My Embossed Table Numbers!!!!

I have been so excited to show you guys my table numbers! They were actually quite easy to make, with the exception of trying to find the perfect color ink (after going to more than 4 stores, uggghh!!).

{The Process}
I designed the layout of my cards in Adobe Photoshop CS using the same beautiful font that I used for my invitations. I then printed my cards on pre-cut 4x6 Metallic paper that I purchased from A.C. Moore. Next I used my Impress Damask Stamp and my Stamp-a-Majig tool to line up the print just right and I commenced to stamping & embossing. I found that during the process I became a little obsessed with stamping & embossing, lol! It's so easy, all you need is a pigment (slow drying) ink pad, a rubber stamp, embossing powder & your handy dandy embossing gun. It can do amazing things!!!

{Details about the Name of our Tables}
Since my FH has been super sweet to me and such a help throughout this entire planning process (and well because its his wedding too), I decided to let him name the tables after Star Wars Planets & Moons. Yeah that's right we have a little Star Wars in our wedding, but I didn't mind because it is done in a tasteful way & I love having him be a part of the styling process. With names like Alderaan, Degobah & Naboo, they actually sound quite majestic, lol!

Ok so without further ado, here they are::

...Coming up next: The Perfect Clutch

Read more...

Less than 100 days to go!!!!

Ok I guess I have been way too busy to even notice but I missed the 100th day countdown to the wedding! Ooooops!

I am getting a lot of DIY projects completed at a great pace. Below is my updated list, those in Yellow are completed. Mr. A and I are both getting really excited and just want our big day to get here.

DIY List::

• Table Numbers
• Paint Parasol
• Emboss Program covers
• Crystalized Cake Topper
• "I Do" Rhinestone Shoe Decals
• Emboss & Add Crystals to Invites
• Adhere Invites to Pocketfolds
• Belly-Bands for invites
• Emboss Envelopes
• Address envelopes with calligraphy
• Print & Assemble Programs
• Reserved Seating signs
• Bride & Groom Suite signs
• Seating Chart Poster
• Cookie Bar lables
• Memory Table vases
• S & J Moss Letters

Coming on Wednesday...Table Numbers with lots of pictures!!

Read more...

Happy Holidays!!

I just want to take a minute and say Happy Holidays to my lovely readers! You guys continue to inspire me and keep me sane and I truly appreciate you all! I hope you all have fun, enjoy every moment.

Read more...

{{My Attempt @ Calligraphy...Thoughts}}

This weekend we were SNOWED IN and I loved it! We got a little over a foot of snow here and we have not had that much snow since I can remember and I'm 28!

Well with not a lot to do, I wrapped Christmas gifts, watched Christmas movies and practiced doing calligraphy. I purchased a very nice calligraphy set in the beginning of our engagement because I have always wanted to learn but just kind of forgot about it. I practiced for about an hour and my end results shocked me!! I did better than I thought! I chose not to trace at anytime, all of my practice was freehand. I think it makes it easier and you can put your own twist on it.

My invites will be mailed in chocolate brown envelopes and finding white ink was kind of a challenge but I finally found some at a painters store. Since I am only sending out 60 invites I think this may be an easier DIY task than I first thought and I am going to be doing a little at a time instead of attempting to do them all at once.

Read more...

I'm a DIY Bride...But It Comes With Frustrations!!!

So you ladies know that I'm a do-it-yourself bride and all I have to say is that it comes with many, many, many frustrations. I did some of my own projects to save money but my invitations were another question. I am D.I.Ying those because I knew exactly what I wanted and by designing them myself, I avoided the going back and forth with a designer. I have been lucky thus far because I know Adobe Photoshop CS like the back of my hand so the design part was very easy. Now comes the frustrations...

I went to If It's Paper an Xpdex division store and purchased the wrong paper not once but freakin' THREE times!! I felt like a total fool because I actually bought the right paper the first time, but that happens when you second guess yourself. I then took it to the printers across the street only to find out after I placed the order that they didn't have my ink color and it would take weeks to get my invitations back. Keep in mind that this place is about 20 minutes across town. So after work I had to go back to that place pick up my paper cancel that order and drive about 30 minutes downtown to the other printer place. Art Printing Co. in downtown Roanoke is so GREAT they offer their own in-house Thermography printing and allow you to customize your ink color not to mention that the guy helping me has been at this business since it opened 25 years ago! So I thought all was good and dropped off my print job at the new printers and was pulling off only to see the little guy running behind my car trying to flag me down. I thought, oh no, what now? I rolled my window down and he then told me that I only had 50 sheets of paper and my order was for 60. I didn't realize when I purchased the heavier card stock that it didn't have 100 sheets but only 50 (I was in a hurry like always and didn't read the package). So I had to drive back across town to buy another pack of paper. I know, I should be on America's Funniest Home Video's, needless to say my invites and inserts are now being printed and cut.

