Hi everyone! So I'm starting to familiarize myself more with Project Wedding and must say that you are a lovely group of very friendly and helpful brides and brides to be!! Thanks for all your help and future help, input, and advice!

I'm a sunny So Cal girl who moved to NYC in 2005 for work. But I'm enjoying it as much as I can because my fiance and I plan on moving to California in about 4 years. Yay!

So my honey bunny and I started dating in August of 2006. Within 3 months we were in love and talking about our future together. He asked my parents persmission (soo cute) during Christmas of 2007 and he popped the question in Feb 2008 on the beach during a weekend getaway to the Bahamas (as we escaped the brutal NYC cold). So here we are, planning our wedding June 2009 in CA. Its a little scary since we live so far away but we know it will all fall into place and work out!

Here is my baby. 3 carats! I couldn't believe my eyes! It has a brilliant round center stone and four princess cuts on each side and it is "Euroshank" design meaning the bottom is flat so it doesnt bang against the desk or something. It's VERY comfortable. My love designed it himself and chose the center diamond from a jewler friend. It's been apraised and insured so I'm much more comfortable wearing it everyday around the city (I turn it around when I'm in the subway or dodgy neighborhood).

www.jewelersmutual.com

If you don't own a home or have renters insurance to which you could add your ring to, and if your ring is appraised at over $5k, I highly recommend you go through Jewelers Mutual. Your yearly insurance cost is based on the apraisal of your ring. You don't have to pay a deductible and you could go to any jewler of your choice to have it repaired or replaced at the appraisal value of your ring. If you go to their website, you could calculate your approximate yearly cost to insure it based on its appraisal.

So I'm a shoe girl. (Which girl isn't right?). I bought these shoes on an impulse at Bergdorf Goodman's. I know what you're thinking, "Who buys Manolo Blahnik's on an impulse!?". Well not me, but this time, I totally fell in love with them and HAD TO GET THEM (just like the picture but mine are GRAY..NOT RED). You know how Carrie in Sex and & The City walks by the store window and sees these gorgeous Jimmy Choo's and is like "Hello Lover!" Well that was me, and I got them. I knew I'd wear them to my wedding so voila. Here we are!

Photography: Louis and Erin Palos: www.louispalos.net

Photobooth: Cheesy Photobooths

Ceremony/Reception: Naval Golf Course of Seal Beach

DJ: Tom Rios Tomcat

Save The Dates: DIY by Me and Fiance

Invites: DIY by us

Bridesmaids Tops: Customized Girl

Videographer: Paul Bennett of http://www.blueskyvideos.com/

Flowers: Sam's Club Online and LA Flower Mart: Hydrengea, Roses, Peonies, Lysianthus

Bridesmaid Dresses: Ann Taylor

Bridesmaid Shoes: 6pm.com

Groomsmen tuxes: TBD

Brides Lace Bolero and satin sash: Monique Lhuillier

Shoes: Manolo Blahnik

Brides Make Up: Micheline Pitt

Accessories/Jewlery: The Bauble Bee www.thebaublebee.blogspot.com and Haute Bride San Fransisco

Veil: Crowning Glory

http://www.weddingbee.com/2008/08/02/photoshoping-made-easy/#more-60954

Tada!! I've made my very first pomander! It wasnt that hard to make but i'm reconsidering the ribbon. It may be too wide but i'm not sure. I've ordered thinner silver ribbon and will test it out. If you want instructions on how i made it, PM me! These will go on the aisle seats for our ceremony. I will make 12.

So I'd love to have these letters on our cake table but need some inspiration. Currently I thought of this only because these are materials i had on hand. But i think it looks cheapy! So help me come up with something glam and fab!

Thanks to fellow PW bride Eugugoly82, I am the proud new owner of her cardbox! She did a lovely job!!

