I know, I’ve been a bad, bad blogger.  I didn’t believe people when they said I would be so over wedding stuff once it was all said and done, but it’s funny how quickly and easily I got over the whole planning thing.  It helped that I had quite a few major life transitions I was putting off until after the wedding, and I tackled those projects head on as soon as we returned from our honeymoon.  Anyway, enough procrasti-tater excuses.  Onto the photos! 

Again, all photos are copyright M. Norwood Photography unless otherwise noted.  Oh, and warning–this is a long one.

[6] The Details: Decor

[1] The Details:  Hair + Makeup
[2] The Details: Bride’s Attire
[3] The Details: Bridal Party Attire
[4] The Details:  The Venue
[5] The Details:  Paper

[D.I.Y. Signs]

• 1/4″ thick masonite + scrap lumber signs cut + assembled
  for me by a carpenter friend.
• I printed the text on my inkjet, cut it out, and rubber cemented
  it on [for easy removal afterward].
• Simple, metal pails from ikea were filled with river rock as a “stand”
  for the signs.

 
[photos by my guests]

[Card Box]
An awesome friend made this for me. I think it was pretty
simple as her only tools were a tall-ish cylindrical box I
found on clearance at a craft store, some scrap fabric she had, leftover ribbon,
and a glue gun. Sorry, I don’t have any further specific instructions.

[Personal Flowers]

Bouquets

Left: Bridesmaid’s bouquet of dahlias, roses, + hypericum
berries.
Right: Bride’s bouquet of dahlias.
 

The lockets I found on Etsy to attach
to my bouquet.  I put in photos to remember my dad, my maternal grandfather, and the bear’s paternal grandmother (the other grandparents are still living, fortunately, or were never a part of our lives, unfortunately).

The groomsmen’s boutonnières consisting of a single, red tulip.

The groom’s boutonnière of one dahlia + green stuff (yes, it’s a technical term ).

[Ceremony Decor]

Aisle: Lined with rows of red river rock and red
rose petals.
  
[photo on the right by a guest]

Altar Arrangements: Manzanita trees painted white with carnation
+ dahlia pomanders woven between the branches.

[Cocktail Hour]
My coordinator figured out these arrangements for
our bar-height tables using the candles, holders, and river
rock I pretty much threw at her with no direction whatsoever. She did an awesome job!

[photo by a friend]

The potatoheads to greet guests at the mashed potato martini
bar.

[Reception]
The ceremony altar arrangements and bouquets doubled
as decor for our sweetheart table.
  
[both photos by friends]

That’s right folks! All carnation centerpieces. In Ikea bowls,
no less.

[photo by a friend]

[photo by a friend]

Our parents’ wedding photos and my toss bouquet on our cake
table.

[photo by a guest]

[Lounge]

• Furniture: Ikea Klippan sofa
  + pouffes, Lack
  side tables, and Solsta
  cubes.
• Centerpiece: Tealight lantern + votive holders bought at Ikea’s
  summer tent sale for pennies.
• Pillows: Various, all ordered from CB2.com.

In action!

[photo by a guest]

Next up:  Food + Cake.  Mmmm.

[1] The Details:  Hair + Makeup
[2] The Details: Bride’s Attire
[3] The Details: Bridal Party Attire
[4] The Details:  The Venue

[DIY Notes]

• Everything was DIY and printed on my inkjet printer.
• Designed using Adobe InDesign + Adobe Illustrator.
• Bright white card stock purchased from Kelly Paper. One ream
  of 11″x17″ lasted me for all of these projects and
  then some.

[Programs]

• 11×17 cardstock was cut down to 8.5″ x 11″
  + fed through my printer.
• Each page was then scored + folded in half lengthwise.

Here are the interior and exterior layouts.  Some browsers will allow you to right click on them and “view image” if you’d like more specifics as to the contents.

[Placecards + Holders]

• For detailed instructions + supply list that I previously posted, go here. 
• I adapted Martha Stewart’s instructions.

[Table Numbers]

• For detailed instructions + supply list previously posted, go here.

  

[Thank You Cards]

• Instructions here.

