Internet and the Bride
Although the weather yesterday wasn't as bad in our area as predicted somehow we managed to lose our power. I was right in the middle of working on managing the guest list on my favorite wedding planning tool: iDo. The power returned a lot earlier than expected and no damage was done to my trusty software friend.

The power outage got me thinking--how did anyone plan their wedding before the internet? Brides of today really are spoiled and we're really lucky to have the internet as a tool. I realize not all brides-to-bes utilize the World Wide Web or the computer like some of us but there's a lot of us that do. My maid of honor's older sister is also getting married this year...this MONTH actually. I'm assuming she hasn't utilized the web too much during her wedding planning because she has a phonebook wide binder with her "wedding stuff". I can't function that way. Yes, I do have a little file folder for the wedding but all that contains are contracts, invoices, and swatches.

As I mentioned the iDo software is my favorite planning tool. My handy buddy keeps track of my guest list, I can track who is coming, who isn't, any gifts received, whether I sent a Thank You, invitation wording, checklist, seating charts, and so much more. If there are any brides-to-bes reading this and you have awhile before your wedding, order this software. It'll make your life easier and it'll prevent you from killing a lot of trees from storing and printing lots and lots of paper.

Planning is only half of the game when it comes to the computer or the World Wide Web. Some of the ideas being used in our wedding came from or were inspired by something I saw online. Some of those ideas include using pumpkins as placecard holders, save the dates, and a picture guestbook. I have recently fell in love with Etsy.com. If you're not familiar, it's like Ebay but items are handmade and very unique. I ordered my bouquet charm of my Dad through Etsy (and got the idea from a wedding planning community on Live Journal). Wedding magazines can inspire ideas but that's after you sift through the many, many pages full of advertisements.

Even the internet is used as an etiquette tool. Because of the internet I was able to write Thank Yous for our engagement party without breaking etiquette rules and without drawing a blank. Not sure how many items to put on a registry? No problem, I'll go here for the answer. Not sure if a particular vendor is any good? Ask a wedding forum or Google it.

My SIL was extremely stressed during wedding planning for her 2004 wedding. She didn't use the computer or the internet as a planning tool. I'm wondering if that could helped reduce the stress. Regardless, I take my hat off to you ladies who have tackled on the task of wedding planning sans computer.... because I don't think I could do it.