On 9/10/11 Mr. Sin and I joined our lives together for eternity in a beautiful outdoor cathedral surrounded by stunning red rock formations and the love of family and friends.  We were so blessed that so many could make the trip for our wedding.  A surprise for me was my Aunt and Uncle whom I haven't seen in some years as well as my best friend's mom who is like a second mother to me. 

The week leading up to the wedding was crazy, both of us had to work up until the Thursday before and both of us were sick as well.  I did not get all of my diy's done and guess what, I did not care! 

We watched the forecast like hawks...it called for a 40% chance of rain and thundershowers, ALL DAY...eeek! It never changed all week long. However, I was not worried, I had the location for 2 hours for a 20 minute ceremony and here in the desert, rain comes and goes in a flash.  There was a covered building we could take shelter in and wait for any showers to pass. 

The day before, I finished stacking my cake.  Me, my MOH and bridesmaid did a few DIY things (completed some program fans, cutting and taping on the water bottle labels I made, and assembling our smores favor bags), and I was up until 2:30 am making the bouquets from fabric flowers I made combined with red roses we got that day from Costco.  They turned out fantastic!

The morning started out hectic, up at 5:30am to curl my hair (did NOT last, lol) and put finishing touches on my dress (I altered it to a corset back, added handmade flowers and "sleeves") and pack emergency bag.  We drove the hour drive watching the VERY overcast sky the entire time.  I was glad for the cloud cover as the normal temp there at this time of year hovers around 100 degrees.  We arrived at the park, met with the minister a final time, gave the photographer some final instructions and dashed to the restroom to finish getting ready.

With all the guests up at the ceremony site after getting a bottle of water, bubbles and a program to use as a fan 'just in case' from my junior honor attendant, my besties and I headed up the hill.  Just as we began to walk...the sun came out as if to watch.  I had asked my MOH to sing 'Bless the Broken Road' for my walk up, and I began walking as soon as I heard her.  She has the most beautiful voice and the song is nothing if not appropriate for both FI/DH and I.

We had a short christian ceremony followed by a rose ceremony that everyone loved and commented on.  Most of the guests had never seen it before.  We decided to include it because now DH has always given me roses, and in fact has planted a lot of them at our home.  The only hitch was when my MOH could not get my ring untied from her bouquet to give to now DH.  She was shaking and it got worse as she tried to undo the ribbon. 

We did not have a flower girl or ring bearer and my Honor Attendants (MOH and BM, called so because they stood up for both DH and I) carried our rings and the rose ceremony roses tied to their bouquets.

After the ceremony, we walked down to the Visitor area and chatted with guests before taking pics.  I have to mention that we had people who were visitors to the park taking pictures of us.  Very sweet.  With pictures done and a reception to get ready for...we jumped in our cars (DH and I caught a ride with my dear dear friend who flew into town) and headed back home.  Just as we left the park, it began to rain.  On the main highway to Vegas, you could see the angry black cloud cover and watch the lightning strikes!!!  Looks like the reception would be IN the house, NOT in the back yard...BUT before we arrived home, the sky cleared, the sun came out and NO MORE RAIN ALL DAY. :) YAY!

Things that were unperfect:

• MOH ripped 2 loops out of my corset dress closure...no way to fix, upset me for about 20 seconds that she yanked so uncarefully, but I love her to death and...big picutre...her awesomeness far far far outweighs the inconvenience of my dress slipping down a little...cleavage alert folks!!!
• MOH put hairflower on me backwards and veil not where I wanted it, but I was too rushed to check in the weird steel shiny park bathroom mirror.  However, with the heat, my hair was not all that great and the higher placement of the veil hid all of it so, cool deal.
• BM forgot hairflower...I forgot my eyeliner brush :/
• Apparently bees' favorite color is white...read big girl in white dress in middle of natural setting =/= bee repellent, lol.
• While it was nice the sun came out, it was HOT and HUMID. 
• Being sick :(
• His whole family RSVPing to reception, and only 3 out of 20 showing up and those not staying for food or cake...they were having too much fun out on the town together.  THAT got my ire up for oh, only 3 days, SO SO SO DISRESPECTFUL to DH.
• DH and I rode back in a friend's rental car and the 'new car smell' (car had only 20miles on it when he rented it) was unlike any new car smell in any new car I have been in.  It made me soooo sick.  I can only assume the petrochemicals and formaldehyde were behind the smell.  I had a headache and nausea that did not go away for 3 hours in spite of switching cars.  Most awful part of the day for sure. 

