Tying the Knot: Wedding Dress Hanger

I'm sure you've all seen the hangers floating around Pinterest and the webs in general that are custom made to hold your wedding dress or to give as gifts to your bridal party. Whether it be curved wire or painted wood the options seemed to be endless and quite frankly, something I didn't feel like spending a bunch of money on. So I decided to DIY my own version.

 

After a quick trip to IKEA for a set of white wood hangers that cost me less than $1 each the process was super simple and super easy. Not to mention the perfect afternoon activity to go along with trashy TV that the fiance wouldn't watch with me :-) 

[1] Gather all supplies: hanger, printer paper, pencil, permanent marker, bobby-pin/credit card/something with an edge. I printed my lettering in the font and size that would fit the hanger the right way and cut it down to size.
[2] On the wrong/back side of the paper, trace your letters in pencil making sure to completely cover all areas and use enough lead.
[3] Tape the paper right side up so the pencil markings are touching the wood.
[4] Gently but throughly rub over the letters to transfer the pencil marks onto the wood. This is where I used a bobby-pin (only because I had one sitting on the table where I was working) but anything will work for this step. Carefully lift one edge to make sure all letters have transfered.

[5] This is how it should look. Tough to see I know but you can tell that the pencil marks have stayed on the wood.
[6] Carefully trace over the pencil with your permanent marker making sure to avoid smudges.

And it's as easy as that! The other side of my hanger says "Mrs. New-last-name" and then obviously this is our wedding date. I love how it turned out and the fact that it was cheap. Sure the professional ones might have the edge of well... professionalism but hey, I much prefer to do these types of things myself.

 

Another item crossed off the check-list! What have you accomplished this week?

Tying the Knot: Crossing Things Off The List

This past week J and I were back home in Colorado to take care of some wedding related items and to spend some quality time with our family and friends. I am so happy with how the trip went because we were able to cross off everything from our list that we wanted to get done! Wedding planning is in full swing and I feel so accomplished getting so many things taken care of already.

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+ I finalized my decision about where/who I want doing our flowers for the big day. Since it's going to be the winter I knew almost immediately that I didn't want to go overboard with florals for our wedding. For one thing, the price of flowers is so crazy and it just isn't my taste to have them everywhere. We're sticking to just personal flowers (bouquets, boutonnieres, and corsages) with a few individual buds for some of the tables. Here's some inspiration for you...

Source: google.com via Jayme on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Jayme on Pinterest

+ I had my first alterations appointment and it went swimmingly! It needed to be taken in about a half inch on both sides, I chose to have cups put in the top and it needed a bustle like all dresses do but these things are all normal. And the best part was that it needed no hemming! Apparently dresses are made the right length for someone who is 5'10" which I am definitely not. When I ordered the dress my amazing consultant suggested that if I wanted to save some money (was she joking?) that we could order the dress to come to from the designer 4 inches shorter. We had to pay for it but the cost was much, much less than what putting in a hem would cost so I said yes. 

+ My wedding shoes have been picked thanks to the above appointment. The dress needed to be approximately 6 or 7 inches shorter when we ordered it originally. So the 4" chopped off from the designer plus a 2 or 3 inch heal and I was set. I had bought two pairs of shoes to try on with my dress and was so, so happy when I stepped into the first pair and the length of the dress was absolutely perfect! It couldn't have worked out better! Now I get to wear them around the house for the next 5 months to make them comfy.

+ There were a pair of earrings at the bridal boutique that I tried on with my dress and really liked. But I did not like the price tag. (Shocking, right?) Well my mom and I headed to one of our favorite places in town and found a pair almost exactly the same for less than 10% of the price of the first pair. Score!

+ The pre-consultation with a new hairstylist is complete and I know they'll do an awesome job. I have been getting my hair cut from the same lady (out of her house) since high school so I knew I needed to try a new salon for the big day. I was in desperate need of a trim so I booked myself an appointment/pre wedding consultation based on a suggestion from a friend. I am so happy with the job she did on my hair cut and we chatted the whole time about my perfect wedding look. 

+ J and I picked out the attire of the gentlemen for the wedding and I am so excited to see J all dressed up. I think we came up with a fabulous look for his groomsmen that fits perfectly with my bridesmaids and the winter setting and I absolutely love what J is going to be wearing. I do feel a little special that I get to know what he'll be wearing and he has absolutely no clue about my look!

