Final Progress Post - 5 Days Out!
Hello Fellow Planners! Our handfasting is this Friday and I wanted to share some of the progress we've made in the last few weeks. We've DIY'd many elements and are very proud of them. We feel that we've infused ourselves into almost everything, which is important to us.
Us
I hope you enjoy! Feedback is always welcomed.
Our Logo
Wedsite
http://www.danyderi.com
Invitations
We did them all, even cutting the business cards and the pocket folds. Thankfully Michael cut a plexiglass template for cutting those. The silhouettes of us are the same costumes as in the above photo.
I only recently noticed that I have two of the same cards in the spread on the stone. :)
VENUE
The ceremony will take place in a grove of oaks on the property where we live. Reception will be at the house.
Altar
Acorns
These will hang above us and the middle acorn will hang slightly higher than the other two.
Candelabra
We're borrowing this from our Best Lady darnlucky
Chandelier
My father bought this for my mother in Spain about 35 years ago. We're hoisting it above our guests.
Memorials
We are hanging framed photos of loved ones who are no longer with us on the two trees that flank the altar. The mother of one of our dearest friends passed two weeks ago and our wedding date was her parent's anniversary. We've asked her to bring a photo of her mother to be included.
ATTIRE
Wedding Dress (Unfinished)
Made from Clarence House silk damask. I used/altered Vogue pattern V8413.
Corset
I used the same silk damask that was used for the dress and drafted the pattern to have a reduction in the waist only.
Reception Dress
I've had this vintage dress for what seems like eons. It had some beautiful silk buttons but one was missing and another was coming apart so I replaced them with some sassy vintage inspired ones. It's the one on the right.:)
Shoes
These went under an almost complete reconstruction. The bottom soles were redone by Peter & Sons who did an incredible job, as always. Insoles and toe decorations were all done by me. Brooches are sterling silver acorns by Danecraft.
Here is the entry of the reconstruction process.
Michael's attire
Being made by the extraordinary sewinggoddess. The vest is made from the same cloth as my dress and the jacket is linen that a dear friend bought while he was living in Paris many years ago. He gave me several yards about 6 years ago and had been holding out for the perfect event.
This is the style of coat and vest.
Rings
My engagement ring is a vintage enameled 18k white gold with a Peridot center stone and flanked by diamonds. Peridot is special to me for a variety of reasons. It represents the primary color associated with absinthe which is what brought us together. It is also my birthstone and my favorite color. My wedding band is a new piece that was cast from and Art Deco mold.
Michael's ring is a Green Man made by the goldsmiths at Jason Bellchamber. We are over the moon about it. It is beyond my expectations and the guys at Bellchamber are simply amazing to work with.
Here's how my engagement ring looks on me.
Ring Nest
Original
Michael discovered this nest being built and eventually it was abandoned due to it's precarious location which was just above and electrical junction box on the side of a building. We brought it inside after it had been empty for a couple of weeks. We have since decided that this one is just too fragile to be handed from guest to guest during our ring warming ceremony, which will happen before we arrive at the grove. It loses little bits every time we handle it and would be so disappointed if it fell apart.
We've opted to use a piece of old family silver to keep the rings.
Jewelry
This is a vintage necklace Michael gave to me last year. I absolutely love it. His eagle eye found the earrings that have matching rhinestones but the gold color is a little off. I'm on the fence about them right now. Thankfully they were very inexpensive.
Bouquet
This is the inspiration that I found in Savannah Weddings magazine. Most everything that I will use will come from the woods and garden where we live, but I'd like to have white Ranuclus as my flower. Mine will be more monochromatic and won't have the twine and sand dollar. I'll wrap ribbon over the moss. I'm not tossing this.
I found this bouquet stand at Garden Ridge in Atlanta back in December.
When Michael and I first started seeing each other he asked me what kind of perfumes I liked to wear. I sent him to the BPAL site and said, "have at it." He surprised me with a bottle of Belle Epoque and Absinte in two beautiful perfume bottles. I, in turn, bought him Wilde and I'm quite wild about it! I've depleted my bottles and wanted a refresher for both of us. I figured that there will be plenty of absinthe in the air and chose the Belle Epoque.
Handfasting Cords
These were made by Michael.
Charms used in the cord
Green Man - Michael
Cat - Moi
Fleur de Lis - Our love of absinthe and other bohemian life
Celtic Knot
RECEPTION
Lighting
Mosaic Lanterns:
These were an almost *squee* worthy. They were marked down to $16 from an original price tag of $40. We bought 10 between two stores.
Paper Lanterns
Trying to achieve the look of the top photo with our lanterns:
Centerpieces
Made by us.
Scarlet Oaks purchased from the Arbor Day Foundation, moss came from the yard and the Boxwoods came from Lowe's. Boxes made by us. Here is the entry of the construction process.
