Welcome all you new Brides to be, I hope this blog proves to be a wonderful source of money and time saving tips, as well as an idea spot for planning your big day.
Here is an inspiration board that would make an amazing Winter Wedding....Enjoy
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Drum Roll Please.........
Sorry for the delay.....I was a tad bit embarrassed to post today's post. I had NO IDEA we had BLOWN our budget so bad. I mean WOOOOOOOOOOOW! I hope D doesn't start reading this blog NOW!
Well Total Budgeted Wedding was $7,500 total spent (winching) $9,378.82
that is $1,878.82 OVER budget, good lord how did that happen? and where was I? LOL
I guess its a good thing we didn't notice until now, and that the Good Lord has blessed us to pull off such an event. Now we can look back and enjoy it though all or amazing pictures!
I hope this blog has helped you see how you can save $$ and pull off an event in a short amount of time. I will continue to blog ALL the helpful tips, and trends I can find. As much as I hate to admit it I am a little wed-obsessed!
Happy Planning!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Odd's and Ends Recap
This will be the last recap and I will work on the FINAL TOTAL for Monday's post. As you saw this week our original budget was $7,500 and I think we stayed really close to that. Here are a few loose ends....
Have a happy safe weekend....See you Monday!
- Day of Coordinator was our Dear friend and Matchmaker's Wife Lottie Claytor, she handled all my rehearsal and day of stress and she did it FOR FREE as a wedding gift to us, I can't tell you what a huge help she was and also how important it is to have someone field EVERYTHING for you! She is quite reasonable and I would be happy to refer her to you.
- Dave's Wedding Band was bought at Tungstenovernight.com for a whoppin' $99 no tax, free shipping! We ordered the wrong size and they exchanged it no worries, and really quickly.
- My Beauty Team was my good friend Nicole Crabtree Miller and my bridesmaids. I had originally planned to hire a make-up artist, but I have capable friends and it ended up looking great and saving me $225. Nicole charged me just $25 for my wedding run though and she did my hair for FREE as a wedding gift to me, I am just saying folks, its good to be nice to people and have FABULOUS FRIENDS!!!!
- Our Honeymoon was a whoppin' $519 TOTAL for our 5 night 6 day cruise to Mexico, we got the early bird special at $219 a piece, plus fee's and such. We spent another $500 on the ship on drinks and shore excursions. So all together $1019!
Have a happy safe weekend....See you Monday!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Venue Rental Recap!
Let me state for the record here I was at a slight advantage on this one, and this is where we cut some MAJOR cost. Why the advantage? 1. I am from these parts and I know how much things cost to rent. 2. It is good to use the places you are already a member of.
The Church rental was FREE well I just tithed a little extra to make up for using the space. The church usually charges $150 to non-members to use the church. (I know cheap right? they call it home for a reason folks!)
The Reception Rental was also cheap $848 total that was broken down like so
Total Budget was $500 for Reception Rental, but I think in the end we came out ahead once all was said and done. We were there 2 full days and save ourselves A TON of $$$ doing it that way.
The Church rental was FREE well I just tithed a little extra to make up for using the space. The church usually charges $150 to non-members to use the church. (I know cheap right? they call it home for a reason folks!)
The Reception Rental was also cheap $848 total that was broken down like so
- Basic Venue $350
- $25 an hour day of the event (we used 8hrs) from the time your vendors arrive until they leave. Caveat here is Friday you can be in there FREE all day, we set everything up Friday. The DJ and The Caterer also came Friday and set up as much as they could.
- $25 per day Kitchen Rental
- $35 Parachute Rental (that is what was hanging from the ceiling)
- $150 Black Drape Rental (around the parameter)
- $2 per rectangle table (rented 8) $4 per round table (rented 18). (rented chairs elsewhere)
Total Budget was $500 for Reception Rental, but I think in the end we came out ahead once all was said and done. We were there 2 full days and save ourselves A TON of $$$ doing it that way.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Dress and Accessories ReCap
but first, DID YOU SEE? DID YOU SEE? OUR WEDDING WAS FEATURED THIS WEEK at http://thebudgetsavvybride.com/ so cool!
back to the recap.....
Whew, this was a quick way to blow some cash!
Dress Budget was $500 actual Dress total $871 (I mean you only get married once)
The Veil was an additional $65 from Bridal Warehouse (same place we got my dress)
Shoes were $35 plus $3 for dye job from David's Bridal (not to shabby) and they had a low heal, quite comfortable.
