Why Pinterest Need to Die

August 15, 2014

Let's be honest, I am a bit obsessed with Pinterest. I love it!! For those of you who follow The Overwhelmed Bride's Pinterest, you know how much we are on there.

And despite the title of this article, I think Pinterest can be a fabulous tool when it comes to planning a wedding.

However, I urge you to use Pinterest with caution, as it can definitely bring on some negatives:

Information Overload

You login into your account...or rather, click on the Pinterest icon on your phone, search the "wedding" category, and voila! There are millions on millions of photos that you absolutely love! You've found 154 guest books that you totally have to do for your wedding, 334 centerpieces that are to die for, and 567 dresses that you just HAVE to try on!

Am I right or am I right?

As you can see, there is a huge information overload that is caused by the influx of stunning photos and amazing ideas, that is causing your brain to swirl in circles, resulting in what we call an Overwhelmed Bride.

So while pinning everything you love can be great, make sure you swiftly narrow down your options or you'll want to just call it quits!

The DIY Failure

First of all, DIYing a wedding can be extremely cost effective. And the key word there is "can." Oftentimes, we see so many fantastic ideas swimming around Pinterest, that we decide to DIY our entire wedding in hopes of saving ourselves a fortune and having enough left over to buy that gorgeous dream house we've been eying!

So if you've decided to move forward with the 57 DIY projects that will complete your wedding day, keep the following in mind:

1. You may end up spending even more than you would've spent hiring a professional or just purchasing the items so make sure you shop around.

2. More than likely, your project is not going to turn out nearly as perfect as when you saw it on Pinterest. Remember, many of these photos are made and taken by professionals!

3. DIYing an entire wedding may not be worth the time and headache. You have another job, friends, and most importantly, a fiance, who wants to spend time with you too throughout the engagement rather than sipping wine and crafting for months on months on months. So make sure you budget your time wisely!

That's not in the budget!

More often than not, the photos that get the most repins and, thus, end up on the most boards and in the main wedding category, are the weddings that we can only dream of having. We see a $10,000 gown and just have to have it, because that is our dream. We see a stunning flower wall of garden roses that I don't even have any idea what it would cost, but we love it! Yes, it is stunning. But is it realistic?

So many of us plan our weddings through Pinterest. But when you have a $10,000 budget and the majority of your pins are photos from $100,000 weddings or inspiration photoshoots, the case of the Overwhelmed Bride is bound to happen as soon as you realize that your dreams are just not possible.

Using Pinterest Wisely

So despite all of the cautions I've outlined in this article, I urge you to use Pinterest. Yes, you heard it right - USE PINTEREST. Pinterest is amazing!

But use it with caution.

Find the bouquet you absolutely love because of the colors, and use it as inspiration for your own bouquet but realize, the flowers used may be slightly different. Find your dream gown and use the style you see as a reference when you walk into your first salon. And with all of that inspiration, you could even click through to find potential vendors for your own wedding day! You see, it's more than just the inspiration, it is a planning tool!

Just use it wisely.

Today on the Bridal Boutique: Glam Headpiece by Something Treasured

August 15, 2014

For the bride looking for a little extra shimmer, we have a great product for you! Made by Something Treasured, this item lives up to its name. This beautiful sash can be used as a belt or a headband and is made of Austrian crystals which will make any bride’s inner sparkle come alive.

Wear as a belt for the ceremony then a headband for the reception or vice versa, or one or the other! It’s up to you! Having such a versatile piece on your wedding day will make for beautiful photos and a dazzling bride. This shop also does custom orders giving you the option of having a one of a kind creation.

Whether you’re boho chic or city sleek this stunning piece is sure to bring a little razzle dazzle to your big day!

Buy it Here

Something Treasured in Social Media

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If you have any comments, feedback, or even suggestions for products,
please feel free to contact us at meredith@theoverwhelmedbride.com

All photos courtesy of Bleudog Fotography

Cash or Credit?

August 13, 2014

A friend of mine recently got engaged and as she begins planning her wedding, she asks me questions here and there. And her most recent question for me was one that applies to every single one of you as you plan for your big day. It applies to every single vendor you book, every step of the way!

And so, I knew this was a great topic for today!

Should I pay for my wedding using cash or credit?

If you and your fiance are paying for the wedding, his parents are paying, your parents are paying, or whomever is hosting this event, this applies to you! I mean, someone has to pay somehow, right?? So even if you aren't personally the one forking out the big bucks, keep your ears open because knowing the do's and don'ts of paying for your wedding will at least be a small step in thanking the person who is!

To start out, there is not really a right or wrong answer to this question. There are benefits to both, but it depends on who you choose as your vendors! Some vendors may not accept cash and some may not accept credit. And some will just charge you more if you pay in credit.

So the first step in figuring out the best answer for you is to ASK.

Ask each and every vendor about payments and make sure you keep all options in mind!

Paying in Cash

The first question to ask a vendor is whether or not they offer a discounted rate if you pay in cash. Never will a vendor discount for paying in credit, so start with this one first! Of course, if you have the funds to pay in cash :)

Paying in Full

The second question to ask your chosen vendor is whether or not they will discount if you pay in full. Some will and some won't, and many may never have thought about it before! But just ASK - what's the worst that can happen?

Paying in Credit

Now there are two options when it comes to credit. First, make sure the vendor is not going to up-charge you for paying in credit and if not, you have some options:

1. Pay using an airline rewards credit card - This will help you get some miles for an upcoming trip...maybe the honeymoon? Just make sure to research which airlines you would like to fly on for your chosen destination, so you can put those points to good use!

2. Pay using a rewards credit card - Many banks offer credit cards that give a percentage back to you, based on the purchases you make. So in your case, you could potentially get anywhere from 1-3% back on your purchases which will definitely add up to a decent chunk of change!

Quick Tip for Cash Payers

And finally, the best way for you to stay within your designated budget (if you are paying all in cash) is to set up a debit card designated only for the wedding. That way, you can easily keep track of everything and don't have to keep asking dad for his credit card number!

Whatever you decide to do, just make sure you explore all options before putting your deposits down for each vendor. Because the more you know, the more you can potentially save!