Dry-Run Chow Down: Part Uno

Besides all the hours upon hours of planning that goes into a wedding, there seems like there is an awful lot of rehearsing too!

Optional -- but not mandatory -- practices include a hair trial, a make-up trial and perhaps a few drafts of the invitation.  But one things that is practically a must for any sort of ceremony involving a few folks is the rehearsal.

Via WordArtWorld Blog

We already have it all planned out to do a dry run at our local church the evening of the Thursday before the big day.  Simple.  But the thing that got me stuck was the dry-run chow.

You may or may not remember that food is a big deal to me.  And so is party planning.  And while I am at it, so is being thrifty.

Me & Mr. Sweets are the last people to be all fancy & I didn't want to break the bank --anyone's bank -- on the rehearsal dinner.  All I was thinking about was laughter, fun and good old-fashioned yummy food.  I was also thinking something involving a BYOB.

It's not like we are getting married in or around a down town metropolis area, so the options weren't as overflowing as I would like.  But hey, I can work with it.

My initial thoughts were a little BYO Mexican place, Tijuana Flats.  In some part of the states you may have heard of it and if you have not, I suggest that you learn real quick.  Although it might not be the most authentic Mexican restaurant I've ever been, they play rock music, have a hot sauce bar AND a "power light" menu (where you can get low-cal substitutes for things like sour cream, cheese & tortillas).  Plus, the food is so yummy. And just when you couldn't think that it could get more perfect, TijFl is a BYO so we are free to bring all the cervezas & margaritas our little spicy-lovin' hearts could desire.

Via Google Maps

I was so set on this idea.  This place is me & Mr. Sweets' go-to spot when our brains can't even think of where we might go to grab a bite.  And I was insistent that we could make it work.  It wouldn't put us into debt & it would be so much fun!

OMG. So much to chose from.  I never have a staple here.  Plus it's always

fun to bring our own margaritas to sip with our chips & salsa!

Partial menu screen shot via Tijuana Flats website

I added up our wedding party, our families and readers and we were looking at approximately 25 loved ones who would join us for the dry-run chow down.

But like some of my "visions," I just don't know if the whole idea is actually realistic.  I pictured me & Mr. Sweet Cream getting people to taste the different hot sauces, pouring fresh made margaritas into mason jars that I tied with string or ripped fabric and mingling with everyone at one long table -- with the rest of the commotion of the small restaurant being fuzzy to all in our party.

Well, since I do plan events for my day job I realized that I had to stop the fantasy and think about the logistics of reality.

TijFl couldn't have us at one long table because we wouldn't all fit since the 4 top tables would now only fit 2.  They warned us about Thursday being the start of their crowded nights and that of course we could stay as long as we want, but there might be people there waiting for tables and that we shouldn't feel rushed.  And they couldn't close the restaurant either... It was just too much.  They also said that it might be a little tight if we wanted to squish the tables together into groupings.

So, after months of knowing that this was the perfect fit I decided it was time to hang up the sombrero and cross Tijuana Flats off the list for the rehearsal dinner.

Sigh.  At least me & Mr. Sweets still have it as old-stand by for when our brains can't handle thinking of a culinary answer to our hungry bellies.

Did you have the perfect rehearsal dinner spot that just didn't work?  Are you going BYO?  Do you tend to have "fantasies" that -- hey, let's just face it -- aren't reality?

Sugar High: The Search For The Perfect Wedding Cake

While the hunt to find the perfect supper for our laid-back wedding left our taste buds missing the "dating stages" of caterer-hunting, we thought that at least we have cake to taste.  Lots and lots of it.

That is until I started calling around for prices of wedding cake.

I still cannot believe that prices that some places can charge for just one piece!  There was complete sticker shot when you multiplied that by the number of guests we approximated that we would have.  And while I am sure that those cakes are absolutely delicious and unbelievably beautiful, our pockets aren't bottomless & we are pretty wise to know that money doesn't grow on trees.  

Our cake inspiration was pretty simple.  I mean, I am by no means a cake decorator, but little dots can't be that hard right?  We wanted something that was simple and... well instead of trying to paint a picture with words let me just, well, show you what I was sugary sweets had me drooling:

Image via All Pretty Little Things / Cake: The Cake Girls

Image via Ruffled / Cake: Brookshire Brothers / 

Photographers: Three Photographers & Jackie Ray Photography

Image via Love & Lavender / Cake: McArthur's Bakery

Photographer: Katie Day

I just love the swiss dot look of a wedding cake, especially with the idea of our vintage cake topper gracing the top layer. Oh so simple, yet oh so gorgeous.

