A Coupon Wedding: The Cake!

Today, Groupon is featuring for $119.00 a medium classic cake from The Bake Shoppe which feeds 100 people and is normally a $250 value. These custom cakes can be a three tier cake and is more of a simple structure. The flavor choices are white or chocolate cake with white or chocolate frosting! The layers also make it incredibly easy, according to The Bake Shoppe's website for transport so that there is no delivery fee. I have personally tried the cake from The Bake Shoppe and have never been disappointed! 

http://media.theknot.com/ImageStage/Objects/0003/0076442/Image475x475.jpg

http://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/weddings/cakes-catering/wedding-cakes-season-00000000009680/index.html

http://www.mywedding.com/blog/wedding-basics/desserts/wedding-cakes/cake-gallery-all-white-cakes/

Budget


Cake
$119.99 Groupon
$20 for sales tax and fees (if any)


Dress
$139.00 at David's Bridal

Videography
Groupon Good Sony HD camera: $89.99


Favors
Eversave Nashville Voucher to Tea District: $12
Shipping: $5
Out of pocket difference in cost: $1.07

Honeymoon

LivingSocial voucher to Trinidad and Tobago: $1200.00
Expedia flights: $1374.80

Food

Whitt's BBQ: $400.00

Venue

Peacock Ballroom: $2050.00 (includes 12 hours of facility manager fees 12 p.m.-12a.m.), the $250 deposit and rental fee)

Gifts

Manicure and Pedicure for MOB: $37

Beauty

Manicure and Pedicure: $37

Rings

14k White Gold diamond band: $299.99

Tungsten Concave band: $23.99

Photography:

Photobooth (3 hours): $449.00

Engagement session with living social coupon: $75.00

Wedding Photography with living social coupon + tip: $1100

Stationary:

1st stationary cost: $10.00 

Cost of groupons: $34.00 (unless you have "groupon bucks" or more people buy)

_______________________

Budget total: 

$5377.13 remaining

A Coupon Wedding: The Dress

Beaded Halter Dress with Sequin and Stone Neckline 

One of the most popular chains for wedding dresses is David's Bridal. Being that they are so popular they also have reasonable prices and sales. For the coupon wedding, we are going to be purchasing the dress above for $139.00 for free shipping!

Budget


Dress
$139.00 at David's Bridal

Videography
Groupon Good Sony HD camera: $89.99


Favors
Eversave Nashville Voucher to Tea District: $12
Shipping: $5
Out of pocket difference in cost: $1.07

Honeymoon

LivingSocial voucher to Trinidad and Tobago: $1200.00
Expedia flights: $1374.80

Food

Whitt's BBQ: $400.00

Venue

Peacock Ballroom: $2050.00 (includes 12 hours of facility manager fees 12 p.m.-12a.m.), the $250 deposit and rental fee)

Gifts

Manicure and Pedicure for MOB: $37

Beauty

Manicure and Pedicure: $37

Rings

14k White Gold diamond band: $299.99

Tungsten Concave band: $23.99

Photography:

Photobooth (3 hours): $449.00

Engagement session with living social coupon: $75.00

Wedding Photography with living social coupon + tip: $1100

Stationary:

1st stationary cost: $10.00 

Cost of groupons: $34.00 (unless you have "groupon bucks" or more people buy)

_______________________

Budget total: 

$5238.13 remaining

A Coupon Wedding:Videography

http://www.groupon.com/ch/goods/deals/gg-sony-bloggie-camera?c=all?p=16

Groupon in Nashville is featuring a Sony Duo HD camera that is capable of recording 2 hours of digital video footage for $89.00. Using this offer and a friend with a steady hand, the coupon wedding will be recorded! I know this seems like the cheap route but from my personal experience recording with a handheld digital camera works great! For our wedding, Mr. Collier and I had a friend record the ceremony for an out-of-town relative to view the next day and we couldn't believe how wonderful the quality was!

