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This past weekend, her mom and us bridesmaids threw her a bridal shower.  It was a lot of planning and lots of stuff to prep, but it was totally worth it considering it turned out even more awesome than I ever imagined. 

Her sister, Marj, was an awesome MOH who really put everything together.  It was a tea party theme, so through the months, her sister collected a lot of the decor like the tea cups, cake/cupcake stands, etc.  Just check out the desert table (and BTW, everything was super yummy!):

The shower was thrown at her parents house.  They have a really nice house with a super nice backyard (complete with bbq grill, putting green, and all!).  We set the drink table outside with a couple of tables for people to eat, then hung tissue paper pom-poms:

Her mom supplied the food and boy, was there A LOT of it!  In the middle of the food table, we came up with a makeshift centerpiece using the boxes that the tea sets came in!  We added more tissue paper pom-poms:

 The favors were a super cute tea cup and saucer set.  I designed the thank you tags that were attached.  We bought fresh flowers and used it to spruce up the tea cups we had scattered throughout the house.  We also had an advice card station where guests filled out advice for the newlyweds on a scrapbook page then took a picture with Ginet.  We will print the pictures, then put the pictures in the scrapbook for her to keep for memories (and when her and her fiance need some advice)!

The games we played were really fun.  One of the games we played was The Newlywed Game.  We asked Ginet questions that we had Justin answer previously (we videotaped his answers).  After she answered, we played back his answers to see if they matched.  It was hilarious seeing him respond to the questions on video, so if you ever need a shower game, I would definitely suggest doing it this way!  (BTW, Ginet and Justin almost matched all their answers correctly.  Talk about meant-to-be!)

Now that the shower is over, it’s full-speed forward until the wedding in June!  Let me tell you… she is ON. TOP. OF. IT.  She’s pretty much done with planning and is in the stage of finishing up all the little details.  Love it!  She’s my wedding role model. Haha!

Happy bridal-shower-day (last Saturday) Ginet!

I’ve already blogged about Primele’s return address stamps here, Tie Obsessed’s custom ties here, and Titatium Knight’s TOTALLY AFFORDABLE wedding bands here.  I’ll most likely blog about ALL the shops and places I’ve gotten decor, gifts, and miscellaneous wedding items after my wedding (and April will probably do the same).  For now, we’ll blog about a few Etsy shops that we heart!

Petite Peanut Boutique:  Mainly geared toward newborns and toddlers, this shop offers the cutest ties, headbands, necklaces, and tutus.  Joy will open shop again in mid to late May because she’s literally about to have her baby (I just saw her Facebook status!).  Anyway, think how cute this would be for flower girls:

Photo from Petite Peanut Boutique Facebook Page

Lola In Lace:  Cute and sexy custom garters sold individually or in sets.  Hmm.. I might have to grab me a pair of these:

Little Retreats:  Who doesn’t love photobooths at weddings?!?  This shop offers props from mustaches, glasses – they even offer sets like Pirates, Circus Clowns, and Mad Men.  How fun!

A Busy Mother:  Refuse to pay $200 on a veil??  I’m with you!  This shops offers custom and ready-to-ship veils starting at $22.99:

Lila Frances:  The “original” personalized wire hanger shop, these hangers make awesomely cute gifts (I got one for April!) or just get one for yourself!

Lollipop Workshop:  This shop specializes in custom cake toppers.  If this isn’t cute, then I don’t know what is!!

Pretty Tape:  This shop sells fun Japanese washi tape and other arts and crafts goodies.  If you weren’t thinking about your next a&c project, you may want to now!

Calligraphy by Jenn – To April and my surprise, guests really do notice calligraphy-addressed envelopes!  April will blog more about Jenn and her shop soon.  We’re telling you brides - WELL.  WORTH.  IT.

Trial By Cupcakes:  This shop offers custom maps, calligraphy, and more affordable custom return address stamps.

These are just a few and there will probably be more Etsy shops we grow to love!  Now your turn - what are some of your favorite Etsy shops??

[All photos come from respective Etsy shops unless otherwise noted]

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That’s probably why I love Kate’s dress because I loved Grace Kelly and her dress.  Both woman represent natural and effortless beauty and confidence.  They say Kate’s the lucky one marrying a prince, but I surely think William is the lucky one.  Congratulations and job well done to Prince William and Kate!!!

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These paper record player invitations by Kelli Anderson are the most amazing invitations I (actually, I think I can speak for both Ginet and I and say WE) have ever seen.  And trust me, we are OBSESSED with anything paper, so we have seen a lot of invitations.

