Real Weddings

Soooo I've had a lot of time on my hands recently,  (winter break = lots of down time) and started gathering inspiration for my wedding by looking at stories of other people's weddings.  I've found some useful tips as well as some great ideas.  One bride insisted on having a stress free wedding day.  Instead of planing everything down to the minute so just relaxed, made sure the big things were taken care of and let the little details wander off.  I know my mother would kill me if my fiancée and I did the "first look" prior to the ceremony but I think it's a great way to get a lot of photos done in advance.  One couple did a combo of both, they had a first look prior to the ceremony but the groom was blind folded so he never saw her in the dress.   Personally I want to get the posed pictures over with while my hair, makeup and dress still look their best.  I also want to spend time with my guests and enjoy the reception.  That brings me to another stress free idea: no seating chart.  Instead of wasting precious time, energy and resources; let your guests choose where they sit.  Why should I fret about a seating chart when everyone (for the most part) are fully grown adults who can find their own place to sit.

There were also some cost saving tips I found like DIY bouquets made out of silk flowers and wearing a white or ivory bridesmaids dress as a wedding gown.  BM dresses are a fraction of the cost of wedding dresses and can be accessorized easily. Add a sash here and a pin there and whoala  you have a wedding dress that is totally you.  I like to play about with dresses and pick out details in each one that I like.  Sooner or later I find myself sketching dress designs.  I know it would cost way too much money to have a dress made but it certainly helps me understand more of what I like. I contemplated ordering a simple gown and then adding my own touches to it later.  We'll see what I decide when I start dress shopping.

I don't want my wedding to turn into a total DIY event but some DIY projects are ok if they add a personal touch to the event or it they are inexpensive without looking like it.  So far on the big wedding to do list is: 1) find a reception location; 2) find a photographer 3) wedding dress 4) finalize the guest-list/invitation/save the date and 5) stay under budget.