M to the R to the S….. October 21, 2009

Well, we did it!  Not that there was any doubt we wouldn’t, right?  We sealed the deal on a cold, rainy, downright yucky Saturday with 180 of our family & friends!  It was truly one of the most amazing days of my life! I was so happy to put my wedding band on and say “I DO!” …

(courtesy of Lisa Hare)

All of our planning and hard work paid off…the ceremony was beautiful and un-complicated, yet was full of meaning, and the reception was pretty rockin’ with an awesome band, delicious food and cupcakes, and one really sweet Fender guitar cake.  I am in the process of collecting photos from our guests and 12 table cameras.  It’s interesting to see people’s perspective and what they were seeing that night.  I hope to have my professional shots in the next couple of weeks and really can’t wait to see those.

In the meantime, I hope to post little things here and there about our vendors (who were all AMAZING!) for those of you working on wedding related stuff.  As well as any DIY tidbits and tips, since I learned there is so much you can do yourself and save a ton of money!

More to come…

XOXO -

MRS Kent!

Ladies Who Lunch September 3, 2009

My wonderful aunt and cousins hosted the most lovely bridesmaid luncheon for me last weekend. Every little detail, from the place cards, to the favors, to the bows on the chair covers was perfect! I am very fortunate that I have cousins…like 2nd, 3rd, 2nd once removed…who are like sisters to me! The more people I meet, the more I realize how rare it is to have grown up so close to extended family. Most people don’t even know their extended family! On top of that, my very first friend from D.C., Taylor, flew down to spend the weekend with us and Lianna flew in from Philly to help get everything ready! The rain finally stopped and we had a beautiful Saturday together enjoying wonderful food and fellowship on Carol’s sun porch. I found myself looking around and realizing that I have five of the most beautiful, fun, smart and accomplished bridesmaids! What a wonderful bunch!!

MOH extraordinaire, Laurel, had even planned a very special night for everyone that of course included a hot pink boa and bachelorette crown. The littlest detail was not forgotten…from the “he said, she said” game cards at dinner, to the scavenger hunt clues at Target! We started with dinner at Il Localino which I highly recommend! We had wonderful Italian and a ton of laughs as I opened the lovely and scandalous presents the ladies brought! After dinner, Laurel had prepared a very clever scavenger hunt at Target, and I came away with some interesting goodies. We then headed over to Dad’s Garage for some improv and read/laughed our way through the Cosmo (procured during the scavenger hunt!) while we waited for the show to start!

What a great night with great ladies! Once all the fun was over, it was time to get back to work. Not “work, work” per se….wedding “work”. I had my last dress fitting on Monday and was happy to see that there were no alterations needed. Now to get the dress up here. We finalized all the reception table decorations, most of the flowers, the veil, the jewelry…and so on. It seems that with every thing I accomplish there are 2 more things that show up on my list. Everything will fall into place as we continue to get those RSVP cards in and get our head count. So thanks to you who have already sent them in! Your Type A bride really apprecaites it. So, we’re down to about 44 days. How quickly the 17th approaches. I must admit that I’m pretty tired of the planning process and am just really ready to be married and celebrate with all our friends and family!

Douglasville meets the District. August 8, 2009

I take pride in being a details person. To me, it’s the little things that make the difference. Hence the ribbon that will always be tied on your package and the matching colored pen used to address it. Since we’re not getting married in my most favorite state of Georgia, I’ve tried to find little ways to include little touches of Georgia as well as honor the history of the great (well, sometimes!) city of Washington D.C. The hostesses of my first bridal shower had the same idea, hence the Peach Mimosas they served! One of our first ideas was to have jars of peach preserves for everyone at the reception.    Initially we all thought it was a great idea, until we realized that someone would have to make about 200 jars  of these things right before the wedding, since ordering them pre-made was definitely not in the budget.   This just had “last minute disaster” written all over it.  Not to mention the fact that someone would have to drive them up to D.C. since my 1940’s apartment kitchen can barely fit 2 people in it….let alone 2 people, with 200 jars, a ton of peaches, and nerves associated with getting married in less than a week.    On to plan B…which I really didn’t have at the time.  However, with much research and several phone calls later, I had the perfect idea/favor/Georgia-esque item! I’m super excited that we’ve found a way to incorporate some of the 88 million pounds of PECANS that Georgia produces every year.

