Contingency Wedding Ceremony Decor for Under $500.

The call came Monday morning. We're implementing the contingency plan, and we need the decorate the breezeway. It had been a 100 degree heat index for the past week with afternoon thunderstorms every day right around ceremony time. It was a good decision, but there was no need for any real decorations if the ceremony were held outside. All we needed was mother nature out there. Expecting the worst, since I had not laid eyes this breezeway in person, I started brainstorming, going off of this picture. Not real appealing with all the golf carts, right? BTW, this is Rock Creek Golf Club in Fairhope, Alabama.

The Knot has great photo galleries. Fabulous for inspiration. I came across this picture, and it was perfect.

I called Miller's Grand Events in Daphne, Alabama to find out what sort of "altar" they would have available 4 days in advance. The Colonnade (below) is what we got. For only $150 - not a bad price.

Not only did we reserve the Colonnade, we reserved twelve 9" cylinder vases ($3 each) and 2 black candelabras ($35 each). We were also concerned about the flooring - it's black and rubbery, sticks to fabric (e.g. wedding gowns) and rubs off black onto everything. Without time to order an aisle runner online...one without a pattern...I grabbed one from Hobby Lobby for $35 along with:

• 22 6" white pillar candles ($9 for two)
• hot pink sand ($12)...yes, they make hot pink sand
• a large paper S ($8)
• black chiffon for draping ($75)

 The grand total was $485. And for 4 days notice, I think it looked pretty awesome.

It was a beautiful wedding and the custom aisle runner really set everything off right. The flowers were left over from the rehearsal dinner the night before - also stunning from Southern Veranda. And aren't we glad we were inside, because it started raining right before the ceremony. Rock Creek asked a photographer to come in and take pictures before the ceremony to use on their marketing materials and website...they said it was the prettiest wedding they have ever had. And that says a lot because it was in the breezeway, instead of their beautiful and landscaped fairway. Excited to know that something we pulled off in 4 days turned out that well!

The inside of Rock Creek was set up with 7 rounds, black table clothes, with damask runners (courtesy of the MOG) and hot pink Gerber daisies. More pictures to come when the fabulous photog [Pleasantries Photography] gets everything edited.

Forget Basket.

Forget Basket

Black | White | Hot Pink

Thoughts Reception Venues for the Do It Yourselfer's.

A HUGE factor in wedding planning with a budget is your guest list. The more people, the bigger space, the more food, the more beverages, the more etc. So, think about how many people you are inviting. Things you need to think about when looking at reception venues:

- To save money, have your ceremony and reception in the same location.
- Hold your ceremony/reception on an off day such as a weekday, Friday or Sunday.
- Ask your venue to make an itemized list of everything that you get when you book a reception there.
- Can you bring in your own food and beverages and are you required to use a licensed caterer?
- What are the kitchen facilities like?
- Do they have tables and chairs included in the price? Are there enough for your guests? (and what do they look like?)
- Do they have table linens, plates or flatware included in the price?
- Overall, how much work does it need to make it what you want? And are you willing to put in the elbow grease and ask for help?
- Do you have a group of local friends and family to help you pull it off?
- Do they have adequate coat check and bathroom facilities?
- What's the cancellation policy?
- Will they allow you to bring your own liquor? This is a HUGE plus!
- Is there room in the wedding venue for a band and/or dancing?
- Does the wedding venue already own a sound system with adequate speakers or will that need to be rented?
- Is there a space for the bride and groom to change and/or relax?
- Where can your guests park? Are there extra fees for parking? Do they have valet parking?
- Are candles or other open flames allowed?
- If its an outdoor location, do they have any backup plans for rain or other inclement weather? If not, is there a place that you can put up a tent?

Brinkley-Kinslow Wedding Day.

This morning started early! With trips to the reception venue (more on that wonderfulness later!), church, delivering lunch (and champagne!) to the salon and running errands before the grand event. The bride was so relaxed and ready for her big day! I loved her Tennessee Titans garters and her shoes were so cute. Check out her flowers...beautiful fall wedding colors.



Danielle's dress is from David's bridal. She wasn't even shopping for gowns yet, saw it in the store and never tried another one on! Maids wore chocolate brown, also from David's Bridal.

Martha Stewart Weddings on Hiring Coordinator's.

It's fashion week! And every bridal salon in the nation flocked to NYC to see what designers have come up with for brides next year. Here are some words of advice from Darcy Miller, Editorial Director of Martha Stewart Weddings magazine regarding hiring wedding coordinators. Couldn't be more true. Martha Stewart Weddings is holding a 15th Anniversary Party at The Plaza (!) and even she hired someone to handle the details. Follow their updates to see what bridal fashion trends you will see soon!

Throw your stress away...and delegate.

A word of advice for all brides...delegate. Don't live in fantasy land - you are amazing and fantastic - but you can't do it all. Especially on your big day. What if your flowers come in wrong and you are getting your hair done? You can't run out on your hair to fix it.

Make sure you delegate things to someone that you trust on your big day. You will be much happier if you can enjoy your day instead of driving family around, giving directions to guests who call your cell phone an hour before the ceremony and checking the little things off of you list (did you put out the unity candle?)

My best advice: hire someone that is outside of the wedding party and outside of family to tend to these details. A day-of coordinator can meet with you a few weeks out to go over schedules, vendors and take those phone calls from lost guests. Trust me, you'll thank yourself later and be able to enjoy your day!