The Wedding Countdown Begins

Right now I am firmly enmeshed in Wedding Planning. It seems every day is another detail to be researched, thought out, and decided on. I have spent endless hours looking at potential centerpieces, veils, wedding dresses, flowers, and catering menus. The problem isn't making a decision. The problem is sticking with a decision. Just last week, we picked out a cake-decided on the bakery, the flavor, we picked out a design we both loved and I was happy with the end result. I could clearly envision that cake at our wedding reception. Then, today at church, I got into a conversation with a lady whos mother is a professional cake baker and decorator. She told me about her mothers famed white chocolate velvet cake, and her award winning cake decorating skills. So, curious me, as soon as I got home I hopped on the internet and looked her up.

Damn. Sucked in again.


Yesterday, I was perfectly happy with the nice little bakery cake we picked out. Now, all I can think about is this super deluxe, tasty, gorgeous wedding creation this Cake Baking Savant makes. Grrrr......
Right now we have settled on our venue, on our colors, and the flowers, we have met with a caterer for the food and have narrowed down choices, but still working on that. I have a vague idea about decorations, and am trying to get projects done, as money and time allow. We are 7 months away from our wedding, and I have to admit there are days when I feel a little out of my depth. OK-yes, this is my second (and last!!!) time down the aisle, I was married before, about a bazillion years ago. But the truth is, my Mom pretty much planned that entire wedding. I think my input amounted to picking out a wedding color, and showing up for a dress fitting. My mom did it all, she arranged the flowers, arranged the food. The did the invitations, she even made the cake. I was a 20 year old college student and perfectly happy to let her run the show back then. Sadly, Mom is no longer with us, and there are times when I would love to talk to her about wedding planning things. I am very lucky, my sister is good about dealing with my bouts of wedding detail mania. It is probably very lucky for her, that she lives 300 miles away. She has already dealt with my real vs silk flower freak out, and my alcohol vs non-alcohol reception debate. This week it is Glazed Ham and Roasted Turkey, vs Mediterranean Chicken and Pork Loin Medallions decision. My dear, darling Doug, bless his heart, tells me, whatever I want, is OK with him. Which is Man-speak for "Leave me out of this." I am aware that these are not life altering decisions, but I don't want to decide wrong, then wish I had done it differently, later. I am beginning to see why wedding planners make so much money.

Rationally, I know at the end of the day, it really doesn't matter. A wedding is only one day. The marriage, and the love are what lasts forever. Some days, I wish I could just fast forward to the day after the wedding, and finally enjoy the Happily Ever After part.

Only 7 months to go. The countdown begins.

A Year of Living Frugally-Flower Power Wedding Planning

I am undertaking the ultimate frugal challenge, to end all challenges. Planning a wedding.  The other day, Doug and I were driving home, from Des Moines, and discussing our wedding budget.  Specifically, how much we could or should pay on various things. The subject of flowers came up. We went back and forth on what we felt was reasonable. We decided $300.00 for flowers was more than enough, and based on what we were intending to pay for the rest of the wedding, it fit our budget limitations.  The first thing I did was check various florists in the area, to see how much I could get for my $300.00 budget. Sadly, not much. It was enough to pay for a bridal bouquet and maybe one or two bridesmaids bouquets, but that was it. So this week I have been studying flowers. I feel that I now qualify for a degree from the University of YouTube, in flower arranging. You would be surprised at how many flower bouquet tutorials exist. Some are very informative, some are just awful. I watched many of them, and took notes and feel competent that I may be able to do my own flowers. Whether I can do them for under $300.00, remains to be seen.  At last count, I have to do a bridal bouquet, 3 bridesmaids bouquets, 7 boutonnieres, 3 corsages, 22 pew decorations, 2 alter arrangements, and 12 centerpieces, and 2 flower girl baskets.  $300.00? Sure, no problem. 

I already put the word out to my peeps to keep their eyes open for milk glass compotes and vases for my arrangements and centerpieces. I have formulated a vision of a pink/ivory/mauve palette of flowers. Basically it is soft, romantic meets shabby chic, with lace and pearl accents, here and there. I intend to use copious amounts of baby’s breath, as it fits the vision, and is cheap filler. I think that the majority of the flowers we will be doing, will have to be silk, mainly so I can do them ahead of time. I would ideally like to do the bouquets in real flowers but I think the only way that will happen is if I sneak into peoples gardens the night before our wedding and steal all their peonies and roses. Oh well, a lot can happen between now and May 5, so we will see what happens along the way, with the flowers, and everything else.  Now, the real planning begins. 

A Year of Living Frugally-Remembering to Breathe

So I am still in the midst of engagement euphoria, still upbeat and happy and starting to make plans. Once in a while I get this semi-flipped out feeling of "Oh My God! I have a wedding to plan! How are we going to pay for this!?" That is when I have to remind myself to breathe. I have had to remind myself of that several times this week

I went to the library, and checked out every book they had on frugal wedding planning. We have already decided to go with a church wedding, and having the reception at the church hall, which is less expensive than going with a more elaborate venue. The downside, which is also the upside, financially, is that our church does not allow alcohol on the premises, so it will be a dry wedding. Which means that we won't have to pay for an open bar. That doesn't matter that much to me, but it might not be the big party atmosphere I had imagined having. I have no doubt it will still be really nice. My nephew Jim has generously offered to both videotape the wedding and also DJ for us, which REALLY helped with the wedding budget. Those were things I thought I would just have to scratch off, and I am happy that is no longer the case. My good friend Eric, who is a printer and graphic designer, offered to do our invitations. SCORE! That made my day. The fact that I've seen his work and it ROCKS, just makes it even better. And last, but not least, my wonderful sister offered to take care of the cake. YAY! I graciously took her up on that offer (after doing the Dance of Joy, of course!). Ok-so thanks to my friends and family and their over the top, generous offers of assistance, my day after the engagement panic attack has abated and I can see that somehow, we will pull off this wedding without going totally broke. I can breathe a little easier.

Today I made a list of every wedding related DIY project I could think of. I came up with 17 projects. I do not know if that is a low number or not. I suspect that as time goes by, I will add more things to that list. Our wedding date, barring any catastrophy, is May 5, 2012. A little less than 10 months away. So the count down begins. It is going to be a busy year!  So I tell myself again, just breathe...