Bride of Frankenstein

I had a dream the other morning about my up coming wedding. In the dream my fiance kept seeing me in my dress. My dress was too big and had no shape to it. I still seemed calm in this dream. Finally, I found a mirror and realized I hadn't done my hair and make-up. I didn't look like a bride at all, just everyday no make-up and flat hair. Maybe, I'm just nervous about getting everything together (and I do need a haircut, I keep putting it off). But if I'm nervous now, 7 months before the big day, how nervous will I be a month before? Maybe we should have just eloped!!! LOL

Of course, since I don't recall feeling much stress in the dream - it could just mean that a wedding isn't going to change me. I'm still going to be me, just with a different last name.

Going Crazy

I had been holding my breath waiting for this to happen.

My fiance and I originally wanted to elope. Then we thought of our mothers and grandmothers and thought better of it. Surely these people would have to be with us on our special day.

So we made a guest list of approx. 30 people. Thats plenty big enough for me - I'm shy and quite anxious in crowds. If I'm gonna be the center of attention, then the smaller the group the better for me.

But of course the families start to feel guilty because EVERY member of the family isn't on the guest list. We have to put our foot (feet? lol) down. However, I am willing to compromise with both sides. Each family can add two more couples each to our guest list. End of story. But even still I'm feeling a bit anxious. I don't want to upset anyone. Even if it is my wedding!

Dum Dum DeDum

The wedding plans are coming along thanks to help from our families. We are trying to keep this wedding as inexpensive as possible without it being "cheap". Thanks to the 'venue' (my fiance's mom's house) and the food (Baba's cooking, need I say more). We are already saving a bundle.

A homemade CD will be played at the reception. I just hope I put enough music on it to keep everyone entertained long enough.

I found these really cute DIY invitation kits at the dollar store. If my mom and I can do a good job on them, we will have spend $1 for 5 invites. Sounds better than $1 each, which is pretty much what my online research told me they cost if ordered.

So, I'm guessing but I believe taking care of those two things ourselves saved us a couple hundred dollars. Cha-ching!!

I'm kind of proud about doing this wedding frugally. Especially after watching some of those wedding shows like Bridezilla. Scary stuff. I don't understand why these women turn into spoiled children. Sure it's "their day". Doesn't mean they have to make everyone hate them and spend all that cash.

On one episode I watched the bride kept having mini tantrums everytime she wanted something, which was usually the most expensive of the selections offered her. The poor mom, footing the bill, caved in everytime. Guess we know why her girl is such a little Brat -- "but I'm a princess"...

I didn't find these shows helpful at all. They just made me want to see the groom run and the bride's parents swing her over their knee and give her the spanking she deserved.

I plan on detailing my wedding expenses on this blog - with wedding photos- to show other soon-to-be brides that the real purpose of a wedding is love and family union. NOT to have the largest debt at the start of your new lives together.

For all you formerly frugal brides I would love some suggestions. I'm still wondering about a cake. Party favors and centerpieces (my future mother-in-law did say she has an abundant supply of fake flowers)... please send help :)

Love Is All You Need

That ^ was my handle on a website called Plenty 0f Fish, an online dating site. I met my man on there...and now after almost 2 years together we are getting married.

May 24th we will have a small ceremony at my future mother-in-law's home. I chose May, because it seems to be somewhat of an unspoken tradition. Both my mom and her mom got married in May. All three of us also have our birthdays in May.

I'm excited and nervous and a bit stressed about the whole thing. I'm sure it would have been easier to run to one of those little chapels of Love for a quicky wedding. I felt some of the family would be disappointed not being able to witness the event. I would've been disappointed not having my family around too. So from a girl who hates weddings (ok, hate is a harsh word - I was just always dateless at the weddings I have attended. Maybe that made me a bit bitter.) I'm trying to plan a nice one.

It is very easy to get distracted from my original plans when I visit some of these wedding planning sites that start guiding us young brides into spending a fortune. So sometimes my Fiance, or my mom must remind me to keep it simple and not add unneeded expenses, like a pro photographer in a time where most people have digital cameras (excepting my technologically deficient parents). That could cost $500 to $1000 from what I have read.

And the food. My very talented Baba has offered to cater the event at the traditional Ukrainian family rate!! I told this to the guy who lives in the basement. He's recently sampled Baba's cabbage rolls and is very happy he's invited to the wedding - just for the food.

So...The officiant is booked. The location is at a family members. Right now I'll just concentrate on getting my dress (the picture is my ideal dress - now to find it for my ideal price). Oh and then what will I do with my hair? And flowers? The guest list? Readings? Oh My!!!