New Blog – Come Subscribe

Hey followers! I’ve moved to a new lifestyle blog, that I’ve been sorta dreaming up for awhile and finally made happen. I would love it if you would head on over to www.domestic-chaos.com and please subscribe and share it.

Here is a little preview of the site:

The blog is geared towards women, wives, and mommies. It’s about realistic ideas, tips and tricks to make your home, style and life feel more “Pinterest” worthy without breaking the bank, or feeling like you don’t have time to accomplish the ideas we share.

There will be lots of tips and life-hacks for the everyday working and full-time stay@home mom’s out there. Think of it as like a “Realistic Martha Stewart”. 🙂

So please check it out and follow us!

Nimbi will still be around. I’ll be continuing to offer invitation suite designs on CreativeMarket.com and will be selling lots of Laser Cut designs and options on our Etsy shop.

Custom options will still be available, and we will still be involved in special inspirational photo shoot collabs. But if you really want to know what I am up to, or get ideas for the home, fashion, organization, events, hosting dinners, etc. Please check out Domestic Chaos!

Happy New Year! 2016 is going to be great!

XOXO,

Old Hollywood Wedding Cake

I got married in September this year, and had my best friend, Liz Marek of Artisan Cake Company & The Sugar Geek Show make my cake for my big day. She made three flavors, Lemon Rosemary cake with Marionberry filling (So OREGON), Chocolate cake with chocolate ganache, and a pink champagne cake with strawberry filling. All were amazing!!!

The cake was a hit, and everyone kept complimenting how beautiful and grand it was. Here are a few pictures from our wedding of the this detailed and so glam cake. It made me cry, I didn’t see it until I walked into the reception. If you’re going to trust anyone to make a perfect cake for you, she’s the one to do it and here’s the proof:

Liz, as usual did a YouTube video on this cake and I believe has more advanced lessons available on this same cake on her new website Sugar Geek Show.

Here is a sneak peak – time lapse!

Non-Baker’s Dessert that’s Simple and Quick

A brand new video is up on our YouTube channel. A quick and easy dessert that is delish and doesn’t require a lot of baking skills!

It’s a quick recipe I learned from my Nonna, pretty sure its an American dish, and I love to make it anytime I can, especially for a last-minute get-together or pot-luck dessert! (full recipe and ingredients below)

Ingredients
1 box of Jell-o Pudding mix (chocolate, vanilla, lemon or pistachio are my faves)
Milk (for pudding mix)
1 bag of chopped walnuts
1 cup of all-purpose flour
1 cube of unsalted butter (softened)
1 box or cup of Philadelphia Cream Cheese (whipped is easiest!)
1 container of Cool Whip

Recipe

1. Make package of pudding as per directions on box. Chill.
2. Put the bag of chopped walnuts into a large Ziplock bag and seal. Take a meat tenderizer and start pounding the walnuts until they are all nicely broken up into even smaller pieces.
3. Put ingredients into a mixing bowl (standing mixers work GREAT!), and add 1 cup of all-purpose flour and 1 cube of softened butter. Mix until it becomes like a loose dough. It will crumble a bit but if you push it together it should still sort of be connected with the butter.
4. Push flat into a baking casserole dish. You want the crust to be about 1/4 of an inch thick or more.
5. Place in the oven at 375º for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
6. Let crust cool.
7. Add a layer of cream cheese.
8. Add a layer of your pudding mixture (which should be set now).
9. Add the Cool Whip on top.
10. Top it with extra walnuts, chocolate chips, fresh fruit, or anything else that would fit your taste!
11. Cover and place in fridge for 1 hour.
12. Serve! (cut it like a lasagna, small little 2×2 inch squares).

Enjoy!

 

$12 Grab Bag from 622 Press!!

A very talented designer in our Paper Confection group is having a AWESOME grab bag sale on Instagram! Check this awesome work available for only $12 INCLUDING shipping from Kristin Joiner! GO CHECK IT OUT!!! Support the small shops and enjoy a great deal for beautiful letterpress cards!!

