Don't let it go away, this feeling has got to stay

Source

Getting married and going through the planning and entire wedding day fills you with such love and emotion. A "high on life" sort of feeling that most want to hold onto, even as the days turn into weeks which turn into months. It's a feeling you want bottled up, to savor from time to time.

A few months ago I read reese's list of ways to make the wedding last. Below are a few more ideas on cherishing the day :)

-bring it up with family and friends (so far, they've still been bringing it up to us!)
-look through and save all of those facebook albums uploaded by friends.
-work on reviews for vendors and send thank you notes to vendors.
-compile all stationery, cards, guest book into a memory box, album, etc.
-create albums for family members (they make great Christmas presents)
-send thank you notes to guests and included photos
-blog, scrapbook, create albums or blurb books
-reuse items from the wedding (vases, pens, perfume, shoes, jewelry)
-reminisce with each other
-enjoy all the leftover alcohol (if you had provided it at the reception)
-listen to songs that were on your play list (for us it's "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Stolen")

Please feel free to share your thoughts and add to the list!

I have been going through our online gallery for a while now (still waiting for the disk) but with all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, I think I'll hold off recaps until next year.

Have a great day everyone :)


Blog title is from lyrics by No Doubt

Tis the season: Holiday Cards

Tis the season to spread some holiday cheer to family and friends :) I love hand making, writing, and sending cards each Christmas season. Last week I crafted some fun and colorful cards to (hopefully) be sent out this week!!

I opted to use paper and stationery leftover from wedding thank-you cards and other projects. There are lots of circles, fun prints & patterns, and just enough sparkle. Colors veered from the traditional red and green to also include fuschia, light pink, and purple. Below are a few of my favorites.


Gingerbread couple.


Another gingerbread couple, this time with Santa hat.


Festive flowers.


More festive flowers.


Print on print/pattern on pattern Santa hats.


Print on print/pattern on pattern Santa hats 2.


Glittering stars.


Presents.


Presents and snowflakes.


Also purchased this Martha Stewart Crafts "Cheers" punch with 40% off Michael's coupon. I love how festive it is and how I can utilize it during the holidays and for other celebrations. The party hat adds just the right touch.


Of course I used the punch to add extra punch to the envelope liners ;)


Also used a circle punch and glitter stars to add flair.


Here are a few of the results.





Hope everyone's holiday planning has been going very well :)

Have you been sending out Christmas and holiday cards? Was it daunting or easily manageable?

Trapped in a box: DIY Card Box

A fun DIY project was the card box. There has been a lot of inspiration on various wedding sites and blogs, that ideas were flying through my head.

Source

A simple box with hole and flowers is always fun and pretty standard.

Source

I love the look of stacked boxes by forthemodernbride.com. Their card boxes look like gifts stacked on each other and also like a traditional stacked cake :) I love how much fun color, textures, and details go into it, making it a present on it's own.

Source

Something a bit un-traditional like a suit case is also so fun.

Source

And you have to love a birdcage card box :)

As the inspiration came and went, I made a list of things I liked: sturdy exterior, security, color, textures, and something that tied into our theme. I knew DIYing it would not only allow for continuous correlation between all my wedding stationery, but be budget friendly as well.

We made a trip to Tuesday Morning and found this circle snowman hat box. The price of $5 was good for me!

First step was to cut a hole in the box, heeheee.


I used purple and yellow paper to cover the top and sides. Since the hole was a bit of an eye sore, paper circles were used around the border to soften the look. Purple rhinestones were used to write "cards".


To cover the side of the box lid, I overlapped circles around the lid. The different colors and textures were fun against one another. For balance, I added a row of overlapping circles at the bottom.


Close up of the circles.


Close up of the top.


The finished product :) Notice the daisy on the right? It's a bit curious. I had thought I spaced the rhinestones well so that the word "cards" was centered, but it wasn't, so adding the flower gave it balance.


Here is the card box in action. It sat on the same table as the wishbowl.


And after the wedding the mister cuts open the box.

The box worked out quite well, kept everything secure and was even mistaken for a present :) We are currently using it to store our wedding cards.

How did you choose your card box? What alternatives (bird cage, suite case, treasure chest) did you like?


Blog title is from lyrics by No Doubt

To find my place: Placecards and Displays

While trying to finish elements on what seems like a never-ending To-Do and DIY list, I am happy to share our recently completed place card display. The place card plan was for some simple white cards with purple ink in a nice calligraphy or flowy font. The white color would stand out nicely on a colorful display.

Source

Inspiration for a bright, colorful display and white cards came from this lovely grass box.

Source

And these mounds of flowers.

Source

But I wanted something that displayed the cards vertically.

Source

And these ribbon boards by Mrs. Eggplant were the perfect look! Ribbon boards have a super fun look and allow for a variety of color and texture in the ribbons. I could also use the ribbon board to display photos and notes after the wedding.

I began collecting ribbon from Michael's, utilizing their many sales and coupons.

The ribbons were cut to length, allowing them to wrap about 1 inch over both sides of the foam board.

The ribbons were lined up against the straight edge of the board and secured with glue dots and packaging tape.

Colors and textures varied.

