Budget Friendly Bride 101 | Choosing Your Wedding Date

If you’ve stumbled upon this post, you are probably getting married, Yay! Congratulations! But let’s face it, what is the FIRST thing people love to ask once you announce your engagement, “When is the wedding?”. 

True Story: I did not choose my wedding date until 2 months after we were engaged. During the initial planning process the date changed several times. What we learned? Choose a date that you love and THEN also, pick a backup date!

Now, I HAVE to share what I’ve learned to help you choose your date and a cost effective one at that! Originally, I wanted a simple, beautiful seaside wedding and I assumed that for the time of year I wanted, it would be no big deal. WRONG!! I quickly learned that there are so many elements of a beach wedding (even on a low scale) that had NEVER crossed my mind! It became incredibly complicated and I backed away. I then realized that choosing the right time of year can save you A LOT of coins! 

Helpful Tip: If you’re considering a beach wedding, keep it small unless you have a designated space for your reception (i.e. hotel or offsite venue). Most beaches are open to the public and unfortunately, you cannot control your background as much as you would like. You may have to have a permit as well.

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In our case, we thought it would be fun to turn our dating anniversary into our wedding date. Our dating anniversary is May 7 and May is prime time for weddings. To our surprise, we saw a huge up-charge on pricing and that simply was not in the budget. Our goal is to not be left with a tremendous amount of debt after the wedding so it was back to the drawing board! 

The Peak Season for wedding venues is generally April-June and September – October with of course some variations depending on where you live. Here in the south, we tend to favor more outdoor events and choose a wedding in late spring or early summer. However, if you are open to any date, consider choosing a date that is “off season”! You will quickly see that you will save at least $1,000 or more. You will also save big if you choose to do a weekday wedding.

It’s important to have more than one date. Wedding venues book quickly especially for peak season times.

We chose our date based on a few things:

1.     Time of year

2.     Important family obligations (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.)

3.     Pricing

Don’t forget, you also have to consider how long you want to plan your wedding. The average couple spends an average of 15 months planning for their wedding. 

Having a beautiful wedding can be done efficiently and economically! 

I hope you find this helpful and I can’t wait to hear all about your big day!

Stay tuned for part two on how to choose your venue!!

I’m Getting Married!!!

#ISaidYes

It almost feels weird to say that but I’m so happy. If you would have told me 4 years ago that this is where I would be I wouldn’t have believed you. I was in such a dark place and then I met Cleveland April of 2017 and the rest is history!

So let me tell you what you really want to know…the proposal! Cleveland foreshowed our engagement. On a recent trip to Myrtle Beach he said we’re going to be married before this (COVID-19) is all over. I laughed it off and we went on about our weekend. A few days after our return he hit me with “We getting married?” and “You gonna be my wife?” text and all I could do was laugh and yes. He gave me a proper proposal a few weeks later but that’s him and considering everything going on right now we would not have been able to have family and friends around for the moment.

Now, I’m counting down the days to #TheMiddletonMerger! I’m enjoying planning every moment and I can’t wait to take you on the ride with me.

And to the woman that doesn’t think marriage is in her cards…I was you. Heartbroken and a little bitter. I thought I could never love again. I was even told that I would never find someone wanting to be with me because I had two children. LIES! He took me and the kids and now we have a handsome son. What I’ve learned is when you stop looking you’ll find exactly what you need.

I am a BLACK Mom

"Every mother of every race should have felt that. If you are a mother and you are silent about this, f--- you. I said what I said and we hear your silence!" – Taraji P. Henson

I am a black mom.

I have beautiful black babies. They are well mannered and want nothing more than to be accepted by a world that doesn’t always accept them.

I haven’t had the words to express the pain I felt in the loss of George Floyd. I’ve had to take time to feel every valid emotion that came my way. I have not watched the video. I can’t bring myself to do it. It makes me sick to my stomach knowing that the world has witnessed this man die because he was SUSPECTED of using a counterfeit bill.

Where was the humanity?

If we thought it was scary to be black 100 years ago, think about how we feel now.

Black men and women are dying for NOTHING – other than being black.

When will this end? When can I no longer worry?

I’m scared for my sons. I’m scared for the men in my life.

No one knows that they are harmless and would give you the shirt off their backs if you needed it. I encourage you to see people without judgement.

I don’t believe this was Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream.

I have been fortunate to know some people of different races to stand for equality and truly understand that BLACK LIVES MATTER. Our skin color should not offend you.

To my fellow black mothers, I feel your pain. I hear you. I see you.

I also challenge you - start having those tough conversations with your children. They need to understand the world we live in. The last thing you want is for them to be put in a situation and think they are untouchable.

Girl, We Need To Blog About Embarrassing Topics

Now’s the best time to start your first blog. As a lot of people find themselves with extra time on their hands as a result of social distancing and self-isolation, blogging has become a popular channel again. And that is a good thing! You’ve got a unique experience to share with your readers, so why not make the most of the quarantine time to set up your site?

You might have spotted a recent article on how to make your blog posts stand out from the crowd. Finding an appealing topic, such as beauty, is crucial to writing good posts. You need to know what you’re talking about, and more importantly, you need to be enthusiastic about it. Creating quality staged photos helps showcase your expertise. 

But there’s one thing missing in many blogs, and that is honest beauty challenges. Indeed, nobody believes the picture-perfect blogger. Your readers want to understand how to handle everyday beauty issues they’re too embarrassed to talk about. Now’s your chance to bridge the gap and share your problems. 

Pexels - CC0 License 

You struggle with your hair

Thin hair or bald patches are never something women want to talk about. Unfortunately, chronic stress, autoimmune diseases, and strenuous hairstyle can cause hair loss in women. If this is an issue you’re familiar with, you could gain the respect and administration of your readers by talking openly about your hair loss treatments and journey toward self-love. Be real. Readers who experience similar issues will appreciate your honesty. 

You’ve got frequent acne outbreaks

Perfect skin is an impossible dream for many adults who suffer from acne outbreaks. Acne, unfortunately, can be triggered by hormonal imbalance, stress, or diet intolerances – without mentioning an unhealthy diet. It is a source of shame for many. Showing your readers how to handle the issue and look after your skin can be a revelation for many! Acne positivity is a necessity in today’s society. You can use the bog to share tips about products that work for you or essential lifestyle changes that have improved your condition. 

You have to deal with bloating and digestive troubles

Urgh, bloating! Nobody likes to talk about it. Bloating is, more often than not, the result of excess gas trapped in your digestive system. For a start, bloating can make your stomach appear a lot bigger than it is. But it is also painful, both physically and emotionally. The thing is, even though we don’t like to talk about it, bloating is a surprisingly frequent phenomenon. It can appear in periods of high stress, for instance. But it can also be related to your food intake or even your menstruation period. You can cast a light on the issue and explain what works for you. 

You’ve got hirsutism

You may not know the scientific name for the condition, but hirsutism refers to extreme hair growth. It affects 5% of women in the US. Many more suffer from increased hair growth on the body in less severe forms. Talking about hair on your legs, arms, or face is uncomfortable as a woman. However, it is a critical problem to raise, and you can help many women feel more confident about their bodies. 

Blogs too often ignore beauty problems. In reality, there is no such thing as a perfect body. Being candid about your real challenges can help many women make peace with their bodies. It makes your blog unique!