♥ Our Wedding Day ♥ (Again)

My Thoughts ♥ Bouquets (again)

2012-03-02T10:29:00.002-05:00

So, now that I have FINALLY found my dream dress (picked a dress, couldn't get it, settled for a dress and then last night found the dress of my dreams and exchanged the dress I had for it...story of my life), I can really get down to the nitty gritty of planning for our special day. My husband gave my the reigns (at least I hope) to plan most of it, so I am ready.

So I am revisiting my ideas for bouquets and decor since the style of my dress has changed. I am really into the vintage styles of brooch bouquets. Its totally different, no 2 are alike and its really me! I was researching online on how to make one since I am gonna be doing as much as I can in DIY projects (posts coming soon) and I came across this one on Fancy Pants Weddings! I am SO using this pattern for mine. Maybe not with so many rich colors (even though they are beautiful), but something really close.

photo courtesy of Fancy Pants Weddings

First step in this process is to start looking for and buying/obtaining brooches. I cant wait to start on this project and once I do, of course, I will let you guys know!

♥

Chanda

Back to planning FINALLY!

2012-01-16T11:57:00.004-05:00

So, it's been over a year since I have posted anything here, or even continued planning for that manner. But time has crept up on me and we are at the 1 year, 8 month point so its about that time! I have a dress, but of course, I am not sure if that's the one. I work in a bridal salon, so we have a particular dress that scheduled to be in our store next month (February) and I am super excited to see how it looks on me *crossing fingers*.

UPDATE: (03.02.12) I totally GOT the dress and I LOVE it!!!!

So here's to a new year of brighter days and long nights of planning! I hope to achieve everything that I would like to have done. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated, so dont be afraid to chime in!

Talk to you soon!
Chanda

My Thoughts ♥ Lighting

2010-10-22T17:41:00.000-04:00

I have been researching this topic for a while now. Whether or not to use lighting at the hall. It already has an ambiance to it (when the lights are dim) but to add just a little touch of personality to it, the though has crossed my mind.

I dont want this to turn into a spectacle show or some kind of carnival (that's my main concern. I cant even get a visual in my head as to how everything would be set up. But this is something that I have contemplated. So in browsing the web, I saved a
few pics of some lit up receptions (colors aren't the attention here) and you guys can let me know what you think!

Having Fun! Photo Booths

2010-10-18T11:54:00.014-04:00

I absolutely, positively NEED to have a photo booth at the reception! There is no way that I will be 100% complete if there is not one present.

I have been doing some research and there are so many different companies providing the same service, but with completely different pricing (which concerns me). If I go with someone that is cheaper than another, will I still receive the same service and perks? I am completely lost at this, but determined to find one that will fit everything that I want.

Most of the companies have:

♥ 4-6 hours of unlimited photo taking

♥ A professional host

♥ Setup and Breakdown of Booth

♥ Your choice of color, black & white, or sepia prints

♥ One copy of each session + reprints for free

♥ External monitor w/slideshow of pics as they are taken (not all of them provide this)

♥ Custom design/logo for your photo strips (not all of them provide this?

♥ CD of all images (both strips and individual photos) from your Event

♥ Web gallery for one year (password protected if you choose)

While others have more or less (not different by much), I have seen a range in price that goes from $450 to $1235! WOW!!!! What is the main difference? All the photographs in the galleries pretty much look like they have the same quality.

I am gonna list some of the sites BELOW that I came across that I am CONSIDERING (in Michigan) but I still have a long way to go!

(click us!)

The Traveling Photo Booth

Big Shot Photo Booth

Photo Booths for Less

My thoughts ♥ More Favor Ideas

2010-10-18T09:57:00.001-04:00

Okay. I know that in the last post I said that I was "only gonna have CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES & a CANDY BAR" as my favors, but I had a change of heart. I am not only going to have those BUT I have added a third favor to the list
. I am thinking about doing this because I would like people to actually take something home that isn't perishable and that they could maybe use. Here are some ideas that I stumbled across at a site called Party Favor Mart.

all photos compliments of Party Favor Mart

My Thoughts ♥ Favors and Candy Bars

2010-10-17T19:01:00.009-04:00

So I have been trying to get everything out of my head and put it on paper as to everything that I am considering for this renewal. The next few posts will prob be about my thoughts and not necessarily any projects.
So I have been thinking about favors and the only thing that makes me smile on the inside are CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES. I have been over every thought and the one thing I keep coming across are CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES! I am not sure of how creative I am gonna get with them, but unless there is something else that comes across my path that is more exciting, please believe that I will have CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES (last time, I swear, lol) as my favors.

