wedding festivities {& picture overload}

Last weekend, one of my besties from childhood tied the knot to her high school sweetheart!

The wedding & reception was held in downtown Savannah at the Mariott! Beautiful place.

Since I was a bridesmaid, I wasn't able to snag any pictures of the ceremony unfortunately.

I stole this one from Jess - who by the way - was the Wedding Coordinator and did a FABULOUS, fabulous job :)

Rehearsal dinner was held at Skyler's downtown. Very romantic setting!

I'm a sucker for white Christmas lighting and fancy votive candles EVERYWHERE.

It was gorgeous.

And the food was amazingly good.

Lightly battered chicken breast, steamed vegetables, and an angel hair pasta?

You can't go wrong with that choice.

{Me, Jess, and Rach (high school friend & hair stylist) at the rehearsal dinner}



{Lacey, Rachel's babygirl, stuck me against the wall while playing 'hide-n-go-seek' and said 'stay right here, just like this'. }



{The Mr. & I}

Thank goodness for Cliff's baby sister Madison, who is.. 15.. or I would not have been wearing this cute little number I have on.

I freaked out Wednesday night when I realized I was two days away from the rehearsal with nothing in my closet to wear.. cute, of course.

My dearest Madison heard my frustration cry & came to my rescue.

I walked in to work Thursday morning to a stack of about 10 a-d-orable dresses waiting to be tried on.

I owe her big time.

{beautiful friend, Ashley!}

{Bridesmaids}

You can't see my heels, however, I was stressing about those as well. I'm a flip-flop all the time kinda girl & haven't bought cute heels since I don't know when.

Friday afternoon (yes, before rehearsal), I sweet talked Cliff into leaving a little early and stopping by a shoe department store on the way.

I walked out of there with 2 pairs for $50!

Reg. $34.99, on sale for $15.99, got an additional 50% off

Total price: $7.99

Orginally, I walked in looking for these. I actually wanted the closed toe, but they didn't have me size.

After walking in these for half an hour, I was dying already.

They need some serious breaking in.

{Decorating the table settings after the rehearsal dinner.}

Bachelorette fun: masquerade theme

A few weekends back, we hit the Opera Club in Atlanta for the Bachelorette getaway!

a little shopping, lots of eating, and a night out on the town.

xoxo, Lovies!

Have a great weekend!

bridal luncheon & bridesmaid gifts.

i hosted a bridal luncheon the saturday [june 4th] before our wedding for the bridesmaids, mother-in-law, and my mama to attend.

a new, local catering company called "it's thyme" provided brunch.

we had it at an old pond house owned by fellow friends and church members.

the theme was rustic / vintage.

an assortment of old jars & bottles lined the center of the table,

the rolls were tossed in a wooden box draped with a cloth napkin,

we poured water & orange juice from a glass pitcher.

it was great.

since we're from the south, you know we had to have grits for breakfast!

our mini grits bar consisted of shrimp & gravy, butter, shedded cheddar cheese, and sausage & gravy.

for desert, we enjoyed peach smoothies.

shortly after, i passed out all of my goody bags to the ladies.

each bridesmaid bag consisted of:

pair of pearl earrings

matching pearl bracelet

burlap broach

monogrammed wooden hanger

embroidered flat iron cover

for the maid.of.honor,

she received a [different] necklace with a matching pair of earrings.

for cliff's step-mom, april,

we purchased her a monogrammed necklace off of etsy

along with a monogrammed black burlap jute bag

for my mom,

we also purchased a necklace & [pink] burlap jute bag off of etsy.

her necklace said "mom, for all you do and all you are... thanks"

i'm an overly emotional person and mushy gushy stuff, i just can't handle

this gift was perfect. i didn't have to say a thing. it said it for me!

[a picture of me & all of my ladies, except one]

wedding wednesday's: updates

86 Days to go!

Do I freak out now or later?

Just kidding.

I think I'll make it.

I never knew weddings were soo much in depth.

Decisions, decisions, and mooooore decisions.