Bistro Table (Unfinished)
We have an old iron table that will hold our absinthe fountains and accoutrements. We recreated the Chat Noir poster to act as a decorative a bistro table top. Michael painted 'Evita & Michael 2009' in the halo.
Cigars
We purchased a bundle of 25 from Cuban Crafters and designed special rings.
Cigar rings
Cake
Michael and I knew early in our relationship that we would eventually marry. He was very keen on it happening on a sabbat. Autumn is both of our favorite time of the year, but my first wedding was on Halloween, so that ruled that right out. We decided that Beltane would be our goal because the Summer Solstice is just too sweltering here for us to fully enjoy it.
I found this cake (I'm sure some have seen it) last year in either Living or MS Weddings and fell in love because we were looking to incorporate bees into our celebration.
We weren't sure if the fondant icing was going to be an option for us so we looked for another way to symbolize a beehive and found hexagonal cake pans.
Ingredients for the Handfasting Cake
* Butter
* Sugar
* Honey
* Eggs
* Flour
* Grated Lemon Rind
* Lemon Juice
* Rosewater
* Basil
* Rose Geranium Leaves
Labels
We're purchasing bottles of absinthe from Drink Up New York and relabeling them with ones that we designed. Fortunately one of the distillers carried by DUNY will be at the wedding and is giving us the bottle labeled "#2" as a gift.
Absinthe front uses our logo as the frame.
Back with greeking copy:
For the mead that we've made:
Bride & Groom Glasses
These are antique 'East' glasses that we will use as our primary drinking glasses. The 'East' glass is an unusually large Y-shaped glass, believed to originate in eastern France, is one of the oldest designs used for absinthe. It was made infamous by Edouard Manet in his 1859 painting, "The Absinthe Drinker".
We have a third glass that we will use to share our last few samples of pre-ban with everyone.
Sugar Cubes
Absinthe drinkers are usually divided into two groups, those that sugar their drinks and those that don't. We're members of the latter, but understand and appreciate that those in the former have different taste requirements. We bought some fleur de lis molds and made sugar patties.
Favors
We're giving out these miniature Lucky Cats:
This is the front of the card that will be attached to each figurine:
Back. There are several legends as to the origins of the Lucky Cat and this is the one we chose to share with our friends and family.
We're still working on a few things and I'll post those when we get our photos back. While we're working we will concentrate on sending good energy for a.)safe travel for family and friends and b.)cooperative weather.
Us
I hope you enjoy! Feedback is always welcomed.
Our Logo
Wedsite
http://www.danyderi.com
Invitations
We did them all, even cutting the business cards and the pocket folds. Thankfully Michael cut a plexiglass template for cutting those. The silhouettes of us are the same costumes as in the above photo.
I only recently noticed that I have two of the same cards in the spread on the stone. :)
VENUE
The ceremony will take place in a grove of oaks on the property where we live. Reception will be at the house.
Altar
Acorns
These will hang above us and the middle acorn will hang slightly higher than the other two.
Candelabra
We're borrowing this from our Best Lady darnlucky
Chandelier
My father bought this for my mother in Spain about 35 years ago. We're hoisting it above our guests.
Memorials
We are hanging framed photos of loved ones who are no longer with us on the two trees that flank the altar. The mother of one of our dearest friends passed two weeks ago and our wedding date was her parent's anniversary. We've asked her to bring a photo of her mother to be included.
ATTIRE
Wedding Dress (Unfinished)
Made from Clarence House silk damask. I used/altered Vogue pattern V8413.
Corset
I used the same silk damask that was used for the dress and drafted the pattern to have a reduction in the waist only.
Reception Dress
I've had this vintage dress for what seems like eons. It had some beautiful silk buttons but one was missing and another was coming apart so I replaced them with some sassy vintage inspired ones. It's the one on the right.:)
Shoes
These went under an almost complete reconstruction. The bottom soles were redone by Peter & Sons who did an incredible job, as always. Insoles and toe decorations were all done by me. Brooches are sterling silver acorns by Danecraft.
Here is the entry of the reconstruction process.
Michael's attire
Being made by the extraordinary sewinggoddess. The vest is made from the same cloth as my dress and the jacket is linen that a dear friend bought while he was living in Paris many years ago. He gave me several yards about 6 years ago and had been holding out for the perfect event.
This is the style of coat and vest.
Rings
My engagement ring is a vintage enameled 18k white gold with a Peridot center stone and flanked by diamonds. Peridot is special to me for a variety of reasons. It represents the primary color associated with absinthe which is what brought us together. It is also my birthstone and my favorite color. My wedding band is a new piece that was cast from and Art Deco mold.
