Happily Ever After

Lots of bling and hand made flowers on the cover!

Hey Bloggers!  This post will be picture-heavy!  Just sayin'!  Several months ago, I purchased a pattern from Laura Dennison's website to make a mini for my newlywed son and daughter-in-law.  There were a few tweaks along the way, and this was the result.  All of the book pages have a pocket on one side with folded mats for up to six photos (seven, if you count the photo on the outside of the pocket).  I just loved how Laura designed this with all the square footage and the cover is very sturdy, too!

K&Company Elegant papers and epoxy wedding stickers were used throughout the book, along with a few  QQ quotes, Maya Road leaves, assorted bling and pearls. The large flowers on the cover were cut with the Flower Shoppe Cart from Cricut, as were the binding tabs for the inside pages (two layers). The doily lace punch from Martha Stewart was used for all the pocket pages and the loops punch for the wedding ring page.  The spine was decorated with tulle, ribbons, charms and other "trinkets" which were a part of the wedding and reception decor.  Another post on that, later!

Inks: Silver Cat's Eye and Antique Linen Distress Ink
Stamp sets: Fiskars -  The Big Day and Quotes Clear Stamps - Lasting Love

You'll see from the wedding photos (by Lauren Courtney) that the wedding was outdoors...well, It was a hot and muggy, sunny afternoon, beautiful for the pre-ceremony picture-taking.  About fifteen minutes before the ceremony started, a huge thunderstorm came through, complete with enough wind and rain to totally destroy our outdoor decor!  It had not rained here in two months, so I guess Mother Nature decided to make up for lost time!  

After the worst of the storm passed, we patched up what we could and moved to a shelter closer to the lake.  It was barely big enough for the wedding party and a few family members, but my DIL had told the guests ahead of time that she wanted an outdoor wedding, so "bring your umbrellas, I'll still get married in the rain..." and she did!  The rain didn't seem to dampen any spirits (maybe I just didn't notice as I was the proud and happy mother of the handsome Groom!).  There will be stories told about this day for generations to come!

Their engagement photo was inside the foldout on the left page.

The "veil" and the dress "train"

Wedding rings were from reception decor.  Groom's tux - with pics of Groom, Mom & Dad inside.

The Bride and her attendants...

The groom and his attendants

The cake layers lift up with quotes inside...

Bride's parents and other shots....

Notice the journaling around the bottom left photo?  It was a piece of the cover from MY GRANDPARENTS' marriage certificate from 1936!  I have a small piece left to use for my daughter (someday).

I gave this mini to the kids at Christmas, and I think my DIL had tears in her eyes before she was finished looking at it!  Mission accomplished!  Oh! and BTW, my beautiful daughter was one of the bride's attendants and, the fabulous designer of the gowns for the entire bridal party!  I think she did an awesome job and I am so very proud of her!

Big Hugs to Bloggers, Family & Friends!  XXX  Jules