I've decided on a theme for my wedding... a summer picnic. The location will be the hardest part. I need a beautiful park with a nice, preferably covered, group picnic area. I've thought about providing blankets to sit on, but in the end I think everyone would be more comfortable sitting at picnic tables.
My goal is to pull off a casual, fun, creative wedding. I have never been comfortable with the idea of spending thousands of dollars on a wedding, so I am going to find some do-it-yourself ideas and the enlist help of some friends. I plan to use a State or City Park with reservation fees ranging from $0-$100 dollars. There will be no need to rent tables or chairs, or any equipment. Because I plan to make or have someone else make box lunches for my guests, there will be no need for any cooking on site. Everything should be ready to go and easy to set up.
I'm going to cover the tops of the tables and the seats with nice table cloths, dress it up a little. Nothing too fancy. I have simple decorations in mind, such as using clothesline with wood clothes pins, to hang our engagement portraits from. We will have picnic games... we own a Frisbee golf basket and bags full of Frisbees, my Aunt and Uncle can bring a ring toss game if I ask them to...
Music: If it falls out of budget I am more than willing to bring a good portable stereo and some Cd's... however I have not given up hope on having a band or some type of acoustic instrument at my wedding.
On top the tables:
a couple bottles of wine
Glass jar with wildflowers
Champagne glasses
Individual Box Lunches
- apple
- cheese
- crackers
- pasta salad
- sandwich
- napkins, plates, utensils
Buffet Table
- Wedding Cupcakes
- Brownies
- Fruit cocktail
- Lemonade
- Iced Tea
I think a Fall wedding would be the best... but I don't want to get rained out! I'm hoping to set the date for late September or early October 2009. The search begins for the perfect park, with the best views, and a COVERED picnic area... This weekend we will be visiting Coloma, CA (less than an hour from Sacramento) to see if the beer garden in Marshall Gold Discovery Park State Park will meet our needs.
But can I do this all with only $600? The food, the invitations, the rental fees, the decorations, the justice of the peace... it adds up FAST.
For the purpose of this blog, I will not include the cost of our rings or my dress. We already have the engagement ring (I'm in love with it!), an oval (lab created) sapphire set in a white gold antique diamond filigree pattern. I bought it from Kay Jewelers at a clearance price of just $89. I will incorporate the blue color into my wedding decor.
My dress... I just wouldn't feel right showing up to a picnic wedding wearing full length dress. I would prefer to wear a short and simple version of a wedding dress, something fun and light. I know better than to shop in wedding departments... I've seen several beautiful cocktail dresses at JC Penney that sell for $39-$59. It is just a matter of finding the right one...
