Pretty Papers

First of all, I hope you like the new look for my blog. When I started the blog, I wasn't 100% sure of what I was doing and just picked a super simple format. After spending more time on Blogger, I decided it was time for an update. Now my blog matches my invitations!

If you haven't already figured it out, I love DIY projects, especially when it comes to arts and crafts. Making my own invitations was something I wanted to do even before I looked at costs. Needless to say, making my own invitations is going to be a lot cheaper than having them made. We are talking about literally half the cost. So with that knowledge, it seemed like a no-brainer.

About a week ago I headed back over to the Paper Source and picked out my invitation colors. It hadn't even crossed my mind that they wouldn't have enough paper in the store. After deliberating over R.S.V.P. card colors and envelope sizes, I made my choices and went to collect all the items I would need. It was then I realized just how much paper I was buying. Of course they didn't have 10 sets of envelopes in the color and size I wanted! Not to mention the 5 sets of special printing paper. The women at the Paper Source were great as usual, though. With a deal on free shipping I left the store with an order confirmation for my paper and it came in the mail less than a week later. Here's what I got!


To help me get a head start in putting all the invitations together, my bridesmaids are coming for a visit. I'm so excited to see them! So not only is my invitation making a fun project, it's also turned into a great reason so see friends.

Flowers are a lot of Fun

When I started the process of planning my wedding, flowers were at the bottom of my list. Bouquets did not seem nearly as interesting as stuff like music and food. Well, I stand corrected. After spending the last few weeks scouring the Internet for florists and examining pictures of bouquets, I have to admit, flowers are a lot of fun.

What's more, I just got back from a great meeting with Ellen, one of the florists from Local Color Flowers. Ellen and I hit it off right away (she likes Haruki Murakami!!) and had a great conversation about the flowers for my wedding. I plan to make my own center pieces, so I really only need a florist for bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres. I found the above image on Local Color Flowers website and talked with Ellen about doing all the pieces in that color scheme (the bouquet on the right). As you can probably guess from the name, Local Color Flowers uses only locally grown flowers, which I think is pretty cool. Ellen said they buy from growers within and 100 mile radius, but a lot of the flowers come from growers in Baltimore City. I had never thought about growing that many flowers in a city! The only down side to Local Color Flowers is that they charge a pretty steep delivery fee. Alternatively you can have a friend or family member pick up the flowers for you. While the workshop is pretty close to the Gramercy Mansion, it still might be inconvenient have to worry about flower pick-up that morning. I'm planning to meet with at least one more florist to make a comparison.

On the note of center pieces, it just occurred to me that I haven't written about them. My plan is all about chrysanthemums. Each table will have five small terracotta pots of 'mums arranged on a leaf shaped place mat. I am keeping it simple but colorful. Guests will be able to take a plant home of they want. Plus, potted plants keep living after the wedding day unlike cut flowers. I've already talked to a representative at my local Lowes about ordering the chrysanthemums and it seems all pretty straight forward. I guess the real rush will be potting all of the 'mums the week of the wedding. Luckily, I have some great friends who have already volunteered to help.

Now that I'm less than 9 months away, I feel like my wedding planning is in full swing. Look for up coming posts about invitations, dress fittings, and who knows what else!