Ceremony & Reception

Updated on June 03, 2009
B.R. asks from Atlanta, GA
6 answers

My boyfriend (soon to be fiance) says I should start planning so I am.

I need to know a nice (beautiful and reasonably priced) location for both the ceremony and reception. I would rather not have family and friends from out of town doing any more driving in Atlanta traffic than necessary.

We have not set a date. How do people decide on dates by the way?

Also, I'll take any advice on anything wedding related if you are feeling generous with opinions. :)

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So What Happened?

So we got engaged two days before Christmas. :) I was shocked with the ring because we'd made other plans (so I thought). Anyway, I made a visit to the Bridal Bar near Perimeter Mall and they gave some good suggestions. I am looking at Villa Christina or Little Gardens (Norcross/Lawrenceville). I put a down payment on my dress for $299 at David's Bridal. And better than that, my father is going to pay the balance when he returns from his trip. My aunt and grandmother have agreed to purchase the flower girl dresses for our two daughters. I got an awesome deal on bridesmaids dresses from J.Crew for $90 each. So things are happening fast since we are behind as far as planning goes.

I am unsure about the etiquette of letting people know it will be an invite only reception (no dates/partners or children). Our budget is modest which means the same for the number of guests and we have tons of family and friends. This is going to be the hard part for sure.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thanks everyone. I see there are a few things I need to wrap my head around. Thanks for all the advice. And I will probably be full of questions in the next month or two. It would be so nice to just go to the courthouse. :) I could think of so many other ways to spend this amount of money. Lol.

More Answers

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J.M.

answers from Atlanta on

You can go to Pristine Chapel in Mount Zion Ga. This place has a chapel for a wedding ceremony and a big hall for a reception. Basically it is a place that you can get alomost everything you would need to have a wedding. It is already pre decorated with neutral color flowers. It is a one stop place for a wedding. You can go to http://www.pristinechapel.com/ and you can look at the things it offers. Then you can go in and tour the site and you can also get them to e-mail you prices of things you may want to have your wedding. If you are going to have your wedding there and you are doing it on a Saturday you can't bring in your own catering you have to use theirs but if you have your wedding on a Fri or a Sun you can cater your own food.
SO PLEASE CHECK THIS PLACE OUT!!!! It is very memorable. Let me know what you think. Also you can check http://www.theknot.com/pl_main.html This site also have resources where you can have your wedding and also it have a section where you can budget your wedding. It has a budget planner and as much as you spend you put in the budget planner and it automatically tells you how much you have spend and how much more you have to spend and also how much you are over from your actual budget you started off first with. Please tell me what you think I also have other ideas but they are two numerous to mention so if you can e-mail me at ____@____.com.

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S.W.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi B., congratulations! I have a lot of suggestions/advice if you would like it! Please feel free to email me at: ____@____.com
I have been a wedding planner for 6 years now, and know quite a few people in the industry. I hope to hear from you soon!
S.

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S.S.

answers from Atlanta on

Congratulations! Before you make any decisions, I would first determine a budget. That is really what decides most things. If you don't have a budget you may find the wedding getting out of control! I would also recommend going to the bookstore and buying a wedding planning book. There are a gazillion to choose from and they all pretty much come with a budget organizer, calendar, and tips for planning the wedding. It's also good for keeping track of contracts, receipts, etc.

Picking a date is totally arbitrary, unless you are trying to coincide with a meaningful day (anniversary). If you find a venue for the reception, a lot of times the date will come down to which weekend is available.

Good luck, I'm sure it will be an amazing wedding!

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B.P.

answers from Atlanta on

Pristine Chapel Lakeside in Jonesboro is a one stop shop. Packages include ceremony, reception, flowers, photos, limo, etc. Google them. We were very happy.

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A.M.

answers from Atlanta on

If it's not too soon, here's an alternative wedding idea....that's totally FREE!(Well, except for purchasing the marriage license at the probate court...which you'd have to do regardless of when/where you get married.)

Go to:
http://www.WeddingsByJoeyO.blogspot.com
and check out what Judge JoeyO and the City of Woodstock are doing on Saturday, June 27th. I hear there will be a free photographer there for photos of the bride and groom as well...
just a thought!
AM

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L.

answers from Atlanta on

Great advice Shannon! Definatley do the budget first. I would also pick up an Atlanta Weddings magazine. They list most places in Atlanta to have a wedding, everywhere from hotels to event houses, how much they cost, if you can do both ceremony/reception there. It's a great resource.

Congratulations and best of luck!

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