Officially Hitched: Boudoir gift

So - in case you didn't read my last post, I left off as I was about to discuss my gift for my husband-to-be.

Being incredibly modest, this gift was a pretty big leap for me. And it's thanks to Weddingbee that I even knew what a boudoir session was!

Ha - right...

My first step was finding out if my photographer would be able to do this for me. There was no mention of it in her service list...luckily, she was willing to give it a shot. On one hand, being the guinea pig was exciting because we were able to make up the rules as we went along. On the other hand, it was a bit intimidating since there was no example to follow and well, I'd be in my skivvies.

After a long conversation with my photographer, I was feeling better about the whole idea. We talked about different things I could wear that would create the sexy vibe without giving away the farm (don't I know how to take the sexy out of that statement?). I wouldn't say I was at ease necessarily although definitely feeling more comfortable. But (there's always a but)...she made a point to mention that it would be a very good idea to have my makeup done professionally for the shoot.

Say what?!

This was news I was not expecting. Now, don't get me wrong - if I could have someone else do my makeup professionally everyday before I left the house, I'd be happy as a clam but in this case, I hadn't really budgeted for this detail. Enter the incredibly talented Susie Chhuor!

I found Susie and not only was she super accommodating - squeezing me in during a time when she was moving to a new studio space - but she was friendly and very warm. She was just the person I needed to help me feel my best before this incredibly awkward experience I was going to put myself through. And let me just say...the girl works miracles. I have NEVER looked better. If I had been able to, I would have flown her to my wedding site - she was THAT good.

Now I know you all want to see the finished product...and as I said earlier, I'm pretty modest. But (see, there's that but again), I also understand how important photos are. So because I just love this hive, I'm going to share a few. Friends and family - can you please look away? I feel awkward thinking about all of you seeing these. Speaking of, is that strange that I would rather have people I've never met see this photos instead of people I know well? In my head that is a perfectly normal thought...yes, I realize that makes me weird.

Okay - you've waited long enough...here you go - deep breath...

Oh and did I mention that Susie did my hair too? Seriously, this girl is amazing!

And breezing past the awkward feelings that have creeped in around me, I'm going to cut right to Frogger opening his gift. *Images blurred for my sanity.






Do you think he liked it? Yeah, me too.

Are you planning to do a boudoir session for your groom? Are you as embarrassed as I am, having posted photos like these on the internets?

Officially Hitched: Getting Ready

Waking up on the morning of your wedding day is pretty surreal. The idea that you are actually getting married, that after the months and months of planning, the day has finally arrived...it's just incredibly emotional - in the best possible way.

Hello lovely! PS - did you see the cameo of my DIY hanger?

Being that everyone was visiting from out of town, we had rented houses and condos for everyone to stay in. To start my day, I headed over to my Mom's house so my Aunt (also known as the hair miracle worker) could do my 'do. The woman has a way with hair and considering it's her career, I felt extremely confident (and very lucky) having her tackle my tresses...even though we didn't do any sort of trial-run. Now THAT my friends, is trust.

Pre-makeup...clearly I'm having a brave moment as I post this for the world to see.

After my hair was just right, we piled into the cars and headed over to the Manor to finish getting ready before the boys arrived.

And just as I was putting on the final touches to my makeup...in walked my photographer with a gift from Frogger. As you may remember, I mentioned that he and I really enjoy cooking and creating recipes. I just adore his accompanying drawings.

As I sat there trying to guess what it might be, I couldn't believe my eyes as I opened the package. I was overwhelmed by the gift he created - he managed to sneak out with our little notebook filled with our delicious creations, took those treasured pages and made a cookbook complete with a bookmark engraved with my new initials. Aaaand cue makeup meltdown...






Meanwhile...Frogger was busy opening his gift from me. That requires a post all its own!

Are you planning to exchange gifts on your wedding day? Anyone else experience a makeup meltdown?

Gifts for my girls

Hello friends. I’m so sorry to have been absent for a bit. I found out just a couple of weeks ago (nearly a month before my wedding) that I was being laid off from my job. It was a very big surprise as the company had not informed us that they were in any sort of trouble. Sparing you of the many details, I will say that I needed that couple of weeks to sort out my job situation and find a solution. I promise to fill you in on some of the exciting developments that are happening but first, I need to get back on track – there’s so much to tell you all about!!

Now that we are getting so close to the wedding, I am pulling together the last few bits of the gifts I’ve created for my maids.

These five girls have celebrated Frogger and I as a couple, supported me, kept me sane and there’s no way I would have been able to survive all of the wedding planning ups and downs without them.

Girls – you know you shouldn’t be reading this…so get lost. Kisses.

(source)

———

Are they gone? Okay, good.

So first off I knew I wanted to do something that would celebrate how individual they all are. I’m having them all wear different dresses in the same color family and so it only made sense to continue that idea through to their gifts.

First, I searched through etsy (of course) and found some great handmade clutches. After looking through multiple designers, I knew I wanted to be able to customize them completely so they could really speak to each girl.

I found ModDotTextiles and couldn’t have been more thrilled with what she was able to do for me. She helped me find the fabrics for the bags, offered suggestions for the inner lining colors so they would coordinate and was genuinely interested in my thoughts for each bag. So…you wanna see them?

Ta da!

I decided there were certain little things that I wanted to give them all in preparation for the wedding day. Behold the inner contents:

Please disregard the chipped nail polish and cat hair covered pillow…classy.

Roll call: Nivea lip gloss (my favorite), blotting papers and SoleMates, holla!

I’m planning to wrap them up in tissue and tie with baker’s twine or possibly rafia. They will also be getting the hangers I created for their dresses as part of their gift as well. And of course, each girl will get a hand written note from me, telling them how very much they mean to me and how special it is to have them there on this most important day.

How did you decide what to give your maids?

Making a groomsman happy

It’s funny how many little things you don’t think about when you first start planning. One that you really cannot forget is to thank those wonderful friends who stood by your side throughout your courtship and were thrilled to have been invited to again stand by your side as you say I do. (Can I get an “awwwww”?)

If your groomsmen are anything like ours…a gift connected to alcohol will probably hit the spot (pun intended). And for those who are looking for something that won’t necessarily promote lushery – it’s my post and I say it’s a word – read on because each of these gifts can go double duty.

First up:

A personalized travel cooler. The manly version of a picnic basket, yes? I’m picturing camping trips, tailgate parties and golf outings. It even comes with free monogramming! PS – this baby holds up to a 12-pack of beer, root or alcoholic.

Option 2:

Reef Men’s Dram Sandals. You know the old woman who lived in her shoe? Well, I’m thinking if it were a pair of Drams, might not be so bad. And I find it funny that you could roll up to a friend’s house and when asked if you want something to drink, you can point to your shoe – “No thanks, I’m good.”

Option 3:

Beer holster. A few years ago I picked one of these up while on a girls trip to Mexico for Frogger and needless to say, it was a HUGE success. When we began talking about groomsmen gifts, he insisted this be an option and I must say – the idea of our groomsmen sporting these bad boys and dueling with beer sounds priceless. Say it with me, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”

If you had to choose between these three, which would you choose? Frogger and I each have our favorites but I’m dying for an outside perspective. I should also mention that if the one I’m leaning toward is chosen, Frogger is on laundry duty…and we have a lot of laundry. My fate is in your hands, be good to me.