Scheming and Theme-ing: The Wedding Planning Process

Photo via RuffledBlogcom

If there's one thing that people were right about in terms of the wedding planning process, it's that if you decide do to the planning yourself (and you're not an event planner--have never done this before!), you're in for a WHOLE lot of work. And more importantly--a lot of decisions. A couple of months ago one of my friends sent me this article about "Decision Fatigue," which explains that "the more choices you make throughout the day, the harder each one becomes for your brain..." She sent me the article as a warning about wedding planning and reminded me to try and spread out all of the big decisions over time, so that I didn't become fatigued and make either impulsive decisions or decisions brought on by fatigue ("I just want to be done with this! I don't care anymore!"). Great advice.

So, taking this article to heart, I have been trying to do things one a time, without becoming too overwhelmed...but wow, is it hard! We've booked our venue (and date, obviously), sent some (but not all) of our save-the-dates, booked our photographer, bought my dress (YAY!!!!) and have narrowed down caterers. Then yesterday, we started looking into DJs, so I am feeling pretty good. But still, so many decisions still waiting to be made!

A few of the bigger decisions that we haven't made are some of the ones that are harder for a creative-type like me to figure out--for instance, color scheme, theme or direction for decorations, flowers and/or centerpieces, etc. But, I've definitely been thinking about these things and have found heaps of inspiration online. Below is a collage that I've created as an inspiration-board of sorts. Images are from a host of sites, but mostly from my two favorite wedding blogs, Green Wedding Shoes (where I found my photographer) and Style Me Pretty.

Thoughts? Do you like? I'm thinking our theme will be vintage southern garden. A mouthful, no? Going along with this theme, here's what I have decided are must haves at our nuptials:

• Mason Jars: SO many ways to use them, haven't figured out which way we want to go yet...
• Gray bridesmaid dresses and different colored shoes (within color scheme, of course--see image above! I LOVE this idea)
• Dessert table with alternative desserts (not wedding cake); i.e. cupcakes, pies, etc.
• Old family photos displayed in some way
  
• Incorporating apples and/or fruit in the decor in some way (must, must have!)
• Repetition of some sort of garland
  

And here are some fun ideas that I'm still playing with:

• Alternative centerpieces like vintage books (see images above!), random collection of vintage items and wildflowers, handmade vintage fabric bouquets, etc.
• Hanging jar vases or candles/lighting (see image at the top of the post)
  
• Skeleton key "placecards"
  
• Alternative bridal and bridesmaid bouquets: again, am thinking vintage fabric bouquets...

As for color scheme, I haven't decided 100%, but am thinking of going with something like this (colors are a bit off from what I imagine, but you get the idea):

I also LOVE the color scheme below (from Style Me Pretty), but am not sure I could pull it off in the fall...

Color scheme inspiration board via stylemepretty.com

One thing that I can say thus far, is that there is NO lack of inspiration or creativity in the wedding-planning and wedding-blogging industry. One could get lost for days just looking through all of the gorgeous images. So now I just have to hone in and continue making my decisions, one at a time, one at a time...

Have any thoughts, feedback, or ideas for me that go along with my theme/color scheme ideas? Let me know! I'm eager for feedback :)

Namaste!
Mary Catherine