Gifts

Let me preface this post by saying whenever I actually get a gift I'm in complete and utter shock. I just really don't expect them, and no I didn't expect any for our semi-destination wedding, even though we clearly registered for some gifts. I thought it was nice enough people would be flying or driving in for the wedding. I have been pleasantly surprised and there's still 82 days away! Well guess what landed on our doorstep on Friday? And by "our doorstep" I mean the Condo office's doorstep from which I lugged a very big box while trying to walk my dog in the Phoenician 97 degree heat.

Seriously Bed, Bath and Beyond does some amazing things with their gift wrap- how adorable is that package? I almost don't want to rip it open....

But we did! And now it's time for the great debate, send the thank you now or send it after the wedding? A quick twitter poll revealed I should send them now.

So it's off to craft my first Thank You Card! What's your stance are you a now or a later?

Custom Veil Sneak Peek

Well a while back I mentioned that FSIL/Photographer was also going to sew my custom dress-lace onto my veil? Well she just pinned it all so we could play with it at the hair trial. So here's some teaser pictures as it's not yet completed. Please excuse the faces as the only photos I have of the veil involve my Big-Texas-Hair, so the look of being uncomfortable is more a result of that than of my beautiful veil.

Are you so excited or what?! It's going to match the scalloped edging of my gown so well! As you get closer to completing your DIY adventures what really excites you? Is anyone else making their own Mantilla veil?

Hair Trial Pt 2

Ok so when we left off I had a beautiful half up/half down hair do that was very curly and majorly teased and very accurate to my first set of inspiration pictures. But my hair got bigger.... much bigger... Steel Magnolias bigger. The industrial strength Bobby Pins started flying...

And my hair quickly transformed into Texas Pageant Hair. Can you see me saying "Help me!" with my eyes? Because I clearly am...

Wow.

While this was a lovely, all be it Bigger-and-Better-Texas-Hair, style it wasn't what my second set of inspiration pictures were. Remember those? The loose low bun off to the side, we did not achieve it.
Oh well. Part I went well, and I think the verdict is a resounding DOWN! What do you think? Do you love my Big Pageant Hair?

Hair Trial Pt 1

So my hair trial was on Saturday and my wonderful FSIL/Photographer decided to come with me. So I have some pretty hilarious and artistic photos of the transformation from bedhead to bridal styling.

Pretty sure I'm channeling Amy Winehouse in this next photo... "They tried to make me go to rehab but I said No No No..."

An artistic shot of all the massive amounts of product that go into Wedding Hair...

The Haze is not an illusion- it is residual hair spray in the air... no joke.

The bigger the hair the closer to god, as my Texan friends say...

And I am apparently very happy!

Wow that was a lot of photos, but we did try up-do hair style as well. So that will be up tomorrow. So what say you, did you like the artistic hair-stylin' shots? We did my hair trial almost 3 months out, what about you- when did you start?

Blush Design Studio: Vendor Review

Just realized I've never shown you all my fabulous invitations designed by Liz at Blush Design Studio. She is based in Massachusetts but is clearly available to work with anyone via email in the U.S. (I have not asked her about Canada).

Just a quick reminder of our mock up.... 

Blush Design Studio

Here's some eye candy for you, taken from her blog...

Blush Design Studio

:
:Sigh:: aren't they lovely? They came out even better than the mock-up. I highly encourage you to check out her work. She has a very broad range and can work with you to customize your invitations. The design process went very smoothly and the invitations were delivered quickly and in tact. I cannot recommend her services more, she may be my favorite wedding vendor.

I was also recently introduced to a Local Arizona Letterpress called Seesaw Designs and will hopefully be showcasing them at a latter date. Do you have any wedding vendors you would love to share?

Winner of the Poster Giveaway

The winner of the Online Poster Printing Giveaway is.... lucky commenter #16 who said...

Congratulations Susannah!

Poor Planning or Subconscious Sabotage?

In the past few weeks I have seen some of my friends make some decisions and fall into poor planning during their journey down the aisle. While I was discussing these unimaginable scenarios with Mr. AZ I simultaneously went through shock, sympathy and utter confusion. I couldn't imagine what I would do if I was the bride in any of these, and I found most of them helpful- each made me stop and think. I think I learned something from each and that's why I'm sharing it with you, my readers. Most of the time it feels like bad planning but sometimes it looks like clear, possibly subconscious, sabotage.

Scenario 1: Waiting until 3 months before the wedding to start thinking about invitations for a wedding with 300 people on the guest list.

source

I think Scenario #1 is more a result of not understanding how long the design to print process takes. If you work with a designer you really clique with it can be a breeze, but sometimes translating your vision into paper can take a while. So if invites are very important to you began early! If not, then 3 months should be fine. I began planning my invitations with Liz at Blush Design Studio a good 8 months in advance. Granted we did not finalize them until 5 months in advance but it never felt rushed or hurried, which I really appreciate.

