How was your wedding?

OK I am not married yet and don't know if I'll ever BE married. With that said, I do know how my wedding WILL be.

How will your wedding be?
* see question about how crazy your parents will drive you

What was involved? Brief details...

* Ceremony
~ I will have the ceremony in February at The Poinsett Club in Greenville, SC (it's a really swanky country club), and it will be outside under white Christmas lights and draped shear cloth that makes a tent like thing.

* Reception
~ The reception will be INSIDE The Poinsett Club. As people enter, a string quartet will be playing classical musical to welcome them. As people proceed into the dining area, tables will be set up around the room with the food and tables to sit at. The tables and another string quartet playing classical music will be all that's in that room along with the open bar.
~ Then, there will be two more rooms for dancing. One room will have a beach/shag band playing for people that like music. The second room will have a DJ for people like the most popular music at the time.

Did you do anything special? How was your wedding special to you? If at all?
* I will find my late granddad's Rolls Royce and have that drive us back to The Poinsett Hotel in downtown Greenville, SC.

How crazy did your folks drive you?
* My Dad
~ Remember Steve Martin's character in Father of the Bride. OK that's exactly how my dad will act.

* My Mom
~ She will be a controlling, sneaky control freak. It will go to her head and if everything doesn't go HER way then she'll go bazerk.

* My Mom's Mother
~ Will do the same thing my mom will do.

* My Mom's Father
~ Will give God-awful advice

* My Father's Mother
~ Will insist on my loser, jacka** uncle be invited and I will have to be firm about making sure she realizes he's NOT invited and if he shows up he'll be arrested.

Overall, how much did your wedding cost? Who finally paid for it?
* I don't know how much it'll cost by the time I'd get married but I'll probably end up paying for the most of it because then I can just throw the fact that I am paying for it in people's faces that want to add their 2 cents.

I know, I know throwing the fact that I am paying for the wedding in people's faces is a bit conniving and obnoxious but these people will send me to a psychiatric ward in no time flat if I let them pay for it.

[AKA_Monet]

Originally posted by ztawinthropgirl
OK I am not married yet and don't know if I'll ever BE married. With that said, I do know how my wedding WILL be.

How will your wedding be?
* see question about how crazy your parents will drive you

What was involved? Brief details...

* Ceremony
~ I will have the ceremony in February at The Poinsett Club in Greenville, SC (it's a really swanky country club), and it will be outside under white Christmas lights and draped shear cloth that makes a tent like thing.

* Reception
~ The reception will be INSIDE The Poinsett Club. As people enter, a string quartet will be playing classical musical to welcome them. As people proceed into the dining area, tables will be set up around the room with the food and tables to sit at. The tables and another string quartet playing classical music will be all that's in that room along with the open bar.
~ Then, there will be two more rooms for dancing. One room will have a beach/shag band playing for people that like music. The second room will have a DJ for people like the most popular music at the time.

Did you do anything special? How was your wedding special to you? If at all?
* I will find my late granddad's Rolls Royce and have that drive us back to The Poinsett Hotel in downtown Greenville, SC.

How crazy did your folks drive you?
* My Dad
~ Remember Steve Martin's character in Father of the Bride. OK that's exactly how my dad will act.

* My Mom
~ She will be a controlling, sneaky control freak. It will go to her head and if everything doesn't go HER way then she'll go bazerk.

* My Mom's Mother
~ Will do the same thing my mom will do.

* My Mom's Father
~ Will give God-awful advice

* My Father's Mother
~ Will insist on my loser, jacka** uncle be invited and I will have to be firm about making sure she realizes he's NOT invited and if he shows up he'll be arrested.

Overall, how much did your wedding cost? Who finally paid for it?
* I don't know how much it'll cost by the time I'd get married but I'll probably end up paying for the most of it because then I can just throw the fact that I am paying for it in people's faces that want to add their 2 cents.

I know, I know throwing the fact that I am paying for the wedding in people's faces is a bit conniving and obnoxious but these people will send me to a psychiatric ward in no time flat if I let them pay for it.

Sweetie, don't forget the groom's family involvement... They have specifications too... That was the SNAFU in my wedding... My husband's mother was pissed off with me for awhile after we got married... And I didn't do much planning in the first ceremony... Oh well...

[ISUKappa]

Originally posted by ztawinthropgirl
OK I am not married yet and don't know if I'll ever BE married. With that said, I do know how my wedding WILL be.
<snip>

And you'll be surprised at how much you change your mind during the planning process. I was continually going through bridal magazines and saying "I like this! No! I like this! No! I want this! No! I want this!"

Not saying you can't have your dream wedding, just to be open to changes when the time comes!

[AKA_Monet]

Originally posted by ISUKappa
And you'll be surprised at how much you change your mind during the planning process. I was continually going through bridal magazines and saying "I like this! No! I like this! No! I want this! No! I want this!"