So we decided to start by ordering cakes for family birthdays and get togethers from local bakeries that lie right in our own neighborhood.  

The cake that we ordered for my out-of-town Aunt's birthday when she and her family visited from Bakery X (that both our moms frequented after Sunday mass) left us a little disappointed I must say.  Bakery Y in our neighborhood was good.  But our tastebuds just didn't jump up and down when we ate the small cake we ordered just because it was Friday.

That's when I remembered that Grandmom Sweet Cream's sisters from upstate couldn't get enough of a certain-someone's German sticky buns when they came in to visit.  Super sweet, super cool Godmom Sweets made a super secret exit while they were chatting away and got them a dozen to take back home with them.  They all squealed with glee.

Now I've only had  devoured this famous bakery's infamous German sticky buns with the ridiculous cream cheese frosting that you just know heaven is made of....but what about their cakes???

 Just Look!!! Look at those buns!

Image via My Glamourology

Sure enough Fritz's Bakery has such fantastic cakes.  We should know.  We tried them all during the course of a strip of family birthdays that took place January well through April.

The San Francisco (a three-layer  cake with fresh strawberries, bananas, custard & whipped cream) is my personal favorite.  We actually tried it out on my very own birthday.  

Mr. Sweets' favorite?  I think it was the Chocolate Cheese Dream (a three-layer chocolate cake with a cheesecake center... and to top it off, a whipped cream cheese and chocolate fudge icing)... or was it the Peanut Butter Cake (a two-layer cake with a thick PB Mousse filling and a rich chocolate icing)? 

To tell you the truth, I don't even know if Mr. Sweets could pick a fave if he tried!

But I guess what I'm trying to say is... that we found our cake!  Well cakes I guess I should say.  

For our traditional wedding cake, we decided on Fritz's pound cake with their whipped butter creme filling and icing (except for the bottom layer, which will feature a raspberry filling too.  I'm talking serious yum).  

And since we loved all of their other cakes... we are ordering them too so that we can have as a valley of cakes for those chocoholics, those who fancy fruit or crazy-PB-lovers on our guest list.  

I have vintage cake stands to display the variety of confectionary sweets besides our wedding cake.  I was thinkin' a little something like this...

Image via Oh So Beautiful Paper / Photographer: Punam Bean

And the icing on the super delish cake?  The total bottom line for our 3-tier cake and 4 additional cakes is a whopping total of 290 dollars.  I think it winds up being a little over a buck a slice, which was sugary sweet music to my ears after said previous sticker shock.  Delicious AND cost-effective!

So there you have it.  We just hope that there's lots and lots left over!

So tell me: What does your cake look like? What flavors will be gracing the outside and in between?  Did you chose fondant? Buttercream? Chocolate?  How many cakes did you try until you found "the one?"

NOTE: For anyone who lives near Bucks County or will be visiting near there in the future: go.... no! run to Fritz's Bakery and order one of their sticky buns...or any of their cakes for that matter.

I Wanna Dance With Somebody

A wise man (AKA Dave Barry, newspaper columnist) once said, "Nobody cares if you can't dance well.  Just get up and dance."  I love that quote.  I want each & every guest to know that this what I hope that they would know about the evening.  Maybe I should put that on a sign.  (Seriously.  That is such a good idea.  Note to self: add this to "to do" list).

So besides The Chicken Dance, The Bunny Hop, The Congo Line or Cotton Eyed Joe, what could have guests shaking their tail feather all night long?  


Obviously it's the music.  


When people hear a song that they just love they get up & dance.  Trust me.  I've seen it happen when I requested (the Great) Whitney Houston's "How Will I Know" at a local bar that had an empty dance floor.


I know that the musical goddess trinity of Rhianna, Gaga & Britney are known to get everyone dancing... but I'm kinda leaning towards that being a generational thing & can't really picture FMIL Sweet Cream getting down to "S&M." (She definitely could, I just don't know if she would!).


I do know that it is the year 2011.  But I do also know my guest list.  We have such a diverse group of ages, backgrounds & music tastes. I would just like to put all of them in a big pot and let them simmer until they are perfectly blended, like the flavors of a really, really good chili.

