Original designs by Lenore Garnhum!

Lenore Garnhum is a fabulous, unique custom designer. She designs stationary, mugs, coasters, tees, totes, journals and a number of other items. She was my saving grace as I was looking for unique "Will You Be My Bridesmaid, Maid of Honor and Matron of Honor" cards. (See post below about those!) I immediately fell in love with her creations. Her customer service is top notch and her turn around time is impeccable. She not only does wedding stuff, but she has an array of designs for professions, hobbies, moms/baby, graduation and pets and animals just to name a few. You have to visit her stores because there is something for everyone! She has a website that has her store items listed and you can purchase them directly from there. The website for her storefront is: http://www.creationsbylenore.com/servlet/StoreFront

Additionally, she has an ebay store which can be found at: http://stores.ebay.com/Cards-and-gifts-by-Lenore

Here are some examples of her creations!

Peace, The Future Mrs.

Tuxes

Grooms, if you are reading this... take a word of advice: When it comes to choosing your wedding colors, agree on something that you KNOW is an easy combination for both of you to find...Tiffany blue is NOT an easy color.
I don't believe that it was all of that long ago when I remember being able to rent a tux for the night for under $100. That being said, I am glad that months ago I went on the web and searched out the tuxes that I liked. When the time came, I just went into the store with my listing of the men in the wedding and the fathers' tuxes. It also helps if you already know your sizes. The process was easy even though I really was trying to be cost conscious..heck it's just a black tux c'mon! So here's my cheat sheet for getting it done (especially if this is your solo responsibility):
1. Make a list of everyone wearing a tux for the wedding (ring bearer and ushers included)
2. Decide Who is wearing what colors ( I recommend that you keep the ushers in Black and white)
3. Go online and check out the sites of the tux companies in your area. (If you have guys from all over the place participating in your wedding, I suggest a national chain like Savvy or Mens Warehouse..it makes it convenient.)
4. Make a note of the names of the tuxes and who will be wearing them.(Stick to one store)
5. Take this info to the store nearest to you. I also suggest that you take a look at the items in person. You will surprised how big of a difference things are in person compared to online.
6. Let the guys in the wedding know this info ASAP!! Last minute will miss you up. (Not to mention, it will be fun sitting back watching the ladies scramble around while you and fellas drink beer because everyone got sized and paid months earlier.)
7. Don't leave the store until you have tried EVERYTHING on! (This is also another reason why it helps to use a National chain).
8. Get confirmation when you turn in your tux...you can never be too careful!
~Clyde

Choosing the Fellas...

At this point in my life, I believe that I look at weddings a lot differently than when some of my friends got married in their mid twenties. As I stand before God, Family, and Friends, I have to have those around me that I KNOW have my best intrest at heart. So with that being said, instead of having the standard phone call or drink and asking the question "so are you in?". I decided to have cards created for my Best Men and groomsmen. I went to Greeting Card Universe and found "Will you be..." cards. Since each of these gentlemen are different and they mean different things to me, I made sure that each card was different. On the inside left of the card I had printed an original poem that i wrote. On the right of the card, I printed what they meant to me and what I learned from each of them and asked them to stand with me. It would have been easy for me to do a Frat thing or a Masonic thing, but I truly wanted people that I can call "brother" in EVERY meaning that the word entails. I am extrmemly elated and Blessed beyond measure to have this group of kind, dependable, and loving brothers to stand with me as I enter into this stage of my life.
~Clyde

Will you be my...

When I thought about the women that I want to stand by my side as I become a wife, I knew that I wanted to ask them in a very special manner. I could have just called, sent a text message or maybe even an email asking them to be in our wedding. However, I felt that would be a disservice to how I feel about these women, my sisters and my best friends. I knew that however it was to be done, it needed to by unique, cute, unexpected and meaningful.

One day as I was searching online for "Will you be my" stuff, I came across this ebay seller named Lenore who had FIERCE work in her store (She will be my next blog feauture!). She created these beautiful cards with me and my 8 bridal party (BP) members that I fell in love with. I was elated even more once I found that she would print whatever I wanted inside of them. Each woman in my BP has a different meaning to me and I wanted her to know WHY I want her to stand with me as I get married. Not simply because she is my sister or friend and that it what "people" are supposed to do. This was different. This would be women who have the best interest of Clyde and I at heart. Praying women, friends and sisters who love me for me and who have shared in my life in one manner or another for many years.

I typed up a special message for each woman telling her what she means to me and why I want her standing with me on our special day. I loved getting the phone calls once the women got their cards in the mail. To hear how much they loved them made it worth it! Here is the front of the card that Lenore created. A few even had me teary eyed. Imagine that.

Peace, The Future Mrs.