Up next:  the decor.

I just got a wedding inviation in the mail, and it got me all excited to attend our first wedding together as a married couple*.  I’m sentimental about random “firsts” as man and wife.  Some firsts I could care less about, and others penetrate my old, married hag heart and get me…right there.  Anyway, I love giving a creative gift, so I’ve already started scouring their registry and website for gift ideas.  I’ve found the “about the bride/groom/us” sections can give you some hints into what the couple might enjoy if you dare to give off registry and not cash.  Which then led me to think to share some of the more creative gifts we received from our awesome guests, since I’m sure most of us will be on the guest side at some point in our lives if we haven’t already. 

First, a bridal shower gift from a dear, old high school friend.  Keep in mind that the “theme” was entertainment, guests were to bring a movie clip that they felt expressed and/or imparted some insight to the meaning of love and what makes marriage work, and finally shower us with gifts that would provide us entertainment as a couple.

The packaging:

It opened up to reveal not a stale, crusty pizza, but a nice envelope.

Oh, what was enclosed?  “Dinner and a movie.”  As in a gift certificate for dinner at CPK and movie tickets.  The movie gift certificates were even the ones that work for special engagements.  The whole thing was even home delivery…whee!  Har har.

One of the bear’s childhood friends called us the week of the wedding asking us what we really needed of the registry.  At the time, it was a fan. Yes, a fan.  Hey, we were in the midst of weathering a Southern California summer without central air and a useless A/C unit.  So not only did I know what he was giving us, but we had straight up told him what to get.  I wasn’t expecting any surprises.  However, he threw in a sentimental something extra that was really touching, especially coming from one of the bear’s, well, very guys’ guys. 

Background:  We had a very informal get-together for OOT friends and any friends that wanted to stop by at a Dave & Buster’s a few nights before the wedding.  The bear and his guys’ guys friends also have made and forgotten many a memory at multiple locations of that establishment way back when.

It’s a copy of The Los Angeles Times from the day of our wedding, wrapped up in a hand-drawn little cover combining our initials and wedding date a la the infamous D&B. Awwwww!  If the giver ever stumbles upon this, sorry to embarrass you, dude, but I just had to!!! 

As grateful as I am for each and every gift we received, it’s the little, personal touches that made these gifts stand out from the rest.  What are some of the more creative gifts you’ve received?  What have you given that has made you think, “Dayam…I’m an awesome friend!” or that you were most proud to give?  

* edited later to add:  CRAP!  We have already been to an at-home reception together, and I forgot.  I am really turning into a hag. .  Ah well, it’s the first real wedding, including ceremony, that we will attend together and married.

[1] The Details:  Hair + Makeup
[2] The Details: Bride’s Attire
[3] The Details: Bridal Party Attire

The Clarke Estate
Santa Fe Springs, California
Contact: Tamra Wilbur, 562.868.3876
A city-owned, historic
estate designed by architect Irving Gill and completed
in 1921.

Again, all photos copyright M. Norwood Photography unless otherwise noted.

[The Entrance]
 
[photos by my friends]

[The North Lawn] Where we held our ceremony.

[The Bridal Room]  There is a room provided for the guys, too.

[The Dining Room] Bridal party + family access only.

[The Grounds] Lots of lawn, huge + old trees, seasonally-changed flora, architectural gem of a house (but not everyone’s style), charming courtyard.
[The Courtyard] Where we did our cocktail hour.  It’s lovely for smaller ceremonies and receptions as well.  We would have done our ceremony here if our guest list had been smaller.
 
[photo on the right by a friend.]

[photo by my new uncle]

[photo by a family friend]

[The Backyard] Where we held our reception.  There’s a small fountain, tons of space, and a concrete “dance floor” so you don’t have to rent one.

OK, I lied.  Next up is the whole bridal party’s, including groom and groomsmen’s, attire. 

[1] The Details:  Hair + Makeup
[2] The Details: Bride’s Attire

[The Bridesmaids]
Dress:  Custom, based on Watters #7415
Custom made by Laura Bravo.  Some process shots.
Fabric:  Soft aqua silk dupioni + French blue silk dupioni purchased wholesale and gifted to me by work vendors.

