We got married on July 5, 2008!

Check out my married bio at http://5july2008.googlepages.com/marriedbio 

My boards: Alabama, July 2008,
and sometimes P&E

 Email: 5july2008@gmail.com

The Rings

I love our rings!

I got this 2.5 mm flat yellow gold band from Stuller.

FI's ring is this 6 mm Titanium band (above) from Amazon seller Sabrina Silver, which I definitely recommend using!

The Engagements

Engagements by Erin Falgout Photography.

We are so happy with how our Engagements turned out! I would definitely recommend taking Engagements. It's a lot of fun!

To see them all, go to www.erinfalgout.com, click proofing, password camille.

The Bridals

Bridals are by Erin Falgout Photography.

I love my bridals! Here are just a few...
To see them all, go to www.erinfalgout.com, click proofing, password camillebridals.

The Dress

I am wearing Watters 9055B. It is the perfect dress for me! I purchased it through Netbride.com and had excellent service. It came over a month early!

Here are some details--the back of my dress has beautiful little buttons running all the way from top to bottom. The picture on the right shows the lines of the dress.

 My Rehearsal Dinner dress.

Originally priced $35, I got it for $12.25!

The Tuxes

FI and groomsmen are wearing this morning suit by After Hours, which has apparently been bought out by Men's Warehouse. We are getting them from House of Brides in Mobile, Alabama.

I love the way they look!  I myself am not a huge fan of traditional tuxes, so having them at my wedding did not excite me.  We knew as soon as we saw this one that it was perfect! 

These are pictures of the tuxes from The Knot photo gallery.
Above are from Brooke and Kevin. Below are from Jane and J.E.B.

The Bridesmaid Dresses

Top Row: Alfred Sung D403, After Six 6277, After Six 6504

Bottom Row: After Six 6518, Dessy 2510, Alfred Sung D402

 Dessy.com

I picked Dessy/After Six for the bridesmaid dresses. I have 6 bridesmaids and they got to pick any tea-length dress from Dessy and After Six in Windsor Blue.  Above are the dresses that my lovely ladies will be wearing!

The Ceremony & Reception Sites

Above is my ceremony site. I have worked in this chapel for years and FI and I go to church here together, so it is a very meaningful place for us. It is also very beautiful!

This is our reception site. It is very beautiful inside and they just renovated it last summer.  It is a historic home and the furnishings are all 19th century-ish.

Flowers

Here is my DIY bouquet. I love how it turned out!

The hydrangeas are $5.99 a piece from World Market and I used 3 bunches here. The ribbon was $3 from Hobby Lobby. I was watching a Martha Stewart Weddings DVD about making wedding flowers while I made this. Total cost: $23.

Below is the inspiration for my bouquet.  I tried to combine these two looks and I think it worked out well!

From HibiscusFlorals.com

These are my bridesmaid bouquets.  The BMs are wearing blue dresses with black shoes, so the black ribbon is to tie in with the color of the shoes.  I love these!  They are simple but elegant.

Above are my DIY boutonnières. Made from the same white hydrangeas as the BM bouquets.

All the reasons I am doing DIY silk flowers:

Wilting.  We're getting married in the middle of a hot Alabama summer and real flowers wouldn't make it longer than an hour or two in the heat. I just wouldn't want to have to worry about whether the flowers are looking dead or not, especially since hydrangeas are so sensitive.

Cost.  Real flowers are much more expensive than silk. Real flowers are shipped in from anywhere in the world, which is expensive. Then a florist arranges them, which is expensive. Then you pay the delivery and set-up fee. For my silk flowers, the only expense was the flowers themselves.

Keepsake.  The idea of preserving real flowers is gross to me. Lots of brides try to hang onto their bouquets, but they just look like dead shriveled up flowers (which is what they are). I can keep my bouquet looking exactly the way it is for years. It's also a nice souvenir for bridesmaids, etc. I got a silk boutonnière when I was a reader in a wedding 7 years ago and it is still so meaningful to me!
 

You get exactly what you want.  I get to make my flowers look exactly how I want them to look! When you get a florist to make real bouquets, you won't know exactly what they look like until the day of. So if you don't like them, there isn't much you can do about it. I get to make my flowers while I have the time to do them now, which is a lot of fun. I get to play around with them as much as I need so they'll look perfect for the big day, no surprises.  I also got to have them for my bridal portraits!

The Cake

The cake will be plain white iced with a light blue trim at each layer. The picture is almost exactly what our cake will look like, though ours will be 3 tiers and the colors in the picture are opposite of how ours will be.  There will be a small hydrangea on top and a B monogrammed on the front of the top tier.

