It is about time I get to some DIY wedding projects! The first one up on the list that I tackled was moss wedding initials. These little gems will look perfect on one of the buildings at the cottage. I can’t wait to hang them up.

Here are the steps to the process.

1. Gather all of the tools you need. For me I used the following items:
-Knife
-Green Styrofoam I found this at Michael’s. If you get pink or white Styrofoam you can spray paint the Styrofoam green
-Template for initials, or you can just eyeball it (I did)
-Black sharpie marker to draw initials
-Sand paper
-Spray adhesive
-Green Spanish Moss (from Michaels)
-Ribbon to hang initials

2. Draw initials on Styrofoam; make sure both initials are the same size (I used a ruler for this)

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I am so excited to share with you our photographer! Since switching our wedding plans, and moving the wedding from California to Michigan, I was scared that I wouldn’t be able to find a photographer that I was in love with- which I have no proved to be wrong!

When searching the internet from my computer in California for wedding photographers in Michigan- I was looking for something that was a little different, not so cookie cutter. I started getting a little frustrated- then I typed in these magic words into Google photojournalist photographer Grand Rapids area and voila, all of my searching came to an end.

I had found our photographer Melissa! Her company is called Telltale Photography.  She is located in Lansing, MI which isn’t too far from our wedding location. Once I found her site, I started going through her photos of past weddings and engagement sessions, and I knew it was meant to be! This is exactly what I was looking for. After contacting Melissa, and chatting with her on the phone, I knew even more that it was perfect. We instantly clicked. Her and her husband both went to Ohio State (Phil is a huge Ohio State fan) and her personality was amazing!

I am so thrilled that I was able to find a great photographer, and not have to settle for something less then what I really wanted! I am so excited to work with Melissa.

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Oh Martha you have done it again! This little gem of a cupcake is adorable!

I would absolutely love to make these for a family BBQ, or for a shower or even at the wedding! I love sprinkles that come in all different colors. I wish I had a huge kitchen where I could keep sprinkles in all different colors at all times- don’t sprinkles just make everything better?

Here are some things I am loving this week!

source-project wedding

Love this idea- Having different soda bottles lined up at the reception- a Soda bar! And this would give a shout-out to my hometown fav – Faygo!

Source- can’t remember I think wedding bee

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I ran across this great post on The Nichols blog and I was instantly inspired!

Now that we have decided to have the wedding at our family cottage, this post was exactly what I needed to see in order to get my mind in wedding cottage mode!

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We’ll there has been a lot going on in the last month or so. The original wedding location in San Clemente has been scratched. What I thought was going to be anaffordable location, turned out to be not-so-affordable (at least for us) After adding on all of the fees, permits, etc The cottage that was once oh-so affordable, because instantly unaffordable. So that began the search for a new venue. I think I knew all along that the new venue would always end up being our wedding location, but I had to first go through all of the other options in my head, and on paper before we came to a decision.

So with that being said, we have decided that our new wedding venue is….

The family lake cottage in Michigan!

This place has been a part of my life literally since the day I was born. It has been in our family for 120 years, so it has it share of family memories, traditions, and parties. Although I think this could be the 1st wedding at the cottage- which is amazing! I feel so good and at peace with this decision. I feel as though it is right, and my heart is telling me that. Everything so far is falling into place! From rentals, to catering, to the wonderful photographer I have found (more to come on that later).

I thought that planning a wedding from a distance would be super stressful and not manageable, but so far so good. I am hoping that it continues that way.

Have any of you planned a wedding from over 2,000 miles away? Any pointers you can give are appreciated!

OMG what a whirlwind trip to Michigan-I know you didn’t think that Michigan could be associated with the word whirlwind but for me it does!

I had such an AMAZING trip. I love being back home, and being with all of the people who know me the best, and I can be completely myself with, because most of these people I have known my entire life. I have one friend and bridesmaid who I have been friends with sine Kindergarten- now not many people can say that!

My soon to be bridesmaids threw Phil and I a fantastic Engagement party- it was so great! My friend Kylee and her husband Mike were the gracious hosts. They had everything set up, from incorporating our wedding colors into everything, great food, drinks, and of course the company!

Kylee had everyone bring a bottle of wine, and write a message to Phil and I on the bottle. It was such a great idea! Lugging the bottles back to California was not a problem at all! I put most of them in my luggage, and left some bottles for my mom to ship (or drink, lol). The girls also planned a pre-newlywed game, in which Phil and I had to answer questions about each other- some of the questions are things we have not thought about in awhile (first movie you saw together, and some other funny ones) So it was a super fun game!

This party was so fantastic. I was so overcome with emotion that I cried a few times. One of those times being when I saw my friend Sarah (see above mention friend since Kindergarten) who flew all of the way from Texas. This was a total surprise, and the sheer generosity of all of it was way too much for this emotional girl to handle! Also, Melissa my only other fellow California girl flew out for the event- wow I have some amazing friends!

The party was also the night of my 30th Birthday (yes- 30! I guess I am considered an old maid bride) So Kylee went all out with a Birthday cake with the Big 3-0 written on it, which I again proceeded to cry due to the emotion of it all.

All in all this night was so special to Phil and me. I cannot thank all of my friends enough for putting it together.

Ed Note: I’m so excited to welcome Andrea to EAD as a new bride blogger!  I can’t wait to read about her fabulous do it yourself wedding ideas and I know you’ll feel the same way!

Hi to all of the EAD readers. I am so excited to become part of the EAD family as a contributor! I have been lurking around EAD for a few months now, getting ideas for my July, 2010 wedding. I know July seems like a long time away, but I have a TON of ideas I want to incorporate into this day!

My fiancé and I live in Orange County, California. We met 4 years ago on Match.com. The idea of meeting my future husband on-line is something I never thought would happen. Who knew that 4 years later we would be getting married! Now we are trying to put together a fun and small beach wedding on a budget. Living in California this task can be daunting, but we are determined to make it happen!

I love all things colorful and pretty. I am obsessed with wedding blogs, photography, bright colors, the beach, all things paper, lighting, and anything that is DIY!

I am so excited to share my wedding DIY journey with you, and exchange ideas through EAD!