How to Plan a Wedding in Two Weeks: The Venue

Miss Boa got engaged in December, and set her sights on a summer 2012 wedding. She knew this did not leave her with much time, but with finals and projects coming due, wedding planning was simply not in the cards yet.

But, once the last page of classwork was complete, she set her sights on getting this wedding show on the road! (And onto vendors' calendars!)

The first things she went to tackle:

1) The venue
2) The dress
3) The photographer

The Venue:

Miss Boa and her finance's search for a Buffalo, NY venue evolved as they conducted their search, at first they were going for a sophisticated reception locale and an outdoor ceremony.

They visited the Delaware Mansion first.

They didn't like it.

While the building was charming, the interior was not their style. They didn't like that the dance floor was separate from the banquet room, and the couple could only have a sweetheart table, so this diminished the fun atmosphere they were looking for.

Tie in the high price tag and no tasting of the food beforehand...this venue was out!

Next was the Niagara Country Club:

Miss Boa loved the outdoor location for the ceremony, the look of the reception rooms, and the stunning view of the grounds! The price was reasonable and the food was good, BUT...

...they needed a sponsor from the Country Club in order to have their wedding there.

Apparently, not knowing too many golfers, :p their search continued...

Next stop on their venue travels--Pearl Street Grill and Brewery:

This one stood out from the other choices due to its more modern atmosphere. Plus the building had tons of character, outdoor patio space, and really tasty food!

But by this point Miss Boa snagged herself a wedding planner for a steal! (Cost of invitations through the planner plus $50/hour for day-of coordination! o.0) And with some discussion she and her finance decided that one location for their ceremony and reception was best for them and their guests.

And Pearl Street simply did not have a large enough ceremony space.

Her planner suggested Templeton Landing for their next consideration:

The venue was on the waterfront of downtown Buffalo, and had fabulous views of the water and pier!

A large dance floor was the center of the room, bringing in a cozy and mingling type of environment. The decor was tasteful with gorgeous chandeliers and stone facade on the walls.

The ceremony would be done by the water on the neighboring grounds:

Not to mention it had a really cute outdoor patio:

Then include reasonable pricing and great food, and it was clear. Miss Boa declared that this was it! She would get married at Templeton Landing!

(Can you believe she viewed all these venues in a 1 week timespan?!?)

Now she would cross her fingers, pray for good weather, and move quickly on to the next step: the dress!

Where, Oh Where, Should the Reception Be? Part 4

Thank goodness for the internet. More and more establishments are going digital on the World Wide Web, and Thousand Island wedding venues are no exception! So here's a Thousand Islands venue update:

Another venue has come into the running, Riley's by the River!

Despite not having many photos of the establishment online, it is a new restaurant, which means decor-wise it is leaps and bounds ahead of all other Thousand Island venues that I have found online.

I finally had the guts to start emailing some of these more mysterious venues, and quickly after I inquired about having a large event at the restaurant, I got a very helpful response!

The whole restaurant can hold up to 130 people, and has a lounge area as well. (Need to check out this lounge area one day, sounds promising!)

You cannot reserve the whole place in the busy season, Memorial Day through Labor Day, but I would plan on having the wedding in early to mid May to hopefully have nice weather without dying of heat stroke, so that shouldn't be a problem. XD

This place is part of the Captain Thomas's Resort, and they have another floating restaurant called Capt's Landing. However, getting photos of the interior of this place is even harder than Riley's, and from the outside I feel it may be a little to "rustic" for my tastes.

Their email response even had a buffet menu and beverage price sheet attached! Even though I'm set on a served dinner, I'm sure something can be worked out.

Based off of the information I received, here is a review of Riley's as a venue possibility:

Riley's By The River -


Cost for a buffet dinner with rolls, salad, 3 entrees, 2 side dishes, dessert, and coffee = $21.95 per person
Total for 100 guests = $2195
7.75% sales tax = $170
18% gratuity = $395
Food subtotal = $2,760

3 hours full open bar = $23.50 per person
Total for 100 guests = $2350
7.75% sales tax = $182
18% gratuity = $423
Bar subtotal = $2,955

Grand total for 100 guests = $5,715

Since this is a buffet menu, the choices are very basic, good standbys but nothing too fancy. I'm sure once we tweak the menu a bit the price per person will increase, but at least it's a decent starting point.

Pros:
-most updated restaurant in the Thousand Islands!
-therefore the decor is much more pleasing
-therefore it has character!
-it comes with tables, chairs, linens, etc.
-waterfront views of the pier and harbor!
-has a lounge area
-can rent the entire restaurant in the slow season
-for the moment it's cheaper than the other choices
-I can transport all guests to and from the castle for $850

Cons:
-little information or photos online
-no views of the castle
-only a three hour limit on the open bar
-even though it is part of a resort, the rooms are pretty lacking

Realistically? This is probably one of my top choices now! :D

And it's always good to have more choices!

How to Get A Phantom Wedding Like David Tutera's My Fair Wedding: Venue

Intrigued? Well good! Because I would like to happily debunk the myth that you have to spend ton of money to have a beautiful wedding, so here it goes.

How to Get David Tutera's My Fair Wedding - Phantom of the Opera Wedding:

Step 1: Find the right venue

Okay, you're lucky with this one, because pretty much any ballroom/hotel reception area will do for Phantom. Since you're going for classic, you don't have to worry about the unique aspect of the venue, more rather the opulence of the place. Chandeliers are a really big plus, and gold and red decor/color scheme is very helpful as well.

