A Kentucky Menu and Blushing Colors!

      Hello lovelies!  Thank you so much for the sweet comments from yesterday's first official post of my new blog!  Your feedback means a lot! 

 

      Let's talk wedding theme, shall we?  I pretty much knew right away that our theme would be (excuse me, but for lack of a better description) "Kentucky threw up on my wedding day" (at least on the menu). Hah!  But really, I am marrying a guy who truly loves the commonwealth just as much as I do, and we both love to have a themed party.  So for throwing what will be the biggest shin-dig of our lives - it was too good an opportunity to pass up!   My advise for you future brides is to go with a theme.  Once we had the theme down, we literally took off on the planning!   Just like that - it was like the menu, décor, and stationary Gods spoke to me.

 

One of the dish's we have on our menu for the night is the infamous Kentucky Hot Brown.

 

I really tried to incorporate southern comfort foods that have a signature Kentucky twist.
Nobody should leave hungry!

   After we selected our theme, it was time to pick our wedding colors.  This came surprisingly easy.  I bet you're thinking we went with blue and white!  So wrong! I we decided to go with a classic blush and gold palette.  I LOVE this color combo together!

 

 

 

 

      A blush and gold wedding color palette is sophisticated and chic, with an ultra modern feel, not to mention it ultimately reminds me of the infamous line from Steel Magnolias when Shelby is describing her wedding colors at the hair salon. 

 



 

 

    Lately I have been obsessed with all things blush and gold!

 

I found this cute makeup bag with the sequined gold bow will be cute for the bachelorette weekend to help get the party started.
I guess a makeup bag has the power to do that

 

 

    I knew right away where I wanted to hold our reception.  Though I am not giving the name of the venue away, here are a few shots from the inside.  I am obsessed with the look and feel of the grand ball room!

 

 

the outside

 



 

 

 

 

the inside

love

 

 

dance floor

 

 

 

outside of the venue there is a back area with a fireplace.  I would love to do a bourbon bar here for as the night gets going.

 

 

 

       A shot of a bridal table that someone did.  I wanted to re-create a similar look, however when we met with the coordinator for the venue, my bubble was immediately  burst.  They no longer do the naked candle look for safety reasons.  Ugh!!  I am still determined to make it an amazing table with a similar look.  Maybe a little more "busy" than this one - but this one was pretty indeed.  The photographer that we went with Todd Pellowe , actually took this photograph :)  Big fan of his work!

 

 

 

 

   My game plan is to design the look of the bridal table and then the rest of the tables will (hopefully) come together.  I am obsessed with the look of this table.  We chose ivory linens, so that we could really play with the blush and gold décor.  I am in love with this chevron runner for the bridal table.  What do y'all think?

a replica runner can be found HERE

 

love the simplicity of soft roses on the guest tables, with maybe a few gold votive candles

You can find really cute inexpensive votive candles at Marshalls, TJ Maxx and Michael's craft store!  I am already stocking up!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see, the visions are flowing...

The Kentucky touches will be here and there throughout the day.  I definitely do not want it to be overbearing. 

 

Did you find it easy to pick your color scheme? 

 

        I must say, I was quite pleased with how agreeable Darren was about the blush and gold theme.   He's been a GREAT help with all the planning, but for the most part he has turned me lose! haha



Going to the Chapel!

 

 

 

 

          Hi!  Welcome to Kentucky Priss on Becoming a Mrs.  I have created this blog in hope of a way to help organize my thoughts as well as keep a wedding diary while my fiancé and I are planning our BIG day! That's right!  On 7.26.14, I will become a MRS! Aaaaaahhhh! hah!

 

         On 11. 27.13, my fiancé, Darren, put-a-ring-on-it at his parents 1,000 acre farm in the heart pit of western Kentucky (on his favorite section of the property).  As the sun was setting he asked if I wanted to take a ride on the gator.  Now, riding in the gator along the farm is a lot of fun, in. the. summer,  mind you.  However, when it's the end of November and windy AND sub-artic temps, it's a little, er - sketch!? haha.  I went (because I was told that we were going to take some shooting practice! Be still my Kentucky girl heart)!  As soon as we jumped off the gator I looked in the bed and was immediately disappointed because he had .not. brought .the. rifle!! :) 

 

        Are you kidding me?  You brought me out here in the freezing cold to shoot a hand gun? Hah!  Again, if you're not a country kid - hang in there, we're getting to the really good part.  As I made the statement about the rifle not being in the back and that it was FREEZING!  Darren came around to my side, took my hand and said, I did not bring you out here to shoot guns, Jess!  

      eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrkkkkkk - say wha?

 

      I wish I could tell you what happened next, I do.  I had that complete Charlie Brown in his classroom moment where it sounded like his teacher was squawking - (you know how you never really hear her voice)  - either that or I blacked out from a mixture of shock and  hypothermia (can you black out from that)? 

I digress

 I DO, however recall the most gorgeous ring in a box was produced

(one that I had secretly pinned on PINTEREST) 

 Girls, if you ever heed any advice from me, heed this one:  PIN, child, PIN!

     {sigh} And so the wedding plan began!! :)

 

I will say that I did not anticipate being so confused or flustered with the planning. 

You don't anticipate that part, right girls? 

 For the most part, I do know what I want.  I really have been "pinning" my little heart out.  It's just making all of those "pins" come to life. 

For even the most organized person (talking about myself here), planning their wedding day can be a teensy bit of a challenge. 

My best description would be...

Well look at it this way.

There's this race (a 5k, mini-marathon, whatever you want to call it)

 that someone pre-registered you for, kay?

And you're wearing your bib number on your left ring finger, you followin' me?

So what do you have to start doing anytime you sign up for one of these?

