Okay, so I've been using one major wedding planning website, as any followers of my blog will know. Well, yesterday I was looking for a wedding mapping website when I came across weddingmapper.com. This site is awesome! Being the organization freak that I am, I jumped on the opportunity to put some of the tools to use. Now, I'm still primarily going to use weddingwire.com since I've been using it for the past two years, but weddingmapper.com has features that weddingwire doesn't - such as a more comprehensive vendor tracker, and tabs for payments and payment schedules. But my favorite feature is the reports page. It gives you pie charts of scheduled payments, budget by category, and budget by vendor. Hell yes! So, if you are a slightly (or more than slightly) OCD organizer like I am, I suggest you check out this website asap.
Free Personalized and Interactive Wedding Maps, Wedding Planning Tools, Local Wedding Vendors - Wedding Mapper:
'via Blog this'
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Events
Just a quick heads up to everyone. I've posted new events on the Events page so check them out if you're from Washington and/or Minnesota.
Monday, January 30, 2012
"Knot-tying ceremony" vs. "Handfasting"
This is the most basic summary of both a handfasting and knot-tying ceremony. There are many variations of both, depending on the cultures they are used in. I suggest that, if you are interested about learning more about handfastings, you should pick up a few books and do some research. :) Sites on the web are okay but I'd trust information in books more than I would information I found online.
Many people have heard the term handfasting, though there is a lot of misconceptions about it and if a person doesn't have at least a small amount of understanding about it, people can be a bit leary about attending one. One of my uncles had asked me a few years ago, when I tried to explain the difference between a pagan handfasting and a Christian wedding (from an anthropological point of view), if pagan's slaughtered goats during the ceremony. Unfortunately, this isn't an uncommon misconception. So, I'll explain what a handfasting is and then give you my take on the difference between a handfasting ceremony and a knot-tying ceremony.
First and foremost, the thing that is important to know about handfasting is that there are two types. The first type is a legal marriage ceremony. While it is all pagan/wiccan in nature (invoking the gods, goddesses, elements, etc.) it is still a legal union. The officiant must say "by the power invested in me (by the state of______), I now pronounce you husband and wife," in order for the union to be legal. The second type of handfasting is not legal. It is a ritual performed out of the desire to be spiritually bonded together but not necessarily legally. Often times, the second type of handfasting lasts for a year and a day, after which time, the couple may choose to legally become married (#1), symbolically married spiritually (#2), or part ways with handparting ceremony. To many people, the second form of handfasting is seen as a trial run. To me, it's a logical course and a good idea for a lot of people - especially those people who tend to rush into marriage without thinking everything through. The "year and a day" allows for that to happen, while the couple still is seen as "married" among their peers. Handfastings are often performed with one long cord which is wrapped and knotted around the couples joined (often left) hands. Some cultures require the bride and groom to be joined with their cord for the entire wedding after the ceremony. Handfasting is a very old custom and is actually where the term "tying the knot" comes from.
A knot-tying ceremony is non-religious. Commonly, it consists of tying the hands with more than one cord. Each cord represents a vow. As the officiant asks the bride and groom a question (ex: [groom's name] will you cause your bride anger?) the bride or groom answers, and if the answer is "it's highly likely, but not on purpose" (basically,) the officiant lays the cord over the joined hands. After that section of the ceremony is concluded, after all of the vows have been stated and the cords have been laid on the couples' hands, the officiant arranges the cords in a way that, when the bride and groom pull their hands out from the cords, they form a knot. It's no more religious than pouring sand though of course they can be incorporated into religious ceremonies.
I've posted pictures and tips on how to make your own handfasting/knot-tying ceremony cords in the DIY section. I will be making more for other people and plan on selling them so, if you're interested, drop me a line and we'll talk. I can custom make them specifically to your requirements - colors, symbols, bead type, etc. The ones in the pictures, however, are not for sale since they are ours.
Personal Information: I was raised Catholic when I was a child but at around 12, I decided that I wasn't happy with that form of religion. So I set out to find something that felt right. I used to be pagan but I'm not anymore. I'm still magically inclined and believe in the unity of the universe - the Universal Soul - and in nature and the natural order of the spirit. The knot-tying ceremony held enough of that wondrous feeling that I prefer when I participate in a ceremony/event. I wouldn't perform the lighting of a unity candle (because for me it is symbolic of a Catholic wedding ceremony and doing anything associated to Christianity makes me feel uncomfortable,) and sand makes a mess and can be spilled easily. I'm a klutz, what can I say. So, the knot-tying ceremony is the most attractive to me.
