wedding planning // the decor

I can't believe the wedding is less than 6 months away - I feel like time is flying by and it will be here before we know it!

The next thing I have been tackling is decor. There are so many little details to think about! The ceremony, the reception, the tables, etc etc. As I mentioned in the post I did on flowers, I will be having a peach carnation curtain at the alter. I'm really into simplicity, so with the outdoor mountain backdrop, the gorgeous walnut tree with the flower curtain, and white chairs for the guests...I think the ceremony is all set. I toyed around with the idea of other decor touches like flower petals or Shepard hooks with lanterns, but then I remind myself...the goal is to keep the budget under control and just keep things pretty, simple, and sticking to the outdoorsy / mountain / bohemian vibe.

Image via

As for the reception, I think I have most of it covered at this point. I found an image of amazing outdoor lighting back when Aaron and I first got engaged, and I was never able to get it out of my mind...so I've spent countless hours on the internet finding all the bits and pieces to hopefully make it a reality. The only difference is that it will be inside an open white frame tent, instead of completely outdoors. 

I was able to find white cafe lights, glass handing lanterns exactly like pictured, and hanging crystals too! Not sure what will be put in the lanterns yet...maybe extra carnations...maybe tealights? 

My big DIY project for the wedding is to make the welcome sign and table numbers. I think this is definitely something I can do, and I hope to have a post all about it once I take the time to sit down and make it happen ;) I have purchased almost all the materials, so I should be able to get started on it soon! Here is what I am going for...

I plan to have a welcome table outside the tent with this sign and then the place cards for dinner, and a card box. Did any of you ladies have a card box? What did you use? This is something I still haven't figured out, but I do like the idea of a little banner like this one to attach to the box...

I ordered various linens for the reception, some purchased and some rented. All tables will have white floor length coverings, and then decorative linens to cover. The welcome table I mentioned above will have a champagne-colored satin rosette runner, and inside the tent - the small cake table and Bride & Groom sweetheart table will have the same fabric, but as overlays like this...

I ordered them offline, and they are beautiful, but it would have been pricey to do every single table with them. So I decided to do them on just a couple of the key tables mentioned above), and then do burlap runners on the guest dinner tables. 

As for centerpieces, this is something I spent A LOT of time figuring out. Since I decided early on to nix big floral arrangements (in an effort to save major $$) ...I had to think of something else that would work and be more cost effective. I found some lanterns at Ikea and great examples of what other brides have done with them online. So, each table will have a white lantern with pillar candle inside. There will also be lots of tealights in various small jars and candle holders. Finally, there will be two small bubble vases with peach carnations (see how I carried that over from the ceremony? ;) on each table. That way, there are some flowers, but it is much more budget-friendly.

The last thing I realized I needed to think about was place settings. I didn't want to just have the plates on the table without any sort of decor, so I found some nice inspiration images online and decided to have menus printed (that will match the place cards - thank you Minted!). Each menu will go on top of a folded linen napkin, and then have a bit of baby's breath tied around it with some twine... similar to this...

That's all I have for now! Is there anything you can think of that I have missed? I'm sure there is...as there are SO many little details to think about! ;)

Links to all images can be found on my Pinterest wedding board here!

wedding registry

Aaron and I will be going out to register for the wedding soon, and it has made me really think about the things that we would like to have / need for the house. We did things a little backwards, I guess...bought a house together before getting married...so we already have a lot of things that people typically register for.

The main area that could use some help is the kitchen. We have a mix of things from when we each had our own places, so nothing is really cohesive or matches our style as a couple. I pulled together a list of things that would be great to have or replace. As for a store, I think we are looking at Williams-Sonoma. 

Have any of you registered there before? What was your experience like?

The first set of things is related to cooking and baking. I've had my eye on a KitchenAid Mixer for awhile now, and even though white is my favorite color - eventually our kitchen will be white, so I think a pop of color would be cute. I like this aqua sky color! We also need mixing bowls, serving bowls, and some baking related items / utensils. Do any of you have a Le Creuset Dutch Oven? I've heard great things about them, but I know they are pricey and come in so many different sizes!  

The second set of things we need is related more to dining and entertaining. Basic kitchen linens like tea towels, pot holders, and an oven mitt would be great. I would also love all our flatware and barware/glassware to match - it is so mix matched right now! Aaron has lots of spices, and it would be awesome to get them all in matching jars and stored nicely in a drawer, instead of out on the counter. 

Finally, I'm throwing in a Shark Handheld Pet Vacuum because why not?! This one thing will make my life so much easier...maybe I should just go pick one up and not even bother putting on the registry ;) 
   

I'd love your input too! What did you register for? What items did you leave off that you wish you had put on the list?? xx 

wedding planning // flowers & cake

I had a pretty clear idea of what I wanted for flowers from the beginning. I know they are expensive, so I wasn't planning to order much...I decided pretty early on to nix flower center pieces and use something else as the main focus, and just have a few flowers on each table, rather than a big arrangement. 

As far as flowers go, I will have a bridal bouquet and a smaller bouquet for Aubrey (step-daughter). I want it to be a little "wild" looking, not too structured. Here are the inspiration pictures I sent to the florist - I can't wait to see what she comes up with!

There is also one floral-related thing I am splurging on because I found it online and just had to have it for our alter...a floral curtain. 
I have ordered it to look exactly like the one pictured below - with light peach carnations. 

As for the reception tables, I decided to do small vases with light peach carnations similar to the ones used in the curtain above. 
I'm hoping to have something that looks like the picture below - maybe 2 per table?

As for the cake...I actually didn't originally plan on having one at all (not a big cake fan)...but I ended up deciding to order a very small one for the traditional "cutting the cake" purposes and then have two different types of cupcakes for our guests to have for dessert.

I found an awesome local organic baker in Asheville, and here are the inspiration images I sent her for my cake...

These two wedding planning items were actually two of the easiest and least stressful to get worked out, which was nice! Check and check...and on to the next thing on the list... xx

bride to be

Hope you are all having a good week! The weekend is nearly here...thank goodness for 4-day weeks!

I wanted to start sharing some wedding-related posts since I'm starting to ease my way into planning our big day! One thing that became instantly apparent...there are so many cute items out there for a newly engaged lady!

Here are some of my favorites that I've come across the past couple weeks...

The Wifey Tee - Illy Couture

Custom Wedding Ring Dishes - By Palomas Nest on Etsy

Mrs Necklace - Kate Spade