Budget

Videography
Groupon Good Sony HD camera: $89.99


Favors
Eversave Nashville Voucher to Tea District: $12
Shipping: $5
Out of pocket difference in cost: $1.07

Honeymoon

LivingSocial voucher to Trinidad and Tobago: $1200.00
Expedia flights: $1374.80

Food

Whitt's BBQ: $400.00

Venue

Peacock Ballroom: $2050.00 (includes 12 hours of facility manager fees 12 p.m.-12a.m.), the $250 deposit and rental fee)

Gifts

Manicure and Pedicure for MOB: $37

Beauty

Manicure and Pedicure: $37

Rings

14k White Gold diamond band: $299.99

Tungsten Concave band: $23.99

Photography:

Photobooth (3 hours): $449.00

Engagement session with living social coupon: $75.00

Wedding Photography with living social coupon + tip: $1100

Stationary:

1st stationary cost: $10.00 

Cost of groupons: $34.00 (unless you have "groupon bucks" or more people buy)

_______________________

Budget total: 

$5377.13 remaining

A Coupon Wedding: Favors

Tea and Spices

The favors of the coupon wedding (which are quickly approaching) are going to be cheater handmade tea bags. Today, Eversave Nashville has an eversave voucher for $12 worth $25 to spend at Tea District, an online tea store. We will be purchasing for the 80 guests enough pre-made teabags (36 per canister) ranging from $8.99-$9.99. We will purchase the deal for $12 and the shipping is a flat rate of $5. That added to the difference in tax and the 1.67 overage that the voucher does not cost leaves us under $20 for favors! Then custom designed tags and a string can be added as a DIY activity like below:

http://www.projectwedding.com/wedding-ideas/diy-easy-tea-bag-favors

Budget

Favors
Eversave Nashville Voucher to Tea District: $12
Shipping: $5
Out of pocket difference in cost: $1.07

Honeymoon

LivingSocial voucher to Trinidad and Tobago: $1200.00
Expedia flights: $1374.80

Food

Whitt's BBQ: $400.00

Venue

Peacock Ballroom: $2050.00 (includes 12 hours of facility manager fees 12 p.m.-12a.m.), the $250 deposit and rental fee)

Gifts

Manicure and Pedicure for MOB: $37

Beauty

Manicure and Pedicure: $37

Rings

14k White Gold diamond band: $299.99

Tungsten Concave band: $23.99

Photography:

Photobooth (3 hours): $449.00

Engagement session with living social coupon: $75.00

Wedding Photography with living social coupon + tip: $1100

Stationary:

1st stationary cost: $10.00 

Cost of groupons: $34.00 (unless you have "groupon bucks" or more people buy)

_______________________

Budget total: 

$5466.13 remaining

Buttermilk Fried Chicken-Thanks Rachel Ray!

http://www.amazon.com/Chicken-Fried-Brown-Band-cover/dp/B001Q3TRZE

In our attempts to begin meal planning, Mr. Collier and I decided to make some homemade fried chicken on Sunday. I was at the dentist a few weeks back and caught the Rachel Ray show in the waiting area. Turns out she has an awesome recipe for Cajun Fried Chicken. We were able to purchase two chicken breasts, five thighs and five wings for under $10 so we utilized this deal to have 3 days worth of meals. I highly recommend this recipe, however, we did make a few modifications that I have described below.

After pan frying for 12 minutes with turning, we placed the chicken directly into a preheated 300F oven on an oven rack with a baking sheet underneath to catch the drippings. We let the chicken go until our meat thermometer indicated that the meat had reached optimal temperature.

Last night we had this chicken again with a side of chili baked potatoes but I think I will re-purpose the rest into chicken salad or chicken tortilla soup for the rest of this week's lunches.

Whole Foods: Whole Wedding Bridal Show!

As I was preparing for my epic couponing adventure today, I stumbled upon this event sponsored by Whole Foods located in Green Hills. I guess Whole Foods is attempting to break into the wedding market showcasing their bakery for cake needs, floral department and even catering options. To attend R.S.V.P. to Linda at the email listed above! 

Living Social Coupon: $10 for $50 at Vistaprint!!!

