oh boy...

[rainbowtrout]

So, I''ve actually worked out dates with FI regarding wedding and location. All things taken into consideration, it will have to be somewhere between May-August 2008.

I had a few questions...


1) I would really love to do it at my grandparents house outside Boston which they are just now renovating. They have a HUGE backyard with a rose garden, an annual bed, etc. I even think I may go up there and plant flowers in my colors in the annual bed in May 2008!

But I haven''t "offically" asked them yet, and I want to do it before I move abroad in a month. Suggestions on how to ask them without seeming pushy? Should FI ask with me? (although I think they may be "asking" me--my grandfather keeps outlining to me how "when we have 50 or 100 people over for a party" he knows *just* how to accomadate them.)

2) Do people have suggestions for garden wedding dresses? Are they less expensive than normal dresses? I had wanted an uber-ballgown one, but obviously this will not work. If possible I''d really only like to spend 200-400 on the dress (and no, I can''t really sew, although I guess I could learn).

I also need a dress that would ideally cover my tattoo in the back and thus not be strapless or have a plunging back to it. All the "conservative" dresses I have seen on websites are kind of fugly so far...

3) If we do a lunch type reception, what possible sort of bill am I looking at here with about 50 people? 2-5K? I''d really rather put money down on my student loans and not the wedding (sorry, I know it sounds cheap). Is it humanly possible to have a nice wedding with good food for 2k?

 

[rainbowtrout]

Oh, and thank you for your help!!!

 

[SoonIHope]

Yay! Isn''t it exciting when you first start getting those few details down where your wedding begins to actually feel REAL??

As for your questions...

1) It sounds like your grandfather WANTS you to have it there, so I wouldn''t be nervous about asking at all! I would maybe say something like, "I was thinking it would be beautiful if we could have the wedding right here in your garden..." and I''m betting he''ll offer it right then and there!

2) I think you can do a ballgown in a garden as long as it''s not TOOOO poofy! I think the real thing that makes ballgowns inappropriate for a garden would be all the silver embroidery and metallic embellishments that are so popular these days. They are much better for evening or indoor weddings, in my opinion, but an elegant ballgown without a ton of embellishment would still be gorgeous (& appropriate) in a garden, I think! If you''re set on not going ballgown, I just have to say I looooooove lace in a garden! Good luck!

3) How far outside Boston is your grandparents'' house? As in...do you expect to be paying Boston prices for your caterers, or are there other local caterers who could still be good but cheaper? I think your budget is entirely feasible if you''re NOT doing a Boston caterer, but I bet you could do it for a Boston one too! I''m not from there so I don''t have too much of an idea, but my general perception is that you''ll pay a lot more in a real city than you would in a smaller city/town nearby. Also, you should save a lot by having it at lunchtime (on food and alcohol, which people will most likely drink less of) so I bet you can stay comfortably in that budget with no problem!

 

[rainbowtrout]

They are in Dunstable (close to Lowell and NH), which is about an hour train ride out of Boston. I bet I would not pay Boston prices, it's a big enough town.

I was thinking of doing it myself, but FI knocked me upside the head and said it was silly...

They also have a huge strawberry farm next door with a festival in June! Strawberry shortcake for dessert, anyone? There was a great summer spread in Martha Stewart with strawberries this month that made me think of it.


You're probably right about my grandfather...it just didn't dawn on me until recently that he doesn't even *know* 100 people for the "New Years" party or "BBQ" he keeps talking about.


I am actually really flexible on the dress issue. I HATE being hot so I am thinking light, lace, airy would be the way to go. I think lace is beautiful for garden weddings too. It would be nice to find something with red lace accents, but we'll see.

Thanks! It is exciting to actually have a real time in mind and a real place.

 

[Mannequin]

I agree with albi, RT - sounds like Grandpa is dropping hints that he wants to hold the celebration there. Just ask, I am sure they would be happy to accept.

I know people have mixed opinions about David''s Bridal, but they have a line of Galina gowns all around 300 dollars and there are some truly lovely ones that would be very cute for a garden wedding. I will see if I can find you a few links. Garden wedding to me speaks of maybe tea length, but flowy, feminine and gorgeous anything.

You can have a very nice lunch reception for a low cost. What about spiked and regular punch, a table of fresh fruits, a build-your-own sub sandwich bar with cold and hot meats, some cold salads and pasta salads, and dessert/cake? That could be quite fabulous.

 

[Mannequin]

http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=2637&prodgroup=123
http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=1892&prodgroup=123
http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=1317&prodgroup=123

Also, red lace?
http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=2288&prodgroup=127

 

[rainbowtrout]

This one is lovely!

http://davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=2039&prodgroup=123




That last one you posted is great too, equestrienne. I''d looked at it briefly before. I''m fond of Maggie''s Yolanda, but it''s out of my price range I think.

