Your planning guide for an

urban loftwedding

Modern wedding in tHe CitYinfuse your wedding with urban energy for an urban couple, there’s something fitting about celebrating their union in the city where they live. inspired by the energy of urban life, we used a combination of vibrant blues and oranges in a simple, modern setting to create a fresh and contemporary look for this wedding. With a few easy tips, we make a city wedding budget-friendly so it’ll be fun and stylish.

03INTRODUCTION

leave the hard work to us.

04 abOUT maRRyThIs!

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 budget.

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 budget-friendly. 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 big thing.

allison doty is our art director (also the founder of allison doty graphic design) who brings delightful color and style to every-thing she does. Her optimism and creativity are infectious.

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. 40Brunch menus pg. 26

planning timeline pg. 38photography pg. 22

Music pg. 33reception basics pg. 27

Mood Boards pg. 34Shopping guide pg. 42

about MarryThis! pg. 04

bRIDes Of all ages 12

INvITaTIONs 08

veNUe IDeas 07

flOweRs 18

ReNTals 29

DIy CUpCakes 24

bRIDesmaIDs ON a bUDgeT 15

05Table Of CONTeNTs

Make the most of your venue City weddings can be expensive, especially when you are trying to rent a space that’s in high demand. But with a little creativity, you can find venues that give you a more bang for your buck. Here are our ideas for venues with extra value:

reSTauranT: even though a restaurant can be a small space, the bonus is that it already has all the tables, linens and tableware you need to hold a classy party. plus, the food is tastier as it just travels a few feet from the kitchen to your table.

WareHouSe or lofT: With a large open space like a warehouse or loft, you have a clean palette to create whatever dream venue you desire. However, see if your venue will provide things like table rentals or catering with your contract to save money and time.

07veNUe

CaTering venue: it’s common for catering companies to own a venue, which can be a big plus. Caterers usually provide all of the rental essentials, such as chairs, tables and silverware.

MuSeuM: Museums are classic bastions of modern architecture and a major urban wow-factor. Many of them offer facilities for weddings, which provide a very cultured backdrop for your big day.

privaTe venue: if you have a friend or family member who owns a cool condo or rooftop garden, ask them if you can use it for your ceremony and reception. a private residence can feel very intimate, along with saving you a ton in rental fees. However, make sure to consult all the parties concerned and check out regulations and zoning with your city. as a nice touch and thank you, pay for a professional cleaning service to come in after the party so you can leave the residence cleaner than you found it.

AnneChambers

table 5

to inVite or not to inVite?let’s avoid “losing friends and alienating people” it’s no 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.

08 INvITaTIONs

thank You!

geTThIs!urBan lofT prinTaBleS - $35This printable suite comes with matching invitations, save-the-date cards, rSvp cards, table numbers (1-20), thank you cards, place cards and more that you can customize and print, all for $35.

09INvITaTIONs

begins when we,

We've decided on

Anne Chambers& Myron Doty

Saturday, May 24, 2012at Six O'clock in the Evening at the Mario Inn Resort

10002 Canon Bay BoulevardCanon Bay, California

kindly reply by:May 24, 2012

Anne Chambers& Myron Doty

are Tying the Knot on Saturday, May 24, 2012Invitation to Follow

we’re getting married!

17

We love when things match – from the initial invitation to the very last party favor. That’s why we design a custom printable invitation suite to match each of our guides.

THiS Clean and Modern prinTaBle SuiTe Will Help SeT a ClaSSY Mood aT Your urBan lofT Wedding. our printables are already designed and formatted. Just fill in your personalized wedding information and print from your home printer. Would you rather use a professional printer? no problem! Just save your customized printables as a pdf and send them to your favorite printer.

shopfrom the

a bride at anY age age is just a number. and with women getting married in their 30s and beyond, we created two bridal looks for a young and a more mature bride. Julie, our mature bride, is wearing a long dress with a halter bodice, which is a flattering cut on anyone. Her hair is in a traditional updo with neutral make up, making her a classic beauty. amy, our younger bride, pulls off a more flirty look with tiny braids in her hair and a short strapless bubble-hem dress.

bRIDal fashION12

bRIDal fashION 13

bridesmaids on a budget get your bridesmaids (and yourself!) to the ceremony in a happy mood when they see how much money you saved on their attire:

BuY off THe raCk. We found this dress on sale at a depart-ment store, which means it cost less than a traditional bridesmaid dress and is way easier to wear again. keep that in mind when shopping for dresses. plus, your bridesmaids will happily thank you for finding something that they really can wear again.

aCCeSSorize. adding a flower belt made this dress pop while keeping things light and airy. We easily made the belt by buying some wide ribbon from the fabric store and a hair flower.