Not saying you can't have your dream wedding, just to be open to changes when the time comes!

Yeah, 'cuz you'd be amazed at NOT being able to get white Christmas lights in February in a certain location... You'd think it outta be easy, but for some reason, they just can't find your color with the appropriate voltage or some crazy excuse...

[TriDeltaGal]

Wow! Reading how much some of you paid for your entire wedding, you got off lucky! I don't know if it is because I live in L.A. but our wedding will probably be close to 30K. We are having 200 guests but the place I chose had probably one of the best deals on wedding packages (one hour open bar, eight different appetitizers, meal, and parking) and that right there is half of the budget!

And no Trideltagal, doesn't have a Vera Wang dress!

Yeah, don't count on most parents in law for much! We got along fabulously for the six years we dated and then as soon as the ring was on my finger, it got very tense between us but trying to rebuild some bridges!

I would post more but his sister might be rushing soon and might be reading this so trying to be anonymous!

[Rudey]

Originally posted by TriDeltaGal
Wow! Reading how much some of you paid for your entire wedding, you got off lucky! I don't know if it is because I live in L.A. but our wedding will probably be close to 30K. We are having 200 guests but the place I chose had probably one of the best deals on wedding packages (one hour open bar, eight different appetitizers, meal, and parking) and that right there is half of the budget!

And no Trideltagal, doesn't have a Vera Wang dress!

Yeah, don't count on most parents in law for much! We got along fabulously for the six years we dated and then as soon as the ring was on my finger, it got very tense between us but trying to rebuild some bridges!

I would post more but his sister might be rushing soon and might be reading this so trying to be anonymous!

You're getting married and didn't invite me?

-Rudey

[TriDeltaGal]

Rudey, Don't be sad, I haven't sent out the invitations yet!

But, you can only come if you bring us a really cool gift...I'm registered at Tiffany!


ETA: Rudey, you will also have to stand up and serenade me and my sisters/bridesmaids a AEPi song!

[Tippiechick]

How was your wedding?
It was pretty good... There were some minor problems. The groomsmen and I did not get along. Some of them tried to talk my husband out of going through with it that day. They were all drunk. One of them (in college) hit on my 13 year-old sister. My matron-of-honor bounced a check she wrote me. She was so embarrassed that she didn't show up... But, once I told off her (over the phone when I realized she wasn't showing) and every last groomsman, the wedding went beautifully.


What was involved? Brief details...

We had the church decorated with candles, cream tulle, and christmas trees with white lights.
The 10 bridesmaids wore black satin dresses and carried red roses.
I wore a cream and cafe au lait dress by Maggie Sottero and carried red roses. My something blue was my Sapphire pointed badge.
My sorority sisters drove in from Mississippi and Michigan to be at the wedding.
We had over 200 people at the wedding.
My cake was custom designed (at no additional cost) to match my wedding dress. My husband had an amaretto cheesecake for his groom's cake.


Did you do anything special? How was your wedding special to you? If at all?

Well, it would have been more special to me if my sisters had sang the traditional ZTA songs like they do at the other weddings. But, they told me afterwards that since the reception was at a church, they felt odd about breaking into sorority song.
My husband saw me before the wedding. When my matron-of-honor didn't show up, we both had to go and finish the decorating she volunteered to take care of. I actually LOVE the fact that we had that time together to clear our heads and just enjoy the day.

How crazy did your folks drive you?

It was not my folks as it was my paternal grandmother. I do not speak to my bio. father. Yet, she forced me to invite him. He told everyone I never sent either of the 2 invites... He refused to show up because his name was not on the invitation as my parent. So, to show her contempt, she skipped the wedding photos. We had the photographer chase her down at the reception so that we could have at least one picture... SHE LITERALLY HAS AN ANGRY LOOK ON HER FACE in the photo.

Overall, how much did your wedding cost? Who finally paid for it?

My wedding costs ended up at $17,000. That included a sit down buffet with service for over 200 as well. My maternal grandparents that raised me paid for most of it. My mom and step-dad also helped.

If I had it to do over, I would have invited less people. I was forced to invite a lot because of both of our families' social status. I also would not have had some of the bridesmaids I chose. And, I would have been less concerned with having every detail looking just perfect for guests. I would have focused on making myself happy.

[MoxieGrrl]

How was your wedding?
Very special, and a lot of fun.

What was involved? Brief details...
We had a Catholic ceremony in my hometown and invited about 250 folks. Our reception was very crowded, which kind of disappointed me, but we ended up having plenty of room to dance. The decorations for everything was very simple - I wanted to be the main attraction that day, not my centerpieces. We had terrific food, and it all culminated with an awesome Jamaican honeymoon.

