We received this email from our bride, Gabriel:

“Hello!

I've been trying to put together an inspiration board (as per Soulful Engagements' advice). Attached is a preliminary version of my inspiration board. I know we are about a year and a half out, but... a girl can look and dream right?

Let me know what you think...The colors are marigold yellow (flowers & stationary), navy (bridesmaids dresses & stationary), and light charcoal (groomsmen attire)

~G”

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Leave a comment and let Gabriel know what you think of her inspiration board.

 
 
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Gabrielle and Lenny visited their first reception venue, the Hotel Bethlehem located in downtown Bethlehem, PA on Sunday. The hotel has been newly renovated and restored to its original 1922 grandeur. The hotel features floor-to-ceiling palladium windows which provide dramatic views of the historic shopping district, two ballrooms and award winning cuisine (which should make Gabrielle’s fiancé happy!) . Lets hear their first impressions and thoughts about this historic landmark. 

SE: What was your first impression of the Hotel Bethlehem?
Gabrielle: I loved it! I had been looking at the Hotel Bethlehem for a long time and it lived up to my every expectation. The staff was particularly accommodating and nice as well.

SE: Could you picture yourself having your wedding there?
Gabrielle: I can definitely see myself having my reception there and having a lot of fun. Not only that, but there are a lot of great places in the town and in the hotel to take good pictures. I also think it will be really easy to work with the staff.

SE: What were some of the things you really liked about the venue?
Gabrielle:  I really liked that it is a historical place. I am not a history buff or anything, but there is something about the place having a deeper meaning that is important to me. It just brings a different element to the atmosphere.

SE: Was there anything that you didn't like about the venue?
Gabrielle:  There isn't anything that I didn't like, but I didn't particularly love the set up of one of the rooms.

SE: Do you plan on looking at any more venues in the area?
Gabrielle: Yes, I plan on looking at other venues.  I am not sure quite yet where. There are a few golf courses/county clubs in the area and another historic hotel.

SE: When do you think you’ll make a final decision on the reception venue?
Gabrielle: I hope to make a decision on a venue by April, if not sooner.

SE: Sounds great. Good luck with the rest of your search and we’ll check back in soon
Gabrielle: ttyl!
 
 
 
After we talked to Gabrielle last week she completed the budget breakdown questionnaire to see how her budget should be allocated. 

Based on her $30,000 budget and estimated 150 person guest list, lets take a look at what that means in terms of dollars for her top priorities: bride’s attire, photographer and reception site.

Attire accounts for about 10% of the total budget. So in Gabrielle’s case she should allot $3,000 for her attire, hair and makeup as well as the groom’s attire.

The cost of the photographer, which would also include the cost of a videographer (if you choose to have one) and any prints and albums you purchase, should account for about 12% of the total budget or in Gabrielle’s case $3,600. 

Lastly, the reception venue, which includes the venue fee, food and service, beverages, bartenders and the cost of the cake, makes up the largest percentage of the budget at 48%. For her size guest list she should be looking to spend around $96 per person after tax and gratuity.

Defining her top priorities and seeing how her budget should be divided up gives Gabrielle the ability to focus her funds and adjust where necessary. Just remember when you decide to increase the percentage of funds in one area you must decrease the percentage in another if you want to stay on budget.

If you would like to receive a customized budget breakdown of your personal wedding budget by category click here.

To see Gabrielle’s complete budget breakdown click on the file below.
Gabrielle & Lenny's Budget Breakdown
File Size: 99 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
 
 
When we last talked with Gabrielle she was newly engaged and in her words “ubër excited!”.  Lets see what she's been up to the first week of her engagement.

SE: Have you started planning or are you still basking in the engagement after glow?
Gabrielle: I have started to look at bridal magazines and think about the look and feel of my wedding. For the most part I am just having fun looking. I hope to visit a few reception sites soon.

SE: Did you set a date?
Gabrielle: We would like to get married in the summer of 2011. But we haven't picked a specific date yet. We don't want to be boxed into a date and then we may not be able to get the ceremony site or reception site that we want.

SE: Do you have a budget?
Gabrielle: We have an idea of what we want our budget to be. About $30,000. The thing that is most important to us, or at least my hungry fiancé, is the food. So, we want to make sure that the reception site has good food, which I've heard can cost a lot.

SE: Are you trying to stay under $30,000 or are you willing to go over?
Gabrielle: We are trying to stay well under, definitely. If it means a lot of DIY projects then I am okay with that. I am pretty crafty.

SE: Have you thought about your overall vision?
Gabrielle: I have definitely thought about the overall vision. I want my wedding to be casual chic with touches of traditional elegance.

SE: Very nice! What are your next steps?
Gabrielle: My next steps are to visit reception sites and try narrowing down a date.

SE: Is there anything we can help you with?
Gabrielle: What should I set first, the ceremony site or the reception site?

SE: It depends on how flexible you are with the ceremony site and the reception venue. For example, if you have a ceremony site in mind and you can't see yourself getting married anywhere else, set your date based on their availability and book ASAP, as you don't want to risk it being booked up by someone else while you're trying to nail down a reception hall. Keep in mind, if you choose this option you have to be willing to be flexible with your reception venue since your first choice may not be available on the same date.

If you already have your mind made up about both locations or if there are not a lot of options in the area, work on booking them simultaneously. Once you've picked out the ceremony and reception site that you would like to use, ask the site manager from both locations to send you a list of available dates and choose a date that they both have in common.
Gabrielle: Thanks!

SE: You’re welcome! Talk to you soon, until then happy planning!
 
 
Lets meet our couple: Gabrielle & Lenny*

Gabrielle (24) and Lenny (24) are college sweethearts that have been dating for a little over six years. The couple resides in the metro D.C. area where Gabrielle works as an Alumni Relations Assistant at a local university and Lenny works as a Business Systems Analyst at a financial consulting firm.

The morning of December 31st Lenny dropped to one knee and proposed to Gabrielle at the Inn at Monticello, a quaint bed and breakfast located in Charlottesville, VA. 

SE: Congratulations! How do you feel right now?
Gabrielle: Ubër excited!!

SE: Were you surprised?
Gabrielle: There was a part of me that knew that it was coming since we had talked about it often. But I didn't know it would actually happen.

SE: Lets see the ring!
Gabrielle:
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Click picture to enlarge
SE: Wow! Beautiful! Did you help pick it out?
Gabrielle: A while back, maybe a year ago he had asked me what I like. I looked online at a lot of different rings and pointed out the aspects I liked and didn't like. I never said I have to have a specific ring. I am surprised that after so long he remembered all the different things I had liked.

SE: Is it insured?
Gabrielle: Yes. My fiancé used an insurer provided by the jewelry store.

SE: How have you been spreading the news of your engagement?
Gabrielle: I called my parents, sister, and close friends, and changed my status on Facebook to let others know. I don't plan on sending formal announcements.

SE: Thanks for you time! We’ll check back with you soon! Congrats again!
Gabrielle: Thank you!

 

* The names have been changed to protect the couple’s privacy.
 
 
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Journey to the Altar is a new feature from Soulful Engagements. We will follow a newly engaged couple from “yes” to “I do” and keep you updated on their planning progress. We hope that our readers will be able to relate to their journey and that it will inspire and provide guidance throughout the planning process. The first article will be posted on Monday, January 4th.