A first trip of many...

Sorry for the silence around here... we are still alive, and we are still getting married!  Between a family emergency, school finals, the Holidays, and a few other things we have been super busy.  However, we have crossed a couple of tasks off of our ever growing to-do wedding list.

Today, I want to tell you about the first trip of many that we will undoubtedly be making to Jo-Ann fabrics.  My beautiful Maid of Honor, Victoria was in town from LA, so I stole her away for a few hours of girl time on Christmas eve.  Our goal was to get all of the fabric we needed for making the tent bunting, as well as all of the fabric for our picnic blankets.



We totally scored on the fabric for the bunting.  I wanted 5 different colors/patterns that could be alternated, but still look great together.  Our color scheme is green and blue, with white/cream and brown accents.  We found the perfect fabrics, and I couldn't be more pleased.

When it came to the fleece for the blankets, we ran into some snags.  All of the fabric we selected looked to have more than enough left on the bolt.  However, when we went to the cutting station, one of the bolts had been constructed from smaller pieces of the fleece!  They did not have 2 that were big enough for our project, so we only left with 2/3 of the fabric needed for the picnic blankets.  Part of me is sad about this, but the other part is extremely glad that that was the only problem we ran into.

All in all, our trip on Christmas Eve day was an utter success.  And while we didn't get everything we went in for, or even everything that is on our list, we did get a lot of the things that we need.  Next task?  Start crafting!

Confessions... wedding style

Even though it's already evening on Sunday, I feel like I really need to get some confessions off my heart.  So I'm linking up with Alyx for some Sunday confessions.



1)  I suck at addressing my Save the Date cards.  I managed to get 32 done.  Then, I realized we were missing the addresses for all of Ammon's cousins.  I ran out of steam right about then.  And now we still have 50-some envelopes to hand address.  And then I have to still design all of the return address labels, print them, and put them on the envelopes.  THEN I need to get them to the post office, preferably before December 17th.

2)  I already received the Save the Date from my childhood friend who is getting married next August.  It has a lot of pictures of her with her fiancee and their dog.  I wish I weren't feeling a little bit of Save the Date envy, but I really am.  Mostly because they have already been received by their guest list.

3)  The list of craft tasks that need to be completed for the wedding is now exceeding 20 items.  Let's face it, that is a lot of items.  Let the crafting sweatshop parties commence.

4)  If it were up to me, Ammon and I would be eloping.  But now we're too far in to quit this.  So the show will go on.

I usually hate leaving my confessions at 4 items, but I am going to be doing confessions over at the other blog too, so I feel like 4 is more than plenty.  What are you confessing today?

Wedding planning commandments?

I never realized that when I agreed to start planning a wedding that I was simultaneously ascribing to a religion with a myriad of rules, regulations, and yes, even commandments.  Yet that is what seems to happen.  Any wedding website you find will constantly print articles with titles like "The 10 rules all brides must follow" "The 10 commandments of bridal registries".  And on, and on, and on.

Trying to follow all of these rules could give every bride a complex.  Especially because it seems like every single bride wants to be that elusive golden unicorn perfect bride.  You know the one... she radiates joy, she's in love, she gets everything that she wants, she's organized, thoughtful, and her wedding goes off without a hitch.  She's the girl we all want to be, but that we secretly hate when we think someone else has become.

As much as I read all of those rules, I don't like 98% of them.  I think they're snarky, and they make brides seem rude, ungrateful, and grouchy.  Let me tell you all... if every single person and their mother did not have an opinion about my wedding, I could ascribe to all of the dang rules and then some.  But when so-and-so decides to tell me that they think I should change my vision, because they think it would be "nicer", I just want to go all Incredible Hulk on their interfering selves.

There really is only one rule that I love.  And you can read it here.  All of the other ones can be thrown out this window.  This one just applies to life.  Don't ever let anybody dull your sparkle.  EVER.

Kristina talks about her SC wedding

Today, I am so excited to have an awesome guest post from my amazing friend Kristina.  She got married last fall, and oh man, if her pictures and stories are to be believed (which I think they are), it was one of those rare perfect days.  But don't take my word for it.  Check out what she has to say about that special day...

