wedding: putting it all together

Fourteen months researching, comparing, budgeting and creating the right pieces to carry out our bomb-diggity wedding. We made a commitment to personalize our day as much as possible and I hope the IHB readers enjoyed watching me along the way.

Now that we have our pictures, I want to showcase how it all came together (pretty great if I do say so myself!).

| Wedding Invitations | 

| Signs for Pictures |

| Reserved Signs |

| Centerpieces |

| Sign-in Area |

| Bridal Party Escort Cards |

| Table Initial |

| Signs for Reception Site |

| Centerpieces |

| Letter Pillows |

It has been a pleasure showcasing all of this work, but it's time to move on and work on different projects that don't include blue and green, can be used in our home and that I can give away. Let the post-wedding crafting begin!!

30 Before April 30 Project 30 Completed!

This last post wasn't planned but I can't complete this list without somehow including this amazing project. If you think I'm decently crafty, you should meet my brother. This man is absolutely amazing and through him, I have learned that life is incredibly precious and short. He can create just about anything, including car engines, hydraulic trailers, and furniture. There is nothing this man cannot create when he puts all of his efforts on a project (including our centerpieces).

So it was incredibly touching when my fiance reached out to my brother to make a unique garden piece for us. During J's speech, they revealed a large monogram garden wind spinner.


And as we begin working on our backyard this coming week, this will be the completing art piece. He's available upon request =).


30 Before April 30 ongoing list ... (this list changes a lot)
- DONE! Totes for the bridesmaids
- DONE! Out-of-town guest bags
- DONE! Save the dates
- DONE! Wedding invitations
- DONE! Letter pillows for 2 chairs at reception
- DONE! Wedding programs
- DONE! Bags for Program Attendants
- DONE! Bridal shower invitations
- DONE! Bridal shower party favors
- DONE! Reserved signs
- DONE! Escort cards for wedding party
- DONE! Photobooth props & sign
- DONE! Rehearsal dinner dessert
- DONE! Rehearsal dinner invitations
- DONE! Dessert table centerpiece
- DONE! Fabric bunting flags for bridal shower
- DONE! Thank you gifts along the way ...
- DONE! Groomsmen gifts
- DONE! Bridal Party Table initial
- DONE! Bridal Shower Cake Bunting
- DONE! Dessert bar components
- DONE! Sign in *surprise* area
- DONE! Bird cage for cards
- DONE! Signs for reception site
- DONE! Centerpieces for reception
- DONE! Headbands for program attendants
- DONE! Bouquet bling
- DONE! Sign for pictures
- DONE! Surprise Monogram Garden Wind Spinner
- DONE! Thank you cards

30 Before April 30 Project 29 Completed!

Completing this list is taking some time but I will not give up. I promised 30 DIY projects for our wedding and I definitely had 30 ... just trying to juggle post-wedding projects and a demanding new job! But we had a treat last week: our wedding pictures! And with that, a completed list.

One thing that I decided to add to my personal look was a locket on my bridal bouquet with baby pictures of me and J. I searched for months for just the right piece and finally found a beautiful locket by Etsy designer, Mountain Originals. The little addition was a nice "something blue."

Photos by Stephanie Baker Photography

30 Before April 30 ongoing list ... (this list changes a lot)
- DONE! Totes for the bridesmaids
- DONE! Out-of-town guest bags
- DONE! Save the dates
- DONE! Wedding invitations
- DONE! Letter pillows for 2 chairs at reception
- DONE! Wedding programs
- DONE! Bags for Program Attendants
- DONE! Bridal shower invitations
- DONE! Bridal shower party favors
- DONE! Reserved signs
- DONE! Escort cards for wedding party
- DONE! Photobooth props & sign
- DONE! Rehearsal dinner dessert
- DONE! Rehearsal dinner invitations
- DONE! Dessert table centerpiece
- DONE! Fabric bunting flags for bridal shower
- DONE! Thank you gifts along the way ...
- DONE! Groomsmen gifts
- DONE! Bridal Party Table initial
- DONE! Bridal Shower Cake Bunting
- DONE! Dessert bar components
- DONE! Sign in *surprise* area
- DONE! Bird cage for cards
- DONE! Signs for reception site
- DONE! Centerpieces for reception
- DONE! Headbands for program attendants
- DONE! Bouquet bling
- DONE! Sign for pictures
- Toiletry kits for bathrooms
- DONE! Thank you cards

