Wedding Week - Our Rehearsal Invitations

It's rehearsal day!! I can't believe tomorrow is almost here! Hopefully as you are reading this, I'm relaxing after a successful Bridesmaids' Luncheon! Here are the invitations we sent out for our rehearsal dinner tonight. I wanted to use the crest we had made and gingham...I think they turned out lovely!

Hopefully I get some beauty sleep tonight! Feel free to leave me some advice for tomorrow!!! 

Wedding Week - Our Invitations

Ummm how is it already Thursday?! Obviously I planned to post some more this week, but life got in the way! I wanted to share our wedding invitations with you all. I really love how they turned out - classic and pretty. I ordered these from Minted, but I would advise that you not use them if you want a custom order. It was a nightmare getting these done correctly. But, they turned out pretty! Like I said, I added the map in with the other items. Then I tied them up with a bow. 

I have some things to finalize tonight. Glad all my ladies are in town so we can knock those out!

Wedding Week - Our Wedding Map

Well folks, its finally here. Wedding Week!! I'll be sharing details of our upcoming wedding all week. The stress is fading away and I'm starting to get excited!!! Still have some DIY projects to tackle today and this week, but I'm going to have help and wine and just try to enjoy this week :) I can't believe it is finally almost here!

First up, our wedding map. It turned out to be one of my most favorite items for the wedding. Arely at CaligrafiaBella did an amazing job. She is so incredibly talented and a delight to work with.

The process starts with her sending you a list of questions and requirements in an easy to follow instruction sheet. You provide her with a list of all of the places you want included in your map, lots of pictures, a google map of the area and locations, and the most important roads to be included.  She has great ideas, so you don't have to worry if you aren't particularly creative!

Next, she comes up with a sketch. I was SO excited when she emailed me ours, because it was even better than I could have imagined. There really wasn't much that we needed to tweak, she got it just about perfect! 

Finally, Arely turns her sketch into a piece of watercolor gorgeousness! I love all the calligraphy she uses as well. I mean seriously, isn't it just beautiful?!

I ended up including a map in each invitation. It added some color and beauty to the invitation suite. I have also had some postcards made with the map on the front (had these printed by Vistaprint) that I am including in the out of town guest bags and putting out at the rehearsal dinner. The map is so gorgeous I wanted to include it where I could! The original will be on display at the reception (probably on the gift or guest book table) in a beautiful gold frame and then later hung in our new home.

More pictures to come after the wedding. Stop by CaligrafiaBella on Etsy for more examples of maps she has done. I can't recommend her enough. If you are considering having a wedding map created, she is definitely the best choice! I think it would also be awesome to have a map made as a gift or for yourself of a hometown, a favorite town, or special place you have visited.

Checking In

Hello lovely readers! I've been totally MIA lately in case you hadn't noticed. It has been a whirlwind here. Ben and I have obviously been preparing for the wedding (ummm I can't believe it is in less than two weeks!), we also just closed on our new home (obviously lots of details to come!), we have been trying to get the condo rented out, I've had a nasty sinus infection that was giving me horrible vertigo, and on top of that my uncle unexpectedly and tragically passed away. Things have been quite crazy to say the least. I'm so looking forward to life going back to normal. But, before we get to the settling in after the honeymoon, we've got lots of exciting days ahead.

The wedding planning is wrapping up nicely. I still have few DIY details I'm finishing up this week. I've got to make several trips to the craft store, the printer and get my hair trial done (totally slacked on doing this earlier). The cake stand has to be painted, the bar decor made, some things taken to be monogrammed, gifts wrapped and a few other little details finished up. I'm praying to have all of this complete by the end of the weekend (or at the very latest next Tuesday) so that I can relax and enjoy next week. Family starts to arrive Wednesday and the bridal party on Thursday. It's just crazy to me that we are talking about NEXT WEEK!!

