The Proposal story.....

It all started one day when Gary decided to take me out for ice cream, normally I am all for ice cream but that day I didn't feel like leaving the house. I didn't realize that I was just making things harder for him. He finally talked me into go to Dairy Queen. He was doing a lot of talking about our relationship-I really didn't pay it any mind. The next thing I knew he dropped to one knee and asked me to marry him. I thought he was joking because that is how he is, after a few "Are you for reals?' I said YES. It was romantic because Dairy Queen was where we had our very first date over three years ago.
 
The Wedding story unfolds.....

I told him that weddings usually seem to be all about the bride and I don't like or agree with that. I feel that weddings are about two people in love commiting themselves to each other, so this will be OUR wedding. Every decision made about this wedding from the dress to the favors is being made jointly. My fiance has been helping me out greatly and I really love and appreciate him for his input.

All the major decisions so far have been because of him.   

 

Theme: "When Two Lives Become One"

Originally our theme was "The Gift of Love" but I started to not like it anymore-it gre off of me, lol. I expressed that to FI and some brainstorming he came up with a better theme that love. We plan to show a photo montage of us through the years ending with our E-pics. We thought about doing table names using childhood pictures and ages to identify the tables-but after seeing some embarassing photos we scratched that idea. I have faith that everything will coordinate and fall into place in the end.

 

 Inspiration Board

 

My Knottie Inspirations

Whoa

MrsTNM

chariseraynee

VonAngel

 

 

The Colors

Sappphire & Aquamarine. We chose those colors because they are our birthstones. We are throwing in some Ivory to break up the blueness.

 

The Rings

Our Rings, we still need to get my band.

 

 

           Wedding Dress                                                             Reception Dress

Bustle Ideas

(I will wear the wedding dress for the first dance)

Jewelry

I found my earrings!!! Compliments of Macy's! and on sale, yea!

Pic of Bracelet on the way....also from Macy's

 

Shoe Ideas

 

The shoes I found-yay (and on sale)

Garter (DIY)

I can't find what I want, so I am going to make it!

I am using the colors Scarlet Red and White (He's a WSSU Ram)and a football charm with his number and "WSSU RAMS"

 

 

Hair Ideas

 

 

 

Makeup Inspirations

 

 

MAKEUP TRIAL

◄Before (yuck!) ▬▬ After ►

I'll admit, I did not like the lips, But I told her what I wanted and she fixed it an made it happen, As soon as I got home FI said "WOW, I feel like I am going to get in trouble for talking to you."

 

One of my BMs went with me:

 

 ◄ Before ▬▬ After ►

 

The Groom

 

The Ladies

I love the look of BMs in different styles. However with so much to do already this idea is still just an idea.

 

 

 

 

 

The Fellas

I am letting FI choose the attire for this one. He has pretty good taste in suits,tuxes, shirts, ties, and all that other stuff I don't know about.

 

Invitations

My invites will definitely be DIY. We decided to go with a contemporary style invitation. We are going to incorporate all of our colors in our invite and take a little from invite pictured below.

 

 

 

CEREMONY

 

Ceremony Location

The ceremony will be held at our home church. The inside is huge and has beatuiful wood interior accents. We are having the ceremony videographed which is another great thing because the church has three huge screens that you can see anywhere in the church.

 

Ceremony Decor

Lanterns from My Wedding Favors

 

 

 

 

 

 Mother's Corsage

 

Boutonnieres

 

 

 

 

 

Other Ceremony item Inspirations

 

 

Order of Ceremony: Ceremony Plan

 

 

RECEPTION 

Reception Location

I love the outside of the Marriott.

 

Escort Cards

I don't want to assign seats but I want to make sure everyone has a seat and no one feels left out when it comes to selecting a table to sit.

 

 

The Cake

I saw this cake on instyleweddings.com, showed it FI, he loved it.....we found our cake!

 

 

Cake Table Setup

 

Table numbers/names

I want to use West African Adinkra symbols for my table names (Thanks for the inspiration MrsTNM).  

