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Erika
Savvy December 2021

Overwhelmed- where do i start?

Erika, on April 23, 2021 at 7:02 PM Posted in Planning 0 15
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Overwhelmed- where do i start? 1
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Hi everyone! So I seem to be in a pickle with planning and I’m not sure what I’m doing. Here’s our story- we’ve been together for 7 years this September. Only officially engaged since beginning of April, but I’ve had the date picked out for like 6 months. Our wedding is 12/17/21 which is a Friday. Part of our delay in a wedding has always been a financial hesitation.

That being said, my dad and stepmom bought and moved into a BEAUTIFUL house on a large property in Montgomery. It instantly reminded me of the venues I’ve had my eyes on for years- mostly because the windows. I’ve always envisioned an evening ceremony with a lot of candlelight. They offered to let us have our wedding on their property which is such a blessing.
Now that everything is sinking in and I’m getting to the logistics of planning, I’m not sure my vision will actually be possible. I want to have the ceremony inside in their Great Room that has the tall windows and the entry doors are stunning. I can see it so clearly in my mind. My concern is can I fit 60 people comfortably with enough space for the aisle and our ceremony. We are not having a wedding party, only MOH and BM. After the ceremony, I would like everyone to transition outside for the reception. Ideally, this will be on the covered patio and back porch area with tons of lights. However, I know that weather is unpredictable here and I’m not sure how I should proceed with planning: do I prepare for inclement weather and secure a tent, or do I take the chance and worst case, have to relocate back inside where the ceremony was?
I will attach photos of the property. Also, we have a budget of $6500 to play with and I’m not sure how to prioritize vendors. photography was always number 1, but now I’m thinking I need to find a videographer too. From my research, I’m beginning to believe I absolutely need some sort of coordination - I’m just not sure what that looks like price wise.
For ceremony seating, I was considering using benches rather than chairs, but I’ve seen extreme opinions for and against them.
TLDR: help I need all vendor pricing for rentals, food, photo/vid, coordinator, etc Friday, 12/17/21 and opinions on spacing, is this doable on my budget. No hair or makeup needed- my twin is a cosmetologist and will be doing both. TIA. Wedding in Montgomery, Tx

15 Comments

Latest activity by Erika, on May 3, 2021 at 3:21 AM
  • V
    Champion July 2019
    Veronica ·
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    Unfortunately, I think your budget is rather tight. Photographers, videographers and coordinators can easily be a couple thousand dollars a piece. Food is also going to take up a huge chunk of your budget. I think the best thing for you to do is start looking at vendors to see what the average cost of each one in your area is going to be. I also think the space where you want to have your ceremony looks kind of small for 60 people plus an aisle.

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  • Erika
    Savvy December 2021
    Erika ·
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    The food I am not stressing about. My dad owns a restaurant, so I’m thinking worst case, we will go through that. I’m torn between the videographer and coordinator and how to determine which one is a priority.


    My other concern is do I go ahead and opt for a tent, or do I take the chance and risk bad weather and having to move reception indoors
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  • Victoria
    Devoted June 2020
    Victoria ·
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    Maybe buy yourself a planning binder or check out a planning book at the library. It’ll have suggestions as to how to split up a budget and then you and your fiancé have to do a lot of talking about your priorities.
    I would prioritize a photographer, personally. I only did a videographer because or moms didn’t come to the minimony last year and needed to see it- I doubt I’ll ever watch it again. But the pictures are important to me.
    I would also try to arrange for a tent, which can be decorated gorgeously. But if it’s cost effective to have an emergency indoor plan, than do that. Just know that it’ll likely be stressful to make switches like that last minute without a coordinator/staff/bridal parties to help.
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  • Victoria
    Devoted June 2020
    Victoria ·
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    And the property is beautiful!! 😍
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  • H
    Master July 2019
    Hannah ·
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    Omg that house is gorgeous. I would prioritize the coordinator over the videographer honestly, especially since you are not using a real venue. They will have a much easier time figuring out the logistics of putting this together and making sure it runs smoothly the night of. We skipped videographer and are coming up on 2 years without regretting that decision. We knew we'd never watch that video. You can also always just stand up a video camera in a corner and record just the ceremony if you really want video of that.
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  • Brittany
    Dedicated June 2021
    Brittany ·
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    Get the measurements of the great room, the measurements of the chairs that you want, and then figure out if you actually have enough room. But based on those pictures I don't think there's any way you will fit 60 people into that room. With your tight budget I'd say you should definitely pass on the videographer. You may be able to fit a day-of coordinator into your budget but finding a full-service planner on your budget will be tough. Keep in mind you will need to rent chairs, tables, dishes, trash cans, etc. Also have you considered where all of those cars for your guests are going to park? You also need to think about paying for staff to serve guests, set-up, and clean-up unless you have family who are willing to help (it's a lot of work). You need to do an internet search for something along the lines of "having a wedding at your home" and get an idea of everything that will need to go into this event and what it will cost. $6500 is a lot of money, but it will go very quickly once you start planning.

