Hoosier glass

I found out last Monday that wedding bee was a no go, again. It wasn't that big of a deal, but I wanted some time off from blogging (hence the empty week of blogging). It was nice to not have to think about the next post for a while. Until yesterday when I came up with a great idea.

Mail boxes are the new...

birdcage!
The birdcage-the classic wedding card holder.

I can't deny its elegance, and I might be over exaggerating with the mail boxes. Yet I just can't get over the rustic/antique feel of the mailbox below.

Who knew you could be so excited for a little piece of tulle?

I might have been tracking the shipping of my veil all week. It might also have come in yesterday, and I might have left work early (don't worry I had overtime racked up) in order to get in some pictures before Mr. Camrah came home.

I decided to buy an elbow length, drop veil from the veilshop.com. I got the champagne colored tulle (described as a creamy version of their light ivory) and decided on the cut edge without any extra detailing. I probably could have made the veil myself for cheaper, but I was worried that I wouldn't be able to cut the edge exactly straight. I decided a straight edge is more important then saving a few extra bucks, and at $26 with tax and shipping, my veil wasn't really expensive anyways. Here she is. (Excuse the crummy lighting; the sun had already set for the day.)

Moms

I'm just going to put it out there. I've decided to nix corsages.
I just wasn't feeling the corsages for the moms, and I don't think the one grandma that might be able to make it would want one. My mom wasn't particularly excited about going sans corsage, but she's the least confrontational person I know. So, she said her piece about corsages and let it go. Of course she doesn't know about my alternatives to the corsage.

No moms or aunts past this point please!

There's so much beauty in the world

Who isn't in love with hair flowers?
They are so elegant and beautiful. I love the new headband trend too.
Did anyone else swoon over these lace necklaces?

I finished my summer project, and its only Halloween!

I'm one of those people who makes completely unrealistic schedules. I end up getting a lot done but never completely finishing my goals. I always put way too much on my plate. Because of this tendency, I finished my summer project by Halloween.

No moms or aunts past this point please!

Third and final errand of the day

I know I just posted the first part of my errands earlier today, but I couldn't wait to tell you about my next stop. I went to a Jewelery repair shop! I wanted to get my Great Aunt's necklace examined.
As you can see its a cameo necklace. I never saw my Great Aunt without this necklace on. It was given to me after she past away, and no one in my family knows if it is real or what the story behind the necklace is.

24 on, 24 off

Last night I had a 24hr shift at work. Which means I had the next 24hrs off. How did I spent this time off during normal business hours? First I slept until 1:30pm (I can sleep at work during 24hr shifts, but its never quality sleep). Then I got ready for my afternoon of wedding errands! Errands don't sound exciting to you? Well first on the old errands list was my veil.

If there was one wedding detail I could have...

without worrying about logistics or money. I would have umbrellas/parasols hanging from the ceiling. In a heartbeat.

I present to you eye candy...


Restaurant. Tent. Banquet hall. Outdoors. Doesn't matter. I would swoon over a mass of umbrellas anywhere. They are perfect with above lighting. So care free and romantic, but the construction and setup for this project would be way too much. They wouldn't fit in our budget either, but I can dream. I've been admiring hanging umbrellas for a long time and even had a green and blue parasol hanging in my room during high school. Just the thought of all the colors and designs makes me swoon.

Would you add any extra wedding details if logistics and/or budget were no longer an issue?

Our Engagement Photo Album

Sally has a hundred pictures from her engagement photo session. She is unsure of the best way to showcase these pictures. She would like to have as many pictures seen by as many people as she can. Should she...
A. Send out a number of different pictures with her wedding invitations
B. Make a photo album to display on her coffee table filled with engagement pictures
C. Make a photo album to display at the reception filled with engagement pictures
D. Carry all of the pictures around in her purse in the hopes that the engagement pictures will come up in conversation

Flora: Part Three

I promise to stop complaining talking about my flower woes because ladies and gentlemen, (I'm pretty sure) we have a florist!

When I last left my floral drama, I gave an estimate of the budget and listed the flowers I thought we'd be getting. All of the meetings went pretty well. By the fourth one, I was pretty good at describing my flower ideas.

