successful weekend.

This weekend, Dana (one of my bridesmaids) and I went to Minneapolis to visit Kiera and Dona (bridesmaid and matron of honor). It was Kiera's birthday, she is now a quarter century old! Happy birthday Kiki! Anyway, while I was there, we went to David's Bridal to try on the dresses that I am thinking they will wear for the wedding. The girls tried on two styles of dresses. The "bubble dress" as we are calling it, and another style made of the same material. They have decided that they are fine wearing either one. After the rest of the girls try on the dresses, we'll decide between the two. I think they are both cute, although the bubble dress is much more my style. If we are going with the multi-colored dresses, I definitely think we can only get one style dress. Otherwise I'm also fine with them wearing both styles in the same color. I think the different color effect would be kind of cool and a little more original, but either way is fine with me. What do you think?After trying on dresses, we went to a store called Francesca's Collections. While we were there, guess what I found!
Headbands! In the same exact colors as the dresses! Meant to be? I thought so!

All photos are my own.

sew excited!

Forgive me for the pun. I just made something on my new sewing machine (thank you mom & dad for the early Christmas gift) and it turned out really well for my first time making anything! I've sewn before on my mom's machine when I was younger, but nothing more difficult than a pillow (which is the most basic project ever). I was a little more ambitious this time. I'd tell you what it is, but you'll have to wait! It's a gift and I don't want to give it away.

Speaking of gifts, it's getting to be that time of year. I have to admit that one of my favorite parts of Christmas is trying to find the perfect gift for everyone...and then wrapping it in pretty paper. I am sucker for pretty packaging. I'm also sad to admit that I want to get a second job as a gift wrapper during the holidays. My fiance won't let me. :( So instead, we went out last weekend and bought most of our Christmas gifts. And then I came home and wrapped them all. In color-coordinated paper that matches the colors of our Christmas tree and decorations. Which I put up on Sunday. I am slightly OCD.

Note: These are not my wrapped gifts. I am too lazy to take a picture, I apologize.

Photo from Flickr.

my best friend's wedding part tres.

So Dona asked me to create another board using a navy and yellow color scheme. She is going to try to get past the fact that her high school colors are navy and gold. Get over it :)

What do you think? Do you have a favorite color palette so far?

my best friend's wedding part deux.

Here's the next color choice for Dona's wedding. Green, navy, and white. Do you have a preference between the two?
By the way, I'm liking this inspiration board idea. Maybe I should make one for my own wedding sometime soon! Especially since I'll be meeting with decorators when I go home for Thanksgiving! I'll work on that.

my best friend's wedding.

So my matron of honor, Dona, and I were discussing color schemes for her wedding tonight. Since we've already purchased our bridesmaids dresses, navy and white have to be in the color scheme. Dona thought pink might be a good color to pair with them. I put together an inspiration board to see what it could look like. Go easy on me, it's my first time making one! What do you think?

the girl effect.

Totally unrelated to weddings, but everyone should visit the website for The Girl Effect and watch the video. What a great cause for girls like us to support! Actually, to make this post wedding related, you could donate to the cause in honor of each guest as your favors.

Photo from the wedding line.

ceiling inspiration.

I don't think I ever mentioned it on here, but we decided on our reception location awhile ago. We decided not to go with the ballroom. Too many less-than-stellar reviews from people who have attended weddings there. So we have decided to go with the armory. A gorgeous location? I think not. But it is one large room where no one will feel like they have been left out of the action, which is more than I could say for any other location in the area. Hopefully we will be able to disguise the gym-like qualities by doing some serious decorating. I'd like to lower the height of the room with some fabric swagging to cover up the military paintings and make the size of the room a little less overwhelming. Here is my ceiling inspiration.I'm loving the chandeliers, but we may have to substitute chinese lanterns as a more budget-friendly option.

And maybe I can throw in a little color, like this.

I'm hoping with all the details above, people won't notice the free throw line on the gym floor below! I think the tables will help disguise that as well.

Lantern photos from WeddingFanatic. I cannot remember where the chandelier picture is from...but if you know I'd be happy to post the source.