Whew.

June 10th, can you please hurry?

Thankyoumuch.

----------------------

Upcoming calendar:

3.12.11--1st Dress alteration appointment in Atlanta/ordered veil

3.15.11-- Hair color appointment/Hair trial #1

3.18.11-- 2nd Alteration appointment in Atlanta (Bring home dress) 

3.19.11--First Bridal Shower!

4.8.11-- Bridal Portraits

4.10.11-- CWF Bridal Shower (at my families church)

4.23.11-- Bridal Tea with Cliff's family

5.28.11--Bachelorette Weekend!

6.4.11-- Bridesmaids Luncheon

6.9.11 --Rehearsal & Dinner

6.10.11--The BIG Day!

  

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Still left to do:

Bridesmaids dresses: 4 out of the 7 are ordered!

Groom's tuxes: Cliff says he is handling this part..

Invitations: we purchased several kits. we are actually behind schedule on printing & assembling these. We tried to print them from my Mom's computer a few weeks ago and the printer kept snatching the paper sideways! I'm hoping to work on these this week & figure out an easier solution.

Wedding bands: I purchased my wedding band last week! After days of searching online, I found the band I was looking for at overstock.com! I was impressed. I recieved the band within two days after ordering. It's perfect!

Beauty regimen: I have nasty Crest Whitestrips glued to my teeth as I'm typing this (which would be last night). Yuckk. Does anyone else use these? They make my mouth seriously water like crazy. I realize this is disgusting, but I have to spit constantly.. they're horrible.

I've been trying to tan when I find the time. It used to be convenient before we moved & left the tanning bed at my Grandma's. Now, making the 5 minute drive out there (sad, I know)& wasting 20 minutes of precious time is kicking my bootay.

Hair cut & color: a few weeks ago I got my hair trimmed & my stylist chopped it underneath to make it lighter! Yesterday I went in for a color/hair trial appointment. I did what I said I was planning on doing back in February.

Bridal Portraits: April 8th from 3:30-5:30pm at the Botanical Gardens with our wonderful photographer!

Dress Alterations: I spent this past weekend in Atlanta for my first dress alteration appointment. We drove in on Friday night & had plans with my FMIL for Saturday. Some of you may know, me and my FMIL own a vinyl monogramming business called Embellish Boutique. This past weekend in Atlanta was a wholesale show at the Atlanta AmericaMart. Saturday morning was spent there shopping for new inventory!

At noon, we pulled into LaRaine's & I slipped on my dress!

We were originally quoted $150 for all alterations needed. ALSO due to the fact we live 4 hours away we were told prior to making the appointment, that ALL alterations could be done for us in a single day to eliminate the need to return back to Atlanta for a second time.

Hummphhh. Here comes the bad part.

As I am about to slip on the dress, LaRaine herself comes be-bopping into the dressing room. She looks at me and says, "I know we said $150 for the alteration, but there's no way we can do that. Our seamstress is one of a kind and very, very talented. Therefore, something like this normally costs a few hundred dollars. I am going to have to charge at least $250."

Say whatttt? Are you kidding?

You mean to tell me we drove 4 hours down here and you NOW want to tell us the alterations we were originally quoted at $150 are now being up'd to $250. Nuh,uh. I don't think so.

We asked her to pull our file, where clearly SHE (LaRaine- the owner) had wrote the quote and attached it to our paperwork.

Thankfully, it was there & there was no way in heck she was changing it now.

Next, things are progressing along and the question arises about how long it will take to make all of the alterations.

Note: we were told WHEN WE MADE THE APPOINTMENT that all alterations could and would be done the same day of our appointment.

"There's no way we can do this today." they said.

I'm sorry..did I hear you correctly?

You can't do it today??

And why not?

"We have a bridal show tomorrow and we are preparing for it! There's no way I would have time to do this today."

Ok, well can we possibly pick it up tomorrow?

"I can't have it done by tomorrow either. It'll be a few days before I can even get to it."

Are you serious??

