A gift from Grandma Buttons

Grandma Buttons is pretty hip. Let me tell you!

You are probably already aware that Grandma Buttons can sew like a champ. She's a crafty gal! She even wants to open her own Etsy shop...and I really hope that she does!

Grandma Buttons has Facebook. Yep! Seriously...and she uses it! When I talked about my bridesmaid shoes the other day, she sent me a message saying that she needed a pair in a smaller heel for herself - sassy, wouldn't you say? Also - Grandma Buttons reads my blog, and has gotten into the "Miss Buttons" moniker.

Don't believe me??? Check it out!

I received a package in the mail one day from her, along with a card. A card that she created using my Button icon. How cute is that?

In addition to the cutie patootie card, she sent me a few birds to add to my flock that she painted herself! I love that she wanted to contribute to my collection. I'm contemplating the perfect location for the pair!

Do you have any family members who have really gotten into your wedding planning with you?

Light it Up!

If you’re not already following along with the creation of my centerpieces…first I accumulated my vases, then I went through a trial run with the baby’s breath.

Next, I assembled a few samples!

In addition to my vase-purchasing frenzy, I also cleared TJ Maxx and Marshalls on any and all of these adorable little bird figurines. I now have a rather sizeable flock!

I wanted to create the ambiance/arrangement that we will have the evening of the wedding. Ideally, the lighting will be low and the reception tables will be illuminated with votives. Perhaps like this?

Aren’t the little birds adorable?

I plan to use one tall vase and one short vase in the arrangement. I’ll add a bird on one side, and the table number/letter on the other. Votives will be scattered around the table.

So…what do you think? Did you have an easy time turning your visions into reality for your reception tables?

Monogram Magnificence

As usual, in my wedding planning quest, I have stumbled upon some things that I feel compelled to purchase, even if they aren't completely necessary...

Exhibit A: custom monograms!

I stumbled upon a bevy of monograms on Etsy one day, and I couldn't stop drooling over them. At first, I couldn't decided which I preferred: a stamp version, or a digital pdf version…both have great possibilities…

On one hand, I love the rubber stamp option…I can use it to stamp the envelopes on our Save The Date’s, and possibly on our invitations. I could use it to stamp our favor bags…programs…the list could go on!

I love the stamps from Modern Art Stamps’s Etsy shop…

Lovestocreatestamps also has some beautiful designs…I'm particularly fond of this one:

On the other hand, the pdf graphics could be useful as well…programs, stickers…you name it!

I love the tree designs by WeddingMonograms

And the birds...(also by WeddingMonograms) are adorable!

Lovelogos’ shop is just too cute…

And then...I stumbled upon monograms by Foxglove Design, and the decision was made instantly...for $20 I received 4 different custom monograms...and they were oh so very perfect for our wedding (all images from Foxglove Design's Etsy shop):

I LOVE how they are all a little different, and that I will be able to use them for a variety of projects! I ordered mine without our wedding date, so that I can continue to use them after the big day as well! You'll see one of these beauties popping up again very soon, as it will be making an appearance on a very special piece of stationary!

Did you/are you planning on having a custom monogram created for your wedding? Did you use a digital file, or a stamp?

Sittin' in a tree...

If you haven't seen my previous post about them, I’ve been searching high and low for a set of bird cake toppers. There are SO MANY amazing options on Etsy, and my mind was completely frazzled with the thought of selecting the perfect set of lovebirds for our cake.

It turns out, I ended up finding an amazing cake topper that WASN’T originally on my list…

Are you ready for it???

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I stumbled upon Vintage by Crystal’s shop when I was scouring Etsy…and boy was I excited! The décor, invitations, and other aspects of the wedding have somehow morphed themselves into a bird/trees theme (don’t you love how sometimes that just…happens organically?)…and this topper includes both!

Crystal’s handmade toppers are made from spun cotton, antique book pages, and antique tart tins. I love how vintage they look! Quirky too…

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I absolutely fell in love with the sign at the bottom of the tree…if I wasn’t already enamored, this sealed the deal for sure!

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It stands 8” tall, and the branches will span about 8” wide (but they are made with wire, so they are adjustable).

I had to have it...so I placed the order and waited patiently for my creation to arrive!

Lucia wants to know what is in the box!

I tore open the box as soon as it arrived, and then waited a few seconds…holding my breath…hoping that when I removed the layers of paper protecting it, that it would be the cake topper that I had imagined.

It is!

I am such a tactile person; being able to touch the topper and inspect it up close was quite a relief! The tree base and the birds feel plush because of the spun cotton! I love the details of the moss and sparkle on the bottom of the tart tin…just enough to add a touch of vintage glam!

Crystal was wonderful to work with; I liked the initial inspiration of the birds in a tree cake topper that I showed you here...but picky bridezilla me decided that I wanted a few minor changes. Crystal was extremely amenable to my wishes, and was willing to change details of the topper, from the base (she has an assortment of vintage tart tins and boxes you can select from), to the details on the bride and groom bird (which is what I requested).

Was/is there something involved in your planning that you can’t wait to get your hands on in person?

The icing on the cake...

Ok, so perhaps this isn’t icing…but it does involve cake!

As much as I love the traditional little figurines that adorn the top of the wedding cake, I was looking for something a little different…

My obsession? Cute and adorable bird cake toppers! I scoured Etsy for some options…and I couldn't decide!!! Here are some of my original inspirations...

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I love the lace detail on this one...

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Are you partial to any of these toppers in particular? What do you think about non-traditional cake toppers? Have you seen any cute ideas at weddings, or have you had a great one of your own?