Something old, something new.... what is in her shoe?

We all know the saying.... "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue." But did you know that is not the whole saying!? The complete saying is:

Something old, something new
Something borrowed, something blue
And a silver sixpence in her shoe.

And do you even know what each of these things represents? I sure didn't!

For those of you who are superstitious, steadfast on keeping tradition, or if you just think it's a cute idea.... read on!

Each item in the poem represents a good luck charm for the bride and if the bride carries them all, she will have a happy marriage.

Let's take a look....

Something Old -- This is supposed to represent continuity and the bride's link with the past.

     * My engagement ring will be welded with my wedding ring to represent my link from the past, into the future.

Something New -- This is said to symbolize good luck and hope for the future marriage.

     * My Aunt made my garter for me and I will use this as my new item.

Something Borrowed -- This should come from a friend or family member that is happily married. Borrowing something from a friend or family member also reminds the bride that she has people who she can depend on.

     * I will tie my Aunt's wedding ring to my bouquet during the ceremony.

Something Blue -- The color blue has been associated with weddings for years and years. It represents love and fidelity. 

     * My Aunt is including a little bit of blue in the garter.

A Silver Sixpence in her Shoe -- Last but not least (but almost always forgotten!) the sixpence in the shoe secures wealth in the marriage. Who couldn't use a bit of that luck!?

     * My Aunt purchased a sixpence for me to put in my shoe. She had the option of choosing the date on the coin, and she chose the date of my mother's birthday...

Location, Location, Location

You're engaged! Congratulations! When are you getting married!?
Before you get your heart set on a date, you have to secure your location(s). This is one of my biggest pieces of advice... Wedding venues are often booked a year in advance and can fill up quickly. This is especially true for popular and/or unique dates...

I didn't have my heart set on a specific date, so I just set out to find a location. I spent weeks researching locations online and asking friends about weddings they've attended in the area. I found my location online and just HAD to see it....

It was love at first site and was the only venue that we visited.

I could post a thousand pictures of Willowdale....

Willowdale Estate is a gorgeous mansion located in Bradley Palmer State Park in Topsfield, MA. It's rich in history and beauty. To learn more about it's history, click here.

The ceremony will take place in the Butterfly Garden (I couldn't have dreamed of anything more perfect)

The cocktail hour will be indoors and the rest of the reception will be held under the gorgeous tent. Here's a picture with the panels down (that's only done if it rains... but we don't talk about that.... it's not going to rain, it's not going to rain, it's not going to rain....)

DIY weekend projects

Ah, DIY projects. I had really big dreams about some of the things I would create for this wedding... I'm crafty, I have lots of spare time, I'm a tad insane.... But I'm missing one fundamental personality trait.... PATIENCE! :-)

I love the process of researching projects, of picking out materials, and finally putting it all together to create that first prototype. I love to admire just how it's all tying together.

Until I have to repeat that process, oh, ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY TIMES!!! :-) Let me tell you, tying 150 teeny weeny bows WILL cause nightmares. And they will be strange!
After a long weekend of projects, I dreamed that I forgot all of the centerpieces at home, my photographer didn't show, and all of my guests dug into my wedding cake with their hands. It's a beautiful cake, but manners, please :-)

Ok so onto the projects.

Let's start with the 'Do Not Disturb' door hanger. This is going in the hotel gift bag that will be given to the guest upon arrival. I saw this idea on the weddingbee and loved it. Probably because it was SUPER easy to put together!
I used Microsoft Word. Made a square, a circle, and a line. That's it folks.
My only regret is that I didn't have the patience to try to fit 2 of these to a page so I'll be wasting some paper but again... I just didn't have the patience to deal with it...
I download all my fonts from http://www.1001freefonts.com/

Next, I moved onto the 'bubbles project.' I had bought these bubbles about a year ago when I first got engaged. I just knew it was something I wanted to do. 

Willowdale doesn't allow rice to be thrown, and is very specific about petal colors, so I thought this was a cool alternative. I think the pictures will be really unique as we walk back down the aisle surrounded in bubbles (well, that's the plan....)

I stole the idea for the tag (and the text) from a blogger on WeddingBee. These were the 150 knots I tied :-) I'm happy with the final product....

The tag says:

Rice is tradition,

But bubbles are more fun,

Please shower us with happiness,

As we become one!

~M~

That project is complete and ready to be sent off to Willowdale in 103 days :-)

And finally.... last but certainly not least, because this is the most time consuming project.... the favors!

This is a real test of my patience and ability to just let it go! Nothing will be perfect and this is going to be a great example!
I ordered photo coasters from theKnot shop. GREAT idea.... not the best product. The color is not what I expected (seaglass greenish blue?) and the quality is 'meh' but they're here and they will have to do! At the time I ordered them, I was expecting to have a much smaller wedding. Well, the list grew (surprise!) and I need to get creative here...

The original idea was that each guest gets 2 coasters. Now it is more like 1, and you can take any extras that will be placed around the venue. Pretty sure I'm going to end up with the largest supply of photo coasters once this is all said and done. I mean, do guests even remember to take their favors?

Because they are photo coasters, I'm letting them serve double duty to first, say thank you to our guests, and second, to make them aware of our Snapfish photo room that we've created for all of the guests to post (and share) their pictures with everyone else!

I'm not even close to finishing these....

Honeymoon to Mexico

I feel just awful when I admit this, but oh well - I may be looking forward to the Honeymoon more than the actual Wedding!!

Sure, I can't wait to walk down the aisle in my gorgeous dress and pledge my future to Mr. Midd....
but oh sandy beaches, blue skies, warm water, frozen cocktails..... How can I not dream about paradise when THIS is the view outside my window as I type!!

I have a snowbank 2 stories high in front of my house... you can't blame me for dreaming day after day about THIS now can you!?

This gorgeous picture is an arial view of the Paradise Villages Resort in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico where we will be staying for one long glorious week. (Thank you Auntie Connie!)

I keep saying that the honeymoon was invented for the bride. I still have 3 1/2 months until my wedding date, but ALREADY feel like I need this vacation to unwind! It's going to be great to spend some time alone in paradise with my HUSBAND (feels weird saying that!)

Flowers

Flowers? Check!

Keeping with the romantic / vintage-y theme of the wedding, I wanted my flowers to reflect the same. I knew I didn't want something 'structured' and stiff but rather something soft and romantic....

We'll have to wait for pictures of the final product, but here are the photos that I showed Jacqui (Fiddlehead owner / florist extraordinnaire):

What made me REALLY fall in love with this bouquet is the the anemone. Those are the flowers with the black centers. Jacqui said that May is really at the end of the anemone season, so we'll have to play it by ear... Keeping my fingers crossed!
The other flowers in there are ranunculi, hydrangea, cream roses and peonies.
(see more photos here)

In case you are wondering what in the world is a ranunculus or a peony is... don't worry, you're not alone. In fact, I was so clueless about flowers when I started this journey that I was dreading my floral appointment! But, with a little research and the right florist, everything falls into place.

Now I'm an expert (ok far from it) but I've learned a few things and one thing I found was that I absolutely LOVE peonies!!

So onto the bridesmaid bouquets!
Again, we'll have to wait for pictures on the final product, but they are going to be full of gorgeous deep red peonies.... hopefully something like this:

Stay tuned for the post-wedding updates for pictures of the real things!