Things that were perfect:

• My husband
• My MOH, her husband and Mom, my best guy friend, Aunt and Uncle and Cousins as well as one of my long time and much honored friend and her sister able to travel to see us get married.
• Sunshine and no rain all day.
• Cake and food came out yummy.
• Celebrating with family and friends
• My MOH making an awesome on the spot toast
• Our minister and his 'keep it short' ceremony.  At our request we wanted our ceremony to be minimal as possible while still including a reading from Corinthians and a rose ceremony which he had never even heard of until yours truly mentioned wanting one.  
• Our rose ceremony.  Now each time we give eachother roses, we will be reminded of our wedding day! :)

Things I wanted to do but did not get done due to illness and lack of time:

• Breakaway toss bouquet with scratch off fortune tickets
• Garland streamers of hearts (got the hearts done but did not string them) and globe lights strung from patio cover to a point above my pool fountain.
• DIY Photobooth
• DIY Music
• Damask table runners
• More tables and seating

Really, the whole day, while super super casual, was perfect.  Ladies, it is not worth is to stress the small things.  There was a ton of stuff we could have done differently, or done at all and some things that went wrong but in the end, we spent time with family and friends that were important to us and are now husband and wife for life and that is the ONLY thing that matters.

~~~~~~~~Non Pros~~~~~~~~

Above: Our ring exchange. 

♥♥♥ First Kiss as Husband and Wife!♥♥♥

Above: We are Married!  Right: One of my fave's...check out the over cast sky!  It looked like that and worse before and after our ceremony.

Above: Blue Skies during ceremony! Yay!  Right: Another fave of mine.  We climbed up on the rocks!

Above: My 2 best friends and Right: another fave pic.  DH is always wearing shades :)

Above and Right: Cutting the cake I made and our first taste!  It was yummy.

Above and right: Birdcage cardbox, the hairflowers I made, DH boutonniere, our wedding invite envelope and my wedding shoes.

Above: Close up of my hairflower   Right: DH bout in front of our guestbook which says "Live With Intention"

Hello Everyone!  This was taken on Valentine's Day at the Silverton Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV.  This was one of the locations of our second date and, yes, we are standing in front of a gigantic fish tank. 

As you can probably surmise, both Mr. Sin and I live in Las Vegas.  We met through an online dating site, chatted for a while then met and the rest, as they say, is history.  We have been together since January 2008 and he asked me to marry him on a gorgeous sunny day in December, 2009. 

We both love the color red, like to fix cars and watch NASCAR.  I believe his nephew's exact words were "Oh man, a girl who is pretty, works on cars AND likes NASCAR...you HAVE to meet her!"  What a goof.  He's 18 though, so what can you expect, right :P 

We have 4 furbabies: 3 ChiuDoxies (Chiuhuahua, Dachsund and Corgi mix) and one kitty.  Let me introduce you to our crazy family...

This is Peanut, he is sooo well manered...a perfect gentleman.  Poor guy was recuperating from a herniated disk in this picture...he was so spoiled!  He could hardly walk but now he runs and plays again thanks to our great vet!

This is Choco.  He would be our 2 year old if we had one, lol!  He is always getting into trouble.  His latest is unwinding the toilet paper roll! GRRRRR, bad dog! But his fur is sooo thick and he is sooo cuddly, you can't be mad for long.

This is Minnie the princess and flirt!  She likes to take out the trash.  One piece at a time, from the trash can to the floor.  Her fur is sooo silky its like petting a bunny. 

Here they are together, one happy puppy family....for about one milisecond!!!

And this is Psycho Kitty Luna.  She is schizophrenic, or MPD. One minute she is loving on you and the next she is tearing across the room after some invisible demon.  The picture on the right is why I am thinking about declawing her.

that is a queen size mattress standing against the wall.  She got up there herself, hung around for a while in a few different locations, then got back down to chase more crazy demons. 

Ring ring ring!

My e-ring on one of Mr. Sin's garden roses:

I love it so much.  I love simple and elegant and he loves big (think lots of diamonds and sparkle) and I am so glad he listened.  He has such good fiance skills ;). 

His wedding band on a Conch shell I picked up on vacation:

