it took me a minute to select the venue and the wedding date. you know, sticking to a budget and having the wedding of your dreams is possible (expand the definition of this word) but it SUCKS! venues cost thousands, catering costs thousands, and photography costs thousands... then add the dress, the cake, the dj, the flowers, (insert small detail here). it also doesn't help when your fiance requests that you adhere to a budget but doesn't do any research himself; therefore he has NO IDEA of how much a wedding costs. so, here's what i've got:
1. venue ($1,250) - this allows for all day use and includes the tables/chairs
2. dress ($700) - LOVE this dress. i mean, you'll only get to wear a wedding dress once (hopefully) and it was a great deal! my friend is giving me her veil that my mom and i will re-do. i am also "borrowing" the shoes. no tiara, thanks.
3. photographer ($950) - 5 hours, CD, coffee table album, 2 parent albums. you can't beat that with a stick. he's an uncle to a co-worker, so i definitely worked the connection.
4. flowers ($110) - i'm not kidding! it includes all the bridesmaids' bouquets and mine, as well as the boutonnieres. i went to hobby lobby and their floral arrangements were half off. i never thought i would use fake flowers, but when you think about it... what's the use of real ones that cost hundreds? they. will. DIE. it also includes the cost of ribbon to rearrange.
5. centerpieces (free for now) - another lucky break - my friend had a box full of mirrors and small glass vases that i plan to use for the centerpieces. i need to find either fake flowers or do the floating candles/petals thing. that's pretty standard, so any other ideas?
6. invitations ($70) - i just love hob lob. bridal is constantly half off, so i was able to purchase 150 invites for $45. i printed 120 at fedex/kinko's for about $25. this doesn't include stamps.
to do:
1. food - if we have enough left over, we'll use the caterer through the venue. if not, sam's trays it is! we do plan on using bartender services and perhaps a keg (that's more fun, no?).
2. music - dj's are pretty expensive as well. if not, we'll see how much it is to rent speakers so we can use a CD/iPod. we just need someone to man that station.
3. pre-marital/minister - the first part is basically free. oklahoma is a pro-marriage (hetero) state, so it offers free marriage workshops. i don't know how much it is to get a minister.
4. cake - john's co-worker is married to one of the big cake ladies (featured in many okla. bridal publications) and she offered a discount on a basic wedding cake/groom cake. i really love this one by cake alchemy:
and i love, love, love this:
it was coconut, raspberry, with chocolate ganache. can we say YUM?
i'm all about simplicity and elegance. i want three tiers, ribbon at the base of each tier, and fresh flowers. my colors are black, champagne, and light pink if you can imagine it with that.
5. favors - hello, DYI! there are so many options. my favorite would be to have bamboo chopsticks with personalized ribbon, "one can't work without the other! john & lindsey (date)" not my idea - i totally stole it.
6. rehearsal dinner - i'm thinking super laidback; my older sister had a really nice cookout at her in-law's home.
7. bridal party gifts/luncheon - this is an idea i'm entertaining. a "spa" like day with brunch and mani/pedi on the big day. i know john wants a golf day with his boys.
8. decorations - this mainly includes tablecloths and personalized napkins. the outside area of the venue is naturally pretty.
i'm probably forgetting something, but that's all i can think about at this moment.
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