Sweetheart Table

 

Other Reception Decor Inspirations

 

Kids Activity Table

 

 

Favors   

 

 

 

Our Playlist   

Music is the Universal Language of Mankind

 

Ceremony Music

(Gospel Only)

Pre-Ceremony Music

"Let It Rain" - Bishop Paul S. Morton

"Come Unto Me" - Nicole C. Mullen

"Devil You Better Move" - Jimmy Hicks

"Your Mercy" - Blessed

"A Testimony" - Rodney Bryant

"Latter Rain" - Men of Standard

"Yes" - Mississippi Mass Choir

"Now Behold the Lamb" - Kirk Franklin

"You Are Great" - Juanita Bynum

Seating of Parents/Lighting of Candles

"Father Can You Hear Me" - Diary of a Mad Black Woman Soundtrack

"Blessed Assuarance"

Processional

"Forever I Do" - Image

Solo

"Since the Last Time I Saw You" - Yolanda Adams

Bridal March

"You're the One" - Lisa Shipman & Hallerin Hill

Lighting of the Unity Candle

"The Lord's Prayer" - Jeff Majors

Recessional

"If You've Been Delivered" - Kirk Franklin

"I Will Bless the Lord" - Byron Cage

Reception Music

Bridal Party Entrance

"What About Your Friends" - TLC 

"So Fresh, So Clean" - Outkast

Grand Entrance

"Feels Good" - Tony! Toni! Tone!

"Here I Go" - Mystikal (instrumental)**

First Dance

"Love" - Musiq Soulchild

"Everything" - Mary J. Blige

"Nothing Even Matters" - Lauryn Hill & D'Angelo

"Cheers to You" - Playa

"Lady" - D'Angelo

"One in a Million" - Aaliyah

"Happily Ever After" - Case

Couples Dance(only one song may be used, possibly two)

"Save the Best for Last" - Vanessa Williams

"At Your Best (You Are Love)" - Aaliyah

"All My Life" - K-Ci & JoJo

"For You I Will" - Monica

"Unforgettable" - Natalie Cole with Nat "King" Cole

"Kiss of Life" - Sade

"Gotta Be" - Jagged Edge**

"Somebody Loves You Baby (You Know Who It Is)" - Patti Labelle**

"You" - Jesse Powell

Garter Toss

"U Can't Touch This" - MC Hammer

Last Dance

"Ladies Nite" - Lil Kim, Da Brat, Angie Martinez, Missy, Left Eye

Last Dance

"Ask of You" - Raphael Saadiq

"Dance Tonight" - Lucy Pearl

 

 

~DIY Projects~

It is just something about DIY that makes me feel closer to my wedding. Whatever I spend my blood, sweat, and tears on doing means that much more to me. That makes the day even more important to me. 

 

Bridesmaid Cards [Click to see the inspiration for this DIY]

The "Will You Be Bridesmaid?" were a collabo project between my mom and I. She designed and printed the cards. I made the dresses and attached them to the cards.(I saw the same design in the store for $5 a piece) For the dresses I used Tulle, a fancy scrap book sheet, and ribbon. The supplies for the dresses only cost me $3.96. I don't know how much the cardstock was but I think it was a box of 25 cards and we only used 7.

 

 

Save the Date Postcards

For the STD's I started with a blank postcard and created my own layout and design. They were designed and ordered via Vistaprint.com. I went with a super simple design because I had no idea what style/theme I want to go with at the time.

 

Invitations [click to see the inspiration for this DIY project]

This was fun but a lot of trial and error. I keep changing my mind everyday. I need make a decision and be done with it. (this was not done in our colors).

THIS WAS ANOTHER IDEA WE ABANDONED

 

Mock Invitation (and the style we are using)

 

 

Jumping Broom

I love how it turned out, we are going to put it on our front door after the wedding.

