Chaumette Day of Coordinator: Jackie Collins | Photographer: Jessica Lauren Photography | Ceremony: Vineyard Room | Reception: The Barn at Chaumette Vineyards & Winery | Florist: Butterfields Florist | Ceremony music: David Becherer | Officiant: Jim Han | DJ: Complete Weddings & Events | Wedding Coordinator: Whitney Mundell | Cake: Sarah’s Cake Shop | Makeup: Crystina Smith | Wedding Gown: Isla by Made with Love, Bride KC | Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Calvin Klein by Macy’s
Venue: Chaumette Vineyards & Winery | Day of Coordinator: Beth Caldwell | Photographer: Carreto Studio | Catering: Chaumette Vineyards & Winery | Florist: Snapdragon Studio | Ceremony Music: Complete Wedding & Events |Band: The Mixtapes | Hair: Sara Stephenson | Makeup: Lauren Brewer | Program, Menu, Table Numbers: Grace Designs DIY | Gown Designer: Tara Keely | Wedding Dress: The Ultimate Bride | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: White House Black Market | Men’s Attire: Joseph A Bank
Day of Wedding Coordinator: Beth Caldwell
Photography: Your Story Photo & Cinema
Florist: The Special Event Florist
Desserts: The Blue Owl
Hair & Makeup: Looks by Lisa
Entertainment: McMusic Events
Videography: Patrick Fisher
Day of Coordinator: Jackie Collins | Photographer: CoCo Captures | Florist: Shay’s Bouquets | Cake: Bonnie Stahlman | Entertainment: Kickin C Productions | Videographer: Mandy Kennedy
By: Naomi Shaw
Budget wedding. It sounds like a complete contradiction, doesn’t it? Most of us grow up picturing our wedding being this massive fairytale affair. The dress! The perfect flowers! The venue! The food! Maybe there were rose petals falling from the sky in the imaginative account of your wedding. What none of us thought about when we envisioned our picture-perfect scenario was the money…because mom and dad pay, right? Yeah…not always. And sometimes our parents are strapped from college bills. Or life.
Money isn’t bottomless, and so are very few budgets. This is why budget weddings aren’t a contradiction, but very much a reality. And, no, they don’t mean a wedding less than you imagined. Budget weddings are gorgeous and perfect. The best part is they don’t leave you broke…or broken by the financial obligations.
According to The Knot, the average wedding costs more than $33,000. That’s a down-payment on a house! Not every couple spends this much…the figure is an average. But that average also means some couples spent much more. With so many waiting until they are older to tie the knot, the cost of the event sometimes shifts to the bride and groom. Or, again, parents may be paying but are financially drained from paying college bills.
Budget weddings obviously need to be financially feasible without sacrificing beauty or sentiment. And a budget wedding means something different to every couple. So what’s the budget–$5,000 or $10,000? Maybe it’s less. While one article cannot look at every single budget and map out where and how to plan the most ideal event, there are a few tips that pocket-conscious couples can use to guide them in planning an inexpensive affair.
Let’s slash those costs! Here’s your guide to a wedding on a budget!
Floral arrangements can hit your budget hard. Roses? Those can be pricey. Flowers everywhere? You might want to rethink that idea! Real flowers can be costly. However, you can keep costs in check by opting for in-season arrangements and keeping the floral décor to an absolute minimum. Instead of flowers on reception tables, you can use feathers in the wedding hues or even plants. Paper flowers also are en vogue and you can DIY beautiful paper bouquets. Some couples design their own bouquets using silk flowers from craft stores.
A designer wedding dress can cost thousands of dollars. If you want to trim your budget, you can try shopping off the rack for your dress. Check out sample sales at local boutiques. You may even find a beautiful white dress at a department store that can be worn as a wedding gown. Some thrift stores also sell second-hand wedding gowns…some are even vintage!
One of the easiest ways to accommodate a tight budget is to cut the guest list. If you want to spend more money on flowers, the dress or dinner, consider limiting your invite list to close family and friends. Lots of weddings are intimate affairs, and a less crowded audience often makes the ceremony feel much more personal…for the couple and the guests.
