I don’t know about you ladies, but I had my share of breakdowns while planning my wedding.  The stress of it all- the budget, the dress, the never-ending guest list- was more than my brain could process.  I called my boyfriend (I refused to use the word ‘fiancé’- I don’t know why) on more than one occasion and cried crocodile tears into the phone.  I begged him to reconsider having a destination wedding, but no, he wanted a traditional wedding in a church (which didn’t happen) with a Saturday evening reception (which also didn’t happen), bridesmaids, groomsmen, unity candle, the whole nine.

The problem was, he didn’t help me.  Hear that, ladies?  HE DIDN’T HELP ME.  He didn’t help me choose the venue. He didn’t help me choose the menu. He didn’t help me choose the photographer, videographer or the florist.  I did it all myself, and it’s not like I was a professional event planner.  Planning a wedding is a full-time job and I already had a full-time job.  One that paid.  So when I asked said boyfriend to accompany me to a meeting with a vendor he’d say, I’ll give you twenty bucks if I don’t have to go.  SOLD!

I know some of you are in the same boat, spending every Saturday meeting with wedding vendors who give you enough information to make your head explode, and your fiancé is not helping you paddle. And in this economy, your fiancé doesn’t have $20 to bribe you into letting him off the hook.  But I did learn that there is a bright side to doing it all yourself, and you control freaks probably already know this: you get to do it all yourself!  Every decision is yours.  You get to pick the colors without him saying, Pink? I don’t think that’s such a good idea.  You get to have salmon at your reception without him saying, But my cousin Lloyd doesn’t eat fish.  And you get tell the DJ that under no circumstances should he play “Y.M.C.A.”

One great thing that you ladies have that I didn’t have when I was planning my wedding is Stonebrook Manor.  You don’t have to spend all your spare time dragging your maid of honor from venue to venue, vendor to vendor, to get her opinion.  Stonebrook Manor’s all-inclusive packages are so comprehensive (the food, the cake, the DJ and more) that the only question you have to ask is, where do I sign?

So after all the breakdowns, all the tears, and all the head explosions, you get to have the wedding of YOUR dreams.

 Sorry Village People.

The dreams of a little girl concerning her wedding day have always carried high hopes and lofty expectations. So it has finally paid off. All of the hours at the local hangout, more hours at the health club, the tiresome book clubs, the power lunch dating, all of the many online dating services, hundreds blind dates…and then bam! True love at last! You have finally found the man of your dreams. Unfortunately, as it turns out, during a recession. Now it is time to put the old adage to the test. Does love really conquer all? At Stonebrook Manor Event Center and Gardens we believe it still does.

To prove it, we introduce to you our very own Stimulus Package. We call it “Nearly” Free Tuesdays. Stonebrook Manor is essentially giving away free wedding receptions at our event center in Thornton, CO for deserving couples on Tuesdays. The receptions include one of two gorgeous ballrooms with elegant chandeliers, gas fireplaces, granite dance floors and hand-crafted oak stairways, for up to 75 guests. It also includes an unsurpassed dining experience for guests prepared by Stonebrook Manor’s executive chef and staff, fine china, flatware, glasses, crystal centerpieces, luxurious bride’s and groom’s rooms, chairs, linens, complementary parking, and a state of the art video projection system and large screen for DVD presentations.

This may or may not get the economy back on track, but it will for sure help fulfill those dreams of luxury and enchantment by allowing brides to fulfill those high hopes and lofty expectations.

According to the owners, “Stonebrook Manor has been part of the business community in the Denver, Colorado metro area for approximately 6 years. It is our desire to give back to the community and to the people who support us by offering this special promotion.”

The reason for the “Nearly” element of the title is that persons wishing to receive the free reception are required to write a detailed and compelling letter explaining the reason(s) they should receive a free reception. Letters should include an explanation of what makes them deserving and what makes their situation unique. Applicants will be notified within two business days if their letter is accepted and Stonebrook Manor may use their letter in promotional pieces. It is also “Nearly Free” because the client covers the cost of staffing.  Click here for details on Nearly Free Tuesdays or call us at 303-255-0063.

Stonebrook Manor is a family owned and operated business. Consisting of mom and dad, three sons, three daughters, three grandsons and future generations to be welcomed, Stonebrook Manor is the quintessential family business.

