Garden Chic DIY Projects

This is it! Just 9 days until the wedding. Now that we are in the single digits, it is time to begin obsessively checking the weather, stocking up on last minute honeymoon items, and tying up odds and ends. I am lucky enough to be off during the day now that the school year is over and I have been spending my days crafting and staying fit for the big day. A typical day this week looks like this: wake up at 7am, go for a run, shower and work on a wedding related activity until lunch. After lunch it's working on timelines, corresponding with vendors, arranging seating charts and back to crafting until late afternoon when it's time to hit the gym to relieve some stress. My current DIY projects include programs, table numbers and escort cards.

Last week was mostly consumed with attempting to make these gorgeous programs:

Source

How gorgeous are they?! I actually came really close to creating this same feel, although my mom and I ran into a few minor issues with the sewing machine. Fortunately, my grandma is in town for the wedding and got  it straightened out!

...and it's a good thing because we definitely needed the sewing machine for this next DIY project - the table numbers! I talked a lot about table numbers awhile back. I don't know why they are so important to me, but I definitely feel that they are one of those areas that if done right, make a huge lasting impression. Just before writing this post, I was stenciling table numbers! They came out really cute, but I don't want to share until after the big day.

This was my inspiration:

one, two

Something else I have been contemplating for some time now are the escort cards. I had a tough time getting started on this one, probably because I was inundated with so much inspiration. This was another one that had to be just perfect and I have to say I am pleased with the result! Again, you'll have to wait until after the wedding but I will tell you I didn't not stray much from my original inspiration.

one, two

Finally, I am working on some less necessary, but super fun projects: a thank you note to our guests and some adorable signs and banners.

one, two, three

So, there you have it. I definitely have my hands full and will be busy these next couple of days. But hopefully it will all be worth it and after 17 months of being engaged, we will finally be ready to say "I do."

See you next week with my final post as a single lady!

unique & crafty gifts {bridesmaids}

Having just participated in my best friend's wedding, I am very present to how I would like to thank my bridesmaids for being in my wedding. Shana (the fabulous Maui bride from last week's post) gave us the most darling gifts. We all got monogrammed totes- mine has my future initials on it :) within the totes were goodies like a magazine, a beautiful necklace, and a fun kimono robe to get ready in- which made for great photos of all of us together. Here are some items that inspired me online, which I'll likely end up gifting to my lovely ladies.

Source: one, two, three (from left to right)

Source: Etsy.com

Source: top, bottom

Source: left, right

Source: Etsy.com

Source: one, two, three (left to right)

And for those of you ladies who are looking for a cute and easy DIY tutorial on making personalized bridesmaid hangers, CLICK HERE!

A little update on my planning: next week I'm going out with my wedding planner, Linda, to look at linens and flowers!!!! Stay tuned for a fun report on that soon :) HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!!! xo, Taya

Welcoming Your Guests With Style!

Good morning! This week has been one of the craziest wedding planning weeks so far. And with only 16 days until the wedding, I'm sure you can understand why. A few days ago I had a really terrible hair and make up trial. For the past year and a half I knew exactly how I wanted to wear my hair on my big day and I knew exactly the girl who was going to make that happen. I have been seeing the same hair stylist for years now and we decided to do the trial close to the wedding because my hair would be long (I have been growing it for a year) and I would be tan. Needless to say, I left the salon feeling disappointed and discouraged and frankly, back at square one, but after doing a little more research and talking to friends and family I feel back on track. I just thought I would update you on the craziness of the last few weeks before the big day. If that is the only thing that goes wrong I'll be happy! Today I'm talking welcome bags!

Welcome bags are something I knew I wanted to do from the beginning of the planning process. I just love checking into a hotel for someone's wedding weekend and being greeted with a small thank you. I think the key to successful welcome bags is small and thoughtful items.

Source

Definitely a little love note to your guests is a nice touch!

Source Directions and a map are a must for out of town guests!

Source

Some other things I was thinking: water, advil, some snacks and possibly some champagne?

one, two, three, four, five

*Have any must-have welcome bags items? Please share!

Hawaiian Inspiration {Aloha from Maui}

Alooooooha, everyone! I just got back from an 8 day vacation in Maui where I had the honor of being in my best friend, Shana's wedding. Because I just stepped off the plane and got home I'm going to keep this short and sweet....and photo inspired, just the way you like it on Engaged & Inspired ;-) Shana and I have been besties since the 6th grade. She and Bryan met and began dating in high school! After 10 years of not being in contact with one another Bryan found her on facebook and asked her out on a date... Ever since then, they've been inseparable and the rest is history!! (Of course, that is the abbreviated version!)

