Need to vent

Hello Ladies. I have been browsing this site for approximately 3 weeks now and I finally decided to become an official member. I have been reading the reviews, looking at the pictures and I’ve obtained some very helpful information, for that I thank you all. My hesitation to contribute to the site was solely based on my belief that my situation is gravely different from most of the women who post. My FH and I have been to together for 5 yrs and we have a beautiful 3-year-old son, who is the LOVE of my life. We recently purchased our first home on LI, which we are absolutely thrilled about. We are both well established in our professional lives and extremely busy with work and family. We have decided at this time to make our union official because it’s time and because we have established so much as a couple and the only thing left for us to do is make our union legal. My FH and I are putting this wedding together for our own reasons and we really want to make it a special day. However, since we are already have a mortgage, two cars, and a hefty monthly tuition bill (for our son), not to mention ALL of the other bills that come along with owning a home and just daily living, we don’t want to break our bank to pay for the wedding. So far we’ve visited The Majestic Gardens, Ariana Waterfalls, Windows on the Lake, Beach Club Estates, Millers Place Inn, and The Brentwood Country Club. The Majestic Gardens was by far the most impressive, but of coarse it was the most expensive. Ariana Waterfalls was the least expensive and of coarse the least impressive. So far we are leaning toward Windows on the Lake. We scheduled to attend a tasting and vendor review on 9/24 after that we’ll have an even better take on the place. This wedding planning stuff is so not for me, but I really want to make our wedding a special day for my FH, our son and me. Ladies, I thank you (and Liwedding.com) for giving me a forum to vent!

Welcome to the Boards!!! You will find everyone super helpful and the reviews are simply amazing.. and any questions you may have, can probably be answered by any of our fellow smartypants brides!!!!

Welcome !!

honestly, if you read all over the boards--you're situation isn't that unique at all! a lot of brides on here have children with their FH's and may have or are in the process of buying a house, and therefore, can't go crazy with the wedding!

just be prepared for the stress that comes along with planning the happy day! but in the end, i'm sure it will alllll be with it!! (at least that's what i keep telling myself)!

Thanks for the words of encouragement...I will totally keep your thoughts in mind.

Oh MY GOD! I thought I was reading something that I had written for a minute!

I am older. My FH and I have lived together for almost 6 years. We have 2 little boys who are the center of our universe. We just bought our first house and are still in a state of sticker shock to some extent! We have teh mortgage, and up until recently had the nanny bills... now it is tuition for preschool! I know the feeling!

We are getting married in the afternoon - which is a money saver in and of itself - and works better for us because we have the little guys that will be part of the day. We are aiming to stay under 20G and trying to plan with everything else going on is CRAZZZZZZZZZZY! We are actually taking out a HELOC in case we need some extra help, because we do NOT want to run up any traditional credit. There's the beauty of a house! Interest is written off!

You will have a BEAUTIFUL wedding and I look forward to watching it develop over the coming months!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats!

Listen, EVERYONE here has a different situation and different budgets etc...

LIW is great because all the girls on here really are very helpful!

Best of luck with everything!!!!!

[did you try swan club? I heard they have reasonable prices]

I am so happy to know that we are not alone in our situation. We also are trying to stay under 20K, but due to the fact that my FH is from the Caribbean an afternoon wedding just won't due. He and his family take wedding celebrations very serious so we must be able to party after the ceremony. But thanks so much, your words are like music to me ears.

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Posted by MsDiva

I am so happy to know that we are not alone in our situation. We also are trying to stay under 20K, but due to the fact that my FH is from the Caribbean an afternoon wedding just won't due. He and his family take wedding celebrations very serious so we must be able to party after the ceremony. But thanks so much, your words are like music to me ears.

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Oh... trust me.. we WILL be partying. And after the wedding ends at Willow Creek.. we are shuttling everyone back to our house for an AFTER WEDDING PARTY!!!!!!!!

Did you check out HWC? Great prices!

Congratulations and welcome! My FH and I are aiming for about the same price range that you are in...We don't want to spend an extrodinary amount of money on our wedding because we're trying to save for a house and he is still in school paying for his education without taking out a student loan...Check out Sans Souci...It's a smaller RH located on the North Shore, right on the water...They only have 1 affair at a time, and we got a really great price for a Sat. night....certerpieces and wedding cake included...FM me if you want details.
-Allison

I'm not sure if this is something you're willing to consider, but a friend of mine is having her reception at a friends house. She is saving a TON of money, and it gives you freedom to have any food you want, have the party as long as you want, invite whatever number of guests, etc ...

Just something to think about!