TWO DAYS! 2 days!!!!

I can not believe it! 2 more days until we renew our vows! Im excited, nervous, stressed and happy!

TO DO LIST:

1. Clean house before midnight Thursday.
2. Clean Van before midnight Thursday.
3. Get Lance a haircut
4. Pick up Mother In Law
5. Make Reception food/drinks
6. Paint my nails
7. Finish my Vows

Recently I have finished the pocket squares (i got a fat quarter of fabric for $1 at Walmart and cut it) and finished the floor tiles. I decided on my hair (FINALLY). We also turned in our music and I met with the pastor Sunday. Overall, i feel good about it all. Im ready, as of now, but come Friday I might be singing a different tune! 

I might not post until after the renewal but be on the look out for my vendor reviews and pictures! 

Dress Perfection!

I picked up my altered dress yesterday and it fits PERFECT! I cant wait! I did take out the modesty panel because for some reason it made it ungodly hot! I tried everything on with it today and it all looks so nice. The only thing that didnt quite work was the veil. I had such high hopes for it but nope, it didnt work. On to Option B. A gold headband with birdcage veil. So far it looks ok but id have to try it with the dress on to make sure.
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I also got the Parties Dresses figured out. It was stressful! Wondering about color, size, beads, shoes! One of my girls showed me the dress and I think it will work nicely. Big Freak Out OVER. Hey, it was my one and only "Bridezilla" moment.
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I also started on the Floor Tiles. The gold looks fantastic! The pink? Not so much. Im a little sad by it. Im not sure what ill do.

All in All, with 2 weeks to go, things are really coming together. We have some last kinks to work out but everything is set. Im still sad my family wont be apart of it but I refuse to disobey the LORD and I refuse to deny he told me/us to do this.

FAQ- Good to know stuff!

F.A.Q.

- What attire is requested?
Dress Casual. Something you would wear to church but if you would like to dress up more feel free!


- What time should we arrive to the Ceremony? 
Everyone is requested to arrive by 1:45pm

- Can I bring a guest?
Yes please do!


- How far away is the reception from the ceremony? 
The venue is about 10-15 minutes away from the church.


- Will we have to pay for parking at the renewal in either of the locations?
No, parking is absolutely free. Parking for the church is on the "East Side" near the Chapel. Street Parking is available at the reception.


- I have food allergies. Will there be food for me?
Please let us know if you have any food allergies and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.


- When is the RSVP due? 
By Oct 31.
- At what time does the reception end?
The reception will be ending at around 6:00pm. 

Menu

Cake/Cupcakes

Pies* 

Brownies

Cookies

Fruit*

Ice Cream*

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Lemonade

Coffee*

Tea

Water

JR. Bridesmaid and Ring Bearer

In the original plan both our daughters were flower girls and our son was the ring bearer. However, our oldest daughter has said she wants to stand up with me and I dont know if ill have my son that weekend, so on to Plan B:

Youngest Daughter: Flower Girl
Oldest Daughter: JR Bridesmaid
Son: Ring Bearer if hes there but if not, Best Man will have rings.

and now everyone is happy, including our 7 year old. :D

RSVPs (so far)

25

5

100

Updates of good kinds :)

I cant remember exactly what i have or have not posted so bare with me!

First we went to Mens Warehouse to get Suits and they wanted WAY TOO MUCH for rentals. So we dropped those and have tan suits. I found the ties at the goodwill and Lance found his suit at the Food Pantry!
I took my dress to get the corset back put in. I tried and tried to put it in myself and it just wasnt working.
I found the perfect veil and I think im going to go with a Mantilla/Juliet Cap type style.
I did my Boudoir pics and most turned out great....Ill post those later.
I booked the florist.
I finalized the cake with a Gladstone friend who is making it.
We added a Groomsman. (thats 2 total on each side)
We picked out rings and mine had to sent back for re-sizing.
I sent out the invites. Waiting on 114 people to get back to me!!!!!!
We decided on Reception food.
My parents had a conniption fit and dropped from everything to do with me and the renewal.
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I STILL need to:
Paint the tiles
Finish tying the ribbon on the pew decor
Finalize the Ceremony music and get it on a CD
Get our song on a CD
Figure out a dance floor for the reception
Find a Sweetheart Table
Get Nate Shoes
Get servingware/Plates/etc
make the food
Print the programs

