Erin and David's Greatest Hits Part *3*! SURPRISE!!

Yep, it's true. I realized after promising only two music posts, that I still have more to address on the musical front! So, hold on tight--here we go again!

Okay, I addressed the ceremony music and TOTALLY forgot the reception! So, first of all being a modern-day budget bride usually entails nixing bands and DJs. This is a budget cut I'm definitely okay with. DJ's tend to make me feel uncomfortable and bands can be kinda limited in what they play. Nowadays, thanks to the miracle invention of mp3's, couples can have what has been deemed "The iPod Wedding." You give a charismatic friend a mic and a playlist and dance the night away without paying an extra penny! Anywho, with that explanation out of the way let me reveal a few key songs.

The Big Entrance Number:

Option 1:

Good Lovin' -- The Rascals

Option 2:

Pop Goes My Heart -- Music and Lyrics Soundtrack

Ok, ok, don't hate. I wasn't a fan of this movie, to be honest, but the spunky upbeat 80's sound and silliness of it all goes hand in hand with David and me!

The Father-Daughter Dance:

First of all, let me say that I find it weird to pick out the song you dance with your father to, because I kinda feel like I'm putting words in his mouth. So, I would definitely want to get his opinion on this matter. Buuut, pending approval, I give you "daddy-daughter song to make people cry,"

If I Had My Way -- Mills Brothers

Our First Dance:

Alright, this one is a surprise to be disclosed later, but for consolation, I give you ...

Our Recessional!

Okay.....now I think I'm finished with music....for now...

Erin and David's Greatest Hits Part 2

Ok, so, I already told y'all about the instrumental portion of our ceremony (well, as much as I have planned so far) by the fantastic Will Aufrict and noooow, I'm going to introduce my secret weapon number 2: my bridesmaid and HS BFF, Meredith! (It's true, I am lucky enough to have this many musically gifted friends--I have more!)

For those who don't know, Meredith has an amaaaazing voice! I would love to give you a taste, but evidentially, there are no videos I could find of her! **cough cough** get on that, Mere **cough cough** The biggest decision I've been trying to make however, is what she will sing during the ceremony. The original song I had picked out was "Always" by Irving Berlin. Now, this one isn't totally off the table. It's sooo beautiful and sweet. But, as always, I'm feeling rather indecisive!

Here's a rendition by Old Blue Eyes...

I have a few other songs that I really liked and I thought about having Mere and Will team up and having them do a really cool cover of a good classic--maybe Queen!

I Was Born to Love You:

or You're My Best Friend:

I decided "Born to Love You" might be a good parent or grandparent processional-piano-only song. "Best Friend" is definitely still an option and it's just so cute! However, there's one particular song that is in the lead.

It started when I fell in LOVE with Kay Starr. I heard her song "If You Love Me, Really Love Me" and thought it captured a perfect image of how I felt about David.

I found out a while later that it was originally a French song from the one and only Edith Piaf. So, I hunted down the French version and given Meredith's classical background, I know she can really nail the pronunciation. This is a different artist performing the song. Not that I couldn't find Edith's version, but I think this girl's voice is much closer to Meredith's.

Now, why would I do the French version instead? I'm not 100% sure why it appeals to me more. Maybe because that's how it was originally written or because out of some musical respect for Edith Piaf, or maybe just because I know Meredith could do it well! Who knows? Either way, I think I'm leading towards the French...It is the language of love, right? =) I still have a lot of narrowing down to do...

Anyway, sorry for the sporadic posting! I'm in ISTANBUL! =D

Erin and David's Greatest Hits Part 1

Just so you guys know, I love music. I love it so much, I'm devoting two posts to it. So, here's part one!

Okay, I'm totally cool with the traditional music, but I knew I wanted something different. Specifically I wanted a different bridal processional tune. I moved around a lot on what I really wanted and finally I decided I wanted to do a piano cover of "Til There Was You" from The Music Man/The Beatles. I searched and searched for a good recording but none of them sounded like I wanted. I DID however find a beautiful version on YouTube! This, this is what I wanted above all else:

But, how to get that song at my wedding with no sheet music or real recording? Enter my friend Will, piano god.

He wrote that song. Yeah. He wrote others too (look 'em up on iTunes) but that is my favorite! Anyhow, Will agreed to play for my wedding ceremony! When I get back to the states will work out an arrangement like the one I found on YouTube! Also, I want other fun songs to make piano covers of! I'm thinking "Stuttering" by Ben's Brother....

I gave David the assignment of finding good modern songs to cover...he doesn't enjoy wedding planning much, but I figure that's a fair request, right?

A Very Merry Un-Honeymoon!

So, as many of you know (and many who don't) David is in the Air Force. He is stationed in California. This means every time he comes to Texas, he has to take leave. He'll take one week this December for Christmas where I will get to see him again (yay!) and another two weeks for the wedding: one week before the big day, one week after. Now, post-wedding, I have to move my car and all my other things up to California. The original plan was to honeymoon, and then fly back separately. David wouldn't be able to take off more leave to drive back with me.

