Paper DIY

Alas, photos of my very own wedding on my very own blog. These pictures aren't new across the interwebs, but I think they are still quite pretty. Don't you?

I'll focus on all the paper/wood/fabric on this go around. The majority of my DIY prowess. HA! 

Our invitations printed on wood. Wrapped in gorgeously patterned paper and textured twine. Plus a vintage button for a touch of glam.

 

Wedding books. With all the important wedding day details.

Handkerchiefs! My dear, dear, handkerchiefs! So many days devoted to these babies. I wish I had been lucid enough during this DIY to document it and share a tutorial. Maybe one day I'll recreate and post. One day.

Escort cards, hand stamped, letter by letter. Strung across Smog's bookshelves. Loved the idea! Love their funky shelves more.

Tis the most important place card. Tee hee. The Bride. That was me, for all of one day. Woohoo!

 

Simple table letters. Made pretty looking by the tin can and flowers.

Poms. Strung just so across the patio, hanging over us as we exchanged our vows. Love them against the blue sky. And much unlike the hankies, they were stupidly easy to make. Tutorials abound in the interwebs. Follow this one from Martha.

 {photo credit: Natalie Moser}

So there they are, my most cherished projects from the wedding. I wouldn't have changed a thing about them. All the DIY was really only worth it because I just had to have each of these things, lest my wedding be incomplete.

What do you think? Like 'em?

More soon!

Our Little Wedding on SMP

I have some exciting news. Very exciting news! Pee your pants, squeal out loud, jump up and down, twirl in circles, exciting.

Our little wedding, that we poured our hearts into is being featured on Style Me Pretty, right now! Unfreakin' believable!

Our wonderful Natalie captured everything in the most magnificent way. The photos are crazy, sexy, cool. And of course, we needed Amber to bring it all to life. Smooches all around for you ladies. Big ol' wet ones!

Insane.

Have a most excellent weekend. I will spend most of it daydreaming of my wedding day.

A little peek.

Vows

32 days ago, we spoke these words. We laughed, we cried. And I lost all feeling in my fingers and toes.

From this day on, I choose you to be my best friend and partner in life

I choose you

To live with you and laugh with you, to stand by your side, and sleep in your arms

I choose to be the joy to your heart and food for your soul

To bring out the best in you always, and for you, to be the most that I can

I choose you for our adventures, to learn, play, and grow together

I choose you for the times we may struggle so that we may grow stronger

I choose you to share all my riches and honors

I choose you

As I have given you my hand to hold, I choose you to give my life to keep.

Wedding Day {Sneak Peak}

{The One and Only: Natalie Moser}

Stay tuned!

Footloose and Fancy Free

My darlings! I am finally on the other side. I am a wife and I have a husband. Tis crazy business this whole marriage thing.

I wanted so badly to update you on the big day and every little detail and emotion that floated through me before leaving on the honeymoon. Of course, that didn't happen because there was unpacking and packing and sleeping to be had. And enjoying the whole wedded bliss feeling.

Now I am sitting at the airport on my way to my honeymoon. We are flying first class the entire way to Buenos Aires because my honey is Ah-mazing (capital A) and wanted us to have the trip of a lifetime. Not too shabby, eh? I think I'll hang on to him.

Feeling fancy free and footloose. Life doesn't get much better than this.

A Labor of Love + DIY

A labor of love. The only way to describe these little goodies. I wanted printed handkerchiefs and I wanted them bad. So bad that I deemed it appropriate to spend 3 full days on the process of DIYing each unique piece. After all, people need something to dry their eye with during the ceremony, no?

{poor photo quality due to combination of  use of  iPhone & severe exhaustion}

But they are beauties, me thinks.  So, so very worth all the laboring. 

2 days... 

Twirls & Giggles

Feeling all kinds of happy and excited lately. I feel as though I should twirl in circles and giggle like a wee little girl. As if I have not a care in the world but to marry my groom to be in a matter of days.

On My Way to The District

Unpacking and repacking today. On my way to Washington, D.C. to visit my most incredible friend who has just moved to the District from San Francisco. Tis more than I could ask for to be able to see him both before the wedding and on wedding day.

Also visiting my favorite bridal boutique while I'm there, to pick up my wedding dress so that it can keep me company on my flight home. Not sure yet, how it's all settling in to my little head and heart.

We'll be exactly 7 days out when I return...

{via}

Bachelorette Weekend

Where will you find me on this three day weekend? I will be in Palm Springs whopping it up with some of my favorite girls and guys. That's right, I get an entire weekend, thanks to my rockin' best friends and the coolest Maid of Honor evah!

The weather in LA has been loopy (including a freak rain on Thursday), so I'm happily escaping to the desert to soak up the sun in the 100 degree weather. That is, after I slather on the sunscreen of course.  SPF 85. It can never be too high. And seek shelter under my sun hat. No sunburns for this bride! Eek!