If you can afford a lavish looking venue, good for you! The venue is a vital choice for a wedding, however remember some may not let you use a different caterer, so be sure to check those menu prices first!

Since there are hundreds thousands of venues out there, I will just pick out a few affordable suggestions for my hometown Buffalo, NY area:

Samuel's Grand Manor -

First choice, hands down, no doubt, sign me up if I wanted a Phantom wedding, is Samuel's Grand Manor. Perfect ambiance. Just look at the place!

Cost for Wedding Package #1 = $48.95 per person

Package includes the following:
-Sit-down dinner with soup, salad, entree, dessert and coffee
-champagne toast for all guests
-wine served with dinner
-choice of 9 hors d'oeurves served for one hour
-4 1/2 hours of upgraded open bar

There is a lot of nice perks included with this package, plus all the menu choices have a great variety.

Total for 100 guests = $4895
8.75% sales tax = $428
17% gratuity = $832

Grand total for 100 guests = $6155

Note that their prices can be reduced with Friday/Sunday bookings or with off-season winter weddings! Definitely something to check out if you're in the area! :D


The Millennium Hotel -

This next choice that is just as beautiful, and cheaper to boot!

Cost for Wedding Package #2 = $39.95 per person

Package includes the following:
-Sit-down dinner with salad, rolls, entree and coffee
-a Butterwood wedding cake!!! (OMG I kinda really want that XD)
-assorted bruschetta display, fresh fruit/veggie/cheese board, and crudites for appetizers
-4 hours of open house bar
-champagne toast for all guests
-complementary accommodations for the newlyweds
-complementary shuttle service from the airport and Amtrak station
-special room rates for overnight guests
-complementary parking
-15% off a rehearsal dinner or brunch

Great looking ballroom, with tons of extras! The menu choices are a little limited, but it is wonderful to not have to worry about rooms for your guests or transportation for your out-of-towners. Booyah!

Total for 100 guests = $3995
8.75% sales tax = $350
18% gratuity = $719

Grand total for 100 guests = $5064


The Hamlin House -

Now for the more budget-inclined, there are some very lovely choices out there for you too! My pick for you is the Hamlin House.

Cost for dinner with a soup or salad, rolls, entree, dessert and coffee = $14.95 per person

The menu choices are not anything fancy, but they do say on their website that other possibilities are available as well. A banquet dinner includes plating of any cookies, pastries or cake that are brought on location, plus bud vases, candles, and some linen color choices for the tables.

Cost for 4 hours house open bar = $13.75 per person

Note that extras like appetizers and whatnot are also available for extra.

Even with the costs being so reasonable, the space is actually very sophisticated!

The next lowest contender I found started at $36.50, and it didn't look as polished as this one. (You know the type of place...with the faux flowers everywhere...awkward room design and video from the 80s...yeah) You're really better off splurging a little more on The Millennium Hotel if you want something more upscale.

Total for 100 guests = $2870
8.75% sales tax = $251
18% gratuity = $517

Grand total for 100 guests = $3638

And that's how you get a lovely Phantom of the Opera venue without the (extremely) large price tag!

On to Step 2: Lighting!

Must...Break...Away...From...Wedding..Blogs!

Don't be a silly time-waster like I.

Silly Sarah, trying to remember all the pretty wedding blogs she has seen, entering in their names one by one, scanning through til she thought she was back up to date...

If only I noticed Google Reader existed sooner!

I love Google's online tools, they are a complete life saver, given the fact that all these tools can be accessed online, so there's no need to worry about which computer you're on!

Now Google Reader has all my blog subscriptions in one spot on the interwebs...yea! :D


Can you believe I have gotten this far just wandering aimlessly across the blogosphere?!

I can't either.

But now...I feel like a SUPER INSPIRATION RETRIEVER!

And probably doomed to spend most of my waking life on my laptop. XD

So while I may be a little late to the party, you go and get all your blogs on Google Reader now!

So...What's On Your Board?

Since I went completely on the other side of the spectrum wedding theme-wise, I feel like explaining the elements in my newest inspiration board.

I'll let you in on the lovely details!

*This post is best enjoyed with a mug of warm hot chocolate* :)

The stunning white winter coat:

(from DressesTutor.com)
Elegant, classy and comfy...what more could you ask from a winter coat?!

The baby's breath wreath:

(from TheKnot.com)
Pretty and elegant, yet soft and cheap to make. Sounds good to me!

The hanging crystals and candles:

(from ??? I was kicking myself for not finding the reference to this pic! DX If anyone knows, I would love to know the site, but when you look at 30+ wedding sites, finding that one little pic is a bit difficult XP)
Because hanging candles would give such a soft glow to the room :)

The lavender snowflake candy:

(from Sweet Designs)
Fancy, purple winter candy = perfect!

The bride with the fuzzy blanket:

(from Kdog Photographers)
This just looked so cozy, it greatly expresses the feeling I want everyone to have!

The doily chandelier:

(from MarthaStewart.com)
This would be a great way to get a lot of white/snow/texture into the reception room! Since they are just made of paper doilies, a few of these could be constructed and hung from the high beams, drawing the eye up and creating a stunning display!

The gorgeous lily garland:

(from MarthaStewart.com)
Yes, this looks expensive to make but OMG doesn't it look great! <3 Yes, if I can get the lilies for a decent price I actually do want to make these...

