Self-Addressed Envelopes

So, I did a test run yesterday on DIY "calligraphying" my envelopes according to Jenn at With This Ring's tutorial. I chose the English font that I found at dafont. The font is a little boring, so I experimented with adding my own embellishments. I am a little afraid that it will look too perfect--since I am tracing over computer printed words. I also found using a calligraphy pen was much easier for me than a calligraphy marker. I couldn't figure out how to get the marker to make clean lines. One of the biggest problems I had was getting my printer to feed my envelopes (that's why the picture is off-center). Has anyone figured out a solution to this? The fiance is going to try with his home computer, so hopefully that will work. Does anyone have any other tips for this method of addressing?

To Do Lists

I have been working with my own to do list that I made based on a Real Simple Wedding list and a book we purchased (and I have avoided the Knot's list with one-million to dos like the plague). We are behind!! But, I was reviewing our list and realized there were a lot of things scheduled to do by July 1st, that I'm not planning to do until August. Because I am leaving my current job mid-August and won't be starting a new one until after the wedding, I will have almost a month to get settled and do some projects. Things I was planning to do: programs, favors (unless they get scratched), other signage, welcome baskets. I noticed that my list has me scheduled to be done with everything by August 12 (one month pre-wedding). While I know that's ideal, I think for me it makes time to use that time to do projects since I won't be working. Any thoughts? I'd love to know if you think I'm crazy for planning to do so much in the last month? I think it might actually be nice to have something to keep me busy and keep my anxiety down.

Catering Confusion

We met with a potential caterer for over an hour yesterday and all she talked to us about was color scheme and how the linens and tables and flowers would be used. Helpful, but I think we thought our caterer would be more concerned about the food. Has anyone had this experience? What did you think--is it a great value added that your caterer brought or did it mean that the food cannot speak for itself?

Musings on Marriage

As a mindful bride, I have spent a lot of time thinking about (and worrying about) my upcoming marriage. Will we be happily married? How do we make sure that we have a loving supportive marriage? I really like reading the Simple Marriage website because it offers such interesting insights on how to have a good marriage.

What resources have you found helpful when contemplating your upcoming marriage?

Wear Life Loosely

"The Law of Detachment says that in order to acquire anything in the physical universe, you have to relinquish your attachment to it." - Deepak Chopra, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success

"If we simply saw life as a loose garment, something we drape around ourselves but are not firmly attached to, we would find it easier to live. I feel more comfortable living this way, as if life were something I could slip out of at any moment. It seems to help me focus on the important things instead of the details that mean little." - Dr. Bernie S. Siegel, 365 Prescriptions for the Soul

My yoga instructor read this to us at the beginning of class last week and I immediately thought of its relevance to wedding planning. It is so easy to become so attached to every detail that we forget to focus on the important things. Thinking of my wedding as a loose fitting garment instead of the definition of our life or future marriage helps decrease my anxiety that it won't perfectly reflect who we are. Instead, we just need to focus on the important aspects and remember that the rest is just the garment that we dress the day, the occassion in.

Bridesmaids' Gift?

Wouldn't this clutch make a great bridesmaids' gift?

Available here via Erin Ever After

And coordinate with bridesmaids' dresses in these colors?

Taking a Break from the Usually Scheduled Wedding Blogging to Bring You a Message from..

Planet Earth

Did you know that there is a giant vortex of waste (mostly plastic) floating in the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and San Francisco? It is estimated that it is larger than the state of Texas and may even be larger than the United States!! Because plastic isn't biodegradeable, every piece of plastic that has ended up in the ocean is still there. As a result of currents, the plastic that doesn't sink has collected in this area in the Pacific Ocean. Over time it breaks up into smaller pieces that marine life mistakes for food. It ends up killing many of these animals and also gets into the food chain. And this plastic continent is growing everyday.

The good news, it looks like Project Kaisei is doing something about it! But we could all do more by being more mindful about what we buy and remembering to take reusable bags with us to the store.

For more information about this growing threat to our planet, you can go here, and here or just search plastic vortex pacific ocean in Google.

Quandry*

Gah! I am totally lusting after One Barefoot Bride's totally awesome birdcage veil and fascinator from Kasia Fink. Isn't it gorgeous?!

by One Barefoot Bride

But I really really want a picture of a blowing veil like the one below.

by Meg Smith via Snippet & Ink

So, what's a girl to do?

* Blog post title inspired by Mouse

What's it all for?

For love...

"My love for him is not of this world. It can't be broken by anything, not by and worldly ideas of what love is. Not by death. Nothing. Love is Godly, God is love. And we are his children. Our bond will carry us to the eternities and beyond. It's not cheesy, it's truth."
- Stephanie from the NieNie Dialogues

Non-Matching Bridesmaids

j crew, aaron delesie, the image is found, sugarlove weddings via green wedding shoes via bespoke press

So excited to read the post on Green Wedding Shoes today about non-matching bridesmaid dresses. I have been a bit concerned about going this route, but am feeling much better about my decision now :)

UPDATE: Check out Erin Ever After's post today for more pictures of non-matching bridesmaids!

An Ode to my Followers

Thanks for stopping by
to see and read and comment
you make me gleeful!

Flower Trial

After her initial hesitation, my Mom has jumped on board with our plan to DIY flowers. She is even taking a flower class at the local community college. She sent me this picture over the weekend--that greenery, it's from the shrub outside. And the roses are from my parents' garden. Anyway, this isn't exactly what we are going for, but a good trial, I think, using what she had around.

I apologize for the lack of posting--trying to stay away from wedding blogs in an effort to focus on work really cuts down the inspiration for posts. But, we have been making slow but steady progress on our to do list: we finally approved the proof for our invitations and should be getting them in a couple weeks, I am going to order bridesmaid dresses this week (woo hoo for 20% off coupon from JCrew), and I think I have found hair and make-up people, among other things we have been up to...

Weird Love

Via Erin Ever After via Rockstar Diaries

You've likely seen this before, but it's worth re-posting. Happy Monday!

Black Pencil Skirt

Do you have one item of clothing that you adore above all others? I do. My black pencil skirt. I almost didn't buy it because it didn't have a matching jacket. But, even so, I wear it every week (and sometimes, when I am feeling lazy twice a week, don't tell). I love it--it's flattering, it goes with everything, you can dress it up or down. All it needs is a great pair of shoes. So, what's your favorite item of clothing (other than your wedding dress, of course)?

Bridesmaid Dresses

If my bridesmaids like these, I may end up doing bridesmaid dresses in these colors and giving the ladies a choice between two styles. What do you think? Look too bridesmaid-y? Too pastel-y?

Hydrangeas

Photos by Harry Taylor via Mint

For a while now my mother has decided that the one thing she really cares about at my wedding is blue hydrangeas. I have been unenthusiastic. Not because I don't like hydrangeas, but because I think they can seem a little stiff and boring. But Ellie's arragnements with hydrangeas from her recent wedding are awesome! I really love the way they were combined with other more colorful flowers. So, we'll see. Maybe my Mom will get her hydrangeas after all..