Danger Mouse created "The Grey Album," by mixing Jay Z's "Black Album"

with the Beatles "White Album" & came up with something that I think is amazing.

So while FSIL Sweet Cream only loves any song that has a "Hey y'all & Ye 'haw!" in it, Papa Sweets has a passion for 70s rock.  Think Led Zeppelin.  Jimi Hendrix.  The Doors.  

FSIL2 Sweet Cream likes hip hop & Gmom Sweets shakes her 90-year-old hips to the Supremes.  

And me? I love it ALL.

So I want everyone to be happy.  And dancing.  But I already mentioned the dancing part, didn't I?

To make everyone happy dancing people, I picture a musical duel between Diana Ross & the late Hendrix that would challenge that of Aerosmith & Run DMC!

I love this mash-up & wish we could mash more up for our guests...

I must say that "Mash Up" was one amazing Glee episode!

I do find it so fascinating that many modern faves are pulled from a time when only vinyl existed (& Gmom Sweets hips were a lot younger!)...

The Girl Can't Help It / Little Richard vs. Clumsy / Fergie

I've Got A Woman / Ray Charles vs. Golddigger / Kanye West & Jamie Foxx

Sugar, Sugar / The Archies vs. Nasty Girl / Nitty

So we've been keeping a list on the fridge and scratching down the title everytime we hear something that we know everyone will like --or at least shake their booty to --whether it has a sweet country twang, a nice beat or an amazing guitar solo.  

We have an uhh-mazing list (that I can't wait to share -- posts about playlists are always my favorite!) that is continuing to grow and includes tunes that scale the later half of the twentieth century...from Billy Holiday, Shirlee & Lee, The Supremes and Lynrd Skynrd to The Ramones, MC Hammer and the Black Eyed Peas.  And whenever there is a time where I'm feeling blue I just YouTube one of the songs on the list & I get all siked up for the wedding!  Frown immediately turned upside-down.

How are you balancing the wide variety of musical choices (and generations) of your guests? 

Do you have a favorite song that borrows it beats from a decades ago, ala Fergie's Clumsy -- or even a perfect mash-up? What is your favorite oldie but goodie that you know that people just can't resist?  What about something new that even more seasoned guests love?  What should we add to the list??

Presents for my Pretties: The Search for the Perfect BM Gift

So now that the ladies got their dresses, I started to think about what I wanted to get them as my thank you for being such great bridesmaids.

I knew that there would be beautiful tissue paper & some great font on a tag... but I didn't know much else...

Source / Shim & Sons

Thank goodness for the Internet! With a keyboard and trusty mouse in hand I found some great things to gift the girlies with.

Tiffany's Playing Card Set / $30

Source / Tiffany's

Sigh. I just want to sit and sip coffee on a Sunday morning 

with my ladies in these robes.

Etsy Seller PlumPrettySugar sells these

 knee-length kimono robes by the 5... perfect for a BM gift -- as
Miss Bunting had mentioned previously!

Gift Certificate for some pampering at a local spa?

Source / Soothing Creations 

With their grey & white striped sweaters to get me started, I started editing my ideas and thinking about something that they might wear on our big day.  While I am normally not that practical of a gal (heck, I spent how many hours upon hours cutting little tiny tiny triangles for our STDs?!), I wanted something that they'd use again.

I originally wanted to make everyone robes -- similar to PlumPrettySugar's gorgeous dreamy ones.  But time was ticking and I knew that I could be going in a little over my head with a To Do wedding list the size of two of my arms!

But purses -- little bags -- could be doable!  I sought out Keyka Lou's adorable accessories patterns and the pattern for her pocket clutch was in my inbox in a moments time.

KeykaLou's patterns are precious!!

Source / Keyka Lou

Especially if I use the fabric that I am using to create the guys ties!

Amy Butler's Midwest Modern Grey & White Fabric

Source / Hawthorne Threads

I am planning on sewing a little message or quote inside, personalized to each.

Now I wanted to get them something else.  Something to accompany the sweaters & purses.

I decided to start to research lockets. Just the idea of a locket reminds me of something timeless, romantic and thoughtful.  It is heartfelt and is a piece you treasure.  You give a locket to someone you love.  A grown-up version of a friendship necklace (which I have exchanged many with cousin Sweet Cream!).