So did I mention that FH loves NASCAR....in a big way?  I wanted something strong since he works with his hands, substantial because he does not like thin rings (remember..big, sparkly).  I found this on Amazon and snatched it right away.  It is stainless steel with gold inlay in a checkerd (think finish flag) pattern.  I <3 this ring!

My wedding band is an heirloom dating back to 1955.  It is simply a plain gold band.  However, it crossed an ocean and continent to be with me. 

I was talking to sis one day about not being able to afford wedding rings as both FH and I had been laid off.    She asked if I wanted to use Oma's ring.  Ohhh...absolutely.  So she gets it and is looking at the inscription, and discovers it was my Opa's (Grandfather's) ring, not Oma's like she thought.  I never met him but my Oma (Grandma) and I had so much fun together.  She was a mischievous German woman and he was her second husband and they shared a very happy marriage.  When he passed, my Oma wore his ring instead of hers always...never took it off.  Their wedding date is engraved on it...it is my birthday, but 15 years earlier.   We NEVER knew this. So my wedding ring is lucky cubed...an awesome marriage, worn by both of them, and I was born on their 15th wedding anniversary. 

Here they are together

My wedding jewelry:

The necklace and earrings were my Mom's and are my something old.  The pink and silver item is a bracelet and I am not sure what I am going to do with the flower brooch yet, maybe pin on my wrap or hair flower or in the bouqet.  What do you ladies think? 

♣♦♠♥ Viva Vegas!♥♠♦♣

For logistical and financial reasons, we have deciced to hold our wedding in the stunning Valley of Fire, north of Las Vegas, NV.  Our ceremony will be located in an open air chapel there and we will have a BBQ reception at home. 

************************

One of the first things we did was pick a date and book the location.  We are getting married on the beach in picturesqe Port Townsend, WA. 

I mentioned earlier I had been an avid sailor.  One of my favorite places on earth is Port Townsend.  It is a huge sailing town, they have a wooden boat festival every year, great shops, antiques, the best seafood restaurant EVER at the Belmont Hotel and more sunshine than pretty much anywhere in Western Washington.  So I took Mr. Sin up to meet the family and friends.  My MOH's (and best friend) mom owns a B&B there and we went to visit.  We went to The Old Consulate Inn, a gorgeous stately victorian lady and chose it as our alternate location:

THE VENUE!

Our ceremnoy/reception site is at Fort Worden State Park, where the movie 'An Officer And A Gentleman" was filmed.  We ended up on the beach after seeing the commons, the barracks, the 'castle' and a cute cottage on the bluff.  This is THE spot...right...here...

I love it, we have great open space, plenty of beams for decorations, an outside for the kids to go away to.. ha ha. A giant door that rolls open, plenty of picnic tables, most of which will be moved outside.  There is plenty of sand to get in food and for guests to take home in their cars...hey, FAVORS!  YAY, saving money already.  JK.  We will have the food and dancing inside.  There is a bonfire pit in the middle of the benches in pic 1.  Also in pic 1 is where we will have the ceremony, I am thinking anyway, unless the beach is log free...which really depends on the tide and weather and how many burly men I can corral to move them...sooo maybe log free is a possibility ;).  Our ceremony will either be just past the bonfire pit out on the beach or up and to the left of the bonfire pit past the white fencing.

These are some pics of the beach area.  The building I will be renting is the white one on the left. 

We are planning on doing a simple BBQ style reception.  Here is our Menu so far.  Oh, wait, you will want these before viewing.

We will be using similar plates, silverware/napkin idea and plain stemmed water glasses.

              ~~~WELCOME TO MS. & MR. SIN'S VIRTUAL BBQ BUFFET!!~~~

                              WE ARE SO GLAD YOU COULD COME!

      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ENJOY!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BBQ Chicken, Burgers and Hot Dogs with Sauerkraut/Chili option

BLT Macaroni Salad, German Potato Salad, Dinner Salad

Vegetable Tray, Ambrosia and Waldorf Salad

Baked Beans and Corn

Here are a couple of monograms I designed.  I need to change the dates though. 

