Wedding Planning Update- Just 4 More Months!

As time creeps by ever so quickly, we now have only 4 months until the wedding! I've started to get really excited and really, really panicked. I feel like there's so much that needs to get done and I'm so worried it'll be left until the last minute. The last thing I want is to be left scrambling! It felt like we didn't do very much this month, but typing it out made me realize how much we actually did. It goes to show how much planning is involved in a large scale event! 

Wedding Mood Board- I created a mood board for the wedding, since my Pinterest board seemed to be all over the place. No one has really done the theme that I am doing in the color scheme that I want to use, so it's been nearly impossible to narrow down the look based on other people's photos. I took a few hours to look at what I wanted specifically, and created a mood board on Canva using one of their templates and this video. It was really helpful to narrow down my style! 

Went shopping for my mom and sister's dresses- we checked out Macy's, Nordstrom, and Estelle's Dressy Dresses this month. My mom found a nice dress at Macy's but she's not entirely sure about it, so next week we are going to the store where I bought my wedding dress to see more options. They have a huge bridesmaid and mother of the bride section there, so here's to hoping we can cross that off our list. 

Thinking about favors and escort cards- John and I started thinking about how we want to do our escort cards and what to give out as favors, and we started looking into what to order online. We also wanted to give out some fun swag to our guests, so we looked into that as well. I'm hoping we can order that stuff this month and get it out of the way! 

Invitations- we are behind on ordering invites, but we are trying to get this done! Either my sister is going to create them for us or we are going to get some pre-made ones from those giant catalogues. 

Related: Disney Themed Backyard Engagement Party

We booked our honeymoon! We are going to Disney World for about a week and I'm so excited. We are staying on the Disney property for the very first time, at the Disney Swan Resort. I got a little over eager though, and booked my plane ticket as my married name. I figured I could change it easily even without us being married and I think I was wrong about that. Whoops. That's what I get for using Friends as a tool of reference. So I need to get that sorted out. 

Extending the reception- Since our reception ends at 10pm, I decided we should probably extend it by an hour. 10pm seems way too early, and since our resort is in the middle of nowhere, it's not like we can go to a bar. I mean, there's one on the property but it's pretty far from where our rooms will be. So I think extending is worth the money. 

We attended a wedding- I know that sounds a little weird, but attending another wedding really helped us understand what we wanted for ours. The wedding we went to was beautiful, upscale, and formal. The ceremony was religious, and it seemed like they spared no expense to make it a great evening. It was probably the opposite of what our wedding would be, and it was only by attending the wedding that we realized that. I have had my worries that our venue isn't formal enough, but it's really cozy. We hope people will have fun and be comfortable. Our ceremony won't be about how God sees our marriage, but about how we see it. Neither way is right or wrong, they're just different. And seeing a very different wedding helped us to see what we wanted for ours. 

To do this month:

Order any personalized favor items- to avoid the scramble, I want to purchase any personalized items this month. This way, in case we don't like them or they have a flaw, typo, etc., we can fix them without any issues.

Order invitations- For obvious reasons, this is at the top of my to-do list! Our wedding is on a holiday weekend, and although everyone knows the date and I sent out a Facebook message to everyone with details and the wedding website link, I want to get these out ASAP.

Dresses and suits- I want to order/purchase my mom and sister's dresses, and buy/rent John and his brother's suits.

My accessories and undergarments- I'm trying to decide what type of accessories I want to wear so that I can order them. Then, I need to find the right undergarments! I don't want anything peeking through or showing on my wedding day. 

Schedule a hair and makeup trial- The summer is so busy at my venue, and already getting a hotel room with my friends on the property will be almost $600 for a night- discounted rate! So, I'm going to see if there's a cheaper hotel nearby that we can stay in.

Finalize cake design- Not a major item on my to-do list for the month, but I'd really like to narrow down the cake design. We aren't too picky about the style, so it's been hard to make a decision.