Old-Pearl Earrings from a friends wedding New-Dress, veil, shoes Borrowed-Pearl Necklace from my cousin Blue-my Kentucky University Garter (thought my leg was going to catch on Fire)
We rented the Men's Tux's at Mens Warehouse, the rental fee with Tax was the same as the Bridesmaid's dress with tax $141 total. All the girls raved that they would wear them again! They wore their own black strappy shoes.
I bought their jewels from etsy.com and had custom made necklaces that I LOVED so much I ordered myself one! LOL
So Grand total for ALL MY ATTIRE was $932, D's Tux Rental was FREE since we rented 13 tux's there.
back to the recap.....
Whew, this was a quick way to blow some cash!
Dress Budget was $500 actual Dress total $871 (I mean you only get married once)
The Veil was an additional $65 from Bridal Warehouse (same place we got my dress)
Shoes were $35 plus $3 for dye job from David's Bridal (not to shabby) and they had a low heal, quite comfortable.
Old-Pearl Earrings from a friends wedding New-Dress, veil, shoes Borrowed-Pearl Necklace from my cousin Blue-my Kentucky University Garter (thought my leg was going to catch on Fire)
We rented the Men's Tux's at Mens Warehouse, the rental fee with Tax was the same as the Bridesmaid's dress with tax $141 total. All the girls raved that they would wear them again! They wore their own black strappy shoes.
I bought their jewels from etsy.com and had custom made necklaces that I LOVED so much I ordered myself one! LOL
So Grand total for ALL MY ATTIRE was $932, D's Tux Rental was FREE since we rented 13 tux's there.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Paper and Postage Recap!
This was a double edge sword if I ever saw one! Do you know how much it cost to kill a tree? Treat it? and then make it into adorable Wedding Invitations? A LOT! I sent a total of 120 invitations if I had bought them online at paperdivas.com (they are the MOST reasonable) it would have cost me a whoppin' $166.80 just for the invitations, not horrible, but I was on a budget and I can do better! My theme was Black and White Damask with Green accents, and Michael's just happen to have boxes of invitations (40 per box) at $29.99 a piece!!! That is $90, well I had 50% coupons to use, so I bought one box at a time with a grand total of $45 with the thought I would print them myself. There in lied the double edge of the sword. They were 4x8 and printers are not capable of handling such dimensions so I had to have them printed at Kinkos for $50, I still came out ahead at a total of $95 TOTAL for the invitations plus Labor*...geesh, its just paper!
*Plus Labor, these cute invitations had to be assembled from scratch! ALL 120 of them, I advise you to NOT get the assemble type just print a single sheet! To much elbow grease!
Programs: I did these myself using the magic of Card stock and Ribbon. I took one 8x11 sheet of 65lb card stock and printed a 4 sided program, then I added a ribbon for a dainty effect. They came together nicely and were quite inexpensive 2 packs of Card Stock at $11 a piece total $22 for programs!!!
Postage ran us around $100 once it was all said and done.
So Grand total for paper and postage: Budget $200 Actual Total $217, I will take that!
*Plus Labor, these cute invitations had to be assembled from scratch! ALL 120 of them, I advise you to NOT get the assemble type just print a single sheet! To much elbow grease!
Programs: I did these myself using the magic of Card stock and Ribbon. I took one 8x11 sheet of 65lb card stock and printed a 4 sided program, then I added a ribbon for a dainty effect. They came together nicely and were quite inexpensive 2 packs of Card Stock at $11 a piece total $22 for programs!!!
Postage ran us around $100 once it was all said and done.
So Grand total for paper and postage: Budget $200 Actual Total $217, I will take that!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Photography Recap!
Happy Monday! I am picking up today with Photography! This is the one decision I agonized over the most, I must have gone through about 15 photographers before I found Matt Vietti.
D and I had an idea of how much we could afford on pictures, but no set budget. I knew $2,000 was to much and $500 was probably a bad sign! When I found Matt's Website I sent him an email to inquire on his pricing, I read the bid and thought, oh well moving on.....but something brought me back to his email, he had done something that NO OTHER photographer BIG or small had done. He asked me about D and Me, he wanted to know, how we met, how D Proposed, what we liked to do and he added this at the bottom of his email 40% off Recession Pay it forward Special on EVERY Package!!!!!!!! did I read that right? YES YOU DID! You're hired I said, not so fast Matt said. He wanted to meet D and I to make sure we were a right fit, he wanted to make sure the style we wanted was the style he did. Long story short, he shot the most amazing Engagement and Wedding pictures I will have for a lifetime, and couldn't be happier!
