The Reception!

Sorry for leaving you in suspense like that!! I don't think the preparations for the big event - The Reception - kept me from blogging last week as much as having a house full of guests, and not being able to adequately decompress at night in order to focus on blogging. I will have a couple more posts about this event (including the bachelorette party and more details about the AMAZING photo wall below), but in the meantime I bring you our cousin's beautiful, whimsical garden reception ~

Guests were greeted by a flag displaying the couple's last initial



(Entrance sign: $8)

Next, they were asked to sign the couple's alternative guest book by pinning a note of love or congratulations on the map.



[This table was later "glamified" by the florist. Additional items shown not included in previous budget include lavender votive holders (10 total) $10, 6 "tulle spools" $15, and a bud holder $1]

Here is the view that guests saw when they entered the cultural hall



(Still working at this point! The groom's family rented the trees and linens, and purchased/borrowed the paper lanterns. Major budget savers for me!)

Going around the room, here is the gift table



(Card box here. Embroidery hoops here. Votive holders purchased by BT's aunt)

And here is where the couple ended up greeting guests



under the ampersand chandelier!

Next guests encountered the food table


(Shown here are the moss letters, ampersand, some of the flower pot label holders, and the cake platter used for the Baby Shower re-purposed with an orange ribbon for this event. Purchased willow branches $13. Ribbon for cake plate $3)


(The photographers were really into photographing the room details -- it made me feel good to see how carefully they set up their shots, versus just taking a picture in passing of all the different areas. I did end up purchasing a few food items as we were afraid there would not be enough variety - total cost: $60)

This was my favorite area! The couple decided to serve small finger desserts like cookies, truffles, mini eclairs, pudding "sips" (this was a Mormon event, so we decided to call them sips rather than shots) etc. BT's aunt works for a very prestigious catering company here in LA, and has such a good eye for setting up food tables, plus was able to help the bride pick out some fancy looking treats that didn't cost a fortune. The groom's sister did the flower arrangements -- I was in love with them! This table too was later glamified a bit with more flowers.

Funny story. I did not go see the room before the event, so it was a leap of faith that everything would come together. It was amazing how well everything did work out despite not having a visual of the space. There were only a few last minute purchases, including the green tablecloths for the small tables (the groom went out and bought those all by himself - he's a keeper!) and figuring out how to cover the "maximum occupancy" sign above the middle door behind the food table. The groom's family bought some battery powered paper lanterns, and they worked just perfect for covering the sign and adding a little more light to the food table.



Next stop was the Dr. Pepper station (a water jug was also on this table). The groom's family picked up the box of Dublin Dr. Pepper syrup on a trip to Texas. BT only had to buy water ($10). The couple brought in the bumper sticker while were setting up -- just the right thing to adorn the kegerator! The Mr. and Mrs. glasses were MIA for some time, and the etching paint came off after the glasses were set to soak after The Luncheon. Not wanting to deal with the stencil again last minute, I just threaded a piece of paper on a ribbon to adorn each glass.

The next station was a labor of love for the bride. She made 550 cake balls to serve at the event! There were 5 flavors, and they were all lovingly hand decorated.


[Shown during set up so you can see the fun moss rocks I bought from the dollar store (25 bags of 5 rocks each - $25). I have absolutely no room to store them, but simply must find a place for them, as I love them so. The glass piece and votive holders were borrowed. I spent about $20 on votives from the dollar store (2 per pack). Last minute purchase included 3 glass platters to serve the cake balls, as the platters the couple purchased would not fit on the table. Thankfully the florist just happened to bring two additional platters.]



The cake balls were a big hit at the wedding, to the extent that hardly anybody wanted cake once it was served.

Now may be a good time to show examples of the centerpieces


(last minute purchase - glass bowls for "chalky mints" that the groom insisted are wedding staples - $3 for 9 bowls.)



These were also a bit of a question mark, as the bride was only ordering loose flowers, not arrangements, and I admittedly kind of waffled about how much support I would give for table decor (I initially said I wouldn't be involved, but then gave some votive ideas, flower ideas, etc., which made it seem like I was taking on this project). Like the rest of the event, everything just kind of worked out. We had plenty of glassware to choose from to do a variety of vases on the tables. Some glass votives were covered with leaves from our camellia bush for a fun garden accent. As mentioned, the groom's sister did a fabulous job on flowers. The random "tulle spools" we purchased were used to surround the centerpieces.