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  • Donna
    Savvy May 2021
    Donna ·
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    Are you absolutely sold on your date? If not, I would shoot for a spring outdoor’s wedding - ceremony and reception. I think spring would be better suited for outdoors. Just make sure you have a rain contingency plan in place. As a close by neighbor, I understand all to well about the weather. It could be 75 degrees in December or 22 degrees. You will definitely need a wedding planner to help coordinate everything. I would eliminate the videographer based on your budget.
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  • Erika
    Savvy December 2021
    Erika ·
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    That is awesome advice! Thank you. I’ve made some serious headway today and have several vendor meetings in the next two days to determine my priorities. Photography is booked and and I’m at peace with not having a videographer.
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  • Erika
    Savvy December 2021
    Erika ·
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    Thanks for your response! You have super valid concerns. I’ve made some headway today and have a better direction.


    I have booked my photographer (my #1 priority)One of my sisters is a manager at an Italian restaurant in the area and they’ve offered to extend her discount to me for the dinner so I got that for 40% discount My dad owns a restaurant and has the chairs and tables, trash cans etc. I just need to get linens.
    The kitchen is being fully remodeled and will be open concept. That should open the space a bit, fingers crossed anyway!
    I don’t have a photo, but there is actually a separate structure (ginormous workshop) to the right of the house and is only separated by pavement that is completely accessible and can accommodate parking.
    I’m leaning towards a day of coordinator. I’ve found a couple in my price range that are willing to work on pricing based on needs. My FMIL has also offered to pay for half of that expense. Finally, my church family has volunteered all their teenagers to do set up and takedown. 🤣🙌🏻 Hallelujah
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  • Erika
    Savvy December 2021
    Erika ·
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    Hi Donna, I absolutely agree with you. The date is firm for the wedding for 2 reasons: it’s an important date to me and I’ve already mailed save the dates out 😬


    We have decided that our plan B if there is bad weather will be to have the reception in the attached guest house (not pictured) or my dad said we could use his workshop (it’s the size of an airport hanger) and it’s climate controlled with heat and A/C!
    I have prioritized hiring a coordinator- month or week of- rather than a planner. My FMIL has generously offered to pay half of the coordinator expense. I have 3 meetings set for the next two days that are definitely feasible. We have decided no videographer as it’s completely not within our budget unless I hire an amateur which a couple still quoted close to $1k. It’s not a terrible amount, but I’d rather allocate that money for quality services rather than chancing a mediocre or worse outcome. ☺️
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  • Erika
    Savvy December 2021
    Erika ·
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    Hi Veronica! Thank you for your feedback! I agree with you. I have eliminated the videographer. I was able to secure catering through an Italian restaurant my sister works at for a 40% discount and my twin sister will be doing my hair and makeup. She’s actually a licensed cosmetologist, so I’m not losing any quality here.


    I have the same concern with the spacing. They are fully remodeling the kitchen though and it will be completely open concept and should free up a bit of space. Hopefully anyway LOL. I’ve booked photo and I’m meeting with a few coordinators in the next two days so I hope they will be able to provide some insight too!
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  • Donna
    Savvy May 2021
    Donna ·
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    It sounds like you have a ton of support and things are falling into place! You are off to a good start with planning!!
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  • Brittany
    Dedicated June 2021
    Brittany ·
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    It sounds like you've got a great start on the logistics. The only thing I think I'd want to remind you of is to get measurements of the space and plan out how/where the seating will go so you have a good plan. Good luck!

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  • Erika
    Savvy December 2021
    Erika ·
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    Thank you so much!
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  • Erika
    Savvy December 2021
    Erika ·
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    Great tip! Thank you!!!
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