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.

Go, Go, Gadget.....Dress?

I promise a Christmas/holiday recap will come soon....but, in the meantime, check out these dresses I found.  They're a "two-in-one" gown and go from long to short with apparently a "quick zip."  Can you imagine just unzipping the whole bottom half of a wedding gown?  I can't - but think it sounds amazing.  I wasn't really looking to spend $600 on a wedding dress, but the idea of having a more dancing friendly dress for the reception seems pretty awesome.  On top of that, why not just dye the shorter version after the whole day is said and done....and then it becomes something that could be worn over and over again.  I mean, these dresses are just fantastic.  I can't wait to try dresses on - and am in hopes that I fall in love with something far less expensive than these.

This one becomes this:

And, this one becomes this: