How I Met Your Mother

I met Michael in Sept 2002, when his mother was moving him into residence during our first year at undergrad.  I had just turned eighteen and he was still seventeen.  He missed frosh/orientation week due to work and by then our my roomies (our residences are on campus apartments – 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, dining room, living room, closets etc.  This is what each apartment looked like.) Anyway, after frosh week our apartments became great friends.  We were cleaning up after a party the night before and in walks Michael and his mother.  Poor thing looked so disoriented, shell shocked and sleep deprived.  He came straight from work to campus. 

Introductions were made, and live continued.  Because we were so young and the legal drinking age was 19, we couldn’t really go out to the pubs and bars.  So by default we hung out a lot.  It was after spring break 2003 that we became closer.  We had a philosophy class together and he used to ply me with Reeses Pieces.  (I hate Reeses Pieces, lol, but for him I ate it). 

One thing led to another and we became joined at the hip.  On our first date together he took me hiking.  I am not out-doorsy by any means, but for him, I try.  We go hiking and he gets lost.  What should have been a 3 hour trip became about 6 hours long.  In the end we followed the power lines and this lead us to a highway.  In the middle of nowhere.  A trans-Canada highway filled with big transport trucks.  It was dark, and some sections had no street lights.  We are so incredibly lucky that a) we had head lamps that could warn oncoming traffic that we were on the road, and b) we didn’t encounter bears, because it was prime bear season, and there had been some sightings.

The best part about it all was even as this was happening I trusted him, and we had a great time laughing about it whilst it was occurring and after the fact.  Even now as I am typing this, I am chuckling and laughing because it honestly is funny. 

That was the real beginning of us.  We had a long distance relationship for awhile (I lived in another country and was an international student for a loooong time).  We had high phone bills because we spoke so much.  Even now, we still talk, a lot, about any and everything. 

We have been through deaths of our grandparents, health scares, absolute poverty, moving, fights, grad school (we’ll he’s still fighting the good fight, etc, but we still preserve. Almost seven years later.

Ring Me A New One

I asked him if I should even make a profile and bio considering that I have no ring on my finger, and I was pretty much to write it or he would. Lol!  The ring is not a surprise.  We designed it together.  I haven’t received it yet, but as soon as our finances pan out we’ll get it made.  It is very none traditional.  Just like us.

Style Us Pretty

I know that my name says Rustic Girl but I think that we are more eclectic. We can never make up our mind or choose just one thing.  It’s pretty crazy.  Maybe our wedding theme should be hoarder’s paradise.  Lol!

Our theme in a bullet form:

·        Whimsical Whimsy

·        Rustic Elegance

·        Naturally Organic

·        Sun Kissed Country Summer

·        Nostalgic Vintage

·        Uniquely Persona

I have no idea how all of this will make it in, but I’ll start making our inspiration board.  I’m almost tempted to ask him to make an inspiration board, but we’ll see.

So I've been a major bum where planning is concerned.  I haven't been on PW consistently and this really has put me behind in terms of ideas, but not anymore!  I got some toasts recently and seeing that hotmail notification have lured me back to PW and wedding planning fulltime. Ofcourse my main problem is finances (as always) but I am extremely hopeful especially considering that we have until May 2012 to get our act together, although I should confess that FI wants Dec 2011.  So we'll see.

Alright.  I am going start making a list of things to do.  I'm not sure how to make a bio-page or how to upload, but I am sure that I should be able to get it right and if not I trust you lovely ladies at PW will guide me. 

P.S.  Thanks for the toasts fellow PWers - Mrs.Bajish, xxashleyxx007, and Jessiepilot.  I've found the whole wedding planning stressful, because I have no clue what direction I'm going it, but the more I visit PW the more ideas I get and more confident I become that I can do DIY projects.

We are now in the pre-planning stage of our wedding.  We've worked out most of the details of our special day, including style and type of invitations, STDs, and other stationery. And we also have a pre-finalized list of vendors.

Our main problem is that it's a destination wedding in Jamaica and we're not doing the traditional type of wedding.  We have a very specific idea and we're looking for an event designer and coordinator (someone who would come down on a site visit with us, and sketch out the vision with us and execute it on the day before and on).  We've found a few who would do that...IF the wedding was in British Columbia. 

So now our main task is finding such a person/company.  If you guys have any ideas feel free to pass them onto me.

Special Touches

We are very traditional in some respects and very untraditional in other respects. We are keeping some traditions such as:

1. White Dress

2. Christian Ceremony

3. Dad walks me down the aisle

4. We spend the week/night apart before the wedding.

5. Traditional Jamaican wedding cake (to reflect my Jamaican heritage)

6. Fun, games and Groom’s roast (like a celebrity roast)- Apparently telling stories and “roasting” the groom is a tradition.

