Hello Knot-ers!
I am beginning the wedding planning process. Hooray! Jay proposed under the Union Square Christmas in San Francisco a month ago. We are going to take our time with the wedding (Sunday, September 1, 2013) since we are paying for it all ourselves.
Jay grew up in WA and I went to college in OR. After seeing the prices for a venue in the Bay Area, we decided what we really wanted was a rustic yet modern wedding in the woods of the NW. Luck was on our side when an in-law offered up the family farm in Bellingham, WA for our venue (the family has had it since the 1880's). We are terribly excited; however, we know that we have a lot to figure out- renting tents, dance floor, some tables/chairs/tablecloths (the family has some in storage), restrooms, find a caterer, hire bartenders, photographer (thinking Beau + Belle), buying/renting hay bales (for ceremony seating).
We plan on 150, and really are trying to have an affordable wedding (going to purchase alcohol over the next 21 mos, ask a friend to serve as the officiate, make invitations and save the dates myself, and have a family member make desserts/pies/cupcakes).
Does anyone have a coordinator, vendors, or ideas that they recommend? Any cost saving ideas from your weddings? Planning the wedding from San Francisco definitely requires some local help (we plan to move to Seattle next fall, but would like to lock down vendors and help ASAP so we can budget).
Thanks! Jay + K