Couple on a budget

THE PROPOSAL

Trae proposed to me Dec. 21, 2006, at my house.

We were getting ready to go to Outback Steakhouse for dinner for my birthday, which wasn't until the next day, when he pulled a little box out of his coat pocket and got down on one knee. I had the suspicion he might be proposing to me some time around the holidays, but I didn't know when and I definitely wasn't expecting it before my birthday or Christmas.

Rachel Hessenkemper uses a mirror to view the back of her dress as she is fitted at Precious Memories in Jackson on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2007. (Aaron Eisenhauer)

So he did a good job of surprising me. I called my mom and dad on our way to dinner to tell them the good news and it turned out they knew before I did, as Trae had stopped by my dad's work earlier that day to ask his permission.

THE BUDGET

We're trying to stay under $7,000. It's been a little challenging, but I've grown up with a creative mother who has an eye for spotting a good deal and I think she's rubbed off on me (just a LITTLE, though!).

We started with a $5,000 budget but quickly found that it would not allow us to have the venue and catering we preferred.

THE BIG EVENT

We're getting married in September at a place called The Water's Edge, which is also where we'll be having the reception. It's a beautiful place in Gordonville with several screened-in pavilions, a two-bedroom lodge we will stay at and an area where a nice white tent will be set up for dancing. It's surrounded by a large pond with several fountains spouting up from the water that will light up at night.

We wanted the wedding and reception to be at the same place so that it would not take up an entire day. The Water's Edge allowed us to do this and the price was reasonable. We are having our guests arrive at 5 p.m., getting married at 5:30, then having the reception at 6.

THE GOWN

I ordered my dress at a bridal shop during one of their sales and got $50 off. The dress was only $300 to start with. I'm not much into lots of beads and lace, which is what usually brings up the price of a gown, so it's sort of plain and simple, yet elegant and perfect for an outdoor wedding. I'll need some alterations (I'm only 5 feet tall), which can become pretty costly at a bridal shop.

Lucky for me, alterations are what my mom does, and she has even worked at several bridal shops through the years.

ACCESSORIES

My mom will also be making my veil for around $20, saving me about $100. I looked at headpieces (tiaras and sparkly headbands) at the bridal shops and found they ran from about $50 up to $150. I purchased a rhinestone headband at the mall for $15.

GROOM'S ENSEMBLE

Trae has decided that instead of him and his groomsmen renting a tux for one night, they will all wear black suits. All six of them have black suits already, so it will not impose on them financially. In addition to the black suits, they will wear a white shirt, and the same style tie. Vests might be an option, but I'll have to see if my mom is up for making them.

THE INVITATIONS

Another way I found to cut some cost is by making my own invitations. I have a friend whose mom has a basement full of scrapbooking stuff so she and I got together and created a really nice invitation that, in my opinion, looks just as good as professional. I figured the total cost of all materials including envelopes and postage will be around $140.

CAKE AND MORE

I have another friend whose mother is a wedding coordinator and is helping me out with making the plans and staying within budget. She is also making my cake and doing the flower arrangements at a discounted price. She also has many things I can use that I might otherwise have needed to rent, such as pillars to use down the aisle and an archway to stand under at the altar.

PHOTOGRAPHY

I found that wedding photography can be expensive. I was given some advice from someone who did not have a professional photographer at her wedding: Hire a professional.

That was her one regret from her wedding, as she doesn't like many of her wedding snapshots. Pictures are one thing that I will have forever to remember my wedding day and will someday want to show my grandchildren, so I took the advice and hired someone. Lucky for me, this photographer is the wife of my brother's best friend, which means I got a pretty good deal. She'll be about $650.

We have also hired a videographer. I'm still not sure of his cost, but he's the father of one of my candlelighters, so hopefully it's not too much!

FOOD

Another expensive part of the wedding is the food served at the reception.

This was one of the decisions that we had a hard time making. We tossed around the idea of having barbecue sandwiches or just doing hors d'oeuvres, but ultimately we decided to have a nice sit-down dinner.

We chose Ray's of Kelso as our caterer. The food and service are excellent, and the cost is reasonable. Having an open bar at a reception can be expensive, and would certainly put us over budget, so we compromised. We will take care of the draft beer, and our guests are welcome to purchase bottle beer or mixed drinks. The food and beverages will take up a big chunk of our budget, but I think it will be worth it.

MUSIC

As for music at the reception, we are still debating on that. Recently we were at a reception where the people had simply hooked up an iPod to nice speakers; it played all night and sounded great. We are considering this option as it will be free music. Another option we are considering is hiring a DJ, but only if we can stay under the $300 allotted for music in the budget.

RECEPTION DECOR

The reception decorations were dirt cheap. My mom and I hit up the Christmas clearance at Wal-Mart on Dec. 26. We bought probably 100 candles along with those nice large charger plates to set them on, and tons of boxes of white lights all for around $150. My mom has been an avid garage-saler for a few years now and in that time has collected a bunch of hurricane glasses to put around the candles. (Apparently she's been preparing for me to get married for a while now!)

Ee've been pretty lucky and have been able to get some of these things at discounted prices because of people we know. (Sometimes it is not what you know, but who you know.)

ADVICE TO OTHER BRIDES

Just take time to enjoy the engagement period because it goes by fast. Don't get too stressed out over little stuff, and don't try to please everyone because chances are you can't! Also, don't procrastinate. Do what you can when you have time even though your wedding day may be months away. And, most of all, don't forget what the whole day is about: becoming husband and wife.

I've really enjoyed all the planning and crafty stuff I've gotten to do these past eight months. Actually, probably what's been hardest for me is making final decisions when I'm faced with several options. My mom and sister have been good at giving their opinions to help me make decisions.

What's surprised me the most? I guess it hasn't necessarily surprised me, but I have been amazed at how much friends and family have wanted to be involved! I've loved all the help and support we've gotten.

This article first appeared in the September issue of I DO magazine.