Planning my wedding - Christy Ruthsatz

So Elyn was right! Just because I am a wedding planner does not mean that planning my own wedding would be easy. I'm having a wonderful time. However I'm still going through what I see my own brides go through. Changes, challenges and watching the results of all my decisions finally start coming together.

My biggest challenge? BUDGET! Let's talk budget! Let's face it, we are all on one! Just because I am in the biz does not mean that I do not have a budget. Even with having plenty of people ready to do what they can to help, numbers add up fast. I am having to follow my own advice to all our brides and the biggest and best advice for brides is to decide up front what you can and can't do without.

Some tips:

• Be realistic and honest about your budget!


• Unless your budget is endless, you just can't do or have it all!


• Be creative! Some of the things you think might be out of your budget, could possibly be done in a less expensive way.


• Never think or use the word "cheap". It is what I consider the "C" word! Just because you find a "less expensive" way to do things does not mean it is cheap. "Cheap" is bargain basement or garage sale when you want to get rid of something, not a word you use for planning your special day. It's not wedding chic and it's not going to happen when planning a wedding.


• Being "cost savvy" and conscious of your budget ahead of time, planning it all out and sticking to it...that makes you a smart bride:)


• Always look to your wedding planner to help you come up with creative ideas. Remember, this is why you have hired them...among many other reasons:)

In closing, last week I went through one of the happiest experiences of my planning experience. I had my first fitting of my wedding dress. And yes...I absolutely LOVE my dress! My mother and my sister were there with me, along with my future mother-in-law and Elyn. I truly realised when I finally had it all on that "this is really happening". I'm really getting married! I'm ready to do this and it's not that far away. All the emotions set in. Excitement, joy and a little anxiety too. I also realised that day that I still have soooo much more to do before November 14. With help from my wonderful family, some fabulous wedding vendors and of course Elyn, I know everything will turn out wonderfully.

Keep checking back as I hope to be someone that can share ideas, advice and much more!!!!!!!!!!!!! We would also love to get your feedback or any questions you may have, whether its about my wedding or some general questions about your own! More coming soon.

Happy planning!
Christy

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Also remember that we only do one wedding per weekend, so you will get our undivided attention and outstanding customer service.

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Our Christy plans her own wedding

As you all may know by now, Christy Ruthsatz helps head up A Charleston Event & Bridal Library's wedding division. Between helping to hold down the fort and planning some wonderful weddings for later on this year and spring of next year too, Christy is in the middle of planning her very own wedding on November 14 at the Creek Club at I'On. I must admit, we are having so much fun but as you'll find in some of these next weeks, just because Christy is a wedding planner, she still has to make all the same decisions any bride would need to make.

Over the next few weeks Christy will make notes on our blog about her planning process. You'll hear her story and find out some of her frustrations. Being in the business, I have a feeling the biggest frustration is having TOO much choice. :)

The other day we went to the Gown Boutique for her first fitting. Christy, her mother, her sister and her mother in law to be were all there. I had the great privilege of being there as well. It was an exciting time and without showing you too much of her dress, you can tell by the photos that fun was had by all. We laughed and joked, but also had that special moment when it was all too real...when Christy tried her dress on and turned for us all to see. Gorgeous she'll be, there's no doubt about it.

After the dress fitting, her parents, sister, future in-laws and myself all went out for a quick lunch and then off to the wedding site to help make some final decisions. We took linen samples, sample ornamental decor samples and all our ideas with us to discuss floor plans, color themes and put the final touches on samples in order to help our bride make her final decision on the final theme of the wedding itself. Florals samples had been done up the day before to give Christy an idea of design textures and framework. Two different linens samples were decided upon and brought out to ensure they didn't clash with the colors at the reception site. At the end of the day, Christy's choices were perfect and the look will be beautiful.

I hope you'll check back regularly to see what other decisions Christy will be making including photos of her choices and some of the things that helped her along the way.