The sugared fruit cake:

(from Beaux Gateaux Cakes)
because I love sugared fruit!!! And this cake would not be that hard to recreate. White cake + sugared fruit = this cake! :D

The magical sleigh ride:

(from Ritzy Bee Blog)
Romantic and different = <3 Can I afford this? Probably not, but a girl can dream! Besides, how else can we leave if the roads are horribly snowy? XD

The snowy bouquet:

(from Snippet and Ink)
Again, elegance with snowy/cozy touches, so pretty! Although recreating something like this could be challenging...

The pretty, creamy cocktail:

(from Paper Olive the Blog)
Because you got to have a fantastic signature cocktail! And the lavender garnish is perfect!

The adorable snowflake marshmallows:

(from MarthaStewart.com)
Another great idea from Martha. As long as I can cut the marshmallow without it sticking to the cookie cutter, I'll be golden!

The uber-adorable sweater Save-The-Dates:

(from WeddingByColor.com by littlelady7688)
They're different, they're adorable, they're FANTASTIC! WANT! (DIY how-to post to come! :D)

The lovely snowscape kiss:

(from The View Point Inn)
Must. Have. Photos. Like. This.

And that my friends is a breakdown of many bits of loveliness I see in a potential cozy yet elegant winter wedding!

Another Shot At An Inspiration Board

This wedding stuff is clearly becoming an addiction for me.

Even though there are many, many other things I should be doing right now, I still find myself looking for wedding inspiration--this time for winter weddings, drooling over pictures, reading more blog posts, and making more inspiration boards.

XP

Well, at least you guys get something in the meantime, lol!

But first, an explanation of why the board doesn't completely match my last post:

At first I was thinking an icy, winter wonderland full of blues, silvers and crystal, but as I looked at my favorite unique venue I found it was calling for another kind of winter theme.

In the lodge-like ambiance I saw soft whites, the warm glow of candles, cozy textures and even, dare I say it, more of a rustic theme-- wood, berries, branches, pinecones and birds. I saw people warming themselves by the fire, being comforted by warm fuzzy blankets, drinking hot beverages and enjoying the welcoming atmosphere.

And I like all that, I really do.

But I just want it to look stunning and impressive, not just a cozy gathering. Why? Because I can! It's probably the first and only time I'll be able to make such an impression on my family and friends, and truly express a lot of my creativity that rarely gets tapped these days.

So I'm thinking to start with this warm, soft, and cozy base, and try to incorporate bits of glam and elegance without looking out of place...

...like silver snowflakes in the fluffy white chandeliers, soft ribbons around the glass candle votives, clear snowflakes and candles hanging from the beams, etc. Perhaps even a large block of ice holding cold drinks, but bordered with soft fluffy faux snow.

So I call this "Cozy Winter Elegance":


Click to Enlarge
So yeah...very, very different XD

What do you think?!

It's A Good Thing I'm On A Break...

...because I think I have gone crazy. A few times. And been crazy busy. But in a nutshell, my wedding thoughts have done a complete 360.

Maybe it's because of the change in the weather.
Maybe it's because I've done wayy too much research for one kind of wedding.
Maybe it's because my mom's insistence of contemplating a Western NY wedding has gotten into my head.

Whatever it was, now I'm thinking...

Western NY winter wedding.

In January.

At the Timberlodge Banquet Center. (My mom wanted me to look up Western NY venues...so I had my favorite already picked out.)


Some explanation of the madness:

If the whole Boldt Castle thing doesn't work out and I "have" to do a local wedding, I would want to do it Buffalo-style, all out wintery, snowy goodness! The bf and I love winter so it would work out great for us!

So that means white/silver/crystal/light blue color scheme. (with some pale purple of course!)

That means hot cocoa, mulled cider, and comfort food.

That means candles, fireplaces, and cuddling under warm blankets.

THAT MEANS SNOWFLAKES!!! (I love snowflakes! XD)

"Wait a second," I thought, "I kinda like this"

:)

So, when I have more time, I might be posting winter wedding insanity for the holidays XD

Til then,

Sarah out!

Renting Vs Buying, The More Sane Approach

I began to think about the last two posts and I realized it doesn't have to be all or nothing. I'm sure many brides and events have done a mix of both rentals and purchases to get a nice happy, more work-free medium.

Okay, last post on this, I promise:

Chairs:

Padded chairs = $2.50 each
Cost for 115 = $287.50

Chair Total: $287.50

Linen:

-Tablecloths for round tables = $12 each
-Found at linentablecloth.com
*Cost for 12 = $144
-Tablecloths for buffet tables = $15 each
-Found at cvlinens.com
*Cost for 6 = $90
-Napkins = $0.53 each
-Found at efavormart.com
*Cost for 115 = $60.95

Linen Total: $294.95

Dinnerware:

-10" plates = $0.60 each
*Cost for 115 = $69
-7" salad plates = $0.60 each
*Cost for 115 = $69
-Bread plates = $0.60 each
*Cost for 115 = $69
-Cup and saucer = $1.05 each
*Cost for 115 = $120.75
-Sugar bowl = $1.15 each
*Cost for 24 = $27.60
-Creamer pitcher = $1.15 each
*Cost for 24 = $27.60
-Salt and pepper set = $1 each
-Found at Dollar Tree
*Cost for 24 = $24
-Sauce boat w/stand = $2.15 each
*Cost for 24 = $51.60
-Chargers = $0.38 each
-Hexagon 11" plastic plates found on Ebay
*Cost for 120 = $45

Dinnerware Total: $503.55

Glassware:

-Champagne glasses = $0.39 each
-Plastic glasses found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $46.37
-Goblet = $0.55 each
*Cost for 115 = $63.25
-Juice (or water) glasses = $0.55 each
*Cost for 115 = $63.25

Glassware Total: $172.87

Silverware:

-Salad fork = $0.16 each
-Found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $19.40
-Fork = $0.13 each
-Found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $15.60
-Spoon = $0.12 each
-Found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $14.40
-Knife = $0.23 each
-Found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $27.90

Silverware Total: $77.30

Add all these together with the venue rental cost, minus the venue chairs...

