So...it's been awhile

So...I guess it has been awhile since I last wrote. The end of Christmas break went by rather quickly, and I spent much of it traveling. And since getting back to school life has been even crazier, and I have had zero time to blog...and no computer to blog on! ha ha! My laptop broke before Thanksgiving break, and I finally took it in to get looked at and they said it was a broken mother-board, which is pretty freakin-expensive. So, I had to work myself up to forking over the money for a new laptop. I tried doing the whole college thing without one, but could not do it anymore. EVERYTHING involves computers now! So, I finally went to Walmart and bought the cheapest computer I could find (I did not really plan buying a new computer into my wedding budget, so cheap was the way to go). But I was lucky, and they had a crazy awesome deal on this Compaq (owned by HP).
Well, mine is a little different then the one on the website - no webcam, etc - but for $398 it's great. Anyway, even though I may have not written in awhile, does not mean that I have not been keeping up on my wedding plans! :) Here is what Brent and I have been up to:

• My mom and I found all the bridesmaid dresses!! We went on a wild goose chase, but were able to get all of them (at varying prices). They were originally $180, but we got the price down to $133/girl
• We have asked my niece, Mary Jane, and nephew, Zeke...and Brent's niece, Julia, and nephew Levi, to all be in the wedding. We will be sending all four down the aisle. It will be so cute!
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• Brent and I finalized our Honeymoon Plans. We have an 8-person condo (ha ha - a little big, but that's ok) at the Sheraton Vistana Resort in Orlando FL, from Sunday June 28th to the following Sunday. Check it out!
• Mrs. Boersma's friends are throwing me a Wedding Shower and it will be held on February 7th, when Melissa, Brent's sister-in-law will be in town. It will be fun that she can be there!!! So, Brent and I are started making our registry list of things that we will need.
• The Guest Lists are being finalized as we speak. This is a difficult one!! It is hard to keep numbers under 200.
• I asked my cousin Sean to play a song (piano) and sing at the wedding, and he said yes! Sean is an awesome piano player and writes his own music. Check out this jingle he wrote for snickers... (I am thinking about having him sing "Marry Me" by Ed Cash, but that is still in the works)
  

• AND, a new theme is in the works! Although, I really like the Pink/Black/White damask look it is getting kind of pricey. We would have had to buy a table runner and cake plate for each table, and can not find very reasonable prices. So check out the new idea!

So, I still want to keep black and different shades of pink, but now I am going for more of an outdoorsy, love-bird look. My mom and I have found some REALLY cute ideas for table decs, favors, invites. Check out all these links... (I know it's a lot...I will break them down in future entries)

Invitations
DIY Impress Rubber Stamps
Vintage Perch
Swirls & Swallows
Two Birds
Love Birds
Sittin in a tree
DIY Martha Stewart
Whimsical Bird

Ceremony
Curly Willow Forest down the Aisle

Reception
Bird Place Cards
Wall Dec for entry way
Bird Cage Letter Holder
Balloon Ceiling
Chic Pearls

Table Decorations
Branch & Birdies Centerpiece
How to Make Bird Centerpiece
Inexpensive Vases
Crystal Flower Stems
Nests
Branches
Birds Nest Centerpiece

Favor Ideas
Blooming Bird Flower Card
Bird's Nest with Candies
Little Bird Boxes
Little Bird Boxes 2

Cakes
Cute Cake Topper
Forest Cake
Love Bird Cake Toppers
Sugar Birds and More Cake Ideas

Extras
Love Bird Stuff
Pretty Bird Necklace
Love Bird Garter Set
Birds Galore

So, what do you think of the new theme?? I hope you like it!

She's Got "The Look"

While in September's Bride back in September, Meg from Meg Jewelry was hosting a trunk show. She covered me in pearls, and crystals, and swooed me with her lovely jewelry. She also placed a beautiful birdcage veil on my head. So when I found out she was going to be at The Left Bank, a jewelry store in Chicago, during my Christmas break I was stoked! My mom and I thought it would be fun to go check out her veils again now that I have a better idea of what "Look" I am going for.

I was so excited that Meg remembered me from 3 months ago, and she was ready to put something together. Luckily I came prepared. I showed her the following collages that I had put together to show her what I am going for. Check out "The Look" I am going for...

After reading through many bridal magazines I cut out images that I invisioned on my wedding day. After reviewing the pics we came to the conclusion that "My Look" seems Retro-Vintage-Glamour. And we went from there.

After trying on a couple different styles I found a look that I like. :) The Look would actually be a combination of the following veils...

(Picture this veil facing the other way, so the netting is covering my eyes.)

What I love about this veil: The silk flowers, and the pearls crystals in the center of the pearls. Also there are tiny crystals all along the netting giving it a slight shimmer

What I dislike about this veil: I don't like that it is so small. It is perfect for the reception, however I would like my veil to be a little bigger

What I like about this veil: I love how the netting is all around the top of my head. I also love that it covers my face on a slant (not straight across the front)

What I dislike about this veil: I don't like that it is so plain. I would prefer something snazzy on it (but not gaudy) like the silk flowers.

SOLUTION: Put them together. :) Meg said that I could get the veil with the silk flowers for the front of my face, and then have a detachable back that would surround my head, and that I would be able to take off for the reception. She showed me what it would look like, but I forgot to take a picture. Woops!

Even though I LOVED the look, I decided to wait to make any purchases. I figure I will look around a little bit longer, so if you see any similar veils let me know!

Oh yeah...Meg also put some B-E-A-Utiful earrings on me. I love the single drop pearl. This specific earring has swarvoski crystals around the pearl, which is great too, however, I think that I may be able to find similar earrings for a little less. Since I may be purchasing 2 veils (ha ha) I may need to cut down my shoe and jewelry budget. Let me know if you find any pretty earrings or a bracelet that will go with my dress.

Picking the Colors - AHHHHH so hard!!!

Ok...I think picking the colors is the hardest job yet. But once I get it all figured out, I can decide on the bridesmaid dress color, flowers, theme, etc...

Here are some of my ideas: (based on colors and flowers)

Teal / Dark Green-Blue Dress
Greens/Purples Flowers with Peacock Feather


Teal / Dark Green-Blue Dress
Shades of Orange Flowers

Black Dress & Pink Pumps
Bright Pink Flowers accent with White and Blacks

Black Dress & Multi-colored Pumps (Maybe not ALL these colors...we'll see)
Different Color Bouquet to match the Pumps!




Black dress & White pumps (or white and black polka dot pumps)
White/Teal or Pink (some other base color) wrapped in polkadot ribbon


Here is a new idea:
Brown dresses and flowers to match this pattern...(these colors are so fun and cute together)

Those are my favorite combos thus far...BUT I am open to ideas!!! Any thoughts?!? I would love to hear your opinions