Here are the three boards :)

My cousin offered to gift me calligraphed place cards and I gladly accepted. She is bringing them up with her before the wedding. I am so excited to see how they turn out!

How will you display your place cards? Have you tried to make a ribbon board? I wish I had more tips about the best way to secure ribbons :)


Blog title is from lyrics by Augustana

Tie the knot, tie tie tie the knot: WhiteKnot.org

Source

My knowledge about White Knot started with this photo of Dustin Lance Black and Cleve Jones at this year's Oscars. With some research I found that the white knot is worn to show support for, start conversations, and raise awareness about marriage equality. I love how this small symbol makes such a large statement, that I knew I had to wear one at my wedding.

Source

It's so great to see the support from so many celebrities like Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon.

Source

It's obviously stylish when Tim Gunn wears it ;)

Source

And can be Magically accessorized on a bracelet a la Anne Hathaway.

I had sent in a self addressed stamped envelope for my free knot about a week ago, and I received my white knot today. Perfect timing, actually.

Since I felt that today was a perfect day to wear a big/statement flower.

Why not add a white knot to it?

The real reason I wanted a white knot was to wear it on my wedding day. Since we are having a Catholic ceremony, there is a good chance that we may not be allowed to completely express how we feel about marriage equality so I thought the white knot would be a perfect way to make the statement.

I plan to pin it close to the top of my dress.

Close to my heart.

The fiance liked the idea of the white knot and plans to get one to wear on his boutonniere. We are also considering purchasing a white knot kit so we can make a few for friends or relatives interested in wearing one.

For more information about the White Knot please visit here. Check out their photo and video section here. Read stories here. Get a badge for your blog here. And donate here.

Will you be making any statements at your wedding? How do you plan to address things you believe in?


Blog title is from lyrics by Digital Underground

So many different kinds: Filipino Wedding Traditions

Growing up with first generation, traditional, Catholic, Filipino parents has given me a sense of culture and tradition that I try to balance with growing up in a more modern LA/CA/USA. Although I put a lot of importance in their values, I am Filipino-American and my thoughts and likings sway towards a more modern feel. This has been quite apparent when planning my wedding.

The parents know the traditional and religious customs/ceremonies they'd seen in countless weddings past. The huge bridal parties, the godparents, the cultural customs. I have been to a few traditional Filipino weddings and think each detail and ritual is beautiful. While I may not do all of them, I respect the love and meaning in each.

Source

The bride wears a white wedding gown, similar to in the US, the groom wears a traditional hand embroidered formal shirt called a barong. Made in a thin, almost transparent material, embellishments of lace are added to the front as nice details. Since the barong is basically see through, a white shirt is worn underneath for modesty.

Source

The wedding ceremony usually takes place in a Catholic Church. Two popular cultural traditions occur during the ceremony: cord and veil, and coin. Sponsors, usually godparents and uncles and aunts, are present to witness the union. They will provide guidance and support to the couple, and can participate in the wedding ceremony.

Source

During the cord and veil part, two sponsors pin a veil over the bride's head and the groom's shoulder. This represents the couple's commitment to protect each other, to clothe each in their love and loyalty.

Source

Source

Once the veil is on, two more sponsors place a cord (in a figure 8) over the couple's shoulders. This cord binds their love, symbolizing unity and infinity.

Source

Following the cord and veil is the coin ceremony. Also known as "arras", the priest drops 13 coins into the groom's hand, then the groom drops the coins into the bride's hands. This symbolizes the groom's support of his wife and household, as well as wealth and prosperity.

For a more modern take, we plan to change this a bit. We will ask the priest to bless the coins and place them in both of our cupped hands, symbolizing our shared commitment and position in our marriage, as well as a symbol for prosperity. We feel this portrays an equal, balanced relationship.

Source

Coins can be regular quarters, half dollars, or dollars, and they can be fancy. Fancy coins, like the gold plated ones above, are a beautiful keepsake and can be passed down.

The rest of the wedding ceremony consists of vows, blessings, and kisses. For more information on Filipino wedding traditions please visit:
Wedding in the Sky
Weddings in Bliss!
Sweet Knottings

With all the serious and business parts over, it's time for fun! A Filipino reception has lots of food, family, and fun. There aren't really any rituals or traditions at receptions, but there are a few cultural aspects to add. Most of these have to do with dancing.

Source

The dollar/money dance is a popular event. After blogging about it here, we are still considering how it will be recieved by our guests. Chances are, if we do this dance, it will be spontaneous.

Other dances are more traditional to the culture. Dances like tinikling and eskrima could require bride and groom participation or be performed by family members.

Source

Tinikling is the national dance of the Philippines. It involves the beating and tapping of bamboo poles on the ground and against each other, in harmony with one or more dancers. The dancers step over and in between the poles while dancing.

Source

Another dance is the eskrima. More of a martial art, participants use rattan sticks, in a fencing but more fluid like motion.

There are so many aspects, details, and meaning in the traditions. So many different kinds to incorporate into a ceremony. I know that although we aren't choosing to have every tradition, using one or two allows us to share my culture withe one another and with our guests.

Will you incorporate any cultural rituals or traditions to your wedding day?


Blog title is from lyrics by No Doubt