On to the D.C. portion of this reception.  While I had already purchased my Washington D.C. gift bags for my “Out of Towner Welcome Bag”… I needed something else.  On a long 10-hour drive from Douglasville to Arlington, it came to me.  The White House is pretty much across the street from Old Ebbitt Grill, so why not use Presidents and First Lady’s as our dinner table numbers.  I thought it was a pretty good idea until Brian brought up the idea of people sitting at tables named for President’s they didn’t like.  Ugh.  You’d think people would get over it…but who wants to risk it.  I think I’ve been able to find enough Presidents and their Lady’s  (complete with wedding date and a sweet quote) without having to venture too far into the modern age.  Hopefully no one will have objections to Taft, Wilson, Adams, Madison, etc.

I know Brian will be happy when the wedding is over.  Today, we’re spending our Saturday printing and assembling these beauties.  Guys should be warned that in between proposing, picking up their tux, and the actual wedding there are tons of wedding crafts that will need to be done…and a bride really likes it when her groom wants to help.  Especially when it involves gluing, cutting,  and licking and stamping envelopes.  We’ll handle all the pretty stuff.

Can you believe it’s August?!?! August 7, 2009

I have to admit that I did a double take this past weekend when I looked at something and it said “August 1″…. what?!?! How did August sneak up on me like that?  I quickly went to consult Martha’s website where she not only reminded me that I was down to a little less than 80 days before the big shindig, but so diligently gave me a checklist of things I need to (and should have already!) do.   For most things, I’m pretty ahead of the game, but of course she reminds of a few things I’ve forgotten…or neglected to deal with.

Fortunately, like Martha, I surround myself with the most talented and gifted people.  Brian and I had a great trip in Douglasville a few weekends ago.   I had a great time at my shower and opened so many wonderful gifts!  (Not only are these people talented…they’re super generous!)  We also spent a great Saturday night up at the lake with a ton of friends, grilled kabobs and smores, and just spent some much needed time fellowship with our family and friends.  We’re truly blessed to have such a great support system.

Of course, this trip was not all fun and games.  We had several wedding details to take care of.  First and foremost, I had a wedding dress fitting which I had been stressing over.  When I first tried on and ordered the dress, it was that time of the year right between Thanksgiving and Christmas, where you might not be at your slimmest.  We decided that since I measured right in between two sizes, we would order the smaller one.  What more motivation does a girl need to drop a few pounds, right?  Fortunately, when I tried everything on two weeks ago, it fit like a glove! Minimal alterations need.  Phew!   We were also able to take care of flowers and ceremony music.  I’m really excited about the music.  In addition to my wonderful cousin Carol, we’ll have three of our great friends, Susan, Kate and Emily who are going to rock some cello and violin.  It’s going to be really beautiful.   I’m almost sad that I won’t be able to hear everything.

Since it is August, and Brian will have to go back to his classroom in a month we’re trying to get as much as we can out of the way.  We’ve recently addressed, stamped, and sealed our invitations.  Those should be arriving in your mailboxes within the next 2 weeks!! We’re also going to start our pre-marital counseling with Nancy & Brent next week.  Fingers crossed we only need the 4 scheduled sessions!    On top of that, we’re going to head to the Arlington County Courthouse as early as we possibly can to pick up our license.  I kinda get butterflies just from typing that.

I’ll try to do a better job of updating the blogs.  Work has been pretty busy lately…interfering with my personal life.

Don’t turn around…September is creeping up behind you!

Natalie’s not cheap, she just loves a sale! July 15, 2009

If you know my mother, you know that she would only raise a daughter who could bargain shop with the best of ‘em! The only thing I love more than coupons is a good sale!

Brian and I are humbled by how many of our friends and family are going to make the treck to DC for our wedding in October.  We know that it’s not cheap to get up here, stay in a hotel, eat, sightsee…compounded only by the fact that the economy is still not quite where we’d all like it!  With that in mind, we’re doing our best to keep up with sales and specials that might help.

Right now, Airtran is having a great airfare sale from Atlanta (ATL) to Washington Reagan (DCA)…$64 each way.  With taxes, it come to about $149.20 round trip.   I was able to get this price with ATL-DCA flight on the 15th and 16th, and DCA-ATL flights on the 18th.  Keep watching Delta too, because they often have good deals too!