Grand Total = $1,846.05

Difference From Renting Everything = $221.85 less

Possible gain from re-sale = $220.57

Possible Net Cost = $1,625.49

This seems to be the best way to go about things, because now you have the rental company taking care of transportation and cleaning of most of the dinner items, what you have to do is wash a lot of silverware, (easier to transport anyways in my opinion,) iron the linens, and bring salt and pepper shakers, chargers, and disposable champagne glasses. After the event you would need to wash the silverware and linens for resale.

So never fear readers, I haven't completely lost my mind and out to buy 100 sets of dishes... :P I just did that for sake of comparison and curiosity!

Okay, really, I'm done with this subject...
:P

Renting Vs. Buying, The Big Debate Continued

A continuation from the last post, I scoured the internet for the cheapest prices on all the items mentioned previously for rent.

Wow, this took some time! Most of my free time was spent thinking about where or how I could get something cheaper...that would still have enough quality for a one-time use.

Part of the insanity of buying over 100 place settings is that in theory you could sell the stuff back and get some of your money back. (Note some, potentially like 50% or less)

After hours of searching, here's what I came up with:

Linen:

-Tablecloths for round tables = $12 each
-Found at linentablecloth.com
*Cost for 12 = $144
-Tablecloths for buffet tables = $15 each
-Found at cvlinens.com
*Cost for 6 = $90
-Napkins = $0.53 each
-Found at efavormart.com
*Cost for 115 = $60.95

Linen Total: $294.95

Dinnerware:

-10.5" plates
-6" salad bowls
-7" bread plates
-4.5" small bowls
-Cups and saucers
-Napkin rings
-Serving platter
-Serving bowl
-Salt and pepper set
-Found at Walmart
*Cost for 6 place settings = $40
*Cost for 19 sets = $760
-Sugar bowl = $1 each
-Found at Dollar Tree (seen in store)
*Cost for 24 = $24
-Creamer pitcher = $1 each
-Found at Dollar Tree (seen in store)
*Cost for 24 = $24
-Sauce boat w/stand = $2.52 each
-Found at katom.com
*Cost for 24 = $60.48
-Chargers = $0.38 each
-Hexagon 11" plastic plates found on Ebay
*Cost for 120 = $45

Dinnerware Total: $913.48

Glassware:

-Champagne glasses = $0.39 each
-Plastic glasses found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $46.37
-Wine glasses = $0.83 each
-Found at Ikea
*Cost for 114 = $95
-Juice (or water) glasses = $0.25 each
-Found at Ikea
*Cost for 114 = $28.31

Glassware Total: $169.68

Silverware:

-Salad fork = $0.16 each
-Found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $19.40
-Fork = $0.13 each
-Found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $15.60
-Spoon = $0.12 each
-Found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $14.40
-Knife = $0.23 each
-Found at Sam's Club
*Cost for 120 = $27.90

Silverware Total: $77.30

Add all these together with the venue rental cost, plus rental cost for the chairs...
(What? You didn't expect me to buy 100 chairs did you? lol)

Grand Total = $2,252.91

Difference From Renting = $185.01 more

Possible gain from re-sale = $727.71

Possible Net Cost = $1,525.21

BUT!

A very important thing to note!

If you do not rent, you're the one stuck with the transport, washing and ironing of all these items, not only once, but twice if you want to sell them to get your money back!

That is a LOT of work. But who knows, it may work for someone, possibly if you're having a smaller wedding than 100 XP

*Whew!* Maybe I'll stick to more fun posts for a while, that was a lot of (hopefully not too boring) info! :P

Renting Vs. Buying, The Big Debate

So some of you may be thinking that Opera House is looking pretty damn good right about now. But how good is it really?

I managed to find a site for rental supplies located in Watertown, NY (half hour away) and calculated out an estimate for all my rental needs...

I estimate that I would need 115 of most per person items in case someone drops a fork, a glass, etc. (I can be pretty clumsy, lol :P)

I would need to rent chairs because the theater has only 80 and metal would be fairly uncomfortable for a long meal...

Chairs:

Padded chairs = $2.50 each
Cost for 115 = $287.50

Chair Total: $287.50

(Edit: I realized that colored linens were the same price as white ones, so I have changed the pricing and the totals accordingly.)
Linen:

-Tablecloths for round tables = $12 each
*Cost for 12 = $144
-Tablecloths for buffet tables = $12 each
*Cost for 6 = $72
-Napkins = $0.50 each
*Cost for 115 = $57.50

Linen Total: $274

Dinnerware:

-10" plates = $0.60 each
*Cost for 115 = $69
-7" salad plates = $0.60 each
*Cost for 115 = $69
-Bread plates = $0.60 each
*Cost for 115 = $69
-Cup and saucer = $1.05 each
*Cost for 115 = $120.75
-Sugar bowl = $1.15 each
*Cost for 24 = $27.60
-Creamer pitcher = $1.15 each
*Cost for 24 = $27.60
-Salt and pepper set = $1.15 each
*Cost for 24 = $27.60
-Sauce boat w/stand = $2.15 each
*Cost for 24 = $51.60
-Chargers = $1.15 each
*Cost for 115 = $132.25

Dinnerware Total: $594.40

Glassware:

-Champagne glasses = $0.60 each
*Cost for 115 = $69
-Goblet = $0.55 each
*Cost for 115 = $63.25
-Juice (or water) glasses = $0.55 each
*Cost for 115 = $63.25

Glassware Total: $195.50

Silverware:

-Salad fork = $0.45 each
*Cost for 115 = $51.75
-Fork = $0.45 each
*Cost for 115 = $51.75
-Spoon = $0.45 each
*Cost for 115 = $51.75
-Knife = $0.45 each
*Cost for 115 = $51.75

Silverware Total: $207

Add all these together with the venue rental cost, minus the chairs...

