She's currently in basic training, and I'm here by my lonesome, stuck planning this thing by myself. Cost doesn't really matter, but I want to do the planning. Any clue on where to get rings(went with Tiffany for engagement ring, not going there again... Shoot for something more reasonable for bands) I'm hoping to pull off something special for her. So far obviously she wants a church, but after that I'm lost. reception ideas? Honeymoon location? I'm 22, shes 18, so it's gotta be kinda fun. If there is a site that sells everything I'd need minus the girl, that would be great. Thanks. Maybe an invite if you have good feedback, and are local(Michigan)
2006-09-29 22:35:01 · 12 answers · asked by drillsgtthorpe 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
Should answer some of the ?'s asked by you all:
Guest list is around 300(my family, 100% italian, her family, 50% italian) lots of spaghetti...
Our parents are all involved, but I'm more in charge of what's what and all that stuff, my parents just get the bill :)
Honeymood I'm thinking a cruise, if anyone has recommendations of a good destination and cruise line, lmk
2006-09-30 14:47:54 · update #1
Should answer some of the ?'s asked by you all:
Guest list is around 300(my family, 100% italian, her family, 50% italian) lots of spaghetti...
Our parents are all involved, but I'm more in charge of what's what and all that stuff, my parents just get the bill :)
Honeymoon I'm thinking a cruise, if anyone has recommendations of a good destination and cruise line, lmk
2006-09-30 14:48:36 · update #2
Drill Sargent...welcome to the wonderful world of weddings. My advice to you would be this----wedding planner---Interview several, don't settle for the first one until you have met with several. You want someone who is professional, and kind and truly has a good heart. I tell you if you could find a young person, who needed a break into the business, I would recommend giving them a chance. If you can not find a wedding planner or if you want to do all the arrangements yourself, then go buy you some good tennis shoes, a notebook, a pen, and let's get busy.
You have a lot of decisions to make, and you don't have a lot of time to make up your mind on some of them. Buy a couple of bridal magazines, go to a bookstore and there is all kind of books on planning weddings, there are too many details to a wedding to do it right here. I had all ready wrote 7 paragraphs, and I deleted them all, because I hadn't even got started. In those books, they will give you a budget planner, a list of things you are going to need, they will have ideas, and suggestions, wedding these days are becoming more individuals than traditional Emile Post days.
Honey, I think it's wonderful and so sweet to want to do this, and I have every confidence that you can do it, and do it well. It's Saturday night, and it's late, but here's your homework for tonight.
decisions to make
causal, semi-formal, formal dress
morning, afternoon, or evening time
Church; what church
reception: sit down dinner, buffet, finger foods and cake
quests: family and just close friends, family and friends, or everybody that you know
colors; for the wedding...pink, blue, red, black..
bridesmaid: how many and who
groomsmen: who (needs to match the number of bridesmaids)
BUDGET!!!! you need to figure out how much you can afford along with all the honeymoon expenses..
You have a whole wonderful exciting world of shopping sitting right in front of you. The web has so many shops and bridal sites to help you. It's amazing how many there are. You can order everything you are going to need right there where you are sitting. You can even buy the wedding rings that you need. Shopping was never so easy, unless it makes it harder because there are way too many choices now adays.
Honeymoon packages and wedding packages are right there too. You can have a destination wedding, and you do what you said you just bring the girl. Honey, you have some major decisions to decide..and you need to decide a few right away. Because some churchs are all ready booked, so that is one of the biggys. My daughter's wedding day was decided for her, because the place they chose had one weekend left. So, that's how her wedding date was picked. We tried to get them to go to a chapel in TN, where they do everything for you, and it includes a honeymoon cabin, but they didn't want that. They got married here, then went to the honeymoon cabin. lol
I wish I lived nearby, I would do this for you, well not all of it, but I would love to help you. I use to be an assistant to a wedding planner, and I still do a friends or family members every once in awhile. You are going to do just fine. You love her, and that is the most important thing, Love...So, get you a notebook, and get to figuring out somethings...I wish you well and you will have the happiest of weddings days possible, because there's love there.
