Your planning guide for a

casualwoodsy wedding

Vows in the great outdoors“love thy Mother-nature-in-law” Hosting a wedding under the trees and clear blue skies is a fresh breath of air compared to the traditional church or hotel venue. By holding an outdoor wedding, you not only minimize your décor budget but you also have a natural and earthy palette to use. add your own pops of color or keep things neutral to let Mother nature shine. So kick off your shoes, cut yourself a slice of pie and enjoy this outdoor celebration.

03INTRODUCTION

leave the hard work to us.

04 Table Of CONTeNTs

MarryThis! guides provide you with the blueprints to create your wedding day step-by-step. We spend the time writing out lists, comparing prices, looking through hundreds of bridal magazines and using spreadsheets to budget and plan your big day so you don’t have to. With a mix of do-it-yourself ideas and tips on saving money, our guides help you create a wedding that fits your style and your bank account.

about MarryThis!MarryThis! creates weddings that are real, creative and easy to do-it-yourself. from start to finish, we reveal how weddings can be fabulous, fun and not high budget. We take the best ideas and show you how to recreate them, all while keeping in mind that you have a budget to stick to. Just think of us as your quirky diY best friend who just happens to be a stellar budget wedding planner.

amy Trang is the executive editor who brings you these lovely words. She’s glad that words don’t need to be color-coordinated because she would have failed english class miserably.

Sara gray is the founder and publisher of MarryThis! When she’s not taking photos of beautiful brides for Sara gray photography, she’s busy creating the next best thing.

allison doty is our art director (also the founder of allison doty graphic design) who brings delightful color and style to ev-erything she does. Her optimism and creativity are infectious, which easily explains why oprah is one of her idols.

THe MarrYTHiS! TeaM:MarryThis! is brought to you by three fabulous college friends living in three different cities. With a passion for style, weddings and budgets, we created MarryThis! as the smart girl’s guide to planning a wedding.

What did this wedding cost? pg. 28 planning timeline pg. 06

photography pg. 20Music pg. 25

other inspiration pg. 24Shopping guide pg. 30

veNUe 09

INvITaTIONs 11

bRIDal fashION 14

bRIDal PaRTY 12

meNU 18

a PIe-lICIOUs eNDING 18

ReNTals 22

05INTRODUCTION

WHen You geT engaged

wedding TiMeline

MonTHSBefore12

Congratulations on your engagement! now it’s time to get to work. use this timeline to help you stay on track for your big day:

Settle on your budget.

Start gathering names and addresses for your guest list.

narrow down your potential date to two or three.

Start a wedding workout routine if you want to slim down or get more toned.

research outdoor locations for your wedding venue.

Create a wedding website. We like weddingjojo.com because it’s easy-to-use, stylish and free!

Begin your search for a photographer.

Begin shopping for wedding dresses.

Set up an appointment with your florist to decide what types of bouquets and centerpieces you need.

Start collecting vessels for your centerpieces to save money and inject some character into your arrangements.

Book your caterer.

Make arrangements for any rentals you’ll need for your party.

arrange any additional sound equipment you’ll need to provide music for your party.

Choose groom’s attire and make necessary alterations.

purchase any other bridal accessories including shoes, lingerie and garter.

plan and book your honeymoon.

Book accommodations for your wedding night.

noTeS:

06 TImelINe

MonTHSBefore11

MonTHSBefore5 MonTHS

Before4 MonTHSBefore3

Finalize your guest list (Note: The number of guests affects your final wedding budget).

Set up gift registries.

Search for an officiant or have a friend or family member get ordained to perform the ceremony.

Choose ceremony and reception music and load it onto your iPod. Test out your playlist a couple times before the big day so you know what music grooves well during dancing versus dinnertime.

order your gown and have any necessary alterations done.

order hair accessories.

order jewelry.

address and stamp your invitations.

finalize your menu with your caterer.

purchase wedding bands.

Mail wedding invitations.

Confirm number of bouquets, centerpieces and boutonnieres with florist.

if alcohol is not included in your catering bill, ask about bringing in your own and do research on purchasing at a discount or from a local winery or brewery.

get your local marriage license lined up.

Create a wedding day schedule and pass it out to important parties.

give a final guest head count to the caterer.

