Weddingbee Blog

I know I’m sort of rounding the last lap on the way to my wedding date, and at less than three months away is sort of an odd time to talk about saving money (as most of the big bills are coming up), but alas I was prompted by the weather so I’m going to go with it.

This past weekend Minnesota had a nice-sized snowfall. The photo below was taken at the MSP airport where lots of flights were cancelled due to severe weather conditions. I guess it snowed like 10-12 inches around the Twin Cities and close to 16 in other areas up north.

image via Kare11.com

Now there is nothing weird about this. It snows quite a bit during the wintertime in Minnesota. And you’re only a true Minnesotan if you’ve driven at NIGHT in a BLIZZARD by YOURSELF in what I like to call my “near death experience.” This is much like the theory that you’re not a true Chicagoan until you’ve had your car broken into (twice myself and most recently MOH/Sister Big Eyes was also initiated into Chicago the same weekend as my Hen Do even though she doesn’t live here). The snowiest months for Minnesota are usually December to March.

What does this have to do with saving money you ask? I’m saving a pretty large chunk of money by hosting a rather large event (AKA our wedding) in early March (one of the previously mentioned snowy months). It’s actually a really good deal, and a deal that wasn’t available just few weeks later in April. You know how hotels and other wedding venues charge for everything per head? We are getting ten dollars off per person which is HUGE if you’re inviting 150+ people.

Thanks to our awesome venue, The Embassy Suites, we’re going with a package deal, so our amount not only includes a plated meal for everyone, but also our cake, centerpieces (which we took as a credit because we’re making our own), a full hour of free drinks/butler-passed hors d’oeuvres during cocktail hour, a hotel room for the bride and groom, and a gift opening room for the following morning. This package also comes with a recommended DJ and ability to rent the atrium space for the ceremony at 500 dollars. At the risk of repeating myself, we are adding on to our package with kegs of beer, wine, two signature drinks, purple lighting, draping around the sweetheart table, and the DJ for both ceremony and reception.

Outside our beautiful hotel at a great photo opp, wearing a sundress because it’s August.

One stop shop has been my motto since the beginning, but it’s going to be a sucky motto if there is a big snow fall the weekend of our wedding and our guests are unable to make it! I know the weather can be issue anywhere in the world, what with hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, heat waves, and other things that can put a damper on wedding plans, but adding to the winter weather we also have a lot of guests flying or driving in from out-of-town. Hello Scotland, Canada, Illinois, New York, Virginia and North Dakota!

Truth is, I wanted a lot of traditional elements, such as a plated sit-down dinner, a large dance floor, and the ability to have my out-of-town guests crash at the same location as the wedding. To get all of these things we had to compromise on something and that something was time of year.

I have no idea if I’ll get beautiful sunlit pictures outside with Mr. Sword and our bridal party or if it will be snowing/raining/sleeting with a dark sky and ground covered in sludge. I have no idea if the weather will remain calm enough for all of our guests’ travels or if someone people will have to forgo the trip due to road closures or flight cancellations. Will there be beautiful snow-capped trees in the background or naked branches flinging about in rough winds? Who knows? The average temperature in March can range from 20-40 degrees Fahrenheit.

The weather is not something I can control. Unfortunately, sometimes my emotions are also something I cannot control. Bazinga. (Can you tell I love the Big Bang Theory?)

I wanted to have the wedding of our dreams and still stay within our agreed upon budget. Hence, March. I guess we’ll see what happens.

I wanna hear from the Northern brides out there! Did you have a winter wedding? How did it go? Did you have lots of guests flying in as well? Anyone else having a wedding in March where the weather is a bit unpredictable?