Developing our Invitations

Last time I gave you guys a sneak peak into our invitations, now I can say that everyone (well, almost everyone- it takes a long time to get to Norway) has received our invites and despite one mishap* the results are all positive!!

Since I've already talked about my bridal blunder in ordering the invites, let's jump straight into the wording. The one request from Mama Peep was that we include their names on the invite, but since the in-laws are also contributing- we thought it'd be best to include them as well. They aren't married any longer, so we had to get crafty, which worked well for us since tradition isn't really our thing. And if I do say so myself- I think it sounds great: (Peep Toe= Last Name)

Papa and Mama Peep Toe
Along with MIL Peep Toe and FIL Peep Toe
Joyfully invite you to celebrate the marriage of

Miss Peep
& Mr. Peep

Saturday, May XX
Two Thousand Nine**
At half past xxxx in the afternoon

The Outdoor Terrace***
Hotel Vitale
San Francisco, California

Reception Immediately Following

**thanks to Mrs. Cupcake's advice we removed the 'and'
***Mama Peep thought it was important for people to know it's outside

We also had to make a BIG decision on the RSVP card. We'll be having a sit down dinner and our guests need to choose between two entrees. Papa Peep made some grumbling about avoiding chicken, so even though we haven't (as in- to this day) had a tasting, we decided to throw caution to the wind and serve Beef and Fish. We incorporated a little line on the RSVP card and asked people to initial their choice. Out of the few RSVPs we've gotten NO ONE has actually initialed their choice- X's yes, but initial- no. So word to the wise- make the initial line big enough to actual initial. DOH!!

Back to the invites: once we had the wording picked out, we started developing the design a bit more. We really wanted to take advantage of incorporating a handwritten feel to our invitations. Aren't these invitations divine?


In order to reduce the calligraphy costs of our invites, we decided to only use hand calligraphy for our names, which in turn helped make our invitations look modern with a touch of classic. Here's an up close of our names and a bit of the invite:


At this point in the process, we needed to add a bit of something to make the invite stand out. These invites from Bella Figura helped get our inspiration flowing.

We'll admit to loving the small modern heart so much that we had to incorporate something like it- it just felt like us.**** And it fit right in with the rest of our design. We also decided it was worth the extra few cents in postage to use square paper to finish off our design. After a few iterations, we finally had a whole invitation:

Going with green writing was a last minute decision made by Mr. Peep and I couldn't be happier. As for the details, they were letterpressed onto Crane Lettra 110lb. card stock. And we love them!!

Up next, I'll talk about our impossible envelopes and our small (but informative) insert.

So did you have to be a bit crafty on your invitation wording??

*I accidentally sent our Best Man's invitation to his old address- aka his ex-girlfriend's house. BIG Opps. I hope he'll forgive me before the wedding.
****Now that I know a bit more about design, I know that copying an invitation design is a big no no, but in this case we based our design on the hand lettering and just used the heart to help inspire.

Putting the Eco into Invitations

Having eco-friendly invitations might be the easiest way to go green for your wedding.

I think the most luxe example of an eco-friendly invitation company is Bella Figura - you can check them out on Weddingbee Pro!! They are totally dedicated to all things green and their invites are to die for:

Source.
If letterpress isn't in your budget check out the following vendors:
A lot of the invites on Wedding Paper Divas are now available with eco-friendly paper:


We just ordered these invites for our home town reception:


We used Baron Cards for our Save the Dates and they were awesome to work with, we loved them, and we got a lot of compliments from our guests. They were actually RSVP cards that we turned into STDs. They print using vegetable-based inks and on 100% FSC Pure Paper. Score!!


I also think these are fabulous:



And for you DIY brides, Paper Source provides an eco-friendly paper option. I picked up a bunch of their 100% recycled, 30% post consumer waste, eco-white paper for our programs, menus and welcome bags back when they were 50% off! Whoo hoo!!

For you letter press brides, you might be green and not even know it!! A lot of letter press invites are printed out on Crane Lettra, which is made from cotton and therefore, tree free!! This is the route that we decided to go.

And don't forget to use recycled envelopes. I found some on the web here and here. This has been the one eco-friendly option that cost us more money (but I have to think it was worth it). We had an unusual size and wanted brown envelopes. And since I promised a sneak peek into our invites. Here are our envelopes:

The front with my very best hand writing:


The back with a Paper Source 2.5 inch round label:

I'll tell ya all about them next time.

So, have I convinced you yet to incorporate eco-friendly paper into your big day??

I've got chic, but do I have eco?

When I first started blogging, I talked about throwing a green wedding, and how with each decision we've asked ourselves: is it green enough?

