Posts by Carl Clark

Jacob Grant, check your DMs ☕

Looks like you're wiped out 😂
How's the custom leatherwork coming along?
I'm actually thinking about just buying all the gear myself and trying my hand at it... I've got a few brands I'm eyeing, but I haven't pulled the trigger yet. Those guys over at the local print shop can't keep up with the volume I need. 🙂
The problem is, I have zero talent for this kind of stuff, which is pretty terrifying... not to mention my complete lack of patience. 🤣

Thanks, Daniel Smith8, I’ll definitely keep that in mind before I start tackling that mountain of baby bottles... 😉
This time, my nails might actually survive the process 🙂🤣

I’ve picked up everything from ribbons to table runners and even balloons along the way.
Most of my focus is just on the decor side of things, since I'll be getting the plates and combs provided by the catering service.
Before the wedding, I'm planning to head over to Mexico to grab some artificial flowers for the cakes.
Honestly, you can find just about anything in Mexico or right here in the States, from boutonniere flowers to cocktail picks... whatever you need, it's out there.

The bottles shouldn't be an issue, whether you're buying your drinks from Bell or someone else. You just head over there, hammer out the details, and figure out the logistics... You pay about fifty cents per bottle once they actually arrive.

As for the dessert—we’re expecting the same number of guests, so I'm thinking about ordering 90 pounds of sweets. That covers everything: what we serve at the venue, what we take home, and the packaging. I haven't handled the catering side of things before, so I can't give you any specifics yet. Once I sit down with the baker to finalize everything, I'll make sure to ask her directly.
Wait, isn't the bridal expo scheduled for January 14th and 15th, 2012?

Catherine, thanks for the tip.😉
Regarding those bottles—I have no idea where you picked yours up, but we grabbed ours in Indianapolis at Bell’s for about 75 cents a piece.
Anyway, hope that helps. 😉😍

Hopefully things go just as smoothly for me. I’m honestly thinking about just tossing everything into the bathtub, letting it soak, and then... well, let's see how it goes 🤣
So, when are you finally getting the rest of those bottles?

Taylor Kelly2, when I was scrubbing out those old baby bottles we gathered up ages ago 😉, I just couldn't get that sticky residue off under the label. I was practically clawing at them with my fingernails 🙂 🙂 until my sister told me she read somewhere that using a steel wool pad is actually the way to go...
I haven't tried it yet though, so I'm waiting to see how it works for you 😁

Let me know how you managed to strip that sticker or the glue off...

I totally forgot to ask—did you end up washing the bottles?
It was freezing out there today... I just pictured you outside scrubbing those bottles and I actually shivered 🤣

Man, talk about a hidden gem... this tiny little shop has absolutely everything inside.
I’m actually considering just making my own reversible items and sourcing all my supplies from her, since the folks over at FedEx Office told me they won't touch an order for 250 pieces 🙂
If they aren't going to help me, then fine, I'll do it myself...
The lady there was switching between English, Spanish, and German so fast I was just standing there totally stunned... 😁

Yeah, just near the farmers market...
But whatever, I still need to grab a few more bits for my cakes, so I'll head over there.
They have some gorgeous sugar flowers for decorating—I totally forgot to check if they're actually edible ☕

We definitely went a little overboard...
I saw someone mentioning their shopping trip out in Arizona—I was actually doing some similar damage about six months ago, picking up bows, tulle, and all that gear. I totally blanked on the balloons, though, so we ended up making a detour to grab those at a Target near Phoenix. By the time I got back, I almost had a stroke... everything was way cheaper over there! So, ladies, if you happen to be closer to the border like I 🙂 am, check out the shops on the American side first before heading into Canada

Thanks, Robert Moore86!

I'll take a look tonight; I need to get my wife to log me into Facebook first, since apparently I'm the only one left without an account... 😂 ☕

I know I had something else on my mind to write or ask about, but I just can't seem to wrap my head around it... 😵
Does anyone have any catering recommendations??
I'm starting to send out those emails today...

Hey Robert Moore86,
do you happen to have any photos of those bows?? 😁

And I honestly can't believe what happened with Victoria, that is just incredibly unprofessional...
I'm going with Ann instead; she is absolutely phenomenal and we hit it off immediately during our first meeting 🙂
You have no idea how crazy she is ☕
They did my makeup for my brother-in-law's wedding and I was totally blown away..

I know there’s a bit of a "loophole" ☕ where you can claim everything was just homemade—you know, the whole "DIY enthusiast" thing—but honestly, it makes me nervous. I’m going to check in with someone at Grandma's Ridge because there is absolutely no way I’m paying full price just to end up with enough cake to feed an entire wedding party instead of just my half (that's just not how things work over at my fiancé's place). My mother-in-law actually has her wedding coming up before mine, and she’s decided to play it strictly by the book: she’s buying all her eggs from a commercial supplier with a proper receipt, and then handing those ingredients over to a lady who bakes off the books. Their logic is that eggs are the only thing that can go bad, so as long as they have a receipt for fresh eggs to show an inspector if they ever show up, they think they're covered.
It all feels a little sketchy to me. 🤷We'll see how it goes.
Thanks for the help.

As for Maya, her photography is incredible😍... but she's already booked for my date 😢

Thanks for all the photographer recommendations...
I need to run this by my better half first 😍 (apparently I've been accused of making all the decisions without him getting any input🙂).

Quick question about baking. ☕
Where I live, it’s common for family to drop off all the ingredients—margarine, chocolate, the whole works—for my parents to make cakes. Does anyone know an auntie with a registered small business or something similar so we don't get slapped by the health inspectors, because god knows we’re a bit too naive for our own good, 🤣 or maybe a local bakery that would work with us on pricing based on what we provide? The ones around here aren't licensed; they're all just operating under the table

David Ramos25, any chance you could tell me who you ended up hiring? I’m actually on the hunt for a photographer right now...🤣