Not only are they innovative, but they are straight-up ADORABLE.  The look, the print (some of it is in letterpress!!), the fonts, and the cherry on top: when folded and spun correctly (instructions are included), it actually plays an original song composed by the bride and groom themselves (they’re both DJ’s).  How freaking cool is that!  UGH.  I’m. so. totally. jealous.

(Photo Compilation by 100 Layer Cake / Original Photos by Kelli Anderson)

PS. If you click on any of the links, you’ll be able to access the youtube video that shows you how to assemble and spin the invitation and the song is plays.  SO AWESOME!

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I loved how it was so cute and fun!  I figured I’d get a short reception dress because I love to dance and I can’t really get down in a long dress.  I started to casually look, then I encountered this super cute number from Quail Bridal:

It’s called a Peony Dress – how perfect is that?  I also think it’s SUPER adorable how she calls these reception dresses “cake-cutting dresses”.  The studio is located in Long Beach so I made an appointment with my sister.  The day of my appointment, it was raining really hard and there was flooding around the studio so my sister and I ended up getting really wet!  Michelle, the owner and designer, and her sales associate Lauren greeted us and offered us hot tea (so nice of them).  Then we proceeded to try on some dresses.  I really liked the Peony Dress but I wasn’t in love with how the top part looked on me.  However, I really liked how the top of the Parisian Dress looked on me:

Michelle mentioned there’s a Dahlia Dress (these names are super cute, no?) that consists of the top of the Parisian Dress and bottom of the Peony Dress.  They didn’t have it at the shop but is available to order.  I decided that was perfect!  And my sister really liked the Marie Dress:

The rest of the bridesmaids are getting their dresses made by my local seamstress, but we wanted my sister/MOH to stand out so we thought this dress in gray would be perfect!  Michelle took our measurements and we selected our color preferences.  She was super sweet and I love how she’s living her dream.  We place our order a couple weeks later and received them in February!  The only issue I have with my dress is that it’s a dress size or two bigger.  I thought that was strange since she took my exact measurements.  I knew I had to get it hemmed and altered anyway so it wasn’t a big deal.  Since I’m not showing my actual wedding dress, I’d say it’s fair to show my cake-cutting dress.  I have yet to get it sized to fit, but here it is with a black sash to hold it up (because seriously – without it, the dress would just fall off):

The shoes don’t really go so I’ll probably wear a black pair instead.  I’m thinking the dress can be taken in on the sides and shortened four inches above my knee – I do want to feel sexy and cute on my wedding day!

So fellow brides – are you going with one dress or two or maybe even more?  Anyone else going to be calling a reception dress a “cake-cutting dress” from now on?

I blanked out some information on the pictures to protect their privacy, so you’ll have to use your imagination a little. I got really lucky and somehow managed to have a picture of Megan holding an inflatable guitar on my iPhone!  The quality of the picture isn’t that great, but I managed to make it work.

The one she didn’t choose was the CD cover. The “CD” inside was going to be a magnet that parents can hang out on their fridge.

The one she chose was the Rolling Stone magazine cover/concert poster. This was a 5″x7″ card that I made into a magnet, so now Megan’s pretty face is rockin’ out on her classmates’ fridges.

I know she doesn’t read this, but HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY MEGAN! Your Uncle Neville and I love you!

1)  If you’ve been browsing the wedding blogs as I certainly have, you probably already know that Antropologie’s BHLDN wedding line launched just last month!  I personally am in lust with this beauty:

The color, the embroidered and appliqued detail, the fitted corset, the pockets (I love me some pockets!), and I especially love how it’s named “Filagree Cupcake Dress”!

2)  White by Vera Wang is an affordable collection offered exclusively at David’s Bridal.

If I didn’t already say yes to the dress, I would truly consider one of these swoonworthy pieces! Ranging from $600 to $1400, how can you not at least try these on if you haven’t gotten a dress already???  Or you can be like me and do some wishful thinking full of what if’s.  Joking aside because I do love my dress.

3)  One of my favorite stores BCBG came out with their Spring 2011 collection and has their “Wedding Shop“.  They have dresses and accessories for brides, bridesmaids, and guests!  I’ve been eyeing these two for a while:

There’s a good chance I’ll purchase the first dress if it’s still available after my wedding… You can check out their Wedding Lookbook too!  Very Bon Chic Bon Genre.

4)  And now I leave you with probably the funnest and more affordable collection from TOMS:

The color of this one is “Bridal White”.  Not only is it a super cute, comfy, and different idea for wedding attire, but you get to help a child in need!  And think about the photo ops:

This image is from Catie Ronquillo, a photographer I went to college with!

Ok fellow brides and people who aren’t engaged/married and just obsessed with all things wedding, go check out these collections!