I'm married and I'm back!

I'm so sorry.....I know I am a bad blogger!!!! But I promise to be back and better than ever!!!

Here's a sampling of things to come:
-More on planning a wedding while you are also drawing unemployment!
-How to handle being out of town the week of the wedding...I honestly hope no one ever needs this post
-Programs
-Did you know? napkins
-Bridesmaids & Bridal cover-ups
-Flowers
-Centerpieces
-More on invitations
-Wedding Day Timeline
-Reception Layouts
-Candy Bar
-Ceremony Reading Selections
-Other invitations.....rehearsal dinner, teas, etc.


And plenty others to come...including pictures of the event too!

Stay tuned......PLEASE!!

Recession Depression: Photographer

Sorry for the delay...this blogger says sheepishly! But I'm back now!

I've handled another downsized wedding problem and with great results! I talked to my photographer and was able to downsize the cost without downsizing the services. How? Well, my package included a few thousand in albums/pictures/framing. The photographer is going to allow me to pay for those items after the wedding and at my own pace. This is great news! I'm continually surprised at how great people can be!

Recession Depression: Reception Venue

Alright, I've already handled the biggest stressor...the reception venue.

I was very fortunate to get it in writing that I reserved the right to make any changes to the production--thanks Mom! Hard to believe, huh? Well, I booked the venue almost 2 years in advance, so Mom made sure that I was allowed to edit the contract.

So, today I notified the venue that I may need to evoke my right to make changes. I simply explained my situation and that I hoped to retain the original contract, but was unsure at this point. The only area to be hit will be the alcohol. If I remove the drinks, this will reduce the cost by over $6000! Plus, it will also mean that the reception venue is paid completely.

I'm really sad about possibly losing the alcohol, because let's face it: free drinks make guests stay longer and have more fun! But, oh well. I guess a dry wedding is better than bankruptcy...

Recession Depression

I was recently laid off at my job, I've been unemployed for almost a month, with little hope on the horizon. This is extremely stressful because I am paying for the wedding with little help from my mother, who will be covering the cost of the catering. Now with just over 90 days until the wedding, I'm faced with a dilemma, if I want to cancel with any of my vendors, it has to be done in the next 48 hours (90 days before the wedding).

I can see everything I've hoped, planned, budgeted and in some cases paid deposits for going rapidly down the drain. What do I do? Do I forfeit my deposits and do without? Do I try to renegotiate?

Right now, I am weighing all my options. Before Friday, I have to decide on the reception venue, photographer and band.

Stay tuned....

The Inartistic Bride's Etsy Store

I've got big....no, HUGE news! Due the popularity of the Crystal Beaded Toothpicks featured on this blog, I have decided to sell them on Etsy.com!

Please check out my shop! I will be taking requests for colors, styles, etc.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6751003

RELATED:
http://theinartisticbride.blogspot.com/2008/10/crystal-beaded-toothpicks.html

Merry Christmas!

This is how I will be spending the next 24 hours......

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving Wedding Crowd!

I want to take this opportunity to give thanks to the people in my life: my fiance, my mother, my sister, the rest of my family, my pets: Ruby, Pearl, Peanut Butter & Jelly, all my friends and coworkers and of course my readers! I love you all, you make my life worth living!

The first inartistic post

Welcome to The Inartistic Bride! I am blogging to share my experiences/frustrations as bride-to-be who wants to get the most bang for the buck (i.e., DIY) but is not crafty, creative or even remotely talented. Please feel free to laugh.