tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898511657724938468.post3633157451846328296..comments2024-03-28T05:03:29.214-05:00Comments on A Blonde Ambition: Cakes and Veils and Venues- Oh My!Leslie @ A Blonde Ambitionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11323736580512316656noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898511657724938468.post-4994547509353250122011-01-28T12:45:27.309-06:002011-01-28T12:45:27.309-06:00Congratulations! I am getting married this August ...Congratulations! I am getting married this August and have loved all these tips. :) <br /><br />I agreed with having a separate wedding email--that way I am not looking at it all day and my fiance can access it, too. <br /><br />Also, I use Google Docs and it has been wonderful. I keep a spreadsheet with all my ideas and vendor contacts, and have a tab for each category. I also scan any vendor contracts and save them in Google Docs so that I access them anywhere. Plus, I have the documents shared with my fiance in case he needs to add any information. <br /><br />I have found Wedding Wire to be super helpful, and my favorite wedding blogs are Style Me Pretty, Junebug Weddings, and Elizabeth Anne Designs. Good luck with your planning!Meghanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04811689607161611546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898511657724938468.post-79343658877273072352011-01-24T12:49:35.880-06:002011-01-24T12:49:35.880-06:00SO exciting!! Those wedding shots are amazing and ...SO exciting!! Those wedding shots are amazing and I'm not engaged yet but when I am I will be heading back to this post for advice! ;)Sierra https://www.blogger.com/profile/00915109851341043600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898511657724938468.post-72465203097582043052011-01-22T10:48:57.580-06:002011-01-22T10:48:57.580-06:00You have gotten a lot of awesome advice so far! I ...You have gotten a lot of awesome advice so far! I second the suggestion to create a wedding planning e-mail address so that it all goes there...I didn't and get SO much junk e-mail. It sucks! Also, I would suggest not giving out your phone number unless you want to be called at all hours by wedding vendors looking for your business. I'd only give it out to vendors you book. :)<br /><br />I keep two wedding planning binders: one for inspiration and one for info/contracts. The second I used these print-outs which are lifesavers! http://www.russellandhazel.com/content/wedding-templates<br /><br />I know wedding websites sometimes get a bad rap but I have had a great experience with www.projectwedding.com. The girls there have had some beautiful weddings that are amazing inspiration, and the forums are always good for reading questions that every bride eventually has. :)<br /><br />Have fun!! Isn't it so exciting?!Lauren @ Dreams Take Flighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02044322187724229514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898511657724938468.post-49395200072180421932011-01-22T09:46:54.394-06:002011-01-22T09:46:54.394-06:00It sounds like you've already got a lot figure...It sounds like you've already got a lot figured out in such a short time so that's a good sign!!!Crazy Shenanigans-JMOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03494603714481735184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898511657724938468.post-46813508299391909582011-01-20T14:49:14.401-06:002011-01-20T14:49:14.401-06:00Your post just took me back 3 years ago.. and boy ...Your post just took me back 3 years ago.. and boy was I stressed.. My advice-- take a deep breathe and enjoy this time :)<br />We sent out save the date magnets that turned out wonderfully!!! We were married in the fall- the magnet was a calendar with our date circled. It listed our first and middle names, the wedding date, and it stated invitation to follow. Good Luck!!!!Bonitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08976205771452264575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898511657724938468.post-16016992987192665452011-01-20T12:34:22.457-06:002011-01-20T12:34:22.457-06:00My best advice is to take it all in cause once its...My best advice is to take it all in cause once its over its over and you won't be able to go back to the moment. Also don't sweat the small stuff.....the whole day is about you getting married and whether the florist does something not exactly how you wanted or someone forgets to RSVP, at the end of the day you will be husband and wife no matter what the flower girl and ring bearer do! Its about you and your new life as a couple. I too got a wedding planning book that had sections and folders to keep up with receipts, vendor info, ect and I found it to be very helpful. I also had a binder with the clear covers and anytime I saw something I loved or even liked the concept I tore it out of the magazine or made a copy from a book and put in my binder. That way I didn't forget the idea. I