Most Popular Posts from 2010

Google makes it so nice and easy to check the stats on my blog. It can be addictive to see what people like to look at most (and helpful to know what topics you want more of).

Here are the 5 most popular posts from 2010:

5. Destination Dresses -This post shows off 10 really great dresses for your destination wedding.
Originally posted: 10/04/2010

4. Free Download Friday: Candy Buffet -I started posting free downloads to make your life easier. I hope it really helps. This is not only the most popular download, it's my absolute favorite!
Originally posted: 10/01/2010

3. E-Session: Scott & Amanda -In the short time since Jannah has joined AWS as a contributor, her posts have become quite popular! I'm so thrilled for y'll to see what's coming in 2011. Jannah -you're a fabulous partner in crime. Thank you!
Originally posted: 11/15/2010

2. Carol Hannah Whitfield -I posted fab dresses from my favorite southern Project Runway designer!
Originally posted: 12/02/10

And now for the most popular post of the year....



1. Pocket Bridesmaid Dresses -This post also made my personal list of favorites (posted here, yesterday). I love pockets in dresses. Whether you're the bride, bridesmaid or even the wedding planner (I always have pockets in a dress when I'm planning. It's a must!)
Originally posted: 02/11/2010

Once again, thank you all for hanging in and keeping up with my musings and ideas. I appreciate you!

Happy Planning!

Stephanie

Free Download Friday: DIY He Says She Says Shower Game

While planning my BFF/sister-in-law's bridal shower, I was constantly scoping out ways to make the event unique and personal. One of my favorite details was the He Says She Says game I created. I nabbed the idea from the beautiful I-Do-It-Yourself blog, although it pointed to a post by Laura at Orange Beautiful from a shower she threw for her sister, and Laura was originally inspired by the Made Sweet blog. This is why I love the Internet. There are so many different interpretations of a concept out there that it feels like a definite win-win-win Michael Scott moment.

Here are a few pics of my version of the game.



It was fun to interview the bride and groom separately so they could both be surprised by what sentiments they shared about one another. We had around 50 ladies there, so the game got quite intense.

And just because I love you, click the link below and download a Word Document version that you can customize yourself. Happy Free Download Friday!

11/06/2012 Update: This new link will download the template via Dropbox!

He Says She Says Download

Choose to see la vie en rose,

Jannah

Free Download Friday: Save-the-Date

I'm starting a new weekly post called Free Download Friday. I will be scouring the Internet for great wedding downloads and creating a few of my own. I'll post them on Friday mornings so you can spend your weekend completing a little DIY project. 


This week's download comes from Ruffled Blog and Betsy White. These editable PDF save-the-date templates are gorgeous. All you need is a nice home printer and good paper to have an inexpensive and fancy save-the-date. Download the save-the-date.

Click here for more information about Betsy White Stationery. Amazing.


Happy Planning and Weekend DIY-ing!


Stephanie

Door Hangers Download from Ruffled

If these just aren't the cutest DIY door hangers?!? I found this cuteness on Ruffled created by Two Brunettes. I love free downloads, and if you have a great printer this could be a fun & inexpensive way to keep the groom out of the brides room on the wedding day and vice versa! If you do download them, email me a picture and let me know how they turn out and how you use them.

(Source)

Happy DIY-ing!

Stephanie

Wedding Favor Freebie!

Any time I find a free wedding find, I'm compelled to pass it on! This is such a cute template for a CD sleeve. If you're looking for an inexpensive, DIY favor check out this template from Benign Objects.



Enjoy!

Stephanie

Addressing Invitations, Part I

After you've downloaded and printed the free invitations, what's next on your list? Oh yes, you must address said invitations. While many people use clear labels and print their addresses, handwriting them is a hard-and-fast rule for me.

What kind of pen should you use? If you can afford to higher a talented calligrapher, please, by all means, do so! If you can't afford one and aren't a talented calligrapher yourself (I'm left-handed and we lefties always struggle with calligraphy!), try the new Sharpie Pen. They don't bleed through paper, they don't smear and they provide very fluid ink.

I purchased a pack of black, blue and red pens this weekend. I'm totally and fabulously in heaven. Here's a picture of the pen I've been using to make my 'to do' list this morning.

There are so many steps to getting your invitations out the door. Hopefully the following tips from Emily Post's Wedding Planner will help you get your invitations mailed on time.

1. Allow plenty of time to address, assemble, and mail your invitations.
2. Arrange each element that goes into an invitation in a stack, in the order it will be picked up, assembled, and inserted.
3. Organize the master guest list in useful form, such as on file cards, in a computer database.
4. Before you buy stamps, have a completely assembled invitation (or two variations: one for local guests, another for out-of-town guests that may include additional enclosures) weighed at the post office.
5. Look for pretty stamps that will complement the look of your envelope.
6. Insertions go on top of the printed side of the invitation inside the inner (if used) or outer envelope. Tissues are optional.
7. If you are using response cards, lightly mark the back of each card with an identifying number in case guests neglect to write in their names when they RSVP. (Check out this great tracking idea from Wedding Bee: RSVP Tracking.)
8. Before sealing the outer envelope, double- and triple-check that the names on the inner and outer envelopes match up.

I'll be back this afternoon with Part II on how to address the outer vs. inner invitation and how to address the invite for a doctor, clergy, families, etc.

First, here's a beautiful visual quick tip from Betsy White Stationery Boutique:


Stephanie

Free Download

I ran across this free download when my dear friend, Jannah, shared it with me on Google Reader. (Side Note: If you're not using Reader to follow all your blogs, it's a must! It's so user friendly and easier than ever to share your favorite posts with friends.) I do follow the Wedding Chicks who have made this fabulous download available, but it's hard to keep up with every single post from all the blogs I'm following these days! Thanks Jannah!




These Dahlia Invitations have easy instructions and include the oh so necessary fancy, schmancy font you'll need! If you have a great printer and this theme works with you're current plans you could save a lot when it comes to the invites!

Stephanie