Dogs at Weddings

If you have a dog and are debating whether or not you should include him or her in your wedding — the answer is YES! But, please, do not dress them in cheesy tuxedos and frilly dresses. After a quick Pinterest search I found a few cute pups ready to walk down the aisle. Enjoy!

 

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Keep is simple and sophisticated with a thin ribbon and fresh flower.

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If your pooch is well-behaved opt for a full wreath with flowers that compliment your bouquet. Make sure the flowers are dog friendly!

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Match your dogs bow tie with the wedding party for a chic look.

If you are looking for dog friendly attire check out these Etsy shops – LA Dog Shop, Bow Wow Couture and Me and Matilda.

Happy planning! xoxo

Gift Wrap Galore

{image source} I’m a little obsessed with wrapping paper. In fact, I spend more time picking out paper than I do on the actual gift. Perfectly presented presents are a must for any occasion and I’ve been known to completely overreact …

Cupcakes make everything better

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Just Because…

 

 

From Inspiration to Reality

Wedding planning may be over but party planning is in full swing.  For the past few months I have been planning my husbands last weekend in his twenties.  The 30th birthday bash has gone from a Roaring Twenties Party  to a full-blown Fiesta!  But not cheesy fiesta – modern fiesta. Almost complete with a mechanical bull until legalities got in the way.  (Add lawsuit to the list of things I never want to deal with.)

To gather ideas for the party, I searched my favorite social media site, Pinterest for inspiration and got to work creating some DIY crafts.  So without further ado…Here is my first project.

Inspiration: I found this “Bar” sign and fell in love with vintage feel and look. I thought it would be easy to create since the background is simple and chic and the red gives it a pop of color.

To recreate without breaking the bank I headed to the local craft store and found cardboard letters – each about 12″ high and priced at $3 each (with a coupon) and one small bottle of red paint, priced at about $0.59.  A bargain!

With just a few coats of paint to achieve the right hue.  The bar sign was ready to make its debut!

I plan on hanging the sign on a white wall and setting up everything similar to the “inspiration” picture.  Minus the pretty chandelier.

The party is on Saturday. I’ll post the finished product next week!

Oh! and follow me on Pinterest for more inspiration! http://pinterest.com/undomesticbride/

Happy planning! xoxo

Sealed With A Kiss: Wedding Invitations

I must confess I sometimes wait until last-minute to do things because I feel like I have tons of time to get them done. Case in point – my wedding invitations. I have yet to order them and my wedding is in less than three months.  So what’s a bride-to-be to do?

Panic, freak out and blame my mother.

It’s not that I have put off looking for the perfect invitations.  It’s just that I have been spending all my time looking for the perfect invitations.

Typically, you should order your invites at least six months before the wedding and send them out between eight to twelve weeks before the big day.  If you are planning a destination wedding, the times will differ.  Be courtesy to your guests and give them ample time to book a flight and hotel.

For the past day I have been scrambling to get everything put together to a designer I found by way of Etsy and anxiously waiting by my computer to approve proofs.  I am about three weeks behind schedule. But luckily I’m having a small wedding and I sent out Save the Dates.

Etsy has been a life saver during the wedding planning process and I have found some really interesting items that will add some personality and a DIY feel to the reception.(Check here for some of my finds.)

The main thing I was striving for when looking for invitations was clean and modern with a splash of whimsical glamour.  Way harder to find that it sounds.  I was lucky to come across Ink and Ivory and I am pleased with the results so far.

The text for the invite was probably the easiest part of the ordeal. I searched a few high-end websites and added my own twist on the wording.  For invitation wording ideas click here and here. If you’re looking for non-traditional kitschy wording click here.

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Here are a few things I learned during my ordering process.

1) Order six months ahead of time to avoid unnecessary headaches and panic attacks

2) Stick to a theme and color scheme.  It will make choosing a style easier.

3) Don’t be afraid to experiment with wording. You can still create a formal invitation without the formal wording.

4) When in doubt ask for a sample, proof or additional revisions.  Don’t settle.  If something doesn’t look right, speak up.  Your designer can’t always read your mind. Oh, and pictures help a lot!

5) Don’t stress out. You can always ask for a rush delivery and to help make mailing a little easier you can always pay for pre-printed addresses on the envelopes and invitations pre-assembled and stuffed.

PS. I will post my invites soon!

Happy Planning! enjoy xoxo

Show Them Some Love: Wedding Welcome Bags

If you are planning to tie the knot in a tropical destination or just have a lot of out-of-town guests traveling to attend your wedding, providing a welcome bag is a thoughtful gesture to make your guests feel appreciated.

The perfect gift bag doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate, by providing a few key essentials like water, snacks,  aspirin and area maps, you’ll not only make your guests feel comfortable but also let them know your thankful they made the trip.  And who doesn’t like a bag of treats!

To create a bag you’ll guests will remember here are a few tips and websites to get you started.

In the Bag: From reusable tote bags to collapsible boxes, you can house your goodies in whatever you please and with so many options to choose from you can find the perfect bag to fit your budget.  Try the Oriental Trading Company,Paper Mart, The Knot and Nashville Wraps.

The Goods: Select a few of your favorite  things and add in a few essentials to create the perfect swag bag.  If you are planning a local wedding, try a few Florida favorites like fresh oranges, key lime candies, and sun screen! Looking for something a little more gourmet? Try Truffle Truffle, an artisan chocolates & confections company or Garrett Popcorn, a Chicago based Popcorn Company.  You can score some free maps from your local chamber of commerce or you can create your own map withWeddingMapper.com.  An itinerary of wedding events and a list area hot spots and attractions is also a great idea.

A Note to Say Thanks! No matter what you choose to put inside your welcome bags the most important thing is a thank you note. By adding a simple note of gratitude, you’ll not only make your guests feel welcome but you’ll also have the opportunity to thank them one more time for sharing in your special day.

Not sure if welcome bags are within your budget? No problem, try this DIY hanging welcome packet idea from Martha Stewart Weddings. You can follow the template or get creative and create your own work of art.

Simple and Sweet – Lollipop Flower-Pot

Here is a simple DIY idea that will make a perfect centerpiece or gift.

All you need is a flower-pot, a floral ball, lollipops and paint. Plus, it’s an excellent stress reliever! Stabbing lollipop sticks into a styrofoam ball is actually very therapeutic.  Oh and here’s a tip.  Start from the bottom and work your way up.  enjoy!

Terra Cotta Flower Pot, Dum Dum Lollipops and a Floral Ball

 

Simple and Sweet

Cake Stand

How cute is this set-up!  I found this image while looking here. I love the box that the cake stand is on and the flowers are so pretty. What do you think?