Colored wine glasses were a tradition while I was growing up.  My Mom would bring out these fantastic crystal glasses of every color on special occasions and it was such a treat to finally be old enough to drink from them.  So when we found these leaded crystal glasses on sale, I wanted to get them so FI and I can start the tradition again.  He loved them, so in the cart they went.  He also loved these fire lanters from Sky Lanterns to release later on in the evening.

Instead of throwing rice or confetti or rose petals, our guests will ring in our new life after the ceremony. My MOH wants to make cootie catchers similar to the ones on the right as well.  I think they will be fun. 

Below is some beach inspiration.  I am trying to convince my MOH to get some poles and lights for me because I am dying to recreate the 'dance floor' on the beach.  I love these vintage looking signs and want to make a few to place around the venue.  You know...Wedding this way, reception that way, restrooms the other way, etc.  I think they will go well.

Some ceremony ideas below.  The location is similar to mine, ie..not a tropical beach and not super formal.  I don't really care for the idea of an arch or gazebo defining the ceremony area, nor do I particularly want rows of chairs in the sand.

We are making Activity books for the kids and there will be games such as lawn darts and horseshoes to entertain for the hour of pics between reception and ceremony (backwards but ykwim) and I am going to put out some red paper and example cranes w/instructions so guests can make origami cranes, which will then be sent in to the 10000 crane chandelier project.  Each crane = 50 cents donated towards cancer research. 

Any other ideas for entertainment outside??

Once again, if I have used your photo and failed to give you credit, message me and I will credit you.  Thanks. 

I am going for a vintage elegant feel with beachy accents.  Sand dollars, shells and beach rock will feature in the decor.

COLORS

My colors are red/black/white

Bouquet Inspiration:

I will be DIYing my bouquet.  Either fresh roses and gerbera daisies with feathers, crystals and shells...or fabric flowers.  Here is my fabric flower inspiration.

My brides maids I would like to carry feathered fans in red with flower/shell/ribbon accents.  Like this:

So due to budget issues, I will be DIY-ing a significant amount of my wedding.  Here are my plans so far and I will post the finished project.

My DIY flowers/bouquets/bouts

Hair accessories for myself and bridal party

Invites

Food

B-Pics~~~DONE!  Friend me to see ;)

Signage

Programs

Banner Signs

My wrap to hide my arms ;)

A flower toss bouquet

Garters

Centerpieces

Table runners (damask black on white)

Pomanders

Scratch Tickets

Kids Activity Books

Hair/MU

DIY PINK CHAMPAGNE CAKE TRIAL~~A TALE OF 2 MIXES

My FI requested a pink champagne cake for the wedding.  I am DIYing our cake and have been trying recipies and ideas for months.  I found a great doctored from a mix recipe and tried it with 2 diff cake mixes to see if there was a difference. I was going for a moist denser cake that was sturdy and did not make you feel like you needed a drink after you took a bite (which is how most mixes seem to be to me) Here are the results.

Batch #1: Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe White with Champagne and Lavenderish Coloring.  The batter on this was very thin, like pudding before it sets.

Batch #2: Pillsbury Pudding in the Mix white mix with champagne and pink color added.  The batter for this was super thick, like a pound cake batter or pudding already set.

They both rose about the same amount and everyone who taste tested said there was no discernable difference between the two taste and texture wise. 

Here it is frosted and then cut...you can tell the 2 different mixes by their color, please excuse the shinyness of the frosting...it was VERY loose due to the insane heat of my house.  It gets seriously hot in the summer afternoons, even with a/c:

This cake was super moist and stayed that way for its duration in the fridge...about 4 days. It is filled with homemade Bavarian Cream.  YUM! 

I did not go to town decorating it because a) it was too stinkin' hot and b) I was too tired to make fondant.  It will be decorated similarly to my first cake trial shown below.

DIY CAKE TRIAL

