Invitation Design

Today I get to show off my invitations! I worked with graphic designer and E&I blogger alum, Kimberly Roth, to create my invitation suite. I love how they turned out.

Along the way, I feel that I really solidified the vision I had for my wedding. We pulled inspiration from the location - Mount Hood, Oregon - by featuring the mountain, the muted lavender color from the lavender fields in the area, and the overall whimsical feel.

    

Photo credit: Kimberly Roth

I also got a chance for some DIYing. Kimberly designed and coordinated having stamps made for our 'belly band' and return address. During a visit to Paper Source, I realized embossing with white would show up much better on the Kraft paper than just a white stamp. Embossing is really fun and easy (but time consuming when you are doing it for 100+ invitations).

Here's what I used:

- Stamp

- Stamp pad

- Embossing powder

- Heat tool

Once I got the hang of it, it went by pretty fast. I would stamp three at a time, apply the powder, lay them out on the table (until it filled the table) and then use the heat tool on all of those. Much faster than doing the whole process for one at a time. Two of my bridesmaids came over one night to help and that really speeded things up. Note to self: make sure cat doesn't get to them before you set the powder with the heat. :-)

After embossing, I folded each belly band around the invitation and secured it with a strip of double sided tape.

Photo credit: me

Photo credit: Kimberly Roth

Group Pinterest Boards

One of the most fun things I've done so far with wedding planning is starting a group pinterest board to let friends and family share ideas they came across.  When I first got engaged, people close to me started e-mailing inspiration and I knew I needed to come up with a way to keep it all organized so that I could access it when it came down to deciding on the details.

 Source: Style Me Pretty

So, I started a group pinterest board and sent out an e-mail that if people would like to be involved to let me know and I'd invite them to pin to the board. A couple months later and we're having so much fun with it!  Obviously I've kept my own boards (since I don't want to bombard the group board with the crazy amount of pins I've amassed), so this has been a fun way to separate out the things that other people find that I haven't seen.

Source: Printstagram

The most awesome thing about it so far is seeing how your friends see your style. So far, everyone has been spot on pinning things I really like and ideas that I think are really creative and fun. Its a really cool feeling to feel like over the years you've developed a style that people have picked up on and that they're so excited about sharing images that fit in with that aesthetic.

Source: Pepper Design Blog

Its also been a really helpful way to have bridesmaids sharing ideas about dresses, shoes, hair, makeup, etc all in one place so that we can keep the long e-mail chains to a minimum. People can Like or Comment on pictures they find especially pretty and that gives me an idea of what my girls would like once we get down to finalizing options.

Source: Hello Naomi

These are all images that friends and bridesmaids have pinned to our board, and even though I get sucked into a ton of blogs, these were all images I hadn't necessarily pinned myself. Its fun to have a lot of sets of eyes out there in the universe to track down inspiration that might be outside of my usual network. Plus, I think they all fit together with our inspiration board really well.

Source: The Wedding Finder

If you're the type of person who gets overwhelmed with too many options, this might not be the road for you, but for me its been a terrific way to keep other people's ideas organized and to start a little wedding inspiration community during the beginning of getting this thing planned!

Iridescent Peacock Inspiration

As I've mentioned before, I have a slight obsession with peacocks--they appear frequently in Art Deco and Art Nouveau artwork, and the bright jewel tones and metallics offer up a to-die-for wedding palette. While there will be no live peacocks at our wedding, there will be a few special details inspired by my feathered friends. Here are some peacock images that have been hovering around my Pinterest board for a while.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Gilding the Lily: Finishing Touches

One of my favorite things about these final stages of wedding planning is that all of those little details that have been floating around my head for the last year are beginning to come to life. Purchases are being made. Decor is being finalized. While I'm savoring keeping some of these little details secret until the big day, know this: things will be sparkly (shocking...I know). Etsy has been a blessing and a curse in my search for special and personal details. Before you enter into the rabbit hole that is Etsy.com, know this: there are more people selling vintage metallic wedding favor boxes than you know.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Holman Ranch Courtyard Styled Shoot

A month ago I had the privilege of doing a photoshoot at my favorite spot, Holman Ranch. In the coming months I'll be sharing all 4 (YES FOUR) shoots from that day, but here is a little glimpse of what we put together for the day. So many talented people helped me put together tons of wonderful details for this shoot. This Love of Yours Photography did such a wonderful job capturing these details and this gorgeous couple!

