The Registry...The fun Part!

Courtesy of Pixabay

Like everything that we have done for this wedding, we did our research for our wedding registry.  Everything seems pretty consistent between testimonies that we read, and the places that we registered.  If you are inviting 250 people to the wedding. you should assume that most people would but several gifts each. Example:  If you list a several cooking utensils, someone is likely to but them all.  (Depending on the price range of your gifts). We registered for items from very inexpensive to larger items, such as luggage and appliances.  Just a few things to remember:

• Include lots of variety. 
• Take into consideration that some of the items you register for may be seasonal, and you might have to update it several times. Our engagement lasted a year, so as we added to the guest list we also added to the registry.  
• Keep in mind that you most likely will not get everything on your registry.  The important thing to remember is that these people are your close friends and family, and they are here to share in your joy.  Don't make them feel like an very expensive gift is a cover charge to get into your wedding.  
• Some people prefer gift cards rather that something on the registry.  This gives you options.  
• Some places we found will give you a discount on items that were not purchased after the wedding.  This is something to ask the venue or outlet that you register at.
• Some of the things that we registered for were things that were just a mere update of what we already had.  
• Don't overwhelm your guests either.  When you have a guest list of 200-250 people, no one wants to scroll through 800 items that you registered for.  
• Don't forget the THANK YOU notes.  (It makes all the difference!)   

This is the rather fun part of the adventure, but don't overdue it or not enough.  It's too easy to let your frustrations run away with you, just relax and enjoy it!  It will all be worth it in the end.  AND the best best part is that you might get a new Crockpot!

There are many weddings out there...this is just ours!

How we chose a wedding photographer...

This is solely based on how we chose a photographer for our wedding day.  I realize that there are thousands of lists that couples work through in order to narrow it down, but this pertains more to what we wanted. 

• Know what it is that you are looking for on your wedding day.  Do you want just several pictures, with two hours or so of coverage;  or are you wanting to document the entire day.  
• Do you have a large wedding party or a small wedding party. 
• What are you willing to spend?
• Do you want edited pictures, or non-edited pictures? ( You might be surprised when you look around the number of people that want strictly pictures from the camera).
• Do you want someone that prints the pictures for you, or are you looking for a CD so that you can print your own pictures?
• Are you wanting a photographer that offers, add-ons? (i.e - free guest book, printed canvas, wedding album, video)  
• Do you want bridal portraits, or engagement photos? - in most cases you can find a photographer that does both.  
• Do you want one, or more photographers, to cover your day?

These are just some of the questions that we covered before we made a decision.  We looked around in the areas and selected about four that interested us.  We looked at their work, pricing, do they have a website?, and especially reviews.  Don't hesitate to ask another wedding couple who photographed their day. Lastly, DON'T go with someone for the simple fact that they are cheap.   If you are on a more confined budget, continue to research who is around you, and share with the prospects what types of services they would offer for what you are willing to pay.  You might be surprised.  Please DO NOT throw yourself at the first person that offers you a $100 deal for the entire day! You will most likely regret it.

Remember to book early!  Most photographers book over a year in advance.  If your day is planned for early spring/summer that becomes PRIME TIME!!!

YOUR TIP HERE:  Research, research, research!  Read, ask questions, and don't be afraid to tell people what you are looking for.  

P.S. - I will share with you after the wedding who we chose.  I'm sure if you are from the NWA area you know who they are...it may start with KD!

Wedding Videography

This is just a small note about our wedding video.  I briefly laid out in a previous post as to why we felt that it was important to have a video of our wedding day. I just can't stress enough  how important it is to do your research.  At first, we decided against doing a video, because we had a photographer documenting the entire day. We looked around and found that in some cases a video-grapher was just as much as a photographer.  No! Several people that had one done, being married ten or so years, said they have probably only watched it twice up to this point in their marriage.  Several others, said even if they had one they may have only watched it twice.  So, some further online research told us that even though it was't at the top of the list, many people wish that they had something small to look back on for that special day.  

