The Engagement Photos Are In!

Hello Hive! I hope everyone has had a very enjoyable holiday season. I'm back to share our engagement photos with you! I just received these and I couldn't wait to share them with you guys.

As you can see, we used a couple of the engagement photo session trends I mentioned in a previous post.

Just hanging out on top of hay bales, looking very stoic, like ya do. 

Using the letters I created during a DIY tutorial in a previous entry. 

I am so incredibly impressed with the skill and patience of our amazing photographer Christopher Helm. When searching for a photographer, Mr. C and I knew we wanted someone with true, raw skill -- not just someone who uses vintage effects in post-processing. After browsing Chris' portfolio I could see that he captured amazing photos in a variety of settings and light conditions. His photos are classic and timeless. Plus he's a really fun, friendly guy who put Mr. C and I at ease the moment we met him. He spent four hours out with us to capture these images from sunlight to sunset and gathering dusk. We're so excited to be working with him on our big day.  

I have to tell you guys that I have browsed hundreds, if not thousands of engagement photos online in the past. This is partially due to my addiction to wedding blog browsing. This addiction may or may not have existed prior to being officially engaged. I walked into this venture knowing exactly what to expect, or so I thought. What I didn't expect was that the first 30 minutes of this photo shoot was incredibly, painfully awkward for Mr. C and me. Thankfully Chris was able to help us feel more at ease and relaxed as we worked together. I guess my warning to you ladies is prepare for a little awkwardness at the start! (that's what she said) 

Was your initial engagement photo shoot a little awkward?

The Best Day Ever

I want to tell you all about the best day ever. Do you have a best day ever? A day when everything, in spite of all odds, somehow turns out perfectly? My best day ever is the day Mr. C proposed to me. And it wasn't just about being engaged, it was everything else in the universe aligning to make the most amazing, absolutely perfect day.

But first, let's start at the beginning.

One day last February I was home from work and wistfully scrolling through images of Versailles on my computer. I was showing Mr. C some images and talking about how much I wanted to return to Paris. I was trying to convince him that we should visit Paris in November when I knew we'd have a week off for Thanksgiving break. Suddenly Mr. C bent down beside me. He had a puckish twinkle in his eyes. "What if we went to Paris for spring break?" My heart stopped. I stared at him for a moment. Mind you, spring break was only around four weeks away at this point. The idea of hopping on a plane and making a spontaneous trip to Paris was both exhilarating and terrifying. Really only terrifying in a very mundane adult sort of way: How much would it cost? Where would we stay? Can we really do this? Should I feel guilty about spending this money (when I really need a new car..)?

Now, to be fair, it's a little cheaper for us to travel than for most people. My dad is a pilot for Delta Airlines and I fly standby for a discount. The catch is that I only get on a plane if and when there is an open seat. I have higher priority than Mr. C, who flies on a buddy pass. Buddy passes are like the dripping pond scum of the airline world. Buddy passes are practically useless these days if you don't want to spend hours or even days waiting in the airport to fly somewhere. This makes planning vacations very stressful. So while flying to Paris would be relatively inexpensive, we also might never end up in Paris--or we could end up in Paris a day or two behind schedule. This in turn makes it nearly impossible to make hotel reservations. It is always a gamble.

I spent the rest of the night thinking it over. A few months earlier Mr. C and I had had "the talk." You know, the one where you talk about getting married. We'd also recently been scouring both the internet and local antique malls for the perfect antique engagement ring. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to go. The idea was taking a deeply rooted hold in my mind. I could be in Paris in a few weeks! I could see Versailles again! I was giddy with excitement. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep that night.

In a few short weeks we were off to Paris. It was our first international trip together and Mr. C's first international trip ever! Due to some airline miracle we had zero problems getting there and we arrived at Charles-de-Gaulle, the most ill-conceived airport in the world, on March 12th. I had checked and rechecked and triple checked the Paris weather for weeks. I felt like an outdoor wedding bride as I obsessed over weather forecasts. Paris is a walking city. You spend a lot of time outside, especially on the grounds of Versailles and the Petit Trianon. A few days of bad weather could make the whole trip quite miserable. But the weather was perfect. It was a little humid and chilly, but it did not rain. The sun was shining. The sky was blue. The cherry blossoms were in bloom. It was Paris in (almost) springtime.