I thought it was about time that I check in with that question and spend a few days (or weeks) in honor of Earth Day this month to provide a central source of new and used ways to green your big day!

Let's start from the very beginning and work our way through the planning process.

While I assume that you are addicted to, strike that, reading Weddingbee because you are already engaged, you may still be looking for that sparkling engagement ring. OR you are still looking for a wedding band.

I have four eco-friendly options for you to check out:
1. Brilliant Earth
2. Elizabeta Jewelry, I personally love this ring:

3. You could also always do what the fabulous Miss Joey did and ask for a vintage ring. A stunning option!

source.

4. Or you could always do what Mr. Peep did and forgo the diamond and look for another gemstone (while other gemstones are not totally controversy free, gems like sapphires are often mined in countries that are more politically stable than where diamonds are mined).

source.
And just in case you already have your own sparkler, make it Conflict Neutral and donate 1% of the cost of your diamond.

Now that you have a sparkler on your finger, let's talk about the location!! The easiest way to go green on this choice is to have both the ceremony and reception venue in the same location.


If it just isn't possible to hold both the ceremony and reception at the same location, try to hold them near each other or provide vans or buses to carpool guest from one site to the next. You have many eco-friendly options; San Francisco has a great eco-friendly bus/limo service, and in a pinch a lot of taxi's are going green by driving hybrids.

In picking a location, don't forget to ask if your event space uses eco-friendly practices. The most basic options include basic recycling (you'd be surprised at how many venues don't do this or are just starting to), local and organic food, recycled paper products, compact florescent light bulbs, reduced water and electricity usage, etc... The list goes on.

Mr. Peep and I are hosting our wedding at a JDV Hotel, which is committed to Green Events!

If can't have your wedding an a green venue, maybe you can have your wedding night at a green hotel?? Here's a list of the top 10 eco-friendly hotels in the US!! And please take note: both Kimpton and Marriott hotels are moving Green!

Here's a pic of a sustainable hotel room key, cool huh??


Just in case you can't wait for my next eco-friendly- paper free- post, read this article from the the NY Times a couple years ago, and follow up with my go-to Green Wedding Website: Portovert. It's a good first look at green vendors in your area. And finally, spend some time catching up on Eco-Chic Weddings Blog.

Up next, eco-friendly invitations!! And finally a peek into the Peep's invites!

And they are off...

Our invitations that is!!

I just got back from the post office. I asked if I could hand cancel the envelopes and the women looked at me like I was a bit crazy. She said the machine will do that, so I just decided to leave it as is and I handed them over.

Here's a sneak peak of all the invites stacked up:


While our invites weighed less than an ounce, they were square. But I thought the stamp was pretty cute:

And I got to use my favorite stamp on the return address cards:

Overall, I was in and out in less than FIVE minutes. It was so short and sweet. Now I feel nervous, Mr. Peep and I are the only ones who have seen the finished product. I hope they are a hit!? Anyone else get a little nervous after putting their invites in the mail?

More on the invites to come in a few days!! Gotta make sure my peeps get them first!

I feel pretty

Oh, so pretty!


There is nothing like love that makes you feel pretty. AND there is something about purchasing new makeup that makes me feel prettier. I've been holding off buying some new make-up but with the wedding less than two months away (gasp!!), I figured it was about time to splurge.

Since I try to rotate between splurge items and drug store make up- I'm going to include all of my favorite things in this post.

First up: Face lotion. I only buy face lotion with SPF, and I love this lotion by Neutrogena:

But recently I've upgraded to the anti-wrinkle stuff (18 years of Southern CA sun growing up, I need all the help I can get):


For my spluge, I wear Origins Youthtopia Eyecream:

Now that I have a base, I like to wear a light foundation. My absolute favorite splurge is Laura Mercier's Moisturizing Foundation, and of course, her concealer is the absolute best (and it lasts FOREVER):


But more likely than not, you'll find the wallet friendly Neutrogena Healthy Skin Cream Powder in my make-up bag.

Here is where I start to feel really pretty, I love love Benefit's Dandelion Blush. I've also been known to wear their Georgia Peach, Dallas, and the newest one: TEN.

When I can't quite splurge on Benefit, Almay's Powder Blush is a great back up, and their new Natural Blush has me intrigued.

When it comes to mascara, I never waiver. It's Maybelline's Lash Discovery Mini-Brush Washable Mascara:

The mini-brush makes my lashes oh so long.

As for eyeshadow, my favorite is Nars Duo Eyeshadows. You can use it both dry and wet. And I like the Alhambra Duo because I usually just wear the more nude shade during the day, but I spice up my eyes with the gold at night:


For my lips, I am all over the place. I've been attached to my little tube of Nars Sheer Captiva for so long. It looks super dark, but it can go on more like a sheer.

