Well, today is the big day! I am so grateful to this community for your support throughout my planning and I cannot wait to share how everything went with you. Last night I was overwhelmed while looking at everyone in the church. Everyone was there for us. I am so excited to see Mr. B and get this party started.
The Hive will be with me in so many ways today. I thank everyone who has provided input and support, especially my fellow Honeymoon Generation bees. You guys are the best.
See you on the other side!
Miss Bicycle
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Savannah Square Table Names
You guys, I am so excited to share this with you! This is something I've been working on for months and months and I am finally ready for the big reveal. Our Day Of Coordinator, Adrianne Kautz, also does graphic design. I had a vision and she took it to the next level. We decided that instead of table numbers we would be using table names - and not just any names, the names of Savannah's famous squares. We wanted a map with the name on one side with a description of the square on the other. Adrianne knocked it out of the park.
We knew we wanted to incorporate wine corks into the table names as well so we saved up corks throughout our engagement to use. Now our reception will be filled with memories made over a bottle of wine - so perfect. I adhered two pieces of ribbon together to get the look I wanted and then glued the ribbon to the corks. I found hot glue worked best. I then glued the corks to a little piece of wood that I had painted wood in order to make sure they were stable. You may also notice the same wax fleur de lis that I used in our invitations. This added a little something extra while providing a cover for the place where the ribbon came together.
As I mentioned in my centerpiece trial post we plan on having these as the main focus of the tables with small gold candles scattered throughout.
I know it is weird to be excited about table names but this is probably my favorite detail of our reception. It is unique and perfect for our wedding. I can't wait to see how it all works together! Did anyone else make their table names a focus?
All photos personal, design by Adrianne Kautz.
We knew we wanted to incorporate wine corks into the table names as well so we saved up corks throughout our engagement to use. Now our reception will be filled with memories made over a bottle of wine - so perfect. I adhered two pieces of ribbon together to get the look I wanted and then glued the ribbon to the corks. I found hot glue worked best. I then glued the corks to a little piece of wood that I had painted wood in order to make sure they were stable. You may also notice the same wax fleur de lis that I used in our invitations. This added a little something extra while providing a cover for the place where the ribbon came together.
As I mentioned in my centerpiece trial post we plan on having these as the main focus of the tables with small gold candles scattered throughout.
I know it is weird to be excited about table names but this is probably my favorite detail of our reception. It is unique and perfect for our wedding. I can't wait to see how it all works together! Did anyone else make their table names a focus?
All photos personal, design by Adrianne Kautz.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Dapper Dudes, Updated
To get some background on what the Bicycle Groomsmen will be wearing, check out this post from a few months back. To summarize, Mr. B wanted:
This is the Stephen Geoffrey Midnight Blue Destination Wedding Suit. They are just renting the pants and jacket and Mr. B trusts them all to get their own white (yes, he changed his mind from blue) spread-collar cuffed shirt.
The two accents to their outfits are part of their gifts:
He bought the same tie for himself and sent it to a company that turned it into a bow tie for him! Our two ushers will wear their own clothes, but same style, and their ties are gold with navy fleurs de lis.
In addition to the cufflinks and ties he also got each groomsman a dri-fit polo for their favorite college football team. We have a good mix of Gators and Seminoles with a random Stetson grad thrown in there.
I can't wait to see the guys all dressed up, especially Mr. B's son! Has anyone else rented khakis and a blazer like this? Isn't it awesome that you can send a regular tie to a company that will turn it into a bow tie?
- khaki pants
- navy jacket (no gold buttons!)
- white cuffed shirt
- brown shoes
- fleur de lis cufflinks
- fleur de lis tie
 |
| Image via Jim's Formal Wear |
The two accents to their outfits are part of their gifts:
 |
| Image via Cuff-Daddy |
 |
| Image via Vincenzo Boretti |
He bought the same tie for himself and sent it to a company that turned it into a bow tie for him! Our two ushers will wear their own clothes, but same style, and their ties are gold with navy fleurs de lis.
In addition to the cufflinks and ties he also got each groomsman a dri-fit polo for their favorite college football team. We have a good mix of Gators and Seminoles with a random Stetson grad thrown in there.
I can't wait to see the guys all dressed up, especially Mr. B's son! Has anyone else rented khakis and a blazer like this? Isn't it awesome that you can send a regular tie to a company that will turn it into a bow tie?
