Stephen and I (Lindsie) met my sophomore year of high school. It was his senior year. I wasn't planning on dating until college. He had just gotten out of a bad relationship and wasn't planning on dating for a while. Stephen and I were best friends, and we decided to go to a school dance together so that we would both have a date without the risk of the other person thinking that we were in it for a relationship.

...

Well, we danced that night, and ended up falling in love. We now both go to Whitworth University; I as an English and journalism double major, and he as a music major. We've been together for almost three and a half years, and we are having our wedding in about another year and a half (June 2012).

***EDIT*** After some consideration, he decided to no longer go to Whitworth, but transfer to another local college to get his degree in early childhood education. He has finally found his passion!

I happen to be one of those people who completely loves planning stuff, so I've already put together a ton of inspiration and designed the mock-ups for my stationary. :) See below!

I'm planning on having a vintage garden style wedding at Riverfront Park in Spokane, Washington.

Here's the venue:

Our colors are goign to be pale yellow, bright yellow, and sage green with brown and tan accents.

For flowers, we're using green blush gerber daisies, yellow ranunculus, and baby's breath (for sure!). We might be using white peonies and/or viburnum.

**EDIT** I am in love with paper flowers, so we might end up using more paper flowers, and less real flowers. I think we'll still throw in some real flowers too (ranunculus for sure), but definitely focus on the paper ones. They're gorg!

I'm a visual communication minor, so you can probably imagine how exited I was at the prospect of making our wedding stationary. So, I've been officially (like OFFICIALLY) engaged for three weeks now and I already have a good idea of what I want. So I'm posting. I got the idea for the invite from many a stumbleupon adventures, and made everything else from there.

***The info is all filler info ... we don't even have an official date yet. :)***

***EDIT*** We have an official date, and I've changed these designs a bit. The first ones are the old, the second the new.

The invite reads: Lindsie and Stephen met while working on the [high] school play. Those who were involved with The Crucible knew that it was bound to bring about odd occurances--the show was about witches, after all. Nonetheless, these poor students needed extracurriculars to list on their college applications. L & S didn't get along.

The girl says: "Flaming idiot!"

The boy says: "Ooh ... cute."

Then, one day, they started to talk; they discovered they actually kind of liked each other. A friendship bloomed. After deciding that they were never ever going to date (anyone), they went to a dance together. They danced. They fell in love (oops). And now that that's all settled, you are cordially invited to the celebration of Lindsie Wagner and Stephen Trego's entrance into wedded bliss.

**The typo (children't) has been fixed. :)

The invite is A7 size and the STD and RSVP card are postcard size. :) They all need a little more editing, but I am kind of in love. <3

This is my amazing Maid of Honor #1, Willa. She's been my best friend since we were 12, and she is quite adorable. Gosh dang, I'm blushing. :) We fight like sisters, but we love each other in the end.

Willa is the reality behind the wedding planning. She's the little voice from heaven (literally, since she's more than a foot taller than me) who says things like: "Linds, is that really what you want?" "Can you afford that, dear?" Ugh. I always have to answer to her. :) But it saves me half the time.

My inspirational Maid of Honor #2, Chelsie. I met her a few months ago through mutual college buddies only to find out that we are from the same area.

Hence, we carpool home for breaks and we end up becoming really super close. She loves event planning (she is thinking about going into it when she's done with college), so she is the perfect MOH. She has been helping quite a bit with rounding up inspiration. It's great.

Nylah and I met in kindergarten. We were pretty close back when we were five, and then we separated for a while, and became close again when we were about 10. Haha. Besties ever since.

She lives a few hours away now, so I don't get to see her much. (Sad day.) When I do see her, though, we like to hug and hold hands and skip. It's great stuff. Ummm ... she still doesn't know that I'm engaged. Hang on a moment, I'm going to call her. :) A couple minutes later: Not answering. Damn.

Stacie is my FI's sister, but she is also a dear friend of mine. She was the first person in his family to really accept me, and I am very grateful for that.

