Trying to light up this board!

Odessa9000

Hello Knotties!

I'm Danielle- a townie from Morgantown but currently living in Baltimore, MD. Its been about 3 years since I moved away from the Mountain State, but I'll be having my wedding there in just about 2 years exactly- 1.21.12!

I'm the kind of girl that has dreamed of her wedding since youth, but now that its actually happening I have no idea what to do!

We're hoping to have the wedding at the new Erickson Alumni Center, but also looking into other venues. I'm all about DIY/budget savvy/original. I'm already planning on doing my own invitations, birdcage veil, and a sweets bar. Any tips and tricks for cutting down costs (other than cutting the bar, using an ipod, tips on the knot, etc) would be great! Any websites out there that you resourced for deals? Give me your secrets!!

The issue I'm having is that there really aren't online resources for WV brides. Even when I lived in Morgantown, I had to go up to Pittsburgh to get anything or order it online. Are any of you experiencing the same problem?

Are you using a coordinator, or planning it yourself? My mother used to be a florist in Morgantown, and she's all over the planning. But on the day of, I just want her to be able to enjoy and fill the "MOB" role!
 
Also, if there are any Bridal expos in 26505 coming up? I guess there's one this weekend, but I won't be able to attend. Hopefully some of you will have a review of the show! Good luck!!!

MnteerBride

www.morgantownbrideguide.com-there is a calendar with local bridal shows

hollieheidi

I'm from Morgantown currently living in Southern MD (Charles Co.).  We're getting married in March in Weston at the old Weston State Hospital....Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum.  Should be alot of fun!

I've had to do alot of work on my own.  There are even fewer resources in Weston than in Morgantown.  What are you looking for, maybe I can help...just moved last year and FSIL and FMIL still live there...as do many friends so maybe I can give you some resources.

Sunshine_in_WV

I'm getting married Feb 13 and using the Hotel Morgan.  Have you already booked teh alumni center?  I went there for a Christmas part and the food.....well...it wasn't that great.  Do a tasting very early on if using them.  I hope it was just that night and not always like that.

I made my own invitations, programs, and some other things. 

I did have to order a lot of things online and all attire was purchased in PA.

Sunshine_in_WV

oh there is a bridal show at the Morgantown Mall on Super Bowl Sunday.

Odessa9000

Thanks everyone!

MnteerBride- Love that link! I wish the website layout was a little better and the calendar updated, but its still very informative!

hollieheidi- Wow! What a place to get married! Didn't Ghost Adventures do their Halloween special there last year?! You have some GUTS! Good luck! Any mandatory spots in DC I should check out for wedding shopping?

Sunshine_in_WV- Hotel Morgan, eh? When I was in HS, we called it the "Hot Organ" since the lights would burn out on top and that's what it would spell. LOL! I've never been to a reception there. How many will be attending? I've estimated for the package that I'm considering that it will be around 22.95/head at the Erickson Alumni Center, not including the bar tho. I'm worried if the food isn't great.. The FI and I are sorta foodies. If you don't mind, what's the price like for the Hotel Morgan?

hollieheidi

They have been certified haunted by TAPS!  We're offering heritage and ghost tours to our guests in the time between the ceremony and reception.  It's going to be so much fun!

I haven't found anywhere special in DC to shop yet.  Most of my shopping and bargain hunting have been done on the internet.

invites - www.lcipaper.com
some custom clothing - www.etsy.com
custom wedding rings - www.etsy.com
disposable plates, etc. - www.webstaurantstore.com
flower girl dress - www.ebay.com
shoes, garter, jewelry - www.davidsbridal.com
odds and ends from knotties on the trash to treasure board
tablecloths, sashes, runners - www.linentablecloth.com
paper items (menus,programs, etc.) - www.vistaprint.com

I haven't found alot of places that can beat the web specials.  If you use Michael's coupons, AC Moore coupons and email specials from vistaprint you can save a ton!

Sunshine_in_WV

Odessa9000 - The food may have been bad just that one night so don't worry too much.  Are u doing buffet?  where you doing the bar based on # of drinks per person or just a flat rate. 

I know their sign gets messed up sometimes but I liked the look of the ballroom and my FI's family is all Out of town so I needed something with a hotel (or at lease walking distance)  Lakeview wanted $10 more per person for the exact same package I got at Hotel Morgan and Lakeview was too far a drive from the church in Grafton.

I have all of the Hotel Morgan prices but it depends greatly on buffet/sit down, etc.  Many diffenerent options.  buffet is around $27 (2 salads, 2 entrees, 2 sides) but doesn't include the bar.  having a bar really ups the price - but then again it did everywhere I looked.