You don’t have to serve steak and expensive seafood as your entrée. We can work with you to help find a menu that pleases your budget and your taste buds. Our Executive Chef, Rob Beasley, oversees all food operations between our award-winning Grapevine Grill restaurant and all events, so we can promise that your guests will not be disappointed with whatever menu you choose. In fact, food is one of the top 3 most common things Chaumette couples mention in their reviews!
To save money on entertainment, hire a friend to serve as the deejay. A local band also may be an option for wedding music. Or hook up an mp3 player and include hours of your favorite music for the reception.
Every couple’s budget is different. However, a smaller spending limit doesn’t relegate you to a less than ideal wedding. Cut the guest list, DIY some details and find other ways to save money. Sit down and discuss what areas of the wedding mean most to you—this may be the areas you wish to focus more of your budget. Then outline the areas that you can easily cut or do yourself. No matter what budget you have, your wedding can—and will—be your vision of perfection!
We love seeing Chaumette couples use our vineyards as a backdrop for their wedding photos. To help fuel your winery wedding inspiration, we thought we would share a few of our favorites over the years.
Which is your favorite? Comment below!
Let’s face it, wedding planning can be extremely overwhelming. When you add the worry of the cost of a wedding into the equation, it can make things even more complicated. Thankfully here at Chaumette, we work with lots of couples with a variety of budgets. Our wedding coordinators have lots of tips on how to plan a wedding on a budget to keep your wedding costs low along with your overall stress level!
Since Saturday is the most popular day of the week to be married, consider a Friday or Sunday celebration. Everything from your wedding venue to your photographer offers discounted rates on Friday and Sunday events.
There are a few general rules you may want to stick to when creating your guest list. Consider these questions:
These are a few of the many questions you will have to ask yourself when making your guest list. Our advice is to be sure you are inviting people you love and want to be surrounded by on YOUR big day. Also, come up with a response ahead of time if you are questioned such as “We wish we could invite everyone but between the venue space and our budget, we weren’t able to.”
When it comes to your wedding ceremony, pick a place that is naturally beautiful so you don’t have to spend much on decorating. Think lush greenery, vineyards, mountains or the beach!
Speaking of decor, there are tons of ways to DIY your wedding decor. Think of those Christmas lights you have in storage, inexpensive candles and be sure to look into the decor your venue provides at no cost!
Try to stay in season when it comes to flowers and don’t be above adding some faux flowers to the bouquets. Keep in mind that carnations are the most cost-effective flowers (and come in lots of colors) and roses are pretty affordable no matter what time of year it may be.
The days of needing to have a large, impressive wedding cake have passed. To keep costs down, choose the smaller cake of your dreams and buy sheet cakes to keep in the kitchen and have the venue waitstaff cut and serve those instead. Also, who says you have to have a cake? Why not serve your favorite desserts? Cupcakes, cookies, donuts and these wedding dessert ideas will add a unique flair to your wedding. Make it personal by serving something close to your heart such as your Grandma’s famous apple pie.
Although it may seem that an at-home wedding is cheaper, once you rent everything you need to transform your home into a wedding reception venue such as tents, chairs, dance floor, portable bathrooms, flatware, linens and the caterer the costs add up quickly! Save yourself the time and stress and look for a wedding reception venue that includes everything in the venue fee.
Try to choose one amazing element and keep the rest of your invitation simple. Whether it is a fancy die cut, top quality paper, specialty inks, decorative envelope lining or fancy typography. Let that one element shine to really get your money’s worth. Also, beware of oversized postage fees!
Sticking to a classic black (nondesigner) tux will definitely help you save. Also, encourage groomsmen to rent from the same place and many times the groom’s tux rental is free!
By: Naomi Shaw
Bridesmaids are typically tasked with planning a bride’s wedding shower. And while most showers still consist of the typical and traditional format—games, cake, presents…done!—many hosts and hostesses are showering the bride and groom in their own way. Some events include pets, others may be held abroad. But there’s one idea that tops all showers—the wine shower!