We are getting the white bride's cake and the chocolate groom's cake from Buttercream Dreams of Mobile, AL.

This picture is from www.pinkcakebox.com.

Save The Dates

Here is the from and back of our Save the Date. I created it in Word. Thanks to knotties flo1822 and drmorgan2be for design inspiration! All of our guests are OOT so hotel information was very very important!

The Invitations

The serif font is Goodfish and the script font in the invitation is Adine Kirgnberg.  The script font in the program and monograms below is Chopin Script.  All scripts from Dafont.com.

I am also making the ceremony programs, reserved pew signs, and signs for the candy buffet and guest sign-in book, seen below.  Altogether on paper products I plan on spending around $30-$50.

 Here is a mock-up of the invitations. Because all of our guests are OOT, directions are a really important part of the invitation. I created the entire invitation in Word, including the maps. There is a bow that ties the top together and then it opens to two sets of maps inside--one larger map of the area and then a map of the ceremony and reception area.

The envelopes are from Office Depot. They are 5 3/4" x 8 3/4", they will take regular 41 cent stamps, and I got 100 of them for $8. The cardstock is also from Office Depot. I got Light Blue and Ivory 67 lb. by Xerox and it was $13 for 250 sheets each.

Programs

 This is our ceremony program front.  I am using these scroll works and fonts throughout all of the paper stuff.  They will all be printed on the same paper, as well.

 The serif font is Goodfish; script font is Chopin Script; monogram bubble font is Cheri.  All fonts from Dafont.com.  The scroll work is a font called Florid Victorian Ornament.  I love my fonts!

Our program wording is below.

front cover

The Nuptial Mass Uniting 

C— B—
and
J— B—

Saturday, the fifth of July
two thousand eight
four  o’clock
—Chapel
Mobile, Alabama

 page 1

The Wedding Party

Mother of the Bride    Ms. A—
Parents of the Groom    Mr. & Mrs. J—
Matron of Honor    Mrs. E—, Sister of the Bride
Bridesmaids    Mrs. C—, Friend of the Bride
       Ms. B—, Cousin of the Bride
       Ms. K—, Cousin of the Bride
       Ms. E—, Friend of the Bride
       Ms. L—, Friend of the Bride
Best Man    Mr. M—, Friend of the Groom
Groomsmen    Mr. J—, Friend of the Groom
       Mr. M—, Friend of the Groom
       Mr. K—, Friend of the Groom
       Mr. M—, Brother of the Groom
       Mr. C—, Friend of the Groom
Ringbearer    Mr. D—, Brother of the Groom
Flower Girl    Miss E—, Niece of the Groom
Ushers    Mr. M—, Brother of the Groom
       Mr. J—, Friend of the Groom
Officiant    Rev. M—, SJ
Server    Mr. S—, Friend of the Bride
Organist    Mr. K—
Soloist    Ms. J— 

inside spread

The Wedding Ceremony

Prelude
Seating of the Mothers and Grandmothers….Canon in D—Pachelbel
Bridal Party Processional………....Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring—Bach
Bride’s Processional…………………….………….Bridal Chorus—Wagner

Introductory Rites
Greeting
Opening Prayer

Liturgy Of The Word
First Reading…………………………………………………Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
    Read by Mrs. M—, Aunt of the Bride

Two are better than one: they get a good wage for their labor.
If the one falls, the other will lift up his companion.  Woe to the solitary man!  For if he should fall, he has no one to lift him up.
So also, if two sleep together, they keep each other warm.  How can one alone keep warm?
Where a lone man may be overcome, two together can resist.  A three-ply cord is not easily broken.

Responsorial Psalm…Psalm 128: Blest Are Those Who Love You, #125
Blest are those who love you, happy those who follow you, blest are those who seek you, O God.

page 2 of inside spread

Second Reading…………………………………………………..Colossians 3:12-17
    Read by Ms. E—, Friend of the Bride

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body.  And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Gospel Reading…………………………………………….………………Mark 10:6-9

But from the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother (and be joined to his wife),
and the two shall become one flesh.'  So they are no longer two but one flesh.
Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.

Homily—Rev. M—, SJ

back page of insert

The Rite Of Marriage 

Exchange of Vows
Blessing of Rings
Exchange of Rings

Prayers Of The Faithful
    Read by Mr. A—, Friend of the Bride
Response: Lord, hear our prayer.