uSe SMaller BouqueTS. Bridesmaid bouquets don’t need to be as big as the bridal bouquet to make an impact. a small gathering of a few complementary blooms will do the trick and keep your per-bridesmaid floral budget much lower.

bRIDesmaID fashION 15

citrus & buttons in full bloom These modern floral arrangements are teeming with a wide variety of flowers, which can be expensive. However, if you work with your florist closely, it’s possible to bring the costs down. follow these cost-saving tips.

aSk Your floriST aBouT leSS expenSive BlooMS. Many times, florists can source local or less expensive blooms in the same color palette for a similar effect.

add CiTruS. in this wedding, oranges appear through-out the floral arrangements. Take it one step further and thin the flowers out by adding more oranges within the arrange-ments. Citrus fruit is inexpensive, especially if you buy in bulk.

paY aTTenTion To SeaSon. if you want specific blooms, ask your florist when they’re in season and plan your event around those dates. in-season blooms tend to be less expensive since they are easier to source.

do iT YourSelf.Have your florist do the important and most-photographed pieces, like the bouquets and boutonnieres. ask if you can purchase cut flowers to do your own centerpieces. You not only save in labor costs, but also in equipment since you can purchase inexpensive vases and vessels from thrift stores and garage sales.

flowers don’t have to break the bank

flORal18

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

CONsIDeRThIs!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.

phOTOgRaphy22

• 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).

instead of cake, go the trendy and tasty route with cupcakes for dessert. if you’re a go-getter bride, then we’re providing you the encouragement and advice to bake cupcakes yourself. But please don’t take this decision lightly as you’ll need friends or family members to help you since these sweets must be baked just days before the wedding (and during the period that you’ll be the most stressed). if you still want to take the baking plunge, we now give you the three T’s of diY cupcakes:

Trial runS: do at least two trial runs before the big day so you’re confident with the baking and decorating process. This allows you time to tweak the recipe if needed.

TiMeline: Make the cupcakes two days before the wedding. Store them in airtight containers and frost the cupcakes on the morning of the wedding.

diy CuPCaKeS

bakeThIs!our cupcakes are vanilla with a seven-minute frosting and a dusting of sanding sugar. See the back of this guide for a printable recipe card.

TranSporT: use plastic under bed storage bins (the sturdier the better) to transport your goodies to the reception venue. They’re flat, large and will carry dozens of cupcakes.

When in doubt, hire it out We get it. The idea of baking dozens of cupcakes for your wedding makes you nauseous. in that case, we recommend finding a local bakery who will bake, deliver and even set up your cupcakes at the reception.

DIy24

pRINTThIs!See the back of this guide for a set of fun flavor cards (with matching cupcake paper wraps!) to mark your cupcakes so guests know which delectable cupcake to choose.

vanilla

chocolate

morning deliciousness We created a brunch reception for this urban wedding – a way to save costs while still being classy. plus, who doesn’t love breakfast food? We suggest providing a menu of sweet and savory dishes to satisfy every break-fast taste. Some duo suggestions are eggs florentine and crème brulee french toast; quiche and fruit parfaits; and bagels or cinnamon rolls. We recommend hosting a brunch spirits bar that serves yummy morning-appropriate drinks such as peach Bellinis or pomegranate mimosas.

and to be really cost-effective and a bit quirky, think about hosting a cereal bar with milk and fruit.

Consider a brunch buffet to satisfy every appetite

leaRNThIs!You’ll find rental rates and catering minimums lower for a morning reception. That also includes the drink tab since people won’t drink as much or party as long as they would for an evening wedding. plus, you can get the honeymoon started early!

meNU26

bar

bu

ff

et

ta

bl

e

cake table

gift table

ideal place for toasting (near the Cake Table). Make sure all guests can see you from their

tables.

leav

e 15

ft. b

etw

een

buffe

t ta

ble

and

near

est g

uest

tabl

e

To help the flow of traffic: allow plenty of room in front of the bar in case a line forms

gueSt table

gueSt table

gueSt table

remember:Seat guests

of honor closer to the center of

the action

leav

e 5

ft. b

etw

een

tabl

es

5 ft.

5 ft.

place gift table away from the exit, to ensure none of your gifts will

“wander off”

20 ft. 20 ft.

reCePtion baSiCS:Your visual guide for a great reception seating arrangement

15 ft.

15

ft.

morning deliciousnessConsider a brunch buffet to satisfy every appetite

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: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.

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.