This girl has a huge heart and is always looking to help others. She's a lot like her brother, but much cuter (haha, kidding). She plans to start college in the fall. I love her dearly.

Camille, fondly known by me as Millie or Million, is my roommate for another two weeks. :( Through this first semester at school, she has been amazingly supportive and I love her to death.

I completely intend on staying really close with Camille after she moves. (She's only moving down the hall, so it won't be too bad.) Camille brings life to my boring academic life. She is always laughing, and it brightens my day!

In addition to these girls, there will be two junior bridesmaids, but I'll tell you about them later.

I'm letting the girls all choose their own dresses with a few restrictions: 1. They must be yellow; 2. MOHs get to wear patterns, BMs solids; 3. The dresses must be about knee length; 4. They musn't show too much cleavage. No boobs hanging out! :)

Ohhhh ... and I really want them all to have some sort of vintage-chic feeling to them.

My inspiration for finding these gems of inspiration:

Woooooo!

Ugh. I hate thinking about money, but here is the budget.

EDIT: It's gone up. :(

Apparel

Dress $790

Shoes $30

Groom's Shoes $30

Veil $10 I'm DIY-ing this

EDIT: Changed from $20 to $10, because I got the netting on sale at Michael's for $2.50, and the combs for $2, so all I need now is the ribbon and flower. :)

Undergarments $100 this includes full lingerie and a DIY crinoline

Groom's Apparel $100 groom is wearing dockers and a button-up, so no suit or tux, although that would be cheapince he owns both

Reception

Venue $375 including use fee since we're bringing our own food

Dance Floor $325

Food $1057 we are serving a sandwich, chip, and salad bar, all DIY

EDIT: from $920, we decided to serve Izze, which is a little more expensive than the drinks we were originally going to serve

Silverware $80 using biodegradable disposable utensils

Plates $75 using biodegradable disposable plates

Cake & Pies $200 a friend is making a small two-tier cheesecake and a bunch of pies for us! We're just paying for the ingredients

EDIT: from $100, we are still having a friend make the cheesecake, but after realizing how many pies would be needed, we decided to go the Costco route with the pies.

Table Cloths $190 renting

Napkins $15 biodegradable

Serving Platters, etc. $100 renting if we can't find at thrift stores

Cake Serving $75 making out of logs :) DIY!

Music Equipment $50 renting

Water Glasses $55 renting

Sparkling Cider $65 COSTCO!

Chamagne Flutes $55 renting

Water Service $10 renting or TJ Maxx

Ceremony

Chairs $315 renting

Venue $175

Officiant $150 hotel fee, officiant not charging

Flowers/Decor

Flowers $400 buying at fiftyflowers.com if can't find them cheaper

Vases $0 for mason jars. We are collecting glass bottles from our college recycling bins and my mom is using sticks to create some other centerpieces

EDIT: from $25, we decided to use all recycled materials for centerpieces! :)

Music $25 for extra mp3s to use

Stationary

Invitations $200 I'm a visual communication minor, which is basically graphic design, so I am designing all of our invitations. This is just for the print costs.

Postage $125 I don't even want to think about this.

Other

Hotel Rooms $300 for getting ready for the wedding, and for the wedding night

Attendant Gifts $75 simple gifts, nothing fancy

Favors $75 making 125-ish seeded paper flowers. Guests can plant the paper flowers in their gardens or in pots and get REAL flowers

Photography $800 found a great photographer who doesn't charge much! This price includes an engagement shoot, 6 hours of the wedding, a trash the dress shoot, and her 2-hour travel fees

EDIT: Up from $770. We found a different photographer who we love more. This doesn't include a TTD, but I think that's okay. I can't decide if I want to trash my dress anyway!

License $55

TOTAL $6,550! Basically, my fiance and I will be contributing $3,000 and my parents will contribute $3,550. My fiance's parents will put on the rehearsal dinner.

EDIT: This is in contstant flux. Go to the page called "new budget" to see the most recent. :) The above is possible, but I wanted to add a few things.

