Cassaundra's biography
NOTICE:: BRIDES WHO NEED SOME EXTRA ASSISSTANCE IN CREATING BEAUTIFUL PERSONALIZED GIFTS, CHECK OUT MY ETSY PAGE! (JUST CLICK ON THE IMAGE!)
Samples from previous brides::
After just a few months of planning our Big Day has come and gone. I was beautiful! I can't believe how it turned out. It was my fairytale (not perfect, but magical). I'm updating my photos throughout my entries to reflect the Inspiration versus the Real Deal. I hope you like them (I did EVERYTHING myself) !!
Some Highlights of the Day...
My fiance and I met two years ago in Arizona during a training event. We quickly grew very close and talked over the following few months. Within a few months we got hired for the same job and moved to the same city together. Throughout the following months we fell deeply in love. Once we ended our contract after a year and a half, he proposed to me May 23rd, 2009 right after a Sky dive in Las Vegas! We decided the most optimal date for our wedding would be November 7th, 2009, leaving me only five months to plan the wedding of our dreams!
Soooo...Please let me know if you have any suggestions. We are getting married on the beach in Carmel and our reception will be at the Memory Gardens in Monterey, Ca.
I must say that I am incredibly impressed with my fiance. He picked out this ring ALL by himself. I think it is the most perfect ring ever! I love the detailing Tacori has done on this ring. You can see the single gold heart in the center with two gold circle accents. The wheat along the band is beautfiul as well. It's many more carats than I could have ever hoped for...I LOVE MY MAN!
Jessica Courrier of Anthropology Images::
We are going for an elegant "love bird" theme, with a dash of tropical delight. The following is my inspiration. The main color is Tiffany blue, follwed by black, and white.
On the Big Day...
My first session and I was hooked on this dress. I love the open back with just elegant beading down the back!
It is a Maggie Sottero gown, which is very glamorous, yet very beach-style...The veil will be cathedral length with a Swarvoski crystal lining.
My bridesmaids are wearing Jim Hjelm Occasions dress (not cheap!), but they produce thier dresses using the best material that will last the longest. All six bridesmaids are wearing thier own choice of dress in Turquoise, chiffon, and tea-lenth. I love this idea because it allows them to match, while choosing dresses that fit their personal body type. The MOH is wearing the long dress, in order to be "set apart."
The three flower girls are wearing this dress by PinkMarie. They were so inexpensive and great because they are chiffon like all the other dresses!
We have one special girl who is too old to be a flower girl, so she will be my junior bridesmaid. She is wearing a Jim Hjelm also in Turquoise...
We don't have any family that have boys who are old enough to be ring bearers, but I think Phillip's sister's son, Vincent (will be seven months old) will be wearing a ribbon on his wrist with the rings tied on.
The Real Deal...
Jessica Courrier of Anthropology Images::
I absolutley love ETSY. I have found so many cute peacock items, that are handmade. The following are my ideas...
This one is made with peacock feathers with swarvoski and is for me. And the hairstyles I like.
The Girls' hair will be like down with one small peacock piece.
Inspiration for the flower girls.
I love Regina B. New York, she designed personalized earings for me!! Can you tell I like Pearls and Swarvoski, yet??
On the Big Day...Jessica Courrier of Anthropology Images::
Our photographer took us out the Carmel Mission for the first set, then on to the Carmel River State Beach. The following are some favs...
Since I have so many friends scattered all over this country, we are having two bridal showers. One in Arizona and the other one here at a Museum in Bakersfield. Most of my fiance's family lives in Bakersfield and mine in AZ. Sooo...after having talked with my MOH we came up with a fun theme for the one in Bakersfield.....The Mad Hatter Tea Party! I simply love the idea and found photos on Project Wedding and other websites!
http://www.projectwedding.com/wiki/show/diy-decor-alice-in-wonderland
http://www.alice-in-wonderland.net/mad-tea-party-ideas.html
I tried to make our own invitations...I think they are cute, but I know I can do better!
The big bridal shower will be in Bakersfield at the Guild House. All proceeds will go towards helping children with emotional problems...great cause! The menu will be seasonal fruit, quiche lorraine, gourmet potatoes, variety of breads, salads, tea & coffee..
The Ceremony with be on the southern most beach in Carmel, Ca. Ahhh...the sunset is so beautiful.
My future father in-law is gonna make this altar for our ceremony. He is so excited to help out...
The Big Day...
Reception Location is Memory Gardens: This is a great semi-outdoor location. It is owned by California State Parks and located right on Fisherman's Wharf with a beautiful scenery. The gardens are full of flowers and greenery. It has a large fountain in the center with four cypress trees around it. The trees have lights strung in them year-round and accent lights around all the stone walls. It's truly a charming location.
