Fun Stuff

Crissy and I definitely want a classy event.  There's really no doubt about that.  But, we also really want people to have fun.  Lots and lots of fun.

I mean, what else says fun, than something like glow sticks?!?!

See?  Fun!

And, neatly arranged before people grab them

One of the reasons I really like them, though?  They could be used to help light the way back to people's cars (or tents) at the end of the night.  I mean, I know they're not a flashlight....but they might help.  Humor me, here.  It will make people safer, I'm sure.

OMG!!! It wasn't my plan to post yet another picture of a gorgeous backyard in this post, but when you find one.....well, you just have to post it.  It's that simple.  Check it out:

Dad and Bill - I hope you're taking notes.  I'm not really sure how to make that happen...but there must be a way.  And, it will be gorgeous.  :-)  And, I'll buy you a drink that day as a token of my appreciation....hahaha...

More fun stuff?  The idea of a one-man piano show.  Think dueling pianos...but, well, not dueling.  We're not really committed to this one yet, but we know it would be fun.  Thanks, Bill, for adding more to the "dream" budget.  :-)  I can always count on you to spend more money.  Really, though, we'd love it.  We're just not sure we're going to have the money to spend.  So, you'll have to actually show up to find out if we have live entertainment or the ever-so-trusty iPod entertainment.  You'll love it and dance either way.  Guar.an.teed.  I'm not kidding.  You WILL dance.

We've already shared that people can camp out at my parent's house in the yard if they want to.  Or, maybe we haven't.  Maybe I was saving that for its own post.  Who knows.  But, the deal is:  if you can't pay for a hotel room, love camping, or just don't think you'll be able to walk at the end of the night....my parents have a large yard that you can put a tent in to sleep off your drunk in.  Just don't puke in the pool.  Or be too loud.  Or leave gross bathroom-like-remnants in the yard.  There, those are the rules.  For now.

I figure the backyard will look something like this

It seems like somewhere along the way Crissy and I channeled our inner hippies...with the whole camping, burlap, recycled bottles, glow sticks, and such.  But, we're really excited about it.  Plus, Crissy has always claimed she has an inner hippy.

Another fun idea?  Owl cake toppers.  Crissy loves owls.  I think they're pretty cute, too....but I'm not nearly as obsessed as she is.  But, owl cake toppers at one of our events would be pretty swell.  These are from Claylicious on Etsy (of course).  One in the "grape purple" and "robins egg" would be super cute together, don't you think? 

Napkin rings/napkin holders.  Yes. I'm serious right now.  I don't know that we're actually doing any of these things, but check 'em out:

And, then, I LOVE LOVE LOVE everything about this:

Source

Thanks to the site for that lovely little wooden inspiration board, I think we just found a wine box for the wine ceremony.  :-)

They have so many things!!!

Ok.  I think I need to stop.  But, seriously....there will be loads of fun stuff.  Or, well, let me rephrase.  There will be loads of stuff that I (we) think is (are) fun.  :-)

I've thought of having things like ladderball (or whatever other people call it) and bags.....but then, I fear people wouldn't dance with us.  We want dancing.

Tempting, though, right?

Fun possibilities

Etsy can really get me into trouble.  If you've ever spent more than like two minutes on Etsy, you probably know what I'm talking about.  All of the wonderful, unique and handmade items are just too good to pass up sometimes.  The necklace I just posted last time?  You guessed it.  Etsy.  But, guess what else I just found?  There's a bracelet, too!  It's almost too much....the desire to buy them both, that is.  Not the design. 

 But, then I found these.  They seem a little bit excessive....and a lot of fun.  I love trees...so, why not make our dads and my brother wear a "wood" tie?!?!

And, by now you should have figured out that Crissy and I are going to have some kind of dessert/candy buffet.  Indecisiveness?  Yeah, I think so.  So, I've known that we had the option to buy something like this:

BUT, what I did not know?  That you can also buy these candy dishes to either spell your names, with your initials, ampersands or hearts.  How awesome, right? 

I'm not so sure I'm sensing the same kind of enthusiasm from you as I was hoping.  But, you just wait....you'll show up to the wedding and reception and be like "Oh, man, those candy dishes absolutely MAKE the table."  I'm sure of it.  Or, you'll just be like "Ooohhh....candy!!!"  Either way, there will be enthusiasm.