Keep in mind though that Delta and Airtran charges $15 for a checked bag, so carry-on if you can!

Happy booking!

The Flavor of Love June 25, 2009

Today was day that Brian and I had been looking forward to for a while now.  Cake tasting day!!  I had debated whether or not to do cake or cupcakes, grooms’ cake or not, cookies, ice cream bar, candy bar….you name it!   I want our reception to be nice, but fun.  No stuffy atmosphere here!  I guess I finally decided to use the term “casual elegance”.  In my heart, I know Martha would approve.   In the end, I decided that I wanted choices.  After seeing all that can be done with cupcakes, we decided that’s what we should do.  You get the variety of different flavored tiers, but at a much better cost!  Plus, the reception venue can’t charge a cake cutting fee if there is no cake to cut!

I came across a local baker, Stephanie the Baker and was so excited to see that she could do cakes, cupcakes, and even sculpted cakes...which will come in quite handy!  We emailed back and forth for a while and finally met for the first time today.  It’s so nice when not only is the product good and yummy, but the vendor is wonderfully nice!  I immediately felt so comfortable with Stephanie, and she listened to all my crazy ideas, and best of all, is willing to pretty much do whatever we want!  The hardest wedding task so far has been to narrow down the list of flavors to the 4 we wanted to taste.

French Vanilla Cream
Devil Fudge
Lemon Buttercup
Almond Raspberry
Red Velvet with Cheesecake frosting
Double Chocolate Mousse
Strawberry Cheesecake
Coconut Cream
German Chocolate
Banana Pudding
Chocolate Raspberry Cream
Mocha-ccino
Mint Chocolate Chip
Peanut Butter in My Chocolate
Key Lime Pie
Orange Creamsicle

I will tell you that we tasted the Red Velvet, Lemon Buttercup, Peanut Butter in My Chocoalte, and Devil Fudge.  All delicious.  Now it’s decision time.   Stephanie made us a few extra cupcakes in each flavor, but we were so stuffed that I brought them back to the office and conducted our own taste test.  The office definitly had a favorite…but we’ll see waht makes the cut.  The best part is, if we can’t decide, we can have as many flavors as we want!!

Guess you’ll have to wait until October 17 to see what we decide!

They’re Back! May 18, 2009

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I’m so excited that my most favorite band (the one with the really cute guitar player!) is back!

The Beanstalk Library has finally released the 5 new tracks they’ve been working so hard on!  Despite the fact that I am a band girlfriend…er, band fiancee…I am always blown away by the creative musical talent of Ryan & Brian.  The songs they write and arrange are absolutely amazing.   Let’s be honest.  If I wasn’t a band fiancee I would probably be a TBL groupie.   Ok…back to the music…

There are 5 new tracks and each has been released by a different DC blog.  Here is the list:

“Feeling My Way In The Dark” (and interview with Ryan) at District of Sound

“Cry Harder” at Brightest Young Things

“The Only Things I’ll Take With Me” at dcist

“This Line Is Not For Me” at Instrumental Analysis

“It Has Made All The Difference” at Baby Stew

Right now, I can’t really choose a favorite, so I just have to recommend all 5!  Fortunately, the guys have a show at my most favorite venue, IOTA, on Memorial Day, May 25th.  Mom and Dad Tedder will actually be in town to meet Mom and Pop Kent, and it looks like we’ll all  get to catch the show together!
Enjoy!

Happy Mothers Day x2! May 13, 2009

This is the first year that Brian and I have really celebrated our own Mom along with each other’s Mom!  We’re both very fortunate to have wonderful Mothers who love us both SO much.  There will be no horrible in-law stories from the Tedder-Kent camp.  I am fortunate to have a Mom who is also one of my best friends.  We talk at least three time a day…morning, afternoon, night…whenever.  She taught me how to be cook, how to take care of people, how to always put your family first, and to always shop for a sale or a bargain!!! The older I get the closer we become.  You could never guess that there were 700 miles in between us!  And as for my FMIL…well, a girl couldn’t ask for a better one!  Not only did she raise a wonderful son, but she’s always willing to give…to do…whatever we need or whatever we ask.

