I Went To A Wedding this Weekend....

I went to a beautiful wedding this weekend. Every time I go to a wedding I learn a little bit more and a little bit more. This time I learned it pays to check and double check your vendors, some churches have made weddings an income source, have a wedding day flow chart, and seating charts are valuable. I've debated this last lesson with my sister and she doesn't think seating charts are necessary but we will see how she sways after my wedding.
Lets go over the lessons learned...

1. The florist forgot to make the flowers! (WHAT!) Yes, the mother of the bride and her friend stayed up the night before and made bouquets, corsages , boutonnières, and centerpieces for the wedding. There were 6 bridesmaids and groomsmen, 5 hostesses, over 250 guests and the wedding family. Can you imagine the mothers frustration? The florist provided the mother with the flowers (at a discount of course). I wonder if the bride had a signed contract. If so, I would have demanded the flowers for free. I don't know full the details but maybe this could have been avoided if this vendor was rechecked a week in advance.
2. The wedding ceremony was held in a beautiful church that came with a coordinator, a photographer, a videographer and decorations all for one fee. The price around $500.00 not bad except the coordinator was a monster. I realize each wedding is a production but the coordinator shouldn't make the bride uncomfortable. This church has created an income stream in weddings.
3. The wedding day went well except the wedding party missed the pre-wedding pictures. The ceremony coordinator had a flow chart but it wasn't followed. I think this was partly because she wasn't received by the bride well. This kind of problem can be avoided if the bride and her wedding party buys into the flow chart.
   
4. I will definitely have a seating chart for my wedding reception. Every wedding event I've been to seems to neglect this as apart of the planning process. I'm not sure why, but every time it becomes a problem. The bride is never privy to the problem but her hostesses have to politely ask someone to move or slide to the next seat. This can be avoided by the RSVP process and a seating chart. That way the bride and groom have those most important to them sitting close to them.
   

I'll post a picture when I have one....

My Wedding Vision...What is it?

What is my wedding vision? I don't really have one. Some girls have been planning their weddings since childhood. I was such a tomboy growing up, I would have never dreamed of prancing around in a frilly wedding dress. I was just girlie enough to want to be Brittnay, from Alvin and the Chipmunks, but only because she was always in competition with Alvin. I was never one who dreamed of fairytale weddings. Now that I'm getting married, I don't have clue what I want that day to be like. That is typically where a wedding planner would enter...but, the money I would pay a wedding planner could (and will) go toward my actual wedding expenses. As the "PLANNER"I'll have get as many ideas from weddings I've been to, wedding shows, and the internet as possible. So far I have been to dozens of weddings, 4 wedding shows, tons of Websites and literally at least a dozen reception venues (not to mention the ones I've called and emailed). When all the decisions have been made at least I will say I knew my stuff.

Bridal Shows...Help Me Decide...to be cont...

Last night I went to a Bridal show at Castle McCulloch. This place is beautiful and I know it would make a wonderful wedding venue for some brides. Not me! It is way out of my price range. I want to think practically about my wedding plans and plan accordingly. I don't have, nor do I want to spend, a lot of money on my wedding. It is important for my day to be a great day full of memories that don't put me in debt. So that means I have to make it happen on a budget and a realistic budget. Enough of that!
I came across several vendors yesterday that can help make my day great. I have decided to have a sit down with these vendors, get the ends and outs ,and then report them to you!

Visions Catering
Wedding in a Box
Key Valet Service, Inc
Rose Mae's catering
Anything Music
Keller's Kakes And Katering
Treasured Images
Keepsake Bouquets & Floral Designs
Total Wine
My Beautiful Wedding
S&K Mens Warehouse
Occasions Florals
Beautiful Creations
Catered Affairs
Colonial LLC

Tuscany Gardens

I've been searching the triad high and low for the perfect place to have the reception. As you know the biggest portion of any budget is the reception. My husband to be has but one request, an unlimited bar. LOL! I laugh because this is usually the budget deal breaker. Alcohol is the biggest expense on any wedding budget. So my quest has been for a location that will allow you to bring your own alcohol. I've found Tuscany Gardens a reception/ceremony location that is beautiful. The interior is decorated in the Classic Italian Tuscany design with a raised dance floor, state of the art sound system, and a full service bar.This is what they do, weddings, all year long. This is a plus on many levels... the place is beautiful, they have tons of flowers on the grounds, they provide you with centerpieces, and they have other decorations you can use.They even have a bridal suite for the bride and her party to get dressed, complete with a dress steamer. Plus they let you bring your own alcohol.
Price for 100 guest, outdoor ceremony, and you get to design your menu approximately $5000.00, taxes and gratuity included. NOT BAD when you add all the extras.

Limo services...or not?

Do you rent a limo or not? Well tradition says yes, but your budget could say no! Some couples leave the wedding location (church, park, etc.) in a horse drawn carriage or a rented Rolls Royce. Are you obligated to transport your entire wedding party. I wouldn't think so. I guess it would ensure everyone arrives together. Anyway,to save money,I found a limousine service in Greensboro that will let you split time.

The 3-Hour Split can be configured hourly as:
Before & After
1 & 2
1½ & 1½
2 & 1

(Additional hours can be purchased.)

Equipment:
Lincoln Towncar Limousine, 4-6 passenger or
8-10 passenger. (Non-smoking limousines)

Cost: $300

Prices do not include gratuity, fuel surcharge and
additional travel fees. Travel included for Guilford
county. Package subject to change without notice.

This price is pretty cheap. If this still doesn't fit in your budget there are other alternatives; drive your own car, rent a car, or borrow a car. You could just get married and have your reception at the same location, then there is no need for a car at all.