What Wedding Sites Ignore

Weddings cost money.  

And Pinterest Weddings - that is to say, fanciful weddings inspired by the finest celebrations across the globe - cost more money than most of us have.   What Pinterest boards neglects to communicate and what wedding sites like to ignore, are the costs associated with such extravagance. 

To help cover the costs of the big day, research from one Canadian financial 

institution found 38% of Canadians are comfortable taking on debt to afford 

their wedding and honeymoon*.  

How do you feel about going into debt for your wedding?  Are you working with a budget? Share your cost-saving measures in the comments or on the Kootenay Wedding Facebook page.

Public or Private Proposal?

A beautiful example of a custom proposal!  

from "how he asked"

What would be your preference for proposals: private or public?  Any why?  

While my husband proposed privately, I can see the absolute thrill in having all of ones' loved ones sharing the experience.  As long as 1) she is sure to say yes 2) she is not ashamed others' will see her ugly-cry!

DIY - Custom Buttons

Who doesn't love a bowl full of buttons?  

Vintage floral buttons.  Geek chic buttons.  Woodland creature buttons.  Pretty much any theme could be turned into button material.  Literally.

When I bought the Sukie; Button Factory kit at Phat Angel, Nelson, I was thinking of a family craft.  Except seeing the whimsical designs, the delight of us all (mom, daughter and son) and the ease with which we crafted perfect little buttons, made me think that anyone could enjoy customizing these creations.

They are the perfect wedding shower DIY, just crafting something fun together or even using them as wedding accessories!  They can be attached to lapels, floral bouquets, ribboned presents, fabric napkins or placed in a bowl for fun favors. 

The Sukie kit contained 1" fabric circles, button tops, pin bottoms and pressing tools.  While the kit helped ensure our first experience was fool-proof, the pieces can be found independently at fabric and craft stores.  

Supplies:
fabric scissors
fabric with small design | print | words - see button size for reference, allow room for wrapping
button re-covering kit including:

> button tops
> button-pin bottoms
> pressing tools for top & bottom

FRESH Photography

Instructions:
Step 1 - Cut fabric into circular shape - see button size for referrence - we used 1"

Step 2 - Insert fabric, face down into pressing tool, being careful to center design

Step 3 - Place button top into the pressing tool and on top of fabric

Step 4 - Wrap excess fabric around button top

Step 5 - Place pin bottom, pin facing up, into the pressing tool and on top of wrapped button top

Step 6 - Use tool to firmly press the bottom piece into the button top, being careful to press all sides

Step 7 - Remove button from tool & marvel 

First Look's: yay or nay?

I was reading about First Looks HERE and thought I would post a Kootenay version.  For starters, first-looks are when the couple opts to see each other before the ceremony.  This may involve photography and a gift-exchange but they do not typically involve other parties.  It is meant to be an intimate meeting of the bride and groom.

Taryn and Nolan, who were married at Blaylock's Mansion last summer, choose a sexy and playful exchange for their meeting.  It involved a gray silk tie, a little blue box and a sexy black book.  They choose to have their photographers document their interactions.  The result are natural, joyful, stress-free images of the couple focussing on each other.  

A first-look can be a meaningful way to start the wedding day and set the tone of the event.  It also serves as some of the couple's portrait time.  For that reason, first-looks favor a couple that wishes to reduce the wait-time between ceremony and reception.  They are not for the bride who has dreamt of her groom's face at the alter for her entire childhood.  

Another drawback to the first-look is time.  Tightly scheduled first-looks require everyone be on-time, especially the bride.   If the bride is quite late for her first-look, stressing their allotted time, most of the benefits are then lost.  

Which sight would you choose for your first-look?  An intimate gather at the site of your choosing or at the end of the aisle surrounded by your family and friends?

Backdrop Envy

These amaze-balls backdrops satiate both the photographer and former Lit teacher in me.  Creating a unique backdrop for your vows helps draw a focal point, beautify a space that will be well photo-documented, and serves as another opportunity to personalize your wedding.  

Even the most lovely venue could benefit from a barnwood wall, book backdrop, tree of life or flower-door arbor as pinned HERE.  Join Kootenay Wedding on Pinterest and share what I've missed on our Facebook page HERE.

Valentine's Inspiration; Blush, Pink & Red

WHITE by Vera Wang - www.whitebyverawang.com

BLACK by Vera Wang - http://tuxedo.menswearhouse.com/inspiredDetail.do?type=w&topic=ModernSophistication

valentines wedding

Weddings tend to be romantic, yes, but Valentine's day weddings and engagements call for a little extra in the romance department.  Like a) "We are so good together" cake, b) bridesmaid lockets with individual reasons why they are loved c) red and pink DIY aisle runners d) love letter cookies.

What good ideas have you found lately?  Find these and other ideas on Kootenay Wedding's Pinterest page also including Hugs & Kisses DIY "Gumball machine" and custom Heart Elbow patches for you and yours.