God bless us all..................
2006-09-30 15:27:56 · answer #1 · answered by totallylost 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Start with booking, December is closer than you think.
Sounds like you've already booked the church and made sure the Reverend of your choice is available. That's a great start. Next you'll need to find your reception site and book that. The nicer ones get booked a year or two in advance, so you might need to settle for something second rate.
How large is your guest list? That will help you decide if you just need the back room of a restaurant or a huge hall. Food and entertainment are your next concerns. Will you have the affair catered? A meal or just snacks? Buffet style or sit-down?
Band or a DJ? What's your position on alcohol and does the site you've chosen provide it or will it need to be purchased elsewhere and brought in, if it's allowed at all?
Those are the big questions. There are probably 100 other detail-type questions about themes, colors, photography, decor, flowers, clothing and the entire wedding process that need to be answered as well. And we haven't even touched on the Honeymoon...
I agree with the answerer who asks where your mothers are. Mums can be great at wedding planning, if you can trust them to honor your desires above their own. If not, find someone who is considering starting a wedding planning service and let them "practice" on you, if you're looking for a budget planner, or just hire a real Pro, if money is truly no object.
Good links on wedding planning are here:
http://www.weddingplanninghelp.com/articles.html
http://www.wedding-guide.org/wedding-planning.asp
http://www.usabride.com/wedplan/t_planning_advice.html
Good Luck!!
2006-09-30 04:45:04 · answer #2 · answered by Kya Rose 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For rings, try Walmart or Target or Meiejr. They seem to be reasonably priced.
For the reception you could have it done at the church if they have a large room like dining room that can be decorated. Also for the reception you could go to a mid to large hotel and ask for catering. They often have someone who can help you organize an event like a reception if you use their facility.
For a honeymoon, while it may be cold I would suggest Mackinac Island. Or does she really have her heart set on a church wedding. IF you lived close to Mackinac Island you could have the wedding, reception, and honeymoon at one of the larger hotels there. Again they should have a catering department there to help you with planning.
I did a yahoo search for wedding planners michigan. Here is a partial list of what I found. I don't know anything about any of them other than what is listed on the site.
www.wedexperts.com
www.myweddinghp.com
www.michiganweddingsolutions.com
Don't let it stess you out too much. Remember to have fun. Have a great life.
2006-09-29 22:59:57 · answer #3 · answered by pj_gal 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. You need a Ring.....SHOP! Find one that you think she'll like, and make the purchase. Do you want Diamonds, or a simple Band of Gold......Remember, you can always add Diamonds later. Does she have an Engagement Ring, because if she does, you will need a Band to complement it.
2. You need to Reserve the Church for the date and Time..consider your Faith and hers......if neither of you are affiliated with a specific Church, you may want to look for a Wedding Chapel or small Church that is currently used for Weddings etc. There will be a cost factor if you are not affiliated with a Church. Are you going to be married by a Minister, or Justice of the Peace? Get that decided and ask his fees; pay the man in advance.....and you must get your Marriage License, so check into what that involves.......How formal is the wedding?
3. Flowers......Real or Silk? Visit a Florist. Poinsettias are very plentiful in December, come in Red, White, and kind of an apple Green......Are you or a Friend or Relative creative? If so, don't overlook the possibility of doing the flowers yourself. You need to know the place and size of the Church, before you decide on Flowers. Don't forget Buttoniers for the men and Corsages for the women Bridal Attendants.......the Bridal Bouquet etc. if you are to do all the planning, do you know her mother, Grandmother, or sister(s) or her girlfriends? Enlist their help, but ask your girlfriend for colors......There are Shops that rent Wedding Apparel, as well as Shops that sell Wedding Apparel. Is your Bride going to buy her own Dress, or are you going to have to do that also? (I hope not) If you are buying Flowers, SHOP! Get a Bridal Magazine, Pick out styles that you like, and then get quotes from different Florists! 28 years ago, I had ny Bridal Bouquet quoted as $25.00 to $175.00.......guess which Florist did my Flowers for the Wedding!