Sunshine_in_WV

Oh Lakeview also does buffet type things - they don't advertise that much but a girl I know got married there last summer and did a pasta type dinner for about $25 (don't know about the bar)

if you're wanting a bar - sometime a package that includes food and bar may be cheaper.

Sunshine_in_WV

sorry thought of something else - lakeview includes the cake but Hotel Morgan doesn't (they do NOT charge to cut it though which is great).  I know of a local baker that makes great cake at a great price if interested.

Odessa9000

I'm pretty sure I'll be doing buffett... And WVU Alumni Center does their bar based on the number of drinks.

I'm always interested in finding new resources, so send that baker info my way!

My mother was Lakeview's main florist years ago. I used to think that I would just get married there since it seemed to be a second home. Since the resort was bought by another corp, quality has really gone done and prices up! It all just seems so cheesy and overdone. I can see why someone would like the look of the Hotel Morgan!

So, hopefully we've added some life back into these boards! Keep posting links, reviews, ideas, and PHOTOS! I want to see everyone's beautiful photography!

Sunshine_in_WV

who's your photographer?  and I agree about lakeview.

what's your email - I'll send you the info for the cake.  she did my bridal shower cake and there wasn't anything left.  People asked for seconds.

Jludlow1

I am actually booked for the Alumni Center, just did a tasting there last weekend.  The food was AMAZING!!!  We are having Steak Diane, Pork Osso Bucco, and Portobello Ravioli, with parmesan risotto and local grown grilled veggies. 
Then only think I'm having a hard time finding is transportation.  I wanted a party bus to take everyone around to get pictures taken and can only find limos that dont hold enough people....any ideas ladies?

hollieheidi

Have you checked with the Mountain Line?  I don't know if they have any options for you but they used to have a bus that looked like a trolley and I know they do charter trips so maybe you could rent the bus?

Don't know if that's too cheesy or what you want, but unless you're renting out of Pittsburgh it might be hard to find.

Edit:  http://www.busride.org/

Jludlow1

Thanks hollieheidi.  Who would have thought out of everything that goes into planning a wedding, the transportation would be the hardest.

hollieheidi

We're getting married in Weston and we just needed a shuttle from the hotel to the venue.......2-3 miles away....we were going to rent a van....there was no way I could justify that cost.  We're unfortuately taking the carpool route.......most of the guests are friends and family so here's to hoping they'll have clean cars and understand!

Jludlow1

Yeah it's crazy!!!  People were going to charge us hundreds of dollars to take FI and I to the hotel after the reception, we're going to have the hotel pick us up.  Luckly thanks to your idea we got the trolley to pick us up after the ceremony, drive the wedding party to get pictures and drop us off at the reception for 320.  Thank goodness.  So THANK YOU for the idea!

hollieheidi

Glad it worked out for you! 

Good Luck!

lacis

If you want to get married at the alumni center I would get on itt pretty quick....they are already booked for 2011 and taking dates for 2012. We are getting married at Lakeview because of how much money we are going to save on the bar. If the alumni center charges by the drink it could get pretty expensive.

I am coordinating this wedding myself. I am having my invitations made by a friend of the family who owns a printing company. Shes doing it for free. I am decorationg all myself, we are buying all the flowers I want in bulk and I am making all the bouquets and centerpieces. The bridal bourquet though I may actually have made for me though since its kind of important. I am comparing prices right now for renting linens and making them myself, which ever is cheaper i am going for.

A friend of mine got married at the Hotel Morgan.....they got a cgeap package and a premiuim bar and spent around 10,000.

Oh and on Spetember 12th or 21st of this year Lakeview is having a bride expo. I went to the one in February and there were hundreds of vendors there! It was very helpful, plus they give away a million prizes. I won a weekend stay at Lakeview with dinner for two at their sports bar. Sad thing is we live 2 miles away from Lakeview haha.

Odessa9000

Hi Lacis!

I lived in Cheat Lake for most of my life! My mother was the owner of Cheat Lake Florist, which sadly does not exist anymore... Lakeview was a huge part of my childhood as my mother would do wedding after wedding there!

I'm actually not planning on getting married in 2012 anymore... I'm pregnant and we are having to rush things a bit more than we had planned!

Good luck with all the flower designing! Its tough at first, but once you get hang of it, its starts to flow. Always follow a circle shape, my mom would say.

I found this site for linens- http://www.linentablecloth.com/ I figured it would just be cheaper for me to buy linens from this place and then try to resell after the wedding.