Me & Cousin Sweet Cream always loved exchanging 

Best Friend necklaces... seriously, we probably did it at least 5 times!

Source / Kaboodle

I decided that lockets would be the perfect gift for the girlies!

Lockets are timeless.  They are a gift you give with your soul.

Source / Nordstrom's 

If someone gave me this locket, 

I know that I meant something special to them!

Source / Mimi Boutique

Sigh.  Look at these beauts I picked for my girls.

Etsy Seller TrystByKerry makes breathtaking personalized lockets...

And I can't wait to get them!!

Source 

I can't wait to finish their bags and put everything together!

Did you gift you BMs with any gift or presents?  What was it? How did you come up with the idea?  What was the best BM gift you have gotten!

My Ladies: Saying Yes to the Dress(es)! Part I

As you may or not remember, my inspiration from a dreamy, coveted cloth lead me down the brick road of wedding decisions to lock in yellow as one of my colors.

So I began my journey searching for the perfect yellow dress.

Now originally I was thinking about all different dresses for each one of my beloved girlies.  And I'm not talking about different styles from the same maker (even though that is a great idea too!).  I'm just talking different dresses.

The sea of greens makes this party pop!

(source)

I bow down out in respect of this perfect array of

beiges and whites!! Oh so lovely!!

(source)

i DIE! I want all different vintage dresses!! This has charm,
adorable charm, written all over it.  If only I had a little bit more time!!
(source)

So with the sales ladies' words lingering in my ear that involved hard dates of when we should order -- of course just in CASE of any issues -- we set out to find the dress.

I had in mind something short, sassy and sweet.  I didn't want them cashing in their 401Ks.  And -- even though it is the most cliched thing I could say -- I really wanted them to be able to wear it again.

After seeing "27 Dresses," that cliche now sometimes makes me giggle...

even though I know, Bees...sometimes it is true!

(Source)

And while my mind was all over the place as I had fun seeing my chicas in gorgeous gowns... It just wasn't what I envisioned for the day.  Maybe I'll share some from our impromptu photo shoot another time. another day. 

The most fun was when a bridal store would be too busy to dote all over us... so we would just play dress up all by ourselves.  And have photo shoots!

And while I loved those some of those dresses -- I really had envisioned pockets.  I. love. pockets.  And something a lot less "bridesmaidy."

I got to the point where I couldn't find anything that was a match for what was going on in my head that I was actually debating about whipping up dresses for all of my ladies!  

Until I found these.  (Sorry girls, even though I would love to -- I could very well imagine panic setting in as I crossed off days in the calendar. (Props to you bees out there who can pull off such a thing)).

  

There are pockets AND a bow in the back.  Pinch me please!!

(Source)

In yellow. At a local outlet.  For under $60.  Yes, urban legend it is not.  

I found them when I wasn't even looking.  While yellow was originally impossibly to find anywhere, Easter made that shade seem to pop up in stores like happy little daffodils.  

The dresses look amazing in person.  Although BM Sweet Cream was originally trying to talk me out of the idea because she thought the craftsmanship would show in the price tag, she completely changed her mind after seeing them.  And because the prom rush created dressing room lines that beelined around the store, she tried it on OVER her clothes first -- just to see.  I seriously almost lost it laughing so hard and insisted on taking a pic.

I love that dress with those shoes, BM Sweets!!

(self pic!)

So we made a date and all the ladies joined me to buy their dresses.  I had to threaten FSIL Sweet Cream not to wear it beforehand and I'm letting them wear whatever grey shoes they want.

FSIL Sweet Cream tries it on for size.  

(Pic by me!)

And somehow we pulled off...getting the right size non-returnable dress for Cousin Sweet Cream and shipping it to the West coast.  It fits her perfectly -- thank goodness!

Since the vows WILL take place in a Catholic church, I wound up finding these adorable grey & white striped cardigans at Forever 21.

I was going to send away for sweaters just like this

that had a three digit price tag -- not two!

(source)

Did you go the "off the rack" path with your ladies?  If so, where at?? Were you as worried as me about them spending an arm & a leg on a dress they might never wear again?  Did you find some unexpected accessory for your girls when you weren't even really looking for it?!

Now... I just had to figure out something for 12-year-old FSIL Sweet Cream... 

Save the Last Dance -- and the first one -- for me.

