Limelight Photography

Check out the teaser pics from Carleigh and Brendon's wedding on their blog, Great job Christi!
Limelight Photography

Budget Brides Advice

Well, by no means am I an expert on Budget weddings, however I think that I have some insights to offer, so here they are....

~Set a budget!!!!!!! Talk you your future spouse, both sets of parents, and your bank account. Decide what you can afford to spend and work on a budget. You can't just have a ballpark amount. That is not a budget... You need to break it down by vendor or category. Some may be more important to you than others. You can always decide to add to a category as the planning goes if you find extra money. Don't mortgage the house for a one day event, save the huge investment for marriage not the wedding!

~ Can you do a Friday or a Sunday wedding? Almost all of your vendors will offer a price break for the off days. Weekday weddings are even cheaper if you can swing it. Also avoid the peak wedding months of March, April, May,and October.

~ Beware the clearance aisle! What is this lady talking about!?!?!?
Just because it is on clearance does not mean it is the cheapest you can get something. I worked in retail for 7 years. Clearance is a great marketing tool to move unwanted product because people think it is cheap and don't even check the actual original price.... Do a little research when shopping. I find this is the biggest problem in the decor area. I find that "budget" brides or "clearance" brides often spend hundreds of dollars more than other brides because they buy soooo much clearance stuff. Not really having a clear plan for the item's use, it was "just too good to pass up!" If you buy it know what you are using it for!

~ Before you buy anything for your wedding please do 2 things:
1) Ask everyone you know if they have it, have seen it cheaper, or know where you can borrow it! P.S. don't forget to ask your day of coordinator too....... Can you rent it instead of buying? Is it on Ebay or Etsy?
2) When you find something you love for your big day email the picture to yourself, cut it out of the magazine, ect... STOP, do not buy it!!!! Now, your mission begins, FIND IT CHEAPER!
Find a tiara at the bridal salon, look on ebay!
Find chargers you love, search Craigslist!
Find Votive holders on clearance, look on the KNOT trash to treasure board!
Find a veil you love, ask your friend that just got married 6 months ago!

~ Decide what is really important to you and your future husband.
Is the cake not so important but the honeymoon night hotel is?
Is videography not a priority but photography is?
If you skip favors (I highly recommend) can you get your hair and makeup done on site?
If you skip hand calligraphed place cards and do a seating chart printed with a nice font can you have the shoes you love?

I promise you that I have seen beautiful weddings that were $2,000.00, $4,000.00, $12,000.00, and $38,000.00. You just need to decide what is important to you.

If you have other questions ask away!
Happy Planning!!!

Carleigh and Brendon 1/10/2009

First off, I have to apologize that there are no pics of this wedding.... I sent Angela with an assistant and a camera to this wedding, however the battery for the camera would have been helpful!

Anyway, I did get to sneak a quick peek at Marina Jack where the reception took place since I snuck out of my wedding to decorate the honeymoon suite at the Ritz Carlton. So I can personally attest that the wedding was beautiful and that Carleigh looked beautiful! The room at Marina Jack is a little small but the view makes up for it. The centerpieces were all white with coral and tall glass votive holders and really set off the tables. Addington's did the flowers through the shop in Venice.

Wayne Delair was the d.j. and works the resturant a lot. Limelight was also the photographer for this wedding and Angela worked with Christi. I can't wait to see the pics since I missed out on this wedding. Angela got a phone call from the father of the groom at the flower shop and got rave reviews! Thanks Angela, and congrats Brendon and Carleigh!

Megan and Josh Crosley 1/10/09

Well our first weddings of 2009 have come and gone. Angela had a wedding the same day that I will get to next... !
Megan and Josh had a vintage and beautiful wedding at the Crosley Mansion on Sarasota Bay. Megan's dress was beautiful and fit her venue and style perfectly! The girls started the day at James Griffith Salon in Venice and all looked great! The ceremony was on the patio at the mansion and started right on time!
A friend read a poem during the ceremony.

The new Mr. and Mrs. looking radiant!

The bridesmaids wore smoke dresses and the color scheme was ivory, green, and yellow. Not one that I have done before but I really loved the fresh look. The bridesmaid on the left is Sarah and we did her wedding back in February of 2008. Sarah and Jason are expecting their first child, Congrats! It's a Boy!

Nellie's Deli in Sarasota was the caterer and they did an outstanding job, adding extra touches to the fireplaces, window sills, and such. The florals were through Addington's Florist. Melissa did a great job on the centerpieces.

The banyan trees are a great spot for photos and Limelight Photographers Ela and husband Jason took some great ones, I can't wait to see them. Check their blog at www.stepintothelimelight.com

The beautiful and simple cake, adorned only with cymbidium orchids. We used the bridesmaids bouquets to decorate the table along with some petals and votives. Publix on University designed the cake.

Megan and Josh look so serious before cutting the cake!

I have to commend Megan and all of the vendors that she chose! The D.J. was Brian Pentacost with Jay Goodley and he played a great mix and the dancefloor was full the entire night, he passed with me when his first cocktail hour song was Michael Buble'!!!

The wedding was truly a wonderful evening and it was flawless. She planned the entire wedding in just about 5 months! Congratulations Megan and Josh!!!!!