Scenario #2: Being wish-washy on the bridesmaid's dresses and letting your MOH change your entire wedding color palette.

source

I'm not talking Blush Pink to Bubblegum ladies, I'm talking RED to GREEN. Seriously, like a stop light. This scenario largely occurred because of bride's indifference to the bridesmaids gowns and general laissez faire attitude. Was she upset? A little. Did she really argue, no. Was her wedding beautiful- of course it was. This really boils down to the same question as above- does it matter to you? Because in weddings sometimes you have to pick your battles. I think if it really mattered to the bride she would've spoken up.

Scenario #3: Bride returns wedding gown 26 days before the wedding.

Say YES to the Dress

No, this is not a SYTTD episode, this is real life. Oh and by the way the bride in question leaves for Hawaii (for her destination wedding) in 23 days. Her reasons for returning her original gown were that it "wasn't the one", well being 23 days away from your W-Day and having to buy a whole new PERFECT dress and have it tailored... it seems almost impossible. But this bride is getting married on the beach- so she may be able to buy a beautiful gown off rack that doesn't require as extensive tailoring, so it's very possible. It's a stressor I don't want a month before my wedding, but I don't make the rules for everyone- so if you are a level headed lady that can deal with that- I applaud you. It simply wouldn't work for me.

Have you been a victim of poor planning? Have you seen any examples of subconscious sabotage from your friends who are getting married? Does seeing other weddings around you make you want, nay crave being a Wedding Planner so that this doesn't happen to other brides, or so that you can help them make the best out of their situation?

Petal Sprinkler & Dress

 Well remember waaaay back when... when we were looking for flower girl dresses? We did finally pick one and buy it online from a company called Girls Dress Line. My only complaint was that this dress is a little bit darker in person. Just take a look at our Petal Sprinkler...

Beginning with the obligatory getting ready shots of the little Princess....

Personal Photo

"This uh MY petty dwess!" -direct quote

We're kind of lucky, it magically fit her! Even if she grows an inch or two before August we should still be set with this dress. What do you think of our Petal Sprinkler's gown? Did you buy your flower girl's dress online? Know of any good resources to share?

Bridal Shower: Kitchen Edition

Well I should probably let you all know that I'm all alone out here in the Wild Wild West and all my female relatives are out East, way east like FLORIDA! My Maid of Honor is all the way in Chicago and my Bridesmaid is a bit busy working in the emergency room.

It would be a little hard for any of those people mentioned above to throw me a bridal shower. But I'd still like one. So I schemed with my FSIL and we decided to tackle the Bridal Shower ourselves. It's easier and way more fun for me as I like to plan things! First thing's first we need a theme. There are some great ones like "Around the Clock" where everyone brings something that corresponds to a time of day they're given. But I always go to Hostess with the Mostess for more theme inspiration.  After taking a peek at some of their ideas I decided on a tried and true bridal shower theme.

The Kitchen Shower!

Minted designed by Push Papers

My Good Greetings

Aren't those invitations just adorable? I think the colander "shower" is my favorite, since it's a literal interpretation of a shower in the kitchen. I digress, but this theme really does lend itself to some beautiful/whimsical tablescapes... 

Hostess with the Mostess

And how are these for some economical favors...

IKEA 49cents for a set of 3

Wrap it up with some beautiful ribbon to match your decor and viola! A beautiful low cost and use-able Bridal Shower favor! With everyone moving so much these days are you separated from your family? Are any of you helping to plan your shower?

Wilton Flower Fun-Cups Review

I recently won Wilton Flower Fun-Cups from Real Gloss and wanted to do a quick review because these would make great additions to a floral themed Bridal Shower or engagement party. They really add a quick touch to a simple cupcake.

 

Source

But they are a liiiiiitle different than your standard cupcake paper. So let me take you through the step by step. First you need to wash them before use then just pour in your batter- they have a 2/3 line in each cup which is very helpful. 

This is what happens if you try to put icing on the cupcake while it is still in the broad flower cup.... no bueno.

Here is what happens when you then try to ganache the same cupcake...

Well that's a delightful mess. Again, no bueno. The secret to these cups is that it's very easy to get the cupcake OUT of the silicone cup, apply icing and decorative touches, and then slide them right back in. Observe...

Much better and much less messy looking! Just lather, rinse, repeat and you'll have a whole tray of this:

Beautiful cupcakes fit for a Bridal Shower or  Baby Shower! We actually served these for our belated Mother's Day. They were a BIG hit. Do you have any handy tools or decorative touches you like to add for showers?