Our song is the slamming screen door, sneakin' out late, tapping on your window...When we're on the phone and you talk real slow 'cause it's late and your mama don't know... Oh wait.  That isn't OUR song!  That's T.Swift's song with one of her many beaus.

As for our song. That is TBD.

There's a funny thing about first songs.  I don't know if it's just couples now-a-days put some much darn thought into it.  Maybe its just us detailed bees?

I remember Freddie Prinze, Jr. & Julia Stiles listening to records and putting so much thought into what "their" song was in the horrible movie -- even though I loved it -- Down to You.  And they were only dating for a few months.

Even though it seems perfectly
romantic to be skimming vinyl and sitting Indian style....
This somehow isn't realistically how me & Mr. Sweet Cream are picking our song...

Mama Bunts & Papa Sweets had a first song picked out - but on the wedding day the band could think of how to play the song.  So what did they wind up with as "their song?" Elvis' "Can't Help Falling In Love."  It must have been the times because that is also the song of not one, but two, of my friends' parents' songs who all got married in the 70s.

I do like that song -- especially the Ingrid Michaelson version... even though the original is great too.  No debates here.  It's definitely on our playlist.

Ingrid Michaelson's version makes me think of

real-live, can't-live-without-you true love...

I digress.  Our real "song" from many, many moons ago is Aerosmith's Don't Wanna Miss a Thang.  Am I dating myself?

 

Fast forward 15 years...that isn't a song we really want for our song.

So now, I'd love share with the hive some of my top choices -- which I preface by saying that Mr. Sweet Cream liked all of them until I excitedly said, "OK, Mr. Sweets. So this is our song?!?"  

A hesitated shuffling of the feet and a cock-eyed squinty look told me no... in fact it wouldn't be.  Don't worry, bees.  I asked him what his choices are.  He said that he would have to think about it -- but hasn't come up with much.  (Although nothing is better than Papa Sweet Cream wanting to dance to a Jimi Hendrix song for our dad/daughter dance.  He doesn't know which one... he just loves Jimi Hendrix & Led Zep.  And bees, the man don't dance!!)

Just for fun - let me run through the list of could-have-beens for our first song as man & wife:

Otis Redding / That's How Strong My Love Is

I just love the lyrics to this tune.

Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat / Lucky

What a sweet duet!

Natasha Beddingfeld / Love Like This

This was almost going to be it!  Mr. Sweet Cream loved the lyrics...

But for whatever reason, he changed his mind.

Cat Power / Sea of Love

Sigh. How can you not like this...

I actually wound up finding an amazing song -- actually from the Bee Boards -- that is the top running as we speak.  At first Mr. Sweets wasn't so sure about it... but after playing it 45+ times as he was working around the house I think it may have grown on him.  I really do think he likes it now!

Joss Stone & Common / What We Gonna Do Now

The lyrics are great! We both like that its a little peppy so we are not stuck into a standard sway.  We can have some fun!  But would we prefer something a little more classic? I don't know the answer to that one quite yet.

Did you and your FH agree right away on "your song?" Did you have "a song" already, but want a new one for your wedding day?  How did you decide?  What were your top contenders?

Also: Are you following Freddie Prinze's movie-mom's advice and going for something "timeless" and "classic," or do think that something the represents "you" (as a couple) is much more important?

Liking the Driver's Seat

I have a confession to make.

I am a closet control freak.  Or as I'd like to call it -- "hands on."

I have tried to relinquish the reins of life -- but planning and wedding just isn't the time or place to do it.

I count myself pretty lucky that those around me can go with my flow.  This includes taking part in stenciling homemade napkins...

Me, Mama Sweet Creams & FSIL Sweet Cream stenciling some handmade napkins

 ...Pinky swearing that they'll be by my side making limoncello in lieu of a champagne toast...

Source

...and getting ready to get down and diiirtty to make some BBQ sauce for our escort card/favor all-rolled-into one!

Source

So I have ideas that I KNOW I must-have-to-have-or-I-just-know-I'll-die that are part of the festivities leading up to us tying the knot.

THE SHOWER

I know that I want a "things that go together" themed shower.  Think peanut butter & jelly.  Peaches & cream. Bacon & Eggs.  Thank goodness that I could talk my ladies into letting me... wait for it... design the invites.

But I LOVE this kind of thing.  And just look at the rough draft!