Photo Credit: Eugugoly82

My parents decided to plant about 5 hydrengea plants which the nursery promised would yeild hundreds of hydrengeas for my big day. I'm super excited and I hope it works out!! I plan on making about three different centerpieces using them. One will be in a glass vase. The other in a big silver urn type vase and the third type will be in lots of mint julep type vases. I may also make my bridesmaid bouquets out of them. For my bouquet, I plan on buying peonies from the LA flowermart and DIYing my bouquet :)

This is my dream dress. It's currently hanging in my closet and my heart breaks on a daily basis as I come to the sad realization I wont be able to fit into it! From the beginning, it seems like this dress wasn't meant to be for me. My fiance saw it without realizing that he wasn't supposed to see it!! :( Monique Lhuillier "Noel" with that same sash. I'm considering selling it for $3,500 which is close to what I paid for it (obo). Its never been worn or altered and doesnt even need to be cleaned. Its in pristine condition and I have the reciept for it to show its authenticity. It retails for at least $6,000. I got it from the ML sample sale which we camped out for and were the first to get in. PM me if you have any questions.

Garter: Beyonce - "Single Ladies"

http://www.youtube.com/user/beyonce?ob=1

Possible First Dance or Intro Song - Frank Sinatra "L.O.V.E."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdDQCAZ64J4&feature=related

Haute Bride. It's so beautiful, I'm in love! It cost a pretty penny but it shall be passed down to my future daughters to wear on their wedding day!

I was feeling antsy so I started on some signage. The first two are for ceremony chairs and then to be used again for the reception I suppose. Also made some Father of Bride & Father of Groom signs too. The last one is for our honeymoon sweet (inspired by Kohler44).

Introducing Wedding Day Bliss Events by Mare!

http://www.projectwedding.com/vendor/show/wedding-day-bliss-events

If you're an NYC area bride and in need of a DOC, please contact Marylynn: BlissByMare@gmail.com

Part 1 from Hair Comes The Bride sale. $4.95. Score! Cute for them to wear for rehearsal or somethin.

For their hair:

"Tickled Pink" by Hair Comes the Bride. Another score at $9.00! I'm going to look for a NY Yankee's pin to add to it for FI :)

Last score from Hair Comes the Bride $4.95!

AFTER ENGAGEMENT - SIX MONTHS AND BEFORE

• Select a wedding date and time (be flexible) DONE
• Start compiling names and addresses of guests HALF WAY THERE
• Select a professional videographer
• Start collecting favorite photographs from both of your childhoods through the present; you'll want to use them in your wedding video or multi-image slide program
• Register at the bridal registry stores of your choice (more than one is fine)
• Reserve a band, orchestra, string quartet, or DJ for your reception (if you choose)
• Decide on honeymoon destination; if it's a popular area, make reservations now

FOUR TO FIVE MONTHS BEFORE

• Compile the final guest list; delete or correct as needed
• Make sure all deposits are paid for services reserved
• Finish planning the honeymoon
• Order the wedding cake
• Have groom, groomsmen, and ushers fitted for formal wear
• Purchase your wedding rings
• Order invitations, thank-you notes, imprinted napkins, and wedding programs
• Ask people to handle certain duties like candle lighting, guest book, cake serving
• Select musicians for ceremony

TWO TO THREE MONTHS BEFORE

• Plan ceremony rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
• Address invitations (mail four to six weeks prior to wedding)
• Organize details with service providers: reception facility, photographer, etc.
• Check accommodations for out-of-town guests; send them information
• Make beauty appointments: hair, nails, massage, facial, and makeup
• Arrange for final fittings for your gown and bridesmaids dresses
• Make your transportation arrangements for the wedding day
• Purchase gifts for your attendants
• Shop for your trousseau, lingerie, and going-away outfit
• Give a bridesmaids' luncheon or bachelor party (optional)
• Send thank-yous for gifts received early

ONE WEEK TO A MONTH BEFORE

• Decide where you'll be living and send change-of-address cards to post office
• Confirm accommodations arranged for out-of-town guests
• Get your final count of guests to caterer
• Delegate last-minute errands and details
• Make any necessary lists for photographer, videographer, and musicians
• Ask a responsible person to coordinate services and people on the wedding day; give them a list of who and what is supposed to be where and when
• Get your marriage license. Note: If you were married before, you'll need to know the date and place of the divorce or annulment. You may also need to have paperwork proof of divorce or annulment
• Pick up your wedding rings; make sure they are the correct sizes
• Pick up wedding attire; try it all on one last time to make sure it fits
• Make sure bridesmaids have their dresses, shoes, and accessories, and they all fit
• Keep up on writing thank-yous; don't let them accumulate
• Pamper yourself and make sure you eat right and get enough sleep

THE WEDDING DAY

• Eat a good breakfast
• Relax and enjoy getting ready for your big day
• Go to the hairdresser or start fixing your hair a few hours prior to the wedding
• Put all the accessories you will need for dressing in one place
• If pictures are being taken before the ceremony, be ready at least two hours before
• Just enjoy the day! All your months of planning will make your day perfect!

