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So I have tried my hand at one of these boards I have been seeing all over the place to see if all of the images I have picked out as really speaking to me make any sort of sense when smooshed together in a small screen.

The results were not as bad as I thought they would be.

Though in the interest of full disclosure, I did remove a few images I had saved where I really liked the idea, but the colors were not exactly or at all what we have in mind. Which probably helped with the semi-coherency of the over-all board.

It'a a bit crowded and is just a first attempt.
But it is all starting to take shape! (ish)

(click on the image to see a much bigger version of it. you know, one where you can actually see the individual pictures I have chosen...)

[all images used previously somewhere in this blog]

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I like how the letters are made from book pages.
Pretty neat visual.

And they can be used to spell anything!

(could do without the pastel embellishments though...)

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So here's the thing.

I am pretty sure I know how to save money on the little things.
*Not hire a florist and do the flowers myself.
*Create a wedding website in lieu of everybody RSVPing via paper/post.
*Cut out silly things like favors, programs and custom whatevers.

And I have never felt the need for a dress more expensive than my former car.

But I have absolutely no idea how to save on a venue.

All the ones I have come across have been ridiculously expensive, with restricting parameters up the wazoo.

Granted, most I have searched thus far cater to weddings, and either this is what most bride and grooms want, or they just know how to take advantage of those planning their weddings. (I am leaning towards the latter, as quite a few venues rent the space for 5 hours to a wedding for twice as much as they rent the space to another type of event for the same amount of time, with not much difference in the extras that are included).

Either way, I am not your typical bride, and while Ben tends to be more traditional than me, he is also not a "big deal" kind of person.

So while the venues themselves (fabulous old barn, gorgeous seaside gardens, cozy historic inn) may be perfect, the people, rules and strings attached to them are the exact opposite.

I know it is still wicked early, and we have plenty of time to figure all this out, but all along I have felt that once we find a venue and get that all straightened out, everything else will pretty much fall into place.

And then I can start in with the fun stuff.

Like cross-stitching the table numbers.

Which I am inexplicably looking forward to.

I haven't cross-stitched in years.

Anywho, this has been the first frustration of the planning process, and I felt I needed to share.

You know, just for fun.


[pseudo-rant over]


But, seriously, if anybody knows a kick-ass place we can get married anywhere in the New England region that
a. does not require we use their in-house caterer/chef, or one from a 'pre-approved' list
b. allows more than 5 hours of space use for thousands of dollars (who gets married and has a memorable party in a mere 5 hours??)
and c. .......

well, those are the only two.

shouldn't be too hard to find, right?

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Wedding day beer paddles??

Heck yeah!!

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Came across some wicked cool hats on the heads of grooms this morning.

Let's hear it for wedding day haberdashery.

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Ben discovered bunting at a holiday fair over the weekend. And when I say discovered, I mean he pointed to it and said "Hey, that's cool." and moved on.

I, of course, took that to mean "Hey, that's cool. Let's get crafty and make some of that for our wedding!"

Thus, this diy bunting!

Though, I believe ours (if we end up having some) will be triangular. Appeals more to my aesthetic senses.

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I am so making this.

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.
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celebrating 8 years today




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Ummm, a little bit in love with these Dr Suess wedding vows.
I mean, who doesn't love rhyming life commitments?


Pastor: Will you answer me right now
These questions, as your wedding vow?

Groom: Yes, I will answer right now
Your questions as my wedding vow.

Pastor: Will you take her as your wife?
Will you love her all your life?

Groom: Yes, I take her as my wife,
Yes, I’ll love her all my life.

Pastor: Will you have, and also hold
Just as you have at this time told?

Groom: Yes, I will have, and I will hold,
Just as I have at this time told,
Yes, I will love her all my life
As I now take her as my wife.

Pastor: Will you love through good and bad?
Whether you’re happy or sad?

Groom: Yes, I’ll love through good and bad,
Whether we’re happy or sad,
Yes, I will have and I will hold
Just as I have already told,
Yes, I will love her all my life,
Yes, I will take her as my wife!

Pastor: Will you love her if you’re rich?
Or if you’re poor, and in a ditch?

Groom: Yes, I’ll love her if we’re rich,
And I will love her in a ditch,
I’ll love her through good times and bad,
Whether we are happy or sad,
Yes, I will have, and I will hold
(I could have sworn this has been told!)
I promise to love all my life
This woman, as my lawful wife!

Pastor: Will you love her when you’re fit,
And also when you’re feeling sick?

Groom: Yes, I’ll love her when we’re fit,
And when we’re hurt, and when we’re sick,
And I will love her when we’re rich
And I will love her in a ditch
And I will love through good and bad,
And I will love when glad or sad,
And I will have, and I will hold
Ten years from now a thousandfold,
Yes, I will love for my whole life
This lovely woman as my wife!

Pastor: Will you love with all your heart?
Will you love till death you part?

Groom: Yes, I’ll love with all my heart
From now until death do us part,
And I will love her when we’re rich,
And when we’re broke and in a ditch,
And when we’re fit, and when we’re sick,
(Oh, CAN’T we get this finished quick?)
And I will love through good and bad,
And I will love when glad or sad,
And I will have, and I will hold,
And if I might now be so bold,
I’ll love her my entire life,
Yes, I WILL take her as my wife!

Pastor: Then if you’ll take her as your wife,
And if you’ll love her all your life,
And if you’ll have, and if you’ll hold,
From now until the stars grow cold,
And if you’ll love through good and bad,
And whether you’re happy or sad,
And love in sickness, and in health,
And when you’re poor, and when in wealth,
And if you’ll love with all your heart,
From now until death do you part,
Yes, if you’ll love her through and through,
Please answer with these words:

Pastor and Groom: I DO!

Pastor: You’re married now! So kiss the bride,
But please, do keep it dignified.

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This is really neat. Block out a picture on a large canvas into squares, like those 'learning to draw' exercises in elementary school art class. Provide paints and brushes and have guests paint a square of the canvas.

Viola!

Instant wedding day painting!

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