1. Choose a wedding date
2. Reserve reception location
3. Reserve ceremony location
4. Choose my wedding party, and ensure my fiance has chosen his
5. Purchase the dress
6. Ensure all bridesmaids have purchased their dresses
7. Ensure all bridesmaids have purchased their shoes
8. Hire my officiant
9. Decide for sure whether we are DIY-ing food, or having a caterer; if having a caterer, hire
10. Choose which friend will be acting as an emcee for the reception **friends are DJing
11. Hire a photographer
12. Finish invitation designs
13. Print invitations
14. Send invitations
15. Create finalized guest list
16. Send save the dates
17. Reserve hotel rooms and guest block
18. Ensure groom has selected his attire
19. Ensure groomsmen have purchased their shirts **ended up purchasing for them
20. Ensure groomsmen have purchased their pants
21. Ensure gm have purchased shoes
22. Discuss reception area layout with Nana (wedding planner) and venue
23. Finalize menu choices for caterer
24. Define music choices (ceremony and reception)
25. Plan with photographer
26. Do a hair/makeup trial
27. DIY veil **ended up buying from another bride
28. Get birdcage for cardbox
29. DIY bridesmaids' guides
30. Get bridesmaids' guides printed
31. Choose bridesmaids' shoes
32. Create will you be my bridesmaid cards
33. Mail will you be my bridesmaid cards
34. Secure marriage license
35. DIY bridesmaid hangers
36. Ensure fiance has ordered groomsmen gifts (some sort of bladed item, I don't understand ...)
37. Confirm venue
38. Confirm officiant
39. Confirm caterer
40. Confirm DJ
41. Confirm photographer
42. DIY bridesmaids' necklaces/bracelets
43. Confirm cake plans
44. DIY cake stands
45. DIY wedding sign
46. DIY centerpieces
47. DIY guestbook **Edit** Won this from Pinhole Press via Oh Lovely Day blog
48. Purchase ceremony decor
49. DIY poms for ceremony
50. hire florist

This is a work in progress. This just seemed like a good place to put our thoughts. :)

Also, we're working through this list to see which songs we might want.

Ceremony

Prelude & Postlude (playlist)

Love (Nat King Cole)

She Will Be Loved (Maroon 5)

Make You Feel My Love (Adele)

Sleepy Tigers (Her Space Holiday)

Processional

So This is Love (Cinderella)

JanaLee (bride's mom) - Nina (groom's mom)

Janelle (groom's step mom) - David (groom's dad)

Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop (Landon Pigg)

Camille (bm) - Shay (gm)

Nylah (bm) - Parker (gm)

Stacie (bm) - James (gm)

Willa (moh) - Konrad (bm)

Chelsie (moh) - Josh (bm)

Ramie (jr bm) - Dallis (jr gm) - Barbie (jr bm)

Bride's Entrance

Love Song (Adele) - sung by Willa (moh)

Recessional

All I want is You (Barry Lois Polisar)

Reception

First Dance

Lucky (Jason Mraz) *Stephen has

Father-Daughter

What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong) (???-just an idea)

Mother-Son

Not While I'm Around (Barbra Streisand)

Garter Toss

Can't Stop (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

Bouquet Toss

Man! I Feel Like a Woman! (Shania Twain)

Dollar Dance

Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton)

Amazed (Lonestar)

Can't Help Falling in Love (Elvis Presley) 

Dancing

Beautiful Soul (Jesse McCartney)

From Me to You (The Beatles)

Always (Erasure)

Like Someone in Love (Sophie Milman)

I Believe in a Thing Called Love (The Darkness)

Geeks in Love (Lemon Demon)

Swing Life Away (Rise Against) **Stephen has

Forever in Blue Jeans (Neil Diamond)

The Way You Look Tonight (Frank Sinatra)

One More Day (Diamond Rio)

Respect (Aretha Franklin)

Forget You (Cee Lo Green)

The Story (Brandi Carlile)

Juke Box Hero (Foreigner)

Riot Radio (The Dead 60s)

I'm Yours (Jason Mraz) **Stephen has

You're Beautiful (James Blunt)

