Another newbie ChattyBride to welcome! "DowntownGal"!!

Flowers make me sneeze! I'm one of those chronic sneezers; I sneeze 5 times in a row, and choruses of "God Bless You" may sound cute...but it's not. So, I have 13 tables to decorate...without flowers.

~Pro: flowers are EXPENSIVE, so going non-floral is a LOT cheaper!
~Con: I'm so not crafty.

So, here I go. I got the idea from a Martha Stewart magazine (picture on next page). The centerpieces will be family wedding photos (parents, grandparents, great-grandparents) from his family and mine, printed on see-through paper, backlit by a candle.

Fun with Old Wedding Pictures!
Ingredients (per table):
~3 8x10 frames
~3 photo mats
~6 little hinges
~Glue Gun
~Vellum Paper, cut to 5x7
~Pillar Candle or floating candle with holder
~6 votive candles with holder
~Old Wedding Pictures (1-3 shots per table)
~All-in-One scanner/printer

Total cost is about $10 per centerpiece, depending on the quality of the frames.

(one of my favorite pictures)

So I didn't realize I started the post and it was still standing........ it's just been a long weekend.
All that complaining I did about Ryan's bachelor party was for nothing, however, my intuiton over the whole thing obviously was out of whack, and it caught up with me.
The party was great. They all had a blast. They rented a bus so no one would be driving drunk, and it wasn't enough.
Our best man got killed in a car accident early Saturday morning after dropping Ryan off at home. He likely fell asleep at the wheel and veered off the road. We're in shock and disbelief.
I'm sorry I ever posted such garbage in the first place complaining about my man's best friend. It was childish and foolish of me, and I'm full of regrets.

June 22nd we went to take our pictures at a Garden in San Jose, Ca. I found this person on craiglist.com. The photographer was a man that was offering a free session so that he could build his portfolio. I was kinda nervous but I figured it's free so why not, if anythinfg I am sure he will get one good shot.

I just got them in and I got teary eyed just looking through them. I love them. I am a bride on a tight budget so this was a bless and an experience for me and my babe that is priceless. Check them out.

Love these wedding pics!!!

Enjoy!

Photos by: Liga Photo; Angelica Glass; http://www.thewiebners.com

Hey Chatty Brides!

We're having a clambake for our RD. The invite says "Causal Dress" because we don't want people going crazy and getting all fancy.

I have a few ideas for an outfit, but the other day I went shopping for dresses to wear to weddings and I found this cute dress at Macys and bought it. It's a soft brushed cotton fabric (like a poplin button down shirt), so it's not a dressy fabric, but I'm wondering if you think it's too dressy!?

I figure I'm the bride, I can be cute, right??? My idea of summer casual for an event like this is like Polo shirts, khackis, ladies in cute flowy skirts, bemudas, sundresses!?!? (that's what I'm telling people when they ask....)

What do you think?? Sorry it's a small pic.

Perhaps you chattybrides will remember a while back that I was having a hard time deciding between two venues. The first was Osborn Castle in Garrison, NY (20 minutes from where I grew up) and the other was Aldrich Mansion in Warwick, RI....a venue loved among many chattybrides including myself.

I ended up with the sentimental choice and went with the hometown pick. While I love Aldrich Mansion we were just over their max capacity and I couldn't resist the beautiful views Osborn Castle has to offer.....plus I always wanted to have an outdoor reception.

Stay tuned for the details of the new contest . . . but we will be giving away a free gown to one lucky winner - check the video on chatty tv for the last running of the brides

I DIY'd our Guest sign-in book and "Wishes". This project allows us to have our guests' signatures, Wishes, and photos together.

I bought 3.5" x 5" plain chipboards, decorated them with vintage-looking papers that I have been collecting for this project, fibers, vintage photos and pictures that I had to pre-cut, and fun embellishments leaving room for guests to write their names and good wishes. I also used my cats eyes chalks and Tim Holtz inks to 'antique' the edges. I have a vintage vessel I will display them in near a container holding various pens and markers! This will allow our guests to pick and choose which one they wish to sign. After the wedding I will add our Guest Wish cards to the Wedding album I make next to each guest's picture.

This was such a FUN project! It takes a lot of time (those who scrapbook will know) LOL! However, I will be happy once I receive pictures of all our guests when all I will have to do is 'format' them into my homemade album since I have completed half of the work!

YAY!!!!

Picked up our rings today!!! LOVE it!