The Big Day...
Jessica Courrier of Anthropology Images::
We are using green and white Dahlias, Hydrangeas, and Chrysanthemums.
The main flower is a green cym orchid.
The centerpieces will be similar to this except in a black square short vase and the purple buttons will be white.
Two of these, minus the flower balls, will be at our headtable.
The Escort Table
Bridesmaid Bouquet- White SpiderMums My Bouquet
The invitations finally arrived! I ordered them through www.papercakedesigns.com. Larissa was so helpful. She designed the invitation exactly how I pictured it and customized it to our theme with no problem. I love the peacock feather in the invitation. We went with RSVP postcards for the convenience (hopefully our guest will appreciate that).
I love working with Corel Photo Shop X2. I have created many of our monograms and labels through this program. Its been fun working with our Thank You Notes and Stationary as well.
Here are some of our Monograms and Labels I've created.
We are buying our cake from Layers in Monterey. Their prices were decent and the two little cakes we took home were delicious! We are getting marble with white fondant icing; ganach and orange with the same icing. In order to cut down on cost we ordered two sheet cakes for the other guests. It will be a simple three tier cake with black ribbon around the bottom and design only on the second layer.
Examples/Inspiration
We bought a 5inch Swarvoski Monogram "M" from weddingaccessories.net
On the Big Day...
We are putting together these small Tiffany's boxes from efavormart.com. I've made the label below to stick on to each box
Haha, just bought this garter belt from MiaVonMinksGarters on Etsy.com. My man loves UFC...
I bought two signs, a MOH shirt, and Bride Shirt from Weddingchicks.com last week and they are already here. I love them! The material on the shirts are soft and the signs are thick and sturdy. I can't wait to use them!! Had to show of my little Bijou, too...
We also ordered personalized pens for our guests...
So I'm not so sure on the veil & shoes. There are definatley better ones out there that I REALLY REALLY wanted, but had to budget on other things. Here they are...
http://www.6pm.com/product/7354934/color/728
http://www.irisdbridal.com/catalog/veils/embroidered-veils/227
I'm in the process of making a card holder for the guest gifts. I bought a Martha Stewart Birdcage online from kmart.com ($8!). I'm decorating it with rhinestones and a thank you card. I also got this cute peacock outdoor ornament. I didn't know how big it was, but its so incredibly cute!
The Final Result!
I created my programs on Corel Paint Shop Pro X2. I love this program and how verstile it is, once you figure out all the gadgets.
I created this on PSP X2...
I think I like this one better...
I put these little bags together, and ironed on their names. Also, I bought white tank tops from Target and ironed on the designs.
My first bridal shower was in Phoenix, Arizona. We had such a blast! (i'm still waiting on the photos) The theme was pink, black, white and lots of sexiness!
MOH & Me!
These were the ladies favors. Courtesy of Michaels! I put together silver tissue paper, black ink &
"thank you" stamp, pink take-out box. Inside was a small bottle of Rose Wine and dark chocolates...everyone seemed to love
it!
My MOH designed this cake, so cute!
The tables...
Mark Banks from Calvary Chapel will be strumming our music out on the beach. Here's the line up...
Bride Entrance: The Bridal Chorus
I bought some cheap flower girl baskets online ($7). The MOH and I decorated them with ribbons and peacock feathers.
So I was browsing through internet photos months ago and I came across this photo of a peacock butterfly. Immediatley, I had the idea that if we attached clear fishing line to these butterflies they would look amazing with all the lights at our reception. Here's what my bridesmaid, Rachel, and I put together with a little hot glue and some Michaels gems!
I think I really have a passion for this stuff, maybe I should be a wedding planner!
It's only been a month and I have book nearly all of my vendors. Well at least all the major ones. Wow, time flies when you are constantly moving! Who says you can't plan a wedding in a month!?
Wedding Consultant: Ellie Parker of Calvary Chapel
Officiant: Pastor Nate of Calvary Chapel
Caterer: Lalla Grill
1415 Del Monte Ctr ·Monterey, Ca (831) 324-4632
Photographer: Jess Currier
www.myspace.com/anthropologyimages
Videographer: White Rose Productions
http://www.facebook.com/whiteroseproduction
Ceremony Musician: Mark Banks of Strings
380 Foam Street Monterey, Ca (831) 655-5678
Reception DJ: July Barredo
Please request contact information
Florist: Flor de Monterey
Mrs. Vena!
Baker: Layers Cake
Rentals & Supplies: Celebrations Party Rentals
www.celebrationspartyandrentals.com
Transportation : Enterprise, Mr. Aguilar
1191 Echo Av, Seaside, CA
Limosine: Your Maitre D, Micheal
Invitations: Larissa
Favors: Lula's Chocolates