We literally drove 4 hours at $3.50/gallon for you to tell us that you 1) are going to charge $250 rather than $150 and 2) that we are going to have to make a 2nd trip to Atlanta to pick the dress up because the alterations can't be done in a single day.

I was fuming.

But, I figured.. hey, if you want the dress to look and fit as it should.. just let them take their time and do it right.

Okkkk.

So that's where we're at.

We have to make ANOTHER (#4) trip to Atlanta to pick up the dress for the LAST time.

Alteration costs (plus new additions & veil)= $529

Bump in the road? Check!

Bridal Showers: My first bridal shower is this coming up Saturday and I couldn't be more excited! It's being hosted by 10 of our family members and over 150 people have been invited! It's going to be held at Cliff's church's reception hall.

All of the invitees received a blank recipe card along with their invitation. They were asked to fill it out with their favorite recipe & bring it along to the shower.

My Christian Women's Fellowship of my church have offered to throw me a second shower. It's going to be held on April 10th.

On April 23rd, we are traveling to Florida for the day in order to meet with Cliff's family for a Bridal Tea.

Bachelorette & Lingerie: My MOH and BF Brooke are busy planning the Bachelorette weekend agenda and lingerie shower for Memorial Day Weekend!

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I think that about sums it up!

Any wedding stress reliever tips?

ha.

♥

meet my lovely ladies.

[the poems you will read were typed on card stock and sent out as "will you be my bridesmaid" invites. check out my previous post to catch the sneak peak on that!]

Well, 

Here they are... 

Meet Amy

Maid of Honor- High School Friend of the Bride: 

Amy,

You have always been there, more than just a friend.

You know just who I am and everywhere I've been.

You're the one who I can turn to, any hour of the day.

Seems, I only have to think of you and you'll be on your way.

No matter where life takes me, no matter where I roam.

When I'm with you my friend, my heart feels right at home.

So on my wedding day, I will need you more than ever.

Please be my maid of honor now....and my friend forever.

Will you be my Maid of Honor?!

Meet Jenny

Bridesmaid- Sister of the Groom:

Jenny,

The day that I marry, our families will blend,

you'll be my sister and also my friend.

It's so very special to know you will be,

a part of this day, a bridesmaid for me.

It's just the beginning, of our brand new life.

as your brother and I, become man and wife.

Thank you for adding to my joy.

Will you be my bridesmaid?

Meet Brooke

Bridesmaid- College Friend of the Bride:

Brooke,

Our friendship just gets better, through every passing year.

But it really has been this one, that I hold truly dear.

In helping with my wedding, and knowing you will be,

sharing in this day, by standing up for me.

You've taken something special, and added from your heart,

all the things that made us friends, right from the very start.

And though our lives are changing, our friendship will stay true.

This my heart will count on, as my life begins anew.

Thank you for being such a wonderful part of my life.

Will you be my bridesmaid, please?

Meet Taylor

Bridesmaid- Cousin of the Bride:

Taylor,

On the day that I marry this wonderful man,

I hope by my side you will proudly stand.

It's meant so much to have you near,

so many things have changed this year.

The one thing on which I could always depend,

was endless love from you my friend.

Thank you for all the support that you lend,

but mostly I thank you for being my friend.

Will you be my bridesmaid?

Meet Arien

Junior Bridesmaid- First Cousin of the Bride:

Arien,

To ready for a wedding there's just so much to do,

from choosing bridesmaid's dresses, to finding something blue.

I see so very clearly, how this weddings only one,

of the many times you've helped me, when things needed to be done.

Simply to say thank you, just doesn't seem to share,

the feelings here inside me, when I see how much you care.

You are so very special and my heart is grateful for

the friendship that we share and will be forevermore.

Thank you for adding joy to my life.

Will you be my junior bridesmaid?

Meet Madison

Junior Bridesmaid- Sister of the Groom

Madison,

The day that I marry, our families will blend,

you'll be my sister and also my friend.

It's so very special to know you will be,

a part of this day, a bridesmaid for me.