Confirm all vendors’ arrival or delivery times on the wedding day.

Have a trusted friend or family member handle checks for vendors to be paid on the wedding day.

enjoy the day!

edit, proof and print your wedding invitations. Choose and purchase envelopes and stamps.

do a few run-throughs on your hairstyle and makeup so you can test out products and make tweaks to your final look.

MonTHSBefore10 MonTHS

Before9 MonTHSBefore8 MonTHS

Before6

WeeKSBefore7 WeeKS

Before6 WeeKSBefore2 HappY

Wedding daY!

finding the perfect outdoor spacenature is the best backdrop The easiest wedding decorating job you’ll have is when you set your wedding in the country. Surrounded by tall trees, green grass and (hopefully) a clear blue sky, the natural scenery easily is the one of the best places to say those “i dos,” without worrying about lighting, wall colors or loud city noises. To find the perfect outdoor venue, check out farms near your town, as many

09veNUe

of them rent out property for an evening (or a weekend), turning your woodsy girl dreams into a reality. if you are an urban dweller surrounded by the concrete jungle, don’t fret. You can still have a forest celebration by getting married in a park or at a private residence. Keep in mind that cities may require to you to pay for a permit (a nominal fee) in order to use public space, so check with your local parks department for specifics.

CONsIDeRThIs!look for an outdoor space with overgrown, mature trees. large oak or willow trees offer great shade on a hot day. They also lend themselves as great places to hang additional lighting like strand lights or Japanese lanterns.

To inViTe oR noT To inViTe?let’s avoid “losing friends and alienating people.” it’s no big surprise that the biggest way to cut costs from a wedding is having a small guest list. after all, you’re paying for food, invitations and table settings for every single guest. But how do you say no to all of your 300+ facebook friends? Here are three tricks to cut down your guest list without feeling guilty:

Be up fronT. (eSpeCiallY WiTH faMilY.) There might be pressure to invite that “second cousin once removed” by your mom, but remember that it’s your day and your budget. invite just immediate fam-ily or politely let your parents know that that they can only invite a set number of guests.

don’T overSHare aT WorK. (and everYWHere elSe, Too.)it’s oK to make the occasional phone call to the caterer or florist during work hours, but try not to inundate your coworkers with wedding details so they aren’t miffed when they don’t get an invite. Talk about your dress details with your maid of honor, not your cubicle mate.

“We’re Keeping THingS SMall.“ (aKa “You MigHT noT Be inviTed.”)This is magical answer you can give when people ask you about the wedding. Then move the conversation on to a new topic.

leaRNThIs!our woodsy wedding budget came in under 10k because we invited 100 guests.

bUDGeTThIs!love our bright and colorful wedding invites? You can get them along with matching save-the-date cards, pie tags, table numbers and more that you can customize and print all for $35 at http://shop.MarryThis.com/products/printable1

10 INvITaTIONs

Saturday, May 24, 2012COMMUNITY GARDEN, PORTLAND OREGON

AT SEVEN O’CLOCK IN THE EVENING

INVITE YOU TO JOIN IN THE CELEBRATION OF THEIR MARRIAGE

RECEPTION TO FOLLOW

TOGETHER WITH THEIR FAMILIESAnne Chambers Myron Doty

7892 MILWAUKEE LN. PORTLAND, OREGON

A MWe Look Forward to Celebrating with yo

u

ACCEPTSREGRETSNUMBER ATTENDINGRSVP:

KINDLY REPLY BY

APRIL 24, 2012

name(s)

1 1INvITaTIONs

fashION

Spice up this gray dress, right, with bright colored accessories that are themed with the flowers or other wedding colors.

a brighter dress, left, often will steal the show, so opt for more subtle accessories, such as simple jewelry or shoes.

12

BRidal PaRTy Basics an outdoor wedding doesn’t call for too much satin and silk. instead, it calls for bright colors, simple silhouettes and lots of fun. Beautiful dresses and shoes for a casual outdoor theme can be found at a depart-ment store or boutique to save money. plus, it’s more likely your bridesmaids can re-wear these dresses compared to “typi-cal” bridesmaid dresses, which will earn you brownie points with them.

