Mrs. Balloons, Aspen, COAge and Occupation: 24, Mass Communications graduate, Web Design student, & winery workerFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, EngineerEngagement Date: July 10, 2009Wedding Date: August 2011Venue: The Sundeck at The Little NellAbout Me: I'm a small-town Midwest girl planning an intimate mountaintop destination wedding complete with a huge DIY at-home reception. As an honors graduate fallen victim to the worst job market in history in my area, we're doing everything we can to still have the wedding of our dreams on a tighter budget. I currently enjoy working at a winery, but I'm lonnng overdue for a day job! I am: a big-time daydreamer, one of the pickiest eaters you'll ever meet, and a lover of pretty paper and awesome fonts. I'm a girly girl who loves to get dolled up, but also a country girl who loves to get muddy and go 4-wheeler riding. I also enjoy singing in the car, boating, going to concerts, the History Channel, carnival food, and going to watch St. Louis Cardinals baseball with my handsome engineer.
For some reason, I’ve always wanted to do a save-the-date magnet. Looking back on it now, I’m not sure why I was so obsessed with the idea, but it turned out cool anyway…
I used Photoshop to create the design for the magnets. Then I uploaded my design on Vistaprint onto one of their magnet options. I chose one of their invitation designs and customized it with my text and font choices. When they arrived, I used a small piece of fashion two-sided tape to adhere the magnet to the back of the main card (which I included the word “magnet” on so that people would know what it was). I then tied some twine (which I bought off of Etsy) around it into a bow.
Mrs. Balloons, Aspen, COAge and Occupation: 24, Mass Communications graduate, Web Design student, & winery workerFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, EngineerEngagement Date: July 10, 2009Wedding Date: August 2011Venue: The Sundeck at The Little NellAbout Me: I'm a small-town Midwest girl planning an intimate mountaintop destination wedding complete with a huge DIY at-home reception. As an honors graduate fallen victim to the worst job market in history in my area, we're doing everything we can to still have the wedding of our dreams on a tighter budget. I currently enjoy working at a winery, but I'm lonnng overdue for a day job! I am: a big-time daydreamer, one of the pickiest eaters you'll ever meet, and a lover of pretty paper and awesome fonts. I'm a girly girl who loves to get dolled up, but also a country girl who loves to get muddy and go 4-wheeler riding. I also enjoy singing in the car, boating, going to concerts, the History Channel, carnival food, and going to watch St. Louis Cardinals baseball with my handsome engineer.
Thanks to another lovely couple’s engagement session, I had a clear idea of what I wanted for our shoot. I wanted golden Colorado fields, a cute white sundress, and cowboy boots! It took me FOREVER to find a cute white sundress, let me tell you. Now I see them EVERYWHERE, of course! Without further ado, I present to you our Colorado engagement pictures!
Mrs. Balloons, Aspen, COAge and Occupation: 24, Mass Communications graduate, Web Design student, & winery workerFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, EngineerEngagement Date: July 10, 2009Wedding Date: August 2011Venue: The Sundeck at The Little NellAbout Me: I'm a small-town Midwest girl planning an intimate mountaintop destination wedding complete with a huge DIY at-home reception. As an honors graduate fallen victim to the worst job market in history in my area, we're doing everything we can to still have the wedding of our dreams on a tighter budget. I currently enjoy working at a winery, but I'm lonnng overdue for a day job! I am: a big-time daydreamer, one of the pickiest eaters you'll ever meet, and a lover of pretty paper and awesome fonts. I'm a girly girl who loves to get dolled up, but also a country girl who loves to get muddy and go 4-wheeler riding. I also enjoy singing in the car, boating, going to concerts, the History Channel, carnival food, and going to watch St. Louis Cardinals baseball with my handsome engineer.
