We are exactly 5 months away from the BIG DAY! I am so excited to catch you guys up on all things WEDDING! I have been super busy the past week budgeting, online shopping, and my favorite part, PAYING MY VENDERS OFF! I do not necessarily like watching my bank account number go down, but I am absolutely ecstatic to not owe money to multiple people, best feeling ever! I cannot believe everything is coming together so fast! I will be using this update to focus on the decorations and some details I have added to make OUR DAY (Brandon and I) so much more special!

  First off this week I was able to pay, the Cake, the Venue, the Photographer, the DJ, and last but definitely not least, the Florist! I am beyond happy that all of the most important and most expensive aspects of the Wedding are finally completed! One more box checked off of the To-Do-List! While in the middle of all this I created the photo timeline / wedding day schedule with my Photographer and began to make the list of family photos that we would like taken. That alone was a big accomplishment. Next I gave the DJ the song list, well most of it, we still have a few details to figure out before it is officially done. We have all the First Dance Music, the entrance music, and some party songs established. We also have the announcement list done. After this I ordered 3 more bouquets, duplicate to the Bridesmaids arrangements, to finish up the center pieces. I also ordered a beautiful floral garland piece to go on the pergola at the Ceremony. I then called the Bakery and finished paying off the cake. All that is left in that area are the accent flowers for the cake that will be delivered about a week before the celebration! As of Mothers Day, the venue is payed in full and the 1st planning session has been completed. My soon to be Mother-In-Law and my almost Husband joined in on the planning session by helping me decide where certain décor items will find a home. After deciding where everything was going to go I made a list of everything that we still needed to get as far as decoration items and the tools to get everything in place. Having all of these things done felt like a huge weight was lifted off of my shoulders. If you read my latest post on the 50 Shades Page you would know how stressed I have been lately. Just knowing that all of these items are pretty much done has helped my stress level tremendously!

  Now that we have that done I want to focus on accumulating all of the decoration pieces, establishing a task force to help set up, staying on track with the budget, making sure the Bridal Party knows what else they need to do and where they need to be, and just staying as organized as possible!

CEREMONY:

  The ceremony area, as disclosed before, will be traditionally roped off. Since the last update I have ordered the curtains that will rope the isle off and I have also ordered all of the purple hydrangea bouquets from amazon that will be placed at the top of each dip in the curtain. I am still working on getting all of the ribbon that will accent the sheer curtains. The last thing associated with the isle is the Isle runner, which I have yet to find. Brandon and I finally decided on how we want the pergola to be decorated. (this is where the wedding will be officiated) We are going to have shear white and purple curtains cascading from the top of the pergola to the ground. This way it will look like a entrance / doorway / theater stage opening. Unfortunately the curtains are 2 feet short so we will be hanging them as low as possible. Fortunately we will have a purple floral garland laying at the top, this will hide the low hanging curtain. The backdrop will still be in the same place behind us, tacked to the greenery wall.

  I have ordered the Reflector belts that will clip around the Ring Bearers pillow, this will be one of many references to Brandon's Firefighter career. I also have one of the two firefighter helmets that will be used as the flower girl baskets. I need to snag one more and then make a handle to attach to them. I will also have an easel set up at the back of the chairs with a 4 Paine window that will have the names of the wedding party in each section. I have both the easel and window as well as the chalk markers I will be using to write in the names. The last thing that I need to order is the fake purple rose petals to outline the isle.

RECEPTION:

  The reception area will be underneath a pavilion which will have purple floral vine garland (MOUTHFULL) on alternating posts. These beauties just came in and now I am deciding whether or not to add some fairy lights to wrap along the vines. Next we will add the purple table runners (I have these) to the round reception tables. I need to order the cuffs that will hold the ends together. I am ordering the flower vases from the Tablecloth Factory, same place the table runners are from! I already have the purple crystals that will accent the bottom of the vase. As stated above, I have ordered the 3 extra bouquets that will complete each centerpiece for the second part of the wedding. Our backdrop will be moved from the ceremony area to behind the sweetheart table at the reception, this way we can incorporate this beautiful cloth in to our special day even more. I have also bought a chalkboard with an easel that will have the receptions schedule listed with liquid chalk markers. I got this amazing idea from my photographer, she mentioned that it helps the party run more smoothly because everyone knows what and when an event is going to happen. We will have our party favors set up on a table against the wall of the manor. I have a couple of favors picked out, but have not decided on which one we will be using, they will be ordered from Etsy though. Towards the end of the night guests will pick out a long sparkler from a bucket to light and help create an arch for Brandon and I to walk through during our “mock” send off. (These have not been ordered, but I know where I am getting them from)

   If you move inside the manor we will have a cards and gift table set up as well as a guest book awaiting signatures. I will be ordering a personalized card box and guest book from Etsy and getting a gifts sign from the first place I come across one. The next room will have the cakes on display, the groomsman cake on the back table and of course the main wedding cake will be placed on a circular table in the middle of the room. (You know THE CENTER OF ATTENTION) You all know about the red velvet groomsman cake, but I left a bit of unknown for the actual wedding cake in the last update. Finally we have come up with something that we both love. We have a vanilla cake with a strawberry filling and a meshed design from two cakes. The top and bottom layers will be lavender colored and we will have lace on the bottom with a silver band. The silver band will wrap around the entire cake with a few accent flowers here and there. These will be the floral pieces that will be given to the bakery a few days before the nuptials. Also highlighted on the table will be the customized Champaign flutes for Brandon and I to toast with. The last room of entry (related to wedding stuff) will be the buffet area. To recap my soon to be Father-In-Law and Mother-In-Law are providing the food and utensils for us. I am so grateful for them, and the big help they are providing me during this long stressful amazing process.

  I have a few miscellaneous items still to get like the decoy and real garter, the fake bridal bouquet, and the tools to help keep everything in place. (tacks, tape, a ladder, zip ties, etc.. )  I am looking at all of the progress I have made and I am becoming more and more giddy as the day draws near! Thank you so much for tuning in for yet another Wedding Update! Stay tuned for a Bridal Shower update!

#flameofalifetime2020

Shayna