Keeping on track

For the first time since the wedding planning began, I suddenly feel dangerously close to getting off track with my timeline!

My life has become complete chaos in the last few weeks (albeit wonderful, welcomed chaos), but I am trying my best to stay on target with the things I need to get done for the wedding each month. I am finally realizing that it's time to really get down to business and start making lots and lots of decisions -- it's not all about looking through pretty magazines and browsing the web anymore! Apparently, I have to actually do stuff? Hmph.

During my "wedding coma" of this weekend (ie, two weddings in one weekend in two different states, involving lots of driving, one lipstick stain, and two very tired feet that had to get up bright and early for work this morning), I decided that I can't be this exhausted, burnt out person for the next eleven months!!! I asked Mr. Blushing if he would mind if I gave him a "to-do" list every month to help me out with some wedding details, and he happily obliged. October is already halfway over but my list isn't quite crossed off yet, so I need to pick up the pace and I need his help. We decided that he will do all the research for the honeymoon, narrow down his favorite locations, and then we can decide on a place together. This will be one less thing for me to do, and I think it will be fun for him to be in charge of this big detail.

I haven't always been the best at delegating (stupid perfectionism!), but I trust Mr. Blushing enough to marry him, so why not trust him to make decisions for our day???

My Inspiration Board

Amidst all of the chaos and changes going on over the last several weeks, I have really been wanting to create an inspiration board for my wedding. I have been collecting photos since day one (well, er, before day one!), and I was ready to put everything together to see if I like the direction things are going in. I felt like if I didn't do it now, I'd just end up getting caught up in my new job and putting it off for another few months.

With my few days off before my new job begins, I spent some time getting all the images together in a QuarkXPress layout. I have been worried that the colors won't be vivid enough, or that they'll be too vivid and not classy enough, or everything won't represent my "vintage charm meets modern whimsy" theme quite enough, but now that I have my inspiration board together I'm confident that I'm happy with where things are going!

Click on image to enlarge

I'll be honest -- a lot of the images were collected before I thought about crediting sources; I'm going to try to get as many as I can at some point!

A few things I'll point out:

• The ring towards the top left is my ring from A. Jaffe. I don't have to worry about what band to choose to go with it, because A. Jaffe already makes one! Check!
• The blue dress towards the bottom left is the latest bridesmaid's dress that I found; it is an Alfred Sung creation. I normally don't like halters, but something about this halter is done in a more retro/vintage way, and I think the dress is just charming. It would go perfectly with everything else that I am imagining. It is a new 2007 style, and the style number/color options are not yet listed on the website. It is shown online in an icy blue color, but with the magic of photoshop I made it a lovely peacock blue. If I'm lucky, they'll offer something similar to this, or perhaps a nice purple jewel-tone?
• The photobooth at the top right represents an extra that I'd reeeaaaaaaalllly like to have at the reception; I am still working on talking my mom into that one!
  

What do you think about my board? Is there anything you've seen out there in wedding world that you think would be an excellent addition to it?