As promised, I have some guestbook alternatives here. I'm in awe of the creativity of so many brides out there, truly. These are just some of my favorites:

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I love the idea of postcards. It's cute and fun and there are so many options for putting this together (and putting them in a mailbox is just ingenious, don't ya think? I know my friend, Talda, is considering this as a backup guest book ... and I think that's swell.

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I love the idea of each guest sending well-wishes to the bride and groom ... I've seenwish jars and wish trees which I just love as well. But I can't resist falling in love with the feel of this wish paper basket. I love to write (I hope to one day be published) and Loverboy thinks this part of me is great (yay!) so I could totally see us doing something like this. So fun.

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I like the idea of a memo-board too. It's kind of similar to the wish tree and wish jar and such, but it keeps it streamlined.

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And this is too too cute. Signing a wine bottle? I could see Loverboy and I doing this as well, since I've introduced him to the wonders of wine and I'm planning on taking him to a wine tasting this coming weekend. Eek!

With so many options, how does one choose?!?!?!?

See, my biggest fear with a guest book is that it will end up shoved in some trunk or tote or corner somewhere collecting dust and never being looked at or thought about. If that's the guest book's fate, why bother?

Something I think tons of people agree on, however, is that guestbooks with pictures are much more interesting to look at over and over. Especially when there's room for your guests to write a sweet little message. You know, then you have cute little anecdotes to read that will evoke that special little smile/grin while you look through the book.

And there are tons of ways to do a guest book with photos.


You can always try making a book with photos from your past, mementos from your courtship, or even engagement photos through MyPublisher, Blurb, Snapfish, etc.
Just check these out:

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I really like this idea, using different things like ticket stubs, flyers, any memento to remember your courtship, etc. And I save all of that stuff. I have boxes and boxes of ticket stubs, stupid pieces of paper, postcards, etc. But not that many are from Loverboy and I ... we do stuff ... but we really haven't been together long enough to gather tons of stuff and by the time we marry we probably still won't have enough to put in a guestbook. Plus, I would leave room in between the mementos for people to write instead of just the page to sign ... I want memories! But this IS really cute!

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I really love this one. Seriously - tons of room to write messages - pictures from their childhood (Loverboy and I have already looked at childhood pictures and realized that we have several of the same poses from our childhood and even some of the same toys and props), pictures from adulthood, pictures from courtship, etc. And I really love the introduction of the bridal party in the beginning with little blurbs about each person and then pictures throughout of the groom or bride with their respective parties! How fun!?!?!

I've also seen some fun guests books that have photos from the wedding:

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This albus is from Adesso - it's a polaroid album which means we really won't have this option forever! There are little cut-outs in the pages so guests can just slip the picture in and write their cute little message. That way, they have all the room they want to write anything at all really. And guests can either take the pictures themselves or have somebody else snap it for them!

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Well, I love photobooths, so of course I would think this one was cute! The bride got the photobooth pictures on disc and just pasted them into the album with the guests' signatures. I think I'd rather have a photobooth with instant gratification - but the album still looks great!

As you can see, there's a reason photo guest books are so trendy/fun. And I love pictures, mementos, photobooths - so these are oh-so-tempting. And cute. And adorable. And they also have some elements of the traditional Guest Book (you know, they're books ... guests sign paper ... guests could just sign their names).

<3

So, it's Sunday.
And I've made some new blog decisions.
I'm going to pick a topic. Each Sunday (or Monday if I'm late on the blogging thing because sometimes life just gets in the way). And the rest of my posts (hopefully no less than 3- I'l work on that) will be related to that topic.
Yay for changing things around.

This weeks topic - Guest Books

I like the different ideas for guest books that you see all over the internet instead of just having, a well, book for guests to sign. Things that include well-wishes and "recipes for a good marriage" are always fun. And simply names can be fun with different layouts (other than an ivory or white book).

And today I found this site that I adore which is probably old news but I'm okay with that.

It's allPopartwhich I found via i heart faces.

My first thought was "art for our future livingroom! how fun!" And then my brain wandered (which by now anyone who reads this knows is dangerous).