Happy three day weekend! Palm Springs here I come!

Wear TOMS

The presents for the guys and gals of our wedding party arrived at the door yesterday! I am still so stinkin' excited that I just have to share. Screw surprises. 

That's right! TOMS shoes at a wedding. By this point, more people than not have heard of TOMS shoes. The ultra comfy, ultra cute, ultra versatile flats for men and women. They're also trendy and hip, and blah blah blah.

But there's a good reason for the trendiness and the hipness. The One for One Movement. TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. It really is as simple as that.

Why shoes you might ask?

Many children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or going to school, these children are at risk. 

• A leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted diseases, which can penetrate the skin through bare feet. Wearing shoes can help prevent these diseases, and the long-term physical and cognitive harm they cause.
• Wearing shoes also prevents feet from getting cuts and sores. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected.
• Many times children can't attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don't have shoes, they don't go to school. If they don't receive an education, they don't have the opportunity to realize their potential.

I racked my brain for a wedding party present that wasn't all cheesy or disposable, and I think I got this one right. Do good shoes to wear all day or when our tootsies get tired from all the dancing.

So just like that, 7 new pairs of shoes are going to children in need. If you're reading this, wedding party, thank you, for helping to make this happen.

Buy TOMS. Wear TOMS. Ask everyone you know to do it too. One for One.

Feeling Wanderlusty

Feeling wanderlusty for Argentina as I sit here on such a beautifully clear and sunny day. Being crafty for the wedding and daydreaming of my honeymoon. Escaping for four beautiful weeks.

French architecture, English lifestyle, Spanish culture, and Italian flair. Be still my heart.

{via}

Florialis Genérica, architect Eduardo Catalano's aluminum flower on Avenida Figueroa Alcorta in Buenos Aires, opens its petals by day and closes them at night

Are you feeling wanderlusty? Where is your imagination taking you today?

Handcrafted Ceremony

We've been handcrafting our ceremony and our vows. Whoa. It's been an incredibly emotional experience for me and not something I was expecting. Hearing and writing the words that we will speak to each other on the day that we are married is overpowering and overwhelming, all in a great way. We want the ceremony to be personal and intimate. Including only the words and actions that we personally feel connected with.

In the end, we have a nice mix of the traditional and the personal. There's something so moving about traditional wedding vows. And how certain words like, "I thee wed," can instantly send chills down my spine. To make it ours, we wrote our own vows together; made our own promises to each other.

We also put our own twist on a hand ceremony. This is a snippet:

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong, and vibrant with love, 

That are holding yours on your wedding day,

As he promises to love you all the days of his life

Finally, something we are most excited to include is a tree planting ceremony. It's our version of lighting a unity candle or pouring sand. Both of which are just not our cuppa tea. But planting a tree. A living tree that will continue to grow and move with us wherever life takes us...I'd like that tree.

{photo credit: Kelly Lorenz via Snippet & Ink}

I don't have too much else to end with, except that I hope any brides or grooms out there reading this right now, remember this: The words you speak and the things you do during your ceremony must reflect your relationship. Do not feel pressured into including vows that do not truly speak of you. 

I'm terrified of being so nervousgiddyandinlove that I don't remember what I've said during the ceremony. But this way, it'll be a handcrafted affair, and there's no chance that I'll forget it. 

23 days until I thee wed...

An Anthropologie Dress + A Sale

Anthropologie, you had me at hello. Sharing with you a dress I picked up a couple weekends ago to wear for the rehearsal and the rehearsal lunch. It is fun and light and just the teeniest bit sparkly.

In related news, the Tag Sale is here. If you're an Anthro Afficionado you know it's a good day. Despite the gloom and the rain. Shop from the couch or head to a brick & mortar as quick as your little feet will take you.

I'm off!

Happy Sunday!

The one and only Holly Flora has created the most stunning centerpieces for the wedding. Just Stunning. Vintage tins and goblets filled with peonies, succulents, ranunculus, and garden roses. After our floral sample meeting, I ventured to the market this weekend for my own peonies to fill the house with. Lunch has looked beautiful on the table.

Wishing you a happy Sunday!  What do you have planned? Something exciting? Low-key? Or maybe you will be heading out to grab your own bunch of peonies to fill your home with?

You're Invited

Hello lovelies! Anyone still here? I have good news for you! I finished my Masters program almost one week ago and I am beginning to remember what a lovely life I actually have. 

As for invitations, they were late going out...oh so very late. I don't know how we managed to do it, but here they are! They are beauties, aren't they? Designed by one creative woman behind Unless Someone Like You and Archer Printshop found via etsy, and printed on wood veneer by Night Owl Paper Goods. Each were a dream to work with. I've gushed about Night Owl Paper Goods before, and boy do they deliver!

One visit to the craft store, one night of assembly, and one trip to the post office later, our invitations were in the mail.

The bride and groom won't be the only ones at the wedding after all.

