Jumping The Broom!

Who would have ever guessed that I would fall in love with DIY? I'm not sure if its the thought of using a glue gun, saving money, or Hobby Lobby's 50% wedding items sale but I really enjoyed crafting for my wedding. I have never imagined my wedding without the "jumping of the broom." That is one tradition that I was really looking forward to. So the hunt was on. I scrolled through Etsy, Amazon, Ebay, my married friends boxes and even Pinterest searching for a broom. 

 

What I wanted was something simple, light and dark purple, and a hint of bling. I found some that were perfect but for 100 plus bucks I was like HEEEEECK NO LOL. I searched everywheere and the cheaper ones werent what I was looking for and it seemed like adding bling to a broom meant more bucks being removed from my checking account. Then it hit me DIY!!!!!!!! Once again my supplies come from Hobby Lobby who did not pay me nor do they have anything to do with this post.

 

 

 

 

Yep its the same blong from my wedding programs!

 

The flowers are from Hobby Lobby, Dollar General, Dollar Tree or maybe all three... I spent a lot of time in those stores so I am really not sure. They were in a bundle and I just pulled them apart.



I really wish I had a before picture of this broom. My husband bought it from Hobby Lobby in Detroit and there was a scarecrow attached. My hubby is not a blogger so before pics dont mean a lot to him... He spray painted the handle purple.

Wrapped it in ribbon...

Here are a few of the options I played around with.

 

 

Of course mini me helped, and she was very excited

 

 

We tinted the bristles purple just to be different LOL

 

 

 

This is the broom I jumped when I married my boo... I should start selling these things it was super fun to make!!

 



5 things you need to know when planning a wedding!!!!!!

If you have been reading my blog for any length of time you know I am getting married and doing all the planning myself. #STRESSFUL!!!! My mom told me that I cause most of my stress.She said "this is all this new school stuff... you want to much from people." Maybe it is true and I am the reason people do not return calls or emails. Or maybe it is my fault that the number listed to the bakery and DJ online is actually disconnected. I'm sure that's all me. 

SO I decided to write this post to help those who are recently engaged or hey pin it and read it when you get engaged. The facts!!!! 5 things I learned/wish someone had told me when I got engaged.

1. Those that say ooohhh I'm happy for you may not be as happy as they seem. Really consider who this person is in your life. I had some people who said this and later because they did not get engaged when they thought they should (before me) became bitter and passive aggressive. I'm not sure why we as women have this innate feeling of competition with other women, but that's a post for another day 

2. Take some time to enjoy being engaged BEFORE posting it on social media, and calling your friends. I promise they will be just as happy a few hours later. My poor fiance, after posting it I got non stop texts and calls and really kinda just ignored him because I was caught up.

3. Don't ask your wedding party until a little while in. Things change and so do attitudes. Its sad that women can't just be happy for each other but its a never ending competition. It is like a card game and in single women circles marriage is the big joker. Sometimes people can not handle losing. Keep the wedding party small. I have 8 bridesmaids and 2 Jr Bridesmaids. It is a lot of people to keep up with. Some people prefer text others want emails... it can be a lot to manage.

4. Learn to say NO!!!!!! People will come out of the wood work with "hey I love u and I know I'm in the wedding" "Send me an invite I want to be there."  Do not feel pressured to invite EVERYONE. Invite those who mean something to you and whose presence you will actually miss....Saying no also means managing your mother. (Oh so its just my mom who is a momezilla #shrug). Mom says order a band for 3000 bucks when you really want a dj because you wanna hear "back that ass up" by juvenile and that just does not sound good on a violin you have to say NO MOM.

5. STAY IN YOUR BUDGET!!!!! Sure you want the glitz the glam the bling (just me again??) but you still have to live after all this is said and done. Pinterest will have you broke!!! While I am an avid pinner, look at the DIY boards, or get the ideas and scale it down to fit your budget. You do not want to start your new life in debt or arguing about money!

Hope this helps...it helped me to vent so there may be more of these post LOL!!!! Thanks for reading!!!!

Wedding to do list updated!!!

Hello out there!!! I'm back and boy have I been busy. This is just a quick check in post. Remember this post about the wedding check list (original source) and how massive it was? I also found this site that has free printables. Well I have accomplished some things. This will be the last time I post the entire list and from now on I will just post what I still need to do LOL...

