not all those who wander are lost

Mr. Pencils and I have done our fair share of wandering across the globe. Our relationship has most certainly been defined by these travels together, and when we sat down to plan our wedding, we knew we wanted these to play a part.

Before my junior year in college, I had never left the United States. Mr. P, however, had backpacked through Europe the summer after high school.  Once I lived in Rome for five months, I knew I wanted to see more!  Mr. Pencils studied in Beijing during that time, and he had such an amazing experience, I knew someday I wanted to go to China myself.  So, our senior year of college, we planned a four week trek from Beijing to Paris, with Moscow, Munich, Hungary, Interlaken, Vienna, and Prague in between.  We even went paragliding in Interlaken!


It was AMAZING!  Not only because of all the stunning sights we experienced, but because Mr. Pencils and I learned that we were true partners.  We both love walking as we explore a new city and trying new foods.  We also discovered that we balanced each other well- when one was coping with stomach issues, the other was able to take the lead and guide us both back to our hostel.  The partnership extended to how we dealt with the stress and adventure of travel too, as we both embrace every experience- good or bad- and can find humor even in the dreariest of days abroad.

Moscow, Russia

Munich, Germany: yummy beer!

Berchtesgaden, Germany: Hitler's "Eagle's Nest"

We realized we could perhaps be partners for life, and when summer of 2008 came around, we seized the chance to take that road trip across the US that I've mentioned.


We have incorporated many "travel" elements into our big day, from the centerpieces to the favors to the faux photobooth we'll have.  We really want people to see Mr. Pencils and I in the places we have shared together and celebrate our "out of this world" love (awful, I know).  


To begin with, each table will forego having a number and instead be assigned a locale.  Yeppers, one of the many places Mr. P and I have graced.  Specifically, 17 of the locations like Beijing and Paris, but also Ocean City, MD (where we got engaged), Pocatello, ID (where I'm from), Washington, DC (where we met and our alma mater's hometown), and Annapolis, MD (where Mr. Pencils is from).  


Guests will find their table assignment via their place cards, which double as favor #1- luggage tags!  Now, these luggage tags will actually tie together two of our weddings elements- travel and ribbon- as one side will feature a personal photo of the locale/table they are assigned to and ribbon will feature as the tie.  Here's a very unfinished version here (check back in a few days for some sample tags!):

We ordered these plastic tags from a direct source online and were quite happy with what we got.  At .50 cents each, they're perfect.  Durable, sturdy and will look very snazzy when all is said and done.


Our second favors also center around travel, and I'll be completing a detailed post on those soon. In a nutshell: old family sugar cookie recipe, globe stencil, round cookie cutter, sweetness in a baggie!  Ok, ok, here is my inspiration photo:

source

Phew, finally, our fauxtobooth is still in it's planning phases, but if we can manage it, will feature a few different "backdrops" that will actually be our personal photos all blown up big and such, and fun travel props like a vintage suitcase, safari hat and toy camera.


Whatcha think?  Do you have any other neat ways to incorporate our travels I haven't thought of?  How are you bringing in elements of you and your fiance's experiences into your wedding?