Mr. Collier and I used Vistaprint.com for all of our wedding stationary products. They were affordable as well as prompt with orders. One reason they were so affordable was because of these awesome livingsocial and groupon vouchers that offer severely discounted rates on Vistaprint products! Today there is a LivingSocial voucher for $10 you can get $50 in products from Vistaprint. I'd grab it if you are planning a shower, need thank you cards or even save the dates!

A Coupon Wedding: The Honeymoon

This morning, there is a living social "escape" that is for a $1200 6 day, 5 night trip to Trinidad and Tabago's Coco Reef Resort & Spa located in Crown Point, T&T. This includes daily breakfast, nightly dinner with wine, non-motorized water sports equipment and all taxes and fees! Awesome deal indeed. Further, using Kayak.com I found flights that for two round trip flights to T&T (2 stops and a day of travel) for $1,374.80. That means a grand total of $2574.80 for the honeymoon! 

Budget

Honeymoon

LivingSocial voucher to Trinidad and Tobago: $1200.00
Expedia flights: $1374.80

Food

Whitt's BBQ: $400.00

Venue

Peacock Ballroom: $2050.00 (includes 12 hours of facility manager fees 12 p.m.-12a.m.), the $250 deposit and rental fee)

Gifts

Manicure and Pedicure for MOB: $37

Beauty

Manicure and Pedicure: $37

Rings

14k White Gold diamond band: $299.99

Tungsten Concave band: $23.99

Photography:

Photobooth (3 hours): $449.00

Engagement session with living social coupon: $75.00

Wedding Photography with living social coupon + tip: $1100

Stationary:

1st stationary cost: $10.00 

Cost of groupons: $34.00 (unless you have "groupon bucks" or more people buy)

_______________________

Budget total: 

$5484.20 remaining

Smart Bride Wedding Boot Camp 2012!!!

I started this blog after my attendance at the Smart Bride Wedding Boot Camp that I attended last year with Mr. Collier. If you didn't have the chance to go last year or know some currently engaged couples in the Nashville area, I highly recommend attending this event! Early registration (here) is free and both future brides and grooms, bridesmaids, friends, and parents are welcome! You may even see me there!

http://ashleysbrideguide.com/the_wedding_scoop/article/the-smart-bride-a-nashville-wedding-planning-bootcamp-2012/

A Coupon Wedding: Food

http://www.whittsbarbecue.com/catering.php

Since our venue, the Peacock Ballroom has no restrictions on catering we will be ordering good 'ol American BBQ. For full service catering which includes barbecue, buns, two sides (beans, potato salad or slaw) for 3.49 per person. And you can add an extra side for $.50 per person which can include: white beans, macaroni and cheese, green beans, corn on the cob, potato chips or cornbread. Let's assume that we get BBQ for 80 people with two additional sides to feed any vegetarians present. Our total would then be $359.20 plus tax (say round up $400.00). The food would have to be picked up and no servers would be present. But overall not a bad deal! We may have to make our own salad as well.

This means that we need to rent or purchase flatware and plates. Additionally we will be responsible for the cleanup of all the materials from the Peacock Ballroom. Further, we will need to purchase chafers from the Dollar Tree to keep the food warm and potentially ice to keep the cole slaw and such cool.   

Budget

Food
Whitt's BBQ: $400.00

Venue
Peacock Ballroom: $2050.00 (includes 12 hours of facility manager fees 12 p.m.-12a.m.), the $250 deposit and rental fee)

Gifts

Manicure and Pedicure for MOB: $37

Beauty

Manicure and Pedicure: $37

Rings

14k White Gold diamond band: $299.99

Tungsten Concave band: $23.99

Photography:

Photobooth (3 hours): $449.00

Engagement session with living social coupon: $75.00

Wedding Photography with living social coupon + tip: $1100

Stationary:

1st stationary cost: $10.00 

Cost of groupons: $34.00 (unless you have "groupon bucks" or more people buy)

_______________________

Budget total: 

$5484.20 remaining

To Be Mrs. Collier

Hello dear friends. It has been a month of marriage! And I'm so excited to share with you some recent updates, wedding recaps and get back in the swing of blogging. So sit tight and let the fun begin!