I hope to get them back by the end of the week so I can start hand embossing the damask part on them and gluing them to my pocket folds. I am going to try my best to document so I can show you all the finished product after they have been mailed out. Keep your fingers crossed that it's smooth sailing from here, it can only get better, right?

Read more...

My Aisle Runner is HERE!!!!

I have been waiting for about 9 months to get this runner and let me just say that it was well worth the wait! The Original Runner Co. is brilliant and their work is just spectacular! I am so impressed that these are hand drawn and hand painted. The non-skid backing on this runner is amazing and will ensure that I will not fall on my face on my wedding day, yay for that!!! It is painted with glitter paint so it has a little sparkle to it. I LOVE IT! After the wedding the FH and I are going to have it cut and framed to hang in our bedroom wall.

{Detail}

{Non-skid backing}

Read more...

{{{Happy Birthday To Me!!!!}}}

(sing along) Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to Meeeeeeeee...Happy Birthday to me!

I am 28 today, wooooot! I love weekend birthdays! Have a great weekend everyone!

Read more...

{{HUGE NEWS}} I Have New Bridesmaids!!!

After lots of drama last month with my bridal party, I was so frustrated and just decided to forgo the bridal party thing all together with the exception of my wonderful sister/MOH! I never gave much thought about my FH and his party which is his father and three brothers. I was being selfish and didn't realize that I would be taking his brothers and father completely out of the wedding. He talked to me about it and was so sweet and supportive of whichever decision I ultimately made, he knew that I was beyond frustrated. In the end I decided to ask my other very close friend Miss J and another friend Miss K to be a part of my wedding and they graciously accepted and I am so grateful, because its kind of short notice at this point. My FH deserves to have his family in the wedding so I made it happen and couldn't be happier because the ladies that I chose have already been SUPER GREAT and supportive!

{source}

We are going this weekend so they can be fitted and order their dresses. The party will not be even on both sides but it's close enough and in the words of the fabulous Tim Gunn we'll "make it work!"

Read more...

{My Flower Girls Headbands...CHECK!}

Ok so now that I am less than 4 months away from THE BIG DAY...I have officially labled this time as CRUNCHTIME! I am trying to check off as many items both big and small off my long long list of things to get done or to buy. I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was in search of beautiful headbands for my daughters/flowergirls and guess what?!? I found them and they did not break the bank...of all places, I found these beautiful gems at TARGET, yes the TARGET. I was in there looking for cute Christmas decorations and of course when you have children your body goes on auto-pilot and you just somehow end up in the kids section. I saw these headbands and just about jumped for joy & scream but to spare myself the embarrasment I quietly grabbed the only two they had and made my way to the register and they were $4.99 a piece, oh my! I am so happy and my girlies just loves them, they are so gorgeous with the dress! CHECK, I can mark this off my list, YES!

Read more...

I Bought My Linens!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving because I sure did, I am just now coming down off my sugar high from all the great desserts!

I have a lot of updates for you guys this week and some great news that I can't wait for you to hear (more on that later). In major wedding news...I bought my linens, I am so happy! I purchased (10) 132" rounds Chocolate Tablecloths, (3) 72x120" Chocolate Tablecloths & (115) Apple Green Napkins. I am so so so so happy that I purchased instead of renting them. They were a great price and I can definitely resell them. I spent my Sunday washing them and ironing most of my napkins to be stored flat so I won't have to worry about that the week of the wedding.

So if I have any takers, feel free to email me at mydreamring {at} yahoo.com. They will be available for purchase after March 27th!

{SOURCE}

Read more...

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

I am so thankful for my family and friends...without their love and support this wedding wouldn't be possible. I am also thankful for all of you, my readers, thank you so much for coming back everyday and giving me a reason to be motivated and pushing through this planning process. I have lots to update you on next week, I can't wait to share some GREAT NEWS with you! I appreciate you all...enjoy your families and friends and have a great Thanksgiving!

Read more...

{The Dirty South}

Since I am a Southern Bride Blogger for Southern Weddings, I am so happy to let you guys know that their new and second magazine has hit the news stands! I am beyond excited and hope to actually find a copy this go round. I don't have a copy of the first one but I am bound and determined to find a copy of this one. I have read how hard Laura and all the other ladies have worked their behinds off on this issue and I am sure that it has paid off. I hope you guys all pick up a copy, I am sure its full of lots of eye candy...just check out the cover!

Read more...

A New Business in the Making...

