Sunday, October 14, 2012
Sunday Silence
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? (Mark 8:36 NASB)
Monday, October 8, 2012
Invitations: Snowbird Design by Ashley Snow
Wedding invitations can be so daunting. Do you want store box or standard printed or custom? Do you want color or plain? Do you want flat or texture? So many options!
My friend Ashley Snow at Snowbird Design does custom invitations --for weddings, and bridal showers and rehearsal dinners and any other occasion you might need an invitation to.
Ashley has been designing since college. She started by doing invitations for bridal showers and lingerie shower that she was helping to host and then it blossomed into getting orders from friends for weddings, showers and birthday parties. After she had her sweet baby and became a stay-at-home mom she decided to keeping designing and now continues to create custom work. What better way than by getting to do something you love.
Ashley can do as little or as much as you need. If you need everything: save the date cards, wedding invitations, wedding inserts, programs, menu cards, name place cards, rehearsal dinner invites, thank you cards -- she can do it all. Or if you just want one of any of the above, she can do that too. The more you do, the more time you may need. Ashley really takes the time to get to know what you want and will make sure that you are happy with your design.
I asked her how far in advance she needs to be able to create wedding invitations. She said, "Ideally, a month to two months before the date you want to put the invitations in the mail." (If you are a procrastinator, she can always put a rush on an order for an extra charge.) She gives plenty of time for printing and shipping.
Another great thing you get with Ashley is that you can order as many or as few items as you need.
Does she print the invitations or just send electronic templates? She does both!
When she was planning her wedding, she was trying to keep things within a budget and quickly realized that invitations are one of the biggest expenses you can have. Ashley takes pride in making custom invitations that dont break your budget. She offers a variety of services so your are sure to find one that fits in within your budget.
I asked was there any thing else a new bride might need to know about Snowbird Designs?
My friend Ashley Snow at Snowbird Design does custom invitations --for weddings, and bridal showers and rehearsal dinners and any other occasion you might need an invitation to.
Ashley has been designing since college. She started by doing invitations for bridal showers and lingerie shower that she was helping to host and then it blossomed into getting orders from friends for weddings, showers and birthday parties. After she had her sweet baby and became a stay-at-home mom she decided to keeping designing and now continues to create custom work. What better way than by getting to do something you love.
Ashley can do as little or as much as you need. If you need everything: save the date cards, wedding invitations, wedding inserts, programs, menu cards, name place cards, rehearsal dinner invites, thank you cards -- she can do it all. Or if you just want one of any of the above, she can do that too. The more you do, the more time you may need. Ashley really takes the time to get to know what you want and will make sure that you are happy with your design.
I asked her how far in advance she needs to be able to create wedding invitations. She said, "Ideally, a month to two months before the date you want to put the invitations in the mail." (If you are a procrastinator, she can always put a rush on an order for an extra charge.) She gives plenty of time for printing and shipping.
Another great thing you get with Ashley is that you can order as many or as few items as you need.
Does she print the invitations or just send electronic templates? She does both!
When she was planning her wedding, she was trying to keep things within a budget and quickly realized that invitations are one of the biggest expenses you can have. Ashley takes pride in making custom invitations that dont break your budget. She offers a variety of services so your are sure to find one that fits in within your budget.
I asked was there any thing else a new bride might need to know about Snowbird Designs?
"I love having your thoughts and an idea on the overall look you are going for. If you see things you like, or have pictures or pieces of inspiration for your wedding, those are great things to share with me so I can design something that fits you and your wedding perfectly.
I have also done a lot of shower invitations, rehearsal dinner invitations, and bachelor/bachelorette party invitations-so don’t forget about those when you are doing your planning!"
If you want to get in contact with Ashley, here's how:
1. Facebook page: Snowbird Design - lots of designs here!
2. Email me at ashley.snowbird@gmail.com
3. Visit her blog at http://snowbirddesign.blogspot.com
She has lots of designs & prices on her blog, but not everything.
Since weddings are such custom affairs, many of the details & prices are quoted once I have an idea of what you are wanting.
