Using Plastic Utensils at a Wedding

WEBstaurant Supply Store

This is FAKE silverware...yes is it plastic! I think this is the coolest thing to happen to outdoor dining in recent years - especially for weddings. My fiance and I decided early on we wanted a buffet style meal. We are leaning towards BBQ because everyone generally likes it and it is not as "stuffy" as a plated meal. Not to mention it is WAY cheaper to go with buffet anything than have a plated dual entree meal. And when I say way cheaper it can be $15-$30 less per plate to opt for buffet. 

However, we did not want it to look super cheap and just use the generic clear or black plastic utensils. Not only do I feel that your run of the mill plastic utensils should be reserved for birthday parties or back yard picnics, but most of your guests will probably think this too. I think the metallic silver looking utensils are a perfect bridge to the gap between cheap and practical! The WEBstaurant Supply Store sells boxes of "silverware like plastic" knives, forks, and spoons much less expensively than GFS or the party supply stores around town.

But, of course I had to find something cheaper...I was able to get packs of these utensils for $1 at Dollar Tree (It might be "Deals" in your state but they are the same company). So, a 3 piece place setting for 4 people is only $0.25 per setting. I went ahead and bought enough packs of these for 150 place settings because when I had to call Dollar Tree Corporate about the plates I will be using, they said once they are out of certain items they will likely never get them again. Although the ones from the WEBstaurant Supply Store had fancier stems at the base, I will be making silverware sleeves out of burlap and you will never see the bottom of the utensil until they are being used.

Daveynin - Flickr

In another blog post I did I outlined the pros and cons of using various kinds of plates. Well there are some cons to using plastic utensils - no matter if they are white, clear, or "fake silver". The biggest pro for me is that you just throw them away when you are done. They are not heavy, there is no washing, and they are cheap. And, for most foods that appear on a buffet, you will have no problem whatsoever using plastic utensils. 

But, there are some foods that will  not hold up well to plastic. Most crudites you eat with your fingers, so it is unlikely you would try to use a plastic fork to eat raw broccoli or carrots. We personally will not be serving salad at our wedding, but I feel like it is somewhat difficult to eat salad with a plastic fork. 

Fruits on the other hand can all be easily "stabbed" with a plastic utensil. Cheeses and meatballs also hold up well to the mighty plastic. You could also use toothpicks for this kind of thing as well.

We will likely be serving shredded BBQ for our entrees, and I have eaten this fare with plastic forks without issue many times. Fish is also very easy to eat using plastic - such as shrimp or salmon. You DO get into trouble when you are trying to eat chicken, ribs, or steak with plastic.

Flame Master Grill

BBQ at weddings has become increasingly popular with cowboy, rustic, vintage, and country themes. They just seem to go hand in hand! However, you have to consider most people who will be attending your wedding will dress up and look nice. When people are dressed up, they really do not want to make a mess with food - which is hard when you are serving a traditionally messy meal like barbeque. 

Some brides make this dilemma a "funny" thing and offer bibs and wet towels at the table. Others, like me, will simply provide utensils to be used to eat food traditionally eaten with the hands. 

Now, we will not be doing racks of ribs, but I have tried to eat ribs with plastic forks and knives before. It does not work...trust me...You look awkward for one because the men will just grab a rib and shove it into their mouth not caring they are getting sauce all over their face. But women will typically not do this at a wedding. So, they will pick and poke to get morsels of meat off the bone and it is just very difficult to do with plastic. You get into the same thing with roasted or fried chicken on the bone. What you end up with is a lot of broken utensils, wasted food, and hungry guests who will load up on sides instead of using their hands to eat a messy meal.

Sports Fans United

While grilled chicken breast is not difficult to eat with a fork - using a plastic knife to cut it is not easy. You spend so much time sawing away at your entree it will get cold before you can eat it. You can get around this by providing buns so you can eat a whole chicken breast like a sandwich.  

BUT, if you have steak you absolutely have to provide guests with a real knife. You can get by with plastic forks and spoons for sides but it is just too difficult to cut steak or pork chops with a plastic knife. 

You can get boxes of super cheap knives at the Dollar Store as well. They are less than $1 per guest, but well worth it if you want your guests to be able to cut their meal. We are going with already shredded chicken and pork BBQ to avoid this mess all together, but it is something that is often overlooked. In fact, as I was thinking this over and writing this blog I was watching Four Weddings on TLC and this issue came up. The ladies could not cut strip steak with their plastic knives so they just left it at the table. That is a lot of money down the drain due to poor planning in the utensil department.

Gospel Coalition

If you are eating an entree that requires a knife, you also cannot skimp on the plates. You cannot use paper or foam plates for steak or pork chops. Paper and foam are really not suitable for anything that is not meant to be eaten on a bun. 

Plates made of paper or foam will sag or break for one - but you will then STAB right through it with a real knife. This will likely soil your linens and make an unnecessary mess that will embarrass your guests. You have to be careful because while some of the caterers who do a buffet will offer china plates as an option, remarkably this does not include real silverware. So even with the china plate up-charge, you are still stuck with plastic utensils unless you ask.

