Anniversary Week: That Time I Planned Our Wedding

Hello everyone!  I'm so excited for this week because Kevin and I will be celebrating our third wedding anniversary.  I can't wait to share some of the details of our wedding day as well as some of our anniversary traditions with you.  Today I thought I'd share a run-down on what went into planning our wedding.  So here you have it: our wedding planning process (over two years worth) in 10 easy steps.

1. Put my guests first and my vision second. 

    This was my priority from the beginning.  How would my guests feel?  What would they like?  How could I make them feel appreciated?  This outlook led us to make decisions like having an open bar, renting a bus to transport guests from the hotel to the venue, and having the ceremony and reception at one location. 

2. Chose a venue. 

The Mill at Fine Creek in Powhatan, Virginia

We checked out others including a botanical garden and the Science Museum of Virginia, but in the end this one just felt like us.  It's hard to describe, but there wasn't even a discussion about which one we liked.  We booked immediately.

3. Chose a theme.

    {Grey and white with a pop of red}

4. Chose a dress.

{Jasmine Haute Couture via Unique Bride - not the most pleasant part of the process as service from both of these vendors was only mediocre, but I was happy in the end}

5. Chose my vendors wisely.

{Wedding Photography: Angie Garfield Photography / Wedding Cinematography: Josh Gooden Photography + Cinematography / Catering: The Mill at Fine Creek / Flowers: Flowers Make Scents / Wedding Invitations: By Invitation Only / Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Calvin Klein /  Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Wedding Cake: Sweets and Soirées}

    It cannot be stressed enough what a big impact your vendors have on your day.  I started my research early and focused on getting quality services on the cheap a couple of different ways.  For photography and videography, I chose vendors that were still trying to build their portfolios.  Now they charge exponentially more for the same great services, as they should because these people are talented!  

    My other money saving trick was to enter contests like crazy.  This is how I ended up with a free wedding cake!

6. Chose the food.  
    
    Gah!  I wish we had pictures of the food.  It was so delicious!

7. Did about one million DIY projects.

{programs, tissue paper pomanders, escort cards, favor boxes}

8. Made hundreds of whoopie pies. 

{These served as a dessert table treat and favors for our guests}

9. Had one short-lived cry before walking down the aisle.  

    This wasn't part of the planning as much as a realization that it was over and the day had finally arrived.  I'm glad I didn't cry throughout the day or in front of Kevin, but my pre-ceremony cry with my bridesmaids and my mom made things so real just when I needed to snap out of planning mode and remember what the day was about.

10. Chose to relax.

 {Worrying doesn't change anything and what matters the most is to live in the moment and forget the rest.}

For more photos from our big day check out our feature on Style Me Pretty from back in 2011.