Invitations: Check out on the Internet......you can even print your own now.....decide how you want them to read, and how many guests you will invite, and get the invitations ordered! You need to mail them 1 month before the Wedding!
Reception: In the Church, or somewhere else? You can have the flowers transported to your reception, by friends or ? Are you going to have music, or a band or a dance? Food? Wedding Cake...you need to know the # of Guests to order this. Finger Food or Sit Down Dinner? Wedding Napkins, Utensils, Plates Glasses etc. Will there be Alcohol? Check into the rules of the Church or Reception Hall........
Wedding Service: Go over this....make sure you agree with what is being said....you are making a vow to live by for life.......make sure there is nothing there that you don't believe in...In the 70's, we wrote our own...........and Wedding Music...there is a lot to choose from...Check out the internet.
Photographer: Again, shop around...look at what you'll get for the money! Suggestion: Buy lots of Disposables, and have guests take lots of Pictures at the Wedding and Reception....these all seem to be the most fun through the years to look back on!
HONEYMOON: It is what you make it! I love Las Vegas! But all you really need is a BED in a Clean Room!
Hope this helps! Congratulations and Best of Luck!
2006-09-30 06:04:44 · answer #4 · answered by Sherrie B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have access to a wholesale club, start there for affordable rings. Avoid mall stores when buying jewelry. The mark ups are insane. I combined my wedding/honeymoon and got married in Bermuda. We came back and had a reception with the family. Saved a ton of money, and stress and we are still married almost 20 years later. Big Bang for the Buck.
2006-09-29 22:42:47 · answer #5 · answered by mad 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you considered a destination wedding? We can help you with that or your honeymoon. If you are interested in working with one of our certified destination wedding and honeymoon specialist please visit our honeymoon or destination wedding web pages at bctravelcompany.com. Our site includes lots of information including popular honeymoon and destination wedding locations. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
BC Travel Company
2006-10-02 05:32:43 · answer #6 · answered by BC Travel Co. 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
http://www.parkshoreresort.com/rompack.php
This is in Traverse City, Mi. The casino is also there in town with several little places to shop. Good luck!!
Almost forgot about the honeymoon. Since our winters here are so cooold you might want to spend time in Hawaaii with your new bride.
2006-09-29 23:07:13 · answer #7 · answered by serious 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tip.. none of those things you named off ain't going to make your marriage better or last.... got to have god bro.. or your going to get married like a tard,, have a couple kids, divorce..and get a strong dose of misery..and your offspring will will have a jacked life.. the numbers are against you that your marriage will last,,, if this is a concern too you, get to know god.. if god ain't in your marriage.. your both doomed...might last 8 yrs...then you be talking to lawyers...then we will see you asking on yahoo anyone know a good divorce lawyer in (mich)
Hawaii Maui is cool...if you go there for your honeymoon.. u wont be sorry..as far as bands go... don't go to crazy.. but don't be a tightwad...get something that will last..its a symbol of your marriage man,,, only SUPPOSE to happen once in a lifetime...
get married in a church,, rent out a cool reception spot invite your bro;s and family... really hope it works out for you dude.. be mindful that your marriage has a very high chance it will fail...lots of marriage today 80% end in divorce...sorry for the book.. and good luck on your journey making a family..its the greatest thing.. or absolutely the most miserable thing you will experience if failed... got to have god !
2006-09-29 23:06:25 · answer #8 · answered by aware 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Try this site:
http://www.windsorpeak.com/bridalbargains/default.html
They have message boards with info on everything, they also have special boards with area specific ideas. I recommend trying both as they have different ideas.
2006-09-30 06:13:34 · answer #9 · answered by ado_granted 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where are your mom's. Let them get together, give them a credit card and a budget and relax. Mom's love to plan their children's weddings.
2006-09-30 04:08:01 · answer #10 · answered by Seeking 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