Did you do anything special? How was your wedding special to you? If at all?
One reason our wedding was special was because it was my brother's 21st birthday. He's in the military (station in ND!), so it was wonderful to have two celebrations in one.

How crazy did your folks drive you?
My dad & stepmom were terrific, and my mom had her moments of being slightly annoying. His mom made a few comments that hurt my feelings, but it all ended up okay in the end.

Overall, how much did your wedding cost? Who finally paid for it?
It was surprisingly inexpensive as far as wedding go. We did everything we wanted (we aren't extravagant people), and still were able to go on a great honeymoon. My mom & dad paid for food & liquor; his parents paid for the photographer, and Mr. Mox & I paid for the rest ourselves. We were so incredibly proud to have had such a great day *and* have no debt after!

[Jill1228]

Tippie, you have some gorgeous pictures! I feel ya about feeling you had to invite so and so. I hate having my hand forced. Had I had our wedding back in Virginia, I would have been going thru the same thing.

Which is why I was so glad I did the Vegas ceremony!

And gurl, I feel you about the bio father (ie sperm donor) issues! ALL TOO WELL

[HotDamnImAPhiMu]

How many of you girls wore your badge in some way?

I'm entirely not married and entirely not dating anyone. But I'll tell you all about my wedding anyway. Which will be ridiculously tacky but you know you want to come.


(1) I'm wearing a dress, but it probably won't be big and white. It might be. But I might wear the dress my mom wore in her wedding, which she got for $15 at Sears in 1977. It's hot though. Pale green and very graceful.

(2) Bridesmaids, wear whever you want. It's got to be a dress though. And if you're Phi Mu I'm making you wear your badge.

(3) Small wedding. VERY small wedding. Close family and veryvery close friends.

(4) Cookout. You think I'm joking but I'm not. I'd way rather wander around the backyard eating my dad's burgers and watching my little brother and his friends sneak Coronas than to have a sit-down where I don't get to talk to people.



A traditional wedding sounds beautiful -- don't get me wrong, if I won some sort of sweepstakes that paid for a huge wedding with all the trappings, I'd take it! But realistically I know I won't have a lot of money by then, and neither will he, and if we did -- well, it's more my style to have things kind of low-key anyway.

[Jill1228]

One of our girls who was AI'd last fall wore her badge on her gown...the sistah wore the hell outta it, too!

[cntryZTA5]

How was your wedding?
Our wedding went well. There were a few minor issues (too much wind at the lake where I wanted to take pictures and the candles that were the favors partially melting in the sun).

What was involved? Brief details...

The ceremony was held at the Lutheran Church where I was confirmed. We had 6 bridesmaids and 5 groomsman. The reception was held in my parents backyard. They live in the mountians of S. California. We're both really low key people, so this worked out great for us! We had great food served buffet style, and an open bar. The music was great, it seemed like everyone there had a great time! There were about 100 people there.


Did you do anything special? How was your wedding special to you? If at all?

My mother in law, and grandmother in law did all of the flowers and church decorations. They are both florists, so it was great to have them involved (especially since they live in IL, and the wedding was in CA). It was also special that so many members of my husband's family were able to attend. My nephew served as the ringbearer, who was the cutest ringbearer I've ever seen. I wish I would have been serenaded by the ZTAs that were there.

How crazy did your folks drive you?

Both sets of parents were pretty good. I wanted an outdoor ceremony, my mom really wanted us to have it in the church. We had the church ceremony and the outdoor reception. She tried to convince me to wear gloves with my dress, I refused.

Overall, how much did your wedding cost? Who finally paid for it?
The total cost was between 6,000-8,000. My mom and stepdad paid for the reception rentals, food, alcohol, and my dress. My father in law paid for the flowers (total cost $300...gotta love in laws that are florists!), my aunt paid for my cake. We paid for the photographer, the dj, the decorations (favors, centerpieces etc), and the invitations.

[AKA_Monet]

Tippie--

Your wedding looks soooooo beautiful...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Another question, for those of you who had a reception: Did you eat at your reception?

What was the meal?

[aephi alum]

Originally posted by AKA_Monet
Another question, for those of you who had a reception: Did you eat at your reception?

What was the meal?

We did. We also attended our cocktail hour. We weren't about to shell out all that money and miss the food.

The main course was a combination, chicken breast and filet mignon. Salad to start, don't recall what the veggies were, and a dessert plate in addition to the cake. We offered pasta primavera to our vegetarian guests.

We also made sure to choose the best hors d'oeuvres we could. The salmon plate evaporated within 15 minutes (we ordered a second one on the spot) and, years later, people still rave about the baby lamb chops

Oh, our coordinator at the reception hall made a very interesting suggestion which we followed: cut the cake before the main course. This way, the cake is taken away and sliced into portions during the main course, and the guests get their cake shortly after the meal, instead of having to wait, and wait, and wait some more.