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Pirate & 60s Bride
Legend March 2017

bam (anniversary) – Disney Pirate Wedding

Pirate & 60s Bride, on March 20, 2020 at 4:55 PM

Posted in Married Life 52

Today is our anniversary! Here’s my BAM breakdown. I didn’t join WW until after my wedding and didn’t realize how to do a proper BAM breakdown. Hope this helps. Life throws curveballs. I lost my job while planning which changed our wedding priorities. If you’re dealing with Coronavirus or other...

Today is our anniversary! Here’s my BAM breakdown. I didn’t join WW until after my wedding and didn’t realize how to do a proper BAM breakdown. Hope this helps.

Life throws curveballs. I lost my job while planning which changed our wedding priorities. If you’re dealing with Coronavirus or other stressors, BREATHE because you’re STRONGER and more CREATIVE than you realize and your wedding will be special, no matter how altered from your original plan. It may even be better!

Venue: Calistoga Ranch, Napa Valley, CA

Cost (excluding attire & mini-moon): $14,891

Violinist: Ilana Thomas

Accordionist: Dan Cooper

Photographer: Ken Viale

MUA: The Powder Room

Dress: Martina Liana bodysuit + Morilee skirt

Tux rental: Friar Tux

Guests: 15

Tips:

Choosing a weekday, off-season date saved us 50%+ off venue fees

Choosing a venue that fits your theme/style makes it much easier to decorate

DIY = a TON more work/stress, not necessarily less money

HIGHLY recommend a 2nd photographer to capture different shots during key moments

Skip décor details unless YOU want them—nobody notices

De-stress the week before—we had house guests, hubby got sick, I told myself I didn’t need to spend money on a massage, hubby & I had big fight. Self-care would have helped us so much!

Choose your budget priority. Our #1 was venue (for the photos, 5-star food and our mini-moon). So, we cut our guest list from 40 to 15 guests. We hosted a local reception three months later. Uh… our original budget for both events was $18,500… due to unexpected costs and intentional decisions we spent $28,791. Whoops.

Vision:cfb_1381513.jpg

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Invites, menu, cards

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Top two are venue's pro pics: the resort and their wine cave (reception)

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Our movie inspiration scene:

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Our ride inspiration scene:

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52 Comments

  • Pirate & 60s Bride
    Legend March 2017
    Pirate & 60s Bride ·
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    Thank you so much, Lex! We both got teary when visited our reception cave all decked out in our DIY pirate decor. 💀 It’s so cool to see our creative ideas come true, isn’t it???


    I LOVE your first aisle pic and your bold hair color. Your bridal pic on the bridge is GORGEOUS. Your wedding looked like so much fun too. 🎉 Congrats.
    • Reply
  • Erica
    Savvy June 2024
    Erica ·
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    Happy Anniversary and your pictures look amazing. What does BAM mean? Also, I'm shook that you spent over $28k for a wedding for 15-20 people!?!?! No shade, just putting it out there. How would you say the 1st year has been? Any tips for those of us just about to say 'I do'? Thanks for sharing.
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  • Pirate & 60s Bride
    Legend March 2017
    Pirate & 60s Bride ·
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    Thank you, Erica!
    BAM = Back After Marriage. One of the many acronyms people use here.
    No, if you see in the top part, we spent $14K for 15 guests. But for our local reception (for 50 guests) we ended up hosting dinner, drinks, and dancing with a live band & Frank Sinatra impersonator—which cost us almost another $14K. So two wedding events cost us $28K.
    Tips for those about to say “I do”: * Cut back on tiny decor details to save stress or money because guests don’t notice. A nice centerpiece is great, but skip a lot of little things like programs (waste), favors (not needed), or small details on your guestbook table (you can also skip a guestbook), don’t buy a cake knife set if you can just borrow from the venue.* Prioritize your health & wellness as much as possible the last 30 days but especially the week of. Cut down (or out) sugar, alcohol, late nights, working OT.
    Very excited for you! How are you feeling???
    • Reply
  • Erica
    Savvy June 2024
    Erica ·
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    Oh ok... that makes sense. I am super excited still even with eveything going on. Our date is Sept 5, 2020. And I'm not currently expecting to have to postpone anything yet. We are inviting 200 people but I wouldn't be mad if less than that rsvp'd bc that will drastically cut on our costs. Our budget is $12k but it will prob be closer to 15k. Picked a venue that doesn't really need any decorations, and we can bring in our own alcohol. So, just doing flowers and candles for centerpieces, and reusing our bridesmaids bouquets for the head table at the reception. Not doing programs or menus, trying to think of a diff guest book option like puzzle pieces, or a globe, or something maybe, also no uplighting, maybe a diy photo booth, and not doing happy hour (the ceremony and reception are at different locations so we are starting reception and dinner salads right when it opens. Also, possible match books for favors, or no favors at all. Trying to keep cost down and maintain the elegant ambiance.