Here is a seek-peek at Shana & Bryan's wedding in beautiful Maui at the Olowalu Plantation House. Shana's vision and style for this event was impeccable. She kept it simple and chic, while incorporating DIY touches and historic Hawaiian charm. For those of you Brides-to-Be out there that want a Hawaiian inspired wedding that is more rustic and charming than bright and tropical, this wedding will give you spectacular inspiration! Enjoy the photos that my fiance and I took on Shana & Bryan's special day. I can't wait to see how their professional photos turn out!!

Next week I will catch you up on my wedding planning!

Hope you enjoyed this special Hawaiian treat!

Gifts for the Girls and the Parents

I know our July wedding is near because on this first day of summer in New Jersey, it is one of those hazy, hot and humid days that fog your sunglasses as soon as you step outside. According to my wedding planner 'app' there are a mere 24 days until the wedding. I can't wait to see all of our hard work come together! This week, my thoughts are on gifts for my girls and of course for our parents. Everyone has been so supportive and helpful throughout our 17 month engagement and finding the perfect expression of our gratitude is not easy!

For my girls, I was thinking some type of jewelry or accessory would be nice. The thing is, I really love those shabby chic hangers (fifth picture down) but are my girls going to think that hangers are a lame present?!

 ModDotTextiles LaSirenaBridalhoganfe

 AngelPearls Bragginbags (one of my favorite shops for all things rustic chic!) MangoJewelsShopSomethingBlue

Gifts for the parents proved to be more difficult, but I've found that something personalized usually does the trick!

mollyandmom EmbroiderybyMelissa MyPrimitiveBoutique PhotoFrameOriginals emmagems

*Please help! What did you get as gifts for your loved ones? Or what truly memorable gift have you received?

{One Month} : Pretty Progress Report

One month. 30 days. 4 weeks. After a nearly 17 month engagement, our big day is almost here. In a recent post, Allison mentioned that there is something to be said for short engagements because you don't have time to get over-inspired.  Prior to planning a wedding I would have said that it is impossible to become over-inspired but now I see how it is completely possible! With blogs, pinterest, wedding mags, etc. it is easy to become overwhelmed with all the beautiful possibilities and veer off track from your original vision. And while sometimes these distractions are welcome, there is always the possibility they can compromise your expectations. Even though I still have so much to do, and overall, I have enjoyed the planning process, I have to admit, I am happy the planning is almost over!

Via Green Wedding Shoes

Fortunately, the majority of the big stuff is finished. All of our vendors have been booked. My dress has been purchased and I have already had my first fitting. The groomsmen outfits are all purchased and their accessories have been bought. My girls' dresses are already in. My family and friends threw me a gorgeous bridal shower and my bachelorette party is planned and scheduled. Our Hawaiian honeymoon is booked. I bought my rehearsal dinner dress.

Stephen Papas Photography, Brooke Images via Pinterest

People keep coming up to me, saying things like, "Oh you must have everything planned already..." or "What else can there be left to do?" While I do feel like I have the majority of things under control, I also feel as though there is so much left to do! Some things I have been thinking about and planning for a long time- the favors, for example, but I haven't made a final decision or began any DIY projects. Others, seating charts, for example, are impossible to begin until all the RSVPs have come in. (The date for this is supposed to be tomorrow, but of course, we are still waiting on a few stragglers! A few other last minute things on my list include: purchasing the bridesmaids' gifts (this will be a post of its own!), find the perfect bachelorette party dress and go shopping for the honeymoon (I'm looking forward to this task!), finalize and execute wedding favors & escort cards, attend all final meetings and print programs for the ceremony.

via Green Wedding Shoes

Just thinking about it all is overwhelming, but it is reassuring that pretty soon, all of our my hard work will pay off and we will be able to celebrate and enjoy our special day.

*Tell me- what was your most favorite aspect of wedding planning? Most dreaded?

Two Shades of Grey {wedding party attire}

First off, with the help of my maid of honor, Monica, and bridesmaid, Anita, we found the perfect dress for my bridesmaids!!! Yippee! $160 from Nordstrom, and Tia, the salesperson took care of the entire process. She called all of the girls, followed up and made sure everyone ordered on time. THANK YOU, Tia!!! What a rock-star you are!

