out all of my Wedding Wednesday pins on my Wedding Wednesday Pinterest Board!

Happy Hump Day!!!

Wedding Wednesday

The one thing that I wish I would have changed about our wedding day was the amount of time we spent having fun on the dance floor... it wasn't enough.  We felt like we had to go to every table and talk to every person, even though none of those interactions were very long or meaningful.

These aren't going to get you out of writing thank you notes, but it's a great way to show a little bit of gratitude to your guests on your wedding day!

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You can check out all of my Wedding Wednesday pins on my Wedding Wednesday Pinterest Board!

Happy Hump Day!!!

Wedding Wednesday

The second I saw this on Pinterest, I wished I could go back in time and buy it for my flower girl... what an amazing gift, and what an amazing opportunity to be a special part of her big day down the road.

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Although your 3-6 year old flower girl may not fully appreciate this right now, I bet her mom would and 20-or-so years down the line, I can see this little keepsake meaning everything to her.  Yes, it's kind of expensive, but I would have splurged for my cute little cousin who was SO in love with all things bride and wedding leading up to our big day last year.

You can check out all of my Wedding Wednesday pins on my Wedding Wednesday Pinterest Board!

Happy Hump Day!!!

Wedding Wednesday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!  Yep, today's my Birthday and what am I doing for my special day???

Working...

Oh well, 29 is not a big Birthday and we have a fun weekend coming up!  More to come on that, but first, one the THE COOLEST things I have ever seen.  I loved the stickers we made and used in a bunch of different places in our wedding, but this is an amazing option for those people who want the wax seal look without the mess...

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You can check out Inspired Goodness for the DIY tutorial.  I would call it moderately difficult, but if you are not doing a billion invitations, this could be a really nice touch to give your inside envelope a little extra flare!

You can check out all of my Wedding Wednesday pins on my Wedding Wednesday Pinterest Board!

Happy Hump Day!!!

Wedding Wednesday

Happy 4th of July!!!

I'm currently up at the lake, enjoying some family time, and hopefully you are having a great holiday!

In 2014, July 4 will be on a Friday and I'm sure there are plenty of people that will be ready to jump on that day for their wedding.  Hey, fireworks are cool but expensive and if you get the right location, you can look out the window and have them for free!!

Although red white and blue can be fun...

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It can also turn from just enough to WAY too much really quickly.

Keep it simple and find ways to accent rather than blanket.  Since we got married on July 2, we wanted to incorporate something "4th of July-ee" so we went with a sparkler exit.

www.catiescaptures.com

www.catiescaptures.com

www.catiescaptures.com

www.catiescaptures.com

Make sure your venue allows it and that you have PLENTY of space between you and the lines of sparklers.  We met a girl on our honeymoon who spent her wedding night in the hospital and had 2nd degree burns because someone dropped a sparkler down the front of her strapless dress.

If this pop of patriotic is not enough for you, I have the perfect touch...

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If you are dying for the stars and strips, this is a great way to incorporate it!

You can check out all of my Wedding Wednesday pins on my Wedding Wednesday Pinterest Board!

Happy 4th of July!!!!

Wedding Wednesday

Only a few days away from my cousin's shower!  I'm working on the list of stuff I have to get finished up the night before the shower (when I actually arrive in Ft. Wayne)... one of things is to go buy the flowers for the vases.  The other, is to build one of these!!!

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Mine is going to look a little different, but you get the idea!!  This is what we are doing in the place a cake... with a brunch shower, I felt like this was much more fitting!

You can check out all of my Wedding Wednesday pins on my Wedding Wednesday Pinterest Board!

Happy Hump Day!!!

Wedding Wednesday

We are doing a bridal shower brunch, so naturally there will be some sweet stuff on the menu, but I still want to do a dessert for the party.  We have a few options that I'm choosing from, and still trying to figure out which the best option is... maybe we'll pick more than one... you can never have too much dessert.

Make your own fruit pizza... pretty and practical!!

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ORRRRRRRRRRRR

A fruit tart with lemon custard.  

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Fruit tarts are usually pretty hard to make (if they are good), and I think it would be more fun for people to make their own fruit pizzas.

Chocolate covered raspberries - we can put them in white and dark chocolate

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ORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

This is another version of the chocolate and raspberry combo

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I can't decide which I like better.  The second one is obviously the easier of the two options, but they just don't look as pretty, and I'm afraid it won't taste as good.

Just like the drinks... I'll probably just have to make them all and try them  :-D

This stuff is not on my Wedding Wednesday Pinterest Board, but you can find them all on my "Sweet Stuff" Pinterest Board!!

Happy Hump Day!!!

Wedding Wednesday

A signature drink can make your wedding day, but it can be equally important to make a bridal shower memorable.  I'm still trying to decide between these beautiful drink options.  I haven't tried any of them yet, so that's probably going to be what really help me make the decision.

First contestant: Bubbly Love Potion

Pink lemonade, raspberry sherbet and sprite.

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Second Contestant: Lavender Lemonade

This one is SO pretty, but the idea of making/drinking Lavender Lemonade is kind of scary.

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Third Contestant: Princess Punch

Pineapple juice, pink lemonade, ginger ale and strawberry ice cream

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Fourth Contestant: Summer Strawberry Pineapple Cooler

Pineapple juice, lemonade, club soda and fresh strawberries

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Which one should I pick????

This stuff is not on my Wedding Wednesday Pinterest Board, but you can find them all on my "I Need a Drink" Pinterest Board, where you can also find some fun adult beverages, in case you need one on Friday!!

Happy Hump Day!!!

Wedding Wednesday

The next few Wednesdays will be dedicated to my cousin, Hannah, is getting married in October.  She has always been like a little sister to me, and she is also one of my best friends.  I was SOOOO excited and touched when she asked me to be her Matron of Honor and I'm even more excited to be hosting her bridal shower in July.  We found this a while ago and absolutely LOVE it... we are doing a Saturday brunch for her shower and this was the inspiration for the perfect invitation.

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Instead of going with this super cute invite from Wedding Paper Divas, I decided I'd make my own.  Don't get me wrong, theirs definitely looks more professional, and I had to fuss with mine quite a bit, but here's what I came up with to go with the specific color theme that my cousin wanted...

You can check out all of my Wedding Wednesday pins on my Wedding Wednesday Pinterest Board!

Happy Hump Day!!!

Wedding Wednesday

About a year ago, on Memorial Day Weekend, I had the most amazing weekend with friends and family as I had my bachelorette party in Chicago and another bridal shower, hosted by two of my aunts, in the same city as our family lake house, where I've spent a very significant part of my life.

The trip to Chicago started off rocky, and getting bumped off our flight meant that the Cubs tickets that J got us went to waste (so sad that I still haven't made it to Wrigley).  When we finally got there, things started looking up!  We ate a lot, we drank some :) and we went all around the city.  We even took some time to get an education on our weekend of fun by going to the Museum of Science and Industry.

The Bride-to-Be has to be dressed up

Waiting to get into Garret's to get some popcorn

Science & Industry Museum

Howl at the Moon

After a fun couple of nights, we took the train from Chicago to South Bend and then rented a car to take us to my bridal shower.  My only Aunt on my dad's side, Sandi and my Godmother/Aunt on my mom's side, Debbie put the shower on for me.  Aunt Sandi makes me taco salad every year for my Birthday so when she offered to do the same for my shower, I could not pass it up!  We had the shower in her church and it was lots of fun!  We played games and ate GREAT food and had a great time!

Cake Table

Great decorations

The whole group

Best Flower Girl ever!!

What a great weekend... I can't believe that was a year ago!!!