Good luck everyone!

lcpropst

Try www.elitebridalandevents.com
www.planmymorgantownwedding.com
Usually a fall bridal show at Lakeview in Morgantown wv

MnteerBride

I haven't been on in a while and just saw the negative remarks about Lakeview. This is where I am having my wedding. I have to say that I have had a great experience there. I was worried at first because I had heard of some negative things before I went, but they have just made the whole experience so much easier on me! The 2 wedding planners have been there for a few years and have been able to help me come up with a package that works within my budget. My reception is in the Chestnut Ballroom which was remodeled and has a deck that overlooks the lake. I haven't found anything at all about the experiece to be cheesy. I am planning a very elegant wedding as a matter of fact. Just an FYI. Good luck!

jennaradford

Hi Holi,

Do you have another info on the trolley? I am also looking to transportation in Morgantown and have been getting crazy quotes from Limo companies. Did you just fill out the form on the MountainLine site for charter or did you call? Any specific contact people would be great!

hollieheidi

I didn't speak with anyone in particular.  I just called during the day.  They can tell you what the schedule is and the fees for the rental.  Good Luck!

wvbrides

I'm getting married in October in Fairmont - Gatherings. http://www.gatheringsweddings.com/default.html
I am doing their Friday night wedding package which is a total steal. All it includes is listed here:
http://parablesweddings.com/OurFullWeddingPackages.html
Although I know Friday night weddings aren't for anybody, I couldn't pass up the beautiful venue for that price.

I've bought my wedding dress and accessories on eBay.
I am considering getting a silk bouquet I saw on Etsy.
I am going to get my invitations at Ann's Bridal Bargains.
I am also thinking of ordering bulk flowers from Sam's Club's website.

Still no photographer - trying to find one in my budget. I don't know if that'll happen or not!

hollieheidi

let me point you in the direction of a guy that shoots photojournalistic style ...Zach McCormick

http://www.facebook.com/thomaszmccormick

and the photos he did of my wedding......

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thewaningmoon/sets/72157623630382080/

we fortunately had him for free, but he's just getting started and he does great photos if you like this style

also there was another girl Amberlee Christey that we almost went with.......

http://www.amberleechristey.com/blog?page=3

Good Luck!

wvbrides

@ Hollieheidi

Your wedding pictures are fantastic! Would you mind if I did a blog post about your wedding at the Asylum? I was thinking of different wedding venues in WV, and I got an email from the Asylum (advertising their battle of the bands) and it got me wondering if anybody has had a wedding there. That's awesome!

I met Amberlee at a bridal fair and I really liked her. I also liked Paige Butcher. I would have to go with their cheapest packages. I asked Amberlee if she was available for my date and she hasn't responded. So if I don't hear from  her, I'll keep looking for somebody else reasonably priced.

hollieheidi

WV...Sure you can blog about us!  There was another wedding after ours there too...I think it was more of a Halloween theme, but nonetheless we're hoping that we can bring some attention to the Asylum for a variety of reasons.  All good of course!

Let me know what information you need.  I'll send you a PM with my personal email.  Thanks and good luck with your wedding planning adventures!

[Deleted User]

I am from WV and getting married at the new alumni center this summer. My fiance and I have been trying to find ways to cut costs as well. My fiance's mother is doing our flowers. We opted to keep everything simple, so we got small vases so that we could have a few flowers in each (possibly gerber daisies) instead of big floral arrangements. When Mary from the alumni center sent pics of the tables they were kind of crowded anyways so we figured keeping everything simple and small would be best. I did ask Mary about having an ipod for reception music, but she strongly suggested not to do that. For a DJ, I would try asking local DJ's from Bent or Lazy Lizard etc. I made our save the dates on walmart.com (collage prints for 9 cents per print). You can upload your own picture and add text, it is way cheaper than the options labled "save the dates" or "wedding". I got my viel ($5), table numbers ($6), and escort cards ($4) at Pat Catans craft store. The craft store has become my new best friend. I plan on making programs, some decorations, etc myself. We have been looking to buy table linens and chair covers online- after the wedding we are going to try to sell them to another bride. The price of linens is rediculous. On some sites they can be bought for the same price of renting them. Hope some of these ideas help. I would appreciate any ideas anyone else has as well!!!

[Deleted User]

Also, our photographer Paige Butcher is from Morgantown. Her prices were the best we could find.

thomaszmccormick

I did a wedding at Lakeview this October. They were really accomidating to the couple and myself. The bride, groom, nor myself had ever spent much time there, and the staff wedding planner actually took us to a few of the photo hot spots for photos. It was a really cool experience. I don't think anything beats Trans-Allegheny for a wedding though!

http://thomaszachariahmccormick.blogspot.com