Over the weekend Vinnie and I met a group of friends for dinner (and a going away party). Anita, one of my bridesmaids was there, as well as 2 of Vinnie's groomsmen; Anita's husband, Trevin, and our friend Greg. I mentioned how excited we were to have found the perfect grey chiffon dress, and the look on all of the guys' faces dropped..... they said, "if you girls are wearing grey dresses, then what color are our suits going to be???!!! You can't have 2 different shades of grey; that will look bad!" This never crossed my mind. After all, I had always envisioned the girls in grey dresses; I hadn't given much thought to the groomsmen attire.

So here I am writing this post today. I decided to do a little research on how bad 2 shades of grey would look in a bridal party, since it's unlikely we'll find the same color grey suit to match the dresses.... and if they don't match, I'm not that stressed about it ;-) Look at all the beautiful wedding parties I found online who went with the same color palette as me! See guys, 2 shades of grey can work!

Here is the dress that inspired my entire vision for our wedding. I was so excited that I found the photographer's website to include more photos from this gorgeous wedding in Mexico. I love everything about this wedding- the simple decor, the color palette, the flowers... so elegant and timeless :) Click on the photo to see all of their wedding.

Source: Stephanie Williams Photography

Here are some more grey and yellow inspired weddings...

Source: Once Wed

Let's see how my bridesmaid dress matches up to this grey suit... pretty nicely, I think!

Source: Nordstrom & Modern Day Soiree

Let's match it up to one more grey suit just to be sure.... yeah, looks good to me ;-)

Source: Nordstrom & One Wed

When it comes to your wedding party's attire, how are you matching everyone up? Same exact colors, mixed-matched, complimentary colors? How did you and your fiance determine what everyone was going to wear? I'm excited to hear your thoughts and tips!

{Keri's Wedding} : The Bridal Shower

A few months back I posted about my dream bridal shower. Last weekend, my family and bridal party brought my vision to life with lots of bright pink, pretty signs, and of course, champagne. Everyone contributed something to the day. My mom hosted the event and made the entire wishing well herself! My future sister-in-law and bridesmaid created a memory jar and all the guests wrote little notes with memories or advice. Dan's mom made wine glass favors for all of the guests and my bestie and bridesmaid, Carly made a gorgeous collage of pictures. Here are just a few images from our afternoon with the ladies.

I look surprised in that first picture but I actually knew about the shower. I even arrived early as to not make a big entrance but as I walked in the door, everyone was standing there with cameras in my face. It was overwhelming! I can only imagine how overwhelming it would be if I didn't know about it!

Overall, it was such a fun day and I feel so blessed to  have such wonderful friends and family. I feel like my bridal shower officially kicked off the wedding festivities. Next up- the bachelor and bachelorette parties!

*What is your shower preference? Surprise or no surprise? 

cute & crafty :: {cake toppers}

Now that many of the big tasks have been crossed off my list, it's time to address the details. One in particular that intrigues me is the cake topper.  Many modern brides opt to not include the cake topper on their wedding cake. I, however, would like to have one that's unique and a little vintage looking. Here are some images that inspired me:

Source: 1, 2, 3

Source: left, right

 

Source: 1, 2, 3

Source: left, right

Source: left, right

The vintage cake topper on the right was given to me as a gift by my future sister-in-law, Vanessa. I am absolutely in love with it and can't wait to see what it will look like on our wedding cake :) Did you read my past post on wedding cakes? If not, you can check it out here!

Are you planning on using a cake topper? If so, what's your style? Will you be making one yourself, buying something vintage, or perhaps looking for one on Etsy?

now for the details {table settings}

159 days and counting until I become Mrs. DiCarlo. Now that I have surpassed the 6 month mark, it feels like time is just flying by! Surprisingly, I am very relaxed. I have been extremely organized in my planning thus far, and just last week I checked off some BIG items.

• Bridesmaids dresses- check!
• DJ- check!
• Officiant- check!
• Videographer & photographer- double check!

The next meeting I have with my wedding planner will be with the florist, then the bakery to do some cake tasting!

If you've been following me along on this journey, my love for succulents is hard to ignore. My biggest challenge now is incorporating the flowers I love into a table setting that is affordable and reflects my style. I'm envisioning something simple, elegant, and a bit mid-century chic. Here are some images that have inspired me so far:

What's your table style? Simple & chic, grand elegance, or perhaps somewhere in between? Feel free to share your thoughts and ideas!