Wherever You Will Go (The Calling)

Land Down Under (Men at Work)

One Love (Bob Marley)

Superman (Five for Fighting)

Girlfriend (Avril Lavigne)

100 Years (Five for Fighting)

Cotton-eyed Joe

Oh Boy (Buddy Holly)

Rich Girl (Gwen Stephanie)

Just Dance

Fade Like a Shadow (KT Tunstall)

Float On (Modest Mouse)

How Sweet It Is (James Taylor)

Another One Bites the Dust (Queen)

Cupid Shuffle (Cupid)

Twist and Shout (The Beatles)

You Shook Me All Night Long (AC/DC)

Whistle for the Choir (The Fratellis)

All Day and All of the Night (The Kinks)

The Sweet Escape (Gwen Stefani)

Hotel Yorba (The White Stripes)

Such Great Heights (The Postal Service)

Love Me Do (The Beatles)

Dancing Queen (ABBA)

I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing (Aerosmith)

Mountain Music (Alabama)

Better Off Alone (Alice DeeJay)

Pinch Me (Barenaked Ladies)

Rock Around the Clock (Bill Haley)

Old Time Rock 'n Roll (Bob Segar)

Jump Jive 'n Wail (Brian Setzer)

Takin' Care of Business (BTO)

Gonna Make You Sweat (C & C Music Factory)

Tequila (The Champs)

Zoot Suit Riot (Cherry Poppin' Daddies)

The Twist (Chubby Checker)

Brick House (Commodores)

Do You Love Me (The Contours)

With Arms Wide Open (Creed)

One More Time (Daft Punk)

Last Song

If (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

Girlies/bride:

Wake Up!: 6:00-6:15

Shower: 6:15-6:45

Dress & head to breakfast: 6:45-7:00

Breakfast with Parents: 7:00-8:00

Bridesmaids Arrive, begin hair and makeup: 8:00-9:30

Bride hair: 8:00-9:00

Bride makeup: 9:00-10:00

Photographer (Erika) Arrives: 9:00

Bridesmaids Dressed: 9:30-9:45

Bride Dressed: 9:45-10:00

Bride's Father & Goodbyes: 10:00-10:15

Bridesmaids to cermony site to help with minor set up: 10:15

Walk to First Look: 10:15-10:30

First Look: 10:30-11:30

Pictures: 11:30-12:30

Lunch/Touch-Ups: 12:30-1:15

Walk to Ceremony: 1:15-1:30

Ceremony: 1:30-2:00

Reception: 2:30-6:00

Menfolk/groom:

Wake Up!: 7:00-7:15

Shower: 7:15-7:45

Dress & head to breakfast: 7:45-8:00

Breakfast with mom: 8:00-8:45

Groomsmen Arrive, begin getting dressed: 8:45-9:15

Photographer (Scott) Arrives: 9:00

Groom Dressed: 9:15-9:30

Grooming/Chill Time: 9:30-10:00

Groomsmen to cermony site to help with minor set up: 10:00

Walk to First Look: 10:00-10:20

First Look: 10:20-11:30

Pictures: 11:30-12:30

Lunch/Chill Time: 12:30-1:15

Walk to Ceremony: 1:15-1:30

Ceremony: 1:30-2:00

Reception: 2:30-6:00

Reception:

I enter giveaways like crazy during the week. :) This time, we won! We got a gorgeous $50 value guestbook from pinhole press on Oh Lovely Day blog.

Since we want an overall laid-back feel at our wedding, our groomsmen will be wearing super laid-back clothing (for a wedding, fo course!).

We bought their shirts because they were on sale for $10 each!

Groomsmen will be in a light sage shirt and khaki jeans. Accessories will be brown flip flops and yellow ties (my mom's making them). :)

 Sources shirt: JCPenney | pants: Wal-Mart | shoes: random google search (old dessy design) | tie: Me and matilda etsy shop

Ushers will be in a pale yellow shirt with the same pants as groomsmen. They will also be in flip flops. Tie color to be determined (what do you think: yellow or green?)

