I'm a bride on a mission:

Goal #1: Marry the love of my life and best friend!

Goal #2: Do it without breakin the bank!

Our total wedding budget ~$14,050 for 200 guests

Dress- $1,100 including alterations. I bought it on sale originally 1,600 (without alterations)

Veil- DIY made by my mother. Only going to cost around $20

Reception- $6,000-reception site, food, and beer and wine for 200 guests

DJ- $530

Photography-$3,100.00 includes 8 hours with high res disk for wedding and engagement, printing rights, engagement session and guest sign in book, and around $300 in prints. 

Decor- $1,075 (25 centerpieces, tea lights, bouquets, mother and grandparents bouquets, boutineers, chair rentals, table linens, chargers, ring bearer pillow, card box)

Paper- $217 (Save the dates, Programs, Invites, Placecards, and all postage)

Church- $775 includes rehersal, wedding coordinator, pastor, and organ/pianist that will play any piece requested. We may also have appetizers in the banquet room in between ceremony and reception.

Rehersal Dinner- $466.  Most likely going to hold in the community hall at the church and serve Korean food (my FI is Korean and we LOVE korean food.)

We got our engagement pictures the other day and could not be happier with how they turned out! Photography was the most important element to us in our planning, so we made sure to allow a large portion of our budget go to photography. It is the only thing that really captures all the other elements you worked so hard on! All photos are by Ben Pancoast (www.benpancoast.com).

I absolutely love my card box. I was inspired by an item I found an etsy for $75! I could not justify $75 on a box.... for cards.... After slaving hours and burning all my fingers with my hot glue gun… it is finally finished.

We met with our Pastor for the first time last week. I really wanted to meet her before we booked the church. I was concerned about getting married by a pastor I didn't know. I've always imagined that my pastor would know me really well, since our faith is the center of our relationship. The meeting went 1000X better then I ever could have hoped. It was such a blessing. She walked through the ceremony with us. My favorite part goes something like this: we will have our family stand up and she will ask them "Do you promise to keep Jessica and Alex accountable to the Covenant they are making with God today?" (she worded it much better). Then we will do this with the rest of the guests asking the same question. I absolutely love this part. The whole point of having a wedding is to have witnesses to the covenant you are making with God so that if you struggle, they can keep you accountable to the Covenant you made. I think it's just beautiful.

And the beauty doesn't end their. Check out the church (sorry for the poor image quality)!

We booked our reception site and I really couldn't be happier. It will be held at Gull Lake Country Club in Richland, MI. Here is an image from a wedding that was held here.

Our Save the Dates our in! I ordered them from Vistaprint. I also ordered TONS of freebies since I was already paying for shipping. They are postcards with our engagement picture on front and the wedding info on back. I customized the free save the date template from www.weddingchicks.com.

I plan to set these free cards I created at vistaprint.com out at the reception for guests to upload their photos from the wedding.

I'm pretty satisfied with the vistaprint materials. I would probablly go with overnightprints.com though if I could do it over. My sister ordered postcards for her wedding from their and I feel they were higher quality and I believe she stated they were cheaper as well.

I saw these on etsy and decided to do it myself (of course!). They were selling for around $55 and didn't even have the nice fabric on the inside.Total cost only aruond $5 total! The fabric is a chocolate brown shantung fabric.

I made two and will have my two step-sisters hand out the programs at the ceremony.

They're FINALLY done! After hours and hours slaving over the computer, they are D-O-N-E!

Wax seal with our monogram in the corner

Because I didn't want the cost and hassel of creating pocketfolds, I made a slit in the back side of the pocket to hold the RSVP and information about the reception and accomodations. It keeps the front of the invitation clean, without the need to create a complete pocketfold invite :).

And here is the RSVP and Reception/Accomodations information:

The invites came out around 50cents/invite!

Here is how I created them for such a deal:

I purchased all of the cream paper from Michaels with 40% off coupon (it is for sale in the wedding section).

