Started with a perfect kiss...

TO VEIL OR NOT TO VEIL

2010-05-22T11:07:00.000-07:00

I thought long and hard as to whether or not I was going to wear a veil. I had many ideas (that I still want to try out for fun) of how
I was going to make my veil, but in the end ( and do mean last minute) I decided to make a head piece that would compliment my bouquet. I used feathers, crystals and the rolled roses made of organza. I also took this opportunity to add my "something blue" with three smaller roses representing my daughter, my husband and me =)

Kids Table

2010-05-09T17:31:00.000-07:00

So as I mentioned before in an earlier blog here that because I married into a really big family, there was no way around it, we had a kid friendly wedding. I wanted the kids to have their own space to color and talk about whatever cool toys they want to discuss without being shh by the adults. I decided to have fun with their table and made the linen really bright and fun. The center piece had colorful fabric flowers and feather butterflies in a gold ceramic pot. Each kid had his/her own gift bag filled with goodies my daughter picked out. It was a success, not only were the kids entertained by all the goodies, the adults/parents were able to visit with family and friends without the need to worry about the little ones = ).

ROAD TRIP

2010-04-20T08:43:00.000-07:00

So my husband (i love saying that) and I are off on a road trip for the week. Not sure yet where we will end up. Our only set plan is to take the 101 and hug the California coast till we get to Napa and whatever adventure finds us on the way up will be welcomed with the grins of newlyweds still high on the emotions of our wedding day!!!! Wish me Luck

Places in California for e-sessions

2010-04-20T00:24:00.000-07:00

Henry Chen is a very talented photographer. He did both out e-session and wedding and I am sooo happy he did. He has an eye for detail that can not be taught. While going thru his blog I came across beautiful and unique place in southern California for your e-session.

1. Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles
2. Los Angeles County Museum of Art (how stunning is that)
3. La Matador Beach in Malibu
4. The Happiest Place on earth = )
and last but not least our spot,
5. The Queen Mary in Long Beach

DIY Napkin Rings

2010-04-19T17:02:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite DIY projects that I had on my list of madness were the napkin rings for the tables. Not only was it a fun project but it was very simple and easy to do. I found this tutorial on how to make these flowers and picked fabrics that would compliment our color scheme and add something unexpected for the guest. The best part is that they ended up being a party favor as well. A lot of the girls wore then after as hairbands or bracelets = )

Hair Pieces don't have to be expensive!!!

2010-04-19T16:43:00.000-07:00

How gorgeous does my daughter and sister look on my wedding day? As I mentioned before I did not want the bridesmaids outfits to get crazy expensive so I found ways to cut costs. I love the new hair pieces that are in style right now. They are soo much fun and when done well can look really classy. However, I did not want to take on another DIY project with how little time I had left so I turned to the next best option, FOREVER 21. For only $3.80 ea. I feel I got the look I wanted for the pictures for very little change, SCORE!!!!

Centerpieces, without breaking the bank...

2010-04-14T17:55:00.000-07:00

Weddings are expensive!!! It's a fact, and if you are a budget savvy bride like me, you are on the hunt for decorating ideas that are affordable and glamorous at the same time. Here are some options I looked into myself.

carnations: I think carnations are overlook and seen as cheap, but when done correctly they can make inexpensive look glamorous. Just take a look at what friend Trini did HERE.

baby's breath: I was amazed when I found this picture... Who would have thought that a "filler" could look soo gorgeous and elegant on it own.

candles: I love candles. They are so romantic and you can do soo much with them for very little. I used a lot of candles at our wedding. We had lots in the ceremony and as centerpieces on half of tables.

False Lashes.

2010-04-13T18:10:00.000-07:00

I have been known to wear false lashes for a more dramatic look. For my wedding day I wanted my eyes to make a statement. But my biggest peeve about the adhesive is that if you put on too much and are not careful it can look like a white mess. Well Duo has heard our complaints loud and clear they have created a an adhesive that dries black. GENIUS. Now if you over apply the adhesive it's not a big deal it blends in with your eyeliner and lashes =)

How to make rolled roses, flowers

2010-04-13T17:33:00.000-07:00

I've been asked how I made the rosettes for my bouquets, well here it is

= ) have fun crafting...

