Budget Brooklyn Wedding | Pretty Pear Bride

{Real Plus Size Wedding} Budget Brooklyn Wedding | Rav Carlotti

It is always amazing when we get weddings submitted that really are unique and today’s wedding is just that. Today’s couple created this wonder wedding with a budget of $5,000. Yes, it took them 2 years to research and plan it but they did it.  She is even sharing with us how she was able to get the cost so low. For all my budget brides out there planning a budget wedding this is a must read!

Jennifer & Anthony

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How did the two of you meet? We met online through a social media site called MiGente. I was studying abroad in Ireland and Anthony was in New Jersey. We spoke daily ans when I returned to NYC 2 months later, we went out on our first date to Applebee’s in Times Square.

Describe your engagement: After visiting Montreal, Canada in 2012, we fell in love with that city, and began calling it “our” city. Anthony planned another trip to Montreal in July 2013. While walking the boardwalk in the Old Port, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was beautiful!

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Your advice for other plus size brides: It took us awhile to figure out what we wanted and what we could afford. After 2 years of research, we found venues reflective of our interests and likes that fit within our budget. My advice is to prioritize the top 3 most important “must-haves” and build your wedding around that. For us it wad family/friends, good food, and affordability. If you want a hassle free experience, I STRONGLY recommend the restaurant route. No need for rentals or generic catering hall food. No need to worry about vendors, timelines, clean up, pick up, etc. Restaurants take care of everything!

What has surprised you most during the first few months of marriage? I was surprised at how strange it felt to say “my husband”. I still haven’t gotten use to it.

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Personal or handmade details: Although we were on a budget, we invested in some personal items. First, our cake topper! As comic book/sci fi nerds, we found a cake topper that reflected our nerdiness. Second, we invested in cute maple syrup favors to honor our engagement locale and our love of breakfast. Third, my sister and I made all of the decor and signs.

Describe your Flowers: My inspiration were wild flowers. I wanted it to look like i just picked them from a field. A bunch of perfectly mismatched colors and styles. Luckily, Whole Foods had a gorgeous selection of pre-made bouquets.

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Memories and Stories about the Day you would like to share: Our ceremony was short, only 15 minutes. It was funny and full of laughter. It reflected our personality as a couple. We were both so nervous prior that we took shots of bacardi to calm the nerves. After our brunch we went to Time Square, the site of our first date, and took photos there. So many folks gave us well wishes and wanted to take pictures with us.

Your first dance song: Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop by Landon Pegg

The thing that we would have done differently is? We compromised on the party and dancing element. It is the only thing we wish we could have done but simply couldn’t afford. If we could have spend our wedding dollars differently, we would have: Not sure, we researched for 2 years and had the perfect wedding for our budget. We enjoyed every aspect.

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Wedding Information: Photographer: Rav Carlotti Rings: Zales! Wedding Planner: myself & fabulous matron of honor! Invitations & Calligraphy: We ordered our invitations on Shutterfly, they were wonderful! We got out invitations, thank you cards, mailing labels and stickers all for under $35! Jewelry: I went to Francesca's at my local mall. I opted only for earrings since I loved my dress's neckline and didn't want to take away from it. Bride’s Attire: I bought my dress at David's Bridal. It was a DB original design. I had it hemmed to a tea length height. My shoes were the show stoppers. I purchased they fun mint green vintage style shoes from ModCloth. For $70 they were a great investment. Bridesmaids Attire: I didn't have traditional bridesmaids. I simply had my nieces and nephews. I am a fan of the mismatch styles. For the girls I asked they find a mint green, knee length summer dress. Both did, and although the cuts/styles were different, the mint green pulled the look together. Their dresses were complimented with nude heels and coral earrings. Groom’s Attire: My husband bought a lovely grey J. Ferrar suit at JcPenney for $90. He paired it with a white Calvin Klein button down shirt for $40. Gorgeous golden brown shoes and belt at Khols. His tie was also from JcPenney. Groomsmen Attire: The boys wore khaki pants, brown overalls, white button downs and bowties from JcPenney. Ceremony Location: We were married at the Historic Old Stone House in Park Slope, Brooklyn. It was the meeting house for George Washington during the battle of Brooklyn. As history lovers, it was perfect. Reception Location: We had a brunch reception at Scottadito's Osteria Toscana in Park Slope, Brooklyn. We had french toast with fruit, eggs benedict and omelettes, paired with coffee, juice, mimosas and bloody Marys. Transportation: We walked! It was a beautiful sunny day and the locations were 10 minutes apart. Music/Entertainment: Our iphones! Rentals and Décor: The only decor we invested in were flowers and table signage. We saved all the pasta sauce jars we could. Then we washed them out, decorated with burlap and twine for $8. I went to the flower district in Manhattan and purchased 100 stems of baby's breath for $90. Each table had 6 arrangements. The colorful bouquets were purchased at Whole Foods for $8 each (4). I spent about $40 at Michaels for small chalkboard easels and chalk pens. Oh and Marquee letters for $20. Officiate/ Minister: My brother took the online course for $35 and became ordained. He performed a beautiful ceremony.    

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Shafonne Myers is a certified wedding and event planner who longed for bridal inspiration that looked like her. She has created a website and magazine that brings bridal inspiration to plus size brides. She does speaking engagements educating the world about plus size brides and self confidence.
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