#68. Cute favors

Another Gem from "We Met in a Bar." If I was to do this, this is what I see happening... Buy matchboxes from Sams in bulk or at Dollar Tree. Find cute paper on sale after VDay. Spend my evenings on the couch with a glass of wine and aim to complete 5-10 a night until they are all done. OH, and if possible, have a niece or two hand them to the guests as they are leaving.

#67. This blog r-o-c-k-s

I have mentioned before that I like the blog "We Met In a Bar" and while catching up on some reading, I found these two posts. I think that she has some ab-fab ideas that I need to remember.

1. The 4-part program

2. The activity book for the kids

I noticed that IN BETWEEN THESE TWO POSTS she mentioned the Martha Stewart labels that I mentioned in post # 51. Seriously. I need to meet this person.

#66. Flower Girls

I LOVE this idea courtesy of Miss Plum on Wedding Bee!

Materials Needed:

* Basket

* Silk Flowers

* Hot Glue

Directions:

1. Snip off flower heads

2. Glue flower head to the basket

3. Take leaves off stems

4. Glue leaves onto basket handle

#65. Thank you brunch?

Image found here.

I know a lot of people do bridesmaids lunches to thank their bridesmaids for being a part of their special day, but what about a bridesmaids brunch, say... after the bachelorette party? Who doesn't love a little hair of the dog after a long night? PLUS, after throwing you a bachelorette party, the least you can do is buy them a good breakfast and shower them with gifts. :)

#64. Duh.

Please remember to do this. (Note to myself.)

#64. It's a bit premature...

But I think that I am in love with this photographer.

#63. I'm brilliant

I just had the best idea EVER... I'm a HUGE fan of wine. HUGE. What about if part of gift-giving for family/wedding party included a bottle of wine with a special label to symbolize the special day? It can be one of my faves with a new label put on... I think I might love this idea.

#62. Yum.

I'm a huge cupcake cake (individual cupcakes, not all put together with mounds of icing) fan, but this cake may have changed my mind... It's simple, has great colors, and looks a-ma-zing. It's too bad this bakery is located in Chicago.

Found on Wedding Bee.

#61. Interesting...

Here is a venue in Dallas that might have a potential if running into budgetary concerns...

Pros:

* It only costs $1,2000 to rent!

* Party can last until 2 AM!

* BYOB/select your caterer = even cheaper!

* It looks like it actually would be great for picture taking...

Cons:

* Only 150 can fit, so you wouldn't be able to have as many people...

* It doesn't have a super awesome view...

* Because it isn't a professional space, there might be some snags along the way - you would probably need a wedding planner...

#60. Wow.

I'm not sure what the rules are on posting this, so I hope that I am not breaking any, but I just read about this wedding and I pretty much swooned. They have so many wonderful ideas that I think I want to incorporate in my wedding someday... I love the idea of writing each guest a personal note to let them know how much they mean to you. I have thought about this a lot lately, and I would much rather only invite people who I know will be in my life for the next 10-80 years and be able to splurge more on a good time had by all. Please read this, it's well worth it.

#59. (Sp)aaaahhhhhhhh

I am all for treating myself - especially when it comes to a big special day like this. Which is why I think that THIS PACKAGE (see page 13, I am talking the ULTIMATE package - and note that it includes gratuity) would be 190% worth it. Also note that if you were to do this a la carte (with 18% gratuity and without lunch) it would run you about $2324.60.

#58. Seriously?

I always was under the impression that veils were outrageously priced. That is, until I typed in "veils" on google and went to the first site. A perfect veil for... wait for it... $42! Not too shabby, VeilShop.com. I'm pretty sure if I did more digging - helllooooooo Craigs List - I could find cheaper ones.

#57. For the fun of it...

I am catching up on my sister and my loyal reader's favorite website (cakewrecks) and I found this gem... Wuv. Twu wuv.

#56. New blog!

Lately in times of desperation, when all I want to do is run and scream and drink copious amounts of wine, I have found that wedding blogs seem to calm me down... I just found a new one that I L.O.V.E. Granted, I'm only a few posts in, but her title "We Met In A Bar" sold me.

Oh, and I love that her posted boards on this link are so similar to the one I am working on that we actually have an overlap of pictures.

#55. PRETTY

I'm not normally a fan of dyeable shoes, but I have been thinking about colors for a wedding, and I am kind of digging the lavender/brown combo. PLUS, if I got these shoes for the 'maids in purple, and for myself in blue... Wouldn't that be cute? Of course, this would mean going against the whole "black dress" idea, but "brown dress" hopefully isn't too far off the mark. :)

And, for $76 each... that's not too shabby of a gift, combined with some cute Dogeared accessories, natch.