Overall:

1.     Set a date

2.     Book a venue

3.     Book photographer

4.     Engagement photos

5.     Book videographer (taking this off the list)

6.     Book band

7.     Ask bridal party to be in wedding

8.     Create wedding website

9.     Book florist

10. Buy wedding dress

11. Select bridesmaid dresses

12. Order groom’s Tux , shoes, accessories

13.  Groomsmen arrange for tuxes

14. Find veil

15. Order Veil

16. Bride’s shoes

17. Book cake baker

18. Buy cake knife and server

19. Order save the dates

20. Finalize guest list

21. Cake stand

22. Cake topper

23. Ring pillow

24. Order save the dates

25. Send save the dates

26. Order guest book

27. Register

28. Reserve hotel room blocks

29. Hire a calligrapher

30. MOB & MOH dress shopping

31. Find wedding shoes

32. Choose wedding jewelry

33. Purchase garter

34. Clutch for bride

35. Sash or belt for bride

36. Something old

37. Something new

38. Something borrowed

39. Something blue

40. 6 pence

41. Hire Day-Of Coordinator

42. Make day-of emergency kit (coordinator provides)

43. Going away outfit (I think I’ll stay in my dress as long as possible!)

44. Book makeup artist and hair stylist

45. Wedding favors (need to wrap these up)

46. Getting ready outfit for bride and bridesmaids

47. Menu tasting

48. Cake tasting

49. Hair and makeup trial  (Friday)

50. Get measured for dress (Dec 2012)

51. Pick up dress in Charleston

52. Order invitations

53. Get invitation envelopes to calligrapher

54. Send invitations

55. Bridal party gifts

56. Family gifts

57. MOH gift

58. Wedding Map

59. Order Chinese Lanterns

60. Purchase wedding bands – bride & groom

61. Put together picture list for photographer (need to email this to him)

62. Get marriage license (next week)

63. Book transportation for wedding party

64. Welcome bags (MIL is working on these)

65. Signature drink painting

66. Gift for Groom  (we have decided not to do gifts but to get a puppy instead!!!)

67. Music selection for band  (almost complete)

68. Playlists for cocktail hour (letting the band do their thing)

69. Book wedding night hotel room

70. Order thank you notes (may do this after the wedding with a wedding pic)

71. Tips and thank you notes for vendors

72. Kids table stuff (placemats, centerpieces, cupcakes)

73. Signs for bar, guest book, lanterns, bourbon (currently creating these)

74. Distribute timeline/contacts to family/vendors/DOC

75. GET MARRIED!!

Ceremony:

1.     Book musician

2.     Book church

3.     Pre-marital counseling (church)

4.     Wreaths (florist)

5.     Yard sign (not doing, taking off list )

6.     Programs (in the process of making)

7.     Rose petals (florist)

8.     Music selections (talk to Carl on Sunday)

9.     Swag for front of Church (florist)

10. Make pillow for ring box

11. Get-away car decorations for church (buy ribbon, paint cans)

Reception:

1.     Book caterer

2.     Order rentals (meeting with them Friday)

3.     Decorations for bride and groom’s chairs (aka add bows)

4.     Candles (votives, buy other candles)

5.     Framed family wedding photos  (for guest book table)

6.     Cocktail music selection (band will arrange this)

7.     Escort cards and table number signs

8.     Make table assignments and seating charts (finishing tonight)

9.     Monogram wreath for the fireplace (florist)

10. Greenery “W” for over bar area (making this week/weekend)

11. Monogram linen napkins (not doing)

12. Personalized cocktail napkins & drink stirs

13. Flip flops

14. Accessories for the bourbon bar

15. Sparklers (not doing)/lanterns

16. Bandaids, bug spray, or anything for bathrooms at club

17. Silver tray for cards on gift table

Rehearsal Dinner:

1.     Book venue

2.     Rehearsal dinner music (someone else is doing)

3.     Rehearsal dinner décor/flowers/mason jars

4.     Rehearsal dinner caterer

5.     Rehearsal dinner rentals

6.     Order invitations

7.     Send invitations

8.     Slideshow (delegate to best man)

9.     Napkin and utensil packets

10. Order pies from Missy’s

11. Dessert plates etc

12. Any serving pieces we may need

Excetra:

1.     Bachelorette party

2.     Bachelor party

3.     Bridal showers (March 8^th, March 30^th, April 14^th, May 4^th)

4.     Book honeymoon

5.     Honeymoon shopping (bikinis and cover ups)

6.     Bridesmaids Luncheon (May 31st)

7.     Groomsmen Golf Game (May 31^st or DOW)

8.     Hostess gifts (March, April, May)

9.     Wedding announcement in HL

Still seems like a lot! EEEEKKKK!! My dress is still being 

altered...hopefully she calls me about that soon. 

Hang in there with me! I have lots of fun details about the wedding and the new house coming!

How to Deal with Wedding STRESS!!

stressed to the max this week...will resume posting next week. SO much going on...will reveal soon :)