Grand Total = $2,067.90

And you still would need catering, bartenders, setup, cleanup, etc.

So one wonders...is it better to own and sell everything back?

We'll find out next post :)

Where, Oh Where, Should the Reception Be? Part 3

A continuation of the venue search from the last couple posts...

Edgewood Resort -


There are very few meal choices, a grand total of 5 -.- Not impressed...

Average cost for dinner with rolls, salad, entree, and coffee = $33.50 per person
Total for 100 guests = $3350
7.75% sales tax = $260
20% gratuity = $670
Food subtotal = $4,280

4 hours open bar = $31 per person
Total for 100 guests = $3100
7.75% sales tax = $240
20% gratuity = $620
Bar subtotal = $3,960

Grand total for 100 guests = $8,240

Pros:
- it is a hotel, although the rooms are kinda eh...
- I *might* be able to reserve rooms for my guests in advance
- it comes with tables, chairs, linens, etc.
- cake cutting is included
- champagne toast for the head table is included
- waterfront views!
- it has some character!
- it looks more unique than your usual reception room!
- they mention they can tailor the menu (i.e. more menu choices)
- I can transport all guests to and from the castle for $850

Cons:
- very few appetizer and entree choices shown, others may be more expensive
- the open bar price was for only well liquors and one beer choice XP
- pricing only includes 4 hours onsite

So for the moment, those are the kinda top 3 contenders with the information I have right now, but the following, although lacking online information, should not be completely called out of the running...

Hart House Inn

Thousand Islands Country Club

The Clipper Inn

The Boathouse

Riley’s

Where, Oh Where, Should the Reception Be? Part 2

A continuation of the venue search from the last post...

Pine Tree Point Resort -



You pay by the plate so there are no set number of entree choices.

Average cost for dinner with an appetizer, salad, entree, and coffee = $33 per person
Total for 100 guests = $3300
7.75% sales tax = $256
18% gratuity = $594
Food subtotal = $4,150

Edit: Found open bar prices
4 hours open bar = $32 per person
Total for 100 guests = $3200
7.75% sales tax = $248
18% gratuity = $576
Bar subtotal = $4,024

Grand total for 100 guests = $8,174

Menu choices are pretty good and have a some sophistication to them. I would pick the Soup du Jour, Pine Tree Point Signature Spinach Salad, Roast Prime Rib Au Jus, Chicken St. Lawrence, and Swordfish with Lemon Herb Sauce! :D

3 choices for rooms:
Skiff Room:



Voyager:


Captin's Cabin:

Pros:
- it is a hotel, although the rooms are nothing special
- I can reserve rooms for my guests in advance
- it comes with tables, chairs, linens, etc.
- it has a spa onsite
- cocktail hour and a free room might be included
- some rooms have nice chairs
- waterfront views!
- the terrace is pretty!
- *might* be able to transport all guests to and from the castle for $850

Cons:
- the "character" is not quite what I expected...
- may need more decor to look presentable
- all food must go through the resort (i.e. can't save money on alcohol)

Quite the change from the first venue, huh? One more to come soon!

Where, Oh Where, Should the Reception Be? Part 1

Sorry for the delay of posting, a mix of being busy and researching for my next series of posts! Venues!!!

As I was, once again, desperately trying to lower the total cost on my budget spreadsheet, I figured the best way was to find a low-cost (but lovely) venue.

As I'm sure many brides-to-be realize, this is easier said than done. XP

Even though the Thousand Island environment is gorgeous, a lot of the indoor spaces leave something to be desired, and online information can be scarce. Also add in the fact that I can't call anyone yet because I would just be wasting the venue's time... This leads to a LOT of frustration on my end.

XP

What I'm looking for ideally would be something close to Boldt Castle, on the US side, and looks presentable. Remember one of the tips I collected from a recent wedding: "Pick a venue that is already has tons of character!"

So being very determined, :) I managed to find a few decent ones:

Clayton Opera House -



- 8 hours in the Performance Hall = $375
- Standard lighting, mic, and CD player setup are included
- Nothing else is there, need lots of rentals
- Banquet tables = $5 each
- Round 5ft tables = $5 each
- Grey metal chairs = $0.50 each
- Grand piano = $50




Rental fee = $375
(12) Round tables = $60
(5) Banquet tables = $25
(2 for head table, cake table, gift table, placecard table)
(100) Chairs = $50
Piano = $50
Total furniture rental fees = $560

Not including catering, dishes, linens, etc.

Pros:
- it is a beautiful space!
- it is unique and kinda really me! (I love musicals and theatre! :D)
- it has character!
- the rental fee is cheap
- we could save money on alcohol by buying our own

Cons:
- lots of restrictions on events (no real flower petals, no open flame on site, etc.)
- a lot is expected of the renter, setup, cleanup, coordination of caterer, etc.
- everything needs to be brought into the space, tables, chairs, linens, food, some decor, etc.
- would have to pay extra to have all the guests transported to the reception
- there are no waterfront views in a theater :P

More lovelies to come soon!

