Pasta jars and a closing down sale

As previously mentioned in this blog, my wedding colours were determined by what was available at my local Lincraft store when it was closing at the end on 2014. 

We also saved a lot of money by using old pasta sauce (and stir fry sauce) jars, glass jars found in dollar stores and from charity shops. The look I wanted was as though someone had gone for a walk through nature and picked some flowers to fill the jars. 

I sourced the flowers from a friend of a friend who owns A Floral Signature at Toukley. We spent $185 for all of our flowers and ended up with a stack of baby's breath, lisianthus, chrysanthemum, eucalypt, some hyacinth and a handful of roses. The flowers lasted for a week from when we picked them up and looked amazing in the glass jars. 

I could not be happier with the final result of our table  centrepieces, and I have already found a new home for all of the jars. Winning! 

Comic Book Paper Flowers

Before this year, I had not ever made a paper flower. I had not really considered how easy, or hard it may be, or how long it would take to make a single flower.

Needless to say, I have now had my lifetime fill of paper flower making so it is unlikely I will undertake this task again any time in the future.

Inspired by Pinterest and buoyed by the opportunity to have a unique bridal bouquet (and save some serious dollars) I started. The first half dozen came out quite quickly and I was pleased with the results. But then it dawned on me that I would need a LOT of paper flowers to make a decent looking bouquet, and a throwing bouquet, and the boutonniere for the groom and the boys. Sprint turned to marathon, excitement turned to dread.

But in the end, after many months of cutting and gluing, there were enough flowers and the construction of the bouquet commenced, and was eventually complete.

To say I was relieved when it was done, is quite an understatement. I love my bouquet and it holds pride of place in our home, but it is safe to say hell will freeze over before I set off on another paper flower making adventure.

The bouquet - made of Wonder Woman comic book pages

Groom boutonniere - made of The Flash comic book pages

One of the awesome young men who walked me down the aisle with his black and white Wonder Woman comic book paper flower

Just shoot me

The photos are back!!! The photos are back!!!

I excitedly raced to the post office box to collect a much anticipated package - the USB containing the images from our wedding!

My most excellent friend, Nammo, was the official photographer for the big day. I am eternally grateful for her patience and taking such amazing photos. 

The shot list grew from three shots to about forty-three, but she did not bat an eye. We worked through the 'must have' shots, and the 'would be nice to have' shots, and by the end of the reception every shot was ticked off the list. 

I will be sharing the images in separate posts, grouped together in relevant themes. Here is a few of my husband (never gets old saying that) and I.

The first look. He looked happy with how I scrubbed up :)

I was early to the ceremony. So early I beat the cake, so I had to wait until the cake arrived.
Anyone who knows me knew I would be early

The first kiss

We had our pictures taken before the wedding so that we could spend time with family and friends immediately following the ceremony.

Seated at the cafe where we first met

It's not you, it's me...

I absolutely adore the girlies at Kel-Leigh Couture, but each time we meet, it gets closer to our last goodbye.
 
I was discussing this very point with the lovely Jade, about a week ago. I had just attended to have my final alterations sorted before the big day. Jade, Kel and I chatted about men, and roadtrips, and babies, and my big day, and the journey that had lead me to that point, standing there, in my wedding gown. One of my earlier blog entries details how I found the gown.
 
All the details of the dress were sorted and my was sitting down with Jade, making the payment for my alterations. It was such a bitter sweet moment. It was the final fitting, finishing details, final payment for anything to do with my wedding gown. No more stopping in to try on my gown, just to make sure I could sustain my dollar hot dog habit. No more excited nattering about all of the details of my big day that the ladies in the bridal store loved, but that no one else in my world really gives a toss about. Worst of all, no excited little claps from Jade as I effervesced about my rapidly approaching nuptials. I will definitely miss that the most.
 
The same goes to the amazing people at Michael Hill Jewellers. We purchased my engagement ring from their Tuggerah store, and they were amazing. We purchased both wedding rings from Erina Fair, and they have been equally awesome. We are now on a first name basis with Scott, the manager, and we often walk past and find ourselves having a natter about anything from the weather, to the Parramatta Eels.
 
Unlike awkwardly bumping into an ex at the shops, our paths are unlikely to cross again. I will not likely be in the market for a wedding down any time in the future, meaning I will not casually bump into Jade or Kel. There is a slight chance I may head into Michael Hill again to buy a special necklace, or dress ring etc, but I think I have used my jewellery allowance for many years to come!  
 
And I guess that is the problem with getting really awesome customer service, and building a relationship with a retailer in the wedding industry. God willing, this will be my last marriage. I have already told Pete he is stuck with me for good. So the best I can do to support and reward these local businesses for being absolute angels in my wedding journey, is to share their awesomeness here in my blog. So be sure to check out check out Kel-Leigh Couture or Michael Hill Jewellers. I hope you experience the same level of professionalism and friendly service that actually makes you feel like a human being. It is quite refreshing!

And so I bid farewell to two of the absolute loves of my life over many months.
I'll call you?
Never say never?

It's not you...it's me... :)