It’s been ten years since I promised my life to my high school sweetheart. Yeah, we were just kids.

And here we are on the brink of transition from a family of three to a team of four! Our little boy is due to meet us in a couple weeks and, if his sister is any indication, he might show up as early as some time next week.

Lauren Grove (who is also celebrating her anniversary today) posted a thoughtful little read about the things we wish we knew going into marriage. You should read it.

Planning a wedding is hard. And wedding planners and designers (if they’re any good) will have not trouble reminding you that all this hard work and the toiling to get things just right aren’t just for one day. That the end result – spending your lives together – is really what all this work is for. I think the thing we rarely mention is that it doesn’t necessarily get any easier. It’s ridiculously fun and incredibly challenging. It gets better, but it might not get easier. It’s like when people tell college students (who feel like they’re already stretched to the limits) that they’ll never have more “free time” than they do now. It’s almost laughable, but life comes at you.

I’ve spent the last few months learning to embrace moments with my family. To stop wishing for more money or time and enjoy what I’ve been afforded. I’m rich beyond measure.

Somewhere on the internet (if you remind me where, I’l give credit where due), I read someone say (something to the effect of) “I wish someone would have told me I was living “the good old days.”" I’m glad I figured that out.

And so, I’ve been enjoying this very challenging day and the memories that my amazing wife has written me – one each hour till we’re done with our days and back in each other’s company.

OK – how cool is this?

Seriously!

French artist Hubert Duprat employed the larvae of the caddis fly to create these beautiful sculptures of precious metals and stones. He’s provided the larvae with these materials instead of the natural materials they normally use to build their cocoons. I’m not even sure what to say. This is so incredibly beautiful and such an amazing use of materials (including the larvae). I’m completely mesmerized by this.

And, boy are they beautiful.

Couples already hire exceptional photographers and filmmakers, allowing guests to be guests, wholly ready to embrace the moment. Otherwise,  this might happen:

Are you considering going unplugged for your ceremony (or even reception)?

featured image an example of what well-meaning Uncle Bobs can do to a professional photographer’s photos via Corey Ann Photography.

If I can be frank, I’m kind of sick of that word…original. There’s so much pressure to summon the muse, to conjure from nothing groundbreaking thoughts and sights.

I call BS.

If these are examples of plagiarism, then we want more plagiarism. - Jonathan Lethem

It seems like there are plenty of event professionals out there that have read the Ecclesiastical memo: There is nothing new under the sun. Austin Kleon‘s excellent book Steal Like an Artist opens with this permissive credo. If it’s impossible to truly create ex nihilo, then we’re free to borrow and repurpose as we see fit.

I don’t disagree with this, but methinks many of my colleagues have stopped there.

I posted this image a couple of days ago, hoping to incite some form of passionate conversation. Perhaps you’ll join the conversation in the comments below. Yes, it’s an obvious reference to a waning trend, but I believe it serves its point: just because you’re free from being truly “original” doesn’t mean you’re free to be a bore.

Pinterest is great, but what (if anything) are you doing with all those pins? Are you simply making facsimiles of someone else’s work (which they inevitably nicked from some other dark recess of the internet – or a neighbor) or are you remixing, collaging and making it your own?

In Steal…, Kleon mentions a fascinating article from the February ’07 issue of Harper’s. In it, Jonathan Lethem extols the virtues of many a great plagiarist who were savvy enough to shroud their source material in the veil of yet other sources, remixing through the filter of their experiences until their audience had no choice but to perceive the work as “original.” Kleon characterizes Lethem’s stance by saying “when people call something “original,” nine out of ten times they just don’t know the references.”

So this is my call: start appropriating from sources a little lower to the ground. Find inspiration outside the world of weddings or design. Absorb the work of someone you love and root out its essence – who did they love? Search for your creative grandparents and work your way up that family tree.

It’s OK to cop to not being “original.”

Nobody truly is.

But, please, do the world (and your muse) a favor and scratch a little deeper than the surface.

Inspiration is everywhere.

A scent can take you back to a rapturous day from your childhood or the day you got your dream job.

I think scents are such an under-utilized tool in the event arsenal.  From cocktail hour to the dance floor, a signature scent can tie an event together in ways no other element can. As event professionals, we integrate a company’s logo or couple’s monogram into nearly every element of an event. Why not do the same with one of the most powerful tools in our arsenal?

And while we’re talking signature scents, it only makes sense to introduce guests to your concoction early – through the save the dates and invitations. Whether it’s a favorite perfume, an essential oil, or a custom fragrance, your signature scent can have a powerful effect on the way your event’s perceived.

The great thing is: it doesn’t have to be overpowering like a middle school girl and her Britney Spears perfume-(did I just date myself?)-laden love letters. A subtle infusion of your signature scent can be lasting and powerful while remaining subtle.

So, here’s to lovely scents and fond memories when the envelope is opened.

That’s why we now accept Bitcoin as a way to pay for your custom wedding invitations and stationery.

There are all sorts of great reasons to use Bitcoin instead of paying by check or credit and you can find out more about it here (because, let’s face it: this is still pretty bleeding edge).

If you’re interested in buying your inviting experience with bitcoin, email me to get started.