It really made me kinda sad to think we had to start off our marriage in the same ol' long distance-esqe manner--even for just a few days. So, I ran my idea by him for a "un-honeymoon." He would use his leave to roadtrip back with me and we can have a real honeymoon when he gets out. He said yes! He thought it was a great idea. =) He also suggested we shack up a few days in his grandparents vacation house in Ruidoso along the way!

To be honest, the whole idea sounds so perfect, I don't really care if we ever do get to a beach! After 3 years long distance, anywhere he is is the perfect place to be.

The Imaginary Kid's Corner

So, after recieving the guest list from my FMIL and seeing the number of "and 2 kids" I decided, although I'm sure many won't stay for the reception, to have a kid's corner. Unfortnately, I made this decision way way way too far away from my venue. So, truth be told, I'm not 100% sure where this kid's corner will be.... On top of that, I have put forth no budget plan for said corner, and I have no true idea how many young children will be attending.

So, Erin, you may ask, what do you have?

Bunting.

Mega-fun fabric bunting I bought from here: http://brideandgroomgaragesale.blogspot.com/

Yep. I have about 36 feet of this perfectly color coordinated fabric bunting. I plan to hang it in the kid's corner. I know, I know. It was a bit of an impulse buy. But, I stand by the fact that I can certainly: A) hang it around my dessert bar or somewhere else and B) resale it! Right? Right.

But, first and foremost, it will be for my kid's corner. I was thinking of just covering the table with butcher paper, give them plenty of crayons...yeah...something... I'm still in the planning stage, okay? =)

Regardless, I'm deeply in love with little pendant-y things. I want to hang them place, stick them in sweets, and if I had a flower girl I'd definitely give her one of these:

Anyway, at least I was able to buy the bunting resale. Second-hand wedding supplies are this girl's best friend!

Confessions of a Budget Bride

So, my budget for my wedding is $10,000. For some people it seems like bookoos of money and for others, you probably passed out just thinking of how to stretch that amount that far. It depends a lot on the region and what you expect do have in your wedding. First of all, I plan on having a lot of guests, probably 200 or so. I also want to have drinks, dancing, and plenty of food. Once you start adding things up for this number of people, even in my fairly cheaper region of West Texas, things start to get tight. So, to have all the things I want and stay within my budget, I have to focus on finding the bargain.

So, you wanna know my secret? Ok, come closer.....closer.....too close! A little too close!



(Sorry, couldn't pass it up!) Ok, the truth is...I love being a budget bride. I know I may eat my words later, but I love how much of my wedding is DIY! For those who don't know, we're doing our own flowers and catering, and I couldn't be more thrilled to try stuff out and decorate! Not to mention, bargain hunting is pretty much my favorite sport. I'm in physical pain that I'm missing Black Friday this year. (Yes, I'm one of those crazies) I've already found quite a few good deals and I know I'll find more! One of them is Sam's Club bulk flowers. The reviews are amazing and I recently found another "bee" (weddingbee.com user) that used them for her wedding. They were GORGEOUS and she gave me some tips on how many to buy and even a cheap place to buy floral supplies! The hydrangeas were great and the prices will knock you flat!


I think I may order a practice pack when I get back home so Mom and I can work on some centerpieces. Plus, did I mention that one of my girls Cortney and her mom Tonjua are pretty much experienced florists? Well, they've worked on a few weddings in their time (including Cort's!) And I'm thinkin' things are going to turn out great!

I can't wait to get back to the states and hash out some more deals, maybe haggle with some vendors. Also, I'm thinking about cafe lights and/or bunting....we'll see what happens there! =)

A Note on Originality

Hey! You remember that one time? That I thought I was being really original?

Yeah....me too....

You see, I have this super urge to make our wedding different; that our wedding should be a super-special-snowflake. I want something about it to really stick out or just be totally unique! But, it seems like every time I turn around--there are 30 other brides thinking the same thing and it just throws my snowflake of a wedding into flaming furnace!

It totally happened this way with the colored shoes. I thought "Oh, how different! Blue shoes for my something blue! I love shoes, it will be so fun and original!" And now colored shoes are practically the standard! Sigh, it can just really get a girl down.

In all honesty, I have no reason to complain. I roam around sites like weddingbee.com and theknot.com snooping for new ideas others have found. I guess I have to accept the fact that a 100% original idea is a little irrational. The best I can do is throw a slammin' party for my friends and family! (Yes, I know. I said "slammin'"....please don't judge) I know that there are probably plenty of people outside of the wedding blogoshpere attending my wedding that have never seen a color-shoed bride or a cameo cake topper! Right? Originality can be pretty relative, I guess....and hey, I did come up with the cameo thing all my own! ;)