Our Garden

We're Married

By now the day has come and gone and we have been married for nearly a month! Thank goodness the planning, festivities, the getting ready, and the event are all fresh in my mind!

Sweet and Saucy Shop

 

This week I am going to pay a little visit to the Sweet and Saucy Shop in Long Beach! One or two of my bridesmaids will be tagging along, to of course taste all the mini desserts! Anyone who knows me, understands my passion for dessert, especially mini desserts. I attempted to make an appointment, so lets hope they call me back! 

Love Shoot!!

We are so excited to have engagement pictures!!! I debated on whether to get them, but it is totally worth it! An engagement shoot allows you to meet your photographer, become more comfortable with posing/kissing/loving each other on camera! We decided on two looks a western theme and modern theme which are both featured on the photographers blog www.jenniferdaiglephotography.com

White, Black & Green

So I have decided on my wedding colors~ white and black with a hint of pear (green)!! I have been uneasy about this choice, since I am having a summer wedding and black...not so summerish! I am getting away with it by understanding that black is an evening color, and well, I am getting married in the evening! Some of my ideas so far consist of...

Our Spot

Once I visited Casa Romantica and fell in love, I thought Tucker should see it!! I had been to many locations and could picture getting married there so I would bring him and we kinda liked them AND THEN I brought him to "The house of romance" and he of course fell in love too~ and we booked it!! The venue has it all~ an ocean view terrace for the ceremony, an amazing ball room with spanish architectual accents, and  wonderful gardens surrounding the entire location!

...and I did it!

Supplies List:

2 wooden plaques mine are (5x7),  acrylic paint of your choice, I went with pure black and a cream white, sponge paint brush, and small and fine brush for the letters, printed and cut out “Mr. and Mrs.” In your choice font, I used Vivaldi, and a pencil! At the end I added an artistic element which I hope to use throughout my reception, it is also on my invitations!

Step 1: Paint plaque with cream paint, it took about three layers.

Step 2: Print and cut out Mr. and Mrs.

Step 3: Trace Mr. and Mrs. On plaque with pencil

Step 4: With a fine paint brush outline and paint the letters, start in the center!

Step 5: Add artistic element

Black and White Wooden Signs

I have seen various photos of black and white wooden wedding signs...and I want them! I found a great website that makes and sells them http://www.familyatticshoppe.com/ and of course I am sure you can find them on Etsy. But with a couple 40% off coupons from Micheals and Joann's...I of course am going to attempt to make them!! DIY Project coming soon!

Officially booked a caterer- Iva Lee's

The venue that we chose has about five cratering companies to choose from, before booking with the venue I made sure to get a couple of quotes from the caterers to be sure they fit within my wedding budget! Months down the line, I finally booked one, called Iva Lee's! I learned a couple of wedding planning basics through this experience. 

1. Ask your caterer about other vendors, such as a rental company. Apparently this caterer works with a rental company and was able to give me a quote for both the rentals and the catering!

2. If the quote is over budget, be willing to work with them. I recommended taking out the coffee buffet, which in turn takes out the table rental and table cloth! I also have decided to do a dessert buffet, which means I don't need a wedding cake table or linens! These items took out a couple hundred dollars!!

3. Caterers understand that some weddings have a budget! And she was so nice to offer other recommendations, such as purchasing plastic wear within my color range for the cake/dessert buffet (another over $100 saved)

4. A HUGE plus with Iva Lee's, if you book within 2010 you get free passed appetizers during cocktail hour!!!

http://www.ivalees.com/

Printable 2010 Calendars

To bring in the new year, I of course like everyone else, is trying to get organized! I found really cute *free* printable calendars while browsing one of my favorite blogs oneprettything! The top calendar is from http://www.vertcerise.com and the bottom from http://loveobsessinspire.typepad.com/