I'm a happy-go-lucky do-gooder and owner of Va de Vie Events. Through this blog, I hope to share inspiration, budget ideas and DIY tips on how to pull off a budget wedding. {Savvy shopping, a bit of craftiness, and flexibility is what it takes!} I would love to hear from real brides, vendors, photographers, and more with their budget savvy tips or real weddings. Please email me at vera at vadevie-events.com.
You can also check out my underground dining adventures on Canvas Underground, by clicking here.
NOTE: In accordance with new FTC regulations, vendors I spotlight on my blog have not sponsored me or their post in any way -- it's strictly editorial and because I admire their work. I also credit photography as best I can and will gladly take it down if necessary. Thank you.
Masthead and profile photos were taken by Davina plus Daniel Photography (c) 2010. All rights reserved.
I came home from a late night meeting to find Guitar Fred rocking to an Adam Ant song in his undies while mopping the floor. He had no idea I had come home. I watched him for a few seconds, totally amused and thrilled he had taken the initiative. Plus, he looked so darn cute! And the floor looked great too.
Next, he gave our dog, Munch, a bath. Meanwhile, I stepped into the kitchen, I saw that the dishes were done...and he even picked up my dry cleaning.
Looks like our pre-marital counseling sessions with the Rev have been rubbing off on him? ;)
Our reply cards are starting to roll in and so I'm finally giving you a peek at what they look like.
I purchased the invitation suite (Martha Stewart, Heirloom Ornament) at TJ Maxx for $7.99 for a pack of 48. I hand stamped them with a bird icon and also enclosed a custom made map by Genevieve Walker. I promise to post a blog dedicated to Genevieve later this week -- she was fabulous to work with and incorporated some of the elements from our "musically romantic" Save-the-Date!
With 6 weeks to go, we've just begun to get our act together in getting our details wrapped up. (Not to mention, I've got 4 more weddings to coordinate before ours!)
Tonight, we have our last meeting with Reverend Wilson to review our ceremony. I'm very excited, not only because Reverend Wilson is tons of fun (it's hard not to smile around him) but also because I'll finally get started on printing our programs.
In the last few days, we've been able to check off the following and feel a little bit more sane:
Mail our invitations -- Genevieve Walker created a fabulous custom wedding map for us to enclose with our invites (will share once our guests receive the invites first!)
Ask our uber-talented friends, Jessica, soprano, to sing me down the aisle (to the song that always brings tears to my eyes) and Jard, classical guitar, to mesmerize us with his mad guitar skills for our ceremony at Christ Church of Sausalito
Order uplights from ImpactSF - blue for the stage (where we'll dance) and amber for the reception hall
I caught a RT for Bacon Bourbon Caramel Corn from UTbrideandgroom which led me to Salted Caramel. I've begun to nix the idea of having a popcorn machine for our carnival cocktail hour and I think the caramel popcorn balls would be easier to manage (i.e. make ahead of time and set out).
A 3.5 pound bag is $85.00, so I think I'm going to try my hand at this! It just so happens that the chef (a friend) who's catering our wedding just made his own batch of bacon too!
We'll have to modify the following recipe by tossing in bits of the bacon and maybe adding a splash of bouron. Kitchen testing this will be delish!
In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, water, syrup, vinegar, and salt. Cook over high heat until mixture reaches 255 degrees F (hard-ball stage) on a candy thermometer. Stir in vanilla. Pour over popped corn, tossing gently to coat. When mixture is cool enough to handle, press popcorn into 3-inch balls with lightly greased hands. Cool completely on waxed paper.
Continuing on my hide-the-arms quest, I'm considering a wrap -- which ties behind versus having a full panel of fabric. It's less expensive than a bolero and I'm loving Bonzie's charming, Victorian style.
I found the perfect father-daughter song for me and my dad: Rascal Flatt's "My Wish"!
I'm going to cry...
Here are the lyrics:
"My Wish"
I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you want to go,
And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,
But more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.
I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
And you always give more than you take.
But more than anything, yeah, and more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.
This is my wish
I hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big
Cute cake topper alert! A bride I'm working with just ordered these "kokeshi" wooden dolls from Esty (shop Temple7e here) and I couldn't resist sharing them with you too. ADORABLE! Wouldn't you agree the ninja should throw ninja "hearts" instead of stars?
My bridesmaids rock! I am not a let's-go-to-the-Thunder-Down-Under or what-happens-in-Vegas-stays-in-Vegas kind of bachelorette. I'm super excited about the party they've planned for me in September: we're taking over Sonoma on a wine trolley.
Sebastiani Winery rents out wine trolleys for $150/hour with a 4-hour minimum. It comes out to $60/per person and less if more than 10 people attend -- which is far less than some bachelorette weekend getaways. We can drink and not worry about driving, plus we can hoot and holler. Can't wait!
I've lost about 14-15 pounds so far but I've still got the jiggly arms since I haven't been doing weight training consistently. My dress is strapless and I'm worrying about the chicken cutlets that threaten to hang out over the sides of my dress. Eeks!!!
Uptown Urban Craft to the rescue! For $74, I can get this cute bolero in taffeta and choose from seven colors. Unfortunately, teal or orange aren't among the choices (mostly pastel), but I suppose the brown will go best with my champagne colored dress.
We have printed these on 5x7 note cards (papaya) from Paper Source for the backs of our programs. We'll glue the actual program to the front. They turned out really awesome! Get yours here.
I just purchased these adorable rosettes of crepe paper and vintage sheet music from Lucky Girl Goods! I'm going to wrap the candy bar/buffet jars with ribbon and attach these to the front of the jars. Total cost: $3.00!
P.S. I have lots of other details in the works right now, like making yummy favors with Slow Jams (who nabbed Sunset Magazine's Best of the West), ordering custom made goodies for the bridal party (Chouettes on Etsy) and getting Guitar Fred's gift. Can't wait to share!
My lovely bridesmaids threw me an awesome mani-pedi bridal shower at The Lounge in Berkeley. The favors included a "beauty bar" and decorations included pom-poms and lush hydrangeas. The Lounge already has an upscale feel (black glass chandeliers and sheer drapes, so they didn't have to do too much but bring the food and relax as they got pedicures and massages. My MOH is putting together a scrapbook of the love notes the gals left for me (from Mika78, http://100layercake.com/blog/archives/1978).
RayJoyce Studio produced this SDE (same-day edit) video of the activities leading up to Eugenia and Michael's marriage at the Solage Resort in Calistoga. I was excited to be a part of the preparations (and you can even see me working in the video, from running rehearsal, setting up the candy buffet and parasols). RayJoyce did an amazing job and captured the beautiful details we often oversee, like bees buzzing around flowers, and the fun stuff, like the groom riding his bicycle while the girls were getting ready.
My bridal party has kept the details of my bridal shower under wraps -- I didn't even know what time it started until a week ago or so. I am very excited to see what they have in store....
What I do know is that we'll be getting mani-pedis, eating and drinking (mimosas, I hope!) at a salon in Berkeley. I totally need some pampering and time to catch up with friends and family since I've been working so hard (on everyone else but me!). :)
Apologies for the silence again -- I've been swamped with a bunch of stuff, especially with a wedding in Calistoga coming up.
I'm very excited to give you a sneak peek of Shenna and Owen's wedding at Martinelli Winery (Livermore, CA). Shenna has such grace and style -- I admired a lot of her DIY and vintage/handmade details; she even gave me her "I Do" banner as a parting gift (for me to use for my wedding in October).
Dorothee and Annabel of Belathee Photography (NYC/Seattle) captured this couple just beautifully!
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