I get to be the first to post!

[lucky7]

Well yay, thanks for addng my month!

We are planning a wedding for 07-07-07. And I know it's a ways away... But I'm lost! Am I starting to plan too early? I def. know that I need this time, and I should be using it wisely.

Justin's not too interested when it comes to planning the whole spiel, and I am more then happy doing it, but I'm at a stand still. There's not that much I can do this early.

My mom's doing the eng. announ. But we haven't got a good pic to send in. [it's being announced by my son]

I have:
-the BM dresses picked out
-the BMs picked, asked, and yessed
-the minister booked
-a church in mind, a reception place in mind [cant book either till mom has the $$ for the deposit]
-a partial guest list
-picked our invite design, and will be making our own


I've tried on a few dresses [like 3]

I've got favors and centerpieces in mind.

Favors:
Personalized nerds... because they fit
CD's with our favorite songs on them [we can make those ourselves]

Center pieces:
Glass bowls with colored glass globs in the bottom with water and floating candles sprinkled with glitter and a nice floral ring around the bottom. Maybe a ribbion around the rim.

And for the programs, I'm thinking something different, maybe a pic of his fam, and one of mine, and then a pic of us with my kid and having it say joining our families, n then who the wedding party is.

I'm just pretty confused about where I go from here, and if these are even good ideas.
I'm bad at planning things. Where do I go from here.

[ljeagle]

Glad they added your month! I think you are ok to start thinking of what u want. Booking your place and picking out a wedding dress. Just saying this cause this is what happen to me. You will change your mind 100 times so don't go out and buy 100 things that in 6 months you are going to find something else you want. Your list looks great! He will get excited might be 2 weeks b-4 the wedding but he will. Men just don't get into it like we do. If you already picked your theme and it is seasonal make sure you keep your eye out on sales.

[cru5h]

Well if you're doing a lot yourself it's great to have a head-start like this. You can catch sales and take your time getting things "just right". It also leaves a lot of time for you to change your mind a million times too, unfortunately.

I like the idea of personalized Nerds. Will your guests like Nerds? I know I would, but I can't see my mom, uncles, grandmother, or older relatives wanting them. I was thinking of something along the lines of 80s candy myself at one point and let the idea go. CDs I'm not a fan of unless I know the recipient actually likes the same music I do. Like if I attended a wedding and received a country music CD, it'd be totally useless in my hands, and it would be thrown away.

I think you're off to a great start! Don't get burned out in the beginning. It totally kills your mood later on when you actually HAVE to get things done. Take a rest *sigh*

[breezy]

Welcome to Pash!

It sounds like you are off to a great start. I know I changed my mind a-LOT! If you are decicive and then don't look at other idea, you should be good

[swtdl11552]

Well...I wouldn't worry too much about the cd not being everyone's taste. I mean, no matter what not everyone will be pleased at some level, don't you think? I mean, I got a bottle of personalized wine at my friends wedding, I hate wine - so does everyone in my household...so that just serves as a memento, not as something I actually use daily. Thats just the way I see it.

I think its good that you have this much time to plan, since - like Vic said, you're doing a lot of things yourself so this will give you time to get the best prices and to try different things out. Good for you. I'm giving myself NO TIME

Good luck!

[maroki13]

I'd say it definitely isn't too early to start planning, especially if you are doing a lot of things yourself. Time does go by very quickly....it wasn't long ago that I had 1 1/2 years to go and now it is 3 1/2 months.

I'd agree with the other girls that it does give you a lot of time to change your mind, but as long as you haven't bought all your supplies you should be fine. I've had ideas in mind that I thought I would love and then when I tried them, I hated them. So its been nice to have the time to experiment and change my mind.

[lucky7]

Well, the nerds thing was a joke at first, then we decided that it fit us, you know? We are huge nerds, so it's kind of a sweet joke.

And the Cds we thought we would add a few songs that are really special to us, and the first dance song. And pretty much make it a 'wedding' CD. Capture the moment, you know? Plus its DIY.

Our budget is REALLY low. But I think with a good start and some luck, we can have a classy traditional wedding. We're going to be lucky if we get to spend $3,000 on our wedding. But my friends, family, and I are pretty crafty, so we can make alot of it.