7. Because I am Jamaican I am keeping the wedding savings account tradition.  We open an account at the bank of our choice and guests, well wishers, family and friends deposit money into the account to help us start our life together.  It takes a village to raise a child and I’m still a child.

8. Traditional Jamaican wedding food – curried goat, etc.

9. Something old, new, borrowed and blue.

Special touches

1. Coloured shoes

2. My aunt is an ordained minister/pastor and she is officiating our wedding. We’ve had some pre-marital counseling with her already and we’re going to continue through until after with a bit of post marital follow up.

3. No wedding party.  Just a MOH, BM, Ringman and Flowerwoman. Yep, some adult friends, as we are having an adult only event.

4. Sparklers.  I’ve always wanted sparklers, and then I found some 36 inch ones that burn for 4 minutes.  Very excited about this detail.
https://www.sparklersonline.com/shop/36_inch_sparklers.cfm



5. Champagne Flowers. I’ve always wanted to incorporate some sort of edible flowers.  This is a nice middle ground. 
http://www.wildhibiscus.com/



Flowers in Syrup - A Beautiful and Unique product - Serve our exquisite Wild Hibiscus Flowers as a garnish in Champagne at your next special occasion, celebration or dinner party!

Also good as an excuse to crack open some bubbly, the little flower sits in the bottom of the glass, all the bubbles stream off and subtly unfurl the flower, at the end of the drink you can eat the flower - it has a delicious raspberry & rhubarb flavour.

6. Lounge.  We love the idea of a lounge area where guests can sit and mingle and play games, listen to music, take a break from the dancing and partying. 

  

       

Picture of the lounge with the lights I credit to catherinec58

7. Sweatheart table.  We want a sweatheart couch.  We want to sit back on our couch at our table and have a breather moment.  This was FI’s idea and he is very proud of it. :-) It’s a pretty good idea. 

More to come…

MakeUp Inspiration and Artists

Okay, so I've been looking at wedding looks and I realize that I haven't a clue what I'll be doing for my wedding day look.  I'm not very handy with makeup but I do know that I want flawless perfected glamour.  I've been a member on other wedding forums and some other destination brides have brought down friends who are makeup artists or even their hairdresser/MUA for a "vacation".  They pay for their trip but their services is a "gift". 

I would love to do that, but alas the kitty runs empty (I have no money in my budget for such extravagance), so my next best bet is to find some Make Up Artists in Jamaica that I can work with.  I really want to have air brushing available so we'll see what happens.

This is my working list:

1. Loni Jones
   http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8739177547&ref=ts
   Tel: (876) 857-6785
   Email:lonijns@yahoo.com
   Website: www.myspace.com/lonij
   http://www.myspace.com/lonij
   
   
2. Anna 'Sarayna' Edwards
   www.saraynadesigns.webs.com
   http://www.saraynadesigns.webs.com
   Email:saraynadesigns@gmail.com
   anna.edwards@saraynadesigns.com
   Tel: (867) 882-8055
3. Paul March
   http://www.modelmayhem.com/paul777
   http://www.modelmayhem.com/1035309
   
   
4. Tamara Scott
   http://www.flickr.com/photos/tam_melville/
   Tel: (876) 342 - 3998
   Email: tam_melville@yahoo.com
   
   
5. P.G. Rose
   http://www.prettyfaces23.blogspot.com/
   pretty.faces@ymail.com
   Tel: 876-844-8906
   
   
6. Spa at Venue

Inspiration Videos

1.   JaneB Make Up

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

http://restorationbyjb.com/

1. Once Wed
   http://www.oncewed.com/
   
   
   
2. Style Me Pretty
   www.stylemepretty.com/
   
   
   
3. Best Destination Wedding Forums
   www.bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/
   
   
   
4. Snippet and Ink
   http://snippetandink.blogspot.com/2009/09/real-wedding-saturday-jennifer-floris.html
   
   
   
5. Project Wedding
   http://www.projectwedding.com
   
   
   
6. One Lovely Day
   http://www.projectwedding.com/blog/
   
   
   
7. The Bride's Cafe
   http://www.thebridescafe.com/?postID=513&real-wedding-krista-mike
   
   
   
8. The Fete Fanatic
   http://fetefanatic.blogspot.com/2009/08/small-wedding-big-detail.html
   
   
9. Michelle Rago
   http://blog.michelleragoltd.com/
   http://blog.michelleragoltd.com/new-york-verses-destination_900/
   
   
10. 
    
    
    
11. 
    
    
    

Strawberry Hill

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Candle Light Weddings

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Rustic Weddings 1

Hey everyone, I found this on Style Me Pretty.  Absolutely great idea for other rustic brides.

