Your planning guide for A
charming brunch wedding
inspiration
rise & shine! Get an early start to marital bliss
Start off your marriage with one of the best meals of the week. We love brunch – it’s the best combination of savory and sweet, morning and afternoon, and fun and frugal. Throwing a brunch wedding is a major money-saver because it has lower bar and food bills. We dreamed up this fun springtime event with pastel decor, a tasty mimosa bar and vibrant ranunculus. Cheers to a morning where you won’t hit the snooze button!
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04 about
Leave the hard work to us.
MarryThis! guides provide you with the blueprints to create your wedding day step-by-step. We spend 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.
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.
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 everything she does. Her optimism and creativity are infectious.
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.
table of contents
bridal attire
photography
Venue
10
28
menu
CAKE
24
flowers
16
21
07
Inspiration Pg. 03 What did this wedding cost? Pg. 36 Music Pg. 31 Reception basiscs Pg. 30 Planning timeline Pg. 34 Shopping guide Pg. 38 About MarryThis! Pg. 04
hair & makeup
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15
venue
the breakfast club Booking the perfect party nook Restaurants are ideal spots to host a brunch wedding affair. Why? They take care of the food, staff, linens and other items needed to serve a great meal while you get to spend the day relaxing and enjoy the celebration with your family and friends. Many restaurants specialize only in lunch and dinner, so work with the venue to ensure the menu and dĂŠcor fit with your morning event.
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10 fashion
morning attire
Stay classy and casual with your wedding apparel For her:
Go long & loose. No one goes to brunch with a tight updo. Keep your hair out of your face, but loose and free-flowing for a stylish version of bedhead for your morning party. Shorten the hem. A daytime wedding calls for a fun kneelength dress. Pair the attire with a bright pair of shoes to add some sass. Budget bonus: Shorter wedding gowns, or “reception dresses,” can cost way less than an average wedding dress.
Accessorize. Instead of a stuffy long veil, find a fun headband or fascinator for your hair. It’ll add depth to your ensemble.
For him:
Skip the tie. An open-collared shirt is comfortable and modern, fitting in with the relaxed vibe of the day. But keep the jacket. A nicely fitted jacket keeps your groom still looking polished and traditional.
fashion
13
hair & makeup
a gorgeous girl
Professional styling can be a big help Looking like the best version of yourself should be the goal on your wedding day. This look from Madeline Roosevelt in Portland, Ore., plays up our brunch bride’s natural glow of happiness. Professional hair and makeup services can seem expensive but often, the service is a huge value. It takes the stress off of you and your bridesmaids in trying to apply eyeliner with shaky hands or after a few celebratory getting-ready cocktails. Plus, a professional touch will give you confidence, make you look flawless in photos and have everyone raving about the most beautiful bride they’ve ever seen.
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16 flowers
pastel power Bright doesn’t have to be bold
Morning weddings call for bright, vibrant colors. For this brunch wedding, Liz Rusnac of Fleur:ology in Portland, created lovely and fragrant centerpieces and bouquets of ranunculus, tulips, sweet pea, lily of the valley and succulents. To add a pop of bright color to the pastels, the flowers were placed in small teal glass containers that were scattered along the tables. We also added these arrangements on the buffet table for a cohesive look throughout the venue.
menu
a delicious start to the day Create a sweet and savory buffet Choice is the name of the game for a brunch wedding. Create a tasty buffet spread of breakfast and lunch goodies that will satisfy every guest’s appetite. End the meal with a sweet cinnamon crumb wedding coffee cake and your guests are full and ready to take on the day.
Suggested menu:
Pair breakfast favorites, like eggs, waffles, fruit and bagels, with classic brunch fare of prime rib, quiche, smoked salmon and seasonal vegetables.
It’s never too early for a cocktail:
No fete is complete without a little bubbly. Set up a DIY mimosa bar with orange and pink grapefruit juices and bottles of champagne. Barefoot and Yellow Tail make delicious and inexpensive sparkling wine. Garnish these cocktails with raspberries, strawberries and blueberries to add additional wow factor.
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24 cake
sweet endings The brunch twist on the classic wedding cake A morning favorite, coffee cake pleases any sweet tooth with its buttery filling and crumbly topping. That’s why we thought the grandeur of a three-tier wedding cake could easily be made from coffee cake to top off this brunch menu. It’s way less expensive than a regular cake, plus you can easily make your own. Follow a good wedding cake
tutorial (we love America’s Test Kitchen) for the how-to on stacking dense cake tiers so your cake doesn’t look like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. If a DIY coffee cake is not a task you want resting on your shoulders the day before your wedding (we totally get it!), talk to your baker about making this delish dessert.
28 photography
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.
picture perfect
Finding the right wedding photographer You may not realize it, but besides your husband, you’ll most likely spend most of your big day with a paid stranger – the photographer. They will be the flash-happy ninja documenting everything from the first kiss to the first dance. So, consider these elements when choosing the right wedding day “third wheel”:
Style:
Photographers all have their own unique technique. Consider how their artistic approach fits in with your taste. If you’d hang their portfolio photos on your walls, that’s a good indicator.