Materials:

strips of fabric ( ranging from 2-4 inches)
fabric glue

rhinestones

Directions:

1. cut strips of fabric. Each strip about 3-5inches wide. The longer the strip the bigger the flower Fold in half lengthwise. Press.
2. Tie a knot in the end of your fabric. Clip excess.
3. Begin rolling fabric around the knot. Periodically as you wind, give your fabric a twist. Roll, and twist every half-inch or so around the diameter of your flower. You will begin to see the fabric take on the look of a cinnamon roll!
4. When you have a flower as big as you wish, tuck end under. I glued mine to the bottom, making kind of a base for the entire flower.
5. Fluff your flower so you can see folds, twists and concentric rings. Snip frayed threads.
6. Embellish with rhinestones in the center of each flower, tuck in pearls, or just tie it all up with a strand of ribbon.

Always Remember

2010-04-11T20:42:00.001-07:00

We received so much encouragement and good advice from family and friends, but there was one that made it's mark with me, "Remember how you feel today". We have vowed to love each other thur the good and bad times. It is easy to remember those vows in the good times. However, the true test comes during the bad. When you and your spouse are in what seems to be dark days, we were advised to remember how we felt on our wedding day. "Remember the love and the happiness of the day and never let go, because the sun will always rise again, no matter how long the night feels". I have found the man who I want to grow old and deaf with. And plan on loving him the rest of my life, even when it might be hard to = )

Invitations for every occasion

2010-04-11T20:06:00.000-07:00

I have a lot of ambisious and talented friends, and they never fail to surprise and impress me. My friend Claudia has started her own business making unique and elaborate invitations for every occassion. I found this one above on her website WHITESUGARCRAFTS and thought it would be perfect for a bridal shower. And BTW my escort cards

were made by Claudia. I had soo many projects to finish she came over and helped with this project. She took my vision and made it perfection!!! I am blessed with wonderful friends, Thank you

Just for the DIY bride...

2010-04-10T15:52:00.000-07:00

Nonpareil is an online magazine that approaches weddings and other occasions with a focus on hip, stylish, do-it-yourself projects and inspiration, their goal is to awaken your creative side and to help you plan a beautiful wedding in a more accessible way. I am looking forward to submitting some of my how-to tutorials to the magazine and am thrilled to see my good friend Trini Randazzo of Nozza Studio is featured as the event sylist in issue #2 here. All I can say is gorgeous!!!!

The wedding party attire

2010-04-09T17:06:00.000-07:00

WE decided to have a small wedding party. My sister and good friend stood by my side and two of mike's brothers by his. We did not want them to break the bank buying dresses or suits that they would never wear again. So they used what was already in their closets. I think it coordinated very well. For the guys all that was purchased were the ties and the girls their shoes. They looked so elegant with little effort or money.

Our first kiss as husband and wife

2010-04-08T17:21:00.001-07:00

Our wedding day was amazing. So much Fun and to my surprise everything came together perfectly. The ceremony was held at the Mitten Building in Redlands, CA. The staff there was amazing to work with. Even my good friend and wedding planner Trini of NOZZA STUDIO

was pleasantly surprised at their willingness to help make our special day perfect!!!! My dream to have an intimate ceremony surrounded by our friends, family and candles was realized by Trini's ability to transform any room into any bride's vision. Love you my dear friend = )

It's official, I'm MRS.MILLER

2010-04-06T19:06:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have been bad at keeping my blog updated, but it's official!!! I'm married!!! Here is a sneak peak at all my DIY projects. Over the next few weeks I will let you in on all the how to's. And by the way I did all the decorations myself. = ) I am very proud about how everything came out. And a big thank you to Trini of Nozza and Henry my photographer

Feathers For the Flower Girl

2010-03-01T22:20:00.000-08:00

I came across this gorgeous Dress for a fashion forward Flower Girl here. All I can say is that I wish I had time to place an order for my Little princess = )

E-Session

2010-02-25T23:06:00.000-08:00

So I have 36 days left before the big day...YIKES!!! So much to do still. I Promise to update you on all the details on my projects this weekend. I did want to give a big thanks to our amazing photographer HENRY CHEN for doing such a great job on our
E-session and to Trini of NOZZA STUDIO for setting everything up. Can't wait to see the rest of the pictures = )

Inspiration

2010-01-22T13:37:00.000-08:00

So who does not LOVE Audrey Hepburn. She has such effortless beauty and class about her. I want to somehow embellish my e-session dress a la Hepburn!!! Lace or maybe some beading needs to be added. Not sure yet, but I'm off to the craft store down the street to figure something out...I'll keep you posted =)

Dessert anyone??

2010-01-22T13:13:00.000-08:00

I LOVE the Idea of a dessert table. I have a sweet tooth and love a variety of different desserts, so I really want a dessert table instead of a cake. I want mini cheesecakes (found a 30 pack at cost-co for 12.99, SCORE!!!), variety of cookies, sweet breads and of course cupcakes. I wanted to bake them myself, however Mike said absolutely not!!! He feels I have too many projects in the works as it is, he does not want me to add to my list = ) I wanted to share a website that I found tho. http://bakeitpretty.com/ has some of the best and prettiest baking supplies I found in my effort to convince Mike how much cheaper it would be for me to just bake them. He still said no =) Hope this was useful for someone...