The Verdict:

If you are wanting to stick with a super casual BBQ/grill fare, keep it simple and plan on guests using utensils for sides and not primarily for the entree. Anything on a sandwich will go over great. Beef brisket, pulled BBQ chicken and pork, fish filets like salmon, hamburgers, and hotdogs. Also think of having buns or rolls so people do not have to messy their hands or use a knife to cut tough foods. If you are going to have racks of ribs, steak, or pork chops, bite the bullet and just do china plates and real silverware. These foods will cost more than hamburgers and hotdogs anyway so it would be appropriate to splurge a bit. If your caterer wants to nickel and dime you for every metal fork and plate, keep the Dollar Stores in mind - you can get matching china plates for $1 each and flats of 50 pieces of stainless steel silverware for $10.

Back Yard Weddings - Unexpected Issues

Young House Love

When I got engaged in December of 2013, I was taken completely by surprise. I did not expect it, anticipate it, or anything. My fiance did not even hint that this was going to happen either! He was able to cleverly hide his excitement because he proposed about two weeks before Christmas. Sneaky, sneaky...Anyway, I quickly went into a panic about a venue once the initial excitement subsided. 

My fiance and I have been together for a long time, so it is not like I have not looked up wedding stuff before. His parents knew of the proposal before my mom because my fiance had showed them the ring he bought me. As soon as we came out and made the "announcement" they wanted to know the date. Yes, right then and there (I mean after 6 1/2 years we should know right?). 

I wanted to get married 10 months later. I made this statement as very matter of fact that I wanted to get married on October 11, 2014. My fiance said that would be "fine" and basically left the planning in my hands. My mother, my fiance's friends & family, and everyone who would be coming seemed to be on board with this. So, into full-on bridezilla mode I went. 

I needed to find a venue yesterday, not today. I sent out a flood of e-mails literally the day after we got engaged asking about availability only to be shut down at every turn. Everything was booked - everything. And not just October either - everything to the end of the year was taken (barns and rustic outdoor venues). I had a meltdown. We were able to develop a theme, find a caterer, and the person who would be doing my dress - but no venue.

Regal Tent Productions

We then began milling over the possibility of having it down at my fiance's grandmothers home. My future father and sister in law made this suggestion early on but we did not really think about it until we discovered that we would not have a venue come October 2014. Another problem we were running into was that it was very hard to see the "vision" at some of these venues with 5 inches of snow on the ground.

Another issue that was brought into question was how to handle the elders who were mobility impaired. Basically, if we did not have the wedding - ceremony and reception - at grandma's, they would not be able to come at all. My fiances' grandmothers both need to have nurses and attendants 24/7 and one of my grandmothers is almost totally immobile. So we thought, this will be perfect! The venue would be free and the grandmothers would not be inconvenienced....In about three weeks time this all went down the drain. 

We did not realize how many obstacles we would run into with having a wedding at "home".

Destination Weddings

Tents:

We did find a local renter who could rent us a 40X80 tent for $1000. We actually called three rental places and only one was renting tents that had roll up sides. We thought that price was quite reasonable and there was plenty of room at grandma's for this. We also calculated the size of her back yard and figured we could get 40 cars to park in the grass and maybe 20 more along the road. Perfect! 

We planned on having an outside ceremony and an indoor/outdoor reception by using the tent. BUT we had to prepare for the worst case scenario that it could be cold and be pouring down rain. If this were to happen, everyone would need to be inside the tent and have it enclosed.

Apples & Onions

Lighting:

However, one day it suddenly hit me - lighting. Oh my gosh lighting. Now, my fiance and future father in law are the handiest people I know. They can electrify and plumb anything anywhere. However, I realized that if we have an October wedding, it will get dark at about 6:00. 

This meant that we would not only need lights in the parking area, but lights in the tent. The rental company did not rent lights - and I had only bought enough Christmas lights after the holiday season to use in the trees for the outdoor ceremony. The lights pictured above are called commercial grade cafe lights. They are used for outdoor weddings and inside barns because they are weatherproof. 

You CANNOT plug these in end-to-end. So you must have outlet access where ever you plan on using them. To get enough lights for the fence around the parking area, the tent, and promenade to the tent it would cost $1000-$1200. 

The tent we would be renting did not have the clear plastic windows, so if it were cold or rainy and needed to be enclosed, the inside would have to be illuminated. Plus, my father in law would have to put in an electrical box running from the house to the creek on grandma's property to plug things in. 

In addition: Most places where you rent tents will SPECIFICALLY tell you that you cannot use real candles inside their tents! This is quite common. So, if you thought of illuminating your tables with a zillion candles, you might be out of luck if you are renting a tent. 

Internachi

Bathrooms:

Bathrooms were the next hurdle. Grandma's house has three bathrooms - however one would be for exclusive use of myself, the bridesmaids, and the groom and groomsmen since it is located inside a bedroom. The second bathroom is only a half bath, and the third is handicapped accessible but it is in the middle of the house. While this would be great for the elders - having 130 people using basically one bathroom is not feasible on a septic tank. 

