My Big Day

As of August 13, 2011, I am no longer a bride but a newleywed.  It still feels like things have no settled in yet.  Still in transition phase and beginning to begin my new journey with my new hubby.  Well, I know most of you may be wondering what my thoughts were the day of and some wisdom to pass down to all of you brides.

Overall, the day couldn't have been more perfect.  It was a nice 70 degree weather during the ceremony and it was all clear skies.  Not only that, everyone was in good health, they got there safely, and I had a TON of energy that day.  I didn't even drink any energy drinks or coffee and I made it through the whole day without feeling I had to take a nap at all.  God definitely answered my prayers ( guests safety, health, weather, and energy to make it through). 

I think the part that really got to me wasn't the reading of the vows or saying I do to my hubby, but it was seeing EVERYTHING finally put together.  After many days searching and planning...this was like the grand finale.  From the dress to seeing the centerpieces...it was more beautiful then I imagined it.  It was all so perfect.  I think the piece that got to me the most was looking at the gazebo we had.  I got chiffon draping and a chandelier to hang from the gazebo.  It was the definate draw dropper for me.  It looked even better then I imagined it in my mind.  I was so overwhelmed with joy to see all the pieces placed where it should be.  There was not one detail that wasn't where it was not supposed to be.  Everything was absolutely gorgeous.  I will show pictures later on! 

The reception I would say was more for the guests.  Even though I did enjoy it, I didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to.  In the back of my mind I kept telling myself, we're running so far behind and we got to do this and this and this.  I wish I didn't have this mindset and just stopped worrying about it.  But soon enough, as the day progressed...we didn't get everything we wanted to do, but no one seemed to notice a thing.  It was perfect the way it ended up being.  The enjoyment I got from the reception wasn't from just being there, but it was from seeing how much fun everyone was having.  Maybe it was the sugar from the candy bar or the one hour open bar...but when I saw people laugh/smile and dance, it just made me even more happy.  I think ultimately, the reception is more so for your guests to enjoy.  So just keep in mind what you think your guests would like at your reception.  The more fun they have, the more fun you will have as well...visa versa. 

One thing I regret doing is going around the tables to say hi to everyone.  It was hard since we had 33 tables and barely enough time.  We were about to and then we ended up doing the toasts which took longer then expected.  Thankfully we had a sweet heart table so our friends/family just came up to us throughout the dinner time.  I think if we sat with our family, they may have been more intimated to approach us.  Even though we could barely eat because we were talking to our guests...I managed to get a good chunk of my meal in.  I wish all of our guests came up to us that night, but unfortunately not everyone did.  So if you're a guest make sure to say hi to the bride and groom!  It was those little moments spending time with people that made my day.  I'm glad our bridal room was connected to the public womens' restroom!  lol...don't ask.  It was kind of a hidden bathroom. I got to chit chat/hang out with some of my good girlfriends. 

In the end, I did enjoy the day and I did my best to party hard (especially during the dance portion).  I'm glad everyone enjoyed the night and now I'm having wedding withdrawals!  I want to plan another wedding again...=)

Lesson Learned:

1)Even though things may not go as scheduled (even if you're far behind inschedule) no one will notice except for you.  In the end, it will be unnoticed and there's no need to worry about it.  Just go with it.  =)

2) Make sure to have someone in charge day of (that's not you...bride or groom).  You can hire a day of coordinator...I would HIGHLY recommend it if your venue doesn't provide one.

3) Spend time with your guests.

My Favorite Moments:

1) My friends doing a flash mob dance when the DJ was playing
2) Surprising everyone with the dance my bridesmaids and I did by Ok Go- A Million Ways

3) Seeing all my friends and family together

4) Spending time with people...even though if it was for a minute

5) Seeing everything FINALLY put together

6) Trying to use the bathroom in my wedding dress...it took a group effort!  lol

7) Dancing the night away

8) Walking down the aisle

9) Seeing everyone having a good time (young and old)

10) Saying I DO to my hubby

0 Days Left:Today is the big day

It's currently 7am right now and I just woke up from a great sleep and feel a lot more refreshed from a hectic night.  What a blessing!  I'm so amazed how this weather has been unseasonably cool.  It's going to be a nice sunny 85 during the peak hours of the afternoon.  Fortunately our ceremony is in the vening so it'll be in the 70s and all in the shade.  For California weather in August this is amazing...normally it reaches 100 at this time. 

