I'm so excited to announce that starting this month we'll be moving to featuring TWO real weddings each week! Cue the confetti! Over and over our readers ask for more real weddings so now we are delivering!  Get excited for twice the budget savvy wedding goodness, twice the budget breakdown info, and twice the pretty! In addition to our Wednesday real weddings, you'll be getting an extra dose of real weddings on Fridays, so I hope you all love this new addition to the weekly schedule. 

Today we have a beautiful wedding from the sate of Georgia! The burlap table runners, gorgeous roses and aqua bridesmaid dresses are the perfect combination for this summer wedding. I especially love the Coca-Cola and peanut wedding favors- so perfect for a summer wedding! Other faves: the rustic wedding cake is stunning and the gold monogrammed cake topper is a wonderful addition! xoxo, Jessica

Ashley + Charles

August 9, 2014

Covington, GA | Starrsville Plantation

What was your budget? Please give us a breakdown of how you spent your budget– rough estimates are fine!

We spent about $16,000 on our wedding.

Cake: $550

Venue: $1,500

Wedding planner: $650

Photographer: $2,942

Caterer: $3,100

DJ: $1,100

Rentals: $3,340

Alcohol: $700

Flowers: $400

Bartender: $100

Party Favors: $350

Save the Dates, Initations & Postage: $450

Other: $900

Officiant: $300

How many guests did you have?

Approximately 170

What creative or personal aspects did you include in your wedding?

We displayed several photographs and personalized gifts that we had received.

What was the biggest thing you did to save money?

Hired a wedding planner who had creativity, knowledge and experience.

What’s the best advice you have for planning your wedding now that you’re on the other side?

Hire an experienced planner who can help you make decisions and take some of the weight off your shoulders. Enjoy the planning process by remembering the reason for the event. This should be an exciting day to celebrate you and the love of your life, so don’t let it create chaos, especially between the two of you.

Last but not least, find an amazing photographer! It makes all the difference. This is the most important decision you make because this is the only thing that you will have left from your day.

What was your biggest splurge?

Photography was my biggest splurge, but it was so worth it. Through my researching people and prices, I found many talented people at different price points, but I knew this would be the only thing that I had left from our big day once it was all said and done.

What was your favorite detail?

I loved the shabby chic, rustic feel of every detail. It was all perfect!

What is the most memorable moment of your day?

My walk down the aisle was quite memorable. There were several obstacles along the way, between dodging giant ant hills and trying to keep from tripping over my dress, but I couldn’t wait to get down to the end to stand in front of my sweet hubby. When my dad handed me off, I took my husband’s hands and two butterflies circled around us, as if uniting us as one.

I also loved the moment that our wedding party was being announced and we were all walking into the barn and the minute they announced my husband and I, the sky fell out and it poured for hours. It was the most perfect timing. We were very lucky to have had a beautiful day of perfect sunny weather when the forecast was calling for definite rainfall throughout the day.

VENDORS

Photographer: Andie Freeman • Wedding Planner: Southern Sophistication Designs (Jessie Patton) • Caterer: Sweet Georgia BBQ • Cake: Bill Rhodes Bakery • DJ:Fonix Entertainment • Dress Store: David's Bridal • Officiant:Ed Dickens • Event Venue: Starrsville Plantation
Submitted via Two Bright Lights