So I have recently (since Decemberish) been put to the task of planning my sisters wedding. Seeing that at some times in my life I believe that probably should have been my career - I was quite over joyed at the idea of planning again. One interesting fact for you that don't know my sister...is that we tend to be opposites but so far I have done well in the process. I just have been spending so much hardwork and time on DIY details that I might blog my experience for anyone willing to listen.
Task 1: Theme
Lots of dreaming, thinking, drawing, creating and FUN! Google world is great with photos of weddings - so saving images to the whole lap top is easy - Come up with a theme and stick to it - After only one minor hiccup on my sisters part of OH CHANGING the date from september to May and oh wait changing colors and theme - we finally are set on a theme that worked - heres some images below - Basically - lots of sparkle, Hot pink and Lime green - Romantic at the church (Niceville UMC) and fun/funky/festive at the reception location (Anglers Beachside Bar & Grill)
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| men look good in PINK daisies |
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| Loving the limes- but hot pink daisies |
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| Gift box idea - again pink and green |
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| Lots of Bling is necessary |
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| Wedding favor stickers |
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| Colleens bouquet of Tulips, daisies, gerbers |
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| No butterflies as Colleen quickly said - we like the shape of this cake - and it will fit 200 cupcakes - we just want a cupcake wedding cake in HOT pink with rhinestone accents everywhere |
BUDGET - excel was my savior - thank you to Troy University for the useless but now wonderful required computer course! We are working with a smaller budget so I want it to go AS FAR as possible to give my sister the day of her dreams - a mistake i learned from my wedding was to book a venue BEFORE thoroughly assessing your budget - FOOD costs A LOT of money AND THEN gratuity (usually 18-20%) and taxes not originally budgeted on a large bill might add a couple thousand to the overall price at the end. Be prepared for this! Know how many people you want to invite and then budget per head - including the extras! This is a couple who are both from a small town having the event in a small town - so the invite list is larger! When making your budget also categorize what is important to you - less flowers, bigger dress...or maybe lots of flowers, simpler dress and a ton of food - just remember its your day and you can make it happen!
Task 3: BOOKING
So you have your budget in hand and you know your theme - FIND a venue that fits both you pocketbook and your style. Once location is booked and times set you can start ordering invites ALSO Florists and Photographers tend to be a bigger priced option - So book those as well but know your budget...if there is something or someone you really love, don't forget you can move numbers around but not mountains!
When booking the photographer, see if there is someone you know, if you are getting married in a small town like Niceville - if you know the photographer it definitely makes it more personal! When I got married 2 years ago, Sarah Clauson did my photos, I had known her through my church for many years so it made photo taking more fun/personal and less posey. My pictures turned out beautiful and just how I envisioned them! Colleen chose Kailyn from k.p. photography because she knew her and She enjoyed her style from the previous events she had photographed- she is a photographer who knows Niceville well and can capture it well. Colleen Already got her engagement pictures done with her and LOVES THEM (pictured below)
Book your cake designer - Give yourself a 30-40mile radius because some bakers are willing to drive. Cakesbytanis.com did my wedding cake 2 years ago and she did a wonderful job, she did mine even though she is in Panama City, FL and my wedding was in Niceville AND drove it to my reception! My sister is choosing a cupcake wedding cake design, so we are doing it DIY - more fun and PICTURES TO COME
Flowers may be super important to you and can be really pricey! Look around locally at recent weddings and who there florist was. Your location might have preferred vendor lists that you can use. Florists are great about helping you stay within your budget and still have your dream come true wedding. For my wedding, I used Patty of http://perfectdayweddingflorist.com/ and my flowers looked amazing and she really worked with me - It was a wonderful experience! Colleen has decided to let me express my DIY itch - Thank you sister!! So I will be posting more trial runs in the future - If you aren't all bored from this post!
Don't forget the entertainment at your gig - Scout for local Talent if you want acoustic, local DJs if you want a hip to the hop reception or a local Jazz band if you want swing. If you were a member of a sorority, you can contact your social chair with other possible music connections!
Task 4: Invites - we were set on the locations and times -so we used weddingpaperdivas.com for the invitations - For my wedding i made mine - which saved a lotta cash but not a whole bunch of time! For colleen we were able to budget to get the invitations she loved at a great price - we also decided to RSVP via their wedding website which saved on a bit of shipping cost - Colleen figured we could play into the whole lets go wireless theme - No invites on facebook quite yet - who knows whats to come!
Task 5: DIY - Decide what exactly DIY means to you. As mentioned before I am a PA student in my second year of rotations so I study a ton- which at times makes me feel like I have no life and i am killing my artistic spirit - so i decided DIY to the extreme/ GO BIG or GO HOME. I am creating the floral arrangements for her wedding, Crystal Curtains, doing the programs and creating the cupcake tower and cupcakes for the big day (yes 200 cupcakes baby - coming right at ya!). Oh yes and am the hired decorator for the reception and church venue. Much more blogging will come as I "PRACTICE" the art of doing these activities. It should prove interesting at the least - "I think I can" will be a motto i plan to stick to, or better yet - I know I can! Since I am the bridesmaid - I chose to take this on - IF you are a bride and do not have a sister willing to do this for you - MIGHT not recommend it for your groom's own sanity. Just know what you are taking on and plan on needing good help!
I will stop writing this novel on Task 5 and keep you updated on how things are coming in the planning and creating stage - I was just bottling this all in and needing to creatively write/post about it to someone other than my husband (God Bless him for listening as much as he does and yes he doesn't care one bit about what flower would go better or going shopping with me at Hobby Lobby but YET he still goes to keep me happy :)
Peace & Love - Kaet
