I know our my wedding inspiration has changed dramatically since we actually started planning the nitty-gritty details of the wedding.
Initially I wanted a very eclectic wedding. I was imagining a very modern, clean-lines, whimsical, paper-heavy wedding.
OK, so that’s technically a birthday party, but you get the point. / Image by Flying House by Traveling Mama
Image via The Loveliest Day / Photo by Altmix Photography
Image via Wedding Chicks / Photo and photo booth by Katrina Louise
Image via Brooklyn Bride / Photo by Lizelle Lotter Photography
I really loved the idea of having tons and tons of colors instead of picking just two or three colors. I wanted to use other design elements to put them all together. Instead of using color as a combining element, I wanted to use broad themes, such as shape and patterns, to make a bold statement in combination with bright happy colors.
I thought I was being clever and original, but in reality, I was being scatterbrained and just all over the place. I was so in love with the idea of “wedding” and getting married. That combined with my lack of a true vision and the fact I wanted to be super Martha and do *everything* meant I was losing touch with what was really important—getting married (while staying sane).
So here is my original color palette that I created once upon a time (ooh, I don’t even think we were engaged at this point). Don’t laugh:
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Color chip source: 100 Layer Cake
I’m not actually sure how everything went together, but *shrug* there you go. The pink and the blue were supposed to be the main colors. I was afraid it would look too baby-showerish, so I brought in accents of sea foam, lemonade, lavender, and peony, and to tie everything together a creamy white and a gray as neutral colors.
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Source: Capitol Romance / Photo by Elusive Photo Design
I was so sure of my vision that before we were even engaged and when I was an impatient waiting bee, I actually made hundreds and I do mean hundreds of kusudama flowers to make wedding bouquets with (not to mention 1001 cranes). I will say, though, keeping my hands busy sure kept me from going insane or breaking down every time another friend got engaged.
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My box of shame
So, needless to say, it was a bit of a total vision shock when PBear and I picked a venue, and I realized that my modern styled wedding was just going to clash dramatically with the room. Taking that step back and realizing that all of my hard work wasn’t going to work was by far the hardest thing I have done while planning for this wedding. Though I have doubts sometimes about pulling this together, I am a lot happier with how our planning has gone so far and the decisions we’ve made.
Did anyone get fairly far into a DIY project only to realize that it’s really not going to work? Was it hard to steer in a completely different direction? It seems so sad that this box is living in my closet. Does anyone have any idea what I should do with this stuff?
That’s so sad. I encountered something similar in that I made a seating plan and escort cards but they weren’t put out until everyone had already sat themselves wherever they wanted and so all of my hours of hard work went to waste.
I think you should offer the box in either the classified section of weddingbee or on a website like kijiji or craigslist. Someone out there will probably appreciate all of your hard work.
What I like about WBee is how it can be a great touchstone for so many Brides-2-B and generate unique ideas that otherwise people just wouldn’t see or know about (I mean really, WHO knew there were sooo many great Themes to choose from)
So, I can understand WHY you fell in love with the Whimsical Paper Theme… the colours alone are stunning (Gosh how I LOVE that last pic of the Bouquet)
But as you’ve discovered sometimes one original “vision” and reality don’t line up or things change (cannot tell you how many times I’ve encountered this over the years when Home Decorating / Renovating for example)
Cannot wait to read further postings by you to see what Theme you did go with.
As for the box in your closet…
If you are attached to the items you spent so many hours DIY-ing then you could certainly save them for other “party” occasions… such as a GF’s Bridal Shower, a Birthday Party, or a Christening 
*wink*
If you aren’t attached so much… then I suggest that you might try listing them here on WBee in the Classifieds… I am sure some Bride-2-B will scoop them up happily.
I agree, definitely post them on the classifieds – like I’d take them! I love the colors 
I definitely think I’m feeling the same way you started though, I’m struggling to nail down a vision and for right now, just have wedding ADD, thinking everything looks great. Sure, I can have a hundred paper lanterns! and bunting! and Etsy everything! and pinwheels! and vintage everything! and cupcakes! … and then it will look like the internet threw up “inspiration” all over my wedding and nothing will actually flow together. I have a lot more decisions to make, and probably 80 “inspirations” to cut from the wedding “vision” before I finish putting it together. Oh well, it’s fun, right?
Ooh, it must be difficult saying goodbye to those kusudama! I’ve been making mine and they take forever if you want any kind of quantity.
I absolutely love that bouquet! So colorful and it will go with my dress! (My dress is embroidered in different colors) I think you should make it a contest! The one who wins gets to buy that box!
you should make the bouquets anyways and use them for the rehearsal! or use them for bridal shower decorations!
I’ll gladly take that box off your hands . That’s what friends are for, right? I know you worked so hard on those and they should not go to waste. Instead just hand them over to me and I will find a place for them at my own wedding ;P
use them for a shower or rehearsal! sometimes it’s nice when the rehearsal dinner is completely different from the wedding, so you could incorporate this vision (in small form) there? or just have a party!
I just can’t believe you made all those flowers. I must admit it’s kind of cool.
I agree that you should try to incorporate them either in a shower or rehearsal dinner. I think it would be fun when it’s so close to your day to see something you worked on before you were engaged! It might even be cool to use the cranes for your send-off. Or sneak one or two in the decor =)
You should list them on the classifieds, if you don’t find a way to incorporate them into the wedding decor. But as others have said, rehearsal bouquets are possible… Also, a tossing bouquet (so you don’t toss your own)… or bridal shower centrepieces.
OR, you could probably use them for some really cool wedding photos with them – I’m picturing them all laid out all over the grass, and you and PBear tossing them around like leaves, or else if you’re brave and the ground isn’t too dirty, you could lay in them. I bet the pics would be phenomenal.
@ScottishMrs: That’s so sad. That is one of my fears too. I have a ton of diy projects and I’m afraid that half of them will get forgotten.
@msb: I think rehearsal is a great idea! I love it, I think I will make a bouquet or two just for that.
@Blonde17Jess: I think wedding ADD is a great way of describing it. Sometimes I think I’d love like twenty different weddings, each with a different theme, just so I can do *everything*
@Mrs. Eagle: I sense an amazing trash the dress idea! I agree, the pictures would be amazing. I must figure out how to do this
I say use them to decorate a shower, party, or dinner…..or sell them.
Maybe you can use the flowers as centerpieces or decor at your bridal shower or engagement party or rehearsal dinner? If you won’t be in your venue for those things, I think you can definitely repurpose them!
OMG! I had that same picture of the flower bouquet and even tested making big and small flowers! See you aren’t the only insane one!
@Jacofblues: lol! Good to know that I’m not the only one!
@ChicagoDreamer: I think the plan right now is to use whatever I can for the rehearsal and see if I can convince PBear to do a Trash the Dress shoot with me
Miss Panda, Boston, MA Age and Occupation: 26, Graduate Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Graduate Student Engagement Date: June 27, 2011 Wedding Date: June 2013 About Me: I love window shopping, cute animals, crafting, baking, and most forms of procrastination. I tend to be overly meticulous with choices to a point of complete and total indecision. Mr. PBear and I met and live in the amazing city of Boston. We are big nerds who love trying new foods, playing video games, and cuddling with our adorable hamster. After 5 years together, we are planning an intimate, DIY-heavy, vintage garden themed, nonreligious wedding in the city where we fell in love.
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