Cancelled DIY Project #3: Memorial Decorations

I wanted to do something to memorialize my Grandma Ona and other deceased relatives during the ceremony. Originally, I wanted to list all of the deceased names in the programs and line the aisle with a lighted lantern for each relative; however, lighting free-standing paper lanterns turned out to be more expense and/or effort than I was able to expend. So, I decided to use colored votives in the cases behind the "altar;" however, A New Leaf doesn't allow open flames and I had a hard time finding affordable, attractive votive holders made from colored glass. In the end, we ended up celebrating a moment of silence "to remember and celebrate their grandparents and extended family members who have passed; most recently Andrew’s grandmother, Ruth, and Tina’s grandmother, Leona."

My friend from work commented on how nice it was, so I believe it worked just as well as something more visually appealing.

Image: Crate & Barrel

Hooray!

If write-ins for this ticket can't warrant a victory,

Andy and I happily concede to this ticket:

Image: Obama.com

Congratulations,
President-Elect Obama!

Cancelled DIY Project #2: Late Night Snack Cones and Stickers

Andy and I served miniature milkshakes, gyros, and french fries at the end of the wedding night. I bought the supplies to make little cones for the french fries and stickers for the gyros. The fry cones would have been in the Paper Source Papaya and Poppy colors with round ta logos, as mocked up below.

The gyro stickers would have been the C logo. Obviously, I had a hard time hiding my disappointment in myself when my friends unwittingly metaphorically kicked me while I was down by forcing me to lead a congo line to "Come On, Eileen" and simultaneously eat an unbranded gyro.

I wish that I had a picture of the look on Andy's face when I told him about these "failed" projects the Saturday after the wedding. You would have thought that I had 10 heads and that head #10 was in the process of giving birth to head #11.

Cancelled DIY Project #1 - Valet Tags

I have to admit that reading the DIY Contest posts on Style Me Pretty is KILLING ME! I want to go back and do it all over again!

As I mentioned in my post on the morning of the wedding, I had to bag several planned projects. None of these projects are ANYTHING that any of the guests noticed, but I still wish that I could have used them. I was literally making things until I walked out the door for the rehearsal dinner. Hopefully, I'll be sharing professional photos of my DIY projects during the recaps. While I anxiously await the pictures, I'll spend this week highlighting the projects that didn't make the cut.

The first project that I nixxed was the valet tags. I designed these valet tags back in May, but decided not to print them until we signed a contract with a valet company. Well, Andy kindly took responsibility for securing the valet service, but didn't book anyone until a few weeks before the wedding, when I was project-ed out and really just didn't have time for another project.

Sadly, someone did notice the lack of valet tags! I was talking to my college friends at the wedding and mentioned the incomplete projects. My friend pulled out his coat check and valet tags and said, "I definitely noticed the difference between this and this." I told Andy that people would notice the projects! Ha, Ha. (Andy said that this comment doesn't count because my friend reads this blog.) I liked the idea of the guests being greeted by our little thank you and maybe a CD of songs when they returned to their cars at the end of the night.

OMG

I am watching Moving Up and a 20-something woman wearing an ill-fitting polyester blouse, a bad bra, plastic claw barettes (plural), and blue eye shadow just called the new owner's modern decor "tacky." I love this show.

Fall Bliss

What a great weekend we had! It was 70 degrees and sunny in Chicago! We could have gotten A New Leaf on 10.31.2008, but I didn't want to ruin the holiday for my guests. This would have been PERFECT weather for a wedding day.

Andy came up with a $1.25 Halloween costume...

Only a guy would toss on a mustache and consider it a costume. (I look just like my dad in a 'stache.)

And Purdue beat Michigan 48-42!

This was my first visit to Purdue in three years. I'm actually forgetting my way around town -- I got lost twice. I can't believe that I graduated 11 years ago. And I wish that Andy wouldn't have pointed out that I was a sophomore in HS when this year's freshman were born.

Our wedding pictures should be ready on Friday. (The wait is killing me!) I saw the photos from the bride married at ANL the Sunday after us. She looked so pretty! She had a beautiful arch created for her ceremony. I'm so jealous that she already has hers.

Good Luck, Colleen and Nathan!

My virtual little sister and The Everyday Bride, the adorable Colleen, and her fiance Nathan are getting hitched this afternoon! Best of luck today and "Everyday." (I couldn't help myself.)

Image: All Posters via The Everyday Bride

I can't wait to hear about all of the details of her old school Chicago wedding -- especially the controversial candle ceremony! :)