Let’s admit it – your wedding day is suppose to be one of the best days of your life. That doesn’t mean the months leading up to it have to be stressful! I have created this side page as a bit of a jump-off zone with ideas I have picked up here, there, and from people just like you.
*Just as a bit of a disclaimer I should mention that I have used very few of the companies I link to below and these should only be viewed as an idea springboard. Cool? Great, read on!*
Right off the bat
- Announce it! You have probably done most of the big portion of this (well, I always hope that photography is one of your biggest wedding priorities but I typically do encourage you to tell your parents about the impending wedding first!). There are tons of creative ways of announcing it to your friends and ever so distant family (other then through facebook or myspace that is). Here is a few tangible announcement that can also be used as save the dates if you have gotten that far.
Moo – Not literally. It’s this awesome company across the big pond. You can create little save the date cards with an image of your choice (or a pre-designed one), seal the envelopes with stickers that have a special saying or a picture of you two, etc. etc. moo.
- Create an email address specifically for wedding planning. This way it came be accessible to both yourself and your fiance/e and every time you open your email you won’t be inundated with wedding details. A free email such as hotmail, gmail, yahoo is perfect! Can’t think of a name? Let’s say your names are Cindy & Charlie Smith (or soon to be!) planning on being married on June 5, 2010: CindylovesCharlie@____.com, Smiths06052010@_____.com, CCSmith@____.com, Hitched06052010@____.com . Have fun with it!
- Use a planning and/or budget tool! They are strewn just about everywhere – wedding magazines, online forums, inside the sample wedding dresses (don’t take the last one too literally… but you might want to check the sleeves just in case). You don’t have to look too far. But just in case you have yet to find one, here are just a couple that are online:
Martha Stewart Weddings - Where would we be without Martha? With your new wedding email address you can sign up for free access to easy to use planning tools such as a vendor list, checklist, budget tracker, guest list, seating list, and a countdown to boot. Cool!
Wedding Bells – Canadian eh? Handy little planner, budget tool and even a free ‘mywedding website’ when you sign up for free. When you are starting to feel like the only bride on the face of the planet loosing sleep over decisions you can even chit chat on the forum with some local brides.
The Party
Who doesn’t love a great reception? You suddenly realize how many embarrassing stories your parents really did retain growing up; you also learn just how great of a dancer your new-sister-in-law is on the dance floor. Time to have some fun!
- Cake toppers -I love em. You can learn so much about a couple from their cake topper alone (put aside the speeches which trump the cake toppers). Here are a few of my favourites
Pants in the Family – This one surely does speak volumes about the bride
Skiing Couple – We are in Canada eh?
Bride & Prince – I have no words to describe this one
Climbing on up – This is for the tiered cakes. Don’t worry ladies, there is a vice-versa version.
- Favours – Everyone enjoys a great favour, whether it is food or an item they can take home. Need some inspiration?
Woven Baskets – I never did too well in basket weaving class (well… I wouldn’t have if I was in it), so I would opt for these sweet little favour holders instead! Don’t know what to fill it with? Jelly beans, mints, gumballs, Certs, free spa…
Going Green – I’ve never had a green thumb but this is pretty awesome!
Book Worms – No, not to compliment the previous favour idea. Bookmarks!
- The great centerpiece debacle. What to do with it after the reception winds down? If the plates are set up, have the flower girl, ring bearer, or someone young and would have a fun time doing this go around and on a random plate per table put a sticker on the underneath side. Wa-la, that person gets the centerpiece!
- Speaking of centerpieces, here are some neat ideas I have come across in that department. These can also go for just plan ol’ decoration as well!
In a vase put stones, beads, cinnamon hearts, whatever your heart desires, and stick in some branches. From these branches with some decorated clothes pins, paper clips, etc. etc., hang some of your engagement photos in polaroid looking form! I can even help you with this one! If it is your centerpiece great – everyone can take home a nice little memory of you two right then and there!
Once again, the vase. Fill it up with clear beads or water pearls and put in our favourite flower. Simple arrangement that looks stunning!
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To be updated very soon. Don’t worry, tons of ideas to come!