You condition, you train, you plan, you EAT. THAT. RACE. FOR. DINNER.

All the while, you have ALL these other competitiors that are signed up for the race TOO

and you have to BEAT THEM! haha.

 

Being a Kentucky bride, in what we consider the heart of Kentucky.  Let's face it, Lexington totally is "the land" of the bluegrass.  Locking in your venue's, your videographer, your church, your reception, your band, your florist (I am going to stop there) is SUCH a rat race.

 

I've been really lucky thus far with being able to get everything on my list.  Probably because I. am. a . psychotic. Planner.  and I knew what I wanted and where I wanted it before Darren dropped down and assumed the position.

However, I thought I would share with you some things I did not anticipate: 

 

 

 

 Things That My Married Girlfriends Could Have Told Me:

 



Planning your hypothetical wedding via Pinterest was a. heck. of-a-lot. cheaper and EASIER than planning your REAL one.

 

Every decision you make requires another decision

 

You learn the actual definition of a budget

 

Every time you and your fiancé go out to eat, you so cleverly bring up an item to discuss on the wedding checklist just so you can con him into giving input re: menu, guest list, and color scheme
Not like he can just get up and LEAVE you at the table, right?

 

No matter how much you said you were not going to be the stressed out indecisive planning bride.  And you laughed at the friend who cried over her "ugly wedding invites"

Guess what friends, You. become. the .stressed. out  indecisive . planning .bride.

(except I still don't think I can muster a tear over stationary)

that my notes would have notes.

that my golden retriever would EAT said notes from my meeting with the coordinator for our reception (buh-bye menu and linen info)...TRUE STORY.

that I would be purchasing a lift machine to have our monogram put in a waterfall at our reception

that I would HAVE a waterfall at my reception...
(stay tuned for that one, hah!)

that picking out bridesmaid's dress's would prove to be harder than selecting my own dress
(anyone else have this problem)?

 I digress.

        Let me back up by saying, I realize that I might sound like I am complaining about being "overwhelmed" about planning the happiest day of my life.  And how "horrible for me", right? (please!) I really don't want to be that girl.  And in all honesty, my anxiety stems from fear of something not going right or that I might leave something out (with 11 bridesmaids to dress, who could blame me).

 

        All that being said, what better way to ensure that I am on top of my game than creating a checklist!  Y'all do not even UNDERSTAND how much I love to mark something off a list!  So I sat down a few days ago and drafted a list of everything that I wanted for mine and Darren's big day!  Thanks to one of my best friends and bridesmaids, Katherine @ Just Lovely for sharing her list to help me get started!

Here is my wedding checklist and what I've already marked off, just 6 months out!

 

Set a date

Book venue

talk to Dr. Baker about candles being lit within the church for décor

Book photographer

Engagement photos (waiting for May)

Book videographer

Book band

Buy wedding dress

Ask bridal party to be in wedding

Create wedding website (in the works)

 Register

Book florist and select flowers/arrangements

Select bridesmaids dresses

Order groom's tux, shoes, and accessories

Groomsmen arrange for tuxes

Order Guestbook

Order a veil

Bride's shoes

Book cake baker

Buy cake and knife server for cutting the cake

Finalize guest list

bridal jewelry

Cake stand

Cake topper

Ring pillow

book photographer for boudoir shots

take boudoir photos

Select bridesmaid dresses

Clutch for bride

Book cake baker

Hire coordinator

Buy cake knife & server

Buy toasting flutes

Finalize guest list 

Send save the dates  

Book officiate   

Pre-marital counseling

Order guest book

Hotel room blocks

Engagement announcement in the paper

MOB dress shopping

Find wedding shoes

  Find garter

Book makeup artist & hair stylist

Select menu (pending finalization with the coordinator)

Order save-the-dates, invites and rsvps, menus, programs, and thank you's

Mail invitations

Book rehearsal dinner venue

Book trolley / limo/ transportation for bridal party    

Buy bridal party gifts (11, wow!)

Bachelorette party (Chicago weekend in the works)

Bridal showers

Order wedding bands 

Wedding favors

Getting ready outfit for bride and bridesmaids

Hair and makeup trial, need to schedule for May or June

Put together picture list for photographer

family gifts

Welcome bags for out-of-town guests

gift for groom

Get marriage license

Book honeymoon 

grooms cake

Music selections to band

create a list of wedding gifts to mail thank you cards

Order thank you cards

 

sparklers for send off

 

select songs for 1st dance, father/daughter dance, and mother/son

wreaths and décor for outside of church

décor for the Mr. and Mrs. chairs at reception

candles for church ceremony and reception

Escort cards and table number signs

Make table assignments and seating charts

Décor for bar area

mailbox for cards at reception

basket for programs at ceremony

Rehearsal dinner décor/flowers/gifts

slideshow??

 

purchase all décor

  

create and finalize a wedding timeline

Distribute timeline

 

gift bags for bridesmaids

bridal luncheon spot

Welcome bags for out of town guests

Something borrowed

Something Old

Something new

Something blue

Sunday Brunch :

Choose location (invite close family and all bridal party)

Order Invitations for Sunday Brunch

Bachelorette Party (Chicago)

Shop for honeymoon and bachelorette weekend

Hostess gifts

Walk down the aisle & say I do!

Shew. 

       Hence, why I've decided to create this blog! 

 

      I look forward to brainstorming my big day for all the world to see and hopefully gaining some feedback from you pros!  Also, I hope to help provide ideas or inspiration for you other newly engaged gals!  I encourage you to add me to your reader list and come back and visit!   Feel free to leave comments or any advice you may have.  I love hearing from you! 

Let the wedding planning begin, my friends!