I hope everyone had a great weekend! I am so excited about this week’s posts, as I have finally collected all of your DIY projects, have chosen my favorites to go up on the blog and now we can start the show! If yours didn’t make it up, don’t worry…we will be saving all of them for our next DIY contest.

So, let’s get right to it! I wanted to start the contest with one of my personal favs…these adorable table numbers housed in glass hurricane vases and adorned with the cutest, rustic touches!

Materials

Glass Apothecary and Bell Jars (one for each table – for the bell jars I also purchased metal plates to go under them)
Floral Foam
River Rocks
Moss
Bamboo skewers
Gold (or silver) address numbers
Black Spray Paint
Hot glue gun and glue
Sandpaper
Additional Adornments (ex. Feather butterflies, old keys, peacock feathers)

Instructions

1. Hot glue a bamboo skewer to the back of each address number. Wait until dry.
2. Spray paint numbers and skewers black. Wait until dry. Apply second coat if necessary.
3. Use sandpaper to “antique” the numbers, allowing some of the metal to show through.
4. Cut a piece of floral foam small enough that it will fit in the apothecary jar of choice with a 1″ clearance when placing in the opening of the jar.
5. Use the hot glue gun to attach river rocks to cover the foam on the sides and part of the top.
6. Use the hot glue gun to fill in the cracks between the river rocks with moss.
7. Cover the top of the foam with moss.
8. Place a small bed of moss in the bottom of the jar. This moss will cover the bottom of the foam so that it is not visible from beneath.
9. Place the rock and moss covered foam in the bottom of the jar.
10. Cut the bamboo skewer attached to the address number to the proper height and insert into the floral foam through the moss on top.
11. Attach an additional adornment (such as a feather butterfly) to the base.
12. If desired, on the day of the wedding (or using silk), place a stem of orchids into the floral foam adjacent to the number.

We are posting DIY projects throughout the day for the next five days, so make sure to check back often!

Favours Boxes

Destination Wedding CAKE BOXES

We have a ludicrous amount of ideas for our favours and boxes and now we’re making a short list to keep track. Believe it or not, these boxes are for our cake slices.  Traditional Jamaican wedding cakes are slice at 2" by 1" measurements. Litterally just a bite.

1.       Star Boxes

2.      Petal Boxes

3.      Cone Boxes

4.     Charming Victorian Filigree Box

5.      Chair Favour Boxes

    Chair Favour Boxes (take 2)

Chair Favour Boxes (take 3)

6. Wedding Cake Favour Box

At Home Wedding (AHR) FAVOUR/Food Gift BOXES

 7. Gift Boxes  (AHR guest favour boxes)****

Take 2

8.     Clear Lid Boxes (These boxes are to be used for the AHR guest favours)****

Clear Lid Boxes (take 2)

Clear Lid Boxes (take 3)

Clear Lid Boxes (take 4)

Thank you Budoh for making this available. I credit Budoh for this great idea and comprehensive explaination.

Because we couldn't squeeze our budget to include the $1500+ price tag for the photo booth, we came up with a homemade version.

Concept: I wanted to jazz up the Polaroid Sign In Book idea by combining it with Photo Bar concept (similar to our High School Prom Picture Station).

Equipment

• Digital Camera with 2 large memory capacity stick and USB Cable (or use 2 digital cameras) - We used Sony Cybershot with 2 memory sticks.
  
• Laptop to download pictures to keep the photos organized and Digital Camera free from memory overload. - We used iPhoto in MacBook, but you can use any photo processing program that comes with your laptop. 
  
• Photo Printer including the program disc & necessary USB/printer cables - We used 2 printers: Epson PictureMate & HP Photosmart C6380 just to maximize printing time - don't go out and buy one, just ask your family & friends.  Make sure you dowload the program & test it prior to the day of the wedding.
  
• Plain Backdrop - We used PVC Piping for the frame and Red Curtains from my fav store Target!
  
• Lighting in case the venue will dim the lights for the reception - We luckily had a separate dimmer switch to keep the area illuminated enough for photos.
  
• Photo Printing Supplies (ink cartridge & photo paper)
• Scrapbooking Supplies (Album, Acid Free Paper, Acid Free Glue, Colorful Pens, and any Scrapbook Embellishment)
• Props - fun hats & accessories to make the picture more fun - We had a pirate hat, patch, and sword, Mickey Ears, Red Clown Nose, Gladiator Hat, Viking Helmet with Horns, Straw Hats, Silly Glasses/Nose/Moustache, Plastic Ball & Chain, Boas, and Physician's cap and stethoscope. 

Photo Booth Attendants

• Designated Photographer - We had my Brother's Friend/Family Friend
  
• Designated Photo Processors - We had my brother who could manage multiple computer equipment.
  
