Wedding Wednesday {Wedding Binder}

Happy hump day ladies! And Happy Halloween! I posted my Halloween post on Monday, check it out here!   I'm writing another wedding post today to share one of my favorite parts of wedding planning thus far---my wedding planning binder!

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Let me start off by saying that my wedding binder didn't start off that way. I thought I could get away with a simple file full of folders. That wasn't the case! The amount of information that I ended up compiling {contracts, printed ideas, copies of menus, etc.} just couldn't be contained in those files.

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 So, I headed out to Staples with a few ideas in mind. I decided that I wanted a 1" binder, cute dividers, and sleeve protectors. I decided on some super cute Carolina Pad binder dividers that had a pretty pattern, along with some extra pockets on a few of the dividers.

Aren't they cute?

I used the sheet protectors to hold things like contracts, fabric samples, menus, and stationary samples. It's really helpful for those items that I don't want to hole punch.  

Here are the divisions of my binder:

General Information

Overall timeline, The Knot checklist, and worksheets that still need to be filled out.

Ceremony

Ceremony site photos, our color scheme samples, flower ideas, etc.

Reception

Cake ideas, reception decoration ideas, etc.

Bridal Party

Bridal party contact information, bridesmaids dress ideas, groomsmen tux ideas, sizes, etc.

Guest Information

Guest lists, hotel details, map sketches, etc.

Parties/Showers

All ideas that pertain to showers, parties, and rehearsal dinner.

Paper (Invites)

All invitation ideas, including ones that are in the works and ones I'm trying to decide on.

Vendors

All vendor contracts and contact sheets go here.

Details

All small details, especially ones I haven't finalized, are stored here.

Honeymoon

This is pretty self explanatory, right? ;)

  Also, I found some really great printables from I-Do-It-Yourself that helped me get super organized. The contact forms, song lists, and flower worksheets are my favorites {so far}.   {I would have used the Martha Stewart wedding binder sets, but they weren't on sale and I just couldn't pay double for the same things (though they were prettier and came in the perfect wedding blue)!}
------- What were your must-haves for your wedding binder? I'd love your suggestions!

Book Review : Gone Girl

One and a half days down, three and a half to go! Is anyone else ready for another weekend? This girl sure is. We have engagement pictures coming up on Saturday and I am so so SO excited! I can't wait to share them with you once we get them done :)   Today I'm going to share something I really enjoyed last week--a new book. I haven't really gotten into a book since reading the 50 Shades books. I just hadn't had the time or the interest to really find something new. A few weeks ago a friend suggested that I read Gone Girl.

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Once I started reading I couldn't put it down! I loved it...when I shared the storyline with Ryan, even HE wanted to read it. I think that says a lot!   To quickly sum it up (I don't want to give too much away)... The book is based around two main characters, a husband and wife, Amy and Nick. Taking place in Missouri, Amy disappears on their 5 year wedding anniversary after an awkward homemade breakfast shared between the two. You soon find out that Nick isn't an amazing husband, and there has been strife between the two for quite some time. The reader gets a glimpse into their relationship via Amy's journal...it shows Amy as a perfectionist and Nick as a bitter jackass. You get to learn more about their relationship, and some really juicy details along the way of the investigation. Did Nick kill his wife, or is something even crazier happening?   This book will keep you hanging on from the beginning straight to the end!   Also, in case you need more proof that the book is awesome, Reese Witherspoon is on board to produce the movie adaptation of the book. How awesome is that? She's also set to star in the film, so I bet it turns into a great on screen version of the book. -------  What books have you read lately that were amazing? Spill the beans!

Halloween Recap!

Happy Monday ladies! I hope y'all had a great weekend! This past weekend was super eventful around here.

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As you know, this coming Wednesday is Halloween--so we decided to celebrate with a spooky party at our friend's cabin. Ryan and I with our friends James and Kim spent the afternoon decorating and prepping for everyone to arrive! We had a great time putting up spooky cobwebs and making yummy treats.

 

Aren't these cupcakes so cute?!

Thanks for the idea, Pinterest! We put a strobe light inside too...super creepy!

Before we knew it everyone was there and having a blast! Lots of yummy drinks, good spooky music, and some hilarious costumes! With the exception of a small accident or two (everyone had the falling down syndrome?) I'd like to think the party was an A+ success!
Here are some of the costumes...

The boy and I: Zombie Bride and Vince the Slap Chop infomercial guy!

Hermione, Casino Card girl, Sugar Skull, Zombie Bride,
Egyptian, Indian, Katniss, Hunter

Zombie bride, Kim the Egyptian, and the Indian

Khal from Game of Thrones and the Egyptian

Costume #1: A Bunch of Grapes

Jager-bomber! Hilarious!

The boys in their costumes!

The amazing Dexter Pumpkin!

------- Have you done anything for Halloween yet? What are you dressing up as this year?   P.s. I'm linking up with Sami for the weekend update blog hop!

This & That

I officially have a blogging schedule for the next few weeks. I swear I am going to get back on track. This time of year is just so busy, it's insane! I can't wait to catch up with everyone and see what y'all have been up to!   Until then, enjoy a few of my fav most recent links from around the blogging world and internet.   ------- How cute is the apothecary jar used for bangle storage + wardrobe organization?    Speaking of wardrobe organization, check out these closets!
Who doesn't love to check out cute pup faces?   How cute are these wine bottles??
Here is a simple banana bread recipe that looks delicious! {and wouldn't your house smell great?}
The importance of having girlfriends....
I can't wait to add a few state prints, like this one, to our new office space!
I love just about everything about this post, especially the wine colored nails!   Cheap and awesome Halloween DIY.   Some running clothing tips.
Marriage business meetings...such a good idea!
And a sweet reminder. -------
Has anything cracked you up or caught your eye this week? Share!

