Month: March 2013

Two Checks on My To-Do List

After all of these informational and conversational posts, I finally have a “my real wedding” update to write about. That’s right – as of today, the deposits have been received and the contracts are set for my photographer and ceremony/reception location!

My photography criteria:

  • Able to be there for the entire event
  • Experienced photographer I could trust
  • Access to all my photos at no additional cost
  • Within my budget

I was able to score a great price on photography by choosing someone who worked out of her home. No overhead costs and I don’t want the extras that some photographers and studios offer (expensive frames, glossy photo books, etc.). I want to create my own exciting photo displays after the wedding, and having access to all of my wedding photos will allow me to do that. In the end, she will cost me $600 for six hours of photography, some edited proofs, and a disc of all the images taken.

Read moreTwo Checks on My To-Do List

This Just In: America’s Paying Too Much!

The breakdown of average wedding costs in 2012.

We’re well into 2013 and that means the data is just coming in from last year, proving again that weddings are ridiculously expensive. From CNNMoney.com:

“In 2012, newlyweds (and their families) spent an average of $28,427 on weddings and related events — the highest amount since 2008, according to an annual survey of 17,500 couples released by wedding website TheKnot.com.”

Ah, it’s our old friend the Knot. TheKnot.com and TheWeddingChannel.com’s annual Real Weddings Survey was just released, and while wedding costs may have taken a dip during the recession, trust that they’re back on the rise again. I don’t need to go into a long speech about how ridiculously ridiculous these costs are – suffice it to say that half of this average price is more than enough. My wedding is being planned on about 1/4 of it.

The survey results aren’t all disheartening, though – it’s kind of fun to see demographic information. Here are some of the highlights:

Read moreThis Just In: America’s Paying Too Much!

When “Free” Isn’t Really “Free”

You didn’t forget to set your clocks forward, did you? If not, good for you! If so, do it now! Seriously, stop reading and go change them. Good now? Okay.

Today’s post is to regale a story that happened over the last week that I’ve been waiting to tell, as well as some more pictures from dress shopping.

First let’s back up to two weeks ago, where this story actually starts. As you might recall, I attended a second bridal show with a colleague and had a great time trying food and seeing wonderful sample displays. I also, of course, entered as many drawings as possible because hey – if I can win something as opposed to planning and paying for it myself, then I’m up for it. Or so I thought.

Throughout the following week, I received calls and emails from various vendors whose drawings I had entered, all saying the same thing, “we’d love it if you came and visited/met with/toured/sampled some time soon and we’re also offering X discount for everyone who talked with us at the show!” After the first show, I got a ton of these calls and emails so I got used to ignoring them unless I wanted to research further. To my surprise, I got a voice mail Friday night (March 1) where a vendor literally said, “okay, I’ll just come out and say it – you were drawn for a free rental of our venue and I’d like to talk to you about it.” Seems like if that was what you wanted to talk to me about, you might have said that the first time you called? But moving on…

Read moreWhen “Free” Isn’t Really “Free”