Extra Inspiration Boards

I've ended up making two inspiration boards besides the overall wedding board.

The first was an inspiration board for the bridesmaid's dresses. I've left the decision of their dresses mostly up to them. I gave them the color and length and set them free. The dress color is emerald green, and it's proving to be a little hard to find. We've been able to find dresses, but the material colors don't seem to match exactly. I decided that I really needed to see the dresses together. So I could make sure the dresses won't clash. This is how my multiple inspiration boards started.
These aren't the official dresses. They are just the example dresses that I found and sent to everyone. They are definitely different from one another, but I don't think there will be a big problem with them meshing. I was also able to send this to my bridesmaid dress judge and get her stamp of approval. So the various emerald green dresses are a go.

Checking off the projects

Over the weekend we hit the six month mark, and for the most part, the wedding is pretty much on schedule. There are still a few things *cough* flowers *cough* that are a little bit behind, but overall the old to do list isn't too bad. I've also recently made some progress in the projects category. The STD's are out, and last night I decided to (finally) finish my garter. I don't know if we are going to do the toss, but I still wanted one anyway. I started it about a month or two ago, and I put it on the back burner because I was a little nervous about cutting and closing the material. After finishing the STD's, I had the confidence to finish my garter up.

Calligraphy, Embossing, and the Elegant Twenties

I've posted about our save the date postcards before, but they're finally done and in the mail! Just as a refresher, here are the save the dates I decided on.
The postcards are all from a book of 24 postcards called George Barbier: Postcards of the Elegant Twenties. George Barbier was a French illustrator in the 1920's, and I fell in love with these postcards after randomly coming across them on ebay. Since these aren't exactly in the normal "Save The Date" format, I had to figure out how I wanted relay the the message.

Send Offs

I'm not planning to do a toss/send off for multiple reasons, but I love looking at all the different options and great photos. I'm a fan of any bright and colorful send offs.

e.g.
Sparklers give so much light to the end of the night.

Hair Bobbles

I decided to pull my hair back for the wedding a while ago. I love the long flowing locks that some brides can pull off, but I know they are just going to get in my way at some point.

This hair style has been my favorite for about a month or two now.
It's so elegant and timeless. I think it will go great with my dress, but I will need the perfect vintage hair comb, barrette, or pin to go with this style. I'm looking for gold or dark brass/copper colored metal with pearls. I haven't found any perfects yet, but I'm still gathering ideas.

Chair Signs

Who doesn't love chair signs?
It's one of those things that I didn't know I needed until I started planning a wedding. We're not going to have a car to decorate with "Just Married." We're just traveling up an elevator at the end of the night, and I'm going to want to see those words in writing to believe it. I also like the other options too.

Reception Seating

I decided early on that I wanted assigned tables. I want everyone to be comfortable at the wedding, and assigning tables is one of the small ways I can help in that department. So that gives me the task of assigning tables and the more important task of how to display the escort cards. Its one of those details that is not necessarily a focal point, but it can be if you make it a focal point. I can't help but contemplate all the different ways I could display the escort cards. Originally, I was thinking that they would just be arranged on a table with one of these in the middle.
Its a tree with rock candy ornaments on it. I had this vision of sneaking off during the reception to show the only 2 little girls present (we only know 2 kids and a baby) that they can eat the decorations. Their parents would hate me for giving them a sugar high, but it would be so much fun.

It's such an ugly word

Their right. It is an ugly word. A word that has been used to describe me before. So how is this "ugly word" working out with wedding planning? Ehh :/

I feel that for the most part, I just don't spend money on things that aren't absolutely important to me. I also feel that when something is really important to me I can shell out the dough.

So here is the toughie, when to say no and when to say yes to wedding costs? I want everything to look nice, but at the same time I would rather not break the bank.

Skin Care

In addition to toning the muscles, I've also started to think about my skin. Particularly my face. I wanted my skin to be all smooth and soft for the big day. Previously, I had the routine of washing my face in the morning and night and putting on SPF15 foundation/moisturizer in the morning. I decided to up my game again. I did some research, and took most of my finding from Paula's Choice Recession Proof Beauty.
http://www.cosmeticscop.com/best-skin-care-makeup-products-2008.aspx
I also scoured wedding bee for helpful hints from other brides.