Overall:

1.     Set a date

2.     Book a venue

3.     Book photographer

4.     Engagement photos

5.     Book videographer (only if the budget allows)

6.     Book band/ DJ (we opted for a DJ)

7.     Ask bridal party to be in wedding

8.     Create wedding website

9.     Book florist (not booked but have met and chosen one and have a quote)

10. Buy wedding dress (AVOIDING this like the plague)

11. Select bridesmaid dresses

12. Order groom’s Tux , shoes, accessories- Jeff is handling this

13.  Groomsmen arrange for tuxes (Jeff)

14. Find veil

15. Order Veil

16. Bride’s shoes

17. Book cake baker- tasting on 7/27/2013

18. Buy cake knife and server

19. Order save the dates

20. Finalize guest list

21. Cake stand

22. Cake topper

23. Ring pillow (NO Ring Bearer for us!!!)

24. Order save the dates

25. Send save the dates

26. Order guest book (the photographer is making one with engagement shots)

27. Register (wishing well wedding)

28. Reserve hotel room blocks

29. Hire a calligrapher/ order labels

30. MOB & MOH dress shopping

31. Find wedding shoes

32. Choose wedding jewelry

33. Purchase garter

34. Clutch for bride

35. Sash or belt for bride

36. Something old

37. Something new

38. Something borrowed

39. Something blue

40. 6 pence

41. Hire Day-Of Coordinator

42. Make day-of emergency kit (coordinator provides)

43. Going away outfit

44. Book makeup artist and hair stylist- still working on this I hate the cake face look

45. Wedding favors…ehhhhh IDK what we will do

46. Getting ready outfit for bride and bridesmaids- button down shirts work best

47. Menu tasting

48. Cake tasting

49. Hair and makeup trial (July 27)

50. Get measured for dress

51. Pick up dress

52. Order invitations

53. Get invitation envelopes to calligrapher- LABELS BABY

54. Send invitations

55. Bridal party gifts

56. Family gifts

57. MOH gift

58. Wedding Map

59. Order Chinese Lanterns

60. Purchase wedding bands – bride & groom

61. Put together picture list for photographer

62. Get marriage license

63. Book transportation for wedding party

64. Welcome bags- maybe not for us

65. Signature drink- hmmm still on the fence about this one

66. Gift for Groom

67. Music selection for DJ

68. Playlists for cocktail hour

69. Book wedding night hotel room

70. Order thank you notes

71. Tips and thank you notes for vendors

72. Signs for bar, guest book, lanterns, bourbon- hmm IDK that we need this one

73. Distribute timeline/contacts to family/vendors/DOC

74. GET MARRIED!!

Ceremony:

1.     Book musician- piano player from church

2.     Book church

3.     Pre-marital counseling (church)

4. Music Selections

Reception:

1.     Book caterer

2.     Order rentals- called and left a message 6/15

3.     Decorations for bride and groom’s chairs- Coordinator provides this

4.     Candles (flameless policy at the hotel cancels this)

5. Flip flops or reception flats

6. Sparklers/lanterns

7. Card box
 

Rehearsal Dinner:

Book venue and reserve

Excetra:

1.     Bachelorette/Bachelor party- CJ is planning this

2.     Bridal Showers

3.     Book honeymoon- Jeff is planning this

4.     Honeymoon Shopping

5.     Bridesmaid Luncheon- I need to decide on this

6.     Hostess gifts for showers

DIY wedding binder

So I skipped the video challenge because I was guest posting however I am back!!!

 

So this post was a little intimidating. I mean have you ladies read your own blogs??!!! Crafts, fitness,make-up, cleaning, organizing whew. I'm good at therapy lol and there is really not a DIY way to do that besides exercise... Still I have never been the one to back away from a challenge (read: played basketball in middle school and was terrible). 

Today I am going to use an older post but focus it in a bit and give details. I am going to tell you how I created my own wedding planner binder and hopefully you will find it useful. Let me first give credit to the lady I stalked followed and who's binder I pretty much copied. You can read her post here. This site also has printables that WILL BE helpful.

So I am a Martha Stewart fan. Judge me!!!! My supplies come from her collection. You can totally get the same things from elsewhere but again I'm a Martha whore, and eventually want my home office to to be full of her stuff.

 Ha I added\my ring to try to be creative. Pin it if you like I would love you forever!!!

In front I have a hole punch that came with my original binder (that was way too much and very overwhelming see this post), a pouch for coupons,post its, pens, and samples, a card holder, and a month to month calender. I am a paper type of girl.Sure my phone has a calender but after syncing FB it is too much!!! So I stick with what works for me. You may find it easier to use an electronic calender.

Things start really happening in June LOL

I created the following dividers:

Info/Checklist- I have contact information for the bridal party, vendors, and several checklist. Google has documents you can search for wedding timelines, or use this one it all depends on what you want. I have a few because some list have things others do not.

Budget- I have a Vendor payment tracking sheet and a budget planner. I use an Excel doc to keep up with my budget.

Ceremony- I have my pastor's information, as well as the church information and contact numbers since it is not my home church. I also have the order of the ceremony. This is written on my Martha paper because I couldn't find one I wanted to copy and the Mr had his own ideas.

Photographer- A list of must have photos, the contract and receipts from the photographer, and the names of those needed for pictures.

Florist- Here is the proposal from the flower company (I will get a contract after these girls buy there dresses LOL). That is all I have here because I'm not big on flowers and really don't want them for decor.

