Live, Love, Paper.

I know it's been a long time since I updated my wedding blog. I haven't forgotten about it, but for a while there I wasn't doing anything wedding related. I will start to update that soon, but before I do, I wanted to recognize something wedding related that has made me very happy. Lee and I recently ordered our wedding invitations from a sweet little place in downtown Norfolk called Live, Love, Paper. It's in a fun little area called Ghent and it's right across the street from CHKD, in walking distance! Sharon, the owner was so very sweet.  She showed us several styles of invitations and helped us design ours to exactly the way we wanetd it. Her store is precious. It's very shabby chic and its located on the top floor above Press 626 Wine Bar. I passed by the wine bar everyday and never even knew that she was up there. She houses a great little business that I hope will become more recognized so that she can open her own storefront shop! Believe me, I will be a regular customer. I love paper..I remember once spending over 75 dollars in just paper and stationary and scrapbook paper, just because I loved it so much. Sharon  has done a great job with keeping the store intimate, it's almost like you're meeting her in her little attic apartment. She's put so much of herself into this business and she loves what she does. Any brides out there in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Hampton Roads, anywhere for that matter, Sharon at Live, Love Paper will hook you up with some fabulous invitations! I had to post some pictures of her shop because it blew me away with cuteness, courtesy of Sharon! Good luck with your store! Please keep me updated!



















Sharon, Lee and I are so pleased with our invitations! We can't wait to get them! Thank you so much!

Here is a link to the website..it's still a work in progress!   http://www.live-love-paper.com/

Pictures of the Wedding venue...

These are just a few pictures from The Kyle House.....We can't wait!!

Bloomers

Last weekend while in Roanoke, I met with my florist! Jim (love all my Jims) was incredible! I met him once before when I went with Jenny to meet with him for her wedding and I knew right then and there that he would be my florist. He runs an incredible business and is booked well into next year so I'm lucky I got him. The funny thing is..he's only by word of mouth. He does no advertising at all..and he's a total success! As far as flowers go, really didn't need a lot. The place that we are getting married provides so much gorgeous decor as well as centerpieces that they are all included in our price with them. The only flowers that I needed are for my bouquet, my bridesmaids bouquets, the pomander for the flower girl, the boutonnieres, and the mother's and grandmother's corsages. I already knew exactly what I wanted for all of the above and he had samples ready for me! I told him I was in love with Hydrangeas and he had them waiting on me. My flowers are going to look similar to this..


The only difference being..mine will have less leaves..more white (as well as blue and green) AND ivory satin around the stems..not the bow either :)



Our butonnieres are almost identical to the one at the top of the picture!

We definetly had a great time with Jim. We were there for almost 3 hours! My came and paid for the flowers I'm very excited that its all taken care of. Lee and I (and a few of my bridesmaids will be meeting with The caterer over Thanksgiving weekend and will be going to see the Kyle House and the Metamorphasis! Everyone is so excited to see it and I cannot wait! :)

Brand New Wedding

Holy Cow! I just changed my entire wedding in a matter of a few hours! This is how it all began...
Yesterday, Brandy, Hope and I headed over to my rehearsal dinner venue, Metamorphasis in downtown, Roanoke. I met with Jim Schaal who is the caterer for the event. Actually, Metamorphasis is an exclusive event venue owned by Schaal's catering. I love the set-up. Downtown in the city, dim lighting, Leather couch seating areas, round tables with chilvari chairs, elegantly decorated, a gorgeous bar and a piano in the corner..it's awesome. I love Jim. He is amazing. After only a few minutes into our meeting he started telling me about the Kyle House in Fincastle. I had heard of the Kyle House before and knew that Schaal's had bought it and turned it into an event venue as well. Growing up just a few minutes from Fincastle and going to school there almost my whole life, I love the town. I even took dance lessons in the Kyle House years ago. I have so many memories there from pre-school to elementary school..to middle school. I trick-or-treated in that town, marched in parades, and was the maid of honor at my best friend's wedding. I love Fincastle. He asked me if I'd like to go see it. Of course I couldn't resist. We headed over there after our meeting and met his wife Amanda who was showing it to a couple of brides. It was immaculate! I was sold. I decided on the spot that I was cancelling the Plantation on Sunnybrook...willingly and knowing that I wouldn't get my deposit back..but in the long run be saving money. Especially since we moved the wedding to Sunday! We moved the wedding for Sunday for two reasons. First, Sept 4th was already booked and that sucked. Sept 5th was actually cheaper because weddings on Sundays are always cheaper. We luck out in this department because we chose a long weekend for our wedding..it's Labor Day weekend so most people will have Monday off! Another thing that I love about having our wedding on Sept 5th is that it's my Dad and stepmom's anniversary!! LOVE it!...The reason I never checked into the Kyle House before is because number one, I didn't think that there would be enough room for our 180-200 guests. The Kyle house can accomodate 250. I didn't think there would be enough parking. The Schalls bought a parking lot across the street and behind the property. There is ample room.
Last but not least..this is what sold me. This is something the Kyle House did not have the first time I researched it. Since then, The have bought a historic barn on the property. The barn is incredible. It's dark and has those white balloon lantern thingys in all sizes hanging from its wood beamed ceilings. There are candles Everywhere. It doesn't require any decorating..unless you want to. It's VERY romantic and I love the hardwood floors and black chairs..it is GORGEOUS. I was definetly sold after I saw the barn. Now I could get married on the property as well! Imagine Lee's suprise when I called him from Roanoke and told him I changed the entire wedding. I said, "Babe, trust me, I don't even need to sell you this. It's sick. You will love it." He said "I'm excited and I already love it!" I love him!! We are heading back to Roanoke in March to have our engagement pictures done in downtown Roanoke. We are going to make an appointment to set up a menu for each event and I'm going to take Lee and his mom and my mom to the Kyle House! I'm sooooo excited. This is my dream wedding! I will try to have more pictures and details before then!

