DIY Bouquets: PHASE 3, The Final Phase

The look of our DIY bouquets has changed yet again. I just couldn't stop futzing with the shape and look of the bouquets after I originally posted them on Broke-Ass Bride.  So I decided to do a new post on how the bouquets have evolved over the last four months... The bouquets I originally made look nothing like the way they look now. Head over to Broke-Ass Bride and check 'em out!

Dear Mainstream Wedding World: I'm Checking Out.

And by Mainstream Wedding World, I mean The Knot & everyone else who is like The Knot. Which sucks, because I like to straddle both sides of the wedding horse... take a dip in the offbeat world and the traditional world... mostly because I believe ALL weddings are special and beautiful and deserve my respect as a wedding blogger. And because the online wedding community as a whole has inspired me in so many ways - even the posts and articles I don't necessarily agree with. But then I read this comment on my DIY bouquet post:

o.O Those are... kinda ugly. To me anyway. I would never buy one. But I guess if other people like them... kudos to them xD 

Gee. Thanks.  First of all, I'm not selling these things. I have no interest in going into the craft business. I'm just your average, everyday A-hole who couldn't afford real flower bouquets, so I made them myself.  And as much as I'd like to say this comment doesn't hurt me, it totally does. I worked my balls off on these things. And sure. They aren't perfect.  But I'd like to point out that calling someone's wedding decor "UGLY" is just flat-out ridiculous. And immature. And mean. And totally uncalled for. And it makes me question why I ever wanted anything to do with the "Mainstream Wedding World" in the first place. They clearly don't have room for my "crazy ideas" or my supposed "poor taste" in decor. They block me on Twitter for reasons I don't (and frankly, they don't) understand. AND they send me holier than thou articles on etiquette practically every week - articles that would alienate any bride who was even slightly left of center.  I feel like I have been nothing but supportive and kind to my fellow wedding bloggers and wedding websites since day one. I don't care if you are a staunch traditionalist or a couple who takes a ceremonial bong-rip after your I Do's. I have sincerely tried to love and respect EVERYONE no matter what.  I have entered their contests, retweeted their posts, commented on their boards, encouraged fellow brides when they're down, been a loyal reader and follower, but I still get called "ugly" and I still get blocked on Twitter. So the only thing left for me to do is cut myself off from everyone who doesn't show respect for me the way I show respect for them. SO! Goodbye, Knot. Goodbye, Project Wedding. Goodbye, Weddingbee.  I'm just done trying to be your friend.


Would you call my DIY bouquet "ugly"?  To my face?  And even if you DO think it's ugly, are you going make a point of it and tell me in the comments below?  Have at it!

Made WITH LOVE by moi

I Won a Bouquet! But Have Mixed Feelings About It...

I won a free bouquet from a wedding event I attended. I'm not exactly sure *how* I got entered to win said bouquet, but I was happily surprised to hear my name called for free shit regardless. I mean, who wouldn't, right? But there's a BUT.  Many months ago I had resigned myself to the fact that we will NOT have any live flower bouquets. At all. I was going to make 7 bouquets by hand with various new and recycled materials. I was going to personalize all the bouquets with items that go along with each of our personalities.  I don't want to give too much away, because these "bouquets" are going to be a lil bit different... think beautiful from afar, but hilarious up close.  I got so excited about this idea, that I was totally and utterly waaay cool with not having live floral bouquets.

And then I won a bouquet. More specifically, a rose-dominated bouquet. Which is awesome don't get me wrong, but how am I going to personalize it like I had originally planned? I have my WristieLove Brooch that I wanted to adorn the handle with. And I even bought little Bowie pins to put in my homemade bouquet ball of pretty.* I was pretty balls-excited about my potential homemade ball of pretty.  But now I don't know what to do.  Do I cash in my free live flower bouquet? Or do I get the bouquet, but use it for a centerpiece instead?  Or should I go for the ultimate compromise and incorporate some of my own pieces in the flower bouquet (hoping that the company will cooperate)?

Am I a flower bouquet bride? Here's a pic of me holding one:

Photo Credit: Desi Baytan Photography

Yay? Nay? Don't give a shit?

I'm torn.

And seriously... Feel free to tell me these are an asshole's problems and that I shouldn't have any qualms about free shit, and to just be thankful I don't have to pay for my ball of pretty. Go ahead. Let me have it. I can take it.

*A bouquet is something you carry in your hands or on your person that serves as an accessory. It can be made out of whatever. It's a ball 'o pretty. That's it.

In LOVE with My Custom Brooch from WristieLove!

I won the WristieLove custom brooch contest on Rock 'n Roll Bride last week and just got the picture from the designer. Isn't it to die?! Sana, the uber creative mind behind these brooch beauts, told me the button is from the 1920's and she added the peach colored ribbon to go with the overall decor of our wedding. The plan is to showcase the brooch on the handle of the bouquet I'm going to make. But I think this brooch would work for a number of things. I could wear it on my dress, or in my hair, or Mike could even wear it as a boutonniere. But I think my original plan is going to work the best...at least I'm hoping! Wish me luck as I attempt to make a bouquet beautiful enough to go with this brooch!

Thank you, Sana! xoxo! :)

Find all of Sana's gorgeous work at her Etsy shop, WristieLove.

And of course, another big thanks to Kat over at Rock 'n Roll Bride for sponsoring the contest! Woohoo!

Dude. Today Just Kicks Ass All Around.

Not only am I excited to be tweeting live during the Psych fall finale tonight, BUT I received some wonderful news this morning that I had WON the WristieLove contest on Rock 'n Roll Bride!

WristieLove showcases a collection of intricately designed etched copper tags, brooches, wrist corsages and bags. I fell in love with this little beauty to our right, "The Mini-Pearl Clockhand Brooch." And guess what? She's going to add a little personal touch to match the overall look of our wedding. I can't wait to show you all the final reslut!

Here's the entry that won me this beautiful prize:

"Hands down fave: The Mini-Pearl Clockhand Brooch. We’re having a vintage-y, David Bowie-inspired, handmade decor, homemade beer, non-gender-specific bridal party, with my sister playing electric guitar as we float down the ol’ aisle, kinda wedding. We’re not really tied down to color – just a bunch of pastels mixed with black, red, peach, and off-white. We want it to look homemade and antique-y, so this brooch would be a fantastic addition. i would use it to pin on my bouquet – i am making my bouquet from scratch out of pins, brooches, handmade t-shirt flowers, newspaper, and whatever else ‘pretty’ i can find. This brooch is stunning and I would be honored to receive it."

So a HUGE thanks goes out to WristieLove for choosing me AND of course, a super big thanks to the ever-amazing Kat @ Rock 'n Roll Bride. Her blog seriously gives me a new inspiration everyday. No joke. So if you're getting married, get thee to the Rock 'n Roll Bride Bloggery! STAT.

And as an extra BONUS, WristieLove is giving 15% off to anyone who follows her blog: http://wristielove.blogspot.com/ Can I get a hell yes?

Hell YES!!

Oh and P.S., I want this wrist corsage from WristieLove's shop. Like NOW.

Is this not hella fly, or what?