Day one: How much can we spend?

So, Eric and I will cross many bridges in our life together (where are we putting the new sofa, what are we having for Christmas dinner, what is an acceptable birthday gift for 50 yr olds)  and I know that the Wedding budget was just one of them, but we did it successfully with very little raised language.

I put pen to paper first. I wrote down how much I would like us to spend  and not break the bank. I had been divorced for 4 years and not saving for another marriage. I also was well aware that there would be no real financial contributions coming from family or friends ( we are all poor folks 'round here) so I knew how ever much it was going to cost, it couldn't be more than 1/8 of what we earn in 6 months. Eric needn't kill himself working extra and I simply cannot work extra as it is not allowed with my job and status with said job.

$3000. It sounded like a good rounded number and one we could afford given that we would sacrifice a few nights out and I had to stop my clothes buying obsession for a few months. Along with the proposed number, I wrote a list of the things I felt we had to have to make the ceremony special, thus the theme was born. I also included costs such as photographer, dress maker, baker, officiator, DJ. I then turned in my own proposal to the man.

Eric about flipped out! I remember he said that a photographer can't cost $500 (little does he know I actually under budgeted because put "wedding" in front of anything and the cost skyrockets)...I tried to stay calm and for the most part did. I went back to the drawing board with his counter offer (cut this budget...IN HALF) and began work.

I researched decorations, venues (had happy and sad moments and I cannot wait to Blog about that)...anything related to this wedding. I bookmarked my favorites and the the light bulb came on when it came to the dress and the pictures. I got to thinking about all the wonderful people I have met over the last 2 years. I would network and see what they could do for me and I would offer to do for them. Quickly the $3000 was cut down to $2000. Eric did the same and well it went down another $500.

$1500...wow...I was excited. Eric was excited. We already had $500 in the bank...this was going to be easy....

I would love to say we stuck exactly to $1500 and I would love to tell all of you how we did that but the reality is that we still spent $2500. It all boiled down to the little teeny tiny things (serving plates, cups, forks, flowers for butineers, clothing items for those who couldn't afford to get anything to wear while in the wedding party), the unexpected costs (another $40 to my dress maker because she went over her allotted hourly charge altering my dress)...it was all the things that only going into making an event such as this one beautiful and special and exactly how we wanted it!

Still I am going to LOVE telling you and showing you how I spent under $3 grand and I hope to still inspire you! Much love!

Jenn

Hello and salutations...

So, when Eric asked me to marry him on Friday, April 13, 2012, it wasn't totally unexpected. I was ready. Had long been ready when we got to year number 1 and we were still with one another.

Eric has been married before and so have I, and I figured if we are old enough and mature enough to put up with the baggage that comes with that kind of relationship experience then we should be able to put up with anything. So, through the discoveries of one HUGE robot/toy collection and my love for painting, crafting and cooking (in which there is a constant state of chaos) we finally reached the day we decided to get married.

It was a simple msg, sent to me via phone with him right beside me and my brother across the room. I felt like it was a secret message of some sort, and I sent back the word "YES" in a matter of seconds...and it has been busy joy since then.

This blog is going to be about the journey from proposal to the Big day which is coming up this week; October 13, 2012; six months from the day. I am going to write about everyone who made this possible and how we saved money and yes I will include photos so you can see the end results. I hope you guys enjoy the journey as much as I have...and thanks for reading!