Since planning my wedding I think I have tapped into somthing that I can truly say that I LOVE!! I don't feel like its a hassell to me, now don't get me wrong it comes with its own frustrations and stress but overall I have found that I have enjoyed it more that I ever imagined. So guess what? I decided to become a Certified Wedding Consultant!! Yay!!! I have been enrolled in classes now for about 4 months because if I am going to do this I want to do it right. So on top of planning the wedding of my dreams {I know thats corny but its true} I am also taking online classes. I feel like I was given a talent that I have been ignoring and I feel like its my duty to use this talent and not let it go to waste.

So after my wedding I will start with just part-time planning and see where it takes me. I am beyond excited and can't wait to jump in with both feet! More information to come later but I just thought I would share and get your thought....do you think I have what it takes to be a planner? Have I inspired any of you {my readers} in any way? I would love feedback!

Read more...

Some of the Best Wedding Photos Ever....

I got an email from a photography company by the name of Vision Photography out of Atlanta, GA asking me to check out their blog. Oh how glad I am that I didn't delete that email because this husband and wife team is just AMAZING! Their work is stunning. They tagged the photos below as some of their best work and I will have to say that my mouth hit the floor because these photos are beyond beautiful. They captured this couple so perfectly and I have not seen anything like this before, or done so well. CONGRATS Kari & Carlton, these photos are amazing along with so many others on your blog.

{SOURCE}

Read more...

The Perfect Bra...for me anyway!

When I went for my first fitting, I had a bridal bustier with ribbing. My dress kept pulling and I thought I might have gained weight and totally freaked! Well the lovely Wayne, my fashion consultant at Amrhein's told me to take the bustier off and the dress would fit better, and voila, he was right! I didn't feel comfortable with going with a bra altogether so I went shopping at one of my favorite store: Victoria's Secret. I had no problem finding the right bra, their consultants are so sweet and nice and after trying on only three, I found one that rocks!

The Body by Victoria®, Multi-Way Bra was super comfortable and soft and I fell like I can wear it the entire wedding day and not get poked and prodded with wired and ribbing. I also LOVE this bra because it can be thrown in my underwear drawer to be worn again and again instead of just once if I went with the full bustier. If you are a bride wearing a strapless dress and need that perfect bra, I would recommend this to any of you :)

Read more...

:::{My D.I.Y. "Thank You" Parasol}:::

{SOURCE}

This weekend I could only squeeze in one wedding project and that was the "Thank You" parasol. I knew that I wanted one of these and as always I wanted to try the D.I.Y road before purchasing. It came out GREAT and BEAUTIFUL and just what I wanted but let me just say that it was a labor of love for sure. It took me just about three hours and at times I wanted to throw it across the room, but in the end it was all worth it. I used instructions from a Project Wedding article to do this parasol.

Materials:

• 32" Rice Paper Parasol $8.95 (Purchased from Earthbound Trading Company)
• Deco Art Metallic paint $2.29
• Paint Brushes $0 (used paint brushes that I had for about 5 years)
• Stencil's printed in Micrsoft Word $0
• Pencil $0 (Stole one from my daughter :)
• Scissors $0 (already had these)
• Tape (leftover from Christmas)
  Total Cost $11.24

CLICK HERE for complete instructions.

Read more...

:::{Flower Girl Headbands}:::

I really want my flower girls to be just as beautiful as I am on my wedding day because they are my daughters and are so excited about the wedding! I have found their dresses which are GORGEOUS and they love them as well.

I am all about accessorizing my daughter for the wedding because I use to own a baby boutique in which I made beautiful baby jewelry and hair accessories, so it comes natural to me. I plan on making my daughters accessories for the wedding but they have BIG curly hair and trying to find a cute style for them became a little frustrating until I discovered the gorgeous headband on the J. Crew website, I thought PERFECT....they can wear their hair down with cute headbands!

I am not sure if I can make these beautiful headbands but I'm sure going to try before I buy. Are you having flower girls and if so, have you thought about how their hair will be styled?


You can always turn to Etsy when you want something beautiful and unique....

{Source for Above Headbands}

:::{MY FAVORITE}:::

{Source:: J. crew $16.50}

Read more...

Finally Found Some:: Damask Ribbon!

A.C. Moore has some new and beautiful Damask ribbon in an assortment of colors for $3.99 per roll. Since I am only using a few touches of damask here and there in my wedding I thought that the ribbon would be great wrapped around the cylinder vases I will be using for my centerpieces and for the pompanders my flower girls will be using. If you use a 40% off coupon that would be even better. Hope this info helps you guys

I purchased the brown and green of course because those are my primary colors:)

Read more...