enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

Borabora A few months ago, I posted that we had grand plans for a honeymoon in Europe. Then a few weeks ago, I thought about the reality of going to Europe for a honeymoon. While I had a vision of a very relaxed, do nothing, eat good food, drink good wine vacation, the massive guidebooks for Northern Italy/Southern France told a different tale. [Don't get me wrong : They sound AMAZING and I hope sometime we are lucky enough to go and visit. It's just not right for us for this trip.]

We switched gears and are going to … Bora Bora. Technically, they speak French there. And we will need passports and new currency. But our itinerary will be SIT AND DO NOTHING, followed by a little wine and drinks with umbrellas in them. The deposit went in yesterday so this is the real deal. We are staying in an overwater bungalow which means we can slide open our coffee table and feed REAL FISH below us. (As I was reading the room features, Paul scoffed at this one. Apparently we will not be feeding real fish but we will be jumping off our balcony into real water.)

One of the best parts is that we are going to fly to west to Bora Bora the day after the wedding. We have a JAM PACKED month of May and we were originally going to wait until after Paul's med school graduation on May 14th to fly to Europe. Then we were going to come back, move all our stuff across the country and find a place to live in where ever Paul gets assigned for internship. Now we can get married, honeymoon, graduate and then move. It flows a tiny bit better? Maybe? I don't know. It's a wild confusing ride and I just want to map it all out in sharpie in my planner, but can't yet because we don't know what state will be home yet. Oh well. Worse comes to worst, we'll just refuse to move out of the bungalow.

IMG_2448 My second wedding thought involves our printed paper materials. I just found out that rental rates at the letterpress place I go to have gone up significantly.  Higher rates + an increasingly finicky press make for NOT A GOOD SITUATION. Right now, I am slowly backing away from letterpress printing, (except that I have one more kit planned for fall) but I am definitely on the lookout for a small press in working condition to buy.

Originally, I had big plans to letterpress save the dates AND invites. Yesterday, I did a test run on my home printer with cream Arturo paper and I am definitely going to stick with just that for save the dates. For one, the quality is great. For two, I can get them DONE AND OUT THE DOOR with little to no stress and expense. And for three, I can now (easily) incorporate three colors of ink.

Jury is still out on whether or not I will letterpress the invites. We'll see how I feel in January. And by "how I feel", I mean, "we'll see if a letterpress has fallen out of the sky and landed on my doorstep."

Happy Wednesday.

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33 responses to “wedding wednesday : honeymoon + letterpress.”

  1. Lisa Martin Avatar

    we’ll see if a letterpress has fallen out of the sky and landed on my doorstep.”
    WHAT? it could happen.
    is there ANY chance you’d end up in the midwest after he’s assigned? 🙂

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  2. Elise Blaha Avatar

    lol, probably not. Paul’s Navy so the bases/hospitals tend to be on the coasts – but we’ll see!

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  3. Leah Eggers Avatar

    ooh an over-water bungalow? that sounds fantastic. we’re doing a tropical honeymoon too and i cannot wait to be sitting on the beach drinking daiquiris (and doing nothing else!) in 9 months.

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  4. Heather Avatar

    You and I don’t know each other…but could I come to your wedding? Seriously. Just so I can get the invites and save the dates and see the gorgeous engagement photo book in person. =) ha!
    Seriously – so beautiful and inspiring. I love reading your blog. I might make my husband re-marry me just so I can copy you!
    Bora Bora sounds awesome!

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  5. Desiree Avatar

    I think your idea to print at home is great. I made all the invites for my wedding & had an awesome time. -and although you will not be letterpressing them, maybe, they are still a lot of work. good luck with whatever.
    Also, I loved your engagement photos & book. My sister is getting married in 2011 & I think I am going to make her some books like these (or at least show her them – so she can make them). They are perfect.

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  6. robyn Avatar

    there’s a naval base in Chicago! (just had to throw that out there)
    i love the glimpse of the save the dates! and i’ll be sending good thoughts your way for a letterpress to fall out of the sky!

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  7. Melissa Mann Avatar

    wow! Looks like the honeymoon will be fantastic!
    the small sneak of your “save-the-date” looks wonderful!

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  8. Christen Avatar

    There’s a naval base in San Diego! I say you come to southern California. We could have fabulous fun together.
    Your wedding stuff just keeps getting better and better by the day. I love getting all the ideas, you know … just in case 🙂

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  9. Jennifer Avatar

    There are a ton of other cool ideas for invites. My latest fav is printing on fabric. Love that texture. Does your awesome printer print on fabric? Might be worth a try!
    I loved your book and am jealous of your Bora Bora vacation.

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  10. Elise Blaha Avatar

    yep, San Diego is the goal. We’re from CA and can’t wait to get back.

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  11. Taylor G Avatar

    ohh sounds like fun!