For the future bride or groom who loves wine, there is no better shower idea than a shower that integrates the vino into the celebration! Planning a Vineyard Shower is classy, chic and intoxicatingly unique! Although please don’t let the guests celebrate to the point of public intoxication.
Ready to break out the wine glasses? Here are all the details you need to pour—I mean…plan–the perfect wine-centric wedding shower.
For the most on-theme location, look into hosting the shower at a local winery. Many often have accommodations for private parties including weddings. Just be sure to know your budget ahead of time so you know which location will be best for your party. Yes, you also can host the event at your home! When serving food, be sure the meal complements the wine. Of course, you also can offer cheese and fruit trays.
While the bride or groom may love wine, some guests might not drink. Be sure to offer a variety of other drink options for those who don’t wish to taste the latest vintage. Consider punch, water, and tea. Also, plan to have either a wine tasting event or purchase a variety of wines for guests—some may love chardonnay while others love merlot.
Any guest who will be drinking should not be driving. Plan ahead for Ubers or designated drivers to ensure revelers get home safely.
Some wineries are located near many bed and breakfasts, or they may even offer overnight accommodations. If the guest list is small, look into having an overnight event. This also ensures that guests may drink and not worry heading home for the night.
Every wedding shower needs a cake! Have fun with the cake for your wine-themed event. Have the cake designed into a wine bottle or include grapevine accents. Talk to your baker about unique design options!
If the couple has a gift registry, it’s perfectly fine to convey this to guests…if they ask! Don’t include registry details in the invite, as this information should be shared via word of mouth.
Some relatives or older guests may feel more comfortable attending a traditional shower. Talk to the couple to see who they would like to invite. For an event that will be hosted at a winery, guests may need to be of legal drinking age to attend. Talk to your location about any limitations or other stipulations.
While many wedding showers continue to follow the traditional format, think outside the box when you’re the host or hostess and plan a one-of-a-kind event. For brides and grooms who know the perfect vintage, a wine-tasting wedding shower is an elegant and unique way to shower the guest-of-honor for their upcoming nuptials. Choose a local winery or even your home to host an amazing wine-tasting event to toast to the happy couple!
Is your big day on the horizon? Chances are that you’re looking for a cheap, cheerful yet thoughtful way to thank your guests for joining you and to show them how much you love them. You should surprise your wonderful guests with unique wedding favors on your wedding day.
Personalization is key – nobody likes receiving a generic present. It’s very easy to buy something for someone, but it takes a little more time and attention to personalize it for your loved one. Personalized wedding favors are simply the best way to show appreciation for your guests. There are many ways to personalize a gift, from labels to handwritten messages.
Personalized gifts are so much more meaningful – your guests will have them as a memento of the special day for years to come. Gift personalization makes any item unique, and it’s less likely that your guests will have seen that present before. If you want to make a great impression on your guests and have a wedding that is remembered, you should consider wedding favor personalization.
It’s super easy and effective to personalize the packaging for your wedding favors. Little paper gift bags, party bags, gable boxes and mason jars are all fabulous ways to store the little gifts. You can fill these with all sorts of treats, from candy to seeds. Bridal Shower Co stocks all of the above, and also offers fantastic personalized labels for mason jar wedding favors that would also work stuck on any other packaging. These labels will allow you to neatly address your guests with their name and a little message. Just fill these up with little gifts and you’re ready to go!
Consider purchasing a gift that will be of use to the daily life of your guest, or at least useful for the big day itself. Are you planning a beach wedding? Then perhaps buying some sunglasses would be a good way to go, to ensure that your guests can see the ceremony without being blinded by the sun. Do your guests really enjoy a good brew? Maybe this heart-shaped tea infuser favor and a parcel of loose leaf tea would serve them well to regain their energy in their hotel rooms after the wedding ceremony. Any object that will stand the test of time and can be used again and again will serve as the perfect memento.
