Refusing the Cookie Cutter

we are 90 days away from our wedding day 

mom and I just made a 7 page to-do list 

(handwritten and front page only--don't freak Jared) 

lots and lots of little tiny details left

this brings me to the post topic...

I am super duper anti-cookie-cutter-wedding

meaning a one-stop wedding venue

where they do essentially everything for you 

and every other wedding that is held there looks the same  

is just not for us 

yes, it would make this planning process a whole crap ton easier 

but where is the fun in that? 

I pride myself on being different and having a lot of my own ideas 

of course I will admit that a few have been taken from Pinterest 

but I have continuously added "our spin" on things 

honestly, I think the only thing were not making or personally designing ourselves 

is the food and party rentals 

even those have a dash of us in them 

when we first discussed theme we wanted to have 

"a southern garden party with a backyard on the water feel"

(seeing it in writing, it sounds a little ridiculous) 

but it made sense at the time and we had a stern vision in mind 

the more we looked and planned however, our ideas changed and molded into something different 

now when people ask theme or colors

(originally coral and navy--now a very neutral base palette using flowers to add color)

we say our wedding is going to be us, just dressed up

here are a few of the things I have been doing since at home Wilmington for two weeks... 

 distressed metal buckets 

use Lysol toilet bowl cleaner and steel wool 

coat and scrub metal 

leave in sun for few hours 

and voilà

handmade one of our favors 

not pictured because it is a surprise 

mom dedicated a room in her house to wedding only supplies 

this will be quickly consumed 

designed our wedding suite and wine labels 

not pictured again because it is a surprise 

I have a week left in Wilmington

a week to plan, plan, plan 

a week to prepare for my first big girl nurse job 

a week to relax and enjoy the sun 

only 3 more days until Jared and I are reunited after a week and a half a part