Formal Spring Wedding

[carolinabride]

Hello,
Back ground Information: My FH and I have been together for 4 1/2 years. We meet in a college class. We didn't really get along, I thought he was a big mouth and he thought I was stuck up....its kinda funny now. Anywho, we started talking in that class (mainly b/c he wouldn't shut-up). Come to find out, we have the same birthday which I made him prove to me by showing me his DL. One thing lead to another and now we have been together for ever!

Our favorite place to get away from life is Charleston, SC.

Proposal: He finally proposed at the Gamecock/Georgia game. It was so romantic.

Help: We know that we want to get married in Charleston b/c that is our "romantic" place. I want a formal wedding and so does he. So far we are on the same page.

Questions: Can I use celadon even though I want the formal wedding? Does a sit down dinner cost a whole lot more than anything else? Does a wedding have to have a theme or can it just be a wedding? Can me and a friend plan my dream wedding or do I really need a wedding planner to eat away my budget?

Any help anyone can give me will be greatly appreciated!

Kristina and Kevin

[KatylovesNick]

First of all Congratulations!!!
As far as your questions, I think you can do what you want for a formal wedding. The formal part comes in with what you wear, not the colors or food you serve. Mostly in a formla wedding men were tuxes, ladies were dresses. Sit down dinner is usually more expensive but it depends on what you want. Sit down dinners come in courses and usally cost more because of the food you get. But you can do appeptizers and small fare for possibly the same price as sit down depending on how many people you are having....
Let us know what else we can help with! ANOTHER wedding!!!!!

[sillybride]

You may use anything that you wish for your wedding. As Katy stated, it is the attire and the location that sets the tone of your wedding. You don't have to have a theme, it just makes it easier in the planning and finances. A theme can be as simple as your color scheme or as elebrate as a Cinderella wedding.

Depending on your location and what is served, a buffet can cost just as much or more than a sit down. Many people believe that the buffet would be cheaper, but this isn't always the case. With a buffet, more food has to be prepared to ensure that it doesn't run out. Unlike the buffet, the sit down dinner is porportion and doesn't require as much preparation.

You don't have to have a wedding planner. What I would suggest is to get a least a day of event coordinator. This person will make sure that all your vendors arrive, take care of any last minute details, ensure your guest are comfortable, make sure you keep your schedule and so on. She will take the stress of the day away from you, so all you have to do is enjoy the events.

They can cost upwards 100.00 and up, but are worth the investment.

[carolinabride]

Thanks Girls!
I know I want a Southern style wedding.....I think....actually I don't know what I want....i just want to get married......I do have a wedding dress and bridesmaid dress picked out from the internet sites though......ahhhhhhh.
Plus me and Fh are trying to redue a 106yo house.......tooo much stuff going on...ahhhhhhhhhhhh:eek:

[heatherc7379defd]

Congratulations.
I would check on pricing but I know every place I went to the buffet was quite a bit cheaper than the sit down meals. It may just depend on where you are located though.
Also, I don't have a wedding coordinator and neither did any of my friends that have been married and everything turned out beautiful for theirs, but I do like Sandi's idea of getting one just for the day of the event. I may look into that.
Can't wait to hear more as you start your planning.

[KatylovesNick]

Good luck on your house as well!

[carolinabride]

I was talking to my sister, who is my matron of honor....and she suggested we rent a big open floor plan, ocean front beach house....have the cermony outside near the beach and have the reception inside the house......I think I might go with that one and see where it lands me.......
Of course I will have to change everything else....but sounds like a good idea and may come out cheaper than renting a hall or something.

P.S. If there is a groom or anybody else looking for a good honest place to rent a vacation place got to www.vrbo.com.....its great

[sillybride]

Wow! that sounds wonderful. Post pictures of it.

[siren1021]

Hey,

Congrats on your upcoming wedding!! But, why do you have to change everything else? I think a Southern formal styled beach wedding sounds romantic! Of course I'm thinking old old Southern style, poofy dresses, parasols, dreamy! I like the idea of an event coordinator for the day, sounds like a good investment. What's your dress you're eyeing up look like? How about your BM's?

[carolinabride]

This is the dress that I have fallen in love with.....
http://www.allurebridals.com/bridal.asp?SKU=8362

The bridesmaid dress that my sister helped me pick out is this one in celadon:
http://a6.dessy.com/index.cfm?go=dresses&style=A6248

I like two flowergirl dresses....but this one I like better I think
http://davidsbridal.com/flowergirl_detail.jsp?stid=2313&prodgroup=11

I have a son who is 6yo and my FH has a 6yo son also...so they will be the ring bearers....my son carrying FH ring and his son carrying my ring

Getting more excited as the days go by!

[AlmostMrsJones]

What beautiful dresses! I agree that you can plan the wedding yourself but hiring a day-of coordinator is a MUST--someone who isn't part of the facility who can organize the vendors and maintain the set-up schedule. Get someone with experience!
That flower girl dress is so cute, makes me wish I had one!

[sillybride]

Also, if I may suggest, don't put the actual wedding rings on the pillow. Buy the plastic ones. Give the actual rings to your MOH and BM. This will help keep any little mishaps from happening with them.

[carolinabride]

Thanks girls! I really liked the idea that someone posted on here about the conch shells .....that sounds really beautiful!