The Colors DUKE!

I was searching my brain hole for something to blog about today (because, I do not want to slip on my bloggly duities) when it hit me. I haven't really talked about the colors for the wedding!

Initially, I thought black and white with deep red accents (think, the color of a red rose) were the way to go. Then I started reading wedding blogs. Suddenly, my world was flooded with beautiful colors: blush pink and buttery yellows, muted pinks with pewter and charcoal, khaki and turquoise, etc. All of these color combos that I saw and loved crashed down on my black and white "classy" affair.

As I considered all of these muted palettes, I tried to figure out what “my vision” was. I considered what was important to me about the day. Is it important to have a high class function? Was it more important to have fun? How will I feel about these colors as I look back on my wedding day?

I ordered swatches of paper from paper-source and started looking at these combinations that I had fallen in love with. I discovered one thing, they just weren’t me. Anyone who knows me in real life will tell you that I’m anything but muted. For starters, I’m LOUD, it’s almost obnoxious. I’m strange, and have slight impulse control problems (if I think something will be fun, or funny to me, but doesn’t put other people at harm… I’ll probably do it). I’m bubbly; I’m one of those cheerful, laugh-y, excited people that everyone else hates. These colors were dull, and un-exciting, and NOT me.

Over time I realized what was important to me: that I have a kick-ass fun-filled party with good food, good friends, and picking colors that set a FUN tone became my goal.

I was flipping through a bridal magazine when I came across an ad (for a company that now escapes me) featuring girls is hot pink and iridescent orange dresses. I found my colors. Pink and Orange. In various shades (because, let’s be real, one dimensional colors are boring.). I’m planning on using bold shades, because, that’s how I roll. I’m so excited for things to start taking on more shape, and come together.

I got a special package this weekend to cheer me up.

It was my print gocco! After I unpacked everything that came with it, i decided to lay out the contents to take some pictures.

After that, i got so excited flashing my first image, that I forgot to take pictures, but i did eventually get a shot of my VERY FIRST print:

I think i messed up the flashing.  Either there wasn't enough carbon in the print, or I pulled the print off of the screen too soon.  Either way I like the distressed look it ended up giving me.

Eventually, my kitchen table looked like this:

I got some shots of the actual printing:

 

 

I know that i wasted a lot of precious space on the screen, but i was just so excited to use the gocco, that i didn't even care.

I even decided to emboss some of them to see how it would turn out, here's the inking with the embossing powder unheated:

and here it is after the embossing tool did it's work:

 

It's hard to tell, but it's very shiny, and raised, I'm not sure how I like it though for the invitations.  The edges aren't as crisp as i hoped they would be, and sometimes the embossing powder gets blown away and creates random shiny bumps.  I think I'm actually not going to heat emboss any of the invites or save the dates.  Maybe I can at least try it on one first.

So, now I have a stack of plain thank you cards.  I wont use these for the wedding, because this is just the generic "thank you" text that comes with the machine (they include several sheets of graphics that you can image.)

Today I've been working on the save the date, invite, and rsvp designns using my 30 day trial of adobe indesign (so, I guess I should finish them in the next month... )

meep meep.

So, I have made, important, official, wedding related decisions and purchses today.

 

Last night after getting my paper source (www.paper-source.com) swatch book in the mail, I decided I could officially settle on my colors.

 

Pink, and Orange.  And I'm going pretty bold with the shades.  But I love it.  It's the only color combo that I have thought could be perfect for longer than 24 hours.  I have seen inspiration in tons of magazines, and it constantly craws me in.  Is it as classy as my earlier likes (red black and red, tiffany blue and khaki, or blush pewter and black)?  No, it probably isn't.  But that doesn't matter.  What matters is that it is definitley more "me" than any of the earlier likes.  It's my two favorite colors, it's loud, it's cheerful, and it's fun.  I am not a subdued, quiet person.  I think these colors will set the tone that this is going to be a fun party, and not a formal affair.

 

I've been thinking about the colors for a little over a week now.  and last night when I saw the paperscource swatches, it was love.

 

This morning, I ordered A2 flat cards in strawberry, and A2 envelopes in papaya.  I also ordered several tubes of Gocco ink (in varying pink shades), and round labels (which will go through the printer fabulously) for adressing the front of the envelopes. 

 

So, there's no turning back now (though technically, I could turn away from these colors, since save the dates son't really need to match the theme).

