Composition
Here's what I finally composed (in all my spare time) to send back to Brian's mom:
______________________________
Hi Jodie!
Thanks so much for all your brain power.
I think I understand your concept for the tulle. After re-reading that section, it started to make sense. I think asking for your friend's advice is a great idea. I'll be anxious to hear what she has to say. Remember, we can use the 3M brand hooks which stick to the walls but won't leave marks. Those may help us in hanging things. I've been holding off a bit on scheduling something with Mickie @ The Mountaineer's until I know my mom's travel schedule. If she can make it up here for President's Day weekend, I'd like to take her to see the space, etc. and then maybe we can work an appt in with Mickie and both you and my mom.
Glad to hear you found some grosgrain ribbon. I haven't had time to look online yet, but I'll get there. I will be needing some ribbon to tie around the mason jar vases we'll use for the reception tables, so the ribbon you found might work there.
I will confirm the specifics with the florist, but they have received visuals from me during our first consultation. I am confident they understand what I'm looking for.
Yes, rental linens aren't cheap, but I think it will really finish off the room. I'd rather have the clean lines of dressed tables than other busy or tiny things to fill out the decorations. We do have about $660 to use for decorating the space. So far I've only spent $22 on decorations (the faux flowers from Michael's). I don't know how much you've spent - can you let me know? We need to make sure we're spending money on usable items.
I've looked online at ABC & Grand...everyone is priced pretty much the same. I do still have the coupon for 15% off at Abbey...that will probably be our best deal.
We do have quite a bit of money set aside for the cake, but not quite as much as what some of the specialty cake places charge to do wedding cakes. Brian would really prefer that the cake has some "presence" at the reception, so I think we'll go the more traditional route of a tiered cake. Many places do specialty flavors and we'd like the flavor of any sheet cake to match our display cake. In addition, most bakeries provide the bride & groom with a small fresh cake on their first anniversary so we won't have to eat yucky cake that's been frozen for a year.
I do agree that trying to save money here and there should be a priority, and I take it into consideration always. But, you made the request that Brian's $5000 contribution go solely to the honeymoon and shouldn't be included in the wedding budget. Therefore I took Brian's contribution out and upped my own contribution to cover the difference. It's my understanding that Brian has set aside the neccesary funds to cover the wedding night hotel, my wedding ring and the honeymoon. He also mentioned that he asked you to hold a portion of the honeymoon money so he wouldn't be tempted to spend it. So, I think we've got the honeymoon covered and enough to include Johnny's wedding in the trip. I think any money we save cutting corners here and there would be better used in choosing the menu we want or contributing to the beer, wine, & champagne cost.
My feelings on save the date cards are interesting. I believe that save the dates were invented by the wedding industry to get more money out of people, but I think they serve a great purpose when planning a destination wedding. I didn't want to spend an additional $500 to $1000 on cards people would probably throw away. Plus, with the invitations going out in 9 weeks, I don't think save the dates are neccessary. Maybe could send out the invitations a bit early?
Speaking of invitations, my mom and I need to order the invitations in 1 week!!! YIKES! Any chance you can bring the guest list with you tonight?
I'm excited for Katie's birthday...should be fun! See you later tonight!!
Emily :D
____________________________
I tried to be firm and direct but I didn't want to sound ungrateful or snooty.
I may have just f*cked myself....
______________________________
Hi Jodie!
Thanks so much for all your brain power.
I think I understand your concept for the tulle. After re-reading that section, it started to make sense. I think asking for your friend's advice is a great idea. I'll be anxious to hear what she has to say. Remember, we can use the 3M brand hooks which stick to the walls but won't leave marks. Those may help us in hanging things. I've been holding off a bit on scheduling something with Mickie @ The Mountaineer's until I know my mom's travel schedule. If she can make it up here for President's Day weekend, I'd like to take her to see the space, etc. and then maybe we can work an appt in with Mickie and both you and my mom.
Glad to hear you found some grosgrain ribbon. I haven't had time to look online yet, but I'll get there. I will be needing some ribbon to tie around the mason jar vases we'll use for the reception tables, so the ribbon you found might work there.
I will confirm the specifics with the florist, but they have received visuals from me during our first consultation. I am confident they understand what I'm looking for.
Yes, rental linens aren't cheap, but I think it will really finish off the room. I'd rather have the clean lines of dressed tables than other busy or tiny things to fill out the decorations. We do have about $660 to use for decorating the space. So far I've only spent $22 on decorations (the faux flowers from Michael's). I don't know how much you've spent - can you let me know? We need to make sure we're spending money on usable items.
I've looked online at ABC & Grand...everyone is priced pretty much the same. I do still have the coupon for 15% off at Abbey...that will probably be our best deal.
We do have quite a bit of money set aside for the cake, but not quite as much as what some of the specialty cake places charge to do wedding cakes. Brian would really prefer that the cake has some "presence" at the reception, so I think we'll go the more traditional route of a tiered cake. Many places do specialty flavors and we'd like the flavor of any sheet cake to match our display cake. In addition, most bakeries provide the bride & groom with a small fresh cake on their first anniversary so we won't have to eat yucky cake that's been frozen for a year.
I do agree that trying to save money here and there should be a priority, and I take it into consideration always. But, you made the request that Brian's $5000 contribution go solely to the honeymoon and shouldn't be included in the wedding budget. Therefore I took Brian's contribution out and upped my own contribution to cover the difference. It's my understanding that Brian has set aside the neccesary funds to cover the wedding night hotel, my wedding ring and the honeymoon. He also mentioned that he asked you to hold a portion of the honeymoon money so he wouldn't be tempted to spend it. So, I think we've got the honeymoon covered and enough to include Johnny's wedding in the trip. I think any money we save cutting corners here and there would be better used in choosing the menu we want or contributing to the beer, wine, & champagne cost.
My feelings on save the date cards are interesting. I believe that save the dates were invented by the wedding industry to get more money out of people, but I think they serve a great purpose when planning a destination wedding. I didn't want to spend an additional $500 to $1000 on cards people would probably throw away. Plus, with the invitations going out in 9 weeks, I don't think save the dates are neccessary. Maybe could send out the invitations a bit early?
Speaking of invitations, my mom and I need to order the invitations in 1 week!!! YIKES! Any chance you can bring the guest list with you tonight?
I'm excited for Katie's birthday...should be fun! See you later tonight!!
Emily :D
____________________________
I tried to be firm and direct but I didn't want to sound ungrateful or snooty.
I may have just f*cked myself....