It would also cause an unacceptable line to the bathroom after dinner, and it would clog up the hallway leading to the kitchen that would be in full use by the caterer. We called Hoosier Portables about renting a Luxury Bathroom because port-o-pots would not work (not handicapped accessible and no running water). This would set us back an additional $1500 FOR ONE DAY.

The Pfister

Dance Floor:

The dance floor was another problem. The place that rented the tent would rent us a dance floor for an additional $100 I think. It was not very big - I am thinking it was 10X10 or 20X20. We busted out some graph paper and started drawing things in to figure out where we could place the dance floor and it became apparent that it would be a really tight fit. 

We had difficulties figuring out how to plan for a center aisle in case we had to hold the ceremony indoors due to rain. A promenade to the tent was another issue. If it happened to be really muddy or rainy, we did not want people slipping and sinking into the mud walking from their cars to the tent. However, we did plan to make a "boardwalk" out of pallet wood. 

Decoration0

Tables & Chairs:

We would also have to rent tables and chairs. Our local True Value Hardware was the cheapest renter we found. Chairs were $1 each for a Friday night drop off and Sunday morning pick up. Tables were I think $5 each, and their delivery fee was $35 since the store is so close to grandma's house. When it was all said and done it would be about $500 JUST TO RENT TABLES AND CHAIRS. 

Not only was this becoming a bit ridiculous with the budget, but then - they could not guarantee delivery until after 5:00 pm on Friday. This would not give us enough time to place the chairs outside for the ceremony and cover with tarps to be ready for Saturday, and it also meant we would have to do all the chair and table decorations on Saturday morning.  

DO NOT forget you will be having a rehearsal and dinner on the Friday night before your wedding! I totally forgot about this and the fact that my fiance and 6 groomsmen would be busy on Friday afternoon getting their final fittings at Men's Warehouse in Indianapolis and they would not be available to help. 

DO NOT underestimate the amount of time it will take you the morning of your wedding to set up the tables and tablescape! Remember that linens cannot be left out overnight because they will get dewy. Linens will also have to be pressed. If you are lighting the undersides of your tables, you will have to manage electrical and put on table skirts which can be tricky. If you can (if you are decorating yourself) do a dry run at home on a card table to time just how long it will take you to set up.

Catering Kitchen

Catering:

My fiances' grandmothers home was built to entertain. This was a major plus for us. We could rope off the back of the house and have the caterer make a seamless transition from her kitchen to the garage where buffet tables would be set up. 

The only problem with this is that it severely limited the use of one of the bathrooms. We did contemplate using her back patio as an area for the buffet. But, the tents the caterers use only cover the tables - they are NOT big enough to cover a large area. So, in other words we would have to rent a secondary tent for the food area if it were on the patio. This is why we settled on the garage.

However, there is a considerable distance between the garage/patio to where the tent would be placed. If it were raining, we would be forced to set up additional tables inside the main tent for chafing dishes which would take up a considerable amount of space.

Second Chances by Susan

Gift Tables & Extras:

Another thing that would take up a huge amount of space inside the tent would be tables for gifts and cards, the cake, snacks, A BAR, drink station, guest book, and TRASH. If the weather were inclement, everything would need to be in the main tent. We could have set up gifts and the cake inside the main house - but of course if it were raining and muddy we would not want guests tacking mud all over grandma's house. She would have a fit if that happened.

We figured we could do a guest book at the door, use one corner for buffet and snacks, one corner for bar and drinks, one corner for cake and gifts and cards, and one corner for a DJ or music station. 

Then I thought - oh my - one end of the tent would need to be used for a head table and two flanking tables for the groomsmen/bridesmaids and their spouses, and the parents. That only leaves two free corners inside the tent since a dance floor will be in the middle. This would be OK if we put gifts and cards in one corner, and we could put all buffet, drinks, snacks, and bar in another corner, but then that left ZERO room for a DJ. So, we would have to rent yet another tent to house either the food or the gifts and cake because there would not be enough room.

Pre-Owned Wedding Dresses

The Budget:

We had it in our minds that we would be saving gobs of cash by having the wedding at grandma's house as well. I mean think about it - free land, free main house, free creek side ceremony! But things added up SO QUICKLY that it became a ridiculous idea to even try and have it in her backyard. Then when I thought about it some more, I thought "I bet most brides would run into the same problems we did when planning a backyard wedding".  

Here is a breakdown for comparison:

One Tent - $1000
Additional Tent(s) - $500
Bathroom - $1500
Lighting - $1200
Dance Floor - $100
Tables & Chairs - $500
Total: - $4800

This does not even begin to include a caterer, DJ, decorations, cake, snacks, drinks, bar, dress, and all the other expenses that come with a wedding! For $4800, most people can find an amazing venue that already has bathrooms, chairs, and tables included in the price for much less than $4800. 

It was when I brought this to my fiance's attention that we knew we could not use grandma's house for the wedding and we would not be getting married this year. Luckily, we did not tell anyone about our plan on having a wedding in 2014 so no plane tickets or reservations were made. By bumping the date to October 2015, this gives us plenty of time to find a venue that is in our budget and relax!