Mr. Balloons and I narrowed it down and decided who we’d like to join us in Colorado on our big day. These are the “Will you be my bridesmaid?” cards that I sent my girls:
Mrs. Balloons, Aspen, COAge and Occupation: 24, Mass Communications graduate, Web Design student, & winery workerFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, EngineerEngagement Date: July 10, 2009Wedding Date: August 2011Venue: The Sundeck at The Little NellAbout Me: I'm a small-town Midwest girl planning an intimate mountaintop destination wedding complete with a huge DIY at-home reception. As an honors graduate fallen victim to the worst job market in history in my area, we're doing everything we can to still have the wedding of our dreams on a tighter budget. I currently enjoy working at a winery, but I'm lonnng overdue for a day job! I am: a big-time daydreamer, one of the pickiest eaters you'll ever meet, and a lover of pretty paper and awesome fonts. I'm a girly girl who loves to get dolled up, but also a country girl who loves to get muddy and go 4-wheeler riding. I also enjoy singing in the car, boating, going to concerts, the History Channel, carnival food, and going to watch St. Louis Cardinals baseball with my handsome engineer.
AKA our trip to Colorado to make sure that our ceremony venue is as breathtaking in person as it is in the photos! Aaaand drumroll, please…IT IS EVERYTHING THAT I HOPED FOR AND MORE!
We road-tripped all the way from Illinois to Colorado! I know we’re officially OK to get married after being in a car for that long together and not killing each other. Actually, just the opposite—it was fun!
Mrs. Balloons, Aspen, COAge and Occupation: 24, Mass Communications graduate, Web Design student, & winery workerFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, EngineerEngagement Date: July 10, 2009Wedding Date: August 2011Venue: The Sundeck at The Little NellAbout Me: I'm a small-town Midwest girl planning an intimate mountaintop destination wedding complete with a huge DIY at-home reception. As an honors graduate fallen victim to the worst job market in history in my area, we're doing everything we can to still have the wedding of our dreams on a tighter budget. I currently enjoy working at a winery, but I'm lonnng overdue for a day job! I am: a big-time daydreamer, one of the pickiest eaters you'll ever meet, and a lover of pretty paper and awesome fonts. I'm a girly girl who loves to get dolled up, but also a country girl who loves to get muddy and go 4-wheeler riding. I also enjoy singing in the car, boating, going to concerts, the History Channel, carnival food, and going to watch St. Louis Cardinals baseball with my handsome engineer.
Sometimes we just need to take a break from planning, planning, planning to procrastinatedaydream or, as I like to call it, “research” some lovely inspiration. My inspiration currently comes mainly attached with the terms rustic, vintage, earthy, woodsy, woodland, forest, or shabby-chic, since those are the vibes I’d like to come across at our reception.
Mrs. Balloons, Aspen, COAge and Occupation: 24, Mass Communications graduate, Web Design student, & winery workerFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, EngineerEngagement Date: July 10, 2009Wedding Date: August 2011Venue: The Sundeck at The Little NellAbout Me: I'm a small-town Midwest girl planning an intimate mountaintop destination wedding complete with a huge DIY at-home reception. As an honors graduate fallen victim to the worst job market in history in my area, we're doing everything we can to still have the wedding of our dreams on a tighter budget. I currently enjoy working at a winery, but I'm lonnng overdue for a day job! I am: a big-time daydreamer, one of the pickiest eaters you'll ever meet, and a lover of pretty paper and awesome fonts. I'm a girly girl who loves to get dolled up, but also a country girl who loves to get muddy and go 4-wheeler riding. I also enjoy singing in the car, boating, going to concerts, the History Channel, carnival food, and going to watch St. Louis Cardinals baseball with my handsome engineer.
Remember how I told you we booked a reception hall near our hometown for the at-home reception? Remember how I didn’t mention much about it, except that it was booked? Yeeeah…that’s because I was not particularly excited about it. It was a nice hall, but there were a lot of issues that I had with it. Exhibit A: The ugly carpet:
Mrs. Balloons, Aspen, COAge and Occupation: 24, Mass Communications graduate, Web Design student, & winery workerFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, EngineerEngagement Date: July 10, 2009Wedding Date: August 2011Venue: The Sundeck at The Little NellAbout Me: I'm a small-town Midwest girl planning an intimate mountaintop destination wedding complete with a huge DIY at-home reception. As an honors graduate fallen victim to the worst job market in history in my area, we're doing everything we can to still have the wedding of our dreams on a tighter budget. I currently enjoy working at a winery, but I'm lonnng overdue for a day job! I am: a big-time daydreamer, one of the pickiest eaters you'll ever meet, and a lover of pretty paper and awesome fonts. I'm a girly girl who loves to get dolled up, but also a country girl who loves to get muddy and go 4-wheeler riding. I also enjoy singing in the car, boating, going to concerts, the History Channel, carnival food, and going to watch St. Louis Cardinals baseball with my handsome engineer.