Deep down, everybody has a sweet tooth. Baked goods are a sure-fire way to impress your guests and, especially if you’ve baked them yourself, showcase your talents. Wedding favors made by your fair hand are always going to be the best. Are you having a seasonal wedding? Consider Christmas themed cookies or this Spring maybe some cupcakes with mini eggs on top would go down a treat.
Which gifts will you be presenting to your wedding guests? Let me know in the comments below.
By: Hollie Jones
Hollie is a freelance writer and co-writer for the Hollie and the Ivy blog. She is passionate about upcycling, interior design, crafts and weddings. Hollie enjoys writing about these topics and spreading her knowledge and experience to others.
By: Helen Clark
You’ve got a lot on your plate as you begin to plan your wedding. The guest list, the venue, the menu, the service – there’s a lot to plan and many decisions to make. One important decision that shouldn’t be put off is choosing the right wedding videographer Remember, you’re only going to get one chance to do this right, and it’s important to put together a tangible reminder of your special day that you can share with your family, your friends, and with, most importantly, each other over the years to come.
Choosing the right professional wedding video editing service is key to capturing the day as you want to remember it. So don’t leave this important selection to chance – follow these steps and tips, and you’ll get the kind of wedding video you’ve dreamed of.
A video is a video, right? Well, no. Go to your local multiplex next weekend and look at the wide variety of films you can see – there’s one for every taste, in a variety of styles. It’s the same with wedding videos. Sure the storyline may be similar, but the way it’s presented will reflect both your taste and the skills of the professional wedding video editing people you’ve hired. Your first job in choosing a wedding videographer is to start examining wedding videos and decide on the style that suits you. You’ll find wedding videos on YouTube, Vimeo, and on the websites of professional wedding video editing services. Take the time to watch them, and take notes on what you like and don’t like, from the overall pace and style of the video to the special effects you may see in the videos.
Now it’s time to do your homework. Wedding videos are a reliable source of income for professional wedding video editing businesses, so you’ll have plenty of options when it comes time to choose a wedding videographer. Search online for popular videographers in your area, and do your homework at bridal fairs as well. These will give you a great opportunity to talk first-hand with videographers and see how well the professional wedding video editing services may match up to your desires.
Don’t hesitate to ask friends or family who’ve had a wedding lately which they used for their wedding videographer. The first-hand experience with a professional wedding video editing business can tell you a lot about what to expect from the person you’re considering hiring. If you don’t have the opportunity to follow this path, check out online reviews of videographers you’re considering. Even better, ask for references from videographers you’re interested in hiring. It’s a great way to really learn about what you can expect when hiring a wedding videographer.
You’ve checked off two important boxes on your checklist to select your wedding videographer – deciding on the style and examining the options on who you may want to hire. But like just about everything else associated with a wedding, now you need to see how your options fit your budget.
One important fact to consider when examining the prices charged by professional wedding video editors is that there’s often a good degree of flexibility in how their packages are constructed. It’s worth examining these in detail if you find a videographer you like whose price seems a bit high. Their package may include extras you’re not interested in, like online posting of your video or high costs for making extra DVD copies of the video. If you’re not interested in these services or can do some of the tasks yourself, you may be able to negotiate a better price.
Remember, too, that the earlier you look to hire a professional wedding video editing service, the more leverage you’ll have to negotiate on the price. Most videographers won’t mind taking a small hit on the price they charge if they can line up your job well ahead of time.
If you’ve got your choice narrowed down to a candidate or two you’ve done well. Now take the final step and sit down to talk to your potential videographer and run your ideas for the video by them and see if they can work with you to realize your vision. If possible, meet them at the venue where you’re planning on having the wedding. A first-class videographer will be able to give you some great suggestions and feedback on how to turn your ideas into reality.
The time you take up front to plan and execute this important part of your wedding will pay off when you get exactly what you’re looking for in your wedding video. Don’t leave it to chance – get started early and you’ll get the results you want from your wedding videographer.