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  12. Mo Avatar

    Bora Bora sounds fantastic. You’re going to have a fabulous time, and then you can deal with all the moving and logistics after!

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  13. Jennifer Brotchie Avatar

    My husband and I went to Moorea Tahiti for our honeymoon 10 years ago, when there was a Club Med there. Moorea is a hop, skip and a jump from Bora Bora. You two will definitely have an experience of a lifetime doing nothing. I loved it. Bora Bora is in our plans in the next 10 years with our 3 kids. I’m excited for you (and a wee bit envious!).

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  14. Marina H Avatar

    You know I just got finished reading Ryan Nelson’s wedding blog (www.thenelsons2.blogspot.com) and they went to Europe on a cruise. I agree with you, I think it’d be a lot of planning, a lot of language and a lot of tourists. Although, if I did do Europe on a honeymoon, I’d do a cruise like Ryan. By the way can I add how jealous I am that you’re going to Bora Bora? I would totally be excited about feeding the fish.
    Anyway, exciting stuff. Seems like so far away! Your save the date tidbits look lovely! Have a great Wednesday. (Project Runway tomorrow, woo!!)

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  15. Cindy Avatar

    I have a friend who dreamed and dreamed about having her honeymoon in one of those water bungalows in Bora Bora. It sounds like a fantasy land!
    Thanks for the nice note on my post 🙂

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  16. Caroline Avatar

    As a big DIY bride, I was exhausted after my wedding. Granted we had the reception at my parent’s house, which adds a lot of additional work beyond the details. I finally understood why people would want to go to an all inclusive resort versus visiting Europe. Smart move. You’ll enjoy being with Paul and resting up for your busy May.

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  17. Brianna Avatar

    My boy and I will move into the bungalow next to you. We can craft all day.

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  18. Lane C Avatar

    My friends went to Bora Bora and said it was amazing! Sounds fun. I can’t wait to see the end results of this wedding! 🙂

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  19. lacy Avatar

    OMG congrats on Bora Bora! We wanted to go there on our honeymoon but ended up in Florida (more budget friendly for that time in our life). I am super excited for you… well like 80% excited and 20 % jealous. LOL just kidding! yay Bora Bora!

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  20. KZJO Avatar

    It looks like sooo much fun and super relaxing!!!

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  21. amy tangerine Avatar

    Umm, amazing.
    I think Bora Bora is the perfect choice!

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  22. france wisniewski Avatar

    i really like the way the card printed. The colors look very rich. I own an HP too and I love it. Also love the new banner…I never get to see banners with google reader.Bora Bora looks like a dream.

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  23. jenn Avatar

    Your blog is so one of my faves, just htought I’d let you know 🙂

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  24. Cheshire wedding venue Avatar

    Bora Bora, how very lovely have a fantabulous time!

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  25. grungedandy Avatar
    grungedandy

    hi
    don’t comment as often as i’d like but found this clip about a new letter press style system not sure if it would be cost effective or even good enough but it’s a thought
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYTRfeRjZyQ&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Epaperclipping%2Ecom%2F&feature=player_embedded#watch-main-area
    L letter press demo
    anyhoo stunning photos fun projects keep it up it’s a little sunspot in my day
    seeya hugya G

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  26. Heather Avatar

    AAHHHHHHH so jealous!! That is one of my DREAMS!! Have such a fantastic time!!

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  27. Little Gray Pixel Avatar

    You do not realize how jealous I am of your Bora Bora trip. I demand tons of photos upon your return! 😉

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  28. Stephanie Wheeler Avatar

    I know you had your heart set on letterpressing them yourself, but I paid to have mine done (one less thing to worry about) at the Graphic Touch in Ohio…good quality, great service.

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  29. melanie Avatar

    that is some good wise decision-making on the honeymoon – oh those pictures will be marvelous.
    saw this dress on etsy and thought if you are having a flower girl….
    http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29549449

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  30. Jennifer W. Avatar

    Those sounds like great decisions! I love that you are adding so much of yourself to your wedding. Good for you!

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  31. Daniela Avatar

    Hi Elsie, just folowing a linkg from Scrap Scene to your workshop. Checking out your blog!
    I wanted to tell you that we went to Bora Bora for our honeymoon. Loved it! What hotel are you staying at? We stayed at Pearl Beach Resort and Spa. I loved that we could wake up in the morning, open up our sliding glass doors and just move ourseflves to the balcony. So lazy and laid back. See if you can get some sort of package for activities. We had a special dinner, shark and sting ray feeding, four wheel drive island safari…. We did activities every other day…they are small and don’t last all day. Let me know if you have any quesitons. I have a ton of photos.
    I would get a canoe breakfast delivered to your room if they have that option. That is something I did for us, a nice little surprise.

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  32. Inya Kawin Avatar

    Bora bora? Never heard of this place before. But it sounds so good. Thanks for sharing.

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