AFTER THE WEDDING
Make arrangements to change your name (if you choose) on your social security card, driver's license, passport, vehicle registration, bank accounts, all types of insurance, paychecks, and benefits at your place of employment, credit cards, mortgage companies, voter registration, business cards, frequent-flier programs, and all utility companies. If you are a student, contact your school to notify them of your new name, and ask them to change it in their records. Also contact the post office.

We like collecting matches and saw some PW brides did this so I thought I'd give it a whirl. I love them! And pretty easy to make! Also FI's parents handed out match favors at THEIR reception 35 years ago so it makes these cuter!

We'll just have them laying around the reception. Considering maybe some little candles around to so they can take home w/ the matches? Not sure.. No one smokes in my family.

Our little countdown ticker! Got it on amazon for $20 (including shipping) and I love it! It comes with interchangable faces so after the wedding I can use it to countdown anniversarries, babies, vacation, etc. Yay!!

Thanks so much to fellow PW'er KristinKay for making these ADROABLE bracelets for my flowergirls, or as she so cutely calls them, my "mini's".

I got this vision of having jumbo (not too jumbo..3 inches) swirl lollies as our escort cards. I want them elegant but fun to kick off the reception. Here is a rough rough draft of my lolli. I might do a grey satin ribbon instead of this gold ribbon. The picture is poor quality because its off my camera phone!  I was surprised at the nice quality of of the lolly's even though I got them from Oriental Trading!

I want to set them up nicely like this and maybe surround them with nice stones... Still playing around with it..

I will print out our monograms really small and stick to the center of the lolly as well. Not 100% yet.

We've booked a Colonial Suite for one week (with private terrace and indoor AND outdoor jacuzzi's!) at:

Majestic Colonial

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic 

YAYYYYYYYYY!!! So so so soooooo excited!

We're having our ceremony and reception at the Eagle's Nest Clubhouse of the Naval Golf Course of Seal Beach. I love it and they are very accomodating to any request. Its like a little hidden gem and not a wedding factory at all! In fact they only have one wedding per day. Yesssss! Its also the course where Tiger Woods grew up on!!

I will be wearing these:

And this short sleeved rouched hoodie from Old Navy.com (online only):

And my friend will embroider "Mrs. Mlastname" on the back in baby blue. Yay!

White Aisle: http://www.whiteaisle.com/eve_earrings.htm

or

Haute Bride: EC701

I'm so excited and happy to report that my hair and make up will be done by the fabulous and talented Micheline Love! Yay! She'll make me look so pretty! I'm so excited!

http://www.modelmayhem.com/148727

Ideas:

Make up:

Hair:

 or

These were a true labor of blood, love, and tears (literally). The pictures don't do them justice (crappy camera phone doesnt help either ;) but we are very happy with the results.

Our embossed return address. We decided to affix our return address on clear labels just in case the post office felt like not honoring an embossed return address. :(

Here are a couple of tips for anyone considering DIYing invites. I wish I would have had one before I started!:

1) If you want to order all of your supplies off of www.cardsandpockets.com, thats fine, just know if you order the pre-cut cardstock inserts, it's very possible it won't work on your home printer. We have a brandnew HP photoprinter, and these cardstock inserts seemed to perfectly fit, but alas, the cardstock was too thick and my printer spazzed out and nothing (and I mean NOTHING) made it work with these guys.

2) ORDER SAMPLES FIRST! I took the risk of ordering the cardstock without ordering a sample and boy did the colors look different in person! Nothing really like the website.  For example, my pocketfold i thought would be ivory but it's more white than ivory. Also the insert I ordered "soft coral" but they are more like baby pink. So make sure to order a sample first! Especially since if you want to return them they charge a hefty percentage for "restocking" or something like that.

