Everything you need for a Midwest wedding

Olivia handled all my floral arrangements, and honestly, I couldn't be happier with the results!! The owner is an absolute genius!

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 😁

Aha... 😂
The adhesive just won't budge on my end—it's a real struggle 😂
I usually just let them soak in water for about half an hour, then I gently scrape them off with a spatula... 🤣
Look, just bring them over and I'll pull some bottles out for you.. 😉

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?

Carl Clark said: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 😁

Once it dries, just "erase" the glue and paper bits with a standard pencil eraser 😉

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. 😉😍

Hey ladies, can I still pick up those bottles from Bell if I'm not ordering my alcohol through him?

Also, quick question—how many pastries should I realistically order for 250 guests? Just for the venue reception, not counting what we have at home.

Just a heads-up: the wedding expo in Indianapolis is happening on November 25th, 26th, and 27th. Anyone who shows interest and books their cake and treats from Small Town, USA will get an exclusive expo discount!

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?

Great, thanks 🙂

I actually follow their page from Small Town, USA on Facebook, and they just posted about the upcoming fair today. So, I guess it's official then..
Here is exactly what it says:

We are letting everyone who wants to taste our treats know that we will be at the wedding expo in Indianapolis at the Prairies on November 25, 26, and 27.
Any newlyweds who pre-book their wedding planners at the fair and choose our cakes and pastries for their reception will receive a special fair discount!
We hope to see a huge crowd there, and we aim to make our booth the most popular one again this year!
Warm regards to all our fans of our sweets and cakes!

Also, could you tell me everything you picked up while you were in Canada and Canada? I'm heading there soon myself—I want to plan my shopping list now so I don't miss anything important.

Quick question: has anyone here tried DIYing their own table decor for a banquet hall, or are you planning to? I'm honestly not sure if the effort is actually worth the savings...

I haven't had a chance to check local florist pricing yet, so if anyone knows of some affordable options in the area, please let me know!

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.

I’ve actually already gone ahead and picked up the sheer fabric for the table extensions—you know, the ceiling draping stuff... oh, and the balloons finally arrived from my eBay order.
🤔As for the table decor, I’m steering clear of anything overly floral—😂 especially since my maid of honor (my sister-in-law) is a total flower enthusiast; she could probably pull off much cheaper, more imaginative arrangements if I let her... 😂
but I’m digging my heels in. My vision is pretty set: just some fairy lights scattered across the tables and plenty of lavender—which my mother is meticulously growing specifically for the wedding. That’s really it... I don't see the point in overcomplicating things. 😉
The simpler we keep it, the less likely I am to have a nervous breakdown. 😂

Just a heads-up—I picked up some label remover from a local office supply store; it’s this liquid in a roller bottle. You just coat the sticker, let it sit for a few minutes, and then 😉
it comes right off without any hassle.

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 🙂🤣

😂 Charlie... it’ll happen eventually... I’ve already finished more than half of them 🤣
though, if I’m being honest, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed at this point—I’m shifting my focus toward working on some reverbs for a bit... 😂 I suppose I am quite persistent, can't deny that...

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. 🤣

Honestly, dear, I’m cut from the exact same cloth—nothing ever seems to go quite according to plan for me... though, I have to admit, this was surprisingly straightforward. It actually caught me a bit off guard 😍

Carl Clark said: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.

Carl Clark, which catering company did you go with? And how much does it cost to have them set up a buffet at home? I'm wondering what's included in the price—do they provide the tables too? If anyone else here has experience working with caterers, please jump in and give me some solid advice!

Jacob Grant, check your DMs ☕

Ladies, just a heads-up—our local wedding expo is happening this weekend over in Indianapolis 🤣