Category Archives: Wedding Planning

A Rant About Wedding Veils

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For some reason when you put the words “wedding” or “bridal” in front of anything – cake, dress, flowers – the cost automatically jumps 100%. This is especially true for veils.

A few weeks ago I had a dress fitting at the bridal salon. I decided I wanted a veil, so I had the sales lady pull some chapel-length, ivory options with no trim or embellishments. I found one I really liked…until I asked the price…

$250!! WOWZA! Seriously?? $250 for 72″ of netting fixed to a plastic comb??

I was floored.

Needless to say, I  handed the veil back like I was playing a game of hot potato and decided to look online for cheaper options.

Once again my old friend Etsy came to the rescue. Within 10 minutes of searching I came across a shop that sold gorgeous veils for $20-$30. Phew- that was MUCH better.

My veil arrived in the mail this morning and it’s exactly what I wanted- a simple, ivory, chapel-length veil. The netting is really soft and not stiff at all. It came fixed to a clear hair comb (for TWENTY DOLLARS!).

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So if you’re looking for a veil, please, please, PLEASE do not spend more than $50. Visit A Busy Mom’s shop on Etsy and have yours hand-made at any length, with options for embellishment, for a reasonable price.

Okay, veil rant is over. I’m glad I got that off my chest!

Happy Monday!

Help Us Choose Our Wedding Music!

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Last night we met with our DJ…”DJ RUKI!” to go over our music for our reception. He is the DJ at our favorite joint in Chicago and seems to really get the type of people we are what music we like.

We  came prepared with some songs from different genres to show him our taste.

Oldies:

Ain’t to Proud to Beg

Run Around Sue

Build Me Up Buttercup

70’s:

Carry on My Wayward Son

Tiny Dancer

Bad Moon Rising

80’s:

Summer of 69

The Way You Make Me Feel

Lights Go Down in the City

Modern:

Halo

Love Game

Use Somebody

Best I Ever Had

I of course had to bring along a “Do Not Play” list. It’s not that extensive, but includes some of those awkward wedding staples that are fun, but not our style including:

Like a Virgin

Push It

Baby Got Back

And then I had to also throw in “anything by the Black Eyed Peas” because if I hear “Tonights gonna be a gooood night!” one more time I might cut my ears off.

Luke’s one request? No Hang on Sloopy. Sorry OSU fans, there will be no O-H-I-Oing at our wedding. Sad, I know.

What songs do you guys have to add? Send us your requests!

Free (and Cute!) Wedding Program Templates

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This week one project I’ve been tackling is our programs. Now this is about the second to last priority on my wedding list, but it has to be done! Since I don’t care TOO much about them, I wanted to make them as cheap, simple and easy as possible.

I spent some time looking online for free templates we could print on our own. After only coming across really hideous options…

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I was starting to lose hope! I Googled my little heart out and the combination “Free wedding program templates” turned up this article with a lot of links.

One link, Weddingclipart.com, turned out to have a ton of cute options! Best part is you get two free downloads by registering (just make sure to cancel your account so you don’t get charged $40!).

Here are some of my favorite designs:

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 We’re planning to use this design printed on pale yellow paper with a pale yellow ribbon.

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One more thing off my checklist! Up next? Seating cards…GROAN.

Brides- did you do your own programs? What other types of programs have you seen out there?

A Sweet Southern Affair

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Last weekend Luke and I traveled to Nashville for the wedding of his buddy Lee to the lovely Lanna. I absolutely LOVED their venue – Cedarwood Mansion – it had a ton of rustic, southern charm.

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Although the weather didn’t cooperate for an outdoor ceremony, the details inside couldn’t have been more breathtaking. They had candles lit everywhere.

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Lanna looked gorgeous walking down the aisle with her dad! The picture is a bit blurry though :(

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After the ceremony, all the guests had cocktails in the barn behind the mansion. It was a really unique venue for a cocktail hour and I adored the laid-back feel of the barn.

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There was even an old pickup truck nearby that added even more charm. I hope Lee and Lana got some pictures by it!

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One of my favorite elements of their wedding was the use of candles. They had these awesome jars hung everywhere filled with tea-light candles. I thought it was a really pretty (and economical) way to set the mood.

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Their flowers were amazing as well. I absolutely LOVE tulips this time of year!

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Those are all the pictures I took before Luke and I hit the dance floor to practice our swing moves, but wasn’t their wedding lovely?

Lee and Lana- congratulations again! Thanks so much for inviting Luke and me to celebrate with you.