So visit Ashley at Snowbird Design when you need invitations or custom stationary for your wedding -- or anything else. I know you will be happy with her work!
--Timpy
Friday, October 5, 2012
Finding the ONE...I mean the Dress
How do you know when you find the perfect wedding dress?
Are you supposed to cry, laugh hysterically, scream?
I know my dress shopping experience was all of the above. I actually went to five different places to try on dresses. I knew what I wanted -- or so I thought. I did NOT want a strapless dress. I did NOT want a corset in the back. I did NOT want a large dress. I had been picking out pictures for months. So I was ready.
I got married in November 2005.
The first time we went dress shopping was an organized experience in San Antonio, Texas and we tried on dresses at three different stores that day --except that we did not make an appointment with David's Bridal before hand -- apparently you are supposed to do that, but what did I know, I had never been wedding dress shopping before. Anyways, my Mom, my sister, my cousin and my good friend all went with me to try on dresses & bridesmaid dresses. We had a blast! We laughed, we laughed until we cried. I loved trying on dresses. I found one that I really liked, but my Mom said it was too plain for me -- I actually agreed with her, but the dress was pretty nonetheless Then, I found another dress I really loved -- except the train was w-a-y too long. How was I going to bustle and dance in that dress? So, I kept looking. We went to another store and found another dress that I loved -- I felt like Cinderella -- it had sparkles all over the the top half of the dress, but it was strapless. I wanted to keep looking. At that place, we found the bridesmaid dresses so it wasn't a total bust. At the end of the day, I still did not have a dress.
Then a few months later in Abilene, Texas, my mother-in-law came to visit me and we went shopping in my local town at a local wedding dress shop. I found the perfect dress -- on the hanger. I put it on and it did absolutely nothing for me. I was so disappointed It looked like the one in the magazine that I wanted. But it did not look good on me. What was I going to do now? Keep looking.
A few weeks later, my family was going to visit my brother in Fort Worth, Texas and my sister-in-law knew of a local dress shop that we could look at. My Mom was supposed to be in town by a certain time so that we could go dress shopping -- this local store would be closed on Sunday, so we had to get their on Saturday. Well, my Mom was late -- she was not going to be arriving in town in time to shop -- So I did what every other girl would have done -- I went shopping with my SIL. We looked through lots of dresses. I came across this one dress that I loved, loved the fabric, but it had bows on it -- so 1980's right? and it was strapless, and it had a corset, and it had bows on it, but the fabric (shantung silk) was so beautiful that my SIL convinced me to try it on. Oh my goodness. This dress was beautiful on. It fit - perfect. I wasn't going to be constantly tugging my dress up all night or pulling it down to fit around my waist or be self-conscious about the back. No alterations, but the hem (my grandma could do that for free), could I be so lucky? I didn't cry, I didn't scream and I didn't laugh because there was one problem. My Mom wasn't there. How could I be sure it was really the right dress without her opinion? But at least I knew what I loved. So, we left. Once again, I left a store empty handed.
When my parents got into town, the store was closed so I wouldn't be able to show her the dress. Sunday evening came and I went back home, but I could not stop thinking about this dress. By Tuesday, I called my mom and told her that I wanted that dress. So I called a few stores around San Antonio to see if anyone had it in stock so I could try it on with my Mom there. One store did. When I asked the price...It was $300 MORE than the other store where I originally tried on the gown. I was torn at this point and so I called my Mom back. She told me that she knew my SIL and I had great taste and that if I really wanted the dress that I should get it and she would be happy regardless.
I called the little shop in Fort Worth and asked the lady if she still had the dress. She said yes. I said I would like to purchase the gown over the phone. She said ok. My SIL went and picked up the dress.
I finally got to show my Mom the dress another few weeks later when I went to San Antonio for some other wedding planning details. She cried. She loved it and so did I --even with the bows. Now. on to find the right shoes.
So what are you really supposed to feel when you try on the perfect gown? Every person is different with different emotions. I know when my sister tried on dresses, her experience was totally different than mine. And that's ok.