The next stop was the grin inducing photo wall



This was a big project for BT, and he did not take it lightly. He wanted everything to be just perfect, and was ready to trash the whole thing when the wall paper didn't line up by like a quarter of an inch until I talked him out of it.

He made kind of an old-fashioned chalkboard style frame for the photo wall to keep it steady. The wallpaper was purchased from etsy for $30 including shipping. I bought the large frames with 40% off coupons since I couldn't find any adequate ones at the thrift store (typical - the one time you need them). The small frames were all bought at the dollar store. The bride collected most of the pics used to fill the small frames, and BT and I were responsible for his siblings and his parents. We only had one fail, with our SIL not bringing her pic which would have gone in the upper right-hand corner. The frames were just hot glued on. One more use for this photo wall, and then I am going to try and sell it on craigslist. Estimated cost was about $110. I will do a follow up post with some pics of the wall during the wedding. There was a basket of props available, which made for some pretty fun shots!

Next to the photo booth was the dot banner and fabric covered clothespins with a series of drawings the groom gave to the bride before they got married (story here).





The bride copied the drawings onto vellum paper and mounted them.

Finally, when leaving the room, you could take some bubbles to "blow a kiss" at the bride and groom



The vision is complete!

So let's see - what was the damage for the photo wall, random fillers and last minute purchases? It appears that would be $270 from what is listed here, bringing my final tally to $779 -- $221 under budget. BUT, I know I rounded down a little bit for taxes and shipping and the like, so suspect the final cost was a tad higher (though still under budget).

I had a lot of fun putting on this event, mainly because the couple was so easy to work with, the groom's family was awesome with helping with set up and tear down, and I got to work with a few of my favorite people during the crunch time just before the event started. I really hope it fit with the bride's vision for her special day.

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Favorite of the day: Thoughts?

Working on: New direction

The Reception: Odds and Ends

I shouldn't say this, as the jinx quotient with a statement like this is high, but I think I am all but ready for The Reception this Friday!

I am ready -- but BT, on the other hand, has a long way to go. His photo booth needs a lot of work, and he is still working on the soda for the big day. I guess I should shift gears to help him out.

Here are a few odds and ends I made to complete the event ~

1) Label holders for "cake balls"

The bride became obsessed with the idea of having cake balls at her event, and bless her heart has been rolling and dipping them for about a month now. I made these wee flower pot label holders to identify the different flavors. We have a cool idea for displaying them using the elevated glass idea from this site.

Project cost: Pots $7 + wire $0 + moss $1 + flowers $0 + pins $0 = $8

2) Covered clothespins and "gallery label" for groom's drawings

One thing I knew I had to incorporate into the event was a set of drawings the groom made for the bride over the course of a semester in school. In mentioning that he was bored in the class, the bride asked him to draw her a picture. He proceeded to draw her one each class, showing all the things he wished he was doing instead with her. The final drawing was them in front of the Temple getting married.

He is embarrassed of the drawings, but everybody else thinks they are so sweet. The bride is mounting them to paper, and they will be hung off of the dot banner using fabric covered clothespins (same fabric used with the embroidery hoops). A gallery like description of the drawings will be mounted next to the banner.

Project cost: Clothespins $0 + fabric scraps $0 + frame $1 = $1

3) Dr. Pepper sign

Looks like we will only have one soda at The Reception - Dr. Pepper. The groom's family in particular are big fans, particularly Dublin Dr. Pepper made with real sugar. The family scored us a box of fountain syrup which BT was able to carbonate in the kegerator. I found this vintage image of a Dr. Pepper bottle to use as a sign. The numbers apparently refer to the times of the day (10 o'clock, 2 o'clock, 4 o'clock) when you should have a Dr. Pepper.

Project cost: Frame = $1

I still have a list of things to do, but really feel on top of things. Hoping it all comes together as envisioned!

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Remaining reception decorating budget: $501

Project cost for odds and ends: $10

Remaining reception decorating budget: $491

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Favorite of the day: Nothing new today

Working on: Food prep for bachelorette party

The Reception: Alternative guest book

This was one of the first projects I mentioned in relation to The Reception, but it has taken me this long to get my heinie in gear to finish it.

(The glue marks leads me to believe the frame held a mirror)

It all started with a frame, found at the thrift store. This was after finding out the couple was engaged, but before I had offered to help with anything. I walked by the frame in the store a few times. I finally convinced myself that I would buy it to see if the couple liked it, and if so could make something to serve as an alternative to a guest book.