And don't worry! We did not forget about the grandmothers! Understanding that they would not be able to travel to wherever we decided to have the wedding, we did decide to hold a "grandmother ceremony" at her house. We will get a small cake and a photographer and I can wear my dress for them to see in the fall of 2014. Having a 10 person ceremony at grandma's house is totally acceptable and do-able, a 150 person party is not.

Buying Vintage Wedding Dresses - Things to Consider & Crafty Options

Painter Poet Muse - Etsy

Over the years I have sold several vintage wedding dresses. Most of them were from the 1970's and 1980's and they were sold primarily for the fabric or Halloween costumes for less than $30 each. It is much less common to find a vintage gown from the 1960's or earlier. 

Most gowns from the 1950's through the mid 1960's were mostly made of Chantilly lace, slipper satin, and tulle - whereas gowns from the late 1960s through the 1990s were made of raw silk, organza, non-silk satin, and synthetic fabrics like polyester and acrylic.

Lace and tulle have made a major comeback in the last 10-15 years and are so popular they have sparked "vintage" lines being sold at David's Bridal and vintage inspired looks from designers like Maggie Sottero. For many brides, the ease of buying a vintage inspired dress is simply a no brainer. Why go to the trouble of finding a true vintage gown when you can have a new gown ready to wear from your local bridal shop?

As a vintage dealer myself, I earn a living selling people vintage clothing. It is my job to illustrate how a garment made 50 years ago is still very relevant and fashionable today. For bridal however, there are SO many issues you can run into that it may not be worth it to purchase an authentic vintage gown UNLESS you can try it on and have the option to return it. 

Here is a list of things to consider, ask, and mill over if you are thinking of buying a vintage gown: 

Saweran

Size - Length:

The average American woman was much smaller 50-60 years ago than they are today. Most women in the 1950's were petite with small frames. Even taller women, like Grace Kelly (pictured above circa 1956) who was almost 5' 7", tended to have very dainty frames. Because of this, it might be a nightmare for a seamstress to alter a vintage gown if it is too short or too tight. 

Most of the gowns I have either sold or looked at online were made for women who stood 5 feet to about 5 foot 3 inches tall - and therefore dresses were made to their heights with extra length for the standard 2 inch heels of the 1950s and 1960s. I am 5'8", so I know it would be almost impossible for me to find a vintage wedding dress long enough.

If you are looking at dresses online at Ebay or Etsy, make SURE you ask the seller how tall the woman was who owned the dress (if they know). If they do not know this information, take the length from the shoulder to the bottom hem of the dress and compare it to your size - the top of your shoulder to the floor. Then, subtract 2 inches from the dress length to account for heels. This will help you determine how tall the woman was who owned the dress. If you are 5 feet to 5 feet 4 inches tall, you will have a much easier time finding a vintage dress that will fit. If you are taller than 5 feet 4, it will be much more difficult.

Breanne Faouzi - Etsy

Size - Sleeves:

Since many vintage gowns have long sleeves and/or high necks, if you want to keep the sleeves you will need to measure every aspect of your arm to make sure you can wear it. Sleeves on vintage gowns are almost always made of lace. 

I would imagine it would be very difficult to match new lace to vintage lace to create an expansion area for the arm if the sleeves were too tight. 

Also, vintage lace DOES NOT STRETCH. Whatever you do, do not ever try and force your arm down a lace sleeve because it will rip and lace cannot easily be repaired without it being obvious! If you were to rip one sleeve, you might end up removing the sleeves if they could not be repaired to match and look right. 

This is not that much of an issue if you planned on removing the sleeves all along, but if the sleeves are one of the main reasons you are looking at vintage make sure your arms will fit. Most online sellers do not provide detailed arm measurements in regard to circumference unless you ask.

Vintage Runway - Etsy

Size - Shoulder to Waist to Hip Ratio:

Remember how I said earlier that women were much more petite 50 years ago? Well, overall length is not the only thing to consider. In fact, the shoulder to waist to hip ratio is much more important in terms of the DISTANCES between each of these areas on your body. Wedding dresses are fitted and they do not stretch. If the dress is not long enough from your shoulder, OVER YOUR BUST, to your navel, the dress will not fit. DO NOT FORGET THE BUST!

You will need to contact an online seller to ask how they measured the shoulder to waist measurement. If it was measured flat, then likely the bust will not be accounted for. Most wedding gowns will have "peaks" for the bust. You can get a better idea of how much volume the "peaks" will accommodate if you have the measurement of the dress just below the bust. This is of course much easier for a seller to measure if they have a mannequin or live model as well.

Now, hips! Most vintage gowns come in very small at the waist, then the skirting for the bottom starts just below that point. The idea behind this is that your hips will make the A-line flow outward (remember vintage gowns were worn with hoop skirts or crinolines underneath in most instances). If this is not accurately measured, the dress will be much shorter than you imagined. 

Farmstead Vintage - Etsy

Alteration Issues:

For obvious reasons, it is easier to take a dress in than it is to let one out. Since most vintage gowns are on the small side, it would probably be very obvious if expansion areas were added. This is not to say a skilled seamstress could not do an impeccable job. I would be more concerned about the vintage fabric not matching new fabric since vintage whites tend to yellow, darken, or take on a "tea stain" that cannot be exactly replicated. You can run into this issue if you have to make a dress longer as well.