I feel like a lot of brides have a vision of what their wedding is going to be, so when it comes time to make decisions, they are trying to find something like what's in their head. I don't have this vision! I have an overall idea, but none of the details have been planned out. So, I'm kinda looking at #allthethings and trying to narrow it down. It makes the process take that much longer. I feel like John is (finally) starting to get a voice when it comes to wedding decisions, so having his input is really helpful. I'm terrible at making decisions and always second guess myself, so hearing his opinion really helps me to narrow things down and make a (somewhat swift) decision.

If you want to learn more about planning a Pinterest worthy party, be sure to sign up to get your FREE Anatomy of a Pinterest Worthy Party guide! It's full of helpful hints on how to pick a theme, the little details that will make your event unique, and tips to take great photos of your event. And, there's even a checklist so you don't forget anything! So what are you waiting for? Get yours now!

So, did you have a vision for your wedding? Were you Monica Geller, whipping out your wedding planning binder? Or are you more like me, going with the flow? Did you think planning your wedding when you weren't engaged was crazy? Do you think it's crazy NOT to have an idea going in? Let me know in the comments!

Comfy Spring Outfit Tips

I've been trying to dress better these days,  since I think "yoga chic" could be used to describe my usual fashions. Sneakers are my best friends, and I'm in a committed relationship with leggings, long shirts and oversized sweaters. I've been feeling super comfy, but looking pretty darn frumpy. In the winter it's perfect, because if I have to go outside in 20-degree weather, you best bet I'm gonna be comfy! However, it's warm and it's spring. Time to ditch that workout wear and put on something a little more festive. Easter seemed like the perfect opportunity to switch up my wardrobe. 

*This post contains affiliate links.

Even though I decked out my table with dollar store goodies, I ended up going to my uncle's house for Easter. It was a beautiful, warm day that turned into a rainy and cloudy one. There was an egg hunt, bible bingo (not my idea!) and some egg dyeing. Overall, it was a pretty relaxed but fun day. Since my uncle's house is known for being laid back, I decided to go with cute but comfy for my Easter outfit. 

For starters, I really wanted to wear my new pink jeans from Old Navy. I bought them during their half off promotion, so they were a steal at less than $18. I wanted to add some color to the top of my outfit as well, and I thought the teal peplum added a fun vibe without being too childish. I'm whimsical, what can I say! I decided to keep my shoes neutral and wear my crocs wedges. You guys... if you think crocs are for old people or gardeners, you really need to go check out their website. Forrealz. Do it now, I'll wait. They have so many great shoe options nowadays. Wedges, sneakers, rain boots, flip flops, sandals, even heels! You name it, they've got it. I know you're wondering if I have a pair of those atrocious clogs. The answer is yes, but they're the slim ones and I only wear them in my yard or for grabbing the mail. I swear. Scouts honor! 

Anyway, back to my outfit. At this point I was a little skeptical of my outfit. I kinda felt like an Easter egg, so I went down and asked my fiancé if I was too colorful. And he said something like "Is that even a question? Of course you are, but that's you." I found this answer to be pretty awesome (he's not classically, poetically romantic, so this was a compliment) so I felt brave enough to add on my tassel necklace. It makes every outfit way more fun! I seriously love this necklace. I feel like it's hit or miss- some people love it, some people... don't. Alas, it brings me joy and frankly the haters can keep sipping on that haterade. Yea, I'm talking to you John! (Ps, John is my fiancé. And in case you're wondering, no, he never reads my blog). 

Speaking of John.. here he is dressed in his Easter best. A few weeks back, I saw this shirt at Target and was instantly drawn to it. I pulled it off the rack and brought it over to him and asked if he liked it. He said it made a good Easter shirt. I swear that this guy must have only owned grey, blue, and black before he met me. I really appreciate that he wears things like coral, aqua, and even pink now that we're together. In case you're wondering, this is his "why are you photographing me, I'm just eating a hot dog" face. And why am I photographing him while he eats a hot dog, you ask? Because I'm kinda clingy, had a camera in my hand, and really like to unintentionally annoy him. Whoops. 

I gave John a break and went to hang out with my sister, Irene. I thought she really nailed the lazy-Sunday-meets-Easter outfit, so I decided to snap some photos of her. I love how quirky she is, and how she can look so good making the most ridiculous faces. When we were younger she always wanted to be just like me, but now I want to be like her. She's the ying to my yang. 