Then, I turned the frame over, and saw this

!!!! Can you believe it! Granted, I have since seen a very similar frame (holding a mirror) at Cost Plus for less than $100. The thrifted frame cost me $17.

The couple loved the frame, and fit with some of the preliminary ideas we discussed for The Reception. The couple told me they wanted to incorporate their long distance relationship in some way. It was BT's idea to use a map.

The map was mounted over a sheet of cork. I was happy to find a map printed in soft, neutral colors.

I connected the cities the couple lived in while they were dating with pins and embroidery floss. I marked the cities with tiny tags.

Next to the *guest book* will be a framed note explaining that the couple had to travel "back and forth for love."

(The pen holder was made from an old cocoa tin covered in the same textured paper used to cover this pen holder so long ago - packrat!)

There will be small squares of paper (index cards cut in half) for folks to write a note to the couple and pin to the map using green map pins. I hope people don't think they need to pin the note on the city they are from -- that is not the intent. The whole map should be covered with notes by the end of the night. The cool thing about this project is that the couple can leave it as is for a period of time, but once they get sick of it, they can remove the notes and keep them in a jar or a box.

I told the couple if they do eventually send the frame off to the thrift store, they MUST leave the original Anthro tag on it :)

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Remaining reception decorating budget: $599

Estimated project cost for alternative guest book: $100 (Budget also included 2 framed pics of the couple to be displayed on the entrance table. I bought the frames, but the couple currently has them to add their pics)

Actual project cost: frame $17 + cork $8 + map $16 + easel $0 (borrow) + box $0 + slips of paper $5 + map pins $25 + framed instructions $10 + two framed pics of couple $13 + pens $4 + pen holder = $98 (pshew - came close on that one!)

Remaining reception decorating budget: $501

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Recent favorite: It just doesn't get any cuter than this (via Poppytalk)

Working on: Odds and ends

The Reception: &

And another & to put between the letters

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Remaining reception decorating budget: $610

Estimated project cost: Not in original budget

Actual project cost: Wooden & $10 (inc. shipping) + paint $1 = $11

Remaining reception decorating budget: $599

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Favorite of the day: So twisted

Finished (yes, all tonight): Alternative guest book, made reservations for bachelorette party, pasted pics in advice book for co-worker, made garland for bachelorette party, hemmed fabric overlay for bachelorette party table. Now, off to watch Whip It.

The Reception: Tableware

Ah, here is a budget buster. Purchased from my new favorite party supply website. The box that arrived with the stuff for The Reception and The Luncheon was so big and fantastic - I should have snapped a pic before I tore into it like a kid on Christmas morning.

We bought 250 ecru cocktail napkins, 500 ecru dinner napkins (shown here), 500 cups, 500 forks, and 500 clear plastic plates. I had never bought 500 of anything before this...

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Remaining reception decorating budget: $790

Estimated cost for disposables: Not in original budget (uh oh)

Cost for disposables: $150 + shipping (~$30)

Remaining reception decorating budget: $610

(So what's the deal? I will be saving a lot of money on this event as the groom's family stepped in to rent tablecloths, greenery, etc. So, I said I would pick up this particular expense.)

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Favorite of the day: Sky Mall

Working on: Bachelorette party stuff

The Reception: Note cards

So you thought you were on easy street - that you would have just a few more posts about party planning to endure before The Reception (which is September 24, btw). Lo and behold, here comes another party -- I will now be hosting a bachelorette party for the bride-to-be the Wednesday before her wedding. I am not upset about this recent development, but do look forward to getting back to my boring evenings of Netflix watching (well, I still watch Netflix, but I feel guilty about it, knowing there is something else I should be doing instead).

A cheap and easy accessory for any wedding is to have cards or a banner that say cute things like "Just Wed," "Mr. & Mrs.," "Thank You," etc. I have seen paper signs like the ones I made, pennant garlands, wooden signs, chalkboards, and other unique expressions of love or gratitude. Such a cute and easy way for the couple to capture some fun pictures on their special day!

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Remaining reception decorating budget: $790

Estimated project cost for paper signs: $0

Actual project cost: $0

Remaining reception decorating budget: $790

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Favorite of the day: You remember my bike? I am having bike envy...

Working on: Really want to get the alternate guest book done early this week

The Reception: Chandelier

This was a great find -- not sure how it will be used, but ties in with some of the ampersand elements we are using (these, and eventually will be added between these).