Since I can't officially review vendors until the wedding, I'm going to keep track on here. I will post reviews both of vendors I have worked with for my wedding, and those I have worked with for my blog.

Erika Ellis Photography - Spokane, Wash

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Value: ★★★★★  Quality ★★★★★  Responsiveness ★★★★★ 

Flexibility ★★★★★ Professionalism ★★★★★ Budget-Friendliness ★★★★★

Erika is absolutely great to work with. When I interviewed her, she came prepared with a very professional folder of information, her portfolio, and a copy of an example contract. She also offered us a GREAT deal. She is very willing to work with budgets. We did our engagement pictures with her, and she had them edited and sent to us within a day. Her creativity and sweet personality also serve well.

Madeleine's Cafe and Patisserie - Spokane, Wash

Overall Rating: ★★★

Value: ★★★  Quality ★★★★  Responsiveness ★★ 

Flexibility ★★★ Professionalism ★ Budget-Friendliness ★★★

So far, working with Madeleine's has been lovely. My fi and I love to go there for dates, so we figured they would be perfect for our catering. We haven't done much with Madeleine's yet, but the price they are offering is very good. The only complaint I have is that the owner doesn't always respond to emails--she just makes the changes. I much prefer when the vendor emails me back saying they got my message and understand.

We went in to make finalizations on our catering, and the owner ended up changing their quote, berating at me about being unfair and trying to screw the business on price (even though the price I was asking for was what they had previously quoted), and was generally rude. No fun.

Couple of Chefs Catering - Spokane, Wash

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Value: ★★★★★  Quality ?  Responsiveness ★★★★★ 

Flexibility ★★★★★ Professionalism ★★★★★ Budget-Friendliness ★★★★★

We had a consultation with Couple of Chefs, and they seem very impressive. They offered us 2000 pieces of desserts for our dessert reception for less than what Madeleine's had quoted. And they respond to emails very quickly. Additionally, they showed flexibility when I asked for some specific items which had not been on their list of menu options.

CatPrint - Online and Rochester, NY

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Value: ★★★★★  Quality ★★★★★  Responsiveness ★★★ 

Flexibility ★★★★★ Professionalism ★★★★★ Budget-Friendliness ★★★★★

CatPrint printed all of our Save the Dates, invitations, and RSVP cards. The print quality was very good, and the price was unbeatable (less than $100 total for 120 copies of each--that's 360 pieces!). The only complaint I have here is that, like Madeleine's, they don't always respond to messages, but instead just make the changes. I also left a message on their answering machine once during business hours, and they didn't call me back for three hours. I finally called them again. I LOVE that they offer free hard-copy proofs and free paper samples!

Cameo Events - Denver, Colo and Coeur d' Alene, Idaho

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Value: ★★★★★  Quality ★★★★★  Responsiveness ★★★★★

Flexibility ★★★★★ Professionalism ★★★★★ Budget-Friendliness ★★★★★

I have not worked with Cameo Events as a bride, but I ahve worked with them as a blogger. If I choose to hire a coordinator, Cameo Events will definitely be the company I go with. They are super understanding of budgets, they are very experienced, and they are extremely friendly. I highly recommend this company.

**EDIT** I did decide to hire Cameo Events for my wedding. :) They are giving me a great deal, and I just KNOW that Misty is going to be super helpful!

Spokane Parks & Recreation - Spokane, Wash

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Value: ★★★★★  Quality ★★★★★  Responsiveness ★★★★★

Flexibility ★★★★★ Professionalism ★★★★★ Budget-Friendliness ★★★★★

Spokane Parks and Rec has met my every request so far. They are very flexible, offer great prices, and even went so far as creating a diagram of my reception space specifically for me. The sales director (the couple's main contact) is very friendly and helpful. He responds to emails very quickly.

Envelope Mall - Online and Chicago, IL

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Value: ★★★★★  Quality ★★★★★  Responsiveness N/A

Flexibility N/A Professionalism ★★★★★ Budget-Friendliness ★★★★★

I ordered our invitation envelopes from envelope mall because they had by far the best prices. I paid $22 inlcuding shipping and got 100 kraft paper envelopes (other stores had them for $40 and more). The only thing that caught me is the high shipping costs--shipping costed more than the envelopes themselves, but that was okay because of the low product cost.