Irene kept it comfy with jeans and a tank top. Her kimono was perfect for adding a pop of color while keeping it light. It was pretty hot earlier in the day, so it was perfect for covering up without feeling warm. Plus, it dresses the outfit up without being uncomfortable. She wore leather slip-on vans, which were comfy but a little fancier than wearing sneakers or cloth shoes. Her necklace is a fake pocket watch I bought her years ago. The lid came off and the clock stopped working, but she still loves it and wears it frequently. 

Looking to upgrade your wardrobe now that spring has arrived? It's not too difficult!

Tips for a Comfy Spring Wardrobe 

• Mix in dressier pieces with more comfortable ones. You don't want to be pulling at your outfit all day, so if your pants are slightly dressier or less comfortable, try pairing them with a comfy t-shirt for an effortless chic look.

• Color is your friend! Don't be scared of it. Start small, like a colorful pair of shoes, jeans, or an accessory. You'll probably get loads of compliments on it, because people are automatically drawn to color! This should give you the confidence to mix it up a little more next time.

• Wear layers. Most of the spring is a fluctuation between a warm morning, a hot afternoon, and a cool evening. Even if your outfit isn't totally pajama-comfy, it should at least be temperature happy. Be sure to check your weather app too!

• Play with patterns. Try romantic florals, classy lace, and fun polka dots. I also love silky shirts with really fun and silly patterns like umbrellas, dogs, or pineapples! A fancier fabric will prevent it from looking too juvenile.

• Go thrifting. This is a great way to try new styles and patterns without breaking the bank. I recently got a pink coat from the thrift store. After sewing on some new buttons and getting it dry cleaned, it's practically brand new! The best part is that it only cost me $15. It definitely would've cost way more at a department store, plus it's better for the environment. Reduce, reuse, recycle!

• Try a new trend. I feel like every spring, something kinda ridiculous but comfy comes out that becomes the newest fad. Like the gypsy skirts, or gauchos, or skorts. Although you might cringe someday when you see photos of yourself in these items, it's worth trying something new and trendy. Plus it makes looking back at photos of yourself so much more fun.

• Wear comfortable shoes. If there's one thing that should always be comfortable in warm weather, it's your shoes. First off, you're walking around A LOT. You want to be as comfortable as possible when you do so. Also, a lot of spring and summer shoes require you not to wear socks. Your shoes may be cute, but those blisters won't be. And neither will that hammer toe you're likely to get from cramming your foot into tight shoes. Skip the pain and go for something cute but doable. And, be sure to bring a cute tote to carry around your flats!

1. Peplum Top 2. Bold Necklace 3. Ring 4. Comfy Wedges 5. Plaid Shirt 6. Pink Jeans 7. Floral Kimono 8. Tank Top 9. Dark Jeans 10. Vans Slip-Ons 11. Watch Necklace 12. Black Bracelet

I'm thinking I'll focus on finding some really cute but comfy shoes. I've already purchased 2 pairs so far! 

What's going to be your go-to item this spring? Do you like to switch to a colorful wardrobe in the spring, or keep it neutral? Let me know in the comments below!

DIY Dollar Store Easter Decorations

Hey guys! It seems that we hopped into April pretty quickly, huh? I had an eggcelent idea to do a Easter tablescape, but I'm on a budget this year. Planning a wedding ain't cheep, ya know? So I decided to visit my local Dollar Tree and raid my cabinets to create an Easter affair to remember, without breaking the bank. In all, I spent only about $30 dollars to create this classy table setup. Many of the Easter decorations came from my collection and I DIY'd a few things, because what's an event without a few handmade details ;). 

*This post contains affiliate links.

DIY Painted Plant Pots

You will need:

Pots or Plants (From DollarTree or larger version here)
Acrylic Paint (here)
Painter's Tape (here)
Paint Brushes (similar here)

Steps:

1. Paint your pot the lighter of your 2 colors. Let dry fully.

2. Using your tape, create an interesting line or pattern. I decided to do a diagonal pattern, but you could do polka dots, triangles, half and half, etc.

