Mom and I have been doing some more shopping...she spent 10 minutes trying to convince me it was OK to buy some navy blue flowers to be part of my bouquet (they're artificial and were on sale for $3). Since my parents are paying for practically everything, I feel really bad if we spend too much. She keeps telling me she budgeted so much more and I am coming so far under budget that I could probably have 2 weddings at the rate I'm going
I'm pretty old-fashioned and traditional, but there are just some things I want to be more me. I like to make things myself (or have friends help), that's the way I've always been. I've been checking out a ton of flower girl baskets and ring-bearer pillows and just can't justify paying the amount of money they want for these items (esp when it's mom's money). I think we will most likely end up making the ring bearer pillows and I'll be so much happier with them.
So, when I was cleaning out my hall closet last week, I found this cute little red pail...the more I look at it, the more I realize that this is definitely my flower girl basket (I already have the petals, too - red and white petals - 300 each bag for $1 a bag). I will probably put some ribbons on the handles and may write on the pail, haven't decided yet - I'll wait till Jan/Feb to make those decisions (cause I know I'll change my mind 5000 times before then)
We're going to do the sand ceremony, but I didn't like any of the really expensive kits available. So I got this glass jar, which my FI really likes, too (I actually paid for this one myself - used a coupon and it was only $2) and my mom is going to etch our monogram on one side, our wedding date on the opposite and most likely a cross and butterfly on the other 2 sides. I found the white sand at the dollar store (only color they had), but Hobby Lobby opened up a store right down the street from me this week and today I found the navy blue and red for $2.49 each (better than what I found online for around $5 plus shipping) and we were able to use a coupon on one of them.
For my brother's wedding 9 years ago, I made them a mailbox for their cards. I didn't want to use something like that for myself, though. I love baskets and this basket is actually one that my FI brought to me around Christmas - someone in the community he's a guard for had given him a gift basket - this one. I haven't glued the daisies down yet, still working on their exact placement and I'm planning on adding a bow to the handle with ribbons dangling down. I'll remove the bow after the wedding and can use it as decor around the house.
And finally, I've been very adamant that I want to be able to use my cake cutter/server beyond the wedding and not just let it sit collecting dust somewhere. Most of the ones I had seen were just too cheesy looking for the price they were asking and just couldn't afford the super duper nice ones. Hobby Lobby to the rescue again...this one caught my eye at $9.99 and it was on sale for 50% off! I'm planning to tie a bow around the handles for the wedding that can be removed later on.
Sorry this got so long...thanks for letting me share my excitement with you!