Boudoir

Lance has been driving me crazy to do another Boudoir pic since I had one done when pregnant with our 2nd child. Hey, i was pregnant and felt sexy, why not?
I decided now is the time to get it done. Its adding to the budget again, $25 but thats NOT bad at all for Boudoir pics! Ill have Vow Renewal and Boudoir pics for $125, thats a GREAT DEAL! Im thinking pink outfit, white outfit, t-shirt/button up, something REALLY sexy and something "innocent". The problem is location. My room is not exactly set up for sexy pics... 2 dog cages, a dresser, a bed, hope chest...tight fit. Im not sure how I will make that all work. Maybe move everything out and just leave the bed and go from there. I thought of a hotel, which is normally where you do shots like this but i dont think i will.

While Im not a size 0 and I have imperfections, Im happy with my body and all tasteful pics will be posted after the shoot. Just a heads up.

Theres one in every bunch

Lets talk etiquette. As far as I know there is no official etiquette really for a vow renewal or wedding. There are things that are traditions (dad walking you down) and things that would be way out there (like a star wars themed wedding might be weird but hey if both are into it, ok!) but there is nothing that says you cant do something or the whole thing is void and doesnt mean diddle. 

Today I encountered my first " youre doing what?" type comment. I have to say it did offend me (more so i have a feeling than my vow renewal is offending them). 
Lance and I are doing this because God is leading us to, we are doing it because of how far we have come and how we want to celebrate that by starting over. We are paying for this (with a tiny bit of help by Mom for outfits) and we are planning this. Im NOT expecting anything from anyone! Well except to show up, please do that part. I am doing everything this time I didnt do last time and then some. Why not? If renewing our vows is to celebrated then shouldnt I celebrate in a big, elaborate way? Shouldnt it be a party? 

Im having a pastor do it.
Im having my dad walk me down. 
Im having a wedding dress and Im going to feel beautiful/sexy in it. 
Im having a bridesmaid. Im having someone who MEANS something to me stand up this time. 
Im having a flower girl who will actually show up this time. 
Im having all the "firsts" i didnt have last time and REGRET not having. 
Im having a photographer.
Im having a wedding cake.
Im doing it whether its Lance and I or all 165 people show up. 

What you SHOULD say to someone renewing their vows (big celebration or not):
" Congrats!"
" Would you like any help with anything?"
" Thats such a sweet thing to do "
" What a great idea"

What you should NOT say:
" Why would you want to do that"
" Thats rude to do XYZ for a vow renewal"
" I dont think its a good idea " (in regards to the whole thing)

Mostly, I want everyone to celebrate with us. I want people to walk away after and say " That was a beautiful way to refresh your marriage ". 

Big, Small, Wedding Do Over, Over the top, Against some secret etiquette code, Just celebrate with us!

Cutest little people!

My mom and I went to Once Upon A Child yesterday and got everyone their little outfits. THEY ARE SO CUTE! One is a white dress, One is a Pink dress, One is tan pants/white shirt and PINK vest! I looked for Gold shoes but they didnt have a huge variety (for the girls and not really brown for the special boy). I am going to add Gold ribbon to the dresses. I also took OFF flowers from the white dress and Im going to dye them with my petticoat and make it my hairpiece! total

I found a rustic looking white chair in the trash for our Foot Washin.

I also found out a block party reception may not work so well but a church friend said we could use their house. We have to wait until we get the official OK in about a week but im pretty excited. This means the reception will turn into more of a dessert reception, but thats ok.

Finally I heard back from the seamstress for alterations- Um, no way! She wants $85 to add the corset back! Ill try myself and just do plan B if it fails.

The line is getting pushed farther away from $500.

