Alexa, photographer/server & Steve, finance
sum-up of the wedding vibe: A free-flowing and joyful celebration
Planned budget: $1,000
Actual budget: $2,000
Number of Guests: 100
Where we allocated the most funds:
The bulk of our funds went to the venue, which was pretty inexpensive compared to most places we looked at. We had the park all day long! But we had to hire two police officers because of the alcohol distribution. Materials for decorations were also a large chunk.
Where we allocated the least funds:
Our beautifully delicious cake and cupcakes were gifted by my best friend! Liquor was also low on our budget since we threw a “stock the bar party” the night before and people brought bottles to the wedding. The alcohol ended up lasting all night and all I bought was a case of beer! My mom bought my wedding dress and Steve’s mom bought our flowers.
What was totally worth it:
The stress that occurred while planning our wedding day in about four months with not a whole of money was worth the outcome.
What was totally not worth it:
There isn’t anything that I would take back. Everything happened exactly the way it was supposed to and all of the little moments leading up to our day were necessary pieces to the puzzle.
A few things that helped us along the way:
Our friends and family were definitely a huge help along the way. Especially the morning of the wedding when so many people came early to help decorate the park while I got ready. We couldn’t have done it without them!
My best practical advice for my planning self:
If something isn’t working out the way I expect, remember things always end up working out. Freaking out will only distract me from seeing alternative solutions.
Favorite thing about the wedding:
My favorite thing about the wedding is our photographs! Thanks to the amazing job done by Imani Fine Art Photography, I am able to relive our special day over and over (editor’s note: these two were the photographer’s first wedding, ever!). I’ve also been able to share them with people who couldn’t be make it, and they felt every moment as if they were there.
Anything else to share:
There was this stage that my husband built for the use of our band. At the last minute the band relocated and never used the stage Steve worked so hard to put together. Shortly after the wedding, he was determined to use the wood for something. It ended up being our bed and shelves that we built in the back of our pick-up truck where we slept as we traveled across the country to our new home in Washington State, and then the same wood turned into our computer desk in our apartment, and next it will be part of the tiny house that we’re building.
