Paper and Polaroids

I'm a big believer in DIY - doing it yourself. And I have a strong apathy for flowers. They tend to give me allergies, they end up wilted and depressing. When these two traits met, I got the brilliant idea to make my own bouquet, especially after seeing this picture (from Offbeat Bride, of course, French Novel Bouquet).

I thought this would be perfect since I'm toying with some sort of book theme given that Josh and I are both kind of book nerds, and we met in college, etc etc. But my rose (made from the pages of an old New Yorker, I'm such a geek) didn't turn out as planned...

My next few tries turned out better, but they just don't have that "wedding bouquet" feel (as in, I think I'm going to feel really stupid carrying folded up New Yorkers down the aisle). But I think they might go good in a centerpiece, or as a favor. Oh well, live and learn. They're a lot of fun to make, though!

I am also am the proud owner of a Polaroid 660 camera! I have a similar apathy for guest books that I do for bouquets, with the addition of fearing that moment before a wedding when you're herded towards the satin-rosebud monstrosity and expected to think of heartfelt congratulations and advice within 30 seconds without holding up the line. So I wanted to take polaroid photos of the guests, let them write whatever their heart desires on them, and I can put them in an album later. I like to look at pictures, but I'd never look at a guest book. Of course, Polaroid camers haven't been made in years, so I thought I'd be scrounging around eBay until the last minute before my still unset wedding day.

Craigslist is a miracle. I found a camera in Tacoma for $6. That's not a typo. Josh's mom picked it up for me last night. It's a good thing its 500 miles away from me, or I'd be wasting the film playing with it right now. And yes, they actually still do make film for this model. Weird, right?

Fiance?

Fiance, to me, is a very strange term. It's awkward to say, sounds extremely snooty (look at me! look at me! I have a fiance!), and I'm afraid someone is going to do this to me:



So I call Josh my boyfriend even though I've been warned that people with traditional notions will take offense to it. How often do I get into deep discussions with extremely traditional people anyway? Especially about my wedding, I don't even want to get into it with them....

Purchases

I bought my dress today. After hours of my free time wasted browsing the internet, one finally jumped out at me. The relief is tinged with a distinct surprise at myself. I knew it had to have straps, after my loving mother sent me this picture, and I knew I didn't want a long dress despite its dance-move-disguising properties. And it was such a good deal I couldn't pass it up just because it was only available online (on the plus side, David's Bridal internet return policy is way better than their in-store return policy).

Also, I bought Josh a ring (we had a deal that he buys mine and I buy his, but I think I got the better end of that deal). Of course the ring was about 4 sizes too big. This is what happens when you shop on the internet, and part of the base of my dress nerves. At least it was only $25 (yay DiamondShark.com). At least now I know what to get next time. Anyone in the market for a size 11.5, Genuine Tungsten Carbide 7mm Dual Finish Domed Comfort Fit Mens Ring? I'll give ya a screamin' deal...

Inspired

Josh's mom got married this past weekend and I was so inspired. It was a beautiful, classy, small affair, and I have the sneaking suspicion she somehow stole all my unvocalized ideas. She has given me hope that I, too, can plan a wedding that is fun and low key and cheap-but-not-tacky. I wish that I had pictures to post, but it's just going to have to suffice to say that she captured the spirit of celebrating a marriage in a way I wish more people did.

I also briefly considered switching my dress search to a long version to disguise what a terrible dancer I am - Josh's mom had a long dress and she looked like she knew what she was doing on the dance floor. But then I realized she probably does know what she's doing, and that no length of skirt is going to teach Josh how to dance, either. So I'm sticking with my original idea - tea length dress and dance lessons.