may not have used everything I had in there but at least I had it as a reference. Every time I attended a wedding I kept the programs or invitations so I could at least look back on things that I liked or wanted to use. <br /><br />This will be the most exciting time of your life. My hubby could of cared less about the cake flavors or the party favors or what flowers to use. He said as long as we got married at the end of all the planning he would be happy with whatever. Just keep that in mind and have fun with it cause to me it's a once in a lifetime thing! Best of luck and I LOVE your blog!!!!!!The Zarecor'shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12736432591030308234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898511657724938468.post-22902663533311428672011-01-20T10:20:38.660-06:002011-01-20T10:20:38.660-06:00Looove the blue peep toe pumps as your "Somet...Looove the blue peep toe pumps as your "Something Blue" - I did the same! http://kerryandscott.blogspot.com/2010/06/adorable-peep-toes.html Just make sure you break in whatever shoes you'll be wearing and scuff up the bottom with sandpaper so you don't slip! I also brought a pair of blue Havaianas to change into for dancing.<br /><br />We did magnet save the dates that I've seen are still on several people's refrigerators, months after our wedding. http://kerryandscott.blogspot.com/2010/02/save-dates.html I had someone design them on etsy.com and then had them printed on magnets at overnightprints.com pretty inexpensively. I put a sticker on the back with the hotel block info so our guests could make reservations.<br /><br />For organization, I had an accordian file with dividers labeled for each decision I needed to make, i.e. "Wedding Dress" "Bridesmaid dresses" "Hair" "Flowers" "Cake" etc, and I'd rip pages out of wedding magazines during the early planning phases to use as "inspirations" - did the same with bookmarking websites online in a seperate Favorites folder. I subscribed to Brides Magazine, Bridal Guide, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Well Wed, a local upstate New York magazine that had the most dreamy pictures. I couldn't deal with theknot.com, it was too overwhelming and just gave me wedding anxiety :)<br /><br />Having someone on point as the director / day of coordinator / Go-To Girl is so important - the vendors can go to him/her with any questions that day i.e. do you have the cell number for the band, should we extend cocktail hour another 15 minutes, when do you want to cut the cake, etc and let you enjoy the day.<br /><br />Enjoy!! Remember, the wedding is just one day but the marriage is forever.Kerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12238466126084809399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898511657724938468.post-89357573011355573762011-01-20T09:42:32.476-06:002011-01-20T09:42:32.476-06:00Oh how I love those shoes, sweet girl! They would ...Oh how I love those shoes, sweet girl! They would look absolutely beautiful for your wedding. But I know what you mean- the shoes would be hard to commit to! It's almost as if you need a pair for the ceremony and the reception, just because there are so many gorgeous options that one just isn't enough! And I adore the colors you guys have chosen and the photographer is perfection! xoxo, AnnemarieAnnemariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12908028059440517359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898511657724938468.post-23988923697059293002011-01-20T08:26:40.631-06:002011-01-20T08:26:40.631-06:00We can't wait to read all about you planning y...We can't wait to read all about you planning your wedding! Neither one of us are dating anyone let alone getting engaged, but reading your blog reminds us how much life can change day after day and year after year! Keep it coming!Perpetual Blind Datehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12654053130482909514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898511657724938468.post-70488798312925893672011-01-19T20:37:06.149-06:002011-01-19T20:37:06.149-06:00I stumbled upon your blog! Being to 30+ weddings i...I stumbled upon your blog! Being to 30+ weddings in the past 6 years including my own, I feel like a pro. For my wedding, I had a binder that I used the dividers with pockets. Each section was for a different aspect of the wedding (florist, cake, reception venue, etc). I know you mentioned September, but if it is this Sept, then I wouldn't bother sending out Save the Dates. I would just send out the invites 10-12 weeks before the wedding, so people can make arrangements if necessary. The people who "must be" there will know of the date already, so they are fine. If the officiant of your ceremony (priest, judge, pastor) has done a lot of weddings. They will know what to do for your ceremony. At the rehearsal, they will get everyone in order, with timings. At the reception, your photographer and DJ will guide your wedding as well at the maitre