Some Ideas...from my own

We tried to have many things to entertain people at the wedding besides dancing. This especially worked for the kids and our collegish friends. There were games to play, coloring pages, and we even designed our own activity sheet. It was awesome. Did I mention this was all free besides two boxes of crayons. Printed coloring sheets free online. Brought games we own. And made the activity sheets printed free on campus.
Centerpieces: CHEAP! A single flower per table, cheap candles, used vases..simple and pretty.
Ice cream: We love ice cream. So why not treat our bridal party to it before the ceremony. Was a blast, yummy, relaxing for all, and made for fun pictures. Highly recommend doing something fun before the ceremony.

My Wedding Details

Cake: Everyone said our cake was delicious. I agree. We got it from a local bakery. A three tier plus two sheet cakes. Getting sheet cakes cut the cost more than half. I definitely recommend going that route. Our cake was cheaper than most people I have talked to, and one person even said it was the best cake she had ever had at a wedding. Goes to show good cake does not need to have a big price tag ;)
My beautiful bouquet: I am lucky to have a former wedding florist/current lawn and garden store owner as a grandfather. My flowers were absolutely free to me, abundant throughout the locations, and stunningly beautiful. Unfortunately, not everyone has these connections. But a beautiful wedding can be had without many flowers.
Signing the license: My grandpa(former pastor) conducted the ceremony. It was beautiful. I recommend having someone you know do it. It was personal, emotional, and funny.

Our programs: We made all our stationary ourselves. Chose apple green cardstock to match the color scheme...then did all printing in black...saved so much money...and I loved them.

Long TIme

Phew...It sure has been a long time since I posted. Things got so busy...with finishing school, graduating, planning the wedding, having the wedding, moving, fixing up our new home. WOW!

The wedding was a blast. Pictures are soon to come. I am just waiting.

Some things I learned on my wedding day/advice:
*Many people will only come to the ceremony, not the reception...so try not to order too much food and cake. We had soooo much left!
*Get plenty of rest and exercise before your wedding day. I was exhausted and sore for three days after the wedding!
*If you want to have professional pictures, do it before the wedding. It will relax both you and your future spouse. We got pictures and went out for ice cream before, it was great.
*If you have a wedding party and family to walk down the aisle, hire or ask a friend who knows what they are doing to coordinate....basically to dictate the rehearsal and get everyone down the aisle. I had to run the rehearsal myself...it was so stressful! But I did have a good friend get everyone down the aisle and am so thankful.
*Enjoy your company. I got to talk to a lot of my guests (regretfully not all) and had a blast doing so. My advice (if you are having dancing) is to talk to the people you know you won't see on the dance floor first...then you can talk to the others while you boogie.
*Be prepared...everyone wants to talk to you..and you will hear people calling your name for attention alllll night.
*Our rehearsal dinner was really laid back...pizza at the church. There was a ton of people. The laid back thing worked and I believe everyone enjoyed themselves. Yay!

Overall a blast...I will share a lot more when I have pictures to post.

My Photographer

It has been a while since I posted anything. I am currently excited about photography for my wedding and my photographer, so here are some of her pictures. www.nicolefraga.com
She is a college student majoring in photojournalism aspiring to become a wedding photographer.

Advice: If you are looking to hire a talented photographer for a good price, look on college campuses. Students are often looking for ways to build their portfolio and have not become 100% professionalized, so you can usually get a good deal!

Spreading Your Joy Beyond Your Wedding Day

1. Dollar Dance: Have the traditional dollar dance and donate all the money to a local cause.

2. Alternative Gift Registry: You can add things from all over the internet on here-fair trade, eco friendly, donations to charities, used items, artwork by your friends and family. Try to avoid big corporate stores as much as possible. Unfortunately, if you are starting out-it is harder to this. They just don't produce fair trade skillets and microwaves.

3. If you decide on big flower arrangements, send them to local nursing homes afterward. They are sure to brighten someones day.

4. Send left over food and cake to a local homeless shelter or soup kitchen

5. Fair trade favors and gifts ;)

Read: Knot So Much

Read this blog post. While I do not feel as strongly as her and think you can get some good ideas from the Knot and other major wedding industry people/businesses, she makes a lot of really valid points that you should be aware of.

Advice so far...

Well I have 1.5 days to go until the BIG day....yikes!!!!!!!!!! Here is some advice for future brides...and I am sure I will have more nearer and post wedding.

1. This is about a life long marriage, not a one day wedding. Make sure you don't forget to plan the marriage, not just getting lost in wedding planning. Be sure to talk to your fiance and friends about non-wedding things throughout the process. Friends only want to hear so much. Don't drive them away. And remember your relationship with your fiance goes so much deeper than the wedding. With that said, HAVE FUN! When else will you get to throw a huge(maybe small) party with all your friends and family celebrating the love and joy you two have!

2. Break out of the box! Your wedding should express you and your fiance, not fit perfectly into the model wedding guides and tradition tell us. I am not telling you to throw ALL tradition to the side. I certainly am not...but you don't have to let anyone dictate how you celebrate your LOVE! (Check out some of my links on the side for ideas how to do so... and stay tuned for future posts.)

3. Think of your guests. I think to many brides get the attitude "It is my wedding and I'll do what I want." Yes it is your wedding and you want HAPPY GUESTS. Make waiting times short. Feed good food and drinks (even if you are only serving cake and punch). Most of all, provide ways for them to HAVE FUN! (more suggestions to come) Dancing may be fun for you and your fiance but not for many aged 50 and older. How else can you make your wedding fun for them? Or a fancy sit down meal may be enjoyable for you, but what about all the restless kids... If your guests have fun, so will you.

4. Borrow and buy used.

5. Let your girls pick their dresses. Really let them pick something they will be comfortable in and wear again. The dresses don't have to be matchy matchy, just give them some guidleines and set them loose. I made this mistake. Sorry to my girls who are now stuck with vibrant, apple green cocktail dresses...that are beautiful. However, we aren't the kind of girls that attend cocktail parties, so chances are there $120 plus alterations dresses will only be worn once...what a waste.

6. Enlist family and friends. Usually they want to help. This is our personal biggest money saver. (luckily, we know many talented people.) Let them serve cake, decorate, do your flowers, run the music, sing, design stationary. They probably would love to help.

7. Pick a beautiful location. Even if it costs more (which it doesn't have to), it will SAVE BIG on decorations. My place is ugly, but cheap and big so I need lots of decor..guh. Luckily I listened to one piece of my own advice: BORROW! Even better, hold the ceremony and reception at the same place: save on decor, rental fees, and gas.

8. Don't give favors unless thay are edible, charitable, or homemade. Really only your grandparents want coasters with your faces or wedding date on it...if even they do. Don't waste the time, money, resources.

9. Once again: HAVE FUN AND EXPRESS YOURSELF!