Many people have heard the term handfasting, though there is a lot of misconceptions about it and if a person doesn't have at least a small amount of understanding about it, people can be a bit leary about attending one. One of my uncles had asked me a few years ago, when I tried to explain the difference between a pagan handfasting and a Christian wedding (from an anthropological point of view), if pagan's slaughtered goats during the ceremony. Unfortunately, this isn't an uncommon misconception. So, I'll explain what a handfasting is and then give you my take on the difference between a handfasting ceremony and a knot-tying ceremony.
First and foremost, the thing that is important to know about handfasting is that there are two types. The first type is a legal marriage ceremony. While it is all pagan/wiccan in nature (invoking the gods, goddesses, elements, etc.) it is still a legal union. The officiant must say "by the power invested in me (by the state of______), I now pronounce you husband and wife," in order for the union to be legal. The second type of handfasting is not legal. It is a ritual performed out of the desire to be spiritually bonded together but not necessarily legally. Often times, the second type of handfasting lasts for a year and a day, after which time, the couple may choose to legally become married (#1), symbolically married spiritually (#2), or part ways with handparting ceremony. To many people, the second form of handfasting is seen as a trial run. To me, it's a logical course and a good idea for a lot of people - especially those people who tend to rush into marriage without thinking everything through. The "year and a day" allows for that to happen, while the couple still is seen as "married" among their peers. Handfastings are often performed with one long cord which is wrapped and knotted around the couples joined (often left) hands. Some cultures require the bride and groom to be joined with their cord for the entire wedding after the ceremony. Handfasting is a very old custom and is actually where the term "tying the knot" comes from.
A knot-tying ceremony is non-religious. Commonly, it consists of tying the hands with more than one cord. Each cord represents a vow. As the officiant asks the bride and groom a question (ex: [groom's name] will you cause your bride anger?) the bride or groom answers, and if the answer is "it's highly likely, but not on purpose" (basically,) the officiant lays the cord over the joined hands. After that section of the ceremony is concluded, after all of the vows have been stated and the cords have been laid on the couples' hands, the officiant arranges the cords in a way that, when the bride and groom pull their hands out from the cords, they form a knot. It's no more religious than pouring sand though of course they can be incorporated into religious ceremonies.
I've posted pictures and tips on how to make your own handfasting/knot-tying ceremony cords in the DIY section. I will be making more for other people and plan on selling them so, if you're interested, drop me a line and we'll talk. I can custom make them specifically to your requirements - colors, symbols, bead type, etc. The ones in the pictures, however, are not for sale since they are ours.
Personal Information: I was raised Catholic when I was a child but at around 12, I decided that I wasn't happy with that form of religion. So I set out to find something that felt right. I used to be pagan but I'm not anymore. I'm still magically inclined and believe in the unity of the universe - the Universal Soul - and in nature and the natural order of the spirit. The knot-tying ceremony held enough of that wondrous feeling that I prefer when I participate in a ceremony/event. I wouldn't perform the lighting of a unity candle (because for me it is symbolic of a Catholic wedding ceremony and doing anything associated to Christianity makes me feel uncomfortable,) and sand makes a mess and can be spilled easily. I'm a klutz, what can I say. So, the knot-tying ceremony is the most attractive to me.
Reality Check - First dance
Time is flying by extremely fast. I could have sworn that I looked at my wedding ticker yesterday and it said I had 120 days, now today, only 116 days. Time goes by a lot faster than we think. We only have three months left so I started looking into dance lessons. A good many of them are expensive! 3 one hour lessons for $500? I don't think so. I was reading a post some time ago where someone had suggested not telling certain vendors what their products will be used for - such as the reception site, catering, cake - though you can only get away with it so far on the cake, - renting limos and other items, etc. because companies tend to tack on extra money when they hear the word "wedding." This also seems to be the case when it comes to dance classes. Sometimes it's possible to get private lessons for less money if they don't know that it's for wedding purposes. Say you and FH want to learn the Viennese waltz for your wedding dance and don't necessarily feel the need to have a choreographed dance. Take a class that is specifically centered around that waltz and you'll likely save yourself some money.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Bridal gown Alterations - Washington State
Well, it was time for me to bring in my wedding gown to have it altered. Originally I had planned on flying back to Minnesota to get my dress altered but after further consideration, I had it flown out to Washington. Why waste $400 on a plane ticket just to have a dress fitted, I figured. So, I'm getting my dress fitted here in Washington. After looking through several websites and emailing a few businesses, I finally found one that was worth my time. The woman who does alterations is very nice. One of the things that I look for in consultants or other people that I work with related to functions is there personality. Good final-product does not make up for a person with a bad attitude. I felt comfortable around her and conversation between us was smooth and nice. I did not feel awkward, as I have with others in the past.