From Kristin:

“As a thank you for 622 Press’ best year yet (and to help make some room for new 2016 designs), I’m having a grab bag sale over on Instagram: 5 hand-printed letterpress cards for $12—and that includes shipping! You can find me at http://www.instagram.com/622press.”

6 Unique Holiday Mocktails for Fall & Winter

With the holidays closely approaching the thought of some yummy traditional holiday beverages instantly come to mind. Tasty drinks like warm spiked cider, egg nog, hot toddy’s and more. Unfortunately not everyone can enjoy in boozy holiday cheer, especially mommy’s-to-be. But the flavors and special holiday drinks still sound amazing, and going to a holiday party and asking for “just a glass of water”, or tea doesn’t really do the holiday season justice.

So, I’ve collaborated with my lovely friend Joni, an owner of a local bartending service here in Portland, Oregon called Mint & Mirth. Joni is a creative born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. She and her team of traveling bartenders most commonly serve around Portland, Seattle, and San Francisco helping hosts throw the world’s best parties.

Once I told her my idea on holiday booze free cocktails, she and I got together for some fun and unique creating. I brought a few basic ingredients that reminded me of the holiday season, and her creative mind quickly went to work on not one, not two, not even three but six, holiday mocktails that you can try this season. We categorized 3 beverages for the Thanksgiving/Fall season and 3 for the Christmas/Winter season, a mix of hot and cold drinks, that you can switch up as you like.

We truly hope you enjoy some of these recipes as we did making and tasting them!

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Pumpkin Cider

2 oz. Pumpkin syrup (recipe below)
4 oz. hot cider

Tools: barspoon
Glass: Irish Coffee glass or mug
Garnish: cinnamon stick

Combine all ingredients in a glass, stir and garnish.

Pumpkin Syrup

1 cup pumpkin puree
1 cups granulated sugar
1 cup water

Puree all ingredients in a blender.  Transfer to pot, then bring all ingredients to a boil.  Reduce to simmer, stir. Simmer for 20 minutes, cool to room temperature, then filter through a fine mesh strainer.

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Apple Soda

2 oz. Apple syrup (recipe below)
4 oz. sparkling water

Tools: barspoon
Glass: Chimney glass
Garnish: apple slice

Combine all ingredients over ice in a glass, stir and garnish.

Apple Syrup

1/2 cup cane sugar
1 cup water
2 apples

Dice apple then puree all ingredients in a blender.  Transfer to pot, then bring all ingredients to a boil.  Reduce to simmer, stir. Simmer for 20 minutes, cool to room temperature, then filter through a fine mesh strainer.

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Pomegranate Soda

2 oz. Pomegranate syrup (recipe below)
4 oz. sparkling water
1/4 oz. bee pollen

Tools: barspoon
Glass: Mason jar or chimney glass
Garnish: bee pollen

Combine all ingredients over ice in a glass, stir and garnish.

Pomegranate Syrup

1 cup cane sugar
1 cup water
3/4 cup pomegranate seeds

Puree all ingredients in a blender.  Transfer to pot, then bring all ingredients to a boil.  Reduce to simmer, stir. Simmer for 20 minutes, cool to room temperature, then filter through a fine mesh strainer.

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Cinnamon Cranberry Soda

2 oz. Cinnamon Cranberry syrup (recipe below)
4 oz. sparkling water

Tools: barspoon
Glass: Chimney glass
Garnish: cinnamon stick

Combine all ingredients over ice in a glass, stir and garnish.

Cinnamon Cranberry Syrup

1 cup cane sugar
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
2 cups water

Puree all ingredients in a blender.  Transfer to pot, then bring all ingredients to a boil.  Reduce to simmer, stir. Simmer for 20 minutes, cool to room temperature, then filter through a fine mesh strainer. Let cool completely before serving.

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Chocolate Hazelnut Toffee Soda

2 oz. cold Chocolate Hazelnut syrup (recipe below)
4 oz. sparkling water OR Hot water/Milk (for more of a hot cocoa finish)

Tools: barspoon
Glass: Chimney glass
Garnish: chocolate shavings

Combine all ingredients over ice in a glass, stir and garnish.

