The Perfect Wedding! Rustic Italian Theme, Wedding Party Gift Ideas.

Hey guys!! This blog has been a long time coming and I am so happy I am finally sitting down to write this for you. I’m going to have a couple wedding blogs up, one on budgeting and where I got everything and this one on the actual wedding.

I also want to point out that this post may contain a couple affiliate links from Amazon. I am truly transparent when I post and everything that was ordered was because I wanted it and Amazon is convenient lol as I’m sure we can all agree.

I first want to thank everyone who made this day possible. Leading up to this day, we didn’t have a venue, we had just put out a significant amount of money to move, the car accident, rental, etc and we had to really take a step back and rethink what we were doing and how it was going to happen. We are so incredibly grateful for our friends and family who showed up for us whether it was planning, lending a hand when they could, getting something for us on Amazon, or doing something super big. It was and is all greatly appreciated and it’s something we will never forget.

We took a lot of short cuts, cut back on things that we didn’t really need, and we actually ended up canceling our first photographer. She is incredible and I will gladly still link her info here!! It was unfortunate but it ended up working out thanks to my parents and friends. If you are getting married and finances are tight, just know it will all work out how its supposed to be. Money will come, things will change, and you will be incredibly happy the day of. Not stressed about whether you had real flowers or fake ones.

I made my own bouquets with pampas from Amazon, I’ll have everything linked in another blog more specific to this, our rings are from Zales, mine the Disney Aurora collection. Unfortunately, they no longer have my engagement ring to link. My shoes are from Amazon! I have such a small foot that this was the most challenging part. You can find them here! They were SO COMFORTABLE. And that super important when you’re going to be in them literally all day. I’d also say they run pretty true to size. I got a size 3! Weird, I know. It’s a gift and a curse to have a smaller foot lol.

The wedding day was pretty magical. Tom and I were together the morning of, I know… you shouldn’t see each other, bad luck.. Yea, yea, yea. I feel like some traditions are super outdated and that was when it wasn’t practical nor proper for the two persons to be living together before marriage. New age and I wouldn’t change it lol.

I gave Tom his gift that morning after breakfast. A beautiful wooden watch that was engraved. Any gifts from Etsy will be linked but I will also have another blog post up for the items for a quick find so you don’t have to figure out what blog post you saw it in.

He loved the watch so much! I accidently wrote quotations around what I wanted to say and they actually engraved the “” into it…. LOL something to laugh about but I was super annoyed at the time. Just make sure its EXACTLY how you want it and don’t add the extras on Etsy shops.

My good friend and MOH came to pick me up around 10am and head over to our hosts. We grabbed some Starb’s on the way and it was such a fun time. She was a rock for both of us during this time and she is such a beautiful soul. You don’t get very many of those in life but I’m grateful for her and all she has done for us.

When we arrived at our hosts home, she had mimosa’s ready for us, a breakfast charcuterie board, my ladies were already there, and we all just chatted while they finished setting up her home with some last minute touches.

My MOH and great friend did my makeup and hair for me. It was a very intimate time with my friends and I’m happy I got to share my day with them like this.

A little while later our family started arriving and we were getting the little’s ready, I gave each of the flower girls a necklace with a little flower on it from Etsy. They each got a color I thought went with their personality and favorite. They were SO CUTE!!! My sister and I made the cardstock letters and she helped me with so many other wedding crafts! Our centerpieces were my fav thing we made together!! I’ll be writing up another post about the decor and where specifically everything was from.

I didn’t get to see our nephew open his gift, also from Etsy.. since he opened it with the boys but we got a baseball for him personalized and he loved it a lot. I think it was the most challenging gift because what do you get a ring bearer?! Lol. He loves baseball so it ended up being perfect for him. I was happy they could all be included in some way and a big part of the day for us. They did such a good job.

I handed out the girls’ their thank you gifts and I gave each of them pearl earrings from Etsy! I really loved these so much. They’re classic, elegant, simple in all the right ways. They go with anything! And really tied it all together. I gave my girls free reign on dresses with my approval and colors to choose from. Some how, my MOH had the different dress and the bridesmaids all had the same color and similar dresses. Not sure how that happened but it did and they all looked beautiful in them!! All dresses including mine are from David’s Bridal. Mine is Vera Wang White collection and we took the halter strap off and tied the material around my shoulders for a more classic, elegant look. It can be worn both ways though!

My mom brought my sister’s bracelet for me to borrow and it was very special. I felt like she was really with me that day and better yet, I got to walk down the isle with her. I think this was the hardest part to be honest. Between the nerves and not usually enjoying being the center of attention and people staring at me, not having her physically with me was super difficult.

I included a seat for her regardless. Jenn (our host) had the chair decorated for her so beautifully and it really warmed my heart knowing that some time was put into the little details like this that I will remember forever.

I think this might’ve been why this post took so long to write. I knew I would have to write about the moments like this and acknowledge it all over again. It’s hard sometimes.

The groomsmen were all given their gifts and they really loved them. We told them don’t worry about the suspenders, just get the bow ties and suit and we have the rest. No vest, no jacket. It’s hot and outside lol. Simple, rustic, but classic. The suspenders arrived fast and they were beautifully created. I highly recommend this Etsy shop. The details from the leather to the engraving on the back to the boxes. Everything was crafted extremely well. And It’s functional lol.

Suspenders can be worn again and it was personalized through the boxes but also a keepsake.

