Sacrifice & Compromise

After the come down from the excitement that a proposal inevitably brings is the optimism that yes, YOU can plan your whole wedding cheaply and easily and not have to compromise on anything. So you do some research, wherein your smacked with a healthy dose of reality and all of a sudden those charming lace backed bridesmaid dresses suddenly appear very expensive, and the sad moment when you realise if you buy THAT dress, then you'll be walking to the reception because you wont be able to afford a car.

So then come along the compromises. Truth is, I'm fully prepared to make some sacrifices on the day. As much as i want the £3000 dress and £8000 venue, I want to marry Mark more, and not start our married lives with debt from one day. We already have a mortgage and are trying to put money away for our son and so compromises will have to be made. But my attitude is that as long as we are married, and us and our loved ones enjoy the day then I'll be a happy lady!

One big sacrifice we have decided to make is not to have bridesmaids or groomsmen. I will have a maid of honour and Mark a best man but thats it. Many of my closest friends live overseas anyway and the cost involved with getting them here, plus dresses, thank you gifts, and all the rest are just too much.
I have non-formally asked my sister to be my maid of honour but am currently working on a more formal request!

Another cost saving compromise we have made is to not have a sit-down meal. Mark used to work as a wedding co-ordinator for a big hotel and the cost of what you pay compared to what your getting is usually quite a disappointment in his opinion. We are instead going to have a hog roast type buffet after a late afternoon ceremony. There will be a dessert table (with lots of homemade and locally made desserts!) afterwards and a band instead of a disco. Im hoping this gives the evening a more relaxed, intimate feel without the formality of a sit down dinner.

It may seem to some that I'm cutting costs TOO much and losing too much of what i had envisioned for the day, but thats not the case. My plan is to do a lot of the things myself (flower arranging, making of favours etc) and to cut costs on the things that aren't that important to me (such as a sit down meal)

Fingers crossed it all comes together under budget!