    bam (anniversary) – Disney Pirate Wedding 1
    bam (anniversary) – Disney Pirate Wedding 2
    bam (anniversary) – Disney Pirate Wedding 3
    My Venue😍.
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  • Pirate & 60s Bride
    Legend March 2017
    Pirate & 60s Bride ·
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    I would *think* Sept weddings are fine. 🙏 Wow, what a spectacular venue!!! Your centerpieces are all you need, this place is fabulous on its own. I’m so excited for you (choosing our venue was my favorite part of planning). I’d skip favors. Not necessary anymore. Good good & drinks are all you need. ❤️
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  • Erica
    Savvy June 2024
    Erica ·
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    Yes a friend of mine is a vodka distributor and is donating all of the spirits.💕 So we are very grateful!!! Any first year marriage advice you would like to share that I can tuck into my belt?
    Also, Thank you for all of your feed back.

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  • Pirate & 60s Bride
    Legend March 2017
    Pirate & 60s Bride ·
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    That’s awesome! 🍸 🍸
    We’ve actually been married for 3 now. It’s STILL great. Our 1st year of living together was way harder than 1st year of marriage. 👍
    * my friend’s wisdom: during an argument, no 1) name calling, 2) bad touching (even light slaps), or 3) bringing up other topics other than the one being discussed.* communication has been key for us. To try and understand the other person, and once a resolution is met discuss suggestions for easier arguments /discussions the next time. We understand each other so much better! * continue with romance! We’re working on that now. An evening walk, a surprise weekend brunch out, keeping it spontaneous. ❤️
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  • T
    Super October 2020
    Trisha ·
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    This Is incredible! Congrats!

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  • Julie
    VIP February 2020
    Julie ·
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    This is movie magical! Please post more photos! I want to see everything! How freaking magical!
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  • Pirate & 60s Bride
    Legend March 2017
    Pirate & 60s Bride ·
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    Aw Thank you, Julie!!! That makes me so happy!!!! Smiley kiss Here are a few collections of pics--from hints of our secret pirate theme in the ceremony to more pirate decor and shenanigans at the reception (my hubby built most of the decor from scratch--treasure chest, ship mast, etc. I had no idea the man was so talented. Smiley surprise ).

    bam (anniversary) – Disney Pirate Wedding 4

    bam (anniversary) – Disney Pirate Wedding 5

    bam (anniversary) – Disney Pirate Wedding 6

    bam (anniversary) – Disney Pirate Wedding 7

    bam (anniversary) – Disney Pirate Wedding 8

    bam (anniversary) – Disney Pirate Wedding 9

    bam (anniversary) – Disney Pirate Wedding 10



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  • Pirate & 60s Bride
    Legend March 2017
    Pirate & 60s Bride ·
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    Thank you, Trisha! Smiley love

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  • thisismrsb
    Expert June 2019
    thisismrsb ·
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    I've seen you post pictures of your wedding as far back as when I started planning mine more than a year ago and man, was yours epic!
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  • Pirate & 60s Bride
    Legend March 2017
    Pirate & 60s Bride ·
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    Aw, thank you! Can you believe you’re coming up on your 1st anniversary??? 💐
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  • Autumn
    Devoted July 2020
    Autumn ·
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    What an amazing creative idea!!

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  • Pirate & 60s Bride
    Legend March 2017
    Pirate & 60s Bride ·
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    Thank you! Guests loved reading their unique fortune when they sat down at the table, and most took theirs home with them. I guess it was kind of like a favor but it was also functional. 🏴‍☠️ 🍽
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  • thisismrsb
    Expert June 2019
    thisismrsb ·
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    Ugh, I know! I really hoped that we could go away for a week. If we can't go anywhere, I don't know what we'll do. But yeah, one year!!! I totally miss the excitement of planning and executing my own wedding.
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  • Pirate & 60s Bride
    Legend March 2017
    Pirate & 60s Bride ·
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    Maybe you’ll be able to enjoy that one week getaway by July or Aug??? 🤞


    Hey... ever think about becoming a planner, or working for a hotel or bridal shop? I worked part-time in a bridal shop after my wedding and loved it! Once I landed a full-time job, I gave it up because I can’t work 7 days a week. Omg, bridal consultants really hustle their tushie off. 👰🏼
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  • thisismrsb
    Expert June 2019
    thisismrsb ·
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    That sounds incredible! Right now, I work as Hebrew School Teacher once a week.
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  • Pirate & 60s Bride
    Legend March 2017
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    Oooh! It’s really rewarding. Oftentimes, a bridal shop only needs a few extra stylists on the weekends. Not sure about part-time event planning. Anything part-time in weddings sounds fun. ❤️
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  • Queen Cone
    Devoted September 2020
    Queen Cone ·
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    This is so cool
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