Hello!  I am Kristina and I blog over at Everything Changes.

My husband, Van, and I recently celebrated our first wedding anniversary by going back to our ceremony site.  With the help of my parents, we created a fun little anniversary photo-shoot with left-over aisle runner and our wedding photograph album.  It almost felt like we were stepping back in time, something I'm always happy to do, and I'm so happy to be sharing our wedding story with all of you! Van and I got married on September 10, 2011 in the courtyard of a tiny, old, South Carolina plantation.  Van actually chose our primary wedding color, which was orange, and our wedding planner handled the rest. We wanted a traditional wedding, but we also wanted it to reflect our unique styles and tastes.  Traditional doesn't have to mean boring.  :)  Van has spent some time in India doing mission work, and just fell in love with the culture.  We wanted our wedding to be a mixture of our southern up-bringing and Indian culture.  I had always dreamed of an outdoor wedding, and thus was born...our perfect day.

My favorite part of our wedding was when we were walking down the aisle.  Our ceremony consisted of singing, making promises, praying, and crying.  It was perfect.  And then, we walked away as husband and wife and we were both in utter disbelief.  For just a moment, we were alone and let it sink in that we were tied to each other in every possible way.  

Of course, hindsight is always 20/20 and there are things I would do differently if given the opportunity.  I wish I hadn't let the wedding cause me so much stress.  I wouldn't refer to it as "Bridezilla" syndrome, but I did let my emotions get the best of me on more than one occasion and everything ended up taking care of itself.  I wasted my time worrying and stressing, when I should have just been enjoying the happy season of being a bride-to-be. On the other hand, there are plenty of things that we overlooked that I wish we hadn't.  There was some miscommunication about what time everyone should be at the ceremony site, and the groom and his wedding party showed up late.  For about thirty minutes, I was worried that he was standing me up.  What a horrible feeling for a bride to have on her wedding day!  I wish we had been more clear with instructions to avoid any confusion!  :)  I wish we had spent a little more time choosing our musician when our first choice backed-out.  I wish we had tasted the food on the menu ahead of time, because it didn't turn out very well.  Haha!  They are silly little things, but they're things that we can laugh about now.  :) My advice to Kristen, and to any bride-to-be, would just be to enjoy this time.  It should be a time of love and laughter.  Also, hire a videographer TEAM!  :)  We had a videographer, and it was the best choice we made, but he couldn't be everywhere at once.  Hire a team of camera-people.  Know what you want for your wedding, and don't let anything or anybody change your mind!  It's your day.  It's your love story.

As for budgeting advice, I'm not sure I'm the person to ask.  I will say that you should prioritize!  What do you want the most?  What do you want the least?  Be prepared to compromise and be prepared to stand your ground on the things you feel are most important.  And of course, don't forget to have fun!  Don't you ever forget that weddings are PARTIES, and after months of planning and pulling out your hair....you deserve to have fun and celebrate the most important day of your life.

Kristen, I hope your wedding will be everything you've always imagined it to be.  Even more importantly, I wish you a marriage more beautiful than your wedding.  :)  

Isn't she just amazing???  And look at the bottom of that dress!!!  Thank you again to Kristina for sharing her wedding with us today.  Want to see more of her special day?  Check out her blog... she's got a whole series of posts about their special day.  They will make you go "awww".  I promise.

Finally making some headway

After feeling like I was at an absolute standstill on wedding planning for a long period of time, I feel like r lot of progress has come really quickly.  Our "Save the Date" cards are printed, and we've started the long process of addressing and getting them ready to mail.  Want a sneak peak?

That's the outside.  You would be shocked if I told you the amount of time that went into the design.  But I am so happy with them.