When it was time for us to all begin getting lined up, it was super crazy. I felt so anxious in the next room. My dad wouldn’t look at me and stood about 3 feet away lol. He was about to cry, the poor guy. I’m the baby so I get it. We had small talk about the plants outside. Jenn directed us as well as everyone when to walk out and it all went so smoothly.

There are little things like my veil/dress getting caught on the ground but it happens! Haha something to laugh about and it made the pics look great with it all spread out behind me.

We had the best DJ too. He was a good friend of a friend and he did an amazing job! I’ll have his instagram linked here if you’re local and need someone. He was amazing and you can feel free to send him a message on there! Our music ran out as I was walking because I didn’t hear my cue lol and he looped it right back around for me and no one even noticed. Quite the life savor lemme tell you lol. We played Beethoven’s symphony/ 5 secrets instrumental by The Piano Guys and it was absolutely perfect!! I couldn’t have chosen a better song for our walk.

It was really overwhelming walking and then seeing Tom up there. It was a quick ceremony and something we both wanted since ya know.. We both don’t enjoy anyone staring at us haha. I told him if he didn’t cry, I would make him as a joke. The poor guy was tearing so much up there.

A friend of Tom’s was our officiant and we exchanged our vows on paper in private. I had so much anxiety being that vulnerable in front of everyone that he was relieved about it too.

It was pretty funny because when it was time to do the rings, our nephew wouldn’t give them to us right away. It was a 30s “mason give me the rings” “give me the rings mason” lmao. Poor kid. He was told whatever you do, don’t let go of those rings and he held his end of the bargain well.

Best ring bearer ever.

Afterwards we did a lot of pictures and socialized with our guests during cocktail hour. To be honest the day went by so fast that it’s all a blur. We still have to go through the photos for our thank you cards but we are getting there!! Its on my to do for this month.

We had two sign boards, one I made personally to look like the movie Up and one a great friend gifted us of a shadow box heart. Both were set out for everyone to sign. I would 1000% make one for other people too. Any party to replace a sign book and I’m your gal! Lol. I’d stencil the names though.. free paint handwriting not so great.

We also had a “tip” jar. We again, still have to go through these lol. When I tell you everything got put on hold and we are still playing catch up, I wasn’t joking. This was such a cute idea I saw and decided to make to add a little something extra to our big day. Something memorable. It was advice for the Mr and Mrs. I’m still so anxious to read them. My 8 year old niece filled out a bunch of the cards too lol. My sister Tina has the template for these for her business so if you need them for your special day, her private business group JRCS Embellishments is linked here! Let her know I sent you :)!

We had our first dance after the announcing of the parties and everyone sat down to watch us. We all walked out to “Back in Black” by AC/DC. I chose “I can’t dance” by Lee Brice for my dad and I and Tom and I chose “Better Together” by Luke Combs for our special song. It’s our favorite and goes with us so well. Tom had his dance with his sister to “Footprints” by Kate Kestner. It was so nice to see them up there together and such a touching song. Unfortunately Tom’s parents couldn’t make it from Florida but they were with us in spirit, and facetime. Thankful for technology and being able to do that these days.

During our first dance there was a dragonfly that visited us and went table to table and lingered for awhile. My sister that passed away always told us that she would come back as a dragonfly and it was a really touching moment. One no one will ever forget.

Dinner was served promptly, Jenn was our chef for the charcuterie board during cocktail hour as well as dinner! She is a wonderful chef and she makes custom charcuterie boxes as well. I highly recommend reaching out to her for yours! They’re always so beautiful and delicious! We chose chicken parm, pasta, salad with her special dressing, and she customized for allergies and special diets. We have a friend who is vegan that she made a ratatouille for and my sister who has a ton of allergies. I honestly can’t remember what she made her but I know she enjoyed it lol. You can send her a pm here and let her know I sent you!

Speeches were given and dessert was served to us with my brother in laws help. A friend of mine made our cake and it was so perfect! Tiramisu. I couldn’t recommend a better cake or person to make it. We had our cake to cut and asked her to make a couple trays of tiramisu to serve to everyone so we could follow the tradition of keeping this one frozen until our first anniversary. Our cake topper is also from Etsy! You can find it here. It was beautiful!!

We also had a dessert table set up with cookies and mini brownies as well. Everyone enjoyed themselves for sure!

I ended up changing after awhile. First of all, the dress was a whole lot of dress. Second, I just needed to be comfortable after awhile. I changed into my Bride shirt my sister made me for my Bach weekend and joggers with my MK slip-on’s. I got these in the mall but here are a pair on Amazon!

My sister makes a whole bunch of things in her business. If you ever need anything custom, I highly recommend reaching out to her for them! JRCS Embellishments. Here’s her fb link again!

Tom and I were pooped by 8pm and people slowly started to leave for their trip home. We had a smaller wedding of less than 50 people so everyone lived pretty close for the most part. We left about 9:30pm. We passed right out lol. That was a whole lot of energy to be around and so much going that you’re seriously just drained by the end of it.

I wouldn’t have it any other way though. Now I get to spend the rest of my life with my person, married. I’m sure there are some things I missed and I will have other blog posts for the items but also for everyone involved in our big day from our host, photographer, DJ, etc. so if anyone is in this area, you already have my recommendations in one place!!

I hope you all enjoyed this long read and stuck with me through it. Thank you for being here! Let me know in the comments how your wedding was or if you are planning one! I love hearing about other bride/bride-to-be’s weddings and plans. Or if you have any questions, feel free to comment those too :). I will help as much as I can!

Happy Wednesday!!!