Idea | 12k Wedding Blog

March 18, 2010 by DetroitGyrl | Filed in: Behind the Scenes

Ok – so this topic has come up a few times since we’ve announced our engagement… What will my new name be? Whoa – new name? Oh yeah.. I’ll be the same person but called by a new name. Hmm.. How do I feel about that?

Now – as long as I can remember… I’ve met many, many women who have come to the point in their lives where they take their hubby’s name. But for some reason – as the time for me to make that switch comes closer and closer – I am starting to feel like re-introducing myself to society is a little 9th hour. I mean – I know “that’s how it’s done.” But why??

I’ve been me for almost 29 years.. almost 30 years by the time of the wedding.. and I’m VERY comfortable with who I am. I’ve learned my habits, changed a few and learned to love myself and be the best me I can be.. and now I’m supposed to change all of that?

On the flip side.. I’m becoming a wife to a WONDERFUL man.. a man I’ve known would be my husband for 17 years. I’ve ALWAYS wanted to be “Mrs. DetroitBoy.” I imagine what it would be like to walk into a room and be called- “Mrs. DetroitBoy” – for the first time. I’d turn around and coyly reply – “Yes?” (::eyelash flutter::)

That’s just what women do.. they change their last name in America and become known as someone new… and re-invented.

But I’m the same old DetroitGyrl.. but with a hubby now..I’m the dancer, the artist, the chef, the daughter, the writer (oh yeah – and I’m published in my field – changing my name would most certainly confuse things). And I’m not sure I’m ready to just BE SOMEONE else.

The future hubby and I have had conversations about hyphenation and changing my last name to a middle name.. and even me just taking his name. I just can’t decide – so many pros and cons. And at the end of the day – I don’t mind being referred to as Mrs. DetroitBoy – I’m just not sure I want to legally CHANGE my identity..

Thoughts?

~DetroitGyrl

(ps – and no – I’m not trying to destroy the institute of marriage or emasculate my DetroitBoy by keeping my name.. I’m just trying to make the best decision for US, me, my career, my SANITY, etc.)

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Technorati Tags: Idea, Tradition

Craftstylish.com DIY Snowstorm

March 11, 2009 by Mrs. 12k | Filed in: DIY, Reception

This post was taken from the pages of craftstylish.com. It’s a DIY project that I LOVE. I don’t think I have anywhere to use it right now, but I might just have to find a place for it.

The original post can be found here: http://www.craftstylish.com/item/28838/how-to-make-a-snowstorm

——————–

A friend of mine visiting from the tropics wanted, more than anything, to see snow. Unfortunately, he was visiting during the Thanksgiving holiday when snow in New York (while not impossible) is unlikely. Not wanting to disappoint him, I set to work on “approximating” the effect. As is my rule around the holidays, the project had to be simple, inexpensive, and fun.

So, this week, in contrast to last week’s chandelier post, I offer a low-skill, high-impact project sure to surprise your guests (and your family) and help put you in the spirit of the season (regardless of whether the weather is cooperating with you or not).

Simple labels (1-inch circles) and some dental floss is all you need to make a winter wonderland.

Attach the dental floss to the adhesive side of a label.

Place a second label over the top of the first, sandwiching the dental floss between the two.

Randomly space your labels along the length of dental floss to give your finished snowstorm a natural look.

Hang finished strands in front of windows using small pieces of masking tape affixed to the tops of the window frames.

The slightest breeze will cause your “snowflakes” to move, which will will subtly animate a room—especially a dining room in candlelight.

Hung in a bedroom, this snowstorm cannot fail to bring a smile of surprise to the face of any guests.

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Technorati Tags: Decor, DIY, Idea

Wheat Grass Centerpieces

September 2, 2008 by Mrs. 12k | Filed in: Reception

I’ve always loved the look of grass in decor and flower arrangements. I’ve looked online a little for some grass I could use for our centerpieces, but I’ve only found fake grass so far. I was in the grocery store the other day and spotted the perfect little container of grass.

Upon further investigation, I saw this was in fact, wheat grass.

So I read up on it, and apparently it only takes 7-10 days to grow about 7 inches.

And it’s not very expensive: about $1/lb

I don’t know yet how I’ll use it on the tables, but I’m anxious to try growing some as a trial.

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Technorati Tags: Centerpiece, Decor, Idea, Reception, Table

$8,800 Made to Look Like Much More

July 17, 2008 by Mrs. 12k | Filed in: Real Weddings

I’m a regular WeddingBee reader so I’ve read most of Ms. Tulip’s posts. One of her recent posts caught me by surprise though.