d will help tremendously! Good luck!The Uszenski'shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08155848439043216957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898511657724938468.post-15558894812079681202011-01-19T16:59:14.784-06:002011-01-19T16:59:14.784-06:00Girl you are going to do great. You seem so organi...Girl you are going to do great. You seem so organized. I always love the old fashioned planner books. They help keep things tidy :) Cant wait to hear all the details!Lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15898997386941743525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898511657724938468.post-28446950036963681372011-01-19T16:39:34.761-06:002011-01-19T16:39:34.761-06:00I love your colors! I love that he helped and you ...I love your colors! I love that he helped and you said "we picked our colors" instead of just the Bride and how sometimes bride's get carried away into thinking it is THEIR DAY, and not THE COUPLE'S DAY. I dig it!<br /><br />I'm having a GIVEAWAY right now.. check it out.<br /><br />pickingwildflowersblog.blogspot.comBJJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04055033990049546163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898511657724938468.post-32743657581318512972011-01-19T16:21:31.306-06:002011-01-19T16:21:31.306-06:00I just got done planning a wedding and my husband ...I just got done planning a wedding and my husband and I paid for most of it. Heres some advice:<br /><br />Don't make your guest list too early and dont ask for addresses from those that you aren't sure about yet. There will be a few friendships that might change between now and then depending on how many you can invite. <br /><br />Don't be afraid to ask for a cheaper price. We never took the first price offered to us (even if they say they don't negotiate -- they do!).<br /><br />Indulge in the things you REALLY want and then skimp in other places. Like Save the Dates -- they aren't necessary and the most important people to you all will already know your wedding date. Now a days just passing around her wedding website prepares people with hotel information and wedding date/times.<br /><br />To answer your questions:<br />How did you stay organized during the planning process? I used a spreadsheet and made a to do list for myself (I can send it to you if you want)<br />What websites or magazines were most helpful? My best resources were other brides in the area and looking through local magazines/blogs. <br />Did you have a director for the ceremony? Yes, I used a "day of coordinator" because you seem like me... you can plan the stuff on your own. You don't need to hire someone to set meetings for you, etc. This is a big cost saver!<br />How far in advance did you mail invitations? 8 weeks. Most people say 6-8 but I say 8 especially if your wedding is around a Holiday or a busy time of year.<br />Did you do "Save the Dates"? Nope :)<br /><br />I hope this helps!!! I've helped a lot of my friends plan weddings before so I love to share my advice and stories! :)Jocelynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02100852226417028343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898511657724938468.post-74009467568369347722011-01-19T16:17:48.848-06:002011-01-19T16:17:48.848-06:00I was never "that" girl either :) I had ...I was never "that" girl either :) I had my colors picked out far in advance but that was about it!<br /><br />The Knot was helpful for budgeting and guest lists for me. The site is a little overwhelming, but those particular tools worked well. In addition to using The Knot, I bought an expandable folder and had sections for each part of the wedding (Photographer, Hairstyles, Honeymoon, etc.); I was able to keep track of "inspiration pages", contracts, etc. There are many ways to stay organized, but that method worked for me. I love Southern Weddings (http://www.swsmag.net/) and Style Me Pretty (http://www.stylemepretty.com/) and Elizabeth Anne Designs (http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/) for wedding inspiration :) <br /><br />I wholeheartedly recommend hiring a day-of-coordinator if possible; it takes a lot of stress out of your wedding day if you don't have to be the one directing people and taking care of last-minute details! I also do recommend sending out save-the-dates (there are so many cute options). People's calendars fill up really fast!Maryland Magnoliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18373360346127173607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898511657724938468.post-34132548475480445532011-01-19T15:06:42.334-06:002011-01-19T15:06:42.334-06:00ahhh!!! i don't have any advice (yet!) but i&...ahhh!!! i don't have any advice (yet!) but i'm so happy for you! and please keep every.single.thing. documented so i can just copy everything you do! i kid, but seriously. haha xo love jaymehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09038664506543269133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898511657724938468.post-90180558340932498152011-01-19T14:43:52.371-06:002011-01-19T14:43:52.371-06:00I have been married for 15 years and I've forg...I have been married for 15 years and I've forgotten most of the details of our wedding. One thing that sticks out in my mind is how SECURE and LOVED I felt that day. Mom said I looked at him like he was my prince charming through the entire wedding/reception. He was then, and continues to be now. Don't sweat all the details, they won't matter later anyway. Now I'm asking myself, did we even have monogramed napkins????? I seriously don't know.Spirt Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14211200965860275702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898511657724938468.post-54125743615575034062011-01-19T14:22:50.088-06:002011-01-19T14:22:50.088-06:00Definitely excel spread sheets help! I had one for...Definitely excel spread sheets help! I had one for the guest list, rehearsal dinner, and showers. It also helped with writing thank you notes afterwards. To keep track of all of our vendors my mom and I made identical notebooks. A "director" is a must. We just had a friend do it who was not in the actual ceremony. She had a list of who was going where and kept everybody on time. Our invites went out about 8 weeks in advance because the caterer needed a pretty accurate head count 2 weeks before the wedding date. We also made some cute but inexpensive save the dates on Snapfish using our engagement pictures.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08889304864032995793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898511657724938468.post-89141680166624909742011-01-19T13:29:43.792-06:002011-01-19T13:29:43.792-06:00I have never planned a wedding (YET!) but my best ...I have never planned a wedding (YET!) but my best friend is getting married this spring. When I found out she was engaged I bought her a wedding book from Borders. It has tabs in it, pockets, calendars, and gives her an outline of what needs to be done by when. She loves it! I would suggest every bride to be gets one to help stay organized and have everything down in one place. Also, www.theknot.com is a really good website to help you stay organized and give you ideas. Happy planning!!!Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14631325197075690911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898511657724938468.post-40935296366788814902011-01-19T13:19:19.791-06:002011-01-19T13:19:19.791-06:00I love your shoes! The photographer is amazing, go...I love your shoes! The photographer is amazing, good choice!<br /><br />We got married two year ago and I was just like you- I never thought about my wedding because I really didn't think I would find a guy to marry (I dated jerks in college and met my husband when I was least expecting it). I decided to plan everything myself because I wanted to enjoy every aspect of the experience- I just made sure that I kept more of a focus on our marriage and not the wedding, that kept me from going crazy.<br /><br />My friends and I had a "wedding notebook" that was passed around our group that was a life saver for me. It had dividers with space to store information for every aspect of the wedding. When ever I went to meet with a vendor I could just grab the notebook and go- it had everything I needed. I also kept a speadsheet of the guest list (we were trying to keep it under 100 but once we actually typed out the list we realized the venue we wanted for the reception wouldn't fit our guest so that's something to consider).<br /><br />I used real simple magazine's wedding edition and the knot as resources, they were both wonderful. I bought a few bridal mags but found the real simple to be the most useful by far.<br /><br />We didn't do save the dates. Honestly, there were quite a few things that we didn't do-groom's cake, garter toss/ flower toss, save the dates, programs for the reception....we only did the things that we really cared about and left out all of the other stuff to avoid getting stressed out. We wanted out wedding to be short and the reception to be more like a party than a typical wedding reception. Good luck and have a blast!!Amberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04601125719015936703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898511657724938468.post-82369011522722152142011-01-19T12:40:37.189-06:002011-01-19T12:40:37.189-06:00I truly enjoy reading your blog and can't wait...I truly enjoy reading your blog and can't wait to see wedding details come together. I am in the process of planning my wedding, Hot Springs, AR. <br /><br />I have excel spreadsheets with all my information and an adorable folder I got while registering that has all my paperwork, like contracts. <br /><br />I LOVE stylemepretty.com for inspiration and hardly picked up a magazine. I actually write for a Wedding & Party directory so I find inspiration everyday<br /><br />No director, I'm mailing mine out in March, I've read that you should 6 weeks in advance and I did do std since my wedding is out of town for quite a few guests.<br /><br />I have pink Badgley Mischka shoes :)Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08678829601068273157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898511657724938468.post-10559878850583392032011-01-19T12:40:04.495-06:002011-01-19T12:40:04.495-06:00Those shoes are dreamy!
