Budget Score through Networking!!!

Through my own wedding photography business I have been following Katelyn James for a LONG time. She's incredible. Through her, I found out about Jasmine Star (also incredible), who hosted some free photography webinars which allowed me to become a part of the Richmond Shoot + Share group where I saw the work of Tyler Corvin, who is our wedding photographer!! I was so impressed with his leadership and outreach in the group, and of course his photography portfolio I met with him when we were deciding on photographers and we were able to reserve him for our wedding.  Anyway, Katelyn was hosting a photography workshop and featured Anthomanic as the floral designers.  I then started following Anthomanic on Facebook and I have been so impressed with their work and awed by their beautiful designs.  Just this past week they posted about some inventory they had for sale. I have known I'd like to do something for the centerpieces involving either boxes with flowers or lanterns with flowers around them but I was concerned about the cost.  Even ones from Ikea were like $15 (which isn't terrible, but still, this girl is on a budget!!!!). Anthomanic happened to post that they had 11 lanterns for sale!!!  I emailed immediately and we set up a purchase for the 11 black lanterns and LED candles for $76!!! Woohooo!!!  I can't wait to dream up the tablesscapes now!!! Im not 100% sure what   it will look like, but I'll post some inspiration below!!

Date Night!

Handsome fiance and I went out to dinner last night. It was great to have a quick date night at the end of a long week! I had really wanted to get a burger and sweet potato fries like we talked about when we left, but our go-to place for that was crazy busy with a frat boy party (the cons of living in a college town). We walked up the street to Mellow Mushroom and had sandwiches instead.  I had an avocado, provolone, lettuce, tomato on pita and he had chicken or turkey or something on a whole grain hoagie roll.  We didn't talk too much wedding stuff, just plans for the weekend and his upcoming week long trip to Raleigh. I used to live there and Im so bummed I can't join him on that trip! I'd love to see my friends and old stomping grounds! 

Make sure you plan some date nights with your soon-to-be and try not to talk about wedding stuff *too* much.  Its a great opportunity to relax and unwind amidst the stressors of life, which can sometimes be the planning process!