Bishop Wedding Part 4: The Reception (Venue & Decor)

Happy New Year everyone! I'm back for another wedding Wednesday! This has been one of my favorite blogging days since getting our wedding photos back. I am going to be cutting the reception posts into a few because there are so many different things I want to show and talk about that would make for a way too long blog post. This week I am sharing our reception venue and decor. 

As I've said before, I loved that the venue where we got married was all inclusive. I wanted to find somewhere that we could hold both the ceremony and reception so it was easier on our guests and not to waste any time. 

The venue at Riverlakes is so beautiful, not to mention the staff was amazing. We had an outdoor wedding and then our guests were escorted to the reception area which is indoors/outdoors. The entire room had sliding doors that opened out to a large patio that we used for dancing. 

For our gift to our guests, I wanted to make sure that it represented our fall wedding. Of course, Pinterest wins again because we made s'more bags for everyone that were stamped with a sticker saying "sending you s'more love" with our wedding date. 

The napkins were purchased from The Knot website, and I made all of the chalkboard signs. I framed our engagement pictures and our invitations and had them placed around the reception as well.

As you can see, the centerpieces also have curly willow incorporated.

Next week, I'll recap the entire reception!

Here's the rest of our wedding recap in case you've missed any. 

Part 1: Getting ready

Part 2: The ceremony

Part 3: The wedding party

Bishop Wedding Part 3: The Wedding Party

Before and after the ceremony was strictly for taking pictures and getting those done before we lost light. I must say that it was so awesome to have a smaller wedding party because it was really easy to get the pictures finished quickly while still making sure we got amazing shots.

Picking our wedding party from the very beginning was simple, there was really no questioning it. These are the people that hands down are always going to be there to support and love us.

The relationship that Joe has with my family is more than I could ever ask for. He treats my sisters as his own sisters and my mom as his own. It's always been a girls club growing up with my mom and sisters, so when they took Joe in and loved him like family I knew that he was the one.

Through the dress fittings, stress, and planning, these girls were always there to help. I remember when we first got engaged and started the planning process I didn't even remember that it's a thing to ask people to be in your wedding party in a cute and Pinterest-y way because it was just a given that these two would be in our wedding. I am thankful that even after growing up with me acting like a second mom to them that we are still lifelong best friends.

The boys looked so handsome! I was very adamant about these tux's, those colors, and the boutonnieres, so seeing everything put together on them was amazing.

I had at first wanted my mom to be my maid of honor. She's my best friend, and I knew that she had to play a major roll in this wedding. She means the world to both Joe and I. Walking me down the aisle and giving me away was the perfect way to incorporate my mom into the wedding ceremony. Without her, our wedding would not have been possible at all.

After all of the pictures, it was time to make our way into the reception as husband and wife! 

I hope you all have a merry Christmas!! 

Previous posts:

Part 1: Getting Ready

Part 2: The Ceremony

Bishop Wedding: Part 1 Getting Ready

It has been way too long since I have posted a wedding related post. I emailed my photographer a couple weeks ago and she said it usually takes around eight weeks to get them back. Since we weren't able to have my photographer there while I was actually getting ready for the wedding, I thought I would start with this post since it will be Iphone pictures anyway. 

Getting ready - 

The day before: If you read my previous post, you would remember that I had a pretty bad night before the wedding. I spent the night at my moms with my sisters, and we had a day of last minute errands and of course - getting pedicures. Mine was actually the pedicure from hell, he cut the skin all under my toe, and it burned the entire time but that's okay. I just kind of rolled with it. After the pedicure, that's really when everything went wrong. Since I have no desire to harp on that awful night, I will say that joy really does come in the morning, because I was ready to take on the day when I woke up.

I was just so excited to see Joe and make it until five o'clock. 

My mom made coffee and french toast, because it's my favorite and she's the best. We all had some time before we had to go set up at the venue so we ate, and all had time to shower. I know a lot of brides choose to relax the morning of their wedding, but I just wanted to go be busy and set up the reception. It kept my mind busy, and I loved being able to make everything just the way I wanted it.

It was truly, a beautiful day to get married.

My sisters strung blush pink lanterns along the exposed beams in the reception area that took a couple hours. I cannot tell you how amazing they looked. My family was a life saver setting everything up. 

A couple of hours later, it was time to go get hair and makeup done. It seemed like the morning flew by, and everything was moving so fast. My normal hair dresser was not available the day of the wedding, so I had to find someone a few months prior. Although I did a trial with this lady, I will say that I wish I would have been able to find someone I knew better to do the hair and makeup. She didn't quite listen to what I wanted. Thankfully though, it turned out really great!