#54. Check!

If there is one thing I love to do on a regular basis, it is make lists. Like Monica from Friends, I too like to check things off of them.

Here is an AMAZING link to a wedding checklist from Real Simple. I am working on putting together my own personal one that has proved to work for several people. I hope to have it posted by the end of the week.

#53. Another one...

From STILL LIFE WITH WOODPECKER

-- Tom Robbins

Love is the ultimate outlaw. It just won't adhere to any rules. The most any of us can do is to sign on as its accomplice. Instead of vowing to honor and obey, maybe we should swear to aid and abet. That would mean that security is out of the question. The words "make" and "stay" become inappropriate. My love for you has no strings attached. I love you for free.

Source.

#52. Perspective

From I LIKE YOU

-- Sandol Stoddard Warburg

And I like you because when I am feeling sad, you don't always cheer

me up right away. Sometimes it is better to be sad.

You can't stand the others being so googly and gaggly every single

minute.

You want to think about things.

It takes time.

I like you because if I am mad at you, then you are mad at me too.

It's awful when the other person isn't. Phooey.

They are so nice and hoo-hoo you could just about punch them in the

nose.

I like you because if I think I am going to throw up, then you are really

sorry.

You don't just pretend you are busy looking at the birdies and all that.

You say, "maybe it was something you ate."

You say, "same thing happened to me one time."

And the same thing did.

If you find two four-leaf clovers, you give me one.

If I find four, I give you two.

If we only find three, we keep on looking.

Sometimes we have good luck and sometimes we don't.

If I break my arm and you break your arm too, then it is fun to have

a broken arm.

I tell you about mine; you tell me about yours.

We are both sorry.

We write our names and draw pictures.

We show everybody and they wish they had a broken arm too.

Source.

#51. Mailing Labels

How cool is this? It's much cuter than me writing it on there, and much less labor intensive, not to mention a LOT cheaper than hiring a calligrapher! Download the template here.

#50. Place Card Holders

How cute would these be for place card holders? I happen to know a woman (who I call Mom) who could whip up a bunch of these in a jiffy. Scraps of fabric + pins + names printed onto cardstock = cute, cheap, and different.

Idea/image found on this website.

#49. A picture is worth a thousand words

I've noticed a big trend in the wedding industry, and I actually think it's a pretty cool idea. You know how after the ceremony the bride, groom, wedding party, and family disappear for an eternity to capture all of the memories? Well, a lot of people have started taking all of the pictures in advance. As in, the first time the groom sees the bride is before she walks down the aisle with the grand entrance. While I do love that idea, part of me also thinks that it is the only time this specific group of friends and family will be together to celebrate your union. I am kind of leaning towards pictures in advance so that I can enjoy the reception just as much as my friends from college. :)

#48. Where to sit, where to sit...

Many couples these days opt for a sweetheart table so that they can sit together and talk post-marriage. While I love this idea, I wonder why many people choose that option. Is it:

a) you don't want to hurt anyone's feelings by not sitting with them

b) you only want to talk to your one and only

c) you invited the exact number of guests to fill the tables you have

All are good reasons, and everyone should make that decision, but I think that when my big day comes I would think "a" would be the only thing holding me back. But, if it is my wedding, can't I do whatever I want? I mean, I'm spending the rest of my life with the guy... and I'm pretty sure we'll have a good 5-10 days on our honeymoon to rehash all of the intimate details. The point of this post was that I saw this table setup on this website and I really love it.

#47. Hmmmm... Emailable Save the Dates?

Image found here.

How about this website? I was amazed at the number of options. For $15 it is SO worth it considering:

1. Most people throw them away

2. Anyone who wants a hard copy can print it out

3. It's $15 FOR A YEAR, and I know I would totally use it more than just for this

4. Considering purchasing custom stationary + postage... it's such a bargain

#46. I found a funny quote

"Respect your bridesmaids. Your 'maids are not your private army of wedding elves."

- "I Will" to "I Do"

#45. Helpful Link

I realize that I am not getting married, but I get asked questions all of the time by friends of mine who are, and I recently stumbled across a link (when asking friends for good florists in Dallas) and Central Market not only does wedding, but they have a helpful little guide. Enjoy!

#44. Purple is my favorite color

Image found here.

