Lo's Thoughts (on Planning a Wedding)

One of my frequent blog reads, Tifsong ( a gal I went to elementary and high school with), recently became engaged and posted questions soliciting wedding planning advice. It got me thinking… So much so that I HAD to write it all out. I figure I have three little sisters who will eventually marry. Maybe someday this list will be useful to them?

THINGS I WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY:

1) Photography- Since I was roughly 10 years old I was sure that when I got married Nick Adams would take the pictures. And he did. And it was our biggest expense. And he did a great job. BUT, I think someone else could’ve done just as great a job at a lower expense and had a faster turn around time (wedding album 18 months later?) I really like her work and his work. But Photography is still the thing I would spend the most money on. 

 2) Dress- I love my wedding dress, but wish I would’ve gone with one less expensive/on sale/ borrowed. I originally fell in love with a crazy expensive one (it was blush pink!) at Alta Moda in Salt Lake. Luckily it was a designer dress that couldn’t be cut in time. I can’t imagine how guilty I’d feel now if I had that dress! My dress is beautiful, but it was pricey to begin with, and the alterations to add sleeves and take up the back weren’t cheap either. ( I still am obessed with my old fashion lace veil, don’t regret the money there at all). I have some guilt over such a pricey dress never being worn again. I would hope one of my sisters would like it enough to wear it, but every girl wants to pick out their own dress – can’t blame them there.

3) The Venue- I was dead set on not having it at a church, but it really doesn't matter all that much. Had ours not been a summer wedding, I would have loved to do it in a backyard. Or at the Santa Clara town hall. Or even a Church. The Bell Tower was another cost I think could’ve been cut.

THINGS I WOULDN'T CHANGE:

 1) Flowers – Weren’t important to me. Kept flower costs really low, mostly just my boquet. Which I still really like.

 2) Luncheon – Our greatest triumph. Held at my favorite restrauant Scaldoni’s (now closedL ) – it was Dan and I’s favorite part. We ate delicious food (I ate every last bite of my Chicken Gorgonzola) and actually relaxed & enjoyed the company of just our closest friends and family. 

3)Dancing and a Line – Another success. We had one hour of a line, then one hour of dancing and mingling. We got to greet all those traditionalists who appreciate the formal handshake (not me) and then people ACTUALLY DANCED!

 4) The Big Band-  They were a referral from my sister’s violin teacher. I braced my self for the worst. But they were AWESOME. I think they were what made the difference in people actually dancing. SO much fun.

5) Food- We just went with the least expensive Bell Tower offering, cheesecake (which wasn’t that inexpensive). I never got the chance to eat it anyway. Glad we didn't spend on extravagant Reception food. (Though if we'd had the reception not at the belltower, we could've brought our own food, and then I would have made sure donuts were involved. Dan and I's favorite!)

6) The little things that made it us. Cokes in glass bottles. Chuck Taylors. I wish we'd done more little things like that (Donuts?). 

 7) Getting Sealed to Dan in the St. George temple – Not something I would change. Also, the 8:30 time worked great. Not too hot and I'm totally a morning person. 

Ahh… A trip down memory lane. It reminded me how lucky I am. Thank you Mom and Dad for providing me with a gorgeous wedding, putting up with my meltdowns and everything else. Thank you Denise for sewing ALL of my bridesmaid’s dresses and putting together our open house. I am really lucky.

Anyone else want to share their wedding planning triumphs and failures? I think it would make a great read!