Bride Talk: Hayley & Anthony's Belews Creek Wedding

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wedding planning — Hayley and her fiancé Anthony

Bride: Hayley

Occupation: Inventory Specialist

Wedding City: Belews Creek, North Carolina

How many weeks/months until the big day? 5 months left!

Have you had any major hurdles planning the wedding, or has anything been easier than expected?
Planning a wedding under $5,000 has been a little stressful. We are cheap and don’t want to go over the budget so finding a venue within our budget was most definitely the hardest part of this journey. But having over a year to plan it has made it a lot easier than some I would say.

What’s one thing you’ve totally splurged on and why?
Probably the venue (Friends Farm Special Events Center, which is actually pretty cheap). I had a very specific idea of what I wanted in my venue and after almost giving up on the search, the last venue I visited was everything I could ask for, and more so I was more willing to spend the grand total of $1,700 on it!

What about saved on?
My dress, decorations, the flowers, and the cake! My dress was handmade and unique to what I wanted, for only $400. I am very crafty person and have made most of my decorations, and my venue is absolutely beautiful so only wedding centerpieces are really needed for the tables. I will be working with wholesale and Farmer’s Market flowers and making my own arrangements. I also got my cake with cupcakes for under $100! Cupcake weddings FTW!

What made you pick your wedding venue?
It’s so cute and secluded, you’d never know where it was, unless you went looking for it. It has the most perfect cozy/whimsical feel and that’s really important to me. I want people to feel comfortable and at home while at my wedding. Also, all of the extras that are included in the price is amazing! You get the whole venue (which is a 15-acre farm) from 7 a.m.11 p.m., groom and bride get their own personal cabin to get ready in, unlimited photo shoots on the property anytime before the wedding is allowed, a dove release, and they provide a clean up crew so you or family/guests do not have to volunteer!

Have you taken on any DIY projects? If so, tell us about them!
I’m making all of my centerpieces & flower arrangements! I’m also making my own flower crown, bouquets, and wedding favors!

What are you most nervous about or looking forward to?
I am kind of nervous about how the whole thing will play out and that I’ve possibly taken on too much of the planning myself. I am really looking forward to walking down the aisle, seeing Anthony and knowing that all of my stress, nervousness, and second thoughts about eloping will completely vanish when I see his (hopefully) smiling face. 🙂

Did you create a wedding planning timeline for yourself or just tackle things as they came up?
I did things as they came up and tried to get the most important things out of the way first.