So, I am new to this whole wedding world. I have seen many friends go through their wonderful days. Having always been a spectator, even when I was in the wedding party or knew some intimate details of the affair, I never quite understood just how tiring, expensive, and time consuming the whole process of getting married can be—and I AM LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF IT.
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- rawr
I have so far accomplished the following on my very modest wedding budget:
- I picked my bridesmaids. Now, I know my wedding is not until September 2009, but half of my wedding party is comprised of veteran bridesmaids with an armada of dresses that would rival Katherine Heigl’s.
- I had the budget talk. I don’t think its premature, like some people have told me. Better know now what there is to work with and make it spectacular without breaking the bank!
- I picked a state: If I were to get married in the Northern Virginia area, I could have waited a few more months (well, no, a few more weeks) to find a place. However, getting married in Northern Virginia means paying those No. VA prices. So we’re getting hitched in Charleston, WV. Now all I have to do is make a trip out there to find a place to actually have the ceremony.
- I settled the, “I don’t want to talk about wedding stuff,” argument with the FI: every month he gets a task. He will get one task a month until we get closer to the date and then his tasks will increase. This way he gets to stay involved and part of the whole process without having to flip through every bridal website/magazine with me. I have my girls for that!
- I found photographers in the area who will do our engagement photos for free: One thing that I have noticed is that wedding photographers know that they are needed and in high demand, which they then use this knowledge to justify the costs of a wedding package. My primary problem was that I need a photographer in Charleston (still working on it) and someone in the DC Metro region to take our engagement photos since we plan on incorporating some D.C. monuments and memorials into the shoot. Ladies (and gentlemen)—do some research! If you have some free time at night or during your lunch hour, or even ask your friends to help, pour through craigslist or other message boards. There are many experienced photographers who are now trying to get into the wedding business so they may offer to take free pictures in exchange for permission to use your image on their website and/or portfolio.
That is what I have done so far. 15 more months of hopefully accomplishing just as much. My July is filled with trying on dresses! I’ll update on how that all goes!
xoxo
