Please share your wedding stories (ideas, the best, to buy, boyfriend)

[mariatherese]

Originally Posted by Callie_D

I think you should wear whatever type of wedding dress you like-I like the idea of bright colors for a wedding! My sister had a good idea for her wedding, they had it at their favorite bar/restaurant and instead of a full course meal, they served many different types of appetizers and finger food. Champagne all around, it was great-a really cool cocktail party, and everyone had a blast. Good luck and remember to go with your gut instincts-it's your day, after all!!

cool suggestion! i'll keep that in mind.

thanks everyone for the input!

[Baltic_Celt]

ILNC -

Did you mean $800 rather than $8K? Never been married, so don't know what's "normal" pricewise, but $8K sounds like that was some kind of wedding! I'd need to be spoonfed caviar by Al Pacino for that price.

Maria -

I know you didn't ask this but I'll tell you about my "dream" wedding, if it ever happens. Next few years would be nice, mainly to avoid overhearing anyone from the wedding party commenting, "Gosh, is that OLD woman the bride?!"

I'd love to get married outdoors, preferably in a field, in a vintage dress/wildflower bouquet & the groom wearing a kilt. Guests? Very few (meaning just best friends & close family, if any) & wearing past-period clothing. Food/theme/wedding bands? Traditional Celtic. I'm hoping the cost is far less than $3K, which seems to sound "normal". Ouch! In the past, I always thought "how much can cake cost?" Now, I know.

Also, I've never been to a wedding. Perhaps odd, I guess, but it's true.

Nice stories everyone. Glad to hear such long-marriage stories, too!

Have fun... Baltic_Celt

[lookingfortheperfectplace]

Baltic, yours sound great!
I have some tips and even a book on how to do it cheaper. Mine wasn't cheap, $13,000. but it could've been alot more if we didn't cut some corners. I will find the book tomorrow and add some tips, tired and going to sleep. I will say that your wedding should be exactly how you want it. It doesn't matter if your taste is non traditional or someone doesn't approve. Wear what you want, do what you want, listen to what you want. Don't let anyone tell you differently its not their wedding it's yours. and sadly but they usually don't care, the husbands to be are just along for the ride. Mine helped with everything but he still didn't really care about the details that us girls do care about.

[Baltic_Celt]

Thank you Looking. Maria might be able to take advantage of the book. I actually don't have the man yet, so it would be jumping the gun a bit for me! But, I would like to know what it's called for future (hopefully sooner rather than later) reference!

I'm sure your's was beautiful. For $13K, it better have been! I have no concept of prices, as I never needed to know, so this is all new to me. I see those ads in the paper for $99 wedding dresses (the Filene's Basement sale in Boston each year) or $300 David's Bridal sales, so I guess I thought the whole thing wasn't much more than $1,500, at most! Figured for $13K, you could get David Bowie to sing or Julia Roberts to act as your best friend, or something...

Thanks for the info... Baltic_Celt

[I LOVE NORTH CAROLINA]

Originally Posted by Baltic_Celt

ILNC -

Did you mean $800 rather than $8K? Never been married, so don't know what's "normal" pricewise, but $8K sounds like that was some kind of wedding! I'd need to be spoonfed caviar by Al Pacino for that price.

Maria -

I know you didn't ask this but I'll tell you about my "dream" wedding, if it ever happens. Next few years would be nice, mainly to avoid overhearing anyone from the wedding party commenting, "Gosh, is that OLD woman the bride?!"

I'd love to get married outdoors, preferably in a field, in a vintage dress/wildflower bouquet & the groom wearing a kilt. Guests? Very few (meaning just best friends & close family, if any) & wearing past-period clothing. Food/theme/wedding bands? Traditional Celtic. I'm hoping the cost is far less than $3K, which seems to sound "normal". Ouch! In the past, I always thought "how much can cake cost?" Now, I know.

Also, I've never been to a wedding. Perhaps odd, I guess, but it's true.

Nice stories everyone. Glad to hear such long-marriage stories, too!

Have fun... Baltic_Celt

It was $8000.00 and we thought that was cheap since it was the price for EVERYTHING. The wedding, rings, flowers

[mariatherese]

i heard the average spending for a wedding is now is like $20,000. cant remember where i read that, but i can see how it adds up quickly. if i wanted to rent the hall i really like, it would be $1500- $2000 alone. and there is no way i can do that.

i love your idea, baltic celt!!!! what a cool wedding!

that book would be very helpful. i appreciate it!

[lookingfortheperfectplace]

The book is called Bridal Bargins by Denise and Alan Fields. Book says "as seen on Oprah".
The average cost for weddings here when I was married 9 years ago was $15,000.
Dress-$1000. but got it for $750 using the books tip of contacting the manufacturer direct and ordering it thru the mail after finding the perfect dress at the dress shop.
The less bridemaids you have the less the dresses. I had just one. Bridemaids are supposed to pay for their own dress but I think that is crap. You are inviting them and telling them what to wear, you should pay for it. Unless you let them wear what they want but in most all cases that ain't gonnna fly.
Flowers- I think were $800 don't remember how we saved money on them, my mom handled that one. For my center piece I made them my self. I got small vases from thrift stores and antique stores and filled them with Daises and roses with a ribbon tied around them. Everyone loved them and they weren't those huge gaudy things that you can't see over that I see at most receptions.
Photographer-$1100.
If you find a place that does all the catering on the same grounds as the ceremony that usually saves you money. For my sisters wedding my mom found a friend that could cook for large parties and hired him.
Cake, don't remember the cost, don't think we had any discount on that one.
I have been to a wedding that cost $100,000. (which is ridiculous) and I think mine was way better. Well except for the horse drawn carriage taking them away. But I did have my own white horse there at mine for pictures.
Hope this helps you. of and we made our own favors. Clear swans with a filled tule with jellybelly beans in them tied with the ribbons to match. And mickey & minnie heart shaped lollipops covered with tule and ribbon.

[lookingfortheperfectplace]

Charlie and I. She was her whitest ever.

[mariatherese]

such a beautiful picture!



I'll have to check out that book. Thanks for the price breakdown, I know some people aren't comfortable sharing that information... it has been very helpful to me.

You look beautiful in your picture!

[lookingfortheperfectplace]

Thank you.
Was just looking thru book and found this:
The average cost of a U.S. Wedding- ( In 1997, estimated on 200 guests)
Appreal -$1175.
Flowers-$800
Cake-$500.
Reception/catering-$8400.
Photography-$1500.
Videography-$850. (We just had a friend videotape it for us, it's great except that we could not hear our vows and the ceremony, we can't remember what we said)
Invitations-$200
Music-$1000.
Miscellaneous-$1000.
total $15,425
This book also says that it will guaranty that you will save $500 on your wedding or they will refund your price for the book.
Plan at least a year ahead for booking the place you will be married at. That was our hardest part. Getting that perfect date or any date can be hard if you pick a very popular place. (Well, for outdoor weddings anyways)