I knew I wanted to have some kind of fun chandelier at The Reception, but kind of struck out finding something that was whimsical but not too fussy. I looked on etsy several times, but didn't see anything that struck my fancy. Then, one day, I must have entered the right search terms to find this gem

I covered it in some scrapbook paper that includes three out of the four colors being used at the reception. As mentioned, not sure where it will go, but I'm sure it will be a fun element!

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Remaining reception decorating budget: $826

Estimated project cost for chandelier: $50

Actual cost: Wooden base $29 (shipped from Australia) + paper $4 + ribbon $3 = $36 ($14 under budget)

Remaining reception decorating budget: $790

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Favorite of the day: This sounds so good!

Working on: Watching Mad Men via Netflix - I'm obsessed!!

The Luncheon!

Everything went off without a hitch for the second event - The Luncheon - that I have been preparing for as of late!

(food table with paper lined baskets to the left)

Well, there was admittedly some concern with how everything was going to come together, as when we first arrived to the party location, there was just myself and one other person there to set up everything and finish food prep.

We rolled giant tables off the cultural hall stage, and pushed carts full of tables and chairs through the church building and out onto the grassy area we were going to use for the luncheon. I had a mini panic attack thinking there was no way things would come together in time.

(veggie sticks in a cute inflatable cooler)

Then more help trickled in, and things came together in no time. The food table looked gorgeous, the tables were just as imagined, and the root beer* and food were delicious.

(BT wearing his special wedding shirt pouring a root beer)

(table detail with buckets of peanuts, pinwheels, buckets for shells, baskets full of napkins, and little ants)

The luncheon was wonderful, as was the couple's reception later in the evening. So glad we could cherish this special couple on their special day.

*Ginger beer had a bad extract or something, so we had to ditch it.

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Favorite of the day: Back to school printables (via Modern Kiddo)

Working on: Back to Reception prep

The Luncheon: Pinwheels

Looks like we made it! Heading up to the wedding location as soon as I hit "publish" on this post :)

These buckets will be in the middle of each food table at The Luncheon (to be held between the couple's ceremony and the reception) filled with peanuts as shown. The groom's mom bought the buckets and peanuts, and I added ribbon, labels, and pinwheels.

The pinwheels came together more quickly than anticipated thanks to some help from the Bluebird family. The old adage about many hands is true! Figuring out how to attach the pinwheels to dowels took some finagling (most times you see these made with straight pins stuck into pencil erasers). We used fat push pins which were good for gluing the elements onto the front. I grabbed some buttons on a whim on the way out the door to Leslie's house, but think they worked out just fine.

On the front of each bucket is the description of a geocache. You remember us going geocaching way back when, right? Well, the groom is the cousin we went with. They will have some adorable favors (idea courtesy of yours truly) to commemorate their hobby. In addition, I thought I would tell the story of how the groom geocached the ring. I'm sure the question on everybody's mind will be -- what if somebody got to the cache first?

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Remaining luncheon budget: $19

Project cost (for portions I was responsible for): Pinwheels $0 (all materials on hand!) + labels $0 + ribbon $4 + Styrofoam base to hold dowels $2 = $6

Final budget: +$13!!

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Favorite of the day:

Working on: Setting up a fabulous luncheon for a fabulous couple :)

The Luncheon: Banner, Tap labels, and Condiments

Starting to feel the pinch on this event! I typically work best under pressure, but sometimes things just pile up. This has to be the week we run out of printer ink and label paper and Hank decides he doesn't want to go to bed on time any more?

True to form, I left the biggest project off until the last minute -- making pinwheels. There are *only* 10 of them, but I suspect they will take some time. Here are a few easy projects I was able to complete despite the myriad of issues plaguing our house this week:

A simple paper banner to hang behind the food table

Labels for the condiment bottles + fill said condiment bottles inc. making chipotle mayo

(I had to trick our printer to get these to print out in semi-recognizable colors. Patterned packing tape used to adorn bottles from Michaels.)

Labels for the taps on the kegerator

More info on "The Question" tomorrow. The groom has a red beard, hence the name for the ginger beer.

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Remaining luncheon budget: $38

Project cost: Banner $6 for checked paper and rickrack + condiments $13 + labels $0 = $19

Remaining luncheon budget: $19

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Favorite of the day: Seriously - parties just keep getting cuter and cuter.

Working on: Pinwheels - duh