Today I would like to introduce you all to one of our very special brides, Brooke Dixon. Brooke is 29 and she has been engaged since September of 2009. So for our blog toady Brooke has agreed to answer a few questions that our followers might find helpful, entertaining and interesting.
Bridecents : Brooke, how did your fiancé propose to you?
Brooke Dixon: It was a surprise….I had the LONGEST day ever and just wanted to come home and “veg out” and catch up on the DVR. OS I jump in the shower, throw on baggy clothes, no makeup and seriously lounge on the couch. I am relaxing and finally take a breath…when Will (my boyfriend then) and Toddie, my dog, come around the corner. I notice that Toddie is scratching at his neck and when I look closer and see an engagement ring tied with a ribbon. I look at Will, with my non-concealer, bug eyes and say, “What is going on”? He moved the coffee table and got down on one knee and asked “will you marry me?” It was so romantic, just me, Will and sweet Toddie. We got dressed and went out on the town with his family and friends. It was the perfect proposal!
Bridecents: Wow….that sounds amazing. When is your Wedding Date?
Brooke Dixon: We choose New Years Eve 2010 (12-31-2010).
Bridecents: Why New Years Eve? I am sure you get that question a lot….
Brooke Dixon: I get that question all the time. Honestly, it is the only time I can use as much glitter as I want to and not seem tacky! Everyone laughs at that response and thinks I am joking…but I am not!
Bridecents: That is hilarious…you must really love glitter J
Bridecents: When you started planning this Glitter-Fabulous event did you have a budget in mind?
Brooke Dixon: My parents said that they were only giving us a certain amount of money, which I am very appreciative of, but we wanted to contribute as well so that we would be able to have all of the things that would make our wedding “PERFECT”!
Bridecents: Have you been able to stay on budget with your planning?
Brooke Dixon: Not at all…I feel that everything in Charleston is a lot more expensive than I ever would have imagined. From the first day we started planning I always thought this wedding is going to be a once in a lifetime experience so why not “GO BIG OR GO HOME”!!!
Bridecents: I like where your head is at…that is a great way to look at it. Most brides want to make it memorable for not only them but for their guests as well. What do you think has been the most challenging step of planning your wedding?
Brooke Dixon: Definitely making every part of the wedding cohesive. The decor, invitations, flowers etc.
Bridecents: What have you done to jump over that hurdle?
Brooke Dixon: I just decided to go with simple elegance. Trying to use too many different elements can overwhelm you. The simpler the better…but with glitter J
Did you send a Save the Date since your wedding is on a very popular Holiday?
Brooke Dixon: Yes, and I am obsessed with them. Stephen at Open House did an amazing job. It was very unique. The front t of the Save the Date included about 40 different small pictures of Will and I through the 4 years we have been dating. In the center of the card there was a large picture of us from New Years. It was absolutely perfect.
Bridecents: Did you include accommodations for your guests with your Save the Dates?
Brooke Dixon: I included a link to our website, www.mywedding.com/willhankelbrookedixon. I felt that was easier because then our guests could have all the information about this very big day!
Bridecents: What did you find were the easiest hotels to work with?
Brooke Dixon: I picked my favorite hotels in Charleston and then also included on that would fit people with a budget.
Courtyard by Marriott Charleston, Waterfront
Holiday Inn ~ Riverview
Charleston Place Hotel
Bridecents: What have you found has been the most costly expense in planning your wedding?
Brooke Dixon: food and Beverage. since our wedding is on New Year’s Eve we decided to have a sit down dinner due to having to break up such a long night of entertaining our guests. Since we are having a sit down dinner at the reception, we are not having a traditional “Rehearsal Dinner” the night before and that allowed Will’s parents to pay for the alcohol at the wedding. This has been a huge help with the cost and allowed us to throw an extravaganza.
Carolina Yacht Club
Bridecents: Did you hire an event planner to help you with all of your planning?
Brooke Dixon: Not yet, but definitely considering it for the day of the wedding/reception. Hard to pull everything together when there are all eyes on you. We are setting up the night before the reception and that will be another way for us to cut costs and save money. When in doubt, do it yourself!
Bridecents: That sounds like a good plan. Know that many event planners offer week of and day of services. Here are just a few that we have worked with…
A Charleston Bride
Open House
Luke Wilson Events
Bridecents: Thank you so much Brooke for sharing your experience with our readers. We hope to catch back up with you as you go through the next phase of planning for your big day. If you have any questions for BrideCents or for Brooke please feel free to email us, info@openhousechalreston.net subject line BLOG! If you have a question chances are another bride does too!
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