I’m A {Wedding} Geek
Yup, its true. I’m a geek. I love to plan, and organize, and make lists, and check things off…
So, planning for the wedding is no different. I decided to put the wedding planning ideas onto paper and stay organized. There are so many thoughts bouncing around in my head right now, this was the only way to keep sane!
I checked into wedding planners. But, they seemed like a crazy waste of money, as they can be upwards of $50! Some are very cute, and yes, it is a great way to keep the memories of the process, and even pass the information along to other brides-to-be, but…
I decided (after very little debate) to make my own. I got a thin, white three-ring binder and put tabs in it. I labeled the tabs into categories I thought would be most helpful. These tabs have changed a few times, but I think I finally have it. I also bought some cute post-it notes and sticky tabs to make notes and mark things. I have scoured the blog world for ideas and inspiration, and have used these resources to put the information into the planner. Everything will be at my fingertips. I even found printable versions of budgets and timelines to keep the planner organized. Other images in the planner have come from various bridal magazines. As we get closer to the big day we won’t miss a single detail with my geeky planning skills and my beautiful, new, handmade, planner.
These are the tabs I have used so far:
- Guest List
- Budget
- Resources
- Dress Ideas
- Brides Maids
- Tuxes
- Invitations
- Music
- Food
- Reception Ideas
- Gifts
- Day Of
These tabs could be different for everyone, but since I am doing almost everything myself, I had to keep many different categories. I am also splitting some of the categories down further into sub-categories, such as Reception Ideas. There will be tabs for things such as cakes, flowers and tables. I also inserted to clear pocket pouches in the binder, one for contracts and one for reciepts. This way the items in the pockets do not need holes punched in them.
If any of you other planning brides-to-be out there need any help getting organized, or have helpful hints, feel free to send me a message!
All of my materials, magazines, and books spread out on the floor to work!
My Planner! I simply printed up this simple, but pretty cover on the computer, printed it, and inserted into the binder pocket.
The inside of the planner. This is a budget page. You can see the tabs as well as some post-it notes.
One of the images in the planner. I simply love this suit, the vintage pinstripes, and the bow tie! It is even in our colors. The boutonierre can be made with Martha Stewart's help. We might be reproducing the whole picture!
P.S. My materials for this planner all came from Wal-Mart. They are very inexpensive, and have a pretty good selection. Yes, there are beautiful papers online, but I was to impatient to wait for something to come in the mail. The black and white damask post-its are adoarable and affordable there. That print is also available in many other supplies!
His TYPE Of Bride!
I have just the cutest ideas going on here. I wanted to add some vintage inspiration to the wedding, but didn’t want to overwhelm with it. I figured it out! Vintage typewriter keys! We have decided to give our groomsmen and other males in the wedding cufflinks with their initials made from vintage typewriter keys. They are cute and affordable. The same company makes necklaces which could be given to the ladies in the wedding.
http://www.estiloweddings.com/VINTAGE-TYPEWRITER-KEYS-CUFFLINKS-/cart.php?m=product_detail&c=1&p=668
There are other ways in which we could incorporate the keys into the wedding as well. We could use them to announce which table guests are seated at, or other embelishments. We have also been considering using an old typewriter at the reception for guests to type us a personalized note!
I think these ideas are so adorable! We will have to sort out which ideas to use in order to not go overboard, but we are definitely getting the cufflinks for groomsmen gifts. What do you think?
DIY Photobooth
My most favorite wedding idea that I have so far is a photobooth at the reception. I have see this done and it looks like so much fun! But, renting a photobooth would probably kill our entire budget. So, I have decided to make my own. I am going to enlist the handy help of my dad and grandpa in this project, so in order to save them some confusion I made a sketch of what I am imagining. I am no artist, but here is my idea so far:
I love the idea of guests taking random photos and leavign them for us as a surprise. Our only real question with this idea is what kind of camera to use. My fist thought was to use a Polaroid camera. I am planning on using my Polaroid to photograph guests as they first walk in also. They can sign these photos to make a unique guest book. The problem with using the Polaroid for the photobooth is the actual taking of the photos. Some one would either have to man the station the whole night or you would have to try to do the self-shot, which is rarely good. I read somewhere that you can set up a digital camera with a cord and button so the people can take their own photos from further away. Now I seem to be leaning more towards this idea. Any suggestions?