I had my BFF who was going to take photos but she is living out of town and thats not fair to make her come down and take pictures. After browsing on TheKnot and being on some Facebook groups, I found a photographer. She is making her portfolio and after talking to her, she seems very sweet and priced reasonably! $100 for photos, thats pretty good! Its pushing the budget, as I did not intend to get a photographer but it will be worth it! At our wedding we didnt have photos and Im not very happy we dont. No first kiss, walking down the aisle, getting ready, etc. Nothing but family group shots.

The other item is cake. Again I was not intending to do a cake, we dont even have a reception area planned just yet (Park wont work, it will be closed for the winter). I know i want a cake for at least Lance and I though. We had a cake i made (it turned out.......ok) but I want a real cake. The baker, again is building her portfolio and is reasonably priced. $30 for a 6in double layered cake! It will be red velvet w/buttercream icing (just like the cake i made). I will add decorations. Most likely a teacup ;)

We will also be adding a surprise element to our ceremony. We will be adding a foot washing. Yes, i know we are weird but it has meaning to us. Washing away the dirt and starting new. Loving each other no matter what. Which leads into the decor update:

Instead of teacups and teapots, which are increasing hard to find...Flower Girl 1 will carry the pitcher of water, Flower Girl 2 will carry the bowl, Ring Bearer will carry the tea cup with rings in it. As for church decor, I am going to do teacups with flowers every other pew and framed wedding pics every other pew.

I will be updating the past post for the budget. $500 may need to be pushed up :)

Rehearsal Dress & Day Of Dress

I already had both of these dresses. I knew the pink/white and black one i was going to wear to the rehearsal. I got it from Snooty Fox for $1! It is strapless and I NEED to add straps. The other dress was actually my grandmas. I took it out of the closet and got the idea to wear it the day of the ceremony. Ill have to decorate the church and get things ready anyway (plus myself!) so why not? That way shell be with me that day in another way!

Bed & Breakfast anyone?

When Lance and I got married, we didnt have any money so a honeymoon was out of the question. Our wedding night was hectic with an ER trip but the next night we did stay in Wildwood Inn in Florence, KY. Not the best (actually it has terrible reviews now!) but it worked and we went out to eat at Olive Garden, it was nice.
This time, while we are on a limited budget, something would be nice. Wildwood Inn is out! What about a B&B?! I searched and found one near Northside with great reviews and its cheap! Well $127 cheap. After talking to Lance, if we can come up with the money, well do it. If not, its ok.

Some DIY Stuff

I had some time the last few days (and a few shopping trips) to get some final ideas on some things. Here they are:

1) I needed to incorporate more Gold. I had plenty of Pink and White but hardly any Gold. The solution? Spray Paint the teacups and teapots Gold. Wrap my flowers and my friends in Gold Ribbon.

2) I needed an exact way to dye my Petticoat without ruining our washing machine. Im just going to use a plastic tote and pray it works. (I did it in the stainless steal sink with cloth diapers so i have dyed fabric before). I have had some comments of " You wont see it so why?" but really, i think you will. When i walk, dance, lift up my dress, show off ;)

3) I needed to figure out my hairpiece. I knew I wanted flowers but i wasnt having luck finding the right ones. I came across a DIY Garter using fabric strips for flowers. BINGO. Im going to do 2 pink flowers with white petals. (maybe gold beads if i can find any ;)) --btw, I dont need a garter, im wearing my old one.

and finally, Apparently rings may vary by location. I went with my mom to her Walmart and they had a MUCH better collection of Mens Rings and CHEAPER! As low as $58! It would still put us over but not by as much. I need to take Lance and pick out his new ring there. Honestly im thinking one with a cross, i think it would symbolize us but also how he found God this year. Thats a BIG step for anyone but hed always have that as a reminder that he renewed our love and its because of God.

Rings

Thanks to Walmart, the rings have been picked! They are a tad over budget. $196 for both rings when we originally budgeted $100. Somehow it will work out though.

The Order Of Things

This is the Who's Who and What's What post.