I also got the chance on Monday to visit with out vendor for table/chair/tent rental.  The one hitch with our venue is that they require that you use one specific rentals vendor.  I was nervous, because the quotes they had initially sent seemed really high, and for not a lot.  However, when I went to the showroom, everything changed.  I got a good sense of what they were actually able to provide, and how that could fit into our plans.  They have the most amazing hand hewn farm-style tables and benches.  I NEED these for our wedding.  Take a look:

I am so in love.  We are going to put chairs on the ends instead of the short benches, but I think that when it all comes together, we are going to be so incredibly pleased.

We still have a lot of vendors to pin down.  However, things are starting to fall into place, one small bit at a time!

The best advice.... wedding planning

Ever since Ammon and I got together, we have received a lot of advice.  Some of it is great.  Some of it is so-so.  And if we're being 100% real, some of it really, really was stupid.  Every relationship is different, and every couple needs to decide for themselves what does and doesn't work.

 Oktoberfest costumes work out great for us, as it turns out.  Something about beer...

The best advice we've received so far about wedding planning comes from my co-workers:  It takes a village to create a perfect wedding.

I would be lying if I said that we could do everything that we're doing now without the love and support of our friends and family.  So I want to share with you the ways that we're calling in all of our favors, so that we can pull out all of the stops.

1)  My brother is finishing up his degree in graphic design, and we've commissioned him to design our stationary.  So far, we have the "save the date" cards knocked out of the park.

2)  Our amazing friend Vivian owns an amazing vintage shop called Viv's Vintage.  She offers some of her goods on rental for special events, and we plan to take her up on that offer.  It's going to add a lovely, unique touch to our day.

3)  Vivian's husband is an incredible professional chef, and we are so thrilled to have him helping with our catering.

4)  Ammon's mom and step-mother will be sewing the bridesmaid's dresses

5)  One of my sweet co-workers is going to sculpt a custom cake-topper for us.  Since we're having lots of different cakes, the topper will probably just be on a stand on the cake table.  But still awesome.

I know there are many other people who are helping us, and who will help us along the way.  But these people are going above and beyond the call of duty so far, and we are so grateful!  I am so eager to share with you their contributions, and how they help us create our dream wedding.

Getting registered

Happy Monday!  Now that we are under the "8 months to go" benchmark in wedding planning, The Knot tells me that I have 190 tasks to complete for our wedding this month.  You know what I have to say to that?  Well, I'm trying to be a lady here, so I can't tell you specifically.  However, it's safe to say that it involves colorful language most often employed by the most stalwart of sailors.  Why every single vendor needs to be booked 8 months in advance with contracts signed is beyond me.

One of the items on their 8 month to-do list is to start the wedding registry.  The concept of a wedding registry is difficult for me.  I mean, you're essentially telling people, "So, I know that you've already graciously changed your schedule, and arranged travel to our special day, BUT in addition to all that, there is quite a bit of crap that we would like for you to provide us with, so here is our 15 page list of things we want.  Thanks so much."  Nevertheless, my friends and family have all been strongly encouraging me to start putting together my registry, really focusing on the items we'll need, not just the items that everyone else would put on their registry.  So, slowly but slowly, I'm trying to come up with the backbone of my registry wish list.  Instead of limiting myself to just one or two stores, while I'm trying to figure out what we actually need, I'm picking items from all over, and then putting them into a pinterest pin board.  Once I know what I need, then I guess I'll make the hard decisions about what stores to register with.  Until then, I'm going to race yo with the "OMG I need" items gracing my pin board:

Source: fiestafactorydirect.com via Kristen on Pinterest

Source: kohls.com via Kristen on Pinterest

Source: westelm.com via Kristen on Pinterest

Source: kohls.com via Kristen on Pinterest

So, a question for all of you married ladies out there:  What did you register for that you wish you hadn't?  What did you not register for that you wish you had?

Everything comes back to Chipotle

Today is the three year anniversary of our first date.  It is a notable, memorable story, and I love it.  When I think of that night, I get so happy, because it was the best last first date ever.

So, I was newly single.  I had been dating a guy for about 3 months, and while I was dating him, I had started the slow process of relocating from Longmont to Fort Collins, where he lived.  I had gotten a job working at American Furniture Warehouse doing sales, but was commuting to and from Longmont, almost an hour long drive each way.  After we broke up, I decided to still move to Fort Collins, because I really loved it.

