and why dont we throw in " A NAUTICAL BABY SHOWER" while we're at it

 

So still a little jealous my sister just had a baby!  The best way to cope with the cuteness? Throw a "*b@da$$*-nautical-baby-shower...-Ships-Ahoy-it's-a-Boy-aka-welcoming-bash."

free? yup!

follow me on pinterest for more ideas!

So here are some freebie printable... honestly though email me at journalforourjourney@gmail.com I have tons of leftovers that need a home (I'll hook you up! first come first served :) )

 

~25 pictures so scroll down find what you need right click to save and bam saved you hours! If you need something custom made with similar idea let me know! Here are some of the ideas we used Our Pinterest Board for Showers!

food signs

We did the around the room game approach since not everyone likes joining in... we did do a game that said welcome baby's name (find as many words as you can in welcome baby) and the candy bar game as well as the unscramble words game.


blank one for your own creation



huge hit with the little ones... we printed off color sheets and put fun games out... bring jenga it is great a building blocks too



bonus aka prize table raffle again went raffle crazy



goldfish cracker sign on our galley table



printed out a bunch of these and of course had pens and a clipboard!



the sign I put into the cotton ball counting jar



diaper raffle sign... couldn't resist putting a little mustache on it.



this is what I wrote for the onesie design center... I have more signs but they have his name on everything 



always do this! saves soooo much time!



well we kept going with the nautical theme... our galley was stocked by wonderful family and friends



entry table because we were in the midst of cold season :( and had our hand sanitizer out in full force



cotton ball counting game... buy a bunch of bags in different sizes... we gave away the jar full of cotton balls really cool jar and hey who doesn't need cotton balls? ours held 514



paper template for the wishes... we put two on a page and stretched them



my sister bought a gorgeous bottle for the notes we printed them on blue paper and had little rubber bands to help put them in there.



we did the 'poop' in the diaper game but with a twist no poop in it :)

this was in the diaper instead of poop they were happy



if you get these exact items it will make it easier on you ;)



holy prizes we came back with so many goodies... and totally scored the one I loved too! Everyone came back with a token



we went raffle crazy!!!!!! wipes and diapers to make it "fair" we let them grab one ticket for every $2 spent!



cute little rhymes around the room we put this by the guessing jar



we gave away homemade soaps and custom made pouches



for the sign in table... we had a little paddle so cute with the baby's name etched on it



Price is Right baby shower game



Diaper and wipe raffle wording... on the other side we wrote where mama was registered

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are things with Tre's name on it but you get the idea

onesie design center!

favor table from our shower to yours

cute little sign

we didn't actually use this but thought it was a great idea!

group game! 194 word combos

 

If you need something custom made with similar idea let me know email me now! more images of the actual shower to come :)

follow me on pinterest

http://www.pinterest.com/journaljourn/

A follow for a follow

I have now successfully been planning my wedding for a year and a month!

 Now on to the details to make our wedding the one(well one of the ones) of 2014! I would love to grab inspiration from you! My vow to you... if you are a bride, wedding planner, groom, bridesmaid, other important role of a 2014 wedding... I will follow you if you first pin this image and follow me on one of my boards. Follow me on Pinterest!! 

 Great way to see the gals and gents that this is their YEAR too!

 

 

 

 

 

More on the chaos of wedding planning later but I do have a couple updates... one on to caterer number three? really I am bad luck and with six months to go? yuppers. Hired an awesome photographer and videographer my dreams are complete... kinda am footing the bill on the luxary item of videographer not in our in-laws budget or my budget based on the numbers they gave us so I don't care I will be one happy bride-y. Photobooth check check, I do not know if they are 2012ish or still cool I have never been to a wedding with one but guess what guests you will have one... mil's request gotta love that :)

Pinterest wedding fun

Say yes to the dress

Saying yes to the dress...

Well no I wasn't on the show, no I was not in New York, offered champagne or other pink drinks. But I did go to a couple local shops and a davids bridal (for my grandma), and one trip up north to Eugene Oregon for further searching.

I have a pinterest board (Custom Dress Ideas) devoted to the idea that I am getting a custom made dress because I could not find a backless thin strapped mermaid poof fluff wedding dress anywhere.

 

The original idea...

backless thin strapped mermaid poof fluff wedding dress... did I say that already... with a lace overlay so that I could remove it for the reception. Oh dress of my dreams. But I however found that when I tried on a couple backless dresses and the simple mermaid style without the poof the classic country girl look. I was drawn to dresses that were tight and at the knees HUGE poof. I started describing it as sloooop (the sound when you suck in air) poof I literally used that as the description for my perfect gown. I may be insane. but gotta do it.

The first stop was to a local bridal store.