• Depending on the total number of guests, you might want designate another person to be in charge of helping guests in/out of props, and possibly another person to assista guest in completing their yearbook pag.  - We had as my brother's GF and her GF/Family Friend who kept the process organized and assisted the guests whenever necessary. 
  

Logistics

• Find a location far enough from the main stage to prevent any competition between 2 activities yet large enough for all the equipment (a backdrop, small table for the props, and at least 6' rectangle table). - We stationed our Photo Booth adjacent to the entry way, using 40" round for the props, and 30"x8' for the Processing Station.
•   
• At the end of the night, the Processing Station looks a little cluttered, but it was a fav hang out for the guests when they needed a break from the dance floor.
  

• If the designated area has a plain background, you may not need to have a backdrop.
  
• The designated person will encourage the guest to select props for their fun photos.
• The designated photographer will take at least 2 poses or as many pics as the guests desire.  Of course, if there is a line, manage accordingly.
• After the photos are taken, encourage the guest to either decorate the yearbook page leaving a space blank for the photo(s) or return back in about 5-10 minutes to design their very own yearbook page with the finish photo.  My brilliant brother and his gorgeous GF made a silly yearbook page which they used as a sample for all the guests. 
  

• We provided 2 prints/pose: 1 copy for the yearbook page and the second as a gift for the guests to take home as a memento.  Here are some of the actual yearbook pages:
  
• 

Overall, the photo booth was a huge hit!!  All the youngin' enjoyed it...   It was truly a priceless moment for me when our well mannered elders joined in all the fun (MIL is 2nd to the right wearing the viking helmet with the horns).

Thank Goodness, my SIL is as silly as I am; otherwise, she would kill me for posting this pic ;)

We had to join in the fun... My fav pic with DH titled "Our New Life Together..." :)

Things I would change:

• To place the printer in a more discreet place to make the processing look more streamline.
  
• Make the Backdrop wider (maybe 3 panels of red curtain instead of 2).
• Instead of White Yearbook Pages, I would have used Black Archival Pages with Silver Pen.
• Include more props: Crowns, Ornate Masquerade Mask, Chef's Hat with large wooden spoon and/or whisk, Stuffed Animal for kids, Apron, boxing gloves, Mistletoe ball, Santa Hats/Reindeer Antlers, Veil & Tuxedo Tie, and extra ball and chain (mine broke after couple of hours).
• More Scrapbook embellishment to give guests more creative options.
• Make sure the team takes a break to eat and play.  Some took the job so seriously that they did not get a chance to eat :(

Cost Brekdown:

• Digital Camera - Free Bride's Camera
  
• Laptop - Free  Brother's GF's new MacBook
  
• Photo Printer - Free Bride brought the PictureMate while her brother brought his HP printer.
  
• Plain Backdrop - PVC at Home Depot $20  2 panel Red Silk Curtain from Target - on Sale $30
  
• Lighting - Free DH had a pseudo "photographer's light"
  
• Photo Printing Supplies- $40 for 2 cartridge & 200 4x6 photo paper for PictureMate Printer (from ebay - yeah!) & $30 for HP printer cartridge
  
• Scrapbooking Supplies (Album, Acid Free Paper, Acid Free Glue, Colorful Pens, and any Scrapbook Embellishment) - Everything purchased with 40-50% off coupons from Michael's & AC Moore $25
  
• Props - purchased at Party City $50
• Total Expense = $195  Total Savings: $1,305 (Gotta Love it!)

Here were some website I got my inspiration:

• http://www.ehow.com/how_2158898_polaroid-camera-wedding-guest-book.html
  
• http://www.weddingbee.com/2008/07/01/faux-photo-booth/
• http://www.sanfranciscophotobooth.com/?gclid=CIrKgp7pqZcCFQtZHgod6ARGjg
  
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8SLsM6Q7yk
• http://staciehibino.1000words.kodak.com/default.asp?item=523142

For more those who have photographic or carpentry skills, here are more interesting sites:

• http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Photobooth/
• http://www.ehow.com/how_2106959_make-photo-booth.html
• http://est1976.blogsome.com/2007/09/10/how-to-make-a-photo-booth-for-your-wedding/
• http://www.timhunkin.com/a104_photobooth.htm

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions!

Hello ladies,

I am the proud new owner of this group.

2012 Brides, this is your special place to share ideas, dreams, plans and every I Do detail of your upcoming wedding!

I know that 2012 may seem very far off, and you might be worried that you are jumping the gun a little, planning so too. BUT you are not. And this is a great community for brides of the future. Let's share ideas, thoughts, vents, problems, happiness and everything in between.

Hope to see you here!

P.S.  I’ve linked the group through the name, and I’ve also linked the source for the picture through the image.