So I have known that I was going to make our wedding cake and that FI wants pink champagne.  I like red velvet.  So...I decided to combine the two.  This is the first ever time I have made fondant from scratch and the first time I have covered a cake with it.  AND the first time I have made roses too.   My intent is to have very red roses (I just got lazy with the food coloring...I was tired!) and a black ribbon around the base.  See the very last cake pic in this section for my inspiration.  The red velvet cake is supposed to make a heart when cut...BUT it is sooo hard to scrape out, I am thinking about doing a 'T' for our last name.  So, without further ado, here is my cake trial. 

Don't laugh...my heart is broken :(...boo hoo, I was afraid to carve too much and crack the layers.

And, as you can see I am not sure how to smooth the fondant at the base of the cake to get the excess to NOT ripple.  Tips anyone??

Some of my wedding cake inspiration for my DIY cake.

Love the little red flowers and swirls. Not so much so the butterflies.

Like the red roses on top and the simpleness of the dots and black ribbon.  Not fond of it being square.

 FH loves this with the fountain.  He has always wanted a cake like this.  I might be able to do it.  I'm SCARED!

 If I could have any cake, price was no object, I would have a 4 tier cake in white and blush decorated like this baby in the Lambeth style.  **SIGH**

 I will be making this cake with roses in shades of red and the white flowers with hints of fuschia.  Hopelfully sitting atop a fountain for FH.  Thank you O'Holy Sweet blogspot for your beautiful cake artistry.

• Find the guy--DONE! :)
• Dress -DONE!
• Shoes
• Bridal jewelry--DONE!
• Wedding band--DONE!
• Groom's ring--DONE!
• BM dresses—DONE but ONE!
• BM shoes--
• Grooms Outfit
• Flower girl dress—DONE!
• Ringbearer Outfit
• Ceremony site--DONE!
• Officiant—DONE!
• Reception venue--DONE!
• Make/Get Tablecloths—1/2 way done
• Candles
• Order Flying paper lanterns
• Order Feather Fans
• Buy Food
• Finalize menu and # of plates
• Photographer
• Music person
• Finialize guest list
• Book room for wedding night
• Flowers
• Cake!
• Registry
• Schedule Nail appointment
• Hair trial
• Order invitations & envelopes--DONE!
• Address invitations
• Garter
• BM gifts—1/2 way
• Make emergency kit
• Marriage license
• Passports—hubby’s only
• Book honeymoon
• Wedding website

     {PAY BALANCE}

• Photographer
• Reception venue--DONE!
• Ceremony venue--DONE!
• Officiant

     {DIY}

• Photo sharing cards
• Make veil
• Damask Runners
• Tablecloths 
• Reserved signs
• Design wedding invitations
• Programs
• Bride & groom chair signs
• Card basket
• FG basket
• RB shell
• Last chance sign
• Pomanders
• Hanging flowers
• Music selection
• Cake
• Dress (corset back, hem and make straps wider)
• Wrap
• Table runners
• Photobooth…decide if having one.
• Hair flower
• BM headbands
• FG hair accessory
• Signage (ice water, tea, punch etc.)
• Kiss catchers

Since both of us love roses and Mr. Sin is always bringing me red roses and I have allowed him to plant our yard FULL of roses, I want to do this after exchanging vows.  I think it suits us perfectly:

"Your gift to each other for your wedding today has been your wedding rings - which shall always be an outward demonstration of your vows of love and respect; and a public showing of your commitment to each other.

You now have what remains the most honorable title which may exist between a man and a woman - the title of "husband" and "wife." For your first gift as husband and wife, that gift will be a single rose.

In the past, the rose was considered a symbol of love and a single rose always meant only one thing - it meant the words "I love you." So it is appropriate that for your first gift - as husband and wife - that gift would be a single rose.

Please exchange your first gift as husband and wife. In some ways it seems like you have not done anything at all. Just a moment ago you were holding one small rose - and now you are holding one small rose. In some ways, a marriage ceremony is like this. In some ways, tomorrow is going to seem no different than yesterday. But in fact today, just now, you both have given and received one of the most valuable and precious gifts of life - one I hope you always remember - the gift of true and abiding love within the devotion of marriage.

