I’m a bubbly twenty-something who refuses to spend more than $10,000.00 on my wedding.

I have a little disclaimer: I’m not technically engaged yet. Now, before you start thinking that I’m some creepy, wedding-obsessed weirdo, let me tell you that I am in a relationship, one of more than a few years (almost a whole hand of fingers), and a wedding is in our future. We’re making sure that we’re good to go financially before buying a ring and funding a wedding. We’re trying to be smart, here. And, let’s face it… the wedding is already planned. I just need a date and a checkbook!

Mr. Man and I have been together for a long time. We met in college and he lusted after me for a couple years before finally asking me out (at which point I was not only mortified and shocked that the big man on campus was even remotely interested in lil ol me, but I wasn’t interested… not in the least bit!). I went out with him (I’m one of those can’t-say-no-types) and just kept going out with him, then one day, after going on dates with him for about 3 months, I got butterflies. I knew I was doomed. It was over. I was crazy in love. To this day, I’m not quite sure how he did it, but he swept me off my feet and has been my best friend, my other half, my right hand man, and the apple of my eye ever since. I can’t imagine life without him.

I live in the Washington, D.C. area and was born to two pretty stellar people who love each other very much, who raised me well, put me through school (thank you), but don’t want to shell out the big bucks for my wedding. My parents aren’t horrible people who refused to help with my wedding; on the contrary, they’re wonderful and they’re more than willing to help pay, but they don’t believe in a “one day party” that costs thousands upon thousands of dollars. The good thing is that I don’t believe in that either.

IMHO, a wedding isn’t about showing off how much money you spent on those flowers that were imported from South America that are going to die tomorrow… it’s not about having a wedding dress that costs as much as a down payment on a house (something else we’re currently saving for, and lusting over). A wedding, or at least MY wedding, will be about celebrating the happiest day of my life with the most important and wonderful people in my life. It will be about never having felt more beautiful, and never having had more fun, and never having had so many wonderful things to look forward to in a new life with my new husband (I’m excited already).

I will plan and execute my dream wedding in ten thousand dollars or less… and I’ll share my trials and tribulations (along with some tips, tricks, DIY projects, and pointers) with my lovely readers.

When people ask how the [expletive] I’m going to pull this shin-dig off, I tell them that it’s simple: All I have to do is prioritize. I plan on splurging on the things that are most important to me for my Big Day (photographer, venue) and simplifying everything else (dress, food, music, alcohol). My thrifty little trick is making a list… most important things at the top all the way down to the details that I don’t place as much importance in. The big ticket items are at the top, and the investment gets smaller as the list gets longer.

Follow my posts to see how I’ll do it… and if you don’t believe me, I’ll prove it!