Comments on A Los Angeles Love: Budget Yeses

sangria and a shuttle bus hootenany!? that alone w...

2009-11-13T12:02:06.247-08:00

sangria and a shuttle bus hootenany!? that alone will make up for any budget no's you were upset to leave behind. i think this is a fabulous list . and yay for the friendor musicians and invitations! that is HUGE.

I loved reading this list. Nothing makes me happie...

2009-11-12T08:57:23.262-08:00

I loved reading this list. Nothing makes me happier than a couple who knows what their priorities are and has realistic expectations. Perfect.

And, I have to chime in on the engagement session bit - I think they're important exactly for the reason that you'd be willing to participate in one. It gives you the chance to get comfortable in front of the camer and it let's you see how your photographer works and gives them the chance to figure out what makes the two of you tick, so getting you to relax and have fun on the wedding day is much easier.

That's the only reason why I include them in all of my packages - I don't care if the couple never looks at them again, at least we had a "dress rehearsal" of sorts and are totally comfortable with each other when it matters.

I love your Yes List. And, honestly, I'm not ...

2009-11-11T15:54:30.493-08:00

I love your Yes List. And, honestly, I'm not really sure what could possibly be missing from it. I'm sure the day of you won't notice either. PS: I emailed you about DOC schtuff and would love to chat about it.

See, you're doing great!! I feel the same way ...

2009-11-11T12:16:20.370-08:00

See, you're doing great!! I feel the same way about investing in photography. You forget pretty quickly about the quality of, say, the chicken, but those photos stare back at you a good long time.

I don't know the quilt tradition, will you tell us more? It sounds cool!

Good call on focusing on the yeses, I have a tende...

2009-11-11T10:08:44.595-08:00

Good call on focusing on the yeses, I have a tendency to get overwhelmed by the nos!

Yay! Sounds like you wrestled your budget into in...

2009-11-11T09:27:01.310-08:00

Yay! Sounds like you wrestled your budget into in control, in the way that Accordians refers to above. This list is what matters - especially if it's not going to drive you into debt or slow down your retirement savings.

re: the wine & beer: don't forget about BevMo's 5 cent sales - buy a bottle of wine, get the second for half price - decent bottles of wine for ~$7! I think there's one going on now... And on that account, people may drink less than you think. We had at least 6 cases of wine, ended up giving away two to the serving staff and bringing two home!

Thanks for sharing your list...I think you are rig...

2009-11-11T09:20:16.726-08:00

Thanks for sharing your list...I think you are right on to focus on all the things you love and will have at your wedding. The shuttle bus singing seriously better happen...I would insist upon it as 'the bride.' :)

Sangria! Yes! Way cooler than champagne. Anyway I...

2009-11-11T09:02:56.187-08:00

Sangria! Yes! Way cooler than champagne.

Anyway I think you are getting to the heart of the "point" of budgeting. The number is not that important at the end of the day, and don't hate yourself if you don't live up to it. What IS important is that aiming towards that number is forcing you to think through what is, and isn't, important to both of you, and not to just buy without thinking. It makes your wedding about conscious consumerism and not about wantwantwantwantwant. And that is awesome.

Fabulous yes list. About the sangria, we are also...

2009-11-11T08:31:55.677-08:00

Fabulous yes list.

About the sangria, we are also having our event at a outdoor/indoor nonprofit park setting, so we also can't serve the hard stuff. We looking for kegs of good beer and serving wine and sangria. Sangria actually tastes way better when you make it a day in advance, because that allows the fruit to really mingle with the wine. And you can get dirt cheap red wine and gussy it up with all the other ingredients, so it can work.

Good luck!

Ms. LA Love - what a great list of YESes and so si...

2009-11-11T08:27:04.686-08:00

Ms. LA Love - what a great list of YESes and so similar to mine!
It's YOUR day so you pick your battles. If you can use it after, DOESN'T count as an expense because it is indeed practical.
Also an idea can be simply executed without going past your budget and using things you have (e.g. my photobooth with my existing hats and borrowed boas)!
Definitely try to see if you can barter, look on ebay, Craigslist etc. Perhaps you can split the rentals with another bride?

Oh and just my view, but I LOVED having my hair done (it was a braided up style). I did my own makeup, but would have loved to have had fake eyelashes. You can only rightfully be the undisputed center attention this time, so might as well look good!

How many people are on your guest list? Sangria is...

2009-11-11T08:21:57.156-08:00

How many people are on your guest list? Sangria is supposed to be cheaper than other alcohols (punch is always cheapest!) so if you have a small enough list, maybe you can ask some friends to help prepare sangria the night before? It might be too much work, but it's a thought that might help :).

BTW, I have a really good and reasonably-priced DOC (I paid $350 for 8 hours, and we've been in touch a considerable amount already--she's giving me way more than I paid for). Let me know if you want info.