If you need to alter a dress that has appliques, most likely they will need to be removed for alterations - then reattached. I have owned some vintage dresses in the past where appliques and features like rosettes or petals feel "crispy". I would not say they are brittle like old paper, they just felt like they could tear like paper if put under enough stresses. Vintage netting is also very susceptible to becoming brittle to the point where if you tug on it slightly, it will easily tear. Wedding dresses were not exactly preserved in the 50s and 60s like they are today. Usually they would be wrapped in tissue and stored in a cedar hope chest, left to hang inside a garment bag, or *shudder* put in a cardboard box and shoved into the attic or basement. Moisture and extreme heat can wreak havoc on fabrics and if you are dealing with an inexperienced vintage seller, they might not know what to look for in terms of fabric fragility.

Pattens Attic Treasure - Etsy

Condition Issues:

I have had to pass up many vintage wedding dresses over the years due to damage from improper storage. Metal clothes hangers should have never been invented for one. They will destroy an illusion neckline and will poke huge holes in the shoulders of lace sleeves. Then gravity takes over and the whole top of a vintage gown is ruined. Silks will get eaten by moths or other closet bugs - or they will get stuck and die on the fabric and leave a stain. Old underarm stains can also compositely ruin the top of a dress because you cannot wash it out so all you can do is cut it out or cover it up. Then you get into moldy mildew smells or cigarette smoke...

If a dress is terribly soiled, some fabrics are just too fragile to wash and they will come apart in the tub. I have had success washing lace...after it has been removed from a gown then sewn back on. Some gowns if they get wet, the base fabric will shrink up and pucker and ruin the gown.

Once you get into where you are going to have to have a seamstress or tailor basically take apart and remake the dress, you might be up to $500+ in alterations. Add this to whatever ht initial cost of the gown is and you might have been better off simply getting a vintage inspired dress.  

Dandelion Girl

Other Ideas:

I regularly find vintage wedding dresses at Goodwill, flea markets, vintage shops, and places like that. Usually, they have been worn and they have issues like stains, rips, holes, smells, and so on. BUT, this can be a positive for you! The image above is of a very popular Pinterest pin illustrating how you can sew vintage slips and negligees together to make a slip dress. You can do the exact same thing with pieces of various wedding dresses. It might make more sense for you to buy 2-3 dresses inexpensively and have a seamstress just make you a new dress. I mean really, if you buy one dress and have to have $500 put into it anyway, you might as well go custom and get the dress of your dreams! 

For example, I bought a 1980s lace dress at a yard sale for $4.00 last summer. The entire thing is made of layers, and layers, of white lace. The cathedral train on this thing is 8 FEET LONG. That is correct, it drags behind you for 8 FEET. Guessing from the amount of lace and detail, I would guess it cost $2,000 when it was new in the 1980s. Lace is just as expensive today as it was 25 years ago so why not use vintage to achieve the same look? 

You can also get a $15.00 veil from Hobby Lobby (located in the wedding aisle) and have someone sew vintage lace on the hem for a dramatic look. These cheap veils might be enticing - but they are almost always uneven and they have a "mosquito net" look. I took one out of the package one day and I found that you would also need to have them steamed and puffed up by a professional to make it look decent. However, you might save $25 or so on buying a cheap veil and having it altered to make it more fancy and presentable. 

Brilliant Bride - Etsy

You can also take lace or rosettes from a vintage dress and make your own garter quite easily. You can use vintage lace to make wraps for your bouquet and those for your bridesmaids. You can add lace, pearls, or beads to boutonnieres for a subtle sparkle on your grooms lapel. You can even make a Bohemian or hippie style headband from vintage appliques or lace. 

Love in a Mason Jar - Etsy

Do not stop there! If you find a vintage dress like mine with a mile of lace, you could easily deconstruct it and wrap at least 20 Mason jar center pieces with lace for your tables. You could tie it around silverware packets, candlestick holders, or even make bows for head chairs. 

You can even cover a pair of white Keds or Toms slip on shoes in vintage lace and pearls to make your own fancy ballet flats to wear after you walk down the aisle! I mean really, do you want to dance for 6 hours in heels? The possibilities are really endless!!!

The Verdict:

I really see nothing wrong at all with buying a vintage wedding dress! In fact, I totally encourage it especially if you are on a budget. My only suggestion is that if you are buying online, make sure they have a return policy. Since gown are made and altered to fit one person, you can run into so many problems regarding fit. BUT - if you find your dream dress and you cannot return it, have plan on what you can do with it in case it does not fit. You can resell the dress or deconstruct it and use it in a plethora of ways! Don't get discouraged! Give yourself ample time to find a dress that will likely fit you. I would suggest visiting a tailor you would probably already use and have them give you measurements so you know various sizes on your body for sure. If you are in close contact with a tailor, you can also ask them for their opinion on certain dresses before you buy so you will know if it can be altered to fit you or not. 