 

I also made another important decicion, that i will probably get some flack for... I've decided that no one under 13 can come to the wedding or reception.  There are about 25 children I would have to feed, if all familys with children brought their kids along, which equates to about 1300 in food+bar.  So, instead, I'm going to throw a pizza party for the kids with some hired sitters, the party I was thinking could start around 2 or 3, and parents could stay for the begining (my wedding will not start until 7pm), then have time to go home and get ready.  The reception will go until 11:30, so I doubt many parents will want to have to deal with tired and cranky kids at that hour anyway.  There are kids that I know could handle it, and could behave, but there are more kids that I know could not.  And it would be incredibly rude of me to tell one parents they can't brings kids, while another they can.

 

I'm just not sure how to break it to parents at this point.  I was going to say something along the lines of "This is a night to enjoy yourself too!  Leave the children in the care of our capable sitters for a pizza party of their very own."  but i feel like that isn't firm enough... it feels like a suggestion instead of a "decree", but I can't exactly say "seriously guys, if something is screaming when i say 'I do' i will cut you" 

 

Any suggestions?  all of the books are telling me to do it ASAP, so I want to get the word out.

I have been wooed.

So, once i decided to make my own wedding invites, I stumbled upon something special.

The Print Gocco.

I have flip-flopped all over the place on weither or not I want to use one.  But then I decided, OH HELL, they're awesome.  I bid on one on ebay.  If I can't get one for under $100 I'm not going to get one at all.  Currently my ebay auction is at 30 bucks (yay).  But, there are still 6 days, so I expect that to change.

In other news, yesterday I booked a venue!  Oak Lodge.  It was a little bit over what I had budgeted.  But, it's a fantastic place, and the food is spectacular (I had been to one party there before).  we added on extras that I wasn't expecting (but that my mom wanted), like having frozen drinks with the open bar (Mom's justification: "Papa just LOVES Margaritas!"). 

Ah, the feelings of accomplishment!

So, last night after work, I headed to Michael's and picked up all the supplies I would need to do a "test run" of some of the ideas I have for save the dates.  I picked up the stuff for stamp embossing: powder, the heat tool, an inking pad, and some cheap cardstock.

 

After 2 or 3 test runs, i think I have the technique mastered (it's not nearly as hard as i thought it could be.), and it looks like it's going to turn out wonderfuly.

 

I'm going to order the paper materials from paper-source (because, they have all the prettyest papers).  I ordered a swatch book, and will make some color decisions as soon as it gets here.  I'm so excited.  Plus I priced invitations similar to the ones that I'm planing and I'm going to save a BUTTLOAD of money (100 save the dates letterpressed I'm finding around 600 bucks!  for ONE color!) and I honestly like the ideas I have better than anything i'm seeing out there.  I'm excited about this, and I know that I have a ton of great maids, who will be willing to help me stamp, stamp, and stamp when they're in town.

 

I'm starting to piece together some ideas for invitations too.  I'm so glad that at least something seems to be coming together in this vortex of planning. 

 

 

Ah, I feel so much better.

So, I meant to blog about how much better I felt about the work situation yesterday, but I forgot.

Then last night I went to the gym and Muscles showed me the boxing equipment.

So now I feel even better!

I also FINALLY made a decision regarding the wedding planning.  Not a huge one, but my first decision none-the-less.  I am going to make my own invitations, save the dates, and programs.  I'm not sure how much money it will actually save, because I'm looking at papersource for materials (I LOVE papersource).  But I didn't come to this conclusion as a cost-cutting measure, I WANT to make these.  I've been making my own cards for a while now for birthdays and thank yous.  I figure this is just taking my card making hobby up a level, and will give me a nice calming outlet on the weekends.  Plus this way, I can get EXACTLY what I want out of my paper goods for the wedding.

And I have tons of ideas, and I'm excited to sit down, and plan out my invitations and save the dates.   

Actually, i already have kind of a neat plan for my save the dates, I just need to make it cohesive, and then get a firm date set. 

What's the proper time to send out save the dates?  we have probably half the guest list coming from Ohio, so probably pretty early right?  at least a year in advance for planning?  does that sound right?

Aquarium... Out.

So I spoke with the people at the aquarium, and was not happy with the results.  First off, if we want to include an exhibit in the ceremony, the cost is nearly 8,000 for the rental, and then a 20k food minimum.