Displaying Uncle Russell's Vest Buttons

My new family has an impressive history. Earlier this year, J's grandfather gave him his grandfather Russell's vest buttons (his grandfather's grandfather, J's great great grandfather). The small turquoise jewelry box has been worn over the years and carried inside five vest buttons and a hand-written note: Buttons from Grandpa Russell's Wedding Vest Dec 11 - 1867.


The colors are still vibrant against the shell background and we wanted to show these off. I picked up a small shadow box from Ikea and used a light-colored, simple print paper that I already had at home.


The note inside really does tell the story and it's important to remember how special these keepsakes are to everyone who made the effort to save them over the years. Here I mounted the note on dark brown cardstock.


I glued the paper directly on the cardboard backing of the shadow box. In this case, I used foam double-sided tape on the jewelry box and on each of the buttons.



The result is a simple showcase of an important family treasure (for less than $5). I actually put this together while getting ready for our wedding, and it was nice to step away from everything consuming my life and remember that brides and grooms have gone through this exciting time for generations.

30 Before April 30 Project 28 Completed!

There's always going to be a few things that you miss taking pictures of and that's ok - life really does go on. This is the case with the groomsmen gifts. As a veteran bridesmaid, I know the thrill of owning a variety of champagne flutes with my name on them. And for the popular groomsman, that can very well be the same case with pilsner glasses. Instead, we wanted to give our boys something a little useful.

J and most of the groomsmen are New England boys and LL Bean is a beloved brand. So we decided to get the boys personalized duffle bags (we used last names only) and a few hydrating products. J also added a few pictures from the bachelor party for a personal touch.


30 Before April 30 ongoing list ... (this list changes a lot)
- DONE! Totes for the bridesmaids
- DONE! Out-of-town guest bags
- DONE! Save the dates
- DONE! Wedding invitations
- DONE! Letter pillows for 2 chairs at reception
- DONE! Wedding programs
- DONE! Bags for Program Attendants
- DONE! Bridal shower invitations
- DONE! Bridal shower party favors
- DONE! Reserved signs
- DONE! Escort cards for wedding party
- DONE! Photobooth props & sign
- DONE! Rehearsal dinner dessert
- DONE! Rehearsal dinner invitations
- DONE! Dessert table centerpiece
- DONE! Fabric bunting flags for bridal shower
- DONE! Thank you gifts along the way ...
- DONE! Groomsmen gifts
- DONE! Bridal Party Table initial
- DONE! Bridal Shower Cake Bunting
- DONE! Dessert bar components
- DONE! Sign in *surprise* area
- DONE! Bird cage for cards
- DONE! Signs for reception site
- DONE! Centerpieces for reception
- DONE! Headbands for program attendants
- Bouquet bling
- DONE! Sign for pictures
- Toiletry kits for bathrooms
- DONE! Thank you cards

30 Before April 30 Project 27 Completed!

[At one point during the wedding planning I cracked and reached out for help from my trustworthy friend, Michelle. Even more amazing is that she is my first guest blogger. I heart you.]

Hello! For those of you who don't know me, my name is Michelle, aka the whole enchelleada, and I'm so excited to be here today to share about a small project I helped with for the wedding. Although I knew the queen bee of DIY had everything under control, I was delighted she took me up on my offer to help.

Photo booths at weddings are all the rage and there's a very good reason for that: they're a blast! Sitting in the booth, planning your next pose, is just as fun as waiting for your photo strip to print. No good photo booth is complete without props! One quick look around the web and you can find dozens of templates and tutorials for how to make your own. Debbie forwarded free templates from the generous Chelsea at two twenty one (thanks!), and I got busy making 'staches, glass, lips and caption chalkboards.