And then it started. When would he propose? I mean, he was going to propose, right? We were in Paris, the most romantic city in the world. If it wasn't happening there, then it wasn't happening. But it didn't happen at the top of the Eiffel Tower. It didn't happen on a sunset boat cruise on the Seine. It didn't happen on the Champs Elysees as I greedily consumed my Ladurée macarons, or at the Louvre, or in the lovely Jardin de Tuileries. I was beginning to think that maybe, just maybe, I had gotten my hopes up about nothing. Maybe Mr. C really did just want to go to Paris for the fun of it. I started to feel a little bit silly. 

On our last full day in Paris, we visited Versailles. It was my second time at Versailles and I came prepared. I had read not one, but two different biographies about Marie Antoinette. I read a book specifically about the history Versailles. I also somehow convinced myself that I needed a giant Versailles coffee table book which I studied carefully for days. As soon as we made the decision to go to Paris I booked a special tour of the private apartments of Louis XV and Louis XVI. They only offer these tours to prearranged groups who have purchased tickets in advance. I wasn't going to miss out on the opportunity! In fact, if you have a chance to go, make sure to check the Versailles website to see what tours they are offering. You get to see parts of the palace that are inaccessible to other visitors.

The tours were to begin at 9:00 am, but we were running a little behind schedule. I remember sitting on the train from Paris to Versailles and staring at my watch, silently sweating despite the chilly morning air. We weren't going to make it. We'd never get there in time. When the train finally stopped at the station we sprinted off for the palace. I will forever remember the morning that we ran halfway across the town so that we would not miss a tour of Versailles. Mr. C was running behind me laughing, "We'll make it! We'll make it!" Turns out we burned off those buttery morning croissant calories for nothing! The main palace gates didn't even open until 9:00 am and the tours started 30 minutes afterwards. We made it in time after all!

The tour began and as I was floating through the glowing, gilded rooms of the private apartments, I knew it was an awesome day. Maybe the best day ever. Surrounded by history, touring the palace with my very best friend beside me--it was absolute heaven. It was also a beautiful, uncharacteristically warm day, the nicest weather we'd seen all week. We even had the rare opportunity of seeing the royal opera which is often closed for performances. Everything was perfect.

After the tour I wanted to view the rest of the palace, but it was packed with tour groups who arrived via bus in droves for a quick morning visit. Instead we decided we would visit the Petit Trianon and the Queen's Hamlet before the crowds shifted out into the gardens.

On our way to the Petit Trianon, out in the parterre near the Fountain of Latona, I noticed a young couple trying to take a "long arm" picture of themselves and I offered to take the photo for them. Mr. C then asked if they wouldn't mind taking a picture for us. Actually he said, "Could you take a couple of pictures?" I passed my point-and-shoot camera over and moved into position beside Mr. C. Suddenly he got down on one knee and pulled a ring box from his pocket. I froze. Everything suddenly felt like it was moving in slow motion. I keep thinking, is this really happening? I mean, I knew it could happen, I thought it might, but it really was happening. Mr. C opened the box and inside was a gorgeous antique ring, so delicate, sparkling like mad in the morning sunlight. I can't really remember what he said, I was too shocked. The girl with my camera was snapping away, a crowd of French school children were cheering.  Everything was very surreal. We were at Versailles and it was the most perfect day and the man I loved was on one knee with a delicate, elfin antique ring presented before me. I said yes.

Then it was suddenly very awkward. What had just happened? There's a sort of strange, quiet moment afterwards where the enormity of the moment begins to seep into your consciousness. We embraced, he slipped the ring on my finger. I thanked our makeshift photographer profusely (she even took a bit of video, with zero prompting from us!)

We spent the next 20 minutes walking through the gardens leading to the Petit Trianon. I was still in a daze. I couldn't believe what had just happened and I couldn't keep my eyes off my gorgeous new ring! Finally I got my senses together and we rented bikes and rode around the gardens, visited Marie Antoinette's hamlet and the Petit Trianon. It was my first time visiting the Queen's Hamlet (it was closed the first time I was at Versailles), so being there was exhilarating. I've already shared my intense love for the Queen's Hamlet in a wedding inspiration post, but I have to reiterate what a special and magical place it is. Please visit it if you are ever at Versailles! We also rode the bikes around the entire canal. It took us a good 30 minutes or more, but it was one of my favorite parts of the day.

Before I knew it, it was already 2 o'clock and we had yet to eat lunch! Luckily we were able to grab a table at a restaurant located on the grounds of the palace. We sat outside near the waters of the canal. It was just another puzzle piece in our perfect day!