I first thought that I was going to have a problem finding a dress because I am pretty picky, but when I actually started dress shopping, it was just the opposite…it was hard because I liked too many dresses! I liked almost all of the dresses that I tried on. That’s the thing, though…I only liked them. I didn’t love them. I tried on a lot of dresses, ladies. Let’s scroll down to view some of the rejects, shall we?
Mrs. Balloons, Aspen, COAge and Occupation: 24, Mass Communications graduate, Web Design student, & winery workerFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, EngineerEngagement Date: July 10, 2009Wedding Date: August 2011Venue: The Sundeck at The Little NellAbout Me: I'm a small-town Midwest girl planning an intimate mountaintop destination wedding complete with a huge DIY at-home reception. As an honors graduate fallen victim to the worst job market in history in my area, we're doing everything we can to still have the wedding of our dreams on a tighter budget. I currently enjoy working at a winery, but I'm lonnng overdue for a day job! I am: a big-time daydreamer, one of the pickiest eaters you'll ever meet, and a lover of pretty paper and awesome fonts. I'm a girly girl who loves to get dolled up, but also a country girl who loves to get muddy and go 4-wheeler riding. I also enjoy singing in the car, boating, going to concerts, the History Channel, carnival food, and going to watch St. Louis Cardinals baseball with my handsome engineer.
I’ve always wanted an outside wedding. Always. This was a problem because:
a.) Mr. Balloon’s family is Catholic. Catholic weddings happen inside of the church, nowhere else. Their church is really gorgeous—it’s just that I really wanted my dream of an outdoor venue.
b.) The area that I’m from offered nothing of the dream outdoor venue I’d always hoped for. The few outdoor places that I did actually like were nowhere big enough to accommodate our huge guest list. The places that were big enough came with nothing, so the rental costs of chairs, tables, etc. would be ridiculously expensive.
OK, so I knew that weddings were expensive…but until we started researching and planning, I had no idea that they were quite as expensive as I started to find out! The national average is something like $28,000?! That’s a lot of freakin money for one day! A very important day, don’t get me wrong…but still ONE day! Now hearing me say that, you’d probably think that I’m the sane one who has the finances under control and doesn’t care about frivolous details that people probably won’t remember in a few years anyway…but that would be an incorrect assumption. I definitely don’t think it’s necessary to go over the top (AKA over budget) by any means, BUT like I told Mr. Balloons (who, by the way,is the one with the finances under control and wants to cut every cost possible), out of all the “parties” that we will ever host, this is THE party. THE party that is representative of who we are and the one time that we will have all of our family and friends, those most important to us, together to celebrate with and show them a good time! He understands, yet still insists many of my ideas aren’t necessary…good thing I’m a good convincer.
As the search continued, I kept hearing more and more about destination weddings. I was intrigued, so I researched more into it. Turns out, people can save a LOT of money on tropical-destination weddings in places like Jamaica!
Mrs. Balloons, Aspen, COAge and Occupation: 24, Mass Communications graduate, Web Design student, & winery workerFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, EngineerEngagement Date: July 10, 2009Wedding Date: August 2011Venue: The Sundeck at The Little NellAbout Me: I'm a small-town Midwest girl planning an intimate mountaintop destination wedding complete with a huge DIY at-home reception. As an honors graduate fallen victim to the worst job market in history in my area, we're doing everything we can to still have the wedding of our dreams on a tighter budget. I currently enjoy working at a winery, but I'm lonnng overdue for a day job! I am: a big-time daydreamer, one of the pickiest eaters you'll ever meet, and a lover of pretty paper and awesome fonts. I'm a girly girl who loves to get dolled up, but also a country girl who loves to get muddy and go 4-wheeler riding. I also enjoy singing in the car, boating, going to concerts, the History Channel, carnival food, and going to watch St. Louis Cardinals baseball with my handsome engineer.
