affordable wedding planning

Ways to save on your wedding

cropped-your-day.jpg

We are still in the heart of engagement season (that's right, Valentine's Day is coming up). Which means many new couples will begin their wedding planning early this year. With wedding costs on the rise (the average wedding is now between $20-30k depending on the area) it is good to know some ways to cut costs in general. Here are a few tips we think are noteworthy: 1. Cut down. Have 100 guests instead of 150. Have a buffet instead of a 5 course meal. Have 3 bridesmaids instead of 7.

2. Loosen up. The less formal the affair, the more affordable. Instead of a sit down hotel dinner, go for a casual brunch or appetizer only event.

3. Pick and choose. Go for a designer dress but skip the expensive shoes and accessories, serve cake but skip the candy/dessert bar. Have an amazing photographer but settle on having cousin Doug in film school videotaping the event.

4. Hire a wedding planner! Wedding planners are professionals and know even more ways to save and cut costs, they even get discounts with many of the wedding vendors who would normally charge you full price. (Hey, I think I know a planner...)

Stay tuned for more tips on getting started with planning your wedding!

Real Wedding~ Kirby & Derek 8/11/12

What a great amazing honor to share in the special day of these two! Kirby & Derek are in fact old friends/classmates of ours from high school. However, even though they went to the same HS, they did not know of each other until a chance meeting one day a few years back. (See their "Love Story" in the photos below.) It was a beautiful sunny day on August 11th and the bride looked amazing in her dress, the groom very stunning [slideshow]in his tux, in fact the whole bridal party looked sharp, right down to the 5 flower girls in their black tutus!

The room was adorned in coral, black and ivory with wine bottle and cork accents, with a slight vintage touch. To top it all off was a GI Joe grooms cake and a favor cookie bar from The Cookie Lady!

Congrats Kirby & Derek!

Venue: Rosehill Community Center, Mukilteo WA

Catering: Cristianos, Marysville WA

Day of Coordinator: It's Your Day Events & Expressions

Photography: J.Jackson Photography

DJ: Rich

Flowers: Garden of Eden Bouquets

Set up/Take Down Services: Lady Bug

Our Photo Shoot with Cindi + Chris Photography!

A month or so ago Wedding Wire came to Seattle for an event that we had decided to go to, for networking, and the social media seminar that they were presenting. It was packed and there were so many wedding professionals there! In the middle of the room this very nice duo introduced themselves as Cindi and Chris, and we found ourselves learning about their photography business and in turn, us telling them about our wedding planning business. We exchanged cards and enjoyed the rest of the evening, tasting appetizers, sipping wine, and talking with other professionals. The very next morning, we received a very prompt email from that wonderful photography couple; following up to our networking from the previous night, offering to take some time and have a photo shoot with us. We were so humbled by the courtesy of making sure they contacted us the next day and then by adding the photo shoot to that! We agreed and set it up for a chilly Sunday morning in November...

We met Cindi & Chris of Cindi + Chris Photography at the Hollywood School House in Woodinville. It was FREEZING! That is no understatement! But it was a beautiful day, the morning was crisp the sun was breaking in and Cindi and Chris were full of smiles and ready to snap their Cannon cameras :)

It was a total BLAST to work with them! They both do a great job working off each other. Where one is at one angle or shot, the other will quickly look at another angle all the while creating beautiful photography.  Their energy is very inviting and fun to be around, as we laughed, joked and talked shop throughout the shoot.  I could easily see a Bride, or couple who hates their picture taken, really feel at ease with these two, making it easy for her to not pay attention so much to the camera but to really have fun with these two professionals, and get amazing pictures in the end.

We made our way to Chateau Ste Michelle Winery, where we played in the leaves and really let loose! It was a lot of fun as they both inspired us to throw leaves in the air and be care free! We both felt completely comfortable in front of the camera (even though we both have non- photogenic issues. ) In the end we got to know a really genuine set of Seattle photographers, their pictures are proof of their work! We are so thrilled to have got to work with them, and we can’t wait to do a wedding and or an event together soon!

http://cindiandchrisphotography.com/