What Have I Done for the Wedding?

I’ve been spoon feeding you little bits and pieces of the wedding as I haven’t felt fully ready to sit down and start talking about where I am in the process. So today we’re fully jumping in and starting to share details about our day and what I’ve learned so far in the process.

THE DATE

October 5, 2019!

THE VENUE

As I started the search for a venue in Wichita, nothing was really working. I felt like I was forcing myself into liking something because I just had to. If it was pretty, it was also $7K alone for the venue plus everything else! My gut just told me nothing was right.

And then Ken, proving exactly why I want to marry him, suggested we get married at my childhood home. The place that I consider to be one of the most wonderful places on earth. My dad built the house for us and the land was family land. I presented it to my parents and they said yes! The moment they did I knew it was the right place. Yes, it’s outside on 10 acres and what happens to the weather? I don’t know, but please send us good vibes and prayers for October 5, 2019.

Yes, having a reception in the middle of the country has created some logistical issues. Like having to rent luxury bathrooms (that are nicer than my own bathrooms I might add!) and literally building the venue from the ground up. However, we also are able to spend money EXACTLY where we want it to go. We’re still spending as much as we would with a traditional venue, but we get to customize everything and don’t have contract restrictions.

THE BINDER

As you know, I joked about having *the binder* in this post. Let me tell you, that is the #1 thing you need to do when you start working on your wedding day. I designed a custom format for my inspiration pages, but this is our TRUE NORTH in the wedding planning. Every single vendor has this and I bring it to every meeting and maybe have also flown across the country with it. Just maybe. That definitely happened.

I have a clear clear vision of what I want that is in that binder. There’s never been a moment where I’ve said, “I’m not sure.” But even then, literally putting down on pages what I love has helped me really say “YES! this is what I want.” My binder has helped me rethink what I want if I’ve had to change directions and make sure I stay true to my vision. Plus it’s fun to walk people through the day, literally page by page!

THE VENDORS

One of my biggest concerns for getting married in 2019 was getting the vendors I wanted. Ladies, I do not care what your SO says, you have GOT to book your vendors ASAP. I was lucky to get ahead of engagement season and have the vendors I wanted on my date, but that is NOT normal. Vendors typically book about 1.5-2 years out so make sure that you factor that into whatever wedding date you are looking at.

Don’t believe me? At the 2019 Wichita Bridal Fair, they were already booked for 2019 and most booths were booking for 2020 brides. Wedding planning is a marathon combined with 50 million sprints and one of those is your vendor sprint you are going to need to do.

Here’s a little teaser of my vendor list:

• Photographer – Mollie Wetta Photography
• Videographer – Wild Oak Studios
• Wedding Coordination – Aharon at The Collective (Events and Designs by Ashley)
• Cake – WOW Cakes
• Food – Flying Stove Food Truck
• Grazing Table Design and Styling – Boards Wichita
• Lighting – LeLucie

THE BUDGET

This one I actually plan on revealing post wedding and breaking down every single item we bought, even Amazon items. As I was searching for wedding budget templates nothing worked for me and I created my own that I will share in my budget breakdown post.

But in a few short words, here’s the budget situation. I am realistic about my budget but I also want what I want. That doesn’t mean I blow the budget, but I know how to make my money work for me.

THE STRESS

I am 100% in heaven right now. Even when it comes down to saying NO to buying ANYTHING extra (no nails done, no extra Target runs), this is worth it to me. I’m not stressed, instead of I’m having so much fun and even working pre-emptively on things like seating charts and other items that are stressful.

I am trying to not be that person who always talks about the wedding, but I CAN’T HELP IT! I get told I’m glowing when I talk about the wedding which sums up exactly how I feel about it.

THE FUN

The entire process has been really fun for me. My schedule is filling up with appointments, planning meetings and various other wedding items. I’ve gotten to spend a lot of time with my best friend planning things which has been one of my favorite parts of wedding planning.

I think that what has made this really fun is that I know how to execute logistically a wedding and am focusing on the details that really bring an intimate feeling and experience vs just making things look pretty. There’s going to be so many details to make all guests feel loved that I can’t wait to share.