We Found a Band!

Heck yeah! We can finally check off another thing on our long list of wedding to-dos as we have officially mailed the deposit to book this great band that we found.

Since day one we knew that for an outdoor reception that we wanted a band and not a DJ. It took many days searching online for the band that fit within our budget and had the style that we dig.

Who did we decide on.... NuGroove! Their manager, Becca, is great! She is easy to work with and even set up a private rehearsal so that we could see them perform. They are talented, energetic, and seem to really love what they do. They have a great songlist and will even learn a few new songs for your wedding. If you are in Dallas, you should check them out.

The best website for booking a band GigMasters. Within a few hours of requesting a quote, we were contacted by several great bands in the area via email and ended up finding one. I highly recommend this website.

Photobooth Favor Fun

Photobooth pictures make great favors! Check out our goofy poses for the camera. These favors are so personal and fun. You can add an even more special touch if they are placed in a guestbook for the bride and groom. Don't forget the props!

There are a lot of photobooth rentals all over. These were taken by Fun-4-all-Photobooth in Lubbock, TX at my cousin's wedding.

Frizzy Hair Fix for Brides

Do you have frizzy hair and your best friend is your flat iron? Have you heard of the new smoothing treatment called the Brazilian Blowout?

I was watching E! last night and they did a special on the Brazilian Blowout and it is now at the top of my list of things to try. My hair is long, thick, and frizzy. I have never dyed it or had anything done to my hair except a basic trim or cut or an up-do for prom. If the Brazilian Blowout is everything it seems - it may be my own bridal - self indulgence for the year! Would make a great Christmas gift too...



Before & After Photos

Real Backyard Wedding - Nole + Andrew

Nole and Andrew's beautiful wedding at Woodlawn Manor, a historic estate in Sandy Spring, Maryland. Personal touches and creativity turned this $14,000 wedding into an affair to remember. It's enough to make any Backyard Bride swoon, and the purple details are to die for!









Pictures from Project Wedding by Punam Bean Photography.

Sketchy Santas

What says Merry Christmas more than pictures of Sketchy Santas?


Check out more creepy Santas at http://www.sketchysantas.com/

Newlywed - MTV Casting Call

Recently get married and feeling a little adventurous? Check out this exciting opportunity!


TRUE LIFE: I'M A NEWLYWED
Are you and your partner opposites in love?

MTV is looking for strong personalities that will be joined in matrimony (or who have just taken the plunge) and are beginning the journey as man and wife who would be willing to let 'True Life' document the ups and downs of newlywed life.

If you appear to be between the ages of 17-27, and are getting married in the next two weeks or have been married for less that a year, please email newlywed@mtvn.com. Make sure to include a brief description of your story, current photo, your contact number, and please specify your wedding date.

To find out more information - check out the MTV article here.

Winter Wedding - Rebel + Kelsey

This weekend we drove 6 hours to Lubbock, Texas where my cousin and his high-school sweetheart finally tied the knot!

From start to finish the wedding was beautiful! When we first arrived at First Methodist Church of Lubbock, we were taken in awe of the beautiful stained glass windows and the Christmas decorations at the alter. The ceremony was elegant and simple followed by a fun and energetic reception held at The Overton hotel, only a few blocks away. The reception was complete with a band, photo booth picture favors, and stunning centerpieces!

Photos by photographer, Kristin Bednarz. View more pictures at her blog: your life, my passion.

LifeAsArt Boudoigraphy™ Event

What: Boudoir Marathon

When: January 9, 2010

Where: NYLO Hotel, Plano, Texas

For: Groom’s gift, Valentine’s Day,
Anniversary, or just for fun

Cost: $450

How: Click here!

It’s an hour session with LifeAsArt Photography, a chic location, professional hair and makeup artists, and a gift presentation!

If you are in the Dallas area, this should be an amazing event and the pictures would make a great gift for your husband-to-be, or special someone... and just in time for Valentine's day!

Backyard Tunes

Amazing song - seriously thinking about having this

played at our ceremony!

Working On My Fitness

The wedding is 6 months away and the pressure is on - not only to pull off this backyard wedding but also to get myself in shape.

What better gift could I give myself than to be fit in time for the wedding?

So, here it goes... every Wednesday, I will update with my weekly progress of workouts and weight loss.

Goal: To fit into my size 3/4 jeans again!

Reward: A Boudoir Photography Session

Engagement Preview - 3!

Another preview of what's to come. We took our engagement pictures on November 6th with LifeAsArt Photography and they should be ready within the next week! I am so excited and happy to see all the pictures that Jeremy and Amber took of us. They are so talented and fun to work with and if you are in need of a photographer - definitely check them out!

Save the Trees!

Through Spring and Summer my family worked hard as we protested to the city. As a result of widening of a nearby road, the city wanted to use our small street as a TEMPORARY detour street while construction was in progress. Wouldn't think that they would need to widen our street just for something temporary, but they said it is necessary. Now a front portion of our property has been claimed and the trees are all going to be cut down in order to widen the street and add a sidewalk. Off our small street there are only about 7 private driveways. Construction starts this week and will last for about 5 months.

It is a shame that the street I grew up on is not going to be the same. Dreams of a romantic exit under an archway of trees is gone.

If we can't keep them from being cut down, we can find a way to recycle the trees into our wedding.

• Firewood for the smores station.
• Take branches and spray paint silver to use in centerpieces.

UPDATE: December 14, 2009 - Monday, all the trees were cut down this morning. The drive to my parent's home will never be the same again.

6 MONTHS

Yes, only 6 months left until we have to pull off this crazy Texas backyard wedding! Can't believe how fast time passes and here I am on the verge of procrastination - feels like I am back in school again. So get ready for update after update of backyard wedding planning mania!

My fiance is in the middle of his final exams right now and I can honestly sympathize what he is going through - projects, stress, late nights of researching and studying, piles of notes, anxiety, etc.

December Goals:

• Find a wedding dress!
• Send Save the Dates and update our wedding website
  
• Book caterer
• Find a cake vendor
• Sign contract for rental company

Romance Meets Rustic

This is the first inspiration board for our backyard reception. We are almost 6 months away now, and time feels as if it is moving faster and faster with each passing minute. Not sure how well we can blend rustic and romance into our reception decor, but we are sure going to try. I have been stalking Craigslist daily for mason jars, wagon wheels, barrels, antique glass jars, and anything else we can use to liven up the backyard for the wedding.

All images collected from the Project Wedding photo gallery.