a Bento Update

since i have really started using/ understanding the gift my dad gave me for Valentines day

i thought i would take a second and give y'all the goods about it.

my dad and i like, scratch that LOVE computers and software, yes we are computer nerds, 

but my nerdiness(sp?) is your gain.

i've been using the bento program for a few things,

but wedding planning has been its primary purpose.

the program is fully customizeable, they organization of it breaks down to either the overall view of the "table" list (shown in 1st photo) and then the "details" pages which is the individual view of (in the case of my guest list) each guest.

here's a screen shot of our whole wedding guest list - viewing the table portion

in the left section you can organize the different address books, and sections within Bento. for example you can have one for you soft ball league, work associates, club members, business inventory, guest lists, and so on... i have 1 for wedding, all contacts, and 1 for inventory for my jewelry business.

in the center section it contains the quick view of all the fields (rank, name, address, contact)

the right most section is where the custom fields can be created, then dropped into the center workspace.

this next screen shot is of the Details section of the list

and yes, we do have a Jerry Garcia on our guest list, and no, he is of no relation! =)

here i have made a custom form for each of our guests, the form has a field for these items:

• name
• guest name
• address
• notes
• date save the date was sent
• check box that STD was sent
• date the invite was sent
• check box that Invite was sent
• a pull down bar with Y or N RSVP
• number of guests attending based on RSVP

here's a screen shot of the Details of my jewelry inventory

i was able to tailor the form to include:

• design name
• materials used/ amounts
• category (necklace, earring....)
• item number
• stock quantity
• cost breakdown
• total cost to produce
• resale price
• and photo of item

the more i use this program, the more i realize it is a very powerful tool for storing/ organizing a lot of information in one easy place.

how have you tried to stay sane and organized with all the info and details thrown at you while planning your wedding?

WWW = World Wide Wed (in Style weddings)

above are screen shots of Wedding Window and eWeddings.  i personally chose to go with wedding window, however i purchased our own domain name through godaddy.com.  i recently flipped through the winter 2008 In Style Wedding Mag and found this uber helpful page about wedding websites... i'm picking out the info that i thought was great and was helpful for me.  

get creative

• forgo the standard photos like baby pics and a stiff, posed engagement shot. instead, show more interesting candids of you two together over the years.
• tell the story of how you met, his proposal and other defining moments in your courtship.  offer important details, but try to keep it concise; sometime less is more (i have a problem doing this, but my fiance is great at editing!)
• tip: make sure to only share items suitable for your grandmother.

let guests participate

• ask folks to vote for a first-dance song or to suggest songs they'd like to hear (or don't) at the reception.
• ask for lighthearted advice in a section where other can post words of marital wisdom (we did this).
• include a memory board so guests can share stories about you & your groom. 

put your stamp on it

• repeat elements, such as a motif or a joint monogram, that appear on your save the dates, invitations or other stationery. (we are using a blue paisley pattern and a sand dollar)
• incorporate your wedding colors to give guests a hint of what to expect at the event.
• have you and your groom's song serve as background music while family and friends are logged on.

share honeymoon plans

• don't just give your destination; explain why you two chose it and what places you might visit while there.
• upload photos of the resorts where you'll be staying and colorful local sights.
• when you return, create captions for you favorite pics, and post the text and images for guests to view.

the nitty-gritty

• don't forget the basics: the date and location of both the ceremony and reception, as well as directions, maps, and itineraries. (see screen shot below)
• recommend hotels, restaurants, bars, shops and nearby must-see attractions for out-of-towners, and include links to web sites about your suggested spots where possible. (see screen shot below)

• post a weather forecast a week ahead of time so your guests have an idea of what to pack. (this is also something we've done, i will update it a week before the wedding)

My Valentine

so my dad gave me my valentine's gift a little early, but i'm pretty sure i'm gonna love this gift and use it for a very long time!

thanks dad...

well it wasn't jewelry, candy, or a cute stuffed animal, no... it was a computer program! maybe to the average girl it might have been received with a yawn, but i'm not your average girl.

Bento is a personal database program, which will help so much for organizing my real estate business contacts, jewelry company contacts, friends and family, MOST IMPORTANTLY manage my guest list.  the latter was the main reason he picked it up on his trip to the Apple store.  i've been wanting to send my save the dates (STDs, it sounds terrible i know!) since about the ohhh... the day i got them from magnet street  but i needed a way to print the labels with all the addresses i've been stockpiling.  i had been keeping a database spreadsheet with all this important info, and when i couldn't figure out the best way to print the labels, i called my handy dandy local Apple store. what did i find out? oh, that none of the programs on my 1 month old laptop would help! $1000 for this.... as i was about to start grumbling...

dad to the rescue, he tells me about this great new software Filemaker came out with, called Benito??? well that same handy dandy apple store guy kindly corrected us and said it's called Bento, and yes it would be very helpful in solving my problem.

i'll update once i've spent time working with it, and give feed back about the program, but i'm pretty sure it'll suit me just fine!

My Handheld Sanity

folks, i know that there are a great many of you out there fascinated by oh so marvelous iPhone... even though i am an "all things apple person", my phone is not one of those thing.  on the other hand i prefer my Palm Treo for organizing my daily life.  it's perfect because the calendar feature on the treo is amazing! i can set tasks to be accomplished via my handy dandy Bride Ideas notebook, which i add to it at the start of every week (have you noticed that i like being organized?) =).  i can also enter in my work schedule and appointments, not to mention remind myself of the gym classes i so optimistically think i'll make it to every week, but at least it's there.  there's also my vendor appointments, dress fittings, and appointments to go on dates my fiance and the other people who are so near and dear to me. yes i did say "appointments".... but hey when you're planning a wedding time becomes slim and you do what you have to in order to stay sane!

yes the iPhone is a fabulous idea for the people who like to "play" on their smartphone, but i absolutely love my Treo, i bought it last year (doubling as a business write-off) and and i'm still a BIG fan.  other fun features, i can check the web on the go, get emails while i'm our running errands, make audio notes, and best of all... my texts are all kept in folders similar to IM chats (no more deleting old texts to receive new ones).

i love this phone, and if you are i need of a new phone, or have the budget for one, i highly recommend it, the Treo really is a "smartphone" that keeps this crazy bride-to-be on track, most of the time... =)

pause for reflection

i just wanted to note that 5 - 10 years ago, Blogger didn't exist, nor did the technology for it... sometimes i think people take for granted this supreme power we've been blessed with. the internet is a very powerful tool for many things, it helps me keep an online journal of frivolous things that i like, it also has a tendency to drive me up the wall sometimes! like when i go crazy trying to figure out a new way to post pictures on this site or change the layout to look a specific way... ugh!  despite my lack of knowledge or the internet's flaws, TECHNOLOGY RULES!