I then purchased 12X12 brown cardstock to create the pockets from Hobby Lobby (wait until their cardstock goes on sale. It goes on sale about every 2 weeks)

I purchased my wax seal and wax at michaels (again with my 40% off coupons)

ONEHEARTWEDDINGS:  The "swirls" on my invites are from a free trial at OneHeartWeddings.com. I downloaded the swirls and then cancelled my account (Don't forget to cancel or you will automatically be upgraded and charged within 7 days). NOTE: You only get the swirls with their free trial, not their fonts. Their fonts on their website are awesome. If you like their fonts, it will cost more to download them individually and create your own then to just pay for an account with OneHeartWeddings. I chose to downloaded FREE fonts in combination with the free swirls from their website to create my own (hope this is not too confusing!). If you  want an account with them, here is a tip to get a cheaper price: Sign up for a free trial and then cancel the account. They will then send a follow up email saying if you sign up today they will give you a 30% discount. Just a tip for those interested.

The fonts I used to create the invites were: Beautiful ES, and Beautiful Caps. and Optimus Princeps.

Hope that helps! Feel free to ask any questions!

Excited to be purchasing something with no DIY necessary!

However... I did get it 50% off at Macys :)

I love them. I am a pretty simple girl, so these were just the right amount of "bling" for me :). Fancier than my everyday, but not over the top.

And my "matching" bracelet that I found on amazon.com for $50.

I recently talked with my Aunt (newly married) about her wedding day and planning tips. She gave me the BEST tip EVER! One of her vendors told her to make sure and put flowers in front of the bride and groom that will help hide your food. I had just planned on putting my bouquet in a vase in front of us to save money. However, I just found the BEST inspiration for our love birds table that will be budget friendly AND cover up our food :).

(Photo compliments One Lovely Day Blog)

I can reuse two bridesmaids bouquets (they will be the smaller outside bouquets) and my bouquet (in the center) and lay them on the table to create a look like this :)

Although I was really hoping to Honeymoon in Playa Del Carmen, MX for our honeymoon, due to the oil spill we are going to Puerto Vallarta. I am really excited though because I have not yet been to the pacific coast of MX before.

We are staying at Dreams Villamanga Nuevo Vallarta

I can't wait!

 Just finished my DIY centerpieces. I couldn't be happier with how they turned out!

3 hydrangeas (Horrocks)= $6

91/2 inch vases (Dollar tree) = $1

Branches (Ikea)= $2

Total= $9

I would love to add some curly willow branches to in the vase to look something like Jess145's centerpieces:

I created these luminaries to line the pathway heading up to the reception area. They are so cheap and easy to create! I got the idea from project wedding but cannot remember from whom (let me know so I can credit you!).

I created them a little differently then the tutorial I found. To see step-by-step how to create these, visit my blog: www.mrandmrslee.wordpress.com

 (Added a little "bling" and champagne ribbon thanks to my PW ladies suggestions. I'm not much of a bling type girl, but I do like it with the gold beads. )

Had lots of requests for a tutorial on how to make these flowers.

They're super easy!

Step 1: Cut a circle out of your fabric about 6inches in diameter. Your circle does not neet to be perfect (obviously).

 (gotta love the D.A.R.E ruler )

Step 2: Weave your needle through the outer edge of the entire circle.

 (See how it all gets pulled together toward the center?)

Step 3: Pull tight

 (Sorry, this one turned out kind of blurry)

Step 4: Just tie it off and you're done!

How Sweet it is – Mich ael Buble’ (Cake Cutting)

Theme from “Sex and the City” (Bouquet Toss) - if we do one

The following are from 2bemrsd's bio!

I made a monogram to add to paper products for the wedding. I made multiple, but this was my favorite!

I began making our table numbers. It is hard to see, but our monogram is on the bottom! I love them!

I bought a dress the very first time I went dress shopping (which is a big no no to all you brides searching for your gown). After 4 months of sleepless nights and freighting over my dress i finally went to a seamstress to see if she could make some changes to make it more like something I was originally looking for. She said she was willing to do the changes but then she asked "so you want to spend $400 on alterations..... but will you love the dress when it's all done?". Lets just say, some tears were shed and she encouraged me to look for a different dress.