Beautiful Beginnings Bridal Show 2014

On Sunday, my mother and I attended the Beautiful Beginnings Bridal Show in Muncie, Indiana. This year, the event took place at the Horizon Convention Center, which is downtown. I had not looked at this facility when I was searching for venues, but this is a VERY nice venue. Although it is not what we were looking for, they DO have a ceremony site outside and a gorgeous interior! We spoke with Melissa at length about the venue and I would highly recommend it! If you want to check this venue out, ask for Melissa because she was super informative! Anyway, I love flower arrangements and the above image I personally took. These flowers were arraigned by Lazy Daisy and I was really impressed with what they offer.

Lazy Daisy had vintage handkerchiefs wrapped around the bouquets and others had lace. They also said they would rent out glass vases for free! The overall feel was very rustic and outdoorsy. I loved their flowers!

This STUNNING lace cake was on display from Under the Sun Bakery located in Frankton, Indiana. I fell in love with the lace and the sprig of green on the top. Mona, one of the owners, quoted this cake at about $100 which I thought was reasonable.

This was another cake on display, which the owner quoted at around $300. I am loving the natural wood cake stand and charger idea. I think I am going to see if my lawn care extraordinaire, Randy, can make me a bunch for the wedding! Their cake was good, however we decided yesterday that we will be using Amy and Kelcy at Slice of Heaven Cakery in Lapel, Indiana.

This picture was taken inside one of the reception rooms of the Horizon Center. My mom and I had a fit over the Christmas lights underneath the tablecloths. Now, no matter what venue we choose, I must do this!

The Horizon Center also had two of these really cool lighted fountains with flowers around them. It was very impressive looking and fun! I think you could also move these around to where ever you wanted.

This was yet another cake by Under the Sun Bakery. Notice the impressions in the icing and all the flowers on top are real. So adorable!

The Verdict:

I would say this bridal show was more successful than the one we went to in Indianapolis. Not only were there far less people in attendance than the one in Indy (the Muncie one had a $6 a person entry fee but the Indy one I reviewed in a previous blog post was free), but there were only about 35 vendors, which made it manageable. It was much easier to talk to individual booth attendants about what they offered and to discuss options and prices. 

AND - I think we found our photographer!

Dale Pickett Photography

Dale Pickett and Sally Wolf had been recommended to me by two different people previously. However, after viewing Dale's webpage, I thought for sure he would be at the top tier of photographers in terms of cost. Their photographs are STUNNING! However, after speaking to Sally at the bridal show she was able to tell me just how flexible they are and how affordable they can be! Most photographers have you pick "packages" where they give you a number of hours and then you must buy prints from them. In other words, you do not have the exclusive printing rights to the photos - which also means you cannot put them on Facebook, e-mail them to friends and family, print your own, have collages made, or anything like that without their permission. Usually this permission will cost you an extra $1000 on top of them simply providing the photo sessions. 

Dale and Sally DO give you the disc of all your photos and you can print at your leisure or they can do prints or books for you. I really needed the option of printing my own pictures or making my own books on Shutterfly because Groupon has a deal about once a month on books or prints where you can get a bunch of nice items for really cheap. This was very important to me because I did meet two wonderful photographers at the Indy bridal show - but their packages were $4,000-$5,000 and then you had to get all your prints, books, and canvasses through them. This is simply not something we could ever afford. Dale and Sally also will do shorter photo sessions to save on the cost. Because honestly, I do not think our wedding will last for 12 hours so why need a photographer for that long?

MCL Cafeteria Catering

Biggest Surprise of the Day:

Did you know MCL Cafeteria does wedding catering? No? Neither did I. They have a TON of stuff on their menu and are really CHEAP! And no, it is not all fried chicken and roast beef. We received a great booklet with pricing from the manager at the Muncie, Indiana MCL. She was WONDERFUL in explaining how they do delivery and you can have a plated meal or a buffet. They even have china and linen options! The way they do their pricing is you pick ONE entree, two sides, a roll of choice, and then you can add salads, desserts, drinks, etc. 

Example: Family style lunch and dinner - where you pick it up and set it up yourself. You pick packages that serve 10, 15, or 25. So, for 150 people that would be 6 packages of 25 - so you could get 3 of one entree and 3 of another if you wanted. Grilled Teriyaki Chicken is $219.98 per package for 25 guests. So, if you got Teriyaki Chicken for everyone it would be $1319.88 - THIS INCLUDES TWO SIDES AND A ROLL. 

Do you have any idea how cheap this is?! It is less than $9 a person! I am almost positive we will be going with a BBQ smoked meats meal for our wedding, but the prices at MCL cannot be beat! For the sides you can order Mashed Potatoes and Gravy (let's face it, no matter how casual or fancy your wedding is going to be, you NEED mashed potatoes because everyone will eat them) and Steamed Broccoli. Or you could do Broccoli Cheese Bake and Cole Slaw. They have 10 - yes TEN side options available. They have 12 entree options as well. You can pick from 5 different rolls...including cinnamon rolls! The only things that this option does not include are salads and drinks. But honestly, drinks are almost always cheaper if you buy them yourself at the grocery.

