Moving Right Along!

WOW!!! What a couple of productive weeks I have had! I AM OFFICIALLY IN WEDDING MODE!! After attending Ashley's wedding, I was able to make some new contacts. I absolutely LOVED her wedding fans and so we will be using Jessica Bubb with Citrine Designs out of New York for our program fans also. To charge $1.19/per fan already assembled and designed is much cheaper than me buying them for $1.00/each and having to assemble and glue them myself. Plus, her cousin did an awesome job with her cake, so I believe we will be using Sarah with Hey Baby Cakes Bakery. Her pricing of $2.50/per slice is the same as the other bakers we've looked at so I like that I was able to see it with my own eyes and tasted it already. Since it's very similar to ours (which is a simple cake), I already know she will do great, no doubts. 

A few weeks ago I narrowed down some floral designs and ideas, but realized I am very crafty and I could probably do some of them myself. Needless to say after pricing yesterday, we are in need of clarification so we are going to be meeting with Jenni  at the end of this month to finalize everything in the most cost efficient way possible. When pricing and totaling the cost for DIY centerpieces...the cost is nearly $600! I am thinking the florist may be able to do the same thing and I not have to have any labor for the same cost. But we shall see what happens soon. 

Moving right along, I will have ALL seven of my beautiful bridesmaids together on August 10th to look for bridesmaids dresses!! I am so thrilled that everyone is available the weekend that my sister will be in from Nebraska. The other day I decided I would ask my mom to come with me to check out wedding dresses!! My only intentions were to LOOK...NOT BUY!!! We went to the place where Mindy got hers, it was out of business. Then I went to where a place used to be on Richmond Rd. It was gone. So off to David's Bridal we went!! I tried on the 1st one and fell in love. But to be sure I tried on 4-5 more. I liked the 2nd one alot too but knew the 1st one was IT. The lady helping us, Christelle, was so nice and made me feel at ease. The only problem was that this dress was sold out for Fall 2013 and it wasn't going to be made anymore....WAHHH! My mom was in love with it also. So...I bought it!!! ha! Then I text Quinn to say that I said yes to the dress. He replied with: How much? (haha) I replied with the cost, which he was okay because I spent less than he expected. It fits perfectly everywhere except the top area. That is the only area I will need to have altered. I honestly felt like a Princess every time I put the dress back on to be sure. I love everything about it. The feeling is so surreal. When Christelle put the veil on my head, I could only stare at myself as if this were an out of body experience. This is really happening. This is real. I am marrying the man that makes me feel like no one ever has before. I could never put into words how good it feels to know in my heart he was made for me. 

That was all on Saturday! But on Friday, not only did I get off work 2 hours early...but I found our invitations!!! All 250 of them for $125!!! I have been browsing the internet for weeks trying to find the best cost scenario or even the cheapest way is to DIY.  I came across Hobby Lobby's website and decided to go to their store on my lunch break. It must've been meant to be because their wedding section was 50% off and I loved the invitation pack! Woohoo!! After visiting that invitations lady, the thought of spending $600-700 on invitation sets, made my head spin! Granted, there are sites like Zazzle and VistaPrint that my friends have used to reduce the costs greatly to nearly $300-400ish, but I was determined to save even more. 

After much research and many quotes for photo booths, we picked one! What I have discovered is this: if the vendor doesn't have their pricing listed, it's for a reason. More than likely it is because it is more than others that do have their pricing posted. They don't want to scare you from them, so you are made to inquire. BUT I am ballin on a budget, so to ease my mind....I asked for several quotes and printed several just so I would know. Most have several packages to choose from but here a few prices with nearly the same package options, ranging in 3-4 hour time frames:

4 hours
Big Cheese Booth -    $800 + no fee to Lexington & NO printed pics (Louisville, KY)

Say Cheese Photo Booth - $750 + $25 travel fee to Lexington (Florence, KY)

Bluegrass Photo Booth -  $695 + no fee to Lexington (Nicholasville, KY)

Showtime Photo Booth -  $650 Louisville only (Louisville, KY)

Clear Choice Photo Booth- $749 with props & scrapbook (Lexington, KY)

3 hours

Bluegrass Photo Booth -  $595 + no fee to Lexington (includes props & scrapbook!!) (Nicholasville, KY)
Showtime Photo Booth -  $600 Louisville only (including props) (Louisville, KY)

Clear Choice Photo Booth- $649  (NO props & scrapbook) (Lexington, KY)

So we have chosen to go with Bluegrass Photo Booth because we literally get much more for our money and we are supporting local business! They give the extras without overcharging and they work out of their home, so no need for as much overhead cost. As most people know and I have mentioned, I love love love pictures!! Britney's wedding last year had a photo booth and we loved it. It gives your guests a memory to have/take, something to fill in time, and most of all...it's fun and creative!! (update: I met with Ed today 7/9/2013 and he was super nice and easy going, I can't wait to work with him, I highly recommend him!!)

It seems as if much of the major "to-do's" are gone and out of the way. All of our deposits are made thus far. And now we just have to work our butts off to get the balances paid before June 14, 2014! 

Another update: I contacted a college acquaintance and he has agreed to DJ our wedding for $100/hour!! He has all of his own equipment: speakers, cordless mic, lights, turntables) and I know he is legit and dependable. Thankful for his quick response time @DjJohnQ. 

My goal in blogging is to hopefully help someone else in need of advice or questions or concerns. I am doing my planning mostly alone and it is not always easy. Research can take alot of time. I am not the 1st bride nor will I be the last and reading previous brides' blogs has helped me tremendously when it comes to making decisions. 

Until next time,
Misty

P.S. We are anxiously awaiting our engagement pictures to come back any day now!!  Save-The-Dates will go out to family and friends in October/November. Those that live further away will get theirs sooner as they need more time to make arrangements.