So for our wedding, I'm hoping for a rustic barn sort of theme. I have been looking everywhere for a cheap barn to rent out that didn't have a million requirements. I have run into several issues, such as you have to be done by nine, you have to use our caterers, you need to hire a bar tender for a champaign toast, etc. Oy! So my advice is to be very particular in your google search, and to use more than one search engine. I started out looking for barn venues in Colorado. There were very few results, and the ones I found were pricy. Barn weddings in Colorado produced a similar result. Although the venues were nice, they were expensive and about an hour or more away. Yuck. So I finally looked up farm wedding in northern Colorado (I also specified: Longmont, Loveland, Boulder, Greely, and Fort Collins). Ding, ding, ding! Finally I found some decent locations! I did use google a lot, but I would recommend using another search engine as well to get more results.
I ran into a lot of great ideas for my wedding along the way though. One woman decided that instead of renting out flatware, silverware, and glassware, she would go to thrift stores and estate sales to collect an assortment of china to give it an antique rustic and eclectic feel. I loved the look, so I've just begun my collection of plates.
I have already gone wedding dress shopping once with my best friend (she was moving to New York the following week, so we decided to go before she left), and although it was a lot of fun, and I found a dress I LOVE, I would suggest visiting more than one store, and not buying the first dress you love until you have tried on several. I haven't bought a dress yet, partially because I don't have the money saved for one yet, and partially because my mom and sisters weren't there to see it, and I'm glad I didn't. If I bought a dress this soon I'd probably have major buyer's remorse right now. I will take my time and visit another shop or two before I decide. I have plenty of time.
I am sorry to say that I'm finding my stress is coming mostly from my mother who is trying to pressure me into doing a wedding in mid August of this year. That's about 5 months away, and we have NO money for a wedding, as we just purchased a home. My mom is convinced that $2000 is more than enough for a perfect wedding. I think her misconceptions come from the fact that she is Mormon and is used to temple weddings and church hall receptions, both free. I do understand her point of view in other ways. My sister and her husband are moving to Washington at the end of the summer for school. But there are so many other issues. The vacation schedule for this summer is full, most wedding venues are booked, it's practically impossible for us to get time off work, and we don't have the money for a wedding or a honeymoon. It's just getting too sticky for my liking.
That being said, I am very lucky to be able to save money in ways that others aren't. My dad is hopefully going to take care of the cooking, so we only need to take care of the cost of the food. My wedding gift from one of my "other moms" is a wedding cake, and yet another gift from one of my "other moms" is alterations for my dress. I have several family friends that will give me discounts on photography, and one might even do it for me for free. I also know someone who's a dj, and someone who is a professional decorator and already owns a lot of the rustic type decorations I want, and she'll do it all for a reasonable price. Chairs and tables are available for free from my parent's church, and we know plenty of people with trucks. So I feel very lucky to have a lot of stuff already taken care of. Thanks in advance to all of those willing to help!
Last but not least, I am trying to keep this fun and easy. I don't want it to be a stressful, hectic, and frustrating experience. I want to have fun and enjoy my wedding.
Thanks for reading!
