Wow I have not been on here in awhile.  Been majorly busy at work and spending my efforts on the engagement party that we just had (more on that later).  Anyways, I’m gonna try and get back to the swing of things and post as often as I can.

First order of business…The Wedding Invitations.  I’ve been told that you send these generally 3-5 months before your wedding date, while the Save the Date go out about 6-8 [before hand].  Of course this is all formality and if your wedding is happening in say…3 months (or if you guys are eloping whatever), this time-line doesn’t really apply to you.

The invites are really flexible.  Me and my fiance talked about having a website, or a video, or just some simple postcards.  It’s really up to you how much you want to spend and how important it is to you.  I know that most people get it, mark their calendars and toss it…so it’s simply preference what you want.  I know that for us, the whole “green” thing is in play so doing something that consumes less waste is better.

With that said…here are some totally not-less-waste invites:

Some simple, traditional, elegantly done designs.

I love the embossing/letter pressing thing.  And the wood cards.

Cool ideas (cds, handkerchief, pencil, bottle).

Credits:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/vohandmade?ref=top_trail
http://www.etsy.com/shop/twoforjoypaper?ref=top_trail
http://www.lucky-luxe.com/
http://www.hansonellis.com/message-in-a-bottle-invitation.html
http://www.oslopress.com/wedding-invitations.html
http://melangerienyc.com/
http://485inc.com/
http://maemaepaperie.com/
http://www.priceofdesign.blogspot.com/

God I can’t believe I deleted my post from yesterday.  It was in my draft, but it had already posted so I thought it was a dup, so I deleted it and the actual post disappeared.  Argh nevermind idunno.  Anyways, here it goes again.

Engagement party:

1) An engagement party is when you (the couple) announce your engagement (duh right?), and usually occurs in the beginning of the engagement.  It is generally put together by the parents of the couple but any one of your friends can do it too. In the unfortunate case that you are like us and are planning the event yourselves, here are some advice.

2) The guest-list should be pretty small.  Pretty much just your families and close friends - like just the wedding party.

3) Simple food is best.  Do a bbq or have it at a restaurant or something.  Something easy to do, and somewhere easy for people to get to.

4) The decor should be simple. Maybe a few balloons, a banner or two and you should be ok.

With that said, we are going with something a little nicer (I think).  Still simple but it’s more “crafty” since we like that feel.

Something like this.

Bunting banners! (shut up)

They’re really flexible.

And instead of those round lanterns, we were thinking of tissue poms and paper rosettes instead.

Credits:

Giggleberry Creations

wsthm

sydandlivy

mistybliss

Ravenhill Designs

sparklecandace

MERINGUEDESIGNS

FUNKYSHIQUE

INDOBAYTEXTILES

SHRIELENEE

Tasha Roe

auntnanny

IHAVERIBBON

Saw this story on the news this morning about a couple losing the engagement ring when the guy was trying to propose.  As you can guess it’s making the headlines because the ring was expensive ($9000) and on top of that, it was an heirloom from his family.

People, if you’re going to have a $9000 ring, please make sure it remains safe.  Tying it on what essentially is a rock on the fucken beach is just plain dumb.  Even if you did have insurance on it.

Credits:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38656028/ns/today-today_weddings/

Just wanted to talk more about the food truck option.  Like I said, if your venue allows it and it will be easy for your guests to get food, you should definitely consider it.  It might throw off some of them but I’m sure it will make for a fun and memorable night.  Plus there are so many options out there (if you’re in a urban area).

—mouth drool—

And this is just the “food”.  You know how many other trucks there are for just desserts!?

Even if you get 2 or 3 of these guys to cater for you, it would be cheaper than having a typical wedding style dinner.

But even though I say all this, we’re not getting a truck :(

…

We’re getting a cart instead! =)

The venue we’re at makes it difficult for a truck to come into and serve the guests.  So we opted for a taco cart instead.  The place is call Rasta Taco and it’s actually run by people who also do actual catering stuff.  So we get to have servers and staff to help set up (and take down) the place, along with other food for appetizers.  It’s going be awesome.

