Pride and Prejudice: A Country Wedding

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"Mr. Darcy's letter to Lady Catherine was in a different style; 

and still different from either was what Mr. Bennet sent to Mr. Collins . . .

'Dear Sir,

I must trouble you once more for congratulations. Elizabeth will soon be the wife of Mr. Darcy. Console Lady Catherine as well as you can. But, if I were you, I would stand by the nephew. 

He has more to give. 

Yours sincerely, etc.'"

~Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice Chapter 60

A few weeks ago I was playing a trivia game with some women from my bookgroup.  One of the questions was, "How much money does the average wedding cost?"  Well, I knew what my barest-of-bones wedding cost, so I tripled that price tag in my head and came up with my answer: 

328 dollars.

Boy, was I off.  Apparently the average wedding costs $28,000 dollars to put on.  Ouch.

I've watched enough TLC shows and read enough bride magazines to know that there are people in this world who spend that and more on their wedding.  For example, Kate Middleton and Prince William's wedding cost around $34 million.  But that is only a drop in the bucket when compared to Prince Charles and Lady Diana's wedding that came in at $48 million (or $110 million when adjusted for inflation).  Jiminy Cricket, folks!  No wonder they were storybook weddings.  ANYONE could have a storybook wedding with that kind of pocketbook.

But I'm the kind of gal that likes a budget challenge---the kind where you have a $12 budget to pull off something magical.  I guess that is why I fell in love with the sweet little country-themed wedding reception that I attended this week.

The bride was a friend of our family and she married a "country boy", so they went "a courtin'" with the decor.  They booked a reception room next to a golf course to take advantage of the green surroundings and open vistas.

An adorable potted signpost pointed the way to the reception's events.

They decked the indoor tables with fresh sunflowers, monogrammed wood, and mason jars wrapped in burlap and lace that were filled with old-fashioned candy sticks.

The chairs around the tables looked adorable in these burlap bows.

Even the cake had rustic touches of burlap and sunflowers.

Outside guests were invited to enjoy the s'more station.  LOVE this idea!  The bride and groom provided little s'more kits and skewers and miniature fire pits made of wooden boxes, gravel, and sterno set on outdoor tables for marshmallow roasting.

Inside the reception, guests were served gourmet cookies and cups full of strawberries and cream.  

 
 Some of my favorite touches were the burlap banners that decked each of the treats.  Adorable.

The bridesmaids looked sweet as could be with their blue dresses, brown boots, and sunflower bouquets.

And even though there isn't a smidge of "country" in me, I couldn't help but melt when I saw the vignette over the fireplace at the reception.

This reception reminded me of two things: 1) How grateful I am that I gave birth to boys (a move that I hope will spare me the stress of planning and finance wedding receptions); 2) A charming reception doesn't have to cost $28,000.  It just takes a little creativity and the perfect couple to make a storybook wedding come true . . .

 

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