Sharing Our Wedding Stories: Comparative Experiences and Lessons Learned
Planning a wedding is a journey filled with excitement, joy, and sometimes unexpected challenges. Here are two heartfelt accounts of our wedding experiences, with a focus on cost, favorite moments, and lessons learned.
Our 2017 Wedding
Our wedding in 2017 was a memorable affair, with just over 70 guests for the ceremony and wedding breakfast. Another 40 guests joined us for the evening reception. We meticulously planned every aspect, from the invitations and save-the-dates to the cake, hair, dresses, and more. Our wedding day encompassed all the little details that make a celebration unique.
Included in our planning were:
Invitations and postage Place cards Save the date magnets The bride's dress The groom's and bridesmaids' outfits Toys for the children attending Our room at the hotel Hair for the bridesmaids and the bride The wedding cake A sweet table Flowers A DJ A video booth A photographer A 3-course wedding breakfast A hot evening buffetFrom beginning to end, we wanted our wedding to be a celebration of our love and commitment, reflecting the individual and unique aspects of our lives.
Lessons Learned
How much did we spend? Our wedding budget came to just over 10,000 dollars, and it covered all the aforementioned elements. This cost was a reflection of our conscious effort to make the day special without overextending ourselves.
Favorite Part of the Wedding:
For me, the most special moment was definitely walking down the aisle. First, because it was the first time I saw the groom that day, and second, because it was clear in his tear-filled eyes how much he loved me. It was a truly magical moment between me and my partner.
What I Would Change:
The cake: The cake we had made was burned and didn't match what we had envisioned. It was a disappointing day, to say the least. The bridesmaids: The person I wanted to have be a bridesmaid turned out to be not a friend at all. They all but one backed out just five days before our wedding day.Despite these challenges, our wedding was a joyous celebration, and our love remains strong to this day. We cherish every memory and take comfort in knowing that the day we chose to say 'I do' was one that brought us closer together.
1986: A Simple yet Magical Wedding
In 1986, life was simpler. We had a small church wedding and planned everything ourselves, including decorations and the reception. Our venue was our church, which helped with the cost. We also had the reception at the church and opted for lunch-type foods, sandwiches, and chips, keeping the meal budget low.
The total cost of the wedding, including the bride's dress, was just over 1000 dollars. We managed to do everything ourselves, and the event was intimate and meaningful. Our favorite part of the day was the surprise performance of Ave Maria by our 2 older cousins, which made us both cry with joy.
Lessons Learned
We were fortunate that our father covered all the expenses, making the day stress-free. Our mother provided the dress, and our hair was done by her hairdresser. Our reception was at a beach hotel, where my uncle contracted for four days, ensuring all guests were family and friends. The open bar was provided, and the meal was ordered from their kitchen. The reception concluded at 11 PM, and my grandmothers' driver, paid for by my father, took us to a hotel in San Juan. We decided to spend the remaining Christmas vacation with family and friends, ending up with quite a bit of money in our pockets.Despite some minor hiccups, we wouldn't change a single thing. It was a perfect day, filled with love, joy, and cherished memories that have stood the test of time.
Conclusion
Both of our weddings hold a special place in our hearts, and they taught us valuable lessons about planning and prioritizing the important things in life. Whether you're planning a lavish or a simple wedding, remember to focus on the joy and the love, and to cherish every moment of it.