To spend such a magical day in Paris, at Versailles with the love of my life, and to get engaged in a place with so much history -- I really have no words for it. I was 100% happy and content through and through. I couldn't have asked for a better day. It's now filed away into my extremely happy, peaceful memories which I draw strength and happiness from when times are bad. Which is silly because life is actually really, really amazing.

And that was my best day ever.

Getting Married at 30

I will be 30 years old when I get married. I realize that I'm considered an "older" bride, statistically speaking. According to US census data, most American women get married at around 25 or 26 years old. I'm also one of the "older" blogger Bees, although there have been a few 30-somethings here in the past (Mrs. Cauldron, Mrs. Mink, Mrs. Snapdragon, to name a few).

Recently, you may have read awesome entries from both Miss Bat and Miss Otter on getting married young. But this one is for the "older" brides and the "older" single or not-yet-engaged ladies. Yes, I see you not-yet-engaged ladies who are lurking around Wedding Bee! No shame! I was in your shoes one year ago.

I am one of the last of my friends to get married. When I scroll through the class of '01 on Facebook I see a lot of married people and I see a lot of babies. Some of my classmates and friends are now on their second or third child! And here I am, puttering around with just an engagement ring. No mortgage or car payment to speak of, chillin' on some furniture from Target and Ikea. Do I feel behind the times? No, I don't. The idea of having children still terrifies me. I have no idea where I want to buy a home and invest in a future. Luckily, Mr. Camel feels the same way. Mr. C, who will be 36 on our wedding day, has obviously seen his friends and relatives married off and having children for years now. He often tells me that after 30, he resigned himself to a life alone. He didn't think he would ever get married and certainly not to someone he could be 100% himself around. And then along came me. Now here we are, ready to take that first big step: marriage. Marriage at 30.

Even if I was given the opportunity, there is nothing I would change about my past. I feel that everything, both the good and the bad, has happened for a reason and happened at the right time for me. As much as I would have loved to know a younger Mr. C, to have have shared in those crazy, lazy days of high school and college together, I know that we met and fell in love at exactly the right time in our lives.

I consider myself to be fiercely independent. I experienced my 20's at full throttle. I biked across France alone when I was 20 years old. I traveled across Europe, explored the life of T.E. Lawrence in England, and spent two years teaching English in a tiny Japanese town of 4,000 people. Could I have done all of these things with the love of my life by my side? Absolutely! But for me, my 20's was about reaching out to life's experiences on my own. Meeting people, going places, and finding myself along the way. There were failed relationships. There were a few regrets here and there. But for me it was never about partying or casual dating.

Relationships are about compromise. As a 20-something I was able to live my life and make decisions based on what was best for me and me alone. I realize that sounds incredibly selfish, and it is. But it was also liberating and empowering. It enabled me to move to Japan, attend graduate school, teach English in Italy for a few weeks in a study abroad program, and find a job in a town where I wanted to live and work. Yes, you can do all of those things and more while married, but those plans and decisions can become much more problematic when two people are involved. I never had to plan my life or my decisions around the man in my life. I spent over two years living on my own, doing my own thing, growing comfortable with the silence of my own thoughts. In fact, that was the hardest thing to give up when Mr. C and I decided to move in together. We live in a small two bedroom apartment and every now and again I find myself pining for my tiny Japanese flat (even without central heating and air!) or the place I lived when I first started dating Mr. C. I miss the quiet. I miss that feeling of being utterly alone in your own space.

As a disclaimer, I haven't always felt so comfortable about getting married later in life.  I kept a blog in my early 20's and there are many entries where I sigh and wring my hands about being unable to share so many of life's moments with the person I love. Ten years ago, at the age of 20, I wrote a an entry entitled "To the Person I Haven't Met Yet." Here's how it ended: Youth fades so quickly, and I feel that time is running out. Every day without you seems a waste of energy and beauty. I don't have all day, and there's so much I have to tell you, and so much I want to show you. I have looked and looked, and I still can't find you. So you win. You can come out now.

Oh dear, sweet 20-year-old Miss Camel. You are so intense with all of your emotions swimming just under your papery skin. You will lead a life that the wide-eyed teenager you once were would be intensely proud of. And you do find that guy, and guess what? He wasn't in Rome or Tokyo or Manchester. He was next door. He was next door just waiting for you to finish your journey. He was there waiting to capture your wildly expanding heart. And when you meet him you will have so much to show him. Even now you aren't done sharing stories and there's no end to the places you want to take him. You will have a lot to talk about because your stories only got better. At 20, Miss Camel, you were barely out the door.

