What was the total budget for your wedding?

• DJ: $600
• Videography: $1000
• Photography: $3300
• Food: $2500
• Venue: $5000
• Flowers: $1000
• Rentals: $900
• Decorations: $500
• Alcohol: $700

Total: $14,800

How many guests attended your wedding?

We had around 225 guests

What was the most important to the two of you while planning? Was there anything that you chose to splurge on or skip?

We really wanted to make sure our big day was recorded and documented so we could look back and see the smiles, laughter and memories on the day we said, “I do.”  We decided to spend most of our money on photography and videography and did our best to DIY everything else.

What were your favorite parts of the day?

One of our favorite parts of the wedding had to be the Father of the Bride speech.  Chamari’s dad is an eloquent speaker and really took the time to share his recollection of Chamari’s and my courtship  People finally heard the story about how Chamari called me “Hot Cop” since the day she first met me, the time I just showed up at Chamari’s parents house because I wanted to meet them, and many other personal viewpoints that only a father could tell. 

We also did not have a first look!  Chamari wanted my “first look” to be when she walked down the aisle.  She, of course, had other motivations behind this because she knew I would lose it and cry.  She was right!!  Never have I seen a more beautiful person and what was even better, she was walking towards me. 

Our donut table was also a big hit.  A cop getting married without donuts present would be just wrong.  Everyone couldn’t stop talking about it!

Did you do any DIY projects or create any handmade items for your weddings?

Chamari made little bags of tissues for each seat during the ceremony.  We hand folded I don’t know how many tissues to place in these small paper bags.  Chamari then stamped them with the words, “For Crying Out Loud,” and then tired a string around them.  We hand dipped bubbles in glitter for a personal touch and Colt made a photo backdrop out of pallets along with donut stands.  We used a mailbox as our wedding card gift drop box.  We placed our hand prints on the mailbox like Ellie and Carl did in the movie Up. 

Chamari made everyone a Christmas ornament because she loves Christmas so much.  She bought Scrabble tiles (regular color and some in plush pink) and spelt the word LOVE with them.  She glued them together in a square and we put our wedding date on the back. 

Do you have any advice for couples planning their weddings now?

Try not to stress too much.  It seems like there is a lot to do (and there is), but take time to remember it’s not about how much money you spend or how everything looks. It’s about two people joining their lives together and celebrating that special moment with family and friends. 

VENDORS

Photography: Eva Rieb Photography | Ceremony Venue: Marionfield Farm | Reception Venue: Marionfield Farm | Event Planning: DIY by the Bride | Floral: Love Blooms Event Design | Videography: BeSquared Videography | Doughnuts: Frost Doughnuts | Rentals: Sweet Buffet Lady | Linens: Sweet Buffet Lady | Hair: Andrea Yasmeen | Makeup: Andrea Yasmeen | Wedding Dress: La Belle Elaine’s Bridal | Groom’s Attire: The Black Tux | Bridesmaid Dresses: Rent the Runway | Veil: David’s Bridal | Submitted via: Matchology