Flora: Part Deux

I've decided flowers= simple. Here is a list of all the places that I was thinking of using flowers in our wedding before meeting with florists:
-1 Bride's Bouquet
-1 toss bouquet*
-4 Bridesmaid's bouquets
-1 groom and 4 groomsmen boutonnieres (Groomsmen may have pocket squares instead of flowers)*
-1 flower girl halo
-1 petals or pomander for flower girl (dependent on church)*
-20 aisle flowers (every other row of pews)
-13 bear leaves or lotus leaves for centerpieces*
-3 long steam flowers for head table*

*Possibilities. Not sure if it will make the final cut yet.

Doc

For the most part I'm trying to keep things as simple as possible. I'm planning to do a lot of the paper products myself, the flowers aren't going to be extravagant, and I'm having fun making as much for the wedding as I possibly can. However, there is one splurge I decided early on that I wanted. Doc (Day of Coordinator).

Important details or unnessary extras?

I think I may be becoming a repeat offender. Every time I start thinking about some aspect of the wedding, I initially downgrade its importance. Then I see an example of the perfect answer to that detail, and I end up wanting it.

Example: The wedding clutch

I know I will need to carry a few things around that day (lip gloss, hotel key, etc), but I was initially thinking someone else could always hold onto it for me, but I was searching etsy today and...
Wouldn't this be perfect in cream and white fabrics? I like the floaty material with the clean edges at the top. The bottom has so much dimension! It's funny how looking at wedding stuff during all your free time can change your mind about so many things.

The etsy shop is madebyhank. They unfortunately don't have any bags in a color that would go with my wedding, and the shop doesn't do custom orders. This will have to go into the if-I-have-time-I-might-try-to-recreate or search-for-something-similar category.

After seeing the perfect ______ have you started to reconsider wedding details that you hadn't previously thought were important to you?

Flora: Part One

Flowers are one of the aspects of a wedding that I'm not always sure about. I have definite ideas of what I like, but they are not complete. I think I get bogged down by all the different kinds and names.

(I'll be honest. I didn't even know peonies existed before I start wedding planning)

After seeing many successful DIY wedding flowers, I was thinking about doing the flowers myself.

A DIY Bouquet

The flowers would be kept simple. One flower per bouquet, and I don't even really need flowers for my centerpieces. Mr Camrah did NOT think this was a good idea. He thought it would put way too much stress on me too close to the wedding. I've slowly started to agree with him. I'm still considering doing some of the flowers on my own, but I would love a nice bouquet with different flowers and leaves sprouting up every where. So, I've started on the adventure of finding a florist.

Did you consider or are you going to be your own florist? What made you decide to get a vendor or do it yourself?

It's Science!

I have been working in a lab for three years and was a biology major. AKA. I am loving this science wedding.
I'm totally trying to think of a way to steal their flowers in beakers with colored water idea, but I don't know how I would fit it into my wedding. :(

Have you found any weddings that automatically make you want to smile? Or that relate to your every day life? Do you have any suggestions for how I can work the beakers in?

Bridesmaids Accesories Part One

I love the feel of Keri Knightly in Atonement. She is so glamorous and I love that green dress. I would love for all of my bridesmaids to feel like this during the wedding, but I also know this isn't really their style. I really want them to feel comfortable and feel like themselves at my wedding. I think their personalities should show through in their attire for the day. Take for instance, Hil.

My Uncle, Hil, Me, Mom, and Aunt at my college graduation

Man Bling

No, I'm not talking about this.
I'm talking about these.

Paper, cloth, and photos

Who didn't fall in love with this picture?
Photo booths seem to be instant fun at a wedding, and I really like the DIY ones. They seem to have an individual personality.

Part deux

No moms or aunts past this point please!

Glass Art

I know its not the most important wedding detail, but I'm so excited to find the perfect pair of champagne flutes. I love glass art and especially glass floats. The first gift Mr. Camrah gave me was a glass float, and I want our champagne flutes to be pieces of glass art too.

Word association

Videography
First thought: Not necessary
Second thought: I can use a home video camera to capture the important moments of the day. i.e. vows and first dance
Third thought: http://stillmotionblog.com/post-632/mr-yes-mrs-ngos-sde
Did you watch the video yet?
Did you become very emotional?
Yeah, me too.
After seeing still motion videos on weddingbee pro, I was hooked. I get so excited every time Patrick Moreau's icon picture comes up. The above video is the one that did it for me. I'm pretty sure they are the cutest couple ever.

The amount of emotion and feeling that I get from each of the still motion videos is unbelievable. I love how each story is told through not only images with music, but the words that were spoken though out the day. I would hire Patrick to do my videography in a heartbeat if my budget allowed.

So this begs the question, professional videography or no? I've looked at some of the local videography companies, but none of them seem tell the couples story quite as well as still motion. I found companies that do very nice work, but then I start second guessing. How many times am I going to watch this video? Do I really need a professional video of our wedding, or can't I just do home video?

This is the time period to find a videographer, yet I barely want to look. I think I may be too head over heels with the work of still motion to even consider another videographer. Is this normal? Oh well.

Do you have any vendors that are so great you don't want to consider anyone else? Are you planning on include a professional videographer into your budget? What made you decide yes or no to videography.

Classically Antique

It's become quite popular for weddings to have a theme. I don't think I originally had one, but it has slowly started to creep up on me. Our semi-wedding theme (like our colors) is helping me to focus and filter through ideas. What is this "theme" you ask...

I like to call it classically antique. It might be a little vague, but I think I want the overall feeling to be similar to this.
Memories, family, and friends coming together to celebrate the new turn in the our lives. I wish everything and everyone who has helped me and Mr. Camrah to become the people we are to be represented during our wedding day. I can't wait to start going through old family photos and keepsakes to use as decorations. I want our guests to see our past while sharing with them a day that will create our future.

I'm also hoping to include many things that will become cherished memories and heirlooms after that day. I'm hoping our wedding decor will all have a slightly antique twist even if it is brand new. Think these.
I was instantly drawl to these favor bags. They are new, but they have that perfectly vintage charm. These bags are even in my colors. Jackpot! I don't even know if I'm going to have favor bags, but I might have to after seeing these.

Are there any items or memories your planning on incorporating into your wedding? What things are you planning on keeping to remind you of your wedding?

Duel purpose chest

Five or so years ago, my grandmother gave all five grandchildren a chest for Christmas. She later told me mine had been in the family for quite some time.

So far, I have only used the chest to hold children's books (alright, alright so I couldn't part with my kiddy books). But soon I will have a new purpose for the family chest. It will become a hope chest! The chest will take the place of a traditional guestbook at our wedding. The guests will be able to leave their wishes, advice, and happy thoughts for us in this chest. After the wedding I will hopefully be able to use all of these notes as decoration in a wedding photo album. The chest will require some work before the big day. It looks similar to this.
Except it is smaller and has two brass straps. I am planning on refinishing the wood and polishing the brass. The chest won't be just holding notes either; its pulling double duty!
I want to make a picture collage to be put on the inside of the lid. I am hoping to get family photos from each of our families. I want pictures with and without Mr. Camrah and I. I hope that it will be a complete display to show our families coming together.

Do you have any family heirlooms you are planning on using to decorate your wedding? Are you doing anything to show the two families coming together?