BEV: The Ultimate Wedding Planning Check List

{via}

This is the magazine the list was in, and it was one of the first magazines I purchased (ah, nostalgia). I don't know if the checklist is in every magazine, but you can definitely print it off here. 

Something you should add to your Organizational System for planning the wedding is a checklist. A great checklist (and the one I clung to throughout our planning) was Real Simple's Wedding Planning Checklist. This checklist was in the first Real Simple Weddings magazine that I purchased, and as soon as I saw it I tore it out and put it somewhere safe.

The great thing about this list is that it lays out every. single. thing. that needs to be done between now and I do, and breaks it down month by month. There are thing's you may not have even thought about, no worries though, it's on this list! It's overwhelming to read it at first, but the thing you have to realize is that everything doesn't have to be and can't be done right away. The next thing to realize is that you now have this list and your life is saved. Just follow the list. If there are things to do on that list that don't apply to you, cross through them. If there are things missing from the list that you need to do, add them in at the appropriate month.

In addition to this list (because it stops at the week of) I made a To-Do list for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I made this about a week before the wedding. It definitely helped out because that week of... oh, you are going to be busy. Everyone is going to be calling you. Telling you congratulations, what needs to be done or decided on. I kept a small notebook handy at all times the month of the wedding just for writing down lists, notes, or memos. So, if you have a checklist and a small notepad handy at all times, you are prepared and that's that! Good luck!

BEV: DIY Moss Covered Letters

Early in the wedding planning I knew I wanted to incorporate a couple moss-covered "J" letters into our special day. I also knew I wanted to make them myself.  These can get quite pricey if you purchase them already made, so making them yourself can help you to save quite a bit of cash. 

I ultimately decided to make two 12" J's and two 24" J's. I had the 24" letters placed on the two windows at the top of the stairs at the church, and I had the 12" letters hung on the doors of the country club. 

{via}

Need:

Mod Podge ($7)

Small-Medium sized foam brushes ($1)

Large sheet of plastic ($3)

Scissors (already have)

Paper mache letters ($4-$10)

Paper plate (already have)

Moss ($2.50)*

Directions:

1. Lay out your large sheet of plastic on the surface you will be using. You want a large area to work on as you will be making a mess - moss pieces will get everywhere and you will need extra space to leave the letters to dry.

2. Pour some Mod Podge onto a paper plate. You'll want to do this because as you start covering your letter, your sponge will most likely get moss on it and if you are dipping back into the Mod Podge bottle, you'll get those pieces into the jar. 

3. Start with the top of the letter and work in small areas. I'd  spread the glue on a 2x4" area and lay down the moss. 

4. Continue working in small areas down the front of the letter until it is completely covered.

5. Once covered, use scissors to trim around all edges.

6. Repeat steps 3-5 for each side of letter until it is completely covered. 

7. Once completely covered, use scissors to snip away any remaining pieces that are sticking out.

8. Set aside to dry over night.  

After finishing all four of my letters, I noticed a four-leaf clover on one of the J's. Lucky me!

A couple days before the wedding I gave the completed moss covered letters to my florist and she hung them for me using a navy colored ribbon that perfectly matched my bridesmaids' dresses. This ribbon was also used to wrap the bridesmaids' bouquets and used around a couple vases on tables. 

If you find that you do not have the time, patience , or whatever else to make these yourself, I would suggest heading over to Etsy and checking out the selection of moss covered letters. Purchasing letters online will cost you anywhere from $25-$150+ depending on size of letter, moss material, and person selling. 

Check out other ideas for using moss covered letters!

*You can get moss at Walmart or at any craft store. The craft stores, like Michaels or JoAnn, will have more of a variety of moss, so pricing will depend on what moss you want. I purchased six bags of the Walmart moss and had one bag left over after doing all four bags. 