But I've recently become a fan of Benefit's Full-Finish Lipstick. I've almost finished off my tube of Swoonderful, so my recent purchase included their No Competition. On my lips, it's a saucy combo of pink and red:

And it feels a lot more like a gloss than a lipstick.

For everyday- I sport the Carmex cherry chapstick. While I don't go around kissing girls, I am truely addicted to it.


So there you have it, my make-up splurges and saves. What's your favorite slurge or great buy?

Showered with love

A couple weeks ago, Mr. Peep and I made the trek down to my Brother's house for a double family shower- for Mr. Peep and I and to introduce Baby Henry to the extended family. I am sure you can guess who stole the show??

My brother lives just North of LA, so we made it a family weekend. My whole family rarely gets together- last time it was for our engagement party in August. Before that I couldn't really tell you, so it was a treat to spend the weekend with the littlest members of our bridal party. Here they all are waiting to go to the party:


When we arrived the presents were already piled high on the table:



Of course after eating and catching up- it was present time:

Can you guess who our helpers were??? I am smiling ear to ear because breakfast trays mean breakfast in BED!! While Mr. Peep is thinking- unbelievable- now I have to serve her in bed too!! It really is true love!

Mama Peep once again worked her magic, she scanned the card my Great Aunt gave my Mom for her shower over 40 years ago, and put it on the cover of our present. (I hope it didn't get thrown away!!- note to self- must look for card)

Isn't it perfectly vintage!!

The best part was that the attention quickly turned off us and onto the Baby:

See how excited all the little kids were?

I can't thank my Cousins enough for throwing such a great party!!

And a party it was. I loved that it was focused on getting the whole family together. Yet, I was most shocked when they took a picture of all the kids and I wasn't asked to be in the picture!! Being the youngest in my generation, it felt weird sitting at the big kids table and to realize that I've been replaced!

The best part, the party wasn't over after the shower. We got to go home and get some good playtime in the backyard:


And of course, I had to get in on the bubble fun:

Overall, it was so great to just hang with the fam. And I think Mr. Peep is finally getting the hang of this Uncle thing- what do you think:


All pictures by Mama Peep.

Did anyone else have a fabulous family shower weekend??

Spring In Bloom

This past weekend- right before my hair and makeup trial- I got a chance to meet up with our fabulous florist- Huckleberry Karen Designs- at the hotel. I hadn't met with her since May, but our meeting reconfirmed that she's the best!! And now I am doubly excited to see our flowers on the big day.

When we fist met I didn't have strong thoughts on what colors the bouquets should be. All I knew was that I wanted dahlias for the personal flowers and wheat grass for the centerpieces.

When we first sat down she promptly told me that she's already seeing dahlias at the market. AWESOME!! I've said it before and I'll say it again, I heart dahlias. In fact, we kinda picked our date so there was a glimmer of hope that we'd have dahlias on the big day. We decided that my bouquet would be more of a soft pink with whites. Something like these:



Just in case dahlias weren't going to be available I took a few inspirational pictures of other flowers:


Half way through the meeting- she started laughing. Apparently every other bride in the world would die to be in my shoes: Peonies are THE flower around the time we actually get married. And while, I love me a beautiful peony- they are sort of a second choice flower for me. But really, can you call a peony a second choice??

I also heart these sweet pink ranunculus flowers:


Or how gorgeous is this bouquet??

For my bridesmaids, I want the same flowers, but with a bit more POP. Again, dahlias, peonies and ranunculus- but a darker shade of pink. Kinda like this:


As for the boys, Mr. PT is picky. He doesn't want traditional- i.e. a rose, calla lily, or orchid. So we're going for the modern and budget friendly Mum. A white mum for him and kermit mums for the boys:

We are also doing small bouquets for the Mom's and pinned corsages for a few other female family members- this way they could pin it to their dress or their purse. I just want to make sure they are recognized.

To save on some reception decor, I bought five vases from Michaels for $3.99 each to hold the girls bouquets and to decorate the cupcake table and guest sign in table. Similar to this:


As for the reception decor, we made a last minute decision (last minute compared to the last 16 months of planning) to alternate between wheat grass centerpieces with dahlias popping up:

source.
And a more traditional spring centerpiece:



After planning this thing* for so long, I am now officially excited for our big day! The kind of excited where your stomach starts to hurt. In the next two weeks I have a meeting with both the hotel and our photographer. It's getting close!

What made you most excited for the big day??

*yes, I lovingly refer to our wedding after 16 months as THING.
All of the photos, unless noted, are from Project Wedding.