Stonebrook Manor has also, for the second consecutive year, been rated by local brides as The Knot Best of Weddings Pick according to The Knot Best of Weddings 2009 magazine.

“From the moment we entered Stonebrook Manor we felt we had walked into a storybook fantasy, the elegance of the entrance, the garden and gazebo, the staircase to greet our friends, the granite dance floor, the people committed to making our day a true fairytale come true. Stonebrook Manor has it all. We would be able to have the wedding of our dreams at Stonebrook Manor.”
Written by Stephanie, Recipient of the First “Nearly” Free Reception at Stonebrook Manor.

Click here to view the full press release.

Let’s face it, weddings can be expensive! Every bride has her dream of that perfect wedding celebration, the dress, the flowers, dancing until dawn and then perfect pictures, hundreds of them, to remember that wonderful night forever!  All of this takes money, but perhaps not as much as you would think, if you follow these money saving tips!  In some areas there is just no avoiding it, but in others there are ways to save money if you’ll put your mind to it.  Here are some ideas to start the wheels turning.

$    Be Flexible with your date.

Some venues have off-season months that can save you a lot of money.  Most Brides are in the mind set of a Saturday evening wedding only.  If you’re willing to be flexible, choose a Friday night a Saturday during the day or Sunday night, these times are less expensive than a Saturday evening. And if you’re really daring try a week night!  Thursday Nights are fast becoming the night of choice for brides who want a Royal Family type wedding but who are on a shoe cobbler’s salary.

$    Go over your guest list with a fine-tooth comb.

Reduce that guest count to family and close friends only.  These are the people who really know you and want to be there to celebrate this special time in your life.  Don’t feel obligated in invite acquaintances like the “people at the office” or associates.  A good rule of thumb is to think ahead to five to seven years down the road.  If you are not absolutely positive that you will have a relationship with these people in the future then you might want to remove them from your list. Family is a whole other ball of wax and I wouldn’t presume to make that call for you.  Another cost savings idea is to keep the number of your bridesmaids and groomsmen to 2 or 3 instead of 5 or 6.  This will cut down on the cost of flowers, bouquets and boutonnieres you will have to pay for.

$    Choose a venue that has All Inclusive Packages.

Some venues will include catering, cakes, DJs, flowers, photographers and liquor, etc.  In most cases vendors and items that are included in these all inclusive packages have lower prices due to the volume of events they do at that venue. Furthermore, the vendors are more familiar with the venues they are associated with so there is less learning on the go.  This is especially helpful when choosing a photographer because they already know the best locations for great photos.  Choosing these vendors and the other options not only saves you money but an immense amount stress and sleepless nights.

$    Have a buffet instead of a sit-down meal.

Sit-down meals are great, there is no doubt about it, however they are not nearly as important as the food itself.  Most of your guests are not going to remember how your food was served, but they will remember how the food was.  This is why the quality, freshness and taste of the food are much more important than the manner in which it was served.  Also, most reputable venues have food tastings so you can try out the cuisine prior to the wedding.  There’s no need for you to get indigestion knowing how much you spent on the food.

$    Select flowers that are in season.

Avoid exotic and overly expensive flowers (orchids may look great but their smell leaves much to be desired).  Also, keep in mind that flowers tend to be more expensive around Christmas, Mother’s and Valentine’s Day. Consider having a garden wedding, this will cut down on the number of arrangements you have to purchase.  Furthermore, when it comes to your centerpieces, choose floating candles or bouquets of balloons instead of flowers.

$    Make your own invitations.

Using the pretty (and inexpensive if you can get it on sale) paper and stationary found at your local business supply store.  They have many selections that look just as nice as the more expensive pre-ordered catalog invitations.  You can even do your own embellishments, add ribbon or bows.

$    Include your “save the date” cards with your Christmas Cards if possible.

If not, perhaps you could create a “save the date” e-card and email them to your quests. You should also consider sending post cards which require less postage than a letter.

$    Create a wedding website

Update it with all your important information, wedding date, location and times, etc. The Knot website has a template that can help you create one. You can list your gift registration as well.  Instead of mailing RSVP cards with postage your guests can RSVP on your site.

Don’t let the cost of your wedding become a nightmare. Think small, intimate and meaningful. Splurge in the areas that are absolutely essential to your wedding happiness, compromise in all the others.  What else would you add to the list?