We suggest going traditional and having the groom (and his groomsmen) don a semi-formal look with a dress shirt, tie and slacks. a splashy bright tie can easily spice up the groom’s attire. Start out with a pair of black, gray or navy slacks, a white dress shirt and a tie that matches your color palette.

bUDGeTThIs!if you want to save costs and your bridesmaids can swing the slimmer fit and shorter hemline, shopping in the juniors’ department is a gold mine for finding cute but reasonably-priced dresses.

fashION 13

anaToMy oF a BeauTiFul BRidedreSS: We suggest taking the department-store shopping route for buying your dress. With a short hemline, this dress won’t drag against the grass, plus it keeps your wed-ding feeling youthful and casual. plus, by not going the traditional bridal dress route, you have some flexibility in dress colors and styles. for instance, our bride’s dress may look white, but it actually has some iridescent gold in its fabric.

SHaWl: Consider pairing your dress with a shawl or light sweater so you aren’t shivering as you dance the night away outdoors.

JeWelrY: This simple design of these gold earrings and necklace is elegant without being too flashy. plus, the jewelry looks equally as cute post-wedding with jeans and a sweater.

SHoeS: leave the stiletto heels at home for this wedding. With the forest floor at your feet, you will need to wear flats or wedges so you aren’t spending the whole night aerat-ing the grass.

Hair: This fishtail braid is a notch fancier the typical french braid and it’s just as easy to do. Make sure that you use some styling product before you start braiding so your hair is kept in place. also, curl the end of your “tail” to make the braid look polished.

MaKeup: To get this lovely natural look with pops of color, we used peppy pink blush, brown-black eyeliner, black mascara and a hot pink lip stain.

bRIDal fashION 15

easy Piecy cenTeRPieces use centerpieces that complement rather than outshine your outdoor wedding setting. These centerpieces are easy enough for anyone to do, plus they are inexpensive by using items that you’d find in your backyard, grocery aisle and local thrift store.

ConTainerS: Hit up the thrift stores, garage sales and dollar stores for cheap and durable floral containers. don’t worry about getting matching containers. Mismatching containers, like these ceramic pots and glass boxes, are fun and show some personality.

CenTerpieCe ingredienTS: focus on one element in each centerpiece, such as an artichoke or bunch of grapes. Then use less expensive greenery, like leaves or grass, to fill out the rest of the container.

puTTing iT all TogeTHer: on the big day, keep a spray bottle of water and a hot glue gun on hand to ensure your flowers stay moist and stay put.

Beginner’S Tip: leave the big floral items to the experts. Have the bridal bouquet and groom’s boutonniere done by a professional since they are more complex and will be photographed the most.

Source: Rosemary Stafford Floral Design, Portland, Ore.

flowers don’t have to break the bank

DeCOR16

how to feed a crowd of 100

outdoor weddings call for cuisine that is low-key and comforting. Here are menu options that are easy on the budget and offer something for everyone.

BaKed poTaTo Bar: By providing a variety of toppings, from fancy fresh herbs to classic crumbled bacon, a potato bar offers plenty of food combinations to please even the pickiest eater. round out the meal with steamed vegetables or salads.

CHili BuffeT: provide a few chili options (such as veg-etarian and beef ) and an array of toppings, including cheese, onions, sour cream and tortilla chips. don’t forget some cornbread to sop up the goodness!

BurgerS and HoT dogS: Who doesn’t love these classic barbeque staples? add side dishes like coleslaw, chips and fruit salad to round out this all-american meal.

pulled porK SandWiCHeS: The smell alone will draw people to the buffet table quickly. Keep stomachs happy by adding baked beans, corn on the cob and coleslaw to the menu.

Comfort food keeps your guests warm and cozy

leaRNThIs!don’t make a pie mess! guests left to their own devices with pies and a pie cutter will inevitably make a mess. So designate 2-3 people to be your official pie cutters.

pie, pie, pie: apple, cherry, blueberry, peach…Celebrate your marriage with pie. eat pie. Be happy.

don’T forgeT drinKS: Buy wine and beer from warehouse clubs to save costs. if mixed drinks are more your fancy, hire a freelance bartender to staff the bar table. insider tip: By offering to put out a tip jar, the bartender’s rates often will be lower.

meNU 19

captured memories Savor the memories and save costs by using these tips for hiring a wedding photographer.