Well it's finally here.  All the endless days of planning has finally almost come to an end.  Currently, I'm not ecstatic, tired, nervous, anxious, or stressed.  It almost feels like nothing big is going to happen yet.  I guess once I start the day with the hair/make up then I'll begin to feel a mixed bag of emotions.  It feels surreal that it's finally here and I'm glad.  I've done my best to plan what I could and now I have to toss the baton to my day of coordinator and those who are helping.  I'm not even gonig to pick up my phone once we get to the venue.  So if you're reading this and you're an invited guest and not helping out...don't call or text me.  You'll just end up talking to my coordinator.  =)   Today is my day to finally "relax" and enjoy.  Maybe that's why I got a good nights rest. 

1 Day Left

I can't wait to sleep tonight.  A bit flustered...but trying to relax.  Almost there!

2 Days Left

I'm so tired and I can't sleep because there's so much to do.  I feel like it never ends...

I'm not even doing any decorating...it's just taking care of things that are must haves. 

Exhausted...please pray for me.

DIY Mini Banner

I wish I could take more pictures and blog more about the projects I'm finishing up right now.  I"m doing them as fast as I can, but keep forgetting to take pictures.  At this point, I took a picture of the final product but didn't take it of the process.

Anyways, this was a last minute thing.  I used this display for the Programs and Gift Cards.

Make sure to listen to some soothing music while doing this.  Also, have a good pair of scissors...it may drive you nuts.

Materials:

Scrapbook Paper

Glitter Scrapbook paper (more of a thicker paper)

Letter Template

Scissors

Glue Stick

Twine

Mini Clothespins

Directions:

1) Cut out letters from the template. 

2) Trace the cut out letters onto the glitter scrapbook paper.

3) Cut out the traced out letters on glitter paper (this is when you need your soothing music)

4) Cut 2.5x3.5 sized scrapbook paper (for background)

5) Glue letters onto scrapbook paper.

6) Cut twine.

7) Attach letters/scrapbook piece onto the twine with clothespins. 

3 Days Left

Fiance finally arrived in town and it's such a nice breather just to see him.  I was so flustered this whole day with running errands.  I almost even forgot to have lunch!  At one point during the time where I was purchasing some items, I was just exhausted.  I had to pump myself up in my mind in the store saying, "Come on...you can do this!  COME ON!"  Imagine a mean personal fitness instructor cheering on their client...that's what it sounded like in my head.  lol...I never thought this week would be so hectic, but it turned out to be.  Once I had dinner with my fiance, I just forgot all the craziness of wedding planning and just RELAXED. 

Still more tired then normal during the day, but thankfully able to get a good 8 hours of sleep per night. 

Advice to Future Brides: If you can, allocate your projects to others or else you'll burn yourself out. 

DIY Picture Frame Dessert Trays

These dessert picture frames are incredibly easy to do.  All you need is to look for a frame, put in a piece of scrapbook paper or even gift wrapping paper as the photo...then you're done!  Sorry for the crappy pictures, I was in a rush while doing these.  I've been doing a million things at once these past two days.

Materials:

Picture Frames

Nice Paper (scrapbook paper or gift wrap paper)

Scissors

Ruler

Directions

1) Measure out paper to size of picture frame.

2) Take out backing and place cut out paper in frame.

3) Turn over and you're done!

4 Days Left!

"I feel like I"m taking crazy pills!"-Will Ferrill as Mugatu in Zoolander

In all honesty, I thought I was done with a lot of my projects, but I'm still not!  I feel like the list never ends.  So many last minute things that I need to finish up.  Gahh.  Not only that, but I have to clean my house because people will be coming over for lunch.  (Note to future brides: NEVER have guests come over on the day of your wedding...your house may be in chaos from all your wedding projects/items!)  Just feeling a bit overwhlemed right now.  I had to take a breather and just look at some beautiful weddings on Style Me Pretty and Ruffled.  Just a nice breather.  =)

I don't know why, but I feel like I'm losing track of what I need to do as the weeks went by.  I swear I'm losing my mind.  Sometimes I would go to my room and forget what I was getting...not just once...multiple times...in a row!!  I normally don't need to write down what I need to do throughout the week, but these past two weeks have been crammed with appointments.   From dress fittings to meeting with vendors, it never seems to end. 

Currently running around everywhere trying to get little things that I keep pushing away to get.  I hope I can try to get everything done by tomorrow and just relax Thursday and Friday...

I'm POOPED and really hungry at the moment!



