Stimulate the local economy: Have a wedding
After five years, I finally did something I never thought I’d do. My fiancé, John, and I set a wedding date. Actually, I wasn’t the only one doubting it would ever happen. Many of our friends and colleagues figured it was a long shot, and I’m pretty sure my parents had given up hope. Here’s the crazy thing: After five long years, we set a date just eight weeks out. Wait, wait, wait and sprint to the finish line.
Planning and preparing for your wedding can be a frenzied and exciting time. You connect with friends you haven’t seen in years. People give you presents and hold parties for you, and self-indulgence is allowed. What’s not to love?
Well, you also spend a bunch of money. I knew it was going to cost us to have the day of my dreams; I just didn’t realize I would be supporting what seems like every food service, retail outlet, personal service vendor and printer in town. John and I have launched our own private economic recovery plan for the County of Boone!
I’d never really thought about the ripple effect of expenditures that a wedding produces. Of course, there are the obvious components. Major expenditures are made with the reception hall, clothing vendors, jewelers and the travel industry. But it never occurred to me that my happy day would be contributing to the bottom lines of custodians, alterations specialists, cleaners, engravers, candy stores, local hotels and the post office!
What started out as a goal of inviting 200 people has turned into a circus of 389 invitations and 150 announcements. Who knew we liked so many people? And who knew I’d actually find myself a bit relieved when long-time, dear friends RSVP’d “No” due to previous obligations? And here’s a word to the wise: Don’t be surprised if your guests invite incremental guests. I’m not sure why someone who has never met either my groom or me would want to come to our wedding, but hey, why not?
We’ve also had friends come out of the woodwork. A friend who lives out of town, whom I hadn’t seen in 10 years and e-mail only occasionally, stopped by my office on a visit to Columbia last week. He rarely gets to the area, but, guess what, he and his wife will soon be traveling back to town now that I invited them to the wedding.
Of course, my co-workers have accused me of going a bit overboard. For instance, there are always gifts that the couple has to buy for parents of the couple, best man, matron of honor and so on. We currently have at least 38 folks whom we want to thank with small gifts. That includes the young woman I’ve recruited to wrap all the gifts that we are giving out. Can I have her wrap her own gift?
Then there are the flowers. We shopped around to find the perfect balance of good price and stunning arrangements. Our goal, at first, was to be elegant but economical. Get flowers for the must-have arrangements, and skip the others. That lasted about two days. Now the whole crew is in flowers. We’re even buying a bouquet for the Virgin Mary. I hope she likes roses.
The printing industry makes out very well on weddings. We needed cards for everything: save the date cards, invitations, announcements, reply cards, envelopes and thank-you cards. We even had invitations printed for our rehearsal dinner. And then, every friend I have has bought me a bridal magazine. Those are added to the 22 various bridal books I bought myself on topics ranging from floral arrangements to weddings for mature brides to “fun” little projects that you can do yourself to save money and make your wedding preparation utter hell. Beware friends and family: If you are announcing an impending marriage anytime in the next decade, you are likely to receive a gift of one (or five) of these books.
We tried to be economical. At one point, our intention was to only serve wine and beer at the reception. But then I was out having a drink with one of my friends, and she mentioned that her husband doesn’t drink either wine or beer. That caused me to start reflecting. We often meet friends for a drink, and most of our closest comrades prefer mixed drinks. So, we decided to provide a full bar. It was either that or find some new friends who aren’t drunks!
Don’t get me wrong. It is totally in our control to spend as much or little as we want. But if a girl wants the day of her dreams, it can take a sizable investment. Fortunately, my groom is resigned to his fate. He’s just waiting eagerly for me to say those two special words he has been longing to hear: destination wedding.
Lili Vianello is President of Visionworks Marketing & Communications, a Columbia-based full service advertising, marketing and public relations firm. www.visionworks.com.