What if you shared a dress with a friend to cut costs? What if you wore your mother's dress? What if you bought a used dress? Does that make the emotion any different - Yes, but only you can make that decision and be happy with what you wear for your special day.
Happy Dress Hunting!
--Timpy
Are you supposed to cry, laugh hysterically, scream?
I know my dress shopping experience was all of the above. I actually went to five different places to try on dresses. I knew what I wanted -- or so I thought. I did NOT want a strapless dress. I did NOT want a corset in the back. I did NOT want a large dress. I had been picking out pictures for months. So I was ready.
I got married in November 2005.
The first time we went dress shopping was an organized experience in San Antonio, Texas and we tried on dresses at three different stores that day --except that we did not make an appointment with David's Bridal before hand -- apparently you are supposed to do that, but what did I know, I had never been wedding dress shopping before. Anyways, my Mom, my sister, my cousin and my good friend all went with me to try on dresses & bridesmaid dresses. We had a blast! We laughed, we laughed until we cried. I loved trying on dresses. I found one that I really liked, but my Mom said it was too plain for me -- I actually agreed with her, but the dress was pretty nonetheless Then, I found another dress I really loved -- except the train was w-a-y too long. How was I going to bustle and dance in that dress? So, I kept looking. We went to another store and found another dress that I loved -- I felt like Cinderella -- it had sparkles all over the the top half of the dress, but it was strapless. I wanted to keep looking. At that place, we found the bridesmaid dresses so it wasn't a total bust. At the end of the day, I still did not have a dress.
Then a few months later in Abilene, Texas, my mother-in-law came to visit me and we went shopping in my local town at a local wedding dress shop. I found the perfect dress -- on the hanger. I put it on and it did absolutely nothing for me. I was so disappointed It looked like the one in the magazine that I wanted. But it did not look good on me. What was I going to do now? Keep looking.
A few weeks later, my family was going to visit my brother in Fort Worth, Texas and my sister-in-law knew of a local dress shop that we could look at. My Mom was supposed to be in town by a certain time so that we could go dress shopping -- this local store would be closed on Sunday, so we had to get their on Saturday. Well, my Mom was late -- she was not going to be arriving in town in time to shop -- So I did what every other girl would have done -- I went shopping with my SIL. We looked through lots of dresses. I came across this one dress that I loved, loved the fabric, but it had bows on it -- so 1980's right? and it was strapless, and it had a corset, and it had bows on it, but the fabric (shantung silk) was so beautiful that my SIL convinced me to try it on. Oh my goodness. This dress was beautiful on. It fit - perfect. I wasn't going to be constantly tugging my dress up all night or pulling it down to fit around my waist or be self-conscious about the back. No alterations, but the hem (my grandma could do that for free), could I be so lucky? I didn't cry, I didn't scream and I didn't laugh because there was one problem. My Mom wasn't there. How could I be sure it was really the right dress without her opinion? But at least I knew what I loved. So, we left. Once again, I left a store empty handed.
When my parents got into town, the store was closed so I wouldn't be able to show her the dress. Sunday evening came and I went back home, but I could not stop thinking about this dress. By Tuesday, I called my mom and told her that I wanted that dress. So I called a few stores around San Antonio to see if anyone had it in stock so I could try it on with my Mom there. One store did. When I asked the price...It was $300 MORE than the other store where I originally tried on the gown. I was torn at this point and so I called my Mom back. She told me that she knew my SIL and I had great taste and that if I really wanted the dress that I should get it and she would be happy regardless.
I called the little shop in Fort Worth and asked the lady if she still had the dress. She said yes. I said I would like to purchase the gown over the phone. She said ok. My SIL went and picked up the dress.
I finally got to show my Mom the dress another few weeks later when I went to San Antonio for some other wedding planning details. She cried. She loved it and so did I --even with the bows. Now. on to find the right shoes.
So what are you really supposed to feel when you try on the perfect gown? Every person is different with different emotions. I know when my sister tried on dresses, her experience was totally different than mine. And that's ok.
What if you shared a dress with a friend to cut costs? What if you wore your mother's dress? What if you bought a used dress? Does that make the emotion any different - Yes, but only you can make that decision and be happy with what you wear for your special day.