Inspiration

▼

Credit: stuarts creations

Translation

▼

 

 

Newsletters

◄Inspiration ▬▬ Translation ►

                    Credit: www.liweddings.com 

 

Memory Candles (1 of 4)           Bouquet Holders (probably won't use) & FG Basket

 

                  

    

The Veil (scattered pearls)

 

Inspiration

▼

Credit: weddingveil.com

 

Translation

▼

 

BM Jewelry (I made 5 sets)

◄ Inspiration ▬ Translation ►

                       Credit: cathyjohnson

 

Table Names on Easel

◄ Inspiration  ▬ Translation ►

                          Credit: Knottie MrsTNM

 

Misc Table Signs

 

 Cake Table Banner (still a work in progess)

◄ Inspiration ▬▬ Translation ►

              Credit: Knottie Chariseraynee 

 

Monogram

We actually have two monograms. One to use on pre-ceremony items/decor and another that will be used on post-ceremony items/decor. The second monogram has our last name, first names, and date.

 

Cake Topper

Inspiration from knottie chimonque (thank you!)

 

We Do Letters (for the cake table)

Inspiration

▼

 

Translation

▼

 

 

Coloring Book

[the inspiration]

◄The Inspiration  ▬   My Translation ►  

                              Credit: Finger Foods

 

Seating Card Display

 ◄ inspiration    ▬▬▬    translation (unfinished)►

Directions for this DIY: Ribbon Seating Display Board

 

 Menu Card Display

 ◄ inspiration    

   translation ►

 

 

~Vendors~

 

Save the Dates

None other than the infamous: VistaPrint

Do I really need to review them?

 

Wedding Gown 

Bridal Mart Burlington,NC

(336)227-5500

A

I found my dress in a bridal shop for $800+. After contacting Bridal Mart I found that they sell their wedding dresses and BM dresses for much less. $400, half off when you are a bride on a budget is great.

Reception Dress

Ebay

A+

I don't remember who the seller was but she was fast. I received the dress within the same week I paid for it.

Guy's Attire

MW TUX Raleigh,NC (919)954-4889

C

We had a lot of miscommunication with this store. All the GM's live in different states so we wanted the tuxes shipped to the store in the city that the wedding was being held. One of the tuxes ended up in Atl and others in the city that DH and I lived, which is 45 minutes from the wedding site. One of te grooms pants was 3 inches too short-but he was prepared with a second pair of pants. Then DH was told that we could bring the tuxes back on Monday-no one told the weekend staff and they were looking for the tuxes on Saturday. Ugh, a mess.

 

Ceremony Venue

Union Baptist Church Durham,NC (919) 688-1304

A++

It's my home church, they can't be anything other than excellent. If you are not a member be prepared to pay.

 

Reception Venue

Durham Marriott at the Civic Center

Durham,NC (919)682-7212

B-

Well, they charged us twice for the reception and the 'coordinator' got my music mixed up because she told the DJ that the playlist changed.

I wish I knew how the food tasted-the guests would not let us eat,everyone wanted to congratulate us. The Marriott did give a complimentary suite on the concierge floor. It was nice to be able to just go up the elevator when the reception was over.

 

Invitations (pocket folds only)

MyGatsby 

A

Awesome, arrive on time and was the exact color I wanted. The price was steal!

Sound

Earthquake Productions Durham,NC (919)530-8323

A++

Equipment arrived and was setup on time. DJ Skaz got the party started and kept us on the dance floor all night. He covered all genres of music for us Hip Hop, Go-Go, Rap, House, and Reggae. We could have asked for anything more. Plus, any and every song you could think of to request-he had it! Great job Skaz!

Photography

Andrea Rouse Roseboro,NC (910)990-6618

No Grade Yet

We haven't received our pro pics bac yet. But we were told that we should recieved them in a week. Since the wedding was on August 8, 2008-we have some time to wait. However she was great with setting up each shot and moving with speed. We were behind schedule and she got us caught up and on time.

 

Floral & Makeup

A Crystal Creation Durham,NC (919)308-0105

A++

It was beyond wonderful to have the same person for makeup and floral arrangements. Crystal arrived on time and prepared. She stayed with me throughout the ceremony and touched up my makeup afterwards. She even helped me get dressed. She was truly heaven sent. I loved my makeup, the BMs makeup, and especially the bouquets and boutonniers.

 

Ceremony Decor

Aisle Runner: Wal-Mart Lanterns: My Wedding Favors

Door Letters: Hobby Lobby Columns: Holland Rent All

A+

I loved the way the decor turned out once put together. I didn't want things over the top- simple, that's it. The columns were rented from Holland Rent All two days before the wedding. They were very friendly and didn't give me a hard time for waiting until the last minute.