Liturgy Of The Eucharist
Presentation of the Gifts
Preparation of the Altar
Offertory Hymn…………………………………………We Are Called, #718
Prayer over the Gifts
Eucharistic Prayer
Amen

The Communion Rite
Lord’s Prayer
Nuptial Blessing
Sign of Peace
Communion
Communion Hymn…………………… Song of the Body of Christ, #847
Prayer After Communion

Concluding Rites
Final Blessing
Dismissal
Presentation of the Couple
Recessional………………………………Wedding March—Mendelssohn

Other Paper Stuff 

I've made several monograms so far.  I really enjoy playing around with different styles and looks!  I have many more that I won't bother with putting up.

I am making my own Thank You cards/stationary with letterhead.  These are regular sized cardstock, cut in half (8.5 x 5.5). 
I think they look pretty nice!

These will go into the same kind of envelopes I'm using for our invitations--5.75 x 8.75.

These are my "Reserved For..." pew signs.  They are, of course, DIY.  I don't want to worry about someone's pew getting taken, so I'm making these.  I hope they will look OK!
There will be signs for:

The Bridesmaids
The Mother of the Bride
The Grandmother of the Bride
The Groomsmen
The Parents of the Groom
The Grandmother of the Groom

Bridesmaid Gift

 I made my bridesmaids these cute monogrammed totes, and they were a steal!  The bags cost $3.75 at Petrie's in the Bel Air Mall in Mobile.  I highly recommend using them.  The monograms were $4 each at the monogram kiosk outside of Petrie's, making these totes a grand total of $7.75 each!  I couldn't help making one for myself, which I'll have to refrain from using until I give my girls' theirs.  I will include a few other little gifts inside these as a thank you for all the hard work (and showers) that these ladies did for me.

The Ceremony Music

Prelude—Canon in D, Pachelbel
Processional—Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Bach
Bride's Processional—Bridal Chorus, Wagner (with permission!)
Psalm—Psalm 128, Blest Are Those Who Love You, Gather #125
Offertory—We Are Called, Gather Hymnal #718
Communion—The Song of the Body of Christ, Gather Hymnal #847
Recessional—Wedding March, Mendelssohn

Favors~Candy Buffet

I had originally planned on doing CD favors.  Then the Reception Board convinced me that people want to take home something they can eat, not something they won't end up listening to anyway.  I feel like the candy buffet will be something I do for my guests.  Something they will really appreciate.

 
 Before you say good-bye to the bride and groom,
Take some sweets to munch on later in your room!

This will be in a 5x7 frame on the table with the candy.  I wrote it myself, but obviously with lots of inspiration from other brides!  I've never seen a candy buffet done in person, so I think my guests might need this as a hint!

Here was our candy buffet.  We had Hershey kisses, Dove chocolates, peppermint patties, and a few other assorted candies.  It was meant to be a favor to take home, but they ate the candy all up during the reception!  Big hit.

  Guest Book/Album   

 I don't like the idea of having people sign a book as if it were a sign-in sheet.  This is a DIY project that I think is going to work really well!  I bought this black leather album from Hobby Lobby.  It was 50% off of $25.  Then I ordered a few Engagements and Bridals so go into the album.  I placed them in the centers of some pages and in the corners of others--see below.

I put this little message in a 5x7 picture frame by the pages so that people knew what they were supposed to do.
I wrote it myself!

Please leave a note, a wish, or advice for the bride and groom
So they can read this lovely book on their honeymoon! 

Guests will sign messages instead of just putting down their names.  I'm really excited about it because this is my only engagement album.  I think it will be so much fun to look back at my pictures and see everyone's notes! 

 The pictures are in two formats--centered on the page and in the corners.

Fonts

 I love all my fonts and scroll works!  I made all of my monograms, invitations, programs, CD covers, etc. in Microsoft Word.  Above are a few of my favorite specialty fonts.  My two main fonts are Goodfish and Chopin Script.  My main scroll work is from a font called Florid Victorian.
 
If you are looking for other scroll work fonts, I suggest: Designer Ding, Separates, WM Designs 1, Florid Victorian, Paisley, Ornamental Decoration, and Ornamental Decoration 2.  PR Compass Rose is a great compass and fleur de lis font.  See scroll fonts below.  Each font has many many more symbols that I didn't have room to show!
 
I get most of my fonts from Dafont.com.  A few came from fontfreak.com and houseoflime.com.  If you are doing any of your own stuff, you should definitely browse these font sites for fonts you like!

Pre-marital Counseling ~ Engaged Encounter

 FI and I attended an Engaged Encounter retreat in January 2008.  The weekend was amazing and we felt so lucky to be spending it in this GORGEOUS monastery.  We got a chance to get away from everything and just spend time connecting with each other.  In all the plans for your wedding, you seldom get time to make plans for your marriage.

