My Wedding

I thought it only be right to start off with my own wedding. You will see all the details I put in to my wedding and all them money that I saved.

How love started

May 16 2009 will be exactly 4 years we have been together, of all places we met online. We chatted on the phone for a few weeks and decided we had too much in common so we had to meet. We set a date and time and hit it off when we met in person. We have been together ever since, we now have a daughter Sidney that was born Jan. 2 2008. She’s in love with him and he’s in love with her, I have to say that’s his little princess.

The Day of the Wedding

I had a hair appt at 6 am and ended up waking up at 6:30. I rushed to the hair dressers and by the time I got there I had 6 girls in front of me including another bride. So I knew I was screwed, I sat for hours waiting for my turn. In the mean time my phone was ringing off the hook, fiance was complaining about dropping things off to the venue. I was so stressed with things not being done due to me waiting on my hair to be done. I broke down and cried right there in front of everyone while my hair dresser did my hair. The stress hit me hard....

My BM were all waiting on me to check into the hotel for the makeup artist to do the makeup and  I was stuck at the shop. About 2 pm I called the hotel and put the room in my girl friend’s name so she could check in for me (problem solved) and I finally left the dang hair dresser after sitting and waiting 7 hours.

So let’s forward a bit, hubby couldn't fit everything on his truck so he took what he could & I rushed home grabbed the kids & rest of the items, dress, etc & rushed to the venue & dropped everything off. I rushed to the hotel, by this time I am worn out & not happy.

Finally I get to the hotel & see all my BMs; I give them their gift bags which they love (big hit). They started to cry & then I cried, it was an emotional moment. So it’s time to head to the venue, it took valet 30 mins to get the cars (The Hilton) horrible valet service.

We arrive at the venue and the first person I see is my step mom and she starts to cry so I start to cry. My dad was standing in his tux & handed me his hanky. We practiced our walk right before it was my moment. It was time, the doors open & soon as I walk in the room I started crying again. All could see was flashes of lights from the cameras, when I looked around I couldn't believe my eyes the set up was beautiful. All my hard work and projects had come to life! We partied all night, it went so fast and the night went off with out a hitch. Thanks to my DOC Amy, she rocked!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

My Budget Savvy Wedding $5,157.98

The Dress

It all started with my dress, I found my dress "the one"! My grandmother and I went to the boutique and try the dress on when I saw the price tag my jaw dropped $4000.00, goodness that was almost the price of my wedding budget. So I went to plan B, I heart EBAY so my search began. It didn't take me long until I came upon this beauty, she was the one!!!

I paid $130.00 including taxes. This is when my vision came into play, I love the detailing around the waste. I felt the dress was a classic, it would never be dated. Then it hit me 40s vintage chic, that's it!

The 2nd Dress

It was Friends and family day at Macy's when I came up upon this gorgeous dress, only one in my size. $80.00

The Jewelry

I found my dream jewelry, until I called about the price $500.00 for the set. As a budget bride no way could I pay that amount. I found a vendor on Esty that made jewelry, I sent her a picture of what I wanted and she said she could make something like it for me for $50.00 and made the matching bracelet for $35.00

Inspiration

My Jewelry

Hair Piece

I found this hair piece and had to have it but couldn't see myself paying 150.00. Once again I found a vendor on Esty that would make mine for $45.00 in ivory.

The bouquet & bouts

A fellow PWer posted some bouquets I never seen before made out of clothe, when I saw her inspirations I had to have one. I found a vendor on Esty that made these beautiful bouquets. I would say this was one of my splurges $450.00

The Shoes

I found my binged out wedding shoes, there was only one problem the were $200.00. I searched high and low for a cheaper price no luck, until I looked on eBay! Just my luck their was a sample pair for sale in my size, it was meant to be. $65.00

LiL Mamas Dress & Shoes

Dress EBay $23.00

Shoes EBay $8.00

The Jr BM dresses

$45.00 each & the shoes from GOJANE.COM $12.99

The cake

When I saw this cake I knew it was the one, binged out! I received a few quotes & did tasting $600.00 was the asking price. Goodness that's a whole lot of money, time for plan B. I went to the local grocery store and gave them a picture of my inspiration. I ordered a cake for 80 people even though we had 100 guest. This cut the price down to $156.00 and we went to Costco and bought a sheet cake for $20.00.

I Do letters including paint & diamonds $15.00

B cake topper ordered on EBay $10.00

Crystals for B cake topper $8.00

Center Pieces/Head Table

For the vases I paid $170.00 for 12 vases =$5.00 per vase

Flower balls I bought from the dollar store, each ball cost about $6.00

Chair Covers (I own) $450.00

Table linen $25.00

Cost for all tables including candles, mirrors, diamonds and etc. $717.00

The favors

Yet another great EBay find!

100 sets for $130.00

The venue

The wedding and reception was held in the same place to save money. Fortunately I have a family member that works for Ga tech so I was able to get the venue for 6 hrs @ half price $500.00

The Music

The same family member is also a DJ on the side which cost us nothing (free)

We hired a band which was one of my splurges $700.00

Catering

chicken
mashed potatoes
side salad
rolls
green beans
Punch

100 guest $1400.00

Open Bar

We bought all the liquor $500.00
Grand Total of wedding $5,157.98

Thursday, August 27, 2009

My Photographer

My photog was great, I wanted some one that was more journalist instead of old school.




Here's her website if you on the GA area, tell her Genae sent you

http://www.janetsiacaphotography.com/

Thursday, August 27, 2009

TTD

I just had to have a TTD ( trash the dress) so I called up my wedding photog and she did the beauties for me.