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gsabc · #1 Post by **gsabc** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 2:35 pm

The next two days are, naturally enough, long entries, as they include the travel, the rehearsal, the rehearsal dinner, and the wedding and reception. Each day will be split into sections. The number will be determined by how much my memory has retained, as well as my notes.

This blog thing has been kinda fun. Maybe I should help to organize another wedding.

Nah.

kayrharris · #2 Post by **kayrharris** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 2:52 pm

Since I'm planning one.....

did you have a budget? If so, did you stay within it?

Just wondering....

I think I may come in under what I'm estimating, but I could be wrong about that.

Two big ticket items I don't have prices on yet - flowers and food - although I have a price range (low-high) on the food. Depends on what we choose for the menu.

The cake came in under what I had in the budget.

tanstaafl2 · #3 Post by **tanstaafl2** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:18 pm

Umm, Kay...

Tell

Them

To

ELOPE!

Now!

While there is still time...

Here's Fanny! · #4 Post by **Here's Fanny!** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:46 pm

I have this cute picture in my head of gs with one of those little "Columbo" notebooks and a pencil stub furtively taking notes during the ceremony.

"What? It's for my wedding blog! I've got readers with a need to know, dammit!"

gsabc · #5 Post by **gsabc** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 6:42 pm

kayrharris wrote:Since I'm planning one.....

did you have a budget? If so, did you stay within it?

Just wondering....

I think I may come in under what I'm estimating, but I could be wrong about that.

Two big ticket items I don't have prices on yet - flowers and food - although I have a price range (low-high) on the food. Depends on what we choose for the menu.

The cake came in under what I had in the budget.

We first gave BD a dollar amount of what we would spend, and told her that anything above that was her responsibility. Things got flexible, and so she paid for the photographer (the 2nd highest vendor cost behind the reception itself) and we got the rest. Doing a rough estimate in my head, the dollar amount we spent was about the same as our initial statement. Grand total was below the so-called "average", if I'm remembering that average amount correctly.

ulysses5019 · #6 Post by **ulysses5019** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 6:50 pm

gsabc wrote:
kayrharris wrote:Since I'm planning one.....

did you have a budget? If so, did you stay within it?

Just wondering....

I think I may come in under what I'm estimating, but I could be wrong about that.

Two big ticket items I don't have prices on yet - flowers and food - although I have a price range (low-high) on the food. Depends on what we choose for the menu.

The cake came in under what I had in the budget.
We first gave BD a dollar amount of what we would spend, and told her that anything above that was her responsibility. Things got flexible, and so she paid for the photographer (the 2nd highest vendor cost behind the reception itself) and we got the rest. Doing a rough estimate in my head, the dollar amount we spent was about the same as our initial statement. Grand total was below the so-called "average", if I'm remembering that average amount correctly.

Those darn overpriced photographers. I bet he drank all the booze too. And hit on all the bridesmaids.

dimmzy · #7 Post by **dimmzy** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 7:42 pm

gsabc: that was a very smart plan financially speaking.

I'm now a wedding coordinator (in addition to decluttering, dog walking, eBay classes, and marketing communications). With my couples, I've found that how they handle money issues really show how well the couple is prepared for marriage. Couples that pout over other people's "contributions" to their weddings or hide expenses from each other (happens more than you think) are doomed, I think. My current couple had a debate over a dove release ceremony ($350). The bridegroom didn't think it was a worthwhile expense, but they talked about it and the bride made cuts elsewhere and they're happy. I think they'll be celebrating a golden anniversary ...

kayrharris · #8 Post by **kayrharris** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 9:05 pm

Natalie is 28 years old, a successful business woman, owns her own home and is financially independent. We gave a her a figure and pretty much told her the same thing. Anything over and above that is her responsibility. I know her well enough to say I don't think she'll be exceeding that figure. We've already saved a bundle on the dress. I'd sayat least 1/3 of what I thought we would spend.

She is very organized, very frugal and spends her money and my money wisely. I opened a separate account just for the wedding expenses so I wouldn't get it mixed up with household stuff and I will know exactly how much I've already spent and what I have left.

