DIY projects....

I love the idea of DIY projects.. just at the moment I don't have a lot of time for them. But once I graduate I will have more time to start one. So I have enlisted help from my bridesmaid for one project and hoping Aaron's mom can make one or the lady making our table runners can?? haha! I think DIY projects do save money - but the time time time time....

This is from Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine - I think it's so cute! My BM Marnie agreed to put these together for me and then I can fill it with maps, itineraries, things to do, where to eat, etc... :) I'm very happy! Thank you Marnie!

(www.marthastewart.com)

Also from Martha Stewart Wedding Magazine - "Cute as a Button". I would love for Jude to be holding this in his 14 month old hands - it's so cute. It's made out of felt, buttons, stuffing (?) and ribbons, and if I can find someone talented enough to make it for me - I don't think the materials would be too much.

(www.marthastewart.com)

I found this idea from my BM Lynn's blog. It's an awesome idea! My only problem would be if it rained, the tissue would melt in a second. But I love how the color brightens up the aisle and you can't hardly tell that it's tissue paper! It's originally from Martha Stewart Wedding & they have cool napkin holders you can make that look like this! :)

Let the pipes play!

Our ceremony will have a twist on traditional music - we are going to have bagpiper! We need to choose the songs we want played - but just hearing da pipes gives me chills and teary eyed!

Here is a bio on our piper, I do like that he is a Wolverine!

Peter Deneen began playing the bagpipes at the age of fourteen. It was at this time that he joined the Grand Traverse Highlanders Pipe Band, now the Grand Traverse Pipes & Drums. After spending several summers performing with the band, and studying at the Ohio Scottish Arts School in Oberlin, Ohio, he was awarded the “Junior Grade” certificate by the College of Piping in Glasgow, Scotland. Since 1993, Mr. Deneen has served as Pipe Major of the Grade IV Grand Traverse Pipes & Drums, and is responsible for rehearsing, teaching, and leading the pipe section. Beyond the pipe corps, he is involved in the personnel management and formation of the artistic direction of the band and is responsible for coordinating efforts with the drum section and maintaining a high level of personal and group performance standard for the entire organization. Under his direction, the Grand Traverse Pipes & Drums have competed successfully at highland festivals in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, and Ontario. As a Grade III solo competitor, Peter Deneen has taken medals in light music and piobaireachd at the Alma Highland Festival and at the Sarnia Supreme Highland Games.

In addition to his responsibilities with Grand Traverse, Peter Deneen has been Director of Bands at Traverse City East Junior High School since 1992, and served as Director of Music at Central United Methodist Church, where he also conducted the English Handbell Choirs. He received the Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) in 1992 and the Master of Music Education Degree from VanderCook College (Chicago) in 1997.

Navy & Green???

I've been meaning to tie green into our wedding in some way since we will be getting married on a golf course - so I've been thinking to incorporate green ties and navy blazers for the guys - as one of my bridesmaids said - there aren't a ton of pictures with the BMs & GM together so even if the colors all don't mesh well together it's not a big deal. But I think green goes with mosiac blue and spiced wine. I found some cool pictures on the knot.

Bella e Dolce!

Bella e Dolce is a cake & pastry company owned by Kim Sperl - and from the emails I've exchanged with her - I know why everyone recommends her! Her company is in Cheboygan which is further north than where we are having our wedding... yet she has been trying to help me taste her delicious cakes - and I think we finally figured it out - I'm going up to Bay Harbor in May for a florist consult & food tasting at the golf course - so she said even though she has 2 weddings on Mackinaw Island that weekend - she thinks she'll be in Petoskey area that Friday and could drop off some samples for us! How awesome is that! I have heard that she is the best in the area even though she's out of the area... so I really hope we love her cake as much as everyone else does! http://www.bellaedolce.com/

From her website:

"Bella e Dolce has been making wedding cakes and catering pastries since 1997. Kim Sperl, owner and pastry chef, is a Graduate of Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School in Paris, France. Her studies included pastry art and design as well as sugar sculpture and chocolate techniques. In addition to her training at Le Cordon Bleu, Kim has also studied with renowned cake designer and author, Colette Peters of New York, to learn the art of sugar paste flowers and fondant.
Each cake and pastry is made from scratch with fine ingredients from around the world. Our handmade decorations and garnishes are sculpted from sugar paste, fondant, chocolate or pulled sugar. While many clients enjoy simple finishes such as buttercream or chocolate glaze, others select our beautiful rolled fondant, a smooth, rolled icing gently draped over buttercream. Bella e Dolce cakes and pastries are available by special order only."

Flowers... CHECK!

Our florist will be Monarch Garden & Floral Design in Petoskey, MI. I'm looking forward to having our first consultation with them in May and seeing what ideas they come up with! Woohoo - one more thing checked off!

Photobooth... CHECK!

The deposit for the photo booth is going out today - so get excited! The guests will get a copy and then the other copy goes in a guest book they make for us! It'll be fun to see everyone being goofy! :) It's all coming together.... :) (www.thephotoboothcompany.com)

Transportation....CHECK!

Our transportation is booked! We are using Mackinaw Trolley company! The trolley will transport the wedding party & guests from the Inn at Bay Harbor to the Bay Harbor Golf Course and back!

Michigan Shower at Bravo!

My first shower was on Saturday and it was great! It consisted of my friends from school and this area and my aunt & cousin from chicago also made an appearance! The food was great, the ice cream cake was awesome, the guests were wonderful and the gifts were fun! Janie had everyone write advice for me as a married woman - it was hilarious!

Me & Janie (Maid of Honor) - Thanks for the great shower Janie!

Shower table - looks beautiful!

Nursing Friends (Jen, me, Dana & Anna)


Me & Lindsey (she's in the part time nursing program and told me about the accelerated program!)

Beautiful gifts!


Opening gifts - it was a work out! I was sweating by the end of it. :)



Yay! Wooden Salad Bowl w/matching bowls & servers



Yay! Pasta pot/Steamer! :)

Reading advice from friends... there were some funnies in there and some good advice :)
Janie video taping the advice reading - she's knew I'd get embarassed.

Beautiful flower centerpieces & wine bottle stoppers as favors :)

Lindsey, Robyn (Lindsey's SIL) & me!

Advice box - made by Sami (Janie's cousin)

Beautiful card - artist - Leslie Raven (Janie's mom) - I love it so much I'm going to frame it!


YUMMY! Coldstone Ice Cream Cake!

Gwen (Bri's mom (Bridesmaid)) & Judy (Aunt)



Thank you everyone it was a great time!

Warm.... sunny... flaaaarida!

I just got back from a wonderful week in Ft Myers Florida. I enjoyed the beach, tropical drinks, fresh produce, hearty laughs, new friends and of course my fiance - Aaron. Here are some pictures from my week off. I'm back and I have a busy week ahead with the week ending with my first bridal shower!