bri·co·lage
[bree-kuh-lahzh, brik-uh-]
kəˈlɑʒ
noun, plural bri·co·la·ges [bree-kuh-lah-zhiz, ‐lahzh] , bri·co·lage.
So, what then, would be a "bricolage" wedding? It's the plans I have for my own wedding. I will admit up front that not everything I am using is just stuff "at hand". But, I am saving a lot of money and starting ahead of time to get this wedding to be just the way I want it.
1. a construction made of whatever materials are at hand; something created from a variety of available things.
2. (in literature) a piece created from diverse resources.
3. (in art) a piece of makeshift handiwork.
4. the use of multiple, diverse research methods.
So, what then, would be a "bricolage" wedding? It's the plans I have for my own wedding. I will admit up front that not everything I am using is just stuff "at hand". But, I am saving a lot of money and starting ahead of time to get this wedding to be just the way I want it.
A bit of back ground for you. My name is Miranda, I am 32 years old and I am from Texas. My future husband is a WONDERFUL man from Lubbock whom I met COMPLETELY by accident in July of 2010. Well, we THOUGHT it was an accident anyway. We ran in to one another at the Walgreens close to where each of us work. We hit it off and became friends and, through trials and tribulations, have decided to get married. He has not officially proposed, but soon (I hope!). Back in October of 2011, I was fortunate enough to go with him to Oklahoma to meet his family. It was then that we discovered that our fathers were not only acquainted, they were good friends! My father passed away in 2007, so hearing the stories from my future father-in-law about their antics was such a wonderful thing. (And, this bizarre coincidence leads me to believe that, somehow or another, Daddy had a hand in our meeting!)
The two of us have a love for older things. Machines, cars, doohickeys, gadgets, what's-its, thingies, gizmos... their beauty, their quality, and just the way they feel in the hand. I've always been intrigued by clockwork things and other "technology" that seems to be forgotten. This intrigue grew when I began to study the literary genre of Steampunk... it's a sci-fi genre largely based off Industrial age technology, such as steam engines, early combustion engines, tesla coils and clockwork mechanisms. I started work on a story in November 2011 in this genre, then decided (after winning the contest I had entered) to finish the story and turn it into a book.
One day, while looking for inspiration for the book, I began to daydream about the wedding, as well, and an image popped into my head. It was the topper for a wedding cake, and the first "bricolage" idea was born.
I have not built it yet, but have a design scribbled out in a notebook (eventually, I plan on sharing these designs). A wooden base with a heavy gague metal wire heart in the center, peacock feather sprouting from behind the hear. Soldered to the heart will be various cogs and sprockets and gears - small in size so as not to be overwhelming or make the topper too heavy. Attached to the cogs will be various Austrian or Czech crystals for a bit of girlish sparkle. Dangling from the center of the heart will be an old fashioned padlock and two skeleton keys. On a plaque or tag on the base will be written "You hold the key to my heart as I hold the key to yours, for today, our hearts are as one."
Now, as I said, I am purchasing some of the things I need, such as the cogs, and a few of the keys, and probably the padlock too, as they are QUITE pricey and heavy. But, I am finding wonderful companies who make AWESOME products.
My favorite, at the moment, is designer Tim Holtz. His papers, findings and tools have been GREAT inspiration. I'm even borrowing one of his ideas to make a card for Valentine's day for my dearest!
Another idea I borrowed from goodness-knows-where, are paper flowers. Tim Holtz comes in handy here, as well, as I have purchased many of his papers to use. I have decided that hundreds of paper flowers are both unique and less expensive than the "fresh" variety. I can personalize them and have literally dozens at my disposal, and they make good favors, as well! I imagine I will sprinkle in natural and silk flowers, but the paper flowers are quite nice.
I will share those with you in another blog. ;)
I invite anyone who may be planning their own wedding - or other major event - to read my blog as I share my ideas. In this economy, weddings and other parties are quite expensive, and, if you have the ability or know-how, it makes the event that much more personal to do things on our own. Please feel free to share my blog and the ideas I post with others! If I can help someone else get inspiration, this blog will have served its purpose!
Thank you for reading!
Miranda Pace - The Future Mrs. Strickland.
One day, while looking for inspiration for the book, I began to daydream about the wedding, as well, and an image popped into my head. It was the topper for a wedding cake, and the first "bricolage" idea was born.
I have not built it yet, but have a design scribbled out in a notebook (eventually, I plan on sharing these designs). A wooden base with a heavy gague metal wire heart in the center, peacock feather sprouting from behind the hear. Soldered to the heart will be various cogs and sprockets and gears - small in size so as not to be overwhelming or make the topper too heavy. Attached to the cogs will be various Austrian or Czech crystals for a bit of girlish sparkle. Dangling from the center of the heart will be an old fashioned padlock and two skeleton keys. On a plaque or tag on the base will be written "You hold the key to my heart as I hold the key to yours, for today, our hearts are as one."
Now, as I said, I am purchasing some of the things I need, such as the cogs, and a few of the keys, and probably the padlock too, as they are QUITE pricey and heavy. But, I am finding wonderful companies who make AWESOME products.
My favorite, at the moment, is designer Tim Holtz. His papers, findings and tools have been GREAT inspiration. I'm even borrowing one of his ideas to make a card for Valentine's day for my dearest!
Another idea I borrowed from goodness-knows-where, are paper flowers. Tim Holtz comes in handy here, as well, as I have purchased many of his papers to use. I have decided that hundreds of paper flowers are both unique and less expensive than the "fresh" variety. I can personalize them and have literally dozens at my disposal, and they make good favors, as well! I imagine I will sprinkle in natural and silk flowers, but the paper flowers are quite nice.
I will share those with you in another blog. ;)
I invite anyone who may be planning their own wedding - or other major event - to read my blog as I share my ideas. In this economy, weddings and other parties are quite expensive, and, if you have the ability or know-how, it makes the event that much more personal to do things on our own. Please feel free to share my blog and the ideas I post with others! If I can help someone else get inspiration, this blog will have served its purpose!
Thank you for reading!
Miranda Pace - The Future Mrs. Strickland.
