Shortly after I started planning our wedding I discovered the website Etsy and now I’m a full blown addict. The app is on both my iPad and iPhone and I visit the site several times a day. I’ve already ordered a cake topper, guest book and numerous wedding favors. I also have lots of items in my shopping cart just waiting on me to pull the trigger. I love Etsy.
Leonard hates Etsy. His view is that most of these things will end up on the floor or in the trash before the night is over. Even worse, with all the little things I’m ordering we may forget to even include them on our wedding day. I try to point out that these items are relatively inexpensive but his counter argument is that $10 here and there adds up. Admittedly, there are things on Etsy that I didn’t know I wanted until I saw them on the site, but does that make them any less important? I think not. Leonard thinks otherwise.
So here we are again, at an impasse. I think the champagne glass tags, personalized wine labels and shoe decals that go on the bottom of my yet to be purchased bridal shoes are a must. Love is in the details. He thinks these items are completely unnecessary and our wedding will be amazing without them. Instead of spending $100 on 300 personalized napkins he thinks we should just go to Costco and get a thousand napkins for $10 and that way we’ll still have napkins after the wedding for the house. Gotta love his practicality, but this is my wedding and no wedding is complete without ivory napkins that say “Eat, drink, and be married.” Yes, they’ll end up in the trash, they’re napkins. But as people wipe their mouths they’ll think “these are cute napkins.” Not sure if I’m winning this argument or not. But one thing’s for sure, I’m going to have to go back and reevaluate what I want to fight for and what to let go of. In the spirit of compromise, I’ve given up the shoe decals like the ones in the above picture (no one will see them anyway) and he’s agreed to the wine labels (reluctantly). I’ve removed about 10 things from my Etsy shopping cart including the $50 custom card box (admittedly, that was overkill).
But I’m not giving up on my napkins – those I’ll fight for!
Read Nicole Road to Mrs. post about selecting her wedding cake here.
Whose side are you on in this situation? Do you think Nicole is justified in all her Etsy wedding desires or should she listen to frugal fiance Leonard and ease up on the Etsy purchases? Leave your thoughts in the comments!
Etsy gets me, too, and I’m not planning a wedding! Everything is just so cute and inexpensive. But, to Leonard’s point, it can add up. So … when you add something to the cart, leave it for a day or two and when you return, see if you still want it? Works for me. And, most times, I’m over it (or them). Good luck, my friend! I’ll be sure to save my napkin for a keepsake. :)
I’m an old lady that love reading your post each week, it makes me smile. It bring back so many memories of my daughter planning her wedding because she and Leonard was definitely on the same page with some of the things like the wedding favors. Continue having fun.
Girl, I’m a strong independent woman and I say, not reluctantly, “listen to your man. He knows what he’s talking about.”
I Luvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv Etsy but it will get you in trouble because like you stated you’ll start trying to get things that you didn’t even know that you wanted lol. My fiancé too has to keep me under control with my impulse purchases although I do have to admit that I’ve gotten a lot better about buying things just because I think they are pretty. Like the $11 seashell invites which I decided not to order at the last minute and make them myself I only spent $120 to make 100 invitations. Not only am I proud of how they turned out I also do love all of the kudos I received and of course I definitely appreciate all the money I save.
Etsy can definitely become addictive if you’re not careful. I purchased our Charlotte cake topper from an Etsy designer but I think that’s it. As the above commenters pointed out, Leonard brings up some valid points: $10 here and there adds up and, why buy a bunch of random knick-knacks you truly don’t need or want because they’re labeled “wedding”. As I’ve mentioned before, I applaud you and Leonard for making wedding decisions together — especially in light of his profession. Enjoy the bliss, girl!