 

[Selkie]

I agree, it sounds like your grandparents'' place is perfect, and like they are more than willing to host it.

We are going to have about 45 people at our wedding in Gloucester, MA. We haven''t pinned down a caterer yet due to issues other than pricing, but we''ve talked to several that claim they can do what we want for about $30 pp. or about $1500 (before tax and tip). We''re planning a casual dinner buffet with two main entrees, sides, salad, rolls, and hors d''oeuvres (that''s the one phrase I can NEVER spell properly). We won''t need a tent or table and chairs, which you might want to consider as well.

Beverages will be separate from the catering, and will include beer and wine (no hyard alcohol because of liquor license issues) but we''re expecting to spend no more than $600 on that.

Aljdewey turned me on to Wildflour Catering in Charlestown. I''m also looking at a couple of caterers in Gloucester. I think you''ll have no problem finding reasonable prices in the Lowell/Nashua area.

If you or a large number of your guests are vegetarian, ignore my next suggestion-Hilltop Steak House in Saugus does a chuck-wagon BBQ that''s quite reasonable.

Hope this helps, as I keep looking, I''ll pass suggestions along. Enjoy the planning phase!

 

[rainbowtrout]

Thanks Selkie. I don''t know if any of our family will help pay for the wedding yet--they haven''t said and I haven''t asked--so we''re probably just going to pay ourselves and say contributions are welcome..

So, cost-effective suggestions are excellent. I remember Aphisgloves paid for everything and did a smart job of it too!

 

[amyg]

I think it''s definitely possible, see my post in the is this even possible thread. Just use your imagination and call in all favors owed to you, and some that aren''t!!

 

[E B]

What about a brunch wedding? Breakfast food (from what I''ve found so far) is much less per person than dinner and, depending on what you want, lunch as well. I just checked our caterer''s breakfast prices and her prices are easily under $10/pp. Instead of beer and wine, you can serve fruit juices and mimosas (this will cut down on drink costs).

Possible wedding gowns (all under $400):
JCrew Sophia Long
Alfred Angelo 1570
Eden Bridals

HTH!

 

[rainbowtrout]

Now that is a fabulous idea---brunch is easily my most favorite meal!

 

[rainbowtrout]

They said yes! Hooray! My grandmother is nearly popping from excitement. Turns out her best friend is a part time caterer and she thinks if we fly her out and buy the food Betsy will be more than happy to cater it for us (we''ll have to see how that works out). So yeah..free catering, whoo hoo. (I''ll still have to rent things like tables, plates, warmers, etc)

On the confusing side, she laughed at me when I told her I thought I could do it for around 3500. *laughed* And then she offered to pay for some of it. So...that''s good, I guess. I still think we can do it for that little!

I''m glad I asked her now since 1) I''m away all next year and won''t see them until possibly 11/07 2) they go away to their boat during the summer and need me to have it in early June...which means I need most of my planning done before finals time when I get back in the 07/08 school year.

 

[Selkie]

Date: 7/27/2006 4:23:41 PM
Author: rainbowtrout
They said yes! Hooray! My grandmother is nearly popping from excitement. Turns out her best friend is a part time caterer and she thinks if we fly her out and buy the food Betsy will be more than happy to cater it for us (we''ll have to see how that works out). So yeah..free catering, whoo hoo. (I''ll still have to rent things like tables, plates, warmers, etc)


On the confusing side, she laughed at me when I told her I thought I could do it for around 3500. *laughed* And then she offered to pay for some of it. So...that''s good, I guess. I still think we can do it for that little!


I''m glad I asked her now since 1) I''m away all next year and won''t see them until possibly 11/07 2) they go away to their boat during the summer and need me to have it in early June...which means I need most of my planning done before finals time when I get back in the 07/08 school year.

Awesome! That''s great news. But I''m confused too, about the $3500? You don''t have to pay for the location, OR the catering services, so that cuts out two large items there. Unless you''re feeding everyone two lobsters each PLUS filet mignon, the food should come nowhere near that much. And rentals shouldn''t be that much either. Oh, well. It''s sweet of her to offer to help!

 

[rainbowtrout]

hee! Unless we want to kill the half of them with heart problems--and the other half with shellfish allergies- lobster would be BAD. Especially at brunch!

Pappy has never actually done a wedding, since niether of her children got married (they aren't my blood relatives, "adopted" grandparents). So maybe she just doesn't know?

She also suggested that their HUGE flower beds might supply enough blooms as well...so I have no idea where she thinks the moolah is going. No photographer fee, either...

I might take up sewing to replace cooking in Morocco, though, so that would be another expense lessened if I get good enough to try a wedding dress. This is looking better and better.