A New Way To Do Wedding Research...

I don't know if this is already widely used, but I have starting using a new research technique that I think would be extremely helpful to all brides-to-be out there.

Facebook.

Yes, it is the evil Facebook that's practically sucking out your personal info and trying to take over the world, but this is a new dynamic (for me anyways,) of looking at venues and vendors alike.

With a Facebook page, the company has to have some description, contact info, and photos. What's great about these photos is most of them are personal, non-professional photos of the venue/vendor in action.

This gives a genuine look of how it really is, so a excited bride does not have to arrive at a professionally photographed venue and be disappointed.

And if the company page doesn't have personal photos posted, anyone who is willing can put up their own personal photos and tag the company in, making it visible on the company's page.

I have already "liked" the Boldt Castle page, and I love it. The status of the page tells me about the weather, how many weddings there are each weekend, if the place is crowded that day, and any events taking place.

Stalk a venue's page long enough and you'll get a decent feel for what the location is like!

I know other sites probably provide this, Twitter, Flickr, etc. but if you don't have another way to access this type of information, try it. I suggest however only using Facebook for research only and put up very minimal information about yourself if you don't already have an account.

Well, back to my usual internet surfing, I hope I helped someone out there!

Bit By The WeddingBee...

(Note: I know that bees don't bite, but I like my title anyways :) :P)

Ever since I started looking for cute purple shoes, and reading about fun-loving Mrs. Sea Breeze and her shoe woes, I have been really interested in WeddingBee.com.


It seems to be an extremely popular wedding site, and I can see why.

This blog doesn't just have one bride, they have over 30 brides-to-be, plus all the posts of brides who have been "bees" in the past. And most post almost daily about their wedding adventures! (sure makes me feel nervous about my posting habits, lol)

There are a wide variety of brides on the site, with different locations, themes and budgets. Plus I can't stop sifting through the dozens of DIY pages oozing with creativity and fabulousness!

And, (when I actually start shopping for wedding items,) they have a glorious classifieds section, full of wedding items that brides want to get rid of!!! Not to mention this is a fantastic way to get some money back after the wedding's said and done!

All of this (and more!) makes WeddingBee.com a goldmine!!! :D

So I guess this explains why I can't go a day now without looking at the new posts

XD

A Budget To Be Realized

So, in response to my last post, I have done a mock budget for what I feel is important to me and my wedding experience.

Please note that yes, some prices are lower, and probably unrealistically lower too. The reason I feel I can make some important numbers cheaper is because I would learn to not try to find something "perfect" but try to find something enjoyable. I would be able to compromise a lot more than when I was first planning everything out...

Will this happen?! No clue, but that's why this blog exists!

Consider this a "hopeful," experimental budget:

Reception:
Location, Rentals, Food, Drinks: $3750??? (only if I can somehow find a cheap but nice venue and have a limited bar)
Cake: $150 (make my own yummy creation!)
Service Fees: $750 (complete guess, based on the $3000)
Gratuities: $325 (also a complete guess)
Total: $4,975

Attire:
Dress: $250 (ebay baby! plus alterations)
Tuxedo: $0 (groom's tux is usually free with groomsmen's)
Veil: $40 (planning to make my own)
Jewelry (minus the rings): $0 (use or borrow things I already have)
Shoes: $0 (use a pair I already have)
Garter: $10
Total: $300

Photography/Videography:
Photographer:$1500 (only if I can find a package with included prints)
Extra Prints: $250 (only if this amounts makes me feel like I have enough to remember the wedding by)
Photo Album: $20 (doesn't have to be anything fancy)
Videographer: $600 (only if I can find one for this price that's worth it)
DVD Copies: $30 (they don't cost that much to make/burn)
Total: $2,400

Music:
DJ: $0 (ipod route)
Musicians for Ceremony: $500
Total: $500

Miscellaneous:
Marriage License: $40 (actual researched value for NY state)
Taxes: $300 (complete guess)
Tips: $300 (also complete guess)
Total: $640

Floral/Decorations:
Bouquets: $140 (making my own, obviously :D)
Boutonnieres: $30 (making these too)
Corsages: $20 (and these...I think I'll need some help, lol)
Ceremony Flowers: $50 (lots of rose petals...)
Reception Flowers: $15 (use the ceremony's bouquets plus some more rose petals)
Table Centerpieces: $180 (for about 12 tables...?)
Cake Table: $10 (eh, the cake should be the center of attention anyway)
Candles: $25 (lots of tea lights...)
Total: $470

Stationary:
(all of these are based on getting cardstock in bulk and making them myself)
Invitations: $40 (less elaborate)
Save-the-Dates: $30
Programs: $20 (less elaborate)
Thank You Cards: $30 (buy bulk cards too)
Stamps: $120 (for the invites, save-the-dates and the thank you cards)
Guest Book: $25
Total: $265

Rings:
Bride's Ring: $500
Groom's Ring: $500
Total: $1,000

Transportation:
Cost for transport of all guests from reception site to ceremony and back.
Transport to Ceremony: $425
Transport to Reception: $425
Total: $850

Gifts:
Wedding Favors: $150 (if I'm having favors, they have to be cheap!)
Gifts for Bridesmaids: $80
Gifts for Groomsmen: $60 (he'll probably just give them nice beer, lol)
Gifts for Parents: $0 (my parents have already said no to gifts, and *hopefully* his parents will agree to none as well)
Gifts for Each Other: $75 (we won't over-do it)
Total: $365

Ceremony:
Location Fees: $650 ($6.50 per person, per 1.5 hours)
Officiant's Fee: $0 (get a friend to do the ceremony)
Total: $650

Other:
Salon Appointments: $150
Bachelorette Party: $50 (hoping my girls will buy me drinks, lol)
Brunch: $150 (hoping to have add-ons to an already included continental breakfast at a hotel)
Hotel Room: $250
Total: $600

Grand Total: $13,015

Wow.

