Colin (finally) proposed in October. We started planning a month or two ago and I honestly had no idea how outrageously expensive weddings can be.
I was never really the type of girl to sit and daydream about what my wedding was going to be like. But now that it's actually going to happen, I had to figure out what it was that I wanted for the "big day" (dun dun DUN). What I really wanted was a simple outdoor ceremony/reception with our family and friends. What I realized was that this was nearly impossible and nothing is simple when it comes to planning a wedding.
I pride myself on getting good deals and spending wisely. Apparently, these two concepts are completely thrown out the window when the word wedding is mentioned or associated with something. Of course I want this day to be wonderful; I just don't want to go bankrupt for it. This "W word" markup is rather daunting since we are paying for the wedding on our own.
We priced out doing everything ourselves which one might think would save tons of money. Unfortunately, this was not the case. Between renting tents, tables, chairs, plates and what have you, it was just as expensive as a more reasonably priced hall. With a lot more of the work.
I am trying to keep track of our expenses as we go. My first purchase was my dress. It was on sale at David's Bridal for $250, plus they charge for the garment bag for it to be shipped in. The total came to $274.54. Our next expense was the down payment for the hall. This was $1,000.
After looking at about 10 places we finally decided on one for its price. Definitely not my first choice but I'd rather not like the place as much and be able to invite everyone we want. So now my "dream" wedding is my reality wedding. We thought of eloping in Vegas. I would love to have Elvis marry us. (haha) And while all this fuss for just one day can seem ridiculous and overpriced, sharing one of the most important days of your lives together with the ones you love the most really is priceless.
4 comments:
omg, i want to cry! i am so happy for you and wish i had the thousands of dollars to give you to have the "dream wedding". you are one of those few people in the world i think has the right to have a bridezilla type wedding and you deserve it!
my advice is to ask for help! weddings are to join families into one and people may want to help make it happen for you. i don't have a lot of money, but i do have time, ideas, and i must say i know a few people besides myself who are pretty damn good with the arts and crafts. i may not be the only one that feels this way either!
i hope that you do have a wonderful day, and i look forward to seeing you walk down the aisle (getting teary now!) and i wish you and colin a lifetime of happiness! you are a girl who totally deserves that!
I feel your pain. My daughter was married last year and boy oh boy was it a culture shock. The days of the simple wedding is long gone. It's a multimillion-billion-trillion $$$ business and they know they've got you.
Unsolicited advice- Shop around! Don't let them pressure you into signing anything. Make special notes directly on the contracts. Let people help you. And spend more time planning your marriage than planning your wedding.
We had a once in a life time day- our wedding video trailer
http://visualmasterpiece.blogspot.com/2010/02/lauren-jimmys-wedding.html
Best wishes on your special day!
What a beautiful wedding! Thanks for sharing!
I have a good feeling yours will be as well, Katie. ;-)
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