Chocolate Hazelnut Syrup

1 cup cane sugar
1/2 cup hazelnuts
1/2 cup chocolate toffee
2 cups water

Puree all ingredients in a blender.  Transfer to pot, then bring all ingredients to a boil.  Reduce to simmer, stir. Simmer for 20 minutes, cool to room temperature, then filter through a fine mesh strainer.  Filter through strainer again to remove all nut particles.  Let cool completely before serving.

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Orgeat Steamer

2 oz. orgeat (almond syrup)
4 oz. almond milk

Tools: barspoon
Glass: mug
Garnish: Nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a pot and simmer for 8 minutes. Poor into a mug and garnish with sprinkling nutmeg on top. Serve with a cinnamon stick for extra flavor and charm.

 

Chalkboard Art Time Lapse – “You are an incredibly and uniquely talented individual”

A Masculine Same Sex Marriage Inspirational Shoot

Our girl Brittany knocked it out of the park again with her amazing chalkboard work. An entire background on a wall. It was gorgeous! She constantly amazes me with the talent and creativity she has with her chalkboard art. This was a shoot from this summer, but I had to share all the paper goodies, gorgeous invitations and other amazing pieces that we were able to help with for this awesome shoot.

DreamBox at Jupiter Hotel | Alternative Editorial photography in Portland, Oregon www.BethOlsonCreative.com

Great Expectations – The trends + expectations of social media and weddings

You’re engaged! Congratulations! Now it’s time to get engagement photos taken…those beautiful shots of the sunset glowing behind you as you and your new fiancé kiss and embrace each other in a golden wheat field or forest setting. The look of pure romance on both of your faces, almost as if you’re on the cover of the next romantic comedy to release next year. The pure glow and love in your eyes as you stare at one another…gives you goosebumps, it’s as if you’re alone…except…someone is there, directing you, posing you, telling you were to go, how to stand, when to smile or kiss, when to touch her hair, his cheek. SUPER normal, right?

Photographer: SMS Photography
http://www.smsphotography.com/

Today, with the popularity of social media, inspirational blogs, Pinterest, Instagram and just the internet in general, Brides and Grooms tend to find themselves in a place where they can be or even feel “expected” to have photography taken of them that fits this perfect magazine photoshoot style. These types of photographs tend to be highly posed, unnatural, or seemingly forced. Photographs of this style have sort of become “the norm”, somewhat generic even. They are obviously gorgeous, and amazing, don’t get me wrong. But, ask yourself, how often do you and your fiancé go strolling in a wheat field at sunset embracing in trendy adorable clothing, perfect hair and makeup and happen to have a vintage chair in the middle of the field waiting for you to sit and pose on?

Photograher: Marcus Anthony Photographyhttp://marcusanthonyphoto.com/

There are obviously couples out there that have gone through and taken photos like this, that’s why they are out there. I’m sure many couples have no problem fitting into this mold and just being happy go-lucky, while taking romantic shots and being in front of the camera and strangers ready for their close-up. As if it were their calling. I also assume these people tend to be very into sharing photos of themselves on social media and Facebook on a more regular basis, and have no problem sharing their love publicly to everyone they know and even people they don’t.

However, there are people, and I could be assuming this, but my guess is probably men more so than women, that absolutely hate taking pictures of themselves. Especially in a forced posed manner. The idea of being romantic in public, showing their affections for the camera, it can be awkward an unnatural. It’s not what they would ever do on a normal day, so why would they do it now? They aren’t the type to take selfies and post about their morning latte’s from the hip coffee shop down the street, or a shot of their new shoes in the fallen leaves of Fall while walking their French Bulldog. Forcing someone who feels uncomfortable about getting their photo taken that way to take photos with their partner isn’t the right way to go about it. Their partner might be the social media person, that see’s all the trends and wants the trendy engagement shots with their fiancé. Forcing it might end up in arguing, disagreement, fighting, tears, and in the end not very good shots, that most definitely don’t feel romantic or any sense of the couples TRUE feelings for one another. So why force it?

