Above the Line Wedding

When you receive an invitation in the mail, what do you do with it? I typically hang it on the fridge, but not before I type in all the details into my calendar, including registry and RSVP info. I'm very organized digitally, folders, flags, tags, alerts, and reminders for everything. Paper mail, bills, laundry... that's another story. The thought of receiving 200 RSVP cards in the mail and then typing the information into a spreadsheet sounded plain awful to me. Luckily my husband agreed to digital invitations...

Substitution: Digital Invitations
I spent quite some time researching the best wedding website that also had an iPhone app and a way to RSVP. I spent $30 on an Appy Couple account so I could have all these features. I posted wedding information and shared pictures and stories from the proposal, engagement pictures, and our wedding party. Our guests received an email inviting them to our wedding. Guests simply RSVP'd for themselves and/or +1's and family members. Guests were also able to select Chicken or Steak for dinner. They could RSVP (and get info) via our website OR the Mobile App.

Augmentation: How did I get everyone's email address?
I created a Google Form that asked for names, addresses, guest information, and a place for comments (ie We are moving, please note an address change.)  I created a bit.ly url to share the Google Form with friends via text, FaceBook Messenger, or email. I compared the Google Form results with our wedding guest list (Google Spreadsheet shared with husband and immediate family) and highlighted the names of guests who completed the form. Finally, I uploaded the Google Form results into the Appy Couple spreadsheet template. I clicked "Invite all" and off the invites went. Within 5 minutes guests had already started to RSVP to our wedding. I knew this because I received pop-up alerts on my phone each time.

Modification: DIY PhotoBooth- An App and a Double Robot
I set up a Photo Booth using the Simple Booth App and a stationary Double Robot. We purchased props at the $1 store and raided the closets for random sunglasses, hats, etc. Guests walked over to the Photo Booth (aka Robot), tapped the camera and 4 pictures, back to back were taken. Next, guests shared their picture right to their Facebook account or they could email it to themselves. Each picture was also set to save to the camera roll, so we could share all pictures at a later time.

Redefinition: Wedding Mass Time
Exactly one week before our wedding we were at an Easter Mass chatting with friends. Someone asked what time our wedding was. "3:00 I responded." She replied, that's weird because the church bulletin says your wedding is at 1:00. No, I affirmed, our wedding is at 3. Another lady chimed in, why don't we just check with the priest. Father walks over with his binder, and sure enough the book says 1:00. I started to panic. The photographer, the bus, hair and makeup... EVERYTHING was planned for a 3:00 start time. Also, how am I going to let everyone know about the time change?

We waited until Monday to officially receive confirmation that there was another wedding at 3:00 and we HAD to switch to 1:00. So, Monday afternoon 5 days before our wedding our guests received a pop up on their phones (or inbox), the wedding time has been changed to 1:00. Please RSVP so that we know you received this message. Again, several RSVP's came pouring in within minutes. Technology truly helped redefine, or change the "outcome" (not learning outcome) of our wedding day. Our church was filled with friends and family, and commuters were able to alter their plans right away. There was simply no way we could contact all guests and begin getting responses within minutes without technology.

Integrating technology into our lives beyond the school day, enables us to continue teaching and to encourage others, no matter age or skills, to keep learning. Our wedding day was the happiest day of our lives, and I'm proud to say that we couldn't have planned everything without our devices! 

Other ways we incorporated technology:
Google Drive- collaborated with immediate families on guest lists, shared names and addresses for Bridal Shower, documented budget and expenses with husband, and shared itineraries and vendor contacts with wedding planner
Nonstop Entertainment- Our DJ company who's website we used to preview and chose our wedding songs, typed in the order of our reception events, and phonetically typed how to pronounce everyone's names in the wedding party
Allusion Photography- Our photographers who shared our photos digitally and used their website to add/delete pictures for our wedding album collaborating using the comments feature within the site