Putting the “Budget” in Budget Bride…

Wedding planning is going to be a roller coaster – emotionally, mentally, and I’m starting to realize, motivationally. It’s so easy to browse online and “pin” my favorite ideas. And really, I suppose that’s work. It’s just not the most productive work. Now it’s time to hit the digital books and put a budget in place.

First lesson: when they say you’ll spend more than you thought you would, they were right. I went into this saying, “I’m going to try to have a $1000-$2000 wedding!” Once I realized I needed to factor the honeymoon in, I realized we were probably closer to $4000. I wasn’t super happy with it, but hey – this is under half of the conservative average wedding cost in America. Once I sat down and actually filled out my budget, line by line, that number slowly crept up.

I’m already planning on getting a lot of things for free or vastly discounted. I have connections for a few great deals on photography (super important for me), some ideas to greatly reduce the costs of food, and zero potential costs on an officiant, jewelry, and makeup. But folks, weddings is expensive – even if you do it on the cheap.

So by now you’re shaking your computer and screaming at me through your browser, “Tell me already!!! What’s your number?!?!” Simmah down na! *drum roll please*

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My Initiation Ceremony

This Saturday is the first day of Portland’s Bridal Show, a huge event with hundreds of vendors, thousands of spectators, and plenty of crazy brides. I’m excited and nervous at the same time. Will I be a crazy bride? Will I want to scream and elope? There’s no telling, but one thing is for certain – this Saturday is sure to be an initiation ceremony into the life of planning a wedding.

I’ve been engaged barely two weeks and I’ll be stepping out of the “honeymoon” phase of the engagement into the “get shit done” phase. I want a fall wedding, so we’re at about the 10 month mark now. Hopefully the bridal show will get me the prep needed to start the planning off right! Thanks to my fiance for proposing at the right time.

Update after the show: Pictures of the show and the dress that caught my eye, after the jump!

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