http://mic.com/articles/103596/the-trouble-with-all-those-engagement-photos-on-facebook

Nothing is wrong with either of these types of personalities. People are different and feel different about being more public than others. Sharing their affections in front of people, being in the spotlight, even being apart of “the norm”. The things is, I see both sides of the spectrum, and though I see both sides and have been on both sides myself, I do have my own take on how to make engagement shoots for a couple more romantic and realistic with the couple involved, and less like they have all of a sudden become models for the trend setting Wedding or Bride magazine as the “perfect couple”.

So, how do you get engagement photos that are meaningful to the couple (both of them) not stressful, awkward, posed, and yet still “Facebook worthy” and won’t make you both feel completely uncomfortable, and won’t make the photographer want to pull their hair out?

1. First, talk with your partner. Obviously having great non-wedding photos of the two of you is a great keepsake. But, how do you both feel? Expect there to be some disagreement and possible arguing. You might have an idea of what you want, but your partner might be completely uncomfortable with the idea of showing affection in public, especially in front of a stranger (photographer). Try to listen and come up with solutions instead of forcing them to do something that makes them uncomfortable.
2. Don’t take their opinions personally, or assume that because your partner doesn’t want to be public with their affections for you means they don’t love you. Seriously, it doesn’t mean they don’t love you, or they are rethinking the whole marriage thing. It makes them uncomfortable, there is nothing wrong with that. Being photographed in this way is different then just randomly giving you a kiss in public. Someone is saying “kiss her on her cheek”. Its forced and awkward sometimes. So if someone already has a bit of an issue with public affections, try to find ways to make them feel comfortable so they cab be themselves. The person you love to be around and spend time with. They might just feel comfortable enough to do shots on their own without being asked. Its up to the photographer to pay attention and capture these candid moments.
3. Do things you do on a normal day as a couple. Unless you spend your days rolling around the fields together and in perfect lighting (perhaps you sparkle?), taking shots in fields and in forests, though extremely gorgeous, aren’t really natural, or comfortable places to be in. Have your photographer follow you around where you live, or where you tend to hang out on any given Saturday, like a date.
   • Have coffee/pastries at your favorite shop.
   • Go to the local Saturday/Farmer’s Market and shop for a few things to make a lunch.
   • Go to your/his/her place and make lunch together.
   • Walk in the city/town you live in, window shopping or enjoying the sites.
   • Take your dog for a walk, maybe play fetch.
   • Read books together.
   • Watch a movie in the comforts of your own home, or at park showing.
   • Sit on the couch and talk.
   • Go to the city zoo or a museum.
4. Capture the moments of your day together. It will feel less forced and more natural and not posed, if you just have your photographer kind of hide in the shadows taking cool shots in artistic ways of the two of you just being you. Sort of like a day-in-the-life of ______ and ______.
5. You can’t avoid that someone else is there. Let’s be honest, your getting photos taken of the two of you. Either way, someone is going to be there, possibly 2 people, besides the two of you. You’ll be hearing the clicking of the camera and probably have some sort of white reflecting screen to help with lighting in some cases. But at least your not forced to kiss or do things in such a way that make it uncomfortable for you. And on top of it you’ll have memories of where you used to hang out and places you loved to go, things you loved to do when you were younger to look back on and share with your kids when you’re older. SO at some level, you’ll have to just pretend they aren’t there, and just focus on who you’re with, and what you’re doing. If you hire a good photographer, it shouldn’t be a problem to capture these candid moments and be yourselves.

Here are some awesome examples that are perfectly candid:
(Photo credits below the images with links to the photographers who captured these shots).