To make the chalkboards I used a large piece of black foam board, black chalkboard paint and a foam brush. Following the paint instructions, I painted each side of the foam board with 2 coats and let it dry 24 hours. Not trusting my free hand abilities, I printed 8.5 x 11 caption bubbles and a heart (made in MS word). I traced the symbols onto the board and cut with an exacto knife.


To make the lips, 'staches and glasses I used felt, cardstock, wooden dowels, lots of hot glue and some creative freedom. Using this template from Ruffled blog, and the helpful instructions I created the props!


Materials for the props were less than $20 and fairly simple to put together, especially while watching Say Yes to the Dress! If you're planning to have a photo booth at your wedding, I promise you won't regret creating your own fun additions. Not to mention the pictures will entertain you for years to come. Case and point:  Congratulations to Debbie and Jeremy!!


30 Before April 30 ongoing list ... (this list changes a lot)
- DONE! Totes for the bridesmaids
- DONE! Out-of-town guest bags
- DONE! Save the dates
- DONE! Wedding invitations
- DONE! Letter pillows for 2 chairs at reception
- DONE! Wedding programs
- DONE! Bags for Program Attendants
- DONE! Bridal shower invitations
- DONE! Bridal shower party favors
- DONE! Reserved signs
- DONE! Escort cards for wedding party
- DONE! Photobooth props & sign
- DONE! Rehearsal dinner dessert
- DONE! Rehearsal dinner invitations
- DONE! Dessert table centerpiece
- DONE! Fabric bunting flags for bridal shower
- DONE! Thank you gifts along the way ...
- Groomsmen gifts
- DONE! Bridal Party Table initial
- DONE! Bridal Shower Cake Bunting
- DONE! Dessert bar components
- DONE! Sign in *surprise* area
- DONE! Bird cage for cards
- DONE! Signs for reception site
- DONE! Centerpieces for reception
- DONE! Headbands for program attendants
- Bouquet bling
- DONE! Sign for pictures
- Toiletry kits for bathrooms
- DONE! Thank you cards

30 Before April 30 Project 26 Completed!

We ditched the conventional ideas of a "sign-in" book/frame and we created something unique for us to enjoy for years to come. Since Jeremy enjoys surfing, I came up with the idea of asking our friends to sign a personalized surfboard. There are some pretty amazing surfboard shapers on the California coast and we found a very impressed one ready to create this for us.

Photo by Stephanie Baker Photography

The center graphic is my own design and the pinstripes in our wedding colors on the edge really bring it all together. We had to ask my adorable cousins to keep watch and provide instructions .. and the final product will now hang in our family room!



30 Before April 30 ongoing list ... (this list changes a lot)
- DONE! Totes for the bridesmaids
- DONE! Out-of-town guest bags
- DONE! Save the dates
- DONE! Wedding invitations
- DONE! Letter pillows for 2 chairs at reception
- DONE! Wedding programs
- DONE! Bags for Program Attendants
- DONE! Bridal shower invitations
- DONE! Bridal shower party favors
- DONE! Reserved signs
- DONE! Escort cards for wedding party
- Photobooth props & sign
- DONE! Rehearsal dinner dessert
- DONE! Rehearsal dinner invitations
- DONE! Dessert table centerpiece
- DONE! Fabric bunting flags for bridal shower
- DONE! Thank you gifts along the way ...
- Groomsmen gifts
- DONE! Bridal Party Table initial
- DONE! Bridal Shower Cake Bunting
- DONE! Dessert bar components
- DONE! Sign in *surprise* area
- DONE! Bird cage for cards
- DONE! Signs for reception site
- DONE! Centerpieces for reception
- DONE! Headbands for program attendants
- Bouquet bling
- DONE! Sign for pictures
- Toiletry kits for bathrooms
- DONE! Thank you cards