This one's my favorite. And there's SOOOOOOO much room to sign/autograph/write your John Hancock on here with several different colors of pens. Plus, it's kinda classy and sweet and romantic.



This. Would. Work. Wonderfully.



This, too. Would work perfectly. There's SOOOO much room to sign names here. Can you tell I'm digging silhouettes right now?



Too cute. It reminds me of the rehearsal dinner invites I saw on Wedding Bee that Mrs Gummibear made for Miss French Bulldog. And, hey! It's not a silhouette. Actually, it's very very far from it.





I really like the four paneled ones, too. Probably because they're typical Warhol-style fun. See. you can do full color or spot coloring. And you can even go for bright bright bright colors (which you can see on their site when you visit because I know you won't be able to resist now) or muted colors, depening on your mood. I would just hope people would refrain from signing on the bride's chest here.



nels is that I fear you won't have quite enough space for guests to sign their names if the canvas isn't big enough.



This is fun - not as much room for a signature or 100 but a white pen for the black/dark areas would be great. And it's sweet and romantic to me.



Thsi is really dramatic and fun. And depending on the color choice ... there's plenty of room for signatures here.



A nice scrapbook montage of sorts could be fun - include several pictures, maybe your announcement, etc. Again, maybe not guest-book worthy because of the words already on there. But it COULD work if arranged just right. I have faith.

Teehehehe. That's just fun. Probably not guest book appropriate. But definitely fun.



And finally, the American Gothic photo. I couldn't help myself. Definitely not the best for a guest book. But it sure is funny and cute. Maybe just for a decorative piece? Or first anniversary gift if you got a poster version?


Oh boy. That was fun. Aren't these great? I know I mentioned doing things other than just signing names for a guest book, that will come soon. I just couldn't resist this website. And yes, all of these came from allPopart and next to these wonderful creations, on their site, they have the original picture that was the basis for the pop art fun!

I couldn't resist. I found another shoe/foot picture I really really really like. And it's on a gorgeous old car. Eek. Two goals for pictures in one? Could it be true?


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Pictures of feet.
Now ... I hate feet ... but I love the sock and pretty shoe shots that seem to be more and more prevalent everywhere I look.



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I love this idea for the guys. I'm wondering if Loverboy's friends/groomsmen would agree to let me have this awesome sock picture. I wonder if they would even wear fun/colorful socks.


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I am still in love with this pic. I WILL have shoes like this. And I WILL get a picture like this.




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Obviously, a picture of the bride's and groom's feet together are, well, required. I really like the second and third ones best ... because they have the feet more in harmony with eachother (or something like that) and I can well, feel the love through the pictures (of their feet, no less)!



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I'm having trouble finding bridal party shoe pictures. It's more difficult than one would think. I like these two options - the first one's so elegant and the second one just screams "FUN"! I'd like one with all of the feet in a circle facing eachother maybe taken from above, too. But I'm being a lazy blogger and ending the search for it.

So what do you think? Foot/shoe pictures. Yay? Nay?

Engagement pictures.

Silly expense?

Invaluable?

What exactly IS their purpose?
I'm on the fence about this one ...
all I know is I sure enjoy tons of engagement pictures ...
Like these:


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The balloon motif that is in sooo many engagement photos these days warms my heart. I love balloons. And I think they keep the vibe fun and relaxed.


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I love the ideas of photos in a junk yard, at a car show, at the races, or at a car dealership, etc. because the first time Loverboy and I really "went out" was to the drag races in Maryland!


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You can't deny the fabulousness of the silhouette effect in that photo. I mean, seriously.


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This is just one of Max Wanger's amazing amazing photos that I love! I mean, their hands spell LOVE. LOVE people. le sigh.


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I mean ... I love lots of the Broke Ass Bride's photos ... and I really really love the black and white concept. Her ultra-colorful ones are great as well!

So, all in all, I have trouble with the expense factor (though many of my friends are photography majors) but I love love love all of the diversity in engagement photos. There are just so many posibilities it hurts.

Did you get engagement photos? Or are you considering them? Just curious.

Dreaming of engagement (and the possible ensuing photos), <3 me

Shoes, along with the dress, are important as we all well know.

