Gorgeous Wedding Decor!
We did it! We got hitched! And it only took us 9 years!
But 9 years later, and we have a home and a family, and the wedding budget was small. So, I’m here to share a few things we did to throw a gorgeous wedding, but on a budget!
First, if you are a planner like me, buy an actual planner and skip hiring one. I used a basic wedding planner from Amazon and tracked everything myself. It’s definitely doable!
Next, buy what you can, don’t rent, and resell when you are done. It was actually cheaper to buy tablecloths and runners than it was to rent them!
Third, pick a venue you like, but if you find a budget friendly option, don’t worry if it needs a little boost to get wedding gorgeous! I used Rent My Wedding and transformed our very inexpensive, albeit dated and bland venue to a gorgeous spot, on a budget!
Before:
Blah, drab, dated. But cheap. Enter Rent My Wedding.
We used white drape walls and uplighting to make the glow. We also added the custom monogram behind our table. It all turned our venue into our rustic glam dream spot!
The whole rental process was super simple too. It can all be chosen and rented online, and customer service is super helpful! Everything is shipped right to you. The directions made it all very easy to assemble and decorate. Then you pack in back up and ship back with the included labels. We even a scheduled a shipping pick up! Boom. We highly recommend Rent My Wedding!
Xx,
Jess
Muscatine Iowa Area Sightseeing
Summer is here! We’ve been quarantined long enough, so we are off to see all the sights, but distantly! So, we thought we would round up some of the things to do and see outside and at a distance, here in Muscatine area, Iowa. Enjoy!
1. Wilcat Den and Saw Mill- this is one of my family’s favorites in the area. Its historic and beautiful and there is plenty to do here! You can camp or stop for the day, hike the many trails, and explore the historic buildings. There is a school and an old church and even a mill. The old bridge over the stream at the mill is a gorgeous sight to behold. PLUS… you can swim in the stream and go up to the waterfall! Its an amazing experience and the whole family loves doing it!
2. Weed Park- one of the best parks I’ve found, anywhere. Picnic areas, pavilions, historical plaques and sights, gorgeous views of the Mississippi, beautiful landscaping, and a pond with ducks, geese, and fishing for kids. Plus, they have two playgrounds that are awesome. And once back to normal they have a waterpark. Totally worth a visit for everyone in the family.
3. Discovery Park- during normal times, they have an indoor center to see interactive wildlife features and even take classes. Currently, you can still see all they have to offer outside. There are numerous trails to walk, most paved, through gorgeous views, wildflower patches and even see wild animals. They have a butterfly garden and owls outside to view too. They also have a pond where you can fish!
4. Muscatine River Front- plenty to do down here, even distantly! You may not be visiting the pearl button factory museum right now, and even the splash pad is not turned on yet, but it’s still a beautiful, relaxing, and even entertaining area of Muscatine. You can walk the gorgeous river front, even stopping to read the plaques about the city history. You can play at the play ground. You can even take photos with the clam digger statue. And there are a few downtown restaurants up the block that offer outside dining!
5. Swinging Bridge- you have to drive about 15 minutes out of town for this one, but worth the drive. The Swinging Bridge in Columbus Junction is a sight to not miss. We visit each year for the views and a photo. Read about the bridge’s history, walk across if you dare, snap some photos, and even hike the lower trails. You will love this one!!
While you are out in the Columbus Junction area, you can see the historical marker for Convict Highway! 😉 Just a super old road, but you can read about how the convicts of the time built it!
Muscatine also offers several parks with awesome playgrounds, a skate park, and a disk golf course. Plus plenty of sites indoors once that is safe again!
We also love to camp and boat. I can recommend places for that too! Enjoy! 😉
XX,
Jess
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More Party Ideas
It is still raining here in Illinois, and I am still tired from a busy weekend of graduation parties. So, we have no progress, no news, no excitement. But, I have seen a few more party ideas that are inspiring me to be a bit more creative when planning for the upcoming engagement party…
I love when details in party decor match or have the same vibe. We are going with a lot of red for the party, so not only is this bowl of drinks our color, but it just feels like our style. We are working on a similar idea.
Ki at Junk Camp made this condiment holder with vintage industrial light cages. I would love to be able to find enough things to make on of these in time for the party. Isn’t that adorable!?
Silverware in cans would mean less plastic garbage and an easier way to carry them all outside. I was also thinking about using our vintage picnic basket.
Galvanized buckets have a charm to them. These bottles are even pretty!
These last two vintage inspired photos by photographer Philip Harvey are just so pretty. I love the bright colored chairs under the trees. This will be more what our space will look like. The beach scene makes me want to some how hang a canopy over the tables…
Wedding Decisions and Last Minute Changes
Well, it’s getting to be that time… the time when we need to start making actual decisions and booking things for the wedding. We had a plan. Small church wedding, outdoor reception, simple, vintage, black and white, and elegant. I had a book full of clippings and notes. And what happens? We get a new, completely opposite idea and are making some last minute changes.
We are now contemplating the idea of a destination wedding. A beach, sand, sun, bright colors. We are meeting with a travel agent and looking at the possibilities. It doesn’t sound like what I (thought) I had always wanted. But, oh, how it does sound amazing. Maybe it sounds so perfect because it’s what WE want and not what I had imagined as a little girl. Well…we are pretty serious, although not yet booked, about the idea of a tropical getaway wedding with the closest of family and friends.
So, in my new planning stages I have been searching for new inspiration. I don’t like themes, and cheesey matchy-matchy decor, but would like to have bright, elegant flowers…not sure what else? 🙂 I thought I would share a bit with you:
This peach and teal combo looks so fresh and beach-y.
These centerpieces look beachy and summery, but not too frilly.
Lilies are my favorite flower, and they work well for an island escape wedding.
Red and yellow would be a bright, fun combo of color.
As would teal and yellow!
Yup, I’d have to do this. Or write my new name for the first time in sand. Aw.
Any tropical ideas for us? Suggestions? I will keep you all updated on what we decide!
Make Mine Eclectic 