The difference between this meal deal and the "Full Service" meal plan is that with "Full Service" you get table linens and they deliver to your venue. I think the pricing for the meal deals above is more for like if you are going to pick up the trays of food and set it up yourself with Sterno and all that. The manager however said she can work with anyone regarding any aspect so it was not that big of a deal. However, the pricing for Full Service is still EXTREMELY reasonable at $16.95 to $22.95 a person for buffet or $30.95 for a served meal. For the $22.95 a person buffet, you get THREE entree options! For the $16.95 a person plan you get a salad, ONE entree like stuffed chicken or lasagna (there were 10 options), TWO sides like potatoes or carrots or baked beans (there were 15 options), and a roll (3 options to choose from). With this option you ALSO get DRINKS - water, tea, and coffee. For 150 people this would cost $2542.50. Still, very reasonable for a wedding! Even if you did the top tier of the buffet at $22.95 a person it would be $3442.50. The average cost of the main food for a wedding (not including appetizers, snacks, or extras) is about $4,400.00 according to a recent survey. With MCL being almost $1000 cheaper than that for a 3 entree options you really cannot go wrong!

Overall I would say the Muncie Bridal show was very successful, and luckily I will be able to attend again next year since our big ceremony will not happen until October of 2015.

Tips For Attending Bridal Shows

This past weekend my mother and I attended the Indy Bridal Show & Wedding Expo at the Ritz Charles. I had no idea what to expect because this was the first bridal show I had ever been too. I guess I more or less expected it to be like a flea market - a lot of people milling around collecting items and so fourth. However, the atmosphere was totally different than what you get at a flea market and there were some challenges we ran into along the way. 

Here are some tips for you to consider when you go to your first bridal show!

First off, we had a difficult time locating the venue for the show. For some reason, I was under the impression that the Ritz Charles was a hotel - when in fact it is a wedding venue that you can rent out in Carmel, Indiana. It was tucked away in a business building lot off Meridian - the snow and road construction was challenging as well. Anyway, we got there about an hour after the event began and they were PACKED. Not only was the lot almost totally full, but you could hardly walk inside. I would suggest you try to arrive at the show/expo as soon as they open to avoid massive crowds. 

This venue had a coat check and although it was only 15 degrees out and we had to walk clear across the parking lot, I wished about 20 minutes in I would have checked my coat. With that many people milling around it was about 80 degrees in there and I was about to melt into a puddle. Not only was my puffy coat cumbersome, but I also had my massive purse and my professional camera with me. So, I was so weighted down that it was very difficult to move around and take items being passed out. I would suggest you wear a light jacket and brave the cold because the venue will be quite warm if it is crowded. You might want to also opt for a cross-body shoulder bag for ease of moving in a crowd.

Be prepared to answer questions! Every vendor you encounter will ask you if you have a date set, a venue, a caterer, a theme, a photographer, a budget, a head count, etc. Even if that is not what the vendor offers, they will ask you to ascertain if you still need services they do offer. For me, it was hard because we are doing two ceremonies - one this year and one next year. The one this year will only require a cake and photographer, but the one next year will need everything. It was interesting overhearing some conversations between other brides and vendors - most vendors were booked for this year so basically unless you were planning a wedding for the following year, they likely would not be able to help you. I would suggest when you go to these expos and shows that you take a list with you of services or items you do need for your wedding, that way the vendor attendants can better assist you.

Take an extra bag with you for ALL the cards, brochures, flyers, coupons, etc. you will be receiving! We were SO laden down with stuff after the first 15-20 vendors we had to stop to scoop up a bag being handed out by Men's Warehouse to hold all the stuff! In speaking of all the adverts you will receive, keep a pen in hand to write down what you liked or disliked about a particular vendor! We thought about this and had a plan to write down information on the backs of business cards, but we were so overwhelmed so quickly that we forgot to notate some of the cards. This will become a problem if you really liked one vendor and particularly disliked another...I ran into this problem and it is a bit embarrassing. 

One caterer offered a sample of this cheese spread that was to DIE for - oh my it was delicious and I am considering ordering it for my wedding...However, I mixed their card up with another caterer that offered a particularly unappetizing sample. It took me 30 minutes of searching online to figure out who was who by scouring menus. You might also want to make sure you make a notation on things you disliked in case a friend, bridesmaid, or family member eagerly suggests one of those vendors at some point in time so you can quickly say, "you already met with that vendor" and decided against them. No one has to know your "meeting" with that vendor consisted of tasting or viewing a sample at a bridal show. But, showing you have knowledge will create a respectable buffer between you and the person touting a vendor you were not very fond of.  

Be prepared to receive a dozen or more e-mails less than a day after you attend the event from every - single - vendor for which you filled out a raffle ticket or contest. One of the main reasons brides go to these expos is to register to win amazing prizes and contests. I would probably die if I won a free photo shoot, custom invitations, or candy bar station. However, by signing up for these kinds of things you are being added into their mailing list. I did not think about this at all when I gave my "normal" e-mail address instead of giving my "resume" address. The reason why I did not give my lesser used e-mail was because if I did win a prize, I would want to know as soon as possible. I know I would have forgotten to check my alternate e-mails and in doing so, I might have missed out on a prize. I actually did not sign up for any contests for travel prizes for this very reason. In 2011 or 2012, I signed up for a free trip at a hockey game and for over a year they would randomly call my cell phone wanting me to buy a time share or some other damn thing I don't want.