And I love shoes.

I really love to wear heels. They're fun - and they make your legs look great.

AND if I go for a short dress (either the entire time or for the reception) then a pair of killer heels would just be fantastic.

BUT I can't wear heels. Why, you ask? Because Loverboy and I are the exact.same.height. Well, he argues he's got like 1/2 an inch on me ... but well ... (sorry babe!).

Anyway - this means I have to find a pair of KILLER flats! And I like flats - so it's really not a big deal. I'm in love with these ones.


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And they would take care of my "something blue" at the same time (not to mention it's pretty much the exact color I want for one of my wedding colors) So that's great. Not entirely sure how I feel about the ribbon - I mean .. what if it falls down(it looks pretty slippery)?

Anybody else having shoe dilemma? Why can't this be easy?


(sole)ly yours (haha, I know) <3 alishaneva

I have tons of wedding stuff to update ... but I suppose I should hop on the train with the 6 things that make me happy. and all that good stuff. Ha. I just consistently worry I'll forget about someone/something or regret my list ... I'll probably end up with a much longer list than six somewhere else.
Here are the rules:
Tag and link back to the person who tagged you. List six little things that make you happy. Tag six bloggers and let them know they're “it".
And thanks Dreamer for tagging me first. Makes happy enough to blush.

Okay ... so those 6 things ... hrm ...

1. I have to say Loveryboy, of course! He makes me unendingly happy. Even when we sleep in his car (one person in the back seat, one in the front) in a parking garage. This is him: (it's the only picture I have of him on my work computer ... he looks much younger and tinier here than in real life)

2. balloons. lots of them. they come in every color. and you can attach them to a house and fly to a distant land with them! Right? I'd settle with tying them to a chair, too ... who knows where they'd take me. This one, located right across from where I work (the bank I work at is inside of a grocery store. The floral department is right in front of us which is fun) makes me endlessly happy.

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3.Am I really only on 3? I am too easily distracted. Anyway....3. When hippos yell at dandelions. Tehehe.

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4. Vanilla icecream with rainbow sprinkles. In a cone.

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5. bubbles. thought bubbles, bubble wrap, bubblegum, bubbles that you blow, soap bubbles. yeah, bubbles.

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6. Oh man. Last one. I better make this good. There are so many little things that make me happy. I'm easy to please. Seriously. Fireworks. They make me endlessly happy.

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Phew. That part's over. I have so many more little things that make me happy ... board games ... rubber ducks ... people ... but I digress.

My six "it" bloggers are (drumroll please):
1.Dreamer at A Dating Girl Dreams
2.Talda
3.Bread of Many
4.Bikini by 30
5.Cake Wrecks
6.Posh Play

That's all folks. Where's porky the pig when you need him?

Thanks much for all the Save the Date comments/advice. I'm definitely leaning closer and closer to Loverboy's stance on this ... even though I really really like designing AND paper products. Hrumph. (stamping foot and pouting)

Anyway, today's topic. Dresses. Broad topic, I know.
Here are some things I need to keep in mind about a dress:
1. I have two tattoos on my back. They're on the top, near each shoulder, and I want them to show. This usually requires a strapless or halter dress.
2. I have a large chest. Very large. It's not proportional to my body. A dress will probably have to be custom-made in reality. This also means a halter dress may not be the best idea ... unless I go with a specific type of halter (more on that type/style later when I remember what it's called - basically the halter straps are just there for looks ... but the dress goes straight across).
3. I'm tall. Not overly tall, 5'9" ... but I hesitate for a long dress because it will probably not be quite long enough unless, well, custom made ... and also because
4. I have nice legs. They're bruised and scarred in places but they're nicely shaped. Something I'm not ashamed of. At all.
5.But I kind of want a fairy tale dress ... that's pretty ... and long ... and makes me look fabulous.

So I've decided I want to dresses. A long one for the ceremony and a short one for the reception. I may end up just having the short one. But we'll see. We will definitely see. Anyway, I just found
Stephanie James Couture last week. And I love the dresses there.

Here are some of my favorites ... and they fit exactly what I want.

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