Laura Hood: Wedding Planner.

PART I

Okay. Temporary change of plans for the blog. At this point in my life I've got bigger fish to fry than Art History research (sorry, lost Caravaggio, I'll be back soon.)

You know how I'm getting married? (Maybe you don't know. I'm getting married.) 

Well, I admit it. It's taking over my life.

"GASP," you say? "Laura, you must be the first bride-to-be who has ever been consumed by thoughts of dresses and receptions and venues and budgets," you say?

Okay, okay. So you probably aren't shocked by my admission.

But, like every other bride on the planet, I'm SPECIAL!

Seriously, though. My situation is pretty unique. See, I'm trying to plan a seemingly impossible wedding, by myself, for under $4,000. Oh, and also internationally. That's right. I'm getting married in England. I am not in England.

So...included in my budget of $4K (which converts to around £2,500) is my £800 marriage visa. which leaves me with about £1,700 or roughly $2,775. For a whole wedding. A WHOLE WEDDING! Reception, venue, dress, rings, the whole shebang.

Can I do it? Ha. Of course I can. In fact, I welcome the challenge. If there were a more clearly defined "challenger" I'd give a cocky laugh right in his/her/its face. There are two things that bother me a lot more than the betroth-ment budget. The first is the paperwork. Rich and I obviously can't afford an immigration lawyer and so Rich is trying to muddle through link after link after phone call after e-mail detailing how it is that an international love affair can turn into a marriage ceremony. Lots of boring details that I can throw in here, but I'll spare you. You're welcome. All I'll say is that I think that we finally have it figured out.

The second thing that bothers me is that a lot of my friends can't be there, maybe even none of you can be there. I totally understand that, it's unavoidable, but it still bums me out that the American side can't be in on this. 

I can fix it a little bit, though....this wedding is going to be an adventure for Richie and me, and I can do little things here and there to let you know what we're up to. We'll be shopping for a lot of used items, I can share our finds with you! We'll also be gathering ideas and hand-making a LOT of our decorations and do-dads, and I can show you our process and our finished products! 

Every couple of days I'll post some photos, vocalize some ideas, and ask for input! Suggestions will ALWAYS be welcome. Keep in mind that I've never even been to a wedding, unless you count my uncle Jim's wedding in 1991, the year I turned five. It might have been '92, but I think I've made my point.

This was an explanatory post, my future posts will be much less wordy, and will contain many more photos.

Oh, and two disclaimers: 

One: I'm really limited as to what I can do until I move to the UK, so this blog might be a bit of a snooze 'til then.

Two: I have no camera, nor do I have a camera phone. Both were sacrificed to provide me with part of lofty wedding budget. So right now I'm largely using my mac's iSight, meaning low quality everything. Pixilation, color, lighting, you name it. 

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PART II

I spent a few days trying to figure out how to make invitations, because I've got tons of unused paper here in Georgia, and therefore I can basically make these for free. I found an old abandoned journal (one of about thirteen) and I cut out its pages. This is what I made:

I cut out 45 of these along with inserts and ordered 50 clearance envelopes from Paper Source at a rate of about .34/envelope with tax and shipping! These are FAR from done, Rich and I are going to write them out and jazz them up once I get to the UK, but I thought I'd get them started. I'm really relieved that all I have to pay for is postage and the envelopes! Be watching for the final product!

Today, I spent the day cutting up another journal! This is what I made:

You can't really tell from the photo but they're made from very pulpy, fibrous paper. I'll try to scan a few to show the graininess. I have a few ideas of how to use these tags at our reception...I'm still thinking, though. But surely they'll be stylish and useful! I also bought some baker's twine at ArtFire.com.

I bought 30 yards at .12/yard after shipping and taxes. I think that's going to be enough. If not I can always spring the $3.75 for another spool later. 

Anyway, I'll post more as I have more to say. Again, until I'm in the UK it might not be altogether that interesting, but I'll keep posting anyway. I'd like to give my friends the option of a vicarious experience. 

Love you guys! More soon.

Laura