Marcella's Bridal - Spokane, Wa

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Value: ★★★★★  Quality ★★★★★  Responsiveness ★★★★★

Flexibility ★★★★★ Professionalism ★★★★★ Budget-Friendliness ★★★

I bought my dress from Marcella's, and I loved the experience. It was like getting the "Kleinfeld" experience in my own little city. They have you fill out a form explaining your vision for the wedding, which I thought really helped my consultant understand me. They offer flexible payment plans, which help a lot since their selection of budget dresses isn't the best. Marcella is just a joy to have skipping around the store and helping her consultants. I have gone back to see my dress a couple of times, and have not had anyone complain. I love Marcella's!

Bridal Collections - Spokane, Wa

Overall Rating: ★★★

Value: ★★★★  Quality ★★★  Responsiveness ★★★

Flexibility ★★★★★ Professionalism ★★ Budget-Friendliness ★★★★

I went to Bridal Collections to look for a dress. The women there were very standoff-ish, and didn't really help get me pumped about my wedding. They just gave me rings to put on dresses I liked, and then brought those dresses to my fitting room. It felt less special than shopping with a nordstrom stylist at the department store. I expected better customer service at a place where I was expected to pay so much money. The only thing that I liked better here than Marcella's was the larger selection of budget-friendly dresses.

Purple Parasol - Walla Walla and Tri-Cities, Wa

Overall Rating: ★★

Value: ★★★  Quality ★★★  Responsiveness ★★★

Flexibility ★★ Professionalism ★★ Budget-Friendliness ★★

I have been to Purple Parasol many times to look at various dresses--prom, homecoming, and now bridesmaid dresses for my sister. However, I have never left with anything, because the poor customer service always drives me away. When I went with my sister to look at bridesmaid dresses, we made an appointment. We went, and they showed us some books, and then left us to help some girls shopping for prom dresses. Then, they told us that we were way too early (which we were early, but we wanted to get ideas for styles since my other girls are shopping at different stores and getting different dresses). They also told us that all of the dresses we were picking out were too mature for my sister (who is 11, so I get that she's young, but these dresses weren't bad and it wasn't their place to say that). All the while they were putting barely-there dresses on young teens. The prices at Purple Parasol are much higher than any other formalwear store I have been to, including the upscale Marcella's Bridal in Spokane. Much better going to Mann's down the street.

Mann's House of Brides - Walla Walla, Wa

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Value: ★★★★★  Quality ★★★★★  Responsiveness ★★★★★

Flexibility ★★★★★ Professionalism ★★★★★ Budget-Friendliness ★★★★★

After our awful experience at Purple Parasol, my sister and I decided to pop in at Mann's to see if we could look around there for bridesmaid dresses. They were more than willing to accomodate us. They were so friendly and courteous, and their prices were reasonable. We didn't find anything we loved, so we didn't purchase, but we will probably go back. I went there with a friend the next day to look for a prom dress for her, and she ended up falling in love with a short wedding dress that was over her budget. They did some calculations, and were able to help her get her dress. Just goes to show the professionalism at this store.

Off the Wall Events & Florals (DIY Flower Shop) - Spokane, Wash

Overall Rating: ★

Value: ???  Quality ???  Responsiveness ★

Flexibility ★★ Professionalism ★ Budget-Friendliness ???

I met with Sonja from DIY Flower Shop by Off the Wall Events because I felt like this was going to be a perfect solution. They offer stem delivery and tutorials on putting your flowers together, and then you do the rest. Perfect medium between DIY and not. We had our initial consultation, and it seemed to go relatively well. Sonja said she would send me a quote within a week, and I heard back from her a week and a half later with a few more questions. I responded with an answer to her questions, and she has yet to respond back. It's been over a month, and I have received no quote. I put question marks for value, quality, and budget-friendliness since I am not sure of these since I have not actually worked with this company past the consultation, and don't know enough about the company to draw conclusions from its portfolio.