Getting ready together. Photograph from: Elizabeth Anne Designs http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com

Getting coffee at our favorite place. Photograph: Wandering Eye Photography http://www.wanderingeye.ca

Hanging out in the square, people watching and talking. Photograph: Donna Cheung www.donnacheung.com

Trying to make the bed in the morning. (obviously leads to pillow fights, lol) Photograph: Bridal Musings http://www.bridalmusings.com

Going for a walk down your favorite neighborhood. Photograph: Wood Note Photography http://www.woodnotephotography.net

In the end, you’ll capture some natural and really intimate moments that are probably more romantic than any staged kiss or wheat fields. Remember: You’re marrying your partner because you love each other and spending the time you spend with each other doing what YOU DO. So why not capture that. And why not make it more comfortable and a good experience for everyone involved.

I like to leave this with what to me seem’s like the perfect example of what I’m trying to explain in this blog post. Take a look at this couple below, which one of the two shots is the more romantic and intimate shot? Imagine all your photos having that same feel. Natural. Candid. Actions. The most important thing is to compromise, its the first thing you learn in a marriage. In the end you’ll have a keep sake that you’ll be able to cherish forever, and that is real. Be you. Not the trend.

“Ok hold the dog still, get his attention…ok good…everyone look this way, SMILE!”  verses “CLICK!” Photograph: Graceology Photography
http://www.graceology.com

Disney Predicted the Future Dress Battle

I made this, cuz I couldn’t help but picture Merryweather and Flora having a similar dress debate back in 1959…

“Choosing Bridesmaid Dresses – Top 5 Tips”

Hollywood has made several movies where the dresses are a big part of the wedding story. Even the process of choosing can be quite interesting…(remembering Bridesmaids movie starring Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph). There is even the one friend who is always a bridesmaid, but never the bride (like in 27 Dresses with Katherine Heigl). What I think I’ve seen from these films is the crazy brides who just think that their 7 different bridesmaids from different ethnicities and shapes and sizes will ALL fit miraculously into the SAME dress. When have you EVER gone shopping with a friend, and you both got the EXACT same pair of jeans? Same size, length and wash? I doubt it, but if you happened, to…keep that friend, because it’s like a 2nd closet!

Maybe I’m just not getting it, or it’s maybe a cultural thing, but I never understand why brides choose the bridesmaid dresses they do sometimes. Here is sort of my take on how the process really should be, and what rules people set back, who know’s when, on what should or shouldn’t be done. Hopefully this will help guide you into picking the best dresses for your girls and avoid your bridal party looking like walking piñatas or bottles of Pepto Bismol.

Q. How do I get perfect bridesmaid dresses that all of my girls will like and be happy with?

A. You won’t. You are probably never going to find a dress that every one of your girls will be in love with, or love the color on them or cut. It just isn’t something that is likely. Here is why, your girlfriends are individual people. They have physical qualities about themselves that make them who they are. You want them to feel comfortable in what they have to wear all day long, in front of tons of possible strangers and stand in forever photos dressed in. If you’re bridesmaid are uncomfortable, you’ll see it in their pictures. You want to make your girls shine. It will only make you look better.

Q. What if my bridesmaids look hotter than I do, and steal the spotlight?

A. I mean…really? YOU my dear, are the bride. Unless all your girls’ names are on the invitations and you are all wearing a white wedding gown…I don’t think you’ll need to worry about that. If you look at the picture above as an example…who do you think is standing out? The Bride in a white dress or the NEON PINK  dresses in front of her that are blinding you? I’m sure the bride wanted to stand out there, but she failed in it. Instead it’s like a walking circus act.

Q. Okay…so they should have different dresses? What about length or colors?

A. Honestly…this is where YOU get to have more fun. I have 7 bridesmaid in my wedding. All different shapes, skin tones, heights and body types. I had one major thing in mind for my girls. I wanted them to feel like they were walking onto the Red Carpet! Straight out of Hollywood. So, they are getting dresses that have a similar amount of beading and design work, but all completely unique and different cuts, lengths and even different neutral colors! That may be the extreme to some, and I get that. So what I would do is pick a color pallet for your wedding, and then you can pick shades and tones of those colors. IF you only have 2 colors, and one is pink, then use shades of pinks that match. Length is all up to you. I have girls who love to flaunt their legs and others who’d rather hide under a rock then show their legs. So I offered both options because the length really didn’t matter to me. But thats up to you. Shorter tends to be more popular, and I have seen all long dresses before, but you’ll just need to see them on your girls to decide what you think will work best for your wedding and their bodies.

