Davina, one half of the uber-awesome photography duo Davina + Daniel, wrote a rad piece about choosing the perfect photographer for your wedding. It just so happens that Davina + Daniel are our photographers. No, they are our photography soulmates. The universe put us together and I am so ecstatic for that. This quote from Davina about choosing HER wedding photographer is EXACTLY why I love them and can't wait for them to document our day.

"...we didn’t want to be spending our day posing and listening to our photographer tell us what to do. we wanted all the special moments and emotions of our day captured without needing to pay attention or worry about photography."

Though I'm sure we'll do some group shots to frame for the parents I mostly want to look back and see my fiance's big goofy grin, me laughing wide-mouthed and my friends fist pumping to Bon Jovi.

More advice from Davina -

"so once you’ve found what you’re looking for, i’d suggest NOT following all the advice you’ve read in bridal magazines (now this is davina the photographer speaking, not davina the bride). nothing makes me cringe more than seeing a bridal magazine recommend that brides bring shot lists to their photographers. eek! would you bring a list to your dentist that says, “check bottom and top teeth for cavities. clean between each tooth carefully. remove tartar buildup as necessary.” then why would you give your photographer a list that says: ”photograph bride walking down aisle… first kiss… first dance.” (by the way, i’m not even exaggerating) you should hire vendors that you trust. especially the ones who are doing creative work.

this brings me to my final point. on your wedding day, let. it. go. i mean really: relax. you’ll have a better experience and you’ll have nicer pictures! trust. your. vendors. then all you have left to do is enjoy your wedding day and get married! isn’t that what it’s all about?"

Nom Nom

I'm really digging these Noming Vases. I was looking for biodegradable vases and, though these are not, with materials made with 51% chalk they are more eco-friendly than traditional plastic.

Inspiration Board: April Showers and May Flowers

{click through for credits}

I have decided that Wednesdays, especially rainy ones like today, will officially be inspiration days. Here is a new board for you inspired by this gray day.

I would have loved to have been at this party with flowers by the goddess herself - Saipua. And is that some Anna Bond I spy???

A Word on Trends

{my fiance and I being big dorks in the photo booth}

I don't know about you but I spend way too much time looking at wedding blogs. There are times when I see a certain trend in weddings over and over again and I wonder if it's overdone. Then I remember that the normal human being does not have over 100 blogs in their google reader. So if there is something you have been dying to do (photo booth is the big one for me) but you are afraid it's too trendy remember that the majority of your guests don't read Style Me Pretty or Offbeat Bride. This trend for you will be completely new to them. For example, this past weekend I set up a photo booth for my friends 29th birthday. We had a table of props and a backdrop and I took photos of all the guests with my Polaroid camera. Every single person was impressed with the idea. They had never seen a mock photo booth anywhere before and thought it was totally originally. So do the thing you have your heart set on and don't correct anyone when they tell you what a great idea it is!

OK, now what? Let's Get Organized

Last Friday I laid out my advice for having a less stressful, more practical and happier wedding planning experience. This week I thought I would talk more about what has kept me (somewhat) sane through my own wedding planning. Everyone organizes their life and work differently so if this is not how you process information don't worry! There are many options for organizing. You just have to find the one that is right for you.

I know by admitting this I am filling you in on my deep, dark, inner geekdom but I love me some spreadsheets. Seriously, I am the spreadsheet and database queen. Give me some information and I will set up some columns and rows before your very eyes! Google Docs has saved my life. Not only can you create a document, spreadsheet, presentationor drawing, you can also share all your information and let other people edit (or NOT!*).

GUEST LIST

I especially found this helpful while working on the guest list. I just shared the document with my family and my fiance's family and they added their guest list to the document. I didn't have to spend hours merging different lists and worrying about making errors. The tricky part about this is months, after I thought the list was complete, mystery guests would pop up. I advise setting a deadline and then locking that puppy up!

Columns you can include are:

• Assign each guest a number. You can write this number on the RSVP card in case someone forgets to write in their name.
• Guest Name
• Number of guests
• Address, city/state/zip
• Any children?
• Were they sent a Save-the-date?
• Were they sent an invite?
• Attending? One column for yes and one column for now. Mark this with the number of guests attending so you can added up the column at the end.
• If there are any other activities add these as well and write in the number of guests that are attending for each person.
• Gift Received
• Thank you note sent

This will help you not only plan your guest list but keep a record invites that were sent out and who is attending.

WEDDING PROJECTS

Another worksheet I made was for all my DIY projects I wanted to do. Any time I saw a project I might want to incorporate I put it into this spreadsheet and tracked the process even if I just ended up chucking the idea later.

Columns you might include:

• Project Name
• Who could/will complete?
• Due Date
• How many?
• Materials needed
• Status (In process, Done, Will not do, etc.)
• Notes

Other documents I made were for keeping track of the budget, what things I needed to rent/buy, my vows and accommodations/travel.

If you have any questions about organizing information or tips leave me a comment or email me!

*Sometimes it is helpful (for you) if your friends and family can just SEE the work you have done and not actually manipulate it in any way.

There Will Be Love

{photo by gabriel ryan}

Check out my post on The Knot's vintage weddings blog about a gorgeous, vintage and movie-themed wedding!