As I’ve mentioned at least twice, I really, really wanted to do letterpressed wood bookmarks as favors, save-the-dates, something. Ever since I got a little sample from Victoria that was printed on balsa, I’ve wanted to do a project of my own on wood. But the money simply wasn’t in the budget to make 100 two-color letterpress pieces, and I had this strange paranoia that no one would know what they were for. (A non-descript rectangular item doesn’t exactly scream “put me in your favorite book.”)

When I decided that I really wanted to do little gifts for everyone at the rehearsal dinner, I knew I’d found the perfect opportunity to do my bookmarks. But at that point, two weeks before the wedding, I needed someone who could do it fast and wouldn’t mind doing a small quantity of around 20.

Previously abandoned project #2: wood bookmarks.

I posted my fifth Alchemy listing in the last six months and starting looking at artisans. Then, by accident, I found these:

When they’re in a book, the wings float above the pages. Super cool. I convo’d them and asked if they’d be willing to modify the design and use the bird that I illustrated for various wedding items:

…and they accepted! So 18 of these beauties will be on their way to me in the next couple of days, and they’ll go along with the CDs that I made for our wedding party and family.

All of my custom accessories are here now — hooray! They look so pretty sitting in my drawer together, I can’t wait to see them with the dress. I’m the queen of requesting custom items on Etsy, and items for the wedding were no exception. I love DIY, but I also love perfect, professional-quality pieces from independent designers, so I often default to those who are masters of their crafts.

The first thing was my clutch from Oktak; it arrived all the way back in June. I’d been coveting her clutches for many months, but by the time I got ready to order one, the one that I wanted wasn’t available anymore. Out of the goodness of her heart, she agreed to make one for me, and she even changed the ribbon color from the one pictured below to blue.

Around that same time, Rebecca was agonizing over veils, and I was becoming increasingly convinced that I didn’t want one at all… And I was looking at some flower pins on Etsy that I was thinking about putting on my shoes. (Very Carrie, wouldn’t you say?) But somewhere along the way, I found this hair flower and it was decided. Who needs a veil or faux-couture shoes when you can have a voluptuous feather flower?

Two problems with the flower. First, it was outrageously expensive. Second, and more importantly, I couldn’t find it anywhere. I gallivanted all over the Bay, visiting the retailers listed on their website, and out of the ones I visited, one shop was closed (like permanently — they weren’t even at the address anymore), another didn’t have the flower, and the last one had dreadful customer service so I’ll never know for certain whether they had it or not. They don’t have a single retailer in Oregon, so once I got back here in August, I was really out of luck. That is, until I found the spectacular Twigs & Honey. Everyone in the blogosphere has been talking about Myra’s work lately, and deservedly so. Best of all, she’s right here in Salem, within walking distance of my house — small world! You look far and wide for something, and then this ridiculously talented designer lives a few blocks from you. My flower arrived right before Christmas, and I was so excited, I promptly put it in my hair and started prancing around the house.

A few months ago, Mr. R offered to buy my wedding jewelry, and I just couldn’t say no. I picked out a couple of sets from Tigerlilly back in June, and I finally decided on one in the fall. It arrived a while ago, but the necklace was the wrong length, so we had to send it back. I just got it back last week, and it’s perfect. The earrings are so me, it’s ridiculous.

Have you ordered any of your wedding goodies from independent artists and designers?

I started off looking for pale gray-blue shoes in luxurious satin with a low heel and some kind of embellishment — like shoes that I fell in love with from a 2005 issue of MSW, but with a lower heel. That was, of course, entirely too many requirements for a shoe. My mom suggested shoe clips, which got me started looking for brooches on Etsy, and I found these gorgeous flowers with pearl cluster centers. I’m working with the talented designer to make some custom ones with blue petals and pearl centers. I also ordered a pair of white pleated satin D’Orso heels from Zappos, and they seem plenty comfortable enough for the ceremony and photos (after which I’ll slip into some ballet flats for dancing the night away). One more thing to check off my list: shoes!

Now that is just adorable. Lovebirds save the date cards by kiss & tell.

A series of articles by the Etsy team, as well as design writers (like Grace) and shop owners.

One possible jumping off point for save the date cards from invitedink. For quite some time, I’ve been interested in having a save the date where you punch or circle the date information, and in this case, it gives an organic touch to a clean, modern card.