I want to be showered with panties

I hadn't planned on having any bridal showers of any kind because for one my bridesmaids are all scattered about in different places, and for two FI and I didn't register anywhere which makes it kind of hard for people to get you things. Some of my girls are insistent on throwing me a shower of some sort though, and it got me thinking. FI and I have been together for a really long time...over six years now in fact, and I think in that time I've maybe owned three pairs of really nice, sexy, matching lingerie sets. I've just never been one to go out and spend money like that since we're both still students living the college life (aka eating ramen noodles and bumming wireless internet off our neighbors to save money). So I've made up my mind that if someone wants to shower me with something I want it to be panties. And matching bras. I would love to have some different things to take along with me on the honeymoon, and I'm sure FI would appreciate the gesture too ;) I'm really looking forward to the new Pussycat Dolls lingerie collection coming out so maybe I can put that bug in someone's ear. Hmmm....

Musical selections

So FI and I sat down and finally chose the songs that are muy importante to the wedding. We're not exactly a traditional bunch and our musical tastes are random so don't be expecting to see "Canon in D" and "Butterfly Kisses" on the list. We both like a wide array of music from country, rock, oldies, alternative, and top 40 stuff so we wanted to try to incorporate a little of everything in the wedding. Here's what we decided on thus far. It's not set in stone and is subject to change but probably won't because I rather like the selections we've got :)

Grandmothers and wedding party entrance-"Heavenly Day" by Patty Griffin

Processional-"Hear You Me" by Jimmy Eat World

Recessional-"Warning Sign" by Coldplay (Odd title for a wedding, but it's a beautiful song!)

Reception introduction-"I'm a Believer" by Smashmouth ***UPDATE: FI and I decided we are going to be introduced to "Ain't That A Kick In The Head" by Dean Martin instead***

Father/daughter and mother/son dance- "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts

First dance-"Come Away With Me" by Norah Jones

Cake cutting-"How Sweet It Is" by James Taylor

Garter removal-"Kiss" by Prince

Bouquet toss-"Single Ladies" by Beyonce

Anniversary dance-"Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton

Last dance of the night-"I Could Not Ask For More" by Edwin McCain

DIY projects

I'm going to be undertaking quite a few DIY projects for the wedding for many reasons. Firstly, it's helping me save money. Second, I'll get to custom design everything in the colors and styles I want rather than having to frantically looking around to try to find something I like. And lastly, I think they add a nice personal touch to a wedding and FI and I are going to take pride in knowing we helped make our wedding look that damn good! Here's a few of the projects I have lined up that we're making rather than buying:

• Save-the-Dates
  
• Invitations
  
• Centerpieces
  
• Favor boxes
  
• Photo boards
  
• Tissue pomanders
  
• Unity candle set
  
• Program fans
  
• Framed seating chart
  
• Decorative votives
  
• Table numbers
• Etched memorial vases

I will, of course, post pictures of my various projects after I'm finished with them. This might take a while though seeing as how I'm a total procrastinator and I've been super busy lately. I'm going to try to recruit FI and get motivated here in the next week or so that way I can get a head start on these projects before the big day sneaks up on us!

Gettin' gorgeous

I've made up my mind that I'm going to have to have someone do my makeup for me on my wedding day. I can already imagine how nervous and tightly-wound I'm going to be, and I don't trust myself to make me pretty under those conditions! I have been looking for some ideas as to how I want "my look" to be, but I've ultimately come to the decision that I'm going to give whatever makeup artist I choose free reign over making me over because I want something that looks good on me and not on some celebrity or other person with a completely different face. I figure they know what they're doing since that's their job and can give me a look that's uniquely mine and compliments me. I don't want anything too heavy like a smoky eye look or red lipstick because I just can't pull that off, but I don't want to look completely "natural" either. What's the point of getting your makeup done if it's not going to look like you've got anything on, right? I just want something soft and girly like peachy cheeks and pink lips. I'm considering the airbrush makeup thing, only because my skin tone never truly looks "even" since I have freckles, and I've heard this gives the look of a more smooth complexion. I've also started on a beauty regimen to get me looking good for the big day and the honeymoon where I'll be spending most of my days scantily clad in a bikini with the weather being as hot as it will be. I've started religiously exfoliating with sugar scrub to prepare my skin for the self-tanner stuff I'm going to try out. I'm so fair-skinned that I usually just burn when I go to the tanning bed and with the risk of skin cancer in my family I probably don't need to be going anyway. So I'm going to try the spray tan in a can and keep my fingers crossed that it doesn't turn me Oompa-Loompa orange! I've also been doing my yoga and breaking out the Carmen Electra strip aerobics DVDs just to tone up. I'm not allowed to lose or gain any weight in these next four months because my dress fits me perfect right now!

I want these ties!

There's nothing else to say. I simply must have these. I found them on knottie redshoegirl's bio. The colors are perfect and would work so well on the groomsmen and FI! Unfortunately they are no longer on the Charles Tyrwhitt website. This makes me incredibly sad :( Guess I'll just have to stick with the dotted watermelon ties our tuxedo rental place offers for now, but I will be searching high and low for some like these because I have tie envy really bad!

Trashing the dress

I am so stoked that my man and I will be having a trash-the-dress session after the wedding. It's sort of a new concept to me as none of my friends in my small town had ever heard about it (nor had I until I was educated on The Knot), and my grandma thought I was crazy when she heard I might be getting my dress a bit dirty lol It's a trend that I'm totally on board for though. Our photographer is throwing it in with her regular wedding package since she usually includes a free engagement session but we didn't need that seeing as how we'd already had those pictures made. FI and I are very excited about this because we see it as a chance to get some really fun, relaxed photos. I love the idea of doing a trash-the-dress session because it's unique shots of me with FI. Much more appealing than bridal portraits of just me cheesin' it for the camera by myself. Now of course I'm not going to actually literally trash the dress since I plan on donating it to Brides Against Breast Cancer afterwards, but I still plan on getting it at least a little wrinkled in the process! I'd love to get some pics around downtown Asheville since it's such a colorful and eclectic setting. I'm also hoping we can take a trip to the trainyard just because I think that would make for some very unique photos. And I've seen some wonderful trash-the-dress photos taken in trees too, so I'm not opposed to climbing!

Of all places...

So of all the places I could've found a wedding garter, it just so happens that I found a super cute one at Hot Topic. Total randomness, I know. I was in there with my friend who was shopping for nose rings and happened to stumble upon this turquoise blue garter, completely void of lace just like I wanted and with a cute little bow on it, hanging on the wall right next to the stuffed skeleton animals and bottled neon hair dye. It's a highly unlikely location for a wedding item but hey...I'm not complaining! In fact I'm pleasantly surprised because it was under six bucks and the exact style I was looking for. Just goes to show you should always keep your eyes peeled!