Party On

Sooooo…..remember how I mentioned Natasha had won a wedding package at the Nashville Lifestyle's Wedding Show? With that awesome floral package work $845? Yeah- the florist decided he wouldn’t honor that because it has been more than a year. So what’s a girl to do with a $300 floral budget and the need for 7 bridesmaid bouquets, a boutonniere, and a bridal bouquet? DIY baby. Here’s Natasha’s floral inspiration (please pardon that I don’t know the original source, she sent them to me via e-mail and I can’t find them for the life of me!) Basically, she wants only roses, both garden and standard varieties, with either fawns ear or greenery. She did not want ranunculus as seen in the second photo. Using this criteria and thinking about her colors (cream, white, and pale pink) here’s my inspiration. I love LOVE the colors in the photo on the left , (I so love the freesia too!) but I think the size of the rose bouquets on the right is more of what we’re going to be working with. An...

Getting to the smaller details! Hurrah! I personally didn’t have my husband throw a garter (I didn’t even throw my bouquet! I know- I’m crazy), but it is an age-old tradition that can be hilarious. Whether the groom makes it awkward for people to watch, a 6 year old catches it, or all the single men avoid it like a grenade, it usually holds it’s own in the realm of wedding fanfare. That being said, it doesn’t mean we can’t make it pretty. Right girls? Let’s start with the best of the bargain garters. This beauty comes in at a cool $5 While this one is only $2 more at $7. You can find them as low as $1 a piece, but I guess I’m a bit of a snob? They just don’t seem that appealing to the eye ya know? Further proof I’m a snob- I love this (more expensive) $14 garter . Can you blame me? It’s so romantic looking. I would totally be that bride who saves the cute one and throws the $1 garter. Needing something blue? I love this lace and pearl $18 garter . More of a set fan? Maybe this...

Natasha’s wanting place for guests to put cards, but she’s also wanting a place for long-time married couples to leave sage advice. Of course we want it to be elegant and beautiful, but at the same time it’s needing to be cost-effective. Here’s some quick ideas I love the idea of using a mailbox. Running about $9 per mailbox (not bad!) it’s just a quick paint job away from being super cute. I would probably use spray paint over lace tights (method seen here ) to give it that vintage feel she’s shooting for. Mailbox photo found   here . Pre-decorated Advice mailbox from Etsy found here. What would we do for the advice? I still totally adore this idea. The cost? The branches run between $15-$24 for, crystal strands $20 (I’m kicking myself, I totally found them for $5 per strand and now that’s lost to me….bad documenting Shantel), and pre-made wishing tags run from $12 -$ 15 for 24, though I could see them costing A LOT less if I were to make some. Helllooooo Michals. Le...

Champagne flutes are one of those wedding items that can be used time and time again, so Natasha really wants her flutes to be beautiful and classic. We budgeted $50 for a set, though you can find flutes well above and below that price point. Here are some of my favorites… This champagne flute set really mixes modern with classic , which I think epitomizes Natasha and her husband’s style, though I think this hand painted Swarovski set gives off a touch more class.   This damask set feels so vintage to me, and is one of least expensive of the bunch (which is always a bonus in my books) but I also really like the ornate detail on this monogrammed pair . If I were to splurge on flutes (or saucers in this case), these crystal glasses would take the cake but if I wanted to save a bit I might go for these monogrammed $16 flutes by Oriental Trading Co. Not into buying your own flutes? You could always use flute charms to add a little extra sparkle to your toast.

Over a year ago Natasha went to a bridal show and won $250 toward invitations at a local invitation shop so we made an appointment and went to check out the goods today. Natasha fell in LOVE with some fabulous invitations, but honestly for 175 invitations they were running $1200-$1400! Definitely out of the budget. So I set to work finding something similar to the 3 invites she loved, but more within the budget. The breakdown? Top left: You can change the filigree color and the text font and color AND you can line the envelopes in color. Best part?  For the invite, response card, and lined envelopes for 175 people- $240 Top right :   These invites have a rough edge to them and look a bit like hand-beveled invitations. Again, you can change the design/font/colors and line the envelopes. For this invitation with a lined envelope and response cards (and envelopes) you're looking at- $210 Bottom picture : 150 of these invites with response cards and envelopes (unlined) woul...