Here is my current facial skin regimen:

Bama Arms

Every bride wants to look her best on her wedding day. I'm no exception. Which is why I started to think about taking better care of myself a few months ago. I'm not looking to go on a crazy diet or lose a lot of weight. My main goal is just to get toned and more in shape.

I have changed my eating habits slightly. I have started to eat small snacks every 2.5 hours, but for the most part I haven't changed what I eat. I still have chocolate at least every other day, and I have pizza for dinner at least once a week.

My real focus has been on toning my body with strength exercises. My upper arms, shoulders, and back are my top priority.
Come on who doesn't want arms like hers? I figure that with my strapless dress those three areas will be the most exposed, and I want them to look great.

Decorations and Hair accessories

Look what I found.
I'm not planning on wearing this myself. I just thought it looks a lot like my idea for the centerpieces. I think the only one who could pull off a head pieces like this off is the flower girl, and even then I think it might be a little too much for her. However, I am hoping that she will be wearing some kind of halo, but I was thinking something more like this.
A halo of baby's breath will match the baby's breath bouquets for the aisle I want, and yes, I would like the flower girl to look like a little forest fairy but without wings.

What do you think of halos and crowns used in weddings?

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?

Something to talk about

I’ve noticed that weddings become THE conversation when you’re planning one. It's an easy subject to talk about. You want to talk about it, and people usually want to hear about it. But do I really have to talk about my wedding every five seconds?

I'm naturally a private person. I don’t talk about myself a lot, and for the most part I keep details about my life to myself. It’s one of my more obvious traits, and I consider my privacy to play a pivotal part of the person I am.

She came in two months early!

My dress came in the day before my birthday. Two months before she (yes, I am referring to my dress as a she) was expected! It was such a nice surprise. My sister/MOH was planning on coming to Seattle, and it was perfect timing so she could see THE dress. I made sure to charge the camera battery the night before and took my crochet design to see if it properly matched the design on my dress.

Drip Drip Drop Little April Showers

Seattle April wedding=RAIN. I'm already thinking of ways to be prepared.
Oh yeah! There will be massive amounts of umbrellas at my wedding. I was originally looking for white, cream, or black umbrellas, but I couldn't find any cream ones. I decided to worry about it later, but yesterday Martha Stewart showed me the light.

Dresses

Oh glamor. Sigh… How do I give my bridesmaids that 1930’s glamor? I'm thinking Emerald green dresses!

Life through rose colored glasses

I'm pretty sure I have had our first dance song picked out since before Mr. Camrah and I even met.

My first CD ever was Louis Armstrong: All Time Greatest Hits. It was given to me because of a family joke, and it is one of those things that was with me through every stage of my life. I grew to really enjoy it over the years. “La Vie En Rose” even became one of my favorite songs ever.

And when you speak…angels sing from above

Everyday words seem…to turn into love songs

This song is so much of what love is to me. It was my first and only thought for our first dance. The song was originally sung in French and means life through rose colored glasses. Who doesn't want to start a marriage by looking on the brighter side of life?

Did you have your first song picked out from the beginning, or was it one of those last minute decisions?

Exactly two years ago...

I found a rose gift and message on facebook from Mr. Camrah. In the message, Mr. Camrah asked if we wanted to start a relationship. It might sound a little cheesy, but I couldn’t have been an easy person to start a relationship with. It was easier on both of us for him to send a message. I said yes after I got off work, and we have been together and growing closer ever since.

Last year, we spent our anniversary on a floating plane tour of Seattle and went to il bistro for dinner. Il bistro is an Italian restaurant in Seattle’s famous pike’s place market. Its perfect for a romantic dinner for two.

Il Bistro

Our anniversary this year will not be as big of a production as last year, but we are still planning to visit il bistro for dinner. They have the best lasagna (Mr. Camrah’s favorite food!), and it’s just romantic, secluded, and cozy enough to become "our" restaurant. I have a feeling we will be spending many of our coming anniversaries and special occasions at il bistro.

Do you have a special restaurant to call your own?

