Do you see that tag? $4.50. I doubt I could have even found a jewel-cut plastic-handled cake server at Michael’s for that. The server has a serrated edge, so I don’t even need a separate knife. That’s what I call efficient. And you can’t see it in this photo, but the tongs on the right have a scissor-like handle. Not sure if I could actually serve anything with it, but it’s beautiful nonetheless.

I’m way ahead of when I can actually start assembling the bags, but I wanted to get the shopping out of the way because a) I have enough things to keep on the mental to-do list, and b) Costco’s inventory changes constantly and my research would be moot if I didn’t get down to business.

All of the food is dated late 2009 (or later), so I went for it. And when I got home, I immediately did a test run — minus a few things that I’ll have to repackage into individual servings at a later date: dried fruit, peppermint patties and gingerthins.

The bags are from Target (and a lucky find, since the typeface almost matches the one we’re using for everything else). The Salem Visitors’ Center gave me a box of visitor guides (for free!), and they’re like little magazines. That was a nice surprise. In front of the travel guide is a Willamette Valley winery guide, and peeking out in front of the S. Pellegrino (my big splurge) is a Heart in Oregon sticker. On the right is an Ikea jar with a nut assortment (another treat I’ll be repackaging… later). And the rest is standard fare — little chocolate chip cookies, Sunchips, bottled water.

But as soon as I unfolded the little bag, I knew there was a problem. There was no way all that stuff was going to fit.

I’m not sure what I was thinking. When I bought the bags, I can very distinctly remember thinking, how in the world am I going to fill these? Clearly, I found a way. Somehow.

The voice of reason says to keep the bottled water and ditch the Pellegrino. So what if it was on sale? And, ahem, so what if you love Pellegrino? The Kirkland bottled water is 25 cents a bottle. Seriously.

But the voice of aesthetics says, excuse me, that Pellegrino is in a beautiful glass bottle. And — bonus — you wouldn’t have to go through the painstaking process of removing all those Kirkland labels and replacing them with your own. Checking an item off the DIY checklist (with exactly zero effort) sounds pretty good right now, no?

First he decided to go antiquing for more bottles for the wedding — not because I asked, but all on his own, because he’s just a thoughtful, helpful guy. Then he not only found seriously awesome bottles (some of these put my efforts to shame), but he photographed them for me so I wouldn’t have to wait to see them.

Yeah, that script rocks. And so does the photo. So now you know that Josh is not only a better antique-finder than me, he is also a better photographer.

Do you know how hard it is to find the ones with embossed glass? Yes, really hard. And the grand finale…

A Salem bottle! It doesn’t get any more amazing than that.

And there are even more on his Flickr — these are just the highlights.

Sidebar for those who aren’t Ambrosia Parsley fans: Among many other things, Bossa Nova is the title of a Shivaree song. “I’m the luckiest girl / Gonna tell you I love you…”

Beautiful off-white satin dress, from Spiegel of all places. But then I start thinking about shoes… Some gold flats maybe? Not Maloles for $260, but something similar perhaps.

1. Make these cupcakes.

2. Find a fabulous Christmas dress. (I have my eye on this one.)

3. Make a magnet board.

4. Plan a trip to Spokane.

5. Start a 2009 P.S. (Pretty Sweet) journal, to record something good from each and every day.

6. Start writing an honest-to-goodness business plan.

7. Try at least three new dinner recipies and make three batches of cookies, tarts, or other treats (preferably on my road to being a domestic goddess).

8. Read at least one page from a real book every day (i.e. magazines, blogs, and anything on my iPhone screen do not count).

9. Do yoga at least once a week, in addition to my regular training and cardio.

10. Join, and sign up for a class at, the IPRC.

11. Send five cards. (Christmas cards and wedding invitations do not count.)

12. On nights when it isn’t raining, stop to look at the stars.

13. Wireframe the redesign for my website.

14. Purchase one item specifically set aside for my future home with Josh.

15. Do a December Daily, or at least take a photo every day.

16. Simplify something.

17. Make the table runners for the wedding.

18. Apply for three freelance projects that seem out of reach and are more in line with what I want my business to be.

19. Finish my never-ending personal design/writing project, Listen Closely.

20. Relax.

21. Test drive a Tiguan. Just for fun.

22. Make a new year’s resolution.

23. Take a floral decor, cooking, or dance class.

Since I was driving down to Brookings for Thanksgiving, I thought I might as well stop in and check out the world-famous antiquing in Lincoln City. Well, if you are looking to make a single purchase — and spend a pretty penny for it — then Lincoln City is the place to go. At my first stop, I found quite a few beautiful milk bottles in perfect condition, and many of them were quite special, but most were $60+. Several were $75, and I didn’t see a single one below $30. I’m buying so many of these, I can’t justify even one bottle at $30. On to the next shop, which was a complete bust. One nice cake stand, but at $70, I couldn’t bring myself to buy it.

Last, I went to Granny’s Attic and found a few more reasonably-priced bottles. I was a little discouraged and antiqued-out at that point, so I skipped the rest of the stores and hoped for better luck in Brookings.

That photo has nothing to do with anything wedding-related… I took it from the beach in Brookings one evening this week. This is why the Oregon Coast is my happy place.

I found a couple of nice cake plates in Brookings, including one that was a steal at $9. Surely it isn’t an antique, but you can’t beat $9 for any glass cake stand, regardless of age. But still no milk bottles, no vintage wine carafes, no other nondescript bottles that I just had to have.