Total spent on Photography $1,400 this included a 3hr Engagement Shoot, 6hr Wedding Day Coverage, unlimited photos, and CD's and Rights to both events. WOOOOOOT!
MatthewMichaelPhoto.com
D and I had an idea of how much we could afford on pictures, but no set budget. I knew $2,000 was to much and $500 was probably a bad sign! When I found Matt's Website I sent him an email to inquire on his pricing, I read the bid and thought, oh well moving on.....but something brought me back to his email, he had done something that NO OTHER photographer BIG or small had done. He asked me about D and Me, he wanted to know, how we met, how D Proposed, what we liked to do and he added this at the bottom of his email 40% off Recession Pay it forward Special on EVERY Package!!!!!!!! did I read that right? YES YOU DID! You're hired I said, not so fast Matt said. He wanted to meet D and I to make sure we were a right fit, he wanted to make sure the style we wanted was the style he did. Long story short, he shot the most amazing Engagement and Wedding pictures I will have for a lifetime, and couldn't be happier!
Total spent on Photography $1,400 this included a 3hr Engagement Shoot, 6hr Wedding Day Coverage, unlimited photos, and CD's and Rights to both events. WOOOOOOT!
MatthewMichaelPhoto.com
Friday, December 4, 2009
Entertainment Recap!
Let me say this one more time, we had the BEST DJ EVER! Johnny grabbed a microphone boogied down to the dance floor and led the whole group through the Cupid Shuffle and then stayed on the floor off and on all night. Everyone there commented on how much fun he was!
I have to Thank my Aunt Theresa for referring him to us, he was a super good deal we paid him $275 for 3 hours of DJ Services. He played from 6pm-11pm for no extra charge, he just LOVES his job, and isn't out for highway robbery!
DJ Johnny Gardner 615-384-7799
DJ Budget $300 Actual Total $275+tip
The best part of our big day was being led down the aisle by Daniel Pentecost, Bagpiper extraordinaire. There wasn't a dry eye (including mine) in the house when he started up those pipes. It was a really special moment and one I will remember for the rest of my life. I love my Irish Heritage so to be able to bring that into our ceremony was really special for me.
Daniel Pentecost (he plays everything from strings to Pipes) email pentecostd@pop.belmont.edu
Bagpiper Budget $200 Acutal Total $150+tip
Total Entertainment Budget $500 Actual $425 (WOOT!)
I am wishing you all a safe, and warm weekend, I will pick up Monday with Photography!
Shameless Plug: This Sunday @ 2:30pm at St. Henry Catholic Church in Nashville the Concert Chorale of Nashville will be performing Handles masterpiece The Messiah free of charge! A beneficiary has offered to donate $15 for every person who attends with all proceeds to go to Room in the Inn Charity. Come out and see us, and get your Christmas Cheer ON!
I have to Thank my Aunt Theresa for referring him to us, he was a super good deal we paid him $275 for 3 hours of DJ Services. He played from 6pm-11pm for no extra charge, he just LOVES his job, and isn't out for highway robbery!
DJ Johnny Gardner 615-384-7799
DJ Budget $300 Actual Total $275+tip
The best part of our big day was being led down the aisle by Daniel Pentecost, Bagpiper extraordinaire. There wasn't a dry eye (including mine) in the house when he started up those pipes. It was a really special moment and one I will remember for the rest of my life. I love my Irish Heritage so to be able to bring that into our ceremony was really special for me.Daniel Pentecost (he plays everything from strings to Pipes) email pentecostd@pop.belmont.edu
Bagpiper Budget $200 Acutal Total $150+tip
Total Entertainment Budget $500 Actual $425 (WOOT!)
I am wishing you all a safe, and warm weekend, I will pick up Monday with Photography!
Shameless Plug: This Sunday @ 2:30pm at St. Henry Catholic Church in Nashville the Concert Chorale of Nashville will be performing Handles masterpiece The Messiah free of charge! A beneficiary has offered to donate $15 for every person who attends with all proceeds to go to Room in the Inn Charity. Come out and see us, and get your Christmas Cheer ON!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Food and Booze Recap!
Food was by far the biggest chunk of our budget, but it was also Budget friendly. We had Guesstimated around $10 a head for food (sounds unreasonable I THINK NOT TO THIS BRIDE!)
HOW???? The upside of getting married in a really small town is the wonderfully talented local Caterer's who don't mark their food THROUGH THE ROOF.