3) Know that Kinko's only prints on 8.5 x 11 paper . I tried taking my pre-cut cardstsock inserts after failing to print at home only to be told that they cant print because they are too small. However if you're using their precut inserts just as a backing but will print on another lighter cardstock, you're good.

4) If you buy clear labels, make sure you don't use it with an inkjet. You'll soon realize they'll smear and after you've affixed ALL labels, you'll find yourself having to reprint again (as i did).

5) Know that if you do pocketfolds, there is no such thing as "inner envelope" with these. So don't stress and go with it.

6) GIVE YOURSELF PLENTY OF TIME. I feel bad because we rushed through them and that resulted in a lot of careless mistakes (certain smudges in certain areas), that we just had to "let go".

7) Ask for help! Commission friends, family or future in laws like I did. It'll make the process faster.

When I think of more, I'll update this.

I'm so in love with it!!

Super easy and super cheap. Just used toothpicks, little beads, and plain old address labels! wahoo!

Personalized Hankies from Etsy Seller Mollyandmom

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5895540

Here's for my dad and Fi's mom. My mom and his dad got the same but reveresed.

I love these little necklaces from Lea by Ohanabylea on etsy. www.ohanabylea.etsy.com

I still have to buy him a dog chain for it. I had to get one for me too:

I also got him this bad boy:

I've also put a deposit down to do b-pics. But i dont think i'm ready :(

Probably my easiest DIY. Got the blank fleur de lis embossed cards from Papyrus on sale. Score! Just printed and voila! Horrible picture but you get the jist! Our names and date are cut off from the bottom :(

After a mini saga, our cake topper is finally here!

I accept check, money order or paypal. If paying with Paypal, we'll have to add a little surcharge of about $1 (depending on amount) to cover paypal fees. Shipping included to the US if noted.

Flower ring $20 (free shipping in the US).

Rhinestones Flowergirl tee. $12. Plus shipping. Free shipping. Size "medium". Fits a 3 or 4 year old:

Garter. $10. $8 Free shipping:

Money bag. Silk dupioni. $11. $8 Free shipping:

Complerte Uplighting Package $250 SOLD

http://www.projectwedding.com/post/list/for-sale-complete-uplighting-package

10 aisle floor pomanders $50 plus shipping

8 enormous paper lanterns: $5 each. Plus shipping (may cost like $20 to ship).

Bouquet Bling Pick. Letter "M". $7. Free shipping. SOLD

"Just Married" adorable car magnets. $10 plus shipping. Originally $40. Never used nor opened.

Flip flop basket $10. Local pick up only.

Floral foam for live flowers $1 each. Total of 3. Prefer local pick up but will ship at buyers cost.

Glow in the Dark Necklace and bracelets. 50 pieces in each: (25) 22" necklaces and (25) 8" bracelets. Never opened. Two tubes: $40 each. Plus 1/2 shipping or free local pick up in LA.

8 packs of Big gold shatterproof ornaments. $3 each pack. Six balls per pack.  Local pick up in Los Angeles or Inland Empire or OC area.

Adorable bridal headband. Never worn or used. Light grey. $10. Plus shipping.

Plastic metal like urns (they are actually plastic but you cant tell!). 6 large and 6 small. $5 for each large one $3 for each small one.

pic of flowers in the little one:

pics of the large one:

love sign for either candy buffet or photobooth table. $5 plus shipping. SOLD.

Michael's bling initial charm. Letter "M". 50 cents.

5 mini mint julep cups. $5 each obo. Plus shipping.

Newlywed frame $10 plus shipping.

Pearl lasso with cross $10 plus FREE shipping: SOLD

Metal program basket $7

Lenox Ring Bearer pillow $10.

Sparklers. 11 packs. 6 sparklers in each. $4.00.

12 Table runners. Silk tafetta. Soft berry. $7 each.

Unity candle set with candles: $20.

My husband thought of this fabulous idea! And it was a complete hit! Cell phone flasks! So real looking you can sneak them in anywhere! Comes with a belt holder too!

Gorgeous Nicole Miller 2009 dress GH0007. Vintage inspired strapless daisy embelished lace dress. $900 free shipping! Brand New With Tags and Nicole Miller Garment bag. Originally $1,400. Size 16, Street Size 12. Email SunnySC80 at gmail.