escort cards

I really like this idea...i've seen it a couple of times on different blogs... (first two photos -elizabeth ann designs) ..guests arrive and find their name and table number on their escort card, skeleton key/tag. I found the frames at hobby lobby half price sale... they were bulletin boards.. thomas and I covered the cork in burlap yesterday afternoon... now to find 100 skeleton keys on etsy or ebay!

I'm beginning to like ranunculus flowers as much as peonies.. I picked up a bunch of ranunculus flowers, small hydreangeas, and lavendar at that store (previous posts) in arkansas... I saw mini french market bouquets at a store here, Windsor Market...this idea has been in the back of my mind for a while.. small selection of flowers wrapped up in crumpled brown paper tied with rafia... reminds me of my favorite movies, My Fair Lady, "would ya like to buy some violets?" So they will be placed in the foyer of the reception or maybe on the front patio for the ladies to take... And then hobby lobby had their 40% off internet coupon ..so I bought six pink paper parosols for my bridesmaids and one for me for photo props!

Here's the photo of the postcard I bought at Border's store closing sale (painting it black) ...and here's a photo of the framed/printed thumbprint tree! (going to stain the frame darker)

I'm loving the pink lemonade~pink/white stripey straw combo... for the back patio at the reception. Atwoods was having no sales tax day..so we bought all the mason jars. I think i'm going to make tags instead of labels. (collage from stylemepretty)

The canopy is ...DONE!! hooray! we can finally watch tv in the living room again! the "poofs" are not as "poofy" as I'd like them..but we have an idea for wedding day..so maybe it will be a bit "poofier." The flower arrangements drove me nuts! I did them both and then could not figure out why the one on the right didn't look like the one on the left.. Thomas thankfully fixed it..lol.. he's so good..and patient! no, i don't plan on wearing socks with heels..but..MY SHOES CAME IN!! YIPEE!! and they fit! I ordered them online...perfect! They didn't make me as tall as I'd hoped..trying them out standing next to Thomas.. they're 4 inches.. which makes me think..gee what do i really look like standing next to him!? Well two things crossed off the list..canopy and shoes!

When I was six years old I was Miss America for career day...I chose that because I had asked my mom who the richest man was and she said Donald Trump..and I said well I wanna marry him when I grow up...she said well then you'll have to become Miss America...haha.. I've been searching all year for my bridal shoes.. I've traveled to stores hours away and also looked online. Trying to find a platform with an ankle strap and that has enough bling is hard to find! I finally ran across Ivanka Trump's new shoe line... (funny that it's trump brand!) I LOOOOVE these! Zappos.com finally got size 6/ivory in. Hopefully size 6 will fit.. I range from size 5 to 6 depending on the shoe..but they do have free shipping and free returns. I purchased the shoes tonight...can't wait till they get here! Then I can try them on with my dress and I can get my alterations done!

our rings!

So in addition to making the thumbprint tree yesterday, we got one more wedding thing accomplished ~ I bought his wedding band! It's not as black as it looks in the image....and the other image is a sneak peek of what my engagement ring will look like with my wedding bands!

At the reception, on the back patio, guests will be signing in on our thumbprint tree. Thomas created this tree last night using his stylus and photoshop. Then he downloaded some fingerprint photoshop brushes to create the "leaves" so we could see for fun how it might turn out after the guests "leaf their thumbprint!" They'll also use a fine point sharpie to write their names under their prints. Still looking for a large off-white frame for it and then I'm going to use the frame I covered in moss for the sign. I bought the leaf shaped ink pads at Joan's fabric and craft store.

I love this photo carousel from Pottery Barn... I've been looking all over for a postcard rack in similar size. I saw one a couple of months ago at a fixtures store but it was over 50 dollars. This weekend I went to Border's book store store closing sale and scored one for 20 bucks! The store closing was a little sad though.. Barnes and Nobles is nice but Border's is so much quieter (and cheaper!) and they put a little chocolate cookie on the saucer of my coffee cup and warm up my blueberry muffins with butter! Reminded me of one of my all time favorite movies..You've Got Mail..when Meg Ryan has to close up her book shop. As sad as it was..I came out beaming that I found a full size postcard rack...and then came the task of fitting it in the car..which i'd forgotten about...haha.. I got it in..diagonally...but it fit! It is currently white..going to paint it black and figure out how to make the top more ornate. I'm thinking i'm going to use it in the foyer at the reception. I'm thinking black and white photos of Thomas and I...or photos of us growing up...or photos of past family members' weddings...or vintage French postcards for guests to take? After the wedding I'm going to use it in our apartment.. for photos..stationary..or even mail!