At 30, I am ready to take the next step with the man I love by my side. I'm ready to start a new journey, but it's not just me and my old shoes anymore. There will be lots of compromising and it won't always be easy. There will be times when I miss doing things on my own, but at the end of the day, having Mr. C in my life is absolutely worth it. Now we're an unstoppable team.

If you are in your late 20's or 30's and you still haven't met that special someone, don't get yourself down. Or maybe, like me, you are with someone who makes you feel doubtful or uncertain about your future together. You are waiting for the next step, but not sure that it's the right thing to do. Let it go. Enjoy your independence. Enjoy being utterly, completely yourself on your own. You have a whole life to meet someone and a whole marriage of compromising waiting for you. I realize that at this age many women feel their biological clocks ticking away, but watching the clock won't stop time. Get out there and live your life, do the things you enjoy doing, and know that somewhere along the way you will meet the right person. And when you do, think of all the amazing stories you will have to share.


We shall never cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time

Excerpt from "The Wasteland" by T.S. Eliot

Asking Your Bridesmaids: How to Buy More Crap at the Craft Store

It's kind of a thing now to find fun and creative ways to ask your lady friends to be bridesmaids in your wedding. How did I ask my lady friends to be my bridesmaids? I called them on the phone. Lame, I know. But then I started to see all sorts of unique cards and crafts on the topic and my creativity wheels started turning.

You've probably seen how other Bees have asked their ladies in the past. For instance, Mrs. Bracelet, Mrs. Unicorn, Mrs. Turkey and Miss Lyre created adorable homemade cards. Mrs. Mink used elegant spools from Etsy seller Esther Shafer. Miss Gray Wolf made some super cute Christmas ornaments. Mrs. Elk even staged a fake proposal (complete with rings!) for her bridesmaids.  Not one to turn down an opportunity to spend money at the craft store, I set off to create something that would be fun to make while staying true to the general theme of our wedding. But what?  

My bridesmaids live all across the country. Two live in LA, one in Colorado, one in New York City, one in Baltimore, and one nearby (thankfully!) in Atlanta. I'm sure everyone has seen Bethany's lovely bridesmaid boxes, but unfortunately bulky wooden boxes just aren't practical for mailing across the country. I wanted to make something a little smaller and lighter. So I came up with these: 

The bridesmaids boxes. (personal photo)

The base is a simple papier-mâché box which I painted and then detailed with a gold paint pen. I used Mod Podge to attach small paper doilies to the inside of the boxes and I painted the inside lid with the initial of each one of my bridesmaids. I then coated the boxes with clear glossy spray. I topped each one with a Marie Antoinette-inspired scrapbook sticker. Finally, I cut out slips of paper which read, "Will you be my bridesmaid" which I carefully folded up inside each box. 

In retrospect I wish I had used more muted colors on these boxes and not the vibrant pink and blue I actually went with. I think I wanted to go with the over-the-top Marie Antoinette look which we won't be using at our wedding. Oh well. 

The bridesmaids booklets. (personal photo)

I loved the information cards that Bethany included with her "Will you be my maid?" boxes, so I used them as inspiration for the information booklets I included for my ladies. I made six (one for each bridesmaid) and each one is unique! I was going for a Marie Antoinette feel but I think they turned out a little more Victorian. Hey, it works for me! 

The construction of each booklet is quite simple. They are comprised of four different pages of postcard-sized card stock and a piece of patterned card stock for the cover. The pages are hinged together with tiny metal brads and the bottom of each sheet was given a lace effect using one of Martha Stewart's punches. I might have even included some gold embossing action. Yeah, I went a little overboard with all of my craft supplies, but it was a good time. The last page of the booklet is a color palette. I took paint chip cards from the home improvement store and sliced them into thin pieces which I then glued onto white card stock. Obviously the cover of each booklet eventually bore the name of each bridesmaid and the finishing touch: a tiny cameo scrap book decoration. 

I have to be honest: this was actually a lot of work. But I really enjoy crafting as it keeps me from stressing out about my job too much, which I have a strong tendency to do. Plus, in the digital age it feels good to make something concrete and tangible. 

Did you do anything special to ask your ladies to be your bridesmaids? 