Michael's ring is a Green Man made by the goldsmiths at Jason Bellchamber. We are over the moon about it. It is beyond my expectations and the guys at Bellchamber are simply amazing to work with.
Here's how my engagement ring looks on me.
Ring Nest
Original
Michael discovered this nest being built and eventually it was abandoned due to it's precarious location which was just above and electrical junction box on the side of a building. We brought it inside after it had been empty for a couple of weeks. We have since decided that this one is just too fragile to be handed from guest to guest during our ring warming ceremony, which will happen before we arrive at the grove. It loses little bits every time we handle it and would be so disappointed if it fell apart.
We've opted to use a piece of old family silver to keep the rings.
Jewelry
This is a vintage necklace Michael gave to me last year. I absolutely love it. His eagle eye found the earrings that have matching rhinestones but the gold color is a little off. I'm on the fence about them right now. Thankfully they were very inexpensive.
Bouquet
This is the inspiration that I found in Savannah Weddings magazine. Most everything that I will use will come from the woods and garden where we live, but I'd like to have white Ranuclus as my flower. Mine will be more monochromatic and won't have the twine and sand dollar. I'll wrap ribbon over the moss. I'm not tossing this.
I found this bouquet stand at Garden Ridge in Atlanta back in December.
When Michael and I first started seeing each other he asked me what kind of perfumes I liked to wear. I sent him to the BPAL site and said, "have at it." He surprised me with a bottle of Belle Epoque and Absinte in two beautiful perfume bottles. I, in turn, bought him Wilde and I'm quite wild about it! I've depleted my bottles and wanted a refresher for both of us. I figured that there will be plenty of absinthe in the air and chose the Belle Epoque.
Handfasting Cords
These were made by Michael.
Charms used in the cord
Green Man - Michael
Cat - Moi
Fleur de Lis - Our love of absinthe and other bohemian life
Celtic Knot
RECEPTION
Lighting
Mosaic Lanterns:
These were an almost *squee* worthy. They were marked down to $16 from an original price tag of $40. We bought 10 between two stores.
Paper Lanterns
Trying to achieve the look of the top photo with our lanterns:
Centerpieces
Made by us.
Scarlet Oaks purchased from the Arbor Day Foundation, moss came from the yard and the Boxwoods came from Lowe's. Boxes made by us. Here is the entry of the construction process.
Bistro Table (Unfinished)
We have an old iron table that will hold our absinthe fountains and accoutrements. We recreated the Chat Noir poster to act as a decorative a bistro table top. Michael painted 'Evita & Michael 2009' in the halo.
Cigars
We purchased a bundle of 25 from Cuban Crafters and designed special rings.
Cigar rings
Cake
Michael and I knew early in our relationship that we would eventually marry. He was very keen on it happening on a sabbat. Autumn is both of our favorite time of the year, but my first wedding was on Halloween, so that ruled that right out. We decided that Beltane would be our goal because the Summer Solstice is just too sweltering here for us to fully enjoy it.
I found this cake (I'm sure some have seen it) last year in either Living or MS Weddings and fell in love because we were looking to incorporate bees into our celebration.
We weren't sure if the fondant icing was going to be an option for us so we looked for another way to symbolize a beehive and found hexagonal cake pans.
Ingredients for the Handfasting Cake
* Butter
* Sugar
* Honey
* Eggs
* Flour
* Grated Lemon Rind
* Lemon Juice
* Rosewater
* Basil
* Rose Geranium Leaves
Labels
We're purchasing bottles of absinthe from Drink Up New York and relabeling them with ones that we designed. Fortunately one of the distillers carried by DUNY will be at the wedding and is giving us the bottle labeled "#2" as a gift.
Absinthe front uses our logo as the frame.
Back with greeking copy:
For the mead that we've made:
Bride & Groom Glasses
These are antique 'East' glasses that we will use as our primary drinking glasses. The 'East' glass is an unusually large Y-shaped glass, believed to originate in eastern France, is one of the oldest designs used for absinthe. It was made infamous by Edouard Manet in his 1859 painting, "The Absinthe Drinker".
We have a third glass that we will use to share our last few samples of pre-ban with everyone.
Sugar Cubes
Absinthe drinkers are usually divided into two groups, those that sugar their drinks and those that don't. We're members of the latter, but understand and appreciate that those in the former have different taste requirements. We bought some fleur de lis molds and made sugar patties.
Favors
We're giving out these miniature Lucky Cats:
This is the front of the card that will be attached to each figurine:
Back. There are several legends as to the origins of the Lucky Cat and this is the one we chose to share with our friends and family.
We're still working on a few things and I'll post those when we get our photos back. While we're working we will concentrate on sending good energy for a.)safe travel for family and friends and b.)cooperative weather.