A Must Have

If you are looking for color inspiration for your wedding (or any event really) then The Perfect Palette is a must have on your blog reader. I have used this website numerous times in the past and now I am looking for my own wedding inspiration. We are thinking about having a fall wedding and I fell in love with these two inspiration boards:

{fall inspiration board}

{chocolate inspiration board}

Play around with your wedding colors. It's OK to pick more than two colors for your wedding and if you need some ideas then visit The Perfect Palette.

Cake Inspiration

So, I am looking around trying to get some ideas for cake themes/decorations/toppers. I would like to personalize as much of Jim and I's wedding as I possibly can, and when I came across this....

{scrabble cake}

I fell in LOVE with this cake theme. We love scrabble and monopoly and this gave me some great ideas to play off of!

We also really like the industrial modern style with concrete, wood, and metal. I never really thought about incorporating those things with the cake table but I really, really, really like this set-up.

{cake table}

not only do I like the set-up, I REALLY like that this couple could not decide on one desert so they decided to have them all. That sounds like something I would do :)

$The Budget$

As a new bride there some initial steps to take with your fiance and family (if needed) in planning your wedding. Some people might argue that setting a date is the first thing that you need to do when you get engaged. I, personally, think that should be the second thing you do.

For me, setting the budget sets the stage for everything else to follow (including the date). Start by finding out how much your parents and his parents are willing to contribute to the wedding or if they will be contributing at all. This will give you an idea of how much you and your fiance will are willing to put towards your wedding. In no way should you ever consider taking out a loan for your wedding day. Sticking to your budget and staying within your means is the smartest thing you can do to start your marriage off on the right foot. The Knot has a pretty standard budget calculator that you can customize to your needs and wants. This tool can give you a pretty good idea of where to start. A wedding coordinator can also help you break down your budget a little further so you can see exactly what money is going where as well as help you SAVE money.

Traditionally, the bride's side paid for most of the wedding but in today's society more and more couples are going on this trek without any parental assistance. No matter what the budget is, you are perfectly capable of having a classy and memorable wedding that your guests will be sure to remember.

The Dress Entourage

You may have heard that it is not a good idea to invite a lot of people to help you look for your wedding dress. Have you heard why? It is suggested to only bring one or two people with you to your appointment. The more people at your appointment, the more opinions you will take in. It can become incredibly frustrating as the person trying on dresses and eventually you get caught up in getting a good reaction from your entourage rather then finding the dress that you are the most comfortable in. Some may even leave with a dress that isn’t their favorite because of the social pressure behind it.

DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU!

{stress}

Pick one or two of your closest family/friends that you trust. This is enough to take their opinions into consideration but not be overwhelmed by them. Wouldn’t it be a cool feeling to know that there are ONLY TWO people that have seen you in your wedding gown on your wedding day? It could be like a top secret project for you and your closest :)

Also, a lot of girls look for that “moment” where tears are streaming down everyone’s cheeks just like in the TV shows. This may or may not happen. Do not get caught up in how others react to YOUR dress in the fitting room. Some people may not react the way you want them to and that is OK. Try to concentrate on how comfortable and confident YOU feel in it. The tears will eventually come from someone, don’t you worry.

Dresses!

I am going to kick off the week with my first tip for wedding dress shopping.

After setting out to find a wedding dress, I found that this process is a lot like dating men. Yup, and you thought you were done with all of that :)

{dress rack}

Sometimes your parents like it, sometimes they don't.


{dress}

Sometimes it is love at first sight and others kind of grow on you after awhile.

{boutique}

Once you fall in "like" with one, you find yourself picking out its flaws....and then you keep searching.

Just like dating you need know what your style is and what you like. Do some research before you go to your appointment and look at as many wedding dresses as possible. If you can't find a dress that has everything, then write down the qualities that you do like. (ie. rufffles, lace, short, bows). This will help your consultant find that perfect dress for you. Finally, stay open minded. You may not like a dress the consultant brings you and that is fine. Nobody is forcing you to try anything on and it will not hurt their feelings. However, you will be pleasantly surprised at how a dress looks ON you rather than on the rack.

Spring Cleaning

{comic}

Hello Hello, I know it has been a long time but I am doing some spring cleaning as well as setting new goals in my life.

First, a brief update. Since you have last read, I moved back to my hometown of Kansas City. I am settled in and my FIANCE (eeeeek!) has moved back as well. That's right, I am engaged. October 17th, 2010 to my best friend! I will tell the whole story another time but I need to move along. My blog will be my journey as a bride and an aspiring wedding coordinator. I will share my ideas and inspirations from a bride's point of view as well as a coordinator's. Everything is game for this blog so get excited (I know I am!).