Here is the brand's web picture of the dress.
Happy Dress Hunting!
--Timpy
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Abilene Caterer: Tru Blu Catering
(AKA Bonterra Blu Catering)
Joel & Trish Trueblood are just an amazing couple. They own and operate Tru Blu Catering out of Clyde, Texas. They have been catering since 2005 and if you ever had the chance to experience Chef Joel's cuisine you have experienced one of the best! Tru Blu customizes menus to each client and they can work on a wide range of budgets. They also do vegetarian options and most ethnic preferences.
Joel & Trish Trueblood are just an amazing couple. They own and operate Tru Blu Catering out of Clyde, Texas. They have been catering since 2005 and if you ever had the chance to experience Chef Joel's cuisine you have experienced one of the best! Tru Blu customizes menus to each client and they can work on a wide range of budgets. They also do vegetarian options and most ethnic preferences.
What makes Tru Blu Events the go to caterer for your wedding reception? The answer is easy, first of all, high-quality ingredients that really make a huge difference in the dining experience. Second, your food is prepared by a professional chef -- which is very unique to our region. And you cant forget that each reception menu is tailored specifically to the happy couple so that the flavors are layered throughout in order to express your individual creativity.
Tru Blu can handle any size wedding from 12 to 350, and they can travel up to 3 hours in any one direction.
How far in advance should you contact Tru Blu for catering? 6 months to 1 year. This gives couples plenty of time to refine all the details of your special day.
I asked Joel & Trish what is their favorite menu item for weddings, and they told me that it is so hard to choose! It depends on the budget, chicken quesadillas or pulled pork sliders for lower costs or for a little higher cost smoked beef tenderloin, shrimp & grits -- or the grilled lamb is awesome too.
If you want to contact Tru Blu for your wedding reception or rehearsal dinner call Joel & Trish at (325) 513-8548 or email bonterrablu@me.com. Check out their website bonterrablu.com
Monday, September 24, 2012
Sunday Silence
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall have everlasting life.
John 3:16
John 3:16
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Sunday Silence
"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death."
Romans 8:1-2 NASB
Friday, September 7, 2012
The Grand March
Growing up in South Texas, the weddings that we went to that
had a dinner reception & dance always included the Grand March or sometimes known as the Wedding March. When I
moved to West Texas, not many people knew what the Grand March was or the meaning behind it. Yes, there really is a meaning to everyone getting up to
join the new couple in celebrating their new journey ahead.
The Grand March
- The dance begins with the couple being led around the room in a circle, which signifies life.
- The couple then separates, which signifies a quarrel.
- The couple then joins back together signifying making-up.
- The couples then join together in rows of four or more to signify the growing family.
- The dance then returns to single file, forming a snake that signifies the twists and turns of life.
-The couples then join together to form a bridge to which each person goes under to signify the strength of the new couples bond.
-
The newlyweds then dance together while the wedding party and guests
form a circle around them signifying the support of the family in
marriage.
The Grand March is usually led by a couple that has been married for many years because you want to learn from those with experience.
The tempo of the music us upbeat but not too fast.
Everyone always has a great time!
Here are some pictures of my cousin's wedding that I went to recently. We had a great time!
Pictures courtesy of Alisha Cornett at AFC Photography
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
How I got here...
As a native Texan, I love most Texas towns. I was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. I never thought I would leave for a town like Roscoe. Yes, I live in Roscoe and work in Abilene. I cross three counties on my way to work. While I do miss San Antonio, I have come to love this part of Texas. The days get HOT during the summer, but the nights can be very pleasant. And hey, we get snow here too -- even if it is for less than 24 hours. West Texas towns are simple, like in my mind what Mayberry might have been like.
I love weddings! I love the planning -- if there was a market in my area for wedding planners, I would probably be one. I love making the arrangements and then seeing my thoughts and dreams unwind on that special day. Im writing this blog because when I planned my wedding, there was nothing like this specific to my area and I hope to highlight venues, photographers, caterers, florists, bakers and everything else wedding in and around the Abilene and West Texas area.
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