Finally getting started!

vballbabe17

After a year long engagement, we've finally started planning, sort of.  I will soon be starting my last year of nursing school and would like to get to two big things out of the way; the ceremony and reception facilities. We're looking into next May (2011). We're lucky enough to have a connection with the Creighton Ballroom, so that is where the reception will be.

Now the big problem, we're not doing a church wedding, and it is really difficult to find a facility to host only our ceremony.  I've emailed many places but the majority want to charge us for whole day's use, or force us to get married at an earlier time.  It's frustrating and would take any suggestions on how to arrange this.

I have plenty of other issues; like two sisters.  Everyone tells me to choose someone outside the family to be my MOH and I like that idea but I know one of my sisters will FREAK.

Any suggestions for planning would be greatly appreciated!  Also vendor suggestions; and we're slightly on a budget.  Which brings up another issue..I'm not sure if my dad is pitching in! And that's an issue I haven't been able to confront yet.

Any help would be great! Thanks!

Huskerfanz

Is there some reason you don't want to do the ceremony at the Ballroom?

Would you be willing to do an outdoor ceremony?  Omaha parks are pretty easy to rent but you'll need to rent chairs. 

As for the MOH, you could not have a MOH at all and just do all BMs.  Just curious, though, why is everyone telling you not to have a family member be MOH?  You don't have to choose anyone.  You should pick whomever you are closest to and don't worry about everyone else.

You should plan a wedding you can afford and if you dad offers then that's great but don't expect or ask for him to contribute.  Not saying this would happen to you, but you would be surprised how many posts there are on other boards about parents offering money and then later backing out.

What other vendors are you looking for?  Are you going to the bridal show on Sunday?  That would be a good place to get some info.

Scorpiogrrrrl

I agree with the above suggestion. I would honor both and have two. I am having a maid of honor and a matron of honor. My fiance is having 2 best men..a best man and a jr.best man....Also why not do it at the same place as the reception. We have opted to do this and it can save your guests the headache of having everyone travel from point a to point b also your guests will more likely to be on time. If there is a park near by that would be pretty too like someone else suggested. I love outdoor weddings.

akardisco

Definitely agree with the PP. Have 2 MOHs. Nothing wrong with that! Or don't name anyone MOH at all. You don't have to have one.

I think May would be perfect for an outdoor wedding. It won't be too warm yet and everything will be in fresh bloom. It would be beautiful!

Not sure what vendors you're looking for specifically but so far I am most impressed with HyVee for our flowers. Our wedding is in Fremont so we are using that HyVee but I've heard good things about all of them. They have been great to work with. The floral manager always eagerly answers any of my questions in a timely manner. And they gave us an amazing price quote. So I haven't seen the finished product yet (wedding in July) but I've seen their flowers at other weddings and they've always been very pretty.

Let us know what vendors you're looking for specifically and we'll be glad to help! Happy planning!

tricklet17

You  should choose whoever you feel is closest to you and would best function as maid of honor, not who everyone says, it's your wedding, not theirs. My maid of honor is my Aunt. Most weddings I have been to have had family members to be the maid of honor, I see nothing at ALL wrong with that! You could even make both sisters maid of honor if you find it hard to choose between them.
The way I asked family members if they'd be contributing to the wedding was just taking some time to sit with them and say I'm really excited about planning our wedding and I was wondering if you thought you might be able to contribute some finances or not?
The anticipation of actually asking is the worst part!
I agree about just having the reception and ceremony at the same place!

vballbabe17

Thanks for all the feedback! I know asking for contributions is the worst part, but most of my family has offered to help with something, except for my father but that has a lot more to do with his new wife.

I know I still have a ways out to choose the wedding party, but I think I'm going to go with a friend instead of sisters.  My older sister wouldn't even be happy if I chose the both of them as MOH's.  A lot has to do with the fact that I'm getting married before her.

Well, I actually think the Creighton Ballroom fell through.  We got a good deal on renting it but the catering is OUTRAGEOUS, and of course, you have to use them.  We configured a pretty good ceremony deal with the Magnolia Hotel, and after figuring all that out about Creighton, I emailed them back to see what the cost of a reception there would be.  So we'll see how that goes.

Unfortunately, I work every Sunday so making it to Bridal Shows is almost impossible!

akardisco

That's unfortunate that you can't make it to any bridal shows Since you still have awhile before the wedding, maybe you can ask off in advance for a different upcoming one. They are very helpful!

I agree with what you said about having awhile to choose the wedding party. As exciting as it is, I'd still wait awhile before asking because relationships can ultimately change pretty quickly. If I were you, I'd wait til at least May, but it's totally up to you!

And go with your gut on the MOH situation. I have two sisters, but I decided to ask my best friend to be my MOH and nobody ever questioned it. It was my choice and I chose what I thought was best. Just do what makes you happy.

tricklet17

I got a lot more out of using the internet to look at ideas for what I like rather than Bridal Shows. Honestly I can't think of one thing I got from the bridal shows I've been to (except for a few dollars poorer :P). Take a look at pictures on the knot.com or google ideas you've thought of. That's how I've done most of my planning! Good luck!!