feb wedding-am i crazy?

I did a feb/President's Day weekend wedding. We actually had gorgeous weather -- I have tons of outdoor shots where I didn't even to wear my wrap. The year before on that weekend was a blizzard but those brides also had great pics.

1) We worked into ALL contracts a provision for 'acts of God' just in case there was a massive blizzard that made the wedding impossible. The major determining factor was whether the caterer could get to and open the facility and provide food. Luckily it didn't matter in the slightest.

2) Family traveled in 2-3 days in advance just in case there were travel issues.

3) I got MAJOR discounts from most vendors. I'm talking about 40/pp off the catering, photo/video discount, etc. I easily saved thousands of dollars.

4) We also purchased wedding insurance that would cover lost deposits just in case -- it wasn't very expensive and gave us peace of mind.

5) I had a backup plan for just about everything ready to go. Hair and makeup snowed in and can't get to the hotel? I practiced with hot rollers and eye makeup to do it myself. No photographer? We had family members standing by with good digital cameras to do the best they could. But as I said, I woke up to perfect weather and there were no weather related issues at all!

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Posted by jenkam

wow, that sounds amazing! what were in those provisions in case of a blizzard?

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I've got to pull the contracts which are all at home. If you don't hear from me in a day, FM me to remind me.

My weddings is the 19th, presidents day weekend.

I actually hope it snows a bit lol

I love winter, slow, sledding, snowmen, hot cocoa, the whole deal.

HATE heat, sweating, frizzy hair, etc.

It was a no brainer for me.

I am a February bride

Saving a ton of money and it gives people something to look forward to do during the winter months after the holidays are over. We are very happy with our decision

My birthday is that weekend and there is always either snow on the ground or it is snowing. i wouldnt chance it. If you have alot of OOT guests then i say def dont risk it. It may make for nice pictures but your guests wont be there.

I wanted a 3 day weekend also because i have alot of OOT so we are getting married Martin Luther King weekend. There is less chance of snow then. Although I am actually hoping for a little snow...it makes really cool pics

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Posted by JessNicole7EM

My weddings is the 19th, presidents day weekend.

I actually hope it snows a bit lol

I love winter, slow, sledding, snowmen, hot cocoa, the whole deal.

HATE heat, sweating, frizzy hair, etc.

It was a no brainer for me.

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Jess-no! Well, no more than a light dusting in the morning...lol...I did it for the price and cause FH and I are teachers... we booked almost exactly two years in advance, and it was like..in the 50's and sunny the day we went in and booked::crosses fingers:: It was between that day and a Thursday night in the summer...after surveying family members, people didn't like the idea of a Thursday night wedding, so I went with 2/19 at Flowerfield (a few hours after Jess )

Oh mannn I'm so nervous now...

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Posted by smashingsiren

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Posted by JessNicole7EM

My weddings is the 19th, presidents day weekend.

I actually hope it snows a bit lol

I love winter, slow, sledding, snowmen, hot cocoa, the whole deal.

HATE heat, sweating, frizzy hair, etc.

It was a no brainer for me.

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Jess-no! Well, no more than a light dusting in the morning...lol...I did it for the price and cause FH and I are teachers... we booked almost exactly two years in advance, and it was like..in the 50's and sunny the day we went in and booked::crosses fingers:: It was between that day and a Thursday night in the summer...after surveying family members, people didn't like the idea of a Thursday night wedding, so I went with 2/19 at Flowerfield (a few hours after Jess )

Oh mannn I'm so nervous now...

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haaha sorry Carrie!

this year the saturday the 20th was BEAUTIFUL. snow on the ground from the day before, so lovely for pictures.. but it was like 60 degrees out! couldn't have been nicer weather. I'm hoping the saturday of our weddings will be the same!

Absolutely not! We were married Sat. 2/14/2009 & that Monday was Presidents day. The weather was gorgeous. We had 45 & perfectly sunny not a cloud! Really we couldnt have asked for anything better. SO SO LUCKY! As for the Presidents day thing. Do remember that the following week is always schools winter break. So choose your flights for HM wisely & where you are going. We went to Aruba & stayed in a HM suite. So there werent many children but the pool & beach had quite a few. It wasnt bad for us as they really were well behaved & kids dont bother us. The swim up pool bar was also a great escape. hehehehehe Good luck & go for it. We wanted a winter wonderland of love & elegance theme. And honestly im so much better in the winter, As i get hot super fast. The day of, i didnt even need a coat i felt so great! I think i put the coat on for about 1 hour for some pics. lol So really i say its agreat idea.

BTW we had family from California Arizona Chicago & Italy & they ALL MADE IT IN JUST FINE! We had all 210 guests that RSVP'd yes there! Also really it wasnt about the savings for us. Really we just wanted a winter wedding. Because the reception was on a Sat. evening on Valentines day we didnt pay that much different from June brides either.

As promised, here is an example of some 'bad weather/acts of God' language -- of course you should discuss with each vendor, and the language may need to be tailored for each vendor, and they may already include similar language in their contracts anyway...

______________________________

Rider to the Contract dated as [name] and [vendor name] regarding the event to be held on [date of wedding] at [wedding location]

Notwithstanding any other provision in the Contract, in the event of severe snow or inclement weather, a similar 'act of G-d', or other significant unforeseeable incident, such that said event would cause the unwanted closing of the [name of wedding location] on the relevant date without the input of either of the parties, then the date of service of this contract would be replaced by a substantially similar date, mutually agreed upon by both parties and available for weddings at the [name of wedding location], within sixty (60) days after the originally agreed upon date of service. In the event that this is not possible, despite multiple good-faith date proposals and substantial efforts by both parties and the [name of wedding location]'s ability to accomodate such date proposals, then the total amount due from [name] will be 50% of the initial deposit amount paid on or about the date hereof. In the event [name] has already paid in excess of that amount, the excess will be refunded to them within 90 days of the original primary date of service.

Dated: _________________, 20__


_____________________________
[your name]


_____________________________
Name:
Position: Authorized representative of [vendor name]