BEV: Resources

{via}

Something great to do from now until the last detail is complete is check out wedding resources. All of them. Constantly. Check out websites, blogs, magazines, books, and television shows. This really helps to expose you to different ideas, advice, tips, and gives great inspiration. Some of my favorites were:

Magazines: 

Brides

MS Weddings

InStyle Weddings
RealSimple Weddings

Blogs:

Ruffled

Green Wedding Shoes

Snippet and Ink

Style Me Pretty

The Budget Savvy Bride

Websites:

The Knot (of course)

Wedding Wire

TV Shows:

Whoes Wedding is it Anyway

Bridezillas

Say Yes to the Dress

There are several more websites, blogs, and magazines out there, these were just ones I enjoyed and used the most. Getting familiar with these sites will help tremendously as they offer great inspirations through photos and ideas and also are great for finding venues. So while it's early and nothing is set in stone, I would highly advise you to search around these sites and start stocking up on magazines to help with decisions in your future.

Bride's Eye View: Suggestions for Getting Organized*

{via}

A three-ring notebook
I would suggest a three-ring notebook so that papers can be put in and taken out with ease. If you use something like a spiral notebook, once you rip a page out, it's not going back in - unless you staple or tape it. Then it looks messy, but if you are ok with that, go for it. I could never deal with that. It's up to you.

To put in the three-ring binder...

Dividing Folders
These are what will keep you organized. I would set up dividers for: Caterer information, photographer information, florist information, etc. And by information, I mean paperwork they will give you with menus, photo packages, hourly rates, bouquet costs, and so on. This method ensures that you know exactly where everything is when you need it! And that will keep the stress at bay.

Information Page
Another life-saver right here, my friends. When you open your notebook, I would suggest the very first thing you see is an information page. This page should be complete with vendor names (i.e., Southern Catering, First Christian Church), name(s) of person to contact, phone number, email, website (if available), and any other information you deem necessary.

Ex (all this info is made up):

Southern Catering

Jill Thompson

555-555-5555

jill@southerncatering.com

www.southerncatering.com

Raleigh, NC

I'd have this for each booked vendor. I'd also keep this information on the places where you get your dress, the guys get their tux, the girls get their dresses, where you order your invitations, save the dates, and so on. Any person or company you may have one or more contact with throughout this process, I would have at the least a name and number written down and easy to find - just in case. We are eliminating possible stress here, people!

Behind this information page, I would also suggest a couple copies of another list. Once your wedding party is complete, I would go ahead and type up an information sheet for all your bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls (or their parents), and anyone else who is part of the wedding party. Include their name, their role in your wedding, address, number, email, and maybe even their relationship to you. This is helpful to you because people who throw you showers and when his parents are working on the rehearsal dinner, they are going to need this information. And when they ask for it, you have it. Already complete, and all in one place to just easily hand over.

Guest List
I wrote on a guest list here, but I'm going to go ahead and paste it below:


This notebook is also a great place to keep several copies of a guest list with address of each guest. As shower invitations, Save the Date cards, rehearsal dinner invitations, and ceremony invitations are being sent out, it's going to help you and others who may need the list/address and it's going to help ensure every one is accounted for - because people who are invited to showers are expected to be invited to the wedding and you don't want to overlook anyone. I'd also say go ahead and put these in alphabetical order - just to help you out.

Not only will having the guest list with address be helpful with showers and invitations, but also having these addresses on hand as thank you notes are being sent out is quite a blessing. Thank you notes will be a whole other post later on, but just let me go ahead an say, gifts can come in waves and before you know it you are needing to write 50+ TY notes (especially after showers) and having all the addresses in front of you will make things that much easier.

Thank You Note List
I would most definitely have a divider tab for thank you notes. Once you register (I can't wait to post on this!) gifts will start coming in - slowly at first and then they pour in! As these gifts come in, write down the giver and the gift immediately and write the note as soon as you can. The point of this section is so that you always know where your running list of gifts and givers is. Once you write the note, cross off the name and gift. This is just another way to stay organized and ensure that everyone receives a note (then they know you got it and you appreciate it).