Bride: Me
Groom: Lance
Flower Girls: our daughters
Ring Bearer: our son
Bridesmaid(s): my 2 friends
Groomsma(e)n: Lances 2 friends

1) rehearsal at our church, then go to Frischs.
2) ceremony/reception will include:
Music
Renewing Of Vows
Music
Dinner/Reception (TBD)

Venues

We got married at my dads church by my dad in 2005. Since it has traded hands since then, we are going to do the ceremony at our new church. We will follow tradition and have Frischs after the Rehearsal. As for a reception, we were leaning towards Steak N Shake (Also a tradition but we did not do last time (went to Lances grandparents)) but feel like that is not where we are being led. We are checking out a possible Park location. The park would add an additional $100 to the budget so that may not be possible but we will see what God has in store.

Flowers

I have picked pink daisies and baby's breath for the flowers. They will be wrapped in gold ribbon. I will have a daisy bouquet, my bridesmaid will have babys breath + daisies (as will the flower girls).

Ideas! Ideas! Ideas!!!

I have an Idea Board pinned on Pinterest if anyone wants to check it out: IDEA CENTRAL

Some ideas include:
Painting Floor Tiles for an aisle runner and then it will double as a guest book
Flower Girls holding teapots instead of throwing flowers
Dying my petticoat a VERY bright pink
Using Watercolors and Calligraphy for DIY invites.

The Renewed Bride

Thanks to my mom, who took my shopping for my birthday, I found my dress! $50 at Goodwill!! It needs its zipper taken out and a corset back put in, but it is PERFECT! I also found my shoes for $5. I am going to wear my hair curly (hopefully ill get it permed but we'll see) in a side pony tail with a small hairpiece (no veil).

The Budget! The SUPER tight budget!

With Lance being unemployed right now, it is going to make this Remix hard on our money but God has provided in so many ways! I know the little details and the things i can DIY, I am. Pinterest is GREAT for that by the way! Im estimating by time everything is said and done (minus rehearsal dinner and reception) the total will come to $400. It could be less than that mattering on Lances suit for example or flowers but certain things like decor or my dress are set in stone.

Estimation Of Costs: (* is actual cost)
Dress: $56*
Hair: $0* - I am hoping to get my hair permed $80
Shoes: $5*
Petticoat: $20*
Jewelry: $0*
Hairpiece: $2*
Alterations: $0* (hoping i dont need a seamstress!)
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total: $163

Invites: $25
Programs: $0*
Rehearsal Dinner Invites: $0*
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total: $25

Church Decor: $20

Suit: $100

Rings: $200

Photographer: $100* ($50 deposit and $50 day of)
Cake: $30*

Bed & Breakfast Honeymoon: $127
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total: $577

Flower Girl Dresses + Ring Bearer Suit: $26*
Flower Girl Shoes: $20
Ring Bearer Shoes: $10

Reception Food: $0*
Flowers: $25

Little Costs (dye, ribbon, etc): $20
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total: $55

Original Budget: $500
Estimated Costs: $820
Actual Spent: $

Inspiration!

My grandma passed away a few years ago and while going through her things, I was given a beautiful teacup and saucer. It has become the inspiration for the theme and colors of our remix. Originally I wanted fall colors but my heart kept coming back to the teacup and now im set on it.

The About Us and Beginning of the thought!

April 23, 2013 God laid it on our hearts to renew our vows and my husband and I have been following God since then. How we will make this work budget wise, we have no idea but so far God has provided.

We have had a rocky marriage. Through God and a dear friend, things have turned around and then in May turned upside down but got even better than I could have imagined! Why not renew our vows? Why not start over and say " We STILL love each other even though we've been through heck!" Why not have a new beginning? One with God in the middle rather than life, circumstances and difficulties?

My husband, Lance, is a GREAT guy, God has told me " I hand picked this man for you ". Hes being really supportive with my ideas and even his wallet. Gotta love him for that fact. ;)

I cant wait to walk down the aisle again in my fancy dress and see my sexy husband standing there looking at me in a new way. A way that shows God that this is how it was meant to be. Exodus 14:14 is our theme verse for our marriage because thats what started everything

The LORD will FIGHT for you, you NEED only be STILL

Lance, I cant wait for the LORD to fight for our renewed marriage even more than he already has. I cant wait to be your renewed wife and love you even more than I already do. May God continue to walk with us and lead us down a path we never even envisioned!