Fold out invites, sewn with love.

(self pic)

I loved brainstorming things that "go together,"

everything from "pork chops & applesauce" to "fred & ginger"

(self pic)

When you lift it up more details on on Page Two,

including a voice saying not to worry because the date & place (our abode)

are not a surprise (although everything else is!)

(self pic)

I know what you are thinking.  But I just love doing stuff like this and it's my day, so why not.  I also wanted it at our house and not be a "surprise."  I want my shower to go long into the evening and be more of a party atmosphere v. a tea party -- even though I do love tea.  I want have the right dress picked out and not show up in my sweats and a concert t-shirt (which I might just add, FSIL Sweet Cream did to her surprise 16th birthday).  I don't want to make trips in a truck filled with our gifts.  I just want to party -- and my guests to too -- on my own stompin' grounds.

Don't worry -- I had to promise that everything else would remain a surprise -- except for an idea for favors... but I swear once you see them you'll agree that they are awesome.  I would never put the heavy task on my girls just because I may be borderline insane with the time I put into some projects.

I really can't wait to see some of the things they come up with for the "things that go together" themed shower!

THE BACHELORETTE PARTY

I knew that I wanted a weekend down the shore.  That may seem like a lot of time, but people do that around my neck of the woods.  I also knew that rooms were getting booked quickly so I begged and begged to let my BMs let me book a house.  And they let me.  Because they are awesome like that.  And who could deny this adorable house (especially that it is oh-so-reasonable, overlooks the bay AND has a firepit out back)???

Source

Again I pinky swore everything else would be a surprise - and I'm OK with that... the reigns are now theirs.  It's not that I don't trust my girls to pull it off -- they totally rock -- I just have my heart set on some things.

How are you handling surprises like your bachelorette party or shower? Do you have something in mind that you wish that your girls would do?? Do you zip your lip or spill your heart out -- complete with hyperlinks -- like me?

Maids in Manhattan... I mean the 'burbs of Philly

After we began checking things off our big picture list we began to think of who we would want to stand by us on The Big Day.  Of course we knew just who... but the time killer was, how to complete the mission of the ask.  Being so stressed about the perfect ask for my BMs completely made me get just a glimpse into the intensity of planning a proposal... I realize that this wasn't as big of a deal as a "proposal" where I'd have to get down on one knee... but I still wanted it to be special.

I realize it could have been easier just to ask.  But I never left myself off that easy.

I loved ideas from all over the Bridal online universe...

How cool are these wine labels with pics?!

These gorgeous cards and paper doll strand just stole my heart... 

Miss Tartlet did them beautifully!

Look at these beauts from etsy

I decide to make everyone homemade peach vodka.  Even though it took a little peeling and chopping and some time, I thought it was worth it (and bonus that there was too much to fill all the bottles so some wound up staying with me!).  I found bottles at our local Home Goods for $3 and designed some labels with favorite fonts.

Next I decided to make paper dolls.  The old school kind where you have to tape lollypop sticks to the back of the neck -- because I'm a blast from the past like that. I sketched out assorted BM dresses & accessories & the sky was the limit since it was only paper...

Source (Self Pic) 

And then came the old-school slideshow I made in iMovie.  I spent hours scanning pictures of my past (and present) and it had my sobbing as I flashed back to my babyhood (with Cousin Sweet Cream) to braces (with BM Sweet Cream) to my future with my FSIL Sweet Cream.  The melodies of Miley's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," Rascal Flatt's "Life is a Highway" and The Beatles' "In My Life" played in the background as we all grew up right before our eyes on the computer screen.  I knew it was worth the effort.  They are masterpieces!

Source (Self Pic)

I know that there is a vintage diet book in there...It's not because BM Sweet Cream needs a diet -- quiet the contrary! She just loves funny vintage stuff & this certainly fit the bill... You should SEE some of those exercises that promise to keep the bust high!! :)

While I invited each over separately for some snacks and wine and then showed them the movie and presented the basket filled with goodies, I had to mail Cousin Sweet Cream's package clear to the other side of the country.  But she got it.  And she cried. And she called me.  And she LOVED it.

So while Mr. Sweet Cream asked his men with a one-liner at a BBQ, I labored over these special surprises.  Although I certainly am jealous - I know that I couldn't have done it with just a question over the phone -- Even though I was asked that way and still felt so excited and tingles.