I highly recommend this weekend to any couple that is able to attend!

Recommendations 

My biggest recommendation is for everyone to read Bridal Bargains! This is truly an inspirational book and I really enjoy reading it again and again.

BridalBargainsBook.com

I am not very good with html, but here's what I've got:

Putting a pic in a post:

[img]yourtinyurlhere[/img]

Or <img src="http://tinyurl.com/YOURTINYURL" width="200">

Putting a pic in a siggy:

 <img width=200 src=yourtinyurl.comhere
 

Put a hot link in a post:

 <a href="http://tinyurl.com/YOURTINYURL" target="_blank">displaytextgoeshere</a>

Knot Terms 

 For most knot abbreviations, scroll to the very bottom of The Knot's FAQ.

A few that are not included in that list might help:

AW—attention whore
B-pics—boudoir pictures
DOC—day-of coordinator
E-pics—engagement pictures
GBCK—good-bye cruel knot
LMAO—laughing my a** off
PIP—picture in post
SO—significant other
S/O—spin off
TTD—trash the dress pictures
XP—cross posted (on more than one board)
YGM—you’ve got mail

Photographer--

Erin Falgout Photography

I highly recommend Erin Falgout! She did my engagements and my bridals and we couldn't be happier with them. I love her work! She is from Lafayette, Louisiana but she travels. Check out her site:

erinfalgout.com

Check List 

DONE:

Dress
Ceremony Location
Reception Location
Caterer
Photography
Videography
Hotel Block
Officiant
Organist
DJ
Honeymoon
Rehearsal Dinner Location
Cakes 

Dress Alterations
Rings
Bridal Party Favors
Invitations
Programs
Ceremony Soloist
Guest Book
Flowers
Bride's Jewelry
Centerpieces
Linens
Candy Buffet
OOT Welcome Bags
Alcohol
License

DONE!

Vendor Reviews

Officiant - Fr. Lewis

Ceremony Location - See Pics Above

I love this chapel! I have worked here and gone to mass here for years with FI, so it is a very special place for both of us.   The chapel was just gorgeous.

Reception Location - See Pics Above

Our reception location is a historic house that was converted into a banquet/reception hall. It's got a lot of character and it is so beautiful!   It worked really well to have a place with such charm.  I didn't feel obligated to over decorate.

Catering - Namans Catering

Going with Naman's was one of the best decisions we made for the wedding.  They really took the place of a reception coordinator.  They did it all!  Our coordinator took care of everything we needed and helped out so much during the day.  You couldn't find a better caterer!

Cake - Buttercream Dreams

We used Buttercream Dreams for both bride's and groom's cake. They weren't particularly easy to work with, but their cakes are so good! 

Florist - Myself

I did DIY bouquets and my flowers are from World Market. See pictures above.  White hydrangeas for the BMs and blue hydrangeas with white roses for me.

Photographer - Jason Cohen

I love Jason! He is really friendly and very accommodating. We couldn't have been happier with our pictures!  See my married bio for more pics.  He's from Lafayette, Louisiana, but obviously he travels. If you're into photojournalism and in the area, check him out.

Videographer - Claus Martel

Claus has been really easy to work with and is very friendly over email.   He was great to have on our day and the videos came in the mail only a few weeks after the wedding.  It was great!

My Dress - Watters

I ordered my Watters style #9055B from Netbride.com. I got a great deal on it and it was just what I wanted. As most other knotties will tell you, they are great to work with! Customer service was always quick when I had a question and the dress came over a month early.  I would recommend them to anyone!

Bridesmaid Dresses - Dessy

I ordered all 6 bridesmaid dresses from  Dessy/After Six through Netbride.com.  I am paying the postage, which is $20 for the first address and $12 for each additional address.  I have 3 bridesmaids in one city and 3 in another, so I'll be sending half of them to one city and half to the other.  I love Dessy and After Six!  As I said above, each girl could pick any tea-length dress that comes in Windsor Blue.

Honeymoon - Caribbean Cruise on Carnival Cruises

We are cruised out of New Orleans on a 5 night Caribbean Cruise with Carnival Cruise Lines.  Their food was excellent and there are lots of things to do on the ship and at the ports.  We went snorkling and kayaking in Cozumel and got lots of cheap booze.  It was a blast!

Photographer - Erin Falgout

My Bridals and Engagements were taken by Erin Falgout.  She has an amazing talent for photography and I love looking at her work.  I would recommend Erin whole-heartedly to anyone! 

DJ - Gary Fuller

 

Blue Bio

 Catholic Bride Bio

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