Friday, March 11, 2011

Be Our Guest

I love guest books.
Everytime I turn around, I see a new idea for guest books that I love. We will have two. I don’t care if people think that’s weird. You’re at our wedding and if I want you to sign 50 things, you better do it! Haha. Joking.( Kind of. )
But anyway, getting to the point, I saw the idea for a “Jigsaw Puzzle” guest book a couple months ago and I thought it was pretty cool. So I decided to explore the options for both price and creativity. Here’s what I came up with.
Jigsaw Puzzle Guest Book-
First, let me explain what it is. Instead of signing a book, a picture frame mat, (insert other traditional guest book here), etc., guests would each have a puzzle piece to write their “good luck” message on. The couple then works together to build the puzzle (after the honeymoon, I’d guess), reading the messages as they fit in all the pieces. Personally, I think it would be cute, if there are extra pieces, for them to write “Wedding Memories” on them while they are still fresh in their head. This not only makes for a great keepsake, but also for a fun night!
One the puzzle is constructed, the couple can use “puzzle glue” to secure the pieces together and make them “frameable” to hang wherever they so choose.  Let everything dry for the allotted amount of time and then frame it in either a larger capacity frame (because puzzles are thick) or a shadowbox.
Supplies Needed / Estimated Cost-
Puzzle –  $1-$25
·         Blank puzzles, meant for messages, are available and won’t break the bank
o   The Community Puzzle - Select the number of “sets” you need to fit your guest list. - $11.95/ 96pc. Set
·         Simply pick a puzzle of any type, making sure there will be enough pieces for each guest to sign one. These range from $1-$20 depending on size, and can be found at the Dollar Store, Target, Toys R Us, Joanne Fabrics, etc.
o   Even though you won’t see the front side of the puzzle, choosing a puzzle that features something meaningful to you both or matches the theme of your wedding could be fun. Like a secret you both know but anyone looking at the final product won’t be able to see.
o   Picking a puzzle shaped like something can also make for an interesting final product an could be chosen to fit in whatever room you decide to hang your guest book.
·         Get a puzzle made from photos of the two of you. Set it face up on display, and then allow guests to choose “which piece of you” they would like to sign.  
o   Walgreen's Photo Puzzle - $14.99 / 110 pieces  (also Walgreens sends me e-mail coupons every day, so sign up for those, or ask me, and you’re saving even more!)
o   Wal-Mart Photo Puzzle  - $11.99/ 110 Pieces
Pens –  $1.99
·         You can buy a pack of BIC pens and they will work just as well as if you spend a lot of money on special craft pens. (I did the research. Yes I brought puzzle pieces to work today.)
Puzzle Glue – $2-$5 – Available wherever puzzles are sold!
·         How To - Glue a Puzzle
·         Puzzle Glue Option 1
·         Puzzle Glue Option 2
·         Puzzle Glue Option 3
Frame –  $12-$20
·         Sears Jigsaw Puzzle Frame (up to 1,000 pieces) -  $15.98
·         Master Pieces Black Frame (up to 1,000 pieces) - $12.99
·         8x10 Shadow Box - $9.95



If anyone does this, or knows someone who did, you HAVE to let me know how it goes! Also, if anyone has any other cool guest book ideas, I'd love to hear about them!
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Thursday, March 10, 2011

And may you stay forever young...

I’m 25 now. And despite the reassurance that I don’t look 25 (what does 25 look like?) and that others have had the best year of their life at 25, I’m still not fully on board. Maybe because I’m still looking at myself with young eyes, and when I was younger, 25 was adult, and aside from paying bills and working every day, I still just don’t feel “adult.” Maybe because at 25, most of our parents were married with at least one kid. And the 1980’s weren’t that long ago, so I don’t feel like it’s an antiquated tradition. Maybe because I thought I’d be a little more important at work by 25, or at least doing something I liked.  And I realize this sometimes doesn’t even happen for people until they’re 50, but, in my head, it was supposed to be a bit more glamorous than this.
But when I write out these maybes, I start to think about how much has changed for the better, even in just the short time since I’ve been in my 20’s. Since I’ve been 20 I’ve met the person I’m spending the rest of my life with. It may not be officially declared (you know, on Facebook), or staring at you from my left hand just yet, but, it’s true. On top of that, I’ve met my best friends, I’ve graduated college, I’ve gotten a legitimate job in my field, I’ve made friends at that legitimate job so I don’t have to eat lunch alone, I’ve cooked things and not burnt down the house, I’ve raised, taken care of and housetrained a puppy (okay, so Mike did a lot of that, but, I play with him and get up to let him out!), and I’ve been on a hell of a lot of adventures.
So maybe I am an adult? And maybe it’s not so bad. You could be right, people that love/loved 25. This year could have some killer potential...

But I’m still listening to Bob on loop. And I’m still not saying my age out loud JUST yet. J


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Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Make her say "YES!"

When it is my birthday, I always get mushy thinking about how lucky I am to have such wonderful people in my life, and how awesome the next year will be with all of them. My next year (beginning in less than 30 minutes...) will hopefully hold the opportunity to show some people just how important they are.

Ever since the world started getting engaged (or at least since we started noticing it!), Manfriend and I have been discussing our bridal party members. Do we like the look of uneven sides (we don't)? 6 or 7 (7)? Are you SURE you want this person (he is)?

No matter which way you slice it, we are so excited to be able to recognize the friends and family members that have meant the most to us during our lives, both separately and together, while building to this step in our relationship. I know I speak for both of us when I say we want to take every opportunity to remind them how special they are to us. My first step as a newly engaged lady (maybe tomorrow on my birthday?!)? Hosting a "Bridal Party" Party! (can I start planning yet? can I can I, huh, huh?)

But how do you ask these guys and gals to play such a big role on not only "the day" but all the days leading up to it as well? What way can you explain to them just how important it is to you and your other that they celebrate and be celebrated along with you both? Not going to lie, I've been getting pretty excited thinking about it. With a handful of our Bridal Party members out of town, I know it won't be easy, but I would love for us to ask everyone in person. I think we can do it! I just want them to know from the start how important they are to us. Even if they see it coming, I want to surprise them in some way!. I just can't wait!!

Here are a few of the great things I found on my search for the best proposal strategies for my bridesmaids. I think I've landed on a perfect way to twist a few of these together to do it with my own unique flare. (And remember, it may cost $25 on a website, but with a little time and a lot of glue, I bet you can do it too!) But of course I can't share that on here ... not until it's been done at least! If anyone reading this has suggestions or a story on how they asked/want to ask, I'd love to hear it! :) 



District Weddings - Be My Bridesmaid *(if you're a D.C/Baltimore Bride, this website kicks butt!)





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