Freebie Friday

Attire
Tutu via Take It From Me
Beautiful Shoes (Perfect for a Flower Girl) via Joyfolie 

Source

Jewelry
A $15 GC to Dazzling Jewelry and Pearls via "I Do" Budget Weddings 
Bib Necklace from Coco Rose Couture via Wild &Precious 

Misc
Poster Printing Giveaway via AZinAugust (seriously)
Photo from Little Brown Press Store via Sogni e Sorrisi

Poster Giveaway!

I'm very excited to be hosting my very first giveaway, sponsored by Online Poster Printing*. I can't think of a better way to show off a beautiful wedding photo or possibly make a gigantic seating chart than a poster. They have generously offered a Poster to one lucky reader!

The Details:

• 18x24  Rolled Poster in a High Gloss or Semi Gloss
• Shipping: FREE UPS Ground Shipping
• Eligibility: Limited to US Residents only. Must be 18 years old and up. 
• Ends May 20th at Midnight PST

Mandatory Entry: Tell me what you'd print on your poster and please include your contact information. 

Extra Entries (Please leave a separate comment for each):

• Become a follower (1 entry)
• Be a Current Follower (2 entries) 
• Follow me on Twitter @AZinAugust (1 entry)
• Tweet and comment with the link to the Tweet: I just entered to win an @uprinting Rolled Poster via @AZinAugust http://ow.ly/1KSIO (1 entry per day)
• Post about this giveaway on your blog and comment with the link (3 entries)

*For hosting this giveaway UPrinting is providing me with a 18x24 poster. 

Brown Sugar

When most of us think of Weddings we think of the black tuxedo or at the very least a black suit. But sometimes black isn't flattering on all men. Black is very harsh and very stark. It's what I liken to the WHITE WHITE gown, only in this case, for the groom.

Alan Tudyk source IMDB

Especially in the case of a groom with auburn or red hair, who tend to have more ruddy complexions, just like Mr. AZ. Now I'm not saying that Alan looks bad in this black suit above, but it really does bring out the redness of his skin tone. In that case I vote for deep dark brown. This earthy tone takes away a lot of ruddiness from the face and is more universally flattering, in my humble opinion.

 Personal Photos from Men's Warehouse

This is when we fell in love with brown, when we realized it was much more softening like ivory. Are you taking into account your groom's skin tone when picking out the suits or tuxes your guys will be wearing?

Freebie Friday

Remember my advice, enter the giveaways? Seriously do it. Last week alone I won a silk robe, amazing shoes, and a pearl necklace set. With that being said here are this week's giveaway round ups:

Attire
$100 Gift card to Dear Lillie on Etsy
Anything in Theta Mom's Etsy Shop via BonBon Rose
$50 Gift card to Lingerie.com via The Mom Reviews
$50 + $25 Gift cards to Kohls via Contest Corner

Dear Lillie

Accessories
Strawberry Quartz Bracelet on Apartment #34
Ink & Button Hair Fascinator on Ever Ours
$40 Gift Card to You Are My Sunshine on Etsy via Etsy it Up! 
Bracelet and Earring Set from Guy+Eva via Busy Working Mom 
A Monogram Necklace via MerciNYC
A Birdcage Veil via Chic n Cheap Living

one little dove

Photography
Via Stacey Doyle Photography

Misc
A MissNowMrs Name Change giveaway via She Just Got Married
A $15,000 Detroit Embassy Suites Wedding via Windsor Hospitality
Destination Wedding via Celebrity Wedding Blog
A Mini Emergency Survival Kit via Jane Buckingham 
Addie Bugs fabric banner giveaway  via Take it From Me

The Language of Love

So I've shared with your our preliminary plans, my potential outfits, and now it's on to the most exciting part (for me). You may or may not know that I speak Spanish and I know ASL. You may not know I also took Japanese for 4 years in high school and college and independently studied the Welsh language. Anyway, Mr. AZ came home with a guilty look on his face... what do you think he got?

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Well fellow Mystery Inc. members? No guesses? Italian honeymoon...Jenni doesn't speak Italian... Wait I see a spark...

Rosetta Stone

For a self-professed language geek like me this is what I am most excited about. Well this and the gelato! With the amazing special running for mother's day we got $125 off and free shipping! I should also mention they do have a 6 month return policy, and if you are not satisfied you can return it within that first 6 months.

So are you studying up for your Honeymoon? Are Mr. AZ and I (combined 16 years of University between us) the only nerds who are using our Honeymoon as an excuse to learn a foreign language? Also did I mention we intend to pass this nerdiness onto our yet unborn children?