5 Days Left: Counting in for no showers and last minute back outs

Currently trying to get all the little details put togehter.  Almost done with everything.  Yay!  Can't wait to be done with all the projects.

Anyways, word of advice, make sure to subtract at least 6-10 people from your final guest list.  If you think you have 200 people at the wedding, make the count as 190-200.  There are people that WILL back out last minute and won't even show up on the day of the wedding without telling you.  Last minute things do come up and you just can't control it. 

Almost there!!

6 Days Left: Including Fiances Decisions

Motto of the Day:

"Just go with it."-my maid of honor

My fiance is a typical hands off groom.  He's pretty much left 99% of the planning to me.  Of course there are some drawbacks and perks to having your fiance being hands off.  For me, it worked out wonderfully because I need my space.  Thankfully my fiance entrusts me with my tastes.  Yes, I do have to run things across him from time to time to make sure he's ok with certain set ups, but usually he's down for what I have in mind.  For example, I showed him a several pictures of a chic vintage glam wedding (which is similar to ours) to make sure he's fine with that theme. 

Word of advice to you new brides out there.  If your future hubby is anything like mines, when he asks for something (even if you absolutely hate it), just do it.  Normally they don't ask for much and what they do ask you for is something that will mean a lot to them.  I noticed when I turned him down, he does get upset.  It's the little things that will make them happy.  "Just go with it."  =)

French Vintage Album turned into Ring Bearer "Pillow"

I found this gorgeous gorgeous GORGEOUS vintage French album at the Rose Bowl flea market a while back.  Originally I wanted to turn a vintage book into a ring bearer pillow.  As I was rummaging through countless books at the flea market, this little album caught my eye.  Not only was it the perfect size and look, but it was one of those old school picture albums where the middle of the page has a hole in it to display the pictures (you'll see what I mean when you look at the pictures).  I couldn't ask for anything better and this is something hard to come across.  Plus I got a great deal for it too!  yay!



Outside



Inside

Ring Bearer Vintage Album "Pillow"

by The Average Bride

Materials:

Fake Rings...I obviously wanted less, but this was the only package size they had at Joanns

Ribbon that matches album



Scrapbook paper (one for background one for heart)



Vintage Album

Tape

Scissors

Directions:

1. Cut background scrapbook paper to fit size of album.  Make sure to leave some room around the borders of the scrapbook paper so you can tape it to the back.

2. Cut out the heart (optional if you want a heart) and paste it onto the background scrapbook paper.

3. Pull the ribbon through the hole.  The ribbon should be coming out from the last page that hits the scrapbook paper. 

4. Place the fake rings through the ribbon.

5. Eyeball where you want the rings to be placed.  If you want it more centered, then make the ribbon a bit looser.  I tied my ribbon tight so the rings look like they are coming off the edge of the album page. 

6. Tie a nice bow (I made mines nice and tight)

7. Make sure the ends of the ribbon is even.  Then you're done!

Fini!

Key Ingredient to Losing Weight

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of the amount of reality shows about losing weight.  I liked watching The Biggest Loser but now there are so many variations of it.  They even have a show specifically for losing weight for your wedding called, "Shedding if for the Wedding!"  Not only that, but you always hear those radio ads and see the countless billboard ads on the street about losing a ton of weight quickly and easily.  In the end, there is really no "easy" way to lose weight in a healthy way.  Of course, I'm not a doctor...just a fitness freak that works out 6 days a week.  =P 

For me, I've never been on one of those fad diets.  I don't want to and I hope I don't have to.  It always seems to amaze me when people come up with diets about losing weight by eating cookies and ice cream.  Just a a bit of a contradiction don't you think?  =)  I did take a look at how those diets work and most of the time you're barely eating anything.  That's why you probably can eat cookies and ice cream for your meals!  The more I did a bit of research on different diets the more I realized a commonality;  it was really about eating less. 

Don't get me wrong, it does sound easy to "eat less," but is it really that simple?  This is where it leads to my conclusion over the years of trying to obtain a certain weight...it's called discipline.  Let's face it, disciplining yourself to excercise more and eat less is hard work and not necessairly enjoyable at first.  That's why it takes time to train yourself to get into the habit of eating less, eating healthy, and excercising.  I would say if you don't normally excercise (getting your heart rate up for at least a good 30 min 3-4 days a week), it may take at least 1-2 months to train your body to get used to the excercise.  Especially if you don't excercise, that first month can be hell. 