Did I add this right?!

Wow.

*Screeeeech!!!* A Pause...

As I was reading more and more posts from Wedding Bee, I stumbled upon a bride who gathered inspiration from a blog called 2000 Dollar Budget Wedding. I remember finding this a while back while looking for good wedding budget ideas, but almost instantly brushed it off as being a little too thrifty for my tastes.

But I'd thought I give it another go. I looked at the budget breakdown and said to myself: "OMG. I have to see how this whole thing turned out!" (They actually did it...really tiny, tiny numbers for everything...) So I read a post about the goals and vision of their wedding planning. (Read it!!! The whole thing. Done? Okay then, read on.) And it has really gotten me thinking about the whole wedding thing in general.

They had 9 fundamental rules for their wedding:

"1. To bring family and friends together to reconnect and form new friendships.
2. The experience will not be overly-orchestrated. It's a celebration of our love, not a show.
3. We will fight consumerism by spending only $2,000 max. The Wedding Industrial Complex is conspiring to make us think we have to spend more money. But we want to make the event special with sincerity, not money.
4. It will be good for the environment.
5. It will be connected to nature.
6. We will have real time to spend with guests. We want to be able to spend quality time with our friends and family. We don’t want to follow the traditional pattern of a few wedding “events” where the bride and groom only have time for a “meet and greet”: rehearsal dinner, reception, brunch the following morning. We want more of a family & friends reunion.
7. We will make all the decisions ourselves so our wedding represents us.
8. We only want to be surrounded by our closest friends and family.
9. We want to be relaxed and fully present."

Maybe I am going a bit too into the cookie-cutter, expected wedding.

Maybe I don't need the castle.

Maybe my family who would prefer to not travel for my wedding are cheering right now. LOL XD

But seriously. I like the way this girl thinks. She wants to go to the core of what a wedding is all about, and not the truly unnecessary things that, today, goes along with it.

Now I'm not saying that I'm now all against the "WIC = Wedding Industrial Complex" and not going to get a professional photographer or go save-the-earth/green for the reception. But I do love how she is looking at the whole of the experience, and how it will truly make her, her husband and her guests feel. I want to be able to feel my wedding day, not just agonize over how someone didn't set up the centerpieces right...

It's something I think every bride should consider and something to think about.

<3

Be Wary of the Allure of Dyed-To-Match-Shoes...

While looking for colorful footwear, the idea of dyed-to-match shoes did catch my eye! (and mentioned by a friend in my comments! :D)

So many styles to choose from, and any color I want! :D Sounds great right?

But then I started doing a little bit more research...

Apparently dyed shoes and water do not mix.

Suggestions for Choosing Dyeable Shoes:

"Dyed shoes are not weatherproof. They may run or stain if the weather does not cooperate. To reduce the chance that your shoes will run if it rains, apply a coat of water repellant, but don’t expect them to be completely waterproof. If your shoes get wet, reapply the water repellant."

Dyeable Bridal Shoes - Things to Consider:

"Moisture of any type will ruin the shoes for the day. (Can be re-dyed but will tie-dye when moisture comes in contact with the shoes.)"

"There is no protection that will keep water out. (Protection will also keep you from dyeing your shoes at a later time another or the same color.)"

Dyeable Wedding Shoes – Should You Do It?:

"The truth is that most of the horror stories that are based in dyed bridal shoes are the result of ignorance- people don’t bother learning about dyeing beforehand. As a result, they are often left to deal with a number of unfortunate incidents on their wedding day. Legions of brides and bridesmaids have ruined their shoes and sometimes even their dresses because the dye got wet. This is usually what happens during outdoor weddings."

"First of all, water is not your friend. When it comes to dyed wedding shoes, there is absolutely no way that you can protect them from moisture. Furthermore, any kind of moisture will ruin them- though you can re-dye these shoes again, you’ll usually end up with a tie-dye sort of pattern. So if the wedding is an outdoor one, this is something you should probably consider. Remember that even the sprinkler system or some morning dew can spell disaster for your shoes."

About Dyeing:

"Shoe dye is water soluble. That means that dyed shoes, when exposed to heavy moisture, will bleed or stain. We strongly suggest you do not wear your dyed shoes in the rain. However, if you must, we recommend you use a water repellent spray to, at the very least, minimize bleeding or staining."

So I guess

boats + dyed shoes
= potential disaster

As I dug deeper, I heard about a trick one can do to keep them from running -- use Scotchgard. (Weddingbee post here)

Was this true? I had to look further...but it looks like Scotchgard is just another fancy word for water repellant...

Link for yes:

"It is recommended that the dyed shoes are waterproofed using a scotch guard spray and Scotch guarding can be done very easily at home."

Link for no:

"Our dyes are not water-fast so customers mustn't get bags or shoes wet. A dyed shoe or bag can be made water resistant by spraying with Scotchguard or other silicon treatment, but cannot be re-dyed afterwards."