A Coupon Wedding: The Venue

Peacock Ballroom

For the 100 person guest list there is no need for a large venue. Assuming that 20% of our guests will not attend, we can search for a venue to accommodate 80 people for a seated meal. But the most important factors include an open catering and alcohol policy. I've recently stumbled upon this awesome little venue called the Peacock Ballroom located in the Lenox Village Town Center not too far from downtown Nashville. The full rental on a Friday during peak times is $1500 which includes table rentals (self-set up required for no charge) and chairs.  

(9:00am-12:00am)
Description	LV Town Center Resident Address must be 6900 Lenox Village Dr	LV Resident Reside anywhere in Lenox Village	Non-Profit Must provide appropriate documentation	General Public Lives outside of Lenox Village
Room Rental Fee	$900	$1000	$1250	$1500
Booking Time Frame	30 Days Prior	30 Days Prior	Anytime	Anytime
Damage Deposit	None	$250	$250	$250
Facility Manager	$25/Hour	$25/Hour	$25/Hour	$25/Hour
Payment Process	50% Down/Net 30 Days	50% Down/Net 30 Days	50% Down/Net 30 Days	50% Down/Net 30 Days

Budget

Venue
Peacock Ballroom: $2050.00 (includes 12 hours of facility manager fees 12 p.m.-12a.m.), the $250 deposit and rental fee)

Gifts

Manicure and Pedicure for MOB: $37

Beauty

Manicure and Pedicure: $37

Rings

14k White Gold diamond band: $299.99

Tungsten Concave band: $23.99

Photography:

Photobooth (3 hours): $449.00

Engagement session with living social coupon: $75.00

Wedding Photography with living social coupon + tip: $1100

Stationary:

1st stationary cost: $10.00 

Cost of groupons: $34.00 (unless you have "groupon bucks" or more people buy)

_______________________

Budget total: 

$5884.20 remaining

Living Social: Photobook Deal

There is a national deal for a 20 page 8.5 x 11" photobook that could be used for engagement, showers, bachelorette party, wedding or honeymoon!!

https://www.livingsocial.com/deals/227472?ref=conf-jp&rpi=47775122

It's Wedding Week: Day 3

"Out Numbered"

Today is my last official day on the job so interestingly I'm not doing much wedding stuff today. However, the story for Mr. Collier is different. He has informed me that he will be spending the day getting the house prepared for the arrival of our families and friends through the weekend. He also is undertaking the task of preparing a turkey dinner for us all tomorrow night. After getting the number of welcome bags together for our guests, he will also begin to divide those out in preparation for tomorrow's To-Do list. Oh and there is the never ending pile of laundry that needs to be tackled! 

"Can I come out now?"

If you haven't considered getting a planner, I would highly recommend it. It is in the end times (ok, that is just funny to me) we have relied so much on our planner for support and assistance. Our planner, Sarah @ Music City Events is stellar. Not only is she passionate about her job but she is efficient, on point and know how to steer this crazy train! Many individuals feel that the investment of a planner isn't in the budget but I'll tell you straight up as a frugal individual, Sarah has without a doubt gotten us back more than half of the cost of hiring her company through exclusive vendor discounts and just being aware of good deals around town. If you can't afford a planner I might suggest just a day-off coordinator and then talk to some recent brides in your area who have likely done some research already.   

Anyway, Happy T-3 days!

It's Wedding Week: Day 4

"Out Numbered"

It is day 4 believe it or not! 

Today has been filled with last minute details regarding our schedule for the rest of the week. To-do lists have been compiled for each day (of course on a google doc) so that Mr. Collier and I can both work on it together. It makes a difference when your partner gets involved. Otherwise there is no way in hades that this mountain is going to move! 

I also "marked up" (for you theater or dance types) our first dance song "Fire and Dynamite" by Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors. See the Day 5 post for an exclusive sneak peek at the tune. The cues have been set for starting and finishing. We also picked a cake cutting song today by another local artist, Ben Rector. If you don't know him, you should because he is fabulous!

The rest of the focus of today is on wrapping things up at work. That is right. I'm still working. And in a way I think it was the best because it is distracting me enough from all the little things happening at the end of the week! Happy T minus 4 days!