Mom and I ventured to the Bride’s World expo over the weekend. That place was a zoo. I didn’t talk to too many vendors — mostly snagged business cards and brochures to look at later. It was just too hectic to fight your way to talk to anyone there. I did find a lot of possibilities for DJs and photographers (two of the things that were up in the air).
The best part, though? THIS:
I felt a little bad because I thought it was frivolous. I had been trying to come up with a way to make our own “photo booth” on the cheap (e.g. Polaroid on a tripod), but I was struggling because I really didn’t have anyone who isn’t in the wedding party that could set it up and run it all. It probably would have been a big ol’ mess.
(via)
I just loved the idea of having FUN pictures of all my guests (in a guestbook-album with their note/signatures right next to it). I know that’s something I’ll enjoy looking back on in 10 or 20 years. Plus, the version we rented prints two strips: one for our guest book, and one for the guest to take as a souvenir!
Mom and I talked about it, and I think she had as much fun as I did taking our photos. The vendors wound up making us a good deal, so we went ahead and booked it. I’m super-giddy!
Now I just have to work on gathering a basket full of fun hats and props…!
(via Etsy)
A little-something I learned: don’t be afraid to haggle a little bit. By all means, DJs, photographers, florists, bakers, etc. all deserve to be fairly paid, but they will work with you on price. I found that if I asked, “Do you offer a discount for Friday evening weddings?” that many times they would give me a nice discount! It certainly doesn’t hurt to ask, as long as you do so respectfully!
Right now I’m totally loving fascinators for brides, rather than traditional veils or tiaras.
(via Head Full of Feathers on Etsy)
(via Krysandrea Hair Accessories on Etsy)
(via Serephine on Wedzu)
And birdcage veils? Omigosh. Don’t even get me started … LOVE.
(via Teeki on Etsy)
(via RadoKri Fashion Accessories on Etsy)
So, if you’ll recall, we selected a wedding date: 8/10/12. As of last Friday, we also put a deposit down on our reception hall.
I started with a list of about 22 possible reception venues. We’re being very budget-concious with our wedding, so I was able to eliminate about half the list very quickly after seeing where their prices started per plate. We were looking for the perfect combination of a nice venue but at the same time not paying an astronomical price for the food and bar.
I kept gravitating back to the same place over and over: a local social hall, founded in 1898. It has a basement bowling-alley, a bar and restaurant on the first floor and a large ball room on the second floor.
I’ve been there several times because my father is a member, but Mike and never been, so we went with my father for dinner on Friday night. Mike was surprised at how good and reasonably-priced their food was and when he saw the ballroom, he was sold.
It’s not overly ornate, but it’s a nice, big blank canvas to work with. It has a huge dancefloor (score!) and a pretty bar area. The pricing really can’t be beat: $8.95 per plate (plus tax and gratuity) for a 3-meat/2-starch buffet. (SERIOUSLY.) It’s not fancy; it’s just good, hearty home-cookin’ type food: baked ham, chicken, meatballs, mashed potatoes and gravy, rigatoni, seasonal veggies, salad, and bread. I’m not all about being fancy, and I definitely come from a “meat ‘n potatoes” type family so hopefully it will go over well and everyone will have plenty to eat.
The next order of business is to really nail down our guest list and send out save-the-dates. I have the list for my side of the family done (though I’m still collecting some addresses), but I have yet to tackle Mike’s side of the family. I want to make sure to get save-the-dates out well in advance because I’m a little afraid that people won’t make it because it’s on a Friday instead of a Saturday. I’m hoping if we let them know early enough, they can make arrangements. (Or, if they can’t make it to the wedding ceremony, that they’ll at least come for the reception to celebrate with us!) I really want to have all our friends and family be there!
We did it. We finally decided on a date: Friday, August 10th, 2012.
Get it? 8-10-12.
Mike thought it was a nifty date. When I mentioned it to my mother, she immediately pointed out that the date reduces to a 2 in numerology, which she informed me “is an auspicious number for a marriage”. (I had no idea, but I’ll go with it!) Mike’s parents agreed it sounded like a good date.
Of course, this is all pending us getting a church and reception hall booked for that day. I haven’t started calling around yet but we have a few venues in mind. I’m hoping that because it’s a Friday and almost a year away, that we’ll be able to find something nice.
Amazing bouquet by Southern Girl Weddings on Etsy.
Then there’s the style and colors to decide on: Mike and I have batted around ideas ranging from peacock feathers to chopsticks and custom fortune cookies. So that is entirely up in the air right now. I think it will be a mix of traditional with a little rock-and-roll edge thrown in.
There are three moments I’m most looking forward to:
- The moment I walk down the aisle and see him seeing me in my gown for the first time.
- Looking into each other’s eyes and exchanging our vows.
- Walking into the reception and being announced as the new Mr. and Mrs. Michael Spagnolo.
Everything else is negotiable and could entirely go haywire and it wouldn’t matter. If I have those three moments, I will be the happiest girl in the whole wide world.