• ask a photographer about off-season or off-day discounts.• Consider hiring a well-established photographer for fewer hours so you still get great photos but not the big bill.• Can’t afford the “next Big Thing” wedding photographer? ask them or other veteran photographers to rec-ommend a more inexpensive vendor.

Maximize your time with your photographer

leaRNThIs!Set aside some time during your day for some casual portraits with you and your new husband. That time can yield favorite photos and be a nice break from the party.

• Schedule well. if you go the “hiring for fewer hours” route, ensure that the photographer is there for the most photogenic moments of the day (ceremony, family portraits, etc.) instead of the lower-key moments (end of the night, bouquet toss).

PhOTOGRaPhY20

renting 101 Throwing a party for 100 people requires more silverware, seating and plates than the average bride owns. So, it’s off to the rental company you must go. But before you go to the showroom, put down your deposit and wait patiently for the rental company to arrive, here’s our top doS and don’TS for keeping rental costs down.

don’T:Choose high-end specialty china and silverware. use the standard option as people won’t notice the hand-decorated flowers on the china or that your silver-ware is made from silver mined in a small town in europe.

do:opt for wood folding chairs over fancier Chiavari chairs. They are more fitting for the local and you can save more than $8 per chair.

do:Maximize your table space. if a table says that it seats six to eight, make sure you are seating all eight people, so you don’t rent extra tables and linens.

do:find fun things to add pizzazz to your table, like an antique tablecloth for the pie or buffet tables to go with the rustic wedding theme and save on table linen rentals.

don’T:use a cheap rental company. Make sure you’re dealing with pros, or else you’ll end up with scratched and chipped plates and glasses.

ReNTals22

leaRNThIs!linens are the most expensive item from most rental companies because they have to be laundered after each use.

don’t like pie? Hate mason jars? use these mood boards as additional inspiration for your outdoor wedding.

PeaRls aND wheaT bOOTs aND GINGham

PIe aND PeONIes GaRDeN GReeNeRY

THe ipod dj no wedding is complete without getting down on the dance floor. You want the music to get everyone dancing, from your 80-year-old grandma to your five-year-niece. also, nothing is a better accompani-ment to your big day than listening to the music that you love. By using your ipod as your dJ, you not only save money but you guarantee that no awful music will be played – think Celine dion’s “My Heart Will go on.”

Here are SoMe Helpful HinTS WHen You are uSing Your ipod. • Choose a trusted friend/relative who knows your taste in music and is good at scoping out a crowd’s “vibe.”

• ask someone comfortable with public speaking. Make sure to have microphone so they can double as an emcee and keep the party moving.

• Meet with your dJ to choose your entrance and exit music, first dance, parents’ dance and the bouquet/garter toss. also, make a list your favorite tracks that must be played during the evening.

• Test all of the equipment ahead of time and make sure your speakers are appropriate for the size of your room. Too loud, and you blow out everyone’s ears. Too soft, and everyone has to crowd around the ipod to dance. either way, a bad sound system will mean your guests will leave earlier than you’d like.

• Be conscious of the flow of the evening and your crowd. for example, have some mellow background music during dinner, followed by some jazz standards for your grandparents, and save lady gaga for the end of the night.

Source: Marianna Thielen, leader of The Bylines and executive director of Moon Vine Music in Portland

mOOD & mUsIC 25

favORs

These diY wedding favors are easy and inexpensive to make. plus, your guests can take them home, plant the seeds and always remember your wedding when the flowers bloom.

floWer Seed BagS-------

What You’ll need:

100 3” x 3” glassine bags (found at specialty paper stores or online)

100 flower tags (included with this guide)

Thread

Sewing machine

Wildflower seeds

-------

• put a tablespoon of seeds in each bag.

• place the flower tag on top of the bag and use a sewing machine to sew the bag closed. leave the flap open on the bag; the seam will seal it.

• place bags near entrance/exit so guests can take one on their way in/out.

floweringfavors

a drink is a classy and thirst-quenching way to welcome guests as they move from the ceremony to the reception. Serve sweet iced tea in mason jars with tags tied around the lip of each drink. plus, the tags easily double as a table number.

a sweetwelcome

Wildflowers

LOVE IS THE FLOWER

YOU’VE GOT TO LET GROW.