Let me start by telling you that I’m pretty sure I had Mr. Balloons a wee bit scared about proposing. First of all, he’s heard me rant about numerous disaster proposal stories that happened to some of my coworkers and friends. I mean, seriously, one girl’s fiance proposed to her at Outback Steakhouse while they were in the middle of a huge fight! Umm, no thanks. Secondly, I told him that if he ever proposed to me before I graduated college, I’d say no. Wow, that kinda sounds harsh now that I look back on it…but I didn’t mean for it to seem that way, I promise! I just wanted to have fun planning the wedding and enjoy it and not have to stress about school and studying at the same time. Plus I wanted to have a good, steady job so that we could afford to have a nice wedding and not have to stress about the cost so much.
Wellllll, guess what? Mr. Confident ended up proposing to me before I graduated anyway! Granted, I was in my last semester, but still—talk about brave. Hehe.
This is a picture he took of me right before he proposed in Hawaii.
Mrs. Balloons, Aspen, COAge and Occupation: 24, Mass Communications graduate, Web Design student, & winery workerFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, EngineerEngagement Date: July 10, 2009Wedding Date: August 2011Venue: The Sundeck at The Little NellAbout Me: I'm a small-town Midwest girl planning an intimate mountaintop destination wedding complete with a huge DIY at-home reception. As an honors graduate fallen victim to the worst job market in history in my area, we're doing everything we can to still have the wedding of our dreams on a tighter budget. I currently enjoy working at a winery, but I'm lonnng overdue for a day job! I am: a big-time daydreamer, one of the pickiest eaters you'll ever meet, and a lover of pretty paper and awesome fonts. I'm a girly girl who loves to get dolled up, but also a country girl who loves to get muddy and go 4-wheeler riding. I also enjoy singing in the car, boating, going to concerts, the History Channel, carnival food, and going to watch St. Louis Cardinals baseball with my handsome engineer.
Mrs. Balloons, Aspen, COAge and Occupation: 24, Mass Communications graduate, Web Design student, & winery workerFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, EngineerEngagement Date: July 10, 2009Wedding Date: August 2011Venue: The Sundeck at The Little NellAbout Me: I'm a small-town Midwest girl planning an intimate mountaintop destination wedding complete with a huge DIY at-home reception. As an honors graduate fallen victim to the worst job market in history in my area, we're doing everything we can to still have the wedding of our dreams on a tighter budget. I currently enjoy working at a winery, but I'm lonnng overdue for a day job! I am: a big-time daydreamer, one of the pickiest eaters you'll ever meet, and a lover of pretty paper and awesome fonts. I'm a girly girl who loves to get dolled up, but also a country girl who loves to get muddy and go 4-wheeler riding. I also enjoy singing in the car, boating, going to concerts, the History Channel, carnival food, and going to watch St. Louis Cardinals baseball with my handsome engineer.
Hi, I’m Miss Balloons. Nice to meet you! I’m SO super excited to be here as a bee! When I saw the carnival generation come out, I had to apply. I LOVE carnival food! I have to say, I was a little sad when Cotton Candy, Funnel Cake, and Snow Cone were already taken, as they are my all-time favorite carnival foods! The Balloons icon, however, is equally adorable, so I decided to go with that instead.
Mrs. Balloons, Aspen, COAge and Occupation: 24, Mass Communications graduate, Web Design student, & winery workerFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, EngineerEngagement Date: July 10, 2009Wedding Date: August 2011Venue: The Sundeck at The Little NellAbout Me: I'm a small-town Midwest girl planning an intimate mountaintop destination wedding complete with a huge DIY at-home reception. As an honors graduate fallen victim to the worst job market in history in my area, we're doing everything we can to still have the wedding of our dreams on a tighter budget. I currently enjoy working at a winery, but I'm lonnng overdue for a day job! I am: a big-time daydreamer, one of the pickiest eaters you'll ever meet, and a lover of pretty paper and awesome fonts. I'm a girly girl who loves to get dolled up, but also a country girl who loves to get muddy and go 4-wheeler riding. I also enjoy singing in the car, boating, going to concerts, the History Channel, carnival food, and going to watch St. Louis Cardinals baseball with my handsome engineer.
Unique Wedding Favors
