As many of you know I recently got married. Juggling graduate school, a job, volunteering, and a blog definitely kept me busy last semester. If you are planning a wedding now and feel like the stress is getting to you- just take a step back- breathe- and get back to it in a few days. Here’s a little more advice- consider attending a fabulous bridal workshop here in Atlanta.
Atlanta event planner/designer and owner of Simply Charming Socials, Kristine Cholakian, will be hosting a one-of-a-kind bridal workshop called Charm School: Lovely Lessons for the Blushing Bride. The full-day intensive will be taking place this Sunday, August 17th at Summerour Studios in Atlanta, GA.
- Wedding design basics
- How to “pin” smartly
- Creating your design board
- Interpreting wedding inspiration photos
- Installations!
- Personalizing decor details to make them your own
- Rentals galore! All the things available for rent (some are surprising)
- Local vendor referrals and resources
- Tips for saving money
- Logistics of brining your own decor
- How a rental company or designer can help
- Organizing your wedding decor
1. Do your homework. Take the time to price shop. Impulse buying, even in small doses, adds up to a big bill later on. If you find a votives or table number you like, do a quick online search or call a couple stores to see if they have the same item or similar for a lower price. COUPONS are your best friend and many stores, especially craft stores like Hobby Lobby, have them available almost constantly.
2. Choose your decor with purpose. Having a singular vision for your wedding can be tricky, but it’s important. It doesn’t have to be a “theme” per say, but all aesthetic elements should be cohesive. Once you have your vision, you can choose elements of decor with purpose. It’ll make your life much easier. Additionally, you won’t be buying multiples of items to fit one of your three “theme ideas.” Nobody needs three versions of a guest book.
3. Rent or borrow! You don’t have to buy everything! It’s so great to utilize the wonderful resources available today, whether that means decor rental from your planner or designer or furniture rental from your local vendor. And don’t be afraid to borrow from friends. Bottom line — you can customize your wedding to be unique while still using elements that you pull from elsewhere. And despite what many believe, buying wholesale isn’t always cheaper than renting. Besides, who wants 200 turquoise napkins post-weddng? Thinking you can just sell them after? Don’t take chances.
4. Time is money. Yes, even your time. If you’re insisting on a ton of DIY, because you either LOVE crafting or are trying to save a few bucks, remember the number of hours you’ll be putting in. Making one hand-dyed table runner takes a lot less time than making 20. Spend your time wisely and the best way to do that is to delegate!
- Sometimes it’s cheaper (and less stressful) to ask your planner or other vendor if they can create the decor for you.
- If you’re wanting a hand-crafted look. browse Etsy. If it’s only going to cost $1 more per piece to buy those favors online, you should probably do it.
- Lastly, give Aunt So-And-So or your bridesmaids who are eager to help something to do. Chances are, they genuinely want to help you!
5. Finally, less is more. Be sure to buy, rent, borrow, or create only the items that are important to you. Pinterest and blogs put a lot of pressure on brides to have a sign for everything, a garland everywhere, a gift for everyone. Less. Is. More. If your wedding is meaningful and beautiful to you, it will be apparent to your guests as well.
GIRL! You don’t know how much I wanted to go to this! It would be so much fun! You have the best giveaways and such great advice! I hit the anxiety wall the other day when I started to think about my wedding (which is a year away) and I even had a dream that I hadn’t hired the makeup artist nor the hair dresser for my wedding day and I never got my dress altered #engagedproblems lol
Cynthia
http://www.sensiblysharp.com
Thanks Cynthia! Thanks for entering the giveaway! Don’t worry thats totally normal! I had countless dreams that I couldn’t find my dress or that the DJ didn’t show up! You’re a very organized bride so its all going to work out! Promise! 🙂 Xoxo
Cynthia, you won! Please contact me ASAP today to redeem your spot for the workshop tomorrow. I can be reached at hello [at] simplycharmingsocials [dot] com. Congrats!!!
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would just like to say kudos for a fantastic post
and a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time
to browse it all at the moment but I have saved it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I
have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the awesome b.