~thealyway.blogspot.com~...Those shoes are dreamy! <br /><br />~thealyway.blogspot.com~The Aly Wayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17960267466482883502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898511657724938468.post-77500307634225470892011-01-19T12:39:30.706-06:002011-01-19T12:39:30.706-06:00I'm definitely THAT girl... the one you said y...I'm definitely THAT girl... the one you said you weren't. <br /><br />I'm not even engaged but have an account with TheKnot.com (I know, I know... I am crazy... it's nothing I've never heard/felt before!) which has been great... It has EVERYTHING you could need.<br /><br />StyleMePretty.com is a fun site for ideas, especially if any of your details will be handmade... <br /><br />But for favors, ideas, pricing, etc. check out either of those two sites!<br /><br />Congrats && Happy planning!!!!Hannah Elisabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03573053459935597769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898511657724938468.post-44309670727263582432011-01-19T12:38:07.854-06:002011-01-19T12:38:07.854-06:00Beautiful colors!Beautiful colors!Elaine Weltehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16795714631350639303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898511657724938468.post-36817137370355893142011-01-19T12:25:48.365-06:002011-01-19T12:25:48.365-06:00So - I am planning my wedding as we speak, so I am...So - I am planning my wedding as we speak, so I am right there with you! :) Here's the biggest things I have learned so far - <br /><br />1. WeddingWire.com - go there. Sign up. So worth it. Amazing checklist, amazing budget tool, amazing guest list tool, amazing. Do it. You can even be my friend on there! LOL<br /><br />2. Do as much as far in advance as possible. You'd rather be stressed far away from the wedding than worrying about the details a month before.<br /><br />3. Ask questions! Wedding planning is chaos - so don't be afraid to ask! I am more than happy to help in any way I can... ask anyone who has been married before! LOL They are all going to give you their opinions of the best ways to do things, and that can get annoying, but they can also give you amazing pieces of advice.<br /><br />4. WEDDING BLOGS!! My favorite is Style Me Pretty. They're great for inspiration and to get an idea of what vibe you want your wedding to send out. <br /><br />5. GREAT shoes. Mine are Badgley too. EEK. <br /><br />6. Enjoy it! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5898511657724938468.post-26865878417649540692011-01-19T12:24:35.352-06:002011-01-19T12:24:35.352-06:00What websites or magazines were most helpful? - I ...What websites or magazines were most helpful? - I actually found blogs the most helpful in terms of real ideas that worked for normal people. All of my wedding posts are archived here - http://www.thestrengthoffaith.com/search/label/Wedding). And Young House Love did a fantastic recap of their wedding here - http://www.younghouselove.com/wedding-album/<br /><br />Did you have a director for the ceremony? - Yes! I actually asked a friend of mine to do it. It was just helpful to have someone at the church ahead of time, making sure ties were straight, flowers were pinned and the soloist could rehearse with the organist. She was also wonderful because she did little things like open and shut the sanctuary doors after the family and bridesmaids so I could have my big moment when the doors flew open and I was standing there (and then straightened my train as I walked down the isle). It was nice to have someone I knew so well, too.<br /> <br />How far in advance did you mail invitations? - I think we mailed ours four or five months ahead of time, but that was because most people were traveling in from out of state. I've heard three months is typical.<br /><br />Did you do "Save the Dates"? - No but I wanted to! I always thought the picture "save the dates" were fun.<br /><br />I managed to stay organized by keeping everything in a big binder and putting dividers in (trapper keeper style), labeling them "travel", "flowers", "tuxes", "reception set-up", etc. etc. Actually, I still have the binder because I can't bear the thought of getting rid of it! OH! And I did polls on my blog - real vs. fake flowers, candy buffet vs. chocolate fountain, etc. There were certain things that I was so indecisive about that it was fun to get other people's opinions.Sarah @ Preaching In Pumpshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17692318075255368895noreply@blogger.com