Don't Break the Bank

I think I subscribe to every reputable wedding newsletter. I rarely have time to read them, but the Wedding Channel recently put out an article that I think is fantastic. There are more hidden costs in the planning process than you would think. As a bride in the throes of planning, I think this is a great check list to capture unforeseen costs.

20 Hidden Wedding Costs

Check out the article for lots of detail, but I've added some of my own personal notes below:

1. Wedding Dress Alterations (they are not always included with the dress)

2. Rain-Plan Tent

3. Non-Approved Vendors (ask your venue for an approved vendor list or what their policy is)

4. Breakdown and Cleanup Costs (don't ask your family to do this, budget for it)

5. Reception Band or DJ Equipment

6. Postage Stamps

7. Parking (I thought of everything, right? ...the jury is still out on how this will pan out for our wedding)

8. Officiant Fees (this should be a given and is listed in every planning book I've seen)

9. Photo and Video Overtime

10. Welcome Bag Delivery (I find that most hotels at least give them out at check-in free of charge)

11. Holiday Weekend Fees (this eliminated some venues for our Thanksgiving wedding)

12. Corkage Fees

13. Bartender Fees

14. Rental Transportation

15. Taxes (It's a killer....this alone upped my food budget by $500)

16. Cake Cutting Fee

17. Coat Check

18. Gratuities

19. Overtime Costs (request that your caterer and venue give you a maximum charge so you know what your range is)

20. Building Fees

Happy Planning!

Plantation Wedding

I love everything about this South Carolina wedding! From the setting to the gown designer (Augusta Jones -such an awesome line!), it's just dripping with charm. This wedding is completely stacked with chic Southern touches. To see all the other wonderful photos head on over to Southern Weddings!

Venue: Magnolia Plantation
Photographer: Landon Jacob Productions
Wedding Gown: Augusta Jones
Bridesmaid Dresses: Jim Hjelm
Bridal Shoes: Converse
Flowers: Ooh! Events by Out of Hand


Happy Planning!


Stephanie

Post Oak Lodge: Layne & Kyle

I ran across this local Oklahoma wedding photographed by Austin Gros (Nashville Photographer) on the Bride's Cafe. It immediately caught my eye! The venue is Post Oak Lodge, just northwest of downtown Tulsa. It's a gorgeous location for weddings. Please head on over to Post Oak's Web site for more information on having your wedding there.

As I looked closer at the pictures, I was happily surprised to see that I knew one of the bridesmaids. My friend Haley from high school is the bride's cousin. In the bridesmaid picture below, she is just to the left of the bride. This bridal party couldn't be more casually chic, now could they?!? Skirts paired with casual tops are perfect for a hot August day in Oklahoma!

Congratulations Layne & Kyle!


Happy planning to all my Oklahoma brides!


Stephanie

Destination: Auberge du Soleil

This is the final post of the destination wedding series. (See the other posts: here, here, here, here & here!) I have never been to Napa, but it has always been the list! I would love to stay at the Auberge du Soleil and having a wedding there sounds like a dream! This wedding posted on Snippet & Ink is so sweet and boasts the gorgeous location!

Photo Credit: Meg Smith

Happy Planning!

Stephanie

Destination: Henderson Park Inn

This wedding story first caught my eye because it is a sweet testimony of love...the love of our heavenly Father and the love of family, friends and spouses. Laura and Wes are an inspirational couple. Please head on over to Lauren Kinsey's blog to read more of Laura's fight against kidney failure and her triumphant recovery. Our God is so faithful!


Henderson Park Inn is a gorgeous location nestled in one of my favorite parts of Florida...Destin! It's a great vacation spot. I've always enjoyed my time vacationing on the Gulf in Destin.

Happy Planning!


Stephanie


National Kidney Foundation

Destination: Palmetto Dunes

This is the third wedding of the day just for the destination wedding bride! Be sure to check out yesterday's post on domestic destination weddings if you missed it. This spring wedding posted by White Thread (an adorable wedding blog for Carolina brides) at the Palmetto Dunes on Hilton Head Island is so fresh and crisp. If you're looking for a wedding location in the Hilton Head area, be sure to check out the Palmetto Dunes Resort! Enjoy!

Photo Credit: Allison Reisz Photography

Happy Planning!


Stephanie

Domestic Destination Weddings

Destination weddings don't necessarily mean weddings in Bali or Italy (though both of those locations are fantastic!). You can create a fantastic destination wedding right here in the United States. A domestic wedding can really help your guests afford traveling to your wedding site enabling them to use airline miles, find cheaper flights or hop in the car for a road trip. Here are my favorite 5 domestic destination wedding locations!

Auberge du Soleil Napa Valley, CA 

Henderson Park Inn Destin, FL

The Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa Asheville, NC

Photo Credit

Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort Hilton Head Island, SC

Encantado Resort Santa Fe, NM

Happy Destination Planning!

Stephanie 

Fall Venues, Part 2: Tents

This post is just barely squeaking by to count for Tuesday. I got a last minute ticket to the Britney concert (A lil' shameful? I know!), and headed out with friends. Don't forget to check back for the winner of the stationery giveaway tomorrow morning!

A lit up tent for an October reception evokes a rather enchanted feeling. It also opens up your location options. A large plot of land is really your only requirement! There is an excellent article from WedPix Magazine that dishes on using tents for your reception location. In the article, Michael Rooney from the Wedding Photojournalist Association (note: wpja.com -my favorite way to search for a photographer) really focuses on how creative you can be when using a tent.

Check out these pictures below for great creative inspiration:

At the Brock House Restaurant in Vancouver, they set up this gorgeous tent for receptions just outside the restaurant.

(Photo Source)

A tent among the trees.

(Photo Source)

This colorful tent from a wedding photographed by Jenna Walker Photography has so much life.

(Photo Source)

Here's another incredible outdoor wedding followed by a tent reception. Also shot by Jenna Walker Photography. Without a doubt, this Style Me Pretty feature is bursting with rustic creativity.

(Photo Source)

If you're opting for the plot of land, you'd better be sure you have 'facilities' for your guests. Yes, I'm talking about portable restrooms. Why ignore the obvious! Here are a few links to peruse:

Dressing Up Portable Toilets
Event Restrooms
Pretty Pottys

Stephanie

Fall Venues, Part 1: Vineyards

During the early fall I think of fabulous outdoor weddings. Over the next week, I will feature a venue idea each day.

Today's Fall Venue is the Vineyard. Stretching from Martha's Vineyard from the east to Beaulieu Vineyards on the west coast, there are many options across the US. A particularly inspiring vineyard wedding is one photographed by W. Scott Chester Photography of Atlanta, Georgia, at the Wolf Mountain Vineyards in Northern Georgia.

(Photo Credit: W. Scott Chester Photography)

Check out these other exceptional vineyards:
California -Story Knoll Vineyards
Georgia -Wolf Mountain Vineyards
Oklahoma -Tres Suenos
Texas -The Vineyard at Florence
Washington - DeLILLE CELLARS

(Photo Credit: W. Scott Chester Photography)

Here are some other helpful links when looking for the perfect vineyard:
Texas Hill Country Wine
Wedding Compass: Vineyards and Wineries
Winery Wedding Guide

(Photo Credit: W. Scott Chester Photography)

Happy planning,

Stephanie