Budget:
Sure, you’ve got a budget to stick to. But the prevailing wisdom is to get the very best photographer you can possibly afford. Consider hiring a well-established photographer for fewer hours so you still get great photos but not the big bill.
Experience:
A more experienced photographer will know how to deal with difficult lighting situations and have quick timing. Ask them to show you a portfolio of an entire wedding they’ve shot versus a few highlight photos of an event.
File storage:
Ask photographers how they archive and back up their photos. The ultimate nightmare is discovering your wedding photos are gone, lost out in computer space and never coming back.
Chemistry:
Make sure your photographer makes you feel at ease. If you don’t trust, respect or get along with the person behind the camera, you’ll look uncomfortable and uneasy in the finished product.
RECEPTION BASICS:
Your visual guide for a great reception seating arrangement TALL BISTRO
f t.
f t. 3-4
3-4
TALL BISTRO
BISTRO TABLE 4-5
4-5 ft.
TALL BISTRO
3-4 ft.
f t.
f t.
BISTRO TABLE 10 f t.
brunch buffet
10
f t.
BISTRO TABLE
Leave 10 ft. between food table and nearest guest table for traffic flow.
Clump bistro tables together to encourage guests to move around and talk.
4-5
Clump tall bistro tables together for easy chatting.
music
The Ipod dj Music is the ultimate mood-setter Dancing isn’t just for evening weddings. A brunch wedding can still get everybody moving and off to a great day (Hint: Hosting our fabulous mimosa bar will help). And you want the music to get everyone dancing, from your 80-year-old grandma to your five-year-old niece. By using your iPod as your DJ, you not only save money but you guarantee that those hits like Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” won’t make it on the playlist.
Here are some helpful hints to use 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 have your guests will leave earlier than you’d like. Source: Marianna Thielen, leader of The Bylines and executive director of Moon Vine Music in Portland (who is also our beautiful bride in this brunch wedding!)
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34 timeline Settle on your budget.
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:
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 and reserve a venue for the ceremony and reception. Create a wedding website. We like weddingjojo.com because it’s easy-to-use, stylish and free!
WHEN YOU GET
ENGAGED
Begin your search for a photographer. Send save-the-date cards. Reserve a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests. Begin shopping for wedding dresses at Nordstrom.com.
Set up an appointment with your florist to decide what types of bouquets and centerpieces you need.
12BEFORE 11 BEFORE MONTHS
MONTHS
4 BEFORE 3 BEFORE 7 BEFORE MONTHS
Choose groom’s attire and make necessary alterations. Purchase any other bridal accessories including shoes, lingerie and garter. Plan and book your honeymoon.
MONTHS
WEEKS
Confirm accommodations for your wedding night.
Address and stamp your invitations.
Order postage for invitations from USPS.com to avoid waiting in line at the post office.
Finalize your menu with your caterer or restaurant.
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.
Choose your bridal party. Order your gown from Nordstrom.com or in person at a Nordstrom store. Order hair accessories from Nordstrom.com. Set your brunch menu with the restaurant.
Pick out and order bridesmaids’ dresses. Purchase your wedding invitations. Book professionals for your hair and makeup on the big day. Set up a trial run before the big day.
Contact a local rental business to arrange for any rentals you’ll need for your party. Arrange any additional sound equipment you’ll need to provide music for the ceremony and reception.
10BEFORE 9BEFORE 6BEFORE 5 BEFORE MONTHS
MONTHS
MONTHS
6BEFORE 2 BEFORE 1 BEFORE WEEKS
Purchase wedding bands. Mail out wedding invitations. Confirm bouquets and boutonnieres with florist. If alcohol is not included in your catering or restaurant bill, ask about bringing in your own and do research on purchasing at a discount or from a local winery or brewery.
WEEKS
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. Go shopping for your wedding coffee cake supplies.
DAY
Make your wedding coffee cake. (Or get a trusted friend and relative to help you out!)
MONTHS
HAPPY
WEDDING DAY! Have a trusted friend or family member handle checks for vendors to be paid on the wedding day. Enjoy the day!
36 budget
budget breakdown Here’s how we spent $8K for our 100-guest Brunch Wedding: VENUE, food & beverages miscellaneous decor attire
budget
Total budget: $8,055 Venue, food & beverages: $3,700 (46%) Food $2,500 Beverages $1,200
Attire: $805 (10%)
Bride’s gown $198 Bride’s hairpiece $28 Bride’s shoes $79 Groom’s suit $400 Groom’s accessories $100
Decor: $1,000 (12%) Flowers $1,000
Miscellaneous items: $2,550 (32%) Invitations & postage $550 Photography $2,000
notes:
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38 shopping guide
Shopping Guide Bride’s hair accessories and gown
Nordstrom Website: nordstrom.com Products: JS Collections chiffon petal strapless sheath dress and Glint fascinator headband
Bride’s shoes
Endless.com Website: endless.com Product: Nine West Geezup peep-toe pump in pink leather
Flowers
Liz Rusnac of Fleur:ology Portland, Ore. Website: fleurology.blogspot.com
Hair & Makeup
Madeline Roosevelt Portland, Ore. Website: madimakeuphair.com
Venue
Aquariva Restaurant Portland, Ore. Website: aquarivaportland.com
Š 2012 MarryThis!