And with only 6 months before the big day, the hunt began. I tried on EVERYTHING. I swear I tried on hundreds of dresses at hundreds of different salons and finally found my girl:

Casablanca 1827

She is just so elegant and classic. I love that so many brides have worn this and it looks AMAZING on every, single girl! I love her and can finally sleep soundly knowing I will feel like an absolute princess on my wedding day. I also bought an Allure crystal sash to add which accentuates the waist line!

Now its time to find the right accessories!

Source: Gatorbride

I definitely want a long veil.... possibly cathedral that has no edging... just tulle (so it doesn't distract from the lace on my dress). Here's some inspiration:

Source: Rock.star's

Source: Par228

I really like the round edge and the width of the veil. (Approximately 104inches in width and 108inches in length)

Bridesmaids Dresses: Only $100 at Davids Bridal

Shoes:

http://www.unforgettablemoments.com/assets/images/products/074901_3228_lg.jpg

$33.75 if ordered during BOGO Sale! They will be in Cashmere

The shoes from payless were a disaster! They turned out purple..... Fortunately we were able to return them, but I did not re-order from them. The girls ended up splurging a little bit on the new pick for shoes, but it is totally worth it! These are the new shoes: Nina Forbes from Zappos.

Bouquet:

 DIY rose bouquet- The picture below is what they would look like by the end of the evening. The bouquet has a champagne colored ribbon around the base. I love how they look and the total is only $15.50!

Shawl:

Still looking for a nice ivory/champagne colored shawl! Gotta keep my girls warm in March :).

Option 1: (definitly need to work on my curling technique.)

Option 2:

Option 3:

Chargers- I am selling 165 chargers for $100. Great deal as they usually sell for $2 a charger. They are washed and ready to go! Pick up only. I am located in west Michigan.

Cake Server Set for cake cutting. Hard to see in the image from our wedding. They are silver with crystal handles. $10

I am also selling my size 10 Dessy flats. They were SO comfortable. I only wore them indoors only, so they are in excellent condition. Originally purchased for $30 plus shipping. Selling for $15 plus shipping.

These were purchased at DSW for $50. I only wore them once for photos when putting on my garter. I am selling them for $25 plus shipping. Size 11. They are a little big on me, but I knew I wasn't going to be walking in them.

I wore these only once as well for my bouidor photo shoot. They looked great in the photos! I am selling them for $20 plus shipping. Size 10.

Cardbox $45.

Two program holders: $25 each.

Ring Bearer Pillow $10

Flowergirl Flowerball: $25 plus shipping. This flowerball cost about $50 dollars to make. All of the flowers are the "real" flowers from Hobby Lobby. It looks and feels great, like real flowers.

Extra styrofoam balls if you are interested in making more. I will include these with the flowerball purchase for free.

Flower headband for flowergirl. Never worn. Tags still attached. $5

Signage $7 per sign or you can purchase all 4 for $20.

(we put this one at the front of the table, and the one's above on the backs of our chairs)

Toasting flutes: $25 plus shipping

I have 12 of these cylindar vases. Selling for $10 for the case. Pick up only.

I have 13 of these- Selling for $10. Pick up only.

I purchased these thinking I would do hanging votives, but decided not to later on. All 4 are only $4. I am pretty sure I paid $2 a piece for these, so they are 1/2 off :).

Approximately 80-100 of these votives. There is definitely a good 6 hours left in them at least!

Used these for our unity candle. Selling for $5 plus shipping

I have about 160 cocktail napkins with our L monogram on them. Selling for $8.

L wax seal stamp and wax. Selling for $7 plus shipping.

I have 5 4X6's and 2 5X7's. Used them for grandparents and parents wedding photos. It was a huge hit!

Memorial candle: $8

It says:

The light from this candle shines

In memory of those

That could not be with us today

They are in our hearts

As we begin our lives together

And Always

Silver vase $8 plus shipping.

Couldn't wait to post some pictures from our big day. It was everything I could have hoped for!

My beautiful mama

All of my girls :)

My sister and Matron of Honor. I love her to death!

Our first dance :)

My dad surprised me with our song. This is when I realized he picked a song of me singing from a highschool performance. haha

All of my nursing girls toasting to passing our nursing boards! We took them a couple weeks before the wedding. Lots to celebrate :).

Havin a good time :)

My new family :)