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OK, I know that I can’t be the only one who feels this way! Do you ever look at other brides’ inspiration or ideas and think, “holy crap! That is EXACTLY what I was going for!?!?”
I am have experienced that sinking feeling in my stomach during my planning thus far. I cringe because I don’t want to be viewed as a copycat!
Realistically, I know that the guests at our wedding will have absolutely no idea if my choices are very similar to that of someone they don’t even know… but it just gets my goat at times! It makes no sense… there is no way that our guests are scouring wedding blogs on a daily basis; they aren’t going to know that my idea is similar to the one that “so and so” did!
I feel like I am so irrational… but how is it that there is someone else out there that is picking the same music, the same ceremonies, the same guestbook ideas, etc. etc. etc.! I have always been someone who has fresh perspectives on things… someone who has cute ideas and inspirations. Apparently, I have a twin (or twins) out there. Frustration… galore!
Has anyone else out there experienced this feeling? What did you do to calm your frustration?
I have had this exact issue, but with people my guests actually know. A friend and member of FI’s family is getting married in June of 10. Her colors are identical to the ones I’ve picked for my May of 11 wedding. Many of our guests will overlap. It would be really easy for me to change our colors because nothing is purchased and its over a year away, but I really like the general look I’ve come up with. The way I get through it is to realize that we’re both different, and while the colors will be the same, the general feel of the wedding will be different and nearly a year apart no one will likely point out to me how similar mine is to hers.
I think you’ll be fine. It seems to me that only brides stalk the wedding blogs. Your guests will have at most 3-5 weddings to compare yours to.
haha I know what you mean! With so many weddings going on this year with Fi’s family and our friends (6 including our own!!) I worry about this!! Because all those brides ARE scouring the internet like I am. At least ours is last so I can make last minute changes if necessary (probably not happily though). It can make you nuts!
well yeah i feel like a copy cat but it because the brides here have better ideas than me. but i will never feel angry if somebody wants to use my idea…
I sometimes get that feeling too. But I realized that there are REALLY good ideas out there that just make sense and work! So I just consider it “borrowing” and try to give credit where credit is due. 
I feel like this all the time!! I hate feeling that my great idea was already someone else’s, but realize it would be nearly impossible to think of something that hasn’t been done yet. I had this happen a couple months ago when I was thinking of a great cookie/candy idea of molding white chocolate into a cameo and placing it on the cookie…turns out someone else already tried my great idea, but I don’t care I think it’s still pretty great.
I totally get that feeling sometimes too…but like you said, most of the guests won’t notice and even if there are overlapping guests, every wedding has it’s own feel and personality so even similar ideas can come out very differently!
I have felt this way also…I must admit to avoiding wedding colors that our close friends used in recent past because I was scared of the copycat label. I have been trying to convince myself that all these brides are putting their great ideas out there for a reason and immitation really is the sincerest form of flattery. I also have to keep telling myself that no two weddings are alike even if some details are similar.
Totally guilty of this! I figure as long as I don’t pretend the ideas are my own (and I don’t!), it’s forgivable. Right??
I’m getting a ton of ideas from the other bees. So, to all the bees: “Thank you. I may be ‘borrowing’ your ideas. I hope that’s okay with you.”
Honestly, I think that part of the reason I’ve put my planning out there, I hope that people can learn from my mistakes or take inspiration from some of my ideas. I think it’s inevitable in an industry that is centered around one thing, there are really only so many new ideas out there. Don’t worry, you’re not alone!
That picture just made me spit red crystal light onto my white tshirt. Thanx. :p
I get really scared about that sometimes as well.
haha! of course! Much like pchipz, I figure if I don’t try to take credit for it (and NONE of my ideas are original) it’s gotta be ok!
I don’t see anything wrong with borrowing ideas. I mean, it’s not like the other bride is taking anything from your wedding by using some of your ideas. If you really think about it you probably got the ideas from somewhere yourself. I painted my livingroom a beautiful color and everyone loved it. My girlfriend called me and asked me if she could paint her livingroom he same color as mine, I laughed and told her that she didn’t need to ask me for permission to paint HER livingroom the same color as mine. I gave her the names of the two colors that I used and went over to help her paint. People, it’s not that serious! I was glad that I could help. Whatever happened to sisterly love? Some people are just not as creative as others and they need to borrow ideas to make their day perfect. I am all for borrowing. When I see great ideas I use them. I am a very creative person my self so if you see something that I’ve done and you like it, feel free to use it to make your event a little special. It’s all in love!
I have the irrational fear that my vendors will think I’m a lame copycat. I know. It’s terrible.
@Magenta: Haha, yes yes I kind of “borrow” ideas here and there when I see a good one 
@Miss Trail Mix: Well put!
@Ms Potato Chips: Totally! I’ll give credit for “borrowed” ideas…and I love that there is so much good inspiration out there to pick from if I need it!
@Miss Scissors: My goal has been accomplished. Doneeeee!
@mandiehoward: I don’t think its so much of an issue of not wanting to borrow ideas…but its just kind of weird when you think you have a brilliant idea, and then, go figure, you realize that your idea really isn’t as original as you expected! Personally, I need a lot of help with ideas/inspiration…so I don’t mind borrowing when I need it…and I would be flattered if someone borrows my ideas as well!
@Miss Ribbons: Interesting thought - I hadn’t thought of it…and now I am…gahhh
Well, we cannot help it if there are some brides with the same ideas as what we have since we are getting the same information and resources at the same place. I have helped my sister who is getting married soon with some ideas that came from other bees here. And she thought I was giving her my own ideas. Sorry, I will tell her later that I got it from here.
So far I’ve been lucky (or too far “out there”) to fully get this feeling, but there have been ideas I’ve wanted to borrow but haven’t for fear of copying. But even still, every idea you borrow will have your own unique twist imprinted on it somehow, so it’s just as much yours as someone elses! There are soooo many brides in the world, it’s impossible to be completely unique.
I’m with Chips and Pencils - as long as credit is given where credit is due, I feel I have free reign to copy, copy away
Miss Buttons–My own wedding was last year and I have attended a total of 13 weddings in the last 2 years (yes, thirteen! and i was a BM in 4 of those). After so many weddings, the best advice I can give you is to stop worrying about if the details are original and totally unique. No one ever really notices and weddings all start to look similar when after awhile. Just focus more on making sure all the details are well done and well-executed.
I usually spazz out that I’m a copy cat and then I just figure if they didn’t want it copied, they wouldn’t have put it on the interwebz.
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Mrs. Buttons, Clearwater, FL Age and Occupation: 24, "Working on it" Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Financial Services Engagement Date: June 13, 2009 Wedding Date: May 2010 Venue: Carlouel Yacht Club About Me: I'm a self proclaimed perfectionist and a professional nomad (seriously, I've lived in TX, WI, MI, FL, NC, and now VA!). I love wine, cooking, curling up with a good book (nerd alert!), spoiling the furbaby, and of course, the wonderful Mr. Buttons! We are planning a lighthearted and whimsical wedding (with a good deal of DIY projects) in Clearwater, Florida, but from a distance of 800 miles away! We are looking forward to sharing our day with our family and friends, and most importantly, starting our lives together as husband and wife!
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