3. Paint the desired area, then peel off your tape while it's still a little wet. Let dry!

For a full list of my favorite craft supplies, check out this blog post!

DIY Banner

You will need:

Paper Bunting (from DollarTree)
Ribbon (DT or similar here)
Glue Gun (similar here)
Spray Adhesive (here)

Steps:

1. Be sure to adequately cover your workspace. This stuff is deceptively sticky!

2. Place your top bunting face-down and spray with the adhesive.

3. Pick up carefully and place on top of the other bunting. Lay flat to dry.

4. Take a length of thin ribbon and glue your bunting onto it while keeping the flags an equal distance apart.

5. Hang up and enjoy.

Related: How to Rock your DIY Party Projects

DIY Bunny Ears Bouquet

You will need:

Thick Wire/Covered wire (From DollarTree or here)
Ribbon (DT or similar here)
Thin sparkly ribbon (DT or similar here)
Scissors (here)
Wire cutters (here)
Glue gun (similar here)

Steps

1. Take your wire and straighten it out the best you can.

2. Measure and cut. Mine was 20 inches.

3. Fold gently in the middle to create a bunny ear shape.

4. Using your hot glue gun, carefully wrap your wire with ribbon. I found that not overlapping the ribbon on top of itself worked best.

5. Keep going up your wire, wrapping and gluing every few rotations.

6. Once you've wrapped it in your thicker ribbon, go back around with your thinner ribbon to cover the seams and any bald spots.

7. Repeat for the other ear, then place in a bouquet of flowers and enjoy!

Setting your Table

Place Settings

I purchased inexpensive white plates and chargers for each setting, and topped them with blue appetizer plates from my cupboard. I added some drinking glasses I already had on hand, and placed a handmade drink stirrer inside. I finished it off with my super cute bird salt and pepper shakers that I purchased from Pier 1 Imports a few years ago.

Centerpieces

For the centerpieces, I used a sequin table runner and fake moss from my engagement party, and topped it with my painted flowerpots, bunny ears bouquet, and some mercury tealights.  I scattered some small golden eggs I picked up at the dollar store to add to that Easter feel.

Tips for Saving Money on your Easter Table

1. Create your own bouquets by purchasing flowers from the supermarket, or purchase inexpensive fake ones that you can reuse again and again.

2. If you purchase new servingware, go for white, which can be reused for many holidays. It'll get much more use than a baby pink tray with a bunny on it!

3. Collect items from around your house. Tealights, votives, pastel decor items, etc. This will add to the ambiance of the event without you necessarily having to purchase (and store!) Easter items.

4. Mix high-end items with dollar store items to save money while still keeping it classy. The inexpensive items will be camouflaged among the more expensive ones, as long as you don't purchase anything too cheap looking.

5. DIY where you can to create something one of a kind. Search Pinterest for ideas, and see how you can re-create more expensive items.

6. For an inexpensive tablecloth or runner, use a piece of fabric that has been folded and ironed. This will allow you to make it any size or shape you need!

7. Go for a mix of larger items and smaller items to create a visually interesting mix for your table. Too many small items will look cluttered, and too many large ones will seem unbalanced.

The best part about this table setup is that you can take away the bunny ears and little eggs, and use it for the remainder of the spring! This helps it to do double duty, saving you money. Do you have any dollar store crafts as part of your Easter decor? Do you decorate for Easter, or are you more of a "save it for Christmas" type of gal? Let me know in the comments below!

Engagement Gifts for The Bride-To-Be

Great news! Your best friend just got engaged to the best guy, and you're SO excited. You've been talking about her wedding day FOR-EVER now, and that day is coming soon! You want to get her something really special as an engagement gift, something that shows how happy you are for her in this new chapter in her life, and something that'll put you in the running for the top spot to be her maid of honor. Kidding! No, but really, you want to get her an engagement gift as special as she is, without it being just another cheesy "bride" gift. I understand! I've created a list of 15 awesome items that will make perfect engagement gift and even bridal shower gifts! They are a mix of your typical bride items (something every newly engaged girl LOVES) and ordinary items with a bridal feel, this way she's not left having a second-hand sale of 3,000 bride items after the wedding. They're all so classy and gorgeous. She's gonna love them!

