{nostalgic}

The hubby and I will be celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary on the 11th (and 9 years together on November 13th!!). October is my absolute most favorite month of the year, which is why we chose to get married then, which adds another huge reason to my list of why I love October. I've decided I'm going to do a few posts leading up to our anniversary, looking back on our big day. It was such a wonderful experience and I would do it all over again if I could.

Today I'm going to share some of the planning and decor photos.

I knew that I wanted to make our invitations and do something unique. When I found this stamp the whole theme came together.

I created the invitations using shipping tags, Microsoft Publisher, my stamp and some raffia. (please excuse the ugly black marks...I don't want any crazies stalking me :)

Next were the rehearsal invites. I worked forever coming up with a fun poem (and after I posted this on The Knot it was subsequently copied by a plethora of girls...very flattering!)


Next up were the decorations for the ceremony and reception. I went with a subtle asian theme with bamboo, orchids and river rocks. My colors were chocolate brown and sage green.

The ceremony was decorated very simply, with silver buckets of hydrangeas in the window ledges.

This was one of the mock-ups of the table centerpieces. I bought about 20 of those vases at the Dollar Tree...very inexpensive centerpieces.


And of course being the graphic designer at hear that I am, I had to do a newsletter for my bridesmaids...I called it "The Aisle File"...pretty catchy, right?


I had fun putting together gifts for my girls as well...the bridesmaids received cute little purses with essentials like kleenex and lotion.

And two of my friends that helped decorate the reception for me received metal tins full of goodies.


That's all for now...next post will be about the most important part of the wedding (other than my husband)...the dress!!