What is, and is knot helpful...

The past few weeks have flown by in a blur, and with as much overwhelming tasks ahead, Brian and I have managed at least to get the proper gears turning in regards to the wedding (and jumped way ahead of the ball in an area or two which never hurts).

This is what I have learned so far from a bride's perspective:

To knot or not to knot.com: Although it is like, the most popular wedding site ever, it has proved to be extremely unhelpful, and in fact more of a stresser than not. I should have known this as I discovered a year ago that as a vendor I couldn't afford to advertise my own business on there, which means (as a consumer) that anyone advertising on there is high end. But also, as soon as you sign up it has you put in a projected wedding date and immediately shoves in your face a huge countdown timer- with blaring checklist items that are immediately overdue. This for me, a very goal oriented person, created pure and immediate panic!

OH MY GOSH!! We just started planning and we already dropped the ball on 44 items? Make it 45, wait, hold on, they added another! 46! Now, instead of living in Bride to be bliss, I instead I want to kill myself. (overstatement, fyi)

Then there is the budget thingy.

We enter a very "respectful" if not modest number and hit "calculate".

Uh huh.... then it magically breaks all of your cost items into an amount allowed to spend. Sounds good right? Sure, until you get to the part where it says your budget for a wedding dress is $200. $200? Seriously? I mean it sounds like a good amount, but you try and log on to ClubWed on Target's site and look at those homely dresses and then tell me if $200 is enough to even cover you in white fabric day of!
Suddenly you realize that The Knot.com is making elopement in a pair of $80 Jeans is the only way you'll ever pull this thing off.

And so I said goodbye to the thing and hello to a few more "helpful" resources instead. So far, these blogs have been a daily read for me- and the best part is that they feature real weddings all the time with a link to vendor samples and website and locations that might not have made theknot.com's preferred list (aka less commercial, more friendly, and wow, even affordable).

Now I invite you to subscribe too, and avoid the traumatic experience of Theknot now or in the future.

I have either contacted, met or been referred to many of the vendors authoring these sites and can tell you that along with the amazing help and pep-talks from my fiance and closest friends, these ladies have also helped bring joy back into finding the right leads and ideas for details for this Wedding planning on a reasonable budget in well, plenty of time. (aka"The Beast").

Examples of greatness:
http://joyfulweddingsandevents.blogspot.com/ - Courtney is the BEST coordinator in the OC & SD! I love working with her because I am always informed about the next event and things get executed with elegance & style. She is also super sweet and always answers my bride to be questions with care!

http://jesihaackweddings.blogspot.com/ A friend of mine was in a wedding she coordinated so I follow her blog. She featured some amazing photographers whom I ended up connecting with about shooting our event!

http://thealisters.typepad.com/sparkliatti/ I just love the articles and ideas here.

http://www.weddingchicks.com/ They are the ones who taught me about raw diamonds when they featured a NY Jeweler who specializes in that line. It's how I dreamed up my dream ring!

http://www.stylemepretty.com/ They always have great decor ideas!

http://weddings.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Main_Page Everything you need to know about every type wedding imaginable. With shorter checklists and actual templates and samples for things like writing vows or what to do in lieu of a bouquet toss.

The REALSIMPLE Wedding workbook was handed down to me recently, and it rocks. I love how it offers quick tips on every aspect from start to finish. Not overwhelming in the least and something I am enjoying in lieu of subscribing to Bridal magazines.

Don't forget to pick up a local "Here comes the Guide" for your wedding destination city- good overview of locations with price estimates and list of pros and cons. It has assisted our search greatly.

Now there is everything you need to know without theknot!

And if you have any fav. blogs I should be reading, pass em along!