Confessions of a Reformed Vampire

Guys, I have a confession. I've had a cosmetic procedure. You see, I was once a vampire.

Image via: Hark a Vagrant / Artist: Kate Beaton

Okay, maybe not a vampire of the blood-sucking, glittering skin variety (thankfully). I was actually born with a fang-shaped maxillary lateral incisor. Growing up we always joked around that I was half-vampire. It explained a lot of things really, like why I was so nocturnal and why I never seemed to age.

Personal photo & evidence of fang. 

For a long time, I didn't mind it. In fact, I embraced it as a part of what makes me unique. And it is! When I had my braces removed in high school the dentist asked if I would like to have it capped and I refused. Long live the fang! But over time, especially in my late 20's, I  became more and more self-conscious about my fang. I would never give people a big smile in public. I would always have a twinge of self-doubt during conversations. Add to this the fact that I stand in front of 90 teenagers five days a week and I'm sure you can understand why I was becoming more self-conscious. Friends and relatives teased me because I claimed to have a "good" side when taking photos -- my left side, the side without the fang. If you scroll through my profile pictures on Facebook, nearly all of them are photos of the left side of my face. It's actually kind of sad.

Honestly, I think most people didn't notice my fang. That or they were just trying to be polite when I mentioned it in conversation. But it was still something that bothered me and I knew that it was time to have it repaired.

As a graduate student I didn't have dental insurance so having it fixed at that time wasn't an option. But even after getting dental insurance through my school district I waited almost two years before finally deciding to have it fixed. The wedding was certainly a big factor in this decision, but it was also because I was ready to move on from the fang. So this past May while I was in the office for a routine cleaning and check up, I went ahead and moved forward with the procedure.

The fixed tooth is the one to the right of my front teeth. Excuse the crazy hair -- I took this after a day of swimming.

I am extremely happy with the result! Not only was it super quick and easy to repair, but it was also inexpensive. Instead of using a crown or veneer, the dentist used a bonding technique with tooth-colored composite resin. He actually sculpted it around my fang and then sanded it down to look like a natural tooth. It looks amazing -- like the "normal" tooth that I never had. I remember leaving the dentist's office and I couldn't stop smiling and checking out my new smile in the mirror. The best part is that my fang is still underneath the bonding, so if I'm ever feeling particularly vampiric in the future (doubtful) I could always return to my original tooth. In fact, this procedure only lasts a few years before it must be replaced. I'll be seeing my fang again someday, even if it is only briefly in the dentist's chair.

Having my fang fixed wasn't really a big deal but it made a huge impact on my confidence, especially when I smile. But it also made me think about the wedding industry and how women are under such extreme pressures to look their absolute best on their wedding day. Personally, I think that means looking the very best for YOU. I don't think women should try to change too much about themselves for their weddings. I think that you should look like a glowingly happy, polished version of your usual self.

The wedding may have been the impetus for me to fix something that had been bothering me for a while, but I don't think I would ever take any more drastic steps to resolve other cosmetic issues. But hey, do what makes YOU happy and comfortable and never forget that the guy you are marrying loves you for YOU.

Have you had any cosmetic procedures in order to look your best on your wedding day?

Two Names Enter, One Name Leaves

Is it the Thunderdome? Nope, it's the ubiquitous name change post. I guess I will just come out and say that I will not be changing my name after I get married.

I see my last name as part of my identity. When I think of myself in terms of my first name and Mr. C’s last name, I don't see myself. That’s not me. That's someone else. Actually it is literally someone else because Mr. C’s sister and I share the same first name. That means there would be two women with the same first and last names in the family. Talk about confusing! And weird. Imagine how that might make my future sister-in-law feel; suddenly a name that was originally uniquely hers is now someone else's. If I were in her shoes, I have to admit it would make me feel a little weird.  

Secondly, I don't really find it fair that a woman has to run around town (sometimes taking a day off of work) just to get the paperwork she needs to legally change her name. It involves changing your driver's license, social security card, passport, and all financial documents. Then there's the possibility that there are confusions or mix ups in the future. Maybe you forgot to change your insurance documents and now you can't be reimbursed for a doctor's visit because they can't verify your identity.  No thanks.

On a more superficial level, I would be trading a very easy to spell and pronounce last name for one that people consistently have difficulty pronouncing. Both my first and last names are easy to spell and pronounce. I've never had to deal with my name being verbally butchered and at nearly 30 years old, I don't want to start. 