Q. But I’m buying the dresses, shouldn’t I decide?

A. Honestly, yes. If you are buying the dresses and they don’t have to pay a cent, they really can’t complain. However, if you are asking your girls to spend $50-$500 on a dress, and they will NEVER wear it again. I feel like you should probably consider that and find things that they’ll want to invest in and love for a long time, and not use in the future for a Halloween costume.

So, really that’s it.  Think about these main things:
1. Color – use neutral tones, or shades of one color or a few colors that are in the same tone. Patterns and Details from lace and sequins can add a bit of unique flair to make each dress similar but different while even being the same color.
2. Lengths – Choose what looks best on your girls and ask them what they feel comfortable with.
3. Body Types – Find dresses that flatter your girls. If a girl is uncomfortable with a certain part of her body, then find ways to help her hide those areas and flaunt the ones she’s comfortable with. This will ultimately make you both happy because she’ll look great in your photos and she’ll be happy that she has such a great dress!
4. Cost – Consider costs for you bridesmaids, can they afford what you are looking for? Are they paying? Are you paying? Splitting costs? Just pay attention this and you may find your bridesmaids happier that you considered them and their finances as well.
5. Cuts – Dresses can still look cohesive and “matching” without being identical. Cuts of dresses, necklines, designs etc. can be combined with using the same color palettes or even lengths. There are other ways to make them look as part of a group without being identical.

And if all else fails, and you want what you want, or you are the bridesmaid and your bride-to-be friend chooses something you absolutely loathe. Then take a chapter from the Confessions of a Shopaholic manual, and FLAUNT IT. Pretend you’re on a runway and own it, live in the moment, knowing you’ll never have to wear it again. Ultimately they are just dresses, and it’s not worth fighting over or losing friendships over.

Hugs and Kisses Valentine Card Video Tutorial

Hey everyone!

This is my VERY first VIDEO tutorial! I hope you like it. I created a cute valentine Hershey Kiss valentine card that is SUPER easy to make, and all you really need is paper and scissors.

Here is the FREE Downloadable PDF Template: CLICK HERE

ENJOY!

XOXO Devan

FREE Wedding Budget Worksheet Downloadable PDF

Hey guys! We’ve been working hard on a new Wedding Starter kit, that is going to be available for download as well as a printable version! In the meantime, I wanted to give you all a taste of what will be coming in the book with this free downloadable PDF budgeting worksheet.

This will help you get started in figuring out your budget, knowing what to budget for, and how much to budget. Please feel free to leave feedback on what you might want to add to a budgeting worksheet like this, or comments on how much you love it! (hehe!)

Hope you enjoy it!

Click Here to Download your FREE Copy of the Wedding Budget Worksheet

xoxo, Devan

Post No. 3 : The Mother and the Bride – “Where do you start?”

I’m engaged! It’s crazy to me still. My fiancé proposed to me in what can only be described as something out of a movie. He’s still proud of himself. Above is me, my gorgeous ring with O’ Brien’s Tower off in the distance. The castle like tower where he asked me to be his wife, at the start of sunset, overlooking the magnificent Cliffs of Moher in Ireland.

We wanted to wait to start planing our wedding, because we were blessed with our daughter and I wanted to not be pregnant when I got married. You dream about your wedding day, and I didn’t want to rush through it. So we waited. I’m still happy about that choice.

I started actually thinking about the wedding and starting the process of planing just over a year before our chosen date (which is this September, labor day weekend). Even though, I am in the wedding industry and I create invitations for such events, and have friends in the industry…I still wasn’t completely sure where to start. I can only suggest now that I am 8 months away from our wedding date things I wish I would have known up front to think about and how to organize it all.

