to one of my FAVORITE stores....Flower Factory. I got an email last Saturday that our local store will be closing. And it's the only one in the STATE! I didn't have any plans for the day so I went ahead and headed up in that direction. I'm so so so glad that I did! I got some AMAZING deals on silk flowers! Plus, I finally found the perfect bird cage for our card box & a crate for our ceremony programs. Check out all of the goodies!
 
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to Jute webbing. We have become very good friends since running into each other at the craft store this past weekend. I never even knew that it existed. I went in to purchase regular burlap & on my way to the cutting counter, I zipped down an isle to avoid a crowd and there it was....sitting on the bottom shelf in the apholsty section. Who woulda thought?! Plus, it comes in a variety of colors! Of course, I had to google what exactly is was 'suppose' to be used for because I'm sure wedding decor was not one of them :) I have so so so many uses for this and it will save me from wasting burlap too! So so so excited :)

 
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So...knowing that I wanted to use Mason jars everywhere I can at the wedding, I have been keeping my eyes out for them in local ads and online. Guess where I found these beauties....Menards :) Made in the USA sale! So stinking excited! Now the people at the store were definitely giving me goofy looks, and I even got a 'My god, girl' as I was loading them into my car :) $6/case...meaning 50 cents a piece!! 

 
I love the fact that I have family that is willing [and able] to help with with some DIY projects. My dad's friend was tearing down his privacy fence. Thankfully, dad saved some of the wood to create directional signs for the wedding. I absolutely love these! They will be placed on main intersections near the farm, as well as in locations around the property to help direct guests. So super excited to share this sneak peek :)
 
With about 5 1/2 months to go [and through the suggestion of the MOH] I finally made my DIY To-Do list...and holy cow, do I have a lot of work to do :) Obviously, I will have some help on things with my mom and other family/friends. Here's a run down...

All Things Paper

  1. Invitiations
  2. Direction cards
  3. RSVP Cards
  4. Photo Share Cards
  5. Accordion Programs
  6. Table Numbers
  7. Escort Cards
  8. Favor Labels & Tags
  9. Wrap address labels
  10. Petal toss cones
  11. & symbol for pictures

Decorations + more

  1. Hay Bale seating covers
  2. Bridal bouquet [x7]
  3. Boutonnières [x9]
  4. Mason Jar Isle flowers
  5. Wedding Tree guestbook
  6. Muslin tablecloths
  7. Burlap table runners
  8. Twig centerpieces
  9. Vinyl saying for mirror
  10. Mason Jar chandeliers
  11. Cake Stand
  12. Framed engagement photos
  13. Card Box
  14. Yard game sigsn [corn hole, bocce ball, croquet, ladder golf]
  15. Escort Card window panes
  16. BBQ sauce favors for 200 guests
  17. Thank you cards
  18. Wedding dress sash
  19. Flower girl dresses
  20. Reclaimed Door Archway
  21. Bridal Flower Hair Piece
  22. Kids activity books
  23. Twine & Burlap wrapped jars
 
Being a graduate of Ball State, I have a little place in my heart for Ball Jars....even more so after we picked the Breeding Farm as our ceremony and reception location. I've been searching for creative ideas for reception decor with mason jars and ran across this wedding....and fell in LOVE!! How simple & rustic, yet chic and creative. [Images from atelier joya]
 
Another unique little insight...that some might call crazy, but I love the idea of using hay/straw bales as seating for the ceremony. It will tie in perfectly to the farm atmosphere and help to create the casual, rustic atmosphere that we are  going for. Now...to figure out how I want to cover them is the new question :)
 
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So upon searching for decoration ideas, I came across a post about shepherd hooks at the Dollar Tree. After lunch on Sunday, I took a little trip over there. Sure enough...42" shepherd hooks for $1/each. I seriously bought all 16 that they had :) They are a little on the thin side as far as the quality of the metal, but they will work perfectly for the one day that we will need them for. So then I paid a little visit to the Bloomington store at lunch one day...and bought them out too :) We had previously purchased some 4' sturdy ones and was wanting more, but couldn't justify the cost of spending $3-$5/per hook for a one day thing. I am super excited about these. Here are just a few little inspiration photos of what they could become :)