Another idea that I have been wanting for a long time is a CANDY BAR table at the reception. I just think it's the best idea someone could have come up with. This will MOST DEF be somewhere in the hall.

I have some pics (as usual) of some ideas that I have to draw from. Let me know what you think!

My Thoughts ♥ Bouquets

2010-10-16T17:54:00.009-04:00

Hey Everyone! So at this point, I am in my creative phase. After looking at this really nice blog called The Diy Bride (even though she ended the blog recently, boo for me), I got inspired to think of different ways to personalize our renewal ceremony.
The other day, I had a brain fart and came up with a wonderful idea on how to craft our aisle runner (which I will disclose at a way later date), but this brought a lot of attention to the type of bouquet that I want to carry. When we were originally married, I made my bouquet using silk flowers and feathers (which I am in total love with feathers) and it turned out GORGEOUS! So here are some suggestions for a bouquet using mainly flowers and feathers and some have just only feathers! Let me know. Is it a GO for feathers? (P.S...my fav is the one above...like you didn't know, lol)

I even found feather table decor...LOVES!!!!

My Thoughts ♥ Centerpieces

2010-10-13T09:54:00.012-04:00

I sat down and had a talk with the hubby last night and he thinks that I am rushing into things. He thinks that I should not wear a full blown wedding gown, just a "nice lil dress", yet he is gonna be "BLACK ON BLACK ON BLACK" WITH THE "FINEST FABRICS", lol.

I looked at him as if he was speaking to me in Mandarin and said "I dont think so, playa!" I am most definetly going to have my moment they way he wants his. We have decided not to have a bridal party since its only a renewal which I am perfectly fine with). Why make people go out and by stuff and we are already married? Makes no sense to me. Its just going to be us, the kids, his mother and her common-law husband, lol and my grandmother (accompanied by an usher) walking down the aisle. Very short and sweet.

Back to the planning. So he must not realize that there is time involved and careful decision making. Its not like we have all the time in the world. We both are working parents with opposing shifts. We barely have time to sit with each other on days when we both work. So yes darling, I am gonna be on it because I want everything to be planned and put together just right!

So the next few things that I am gonna start working on are decor, setup and a color scheme. He is wearing all black and I am wearing white with either red suede or satin shoes (I dont believe in the tradition of only wearing white if you are a virgin. If it looks good, WEAR IT!) We were invited by the hall directors to come in and view an actual reception in progress at the end of the month. So I will go and check it out and get some ideas.

Here are a few things that I had in mind, not the colors just the idea.

(all photos compliments of TheKnot.com)

I have found a place!

2010-10-12T14:02:00.005-04:00

So Terry's (my husband) job held their annual job fair at this place and he came home immediately and said "I have found a place for us!" At first I thought "Oh Gosh!", but then I said ok, lets check into it.
So I went up there today (not even a mile from where I live) and I FELL IN LOVE!!!!! Its absolutely GORGEOUS and I cannot wait to get started with decorating

Here are a few snapshots of the place.

Bathroom

Hall

second half

first half

This place has EVERYTHING that we are looking for! You have the option to either rent half of it for $600 or the whole thing for $1200. Of course we want the whole thing because this is going to be the site for the ceremony and the reception. It holds 700 people INCLUDING the dance floor. So with that, we will have access to BOTH kitchens, they have a staff that sets up and breaks down. Only thing we practically have to do is decorate! The security is $300 and you make payments until you pay off your balance. I was shocked that they had their calendar open for 2013. They are already booked up for 2011, so we are going to be putting our deposit down IMMEDIATELY!!!!

Until the next post, Stay beautiful people!

Thanks for stopping by!

2010-10-11T14:33:00.003-04:00

Hey Everyone and Thank You for stopping by. I (Chanda) will be the one mostly moderating this blog, updating you on our renewal journey! I think this will fun and I cant wait to see what the next couple years has in store for us!