What was your budget?
- Photography: $1600
- Dress: $2,000
- Catering: $3,600
- Cake: $380
- Venue: $630
- Flowers: $1920
- Decor: $600
- Music: $1600
- Rentals: $1,140
- Videographer: $1,600
Our goal was to keep it under $20,000, and we ended up succeeding by only spending $15k!
How many guests did you have?
We had approximately 120 guests!
What creative or personal aspects did you include in your wedding?
One thing I knew I wanted, before we even got engaged, was to walk down the aisle to “Music of the Night/All I Ask of You” by Stan Whitmire. It’s a piano cover of two of my favorite songs from my favorite play, Phantom of the Opera. My husband and I LOVE going to plays, and Phantom of the Opera is one of our favorites, so that really meant a lot to us. The bridal party walked down to “Music of the Night” and I walked down to “All I Ask of You.”
I’d say another personal aspect we added to the wedding was our grooms cake, which we had them make into the Death Star!! Star Wars is my husbands favorite movie! So we wanted to do that for him!
Did you do any DIY projects or create any handmade items for your weddings?
We did not!!! I’m honestly not a huge fan of DIY projects!
What was the biggest thing you did to save money?
I searched really hard for the best vendors that had the most affordable pricing! Our venue was very affordable, which helped so much! We were also able to save money on the groom’s attire because he wore a suit he already owned!
What’s the best advice you have for planning your wedding now that you’re on the other side?
I would go back and tell myself not to worry about other people’s opinions!! Everyone has something to say, and there’s no way you can possibly please every single person. Just follow your heart, it’s YOUR day!
What was your biggest splurge?
Catering was definitely our biggest expense!! And we did splurge on my dress as well!! I went to Low’s in Brinkley, AR during their semi-annual sale, and my intentions were to come home with a dress that was on sale, but that did not happen! I fell in love with a dress that was displayed on a mannequin, of course.
What was your favorite detail?
I really loved our florals, and I loved our cake table. We decided to rent a slate blue table cloth to put under the cake stand, to help the cake stand out and not have too much white on one table, and the table cloth coordinated perfectly with my bridesmaid dresses, which was our main color!
What is the most memorable moment of your day?
I’d have to say the first look with my dad, and walking down the aisle and seeing my husband’s huge smile on the other end once he saw me!! I was fighting back tears during both of those moments.
VENDORS
Photography: Jessica Robinson Photography • Venue: Petit Jean Mountain • Flowers: Magnolia Belle Floral • Wedding Planner: Meredith Events • Day-of Coordinator: Meredith Events • Event Design + Styling: Meredith Events • Stationery: Hobart’s Paper Creations/Printing & Design • Videography: Forestland Films • Catering: Gina’s Catering • Bakery: Patticakes Bakery • Rentals + Linens: Party Time Rental and Arkansas Tent and Portable Sign • Lighting and DJ: Crown Entertainment • Hair Stylist: Holly Carter at Ultimate Image • Makeup Artist: Brittanie Wallace at The Standard (no website) • Bridesmaids Dresses: David’s Bridal • Wedding Gown Designer: Allure Bridal • Bridal Salon or Shop: Low’s • Jewelry: Zale’s • Veil: Low’s • Shoes: Toms • Groom and Groomsmen Attire: JC Penney’s
