Rachel Hampton

Invitations…our cost cutting plan July 20, 2011

Wanna come see us get hitched?

Invitations are the first impression people will get about how your big day is going to be. I knew I wanted something a little a-typical but didn’t want to pay a lot. Well after a lot of research and tips from fellow brides on www.weddingbee.com, I decided to download a FREE invitation suite from here. They have quite a few modern and cute designs to choose from. We decided to go with this adorable bunting option.

In fact, it is setting the theme for the wedding. You will see how in the future….Gotta leave some suspense, people!

So far we have spend $0. But at some point we have to print these suckers, right? Well, after researching a number of options, I found the most inexpensive but also reliable option. For under $80, we printed 150 invitations here. One thing I love is that they send you one hard copy to approve (for free!) before they complete your order. So if there is something you want to adjust, you can do it before they are all shipped.

Though this site also has envelopes, I found a less expensive version that also gives a little bit of color. Like so…

These cuties were only $5.55 for 50. I found them here and can’t wait to put it all together and ship them out.

Total for 150 invitations (not including postage)?

~$95

Another cost cutting idea? Adjusting the RSVP card in a Photoshop-like program so that it can fit onto a postcard. No extra envelopes to buy.

That costs HOW much? July 18, 2011

How many times have I asked that question since I started planning for the wedding? Quite a lot. Followed closely by a “you should be ashamed of yourself.” Granted that part was in my head, but honestly, what are people thinking charging what they do for wedding stuff? It’s highway robbery. All because there are crazy people who pay it. Well, I’m not one of those crazy people. I may be crazy for other reasons, but I am not paying $3000 to have my wedding reception on the grounds of a pretty house.

So then what have I done so far? Well, our ceremony is going to be at my church. Actually the old church, the original one. It’s part of my youth since I grew up around the building and it also has lots of character. Instead of $3000, it’s only a few hundred. Look at this beaut:

For the reception, we are having it at the Aviary. It’s over 100 years old and is a hidden gem in Lynchburg. I’ve lived here most of my life and never knew it existed. It used to be a bird house. So unique. So cute. And so inexpensive! Only $220 for 8 hours. Since it is owned by the city Parks & Recreation, they are not trying to make money like all the other thieves in this business. Haha. I think it’s going to be absolutely beautiful.

Those are a few things we’ve reserved. I have lots more to share! And you can pretend to be as excited as I am.

Drama…and my inspiration board July 11, 2011

Wow, a lot has been going on since July 4th. It’s been a whirlwind of activity. My grandmother passed away on the 4th. She was 92 and quite the firecracker, as many of my family members so aptly put it. We spent all of last week in Nashville for her visitation and funeral. It was bittersweet, as all Christian funerals tend to be. I know I will see her again so there is great comfort in that!

On the way home yesterday my mom started to have some chest/back pains and waves of anxiety. We were driving through Knoxville and my dad hurriedly found the closest hospital. Not a fun situation. We spent the next 5 hours there as they ran a myriad of tests. Thankfully, they ruled out problems with her heart or blood clots. They gave her some meds and thought it might just be chest wall pain that will go away with rest. She will check with her physician here tomorrow. I am VERY thankful that she is ok and feeling a bit better. Long day. Long WEEK.

I mentioned that I would share some of my wedding stuff. Well let me give you a sneak peek first. My inspiration board! I had already picked out our colors for a spring wedding and grew so attached to them that when our plans changed, I decided I didn’t want to give them up. So what if pinks and greens are spring colors and our wedding is in January? We like a little unconventional design. So, tell me what you think!

I’m getting married! July 2, 2011

Just as I mentioned in the last post, there are some BIG things going on my life. The biggest of which is pretty much explained in the title. On January 7th, 2012, I will become Mrs. Wong! I look forward to thoroughly confusing people who see my last name which is in direct contrast with my very white skin tone.

I’ve known for awhile that I was going to marry this wonderful, thoughtful, sweet, asian hottie named Clarence, but we just didn’t know when. In the last few months since I returned from Manila, we have been trying to find Clarence a job in the US, but nothing was happening. He took a 3 month contract position with a company in Singapore and at the end of it, they offered him a better position, but it required a two year commitment. Well after lots of talking and prayer, we decided it made the most sense. Though I don’t look forward to being apart from my family again, I know that it is only for a season and then (as Clarence promised) we will return to the US. I look forward to spending more time with his family there. And, of course, I always like the adventure of living in a new environment. So please do pray that I can find a job there quickly!

So since I’m getting married in 6 months, be prepared for a lot of wedding posts. In the next few days I’m going to share the first details of my ceremony and reception. It’s DEFINITELY a budget wedding and it’s fun to arrange things and plan for some DIY crafts. So stay tuned! I can’t wait to share more. I’m so blessed!