Venue: Holman Ranch Design/Planning: Engaged & Inspired Photography: This Love of Yours Dress: Hayley Paige at Haute Bride Los Gatos Paper Flowers: Christine Cater Bouquet: Huckleberry Karen Designs Necklace: J Crew

Napkin Surprises

I never would have thought that I would be writing a post solely on napkins! In mentally setting the table for our wedding I am having a hard time figuring out how all of these different pieces (napkins, china, linens, flowers) will work together in harmony instead of competing with one another. I am leaning towards renting some mismatched china, so I would like to keep the napkins and linens fairly neutral. But, people are getting so gosh darn creative with their napkins these days  it is hard to rein myself in! Check out these adorable DIY ombre dyed napkins.

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Add a touch of lavender.

Source : 1, 2 & 3

Go for a pop of color.

 Source: 1, 2 & 3

Or, add even more color with mismatched napkins. I found this esty vendor that will even make them for you in your pattern and color scheme. So cute!

Source: 1, 2 & 3

 How did you decide? Did you agonize over this silly detail as much as I have? Did you buy or rent? Love to hear any tips on where to buy napkins!

Braving Rain on Your Wedding Day

Spring is the time for beautiful greenery, blooming flowers and the season where a rain plan is a must. Having gone through rain (and hail) during my wedding, I have a few wisdoms to bestow upon you rainy day brides.

I was not willing to accept that rain was going to be an option on my wedding day, therefore I didn't ever prepare for it. Very luckily my mother-in-law brought her umbrella which I grabbed right before heading into the barn. And this is the shot we got right before being announced for dinner.

Accessorize up with a colorful umbrella and maybe even some galoshes. If rain does come, at least you will get some pretty awesome photos out of it.

Amazing right? Almost makes you WANT the rain to come.

A Warm Welcome {Baskets}

Since we are having a destination wedding many of our guests will be arriving Friday evening before the wedding to get settled. This is one of my favorite things about destinations weddings because everyone gets in the party mood and relaxes like a mini vacation. To get everyone acquainted with the town we are getting married in, I will be putting together welcome baskets with a few goodies.

As much as I love each of these above, mine will probably a simpler and more cost effective because let's face it, there's not too much budget left for these kind of extras. I still love these simpler options too:

But here's my question, what should I put in them? Right now I'm thinking a map of the town, a couple water bottles, some snacks, and maybe a few Advil. But I'd love your help to think of fun things to put in them. Share in the comments!

Mint to Be

In the aftermath of St. Patty's Day and with spring right around the corner, this post is dedicated to my new favorite color, mint green! I’ve always loved how this soft, sweet color pairs well with any Springtime pastel shade. Check out this darling round up of the perfect ways to keep your wedding minty fresh! Adorable (and super affordable!) dresses for the bride or her bridesmaids.

Source: 1, 2 & 3

Darling mint ph0tobooth.

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Add a little mint to your cake!

Source: 1, 2 & 3

Lollipops to find your table. Great way to re-purpose those berry containers!

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Subtle minty details

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Have you added some mint to your wedding pallet?

Linens 'n Things: Finding the Perfect Rentals

Depending on the venue you choose, you will either have to get a lot of rentals or some rentals. I've pretty much never heard of caterers or venues that come completely equipped. That being said, we are very lucky that Paradise Ridge comes with tables, chairs, and an amazing view, so we really only had to get the basics.

Last Saturday, we headed to Wine Country Party & Events, and chose our linens, flatware, glassware, outdoor lights, and ceremony arch. While we're definitely still finalizing everything, these are some of our favorites so far.

Have you chosen your rentals yet?

Source (all photos): Wine Country Party