I chose to email companies for a reason. If someone was punctual and answered my questions, I was more likely to call them. Sadly, this was the case with only two of the bridal shops. Everyone else simply emailed me phone numbers, didn't answer any of my questions, and basically made me feel like they were blowing me off. One even seemed snide because I didn't buy my gown at their shop. (Seriously, many people in the bridal business behave like they have a stick shoved up their youknowwhats and behave like they are doing YOU a favor. Sheesh.) Barbara's Bridal Alterations works with Cynderellie's Closet, which is a bridal boutique. While I did not buy my gown there, I was able to view the women in the shop in action and they were accommodating to the girls who were in there trying on gowns. And patient. The party that was in there had to be under 21 but the consultant treated them no differently than she would have adult customers. I did buy my shoes there and am waiting for them to come in. You can bet that there will be pictures when they come in, so come back if you're curious as to what they look like.
I have one other thing to say about this experience. It sure was nice not to have to hold my gown up with my upper arms. I could raise them and not have the dress fall to my stomach and while that might not seem like much to some people, it was really nice for me. I finally got to see what it will look like on me when it's finished and some of my dress anxiety was gone with that. I recommend checking out Barbara's Bridal Alterations and Cynderellie's Closet if you are in the Seattle/Edmonds/Lynnwood/Mukilteo area.
Oh, one more thing. She did NOT require me to bring my dress in to give me an estimate. She was able to give me a rough estimate through technological communicative methods which was one of my requirements. Personally, I did not want to lug around a 20lb white dress from store to store just so some sales consultant could trap me into using their services. I sent her a picture and that was all she needed.
If you're wondering what she quoted me, it was $250 and the actual total was $270, so she was pretty accurate and didn't try to screw me over. I needed the dress shortened, taken in a little bit including reworking the beads to continue continuity, and a bustle added (4 loops, to be exact.) My train is cathedral length, hence all of the loops. I'm excited to get my dress! I'll add a complete review later after all is said and done but I am not worried that I'll be disappointed.
I chose to email companies for a reason. If someone was punctual and answered my questions, I was more likely to call them. Sadly, this was the case with only two of the bridal shops. Everyone else simply emailed me phone numbers, didn't answer any of my questions, and basically made me feel like they were blowing me off. One even seemed snide because I didn't buy my gown at their shop. (Seriously, many people in the bridal business behave like they have a stick shoved up their youknowwhats and behave like they are doing YOU a favor. Sheesh.) Barbara's Bridal Alterations works with Cynderellie's Closet, which is a bridal boutique. While I did not buy my gown there, I was able to view the women in the shop in action and they were accommodating to the girls who were in there trying on gowns. And patient. The party that was in there had to be under 21 but the consultant treated them no differently than she would have adult customers. I did buy my shoes there and am waiting for them to come in. You can bet that there will be pictures when they come in, so come back if you're curious as to what they look like.
I have one other thing to say about this experience. It sure was nice not to have to hold my gown up with my upper arms. I could raise them and not have the dress fall to my stomach and while that might not seem like much to some people, it was really nice for me. I finally got to see what it will look like on me when it's finished and some of my dress anxiety was gone with that. I recommend checking out Barbara's Bridal Alterations and Cynderellie's Closet if you are in the Seattle/Edmonds/Lynnwood/Mukilteo area.
Oh, one more thing. She did NOT require me to bring my dress in to give me an estimate. She was able to give me a rough estimate through technological communicative methods which was one of my requirements. Personally, I did not want to lug around a 20lb white dress from store to store just so some sales consultant could trap me into using their services. I sent her a picture and that was all she needed.
If you're wondering what she quoted me, it was $250 and the actual total was $270, so she was pretty accurate and didn't try to screw me over. I needed the dress shortened, taken in a little bit including reworking the beads to continue continuity, and a bustle added (4 loops, to be exact.) My train is cathedral length, hence all of the loops. I'm excited to get my dress! I'll add a complete review later after all is said and done but I am not worried that I'll be disappointed.
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