Update: Le Wedding.

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Taking help where it's offered

Almost immediately after Ted popped the question magazines filled my coffee table. All my girl friends cut out ideas, text-mail, and loads of emails. I enjoyed looking and looking. I knew that the decorations of the wedding were going have to wait until all the 'big stuff' was taken care of. I knew, I wanted a venue with lots of character for several reasons. I love simplicity. If the building was gorgeous than I could get by on minimal items to make the atmosphere. If my budget would have allowed believe me I would have went all out and personalized everything. 

Our first plan was to have the ceremony and reception in the French Quarter at Musee Conte' Wax Museum. This venue was doable if we set out to both work second jobs (or we were thinking about getting married 'on paper' and collecting our marriage income which in the end we didn't think was wise). The building was rustic with wood beams, wood floors, brick walls, french quarter charm, and a the museum would have been open for the reception. Halfway through our wedding planning, we both had a revelations. We were planning a big event for everyone. Yes, we loved the venue. Yes, we loved all we were planning. However, we were working outside of a reasonable budget. We starting thinking BIG on a small scale.

Back to reality, we ended up booking out church which we loved as well. Keeping with a minimal guest list (like i mention on my cake post). Our church is building which actually had the same charm as the Musee Conti. 

I worked alongside one of my wonderfully talented friends Mya Frey with our flowers. She ended up picking out and picking up our flowers the week of the wedding. She knew the 'idea of what I wanted' and she ran with it. Although, if I were to plan away again I'd probably give up something in order to spend a little bit more on flowers. But what we had, I loved. It wasn't my 'first choice' but it was beautiful. 

Working again with our treasure Mississippi wood, orchids, candles, and mason jars we filled the atmosphere. I ended up spending $300 for all decorations and flowers combined (not including the fabric for the backdrop).  

A small scale

Setting a budget. 


We had a small budget. Right around $2,000. Originally, we had thought this can't do and tried to push our date back in hopes of working for a bigger budget. Then, reality set in and thank God it did. Why would we prolong our engagement and work endless days to feed our guests a little more, a three tiered wedding cake, and a few more invites.

Location.


Our church is located on Magazine St. in Uptown. It has the charm we were looking for. (Brick walls, wood floors, gorge bar, art decor, etc.) Limited space, second floor venue (no accommodations for wheelchairs, which ended up not being an issue since ted's grandparents weren't able to come), and a one room for everything event made us nervous at first. Scaling down our guest list to 100 people and working with a 'one room space' in the end worked out just fine.

Cakes.


Other corners were cut including looking around for wedding cakes. I looked around and gasped at prices that were half of my entire budget. In the end, I knew everything would work out even if I wasn't spending a fortune on wedding cakes, flowers, my dress, etc. I went with the flow.

I ended up thinking about ordering a small decorated cake and then purchasing a large sheet cake to cut pieces for guests. I do think this could have worked but it wasn't translating into exactly what I would like.

Decor.


I knew I wanted to bring wood into the decor. I love wood. I had thought about bringing wood into the decor and finally thought about placing cake rounds on blocks of wood. It was my way of bring the outdoors in. Living in Louisiana, I could never trust the weather, hair spray or bobby pins for an outdoor wedding.

Ted found gorgeous wood while working the Mississippi banks and brought it home. Perfecto. He cut it up in three cascading blocks. I ordered three cake rounds (1) 10 inch, (1) 8 inch, and (1) 6 inch. I explained my vision to the bakery and they ran with it (exactly how I had pictured). I wanted a simple whispy icing. Then placed orchids and little twigs.

Mr. and Mrs.

My first post for *a.toodle.lee.do*

It's been a few short months since we took the plunge and said 'I do'. we are now living the happily-ever-after part. We are enjoying the day to day mundane married life. Simple but makes my heart so happy.

Our wedding. A week of smothering southern heat but it led us into the perfect evening to celebrate with our friends and family. The skies were bright blue after a cooler cloudy morning. I was thankful for the cloudy morning as a few special girls and I had a breakfast in a courtyard on Royal St. before I headed off to the Salon with my maid of honor.

Leading up to June 27, 2009, I had many thoughts race through my head. My future with my closest friend. The wonder of engagement bliss. Wedding plans. Special moments with close friends. Talks with my mom. I put a lot of thought into making the wedding ceremony and reception fit into our budget without sacrificing what I wanted.

I knew I had a small budget to work with [stay tuned...] but in the end I loved everything. If I had more money I would had thrown a few more this and some of that. However, I loved my wedding day. From start to finish, I was so surprised about my ideas coming to life.

Most importantly, I will be spending my life with the best partner I know Ted Ryan.