A woman’s decision to change her last name is a very personal one. I would never judge a woman for choosing to take her husband’s last name. I understand why many women are excited to change their names after marriage. It certainly makes life a lot easier if you plan to have children and I'm sure it cuts down on confusion later in life. More importantly, it represents a very real transition from being an individual to starting a family unit. Sadly, it doesn't hold the same meaning for me. My mother has had three different last names in her lifetime. Mr. C's mother (who is divorced) recently changed her last name back to her maiden name. I have watched as the women in my life have changed names due to divorce or remarriage. I don’t think I could shed what I see as my identity so easily.

In short, I guess I feel jaded by the whole name change prospect. Not that I plan to get divorced or remarried, but I hate the fact that society expects me, as a woman, to change my name based on changes in my marital status. And so I won't be changing my name.

Will you be keeping or changing your last name after marriage?

DIY Ombré Dyed Fabric

Recently I set out to create an ombré dyed fabric ribbon display for our engagement shoot later this month. Because that is what crazy brides do these days. I also want to use it as some kind of backdrop at the wedding and possibly for our engagement photos. Here's the inspiration:

Image via: Green Wedding Shoes / Photography by: Dallas Curow / Event design by: Elyse Cragg

Seriously, when did ombré become a thing? Because it's apparently a thing now, and now I need it and I don't know why. I also know that I want to try and recreate the last photo (seen above) for our engagement shoot, so sign me up for some ombré  But instead of the chandelier, I'm thinking of something more practical like this: 

Image via: StyleMePretty / Photography by: Archetype Studio Inc. 

I would like to start by warning my readers that this project can get very messy. Fabric dye can damage all sorts of things including furniture, pets, carpeting, and even your counter tops. Like, lose your apartment deposit damage. Please be very, very careful using fabric dye. I would recommend wearing old clothes and rubber gloves for this project. Also, this project works best outside on a lawn. We live in an apartment and were able to make it work out on our patio. I set up a clothes line and laid a painter's tarp down to protect the wood from the dye drippings. Our neighbors officially think that we are crazy, but that's okay.

(personal photo)

• Fabric dye (I used Rit)
• Fabric in the lightest color you desire for the ombré effect
• Clothes line
• Clothes pins
• Spray bottles for every color of dye you will be using plus one additional spray bottle for water
• Bucket
• Rubber gloves
• Tarp

Step 1: Set Up 

Set up the area where you will be working. Have the clothes line hung, clothes pins ready, and the tarp laid out in the ground beneath your working area.

Step 2: Prepare Dye

Fill the spray bottles with fabric dye. I only poured a small amount, around one tablespoons worth of dye. You could probably use even less if you are going for a more subtle ombré effect. Next fill the rest of the spray bottle with very hot water. Be sure to do this carefully over the sink and not over your counter or your floor. Before finishing up, don't forget to fill your extra spray bottle with hot water.

Step 3: Soak & Hang Fabric

Soak the fabric in hot water until it is completely wet then use the bucket to transfer the wet fabric outside. Hang the wet fabric evenly from the clothes line.

Step 4: Spray Fabric

Make sure that your spray bottle is set to spray in a fine mist. Begin misting the fabric starting sparingly and lightly at the top (or wherever you want the ombre effect to begin). I started a few inches from the top. Spray the fabric more heavily as you move down, focusing most of the spray on the bottom portion of the fabric. Continue spraying until your fabric reaches the desired darkness. If you feel that the ombre effect needs more blending, use the spray bottle of water to even it out. 

Step 5: Let Dry

Let the fabric dry for a few hours. I used paper towels to soak up the water/dye that accumulated on the tarp as I was working. The rest I am just leaving outside and hoping it dries up and goes away. It's not going to dry up and go away, is it?

The results are in! (personal photo)

Tips:

This is something that works best with practice. I would recommend doing a test run first before using your final project fabric. Also make sure that you don't neglect the edges of the fabric. If you look at the pink sheet below you will notice that the left edge seems a bit lighter. Ultimately this will be unnoticeable as I will be cutting the fabric into strips, but this is something to keep in mind if you plan on using the entire piece of fabric for a project. 

Rit Dye also has their own ombré tutorial, but it seems a lot messier than this method. You can check it out HERE. I think the method that I used gives you a lot more control over the intensity and placement of the dye. But check out the other tutorial in case it is a better fit for your project! (Or not because I think mine is better.) 

What would you do with ombré dyed fabric? Bonus points if you answer this as if you were part of the Miss America pageant. 