It was a gorgeous shop and I loved that they are only open for appointment only. My grandma and I went in and browsed the racks in my 3000 or less price range. I tired on a handful of gorgeous dresses.

The last one was my favorite from this shop so beautiful!

 

The next day we went to David's Bridal.

 I was quite impressed with their service at the beginning. I still find it strange that they offer dresses right off the rack. But I was so happy that they actually have decent dresses and more impressive I could afford every dress in the place!! They gave us a nice welcome bag... and my sister was in from the bay joined to help me choose a dress. I love the little heart they put on the door. It was a kinda frantic day there. I have only been to a david's bridal on frantic days apparently. I got myself in most dresses and they were really surprised not only did I come in my strapless bra but I was wearing spanks so I didn't need to dorn the dingy customer slip. I was like really people don't come prepare... so prepare yourself for dress shopping.

 

 

David's Bridal

dress shopping at david's bridal

vintage inspired david's bridal

looking at the picture this one is my favorite

 

 

Then... we went on a road trip

 

 

Driving north a bit we landed in Eugene, Oregon at Blush Bridal

 

Here was a quite classy environment. They had ample dressing rooms with a private area to show your loved ones your dress. We were granted to search the walls for gowns and helped us after I described the sloooop poof. They also offer a ladies night out with private access to the shop after hours! I wish I knew about that before hand that would've been so much fun!! I grabbed a couple and then saw their clearance rack and selected one that I knew would need alterations but had rouching. Not a fan of rouching unless it was done in the right way. (tip if you don't like rouching like I didn't try a could dresses on even if they have it, if you like the style. It is not as bad on usually)

 

I came in to find a dress I had tried and loved in Bozeman Montana.

 

Which I guess I did try on... there but that was the whole reason for our travels

 

 

Still looking for sloooop poof... and not country mermaid as seen in that photo.

 

I had my own personal attendant to help me dress. which reminded me of the care and sweetness experienced in Bozeman.

 

I tried on a couple beautiful dresses!

 



ITCHY dress!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bride=center of attention moment

Then it became a battle of the dresses

These two bad boys!

 

 

 the left I wasn't a fan of the back rouching at all... the right I wasn't a fan of the daisy print lace and the tulle had bug in it indoors it would definitely catch something in Montana.

 

 I pondered and pondered. Tried them both back on. I was worried the shop would close on me without choosing one. The one on the left was the clearance dress. I found out the price on it and then was quite surprised how inexpensive it was. Our attendant helped so much letting me just sit and think. I tired to have my family choose for me... wouldn't that be easier.

 

 In the end I choose the silky Dupion & tulle Formosa Gown  Blue by Enzoani I love the removable modest neckline the sheer lace jacket provides. It will be a great addition to the sacredness of our ceremony at his nana's church.

 

 

 

 How was you experience dress buying or trying?

 

 

 

xooxox

 

Arie 

 

13 tips for Wedding Dress Shopping

13 tips for wedding dress shopping

Our shops debunked a couple things

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here we go!

 

 

 

 

 

1) You do not have to come very prepared

(they have loner everything from bras to shoes but still come prepared)

2) Bring your camera

(most shops want you to take pictures so you can narrow it down by looking at them)

3) Don't expect champagne

(sorry)

4) Do not expect to be the attendants only client

(some weekend time slots they will be juggling two brides)

5) Take time

(I was allowed to sit and think and think she let me be and gave me space so I didn't feel rushed)

6) Bring your closest buddies

(My grandma and sister came with me... so wish my fiancé was allowed he's my bff)

7) Dress to impress

(it's a day about you! my sister out did me in her beautiful backless dress grrr)

8) Be honest and narrow down quickly

(saying no is good!! move on to the next, some I said don't even bother zipping I hate it)

9) Come with someone that's seen you naked

(especially helpful when they are juggling clients and you need to try on or get off a dress)

10) Be happy and go with the flow

(other people have other ideas that's okay too)

11) Know what works with your body and style

(at first people discouraged me from trying on mermaid style saying it doesn't work for smaller girls... but once I tired them on I was like see I've got the body type for it! I've got back ;) )

12) Try on a crinoline slip with your dress

(I tried one on with a couple david's bridal dresses made me love a dress that was a 4:10)

13) Have fun!!

(you only do it once... like everything in wedding world)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then the Caterer Cancels

We found an amazing Caterer. Had our Aunt meet up, have a tasting, and talk numbers. He and I had a phone conversation followed by email correspondence. Then he left me a message yesterday "Your wedding venue is out of reach for my business model." OUCH! So back to the drawing board for a wedding caterer that's willing to drive 90 minutes to serve 150+ Montana. Rant of the day, google question of the day. Who will you be caterer?


