AH-MAZ-ING wedding videos.

I'm so jealous of these wedding videos. It seriously makes me regret not hiring a videographer.

Lauren + JP from Matt Odom on Vimeo.

If you want to learn more about Lauren, the bride, check her out as Mrs. Scissors on Weddingbee or at her blog I love you much.


Time Of The Season from Dustin Blake on Vimeo.

Or if you want to check out more info on Leilani, the bride, you can also find her on Weddingbee as Mrs. Labrador Retriever.

Cruisin' in the Fast Lane: VA is for Lovers

In the few short days leading up to the wedding we also got work on our OOT boxes! I put the whole family to work on this one as we had to make 30+ boxes to be delivered. I was a terrible blogger the week before the wedding. This was mainly due to the fact I was running around like a mad woman, passing out, or trying not to pass out  therefore I got ZERO pictures of the creation of or the final product of our boxes. :(

The "theme" for our OOT bags was VA is for Lovers because the vast majority of our guests were not from the state we tried to put together a little box of things VA is known for and especially things we really loved.

Here is what we included:

VA is for Lovers Bumper Sticker: We got these for free from here. They came in packs of 100 so we put one for each person in the OOT boxes.

[Source: Wish Special Events]

Fredericksburg Tourism Information: My mom was so kind to raid to the local visitor center for free information packets related to Fredericksburg VA. She even made friends with the lady who ran the center who in turn ordered us even more information especially for our guests. We got maps of the area, restaurant guides, information on other events happening that weekend like the Renaissance Fair, etc. You can also downloading lots of guides and tour information from visitfred.com.

[Source: Virginia]

Route 11 Potato Chips:
Route 11 is highway that both Ryan and I grew up near. The original chip factory was about 10 minutes from the house I lived in as a small child and the chips are BANGING so we knew we had to incorporate them. We gave each guest a bag of chips and tried to vary the flavors in the box. We ordered the 2oz. snack bag combo case which included a sampling of their Lightly Salted, Barbeque, Dill Pickle, Sour Cream and Onion, Chesapeake Crab, Salt and Vinegar, Sweet Potato, and Mama Zuma's Revenge Habanero flavors. They also carry Garlic and Herb, Mixed Vegetable, Yukon Gold, Mama Zuma's Revenge Green Chile Enchillada, and Hayman flavors. YUMMMOOO!

[Source: Route 11 Potato Chips]

Virginia Peanuts: Since VA is known for their peanuts we through in a few individual packages of the appropriately named Hubbies by Hubbard Peanut Company.

[Source: Hubbard Peanut Company]

WELCOME BOOKLET: We wanted to welcome our guests so we wrote a short note to them on the front of the booklet. Inside we gave them all the important information concerning the wedding including addresses, times, etc.

[From L,R Top, Bottom: Back Panel, Front Panel, Inside Right Panel, Inside Left Panel]

VA Postcards:
Each OOT Box also got a Greetings from Virginia Postcard from Zazzle.

[Source: Zazzle]

We grabbed some 8oz bottled waters and stuck those in as well.

We packaged everything in 9x6x6 white gable boxes from here.

[Source: Mr Take Out Bags]

To decorate the boxed we wrapped 2" wide black ribbon from handle hole to handle hole, hot gluing the ends about 1" down the inside of the box. We then used double sided tape to cover one side panel with a half sheet of paper we had specially printed at FedEx/Kinkos.

In the end they looked similar to these boxes on WeddingBee.

[Source: Habibah14 via Wedding Bee]

Are you doing OOT boxes? What did you include?

Cruisin' in the Fast Lane: Construction Zone

Early on Ryan and I decided we would like to do a "faux"to booth at our wedding. If you never heard of this increasingly popular wedding event, it involves setting up a background, providing some props, and either using a photographer or camera/tripod/remote system to allow guest to take funny snap-shots.

[Source: You Look Nice Today via Ruffled]

[Source: Lena Corwin's Wedding via Green Wedding Shoes]

'FAUX'to Booth Tutorial

To make our own photobooth we modified a DIY Greenscreen Tutorial to fit our needs. First we needed to purchase our materials:

•3/4"x10' Sch. 40 PVC Pipe- 4
•3/4" Sch. 40 PVC 90 Degree Elbow- 2
•3/4" Sch. 40 PVC T-Connector- 2
•3/4" Sch. 40 PVC Cap- 8
•3/4" Sch. 40 PVC Coupling- 2
•3/4" Sch. 40 PVC Cross Connector- 2

Total cost for all of these materials should be less than $25. You will also need a PVC pipe cutter or hacksaw, which thankfully my dad had.