_________ and _____________, I would ask that where ever you make your home in the future - whether it be a large and elegant home - or a small and graceful one - that you both pick one very special location for roses; so that on each anniversary of this truly wonderful occasion you both may take a rose to that spot both as a recommitment to your marriage - and a recommitment that THIS will be a marriage based upon love. 

In every marriage there are times where it is difficult to find the right words. It might be difficult at times to find the words to say "I am sorry" or "I forgive you"; "I need you" or "I am hurting". If this should happen, if you simply can not find these words, leave a rose at that spot which both of you have selected - for that rose than says what matters most of all and should overpower all other things and all other words.

That rose says the words: "I still love you." The other should accept this rose for the words which cannot be found, and remember the love and hope that you both share today.

__________ and ________, if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, it is that it was love that brought you here today, it is only love which can make it a glorious union, and it is by love which your marriage shall endure." 

As a long time recreational sailor, I have been fortunate in witnessing many amazing things.  One of the coolest was a ceremonial blowing of Conch shells to signal the day's end.  Imagine anchoring your boat after sailing hard all day (and yes, it IS work but super fun work) and you are ready to relax.  You grab a glass of wine and go up on deck, ready to kick back, enjoy some jazz and grill your dinner.  Your boat is gently rocking in the light breeze and the sun is about to set, blanketing you and the 20 other boats sharing your patch of calm water.  In the distance you hear the faint blow of a horn...then another, and another.  That etherial sound echoes around you from several boats calling the end of the day. 

I want to incorporate this into my wedding as it symbolizes something the meaning of which is held deep in my soul.  It is a call to the heavens and a symbol of strength and hope.  Perhaps, as I have several of these shell horns, my FI and I will blow them at sunset together.  It sounds corny, but if you have ever experienced one of these moments, it will hit you deep and you will remember forever.

I know there are a lot of brides out there on a budget so I wanted to share our $1400 wedding. I really need to preface this by letting all of you know that Mr. Sin and I are NOT overly fussy people and we had some pretty tight finances while planning this. This wedding of ours was very very casual.  We wanted to keep the mood fun and the cost down.  How did we do that?  By limiting the guest list and having a state park/backyard shindig.  We treated it more like a 4th of July BBQ. 

Stunning backdrop...provided by Mother Earth...priceless.

How did we do it:

• I bought my dress online at a discount store...it had a snag in the tulle, but was an easy fix that cost me 99 cents in tulle.  I added shoulder draping, handmade fabric flowers and a corset back. 
• MOH, BM and I love to garage sale.  Found Silver coffee urns for 10.00 each.  forgot to get spigots to replace the broken ones so bought 2 $2 ladles.  Worked great and were gorgeous.  MOH donated glassware, found  awesome rose garland that worked well to decorate posts, cake table and serving tables.  What money would have gone into deorating a plain venue we used to put plants and a patio cover in so I am not counting this.  It was about 300.00.
• Made my own cake.  About $60.00 in materials to make a 2 tier practice and a 3 tier wedding cake.  It was not as hard as you would think.  I am not a fancy fancy person...no fondant or cascades of anything.  Just Buttercream Icing with some shell edging.  Had I not been ill it might have looked different, but it was gorgeous nonetheless.
• Scoured Craigs List for photographer.  She was great, just building her portfolio and I got a good deal.
• I have about a million songs on my pc, we hooked up some speakers and put together some playlists.  My MOH has a lovely voice and she sang for the walk up the aisle, which made that moment all the more meaningful for us.  We did not have any special dances, just played music and it went very well.  Prescreen your music files and assign someone to man the computer/mp3 player for the special moments/dances.  My advice, make a folder for each stage and along with the above, you will be fine.
• Used a State Park as my ceremony site.  Most parks are inherently lovely and so need no decoration.  They are inexpensive and provide a memorable and unique experience.  What I loved about it, besides the gorgeous setting, is what some might call a disadvantage.  We had complete strangers taking pictures of us as we walked back from the ceremony site.  Most were visitors from other countries and we met some great people in our first hour as Husband and Wife.  It really helped to ground us and take some pressure off.
