I feared I had been too cheap!

I had known I was going to marry this man, so I began picking up things to transform into centerpieces and other decorations and such- at Good Wills, thrift stores, garage and yard sales and church rummage sales.  When he asked me August 28, 2009, I took inventory of what I had and was pleasantly surprised!  I had all the invitations for the bridal shower, bachelorette party and the wedding itself.  I had bags and a hat for the bachelorette party, and plenty of wedding books (IE, guest sign in book, record keeping book, ect).  Candles, ribbon, Tulle, embellishments of all sorts.  Poster board, stencils, paints, glue sticks, silk flowers and greenery.  Favors and place cards.  I was at a Good Will and I found my wedding dress!  It was a pale yellow dress with a small train.  At a bargain price of $10.00!  With that find, I had my color reference.  I was at a craft store when they had a "all-you-can-stuff-in-a-large-bag-for-$5" sale, so I got miles and miles of ribbon, tulle and other accessories.  (I can stuff a bag, I tell you!)  I started making the decorations, center pieces and my headpiece.  I was sitting on my living room floor, after finishing one particularly wonderful piece and I was overcome with emotion.  I started crying.  I was suddenly terrified that everyone would think I was hoakie and cheap, that it would all look that way.  My fiance laughed and hugged me, telling me that he was proud I could do all these things.  He reminded me we will have more money for our honeymoon because of my ability to make a buck stretch and I snapped out of it!  I found a wedding chapel that is a historical site and rented it for $95 for the day.  I work with a minister who will marry us for a $50 donation, and I have a friend who owns a tavern with a party room who is letting me use it for free, as long as my guests buy the drinks from the bar.  So, with all this, I have spent about $200 so far.  With food I expect to spend no more than $300-350.  I wouldn't mind hearing comments from members after they view my pics about this.  Can someone be too cheap?  Sometimes I am very proud of myself, and sometimes I wonder!

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Head Piece

Made from silk flowers I bought at resale, no more than $1.50 worth.

Necklace

Splurged and bought stones new to create this

Smart Fiancee, don't worry everything will look great and you will be heraled as frugal queen. I'm sure everything will be beautiful. A wedding is just one day, don't waste money on that! You ARE NOT TOO CHEAP

It is nice ot be reassured. I have told some who just stare, as if "you have to be kidding!". Most applaud me, but it is those who snicker that need a reality check. Anyways, you are correct. It is one day. I plan on wearing the dress the whole day, even at the reception and I will not worry about stains or anything else! And my two weeks in Florida for the honeymoon will be frugal, but fun! Thanks again!

DingyBat!

It can be done. I went to Florida for about 10 days and only spent about $300 including gas money back and forth to Michigan. I really did well luckily it was so hot I didn't want to eat - lol!

The best thing I found out is most places in Florida will give you a discount if you ask about a AAA discount, most of the time I didn't even have to show my card and I got it!

If there are nasty neighsayers, you DON'T HAVE TO TELL THEM!! Let them think what they want about where & how you got everything! Just smile & say, "I have my ways" when they ask...That's what I have done for years living in L.A., the superficial capital of the universe!

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