Renee Banot's Blog

My husband and I got married in Feb. of 2001 so my memories of the two year planning are fairly fresh.(2 yrs. to "plan" how to pay for it!)

Compromise on what is important to each of you and your traditions. We had a Catholic church wedding by our priest but done without communion.(I'm not Catholic he is.) He was WOWED into having tons of flowers, I wasn't but let the man have his flowers!(Big girl that he is, HA HA) His family had some traditional things being hispanic that we included into the ceremony. His family wanted us to have hispanic music at the reception we didn't. We compromised and had a traditional Marriatchi(sp?) band play at the reception hall during appetizers and during dinner. Then we had our DJ that could provide many different kinds of music.

As my wonderful husband told a family member that made the statement "that's not how it's usually done in a hispanic wedding" this is suppose to be about TWO families and TWO people blending together as one united front so the wedding and reception should reflect WHO they both are.

Wedding shows are in the business for making money. You don't HAVE to do anything you don't want to. Do what YOU want to. If I had it to do all over again I would not even have a wedding. We would both just go away together and get married on a beach or something secluded.
Don't lose sight of what a wedding really means. It's not what you spend or how big it is. It's about the vows you'll both take. Don't let the commercialism take away from that.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! This helps minimize the urge to freak out!

WOW!! Congrats Renee! It is YOUR special day and you can do it in the fashion you see fit. Of course wedding shows, books and consultants are going to tell you you need this that and the other thing because it is a HUGE money making industry! I would bet you could find a church that doesn't cost $500 if you did more digging. Perhaps consider getting married outdoors if it is a summer wedding. I just can't imagine a church asking for that amount of money to begin with. When my husband and I got married we gave the church a donation. As for flowers, simple can be much more elegant I think. I have seen several weddings where the bride carried a simple bouquet and her bridesmaid the same. It is to be to YOUR liking and of course your husband to be!
As to who is and isn't your bridesmaid and maid of honor can be a difficult choice and of course someone will possibly feel hurt if you don't ask them. Hey, they are your family/friends, if they love you, they will and should understand! David's bridal advertises dresses at very reduced prices every now and then. It doesn't hurt to even make a appointment and go look for yourself. Any bridal shop for that matter for your dress as well as your bridesmaids. What ever you do Renee, stand firm and DON'T let them talk you into something you don't want or into spending money you really don't want to spend! Stick with a budget and a plan! Hmmm, perhaps a cruise to a beautiful island to get married! Oops, now I am getting carried away! Whatever you choose I wish you all the best and again congratulations!!!

Renee
1st off CongratsWe allknow you are going to be a beautiful bride no matter what you do.

Here is a link that might help. Sorry I do not know how to make it clickable

http://macys.weddingchannel.com/catalog/fds/macysDivisi
onalHome.action

They have alot of hints for planning a wedding you can also sign up online for things you want and you can take things off or add them. I was also told at another site that they tend to send the brind some free stuff.

here is the link to thread where they were talking about some of the free stuff that people have got.

http://forums.gottadeal.com/showthread.php?t=81869&high
light=Macys+wedding+registry

Again good luck.

Also remember Star Jones she did nothign but talk about her wedding when she was on tv and she had all they places trying to give her stuff for her wedding... Maybe you need to give it a try...(smile-laugh)

Aww congrats!
I'm sorry, I've never been married so my advice probably isn't any good . . . actually I think it's actually illegal for someone my age.
When's the wedding? If it's in late spring/summer/early fall you could have it outside--my cousin did that and it was gorgeous!
Of course I'd talk to Vince/Bart/Rob first to make sure there won't be . . . you know, a tornado/blizzard on that day. : )

Congrats again!!

Renee you mentioned all the politics involved in planning a wedding. Yes, it is amazing to learn how someone gets offended over the simplest things. FYI beware of the invitations! Go and buy a wedding magazine and look in the back, there will be tons of places that will send you free catalogs for invitations. We actually were very proud and happy with our invitations. Until we showed them to a family member and my mother in-law. We read all the "proper edicate" in how it should be worded, depends on your age, if it's a second marriage and if the two of you are paying for it. First thing said was "why is your mothers' name not on here"? We were in our 30's and not asking for any contributions and it was my second marriage. "We" were inviting guest to "our" wedding. Our parents were not announcing their children's marriage. My parents names were not included either. Nobody will be happy with every decision the two of you make, oh well, it's your day, not theirs!

Congrats Renee!!!
I agree with what the majority here are saying.
It's your day, not a fashion statement nor is it meant to impress anyone else.
My husband and I regreted a lot of what we spent. We had to pay for our own wedding too.
I am floored that the church now tells you what to pay. We just had to slip the priest an envelope after the service.
It's all about the money. What a shame.
Make yourself happy. An outdoor service was what I wanted, but my husband's family is very traditional, so in the church we went. I was so glad when it was over.
Just do what makes the both of you happy and don't let anyone or any business tell you different. If it feels right, fine. What matters is your happiness.
We had Suzie's Cream Cheesecake for our wedding cake. That was heavenly and quite beautiful. People were very surprised that we had cheesecake. So, do what you want, not what makes others happy.

Congratulations Renee!!!!!!!

Do you have to get married in a church? What about the church you belong to? I got married in the domes with just close family and friends. We didn't do the whole reception thing, but we did have dinner at a wonderful resturaunt. But that was my second wedding.

Look into community centers for your reception. I know that the food is usually good and cheaper. And why on Earth would you pay a priest or pastor $500.00 to spend 45 minutes with you?

And flowers? I like nice simple things, but I am not a frilly fru fru person. I like clean lines and not alot of clutter. You can decorate your reception hall any way you want if you use a community center. Hotels don't really let you do that. Plus they overcharge you for the food.

Good luck and have fun!!!!!

Oh, no you want a good photographer. I think tons of flowers are very overrated. Cakes, now that is something to think about. Most places charge to cut the cake. Sometimes they charge over $1.00 a slice. I know that because the place I have helped out at in the past doesn't charge that fee because they think it is stupid. But don't forget to ask about that when you book your reception.