Ammon was also working at American Furniture Warehouse at the time, but in the warehouse department.  Even though the warehouse and sales didn't interact, I have always made it a point to make nice with the strong guys I work with, just because you never know when you'll need a favor, or someone to walk you to your car after someone scares the crap out of you =).  All of the warehouse guys were about my age, and single.  I wasn't really interested in dating... I hadn't been single for more than a couple of weeks at a time in 2 years... I wanted a break from the whole relationship thing.  I wanted to just be me.  That's never stopped me from a little harmless flirting, though.  And there was a warehouse guy who was just so, so cute.  I found out his name was Ammon, and that he was taking a couple of semesters off from attending CSU.  I immediately assumed that he was younger than me, and got a little worried.  I mean, I have nothing against dating younger guys... but I wasn't supposed to be dating anyone, and I wanted to date someone over the age of 21 if that was going to happen at all.  He looked so young that I was convinced that I would be lucky if he was over 20.

Despite my resolution to leave Ammon alone, I found myself talking to him more and more.  Little snippets of conversation here and there.  Nothing important.  Nothing much more than small talk and flirting. Until Halloween 2009.  Things started getting real at that point.  I was going out with some friends, including a guy that I was casually kind-of dating at the time.  Ammon decided that he might want to meet up with us, so we exchanged numbers.  A long, irrelevant story short, we didn't meet up.

On Sunday at work, Ammon apologized for not meeting up.  I told him that it really wasn't a big deal.  I should have known then that he was over 21, because he was supposed to meet up with us at the bars, but I still didn't get it, so I wasn't trying to encourage anything.  He asked me if I would get Chipotle with him as we were leaving work for the night.  Well, I had stayed with friends the night before, and really wanted to get home to Mr. Beckham the kitty.  I figured he was lonely, and needed some time with me.  So I was really hesitant.  But Ammon persisted, and convinced me to go to Chipotle with him.  Did you know that Ammon loves Chipotle?  He REALLY loves it.  I figured he was lonely and wanted company.

Ammon has worked for Chipotle a few times, and I knew this before that night.  So when I was ordering, Ammon payed for both of our burritos, and I thought we had gotten them for free, because he was friends with the manager on duty.  This was the second time that night I guess I was absolutely clueless about what was really going on.  I just knew that we were good to go once my burrito was done being made.

We sat and talked for over 2 hours before I realized that we were on a date.  In those 2 hours, we talked about everything:  family, dreams, goals, religion, politics, etc.  Pretty much everything that "they " say you shouldn't talk about on a first date.  It wasn't until one of his friends from college came in and stopped to talk to us that it clicked:  we were on a date.  Wanna know what tipped me off?  He introduced me to his friend, instead of politely talking around me.  They made a point to include me in the conversation.  Oh man, did I feel ridiculous.  In that moment, I figured I had blown it.  We had talked about EVERYTHING we shouldn't, and I was just starting to like him.

A few minutes later, I was shifting the way I was sitting in my chair, and I fell out of my chair.  On our first date.  With a guy I kind of really liked.  In Chipotle.  But the funniest part?  We had just been talking about how I liked to do yoga several times a week.

You can't make that stuff up.

Finally, I decided that I had done enough collateral damage for one date, and things wrapped up.  We walked outside to our cars for the awkward first date goodbye.  And oh, was it ever awkward.  He didn't kiss me.  Nope, he didn't even try to go for a hug!  That's right... we had the most G-rated first date goodbye ever, which concluded with a wave goodnight.  That was it.  He really didn't want to date me at all.  I had gotten my original wish to not date for a while, because I had blown the whole date from the start.  I was so clueless, and then so clumsy, that he wanted nothing to do with me ever again.

Except that isn't nearly where the story ends for us...