• We bought EVERYTHING on sale or with coupons.  Joann's and Michaels 40% were the most used and loved by me.
• I repurposed a TON of stuff.  The damask table cloth was actually some fabric I bought a couple of years ago at the $3/yard place.  I think I was going to make a shower curtain from it. Had some doilies and decor left over from christmas that I repurposed.  My cake stand was a repurposed table top with lights under it.
• Got flowers from Costco the day before.  They have an excellent selection of roses and carnations and daisies.  It is seriously not hard to do bouquets.  I did all 3 of ours, wired and ribboned in about an hour plus a boutonniere...at 2am by the way.
• We had one alcoholic drink...a sangria but as it was a hot day I turned it into a spritzer with club soda.  I believe that was the favorite drink of the day.  We bought some beer, but hardly anyone drank it.  by not having alcohol we avoided a huge expense and a liability in case anyone left our reception and had an accident.
• We shopped sales for food and froze it.  We had a casual BBQ reception, served gourmet burgers, brats, hot dogs, baked beans, BLT pasta salad.  Had a topping bar for burgers and brats, a veggie tray and some fruit.  I did notice that most of the guys hung out by the grills and beer cooler...fine by me.  Liquor them up, put them over by an open flame and, voila...free entertainment. 

We made a decision not to buy into what the media and wedding industry put forth as necessary for a wedding.  We decided that no one was paying for our wedding but us, and we did not want to go into debt over this.  Yes, it is a special day.  But it is ONE DAY.  We chose to make it casual and worry free.  If you take anything away from this article, please let it be that last statement.  I banned myself from watching any of the wedding shows, Four Weddings, SYTTD, Dream Weddings etc.  I did sneak an occasional My Fair Wedding Episode while visiting a friend...I dont get the channel, thank goodness!

Here is my $120.00 dress and DH's $50.00 'suit'.

Dress after I "made it mine"                      Before I had my way with it

DH in his "wedding clothes"...he was so happy to put his sunglasses on.

Bridesmaids dresses and my reception dress $28.00 ea.

Yes, DH is a die hard Earnhardt fan.

Below:

Our wedding rings.  I preferred to keep my engagement ring and not have another band for comfort reasons, and DH's band was a budget breaking $25.00 on Amazon. 

The Bouquet from the Costco roses bought the day before.  I used a mix of DIY fabric flowers and fresh...that way I would have something to save in my hope chest.  Yeah, I could have made the bouquets bigger, I had another 40 roses left, but at 2am...just sayin'.

Here is my $60.00 DIY cake (look for a tutorial later...it really was not difficult) and the serving table set up. The cake stand is some repurposed LED christmas light up ribbon I bought one year on clearance for $4.00 at WalMart inside the top of a small side table top I had hanging around. 

My DIY invitations and our toasting flutes...the cake server is an antique given to me by my mother.

The free wine glasses with my DIY name tags and my silver coffee urn 'punch bowls'.

Some of the accessories and deoroations I made. I had a pair of red flats that I updated with handmade flowers and feathers.  I handmade the hairflowers and flowers for bouquets, card cage, boutonniere and scored the guestbook for 2.00.  It is embossed in victorian/western design and says 'Live With Intention'. 

• Dress $120.00  Bought on discount website and altered by moi, cost of alterations incl.
• We got our reception dresses and BM dresses from a non-wedding fashion retailer with locations nationwide on sale for 28.00 each.
• Husband's attire $50.00
• Husband's ring $25.00
• Hair Accessories $50.00 made by moi
• Flowers (inlcuding bout and bouquets) $65.00
• Veil...Free...made by friend from 12.00 worth of beads, tulle and a comb
• Bridesmaid totes with jewelry, hairflower, sunscreen and lotion, $12.00 total.
• Food and Drink $400.00 inluding cake
• Photographer found on CL $300.00
• Minister $150.00
• Venue $150.00
• Misc Decorations/Linens that weren't borrowed or owned already $80.00
• Invites DIYed for $45.00
• Misc stuff not used $50.00 (punches, fabric, decorations)
• Toasting Flutes $15.00 at Burlington

TOTAL $1412

I hope this was helpful to a future bride.  Best wishes, Sin.