To assemble:
- Cut  2 pieces of 3/4" PVC pipe into approximately 24" lengths. Put a cap on one end of each section.
- Slide a T-Connector onto each 24" length.
- Cut 8 pieces of 3/4" PVC pipe into approximately 18" lengths putting a cap of one end of each section.
- Stick the open ends of each pipe into a cross connector using 18" lengths for three of the holes and a 24" length with T-Connector into the fourth hole.

[Source: DIY Greenscreens]

[Source: DIY Greenscreens]

- Cut two of the other 3/4" pipe pieces to height of your desired backdrop stand. Be sure to measure the ceiling height if you will be using this indoors.\

- These pieces will be inserted vertically into the top of the T-Connector.

- Cut the length of your crossbar to width of your fabric plus about 5 inches.
- Attach the 90 degree elbow connectors to the ends of the crossbars and to the top of the vertical pipes.
- Secure your fabric to the top of the pipe using clamps, velcro, tape, pins, etc.

ATTENTION: This frame is not meant to be a permanent structure and is wobbly. Be sure to reenforce joints with heavy duty tape, such as duct tape, if you are worried about the durability.

We purchased 10 yards of Premier Prints Kimono fabric in Chartreuse/White from Fabric.com and had WAY TOO MUCH. We joke that we'll be making play clothes for our children, grandchildren, and great children like Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music.

[Source: Fabric.com]

Here is a sneak peek of how it turned out...

[Groomsmen]

We Interupt These Recaps to Bring You: SHARK WEEK PREMIERE

We are hosting a Shark Week Premiere Party Today complete with...

Source: Robot Celeb

-Great White Shark Dip (White Queso with Blue Corn Chips)
-Shark Bait (Seafood Bruschetta)
-Hammerhead Tacos (Fish Tacos)
-Tiger Shark Tacos (Beef Tacos)
-Baby Shark Bites (Funfetti Cupcakes with Blue Icing and Sweedish Fish Toppers)

Fish in the Sea: Landshark Lager, Shock Top, Cutthroat Porter, Shark Attack Margarita Frozen Pops, and The Shark Shack mixed drink.

Recipes

Great White Shark Dip (White Queso and Blue Corn Chips)

Heat equal portions of pepper jack and cream cheese in fondue pot. If need add small splashes of half and half cream until desired consistency is reached remembering to stir often. Optional additions: 4 oz. finely chopped green chilies, a roasted serrano pepper finely chopped, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 Tbsp Cilantro finely chopped.

Submerged a blue corn tortilla chip in middle of dip to look like shark fin. Serve with blue corn chips on the side.

Shark Bait (Seafood Bruschetta)

Mix 1 Tbsp each of olive oil, chopped chives, chopped basil, lemon juice, and minced garlic together. Add 1 cup of seeded and chopped roma and/or yellow tomato, 1/2 cup red onion diced, and 6 oz of lump crabmeat. Salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

Mix 1 1/2 cups of goat cheese with equal parts softened cream cheese. Add 1 Tbsp each of parsely flakes and chopped chives and incorporate thoroughly. Set aside.

Toast 1/2 inch slices of baguette style French bread. Top bread each slice with small heap of cheese mixture and seafood mixture. Serve within 30 minutes.

Hammerhead Tacos (Fish Tacos)

Cut thawed fish fillets (cod or tilapia works best) into 3/4 inch slices. Place in a single layer in a greased shallow baking pan. Combine 1 Tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp ground cumin, and 1/8 tsp garlic powder and brush mixture over fish coating both sides evenly. Bake at 450 F for 4-6 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

Stir together 3 Tbsp mayo, 1 tsp lime juice, and 1 1/2 cups packaged coleslaw mix.

To serve spoon some coleslaw mix into a warmed corn tortilla, add fish slices, top with mango salsa and some fresh cilantro.

