The Case of the Neverending Save the Date Search

OK!! OK! I know I just blogged about Save the Dates not too long ago. But the best part about this blog is that I can share things i LOVE that aren't necessarily things I would actually use for my wedding, because they don't fit the style. Just because I LOVED that caricature or nautical themed save the date- doesn't mean I can actually "make it work" (must be said in Tim Gunn voice!) with my own wedding.

So, that being said, since I look at so many beautiful pieces of paper all the time- its hard to narrow down my own choices. I tried to involve Fiance last night- but that lasted an entire 2 minutes of me explaining the difference between digital print, letterpress, thermal printing. I barely kept his attention to explain the different between linen paper- and the paper weight.

I have to admit I am ahead of the curve a bit. I spent 4 years after college working for a printing company. And even today- I deal with paper quality and printing on the reg. OK, so maybe that makes me a bit more obsessed with the paper stock, quality of imaging, etc. Just a LITTLE more obsessed.

I did get TJ to agree on one thing ,we don't really have time to get our engagement photos done in time to have our save the dates done with photos. And we aren't sure we want photo save the dates anyway. So while a lot of the options I originally Loved involved photos- we scrapped those and started all over.

At any rate, I have tirelessly searched high and low- and here are some of the final picks--- ahh! Yet, my search has yet to end. For all the RI Brides out there- I am headed to Crosstown Press this weekend, a long with New England Paper--just to add to my never ending search to find "the perfect" Save the Date.

Here are some (keyword: some) top picks! (and perhaps they will inspire you too). If you need more inspiration, a lot of our "ideas" really came from the Oh so Beautiful paper! Save the date section.

Cute right? From Gus and Ruby in Portsmouth, NH

Another lovely one from Czar press

Etsy shop: for your invitation

Etsy: Shine Invitation

More Ephotos- Inspiration: COLOR

As I said yesterday. I just CAN NOT get enough of engagement photos. Every one is sooo unique and I really think they tell the story of the couple. Typically, I tend to gravitate towards B nW photos, Sepia tones and vintage hues-- but there is something to be said about an image that uses color to define it. Take a look at the below photos and you will immediately be drawn to the strong imagines simply on their use of a bold color!

Today's post is another special E-photo post, since I "know" (or will meet in June) the cute couple in these photos. They are my Fiance's Cousin Eric and his super-sweet fiance Janelle. Congrats-Can't wait to celebrate in June with you two!

Above Photo Credits :  Janie Cope

Side note: These two aren't locals- so unfortunately you Rhode Islanders can't head to the nearest Mountain Range....but you will go crazy over the photo with the skis-- bet you didn't think of that as an idea? It might have you and your fiance heading up to NH stat.

http://transitphotography.blogspot.com/

http://transitphotography.blogspot.com/

Extra Extra! Check it out!

I promised a special post and here it is. Extra special engagement shoot inspiration today. Check out these awesome photos from Brittany Leigh Photography!

Not only are these shots in Providence (how pretty!) but they also feature a pretty awesome couple! My friends Kate and Eric did their engagement shoot in downtown providence, near Waterplace park and at the State house... There is  a great mix of BnW photos, color, and "touch" of color.

The icing on the cake is that Kate is not only one of my very best friends, but also one of my bridesmaids :)

whoo hoo!

Check these out for some engagement inspiration:

know where this is?

This one is my fav!!

Love the photos? Contact the photog herself: brittanylgomes@gmail.com or on FB http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Brittany-Leigh-PHOTOGRAPHY/79172923742

Wedding organization: APPS

Sooo....I haven't mentioned this yet-- but I won an Ipad! Whoop! I re tweeted Diamond Nexxus Labs last week and entered on Sunday night- and Wednesday afternoon it arrived at my door step.

I took some time to DL the basic apps.. but if you are an Iphone or Ipad or ITouch user here are the goods ones I discovered:

Here is my top APP: THE KNOT 911.

My favorite section of the day is Etiquette. Even if you think you "know everything" about wedding "dont's" you should probably brush up on it....Really ladies- I'm serious. I've seen some seriously poor etiquette mentioned lately on the knot boards, on invites, etc...

We all know the basics... STDs 8 months before, invites 2 months, make a room block at your hotel for OOT guests, make up some welcome bags/boxes, don't sit Uncle Sam next to his Ex wife.

But believe me this APP covers it all.

I even had my FI read through some of the questions (basically, people write in their Q's and The Knot Carly provides the answers)... he he was like "did you know....!"  "Listen to this!!"... believe me there were even questions I thought were so far left field-- but I was interested to see the answers.

THE KNOT MAGAZINE APP

This one is a pretty obvious app. But of every app i have on my Ipad (including wheel of fortune and "pimple" popper this is BY far the most interactive. It even won an "app" award because it is so interactive and advanced. The APP itself is free and you get a pretty good amount of play with the free app. Of course you can "subscribe" to the magazine for 4.99 and get a ton more goodies. 

The best part is that you can link to anything you love. If you see shoes on page 40 that you will die without, click on them...and up comes not only their designer, and price, but also where to buy them. Click the link and poof! they are yours.. it's legit magic.

You can also organize complete wedding outfits and just like the knot it has a "Scrapbook" you can save all your favorite items too-- therefore, when you hit up your florist you can just flick through your fav. photos!

This app also makes you look super cool and collected and organized going to see vendors, when you don't slam 8987 magazine clippings of "things you kinda like"on the table

101 BRIDAL

This is really the ultimate bridal gown and "look book" it offers hundreds and hundreds of looks and options, plus you can totally mix and match. It costs 1.99. But I mean that's your only investment.

It also saves you hours of searching online/through magazines.. so I think it's well worth the price.

Friday's Favorite Things

These are a few of my favorite things:

http://www.gusandruby.com/experience.html
Their work is really awesome... check it out!

Personalized!! Great Gift for your DOC.
http://www.socialgracepaperie.com/

Don't See your state (ie RI) ... she'll make it for ya. How cute?
http://www.etsy.com/people/lovecalifornia



Love this, cuz' you can use it year after year.

Plus Liz (of Linda and Harriett) has a 7 degrees of separation (well 1 degree)

so I like to plug her stuff!



Save The Dates- Calenders

Discussion from some knotties on my month board (aug 2012) sparked some Save the Date ideas.

There are honestly a million cute ideas. And I have a few up my sleeve. I do think I want to incorporate a photo however...but that might change.

At any rate. Here are some cute ones I saw for "calendar" options. One is a DIY, and I've posted the link.

 It's really hard to narrow down what you love and pick. And I love these. Not sure they will make my final cut of the direction I'm going in, but that doesn't mean they aren't a top contender and also are soooo uber cute.

The Free template for this can be found on weddingchicks.com