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

ReNTals 29

A Bright British Pop Wedding

COmINg sOON ON maRRyThIs.COm

bright colors with a british flair? There’s no better way to celebrate your new life together. in the next MarryThis! guide, be marveled by budget decor in bright shades, inspired by the Brits’ flair for magical color. Set in an urban environment, we updated the look to make it modern and fresh with hot pinks and oranges. in this guide, we’ll include smart tips for table arrangements, menu suggestions and ingenious ideas to make your wedding fabulous!

availaBle in JanuarY 2012

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. nothing is a better accompaniment 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

mUsIC 33

not a fan of the color orange? Hate the idea of serving cupcakes instead of wedding cake? use these fun, citrus-themed inspiration boards as as alterative themes for your urban wedding.

make it your own

INspIRaTION34

gRapefRUIT & bUbbly

lemON & pasTRIes

hOT pINk & lIme

wedding tiMeline 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:

noTeS:

38 TImelINe

Choose groom’s attire and make necessary alterations.

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

plan and book your honeymoon.

MonTHSBefore4

Book accommodations for your wedding night.

MonTHSBefore3

address and stamp your invitations.

finalize your menu with your caterer.

WeekSBefore7

WHen You geT engaged

MonTHSBefore12

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 urban spaces 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.

Book your venue.

Begin shopping for wedding and bridesmaids dresses.

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

Book your caterer.

MonTHSBefore11

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. ask your bridesmaids to do the same.

order hair accessories.

order jewelry.

MonTHSBefore10 MonTHS

Before9

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.

do a test run on your wedding-day cupcakes with a friend or kitchen helper. Make any changes to the recipe now. if you’re purchasing cupcakes, set up a tasting at your favorite cupcake shop and order your flavors now.

download your printable suite from shop.marrythis.com

MonTHSBefore6

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.

MonTHSBefore5

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

enjoy the day!

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.

WeekSBefore6

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.

WeekSBefore2 HappY

Wedding daY!daYSBefore2

Make the cupcakes (if you are going the diY route). Store them in airtight containers and frost the cupcakes on the morning of the wedding.

budget breakdownHere’s how we spent just under $12k for our 100-guest urban wedding:

bUDgeT

fOOD & beveRages

aTTIRe

DeCOR

mIsCellaNeOUs

veNUe & ReNTals

40

bUDgeT

total wedding cost: $11,950venue, TaBleS and dinnerWare renTalS $3,000 (25%)

aTTire: $1,000 (8%) Bride’s dress $500 Bride’s accessories and shoes: $250 groom’s clothing and accessories: $250

deCor: $2,000 (17%) Ceremony and reception flowers: $2,000

food & BeverageS: $3,700 (31%) food: $1,500 Bar: $2,000 Cupcakes: $200

MiSCellaneouS iTeMS: $2,250 (19%) paper goods (invitations, envelopes, postage and printing): $250 photography: $2,000

notes:

41

shOppINg gUIDe

floWerSJenny prucher, green in Bloomgreeninbloom.com

MaTure Bride’S goWn SuggeSTionS:ann Taylor Silk Strips gown anntaylor.com

J.Crew Sophia gown Jcrew.com

42

parTY renTalSThe party placethepartyplacepdx.com

Young Bride’S goWn SuggeSTionS:BCBg floral applique dressnordstrom.comlaundry by Shelli Segal one-shoulder dressnordstrom.com

Shopping guide

Decorative Cupcake Papers, Flavor Cards - Print on white or cream heavy cardstock

PRINTABLES: Cupcake Papers, Favor CardsFrom: MarryThis! | www.marrythis.com

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

vanilla

chocolate

PRINTABLES: Cupcake Recipe CardsFrom: MarryThis! | www.marrythis.com

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

Cupcake Recipe Cards - Print on white or cream heavy cardstockRecipes from Marthastewart.com

Vanilla CupcakesMakes 24

3 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 3/4 teaspoon salt 12 tablespoons of unsalted butter, softened 1 1/2 cups sugar 4 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 1/4 cups milk blue!) paper liners; set aside. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside. Put butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer.

time, mixing well. Add vanilla. Reduce speed to medium. Mix in 3 batches of flour mixture, alternating with 2 batches of milk. Raise speed to medium-high; mix un-

cup. Bake until a toothpick out clean, about 17 minutes. Let cool on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove cupcakes and cool completely.

Seven Minute FrostingMakes 8 cups

1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar 2/3 cup water 2 tablespoons light corn syrup 6 large egg whites, room temperature

Combine 1 1/2 cups sugar with the water and corn syrup in a small saucepan; clip a candy thermometer to side of pan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stir-ring occasionally, until sugar dissolves. Continue boiling, without stirring, until syrup reaches 230 degrees. Meanwhile, in the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk egg whites on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. With mixer running, add remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, beating to combine. As soon as sugar syrup reaches 230 degrees, remove from heat. With mixer on medium-low speed, pour syrup down side of bowl in a slow, steady stream. Raise speed to medium-high; whisk until mixture is completely cool (test by touching

© 2011 MarrYTHiS!