I finally found the paper I needed, remember the 8.5x14 lavender paper I was looking so hard for!  Well I found it at another office supply store in town.  Here's how our wedding programs turned out: 

I initially wasn't planning on doing programs, but had made tissue packets months ago and then I saw Mrs. Cupcake's accordian programs and fell in love!  What do you think?!  I'll soon post a DIY with the templates I used, so stay tuned! 

Strolling into The Dollar Store for nothing in particular, I came across these cute easels!!  2 for $1!!  The fiance and I are planning to do pictures of us in our favorite cities for our table names during the reception (DC, NYC, Aruba, etc.).  Just thought I'd share cause their cute and cheap!  So run to nearest dollar store and snatch some up!  Did you ever find something while shopping that you never intended to use, but had to after finding a steal!? (It always happens to me!)

Stalking my favorite wedding sites always gets me in trouble!  I tend to make my to-do list longer because of that fact.  Initially, I never intended to make menus, programs, OOT postcards, or anything paper DIY.  But after finding this picture from Mrs. Pengy, I couldn't help myself but to add this to my DIY list.  Though it's not costly or hard to make, it's just something else I have to lug to Aruba.  After all, it's the little details that count right?!  Yeah, I'll just keep telling myself that.

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I just copied the same concept above.  To get started I bought the paper punch, created the menu in Word, then proceeded to print, cut, and mount.  Easy, beautiful, and cheap, three of my favorite words when it comes to wedding planning! 

What projects did you do add to your list with no prior intentions?   

     I recently made a rough draft of our wedding ceremony program and I'm so happy with the outcome.  Though it took me a while to figure out the paper and text format, I finally got it after a few trail and errors.  And now the major problem I'm facing is finding the right paper.  I'm on the hunt for lavender 8.5x14 paper, which I just found out is SO HARD TO FIND.  I've been to office supply stores, paper stores, craft stores, and I always come out empty handed. 
     I've also searched online, but the quantity far exceeds what I need and I'm being too cheap to buy it, but I might just have too. You may ask what it is I might need that particular size paper for...well to answer your question.  I got the inspiration to make accordion programs from where else, Weddingbee.  Mrs. Cupcake made these gorgeous programs and got the idea from Martha Stewart (another idol of mine).  So to get the same concept accomplished, I need longer paper.  Oh the frustration of the minor details...ugh! 

The bride and her BMs had a relaxing (much needed) spa day in preparation for the big event.  On the agenda was a mani, pedi, and 1 hour massage!! H-E-A-V-E-N!!  I have to say, this is so needed before the rush and craziness of everything.  So afterward, we nourished ourselves with some delicious sushi and then off to rehearsal!

Rehearsing can get a girl hungry (again) so after the church the bridal party and family head to Frankie's for the rehearsal dinner.  This is when we get gifted with the best BM gift ever!  The BFF gave us all Tiffany's necklaces with our initials on them!  So SWEET!! 

The necklace was enclosed with a heartfelt thank you card from the bride which brought tears to my eyes!  I heart her so much! 

During our Girls Only Sleepover, I also surprised the BFF with a gift of my own!  She's a huge Pandora fan, so to commemorate her BIG DAY I got her a Pandora Wedding Bell to add to her charm bracelet.

I also wanted to give a gift to the MoH just because she did such a great job!!  Thanks Jods, for always being on point!  She also received a Pandora charm from me (the bride got her the Pandora Bracelet)!

What did you and your girls do to prepare for the Big Day? 

Despite Virginia's random snow storms, ALL our wedding invitations got sent out!!  YIPPPPEEEE, such a huge sigh of relief!  It took about a week to get them ready and mailed.

Can you see why now!?  We had to send 75 boxed invitations by this past week because BFF's wedding was priority after that since its this coming weekend FEB 06, 2010!
     We actually sent out the invites in batches, visiting the post office about 4 different times!  Can you image the line we made each time we went, I think we pissed people off, but oh well (we beat you first!)  Oh yeah, not to mention, there was only one person working the counter!

Here's the receipt from our post office visits.  Each box got entered and stamped first class on all 75 invites.  This is the reason for going several different times!
     Though the whole box invitation process took some time and money, it was well worth it!  I'm still receiving compliments on them and that always puts a smile on my face!  We're you ever relieved to finish a project because it was a pain, but at the same time have no regrets!?