Are you ready for this? NO really sit down. We fed 220 people for $2,400 that is $11 BUCKS A HEAD! You're thinking what did they eat salad and ROLLS? Nope the Menu was the Following
Reception Menu:
Plus she provided her own servers, table cloths, my cake table (and cloth), and she set up on Friday to be ready for Saturday!!!
Who is this magician of Food that can save you TONS of cash? Paula Nadler 615-384-4357 tell her Amber sent ya! She has already booked 2 weddings from my wedding alone!
Wine and Beer:
Well we had a bit of a mishap with our beer. We had order 3 Kegs from a local quick mart at $75 a Keg (quite a steal), I placed the order 3 weeks in advance and thought we were good to go. I didn't follow up the week of the wedding because I ASS-U-MEd that we were good to go! NOT, Keg's were never ordered and we had to scramble. It worked out in the end and turns out we only needed 2 kegs, good thing because that is all we could find last minute! LOL
Total for Booze Budget $500 total $499.40 (that's how I roll)
Wine we got a great deal on through a friend's dad's Liquor Store. Warehouse Liquors in Springfield, TN!!! Thanks Bentley!
We didn't use a bar tender, I just had my Matron of Honor's husband and friend set up kegs on ice and pop the bottles of wine before the guest arrived and folks served themselves. This worked out well, and my two friends just kept checking in on the bar periodically. (This is a dicey move, some facilites require a licensed bartender and insurance policy just an FYI. )
HOW???? The upside of getting married in a really small town is the wonderfully talented local Caterer's who don't mark their food THROUGH THE ROOF.
Are you ready for this? NO really sit down. We fed 220 people for $2,400 that is $11 BUCKS A HEAD! You're thinking what did they eat salad and ROLLS? Nope the Menu was the Following
Reception Menu:
- Carving Station of Roast Beef, and Ham with Sauces, and Sister Shubert Rolls
- Chicken Tenders (for the kids) w/ Honey Mustard
- Broccoli Salad
- Harvest Spring Salad
- Cheese, Fruit, and Cracker Station
- Meat Balls
- Tea, Coffee, Water
- Plates, *Tea/Water Glasses,Utensils, Coffee Cups, Cake Plates
Plus she provided her own servers, table cloths, my cake table (and cloth), and she set up on Friday to be ready for Saturday!!!
Who is this magician of Food that can save you TONS of cash? Paula Nadler 615-384-4357 tell her Amber sent ya! She has already booked 2 weddings from my wedding alone!
Wine and Beer:
Well we had a bit of a mishap with our beer. We had order 3 Kegs from a local quick mart at $75 a Keg (quite a steal), I placed the order 3 weeks in advance and thought we were good to go. I didn't follow up the week of the wedding because I ASS-U-MEd that we were good to go! NOT, Keg's were never ordered and we had to scramble. It worked out in the end and turns out we only needed 2 kegs, good thing because that is all we could find last minute! LOL
Total for Booze Budget $500 total $499.40 (that's how I roll)
- 2 Kegs at $200 for the two
- 60 Bottles of Red and White Wine $4.99
Wine we got a great deal on through a friend's dad's Liquor Store. Warehouse Liquors in Springfield, TN!!! Thanks Bentley!
We didn't use a bar tender, I just had my Matron of Honor's husband and friend set up kegs on ice and pop the bottles of wine before the guest arrived and folks served themselves. This worked out well, and my two friends just kept checking in on the bar periodically. (This is a dicey move, some facilites require a licensed bartender and insurance policy just an FYI. )
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
FLOWERS
Flowers were about the easiest (for me) decision, and execution during the planning process. I have the wonderful advantage of having a floral artist in my family, so she graciously volunteered her services for the wedding and she did an AMAZING job! I gave her a few flower suggestions and colors and she did the rest and VIOLA we have flowers!
Budget $500 Total $400 WOOOOOT!
She bought the Flowers at Wholesale and did charge me for Labor (that's what family's for!) So I shave a HUGE amount off my total cost doing my flowers this way, and I couldn't be happier!
The Beautiful Ceremony Piece
Mother's Corsages
Beautiful Center Piece at the Reception Site
Bouquets
My Bouquet
It has Lace from my mother's bridal gown, and a Golden Nugget that was melted from my Grandparents Wedding Bands. It was a really special piece.
Tomorrow FOOD!
Budget $500 Total $400 WOOOOOT!
She bought the Flowers at Wholesale and did charge me for Labor (that's what family's for!) So I shave a HUGE amount off my total cost doing my flowers this way, and I couldn't be happier!