70 days to go...HOLY MOLY

2010-01-19T19:26:00.000-08:00

Anyone that knows me well, knows that anything that sparkles catches my eye. I came across this picture on line a while ago and kept it for inspiration for a later project. I am still not sure of how or where I will incorporate this in the wedding ( maybe veil) but I know It will be used, it has to. Right?!!!!

Kids Table... 71 days left

2010-01-18T23:19:00.000-08:00

OK so I am marrying into a really big family. This is just one of the many Christmas parties ( separate because one house could not fit everyone) LOVE IT... This was last years pictures and the family has since grown by many little new feet. There is no way around it, our wedding will be kid friendly = ). So for the older kids (6 to 9 yrs) we have decided to have a kids table that is just for them bright colors with fun activities!!! I found this collage and plan on stealing all the ideas (even if the color scheme is off) I think they will LOVE it.

Bridal Fashion...72 days left

2010-01-17T18:35:00.000-08:00

I have been enjoying the rain today. I have been in our beautiful home working on DIY projects for the wedding and Finally placed an order for my wedding invitations with my friend/wedding planner Trini of http://Nozzastudio.com. I put together a collage of my wedding attire and inspiration for hair and make-up. Check back soon I will be posting my DIY projects soon = )

Found my dress...

2010-01-03T20:59:00.000-08:00

I found my dress for the E-session... It's a playfully sweet and flirty mesh dress features rushing at the bust and a puffy tulle skirted bottom. It is a yummy soft peach. I am going to embellish the black sash with a vintage pin for a bit of drama. Now all I need are the all important shoes to complete my ensemble.

Another DIY??

2009-12-31T13:03:00.000-08:00

OK, so some friends and family think I have gone mad with how many DIY project I have taken on (like a million) for the amount of time left for the wedding. Our dinning room looks a mess with fabric, ribbon, feathers, lace and glitter everywhere...but I love it =) I found this garter on etsy on one for the sellers site. Love it!!! I am not a traditional bride, in the sense that we will not have a bouquet/garter toss or cutting of the cake, however I think there is something romantic and sexy about a garter. Off I go to work on my crafts.

Found our Wedding Site

2009-12-31T12:42:00.000-08:00

While on the hunt on how to make rosettes and fabric flowers for my vintage inspired bouquet, I came across a blog I LOVE love and lace. Well she had her ceremony and reception at the Mitten Building in Redlands, CA. My Fiance and I paid a visit and fell in LOVE with the venue. YAY!!! we have our wedding site!!!

So many details...Only 91 days left!!!

2009-12-31T10:41:00.003-08:00

I am finding so many inspirations and pretty little things for the weddings!!! I apologize for not remembering where I found these pictures. I love the simplicity and elegance of these cards. Candles, feathers, swirls!!! All they need is something sparkly and I will be happy...So here is my DIY project number 1 million = )

95 days left!!! Wedding Planner

2009-12-27T11:03:00.000-08:00

One of my very good friends who I have known since high school is a very talented Wedding/Event planner. Her name is Trini and owns NOZZA. She is helped me plan out a lot of the big details of the wedding. A HUGE find for me is the photographer that she works closely with, Henry Chen. When I visited his website I knew instantly he was perfect for the look and feel that we want for our pictures. Now the Fun part for me is planning my outfit for the e-session. Since the theme for the wedding is old Hollywood glam I envision a modern take of Lucille Ball style. As for the location, a fun field trip is on its was, YAY!!!

96 day left for the wedding...AM I CRAZY!!!!

2009-12-26T23:46:00.000-08:00

I am newly engaged and have less than 4 months to plan a wedding...YES I said less than 4 months!!! Why the rush? I want my family to grow sooner rather than later. I am 34, and I have a gorgeous 9 yr old baby girl, but want at least two more. Well with that said, I am starting this blog to help me rediscover the crafter and designer in me. And what better inspiration than to plan the day I will marry my best friend.

Soooo, now what? Where do I even begin? Well a friend of mine who just happens to be a wedding planner recommended I look up etsy.com for inspiration and to have a feel for which direction I wanted to take the wedding theme. I found it!!!!

The seller on etsy.com by the user name of amanda1986 makes these gorgeous, vintage inspired bouquets. So it is settled, I have my theme: old hollywood (satin, lace, sparkle, feathers) and this will be my first of many DIY project. I cant wait to get started...