Posey and Bloom - Spokane, Wash

Overall Rating: ★★★

Value: ★★★  Quality ★★★★  Responsiveness ★★

Flexibility ★★★★★ Professionalism ★★★ Budget-Friendliness ★★★★

Posey and Bloom is a small independent florist that does its work from owner Amanda's basement. Amanda was fairly easy to get an appointment with, and she was flexible on times. Her portfolio is also absolutely gorgeous. I felt like her personality was going to be a perfect fit for our wedding. Unfortunately, it has been almost three weeks since our consultation and I have not heard from her. I have emailed her numerous times to find out if there are any other questions that I can answer for her, and I have even seen her liking posts about me on facebook, but she still does not respond to my emails. She had promised to have a quote to me within a week.

EDIT: Amanda finally emailed me back, and it looks like we might hire her. She had good reasons for having fallen out of communication, and I totally understood once I heard back. It looks like she is going to be able to apply her gorgeous aesthetic to our small flower budget of $500.

EDIT: We continued to have communication problems with Amanda, and decided to go with a different florist.

Special Touch Florist - Spokane, Wash

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Value: ★★★★★  Quality ★★★★★  Responsiveness ★★★★★ 

Flexibility ★★★★★ Professionalism ★★★★★ Budget-Friendliness ★★★★★

Esther at Special Touch is such a sweetheart to work with! At our consultation, she went through the different flowers that we might want, the look we want, textures we are looking for--anything and everything flower related! She quoted us a lower cost than the previous florist had, and is much more responsive to emails and phone calls.

Attire

Dress   $790   Marcella's Bridal in Spokane, Wash.

Shoes   $100   eBay UK

Groom's Shoes   $30   Nice flip-flops

Veil   $35   DIY flop ($5); bought pre-made from PW bride ($30)

Undergarments   $100

Reception

Venue   $375   Riverfront Park Northbank Shelter (Spokane Parks & Rec)

Dance Floor   $325

Chairs   $190   75 chairs (standing reception)

Catering   $1000   Madeleine's Cafe & Patisserie (Cake included)

Plates   $80   200 6" dessert plates

Table Cloths   $100   DIY (cost for supplies)

Napkins   $15   Recylced Napkins (Amazon)

Extra Platters   $25   Bought on WeddingBee

Cake Serving Set   $50   Registered on Target; will buy if not bought for us

Water Glasses   $60   50 old-fashioned

Sparkling Cider   $65   Costco

Toasting Flutes   $70   175 flutes rental

Security   $120   Riverfront Park

(my dad insists on having a security guard at the reception site during the ceremony)

Fabric for draping   $150   Chiffon on sale at Joanns, 120 yards, I think

Kid's stuff   $100   Activity books, hop scotch, etc.

Tags & Signs   $25   Printing tags & signs

Card Holder   $60   Bought one too small for $30, bought a good one for $30

Decor misc.   $200   Tissue paper for poms, ribbon, twine, etc.

Ceremony

Chairs   $375   150 chairs

Location   $175   Riverfront Park Canada Island

Stationery & Paper Goods

Map printing   $30   CatPrint.com

Invites, RSVP, STD   $100   CatPrint.com

Postage   $125

Envelopes   $25   Envelopemall.com

Attendant Cards   $15   Printing @ Staples, postage

Other

Hotel Rooms   $400   Red Lion Hotel

Attendant Gifts   $75   women-hangers & jewelry; men-Ninja swords

Photography   $800   Erika Ellis Photography

Coordinator   $200   Cameo Events

License   $58   Spokane County

Flowers   $500   Posey & Bloom (independent florist)

That's $6,943 total. :) Still pretty good, if you ask me.

Centerpiece mock-ups for the tables!

Food buffet tables (the food will go on cool display pieces in front of the line of flowers):

Guest book, card, and gift tables:

Guest seating tables (we're having a standing reception, but will have some tables available for older guests to sit down):