Monday, October 14, 2013
Candles, Candles Everywhere
Our venue has beautiful chandeliers and mirrors and I have known all along that I don't need to do a whole lot to add to the decor. I went back and forth for months about what I wanted to do about centerpieces before finally deciding on something and going full steam ahead. I decided to accent our (so fabulous I cannot wait to share!) table names with lots of candles. I went around town collecting different sized containers that I could then paint gold to match our colors. I bought one can of regular gold spray paint and one can of "webbing" spray paint, which came out...well..like a web! It wasn't what I was expecting but I love the way it worked out. Here were my supplies:
I started spraying the containers and let my inspiration guide me. I ended up with three different options - lightly sprayed gold, heavily sprayed gold, and webbed gold.
I knew I needed to see them lit (as they would be at the wedding) to decide what I liked and didn't like. It should be noted I also wanted to know how long each different candle I bought would burn so I spent an entire Sunday at home watching candles melt (and watching football).
It is hard to tell from the pictures but the ones with the webbing look pretty great. The plain gold ones add a nice accent as well. They are all different sizes, which I think will add a neat level of uniqueness.
Originally I planned on having vases with calla lilies on the tables as well but yesterday's mock-up made me realize that will not work. I want the table name to be the focus (more on that coming soon, I promise!) and the candles will be a nice accent.
My only concern is how to group them, keeping in mind our tables are 60 inch rounds. Should I put them in a circle? In bunches on each side of the table name? Randomly scattered?
Did anyone else decide to forgo flowers in their centerpieces? I'm OK with it!
I started spraying the containers and let my inspiration guide me. I ended up with three different options - lightly sprayed gold, heavily sprayed gold, and webbed gold.
 |
| Don't mind the major streak on the left... |
It is hard to tell from the pictures but the ones with the webbing look pretty great. The plain gold ones add a nice accent as well. They are all different sizes, which I think will add a neat level of uniqueness.
Originally I planned on having vases with calla lilies on the tables as well but yesterday's mock-up made me realize that will not work. I want the table name to be the focus (more on that coming soon, I promise!) and the candles will be a nice accent.
My only concern is how to group them, keeping in mind our tables are 60 inch rounds. Should I put them in a circle? In bunches on each side of the table name? Randomly scattered?
Did anyone else decide to forgo flowers in their centerpieces? I'm OK with it!
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Risky Business
I have my final dress fitting tonight and I am caught in a tough spot. My dress has lace straps and a keyhole back and it was pretty "baggy" when I first got it. I went to my first alterations appointment and the seamstress moved the straps in a way that made the whole dress fit better. It was a lot easier and cheaper to just move up the straps than to bring the whole dress in. Well, I went back last week for my final fitting and I didn't love the way it looked. It still seemed big up top but I couldn't express myself well enough for her to really do anything about it.
She needed to re-do the bustle and I am going back tonight for my final fitting. The whole time she was working on the bustle I was pulling at the top of the dress. She finally said I needed to decide that night if I wanted to do anything about it but I just let it go. I have not been able to stop thinking about it since. I want it to fit perfectly - is that too much to ask?
Add to this the fact that my mother is a seamstress - a seamstress who lives 1000 miles away from me. On Sunday I mentioned to her the craziest idea I've had in this process: What if she gets to Savannah on Thursday and alters my dress for me 2 days before my wedding? I would be more comfortable telling her exactly what I want and she would have me there to make small changes as she works. It could be perfect! Or I could end up like Gob Bluth:
Is this the craziest idea I could have at this point? Should I make a stink at tonight's fitting to get my dress the way I want it while still in Tallahassee? Should I just accept the dress as it is? Has anyone else done final alterations days before their wedding?
 |
| Not at all related, just funny / via cheezburger.com |
Add to this the fact that my mother is a seamstress - a seamstress who lives 1000 miles away from me. On Sunday I mentioned to her the craziest idea I've had in this process: What if she gets to Savannah on Thursday and alters my dress for me 2 days before my wedding? I would be more comfortable telling her exactly what I want and she would have me there to make small changes as she works. It could be perfect! Or I could end up like Gob Bluth:
 |
| Via Panda Whale |
Friday, October 4, 2013
We're Doing It!
A few nights ago Mr. B and I met with our photographer, the lovely and talented Ashley Daniell. We've been debating the first look idea for quite some time and I loved all the feedback I received when I posted about it here. After discussing the subject for entirely too long we decided to go for it - we are doing a first look!
I hate to say it but the decision came down to logistics. The sun sets at 6:40 PM on our wedding day and our ceremony begins at 5:00 PM. This doesn't leave a whole lot of time for pictures after the wedding, does it? We want to be able to take our couples portraits in a relaxed setting and not feel rushed to beat the sunset and get back to our guests. We will still do some portraits after the ceremony to catch the beautiful light of the "golden hour" but this won't be when we do the majority of them.
Now is when I need some help! Does anyone have advice on how to do a first look? Any tips for what not to do? Location suggestions? I am really just excited that I get to see my groom before 5 PM on our wedding day!
