all blogged out

Ugh, I've gotten to the point where I'm exhausted by all the wedding blogs, let alone wanting to blog about my own wedding planning. Aside from searching for shoes (gold strappy sandals) the wedding stuff is pretty much done or on hold for now. However, I did get a good idea from someone's wedding today who had a bunch of games at their wedding for people not into dancing. That part has been kind of plaguing me because I don't want people to feel like they have to just leave after the cake if they don't want to dance. So a few games maybe, and some photos to look at might keep people around for a little longer. I need some other ideas though!

Our postcard invites

This gives you a rough idea of how they came out. We're very happy with them! My brother designed them. Total cost was $60 - I ordered 50 invitations but they gave me at least 65! So they came out to under a dollar each. Thanks to Vintage Glam Weddings (and Martha Stewart, I guess) for the the vintage postcard image we used on the back!

Greener Printer

I'm lucky to be in the Bay Area because we have such a wide selection of eco-friendly venders. I found Greener Printer, located in Berkeley, by doing a quick google search. Its a local business that does their printing in-house, and they operate on 100% wind power through investments in renewable energy credits. They are printing our postcard invitations on 100% recycled, 50% post-consumer waste, bleach-free cardstock with soy based ink. You also get this nifty statement:

Environmental Benefits Statement
By using GreenerPrinter and New Leaf Paper for this project, you are conserving the following resources:
.6 Gallons of Water
.1 Pounds of Solid Waste
.2 Pounds of Greenhouse Gasses
.2 Miles in a Car

For 50 postcards, it was about $60. This is twice the amount that overnightprints, Zazzle, Vista Print or other printers would have cost, but I didn't even want to send out paper in the first place, so this makes me feel a lot better about it!

what's up with the budget?

Some people don't get why we - an attorney and an engineer - are having such a "cheap" wedding. While we certainly could afford to spend twice what we're spending or even more if we went into debt, we just don't want to! One of the biggest reasons is that we're hoping to buy a house in the next few months and that will take nearly all of our savings and almost double our monthly expenses if it all goes through.



I think within an hour or so of Dave popping the question we were already starting to plan and I'm nearly certain* we discussed a budget of well under $10,000. That said, the money was certainly not the only or most important consideration because we wanted the venue for our ceremony and reception to reflect us and we also didn't want this thing to rule our lives. As a result our budget has shrunk and expanded a few times (all well under $10,000) based on food, venue and other things. For example, it was really important for us to have everything outside, but without the hassle of having to have everything rented and brought in. Lucky for us we found the perfect place and its very affordable. But darn it, good food is expensive!



Here's how everything (so far) has broken down:

• Use fee for ceremony and reception site: $800
• Cake: $200
• printing invitations: $60
• stamps for invites: $13
• Dress: $210
• Dress alterations: $360 (gulp)
• Veil and fascinator: $30
• Catering and related fees: $4,060
• Paper for tablecloths: $90
• Beeswax candles: $40
• Votive holders: $30
• Cake stands: $10
• Dave's Ring: $120
• Hotel room night of the wedding: $300 (we splurged for the fancy suite)

Total: $6,323

Yet to buy:

• the bar bill (just wine and beer - our estimate is around $800)
• my shoes ($80)
• potted plants (centerpieces) ($100)
• polaroid film ($50)
• hair ($90)
• manicure/pedicure ($40)
• my bouquet ($20)
• Dave's tie ($30)
• Marriage License ($30)
• Flickr account for wedding pics ($23)
• Officient Fee ($30)

Suff we're NOT spending money on!

• music $0 - ipod!
• photographer $0 - friends and family's digital cameras!
• escort cards $0 - not us
• menus $0 - unnecessary
• Save the date cards $0 - sent an email!
• favors $0 - unnecessary
• programs $0 - unneccary
• bathroom baskets $0 - very unnecessary
• bridesmaids $0 - not us
• groomsmen $0 - not us
• transportation $0 - carpooling!
• garter $0 - what for?
• my wedding ring $0 - my engagement ring will do (I think, haven't completely decided on this one yet)
• cake serving set $0 - unnecessary
• unity candles $0 - unnecessary
• ring pillow $0 - unnecessary
• bottled water/matchbooks/napkins/cds/shot glasses/beer koozies with our names on them $0 - unnecessary
• ceremony and reception decorations $0 - our venue is naturally beautiful!
• lighting (other than candles) $0

*there was a lot of champagne that night, ok?

This is the saddest thing!

My heart goes out to the husband and family of Amy Lynn Slenk who died during her wedding reception of a brain aneurysm.

Michigan native dies on her wedding day in Calif.

A native of the Holland, Mich., area collapsed and died at her wedding reception in California, the victim of a brain aneurysm. Amy Lynn Slenk, 26, died on the day she married longtime boyfriend Cole Handley in a vineyard in Soledad, Calif., about 115 miles southeast of San Francisco.
The bride was enjoying "the happiest day of her life" on May 25 when she collapsed at the reception, said her mother, Diane Slenk of Ottawa County's Holland Township.

Full story

What a find: Cake Stands

Since meeting with our cake person back in March I've had my eye out for a pretty cake stand, since we decided on a fairly small cake. I found these for just $5 and $8!

Our cake is going to be two layers, vanilla with lemon cream and chocolate with raspberry mousse. It will be frosted with white buttercream (no fondant!) with swiss dots and a green ribbon. I haven't decided about what will go on top yet. Definitely NOT a huge monogram or any 'bride and groom' cake topper. Ugh, I hate those. I like the idea of two tiny pears, but Dave didn't like that idea. I'm not into all those cartooney or toy-like toppers, so we'll probably just do flowers or something.

$60 wedding dress

A cute simple halter dress for a casual summer wedding - Nine West. $59.99 at SmartBargains!

For a few bucks more:

Canvas light grey long halter dress with slight sheen and pleating from BCBG, $110.00.