Here is my sort of starting checklist of what you should try to do as soon as you know your date. If you don’t know your date, then that should most definitely be the first thing you figure out! So get a calendar and start picking!

Picking your Date – 

Sit down with your fiancé and go over a few things to figure out what is going to be the best date for you.

1. Are you going to have an indoor or outdoor wedding? This will help you determine the weather of that time of year and what month(s) you should consider.

2. Are you planing on having out of town guests from other states? If yes, you’ll want to be considerate of the money and time it might take them to travel, if you really expect and want them to be able to attend. Also consider if they have children or a partner to make it. (This might not seem like an initial priority, but it helps when it comes to writing your guest list down the road as well.)

3. Day of the week. FACT: Wedding not on a Saturday are typically less expensive for your venue. Most couples get married on Saturday’s, and with only 52 Saturdays in 2015, over 2 million weddings per year in the United States alone, you can see how that date can be in  high demand. So my tip is…if you can pick a weekday, holiday weekend where you’re able to choose a Sunday or Monday you’ll save on costs there. Summer weddings are also most popular, so a non-Saturday wedding in the Fall or Winter, you’ll save on the venue expenses for sure!

After you’ve determined the date….you’ll want to make sure you have the answers to these questions before moving forward…because every venue and vendor is going to want to know these answers, especially to give you an accurate quote.

To be best prepared, you should know the answers to these questions:

1. What is your date?
2. How many guests? (this can be a range or rounded up number, it doesn’t have to be a final number but better to round up because you’ll know your highest cost and there will be less chance of a ticket shock at the end.)
3. What is your budget? This was definitely a hard question to figure out. Especially when you are either dealing with someone else’s money like parent’s or a mix of contributors. So now is the time to ask your family members, bring up the question and know. Then look at your finance’s and determine what is a COMFORTABLE amount for you and your fiancé to be spending on your wedding.
4. Are you having an Indoor/Outdoor wedding? If you picked your date with my suggestions above, then this answer should already be made.
5. What is the theme or style of your wedding? Don’t think of “theme” as like a costume party or something, but think of the look, the feel. As a graphic designer, the best way I can think of this, is to consider that you are “branding” you and your fiancé with your wedding. It should be a representation of you both, and feel like an extension of who you guys are and what you love.

 

There are more questions for sure that will be coming up. But if you know the answers to at least these 5, you can feel better prepared when you have vendor consultations and you’ll get the most out of your meetings.

If you need help figuring out the budget I’ll be posting a blog about that one next, because that subject is worth it’s own blog. But if you need suggestions there are a few great resources online specifically meant to help you keep track and figure out your budget.

Here are a couple helpful Budgeting Resources:

Track Spending : weddingwire.com
This is an awesome tool, and provides you with estimated costs. The hardest part is knowing a reference point.

Wedding Budget Checklist : wedding.theknot.com
The Wedding Budgeter is completely interactive and customizable to help effortlessly guide you through your wedding payments and purchases.

$119 Wedding Planner Pro App from iTunes : iTunes.apple.com/app
I’m not sure that you or anyone needs to spend $119. But the app seem’s pretty detailed to help you keep organized. Not sure if it’s worth the cost, and it has no reviews.

Hope you enjoyed this post! If you have questions just ask me below or e-mail me at hello@nimbidesign.com!

XOXO
Devan

Post No. 2 : The Mother and the Bride – “The Dress”

239 Days Until the Wedding

Today I found “THE dress”. I can’t believe I have my wedding dress. The process was surprisingly not as frustrating as I had imagined. I think what helped is that I went in being open minded and not really knowing what would look best on me. Sure, there were dresses I’d seen in Portland Bride & Groom or Oregon Bride Magazine, but Im not a model, Im not even close to being tall at 5 feet 3 inches. My eyes were drawn to dresses that were fitted, lacey and classic looking. Timeless you could say. So I started where many girls start. Pinterest. I started typing in classy, classic, timeless, lacey, elegant, vintage, gatsby, old hollywood, etc. I started pinning beautiful gowns, like these:

      

Gorgeous Right? But how do I know what I AM going to look like in any of these styles? So, I decided to set a date aside, and get the people that matter most to me and put them in a room and just have fun and try all different styles on.

