I knew I wanted handmade stationary from the very beginning, though I wasn’t sure on the specifics. Since we were trying to keep costs down I knew I would have to make them myself, but I was certainly up for the challenge.

I was able to paint the designs that I wanted in the first few tries. The editing took the longest, I’m still trying to figure out both my camera and photoshop so there is definitely room for improvement, but I’m still pretty pleased with the result.

I never knew there were so many rules to creating invitations, but apparently there are, and I’m pretty sure I broke every single one. Honestly I don’t think any of our guests know the correct invitation etiquette anyway so they probably didn’t even notice.

Anyway this is how it all turned out, with all pertinent info blurred of course. This might be the time to admit that Chuck is not my fiancé’s real name. It has been his nickname since high school though, and even his mother calls him that occasionally. Moving on. . .

I hand painted the flowers on watercolor paper, took pictures of them and then edited them with Photoshop. Editing was the worst; probably because I’m not well versed in photoshop. It took me far too long, and about a thousand youtube videos to get done. Thankfully I’ve learned a lot with this project so hopefully the next foray with photoshop won’t be so bad. I’m thinking my next Craftsy course is going to have to be this one.

The next step was getting them printed. I went looked at a couple different options but when I found out that overnight prints sends out a free sampler with a ton of different options I was pretty much sold. I really liked getting to feel the texture and weight of the product in my hand while I was deciding what I wanted. All I had to do was upload the file I had created and lay it out in their design system. I could even make a few editing tweeks and add text there and I was done. Seriously, it was as simple as pie. I was really impressed with their services and please to see my entire order arrive neat and tidy.

In the end I’m so glad I decided to hand make these. I think it really adds a personal touch to the wedding, and while they aren’t perfect I’m really happy with how they turned out. Now we just have to deal with getting them out the door!!

Let’s be honest that’s Chuck’s job, I made them after all, and now I have thank yous to write for the shower.

So it’s wedding season (obviously right?), well I’ve been seeing a few posts by others about all the wedding traditions that they aren’t doing. I thought that it would be fun to do the same.

1. No save the dates – I already talked about this one in quite some depth.
2. No receiving line – the ceremony and reception are at the same place, and there’s just no convenient way to do it so we aren’t. I never really liked them anyway.
3. Non religious ceremony – This is probably the biggest non-traditional thing we are doing. While we were raised catholic for the most part (my religious history is a bit scattered) we have decided to have a friend become ordained in order to legally marry us. The ceremony will be off the cuff, non religious and very simple. It’s exactly what we want.
4. Non-traditional guest book – I think this is becoming a thing, but I’m listing it anyway. I’ll be sure to share my guest book when I get around to actually doing it.
5. No champagne toast – I don’t think this is necessary, it’s just and added cost. Especially since everyone will already have their cocktail of choice in hand. Half the stuff doesn’t even get drunk!
6. I’m nixing “Here Comes the Bride” – I love Ave Maria so that will be played/sung instead.
7. A desert table instead of a cake – I never really liked cake, plus we save on the cutting fees with a desert table. It helps that my aunt and step mom are pretty much pastry chef’s also. We are going to have a small cake to cut and save for our anniversary, but that’s it.
8. I didn’t register for fine china, silver, towels, or linens – There’s probably 10 types of china sitting in my grandmas basement from old relatives, we prefer casual dining, I think storing extra stuff to use it once a year is silly, and a million other reasons not to get china and silver. Why towels and linens? We have been living together for nearly 4 years we have things we like, I don’t need doubles and triples of stuff just because.
9. No fancy exit – That means no birdseed, rice, sparklers, bubbles etc., we are trying to reduce the awkward factor here by just sneaking out when we feel like it.
10. No bouquet toss – And subsequently no garter toss. The whole thing always made me feel awkward. I mean it’s fine for some, but I want no one going up my skirt for any reason in front of my family thank you. As for the bouquet I just personally think its kind of overdone, and not everyone gets married these days and a million other reasons, so no just no.
11. I ordered my dress offline and made the alterations myself – This is just my style, when all is said and done my dress and all its accessories will cost under $200. This is just my opinion, but spending excessive money on a dress that is worn once and then takes up closet space seems silly and frivolous. My dress was cheap, it won’t wrinkle or stain, I can move in it, and I feel beautiful in it. What more do you need?
12. I’m not wearing shoes – I hate shoes. I usually sit at my work desk without them, and take the off as soon as I get anywhere. Most of the summer I don’t wear them and most weddings I hide them under the table to dance. Does anyone keep their shoes on during a wedding? I’ll have a pair of flip flops around for outside portions of the evening and pictures in the trees, but otherwise I might just wear a cute bohemian slipper. I’m working on making it now, so don’t worry I’ll post that one soon as well.
13. I’m letting the girls pick their own dresses – this might be a “new tradition” but seriously I’m not into over thinking every stupid detail. I just want my girls there, happy and comfy.
14. I chose mix matched table linens – If the girls aren’t going to match then there’s no reason everything else has to.

Phew! I didn’t realize how much of a hippy I am until I wrote this all out. I’m kind of shirking a lot of traditions here and I don’t even feel bad. This wedding is going to be everything that Chuck and I want. It is the laid back affair that is reminiscent of us, and our lifestyles. It’s definitely not everyone’s cup of tea that’s for sure, but it’s ours and I couldn’t be happier about it.