My mother is buying my dress and stuff. As well as hosting the wedding.

So as many money saving tips you guys send my way will go to good use.
[i.e. silk flowers [i may do that all myself....], possibly make my own viel, the centerpieces, invites, programs]

I found beautiful BM dresses at Davids for $110, I have a friend who's a stylist, and another getting ready to start beauty school]

I think I can pull this off. I want to be able to.

The only things that we really want that are going to be expensive are:

The dress [budget 450 and down]
the tuxes [grooms problem...haha]
minister [$100/ also grooms job]
Church [if its too much, we can get married at the lake for $25]
Reception place [I'm friends with a guy who can give me a deal]
DJ [i have a few friends, but I may steal my FHs computer and use his play list, and then have his friend DJ]
Limo [stealing the funeral service idea because FH wants one]
Photographer [FHs friends mom is one, and good, may get a deal]
And food and decs. I can do the decorations for the most part.

And of course the rings [my parents offered theirs, but I'd like something new]


And I'm SOOO EXCITED!

For the honeymoon we were talking about going to florida for a week. If we drive it'll be cheaper than flying because if you fly, you have to rent a car. It's warm, sunny, and he's never been there. I know some good hotels, and lotsa fun things to do.

[cru5h]

Florida kicks ass. Where do you plan on going in FL?

Our discussion on cutting the costs of the wedding down to size:
http://www.pashweddings.com/weddingf...ead.php?t=2716

[lucky7]

We aren't too sure. WE just figured it would be more affordable than just about anywhere else. I'm partial to Daytona, but my babys dad lives near there and I do NOT NEED THE DRAMA. And the food thers not the best.

Maybe Sarasota....[my grandparents could be really nice and let us stay in their house down there....doubt it though]

I'm not quite sure. Anyone have any ideas???

A few days on the beach seems really nice.

I think it would be really cool to have an earlier ceremony and a shorter midday reception, and then leave that night, drive all night, and spend our first married sunrise watching it on Jacksonville beach. I know I can make it there in 12 hours or less, and it would be a memorable moment. But O'm nots ure that will happen

[555Ann555]

Originally Posted by lucky7

Limo [stealing the funeral service idea because FH wants one]

Yeah!!!

Someone is going to use my idea!!!

That was actually my step-dad's idea, before he retired he worked as a mechanic in a grage that serviced the funeral cars & talked to the drivers... I didn't even know ther hired them out for anything except funerals. I'm saving a fortune on them though.

It's good to read about your plans Lucky. I don't think it's too early if you're doing a lot of DIY. I did it too, we just don't have the budget to spend on everything so I decided to cut back in some areas, make it myself in others & blow the budget in a couple of important areas (the photography & the honeymoon).

It helps to work out exactly what is most important to you and take it form there... What do you remember best about favourite weddings you've gone to?

[lucky7]

Who do you call about the limos though? I'm kind of confused.

And I haven't been to a wedding since I was like 14, so I'm not too sure. The dresses are always an interest, and if they look shabby, I'm dissappointed. And the music was always neat to me.

Every wedding I've ever been to had really BAD food. But I'm going to follow suit there. I can't afford to feed that many a gormet meal. We're going to order a bunch of chicken from the grocerystore. lol. I *hate* being poor.

I've been unemployed for awhile n getting nowhere, so I started selling Mary Kay. So I'm hoping that ends up helping.

[boo]

Sounds like you are on your way..I two don't think that it is too early to start to plan for your big day...Just take your time and everything will fall in to place!

Your ideas all sound great so far..Happy planning !

[555Ann555]

We just went in person to the funeral company & asked if they hire out their limos for weddings. They said yes

It is definately worth trying... Or you could just sit down with the phone book one afternoon and call all the funeral companies in your area. I did that to get the best price for the bus hire...

[lucky7]

Apparently I'm not planning too early.

I called Davids yesterday to make an appt to go try on dresses, and they asked me my date. When I told her, she goes, 'oh i hope you already booked your church and hall, EVERYONE'S picking that date!'

Oh no! She told me that people were complaining because they couldn't get churches and stuff.

So I've been trying to call my church n they won't answer their phones.... GAH! Well, at least we have the minister. Right?