She talked about their wedding budget and offered some budget tips too. It looks super luxurious and it has lots of personal touches. I never would have guessed judging by everything Ms. Tulip posted that their wedding only cost $8,800!

The Tulips splurged and saved on different areas than we would, but I think the decisions they made made everything come together so nicely.

Read the entire post about the Tulips’ Wedding Budget.

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Technorati Tags: Budget, Idea, Inexpensive

Blurb Book Giveaway

July 15, 2008 by Mrs. 12k | Filed in: Free Stuff, Discounts, Contests

I don’t think I’ve told you guys about Blurb yet, but I came across it a few months ago and of course I was immediately taken. The tagline explains it best: Real Books. Made by You. They look so artistic and professional and are all listed at pretty reasonable prices. I planned on using the site sooner than later, but I hadn’t quite decided for what.

Well today, I found out that WeddingBee is giving away 3 Blurb gift certificates! So I entered (sidenote: I was entry #504) and commented that I would use my Blurb books as bridesmaids gifts. We’re all very close and have known each other for so long, what better way to document the occasion than with a bounded picture book.

Even I don’t win WeddingBee’s contest, I still plan on doing this. It’s too perfect an opportunity to pass up.

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Technorati Tags: Free, Idea

My First Polyvore Collage

July 13, 2008 by Mrs. 12k | Filed in: Behind the Scenes

This is my first attempt at an idea board for our wedding. I would like there to be more white but that doesn’t exactly come across here. What do you think?

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Technorati Tags: Idea, Inspiration

Invitations by My Own Hand

June 6, 2008 by Mrs. 12k | Filed in: Behind the Scenes, DIY

Inspiration for today’s post comes from a recent post by Style Me Pretty titled Printing Your Own Wedding Invitations. I’m all about a beautiful invitation. It sets the tone for the entire wedding, especially if you don’t use the save the date cards.

And this is how I figure it: The only people keeping the invitation will be very close family. Even very close friends won’t keep our invitation especially if their inundated with others as well. So why spend a ridiculous amount of money?

That’s not to say I don’t want our invitations to look nice. In actuality I’m kind of a big fan of nicely designed paper products. I just don’t think we have to go broke on them. Look at it like this. Our wedding budget is 12k. I’ve heard of brides spending half or all of that on wedding invitations alone. Crazy, right?

So, I’ve checked out a few of the links provided by Style Me Pretty and this looks to be another case for the DIY girl in me. I can’t promise they’ll turn out perfect, but my pocket will be heavy with all the money we will have saved.

Here’s my one problem: I’m not very creative in the beginning of a project. I can tell you all day long what I don’t what, but it’s kinda hard for me to pin myself down and describe exactly what I do want from scratch. But never fear, I have a few designer friends who would be more than willing ( I hope! Fingers crossed!) to help me out with this part.

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Technorati Tags: Cheap, DIY, Idea, Inexpensive, Inspiration, Invitations

The Art of the Signature Cocktail

May 22, 2008 by Mrs. 12k | Filed in: Reception

So, we went to a wedding last weekend and at the reception they offered two signature cocktails, plus a cash bar. I’d never thought of doing a combination of free and for-pay drinks, but it’s a good idea. One drink was after the bride’s tastes and one was after the groom’s tastes. It’s nice because as long as you pick good cocktails, your guests are probably pretty content to just drink those.

One of the brides at Weddingbee has decided to have 5 signature cocktails, all named after the couple’s pets. What a cute idea. I don’t know yet how we’d name or even choose our drinks, but I do think it’s a good place for us to get creative. Maybe they could match our wedding colors. Or they could be our favorite drinks. Or they could be named after the places we’ve traveled, or our personality traits, or locations unique to Detroit, our hometown. The possibilities are endless!

And let’s talk about the savings. Many thousands of dollars for an open bar vs. a lot less for a few signature drinks. If we can figure some way to bring our own liquor, we’ll do that and try to save even more money.

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Technorati Tags: Bar, Budget, Cocktail, Idea, Reception, spirits

Start Early

April 24, 2008 by Mrs. 12k | Filed in: Behind the Scenes

Don’t waste time. After all, you’ve only got a little time to come up with a lot of great, inexpensive solutions. The more time you allow your creative juices to flow, the better off you’ll be. Keep a running list of ideas in one place that you can always refer back to. Even if you don’t think it’s something you’d do, note it anyway as you might change your mind later. And keep your eyes open for ideas in unexpected places. You never know what might inspire you.