Tiger Shark Tacos (Beef Tacos)

Prepare one pound of ground beef according to your favorite seasoning packet directions. (I like Old El Paso Reduced Sodium Taco Seasoning Mix).

To serve spoon beef mix into a warmed corn tortilla and top with your favorite fresh toppings like shredded cheddar cheese, lettuce, chives, cilantro, tomato, or corn and black bean salsa.

Baby Shark Bites (Funfetti Cupcakes with Blue Icing and Sweedish Fish)

Prepare Funfetti Cupcake mix according to package directions taking care to let cool completely before frosting.

Mix two cans of Betty Crocker Buttercream Icing with about 30 drops of blue food color and mix well. Ice cupcakes as you would normally. Top with a Sweedish Fish.

The Shark Shack (Mixed Drink)

Makes approximately 10 3.5oz drinks (excluding ice)

Mix 7.5oz spiced rum with 7.5oz light rum, 5oz Blue Curacao, and 15oz sweet and sour mix. Pour over approximately 5 cups ice. Garnish with a healthy splash of grenadine.

Cruisin' in the Fast Lane: We're Announced

Fredericksburg.com - Powell-Brehm

Date published: 8/1/2010

Source: Brian Lusby Photography

Mr. and Mrs. Powell

Miss Brooke Elizabeth Brehm and Mr. Christopher "Ryan" Powell, 1st lieutenant, United States Army, were married May 22, 2010, at The Presbyterian Church of Fredericksburg. The Rev. Allen H. Fisher Jr. officiated the ceremony.

Brooke is the daughter of Richard and Donna Brehm of Fredericksburg. Ryan is the son of John and Carol Rosenberger of New Market.

The bride was escorted by her father, and the marriage was affirmed by the parents of both the bride and groom.

The best man was John Rosenberger, father of the groom. Serving as groomsmen were the groom's brother, Benjamin Rosenberger of New Market, and uncle, Michael Holm of Alexandria, as well as Quinton Callahan of Washington D.C., Darius Nabors of Charlottesville, Philip Giordano of Sewell, N.J., and Benjamin Erwin of St. Louis, Mo. Ring bearers included cousin of the bride Seth Rudolph of King George and nephew of the groom Nicholas Miller of Birmingham, Ala.

The bride's sister, Samantha Brehm of Fredericksburg, was the maid of honor. Bridesmaids included Lindsay Fraser and Lynsey Leib, both of Richmond, Aida Fazlic of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Megan Shea of Pittsburgh, Pa., Whitney Welsh of Arlington, and Christine Brome of Boston, Mass. Cousin of the bride, Delaney Rudolph of Middletown, and niece of the groom, Madeline Miller of Birmingham, Ala., served as flower girls.

A reception was held following the ceremony at the Jepson Executive Alumni Center at Mary Washington University.

Brooke is a graduate of Chancellor High School and James Madison University. Currently, she attends Washburn University in pursuit of her BSN. Ryan is a graduate of James Madison University. He is serving as a company executive officer of 118IN for the U.S. Army at Fort Riley, Kan.

The couple resides in Manhattan, Kan.

Cruisin' in the Fast Lane: Road Trip

Just after my finals ended and a short one week before the wedding I packed up all of our wedding related items, honeymoon necessities, and the pup and set out for Virginia.

[Source: Google Maps]

Two days later we arrived at my parents house haggard, tired, hungry, and with a strange wedding related symptom- passing out. Yep, I started passing out on the regular one week before our wedding. EEeeekkk.



It all started when I stopped to visit my sick grandmother in the hospital on the way to my parents house. I was standing at her bedside when *POOF* the room started spinning, I started get hot from head to toe, my ears started ringing, etc. I made it out to the nurses station before I lost it.

This happened a few more times despite trying to maintain a balanced diet, staying hydrated, and delegating wedding tasks. Thankfully it resolved itself and I had no issues during the wedding or since. I chalk it up to wedding jitters and several weeks of high stress.

Cruisin' in the Fast Lane: We're Back in Business

Hello All! Sorry I've been gone so long (I have tons to fill you in on later) but we're married!! And have been for about 70 days. Stay tuned for a ton of wedding, honeymoon, and life recaps. But before I go here is a sneak peek of what's to come. Honestly, did you think I would leave you hanging?

[Source: Brian Lusby Photography]