I just wondered how GS came out budget wise once the dust settled - so to speak.

gsabc · #9 Post by **gsabc** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 6:29 am

kayrharris wrote:Natalie is 28 years old, a successful business woman, owns her own home and is financially independent. We gave a her a figure and pretty much told her the same thing. Anything over and above that is her responsibility. I know her well enough to say I don't think she'll be exceeding that figure. We've already saved a bundle on the dress. I'd sayat least 1/3 of what I thought we would spend.

She is very organized, very frugal and spends her money and my money wisely. I opened a separate account just for the wedding expenses so I wouldn't get it mixed up with household stuff and I will know exactly how much I've already spent and what I have left.

I just wondered how GS came out budget wise once the dust settled - so to speak.

I didn't intend to go back and get an actual figure, but now you've made me curious. It's possible that GW did some rough number crunching and decided that the photographer was the best one for BD to pay for on her own, rather than do the accounting and tell her "you owe us this much."

Our original intent was for GW to make the gown. We thought she'd have a longer time to do so. The decision in January to have the wedding in August instead of late next year (after FSIL's return from a presumed deployment) prevented that. However, the price was more reasonable than expected and it was amazing.

As far as the other vendors go, we definitely feel we got our money's worth and then some. All their quotes were in the same ballpark as the others we looked at, but we believe we got more from these folks than we would have from those others. I still can't believe how active and cheerful the photographers were throughout. They seemed to be everywhere! And when the florist found out that it was raining at the venue (it wasn't where she was), she came dashing back over to work with the chuppah which had been set up outside. We'd already dealt with that, but the fact that she'd drop what she was doing and drive over was above and beyond, IMO.

dimmzy · #10 Post by **dimmzy** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 6:57 am

What usually gets you are those last-minute decisions and expenses
.

For example,

1) a bounce tent for the kids (it's a park reception). They were going to rent one, but luckily a family member had one.

2) Gift bags for guests. Suddenly they had to go out and buy stuff for them.

3) Additional flowers for the reception tables.

4) A portable microphone system.

These are just a few of those "oh no! We should really have X, Y and Z!"

I've tried to talk them out of it, by saying, "Look, you have NO IDEA HOW MUCH I'M COSTING! You better be saving your money for MY BILL!"

Just kidding on that one

fuzzywuzzy · #11 Post by **fuzzywuzzy** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 7:11 am

gsabc wrote:The next two days are, naturally enough, long entries, as they include the travel, the rehearsal, the rehearsal dinner, and the wedding and reception. Each day will be split into sections. The number will be determined by how much my memory has retained, as well as my notes.

This blog thing has been kinda fun. Maybe I should help to organize another wedding.
Nah.

Gordon,

Here's to a wonderful lifetime event for your entire family! Have a blast, and don't sweat the small stuff! Remember to keep a hanky at the ready!

Mazel Tov!

Kelly aka fuzzy

Here's Fanny! · #12 Post by **Here's Fanny!** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 8:17 am

I thought of this before, but you talking about how the gown was amazing, reminds me of it.

If you have a problem putting up a pictures link on a semi-public board (or GW has a problem with you doing it), I'm hoping that you'll create a private album and pm the password to your loyal reading audience.

We're invested in this, dude!

#13 Post by **littlebeast13** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 8:22 am

Wedding blog? Is someone getting married?

lb13

gsabc · #14 Post by **gsabc** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 8:22 am

Here's Fanny! wrote:I thought of this before, but you talking about how the gown was amazing, reminds me of it.

If you have a problem putting up a pictures link on a semi-public board (or GW has a problem with you doing it), I'm hoping that you'll create a private album and pm the password to your loyal reading audience.

We're invested in this, dude!

Exactly my intentions. The photographer's preview site should have ALL the photos up in the next few days. I'll put the notice up about it in a separate thread when they're posted.

hermillion · #15 Post by **hermillion** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:36 pm

Please put me on the PM list for the password. I've enjoyed watching this whole process. As the mother of a 24 year-old daughter with a soon-to-be-official fiance, I'm taking copious notes!

MarleysGh0st · #16 Post by **MarleysGh0st** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:42 pm

littlebeast13 wrote:Wedding blog? Is someone getting married?

Yes! Kay's daughter, Natalie!

WWTBAM Bored

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