While I was at church today I got a text from my brother confirming that he WILL be free the weekend of April 23/24. So I'm definitely getting hitched on the 24th! 
I also talked to the person who does the photography for the church. She told me she's not done any weddings, but she recommended someone in the church who does. I'll contact him tomorrow. I'll also contact several people I found advertising on Craigslist - one of them said they only charged $300 for 2 hours? Wondering if that's a scam, or they're really inexperienced??
Instead of doing Chinese buffet food for the reception, I've decided to make it an afternoon tea reception. People aren't going to be very hungry after the breakfast/brunch provided by the b&b.
I'm going to check on Craigslist and FB garage sale to see how many teapots/saucers/teacups I can borrow/rent/buy to use. I also found someone who rents out cake stands - can use them for the cake, but also for putting the finger foods on (for the tea.)
Part of the ceremony will be a community unity service. Mr FT and I will each light our own candle, and then use it to light a big candle. Then light the candle of someone on either side of us (probably my mom and his sister) and then progressively light all the guests candles. Kind of symbolically saying that everyone there is standing behind us/with us.
I'm thinking that this is when I'll have my brother sing "Broken Roads" by Rascal Flatts. (If you've never heard it, it's a beautiful song, and I think it is very fitting to Mr FT and I's relationship.)
I really like the idea of entering to Edelweiss - it's like a symbol of me saying goodbye to my single life (like the Von Trapps were saying goodbye to Austria.) I don't want to do the traditional marching thing (have no sense of rhythm) and won't have anyone marching in front of me.
I'm thinking of using teapots as part of my centerpiece decorations. I also have an email in to someone on Craigslist who has some beautiful light purple decorations - seeing if she'll sell me just a portion of what she has.
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What did you do for hair/makeup for your wedding? (i.e. Did you do it yourself, go to a salon, have someone come to you? Something else?)
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Confession time. I broke down today and ordered pizza delivery. I haven't done that in a LONG time. With tip, it'll be $16. It's coming out of my spending money. (Yes, I know I could go to the store and get it cheaper. I just don't want to go out again - so cold!)
Brother Confirmed!!
January 23rd, 2016 at 09:25 pm
January 23rd, 2016 at 09:30 pm 1453584647
January 23rd, 2016 at 09:48 pm 1453585698
I did my own hair and make up. Have never hired anyone for that stuff. I probably didn't realize people hire that stuff out, which was good. Money saved on something no one cared about.
As to the mom, lord knows. What part does she want to pay in the wedding?
January 23rd, 2016 at 09:58 pm 1453586300
MM - You caught it before I deleted the question.
I'm so glad to have a great sounding board
I'm not that great doing my own hair, and don't really wear makeup. I could just start experimenting different hairstyles until I find something that I like AND can do easily on the day. I do think I'll get a real hair cut and highlights though beforehand ..
January 23rd, 2016 at 10:05 pm 1453586726
People make cake stands out of plates and candle holders found at thrift shops.
January 23rd, 2016 at 10:10 pm 1453587030
Interesting idea!!! I think I need to do some thrift store browsing.
January 23rd, 2016 at 10:41 pm 1453588886
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January 23rd, 2016 at 10:49 pm 1453589396
Butterscotch - That's kind of what I'm afraid of for me too. Most expensive dress I'll ever wear, most money I'll ever spend on a party/photos etc....
January 23rd, 2016 at 11:01 pm 1453590112
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January 24th, 2016 at 01:34 am 1453599273
January 24th, 2016 at 02:03 am 1453600993
It should prove to be interesting - found out that my uncle might not get there til early Sunday morning ... so will miss the rehearsal. Hopefully we can get together on FaceTime or something and go over the plans enough ... or maybe have a quick rehearsal Sunday morning before breakfast with just him, Mr FT and I.
January 24th, 2016 at 03:50 am 1453607407
Suggest invitation ready to mail-out March 11th. Have all details been confirmed with officiant [readings/quotes/homilies on marriage]? *oops don't know your traditions. Will you write any of your vows to personalize? What sound system does B&B have? Since you will likely be getting ready, who will function as host for brunch? Background music to precede ceremony, background music at afternoon tea? Options for internal family squabbles?
...just unedited thoughts
January 24th, 2016 at 04:15 am 1453608944
I'm going to try to have the invitations ready to go by March 5 at the latest. Most of our guests have already been informed of the date/place.
Nope - all I've confirmed with my uncle (officiant) is that he's coming and will do the ceremony. I don't have the ceremony planned out completely yet. I'd thought about writing vows, but then realized that neither of us probably would actually be able to read/remember them. So, will probably go with traditional vows.
The brunch is put on by the b&b, so I have no responsibility for it.
I'm probably going to use the same music Mr FT puts together for the rehearsal dinner for the reception - maybe a few different selections. Haven't figured out pre-ceremony music. Internal family squabbles? Wish I knew. Just hoping they'll behave like adults for one day.
January 24th, 2016 at 04:51 am 1453611080
Pinterest also have some cool dollar store wedding ideas.
Congratulations 💕
January 24th, 2016 at 06:58 am 1453618707
January 24th, 2016 at 08:06 am 1453622803
January 24th, 2016 at 03:25 pm 1453649124
I looked up the Rascall Flats song and it is beautiful!
January 24th, 2016 at 08:18 pm 1453666703
I think the afternoon tea will be delightful!
January 24th, 2016 at 08:25 pm 1453667102
If you do go the professional route, be sure that the stylist understands your personal style.
January 26th, 2016 at 08:57 am 1453798644
The price for the photographer is probably just the price for their time. Then you'll likely pay per print after that. My cousin is a professional photographer and she charges $500 for her time and then for each print. That was how our wedding photographer did it, too, but she usually makes a profit of $2000 total per wedding shoot. You might ask our resident photographer how she does it to see if it is likely this way as well. She shoots weddings. Is it PJMama? The initials that show up for the user name are TD.
January 30th, 2016 at 01:06 am 1454115987