Excercise isn't the hardest part for me, it's more so eating less.  I can excercise 6 days a week and my body shape may still be the same.  It's really until I learned how to cut down on foods (eat until my tummy is satisfied...not full) and are more raw veggies/fruit is when I began to see more immediate results.  If you hate excercising, you can eat less and lose weight.  On the otherside, excercise will aide in helping you lose weight.  For me excercise really helps me to get more body toning/definition and nice muscles.  What's great about muscle building is that muscles tend to burn calories a lot faster. 

My Excercise Routine:

1 Hour Spin 2x a Week

1 Hour Sculpt/Tone 2x a Week

1 Hour of Zumba once a week

1 Hour of Misc. (running, zumba, weight training, etc.) once a week

My Eating Plans:

Eating until my tummy is satisfied (not full).  Eat more veggies/fruit as well. 

We all know that when it comes to weddings, the bride (sometimes the groom) usually wants to lose weight.  And yes, I am guilty of falling into that category as well.  If you do plan to lose weight, make sure to start early!  Don't wait until 2 months before to lose weight.  With most people it takes at least 3 months to see a noticeable difference. 

Remember, discipline is not your enemy but your friend.  Sometimes great friends aren't the ones that always tell you what you want, but they tell you what you need to hear.  =)

Going Back in Time

I've been collecting old black and white pictures of my parents family and my fiance's as well.  There's just something about going through your parents old family pictures.  I can't really describe it, but it's definitely neat to go through them.  I love the antique/vintage look to the photographs.  Definitely a must to use!  Here's just a sample of a few...

Please do not copy these pictures.  Thank you.

Count Down: 11 Days Left Part 1

I know it's only 1030am in the morning here, but another bump...could be a BIG bump...in the road.  It's funny, one month ago I probably would've been freaking out like no other, but right now I'm saddened by what may happen yet still ok with the worst circumstances.  It's definitely a miracle that this sense of peace is overflowing from within me.  Really, there is no need to freak out because in the end...what will be will be.

11 Days Left (Part 1): You Can't Control the World, but You Can Control Your Mindset

Overall, this motto is heavily engrained deep within me.  There's so many things in the world that can go wrong, that have gone wrong, but in the end the only thing we can control is our own actions/mindset.  Of course there are some actions that I've taken that I want to blame someone else for, but in the end I'm responsible for what I've done.  

So how does this relate to weddings?  With any weddings, there is guaranteed to be some drama.  Whether it's a minor miscommunication or even to a break up, drama is always right at your door whenever there are many people involved.  Let's face it everything could go wrong, but in the end it's really all about the union between two people. As long as that is fulfilled the day of the wedding, I will be more then estatic.  =)  The wedding is one day (even less then a day), but your marriage is for a lifetime.  There may be many things that may go wrong, but I think in the end...it's how it's being handled.  I could turn into a bridezilla or just suck it up, laugh at it...or maybe even cry a bit...and move on.  I think if I went through the whole night making myself miserable by focusing on something that went wrong...how awful would that be?   I can't trust in everything going the way I want it to, but I can trust and find peace that God will be there with us if we ask Him to be present at our wedding. 

My Top 3 Musts (if not...I may turn bridezilla)

1) My fiance will say Yes!  ;)

2) God's presence will fill every fiber of everything during the wedding

3) That I will just enjoy being with loved ones and even make new friends.

Count Down: 12 Days Left

Today I went to get the fire permit for having open flames.  As much as I want to have regular open flames, the battery powered ones may be more cost efficient then having a large mirror base that everything will be placed on.  Just another minor bump in the wedding planning...but at least I won't have to worry about a fire!  =)

Day 12: Let's get this over with.

I'm ready.  Let's get this done.  I'm not ecstatic, nervous, worried, or scared about the wedding...I'm more at the state of content.  Just preparing myself to be satisfied with whatever happens regardless of how crazy and/or how wonderful. 

Craspedia Flowers

There's something about these yellow like pom poms that add so much cute/retro to your wedding.  If I was having a yellow themed wedding with lots of whimsical touches, these flowers would be an absolute must.  You can use them in your bouquet, centerpieces, boutinierres, or even have a small trio in a cute vase.  These yellow pom pom like flowers are called Craspedia Flowers.  Super fun!

Via Flores Del Sol

Wedding Bouquet

Via The Knot

Via Bouquet Bridal

Boutinierres:

Via Bridal Bouquet

Centerpiece:

Via Triple Max Tons