+ I also had my bridal shower and feel so blessed to have so many kind, sweet ladies there to celebrate with me. This was one of the main reasons we went home when we did so the festivities deserves it's own post that will come soon but here's a sneak peak.

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+ This happened before we went on vacation back home but J and I went and picked out our weddings bands. It's a bit early for them but we both have known for quite some time what we wanted for our rings so we figured let's just get it taken care of! Now that we have them though, all I can think about is wanting to wear mine. Don't tell J but I've slipped it on my finger a few times already ;-)

+ I have also finished our guest book! I'm guest blogging for Syndal while she's on her honeymoon and shared all the details about it there so you should click on over and check it out. I personally love it... but I may or may not be biased!

So tell me, what have you crossed off your To-Do list lately?

Tying the Knot: Bridesmaid Dress Options

I mentioned in this post that I wanted all my bridesmaids to wear navy in our wedding but that I also wanted them to have the freedom to choose a dress that they loved and that was individual for each one of them. Well a few weeks ago, the only bridesmaid I have out in California and I went shopping.

I decided that it was going to be easiest and most logical to get the dresses at David's Bridal. This way no one has to get a dress they've never actually tried on if I picked a small bridal boutique in either CA or CO, the color would be exactly the same, and David's has pretty decent pricing and sales often. There's also the plus that they work with Men's Warehouse so if J ends up wanting a more uniform look with color between his guys and my ladies, MW has access to all the same colors as David's.

After looking through the store and trying on a handful of styles the day we went shopping I was able to narrow it down to 7 different options for my 4 ladies. I figured a little guidance would be good so that the dresses all worked together well and so everyone knew to avoid satin. Oh boy do I hate that shine! 

Here's what we're working with! 

The first three styles are Cotton Sateen which doesn't look nearly as shiny in real life as in these pictures and the last four styles are chiffon. 

The color is Marine which is a classic navy. (Unfortunately I couldn't find a single pictures of any of the 7 dresses  in that actual color!) They will all wear black shoes of their choice as well. This way someone who wants 4 inch heals and someone who wants flats can both be happy and it also avoids having to buy a brand new pair of shoes for one day that they might not ever wear again. 

My maid of honor as well as one bridesmaid have actually ordered their dresses already and I am so excited with the choices that they made. I think both their dresses suit them perfectly and they've both said to me how they can totally see themselves wearing the dress again for a different occasion! I can't wait to see which dress the other two pick and be able to see my wedding ceremony starting to take shape! 

[Target Tuesday] v2

How is it Tuesday again already? I feel like I'm losing track of the weeks lately. I might have a problem. (But that will be for a different post altogether.) Today, it's [Target Tuesday] again at Fabulous but Evil! Make sure you go check her post out and link up.

On Sunday after work I needed a few things at Target (new black belt. peanut butter. you know, the essentials). And while I was there I couldn't resist stopping in the shoe section because every girl loves the Target shoe section. Well to my happy surprise I stumbled upon these pretties and they have become my inspiration for this weeks Target Tuesday!

Merona Maribel Peep-Toe Wedges

Graduation is right around the corner here at SDSU and that means I'm already planning my wardrobe for that big day. To be included:

+Wedge sandals of some sort (because I'm much too casual to wear them on a regular basis but love them just the same)

+Sun dress (because I do live in SD and it will be the middle of May, it just makes sense)

+Beachy curled hair and a nice pair of sunglasses
And while I didn't end up buying these pretties (I'm too thrifty to get them at full price when they'll hopefully be on sale soon) I definitely want them. I have a few contenders for dresses already in my closet but I can't help myself from thinking some of these would be amazing as well.

Mossimo Women's Draped Elastic Waise Dress

Xhiliration Sleeveless Tribal Dress

Merona Sleeveless Scoop Neck Dress

Xhiliration Scoopneck Back Strap Dress

And, just incase my dream shoes don't go on sale (or they do and they sell out because everyone loves them like I do) these babies would definitely work too!

Merona Elliana Wedge Sandals

Now I'm off to start my Tuesday of spring break, enjoy the nice weather today, spend time with the puppy, and relax a little.