Calendar
Most everyone already has a calendar they use - whether it's at work, in your purse, or on your phone. And if you already have this, that's great! If you have a calendar that's just for work, you may want to consider purchasing an additional one - one that will fit into your notebook. If you keep a calendar with you everywhere you go, then you probably don't need an additional one. Having a calendar is crucial. You are going to be setting up appointments to meet vendors, discuss menu options, cake option, try on dresses, dress fittings, and so on. You are also going to be asked about dates that will work for showers and parties. You need a calendar handy for this. You can usually purchase calendars that are thin and already punched with three holes to fit perfectly into your notebook.

Ideas and Inspirations
As you think of ideas you are considering for the wedding or you see ideas on websites that you like WRITE THEM DOWN. As you come across pictures you like in magazines TEAR THEM OUT. If you find pictures you like online - START A FOLDER on your computer to save these photos to. You are going to have so much on your mind during this time that it's likely you may forget something you read or forget where you saw that gorgeous picture - so when you see or read things like this - hold on to them! Either in a new section of you notebook or even in an entirely new notebook, keep up with all the ideas and inspirations you run into.

*These are all just suggestions. If you are working on putting together a notebook and find that a different set-up works better for you, go for it! The main point I am trying to share is that making this extra effort and putting in a few hours to create a system where number and information are easily accessible will make your life easier during this process. I was kind of organized with all my information, but not like this. It was all a bit scattered. I had files saved on the computer, I had websites book-marked, I had a notebook with running lists and information, and I had a large folder with everything else. It was better than nothing, but still things were here and there. If I could re-do it, setting up a system would be the first thing I would do.

Bride's Eye View: Getting Organized

{via}

In my last BEV post I mentioned that there were two things that needed to take place immediately after becoming engaged: setting a date and getting organized. Going ahead and getting organized will help you from the moment you create an organizational system to the moment you say "I do" (and even after).

Things to organize:

• Guest list
• Guest addresses
• Vendor information
• Vendor contact information
• Inspirations
• Ideas

There are many benefits of being organized during this planning time. You are going to be given and juggling a lot of information as you are meeting and booking vendors. So having all your price sheets, contact information, menu options, package options, and phone numbers, as well as ideas and inspiration, in one place is going to make your life a wee bit easier.

This is also a great place to keep several copies of a guest list with address of each guest. As shower invitations, Save the Date cards, rehearsal dinner invitations, and ceremony invitations are being sent out, it's going to help you and others who may need the list/address and it's going to help ensure every one is accounted for - because people who are invited to showers are expected to be invited to the wedding and you don't want to overlook anyone. I'd also say go ahead and put these in alphabetical order - just to help you out.

Not only will having the guest list with address be helpful with showers and invitations, but also having these addresses on hand as thank you notes are being sent out is quite a blessing. Thank you notes will be a whole other post later on, but just let me go ahead an say, gifts can come in waves and before you know it you are needing to write 50+ TY notes (especially after showers) and having all the addresses in front of you will make things that much easier.

Maybe not initially, but as your wedding date approaches your schedule is going to become busier. If you do not already keep a calendar with you at all times, I would suggest doing so - or at least keep one within your organization notebook. You are going to be making and receiving phone calls to set up appointments and meetings and if your calendar is handy, your life will be easier.

If you are more of an electronic person,you can definitely set up a folder with files on your computer using Word and Excel - or whatever other programs you are familiar and comfortable with. For me, although I love my computer, I am a hands-on kind of gal and I preferred having, holding, and flipping through information. If you prefer this method, you have the option of purchasing an organization system - you can find these online or in book stores such as Barnes&Noble; however, I preferred something custom to meet my needs.

In a nut shell: organized = easier life.

Suggestions for an organizing system coming soon.

Bride's Eye View: Setting the Date

{via}

In my opinion, after becoming engaged, there are two things that immediately need to happen:

1. Set a date
2. Get organized

If you've ever been engaged or you are recently engaged (Andrea! Congrats!), you will come to realize that every person you see will ask one thing: Have you set a date? (This question will come shortly after they grab your left hand and stare at your ring) Everyone will be curious about when the big event is going to happen - and it's so nice to have a date ready to share with any and every one who asks. 