I've created a list of 15 awesome items that will make perfect engagement gift and even bridal shower gifts! They're all so classy and gorgeous. She's gonna love them! #engagementparty #engagementgifts #weddingplanning

1. Wedding Planner 2. Ring Dish 3. Initial Necklace 4. Miss to Mrs. Tumbler 5. Hand Lettering 101 Book 6. Vacation Duffel Bag 7. The Getaway Luggage Tag 8. Flower Earrings 9. Bride Mug 10. Adventure Makeup Bag 11. Geometric Vase 12. Essie Blushing Bride Nail Polish 13. Bling Wipes 14. Bride Lidded Box 15. Floral Luggage Tag and Passport Cover

Engagement Gifts & Bridal Shower Gifts

1. Wedding Planner- This is the PERFECT engagement gift to start with. Since wedding planning is a whirlwind experience, every bride can use a planner! This one features tabbed sections, inspirational quotes, and 3 storage pockets, so that it can hold all her receipts and contracts to keep her organized. Plus it has a really cute cover!

2. Ring Dish- Now that she's got some bling on her ring fing[er,] the bride-to-be will need a place to keep it! This ring dish will keep it safe while she washes the dishes, takes a shower, or just needs to give her hands a rest. 

3. Initial Necklace- Whether you get one with her new last name or her fiance's initial, your future bride will love this necklace! It's simple but stands out, so it can be paired with anything. 

4. Miss to Mrs. Tumbler- This tumbler will be perfect for all that iced coffee she'll be drinking as she rushes around trying to get that wedding planned! Bonus- she can use it after the wedding too, since she'll now be a Mrs!

5. Hand Lettering 101 Book- If your bride is crafty, she'll probably enjoy this hand lettering book! Give it to her along with some pens and she can practice her penmanship to address her own invitations, write cute chalkboard signs, or write it the escort cards. Because doing it yourself = saving money!

6. Vacation Duffel Bag- This duffel is perfect for all those overnight trips to the venue, a bachelorette party weekend, or her honeymoon! It's roomy enough for all her travel stuff, plus a bunch of outfit choices. Girls gotta have options, right? 

7. The Getaway Luggage Tag- this is like an ode to the days when people used to leave their reception early to head off to their honeymoon. Did people really do that, or was it only a thing in movies? Anyway, we all know she's dying to get out of town, and this luggage tag says exactly what's on her mind! 

8. Flower Earrings- These will add a little extra sparkle for her engagement party, bridal shower, or rehearsal dinner. Plus, they're simple enough to wear on an ordinary day to dress up your outfit! I wore them at my engagement party and they really complimented my dress.

9. Bride Mug- It's so exciting to be the bride when you're first engaged, so this mug will capture that feeling and show it off to the world. It'll look SO cute in her ring selfies!

10. Adventure Makeup Bag- This makeup bag will keep her looking pretty while reminding her of the end goal. It's not just about the wedding, but about creating a beautiful life together! 

11. Geometric Vase- Everyone loves fresh flowers! This geometric vase is really unique and will be an interesting addition to her home. It comes in 2 sizes, perfect for a small bouquet for her desk and a larger one for her table. 

12. Essie Blushing Bride Nail Polish- The bride-to-be needs to keep her nails looking good as she shows off that ring. This nail polish is a gorgeous, subtle color that will enhance the beauty of her ring, not compete with it. Bonus: add a manicure kit to get her nails looking perfect!

13. Bling Wipes- She's gotta protect the bling on that ring! These wipes will keep the ring as shiny as can be, and since they're individually wrapped, they'll be sure to stay fresh. She can keep them in her purse and whip them out whenever she needs to shine up that diamond. Everyone wants to see it! 

14. Bride Lidded Box- This little box is perfect for holding her rings and small jewelry. If she's got pets, this is great for keeping her ring safe and secure. Because I know that my 3 cats LOVE to knock things on the ground and play with them! 