The Beautiful Ceremony Piece
Mother's Corsages
Beautiful Center Piece at the Reception Site
Bouquets
My Bouquet
It has Lace from my mother's bridal gown, and a Golden Nugget that was melted from my Grandparents Wedding Bands. It was a really special piece.
Tomorrow FOOD!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Decor Recap and Breakdown
This was a bigger chunk of my budget than I think I planned on it being, or maybe I included more under the "Decor" umbrella than I originally thought? Oh well here is the run down and cost.
Grand Total: $997.82 (excluding Flowers) Budget $500 (woops)
Here is the break down......
Linen Rentals: Southern Events Total $466.00
This was for 18 Table Cloths (Solid) @ $14 a piece and 18 Table Runners @ $10.00 (Baroque Pattern) price included laundry and damage insurance.
Caterer Provided Table Cloth for Food Tables and Gift Table.
Center Pieces: (Excluding Flowers): Total $102.17
1. Vases 12 borrowed from a family friend price FREE, Hurricane Vases 8 bought from Wal-Mart @ $4 a piece
2. Apples bought at GFS @ $4.99 a bag used 2 bags for all 8 Hurricane Lamps
4. Picture frames 18 bought from Wal-mart @ $1 a piece
5. Pictures from Snapfish 18 @ .29 cents a piece
6. Candles 3 Boxes of 12 @ $6.99 a piece at Wal-Mart
7. Specialty Damask Candles for Food Tables $8 for a box of 4 (2 boxes) bought online.
Chair Rentals: Grand Central Party Rentals total $198
(Let me add this They delivered and picked up the chairs, they were 2hrs late for Delivery and 6 Hours late for pick-up! LOTS OF HEAD ACHES)
180 Black Folding Chairs @ $1.10 a piece (cheapest anywhere by FAR!)
Paper Poms and Wreath's: Made by sweet Family and Friends total $53.78
6 Styrofoam Balls $3.99 each @ Michaels
2 Styrofoan Wreaths $3.99 each @ Micahels
10 Packets of Tissue Paper .99 a piece @Wal-Mart
4 Spooils of Ribbon $2.99 each @ Wal-Mart
Glue Gun and sticks we already had.
Candelabra's and Candles: The Potting Shed total $155.92
2 Candelabra's @ $50 a piece
16 Off White Pillar Candles @ $6.99 a 2Pack @ Michaels
Unity Sand Ceremony: Total Cost $21.95
1. Vases from Old Time Pottery $13.97
2. 2 Bags of Sand from Michaels $3.99 a piece
3. Pedistool borrowed from Church
Grand Total: $997.82 (excluding Flowers) Budget $500 (woops)
Here is the break down......
Linen Rentals: Southern Events Total $466.00
This was for 18 Table Cloths (Solid) @ $14 a piece and 18 Table Runners @ $10.00 (Baroque Pattern) price included laundry and damage insurance.
Caterer Provided Table Cloth for Food Tables and Gift Table.
Center Pieces: (Excluding Flowers): Total $102.17
1. Vases 12 borrowed from a family friend price FREE, Hurricane Vases 8 bought from Wal-Mart @ $4 a piece
2. Apples bought at GFS @ $4.99 a bag used 2 bags for all 8 Hurricane Lamps
4. Picture frames 18 bought from Wal-mart @ $1 a piece
5. Pictures from Snapfish 18 @ .29 cents a piece
6. Candles 3 Boxes of 12 @ $6.99 a piece at Wal-Mart
7. Specialty Damask Candles for Food Tables $8 for a box of 4 (2 boxes) bought online.
Chair Rentals: Grand Central Party Rentals total $198
(Let me add this They delivered and picked up the chairs, they were 2hrs late for Delivery and 6 Hours late for pick-up! LOTS OF HEAD ACHES)
180 Black Folding Chairs @ $1.10 a piece (cheapest anywhere by FAR!)
Paper Poms and Wreath's: Made by sweet Family and Friends total $53.78
6 Styrofoam Balls $3.99 each @ Michaels
2 Styrofoan Wreaths $3.99 each @ Micahels
10 Packets of Tissue Paper .99 a piece @Wal-Mart
4 Spooils of Ribbon $2.99 each @ Wal-Mart
Glue Gun and sticks we already had.
Candelabra's and Candles: The Potting Shed total $155.92
2 Candelabra's @ $50 a piece
16 Off White Pillar Candles @ $6.99 a 2Pack @ Michaels
Unity Sand Ceremony: Total Cost $21.95
1. Vases from Old Time Pottery $13.97
2. 2 Bags of Sand from Michaels $3.99 a piece
3. Pedistool borrowed from Church
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