Stop Overthinking

I finally just came to the conclusion that the Save the Date is not going to be practical or appeal to every person on our guest list. I've had enough overthinking about this project, and something needs to go out, because we have had lots of people asking us about the wedding and when it is.

So, I've decided that I'm just going to use one of our engagement pictures and put some text over it, have it printed, mount it to cardstock and mail them off.  Simple, easy, quick, and while it may get lost in a pile of paper somewhere, at least we're telling our guests to mark the date on the calendar. It will do it's job.

So, here's what I have done with some of our pictures.  I'm trying to come up with something creative, and I want it to stand out, but I'm torn on the design.

Engagement Picture by Matt Ferrara Photography / Text added by self / Personal Image

Engagement Picture by Matt Ferrara Photography / Text added by self / Personal Image

Engagement Picture by Matt Ferrara Photography / Text added by self / Personal Image

 I need input! Which style do you like best? The one with the words on the picture, or the one with the words separate? And of each of those styles, which one do you like best? Would you send out more than one, and split up who gets which one?

Is it possible for it to be practical?

Save the Dates. There are some really creative ideas out there, but the thing that is getting to me most, is practicality. I want our Save the Date to be practical to our guests. And not just some of them, but all of them. And that's where I am running into so many problems.

For example:

1. Magnets

Magnets are good to keep papers and pictures stuck to items, like a refrigerator. But, if you have a stainless steel refrigerator, magnets don't work. That nixes that idea. Plus, it's too overused at this point anyway, and I don't really want a magnet.

Image via MagnetStreet

2. Pocket Calendars & Save the Date Stickers

Pocket calendars seem like a really good idea, especially if you circle, or do something special on your wedding date, like a Save the Date sticker, that way your guests would remember.  Problem with this - who uses a pocket calendar? Probably 90% of our wedding guests have smartphones or other devices that they use as their calendars, so this would be useless and "just another thing" for them to put in a pile and lose.

Image via Inkello Letterpress

3. Customized Seed Packets

Yes, this would match our venue perfectly, it being a Botanical Center and all, but there are a lot of our guests that don't have anywhere to plant seeds. Some of our college friends still live in apartment complexes, and everyone is spread out throughout the country, therefore, we would have to customize the type of plant they are being sent.  Sounds useless to me.

4. Pencils

I thought these were cute, but they just really aren't us.  We really don't have any ties to pencils, and on top of that, I heard that they aren't the easiest things to ship in envelopes, and shipping 50+ little boxes would put postage out of this world expensive.

Image via Junebug Weddings

5. Bookmarks

If you actually knew us, you would know that this would be hilarious.  I haven't read a book since I was a sophomore in college, and FI listens to books on CD or MP3 since it's easier and faster for him. Bookmarks would make no sense.


See what I'm doing here? I find all these great ideas, yet I always find something that makes it not practical.  And I have been doing this for months now.

Am I overthinking this? Should I just choose an idea and go with it? Or should I ponder a bit longer until I find something that is totally us and is practical to all our guests?

Snapshots

I literally just got an email from our photographer, Matt, and he has finished our engagement pictures. They came out so well! We are so excited for them.  As I mentioned previously, we started out the day at our Alma Mater, and then traveled down to the beach to get pictures at sunset.  I am so happy that we were able to do both, because we know that we will not be getting a chance to travel much to get pictures on the wedding day.  Both the amount of time we have and the sunset will really limit our picture taking to spots closer to the venue, so being able to do these engagement pictures in these locations was perfect for us.

Now I just have to go through them about a hundred more times to choose the rest of my favorites.  Since I know that you want to see them, and that's probably the only reason why you are reading this post, I won't keep you waiting any longer.

 All Images by Matt Ferrara Photography

So what do you think? Did you and your SO take pictures at places significant to you or your relationship? Do you find yourself changing which pictures are your favorites each time you look at your own?

E-Pics!!!!

Yesterday we had our engagement pictures taken, and I can't wait to get them back.  Matt was great to work with, and let us really do our own thing, versus telling us what poses to be in shot after shot.

It was also great that we were able to take pictures at our Alma Mater, which is so special to us since it is where we met.  Matt was also great in following us down to the beach, about thirty miles away to take more pictures. I can't believe how flexible he is, and I can't wait to work with him again on our wedding day!