Final Touches- Wedding/ Reception

I have 6 more days before we leave for Jamaica!  I started the day getting highlights and lowlights in my hair. Which are beautiful thanks to a new salon I found! Then I shopped with my soon to be mother-in-law for a few hours helping her find a dress and shoes for the reception. I followed that with more shopping with the soon to be hubby for clothes for our trip.

I've been working hard this weekend trying to get all the last minute stuff done for the reception which is the first day after we return. I know, I'm crazy right? Planning a reception the day after our late return flight, what was I thinking?!?

Does anyone know how to keep a house clean while packing to leave the country. Because I would really like to know! We will returning to house guests (literally, already at our house). It's a good thing they are related, or just like related, because at this point I am only promising clean sheets on the beds.

Here are a few photos from some last minute touches...

I bought these wedding themed placemates for the kiddos at the reception to color. How darling are those? If I had thought of such a thing earlier I would have created some myself and personalized them a bit more.

And tonight my boys are putting personalized labels on the water bottles.

I wanted to share with you the personalized coasters, but I am still waiting for part of the to arrive. I really don't like when things don't arrive when they say they should. :(

The next photos you will most likely see regarding my wedding/ reception will probably be from the actual events. Have I mentioned how excited I am?!

I found reception shoes!

I found shoes to wear to our wedding reception! I'm getting married in some barefoot sandals I made, so I haven't been too concerned about finding shoes. But I was delighted to find these!

Now aren't you just dying to see my wedding dress?? Sorry, I can't show you yet, I don't want the soon to be hubby to lay eyes on it until we are on the beach in Jamaica! (fingers crossed that customs doesn't pull it out in front on him!)

Easel is painted

I finished painting the easel and it's all ready for the reception. Well, almost all ready. I just need a picture of us getting married on the beach to put in the frame.

More wedding stuff- Chalk board for bar & Music

This weekend I worked on some more wedding stuff with one of my best friends that came to town to help me out.

She did this chalkboard for the bar area, to list the available drinks. My signature drink is going to be called, HAPPILY EVER AFTER (my mom came up with that one). In fact, I'm going to wait for my mom to write on the chalk board because she has excellent penmanship.

I also picked up an easel, that I am in the process of painting. This is going to host a picture of my soon to be hubby and I on the beach in Jamaica and have a place for everyone at our reception to sign the matte around the photo.

We also worked on the music for the reception. I think we are pretty well set with 8+ hours of music ready to play! Now if my fiance and I could just decide on three songs for the actual beach ceremony.

Today I'm putting together a dvd slideshow for the reception and relaxing.

Reception Table Decorations- Sneak Peak

Tonight, I started to put my reception table centerpieces together. I hand picked each one of these glass dishes over the past few months for this very purpose. Fortunately, the tables will be spread out, amoungst two floors and are different sizes/ shapes. So each one of the arrangements is unique and special in it's own sort of way.

 

I actually plan to hold on to each of these glass pieces after the wedding reception... not with sand and shells though. I picture my 'soon to be hubby' and I using them for different purposes during the remainder of our lives together, like flowers on our anniversaries.

Plates and napkins have arrived

I know, I know.. I'm obsessed with this whole wedding thing. But isn't that how it's supposed to be? I am excited about every last detail when it comes to marrying my best friend. It's not just the act of getting married, it's the fact that I will spend the rest of my life with him at my side.

Besides I am a party planner by nature, and I want this to be the grandest party yet! I am really looking forward to celebrating with my closest friends and family.

I also rented this to keep a steady flow of pina coladas and strawberry daiquiris going.

Card Holder, Table Tiki Torches, and more

Today I was out doing some more shopping/ planning for our wedding reception. I found some great stuff!

First, to be a bit different, how about this for a card holder on the gift table?

I'm going to go a step further to put some Jamaica travel stickers on them. I had it propped open with a marker for this pic to give you an idea what I am going to do with the top one. 

I bought these charms for the table decorations that I will post after they are made.

I found the teal colored table coverings I have been looking for.

As well as two table tiki torches to dress up our bride and groom table.

And you can't have frozen strawberry daiquiris and pina coladas without umbrellas!

And a little something for while we are in Jamaica... Bride and Groom flip flops that leave a message in the sand as you walk. "Just Married".

Beachy Toasting Glasses and Decor

Our toasting glasses  arrived as well as some more of the pieces I'm using for decorating. Everything is really coming along! I can't wait to have the after pictures to show you!

Sand Castle Cake

Tomorrow we meet with our cake lady to find out if she can make the sand castle cake we are hoping for.

Here is a sample photo I found on http://www.cakemag.com/summer-cake-decorating-ideas/

Would that not be perfect for our beach wedding theme? Don't forget the cake topper that we bought, that has already arrived.

Pinapple Trees

I ran across these adorable pinapple trees on another blog... A Love Affair- a passion for all things wedding. (http://justfineinflipflops.blogspot.com/). I am going to try to figure out how to make them for my reception! There are so many creative people out there!

Cute beach balls

I originally said, "no beach balls" at our beach themed wedding reception.. but having second thoughts after seeing these beach balls! Too cute!

Wedding Cake Topper Purchased

We ordered our cake topper for our reception. Now I just need a tan! ;)

We are hoping to have a cake made that resembles a sand castle.

"Just Married" -clingy thing arrived

Not married yet.. but the clingy thing for the floor at our reception arrived this week. It's clinging to a white paper but it's actually clear. I'm getting excited!!

Wedding Planning coming along..

Today I ordered this (from http://www.orientaltrading.com/)... So cute!

Finally tying the knot!

My honey and I were flipping through some books the other night, planning our marriage. That is after nearly 2 years of an engagement, it's about time, right? I've never been more sure about anything in my life. I love him with all my heart and am looking foward to spending the rest of my life with him. I met him nearly 4 years ago at a Starbucks and knew instantly that I was going to marry him someday. That day, is rapidly approaching.