Journal for our Journey

Rants and Reviews on Montana Wedding Places

Well some will be more rants and some will be more awe! I headed to Montana two weekends ago and found the place where my other and I will have our wedding reception and wedding at!

Remember this list?

Bridger Bowl

{beautiful modern lodge}

Gallatin River Lodge

{pristine}

The Ponds

(worth a shot?}

Rainbow Ranch

{Please let the group area work}

Rockin' TJ Ranch

(okay the lady that called was awesome!! probably won't get to tour this time)

320 Guest Ranch

(Dude ranch on steroids great package pricing)

Union Pacific Dining Lodge 

(Rustic on the cheap and DIY potential and umm cheap)

our search for the perfect venue

 

Let me edit it for you! 

Bridger Bowl

{beautiful modern lodge}

This place is amazing! It is a bit out of the way (main reason for us not picking it :(  but Jesus Lord Almighty... The views are stunning! the place is a lot classier than your average ski lodge and oh the surroundings perfection! We had an awesome visit to this place! The staff were amazing! 

Gallatin River Lodge

{pristine} Didn't get to see

The Ponds

(worth a shot?}Didn't get to see

Rainbow Ranch

{Please let the group area work} :( Did not work for our size of group spendy but worth every penny

Rockin' TJ Ranch

(okay the lady that called was awesome!! probably won't get to tour this time) Didn't get to see

and then...

The BAD!

a place that shall remain nameless so they do not kill me ;) email if you want to know journalforourjourney@gmail.com

 :'O Umm let's just say we have a lot of inside jokes because of this place. I honestly thought at one point I was getting kidnapped. They have great views but the website glorifies a lot more than they actually have. This is a great place if you need people to tell you what to do. I work the other way I like to plan and have my plans executed. I mentioned about how to make the space work for our group and giving them some of my wedding planning insight they shot me down and well I was done with the rude attitude of the day. Sorry but this is not the place for me and I honestly would not tell my worst enemy to try it for a wedding. Accommodations were beautiful a pro and I did add it to our wedding email list telling people about there wonderful packages just not for us.

It just got creeper and creeper we started out in the lodge... dead animals everywhere I know Montana =hunt = food= décor but I am a vegetarian and I had a strict wall to animal ratio and they were just under it. We arrived early and got a nasty vibe that she did not want us there... early that is. She took us to the itty bitty dining space that they pass off as the reception area. That can accommodate the appropriate number but I doubt they could move if you had that many people in there. It was dingy stained and gross. Our guests would be sectioned off a little with apparent different areas. The dance floor was in the middle of the itty bitty room making the space seem smaller and became Closter phobic.  We were taken to the outside where it was freezing to sit on metal rusty chairs. To go over details. She asked me my name already and more information about me I didn't feel comfortable by the way she asked them in a prosecuting manner. I was doubting myself and felt like a child. We then went into a van that she had a little step stool she insisted that we use without a hand up nor down which is really hard I rather use the oh crap bar in the car to help get up and down. but no. so I got out before everyone and helped them down nana included. We stopped at a makeshift picnic area with a portajohn. A place that costs around 2000 dollars that you could honestly find better in a run down park. it was by the water and had a sand pit. The problem I really had with this place is their terrible ideas for pricing. Want an outdoor wedding? that's great but if you do not have a back up plan ie the icky dinning area or a tent you're sol... but guess what they can call the rental place for that $3000 tent or rent the dining lodge to "hold it" for you. at the same fee as if you were to have it there. Unfortunately they require you to book two different spaces for ceremony and reception. So if you get married in a field $2000 and want your reception at the dining area $2000 but need a back up plan for the field $2000(which you are required to pay!!!! just in case) Backward thinking and terrible hostess made this place extremely creepy!!

 

THE GOOD

Union Pacific Dining Lodge 

(Rustic on the cheap and DIY potential and umm cheap) {{Winner}}
Okay so if you've lived in this area I am sure you've been to a billion functions that have taken place in this beautiful lodge. But luckily for us we are having a destination wedding where only a couple people have ever sat foot in the lodge. I like that it is in town walking distance to accommodations or as I wrote before to a friend within stumble distance ;) I can successfully be extremely liberated and walk the five minutes to my cabin in my dress. They are currently changing hands of who operates it so we may have gotten the deal of the century which I am so so thankful for. They include a whole bunch of things that you typically have to pay extra for and rent. I am in love that it includes a full catering kitchen and enough space for everyone. I am sure our event will be the best this place has ever seen since our budget has  been saved without an extreme mark up of the wedding factor. We are blessed to have been introduced to this marvelous place by my others aunt err uncle.  

Journal Journey