Kerri's
Wedding Reflections
and Links
Kerri'sWedding Reflections
and Links
Read some reflections on weddings here, or skip right to the links.
Reflections
Let's face it, weddings
are usually the domain of the bride. Not that the men don't have something
to say. But they are not usually the one in the fancy dress or comforting
a sobbing mother (I said 'not usually' rather than 'never.' Never say never!).
So which are you (or
your bride-to-be, which is she, guys)? The bride looking lost surrounded
by the flowing white silk gown and scads of relatives? Vibrant flowers
everywhere and ? Or are the one in the sarapi and halter top on a beach,
flower in her hair? (somehow there are always flowers.) Or somewhere in
between?
An article in a wedding
magazine (ok so I have read them) talked about how much things will cost,
and had someone spending 'a meager 50,000 dollars'(!) I'm not a cheapskate
(well... I try not to be) but that kind of money makes my eyes bug out.
Maybe it comes from having frugal parents and 'not being rich'. I also take exception
to the weddings that we see all too often, where the bride gets stressed
out from planning and self-destructs, and her mother or other relatives
take over the wedding (usually with her unspoken permission.)
Personally, I'm the in-between
one, leaning toward the barefoot-on-a-beach thing. But, since I may be
in Chicago so that my parents and best friend can attend, I realize I may
need to find another idea (for some reason, we're not known for our beaches.)
I've always thought Hawaii would be a great place (you know, at sunset,
not actually barefoot, wearing a simple white dress.) My best friend had
the next most perfect setting in my opinion- on a 'hilltop' at a park (with
a lovely view) in San Diego. These outdoor ideas are just wonderful except
for one major problem, an uninvited guest we call rain.
I also found out that
for even that kind of wedding, you could end up doing a lot of research
about the best places to have the wedding, where
to stay, and how much it's all going to cost (More
information below.)
So, as you can imagine,
I thought of trying to have the wedding in the backyard. You can spend
a million dollars doing this... but then again, you could do the 'stripped
down version' (no, I don't mean nudist, I mean leave off the ice sculptures,
tent and flowers) for something like $500 (I made up that number, but somehow
it looks right.)
Whichever approach you
take, you'll want to do at least a little planning. Below are lots of resources
(there are thousands out there- try a search online and you'll see them
all.) These are sites I've visited and found helpful and I've tried to
provide information that may help you find what you're looking for.
Bridalgown.com is presented by consumer advocates who provide advice about finding the perfect but affordable gown.
4Wedding
Guide lists sites about weddings. Bliss!
An ezine (online magazine) that provides pretty much everything, including
interactive tools such as a toast generator- but they do not provide web
pages. Lots of info here about vendors (i.e. consultants, djs...) but limited
links to actual vendors.
Modern
Bride Online version of the magazine of the same name has lots of info
and ads. Includes highlights from the print version.
Today's
Bride has lots of interactive planning stuff.
ibride.com
presents 'local to you' wedding vendors/services.
Top 50 Personal Wedding Pages.
About.com Guide to Wedding Clipart
Darlene's
Romance and Wedding Clipart
Official
Hawaiian Planner (excellent links here)
Kaanapali
Beach Hotel (links to Maui wedding resources)
The
Links
Interactive
'Networks' that offer resources/information about weddings
WeddingChannel.com
is a great resource with just about everything you need, including wedding
dress finder, free web page and planning tools.
Helpful Personal Wedding Pages
Shawna
& Scott's Wedding (award-winning site with some great advice.)
Free For Your Wedding Web Pages:
Weddings
in Paradise (Hawaiian Weddings)
About.com
Hawaiian Weddings and Honeymoons
Local
and Chicagoland Weddings
About.com
Chicago
Wedding Resources
More to Come
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