I didn't wear a veil, instead I wore a really pretty headband and it matched my bridesmaids dresses. 

Joe and I opted not to see each other before the wedding. I knew it would have been easier to take pictures before, but I also knew since the beginning that I wanted to wait and see Joe as I was walking down the aisle. Stick to what you want, ladies.

After we we're done getting ready, it was time to head back to the venue and get married!

Things I've learned since planning our wedding.

Guys, I'm a married lady and I still cannot get over it! I am just sitting over here waiting impatiently  patiently to get our wedding photos back so I can start the recaps. I have been thinking about all the different things you come across and experience when planning a wedding, and I thought I would share.

So, here are some things I have learned since planning our wedding..

People will not RSVP - You would think when you self address an envelop and provide a stamp to send back an RSVP, that people would. NOPE. I don't know how many texts or Facebook messages I received either accepting or declining. But that's not all...

People who RSVP may change their mind last minute - Yep...there will be those people who come up with a really bad excuse to not come last minute. It happened two days before and even one day before the wedding. After all of the food was paid for of course.

You will see the people who make an effort - SO true.. I kept reading articles about how people you wouldn't expect to step up and help, will. And some people who should be, sadly won't. Now this isn't the case for every wedding, but it was in mine. You will see what friends make an effort to be there, and who helps in anyway they can.

Pinterest will be your frenemy  - I loved Pinterest so much for inspiration in planning a wedding, but definitely have your own vision before searching on Pinterest. You want your wedding to show your vision and your fiance as a couple, and picking things that look pretty but isn't something you actually like won't do that.

DIY will be A LOT of hard work - Don't let people fool you into thinking that DIY is cheaper and easier. It's not. I did quite a bit of DIY projects for our wedding and let me just say although it was a lot of extra time, they were worth the time and the money. DIY will make your wedding unique from others. It's your time to put your own personal touches on your big day. I did all of our chalkboards, escort cards, guest favors, and our card box. It was worth it.

Things won't always go the way you planned - You gotta let it go girl, after months and months of planning a beautiful wedding you gotta let it go. Just like Frozen said. I had to let a lot go.

Cake people didn't show up on time? Let it go.

Dealing with people asking to bring extra people - the day of the wedding? Let it go.

Your shoes hurt you too bad, so you wear flip flops? Let it gooooo. (no one saw my feet anyway)

If you have a mom like mine, she will be your lifesaver. -  My mom was my right hand and my coordinator the entire time of wedding planning. My poor mom was running around in heels the day of the wedding trying to make sure everyone was where they were supposed to be. She did amazing and I have no idea how to even thank her.

P.S - If you can and it's in your budget - hire a day of coordinator! I wish we would have.

But, through all these things that you will learn in the wedding planning process, the most important is to focus on your future marriage! You can't forget about your fiance in the midst of planning, set aside time - even when you're so busy to talk about how you're feeling or just go on a date. That was important for me. 

Now that it's over though, I'm sad. Of course I have plenty to fill my plate like school, work, a cute puppy, and a really cute new husband - but I miss it. I really enjoyed watching my vision for our day come to life, and now that it's over I need to find someone to let me help them plan their wedding! I'll even do it for the free cake. Desperate much? I think not.

5 days. FIVE DAYS!!

With only FIVE more days until the wedding, I figure this will probably be the last post for at least a week or two. I am trying my hardest to get through these two work days that stand in between sweet freedom for a few days. I still need to go home and make the favors for our guests, run last minute errands, and hopefully relax before the wedding weekend starts. With number changes from some guests which is a major bummer, to my final fitting (It fit!), and getting our marriage license; this past week has been busy. Not to mention I am trying to get homework done, so I have no worries this weekend.

I can't believe it's so close, it really does go by so quickly and you do have to enjoy every bit of wedding planning. I am already wondering what in the world I can plan next!

I'm positive there will be updates on twitter and instagram -  #bishopwedding14


Please wish me good luck that I won't fall, and that everything goes smoothly!


P.S I am participating in a giveaway along with some other blogger ladies that will run until October 14th!

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Talk to you when I'm a Mrs!

A wedding checklist.

 If I do say so myself, things are getting accomplished. This wedding may not be completely planned but with just a day over a month left to plan this thing, I can honestly say that it will happen with or without these small details. But for my sake let's hope it all gets done.