This year, I was pretty much out of Mother’s day gift ideas.  I know that neither of our mothers want anything.  We’re all in the midst of all things wedding, and they know that finances are limited.  However, they’re our moms!  They deserve the world.  Brian had the idea of heading to the Clay Cafe and paint something special for each of them.   Brian decided to paint a pizza plate with an elephant (FMIL’s favorite animal!) and an overall safari theme since she’s heading to Africa for a safari vacation next year.  I opted for a big bowl with some paisley print and bold blues & greens.  I knew it’d match mom’s kitchen.  We had a really fun time painting – and kept laughing at ourselves for reverting back to our childhood homeade gifts!

We gave FMIL her platter during lunch on Mothers’ Day.  Fortunataly,  my mom will be here for Memorial Day, so we’re saving hers for then!  Plus, I have some serious doubts when it comes to the USPS and getting my packages, letters, etc. where they need to be and in the same “drop-off” condition.  Hopefully she won’t read this blog until AFTER her visit!

Getting ready to paint!

Brian working hard!

stamping the grass!

my paisley bowl!

Mom's finished bowl!

Let the crafts begin… April 26, 2009

So, I knew that a wedding wouldn’t be cheap….however, I really had no idea how expensive things can get.  All you have to do is say the word “wedding” and there is a 15% – 20% service fee for this, and an extra $10/person charge for this.  It’s pretty ridiculous.  I am truly blessed to have wonderful and generous parents and tons of friends who are happy to lend their talents when it comes to designing and printing, sewing, flowers, music – you name it.   To help keep costs down we (and I use the term “we” very loosely) decided there were a lot of little things we could do ourselves.   There will be many wedding related craft nights in our future, and tonight it started!  I figure I needed to see if some of my ideas actually translated into a product that would be worthy of making its way into the wedding.   First up – “thank you” tags for our favors.  I am SO excited about the favors that we’ll be handing out to all our guests.  I looked long and hard, and was able to find something with a nod to my Georgia roots.  I really don’t want to give it away quite yet!

I’m not sure the last time Brian has been to Michael’s, or if he’s ever been in.  He was a trooper though.  I told him what I was looking for and we both set off on the hunt for the perfect paper punch.  We were distracted somewhat by how Martha Stewart has taken over the world of crafting and that her stuff is now everywhere.  Brian even asked me who was responsible for crafting before Martha?  Good question.  Whoever it was, I’m sure she hired them and bought the rights to use their ideas as hers.  She just packaged them up all nice and pretty.  That’s why we love her.  But I digress…

So ….

With the right paper...

and the right tools...

you get the perfect little "thank you" tags

Can you tell it's almost 90 degrees outside?? At 8:30 PM???

Brian...REALLY helping out on the tags.

Addicted March 20, 2009

I admit it.  I have an addiction.  I wrote several months ago about my new favorite site, etsy.com.  My once casual, weekly visit to browse has now turned into a daily obsession.  As I plan for the wedding, and think of things I’m going to need….or want….I always check etsy.  There is something appealing to me about having things that are NOT mass produced.  I like the idea of wearing or using something that was made by an actual person, who obviously has a love for their craft, and you know that you’re not going see someone else walking around with the same item!  It’s a cost efficient way to make sure your gifts are truly one of a kind!   Plus, with the wedding, I’ve decided that I want there to be little, special details around every corner.

For the guys, we’re on the lookout for some great ties that have a little more personality than what comes with the tux you rent from the mall.   And cuff links…oh the cuff links!!  While I used to have a thing for scrabble tiles, I’ve now moved on the typewriter keys, like the ones from QA Create.  While I was looking I came across some earrings that I might just have to buy…maybe with a “K” for my new last name.  Though,  do they have to sit in the box until October 17th if I do that?

Some of my most favorite finds for bridesmaid gifts, shower hostess gifts…and well, just fun things to have are – these necklaces from RachelleD which are fun with a little vintage flair,  awesome pictures frames…and even more picture frames; and beautiful art!

I found so many things that can be customized for the wedding, with our names or initials….everything from guest books, to labels and stickers, stamps and cake toppers!

Once you start looking, you’ll realize how addicting this place can be!  I’m amazed at how creative and talented these people are!

Browse with caution though.  Before you know it, you’ll be sucked in like me!!