What was your total wedding budget? Please provide a budget breakdown.
- Our venue was $3250.
- Event insurance was $110.
- Photography was $2500.
- I spent around $2000 on my attire.
- The florist cost around $2500.
- Linen rentals were $300.
- The cake was $380.
- Total open bar bill was $2000.
- Plates and silverware $150.
- Food was $350.
- Decor cost little to no money
- The DJ and the BBQ caterer donated their time to us.
Our total cost of the wedding was around 13,600.
How did you meet?
We met and started dating in high school.
What is your proposal story?
I was dying to go on a trip to Disneyland and he proposed there in front of the castle. It was lit up with Christmas lights at night.
Tell us about your wedding vision.
I wanted my wedding to be romantic but not overwhelming. I didn’t start out with a theme but it ended up being very vintage modeled.
Tell us about your attire choices.
I wanted something soft and fitting to the spring season. We found something elegant but affordable.
What was most important to you two while planning? Was there anything you chose to splurge on or skip?
We splurged on the photographer and the florist! That’s what I felt would tie the day together and make it memorable. We skipped photo booths and fine dinnerware and had found beautiful disposable tableware online. We had help from family friends doing the catering and music.
What were your favorite parts of the day?
I loved doing the morning setup! It was so cool seeing it all come together. Other than the ceremony I loved doing the cake cutting. Also, since I’m a bit shy, I thought I wouldn’t like the dollar dance, but it was actually one of the most fun parts of the night. Dancing all night after dinner was such a blast too. I suggest making a sizable list of songs to have your DJ play that you think you and your guests will enjoy that made for great dancing and no awkward songs at times in the night.
Tell us about your wedding flowers.
My one request to my florist was hydrangeas. I think they’re so pretty.
Tell us about your wedding cake.
Picking out the wedding cake made me see how simple my view was. I wanted just plain white with some texture. I really just wanted to make sure it tasted great.
What did you do for favors?
For favors, we did pens that had “written in the stars, Megan & Chaska 5-12-2018” printed on them that people took with them after signing the guestbook.
Describe any handmade, DIY, or personal items.
For the unity candle, I found a large candle and the slender candles at Michael’s craft store and decorated them with lace fabric I got from Joann’s fabric. I used tacky glue to put it all together and it worked great. It all cost around $20 for all the supplies and I modeled it after a $60 unity candle I liked online. I used the same lace fabric to decorate the guestbook. For centerpieces, I collected glass bottles and painted them the wedding colors.
Did you include any family heirlooms or special traditions?
Our cake knives were the same ones used at my parents’ wedding.
Do you have any advice for couples planning their weddings now?
Go with what you will enjoy the most. Don’t worry about how you think others will judge the occasion. You just need to be happy together on that day.
VENDORS
Photography: Kara Hoffman Photography • Ceremony Venue: Heart S Ranch • Reception Venue: Heart S Ranch • Stationery: Minted • Floral: Clarinda’s Occasions • Wedding Cake: Cake is the best part • Cake Topper: Down in the boondocks • Rentals: Rustic charm wedding & event rentals • Linens: Rustic charm wedding & event rentals • Hair: Myself • Makeup: Myself • Groom’s Attire: J Ferrar via JC Penney • Bride’s Shoes: Betsey Johnson • Bridesmaid Dresses: RenzRags • Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero • Veil: SELF MADE • Headpiece: SELF MADE • Pocket Squares: SELF MADE • Garter: One fancy day | Submitted via: Matchology