So much to do, So little time!!

I have decided to make yet another on-going list for my wedding..having it online will be much easier because I can copy and paste and easily update in excel. Here we Go ..with only 350 days to go..

Create wedding guest list
Finalize wedding guest list
Get Addresses of guests
Choose Wedding Party
Reserve Church
Reserve Reception location
Meet with Officiant
Hire and meet with photographer
Make list of photos to be taken
Book the DJ
Make list of songs for DJ
Meet Caterers for Rehearsal Dinner
Finalize Wedding Menu
Finalize Rehearsal dinner Menu
Book Rehearsal Dinner
Finalize Guest list for rehearsal dinner
Purchase Wedding Dress
Purchase Bridesmaid dresses
final fittings bride
final fittings bridesmaids
Groomsmen measurements
Groomsmen suits/fittings
Meet with Florist
Meet with Cake Lady
Finalize Florist
Finalize cake
Grooms cake
Finalize Grooms cake
Block off Hotel Roooms
Make Ring bearer pillow
Flower girl and Ring bearer fittings
Flower girl and Ring bearer gifts
Purchase napkins, cake cutter, flutes, cake topper, etc
Purchase wine and beer and champagne
Engagement Photos
Save the Dates
Send Save the Dates
Wedding invitations
Send Wedding invitations
Thank you cards bridal shower
Thank you cards wedding
Newspaper announcement
Marriage license
Arrange transportation for wedding day
make timeline for wedding day
make timeline for attendants
schedule hair and make-up
Go over ceremony and music with Julie and Judy
Menus
Programs
Guestbook
Purchase wedding bands
Purchase wedding shoes
Break in wedding shoes
Make, order, and assemble favors
Make table numbers
Buy Candles and ribbon for Mason Jars
Assemble welcome gifts for out of town guests
Purchase glass jars for drinks
Bridal hair trials
Book Honeymoon
Purchase tickets for Disney
Purchase tickets for dolphin excursion
Pack for honeymoon
Register for gifts
Order sparklers

Anything else I can think of..even the smallest of details will be added...

let the countdown begin!!

Exactly one year from today...I will be Mrs Hammarback!! OMG I can't believe it! 1 year folks!! Time to get crackin'!! :)

Rehearsal Dinner

We have been going back and forth on the Rehearsal dinner. Lee's parents are both giving us money to pay for it. I had my heart set on the Blue 5 in Roanoke. They have a private room downstairs called the copper room and it has its own private bar and everything! I really wanted his family to experience some down-home southern goodness while they were here. Not only that but I wanted it to be in downtown Roanoke because we're reserving rooms for everyone at the Hotel Roanoke! Well, I wanted to get the rehearsal dinner out of the way because I knew that's something I would forget about and really wanted to have it done. I have been back and forth with the Blue 5 now for a couple of months. It really was the perfect venue..we have 60 for our rehearsal dinner..I know that sounds like a lot but when you add in..our attendants and their guests plus me and Lee..that's 22 right there! Then you have..7 grandparents, all our sets of parents, ushers and their guests, flower girl and ring bearer and their parents..it all starts to add up! BLUE 5 has been horrible at giving us information, returning phone calls or e-mails and when we did finally get in touch with us they gave us an unreal number (as in amount of money we would be spending) Seriously..I'm not trying to spend 9-10 grand on my Rehearsal dinner..are you kidding me?? SO! I immediately start panicing because really there is NO WHERE else in Roanoke that I want to have a rehearsal dinner. The horrible thoughts started running through my head..Corned Beef?? ICK..Metro? Ick...202 Market..yeah right like they'll STILL be in business..that building is cursed!! Then..I had an epiphany! That little place on the corner. Metamorphosis. A venue owned by Schalls Catering! I emailed them my budget and what I wanted and they emailed me back the VERY NEXT DAY! I thought for sure they'd be out of our price range..BUT..they sent me a menu and everything that was included..tax..gratuity, linens and everything..and nailed our budget..only 13 dollars over!! WHAT?!?!? I couldn't believe it! It's a beautiful venue and I'm meeting with them when I come to Roanoke in October..along with the florist and cake lady! I can't wait! BUT, most importantly I cant wait till my wonderful wedding day with my wonderful hubs to be!
Here are a couple of pics of the venue!