ahhhhhhh! I LOVE planning!

Plans are officially underway!

The date is set.

I've met with a photographer, a videographer, and my amazing wedding coordinator, aka my fabulous Aunt Jean!

Having been anticipating this day for the past 2 1/2 years, I have some VERY specific visions and ideas of what I want. And the more I search, the more fabulousness I seem to find! On a bummer note, I see that my ideas are not so original as I may have thought. But the bright side of that is that others have paved the way a bit for me by using these ideas so I can see how they worked out and what I might change.

I'm definitely turning on my inner DIY Diva and am planning on churning out many of these ideas by hand, soliciting the help of several of my tried and true friends, (and my awesomely prego matron of honor) of course!

I've always wanted to do something super cute to "invite" my bridesmaids to stand up with me that day and I think this would be just the thing! The paper garland I love too because it would add that POP of color to tie in all the other things floating around in my head.....

And well-wishes written on handmade paper and strung along a make-shift clothesline is so romantic!!!! Pollyanna- here I come!

Here's a few pics of what I've found to fuel my creative fires! somebody call 911! Shawty fire burnin' on the dance floor! Whoa-oh-oh!

First of all- this issue of Martha Stewart Weddings has been my all time FAVORITE and is serving as a nice guidebook for me to put pics with my thoughts!

I'm very specific about the photography and the style and I want. These are some photos I've loved from the photographers I'll probably choose.

Knowing that my budget is just about squat to negative squat, I don't want to spend my money on real flowers. However, I have discovered (through Martha) an artist that makes bouquets out of fabric- YES! that's right! And when I discovered that she has a blog through which some of her techniques are shared- I was sold! My crafty friends and I could certainly do this!

And for the reception I envision a grand af"fair" complete with bbq, funnel cake, cotton candy, sparklers and fireflies! I only hope that my June date is not so smoldering hot that my guests melt before they have a chance to enjoy themselves. AND that my venue will burst forth with enough electricity that I can actually pull this romantic summer's eve ambience and lighting off!