Overwhelmed moment #1

AHHH! I'm having a moment where, as the title of this blog entry implies, I am getting overwhelmed by everything. My mind is very detail oriented when it comes to this wedding and I'm feeling a little like I'm sinking in a sea of flowers, organza, centerpieces, etc., all the sparkle and paraphernalia that goes along with wedding planning. Now, some people might wonder why I keep at it if I get so frustrated and lost but I have a simple answer for that. When I get it, I love it! It's when my mind tries to focus on too many things at once that everything seems to become unmanageable. But, when that happens, I write about it and about how I am feeling. Writing about wedding-related stuff - the best and worst of it ...that is, after all, the reason why I created this blog in the first place!

Weddingbee

Just recently joined Weddingbee. It looks and feels like a very welcoming place. No drama is allowed at all and the boards seem well-monitored. There is so much going for you here and I suggest you check it out. It can be a little confusing at first - I didn't understand how to post to bios until I realized that you have to post at the bottom of the page. I still haven't figured out how to get pictures to show up though so I'll be working on that. You can create a profile, write what they call "bios" in over 20 categories,  post to boards about topics that interest you, sell things in the classified section (or buy), contribute to the DYI section, post pictures in your gallery, and create vendor reviews. There is so much more to do here so beware: you might get so engrossed in weddingbee that you'll find a couple hours have passed! So definitely take the time to check it out.

Future Brides, Beware of wedding website drama

There are a lot of good websites out there that help you plan your wedding. However, a few of them - theknot.com and weddingwire.com are really horrible if you are looking for support from other brides and or vendors. I'm not going to bash too much but I'll simply say that there is more drama and name-calling than there is support. I use weddingwire.com for the personalized website and the planner/checklist/etc., but that is it now.  I have just started looking into weddingbee.com and so far, the vibe is completely different than the two that I have mentioned. You should check it out too, if you have the inclination :)

Engagement photos

Here are a few engagement photos. I'm only posting a few. There are so many wonderful pics! Thanks Rhea Pappas, for a wonderful shoot!

New Completed Project in DIY

I added a new completed project to my DIY page. It's a petticoat for under my wedding dress. There isn't really a way to give you step-by-step directions since I followed a pattern but there is the pattern number as well as pictures of the finished product.

Wedding Customs: Wedding Traditions From Around the Globe - Wedding Planning - Wedding Customs - TheKnot.com

Wedding Customs: Wedding Traditions From Around the Globe - Wedding Planning - Wedding Customs - TheKnot.com

I'm Swedish (among other things,) so here's the entry for my peoples customs.

Wedding Traditions in Sweden

When: A liberal bunch, Swedes often decide to marry after living together for a few years, or after the woman is pregnant with their first child. With almost 20 hours of sunlight each day, summer is prime wedding season.
Attire: A crown belonging to the bride’s family or church, and, although it hardly sounds comfortable, a gold coin in your right shoe and a silver one in your left for good luck. Making walking even harder, your shoes stay unlaced to improve your chances of easy childbirth.
Activities: If you want to follow a seriously old-school tradition, breathe as little as possible, since brides and bridesmaids carry bouquets of weeds that stink to high heaven in order to ward off trolls (don’t knock it -- trolls haven’t crashed anyone’s wedding so far). According to another old tradition, men dance vigorously around the bride to knock her crown off, and the victor has good luck.
The Food: The traditional Swedish smorgasbord lasts for three days and can include sill (herring), lingonsylt (lingonberry jam), and köttbullar (Swedish meatballs).
The Music: Throughout dinner, all of the guests sing drinking songs -- and they are also welcome to give speeches or toasts in honor of the new couple.
Added Perk: A Swedish woman gets two gold rings: one for engagement and one for marriage, with the engagement and wedding dates engraved on the inside. Find your wedding jewelry.

Read more: Wedding Customs: Wedding Traditions From Around the Globe - Wedding Planning - Wedding Customs - TheKnot.com http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/wedding-customs/articles/wedding-customs-and-traditions-from-around-the-globe.aspx#ixzz1PBvJ0YuK

Wedding Traditions & Their Origins

Wedding Traditions & Their Origins

Interesting!

Maid of Honor Duties, Responsibilities, Speeches How To Plan A Bridal Shower

Maid of Honor Duties, Responsibilities, Speeches How To Plan A Bridal Shower

For those of you who aren't getting married but are standing by your friend/sister as their Maid/Man of Honor, here's a link for you :D

Cake Tasting: What You Should Know - Project Wedding

Cake Tasting: What You Should Know - Project Wedding

Good to know!

Save-the-Dates: Tips & Trends - Wedding Planning - Save the Dates - TheKnot.com

Save-the-Dates: Tips & Trends - Wedding Planning - Save the Dates - TheKnot.com

Good information to start with. I'll post more links as I come across them.

"

Design Ideas

Whatever you choose, make it fun and you're sure to get a favorable response. Here are 10 ideas to get you started:

• Use bright, bold colors that will make an impact and your wedding date will stay in the thoughts of even the most absentminded guests.
• Include graphics or colors that make sense to the locale and date, such as pink and red flowers if you plan to marry in the springtime in a rose garden, or a card tied up with a baby-blue gingham ribbon for an oceanside summer soiree.
• Your save-the-date cards can be as simple as a postcard or as elaborate and interactive as a magnetic puzzle. 
• We're fans of a picture taken shortly after the engagement (think holiday cards).
• Some brides favor save-the-date cookies, although you may have to send out a second reminder to all your sweet-tooth friends who might munch before they mark down your date! 
• We absolutely love the idea of save-the-date stickers that will fit into those tiny boxes in appointment books or on desktop calendars.
• Refrigerator magnets -- ones with just your names and wedding date -- are cool too.
• We like pretty save-the-dates like ones designed on fans or better yet, pinwheels!
• An all-time favorite done many different ways is the calendar. Invitation designers are creating cards that look like a mini calendar month with the date you've chosen circled or decorated or knocked out with a mini three-hole punch.
• The hottest trend is a photo strip (the kind you create yourself on a beach boardwalk) with funny faces and the wedding date. In each of the four pictures, hold up a sign. 1) We're getting married. 2) Save the Date. 3) June 5. 4) Be there! (You get the idea.)

Read more: Save-the-Dates: Tips & Trends - Wedding Planning - Save the Dates - TheKnot.com http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/save-the-dates/articles/save-the-dates-tips-trends.aspx#ixzz1Oto89R3E"

Angry Birds Chrome

Angry Birds Chrome

Not wedding related but still cute and fun. Something to do when you are bored! Have fun :D