Image and more how-to info found here: http://est1976.blogsome.com/2007/09/10/how-to-make-a-photo-booth-for-your-wedding/
And One More…
In my current color search I just found this image compilation of a wedding using peacock feathers. I thought that I was the creative one! Well, great minds think alike. And, it proves just how gorgeous this color and feather combo would be!
Picking The Colors
I am so full of wedding ideas right now! I am trying to weed my way through them slowly, so I thought I would post some of my ponderings here. If any of you out there have any suggestions, adivce, or pictures to share with me, please! 🙂
A small run down of a few of the important things we have been considering so far:
We would like the weather to be warm, not scalding, so we were considering a late August wedding, which probably means August 2010. We are having a small ceremony at the church I grew up going to. We would love to have a large reception with all of our friends and family. We are on a very small budget, which means we are doing most everything ourselves. This also led us to the idea of having our reception outside. Our three possibilities so far are my mother’s backyard where I grew up, our county fairgrounds where Tony says he first knew he loved me (sentimental!), or a hangar at the airpark down the road from my childhood home. I also know we do NOT want a themed wedding, but will probably take influences from vintage themes, such as the 30’s and 40’s.
Now, my first question up for help is the colors. We want black and white. Elegant, yet simple, especially if we are outdoors. But, I would like an accent color. My two favorite ideas with black and white are red or dark teal. I love them both. So, here are a couple pictures for inspiration, and let me know what you think!!
Here is a black and white wedding that was also outdoors. http://snippetandink.blogspot.com/2009/01/board-329-white-barn-black.html
These are just some black and white examples. Ours wouldn’t be quite as barnyard casual.
Here are some examples with red as an accent color. http://justjaime28.wordpress.com/2008/09/07/a-black-white-red-wedding-shower/
This set is a little too fancy for our outdoor setting, but it does show how well red would work with black and white and that damask that we love.
I couldn't find pictures where people actually used teal, but here is a tie. http://www.neckties.com/teal_by_elite_solid_teal_tie.apml
I think that the teal color could add to the vintage-y vibe we are looking for.
If we used teal, we might be able to incorporate peacock feathers into our flowers and centerpieces. http://www.curbly.com/DIY-Maven/posts/5950-Intro-to-Digital-Photography-Week-2-Messing-round-with-f-stops-
I was hoping to use some feathers, even in white, such as in my hair, but, was inspired when I saw this gorgeous picture.
What do you think? Love it? Hate it? Change it up somehow? Help me out here!? 🙂
A Toast
After we finished telling all of our family and friends of the engagement yesterday, we went to Tony’s parents’ house to show them the ring. They had champagne and two very cute champagne glasses waiting for us! We toasted, talked and celebrated…
I am so excited to be welcomed into this family! Thank you so much to my parents-in-law-to-be!
P.S. We do not know much about the champagn glasses. They say David Douglas on the bottom, but I could not find any info on them. The black area is ribbed and feels almost like an old record. There is also a piece in the bottom that turns and says On/Off. We have no clue!
Fat Rock!
Yes, its true! I’m engaged! Tony proposed to me last night. It was so unexpected, and so sweet. We do not yet have an exact date, but are considering late August in 2010. I told myself not to get too excited, and to hold off on the planning, but that really isn’t going to happen. I have already been writing down ideas and scouring the blog world. We are considering a black and white color scheme, with either dark teal or red accents. I would also love to do a vintage touch (doesn’t that sound like us!?). I, of course, will continue to blog on our home and decor ideas and projects, but there might be some random wedding ideas here too! Fill me in on any ideas! Here is a picture of the ring.
Its a vintage square diamond turned on an angle. Pictures don't do it justice- its gorgeous!
Make Mine Eclectic 