Drive-by Inspiration May 6, 2008

I love that my commute to and from work takes me right by the museum where we’ll be getting married in close to a year. That is, if we can make it that long before heading to judge’s chambers I always try to drive as slowly as I can without endangering other drivers, craning my neck to get a good view of the sculpture garden where the ceremony will be. It was a little bare during winter, but now it is fully in bloom and absolutely gorgeous. There are two small trees that I think we’ll use in lieu of an altar or archway and I’m thinking of decorating them with strands of hanging orchids, similar to this picture. The site is already so beautiful we won’t need much else. Since we’re planning a dusk ceremony I might also use some of those paper bag luminaries. If you had an outdoor wedding how did you decorate?

Favorite Favors March 23, 2008

Wedding favors are another one of those traditions that I have issues with. The idea, in itself, is great. Guests spend a good deal of money on attending a wedding between the travel costs and gifts, so it only makes sense that in addition to giving them a party to remember, you would reciprocate with some sort of gift of your own. However with the cost of weddings rapidly rising (in my state it is $26,000 people) favors can turn into a cheap necessity. You feel obligated to get them, but don’t want to spend a lot of money so your guests end up with some rhinestone emblazoned chotchke which they will never use. This seems like a lose-lose situation to me.

I’m not anti-favor. But I do believe strongly that if your wedding budget is already stretched, no one will notice or even really care if they get a shot glass with your wedding date on it, or Jordan almonds in your wedding colors. Instead put the money you save toward better food, another hour of music, or an open bar. I guarantee your guests will appreciate these things.

If you do have money to spend on favors, there are lots of creative options out there that both you and your guests will enjoy. In general, anything edible (or drinkable) is a crowd-pleaser as well as adaptable to whatever type of shindig you are hosting but there are plenty of other choices too. Here are some ideas I love.

Customized *Beverages

I start with this, because bottles of wine are most likely going to be the favor we give our guests. We love wine, most of our friends and family love wine, and it strikes a good balance between something immediately enjoyable and a keepsake if you choose to save the bottle. There is a company here in Columbus (Camelot Cellars) that lets you help make the wine itself, bottle it, and design the label so you get the satisfaction of a do-it-yourself project without all the hassle. If you or your family doesn’t drink, or if you have kids at your reception Jones Soda allows you to make custom labels fairly inexpensively, comes in every color of the rainbow, and tastes pretty excellent too.

Interactive Favors

This could go several different ways, but I do like the idea of anything that allows your guests to create their own favor. Candy buffets and vintage photo booths are two popular options right now but you could personalize this as well by having a sundae bar instead of wedding cake or a dance instructor teach salsa lessons. Whatever you’re into really. This gist of this type of favor is creating memories instead of just giving things.

Favors that Do Good
And while we’re on that thought, some couples are doing donations to their favorite charities in lieu of favors. This is a worthwhile option on a lot of levels, because the donation can be as big or as small as you like, and doing something like this not only benefits a cause that means something to you, but is a reminder of the more important things in life.

Fun with Crinoline March 18, 2008

Rock ‘n Roll Bride’s post yesterday reminded me, as if I needed another reason, how much I love colored crinolines. There is a vintage store in Columbus where there is a whole wall full of fluffy petticoats in every imaginable color and it makes me feel like a kid in a candy store. This bride inspired me, because her overall look is glamorous and playful at the same time, which I think is a difficult balance to pull off.

I put together my own vintage version of her outfit. Its a little matchy-matchy, but I think the chicness of the dress with the nipped in waist and attached neck scarf would be a great contrast to the royal blue and purple crinoline just peeking out the bottom. I have to give Betsey Johnson props for the shoes too; her designs can sometimes be a little over the top but these are fantastic, mostly because of the floral patterned sole!

vintage dress, crinoline, shoes, clutch, feather headpiece

a window into my wedding March 9, 2008

One of the most helpful tools, both for planning and for avoiding other less entertaining tasks, is the inspiration board. Just a simple collage of images, the process of making a board really helps define the style and overall vibe of a wedding.

Here is the work-in-progress board I have accumulated so far. My fiancé and I are getting married next May at The Columbus Museum of Art. The ceremony is outdoor in the sculpture garden, and the reception will be inside in the Derby Court. We have no real theme, other than we want a wedding that reflects our personalities in as many ways as possible.

Our colors are primarily black and white, with touches of green. The bridesmaids are picking out their own dream little black dresses to wear (as represented by the ladies of Sex and the City). I love the idea of having several nods to my home state of Washington with bottles of Washington wine as favors with custom labels and apple place cards. Traditionally, I don’t want to go public with my dress before the wedding, but the bridal look itself won’t be too traditional. I want to walk down the aisle to something unexpected like Bittersweet Symphony…I’m sure this will all evolve again before the Big Day, but the planning is half the fun, right?