A Bridal Shower

I had my first bridal shower on Thursday! Thrown for me, by 18 of my sweetest first graders and my partner/teacher in crime. I am still giddy. It was the perfect surprise and I'm still not entirely certain how all 18 of my little ones managed to keep a secret for an entire week. That's a looong time when you're six! In fact, it was many little secrets.

The best brunch was waiting for me when I arrived at my classroom. Pancakes topped with blueberries, bananas, and agave syrup, with a refreshing glass of orange juice. Inspired by a recent reading of If you Give a Pig a Pancake, naturally. Followed by two rounds of bridal shower games. It just doesn't get much better than watching 6 year olds attempt to draw a bridal gown atop their heads.(Unfortunately, the sentiment is different for grown boys and girls.) 

The icing on the cupcake was listening to the children read the letters of recommendation they had each secretly written for me. The words "To Whom it May Concern" have never sounded so freakin' adorable. It was inspiring and heartwarming. It reminded me why I truly love what I do.

As if these letters weren't enough, Mrs. Tello and the class presented me with flowers and my first official wedding present, straight off our registry! I loves me some Crate and Barrel.

On a sadder note, this was also a goodbye party. You might remember that I am bouncing around to a couple of schools as I complete the last requirements of my Master's program. I couldn't have asked for a better sendoff. Room 37, you have made me proud!

100 Days

Whoa. 100 days until the wedding. I have no special post saved up for this incredible occasion.

But how about a couple of posts from A Los Angeles Love that take the words right out of my mouth. I've sent her thank yous for being brave enough to air her dirty financial laundry to the world. And I'll say it here again. Thank you Becca, for keepin' it real.

Go here and there for her post on Real Los Angeles Wedding Budgets and another, appropriately titled Damned If You Do, Damned If You Don't.

I'll scroll through the highlight reel, but do yourself a favor and read the full posts anyway. 

* We should choose budgets because they're reasonable for our aims, our city, our guest list, and our pocketbooks.  And we should decide on our budgets based on real research and real prioritizing. And we should stop judging each other for the money we do or don't spend on these events.

* That's the feeling we should be chasing as we grapple with budgets: that our choices are worth it to us.

* One of the most difficult aspects of planning this wedding has been the immediate and overwhelming moral judgment ascribed to our highly personal decision-making process.

* My math says that the opportunity cost of NOT having this wedding would be far worse than moving forward with the event.

Finally, I know what you are thinking. That my post to mark the 100 days before the day I say "I do," should be full of sugar and spice and everything nice, but that's not all this girl is made of.

LA Style Unveiled {Engagement Photos}

Heather of LA Style Unveiled sent me an email today announcing that she featured some of our engagement photos on their blog today! A quote from Heather's message: "Isn't Natalie talented??" Uh, heck yea! Thanks for sending those over, Natalie!

You might remember that LA Style Unveiled actually featured me as a Bride in the City. It's fun sharing this next step with them! And of course, if you aren't familiar with LA Style Unveiled, they are the keepers of the most awesome bits of wedding info. Get yourself over there!

Go here to read about the Bride in the City feature and here for the engagement photos.

Happy Hump Day!

Choo Shoes

I have been told, by a handful of people, that I am neglecting my wedding. Yes, my wedding day is a mere three and a half months away. And yes, there are one or two (or three or four) details that still need to be sorted out. But not to worry, people!

Because, I have found my wedding shoes! All I need is for dear old Jimmy Choo to start cranking on his Spring 2010 line. And for my size to be available in pre-order. And for my new best friend, and personal shopper, Janette, to give me a call when she has acquired said size and put it on hold for me.

Ladies and gentleman, I introduce to you, Jimmy Choo's 'Private' Cuff Patent Leather Sandal.

Jimmy Choo, $950

See folks, nothing to worry about! It's all under control! I have my phone, Janette...give me a ring...anytime!

*Update: $950 has yet to fall from the sky. If you happen to come across some extra cash, and are feeling especially generous, let me know...*

Holly Flora & A Real Wedding

This wedding deserves a post of its own. When I first saw Stephanie + Dave's wedding last year, on Snippet & Ink, I was awe-struck. My favorite weddings are the ones where the couple's personality screams from the details. And of course, it's a Smog Shoppe wedding. Holly executed the bride's vision of using seasonal, late-summer produce for the centerpieces, a la your favorite Sunday Farmer's Market. Plus when the bride is a sous chef at AOC, here in LA, and the groom is a musician, you know the wedding is going to be good.

This first photo has nothing to do with the floral design, but I just couldn't resist including it. I just love this shot of the bride and groom enjoying a cocktail and some alone time together in the upstairs loft of the Smog. So intimate, so perfect. 

 

  

  

  

{photo credit: Annie McElwain {via} Snippet & Ink}

So there you have it! Our florist in all her glory. Isn't she perfect? Le sigh.