A visual explanation of some ideas

Happy Wednesday!  Notice any changes around here?  Kristen did a gorgeous blog redesign for me!  I had so much fun working with her on TRL that I just knew she would be the perfect person to do some work around here.  She can redesign you blog too, go visit her to find out more!

I decided today that the best way to really refine our vision is to show you some of the visions that are bouncing around in my head.  I've never seen the kind of the wedding I am picturing in my head... so I did what any self respecting blogger does, and I turned to Pinterest to start to put the pieces together.

First off, the launching point for this entire dream was a photo op idea... I really wanted to have the bridal party doing the tug of war.  Much as I wish I could say it would be the first time it's been done, I can't:

Source: loft3pd.com via Kristen on Pinterest

In my defense, I didn't find an actual picture of this being done until I went looking last night... I really thought that I was doing something really "off the wall".

That sparked visions of this...

Source: ginghamandwatercolors.tumblr.com via Kristen on Pinterest

I really want people to feel like they're on a picnic, complete with yummy food, games, and a relaxed atmosphere.  Sitting on the ground will be optional, though encouraged.

My dress does not lend itself to a traditional veil... and my hair is short, so there aren't a lot of style choices.  Thus, I'm really drawn to something like this...

Source: thedapperbun.com via Kristen on Pinterest

Last, but not least:  a glimpse into food.  I'm choosing to balk the tradition of a wedding cake.  I'm refusing to consider cupcakes.  Instead, I want to have a gorgeous spread of delicious, standard cakes.  Homemade, and the flavors that are family and friend favorites.  Right now, we are searching high and low for the perfect Apple Kuchen, my Grandfather's favorite.  This recipe looks promising:

Source: cakestudent.com via Kristen on Pinterest

Are you starting to see the vision at all?  Stick with us, I promise there are even more twists, turns, and surprises coming soon!

Linking up today with The Vintage Apple

There once was a proposal...

I kinda jumped into our wedding blog with info about the date of the wedding, and the venue.  But really, I was just so excited about it, I was about to jump out of my skin if I didn't tell everyone about it.  It means that this is really happening.  That even if none of the other details come together, at the very least I will have a day and place for everyone to congregate and party.  What's better than knowing that those 2 details are done?

So, since we're all friends here, I know you can forgive me for not yet having told you about how our proposal went down.  It's pretty entertaining, really.  I think you'll laugh, and it'll give you a very good sense of who Ammon and I are.

It was a Friday night.  I don't remember which one.  I guess I could look back at my blog archives and figure it out, but it really doesn't matter.  I got off of work early, and was contemplating buying Ammon an engagement ring.   You see, we had decided to start planning the wedding, even though the proposal technically hadn't happened yet, and people were giving us a hard time about it.  So I figured if I got Ammon a ring, that counted, right?

Well, I decided against buying a ring, but a few hours later, as we were getting some TCBY (If you've been reading my other blog lately, you'll know that we have a thing for the stuff), I told him what I'd been thinking.  Ammon was so giddy about the whole idea.  He thought that was the funniest thing, and was sad I hadn't gone through with it.  I told him that I didn't care if it was a $30 ring from Wal-Mart, we just needed to get engaged and be done with it.  So what does the man do?

He demanded I pull over the car.  He took off his seatbelt, and he got down on one knee on the floorboard of the front seat.  That was my proposal.  In the car, on the way to get yogurt.  I did, in fact, say yes.  And right after we had our yogurt, we went to Wal-Mart and found the prettiest $48 ring in the case.

We told people for the longest time that it wouldn't be the actual engagement ring, or the actual proposal.  But when I think back on it, and when I consider how much I really "need" that expensive ring, this proposal fits us.  It's perfectly suited to who we are as a couple.  It is a symbol of love that we can actually afford, instead of one that would start our engagement in financial ruin.

So, that's the story of how Ammon proposed.  If you've been engaged, or are currently engaged, how did your proposal go?  Was it funny?  Silly?  Romantic?  Well-planned?  Spontaneous?  I want to hear all about it!

Dates and Venues... we are really doing this!

