I went to a happy hour recently with some of my coworkers and friends, including Bridesmaid Blackout, Groomsman Y, Mr. Palm Tree, and a couple who just got married. They were leaving for their honeymoon in Mexico the next morning.
The new missus was joking with me and telling me how insane I’m going to be once invitations go out, because you’re so dependent on other people. I told her that her groom often jokes with me that during the last few months of our planning, Mr. PT is welcome to stay at their place to ensure the sanity of all involved (har-dee-har-har).
At some point or another during the conversation I exclaimed, “Oh, there is so much I wish I could do right NOW!” Her eyes widened and she laughed at me, asking what I could possibly be excited about since a lot of the big ticket items (shoes, dress, venue—just a few examples) are locked and loaded.
The first thing I can’t wait to do are our seating charts. I know that modern technology (of which I am a HUGE fan, do not get me wrong—I am a Google/Amazon/Facebook girl through and freaking through) makes it easy and convenient to accomplish this task using spreadsheets and ready-made templates.
 |
Screenshot via WeddingWire / Wedding Wire’s Seating Chart tool
But I have forever envisioned myself with tons of circle-shaped cardboard cut-outs with color coordinated Post-its.
Miss Mink’s seating chart—still not exactly what I’d like, but close!
I also can’t wait to do our bathroom baskets and out-of-town bags. Since everyone will essentially be from out-of-town (it’s pretty much a 30–45ish minute travel for 85% of the guest list), we’ll probably put together a more low-key version due to having pretty much everyone staying at the hotel; water bottles are a must and we’ll likely add a few snacks and/or something Pittsburgh specific. Mrs. Turkey posted a really awesome write-up of her version of both.
I have also considered including flip-flops in the ladies’ bathroom.
Image via Old Navy / Can’t really beat Old Navy’s two for $5 flip-flops.
Why is this included in the “cannot WAIT” post, you ask? Couldn’t I just go buy the flip-flops now and consider one goal accomplished?
Sure—but how do I know how many to buy? Do I just assume half of our hoped-for guest list is going to be women and go from there? Do I try to grab an equal amount of sizes? Furthermore, what if I finally have that “AHA!” favor idea (sigh) and it tends to be a bit out of budget, and I could have made it happen if only I didn’t blow x amount on flip-flops because in retrospect they are totally cuttable corners?
This, friends, is the true plight of a bride on a budget with a type-A personality: You want to get everything done and you have all of these obviously genius ideas (ahem) but you have to…wait. Wait on other people, wait to see if it’s in your budget, wait for the right time—to the tune of Marcia, Marcia, Marcia, I whine wait, wait, wait!
What are/were you most excited for in planning your wedding? Do you have a Pinterest board full of super-awesome ideas that are testing your patience? (Please don’t tell me it’s just me…)
I made (using one of those online templates, it was AWESOME, seriously, and I’m usually a paper post-it girl…) our seating chart like 6 months before the wedding, screw responses! lol. We only very minorly tweaked it after getting actual responses back (combined two tables after some unexpected nos made them too small, added a plus one here or there). If you want to go for it, go for it now, just expect it to change a bit 
Totally with you! Those are my favorite kinds of little details, and I feel like those are the things that will get crammed in at the end (if at all)! What a bummer!!!
I used the weddingwire.com seating chart and 100% loved it. It was SOOO convenient and nice and I was able to do some forecasting, then remove those that ended up rsvping no, move tables, print reports of how many heads were at each table, and print the layout etc… it was fantastic!
However – my mom is a paper person so when I asked her to organize her guests at tables she printed a list and did the whole paper strips in circles thing 
I have to admit – I had visions of post-it notes dancing in my head too. Turns out we probably won’t even have a seating plan. Sad. But we WILL have bathroom baskets! And you bet your dahntahn arse I’m gonna have some Picksburg themed items in there! Don’t forget your Ahrn City
Oh I have sat with post its for hours! And it makes me sad that I have come to the conclusion that we can’t realistically have a seating plan because the family don’t get on!
@BookishBelle: True Confessions: I’ve written lists! I get so antsy and excited about all of it. So I’ll write/group lists of people together without assigning them a table number. I also made our RSVP date a little earlier than the norm partially so that I could get started ASAP. ;x
@Blonde17Jess: At least it’ll help the time fly!
@MsJ2theZ: It’s definitely helpful, I just know I’ll go nuts staring at a screen instead of being able to physically do it and have it laid out in front of me. I’m a little nuts.
@mscamera: Funnily enough, since the post was written, the bathroom baskets and OOT bags have moved to the ‘if I have time’ section of the to do list. You get that Ahrn, though, girl and you represent! If there isn’t at least one picture of you with a terrible towel, I’m going to be sad. 