It's just the beginning, of our brand new life.

as your brother and I, become man and wife.

Thank you for adding to my joy.

Will you be my junior bridesmaid?

Meet Ally

Junior Bridesmaid- Cousin of the Bride

Ally,

To ready for a wedding there's just so much to do,

from choosing bridesmaid's dresses, to finding something blue.

I see so very clearly, how this weddings only one,

of the many times you've helped me, when things needed to be done.

Simply to say thank you, just doesn't seem to share,

the feelings here inside me, when I see how much you care.

You are so very special and my heart is grateful for

the friendship that we share and will be forevermore.

Thank you for adding joy to my life.

Meet Hannah

Flowergirl- Cousin of the Bride:

Hannah,

You are so very young, but the years will pass by

and you'll too be a bride, in the blink of an eye.

While you may not remember, the day that I married,

the part that you played, or the basket you carried.

There will be a day, that will burn bright like an ember.

The day you will wed, you will always remember.

So here is a hankie, for the day you will say....

"I need "something old" for my wedding day".

All My Love Sweetheart.

Hannah's "will you be my bridesmaid" card was a little different than the other girls. With her's she got a little gift. I ordered a woman's hankie and got her initials embroidered in hot pink with my wedding date underneath. 

Take a look:

will you be my bridesmaid?

Asking your close friends and family members to be a part of your wedding day is one of the first fun things you get to do at the beginning of the wedding planning process. Some can absolutely not wait to and ask immediately after the engagement, some wait a few days to make a special phone call or some sit down with a friend at dinner. Me, I like to put a little creativity into everything. So, I thought, what better way than to make them a keepsake to send thru the mail to all of my chosen girls in order to remember this one time occasion?! So this is what I did. I thumbed through my old stack of card stock for scrapbooking and found as many sheets of chocolate brown and hot pink as I could. I googled "bridesmaid poems" and printed them out on the hot pink card stock sheets.

With a little cutting here, and pasting there, this was the final product.
The girls are getting them in the mail!
I've already got phone calls & texts from my little ladies :)


Tomorrow is "Meet the Ladies". Come back to check it out!

10 cute ideas for asking friends to be a bridesmaid or maid/matron of honor:

1. DIY Bridesmaid card: create a paper chain with the amount of bridesmaids you are asking to be in your wedding. customize each paper girl with the hairstyle of your lovely ladies. check it out in full detail by clicking here!     
2. You can buy a Bridesmaid's Handbook and present it to her. It's filled with all the tips of a bridesmaid's duties, from speeches and toasts to how to throw a party and beauty tips.
3.  Send your friends a Be My Bridesmaid Cookie!

 4.

Customize individual wine glasses. 

You can either ask your friends to dinner at a favorite restaurant &

give these out as gifts for them to open all together. 

Or, invite them over for a girl's wine night and have them open the glasses all together then.

 5.  Mail out cute individual sayings on card stock to each chick in the colors of your wedding theme.

 You can label it on the inside/back with a Tim McGraw "Check yes or no" format. Or, include the details regarding your big day: location, date & time, and maybe a picture of the bridesmaid dress you have chosen for them, or the name of the store you will be buying them from.

6. Create a "will you be my bridesmaid?" crossword puzzle card.

click here for the DIY instructions.

7.  Purchase "The Maidens" t-shirt (or another kind, of course) and drop them in the mail. Most of your girls will be local, you could even drop some by on the front porch while they aren't home. Everyone loves getting a surprise package in the mail or seeing one on the front porch.

8. Find an old picture of you & your gal pal (preferably one that could be used as black-mail). Then, create a greeting card asking your friend to be in your wedding party. 

 9. Since most of your girls are probably local again, invite them to dinner and drinks on you. 

Take a few moments to make a toast, and before toasting ask them to be your bridesmaids. 

You can all toast to one big "yes!"

10. Treat the most important ladies in your life to a group pedicure...while relaxed and enjoying each others company, express to them that only your bridesmaids deserve the utmost treatment!

They'll flip out right then and there!