In(vite)spiration

Everywhere I go and everything I do I have visions of wedding stationary bouncing around in my head. I love being crafty and have been thinking about trying to make my own invitations. So, courtesy of my serious Pinterest and Etsy addictions, here are some of my favorites invitation inspirations.

Source: stylemepretty.com via Malia on Pinterest

I love all things kraft paper as you might have noticed here, and I especially love the unique size and string accent. 

Source: beyondbeyond.co.uk via Malia on Pinterest

Here's another spin on the kraft paper that I love. Ahhh...such a modern print yet still a bit rustic.

Source: ohsobeautifulpaper.com via Malia on Pinterest

What a sweet little doily accent. And the Tiffany Blue...swoon!

Source: etsy.com via Malia on Pinterest

A little bit of kraft and doily. Best of both worlds?

Source: hindsightbride.com via Malia on Pinterest

A little burlap, lace and tiffany blue. This is heaven.

So many ideas, so little time. I could probably go on forever. What are your thoughts on the kraft paper, lace, burlap, doily, and tiffany blue accent? Do you lean toward traditional or more modern? I can't wait to start experimenting!

Will You Be My Bridesmaid?

The first step to having the wedding of my dreams is making sure that all my best ladies will stand by my side.

For awhile, I was debating just having my sister and J's sister stand up for me but the more I thought about it I knew that looking back I would be sad to not have pictures of me with all my girls. So, from a  bridal party of two I jumped to a bridal party of eight. Eight ladies, I know, that's pretty crazy, but between high school ladies, sorority sisters and family I couldn't not have eight. Eight, who all mean the world to me and who I can't imagine not being a part of our big day.

Once my mind was made up about having all my ladies by my side I knew that I wanted to come up with a unique way to ask them. I had been searching the web and immediately when I came across these vintage hankies on Wedding Chicks I knew they had to be a part of it all.

After many hours of pinterest searching, I knew I also wanted to incorporate elements of kraft paper, lace, baker's twine, chalkboard and a personal message for each of my girls. This is what I came up with.

The materials: 

Lace Tape

Baker's Twine

Chalkboard Pen

Chalkboard Tags

Kraft Paper Cards and Envelopes

All from The Paper Source

First, I wrote a note on each card.

Next, I added accents and tied the hankie to the card.

Finally, I sat back and smiled at myself for coming up with an awesome card for my maids. I love that while they were the same concept for each of my ladies they were also slightly different through the personal notes that I wrote for each girl and the slightly different hankie patterns and fonts. I wish I had ironed these before taking the pictures but you get the idea. 

I hope you like them as I much as I do!

Love,
Malia E

Wig and 'Stache Bash

OH.MY.GOODNESS. I have the most amazing friends!

I think my friends have been ready for J and I to tie the knot almost as long as I have. Awhile ago I noticed a bunch of wig and mustache themed invites pinned on my bestie Kelly's pinterest board, with the caption M+J? and I knew we were in for a treat.

Kelly is my party planning idol, seriously she's amazing, and she always pulls out all the stops so, I knew the second that she offered to spearhead an engagement party for us that we would have the best time! Kelly and another bestie, Sarah thought of everything from invitations to cute little coozies.

invitations

coozies

I wish I had taken more pictures of the fantastic decor and dessert table but here are some that I did capture and that great family and friends have posted on facebook.

getting ready

at the bash

with my bestie, Kelly

with my future mother in law

with my future sister in law and my little sister

with my family

Kelly kicking off the karaoke, stone sober, that's a real best friend. She rocked it!

our first duet

it's not a party until there is a "Baby Got Back" performance

feeling the groove

really getting in to it now

We had such a good time and could not ask for better friends and family. Super thanks to Kelly, Sarah and the set up crew for all of their hard work. We love you!

Love, 

Malia E (and her pink haired karaoke singing alter-ego)

Need more? Check this out!