I'm serious. It always has, and may always be. It runs in the family - my sister loved purple as a girl, and my Mom has a purple bathroom - true story. Also, I love herbs.... Not as much as my anonymous reader friend who just got ENGAGED but I love them. I was thinking back to the post about putting rosemary into the napkins (how about using one of those big rosemary bushes they sell at Christmas time?) and another thought occurred to me - LAVENDER. How about this, lavender bouquets OR having the flower girls carry lavender instead of something cheesy like rose petals. Yep. I want to do this. (But I am happy to share any ideas with other people who may be plannnnnnnnnniiiinnnngggg...) ;)

#43. And now, it's time for something completely different...

Tunes! I have been obsessed with Kate Nash's cd "Made of Bricks" - if you haven't heard it, let me tell you about it. Um, it's awesome and you must purchase it immediately. One of the great things about being in the advertising biz is that you get free music all of the time, and I have to say that I would buy this cd at least three times over it is THAT GOOD.

On a related note, I was listening to one of my favorite Guster songs the other day, and I fell in love with them again. Here is a link to the words for "I Hope Tomorrow Is Like Today." It makes me happy.

#42. Bridesmaids Dresses

In these tough economic times, especially being given a financial punch in the gut that I wasn't expecting recently, I have been forced to quit shopping. I know, it's pretty tough. I decided today that I just wanted to browse on the off-chance that I could find some amazing deal on some great black bridesmaids dresses. Just to fulfill the need. I know that I have said before that I love everyone wearing a black dress that they own, but these are both black and $100 or less! :)

I love this one or this one.

#41. Cool Rehearsal Dinner Idea

Someone I know is on the brink of purchasing a townhome with a cool view and a third floor balcony. Now, wouldn't a rehearsal dinner on said balcony with lots and lots of white lights, good music, tapas, sangria, wine, and a keg be perfecsh?

I know. It's magical.

#40. DIY Flowers

I'm a huge fan of doing things myself where I can to cut back on costs... No annoying DJ = ipod mix taken over by a friend; not paying for flower people when I can do it myself? Score!

Martha Stewart via a $10,000 wedding.

#39. The Fam

So... here's the sitch. I started thinking about bridesmaids (I mean, my friends and I have been talking about it since our freshman year in college!) and it made me think about the one thing that makes me nervous. I had a long talk with my sister in law years ago, and she made it quite clear that she does not want to be a bridesmaid again. But... will my sister feel the same way? I would love to have 7 if possible just to accommodate the people I want up there with me, but I feel like that is excessive. For the time being, I'm leaning toward 3. 3 seems like a good number. I just wanted to put that out there.

#38. Bridesmaids

Here's a thought... what if you were the first of your friends to get married? You would have the pick of the litter, the run of the gamut, the wind beneath your wings, or whatevs. I was reading a very interesting post on a $10,000 wedding and it really hit home. Why? I have been asked to be a maid of honor in three weddings, and a bridesmaid in four. I am so grateful to know that those three women will be by my side as they have been for much of my life, however what about the other people who matter to me as well? How can they be a part of the special day without just being a regular guest? If I was getting married first, would I have choose differently? These are questions to live by, my friends, but my honest thoughts are this: when it happens, it is my day and while I don't want to hurt any feelings, I will not ask out of

a) obligation

b) the thought that they will make my wedding party look "good"

c) the fact that they might be able to help me in some way, shape or form

I will not.

#37. Kids make great wedding guests

Image found here.

I fully plan on having kids at my wedding. I have 3 nieces, a nephew, and good friends with kids who I want to come regardless of their babysitting situation! Plus, how cute are little ones on the dance floor? As participants in the ceremony? I think that when my day comes, I would like to find a venue that has a separate room with a babysitter that friends, family and the kids can go in and out of. In that room will be: snacks just for them, crafts just for them (maybe special wedding-related crafts that they can give to the B&G), and at least one Disney/Pixar movie.

#36. You Light Up My Life

So.... I know that when my big day comes, I'll want to do some things big, and some things cheap. One thing that I LOVE about weddings is seeing a plethora of candles. I think they make for some of the most amazing (cheap) decorations. I particularly love this bag of 100 tealights for $3.99 from Ikea. Think about how much of an impact two or three bags of these things would make in the right place. I'd rather spend an extra $100/$200 on booze for the reception than waste a lot of money on extra flowers for the ceremony.

#35. I'm a wedding-aholic

One of my best friends got engaged over the weekend, and it is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO exciting! I have become inspired to blog again - not sure how I got uninspired, but it happens. Congratulations to the one loyal reader that I have. :)