First dress fitting – The seamstress at David’s Bridal looked at me like I was insane for waiting until September to come in for my first dress fitting. I live on the edge lady. Actually not at all. I literally was swamped and put it off to the last minute but had major anxiety about it. I went in to actually look at the under garments for my dress, and the seamstress insisted that she had to get me in THAT DAY in order for it to be ready before the wedding. I almost had a full blown panic attack, but my maid of honor came to the rescue.  I go in for obviously what will have to be my last fitting / pick up the dress on October 3^rd! You know, only 8 days before the wedding…let’s hope it fits.

Hair/Makeup - By the time you read this I will have finally had my hair and makeup trial FINALLY. Since I am pre-writing this post, I'll have to let you guys know how it went next week or I'm sure I'll say something on Twitter. 

Guest book – Ordered and it is beautiful! Covered in burlap and lace. Just the way I like it.

Bridesmaids dresses have arrived, and they are so perfect. 

Gifts for the groomsmen need to be found and ordered. ASAP.

Garter – Still need to find and order.

Seating chart - This is awful. I have no idea how you ladies with 100+ people managed this. I am having a hard time situating everyone. 

Table numbers and place cards - Purchased, now I just need to get them finished after I get the pesky seating chart done. 

Favors and DIY projects - Still need to buy some more things to finish those.

Find shoes and jewelry for bridesmaids and myself – Nope. Still really need to get on that.

Book hotel room – This will happen with the next few coming weeks.

Order Joe's ring and get mine cleaned- Happening soon!

Music for pre-ceremony, walking down the isle, and of course songs to play during reception (suggestions would be amazing!!)

Create a strict weekend timeline with my wedding party.

We can officially go get our marriage licence as of tomorrow. Tomorrow it'll be 30 days until the wedding!


Also married ladies - did you get a spray tan before your wedding? If so, how soon/long before should I wait so hopefully it wont stain my dress?

Bridal Shower!

I have no idea where to begin with this post because I am so thankful for everyone that came to my bridal shower this past Saturday. They spoiled Joe and I with such sweet gifts and cards that made me want to cry, in the most happy way possible. My mom and sisters have been spending their past few weekends planning and shopping for my beautiful shower.

My shower was thrown at my maid of honor's house which is my sister, Connie. Everything was perfect. From the food, strawberry jello shots, games, conversation, and of course the famous "hippie juice" we all had a great time.

We played who knows the bride best type games which got some really good laughs.

Picture overload time:

 Gifts for the guests ~ Mason jar cups, and Sees candy chocolates.

My favorite thumb print cookies from Smith's Bakery.

I think my mom refilled this jug of hippie juice at least twice, everyone loved it that much!

Make it at home, you won't be sorry!!

I did may or may not have had four cups of this so called juice. No regrets. If you eat the liquor infused strawberries that's really what will do you in. 

My friend who drove to town just to come for the day! 

My heart is so happy after being surrounded by people who truly love Joe and I. I cannot wait until the wedding when we will all be together again and this time for the big day. It really was a huge reminder how close the wedding is getting! 45 days!

The Details. | Wedding Wednesday

The month of August has already proven to be one of the most productive months of wedding planning yet. We aren't even halfway through the month and I feel like we have all of the major aspects of the wedding planned. Now the little details on the other hand will be the death of me, over dramatic: I know. 

My mom and I were in the car the other day, talking about the wedding of course when I mentioned doing a bouquet toss and needing to order the garters. She said how she had completely forgotten about those two things until I mentioned it. I had too, actually. The smallest of details are the hardest things to remember when I'm trying to remember not to overlook anything major! 

The rest of the list besides paying things off:

-Find hair and makeup person. 

-Order garter set

-Order gifts for reception

-Bridesmaids dresses (happening on Friday)

-Put together bridal party gifts to give at my bridal shower

-Make a complete list of songs for wedding/reception 

-Find shoes, jewelry, veil. 

-Alterations and under garments for dress.  

-Order Joe's ring

-Book hotel rooms

-Decide on seating chart - Table numbers 

-Set up transportation for after the wedding.
-Find a day of coordinator 

The 23rd is my bridal shower and I am way too excited to see this party that my mom and sister have been working so hard at planning. I know it'll be beautiful. Plus some people are coming from out of town for my shower that I cannot wait to see!

If you married/engaged ladies can give any tips or see anything I may be missing please let me know. Being the oldest in my family, and not having any friends that have gotten married I need all the advice I can get! Also, at what point did you take your dress to get altered?

I am vowing to take time this month to relax, focus on my health, my family, and especially my fiance for these special moments before we get married. I know how much work my family is putting into this wedding as well; without them I would be insane. 

At this time next month we will be able to get our marriage licence, how crazy is that!?


Linking up for Wedding Wednesday!