Ideas For My Dream Wedding (Part 5)

Thrifting List:

A tandem bike.  Definitely on my Wedding Day Wishlist.  So cute.  Picture via Caitlin Creer Interiors.

I'd love to pick up a bunch of quilts, like this one from QuiltsByBarb, to use for the table cloths, and to maybe put in the OOT/Guest Bags.  I probably need to get a head start on this part in particular, because I'll need so many and I am not sure how readily available they are.

Vintage tables and chairs, and other pieces of furniture.  Picture via Vintage Indie.

Vintage silverware, like this lot from OldOhioFarmFinds, would make a fun, eclectic addition to the table.  I'm going to have to scour the thrift shops for every piece I can find.

Cake stands of every size, shape, and color.  Picture via Inc Weddings.

Ideas For My Dream Wedding (Part 4)

Setting the Table

I love these paper straws from Kikkerland, and I think they would look totally fantastic in the...

Glass Canning Jars we are going to use for drinking glasses.  So cute!

I'd love to pick up a bunch of quilts, like this one from QuiltsByBarb, to use for the table cloths, and to maybe put in the OOT/Guest Bags.

Vintage silverware, like this lot from OldOhioFarmFinds, would make a fun, eclectic addition to the table.

I think these plain white plates will be a nice break from all the other colors and textures, don't you?

These napkin dispensers are super cute.  I think they would be amazing on the table, not to mention functional!

We will make place card holders out of these Premium Quality Corks.  Josh has these at his work, and also home brewing and wine-making is something he likes to do, so it might be a nice way to incorporate one of his hobbies into the reception.

Something else I've been looking into which would also incorporate Josh's and my hobby of making beverages would be to get these cute little champagne bottles screen printed with some sort of neat, retro-looking "logo" for our wedding (like a Shelby & Josh banner, or something), and filling them with homemade, fruit flavored sodas.  I'm sure one of our graphic-designer friends would be able to help us out with the design.

Ideas For My Dream Wedding (Part 1)

Okay, so I really want to get married outside in the morning on a farm in the summer.  I want the reception to be outdoors during the afternoon and into the evening.  Josh, my FFI (future future intended) suggested that we also invite our wedding party and close friends to camp over night.  Now we are really getting somewhere!  The last few weeks my mind has been a-buzz with all the pretty ideas I'd want to use for our special day/weekend. I decided to make this post for inspiration.

Firstly, I absolutely love old, blue canning jars.  I'd want these everywhere, on every table as a vase, place-setting skewer holder, etc.  Love them.  The only problem is finding them is difficult, and paying for them is expensive.  During a Google search for "blue canning jars" I was delighted to find a tutorial on how to make your own blue jars out of regular old canning jars!  I also want to use the regular glass canning jars as glasses. Hey, at least I already own one blue jar!

Something else I love are vintage cake stands.  These will come in handy, especially since instead of a wedding cake I want to have a table full of baked goodies... cupcakes, macaroons, cookies, you name it!  This cake stand I found in FBvintage's Etsy shop.  So cute!  I want them in all coordinating colors to match my (as of yet undetermined) color scheme.

What better accessory for a cake stand (besides a cake) than beautiful contained cupcakes?  This is where Bake It Pretty will come in handy.  This is a one stop online shop chock full of fabulously fun finds for all your baking needs.  Cups, liners, molds... and also another things I'll desperately want to provide my guests with...

Bakery boxes and other containers from Bake It Pretty!  I want to have such an abundant supply of treats that we'll want -nay, need! - guest's to help us out a little, and bring some home for later.

So, since I don't want a cake... I want to find a cake topper that can fit on a cupcake or separate bride and groom ones to fit on two cupcakes.  I do have these super cute green lovebirds salt and pepper shakers that I've been thinking about using... as long as they fit in with the color scheme.  But I do like this cake topper to the left, from WeddingStar.  It's even more appropriate because Jessie does this awesome thing called The Un-Booth, and she has a frame that can be used as a prop... could this be a sign??

I really love all the colors from this Playful Vineyard Wedding featured on Once Wed, photographs by Our Labor of Love Photography.

This wedding on Snippet & Ink is incredible.  Definitely the vibe I want to capture.  And how cute are those handmade corsages and boutonnieres the bride made?  Find more pictures of the couple on Loved despite great faults.

I love this DIY pinwheel tutorial on Style Me Pretty.  Such a great idea!

I definitely want to get a custom silhouette done of each of us, have them framed, and hang them somewhere in the reception.

I've pretty much decided to get my dress off of Etsy when the time comes.  Check out this beautiful gem of a dress I found on there!

These Fabric Flower Garlands are super cute.  I want them all over at my wedding!

Secret Message Cuff Links

How sweet are these cuff links by Smashing?  

The back of one of these cuff links carries a secret message, a sweet and discrete way to remind someone how you feel.

"I love you"

A perfect wedding gift for your fiance or child, or for anyone who has to be away from you for even a minute.

Check out the rest of her shop here.

DIY Wedding: Poms

I'm all about DIY wedding ideas. One thing I really like are those pretty tissue pom-poms. They can be used for so many different things! And the colors can be completely customized to match your color scheme.  I found this article on Martha Stewart Weddings about DIY pom-poms and luminarias. Super cute!  All you'll need is tissue paper and 24-gauge white cloth-covered floral wire.

If you don't want to, or can't, make them yourself, you can always support the Etsy community.  Just do an Etsy search for pom-poms!

Wedding Night Delight

Check out this incredibly sweet sleep set by Sandmaiden Sleepwear. The perfect thing for the wedding night!

Pantie
Bralette
(available in other colors)

Check out the rest of her collection. She makes some pretty incredible underthings!

Bridal Bliss Designs

I think I just died and went to Wedding Gown Heaven.

If you have some time before the wedding (enough time to, say, order a custom wedding gown), you should must check out Bridal Bliss Designs on Etsy.

I'm in total awe right now.

Jane specializes in "Custom Design Reproduction". Essentially what this means is she requires specific, detailed photographs of the design you're asking to be recreated, then she re-creates it using high quality/bridal quality fabrics and materials. All dresses include lining, interlining and boning for support.

Now as an anxiously un-engaged, I have never tried my hand at wedding dress shopping. But if I could have a "dream dress" made specifically for me, while supporting an independent business woman, I think I would jump at that opportunity. Perusing Jane's Bridal Bliss Designs shop on Etsy, I can tell you I've fallen fast and hard. *Swoon*

Here is but one of her customer's testimonials:

"As it turns out, my best wedding decision (other than the groom!) was ordering a dress from a stranger on the internet with no feedback. :) My dress was based on another one that I had bought, but with some changes. The parts that were supposed to be the same were nearly identical, and the alterations were perfectly done and exactly what I wanted. For not much more than the first dress, this one is noticeably higher quality in fabric and construction. And best of all, it was perfectly made to my measurements. Add fast and friendly communication, and it was the perfect dress-buying experience. Thanks again!" - Amber E. - Flagstaff, Arizona