 

So. No.

 

That's ridiculous for what they're offering: 30 minutes with fish, followed by no aquarium access, and a reception in a rinky dinky room, with no tanks, few windows, and exposed HVAC systems.  No. Thanks.

 

I'm looking into a few sites nearby that I hadn't considered before, but will be meeting with the events girl (they're owned by the same company) in about 2 weeks.

 

In the meantime, I'm seriously considering having the wedding at my uncle's house.

 

Now, this is not exactly a regular house.  I have to tell you how the men in my family work.

 

When I was a baby, my Grandparents' house flooded.  For the third time.  Papa, being fed up with these antics went out and BOUGHT a land mover and built his own levee.  The men in this family do nothing "by halves" it's very all or nothing.  Back to my Uncle, he wanted to build an outdoor kitchen for cleaning fish after fishing trips.  This thing quickly became an entire RESTAURANT that he built behind his house.  It has three indrustial refrigerators, and two freezers.  Industrial grade stoves and ovens, not to mention a seperate flat grill (kinda like at waffle house).  Outside, he has a buffet station.  He has a fully stocked bar.  He calls this the "man room"

 

Oh, did I mention that he also owns one of the largest plumbing companies in the area?  Because he does.  That's where he gets all of this money that he has no clue what to do with.

 

Last fall, we had a family reunion that was hosted there.  Uncle R did all of the cooking (oh yea, that's another thing about my family, we LOVE to cook, and my Great Grandparents owned a restauraunt for a long time), the food was phenomenal.  He hired a bartender, and overstocked the bar.  He rented a "hot dog cart" for the kids, and even set up a whole "kids area" on the other side of the property with a bounce house.  He had a cigar bar.  And it was FUN.  We all had a fantastic time.

 

There are so many upshots to this set up:

1) I wouldn't need a "head count" for a caterer, and would be free to invite last minute geusts.

2) CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP, I could allot more funds for different things (Photographer, Cake, Flowers, DRESS, SHOES, etc.)

3) I know that the food would be fantastic, and that I wouldn't have to worry about a thing, also, we could put together a menu of whatever we wanted without . (True story, anytime you ask my Papa how a wedding was his answer always starts with "the food was horrible" or "the food was great" and he judges the rest of the event based on that)

4) We could stock the bar with whatever wines, liqour, beer we wanted without having to pay premiums "per person" if we know we're only stocking things 25% of the people will take advantage of (let's face it, why would I pay "per person" for an open bar when several of the people don't even drink, and several more will only have one glass of wine?)

 

The only downsides so far:

1) The dance floor would have to be set up where the "kid area" was for the reunion, meaning it would be totally seperate from the bar, food, and some people.

2) setting up/cleaning up would be our job.

3) we're already having the bridal shower there, and probably other parties as well.

 

I'm going to keep looking at venues, but right now, this is kind of the "front-runner."  We shall see.

 

Unusual Idea

I am toying with an unusual idea. 

 

I think it would be really neat to have my wedding at the Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans.

 

Thoughts?

Re: Amber's Comment about friday weddings.

My friend Amber made a comment on my last post.  One of the questions was about having a Friday night wedding to eliminate football drama.

 

The problem with that is that on Friday nights, we tailgate.  Yep.  My family sets up shop to tailgate more than 24 hours before the game starts.  We're hardcore like that.  RV's, grills, 3-4 coolers filled with beer, the whole 9 yards.  We don't do ANYTHING by halves around here.  And we're not the only family like this in town, so I really wasn't surprized to hear that the date was booked already. 

 

But anyway here's the other problem with Friday night weddings at the venue I like.  They are actually MORE expensive there, and they wont start the ceremony until 7pm.  Half of my family goes to bed at 8.  I'd like them to be able to enjoy the reception at least a little bit.  and I was thinking more like having it all run from about 5:30-10:30ish.  I would be alowed to do that on Saturday, but not on Sunday.

 

However, The more I think about the woman who I talked to on the phone (who is the woman who would become my wedding planner should I book the joint) the more I think that's not the place for me.  She was VERY pushy about me coming in as soon as possible so she could draw up a contract, and even wanted me to come in without my mom (who needs to be there, because she's paying, so ultimatley this is her decision too).  I don't like feeling rushed into anything with a contract, and I was less than pleased that she was giving me the "I don't know how long I can hold the 15th for you" bit when I already told here I wasn't sure about having it on a Friday.  I'm not signing contracts unless i'm 100% lady.  And that's that.

