Wedding Budget Saver Tip #3

Wedding Budget Saver #3: If you exchange money for a service, put it in writing, whether you're strangers or acquaintances: it's not rude, it's protection for everybody, the provider and the payee. People can mis-communicate verbally about expectations and not realize it until after the fact. Find out BEFORE the fact, write it down and read it together. That way if there's a "Oh wow, I thought you meant blah blah blah" moment and the other person says "oooh no, I meant yada yada yada", you can discuss it beforehand.

Illustration: if we would have written down our expectations of services & fees with our budding caterer (this was her first catering exp), we probably would have realized that labor + food = $1500 (our mind) was labor ($1500) + food ($1500) = $3000 (her mind). See the difference?? Yeah, the "ahah!" moment didn't happen until we went to pay our remaining $300 balance (our mind) and she was confused that it wasn't $1800. Fortunately, all's well that ends well, it was a mistake and no hard feelings. But hindsight is 20/20. Put it in writing.

Wedding Budget Saver Tip #2

Wedding Budget Saving Tip # 2: Prioritize 1-3 areas of your wedding where you want to spend money, be frugal, creative and resourceful with the rest. For me Photography # 1, Food #2, and Dress #3.

1. Photography: The talented Conrad Erb- Personable, affordable, and encompassed the artsy-journalistic style we love. We didn't break the bank AND walked away with all of our digital negatives to reproduce to our heart's content, no additional cost. P.S. That's me, my hubs & Dad in the bw pic on the homepage.
2. Food: We asked someone we knew to cater the reception using wholesale stores like Costco. Originally, we came in at just about $11 a head. Due to a mis-communication which wasn't realized until AFTER the wedding, we came in at $16.50 a head. Be sure to read Wedding Budget Saver Tip #3.
3. Dress: I wanted to love my dress, after all, you want to feel amazing when you walk down the aisle. But I'm a practical jane and really did not want the dress to exceed $500-$600 at the max. I shopped around and explored options. P.S. Occasionally it's ok to take the advice of your maid of honor and try on a dress she thinks you'll like; she might know you better than you think. $350 and I loved it. Thank you Jenn:)

Wedding Budget Saver Tip #1

Wedding Budget Saving Tip# 1: Purchase Paper "Linen" Table Cloths: they're beautiful, affordable, and disposable. I got these in ivory. A case of 24/$82 plus shipping.

New! Samples Made Simple:)

New! Line of Baby Shower Confetti Blends :)

spring love:)

I think I've been DYING for spring for about a year or two! haha, yes it came last year and the year before. But I was soooo busy it was as if I wasn't there to enjoy it. Time for a little TLC:) This was the first week of gorgeous weather here, and I have taken full advantage:)

Little Sumptin..

So I don't really know what my goal was for messing around in Photoshop but this is what I came up with.... sort of just for fun.

*lemon love*

I Bought These Delicious Little Hearts from YummyAffair for My Hubs for Valentine's Day...They Were SCRUMPTIOUS!!!

*chocolate*

This Beautiful Decadent Chocolate Cupcake is Offered By http://www.SinnersSaintsSweets.etsy.com

more love :)

This is gorgeous! Available at missfarfalla.etsy.com.

*in love*

Need I Say More?:)

Photo & Product Created & Copyrighted by ArtTales, ArtTales.Etsy.com

Things That Amaze Me

I never cease to wonder at the creativity that some people posses....it's soo beautiful! This item was featured on Etsy's FrontPage. This adorable terrarium was created by the brand new shop TinyTerra.etsy.com - You want to keep watching this shop for more creations!

Day 2 Snowed In

Snow Day!

A Snow Day Deserves A Good Breakfast!