@Heidi: I’m so sorry to hear that. 
A friend of mine had similar issues and it caused a lot of fights closer to the wedding. I can only imagine how frustrating it is, both to have to deal with and to know that adults cannot suck it up for one day. Ugh.
I totally understand this feeling, I wanted to finish all these little things ASAP. I think the waiting and frustration is inevitable
I cannot agree with you more, I totally know this feeling, I want to do everything NOW, but we’re still 14 months out, so need to take a few deep breaths and step back!!!!
So with 9 days to go until our wedding, I’ve completely done away with assigned seating! We’ll have more tables needed than the amount of people coming to the reception, so I figure our guests can just sit wherever the heck they want. In a perfect world I would have time to make table numbers an assign everyone a seat, but other things are taking priority right now (like all the centerpieces I still have to make and that damn ruby slipper I still haven’t finished!)
I’m starting to get to those details and I just don’t have the stamina anymore to care about any of that… *sigh*
I know exactly what you’re saying!! I have been DIY since day one! I have done and re-done all of my flowers, card box twice, center pieces, invitations, etc. It is now 57 days till the wedding(but who’s counting) and I just finish my last completely unnecessary DIY project. I put our monogram on the runner! It’s 8450 individual rhinestones beautiful! But now I wait…. wait as RSVP’s slowly begin to trickle in. I can not say that I have a desire to pull out the post it’s but I am very anxious to get the seating chart underway. I am at the point now where I am begining to double check everything! And that makes me more nervous because I strat really looking close at things and making more changes! Seating chart, place cards and meal tickets that’s all that left! Lord Jesus help me!!! LOL! Good luck and enjoy your day! I’m sure it will be beautiful and just what you planned it to be!
@Mrs. Pony: YES, the little things! They’re my favorite things! haha. We’re (I’m) getting closer, though – woo!
@dommiebatsch: That’s about where I was when I got engaged. For a few months, it was all about getting the ‘big’ stuff done and then it all kind of fizzled into “. . . what now?” I hate waiting. Totally sympathize with you, girlfriend. Inspiration stalking got me through (and the Bee, of course).
@Miss Armadillo: Ah, your ruby slipper *so* needs finished! I vote that’s priority number one. If we tried unassigned seating, we’d end up with people pushing tables together/stealing chairs, like 20 people at one table and 2 at another. . .oy. Plus, my Type A self is really itching to start assigning & organizing. It’s awesome that you’re able to let it go, though, so that you can focus. And 9 (now 8) days: EEEEEE! Yay!
@panda: Your details are fabulous, though, honestly. Just think of your pictures and what they’ll show. However, if you think they’re cuttable details, then peace them out – no shame! Sending you energy (either to do or to make the decision not to do) via wavelength. . .
@Michael Kinney | TAG Photography: Sure!
@josiek1988: Ahhhh, DIY! I’m so impressed! I am far from DIY-talented, as I mentioned in previous posts, but I so admire your skills and ability. I hear you on waiting for the RSVP’s – our guests have about three more weeks and I’d say 75% are still MIA. SIGH. Good luck and enjoy YOUR day as well, girlfriend. It’s going to be awesome.
I am right there with you! I want to do all this stuff and can’t because I am waiting on others. I seriously lay in bed at nights and think of who will sit at what table – maybe I have a problem
@Ms_Maple:
No, it’s not a problem at all! That’s what I do. Our families are very different and we want to mix it up a bit. Rather than having his family on one side and mine on the other. But it’s proving to be kinda difficult!!
@Ms_Maple, @josiek1988: Definitely not a problem! It’s so much fun to think about these little details, I think. Plus there’s the opportunity to go the route Mrs. Mink did and integrate different circles (family, friends, etc.). I hope it works out for you ladies.
Miss Palm Tree, Pittsburgh, PA Age and Occupation: 23, Lease Analyst Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Associate Systems Analyst Engagement Date: December 22, 2011 Wedding Date: May 2013 Venue: The Fez in Aliquippa, PA About Me: I’m Miss Palm Tree - an opinionated, loyal and outgoing bride-to-be. I currently work as a Lease Analyst by day and a catering assistant by night. Mr. Palm Tree is a Computer Engineer with a love for all things cats. Mr. Palm Tree and I are absolute soul mates. Having grown up across the street from each other (I have the scars to prove it), we have been a part of each other’s lives for almost as long as we can remember. We are far from perfect: we fight, we get annoyed with each other and we certainly take advantage of knowing one another so well when pushed to the edge, but ultimately, what truly defines us as a couple is our love.
Latest Gallery Pics