I hope that they liked it.  And I hope that they will be remembered.

Did you ask the near & dear to your heart to be a part of your day in a special way?  What did you do?  

(It Takes A Lot) To Move Me to Tears

I consider myself to be a romantic.

But after driving up the grass to a neighborhood mansion that were our old stompin' grounds and seeing a picnic laid under the tree where we shared one of our first (but certainly not last) kisses as young and innocent teens and Mr. Sweet Cream getting down on bended knee and declare his love, I had completely dry eyes.

There were shrieks and excitement and jumping up and down.  There was also spilt champagne after Mr.  Bunts called me his "fiance" and I threw the glass in the air and jumped on him in pure, excitement-spilling-out-of-my-heart emotion.  But a las, my mascara remained fully in tact.

Months later after trying on hundreds of dresses and finding THE ONE, still nothing.  I think that me & Mama Sweet Cream disappointed the sales lady who --I am sure-- was just hoping that we would need one of the tissues that sat next to the pink patterned couch outside of the dressing room.   (In the car I told Mama Sweets, "You're my mom! Aren't YOU supposed to cry?!?") There was excitement, joy & all sorts of emotions.  But tears weren't one of them.

Brides and bride's moms cry - right?  At least in the movies (& in one of the handful of shows that make girls say "yes" to the dress). So I felt kind of like the anti-bride.  I cry at lots of things.  The Notebook.  Certain commercials.  The Biggest Loser transformation episode...  And I'm sure that there are more examples too!

I had the vision of tears of happiness surrounding my engagement and wedding.  Maybe I should sniff an onion before I take a walk down the altar on the big day, so as not to disappoint everyone.

But one day, me & Mama Sweet Cream stumbled upon a little boutique when out for a day of shopping and there was something in one store in particular that brought us both to tears...

This plate.

I just love this plate! 

For some reason while browsing through little doodads and knickknacks, my eyes feel upon this plate and emotion took over me & suddenly, they weren't so dry anymore.

That is exactly how I feel about Mr. Sweet Cream all in one vintage typewritter fonted, absolutely adorably designed plate.  I couldn't believe that I was getting MARRIED to my BFF who I love with all my heart.  So there we are in the store with smeared mascara and hopes that the saleslady was as prepared as the one in the bridal shop and give us a tissue!

Mama Sweet Cream got us the plate for an engagement party gift & it hangs right next to the front door, reminding both me & Mr. Sweets: Carpe Diem & Count Your Blessings!

Maybe emotion like that will overcome me on the big day -- but if not that's OK too.

Were you emotional when the question was popped?  Did YOU cry on the big day?  Do you think that you will? What is the moment that it all hit you that you were getting married?  Was it a place that you didn't expect it at all??

Raindrops on Roses & Whiskers on Kittens...

After we were engaged, but before we even discussed the wedding, I bought these:

Source / Etsy Seller HeyYoYo

It was maybe a couple days after we were engaged.  Very embarrassing. 

I don't know what drove me to the impulsive of purchasing 150+ paper grey straws.  Maybe it's what Etsy does to you? Perhaps it was knowing that I love vintage paper straws that I see in antique shops that I never buy? 

The nostalgic idea of paper straws with beautiful swirled color reminds me of ice cream floats and brings a wildly childlike simplistic joy into my heart.  If I were Maria Rainer trying to calm the von Trapp children on a rainy day I would definitely add paper straws to my list of favorite things. 

Maybe it was inspiration that might have lingered it my mind like this:

I seriously want to jump in that picture and crack open a bag of
Double Stuffed Oreos
(source)

And once yellow was decided as a color I immediately bought this:

Source / Etsy Seller SewDeerlyLoved

-- another impulse buy that I hadn't a plan for.  But I knew that it was a must.  I was zombie-like and giddy as I clicked enter on the keyboard, sending an exciting package of yellow twine my way. Crazy impulsive, no?

I have since figured things out a little for my first two purchases and have luckily curbed my impulse wedding buying (I swear to you that I am not normally like this!).  The straws inspired me to do a vintage soda bar during cocktail hour, good for minors and adults alike. 

Source / Project Wedding

I'll be using the twine for for the seating cards & the invitations -- something like this:

Source / 100 Layer Cake



What are a few of your favorite things? Was there something that you just knew you had to have that you acted on it almost immediately after the question was popped?