Leaving Your Love : {Guest Books}

It's on to guest books this week. While guest books are by no means as necessary as say a photographer or open bar (in my opinion, that is), I do think they are a nice touch and a great way to preserve memories from the big day. I am a torn between a more traditional guest book (that aligns with my garden wedding theme, of course) or a more clever alternative to the traditional guest book idea... Some traditional ideas:

Source: Etsy via Daisyblu

Source: Etsy via Braggingbags

I am a sucker for tradition, but I am also obsessed with these adorable guest book alternatives! How cute are these well wishes for the parents books?! What a perfect gift to go along with the parents' album!

Source: Etsy via Braggingbags

...and of course, you can never go wrong leaving advice for the bride and groom...

Source: Etsy via Braggingbags

I am loving this burlap & heart "guest book" alternative. What a great way to display all of your love notes!

Source: Etsy via beautifulstart

Finally, this rustic looking wooden box with little wooden circles that say 'All things grow with love' has stolen my heart. How perfect for my garden chic wedding? And affordable at approximately $130.

Source: Etsy via dazzlingexpressions

*Did you have a guest book at your wedding? What was the best advice you received?

Garden Chic Table Numbers

Hello and happy Thursday! I am officially less than 2 months away from the big day! Now that the countdown is officially on, many friends and family members have been asking what is left on my to-do list. When I run through the list with them- decide on favors, assemble hotel bags, finalize escort cards, etc. I am always surprised at their response. The typical response I have been getting is, "That's all? Oh you're practically done!" Practically done?! I certainly don't feel anywhere close to being finished, but I am enjoying working on all the little details. Today I'm talking table numbers. While scouring the internet for table number ideas, I quickly realize that they  don't have to be strictly functional...they can be cute too!

For example, I am absolutely loving this burlap wine bag. You can put an actual bottle of wine in, or an empty bottle and fill it with flowers!

Source: BurlapandLinenCo

And these mini chalkboard signs are just too cute.

Source: Braggingbags

These precious shabby chic frames are serious contenders and come already painted in our wedding colors! I just love the vintage-y vibe they give.

Source: Braggingbags

Or, for a more rustic look, how cute are these birch bark hearts?

Source: Jadenrainspired

Finally, you already know that I'm a sucker for vintage books! How clever are these as table numbers?

Sources: VictoriasWhimsy, LoveAndFound

*What did you do for table numbers? Do you have a favorite from the above?

Invitations and Vintage Books

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.~Source 

Wedding invitations went out this week and it is a huge check off my never ending to-do list. I posted about my stationery inspiration here and on my own site, here, and I am so happy with how they turned out. here is a preview of our invitation suite, but if you are interested in the entire DIY post it's here.

Now that the invitations are sent and out of the way, it's time to start thinking about other types of wedding stationery: programs, table numbers, escort cards, etc. This week, during my daily wedding research, I fell in love with a different kind of stationery, vintage books! I love the vintage feel and hope to incorporate it anyway I can, while still keeping with my romantic, garden chic theme. Here are some beautiful vintage book details I found. Whether used as decoration on the escort card table, a simple stack for a beautiful photo or a full on centerpiece complete with table number display, these photos make me want to find the nearest used bookstore!

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{Darling Details} : Escort Cards

Hello and happy Friday! In the 14+ months that we have been engaged, there are busy weeks and there are slow weeks, weeks that go well and some that don't go as well. Overall, I am enjoying the process of planning and designing our wedding. I really wouldn't have it any other way, but there are some days when I wonder why we chose to have such a long engagement or if it really matters what kind of stamp goes on the invitation.. Do people really notice these things anyway? (Can you tell I have been assembling invitations this week??)  Eventually, I snap out of it and realize how blessed I am to be able to bring my dream wedding to life and remember that it's the little details that make a big difference.

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Whew. Thanks for listening. With all that being said, as soon as I drop the invitations in the mail, I am officially finished with the big things. It's time to focus on the details! One of the things I have been looking forward to bringing to life is the escort card table.

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I have already started working with my florist on designing the perfect escort card table. But then I got thinking...does it have to be a table?