I'm stressing already. I'm now terrified that we won't get a church, hall, or DJ. I have more to do than I thought that I would. I thought i had time!

[whiddle]

Try to relax about the church situation.....being anxious isn't going to change anything.

Where in FL are you looking to honeymoon?

I think that is a VERY popular wedding date.

[Lizbet]

I have friend who was born on 7/7/77, who is currently engaged. I would not be surprised if he and his fiancee choose 7/7/07 for their wedding. I agree that is is a good idea to go ahead and book places and vendors as soon as they will let you.

Keep the ideas coming. . .. Pash members will do their best to help you figure out exactly what you want, and what you can afford.

[lucky7]

Well, after a week of trying, I got ahold of the church. I was terrified that there was going to be a huge drama about using a different minister, so I've been pretty stressed. But they said I could have the church for my date, I can bring my own minister, and there's more! The church is free to use, if you're a member, and well, I am! That saved me alot of money right there.

There's alot of drama about a few things though.

My moms mad that I looked at dresses without her, and thats a fight I can't fix...I tried. I offered before to have her go with us, but no. So she's pretty upset.

[Marrying_the_Good_Husband]

Oh. Yeah, I can see why mom feels like she missed *the* wedding planning moment for moms. Did you get a dress? Or will you be trying on more *with* mom?

Glad things worked out with the church!!

[Complicated Woman]

on the mom thing.

My mother and I butt heads a bit, so I knew I didn't want to have her come with me to try on dresses, but I also knew that she would be so hurt if I brought someone and not her -- so I made it a "I just have to go alone because I am so wishy washy I won't know what I want with other people there" thing. That she understood. Then, once I bought my dress, I invited her to go see it and she didn't really want to because it was just the dress at the store and my actual dress wasn't there.

Not sure why I wrote that except to say you aren't alone. Mom's can be funny about all of this stuff.

[labeadel]

Don't freak out on the "everyone is choosing that date" thing. I had a lot of people tell me that too, and I never did have any problems getting all the things I wanted. I think people in the wedding industry are just trained to tell everyone that their day is popular.

Congrats on getting the church! That's one major thing down.

And on the dress. I don't know your relationship with your mom, but I know mine would've been upset also if I didn't have her go with me. Not mad though, just sad. If your relationship with her is good, you'll just have to be sure to include her on tons of other stuff. My mom helped a lot with all of the DIY stuff.

[DragonYoga]

Ooooo FL! I'm a native :-D Do stop and check out St. Augustine, it's one of the most romantic places, especially downtown (Old Town). I'll see if I can't get my blasted scanner working and I'll post pics of downtown for you to see. Or just do a google search for the town.

[lucky7]

Sorry, ST.Augustine is out. My babys sperm donor lives there, as do his evil parents. I'd rather avoid the town all togeather and not have the drama. I couldn't stand the thought of even being near there. So, that's one place we know we are NOT going.

On the upside: I booked the DJ. He wants $50/hour, and I think that that sounds like a great price. No deposit required, however, I will be having him sign a contract.

The reception hall is booked so far. I may change my mind if I can't cut down the guest list. Max occupancy is 170. So that may be a problem. They want $150 for the rental. So before we sign anything, I need to get an accurate guest count.

That's about all we've planned in the past week or so. I'm slacking. ACK

[tina_mae]

I am also getting married in July of 07. But I haven't even started anything!!! I just got a wedding checklist, and am already a bit overwhelmed! We haven't even set an official date, just because we want it in a specific location and are trying to work out when it will be available during July. When I was little, I always imagined the wedding being easy because I knew what I wanted. Now I'm not so sure besides a few VERY general basics.

YIKES!!!!!!!!!

[Robyn Lynn]

Welcome to Pash, Tina!!!!

Post your story in the bridal journals -- we'd love to hear all about your enagagement, how you met and your plans!!!

[DragonYoga]

Originally Posted by lucky7

Sorry, ST.Augustine is out. My babys sperm donor lives there, as do his evil parents. I'd rather avoid the town all togeather and not have the drama. I couldn't stand the thought of even being near there. So, that's one place we know we are NOT going.

EESH... Sorry about that! Key West's another nice place?

You still have a year! You're not slacking!