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Thank You Mark Romine for these fantastic photos. Mark Does a Blog every year on rings watch for the 2011 Rings at http://www.romineweddingsblog.com/
You’re Engaged Now What? Your Wedding
How to have a Dream Wedding instead of a Nightmare! Yes, it is Possible.
So you got the ring, CONGRATULATIONS! How exciting. This will be one of the greatest and most frustrating times of your life. Yes, you will experience highs and lows like never before.
Now you're Engaged! Congratulations now all you have to do is get Married.
So you are getting married. Word of Advice! Keep it in perspective. Weddings never are perfect. Yes I said it, they are never perfect but they are beautiful and they are moments touch your heart. What a joy and privilege it is to witness the joining of two families that become one, this is how history is made.
So it is Raining! You have found the love of your Life, so what!
If something does not go exactly as you planned it how will you react? You can cry in the rain or you can be like Katy and Ryan, who in spite of an extreme temperature drop and massive storm they loved every minute! What will you remember on your 25th wedding Anniversary? What do you want to remember? That is the key find happiness in the moment, not perfection.
The most important thing about this whole experience is the fact that you have found a love so great that you want to make it your life. So it rained, Katy and Ryan had two choices Be happy or be upset, they were wise they embraced the rain and had a beautiful wedding and reception one we will always remember.
How can you make sure YOU actually ENJOY your day, no matter what happens?
You can enjoy your day by keeping it all in perspective.
How Many Brides feel OVERWHELMED?
How many of you are surprised at how much a wedding Really Costs?
Can you Really have the wedding of your Dreams?
If David Tutera could just stop by that would be great!
Well, I hate to break it to you but David will probably not be dropping by. So, yes you can have your dream wedding, you just have to plan. Here are a few tips from the girls at Simple Elegance. We have see just about everything, so believe me when I say expect the unexpected, then roll with it and find humor in it. Happiness is a choice, choose it.
Where Do you Start? B U D G E T! Yes, I said Budget. Without one you will spend more than you ever thought possible.
#1 thing to do is realize what you are able to afford! Nothing will add to the stress level like Money problems. You have control, so keep it.
No Matter what your Budget is You can have a gorgeous and unique wedding. It will take work and effort on everyone’s part. That means you, your Mom, your fiance,…..
Visit our Blog at www.aweddingtodreamof.com December Posts for tons of free help. Watch for Plan your Champaign Wedding in 29 Days in February!
You can find all kinds of help on free wedding websites like:
Once your Budget is set here is site that will help you know the average cost for vendors and how much you can expect to pay. Don’t worry you can find all of this on our Blogs from December.
http://www.hooverwebdesign.com/20000-wedding-budget-worksheet.html
This site will keep track of your spending!
http://www.vertex42.com/ExcelTemplates/wedding-budget.html
Here is an idea of where your money will go (this is just you planning it.)
$20,000 Wedding Budget Worksheet
If your total wedding budget is $20,000.00
40% of your Wedding Budget on Reception
The Calculation:
Total Budget: $20,000 x 0.4 = $8,000 available for the reception
Example costs: site fees, catering costs, bar and beverages, wedding cake, etc.
$8,000
Spend 10% of your Wedding Budget on Music
The Calculation:
Total budget: $20,000 x 0.1 = $2,000 available for music
Example costs: ceremony music, cocktail hour music, DJ fees, etc.
$2,000
Spend 15% of your Wedding Budget on Flowers
The Calculation:
Total budget: $20,000 x 0.15 = $3,000 available for flowers
Example costs: bridal bouquet, wedding party flowers, table centerpieces, etc.
$3,000
Spend 15% of your Wedding Budget on Wedding Attire
The Calculation:
Total budget: $20,000 x 0.1 = $3,000 available for wedding attire
Example costs: wedding gown, dress alterations, wedding veil, lingerie, jewelry, shoes, hair, makeup, etc.
$3,000
Spend 10% of your Wedding Budget on Wedding Photography
The Calculation:
Total budget: $20,000 x 0.1 = $2,000 available for wedding photography
Example costs: Engagement portrait, photography, videography, wedding album, etc.
$2,000
Spend 5% of your wedding budget on Stationary
The Calculation:
Total budget: $20,000 x 0.05 = $1,000 available for wedding stationary
Example costs: wedding announcements, wedding invitations, postage stamps, wedding programs, table place cards, etc.
$1,000
Spend 5% of your wedding budget on Additional Expenses
The Calculation:
Total budget: $20,000 x 0.05 = $1,000 available for Additional Expenses
Example costs: attendants gifts, marriage license fee, wedding day transportation, etc.
$1,000
Total $20,000
Keep Track of things! Use that link for the budget tracking. I swear $5000 can add up quickly and before you know it you don’t have money to pay for the reception. Please to avoid the stress stay within your limits. I am not saying don’t spend the money. I am saying set priorities . OK I will get off my soapbox.
Your Wedding Day should reflect you and your fiancé. You want your friends to leave saying that was so Cara and Jeff! Photography by Kelly Lyle
NEXT:
Start thinking about the overall style and theme of your reception.
You need a focal point to help you in the sea of ideas. Your wedding should be cohesive. It should not look like it was shot with a paint ball gun. Ideas splattered everywhere! It should be so you.
Your colors, your font of your invitations, the flowers, traditional, non traditional. Your ideas should flow.
WARNING: DO NOT GO OUT AND BUY ANYTHING UNTIL YOU HAVE A COMPLETE VISION OF YOUR EVENT!
I DON’T CARE WHAT KIND OF SALE THEY ARE HAVING AT HOBBY LOBBY!
The Wedding was Beautiful with Black Damask and splashes of red. Everything about this day reflected Donnie and Annette. Photagraphs by Kelly Lyle
Once you have your theme firmly set you can take advantage of after Holiday bargains
Fall Wedding? After Thanksgiving great time to buy. Potted Mums are an easy splash of color for very few $$’s.
Winter Wedding? After Christmas
Bling Wedding After Christmas you can find great bargains on Crystal Drops once used for trees now can be used for your wedding! Garage and Estate Sales you can find old jewelry that can be reused
Vintage Wedding Garage Sales and Estate Auctions you can find old lace, faux pearls, broaches……
Can you do it yourself? Of Course you can!
1. Set Your Budget
2. Create a theme to work with.
3. Ask a Friend that you will now owe for the rest of your life to act as a “go to person” the week, yes I said week of the wedding.
4. Set your spending priorities.
5. Don’t Sweat the small Stuff! Yes, something will go wrong, it just does.
So, now go plan that Wedding and ride off with you new Prince Charming and we hope you will be happy no matter what happens that day. It is your wedding enjoy!
Years from now you will realize that you have always had what was most important the day of your wedding… You have the love of your life!
So from all of us here at Simple Elegance, Congratulations. Enjoy the Moment.