I KNOW! I KNOW! “But Devan! You shouldn’t have more than a couple people because of all the opinions!” Well…since I didn’t have my heart set on anything yet, I just figured I take in all those opinions knowing it was my first time even putting on a dress, and I just wanted to see what my options were and my friends and family were there to see me put on a wedding dress for the first time. What happened? Well…surprisingly my Mom and Grandmother loved EVERYTHING I picked out (RIGHT? After watching many episodes of “Say Yes! To The Dress” I was worrying about that more than anything.)  My friends…sure. They had their opinions, liked things I didn’t really like, or didn’t really like something I did. But ultimately it didn’t matter. I knew that if I found the dress that made ME say “Yes!!” Then everyone would just know and agree. (And if they didn’t then there’s $80/person for dinner I’m saving at the Reception! Hehehe. Just kidding.)

Well what came out of it was that I found not only a designer, but a cut of dress that fit my figure, height and style. So now I had something to go off of. I went online and did my research. I ended up falling in love with Casablanca & CB Couture. Everything just felt so detailed and elegant. After a couple days of searching on their website. I found one. COULD IT BE IT?!? What is the price? I have NO IDEA! OHHHHHHH Why oh why couldn’t they have THIS dress somewhere?!? I called the bridal shop I’d gone too, Anna’s Bridal in Lake Oswego. An amazing and classy bridal gown shop with AMAZING consultants! Not to mention the AMAZING Anna herself! Such a beautiful and sweet woman.

Anna’s Bridal: “Nope, sorry, we don’t have that one in our store yet.”
Me: “Nooo. Do you know where I’d be able to try this dress on or how to?”
Anna’s Bridal: “Sure you can borrow the dress. We’ll order it from the Designer, and have it on loan in our shop for a week for you to come in and try it on and see it in person. It’s a $50 loan fee.”

I about died! I can DO THAT? I thought. I got super excited realizing that I could get this dress brought to me and try it. So, after some waiting…TODAY was the day. I got to try on THE Dress.

This time I just brought my Mom and Dad along. Normally I’d probably not have my Dad involved in getting my wedding dress, but my Dad knows his stuff with what is classy and elegant, plus I wanted to see in his eyes which one made him choke-up. So I tried on the 2 I had loved before, and showed him. He loved those ones as well. My Mom STILL loved those dresses too. And me? Seeing them again, I forgot how much I had loved them. And how beautiful they were in person. Then came the moment…

There it was. Hanging on the perfect wooden hanger. Right in front of me. The Dress. The one I saw online that one I just realized might just be it. I put it on. Looked up in the mirror. A smile came over my face, and I couldn’t stop! Its “THE Dress” I thought. I opened the curtains for my parents to see it, and I knew they could see it in my face, I was in love. My Dad got that look in his eyes. My mom said “Oh wow!”. And I said “Yes to THE Dress”.

I’m obviously NOT going to post the dress yet. You’ll just have to wait for 239 Days from now when everyone else gets to see it for the first time.

Thank you Anna’s Bridal, Anna and Katie for helping me today! You made the experience painless and fun. It was so exciting.

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Photos from Anna’s Bridal on Facebook & Pinterest

A Secret Garden Wedding Inspiration Shoot

This was a collaborative effort between some amazing Portland vendors including myself for all paper goods. I love how the hexagon shape added to the suite!

Venue | Private Estate
Design + Coordination | PETALOS DESIGN
Gowns | KIRSTIE KELLY
Adornments + Accessories | AUSTIE ECKLEY
Hair + Makeup | BETH LEVEL MAKE-UP ARTISTRY
Vintage Rentals | SOMETHING BORROWED
Rentals | THE PARTY PLACE
Paper Products | NIMBI DESIGN
Cake | ARTISAN CAKE COMPANY