Reception- Here I have a timeline for the reception  and ALL the information from the host hotel. This includes my contract, receipts, and menus (we haven't picked a meal yet LOL).

Wedding Planner- Here I have the contract from the wedding planner. They are providing day of coordination and they are designing the wedding. I also have samples of their work, and references.

Music- I have a list of potential DJ's and a pianist. Once I make a selection a contract will be placed here. I also have a play list and songs that we want played and when. This includes a do NOT play list as well.

Other- This is information I found on changing my name, and various honeymoon things. This section is really a honey-DO list for the Mr because he is definitely in charge of the honeymoon. I mean geesh I'm planning the whole wedding!

Gifts- Here I have a list and various gift ideas for people that need gifts including attendants and parents. We are toying with Welcome gifts but they are dependent on the budget.

Paper-  Just Martha paper... Told you I was a Martha groupie!!! Hey planning a wedding you take a lot of notes!!!

So a lot of my templates come from this site. CHECK IT OUT if you or someone close to you is planning a wedding!!! Of course google my boo Martha's weddings and you can sign up for emails and such! Tell me what you think and Pin it if you like!

Wedding To Do List

 

 

Hello ladies here is a little wedding update. I have been a total slacker since I put together my binder LOL. I was thinking ok I’m organized so its cool. Then I thought maybe I’m ahead of the game. I have never fully planned a wedding so hell I was just winging it from the list I have collected.  SOOOO I browsed the internet and went to my go to girl for wedding planning. She was nice enough to email little ole me her to do list. I will be honest she is doing waaaay more than I am (I wanted to say dang girl what is your budget but that’s a bit ummm well less than tactful  LOL) but her list is great! I took a bunch of things off and adjusted it to what Im actually doing you can go to her cite for the full list.  Let me check my actual progress

Set a date

Book a venue

Book photographer

Book videographer (ONLY if it is in the budget)

Book DJ

Ask bridal party to be in wedding

Create wedding website (working on that currently)

Book florist (found one need to put the deposit down for it to be official)

Buy wedding dress (not even looking until June I have soooo much more weight to lose)

Lose 70 pounds (I’m down about 25)

Select bridesmaid dresses

 Select and order groom & groomsmen attire (that’s on the Mr.)

Book cake baker

Buy cake knife and server (am I doing this?)

Order save the dates

Finalize guest list

Antique cake stand

Cake topper

Ring pillow

Order save the dates- these are picked just not ordered

Send save the dates

Order guest book (my photographer is making this with our engagement pictures)

Reserve hotel room blocks

MOB & MOH & MTOH dress shopping

Find wedding shoes

Choose wedding jewelry

Find garter

Clutch for bride

Something old

Something new- the dress counts right?

Something borrowed

Something blue

6 pence- (what’s this?)

Make day-of emergency kit

Going away outfit (maybe)

Book makeup artist and hair stylist

Wedding favors- candy bar only if its in the budget

Getting ready outfit for bride and bridesmaids

Menu tasting

Cake tasting

Hair and makeup trial

Dress fitting (HA I don’t even have a dress)

Order invitations (get custom artwork finished)

Send invitations

Bridal party gifts

Purchase wedding bands

Put together picture list for photographer- this is done I just need to send it to her

Get marriage license- will do that after we complete counseling

Book transportation for wedding party (this is for the Mr.)

Welcome bags- not sure we are doing this any ideas to make it budget friendly????

Gift for Groom

Music selection for band and for ceremony (In progress)

Playlists for cocktail hour and rehearsal dinner

Book wedding night hotel room- I think this is in my package???

Order thank you notes

Tips and thank you notes for vendors

GET MARRIED!!

 

Ceremony:

 

Book musician

Book church

Pre-marital counseling (In progress)

Programs

 

Reception:

Book caterer (included at the hotel)

Order rentals (may not need any)- I think I only need white table cloths

Decorations for bride and groom’s chairs- my designer is doing this

Cocktail music etc

Flip flops or nice flats

 

Rehearsal Dinner: (Well I have to decide if we are doing this, it may not be in the budget)

Book venue

Rehearsal dinner music

Rehearsal dinner décor/flowers/cups

Rehearsal dinner caterer

Rehearsal dinner rentals

Order invitations

Send invitations

 

Excetra:

Bachelorette party- this is for the MOH and the Matron of honor

Bachelor party- not sure

Bridal showers- my girls will handle this

Book honeymoon- this is for the Mr.

Honeymoon shopping- waiting for the proverbial weight loss

 Hostess gift for all my showers- Waiting to see how many I have

 

Now  looking at this list, I had better get busy. I left some comments next to things and if you have any advice, websites, or tricks to save money and keep it fabulous PLEASE by all means let a girl know!!! Something’s are waiting for other things like no save the dates until the engagement pics are done. So it seems that I have made some progress but still have a bit to do.  I will keep you guys updated….READY SET GO!!!!!