In Case you Haven't Noticed

In case you haven't noticed, there are new "tabs" at the top of the blog.  They're not all entirely complete yet, but they're there.  So, now there's our main blog page where the website defaults to.  That's what you'll continue to read my ramblings on.  How luck for you, right?  :)  But, there's also a tab for the ceremony.  As of now, it has our current thoughts on how the ceremony might go and some details about that portion of the day/evening might look.  We have a tab for RSVP, that at some point (after you receive an inviation to the wedding), you'll be able to designate there that you'll be attending. Because we know none of you are going to have anything else going on.  I mean, isn't that what save the dates are for?  So you can prioritize us as the most important thing in your agenda for Labor Day weekend this year.  hahaha.....  Eventually, we'll have a tab for reception details where you'll be able to find menu information, drinks we'll have available, etc...  And, of course, we'll have a tab that gives you directions, what to do in case of rain, and where you can stay.

But, perhaps most importantly - there is currently a tab for Music.  Want to know why this tab is so darn important?  Because it means you can help pick the songs we'll have during the reception.  Otherwise, I might have to threaten to play Black Eyed Peas all stinking night.  And, no one wants that.  I mean, not even me.  Seriously, though.  We want our wedding and reception to be a really great and fun time for people.  And, by fun - I mean like the best darn wedding you've ever been to.  We want people dancing all night - and having so much fun that we all decide to go downtown Peoria later to finish the partying.  That's how much fun we want to have.  So, for us to ensure that all of our guests keep drinking (water, of course. *cough*cough*), dancing and having fun - you need to let us know what the heck you want to shake your groove thing to.  Seriously.  Go right now.  Because we want our reception like this:

Not like this:

And we have lift off!

The last day or so has actually resulted in some wedding related things getting purchased, planned for, or being requested of someone else to buy.  Hooray!!!  Plus, we have a date and time set for some wedding dress shopping - plus a plan shaping up for a crazy wedding dress shopping experience in Chicago, too.  Things are actually starting to happen around here for this wedding.  :-)

For example, Crissy's parents have offered to help pay for/purchase some of the things we need for the wedding.  So, to start off the "purchasing," I sent an email to Crissy's mom last night with some things on clearance I found at Target and at Crate and Barrel that would be needed.  I mean, these cupcake wrappers and small cake molds are definite necessities:

These cake molds are individual size - and will be fantastic, I think, for the carrot cakes....

And, then we also found beverage tubs.  Now, I'll be honest - they're not the perfect shade of teal/peacock/whatever....but they're super duper on sale.  And, given the number we'll need to keep all of the beer, water, wine and cranberry & vodka bottles cold....these will do!

(Have no fear, dad....I actually checked the price to rent a big beverage table thing - and these are actually cheaper than the cost to rent one big table.  I really am being frugal.  Even if you don't understand my need for cloth tablecloths).

And, then, I went to Michael's today.  That's really where things started to happen.  I bought some fantastically fun ribbon for the ribbon wands.  So, once I get the white and brown ribbon, I can start to make them.  Really, I can't wait to have them done and post pics - I hope they're as great in reality as they are in my head.  I also found sheets of chalkboard stickers/labels/whatever....so I'm hoping they work with Emily's fancy crafty machine.  And, if not, we'll figure out another way to make them into hearts for the mason jar glasses.

But, the real fun part....I found wedding invitations.  Crissy and I have talked at length about making our own - and have found quite a few crafty ideas for them.  Beyond that, we just talked to Clare yesterday about seeing what she could whip up since she's one fantastic graphic designer (or something like that - sorry, Clare - I don't know exactly what you do).  But, then while I was at Michael's today and looking at all things that could remotely be wedding related....I stumbled upon these:

They have jackets and matching envelopes and everything!  And, they were mega on clearance.  So, less than $15 for wedding invites?  Yeah, I think I'll take it!  Plus, Crissy and I really like them - so bonus!  (Note - the invites are completely that apple/fern green color, not the weird looking sage/mint like color that the bottom one appears to be).  The only troubling thing with the invites?  Only 30 come in a box...and I can't seem to even find them online to order more if we needed to.  So, it looks like siblings might be getting something a little less fancy, if worst comes to worst.  Sorry sibs.  :-/

Anyway....hooray for really finally getting started, huh?!?!  Seriously, I cannot wait for this wedding.