Link for maybe:

"We strongly recommend you opt for Scotchgard as this helps to prevent the dye from running especially if the shoes are worn in rain or on damp grass etc. (we don't recommend dyed shoes be worn in rain anyway!) You can do this yourself - make sure to wipe the 'sock' and sole immediately after spraying."

With the research given, unless I'm really desperate, I think it is wise for me to stick to the already-colored shoes...

Was a Nice Day For A White Wedding

I'm back any fellow readers!

Well I had a wonderful time at the wedding, a definite success in my book!

It was a small wedding, with about 50 guests, and this I think made them able to do what they wanted on a budget.

The ceremony was at Duke University's gardens, and omg, I can see why they choose that location.

It. Was. Gorgeous.

Flowers everywhere, cute little walks over streams and around ponds, birds and butterflies fluttering around... Truly a fairly tale setting!

Great tip to take from this ceremony: Pick a venue that is already has tons of character.

This helped me out a bit because I was worried about Boldt Castle being a public place, (it is an attraction for the area,) but for this wedding the visitors were not problem whatsoever. All of them were very polite and kept their distance, their presence was not noticeable during the ceremony at all. If you looked further into the gardens, yeah, people were there, but it didn't affect the mood of the event in any negative way.

Great tip to take from this ceremony: Don't be afraid to have the ceremony in a public place while it's in use. (Just make sure the proper measures are taken.)

There were musicians for the ceremony, a violin and a cello maybe? (I was too busy trying not to be late, lol) And they kept the ceremony short, which was very wise, since it was VERY warm and humid.

Also they were very courteous to their guests saying that it was a semi-casual affair, so the men didn't have to wear jackets. Some came with jackets anyways, to look nice and spiffy :)

Great tip to take from this ceremony: Realize the conditions of your location and try to be courteous to your guests. (i.e. No full Catholic masses outside in the hot sun! XD)

The bride and groom did the smart thing of only having one best man and one maid of honor, no other attendants. (Which saves money on corsages, bouquets, gifts for attendants, etc) But, to include other close family members, they had them do some small readings in the ceremony.

Great tip to take from this ceremony: Others can be included in the ceremony without being a groomsmen/bridesmaid.

Another great tip to take from this ceremony: Give out one program per couple, it will save on paper (and money) and everyone who really wants one has a memento, (I'm sure the date of your high school friend doesn't really want one...) and something to read beforehand.

The reception was at a beautiful hotel nearby, this place was so cute and quaint that it didn't need any decorations! It had a great old-fashioned vibe with a lot of nice modern touches. Even the chairs were stunning, nice dark wood chairs with pretty light blue cushions, so they didn't even need chair covers!

Since the guest list was small, they had the reception in a small dining room in the hotel, usually used for breakfast and whatnot. The only decorations that I saw where a white branch centerpiece to hold the cute bookmark placecards (the groom was very much into books,) and the centerpieces on the tables, which were books, with a teapot filled with flowers on top, accompanied by teacups with flowers in them on either side. But the great thing was that is all they needed!

Repeat great tip to take from this reception: Pick a venue that is already has tons of character.

The food fit the area of the wedding, great Southern cooking! :D It wasn't exactly buffet, but it wasn't individually served either. Servers walked along the tables and served each person from a big bowl of sweet potatoes, green beans, creamed spinach, etc. All the food was delicious, nothing really fancy, but it tasted great! The desserts were a bit more fancy, little truffles and cream puffs! Yum!

Great tip to take from this reception: Food suited for your particular theme might be cheaper than doing the normal sit-down meal.

Another great tip to take from this reception: If you are lucky enough, have a skillful friend make your cake. It was delicious and we had no idea until the couple thanked the friend during a toast, lol.

The drink selection was about 6-7 different types of alcoholic beverages, which included a couple beer and wine selections, and a specialty drink. It was a gin and toxic type drink, and it tasted great! I remember hearing the gin was specially made or something like that... Not to mention the cute little banners that were put in each one, saying "Enjoy!" and "Cheers!" :D

But I'm sure this helped their bar tab immensely, (only certain bottles were opened for certain drinks), and everyone could still drink and be merry!

Great tip to take from this reception: You can limit your alcoholic beverages, and if you pick them well, (i.e. make sure there's one great red wine, one great white wine, one or two great beers, etc), you save money and no one is the wiser!

They had an ipod for the reception playing during dinner, which goes on to probably the only negative to the reception venue, which was that there was not much room to dance. The couple had their first dance in an emptied-out room as others watched from the doorway before having dinner. So it was mostly mingling after dinner and cake was over. However since most of the guests rarely see each other in a big group, catching up was exactly what most wanted to do. So it worked!

Great tip to take from this reception: You don't have to do the normal "pattern" of a wedding if it doesn't work for you or your guests.

Just as a quick note, the bride looked gorgeous in a ivory, almost light yellow A-line spaghetti-strap gown, which was delicately decorated on top with a plain flowy skirt, and it looked lovely on her! The men wore gray suits with yellow shirts, if I'm not mistaken. (Note that the wedding colors were yellow and pink!)

Most of the out-of-town guests stayed at the hotel, and we received the cutest welcome bags ever! They were like pastel colored tiny suitcases, filled with sweets and a few small trinkets. They were really nice!

My bf and I had a fantastic time! Which leads me to my last tip...

Great tip to take from this wedding: A more intimate wedding can make you able to do what you want and make it all the more memorable and meaningful to you in the process.