 

All Things Paper

Archiver's Raleigh,NC (919)792-0893

B

I give them a B because they almost made me 'snap'. They ran out of the paper that I used for my invites and they kept telling me for three weeks that it would be in, in a week. The last call I made the salesperson told me that they never had the paper I purchased in stock. Talk about pissed! Knottie FMrsKeepUp helped me out by called the store in her area and havig the paper shipped to me from IL to NC. Thanks girl!

Other than that, they have every color I could imagine. Great source for paper-if they can keep it in stock.

 

 

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!!!!!

 

BUDGET BREAKDOWN

 

For 200 invited guests	ACTUAL	NOTES
CEREMONY
Site Fee	$    200.00	Included videography (it pays to love God)
Pew Decor	$      84.35
Officiant	$          -	We are members of our church
Marriage License & Certificate	$      50.00
Ring Bearer Box	$      10.00
Flower Girl Pomander	$       3.86	Found on the clearance rack, I wasn't even looking for one
Alter Decor	$      68.00	Best Rent All (Durham NC)
Ceremony Music	$      13.98	“With this Ring…Forever I Do”
Flower Petals	$      21.85	Over 3000 petals; used at ceremony & reception
Misc Ceremony items	$      98.84
RECEPTION
Food	$     3,223.86	Hors d’oeuvres and a Pasta Station
Cake	$          -	Gift from step mom & Cake cutting included
Cake Serving Set	$      21.35	Engraved set www.orientaltrading.com
Misc Reception décor	$      48.63	Table easels, cake table decor
ATTIRE
Wedding Gown	$    472.37	Da Vinci
Wedding Gown Alterations	$          -	No alterations needed
Reception Dress	$      61.99	eBay!!!!! Seller: Annie Gregg
Veil	$      15.00	2 tier ivory w/ scattered pearls (found on clearance @ hobby lobby)
Bridal Accessories	$      56.90	Lingerie, Shoes, Garter, Rhinestone Headband
Makeup	$    150.00	1 bride & 5 BMs
Bride's Hair	$      95.00	1 trial, 1 style
BM Alterations	$          -	Mother is a seamstress
Groomsmen's Tuxedos	$      45.32	5 GM / Men's Wearhouse (Grooms tux was free rental)
Grooms Accessories	$       9.61	Undergarments
Flowers & Decorations
Flowers & Decorations	$    277.55	Bridal Bouquet, BMs Bouquets (5), Bouts (8) Corsages (2)
Centerpieces	$          -	Included in the wedding package
INVITATIONS & STATIONARY
All things paper	$    267.54	Invitations, Programs, Signage, etc…long story behind the $$
Postage	$      50.00	this figure is rounded, we made many trips and lost recepts
WEDDING RINGS
His Ring	$ 1,999.95	He better be glad I love him!
Her Ring	$    489.99	I picked it out, he was shocked. lol
TRANSPORTATION & LODGING
Wedding Car	$          -	Gift from grooms mentor
Hotel	$          -	Included with the wedding package
FAVORS & GIFTS
Favors	$    103.48	108 favors; glass votive holders with candy & thank you note
Bridesmaids Gifts	$      32.33	ON flip flops, handmade jewelry, totes, and towel wrap (5BMs)
Groomsmen Gifts	$      86.05	Engrave Cuff Links (5)
Parent Gifts	$      14.92	Personalized ‘Mother’ frames with picture & poem
MISCELLANEOUS (DIY, etc)
Fabrics	$      28.08	Banner, invitation ribbon, altar decor
DIY Supplies/Tools	$      35.01	Paint brushes, markers, paint, clay, etc
DIY Projects	$    130.83	Table décor, banners, aisle runner, etc (anything I made)
SET BUDGET	$ 5,000.00
ACTUAL Spent	$ 8,135.81	I wonder what else we can do if we put our minds to it
TOTAL OVER/UNDER BUDGET	$ 2,835.94	eww, we went over

 

  ~AAW GTG~