Essay

Cheryl and Dan met in college. After being friends for a year and dating for six months, Dan proposed at Galilee Beach in Narragansett, RI (where Cheryl grew up). On August 1, 1987, the couple had a beautiful wedding in Guilford, Connecticut. Since then, Cheryl and Dan have been married for 28 years. They have 3 daughters and live in central MA, where Dan practices medicine. They are planning a vow renewal and reception for their 30th wedding anniversary--August 1, 2017.

Cheryl will wear a white lace gown, which will include altered pieces of her original wedding dress. Rather than a veil, Cheryl will wear a crystal headpiece. Her shoes will match the headpiece, as will the lovely anniversary band that Dan will give her to celebrate their vow renewal! Her bouquet will be lily of the valley with lots of greenery. Her three daughters, who will be her bridesmaids, will wear white dresses, and Dan and his groomsmen (father in law and son in laws) will wear dress shirts, bow ties, and suspenders.

The save-the-dates for the renewal will highlight the many experiences that Dan and Cheryl have been through together. The invitations, will have the details of the event as well as the phrase, “We Still Do”. Guests will be guided by a directional sign to the ceremony, which will be held in the backyard overlooking the Boston skyline. An archway will frame the area where Dan and Cheryl will renew their vows. Cheryl will walk down the aisle to a piano version of “Be Thou My Vision.”

The ceremony and reception will take place outdoors (weather permitting). Guests will sit at long tables decorated in shades of white and cream. Centerpieces will reflect Cheryl’s bouquet. Lights in the trees will make the space elegant and romantic as the sun goes down. Rather than have a caterer, the meal will be provided by a food truck--Roxy’s Gourmet Grilled Cheese, which has been named one of the top food trucks in America. After guests have enjoyed their fill of grilled cheese and truffle fries, they can have a piece of the chocolate cake, crowned with a cake topper that says “We Still Do” to match the invitations. Rather than have a DJ, there will be a playlist of classic love songs (ie Frank Sinatra) if guests would like to dance. There will be a bounce house for children of guests. Also, there will be a time where guests can share what Dan and Cheryl have meant to them as a couple, or share encouragements for the time to come. To thank guests for coming, each guest will receive a bow tie (one of Dan’s signatures) for the men and a shawl for women.

Pinterest Inspiration Board https://www.pinterest.com/cherylforlongev/project-1-inspiration-board/

Vendors

●  Attire- Temptations Bridal & Tux, Leominster

●  Food- Roxy’s Grilled Cheese, Brookline

●  Stationary- Minted.com

●  Venue- family home

●  Rentals- Paul’s Rentals, Leominster

●  Floral- Mugsford’s Flower Shop, Westborough

Budget $10,000

Attire

●  Bridal attire $2000

●  Bridal party attire $500

●  Grooms/groomsmen attire $1000

Accessories

●  Bouquet $100

Anticipation

●  Save the Dates $100

●  Invitations $150

Atmosphere

●  Venue $0 (own property)

●  Tables and chairs rental $550

●  Decorations $500

●  Flowers $350

Appetite

●  Food truck $2000

●  Cake $200

Amusement

●  Bounce house rental $250

●  Songs for playlist $50

Appreciation

●  Bow tie favors $250

●  Shawl favors $250

Other expenses

●  Wedding planning fee $1500

Total $9,300

Timeline

10:30 hair and makeup artists arrive to begin set up

11 am Bridesmaid #1 starts hair Bridesmaids #2 starts makeup

11:45 Bridesmaids #2 starts hair Bridesmaid #1 starts makeup

12:30 Bridesmaid #3 starts hair - no makeup

1:15 - 2:15 hair and makeup for bride / bridesmaid start getting dressed

2:20 bride will get dressed

2:20 Groom and Groomsmen get ready

2:45 limo arrives for wedding party and bride

3:00 limo arrives at Grooms location

3:15 Head to ceremony site (bride and groom from separate locations)

3:30 Groom arrives at ceremony site

**3:30 Guests start arriving Prelude begins

3:45 Bride arrives at ceremony site

3:55 Wedding party line up for ceremony

***4:00 Ceremony Begins / Processional begins playing

“Be Thou My Vision” Piano Guys

***4:05 Bridal Entrance

***4:25 Ceremony Ends / Recessional begins

“Everlasting Love” Love Affair

4:30 -5:30 Cocktail hour / formal picture w/ wedding party and family

5:25 line wedding party up for formal introductions

5:30 formal introductions

5:40 first dance

“The Way You Look Tonight” Frank Sinatra

6:00 food truck opens

6:30 guests share stories & advice

7:00 cake cutting

9:00 Reception ends