[The Groom + Groomsmen]
Suits:  Black two-piece, three-button suits purchase from J. Valintin.
Tie + pocket square sets by Isaac Mizrahi for Target in Iggloo [sic]/White
for the groom + Aqua Glacier for the groomsmen.

[singing] Boyz II Men, ABC, BBD…

Stay tuned for pro shots of and details on our venue.

Whee!  More photos.  I promise the upcoming ones after this entry won’t focus on me as much.  Yeesh, I’m tired of looking at myself already.

In case you missed it, here are the photos I already posted:
[I] The Details:  Hair + Makeup

I will post more in-depth vendor reviews eventually, but I won’t even
list them in my entries unless I would recommend them.  I was fortunate to have an awesome team of vendors who made our wedding day run smoothly, mostly stress-free, and beautiful!  Please let them
know I sent you when you contact them.

Again, all photos by M. Norwood Photography unless otherwise noted.

[The Dress]

Designer: Ulla-Maija
Style: Danielle (It’s like it was made for me!)
Purchased from: preownedweddingdresses.com

I love the silk tissue taffeta [lighter for an outdoor, summer
wedding], beautifully pleated bodice, exquisitely draped skirt,
and detachable cathedral-length train.
 

 
[Left photo by C.]

 
[Left photo by C.]

I opted for simple, three-point french bustle per my seamstress’
recommendation.
 
[Left photo by S.]

[The Veil]
Candi Merle at Crowning Glory Designs
Style: Custom 90″ oval drop veil with cut edge
Color/Material: Diamond white bridal illusion tulle

 
[Left - C.  Right - S.]

[The Shoes for Show]
Designer: BCBGirls
Style: Librarian
Purchased from: piperlime.com


[Photo by my bridesmaid, K.]

 

[The Shoes for Comfort]
Designer: Cobian
Style name: Cali White
3-1/2″ wedge flip-flops
Purchased from: Huntington Surf & Sport

Red, hot, and sweaty…yummy potato. I’m not sure why I’m on such a mission, but you can see the shoes I slipped into when my toes tired
of being pinched by the pumps. I probably looked more like this on the day of.  Witness the transformative powers of professional photographs [not that C isn't a good photographer ]! 

[Photo by C.]

If you decide to change shoes, just remember to change back before the garter toss.  Luckily, my fab coordinator left my nice shoes and garter under our sweetheart table and reminded me about 15-20 minutes beforehand to change shoes.

[The Earrings]
Designer: Majorica

Pearl + CZ earrings gifted to me by husband “just because” [he saw them on my blog] about 6 months before our wedding. =D
Purchased from: Saks Fifth Avenue

[Photo by my bridesmaid, S.]

[The Hairpins]
Designer: Tacori
Style: Mother of Pearl Collection
My something borrowed, from a friend.
 

Coming Soon:  Bridesmaids’ Attire!

I finally have professional photos from our day uploaded and ready to share.  Let’s start at the beginning, shall we?  I will probably post the details by category first, then loop back and post photos of the key parts of the event in chronological order.  It’s pretty overwhelming sorting all these photos, but it’s a fun way to reminisce upon the day.

All photos are copyright M. Norwood Photography, unless otherwise noted.  Also, please note these are from digital proofs.  The actual, high-resolution photos are even better!

At 8 AM, we girls got up and started to get pretty, oh so pretty.

Faux lashes, how I <3 thee.

[photo by W]

My bridesmaids and I snagged my hair a bit while taking off the veil after the ceremony and before cocktail hour.

[photo by S]

I’ve already posted this one, but it gives a good overall of all of our hair and makeup.  Too bad I was just starting or stopping to talk.

Next up:  The Bride’s Attire

If you’re like me and needed a little (ok, more like a few months’) break from wedding tasks, here’s a little incentive to get you to make those returns, exchanges, and registry completion purchases.  Macy’s, and most other more traditional registries, typically give you 10% off one big shopping spree at the end.  However, from October 25 through November 6, Macy’s will give you 15% off.  They will also have some great sales on housewares, bed, and bath going on then as well, compounding the savings.  Not so great if you’re returning stuff, but wonderful if you’ve got stuff you want to get off your registry. 

