Paul & Jenn's Adventures

The Half Up-Do From wedding-hairstyles.net , see full article on this half up-do here. Customize your own half up-do from these fabulous accessories: Elegant and Simple Up-Do Love the elegant simplicity. Try these clips to create your own look:

In Progress: Send email form invitations for ceremony only guests Make programs Put together lavender baggies for favors Order 4x6 prints and insert into photo album favors for reception guests Get or make gift card box - Thanks Maggie! Choose playlist for reception music Make flow and responsibility list for Friday-Saturday Plan games for reception Not Started:  Finalize ceremony procedures Plan seating chart Print out names for photo albums and insert Finalize father-daughter dance song  Buy gift for Jenn Pick out Bible verses Make slide show DONE: Design and make centerpieces Decide on decorations for church and reception hall, how to incorporate Chinese traditions Assemble and send invitations Plan church reception food and drinks Buy gifts for groomsmen Buy unity candle Get ring boy and attire and accessories Buy gifts for parents Buy gift for Paul Make guest book from engagement pictures Buy wedding bands Plan girls night/day out with bridesmaids

For cost effective and useful favors, we bought bulk lavender from Glenbrook Farm and little sheer mesh baggies ($10 for 50) . We had them in two large baskets at the entrance of the church so that guests could grab one or a few as they walked in. During the send-off, our wedding coordinator organized the guests into two rows and tossed the lavender blossoms at us as we exited the church. A bunch ended up in my hair and my dress, but it was lots of fun and smelled really nice too. Guests could also take the sachets with them and use them at home to scent their closets.

Here are some bouquets ideas I loved.

Get engagement pictures - round 1:  3/7/09, round 2: 4/11/09, round 3: 4/25/09 Make guest book from engagement pictures - in progress Assemble and send invitations - in progress Finalize ceremony procedures Make programs Get ring boy and attire and accessories Get or make gift card box or bird cage Reserve or design and make centerpieces Decide on decorations for church and reception hall, how to incorporate Chinese traditions Choose playlist for reception music Buy wedding bands - in progress Buy gifts for attendants, parents, and each other Plan church reception food and drinks Buy unity candle Pick out Bible verses Make slide show Plan games for wedding DONE: Book hair and makeup  DONE: Buy/make veil and tiara DONE: Decide on location for getting ready, Stockade Inn DONE: Buy dress for first dance and reception DONE: Buy ballroom dance shoes DONE: Get flower girl and attire and accessories DONE: Buy QiPao DONE: Choose song for first dance, start rehearsing - At Last, Etta James DONE...

The thought that our guests would plant a tree after they go home from our wedding was inspiring. Not only would we make an impact on reducing greenhouse gases, as the tree grows, our guests would also remember our special day. We didn't end up using this favor for a few reasons: 1. We had guests from abroad and wasn't sure if they would be allowed to bring botanicals home. 2. Lastly, what if they lived in an apartment, then the tree would go to waste? I still love the idea though, maybe for a future baby shower when all guests will be local and have houses. These are only $1.99 each when ordering 100 or more.

Ordering bulk flowers is the way to go if you want to save money on center pieces. We had our wedding coordinator arrange the Calla lily center pieces while we and the guests were at the ceremony. They came out beautiful and no one could tell that they were not ordered from a florist. Here are a few great sites for getting Calla lilies and other flowers bulk. Peach colored Callas from pacificcallas.com, plus free shipping on all orders. Standard White Calla Lilies, 35 inches long from Fifty Flowers Mini-Callas in different colors from JRroses If I was more brave, I would get bulk flowers and make our own bouquets, but I didn't want the added stress and I'm really not that crafty. I'm glad we could at least same some money with bulk flowers for center pieces, thanks to our talented wedding coordinator's flower arrangement skills!