Wedding Resources

Recently, I showed you the wedding planning binder that I put together for myself and several of my friends. Now I am going to share with you a few of the resources that we have used and that I have subsequently shared with my friends as they are on their own planning journeys. The following three books have been invaluable to Mr. Hermit Crab and I as we plan for our wedding and of course, our marriage.

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The New Jewish Wedding by Anita Diamant was the first book that I bought. I also bought it for all the women involved in the wedding planning with me. It was extremely helpful in thinking about and planning a Jewish wedding - it explains parts of the engagement and ceremony, and helps us understand different options and history behind the rituals. I recommend this for anyone entering into a Jewish marriage, taking a role in a Jewish wedding, or even attending a Jewish wedding (although in this case, I would probably just take it out from the library). This book helped up find inspiration for the English translation of the Ketubah text that we eventually chose.

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The Wedding Ceremon Planner by Reverend Judith Johnson came as the mostly highly recommended book for ceremony planning, and with good reason. Although our own ceremony will be written mostly by our Rabbi and Jewish tradition, as soon as I found out that I would be officiating at my friend's wedding, I grabbed a copy of this book for both of us, as well as for my friend who is getting married in October and planning to write his own ceremony with his fiance. This book illustrates formatting and reading options for all different kinds of ceremonies, as well as creating the tone that you would like to have at your wedding. If you're even thinking about writing your own ceremony, this book is a must.

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Finally, there is, of course, a lot more to a marriage than just the wedding. Since I work at a synagogue, and the rabbi that will be officiating at our wedding currently lives in Florida, the rabbi that I work with here in Syracuse has agreed to meet with Mr. Hermit Crab and I in the months before our wedding. This is one of the books that she gave us to work through together. Although the book uses many Jewish texts and backgrounds, and asks a few Jewish questions, most of the topics that are brought up are important for any couple to talk through before marriage. Though we are only about half way through the book, we've already discussed things like the our family issues, name changing and finances. Eventhough we always try to be honest with each other, we've had some of the most important and candid conversations that we've had in the five years that we have been together. Despite the Jewish lens, this book is a great way to start and have important conversations that any couple should tackle before the wedding.

Do you have any books or resources that have helped you in your wedding planning? What are they?

Dresses, Florists and Photogs, OH MY!

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In Barnes and Noble recently, I was reminiscing with Mr. Hermit Crab about one of the first few days after we had gotten engaged and returned home from Ottawa. I had gone to Barnes and Noble and stood in front of the Bridal shelves for about 20 minutes, occasionally leafing through one or the other, but mostly being totally overwhelmed. I left with a wedding magazine in hand (I can't remember which one at this point, but I've had them all - reviews to come), and a mission. I was going to create my own wedding planner. If you would like to purchase a pre-made one instead of make your own, Miss Pencils has written a great post about her research!

I went to an office supply store next to pick up my supplies.

I knew I needed to get organized, so first I designated a space in my house:

At this point, it has filled up with my accumulation of wedding magazines and paraphernalia - and yes, this is the nook under one of our desks!

Then I set to work putting the binder together. To make your own wedding planner, you will need the following (I was making two binders at this time):

• one inch binder
• tab dividers
• three-hole-punched zipper pouch
• sheet protectors
• three-hole-punched business card holders
• sheets of lined paper
  
  
  

Our furbaby, Rashi, helping me

And assemble! I put the zipper pouch at the front of the binder, and use it to hold things like post-it notes for easy note taking and reminders, and stamps and address labels, so that when I go to write thank you notes, all my supplies are in one place. I also put the card holder at the front to keep all the cards collected in one place as we met with different vendors. Once we would make a decision on a vendor, I cleared the binder of all necessary information, so that it was as up-to-date and organized as possible.

I buy the packs with 24 tabs and label them the following (in no particular order): To do lists, Notes and Resources, Budget, Thank you list, Registry info, Invite list, Invitations, Venue, Caterer, Music, Florist, Ceremony, Dress, Accessories, Hair and Makeup, Bridal Party, Men's Outfits, Rehearsal Dinner, Honeymoon, Bachelor Party, Bachelorette Party, Transportation. You may have other things that come up that you would want to keep track of.

As for all the notes that the pre-paid binders come with, I find that sites like Weddingbee and ever so occasionally, the Knot (I have used their checklist and countdown from time to time), and my plethora of wedding magazines (thanks mom for the subscription!) have been enough for ideas and guidance. I have also used several books, which I will talk about soon.

My binder has been so helpful organizing thoughts and contracts, thank you lists and important dates, that now, often when close friends and family get engaged (as long as they are living Stateside!), I made them binders with special covers:

Turning this...

...into this!

And another two I made:

(All pictures are personal photos unless otherwise noted)

How did you organize your planning? Any tips for future brides-to-be?