If you are hoping to plan a wedding full of fun and family on a budget, you may want to take a cue from Heather and Graham, who planned this snazzy shindig for just $2,000.

Heather and Graham incorporated family into every aspect of their wedding, beginning the day with a very intimate ceremony at a Gazebo designed by Heather’s late father. The ceremony celebrated the couple’s love for each other, but also celebrated the love of a family as the sons of the bride walked the bride down the aisle, and joined the bride and groom for family photos following their “I do’s”. The family of four then joined their nearest and dearest for a truly fabulous reception at a friend’s house, complete with a Jenga guest book and a floating lantern send off at the end of the evening.

Carolyn Scott Photography documented each moment of their sweet wedding, and was generous enough to share the goodness with us!

Heather, 38 & Graham, 43

Raleigh, NC

Wedding Date: April 12, 2013

Number of Guests: 45 at the reception (only 5 people total for the wedding, bride and groom included)

Wedding Cost: $2,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: Gazebo designed by the bride’s late father, Meredith College Amphitheater, Raleigh, NC

Wedding Reception Location: Friend of the bride’s house in Raleigh, NC

At Feragne Villa, the philosophy is “make the bride smile”. Everything from the decadent crystal chandeliers to the recently added “Ceremony Cam” are sure to bring a smile to your face, and make your day as memorable as possible!

The ceremony venue boasts luxurious crystal chandeliers, in a room outfitted with Chivari chairs and neutral floral options. The space also features a camera that supports live streaming, perfect for brides with family in the military or that can’t travel. After the pronouncement, the reception kicks off in the grand ballroom, which includes gorgeous place settings, custom decorations and a dance floor sure to entice guests to boogie the night away.

In addition to its incomparable event spaces, Feragne Villa offers features to make your day relaxing. Bridal and Groom suites are provided, with amenities such as a steamer for the gals and a gaming system for the fellas. Each couple works with a designated Event Coordinator who carefully organizes everything from the sign in area to the send off, allowing the bride and groom to spend a worry free day celebrating their love!

Sponsored Post

Who says weddings have to be full of pink peonies, bright colors and white tulle? Some brides like a more whimsical and quirky look that celebrates their favorite genres and styles. There’s nothing wrong with a dark and mysterious look for a wedding and some are embracing the captivating look of old meets new with a Victorian Steampunk theme.

Think the ideas of classic, Victorian style with dark silhouettes, long sleeves, lace, high collars and hats, but with a twist. Take all of your Victorian visions (who doesn’t love the romantic tales by the Bronte sisters?) and mix them with a little bit of alternate reality, fantasy and science.

Bachelorette parties have a reputation for being debauchery-filled affairs replete with excessive drinking, embarrassing antics, and props shaped like a certain part of the male anatomy. Despite popular belief, however, getting wasted and forgetting your own name are not mandatory bachelorette activities. So if you happen to be one those brides that absolutely hate bachelorette parties, here are 10 bachelorette ideas just for you:

Ah, beach weddings … salty ocean air making your gown flow ethereally, feet sinking in the sand, saying “I do” to the music of waves, a storm brewing in the distance putting a risk to your reception – what’s not to love? Oh wait, you don’t like the challenge of gambling with Mother Nature for your beachside soiree? Then might we suggest insurance.

If you are having a beach wedding – or any type of destination wedding, you should consider wedding insurance. Particularly when you’re planning from afar, the risk of disaster striking increases two-fold – the airline losing your gown, weather disrupting your plans, the officiant’s flight getting cancelled so he ends up being a no-show, the list goes on.

WedSafe is the top wedding insurance company in the U.S. and covers all of these plan-altering scenarios and more in their two wedding insurance products that can be purchased individually or together as a package: Wedding Event Cancellation and Postponement and Wedding Liability Insurance.

Their insurance is available to U.S. residents with weddings/events in all U.S. states, U.S. territories and possessions, Canada and Puerto Rico, so you’re covered from Hawaii to the Virgin Islands.

So before you book your flight, be sure to book your insurance.

Photo: AE Stelzer Photography

Sponsored post.