 

Anyway, i'm going to take it as a sign that it's not the place for me, and God has something else in mind.  To be honest, I wasn't very sure about the venue to begin with, it's owned by a somewhat famous chef (for the area) who I'm not going to name.  I have several friends who know him well, and he's not a very great guy.  He doesn't pay half of the people who do work for him, and assumes that if he gives you a meal ont he house, that's as good as payment (regardless of how much the payment was supposed to be for).  And I'm not sure I want to give him my bussiness. 

 

So, at least now it's settled that i know where my wedding wont be. 

 

I did happen upon another venue, it's outdoors, surrounded by trees, and has a gazebo on site for ceremonies.  It's cheaper.  The event staff (as far as i've seen) is very nice, and got back to me very quickly yesterday.  So, we'll see how that works out.

Stupid awesome football...

I'm having trouble with finding a workable wedding date.  I would love to have my wedding in March or April, because that's when Louisiana is at it's best.  I mean, top notch secnery perfect for an outdoor wedding.

But I want Amber to be able to comedown and enjoy herself, and have a mini-vacation.  I want her to be able to come down for long weekends and go dress shopping and help me with this crazy process.  And I know that unless I give her some time to re-up her vacation bank, and not to mention bank account She can't do those things. 

So, I thought maybe early October.  That's when it's starting to cool off, and things are still pretty great around here.  Temperatures in the 70s mostly, and fall leaves are pretty great too.  Well, My family is a football loving group.  So much so, that i have a gripping fear I will be planning a wedding for 25 people should I have it on the day of an LSU football game.  There is ONE weekend, in October when there is no game at all (the only free weekend for the whole season), so, a date of October 16, 2010 was set.  I called my dream venue this morning (which also happens to be one of the cheaper venues in town), and they're already booked for my date.  I don't want to move it to a Friday, and Sunday's are out of the question (what kind of party could i have the night before Monday? The answer is not a fun one.)

The next football-game-less weekend isn't until December.  I suppose I could have it during an away game, but then I pretty much have to have the game projected onto the wall of my recpetion if I want anyone to stay for the whole thing.  This would be easier if any of the games were ever during the day, then I could just have the wedding after the game (but risk sad guests if the Tigers lose).  But the SEC is nuts, and has all the games start at 7pm.

I'm looking around for other venues(I may have found a cheaper one that I might like better than the plantation!), and I hope I find one with that weekend open, but it's not looking pretty.  Now that I already set my mind on a Fall wedding, I don't want to move it up to the spring, because that extra 6 months would be really nice for the weight loss and the dress fittings, and the having time to plan.

 

So I guess the problem isn't so much finding the date, it's finding the place available FOR the date.

Anxiety and more crazy talk.

So, I think I've found the big "root" of my planning anxiety.  After posting yesterday about wanting to give up planning to get married by Elvis, I kept hearing "but that's not the wedding you really want" and "you've been planning this is secret for years, why give up now?"

 

Here's the problem:

 

I DON'T know what kind of wedding I DO want.

 

I've been thinking about it my entire life, but I haven't made a single decision.  One day, I want my colors to be Black, White Silver and Red.  The next day, I want pink and green, and on other days I want a rainbow of citrus-y colors.  One day I want an outdoor plantation wedding, the next day, I want a huge cathedral with EVERYONE, and other days I want a destination wedding on some private beach in Mexico with my parents and the girls I've picked to be my maids, hell, sometimes, I even consider converting religions because so many other religious wedding traditions appeal to me.  One day, I think a birdcage veil is wonderful, the next I want a lace mantilla, and other times, I want to skip the veil for a tiara or bejeweled headband.  When I close my eyes and try to picture my "perfect wedding" the ONLY clear picture is that Brett is standing there with me.  Everything else is just a rush of various images, and I can't settle on a single one.  Here's what I know.  I want Roses, and Dahlias, and I want my close friends and family there.  I don't think I want kids there, but with so many of Brett's relatives coming in from out of town, what am I supposed to tell them to do with the boogers (who I will want to see, just you know… not screaming while I'm trying to get married)?  I might want a second line dance, and I MIGHT want to do cake pulls (local traditions), but I'm worried that will make the Yankees feel alienated (and let's face it, at least half the guests will be yanks)

 

The more I look through magazines, the worse it gets, because the more ideas I get.

