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Glorious, refreshing and stunning. Those are the words that come to mind when scrolling through the photos from Bonnie and Ian's wedding. From the khaki and white attire and the clear blue sky of the ceremony to the celebratory outdoor reception with Cajun cuisine, everything about this wedding is splendid. Enjoy today's budget-savvy outdoor wedding! xoxo, Jessica

Bonnie + Ian

August 11, 2013

Seattle, WA  |  UW Botanic Gardens

What was your budget? 

Our total budget was about $15,000.

Venue: $4000

Photography: $2000

Food/Wine: $1000

Catering: $3000

Chairs: $500

Flowers: $200

DJ: $300

Cajun Band: $500

Wedding Planner: $1000

Gospel Choir: $500

Lightning and Sound: $500

Taxi home: Free

Invitations: $200

Favors: $200

Buggies: $700

Videographer: $400

How many guests did you have?

We had approximately 200 guests.

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

I’m a Cajun from Louisiana so we added some Cajun flare—red beans and rice (I cooked and froze//caterer heated and served) as well as Cajun band

Ian likes pie and not cake so we had pies.  He also had a special memory of blue bonnets in Texas – a wild flower that we had his texas family dry – we included these in the invitations.

What was the biggest thing you did to save money? 

Cook our own food, recruit family and friends to do our music.

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

Get a wedding planner.  Have fun co-creating.  Don’t go solo if you are the bride.  It’s your first chance to co-create something with your spouse.

What was your biggest splurge? 

Our photographer.  Didn’t regret it a bit! We love our photos.

What was your favorite detail?

Dinner set up and where we signed the marriage license—we chose a separate spot under the trees, away from the crowd

What is the most memorable moment of your day? 

It was such a beautiful day—I can’t choose.   Seeing all the plans take shape—the designs we planned actually happen.   There was a moment when I stood in front of the crowd of white guests and felt breathless.  It looked like redemption—which was the theme of my wedding.  My first husband was abusive, so having everyone where white was a sign of second chances, hope, and God’s redemption of what had been just a dark time in my life.  My husband Ian is a kind man, and I believed on that day that my story would change.  And it has.

VENDORS

Photographer: Crozier Photography • Wedding Planner: Planning Savvy • Caterer: Upper Crust Catering • Venue: UW Botanical Gardens and Horticulture Center • Transportation: Seattle Pedicab