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
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