15. Floral Luggage Tag and Passport Cover- Help the bride-to-be travel in style with this matching luggage tag and passport cover. The floral design is girly and elegant, plus since it's not super bride-ish, she can use it for years to come!

Tips for Buying Engagement Gifts

1. Avoid anything too trendy. She may hate the trend, and you also want something that she can use for years to come to remind her of your friendship, and how it felt when she first got engaged!

2. Don’t tell her she has to wear it or use it at the wedding. This could lead to an uncomfortable conversation. It’s her day, so you can suggest it, but never make her feel obligated to use anything. You never know what her plans are for her wedding day.

3. This is a good time to get something just for her, something she wouldn't necessarily indulge in herself, but that she can't put on her registry either. If it's too expensive to get alone, you can all pitch in with the bridesmaids or some friends. Nearly all the gifts she receives will be for her home, her wedding, or her life with her husband, so something just for her will be really special!

4. In general, the idea of straying from the registry is scary. If you do, make sure it's something you know the bride will love, and that it's something that will match the rest of the items she's registered for. No one likes having to store that ugly serving platter that they use once a year when the person who gave it to them comes over!

What engagement gifts do you like to purchase for the bride-to-be, or what did you get when you got engaged that you loved? Are you a stick-to-the-registry type of person, or do you like to get a surprise gift the couple will love? Let me know in the comments below!

DIY Flower Bridesmaid Proposal Box

It's pretty crazy that I'm getting married in less than 5 months. It feels like just yesterday it was the 90's and I was with my little sister, trying on our mom's wedding dress. We would sneak it out of the closet and take turns wearing it. We'd talk about our wedding day and how of course we would be each other's maid of honor. And now that day is almost here and I just can't believe it. Yesterday in my wedding planning update, I mentioned that I had (finally) asked my sister to be my maid of honor with a pretty box I made for her. I decided to document the steps I took to create it, plus I added some links to the products I used (and similar ones) so that you can make them for your bridesmaids too! These boxes are pretty easy to make, and don't require too many supplies. All you really need is a box, a glue gun, some flowers and some decorative tape. Let's get started!

You Will Need:

White Photo Box (similar here)
Glue Gun (similar here)
Fake Flowers (similar here and here)
Pink Duct Tape (similar here)
Scissors (here)
 

Filled With:

Fashion Emergency Kit (here)
Cute Card (similar here)
Maid of Honor Tank (similar here)
Mini Hairspray (here)
Monogram Wood Gift Tag (here)
Cupcake Vineyards Prosecco (here)
Color Swatches (here)

1. Take your flowers off the stems, and save a few of the leaves for later. I picked the brightest leaves to save.

2. Using your scissors, cut the little stems off your flowers to make them as flat as you can. This will make them easier to glue onto your box.

3. Using your glue gun, glue the flowers onto the lid. I mixed the smaller and larger flowers, as well as the different shades of pink. Try to fit them together as well as you can, like some sort of floral tetris.

4. Using the leaves, fill in any gaps. I wanted my box to be mostly flowers so I didn't use too many leaves, but you can put as many as you want. I recommend placing all the leaves in, taking a look to see if you like the look, then gluing them in.

5. Using your tape, wrap the perimeter of the lid to create a nice, neat edge with a pop of color. I used 4 smaller pieces of tape, one for each side, to ensure it would be nice and smooth. Then, take some tape and fold it over itself to fill the label. I used a sticker that said "party" that I found at Michael's.

Filling the box:

To dress up your Prosecco, take a piece of ribbon and wrap it around the neck of the bottle. Glue a flower onto it for decor. Sign your card with a loving and heartfelt note, and place your items inside the box.

Then, give it to your bridesmaids and maid of honor! My sister was pretty happy, since she didn't think I would be officially asking her in a cutesy way. It made me so happy to watch her open the box and see all her reactions as she pulled each item out.

WOOHOO! I now officially have a maid of honor. Now, onto the other 35687 things on my to-do list.

How would you use this box? For a bridesmaid proposal, to hold a birthday gift, maybe for your mom on mother's day?! There are so many possible uses! Are you doing a bridesmaid proposal box? What will you put inside? Let me know in the comments below!