Honoring the Past (Without Pissing Everyone Off)

About ten years ago I attended my cousin's wedding. It was a very high class Southern affair with a big outdoor tent and a delicious buffet of traditional Southern delights. Even years later I still I remember that they displayed framed photos of both the bride and the groom's parents on their wedding days. I remember thinking what a sweet gesture it was, and how I would never be able to do the same thing at my own wedding.

My parents were divorced when I was 13 years old. It was mess and even 16 years later there are still a lot of old wounds and scars on both sides of the family. In fact, I am really dreading the potential drama which now looms ominously on the horizon as our wedding approaches, namely the fact that my mother has never met (nor has any desire to meet) my stepmother.  Mr. C's parents are also divorced and his parents currently coexist in an emotional stalemate. It's trouble on both sides. Trouble to the point that we are reserving room blocks at two different hotels in order to preserve the peace. But more on that later.

My mom and dad on their wedding day. I love my mom's lace dress and I love the fact my dad is very obviously checking her out!

But here's the thing -- I wish there was some way that we could honor both of our parents' first marriages, seeing as we (Mr. C and I) were the results of those unions, even if they didn't end with "happily ever after." I wish we could display the photos without opening old wounds or creating awkwardness (there will be plenty of that anyway, to be sure). This is definitely something we would have to consult our parents on beforehand to see how they feel about the issue. But something tells me it probably isn't going to be possible, which makes me sad.

One thing is for sure though -- we will definitely be displaying photographs of our grandparents' weddings and photos of the loved ones who have passed on. At least those are two things we can display without any complicated emotions.

My grandparents on their wedding day. It was a classic WWII story where my grandmother married him at the courthouse before he left with the Navy.

What do you think? Would it be poor taste to display a photograph of our parents' first weddings? Should we include only photos of their second marriages or perhaps no photos at all? Have you, or someone you know, handled this situation your own wedding?

Bummed About Bridesmaids

I have chosen six different ladies to be my bridesmaids. Four of my bridesmaids are old, dear friends, one is a newer friend who I've grown close to in the past few years, and one is my 22 year old stepsister. 

With my oldest friend Karen (on left) who is one of my bridesmaids.

I'm nearly 30 years old, so a lot of my friends have moved away and gotten married over the years. One of my bridesmaids has just had her first child and another is expecting her first this March. I feel like I'm a little behind the times seeing as I'm only now engaged, but I'm totally okay with that. We all experience life's moments in our own way and in our own time. I'm extremely happy getting married at 30 and I would not change a thing about my life or how/when I met my fiance, even if I could. 

With two more bridesmaids: Princess Leia and Darth Vader. I'm Boba Fett. Apart from my helmet, we made these costumes with crap we found in my basement. 

The issue is more that my bridesmaids live all over the US. Two are in LA, one in Colorado, one in Baltimore, one in New York City, and another close by in Atlanta. My friend in Atlanta is currently pursuing a nontraditional career and she has a highly irregular schedule. There's always some kind of schedule conflict since she is usually incredibly busy on the weekends which is usually the only time I have free. It makes me depressed because she is the one "local" female friend I have right now, and I rarely see her these days. I miss her living in Athens and meeting up for dinner or drinks just to catch up.

I guess I'm just feeling a little down and distant from a lot of the women in my life. I think movies and TV shows make weddings look like so much fun with all your girls by your side, but in reality I think a lot of people don't have that option, especially later in life when most of your college friends have moved off to find work or follow their partners.

I was lucky enough that I could go dress shopping with three of my bridesmaids in LA over the summer. It was a really awesome girl weekend that made me feel a little more connected to the people I care about. But now I'm back in the disconnected doldrums wondering how we will ever coordinate a wedding shower or a bachelorette weekend. 

What makes things even more complicated is the fact that my family lives all over the country as well and most of our guests will be coming in from out of town. Well, I guess we will just have to do the best that we can and be thankful for the few times a year that we do get to meet up and reconnect!  

Are/were your bridesmaids spread out or close by? If they live far away, how are you coordinating efforts for bridal showers or the bachelorette weekend? 

DIY Scrapbook Paper Letters

I decided to take on some relatively easy wedding recently. If you recall, I was inspired by this image:

Image via: StyleMePretty / Photography by: Adria Peaden

I love the soft, romantic color palette and I thought the concept would work well in our Marie Antoinette-inspired wedding. I dashed off to the craft store and returned with the supplies I needed to complete this project. I bought the letters, the scrapbook paper, and the spray adhesive at Michael's. I love their teacher discount! I bought the self-healing mat on Amazon.com. Click HERE for a link to the same product that I purchased. This project is super easy and would be great for a DIY beginner!