- JOHN LENNON -

27

PRINTThIs!These wildflower tags are also a part of our complete “Casual Woodsy printable Suite.” available for $35 at http://shop.MarryThis.com/products/printable1

budget breakdownHere’s how we spent just under $10k for our 100-guest outdoor wedding:

bUDGeT

fOOD & beveRaGes

DeCOR

aTTIRe

ReNTals

veNUe

mIsCellaNeOUs

28

bUDGeT

Total wedding cost: $9,990venue: $2,000 (20%)

TaBle and dinnerWare renTalS: $1,050 (11%) Chair and table rentals: $427 100 wooden folding chairs x $3 each: $300 60-inch tables $11 each x 10: $110 one cake table (4’x30”): $8 one bar table (6’): $9 linen rental: $233 round table linens $15 each x 10: $150 one cake table linen: $23 one bar table linen: $20 linen napkins $0.40 each x 100: $40 dinnerware rental: $390 plates $0.45 each x 100 = $45 100 dessert plates $0.45 each x 100: $45 100 silverware sets $1.80 each x 100: $180 100 water glasses $0.40 each x 100: $40 200 wine glasses $0.40 each x 200: $80

aTTire: $590 (6%) Bride’s attire: $360 dress: $250 Shoes: $60 Jewelry: 50 Bride’s Hair & Makeup products: $30 groom’s clothing, shoes, accessories: $200

déCor: $550 (5%) Ceremony decor (centerpieces): $150 reception decor (chair accessories, pie table etc. -- not including flowers): $50 flowers: $350

food & BeverageS: $3,500 (35%) food: $1,500 Bar: $1,500 dessert/pie: $500

MiSCellaneouS iTeMS: $2,300 (23%) favor materials: $50 paper goods (printing costs + envelopes and postage): approx. $250 photography: $2,000

notes:

29

shOPPING GUIDe

Bride’S JeWelrYelephantine on etsyetsy.com/shop/elephantineproducts: Tabula rasa necklace in gold, anna earrings

Bride’S MaKeupTarget.comproducts: Sonia Kashuk eye Quad in Shimmering Sands, Cover girl lash Blast volume Mascara and Cover girl outlast lipstain in Scarlet pucker

Bride’S SHoeSnordstrom.comproduct: Bp. Blooms espadrille Slingback Sandal

30

floWerSrosemary Stafford floral designrosemarystafford.com

parTY renTalSThe party placethepartyplacepdx.com

Wedding dreSSnordstrom.comproduct: Max & Cleo Strapless Metallic dress

shopping guide

PRINTABLES: Wildflower Favor TagFrom: MarryThis! | www.marrythis.com

1.8x3 Wildflower Favor Tag - Print on white or cream heavy cardstock

© MarryThis! All rights reserved. For personal use only. Not for commercial use.

Wildflowers

LOVE IS THE FLOWER YOU’VE GOT TO LET GROW.

- JOHN LENNON -

Wildflowers

LOVE IS THE FLOWER YOU’VE GOT TO LET GROW.

- JOHN LENNON -

Wildflowers

LOVE IS THE FLOWER YOU’VE GOT TO LET GROW.

- JOHN LENNON -

Wildflowers

LOVE IS THE FLOWER YOU’VE GOT TO LET GROW.

- JOHN LENNON -

Wildflowers

LOVE IS THE FLOWER YOU’VE GOT TO LET GROW.

- JOHN LENNON -

Wildflowers

LOVE IS THE FLOWER YOU’VE GOT TO LET GROW.

- JOHN LENNON -

Wildflowers

LOVE IS THE FLOWER YOU’VE GOT TO LET GROW.

- JOHN LENNON -

Wildflowers

LOVE IS THE FLOWER YOU’VE GOT TO LET GROW.

- JOHN LENNON -

Wildflowers

LOVE IS THE FLOWER YOU’VE GOT TO LET GROW.

- JOHN LENNON -

Peach

Apple

Cherry

Pecan

Peach

Apple

Cherry

Pecan

PRINTABLES: Pie FlagsFrom: MarryThis! | www.marrythis.com

Print on white or cream heavy cardstock. Fold tab portion around a toothpick or skewer and glue.

© MarryThis! All rights reserved. For personal use only. Not for commercial use.

© 2011 MarrYTHiS!