WARNING: excessive talk of wedding plans!

I'm finally starting to get SUPER excited about planning my wedding, and I know that I can do it within my budget (a decent $8,000, but hopefully less than that XD) I've been looking online, and since Brian and I don't want a large wedding (around 50-80 people), it's been difficult to find a place. But, I finally did a google search for "bed and breakfast wedding", and got a large list of places that are the PERFECT size, and easily within our budget. And they are gorgeous! Here are the two places that I love the most, and am waiting to get more information on: Chimney Hill Inn and Pillars of Plainfield. And on top of that, Brian and I, and a few select guests, can stay there overnight (and not have to worry about drinking and driving ^_~)

I think we officially decided to go with simple yet yummy food. AKA - BARBECUE! lol. I want at least bbq ribs to be part of the selection. Just from looking online, I should easily be able to find a menu that I like for about $30/person. So, altogether, for food, lodging, and the reception site (not including booze, haven't looked into that, yet), it should be around $4,000. Which is NOT bad. That's the exact price range I was looking for.

Did I mention that I decided on the colors? Pink, green, and yellow. Nice, beautiful spring colors. The groomsmen are going to get green accents, while my sister and cousin can fight over the pink and yellow XD I think I decided on the bride's maids dresses, as well: Dresses! I love the canary yellow, rose petal pink, and clover green. Those are my colors ^_^

As soon as we book the place, we'll get Save the Date cards. I think I've decided that I, personally, will make all the invitations. I'm crafty enough, and despite my TERRIBLE handwriting, I actually have very nice calligraphy, lol. I'll also make all the place cards and any other things like that. I'll enjoy the project! I just need to buy the utensils

As far as floral arrangements go, I'm not sure. I think I want simple wildflowers. Daisies, honeysuckle, clover, Queen Ann's Lace, etc etc. And I know the place to get a gorgeous headpiece. I might even attach a very simple veil to it. But I am definitely getting a floral headpiece.
Brian and I have decided to do personalized M&M's for wedding favors. We can get them in pink and green, and have written on them "Brian & Steffy" (my whole name won't fit >.< But that's okay!) and on the other, "May 1st, 2011".

All in all, our plans are going rather well. I'm just super excited about those two places. And they're about 45 minutes away from Brian and I, and about an hour from my family. So it works PERFECTLY!

I just need to look into the booze aspect, since these places can't supply it. I'm sure they'll have wonderful recommendations, though I'll be happy with a few wines (my Beringer merlot, and I'll have to find a white wine), maybe margaritas, mojitos, and a few beer choices. Oh. AND MEAD! Must have the mead, at the very least for the toast. Brian and I are set on having mead rather than champagne for the toast. That's something silly but very important to us

We'll have to look into musicians and photographers, as well. For photography, I might call the local colleges and ask if there are any junior/senior students who want to earn an easy $500, and can use the photos in their portfolio. I don't need film... unless I can afford it! But I DO want photo-journalism, as well as traditional. And a few black and white. Music-wise, for the ceremony I'm thinking of walking down to "Canon in D". Not sure about the reception - probably a regular DJ, but make sure he has some awesome Celtic/Irish stuff. Because that music is just AMAZING. And absolutely NO rap will be played at my wedding >.< Can't stand it.

That's about it, for now!

~*Stephanie*~