• wooden or papier mache letters (found at craft stores)
• scrapbook paper 
• spray adhesive
•  X-Acto knife
• self-healing mat

Step 1: Prep Your Letters

The letters I bought for the "LOVE" sign were already white. However, I bought a larger pair of letters that are black which will need to be painted white before I can attach the scrapbook paper. The second set of letters are "E" and "G" to represent our initials. I'm not sure how we will use them yet, but I'm sure they will find a suitable place in our collection of wedding decor!  

Step 2: Pick Out Your Papers

I chose to use a different paper design for each letter. I wanted to make sure the patterns looked cohesive together so I played around with each paper before settling on my final choice. You can also make uniform letters in all the same color or design. Think about all the amazing glitter and metallic papers available these days! So many incredible options! 

Personal photo - my fiance is doing the work here!

Step 3: Spray Adhesive on Letter

Place your letters on some scrap cardboard or another safe work surface and spray on the adhesive. It only needs a light coat. If it is applied too thick it might take too long to dry. My fiance is holding the adhesive spray a little too close to the letters in the above photo. 

Personal photo - my fiance is doing the work here!

Step 4: Attach Letter to Paper

The scrapbook paper I used was double-sided, so I made sure it was the back of the paper design I had chosen and gently laid the letter adhesive-side down onto the paper. Press gently to push out any air bubbles. 

Step 5: Let the Adhesive Dry

I gave the letters about 15 minutes to set before moving on to the next step. If the adhesive is still wet, it could cause the paper to bunch up when you cut it with the X-Acto knife.

Personal photo - my fiance is doing the work here!

Step 6: Cut Off Paper

Using a firm motion, trace around each letter with the X-Acto knife. Don't be too hasty or press to hard or else it could tear the paper and ruin your project! 

The final product! (personal photo)

Step 7: Revel in Your Accomplishment! 

And that's it! This is such an easy and simple project. But please take your time and be careful using the X-Acto knife as they are very sharp! I am going to repeat these steps with our initial letters later. I'm still deciding whether or not I want to use the same approach with the different paper patterns or something entirely different. I have a map of Paris that I might use instead!

Will you be incorporating letters like these on your big day? 

The Do-It-Yourself Itch

Guys, I'm feeling crafty. I feel like starting a DIY project (or two) so that I can cross some decor items off our wedding to-do list. Let me share a few things I'd like to make.

I saw this styled photo shoot on Green Wedding Shoes recently and I fell in love with the ombré dyed fabric chandelier. The theme for this inspiration shoot was "Underwater Garden" and I love the watercolor-like softness created by the whimsical strands of dyed fabric. A few years ago I made a costume that required the use of ombré-dyed fabric, so I think I have an idea of how to recreate this look. Actually, I think there are two different methods. I guess I will just have to see which is the easiest and most successful!

Image via: Green Wedding Shoes / Photography by: Dallas Curow / Event design by: Elyse Cragg

And what would I do with a ombré dyed fabric chandelier you might ask? Actually, I'd like to tie the fabric strips onto a rope to use for our ceremony. Afterwards we could use it as decoration behind the dessert table. I'm not quite sure yet. But I do know that it would look fabulous in our engagement photos! I'm thinking something like the last photo from the inspiration shoot above. If that's not enough to tickle your fancy here is some more inspiration for you. Imagine the possibilities!

Image via: Green Wedding Shoes / Photography by: Bryan N. Miller Photography

My next DIY project involves wooden letters. I found this image on Pinterest (imagine that) and I love that instead of being painted, the letters appear to be covered with vintage-inspired scrapbook paper. The colors and the damask patterns on these letters would be perfect for our Marie Antoinette-inspired wedding. I can't wait to try it out!

Image via: StyleMePretty / Photography by: Adria Peaden

Keep in mind that I live in an apartment building, and while I have access to a wooded and grassy outdoor area, I don't have access to a covered garage. That certainly hinders our crafting possibilities, well that a lack of power tools and wood working equipment, but I hope that I can show you that even in a small apartment with minimal special equipment, DIY weddings are possible! I will report back soon with my DIY attempt findings!

What are some projects on your DIY to-do-list?