A while ago, when first considering wedding dates, I had targeted August as the ideal month to get married.  It seemed perfect:  It would provide us the maximum amount of planning time.  It would give Ammon a chance to get settled into a new job somewhere.  It would be a summer wedding, since we have students and teachers both in our families.  It really seemed like the best time possible.  Better yet?  We would potentially be sharing a wedding anniversary with my homegirl, Alyx.  It seemed like all signs pointed to August.

That is, until none of the signs pointed to August.

My childhood best friend's wedding is scheduled for the Saturday before the date I wanted.  Ammon's step-mom starts clinicals for her NP.  2 of my cousins are completely unavailable for the entire month.  Excuse after excuse piled up, and I realized that August wasn't going to work.  So one night, over a heaping bowl of the best comfort food known to man:

This is Pho.  It is the best noodle soup you will ever taste.  Try it.

We re-grouped.  We picked 3 other wedding dates that worked for us, and we sent the list around to our immediate family.  Nobody raised objections, so we moved forward with finding a venue that could accommodate 150 people, on the wedding date of our choice. 

Immediately, I found out that finding the ideal wedding venue would be the most difficult decision I would have to make of this entire process.  First off, venues are flipping expensive.  Second, in order to appear workable in your budget, they don't list prices, but post misleading statements, like "Able to accommodate any style and budget."  What they really should be telling you is that "You can have a budget wedding, so long as it's small."  Jerkfaces.  The next issue was style.  I have been envisioning and attempting to create a vintage picnic themed wedding.  It's a broad type theme that can encompass a lot of different elements.  However, I am not willing to budge on having iconic picnic activities like the Tug of War, Cornhole, and 3-legged races at our wedding.  There had to be enough space for the ceremony, the reception, and fun activities if a space was going to make the grade.

Oh, and I wanted to find something for under $2000.

... Yes, you can all roll your eyes at me.  Except, we DID IT!  After a lot of searching, too many emails, 5 or 6 breakdowns, and lots of "are you sure" talks later, we pulled the trigger on our vintage picnic venue on Monday.  Even better, they had our #1 choice wedding date available!  I've seriously never been so happy to pay someone $100 for a deposit on something in my life.

So, Ammon and I are so thrilled to announce that our wedding will be held at

Beautiful Osborn Farm in Loveland Colorado, on JUNE 22, 2013!!!

So we have a date, and a venue.  Guess what???  It's really happening!  We're getting married!

Don't worry, we'll be telling all about this venue in future posts.  But I just had to let you all know the amazing news!

A re-launch

I started this blog forever ago... and then did nothing with it.  My goal was to have this space be a special place to share my craft projects, and all of my successes and fails.

As it turns out, the last year hasn't been too conducive to a lot of crafting.  In fact, I've done a few small projects, but not a single one of the larger project I was hoping to accomplish.  Updating a blog about crafting with teeny-tiny crafts seemed silly.

However, I managed to choose a title for this blog that suits our current station.  Because meet us: 

Kristen, blogger of This Radiant Life, DIY believer, health enthusiast, part-time student, full time Leasing Manager.  Time management expert.

Ammon.  Life partner to Kristen.  Loves woodworking, Chemistry, and all things nerdy.  Lives to learn.  Full time student, part time lab assistant.

Together, we're practically a super-couple that loves to create special, unique, one-of a kind items to enhance their lives.  Well, we would be a super-couple if we actually finished half of the projects on our lists. 

However, now we're getting hitched.

Our budget for our nuptials is low.

Our list of wants is high.  We want to create something special that nobody has ever seen at a wedding.  In fact, Kristen is desperate to have our wedding pinned on Pinterest.  So the ante has officially been raised.  We want to make this happen.  We NEED to make this happen.  Since there are so many cool projects we want to include, we decided to make this blog the official place to share all of the projects and special touches we will be incorporating into our big day.  Kristen doesn't want her other blog to turn into a wedding blog.  Instead, this place will be our place to share our triumphs, our tribulations, our tests and trials.  We are so excited to share with you how we are going to make our dreams a reality!