Chris and I were engaged for over a year before we set a date, and I always had to respond with the same thing: We haven't set a date, yet. We are going to wait until we both graduate, so probably the summer of 2010. See, just saying July 17, 2010 would have been a lot easier during that year and a half of engagement. Trust me. 

I found that picking a date can become very overwhelming because there is so much to consider. First and foremost, you should choose a date that the two of you want. If there is a particular season, month, or date that holds considerable meaning to either of you and/or your relationship, that's something to consider. You also have to consider the schedules and lives of the people you want to be a part of your big day.

I always wanted a Fall wedding. Probably because it's my favorite time of year, a soft pastel color scheme would have fit perfectly, and I always kind of wanted to wear one of those Lace Jackets with my dress. But waiting until Fall would have been a pain - we were ready to get married and summer was convenient. 

Once a date is set, things can get going - like booking a photographer, caterer, church or venue, florist, dj, band, and so on (It is highly important to start booking these as soon as possible). In retrospect, the date is important, but what is most important is that the two of you are married and you were able to share that entire day with everyone you love and who loves you.

Maybe you know the exact date you already want. That's great! Set it in stone and start letting others know! If you are having a bit of trouble deciding, I would advise you to sit down with the fiancé and at least start narrowing it down to a couple months and a couple of dates within those months. This will help. Then talk with your friends and other family members to get a feel for what may work best for everyone involved. Good luck!

On a side note: A last tid-bit of advice that will forever pop up throughout these posts: do what you want to do. It's your wedding. Don't try to make it what this person wants or what that person wants. Don't try to make it anything more that what you two want. That is it. 

Bride's Eye View: Inaugural Post

Let's get this rolling! I'm so excited to finally set up and get going with these Bride's Eye View posts - which will, from here on out, be referred to as BEV. Some things you can expect to see from these posts are:

Advice 
I learned a lot through out the entire process of planning a wedding. I feel like the advice that I have to share would have most definitely been helpful while I was planning and it wouldn't feel right not to share.

Projects
I tried to incorporate several DIY and personalized touches throughout the wedding. There are several things I wanted to do and decide on by myself. That was important to me rather than letting someone else, like a planner, just give me things to pick from.

Details
BEV is more than just about what I learned and did, it's also about what went down. Some posts will simply be photos snapped during the process or during the big day that I just want to share or that might have a story.

Whatever Else
Reminiscing about all the wedding planning and details may or may not have secondary effects causing me to maybe look at wedding dresses... or wedding blogs... or be inspired to share fun things I find... I can't help it. It's a girl things.

I've been keeping a running list of topics to blog about for BEV. You know how when you are driving, exercising , or in the shower you think up some of the best ideas and thoughts that you never would have or could have if you were sitting down and actually trying to do so? And there's no way you can write it down because you are driving, exercising, or showering. Yes? No? Well, this happens to me more than what should be allowed. For this reason, I have been keeping a small notebook handy for when I am in the shower and I think, When I am writing up my post on registering, I need to make sure to include this, this, and this. Or when I am driving and I think, I should really talk about how much of a struggle it was to pick out one detail of the wedding - the first dance. Yeah, that. I don't want to leave anything out!


Finally, I want to acknowledge that anything I say on these posts are solely my opinions from what I've learned. I'm not trying to say that my views are the correct or only way, because they are not. I just what to share what I learned and what I think would have been helpful to know whether it may be advice, resources, or ideas.

Brides Eye View

When I made Dwelling & Telling, I also contemplated making a Bridal/Wedding blog. I'm a newlywed, I learned a lot during the process of planning a wedding, and I'd love to share it; however, I think I was just feeling a little too ambitious (I may be addicted to making blogs - intervention!).

Instead, I am going to do wedding/bridal posts here. I really want to share things I learned during the process, things I did on my own, DIY, personalized touches, and everything else in between - I feel like it's a shame to have learned so much during the process and not share it.

So be on the lookout in the next week for wealth of knowledge I have to share about the process of getting married and posts on our wedding!