Have a plan in mind of what to tell EVERYONE who offers a service that you either have already booked, cannot afford, do not need, or do not like! This is somewhat of a peeve for me - I do not want to come across as being snooty - or cheap, but remain polite in letting someone down. I know how easy it is at things like expos to upturn your nose at a particular vendor. But, you can just come across as being a total queen bee, and I do not want to come across that way. For example, I love professional flower arrangements but I already know I will not be able to afford them for my wedding. My brother is actually going to grow many of the flowers for me in his backyard, and any supplementary flowers that are needed I will be purchasing from the grocery store. So, when the florists were trying to woo me I quickly said that my wonderful brother, the gardener, would be providing the flowers.

For some reason if you say a family member or close friend will be providing a service, the vendors will drop the subject. Whereas if you "ho-hum" on the subject they will continue their pitch and you may feel uncomfortable. We were cornered by some gentlemen who were trying to peddle live bands and DJs. The music aspect of the wedding I am totally leaving up to my fiance because quite frankly, it is something that is not important to me at all and it is something I know nothing about (acoustics, PA systems, speakers, what?). When I accidentally let it slip that the reason why it was up to my fiance was because we probably could not afford anything fancy, they were quick to produce more literature on their "affordable packages and discounts". I was really at a loss for words, so I felt compelled to discuss music packages with these people as to not be rude - since I did open the door in regards to affordability. You have to think the only reason the vendors are there is to drum up business. The only reasons why I was there was to get ideas, register for prizes, and taste free cake.

The Verdict:

As a bride-to-be I plan on going to EVERY bridal show and expo I possibly can! Why? It is honestly silly not to! Think about it...bridal shows offer prizes for products and services you will likely need for your wedding. So, it's not like you are signing up to win a humungous pig smoker at a Colts game that won't even fit though your fence gate. You are signing up to win things like a $500 engagement photo package, $200 worth of gourmet cupcakes, $1000 towards rings, free tux rentals for the groomsmen, and so on. The prizes offered at bridal shows are good prizes and the odds are in your favor. Unless you are a bride, groom, or mother/father of either party you cannot sign up for prizes. Therefore, the contestant pool is automatically very limited so you really do have a very good chance at winning a prize. It also helps to take your fiance with you! In the sea of women I saw on Sunday, I saw only 3 grooms. But, if you take your man with you, you BOTH can register separately. I am taking my fiance with me to the bridal show happening this Sunday so we can taste cake from a local baker together. If your future husband balks at the idea of going to a wedding expo with you - just mention the free food and cake and he will be all about it! 

To fully take advantage of bridal shows, it is best to start looking at expo schedules right after you get engaged so you can go to as many as possible. Shows provide great booths to glean ideas or determine costs. Expos are also a great way for a couple to start putting together a budget as well if they really do not have an idea of where to start. For me, I was curious about invitations because I was dead set on making my own. However, I did want to know if it would be cheaper to have them made for me - trust me it is cheaper to make your own...Cake was another thing I was in the air about. I am not a big sweets eater and I am not very keen on cake. Well, after consuming the most delicious piece of confectionery I have ever eaten in my life at the bridal show I am rethinking my initial plan - which was to get sheet cakes from Marsh.

Bridal shows and expos are designed to be fun outings for brides, grooms, and their families. So go without a set plan, and plan on spending about 1-2 hours at the expo depending on how many vendors are there. Wear comfortable shoes and breathable fabrics. Have a thought on things you really might need ideas on and know what will be automatic "passes". My automatic passes were on travel and for limo/carriage services because I already knew I would not need these services. Prepare to offer your contact information for things you might want to discuss with a vendor later on and understand you will need to provide e-mail addresses and phone numbers to register for prizes. If you run into an overly enthusiastic vendor, be prepared to say the following:  

And no, none of these are true but it would be funny...

"My brother, the English gardener, will be providing the flowers."
"My father's cousin was related to Ansel Adams and he will be taking our photographs."
"My grandmother worked for MGM and was a consultant with Helen Rose who made Grace Kelly's dress. She will be making mine from antique lace as well."
"We are getting my aunt on loan from Wolfgang Puck to create a massive culinary spread."
"My fiance is a model for Tom Ford couture, so the tuxedos should look okay."
"Sorry, we do not need a limousine, my uncle is flying us to the venue in his helicopter."
"Oh, the bridesmaids will actually be wearing suits and ties and the groomsmen will be in dresses! Won't that be funny!?"
"You know that show Cake Wars? Well one of those shows was done for us to see who would be making the cake."
"We actually will not be serving food on plates. We will be using a slingshot from across the room and people will take turns receiving air delivered appetizers - very avant garde and on trend for 2015."
"The wedding will take place in the lake - not on the lake but actually in it - guests will be seated in inner-tubes"
"We trained 100 carrier pigeons to deliver the invitations to save money on postage."
"We will not need salon services because all the ladies will be wearing Bride of Frankenstein wigs."