Yesterday, we went down to Crescent City to explore the antique shops there — and I was shocked to discover that there are tons of them! Nine in all, including one I went to a few months ago. And lo and behold, bottles!

First, the non-wedding items: The book is a first edition of a book I loved as a child, published in the 1800s. The little trivet is just for fun… We know I have a trivet obsession, and this one was only $2.

The little sugar bowl was just such a great find I couldn’t pass it up… I will probably see if the caterer will use it for sugar for coffee at the reception. The pink depression glass cake plate and the clear cake plate at the very back are the ones I found in Brookings. The little blue saucer at the front was all by himself so I had to have him. Not sure yet what role he’ll play at the wedding.

A couple of the bottles are from Granny’s Attic in Lincoln City, and the rest are from shops in Crescent City. The large bottle on the far right was a real splurge — I must’ve had a momentary seizure when I decided to spend $20 on a single bottle, but it’s in perfect condition and is very special.

And my HUGE splurge was the little light blue cake plate at the left. You can’t see him very well in this photo, but he’s so so so pretty — the perfect blue, in flawless condition, and blue milk glass, which is very hard to find.

This is unbelievably romantic and understated.

This is from a non-wedding photo shoot, but I just adore the personality in this photo. It’s so glamorous, so fun.

Oh, the anticipation!

Just a little evidence of the hours you spent having your hair curled, cheeks blushed, and dress fastened.

Your wedding day calls for a little narcissism, right?

I can’t wait for my dad to walk me down the isle. I feel so fortunate.

A moment of prayer. Lovely.

Now, on to the goods — the newlyweds (or in some cases, almost-weds). This is another of my all-time favorite shots. I love that he’s holding the bouquet. (It doesn’t hurt that those shoes are delicious.)

This is an engagement shot, but hot!

How much do I love this girl? She’s just adorable. That will probably be me before I walk down the isle, already a teary mess.

Another perfect shot. So, so romantic. And soft. And lovely.

I love that this feels like wedding-meets-first-date. There’s a simultaneous comfort and anticipation about it.

Just simple and sweet.

This next two feel like scenes captured out of a film. I can only hope we have nice enough weather for outdoor shots like this.

Love everything about this. So genuine and happy.

Flower petals. Of course.

I think just about every couple wants to escape at some point during the reception.

Shake your groove thing. Yeah, yeah.

The last moment of the evening.

And just one more, for fun. I’m not sure how something so silly can be so elegant, but it really, really is.

Since I have so many photos, I’m breaking this into a few installments. We’ll call this the ”what” chapter.

First, the “untouched reception” shot. Well, actually a plural would be more appropriate.

Since we’re getting married at a vineyard, a handsome shot of their wine is requisite.

A couple of stylish bouquet shots — including a shot of just the dress and held flowers, which I absolutely adore.

Individual portraits of the maids with their bouquets are absolutely essential. My maids are just too gorgeous to not have their own shots.

The dress shot. I know I posted this before, but seriously, I could look at this photo every day. It just blows me away every time.

I’m not wearing a veil, but if I was, I would want it displayed just like this. This is art.

Love, love, love shoes. Especially like this, with the bride and groom showing off their pairs together. (Aside: How cute are those flats?)

Detail shots are very important to those meticulous brides like me. And of course the boy has wardrobe details too.

Our rings are very different from each other, but I think they’ll be lovely together. This first ring photo is one of my absolute favorites.

And how cool is it that the rings are on top of 1st Corinthians 13? Love it.

Via the always-enchanting Peonies & Polaroids.

I’ve seen several hanging from branches, but this one on Style Me Pretty has some really cool, unique little hangers.

These are actually favors, but I really wanted to do this for seating cards — until I realized how many of my guests would be traveling. Via MSW.

This would be perfect for a summer wedding. And that calligraphered mini-scroll? Love that. Via Snippet & Ink.

How fun to do some on black paper and others on white. From Kristina, with calligraphy by the wonderful Jenna Hein.

Another Snippet & Ink find. This would be fun with an ecclectic mix of playing cards from multiple decks too.

Something like this, with the names attached, would be a great way to combine sweet treats and escort cards. Via MSW.

The classic favor seating card never goes out of style. Also via MSW.

I really, really, really adore this. But of course I do, seeing as I have a deep affinity for cards. Found on Oh So Beautiful Paper, and designed by one of my most admired letterpress shops, the Lettered Olive.

One of my all-time favorite ideas: using fabric swatches. The best part about this is that the fabric swatch matched the napkins on that table. From Details Details.

I decided a couple of months ago that I wanted to do a magnet or pin board. A pin board I could make out of cork and cover with fabric (like the one above), or I could make a magnet board with magnetic paint. In either case, I could frame it — either by finding a cool frame or making one out of moulding from the hardware store. Something like the ones in Shabby Vintage Mom’s shop.

I could attach the escort cards with a variety of bird magnets, to tie into our “fly away with us” quasi-theme. Kikkerland makes two sets (I know this because I have some from each set); one is sold at Anthropologie, the other I can get through the Arbor in Salem. These would double as favors, or I could keep them and cover every square inch of my fridge after the wedding.

And then the board itself would go on display on a metal floor easel. I’m sure I could find a place for this in my house after the wedding, no?

We aren’t doing a served dinner, but I think there’s a certain amount of comfort in knowing where you’re going to sit. There’s none of that “cool kids table” awkwardness, and you can seat people together who have never met but would enjoy each other’s company. And I know that I, for one, would love to have a calligraphered escort or seating card for my memories box.