I hate to say it but the decision came down to logistics. The sun sets at 6:40 PM on our wedding day and our ceremony begins at 5:00 PM. This doesn't leave a whole lot of time for pictures after the wedding, does it? We want to be able to take our couples portraits in a relaxed setting and not feel rushed to beat the sunset and get back to our guests. We will still do some portraits after the ceremony to catch the beautiful light of the "golden hour" but this won't be when we do the majority of them.
 |
| A preview of things to come (from Bridesmaid BOC's wedding) / Image by Ashley Daniell Photography |
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
From Champagne and Diamonds to Vodka and Lists
I have now been engaged for over a year and what a crazy year it has been! When I first got back from our engage-moon, everything was so much fun. I was in Bridesmaid Doc's wedding this past February and some of the bridesmaids asked how I liked being engaged, to which I responded something along the lines of, "I love it! It is all champagne and diamonds!"
With less than a month until my wedding (!!!), though, things aren't as fun. I told a friend the other day that it feels like I went from champagne and diamonds to vodka and lists. Our RSVP deadline passed last week and we still have 46 outstanding guests. Seriously? I guess the pre-stamped, addressed postcard was too easy to pop in the mail? I cannot make seating charts until I know how many people are coming. I can't finalize almost anything until I know how many people are coming!
Given all this, I would like to write a letter to my forner, newly-engaged self. I hope others find this helpful as they begin their journey toward their wedding day.
Dear Miss Bicycle,
Congratulations on your engagement! That ring is so sparkly, isn't it? Champagne is so delicious, especially when sipped with your close friends. Enjoy all the champagne but be careful about what it will do to your waistline and wallet. ;)
First things first - enjoy this special time in your life. It is sometimes overwhelming to be the center of attention but remember that everyone around you cares about you and is happy for you. Be gracious and thankful. Oh - and most importantly - invest in some new thank-you notes. You're going to need them.
Be grateful for the amazing people in your life. You are going to rely on them more than you can imagine. Each of your friends beings with them a special set of skills - floral arrangement techniques, a nonjudgmental heart, a set of open ears, a bottle of wine. Appreciate each and every one of these items - they are all essential.
This is going to strain your family in a way that could break your heart (and soul). Try not to let it.
Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize. Do you want a designer dress, acres of peonies, a string quartet? Figure out what is most important and prioritize that. The rest will all work out, trust me on that.
Your goal should not be to create the wedding that will get you attention on Pinterest/Style Me Pretty/etc. This is your wedding and showcasing your love with Mr. B should be the only goal. Well, that and having a really, really good time.
At the end of the day please never forget this most important piece of advice: this is about you and Mr. B. Do not let this process change who you are as a couple aside from the realization that if you can make it through this, you can make it through anything. Your love is what brought you to this point and nothing should get in the way of that.
Good luck with the planning and have another glass of champagne - it looks like you could use it.
With Love,
Future Miss Bicycle
 |
| Via realitytvgifs.tumblr.com |
Given all this, I would like to write a letter to my forner, newly-engaged self. I hope others find this helpful as they begin their journey toward their wedding day.
Dear Miss Bicycle,
Congratulations on your engagement! That ring is so sparkly, isn't it? Champagne is so delicious, especially when sipped with your close friends. Enjoy all the champagne but be careful about what it will do to your waistline and wallet. ;)
First things first - enjoy this special time in your life. It is sometimes overwhelming to be the center of attention but remember that everyone around you cares about you and is happy for you. Be gracious and thankful. Oh - and most importantly - invest in some new thank-you notes. You're going to need them.
Be grateful for the amazing people in your life. You are going to rely on them more than you can imagine. Each of your friends beings with them a special set of skills - floral arrangement techniques, a nonjudgmental heart, a set of open ears, a bottle of wine. Appreciate each and every one of these items - they are all essential.
This is going to strain your family in a way that could break your heart (and soul). Try not to let it.
Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize. Do you want a designer dress, acres of peonies, a string quartet? Figure out what is most important and prioritize that. The rest will all work out, trust me on that.
Your goal should not be to create the wedding that will get you attention on Pinterest/Style Me Pretty/etc. This is your wedding and showcasing your love with Mr. B should be the only goal. Well, that and having a really, really good time.
At the end of the day please never forget this most important piece of advice: this is about you and Mr. B. Do not let this process change who you are as a couple aside from the realization that if you can make it through this, you can make it through anything. Your love is what brought you to this point and nothing should get in the way of that.
Good luck with the planning and have another glass of champagne - it looks like you could use it.
With Love,
Future Miss Bicycle
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)