Credits:

Rios Enriquez
One Love Photo
Nona’s Homemade
Kogi
Rasta Taco
Andrew Sullivan NYT
http://www.kabobnroll.com/
http://www.eatfrysmith.com/
http://komodofood.com/
http://thedimsumtruck.com/Index/Home.html
http://flyingpigtruck.com/
http://www.theplacela.com/
http://buttermilktruck.com/
http://www.donchowtacos.com/
http://thegreasywiener.com/
http://www.loukstogo.com/

Its been brought to my attention that this blog hasn’t been so much of a “guide” but more so a collection of tips and ideas.  This is all fine and good but I figure I should try to make some sort of attempt at illustrating the steps we (men) need to put together a wedding.  Obviously I’m no expert on the matter but I do have a 6 month head start on you blokes, so at least to you guys, I am the expert.

OK so first off, do the guestlist. Why? It’s because when you and your fiancé discuss this, you’re gonna know what kinda of wedding you guys want.  A small intimate one, a large extravaganza, or something in between.  Think about who you want to invite then think about who you’ll have to invite.  The cost, location, food, style of the wedding will all be dependent on the guest count.  And if you’re like us and will be paying for the majority (or all) of the wedding yourselves, this is one (if not the) of biggest factor. A good rule we were using in determining who we wanted to invite was if whether or not we would feel insulted or sadden if we didn’t get invited to their wedding.  Of course however, never feel like you are being pressured to invite people.  This is your (and your fiancé’s) wedding…do what you want.  Honestly the only one you have to worry about making happy…is her.

Second, do the budget. For the obvious reasons this is quite important.  Well unless you are rolling in it.  If that’s the case, I have another wedding you may be interested in funding.  But if you’re like the rest of us, keep a running tab of how much you have, how much you can save, and how much your families are gonna help with.  Do not go into debt to pay for your wedding.  Your lives will be more important than this one day.  Also, this will be good practice for budgeting in the future.

Next (and I’m assuming from here on out that you will be having a “traditional” wedding), the venue.  I suggest you pick a place where you can have both the ceremony and reception.  Most venue that you’re going to be looking at are going to allow this.  Do it.  It will be a lot easier.  I’ve gone to a few weddings that required you to move from place to place and it was total a buzzkill.  I know sometimes it can’t be help (church wedding, etc.), but if it can, do it at the same place.

Nearly as important for us as the venue was the food, and specifically, drinks.  And when I say important, I mean it had better be cheap and good.  The big trend now are food trucks and if you’re lucky enough to get a venue that allows it, do it.  Most venues however have their own list of vendors and you’ll have to go through them but if you have the freedom, check out the food trucks around your area.  Yelp is a good resource and you’ll see that there are plenty of food options out there.  And once you do get the truck, you’ll free up so much money for drinks.  Which I guarantee you is a must.  Open bar.  Please.  Don’t make your guests suffer.  Seriously.

Quick Friday post.  Kinda tired looking at mens fashion.  I would love to just go to the store and get something but we’re having a stylist at our engagement session so I have to do this instead.  No we’re not baller…just that our photographer wanted to do this for us (he’s friend with the bride)(and it’s FREE!).  Anyways, we have to send in stylings that we like and since I can’t just go “uh a cardigan and jeans?” I’m doing this.

-LB!-

Casual plaid. And the one suspenders outfit that I like.

Combos.

Most the images came from GQ. I haven’t looked at the site/magazine much until today but you guys should really check it out.  Good tips for styling men.

Credits:

Rag & Bone
H&M
Nudie Jeans
Band of Outsiders
Save Khaki
Odin
Neil Barrett
Banana Republic
GQ

Honestly, I don’t know much about fashion but I do know what I like and don’t like.  So when my fiance asked me what I wanted to wear for the engagement session, I had to do some research.  So far, these look kinda good:

—don’t you love the fact that when black people wear the exact (close to exact) same shit as white people do it becomes automatically more hip—

Maybe if I were to put something together.

Plaid, Clean tee, Boat shoes.

I use to rock the shorts and sweater look all the time until my GF at the time (now fiance) told me it was too “bummy” looking.  I secretly want to wear this outfit for the session.

*NOTE* I don’t know 90% of the brands below.  I just go to various sites to look at styles/clothes.  Seriously go shop at like a Ross or Nordstrom Rack or something for clothes. Save yourself some money. You probably have plenty of other things to worry about. *NOTE*

Credits:

Joel Bedford
J Crew
Bespoken
Fremont
Loden Dager
Banana Republic
Mighty Healthy
Leanne Mueller
Gant
Oliver Spencer
United Bamboo
Generic Man
MossTies
Goorin Bros
Levis
LL Bean
John Varvatos
Moccsocks
Gap
Converse
Threadless