Summertime and the livin's easy

This blog would not be a truthful representation of this wedding process if I didn't honestly discuss how emotionally drained and overwhelmingly stressed I have been lately. I think a combination of focusing all my energy towards the other two weddings and coming to terms with how much work still needs to go into making our wedding a success, has really made this summer a trying time for Josh and I. Also, not having our annual camping trips, beach days, or other usual summertime activity is a bigger sacrifice than I thought it would be. I'm seeing now how important it is to maintain your normal non-wedding life's activities amidst all the wedding planning. So from here on out, the excitement and joy for our Big Day is what will keep us going. We can't sweat the small stuff. And we must remember that despite all the wedding craziness this year...everyday we wake up as the same Josh and Sheila (who happen to be exchanging vows in a couple months). Anyone want to go canoeing?

Photobooths vs. Polaroids part II

A couple weeks after my post about DIY Polaroid booths being better than Photobooths, one of my favorite blogs posted a similar entry to her 2000 dollar wedding blog. Sara even took it a step further by posting a link for to different set of instructions for building your own photobooth! *

To add to my thoughts on this subject; if you are worried about the quality of photos from the Polaroids cameras and the photography skills of your guests, it doesnt hurt to ask your wedding photographer if they offer a photobooth option. You wont receive instant prints but the portraits will be professional and photographers are great at coaxing people into fun, expressive shots. You'll pay an extra $200-$400 more on top of your photography fee and that's still a huge saving over the $1500 for the rented photobooth.

*side-note: I love the blog community and encourage people to explore. I've gotten most of my money-saving, creative juices flowing ideas from other wedding blogs of soon-to-be or recently wed brides. Two heads are better than one.

Halfway there

6 months to go!

To help with wedding costs, Josh and I complied a list of things needed for the wedding, that we believe can be obtain by borrowing from friends and family(or friends of friends and family). Please let us know if you or anyone you know have any of these items and would be willing to let us use for the wedding.

white christmas lights
cake stands
mini cupcake baking tins
blue or green empty wine bottles (these would be to have not borrow, since we plan to cut them up)
tiki torches
picnic tables
yard games (horseshoes, bocce ball)
roasting sticks
white, green or blue hydrangeas (if someone has a hydrangea bush and would be willing to let us cut some stems to contribute to flower arrangements)

Photo booths vs Polaroids

I mentioned before that Whitney and I went to a bridal show a few weekends ago. The photos above are souvenirs from the day, the show had two photo booths and they were allowing people to try them out in hopes of booking weddings...for a hefty price of course. These photo booths are available for a rental fee of $1000-$1500. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a fun activity for the guests and a great way to get photos of all your guests but that's a big hunk of money. I believe using Polaroid instant cameras is a great alternative.

It can be even more fun and personal for your guests if you throw in fun props such as hats, glasses, and mustaches:

Or hang up some patterned fabric as a backdrop that matched your wedding colors.

This wedding had a school theme so a blackboard was used for the background at the Polaroid station. Guests could write messages for the bride and groom and a photo album was set out to house the instant photos.So here's the breakdown; you can purchase an instant Polaroid camera off Ebay for $5-$15. As for film, $200 will buy you enough for 100 shots and considering people usually pose in groups that'll give a guest list of 100 at least two times in front of the camera. Throw in miscellaneous props and a photo album and you still have savings of at least $700!!!

Here's a link to a wedding with some horribly fun photos from their own DIY photo booth.

Tea leaves, sushi and green tea ice cream

Thank the Lord for friends coming over to help assemble our Save the Date cards.I designed postcards and magnets to be uploaded to vistaprint.com where I also ordered a return address stamp all for $40. I found leaf stamps at Mejier on clearance for $2 and purchased a green ink stamp pad (the color was called "Tea Leaves") from JoAnns using a gift card I received at Christmas from Josh's cousin.

Sarah attached the magnets to each postcard, Aja and Kayla did all the stamping, and Whitney hand-addressed all the envelopes.I'm surprised we didnt get Carpal Tunnel syndrome from all the assembling, especially since took a break to make homemade sushi and crab rangoons...yumm! We finished off the day by watching My Big Fat Greek Wedding and treating ourselves to green tea ice cream. Good work ladies!(Maid of Honor-Sarah, bridesmaid-Whitney, crafty lady-Kayla, photographer-Aja)