I decided not to wait for the promotion and made an appointment last Friday for various reasons.  10% is fine for me, especially when all the linens I wanted were already on mega sale and supposedly won’t be in a few days.  Plus when I’m motivated, I need to roll with the momentum and just do it.  I highly recommend going to a Macy’s Home Store if you have one nearby.  The selection and number of staff dedicated to registrants can’t be beat.  My registry specialist, Sandra at the South Coast Plaza store, was really helpful. She knew her product, she pointed out things they had just gotten in that I might prefer over what was on my registry, and she really waited on me hand and foot.  We grabbed a gray Rubbermaid cart (the kind you use to haul computer equipment, if you’ve ever worked in IT) and used a secret elevator to run amok on the three floors of home good-ness.  She then took me back to the registry office, where she rang me up.  No waiting!  Of course running around the whole store made me want things that weren’t on my registry or want to substitute one thing for another, but it was no matter.  Unlike some other stores, Macy’s will give you the discount on anything and everything you buy in your final spree; it doesn’t have to already be on your registry or frantically scanned in before you pay.

Since the hubs couldn’t accompany me, we did print out our entire registry and circled what we wanted, crossed off what we didn’t want, and armed me with it so I wouldn’t stray from what we have both decided were fine to buy.  Although they print a copy for you at your appointment, I found it handy and found that things went more quickly since I could focus on the items circled boldly in orange on my list.  It also kept me disciplined and on track.  Even a stingy potato like me needs some boundaries.

Make an appointment now, if you’d like to enjoy the 15% off.  Sandra said it’s going to be busy, busy, busy during the promotional period.

I almost didn’t do this, but I am so glad a friend
convinced me to do it. Click here for my previous entry with instructions.

Supplies:
Kolo Newport
scrapbook, 11″ x 14″ size, red.
Kolo cloth-hinge
refill series B, soft white.
Kolo Legato
photo corners, soft white. They now have self-stick
ones, which i would have used had they been available at the
time.
Sakura Pigma Micron pens, 05 tip, archival felt tip pens in sepia.  Purchased from my local Dick Blick.
2 Polaroid cameras + film.  I borrowed the cameras from a friend.  The cheapest film I found was at Costco for $45 for 5 packs of 10 exposures each.  After you add in LA County sales tax, that came to about $0.97 per exposure.  Yes, eBay is an option, but many of the bulk lots they sell on there may have past due expiration dates.  For the unexpired film, after adding in shipping, it was more worth it for me to pick up spankin’ new film during a usual Costco run.

We had 145 guests.  They filled up 14 double-sided
pages that had spots for 4 photos each.  That comes to a total of 56 photos.
Most guests took photos as a couple, family, or group.

My guestbook attendants hard at work!
   
[Photos by my friends WeezerMonkey and Winnie]

As much as I hated putting
guests to work, it worked a lot better to have two friends
manning the cameras and giving people instructions. This way,
we ensured that film was not wasted and a backup didn’t occur due to guests’ confusion. Utilizing this method also seemed to help it flow better than putting up a sign would. 

One regret I have is not letting my guestbook attendants know who our extended family members were (almost all OOTers) ahead of time.  We didn’t get photos of all of them  due to their arrivals earlier than most and via entrances that didn’t pass by the guestbook station.  Many of the group photos of our friends are great, though!  Leaving ample space near each photo allowed those in group photos to individually write a little something around the photo as well.  In the end, we ended up with a great keepsake.  I’ve probably read through the whole thing at least a few times already.

I normally don’t like rehashing things I’ve seen make the blog circuit
and featured on more than one, but what a great event and awesome
ideas.  David Stark used paint chips for a backdrop, chandeliers, and even
table numbers.

[via Brooklyn
Bride and Hue Consulting]

His portfolio has a lot of fresh ideas.  There are also a lot of things we’ve seen done over and over, but he does them with a twist adding in a touch of whimsy, lavishness, and impeccable quality.




[all images from davidstark.com]