a wedding, written
I'm Michelle. There I sit in hay (actually straw) with my husband-to-be. Apparently, hay is too prickly to have real-deal hayrides. Who knew?
Reality set in when the first vendors began replying to my eager inquiries: We could not afford a wedding, let alone our dream wedding.
So, I set into motion Plan B. I asked wedding vendors, one by one, if I could write and edit for them for a discount or fair trade. To my delight and surprise, it's working.
I'm ghost-writing for my DJ's blog (she's a proud and busy new mama), I've created marketing materials for my photographer (the images of us on the home page and this one are his beautiful work), and I've bartered for cupcakes crafted by a culinary-trained chef. (YUM!) In the end, I have bartered for something from nearly every vendor.
I am a full-time newspaper reporter, and I co-own a business called Story of Your Life, for which I am lead writer. Given how much time I spend writing, I almost didn't bother with this blog.
But there have to be other brides and grooms looking for alternatives to spending themselves into debt for one day or simply giving up and going to the courthouse.
If you are, take what you will from my journey. Also, take a look at what Northeast Ohio wedding vendors say they need (Vendor Needs) and share what you have to offer (Barter with Me!).
Image at left: Cavanaugh Photography
Reality set in when the first vendors began replying to my eager inquiries: We could not afford a wedding, let alone our dream wedding.
So, I set into motion Plan B. I asked wedding vendors, one by one, if I could write and edit for them for a discount or fair trade. To my delight and surprise, it's working.
I'm ghost-writing for my DJ's blog (she's a proud and busy new mama), I've created marketing materials for my photographer (the images of us on the home page and this one are his beautiful work), and I've bartered for cupcakes crafted by a culinary-trained chef. (YUM!) In the end, I have bartered for something from nearly every vendor.
I am a full-time newspaper reporter, and I co-own a business called Story of Your Life, for which I am lead writer. Given how much time I spend writing, I almost didn't bother with this blog.
But there have to be other brides and grooms looking for alternatives to spending themselves into debt for one day or simply giving up and going to the courthouse.
If you are, take what you will from my journey. Also, take a look at what Northeast Ohio wedding vendors say they need (Vendor Needs) and share what you have to offer (Barter with Me!).
Image at left: Cavanaugh Photography