• Your day will go by very fast, and you won't likely remember everything that happened. 
• They will be little things that you won't see at your wedding, but things that people may mention in future years.  
• It;s likely the only way you will get to see everyone that shared your day!

In conclusion, we have a video camera that we have chosen to give to a friend.  Nothing fancy, no credits, or set to music, we just wanted something very simple to watch if we ever felt the need. There are so many programs and apps out there now, that you can easily edit and create your own if you want.  So this is what we went with. 

This is my advise - Do some online research, and do a video.  You wont have to hire a fancy professional, but if you have a video camera, USE IT! Or you might look into renting one....

Valentine' s Weekend

This was our weekend.  We just stayed simple this year, but it was a great weekend nonetheless.  We started with a 5K run on Saturday morning, and Sunday with dinner, making invitations, and a Jenga game that she had made for me.  

Here's you tip:  Never let a good chance to document/photograph a moment get away.  It will give you something to look back on  years in the future. Also, don't forget to print the pictures. Currently, I am racking up a collection of photo albums that I know I will get some use out of.   (If you'd like, you can search the post about why I have gone back to printing.)   

Click on the link entitled "Our Wedding" on the right side under topics, and follow our journey.  

This was our weekend!

Our Superbowl 

This was the first time in a long time that both of us stayed at home and watched the game.  Usually we are attending a party of some sort, but this year we kept it simple. As you can see from below, this was our living room for the weekend.  

It was an endless sea of mason jars, ribbon, and little plastic flowers.  Like I have said before. anything that you are able to do by yourself, Go For It!

Do some research, and find out what others have done for their wedding, and make sure that yours is something that you want to do. If you need help go to Google, and search "wedding regrets".  We asked several married couples how they would do it different, and read several articles about things that couples wished they had done.  In the beginning we decided against have a videographer, after some reading and conversation we decided to have one.  We have camcorder, gave it to someone who knows how to use it, and away we go!  We decided that we just wanted a simple video, nothing fancy, just footage of the wedding.  With all the gadgets and apps out there now, there are plenty of options to make in your own.  (My next post I will write why we decided against a fancy video)

Wedding Projects

I'm going to go out on a limb here:

I think it's safe to say that 85% of the work that goes into a wedding, is work that you can do yourself.  This is the beginning of one of my many wedding projects that would most likely save you some dough!  Etsy and Pinterest will become your best friends when it come to saving a quick buck. 

Here's your tip:

Do some research. and find what it is that you can do yourself rather that to pay someone a substantial amount of money to do for you. Again, trust me on this.... a little wood stain on anything will work wonders!  This wood was at Lowe's for about 3$ -  I'll keep you posted on the final project.  Stay tuned!

Remember:  You can click on the "Our wedding" link to the right under "Topics", and follow along...

Don't come between a women and her shoes

This is probably along the lines of "don't come between a man and his grill."  In fact, I'm sure it is.  It is probably in the males best interest not to come between the shoes that your bride chooses. I suggested flip-flops, and well, that wasn't even an option. If I say it once, I will most likely say it thousands more times.  When you are planning your wedding 
"GET AS MUCH AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN OUT OF THE WAY, AND DON"T SAVE ANYTHING UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE." (From a male perspective, it will save you a lot of anger, frustration, and arguments)


(Below) is our wedding binder that she dug up, smashed full of notes, lists, and lists of things to do about our lists. She purchased it for probably $20 bucks, and both of us would be list without it. 

***HERE'S YOUR TIP*** 
It doesn't have to be a fancy binder, but you should have something to keep notes and contacts in.  Weddings get expensive, deposits are put down, and time is precious....on that note, people get confused, things get lost, and life happens.  You certainly don't want hard-earned money walking out the door! (Especially if you have a large wedding party)  - Trust me! You will thank me later!
Let her do most of the planning, and you can concentrate on what to drink at the reception, and the BACHELOR PARTY!