While watching The Real L Word the other day I nearly choked on the cookie I was eating when the lesbian couple who is getting married were talking about their wedding planner. What did me in? The fact that they are spending more on just their wedding planner than we have budgeted for our entire wedding.
Now I get that these people have way way way more money than me, but still that was hard to fathom.
This made me curious about how much people in different parts of the country spend on their weddings and I discovered: costofwedding.com. First I couldn't believe that the US average is about $20,000. That is just seriously insane to me. But I thought, well that takes into account people who spend millions. So I typed in my zip code and learned that most people in my area spend between $12,500 and $20,000. That is still unreal to me. Our budget is quite a bit lower than the bottom number never mind the upper.
Which made me freak out a bit. Is our budget unrealistic? Am I forgetting to put things in our budget? Is it really possible to throw a party and all that jazz for 130 people and not go broke?
I'm thinking its time to bust out one of those wedding calculator worksheet thingies and really get to business. Cause I have a feeling this is going to cost a lot more than we think it is.
So what are your money saving tips for weddings? I'm willing to hear any suggestions. Ways to save on invitations, favors, decorations, whatever.
In other reality tv news I must confess I got one of my ideas regarding decorations from watching The Real Housewives of New York. I'm not sure which is worse, confessing I've watched that show or stealing decorating ideas from women with some seriously questionable tastes.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Save the Date - The Lesbian Bride has a Venue
The booking of our venue sort of traumatized me for a couple weeks when I'd reached my breaking point dealing with the place we wanted. As a result I steered clear of thinking of all things wedding related as much as possible until it was settled.
Catie finally went down to the place and was able to actually meet with the event coordinator. It was only our 4th combined trip there to see talk to her, but whatever.
I didn't go because when I'm upset I get slightly irrational and overly emotional. So she went on her own.
First thing she asked was if they had ever hosted a commitment ceremony before. The answer was no and yes. As of that day they had not. But by the end of this month, they will have. So at least we know we won't be the guinea pigs and they aren't as a rule opposed to it or something.
The unfortunate part was that because it took so long to make this happen, all our top dates were chosen. But in the end that fact proved to save us $3000 off the room minumum.
Why did we save such a vast sum? Because Sunday receptions have a rate $3000 less than Saturdays. And while I was generally opposed to a Sunday ceremony and reception because people have to work the next day, it turned out that Sunday, September 4th, 2011 was available. The Sunday of Labor Day weekend. Which means most people won't have to work the next day and we get to save money. I'm all for that. I know it isn't always a plus for the guests to have a wedding to attend on a holiday weekend. And I know this means that more people probably won't be able to come than if it had been on a non-holiday weekend. But as our wedding budget is very very tight, we could hardly pass up this savings.
Now lets all just hope it isn't ungodly hot. The reception site is air conditioned, but the outdoor ceremony site, clearly, is not. And neither is the inclement weather facility I believe. If it is ungodly hot. I will understand if you all just skip the ceremony and show up for the reception. :D I might do the same.
The contract was finally received in the mail on Saturday. And Catie and I signed it and will send it and the deposit back tomorrow. So 9.4.11 it is, at Hubbard Park and Hubbard Park Lodge. See you there!
Catie finally went down to the place and was able to actually meet with the event coordinator. It was only our 4th combined trip there to see talk to her, but whatever.
I didn't go because when I'm upset I get slightly irrational and overly emotional. So she went on her own.
First thing she asked was if they had ever hosted a commitment ceremony before. The answer was no and yes. As of that day they had not. But by the end of this month, they will have. So at least we know we won't be the guinea pigs and they aren't as a rule opposed to it or something.
The unfortunate part was that because it took so long to make this happen, all our top dates were chosen. But in the end that fact proved to save us $3000 off the room minumum.
Why did we save such a vast sum? Because Sunday receptions have a rate $3000 less than Saturdays. And while I was generally opposed to a Sunday ceremony and reception because people have to work the next day, it turned out that Sunday, September 4th, 2011 was available. The Sunday of Labor Day weekend. Which means most people won't have to work the next day and we get to save money. I'm all for that. I know it isn't always a plus for the guests to have a wedding to attend on a holiday weekend. And I know this means that more people probably won't be able to come than if it had been on a non-holiday weekend. But as our wedding budget is very very tight, we could hardly pass up this savings.
Now lets all just hope it isn't ungodly hot. The reception site is air conditioned, but the outdoor ceremony site, clearly, is not. And neither is the inclement weather facility I believe. If it is ungodly hot. I will understand if you all just skip the ceremony and show up for the reception. :D I might do the same.
The contract was finally received in the mail on Saturday. And Catie and I signed it and will send it and the deposit back tomorrow. So 9.4.11 it is, at Hubbard Park and Hubbard Park Lodge. See you there!
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