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This is definitely an area I plan to DIY. I really love the idea of doing ribbon escort cards, but I'm having trouble figuring out how to execute it. I also really love the different fonts on the second to last picture.

*What did you do for escort cards/seating charts? What was the best escort display you have seen? What are your thoughts on wedding planning? Tell me about your most stressful wedding related moment and how you got over it.

Ring Shots I Adore

Last week I wrote about our wedding bands, so I thought I would continue the ring discussion this week with my love of ring shots. I just love it when a photographer gets really great and creative photos of the rings. Here are some of my favorites from pinterest.

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*What is the one must-have wedding shot that you wouldn't want your photographer to miss? Obviously, I wouldn't want her to miss the big kiss moment, but it would be nice to get a few ring shots if we remember!

Wedding Rings

Last weekend, Dan and I did something I have been looking forward to since we became engaged...we  bought our wedding bands! I don't know that I ever actually shared what my engagement ring looks like, so I found this one on pinterest that looks almost identical to my actual ring.

When we went to the jeweler, I tried on a few different styles.

I ultimately ended up going with something similar to my original vision, but with more detail and a bit of a vintage feel.

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We thought we would have to order the ring in my size, but the ring actually fit perfectly and the owner even let me take the ring home to show family, before paying for it. I am so happy with the ring we found and I keep opening the box to take a peek!

Here is a picture of the actual ring:

*What is/was your wedding band vision? Did you know what you wanted or go with something completely unexpected?

Wedding Day Transportation

Next up on our endless to-do list is booking wedding day transportation. Fortunately, our reception will be at a hotel,  so the only transportation I need to worry about is for us and the bridal party.

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In my head, I want something cute and fun, like a vintage car or a trolley. I'm a teacher so even a school bus would be cute. But, in reality, transportation can get expensive, so we may have to settle for the more traditional limos. Still, these photos make me want to find something fun and affordable.

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*What did you do for transportation? Is this a situation where practicality is more important? I'm torn!

Honeymoon Inspiration

This week, our big project is to {finally!} book our honeymoon. Ironically, Dan and I met on vacation, but rarely vacation together. In fact, in 6 years of dating, we have not yet taken a vacation alone together just because. Sure we have gone on plenty of trips together to visit friends or family, or for destination weddings, but we have never booked a trip for the two of us, just because we wanted to. Needless to say, we are very excited.

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When planning our honeymoon, we threw around a couple of ideas. We knew we wanted it to be something big and something we've never done before.

The Greek Isles?

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Paris?

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Finally, we decided on a place I have always wanted to visit, Hawaii.

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After everything is booked and settled I will give more details about what islands we plan to visit, but for now...any advice?

{Bridal Beauty} : Whimsical Wedding Hair

Last week I posted about shoes, this week is hair and make up. I am so excited that the big things are taken care of and now I can focus on the fun, little details that make a big difference. Last weekend, when I was at my first dress fitting (ahhh!), the shop owner warned me about my hair vision. I am most comfortable with my hair down, but she cautioned against keeping all my hair down in July. I don't know if I am going to change my vision, but I do know that I  want something whimsical and gorgeous.

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*What do you think? Is leaving my hair down a terrible idea for a July wedding?

Shoe Inspiration

Yesterday, I received an exciting phone call...my wedding dress is in! And although we have 4 months until the big day, I am going for my first fitting tomorrow! I'm not sure we can actually call this a fitting, because I think it is too early to make any alterations...I mean I don't even have my shoes yet! But I am excited to see my dress again and try it on in my actual size. Since I can't share too many dress details here, let's talk about shoes! I just love the photos you see online of the bride and groom's feet and definitely hope my photographer remembers to get that shot. Something like this will do just fine:

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Of course, the yellow doesn't exactly go with our wedding colors and I don't think I could ever convince my fiance to wear those socks. Still, I want something with color. I just love these bold shoe shots:

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As gorgeous as they are, the bold colors don't fit our soft, and romantic palette. Some serious possibilities are:

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*Where did you find your dream wedding shoes??