 

How can I narrow down my vision into one cohesive affair?  

Also, to clarify...

It's not jsut the money and my mom stressing me out.

 

It's also:

 

1. Brett's mom's reaction when brett told her he was going to propose was "Are you sure?"

2. One of Brett's friends is now refering to me as his "future ex-wife" (for no reason other than, she's a biotch)

3. Pretty much Brett's entire family (aside from his sister) don't seem happy for him at all, and that makes him sad, which makes me want to punch them for hurting his feelings.

4. I get the nagging feeling that in creating a wedding guest list I'm actually making two lists "People who are invited" and "people who will hate me forever"

5. I'm also pretty stressed out about work stuff right now as someone I've never met, in Seaford Maryland is going to decide if I'm staying with the company or not in the next few weeks.

 

I just want to go home, and go back to sleep.

 

 

 

Five Days.

Five Days.

 

That's how long it took from the day of my engagement until I had my first Wedding Related Panic Attack.  Admittedly it was a small enough one that I was able to calm myself down, and breathe, but not before someone at work stopped by to ask me if I was okay.

 

So, what set this off was that my mom sent me an e-mail that she wants to do the wedding for under $10,000.  Now, this is a budget I can work with, but apparently not one that she can.  I told her that at that price, with 200 people (we have two large catholic families), there will be sacrifices to the "really nice" (her words) wedding that she wants to throw.  She wants to have a served meal, and open bar.  For the caterer she wants 9,000 covers the lowest cost buffet meal and well drinks open bar for 3 hours with a 200 person guest list.  PLUS 9% sales tax, and 18% gratuity, which takes it over 11,000  Great, we're over budget, and I don't even have a dress yet, not to mention a place to EAT this food.

 

Here's the thing, I have an anxiety problem.  It's documented and everything.  I have NO anxiety WHATSOEVER about the Marriage that Brett and I will have, no reservations about the life we have built, and will continue to build together.

 

But this wedding is turning me into a mess, already.

 

So here's my question to you readers.  Brett and I are leaving for Vegas in 8 days.  I'm so tempted to get married by Elvis just so this will be over with, and Brett and I will be married, and I won't have to deal with planning.

 

Should I do it?

Spoiler Alert! It ends in you saying "Awwwww"

So, last night I got in from my big vacation.  Here's a short synopsis:

Got to see some GORGEOUS scenery (from my window):

 

Got to see THIS sunrise:

 

My dad ate a bug:

 

We ate WAY too much food (but it was all sooooo good):

 

I went snorkeling and saw some Turtles!!!!! (ps - I LIKE TUHTLES):

 

I went fishing (but didn't catch a damn thing other than a sunburn):

 

 And, now heres the part where you saw awwww:  I GOT ENGAGED!!!!!

I knew ahead of time that Brett was going to propse on my birthday, I just figured he'd do it at night.  Well the night before he started getting all antsy and insistant that I get up at 5:30 in the morning on my birthday and watch the sun rise.  So, i set an alarm and dragged myself out of bed.  Brett was already awake when i woke up, and he had tugged on his best shirt (a polo, so, he's not much for the "fine clothing" but, it was still a big deal for him) and styled his hair, so i figured, I should probably put on the dress I bought to wear.  I got dressed, and we headed down to the beach, where Brett had set up a heart in the sand:

 

He grabbed two chairs, and we attempted to watch a sunrise.  We didn't get nearly the show that we had in the picture above.  the sky got a TINY bit pink, and then storm clouds moved in, and it was daylight. I suggested that we go inside, but then Brett asked if i would go stand inside the heart with him.  He took my hands and delivered this great speech, of which i can only remember him starting with "you know, we've been together for like 20% of our lives" and ending down on one knee asking "will you marry me?"  The rest of his speech is lost in my memory forever, I was just too overwhelmed with emotions.  I grabbed the ring, and put it on my own finger before he had gotten to his feet, but then I took it off so that he could do the honors once I realized what I was doing.  We went inside, and showed everyone the ring (even though they had all seen it, and knew it was coming anyway).  We called all of the family members, and I spent the rest of the day, joining as many wedding websites as I could find with zero shame attached.

 

And also, here's some pictures of the ring: