Hi All!! Today I’m writing this post for all my current wedding planners or future brides to be one day. I think me explaining why I think this post is relevant is a little obvious, but if not, then it’s to tell you beautiful brides, that wedding planning isn’t smooth sailing like the movies. Although I don’t know one wedding movie that is. The wedding planner, My Big Wedding, Bride Wars, My Best Friend’s Wedding, well you get it. Wedding planning is stressful at times in all honesty.
So far planning my wedding has had some ups but a few downs as well. When picking my venue which I love, didn’t go as well as I thought. Now I’m glad it’s our Venue because it’s beautiful. The ceremony will be outside, and the reception in a big white tent, and the house I get ready in all day was built in 1827. I’m super excited for an outdoor wedding on October 24th 2020. The leaves and scenery in the fall, pumpkins, mums, a willow tree, a pond and I’m praying amazing weather. However I didn’t look at a ton of venues. I wanted to jump on one I loved because our wedding was in less than one year and October books up so fast! Matt is a little concerned about the walking in the grass to the ceremony site and the bathrooms for the elderly members but it’s all taken care of. Matt I think envisioned an indoor wedding but we honestly don’t have a lot of options that weren’t going to cost my parents too much. When I was a kid I envisioned a roof top ceremony in Manhattan. My how things have a changed, I went from that to an outdoor wedding in the fall in the country. Communication was key in this matter, and we realized that after signing for the venue, but that’s ok because we know it will be perfect there.
Our next obstacle, a caterer. I use to work for a company out here called Santoni’s, I knew the food was great and the service excellent, also a clean place. (Important with food). They were a little over budget, but they do EVERYTHING, even trash removal at the end of the night. We tasted the food and it was so good, hard to choose a little, but we know everyone will like it and we went buffet style to cut cost, and chose disposable cups and cocktail plates. The cocktail plates are actually bamboo and rustic looking so that was perfect actually. We are buying our own alcohol and my Dad came up with the idea to start accumulating now and I have storage in my basement so that saves cost instead of doing it all at once. I highly recommend going with a caterer that either you know of, heard about, or read great reviews. There wasn’t a whole lot of bargaining available, but it was a whole lot easier going with a company that does everything and I know the lady running it is so responsible and helpful.
This next thing we had to jump on was our DJ. I’m not going to expose a whole lot of detail for it is personal and a sad subject for me, but my original company fell through because of a personal matter. Lets just say if someone came with the owner to help, then there would have ended up being no wedding, more or less a funeral. Thank goodness for God’s great grace I found out right before a check was sent. I felt a little (a lot) stressed and very emotional and anxious after the matter, that I kindly asked my Dad if he could find another company to be apart of our day for us. My father has been such an amazing help and support and I’m very lucky to have him.
Now for the 4th major booking is your Photographer. I am listing these in order, so that way you know where to start and what to jump on. For my photographer, I had a friend post a fun photo shoot she had with a photographer named Carly Hudson and whoa did I love her work. I had this instant feeling that I would pick her and after a talked to her on the phone and we had such a connection I deep down knew. Now I did look at other people’s work and priced everyone out. Come to my surprise, a lot were booked already and the price range for great quality was right under $5000. So plan to spend money if you want the best quality photos. With Carly she also had a surprise incentive, a client for life in her gold and platinum packages. Client for life is something I never heard of before, it’s an incentive where we get to have one free photo shoot a year with her. So not only engagement, wedding in that package, (we chose Gold) but future ones for maternity, baby, family, you name it! Our engagement shoot, as you can see all the pictures I’m posting was so magical, it was a great success. Matt and I kissed more that day then we have since we started dating. It was sentimental and intimate, and exactly the style I love. Check out Carly’s work and package info at Carlyhudson.com . I will always be recommending her to everyone.
Ladies, your next duties will be to ask your wedding party if they would love to be in with you, and do it in a fun way. I got wine labels for a great price on Amazon and they were so pretty. I do currently have to pregnant bridesmaid, luckily due before my wedding so they can participate in the wedding traditions and partake in the celebrating. Look into save the date information, we are using Minted.com for ours, but their are other companies online and not that you can hire or use. Make sure you start to think of a color scheme, someone for hair and makeup. The hair and makeup artists book up fast too. I actually booked my makeup artist before I was engaged. (hey a ring was already picked out) Also this is super important and oddly enough no one told me this but you have to pick out your wedding gown 8 months in advance! This was my next big stressor when I found out at a Bridal Expo.
When I went to this fancy Bridal Expo that I couldn’t afford any of these companies, I did however learn from a Bridal Boutique owner that I needed to dress shop asap. That it could take 6-8 months to order a dress and have the alterations done. Sent into complete panic mode I was able to set up an appointment with a boutique near me. Sad to say after having a horrible nightmare about this experience a few nights before, my nightmare came to life and it was depressing and overwhelming. I had had migraines for 4 days ( I need to see a neurologist) but it was painful and the day of and yes I had my period too so I was hormonal and bloated. Just was setting me up for failure it felt. I had brought 5 girls from my wedding party and my mom. I wanted everyone’s opinions. Although not realizing everyone has different tastes and unfortunately the boutique only had 2 designers. Casablanca who I knew of, pretty but very beaded so they weighed a ton. Just wasn’t comfortable at all and they aren’t for outdoor weddings either. The other was Allure, gorgeous lace but by the 15th dress and no excited feeling at all I was depressed, overwhelmed and ready to go home. I did just that too, I called Matt and cried so hard, I was just disappointed in the selection and and all the opinions at once that I just broke down. The good part I can say that I took from this was, advice, knowing what you do and don’t like, bring a few less people, and don’t get discouraged and shop other boutiques. Now I have an appointment with a boutique that has 10 designers, including Monique Lullier, (dream designer) and I’m bring two people with me instead of 5. Ladies your bridal party will understand and still love you and think you are beautiful no matter what. You can have fun with all of them when you go shopping for their dresses. I suggest being considerate and try to stay around $100 for their dresses.
Now I can chill a little bit, Matt and I are going to now go create our save the dates, and I’m going to be starting real estate classes next month, can’t wait. I’ll be looking on Pinterest for honeymoon destinations, and fall decor, colors, cake tastings, and all the little loose ends that you will start to tie in. Help your man with his suits, most have no clue, involve him in things if he wants to be involved that is. Matt has been fun about this and really supportive too. My sister who is my matron of honor and my bridesmaids have been helpful and amazing. I know the stress in the end will be worth it, I have a special surprise for my parents at my wedding, i’m so excited to see their faces too. Have fun with wedding planning, try to stay calm, don’t be afraid to ask for help, and pray to God daily for NO RAIN!! If you have any questions or need help, I’m here!! Always! Goodnight and happy planning!