Friday's Letters {camping edition}

We made it through another week! Here's a fun little   Friday's Letters blog post to celebrate :) Well, not really, but it appears as though I need an excuse nowadays!  
Dear Ryan, I'm so excited that we aren't traveling (outside of Nashville) this weekend! I know this will be a relaxing weekend for you and I know you need it! You deserve it after working so hard! Dear Blogger Followers, I am slowly losing my blogging skills. I apologize, I'll try to get back to my old bloggin' self soon. I miss you all! Dear Nashville, You.Are.So.Pretty. Dear Fall, Thank you so much for coming around and sticking around for a while. We really enjoy you! Dear Wedding, I'm taking a break from you this weekend. I hope you miss me! ;) Dear Work, Blerg. Dear Fall Television, You have been rockin' my socks lately! Dear Yesterday's 35 Minute Workout, Whoa girl! It's sad that you are still making my butt muscles burn today. I guess that's a good thing? Dear Weekend, I can't wait to go camping and have a fun weekend outdoors!  Here's a preview of this weekend's coming attractions....

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------- Check out the rest of the letters here! ------- What are y'all getting into this weekend?

Halloween Sneak Peak

Here's a sneak peak of a few things I'll be incorporating
into my Halloween costume this year.

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------- Any guesses?  What are you dressing up as for Halloween?

50 Shades Of Grey

 50 Shades of Grey....and yellow and navy.  It's so hard to match wedding items together when there are just so many shades of the same color! I can't complain too much though :) And yes, in case you couldn't tell by now, I'm referring to our wedding not the books! Now let's catch up on our wedding details, shall we?!

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-------  Things We've Done.... Picked the date : May 18th 2013 Picked our bridal party! Picked our colors! Picked our ceremony and reception site! Picked a caterer! Picked a photographer! Picked our ceremony and reception musician! Had our engagement party! Started the wedding website! Picked our Save The Dates! Had the Save The Dates printed! Picked our Invitation suite! Bought THE DRESS! Narrowed down the bridesmaid's dresses... Working on the mother's dresses... Picked the rehearsal dinner restaurant! Finalized our guest list! Started (85% done) our registry! Picked our cake baker and style! Purchased our wedding bands! Finalized shower invitation list and bach party invitation list. Picked our day-of point of contact. Bought a few items for decoration (twine for bouquets, burlap for banner, etc.).  
Things We Still Need To Do.... Take our engagement pictures (November 3rd!). Finalize our reception menu. Call the rental place to place official hold on tables, etc. Finalize our wedding website before the save the date's go out. Mail our Save The Dates. Have our invitations printed. Order bridesmaid's dresses. Pick shoes for bridesmaids.  Pick my ceremony shoes.  Schedule one dress fitting/steaming. Pick out ceremony accessories (the girls and I).  Decide on my something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue! Finalize our ceremony music. Decide on ceremony readings. Pick the mother's dresses. Order groomsmen suits. Place the wedding flower order. Speak with our officiant (this week!). Work on wedding hair and makeup ideas (for everyone). Book our honeymoon (we've picked it out, we just need to pay!). Finalize our hotel plans (getting ready & guests)--50% done. Pick rehearsal dinner invitation. Finalize rehearsal dinner menu. Decide on shower and rehearsal dinner decorations.
(I want them to be similar so we can use the same decorations for both--we're watching our $$$s) Decided/order on bridal party gifts. Decide/order groom gift. Decided/order on parent gifts. Print and assemble program fans. Finalize/order guest book (alternative!). Create banner for wedding reception. Finish cake topper (twine wrapped E!). Decode on cake/cupcake stand. Yarn wrapped letters for reception decoration (initials and Mr. + Mrs.). Finalize and work on reception table decorations.  Finalize aisle decorations. Work on aisle decorations (DIY!). Finalize ideas/materials for ceremony/reception signs. Decide and book day-of transportation.  Marriage license!  Finalize a day of schedule.  Decide if we want special ushers.  Decide on out-of-town guest goodies. Purchase dresses for bridal events, rehearsal dinner and bach party weekend!

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  ------- Did I miss anything? Please share any wedding planning tips you have! && Be sure to check out my Wedding Pinterest board here to see all of my wedding ideas!

They're baaaaaaack!

Guess what ladies? Today isn't just a normal day.  Nope, it's not just a Thursday..... Tonight marks the premiere of Vampire Diaries!!

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------- I'll admit, it's a cheesy show at times, but what show isn't?! At least there are some hotties to watch ;) Are you a fan of Vampire Diaries? Who's your favorite character? 

Here vs. There

Here: Philadelphia

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There: Nashville

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Here: Wearing (something similar to) This

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There: Would Be Wearing (something similar to) This

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Here: Working Here

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There: Would Be Working Here

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Here: I'm Doing This

  There: I Would Be Doing This

  Here: Sleeping Here

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There: Sleeping With These Guys

 ------- If you follow me on Twitter (go here to follow along!), then you might know that I'm currently in the great city of Philadelphia! This city is gorgeous and definitely at the top of my list of cities I've traveled to for work.   Let me say one thing before I explain this post. I'm lucky and blessed to be able to travel with my job. I've already got a handful of trips under my belt in the four short months I've worked for this company. BUT I miss home. When I'm away I always miss the boy and our pup like crazy. It's tough to be apart, just because we have such a close relationship. Who knows, someday I might get used to being on the road?!   Moving on....this post is titled Here vs. There. These are the main differences of my life when I'm away. I love dressing up for a few days and seeing/meeting tons of people while on the road--but gosh, I miss my jeans + boots and just being home with the boy!   Here's to a great rest of the week and a quick trip home when it's over! ------- How do you get through trips on the road for your job?