Trying again

Okay, so I’m not going to lie. This whole week I have been waiting for the response from wedding bee. I love the website and wanted to be a bee. So badly! That’s really why I started this blog. I wanted to be apart of all the camaraderie of wedding bee. Instead of just stalking the website every half hour for a new post.

As you can probably tell, I wasn’t chosen. I’m still disappointed, but I’ve decided to try again. In the next four weeks, I’m planning on improving this here blog of mine.

I originally thought my wedding blog needed a gimmick. I had heard bees talk about having something that made them unique. I tried to create a gimmick because I didn’t think my own voice would be enough. I tried that route, but it wasn’t quite right.

So, now I’m going to try finding my own voice. The bee’s life series encouraged me to try again. I’m still not quite sure I will be able to find my own voice or if it will be interesting, but here it goes.

See you in four weeks wedding bee!

Indecision 09: DECIDED!

The number of attendants has been decided! Mr. Camrah decided to have four attendants. I gave him this decision mostly because I didn't want to make the call. He has asked 2 of his four groomsmen. He hasn't asked his brother, and he hasn't decided who will be his fourth yet.

Centerpiece branches: First Trial

Okay. I know I left last time on shaky terms, but I'm back to show you my pearl branch centerpiece.

Supplies:
-Wire cutters
-Floral stem wires (brown)
-Floral tape (brown)
-Beading Wire
-Teardrop pearls (ivory-cream)
-Jewelery glues or a hot glue gun

Table Tops

I haven't divulged much about my plans for decorations because its all very abstract right now. I am planning on DIY most of the decorations, but I haven't really even started most projects. I have some supplies and one trial run, but I don't have the space to make and store all of the projects. Besides, all my crafting abilities are currently going to crocheting and sewing projects.

But I really want to share some of the projects I am currently planning. We can find out together if I'm actually able to accomplish them and how they turn out. The first is the head table decorations.
I love the delicate cascades of pearls on this table. I might add a flower or two just to sit their like the picture above. I like that the decorations aren't overwhelming. I hope that this will make the head table approachable so anyone can come up and talk to us. I have bought the bigger peals and nylon cord, and I gave it a try. I failed, but I think it might go better if I used tools to tie the nylon cord. I'll let you know how it goes when I try again.

Traditions: Rings

The Greek language gave us the word wed. It means to pledge. A wedding is the ultimate pledge which is dictated through your vows in front of those you care about the most. Rings are the most visible symbol of this pledge. I wanted to share some of things I have learned about wedding rings.
The ring represents eternal and everlasting love. Some of the first rings were made of hemp, but they continually were having to be replaced. Hemp was replaced by iron to symbolize permanence, and now we use all kinds of metals.

My Song

Since deciding to walk myself down the aisle, I have also decided that the song is completely my choice. My walk down the aisle means a lot to me, and I'm trying to figure out the best song. I want something that is bitter sweet, and I want something that will help me walk down the aisle. The song should be something that everyone understands, but most of all, it should be something that I can feel.

SNACKS!!!

Yeah, I know your hungry now. Unfortunately, this post isn't about our reception meal choices. And I'm not talking about wedding cake. MMMMMMMMMM!!!! I want cake now! I'm actually posting about our DJ. WHAT? I know. But Snacks is our DJ. Well his real name is Patrick but nobody remembers it (Just ask the best man for that story). Our best man knows snacks from the University of Washington marching band. They were both members and Patrick's nickname was snacks. Now he owns his own DJ and karaoke company in Seattle and does karaoke at a lot of local bars.
This is a pic of Snacks doing Karaoke at Finn's. This is actually the bar we took over one Saturday night for our engagement get together (calling it a get together because it wasn't a real engagement party. It was a gathering of a lot of friends and fun). Mr. Camrah has gotten to know Snacks through our best man. He will be a lot of fun as our DJ. And he won't be just playing songs and mc'ing. Oh Yeah! You guessed it. We're doing karaoke! What would our reception be without a rendition of "Don't Stop Believ'n"? It's not for everyone, but it won't be coming out until at least 10:30. Although I would love to see Mr. Camrah's parents sing, they will probably go to bed around that time. I think that it will be a great end to the night. Snacks will be a great, sarcastic DJ, and we will get karaoke. What's more to love?

Are you excited for your band or DJ?