Wedding Cake Rant (aka I Don’t Even Like Cake)

I have a confession... I don’t like cake.
There, I said it. That’s my struggle.

The wedding industry wants me to drop $500 on something I don’t even enjoy eating. Meanwhile, my fiancé does like cake, so the battle isn't totally lost. I get it—I want that cheesy, adorable moment of smashing cake in his face too. But y’all... the price tags? Out of control.

You could say I’m unconventional. That’s what makes me... well, me. I wasn’t the girl who dreamed of a huge, elaborate wedding growing up. I’m not a princess. If someone tries to put a tiara on my head, I will scream.

I’m a people person. And when marriage became a real thing, I started planning the stuff that actually mattered to me. Like the sound of Spanish guitar during the ceremony—because my dad, uncles, and cousins all played growing up. It’s part of who I am. The rest? I just want a party. The kind where people are smiling, dancing, eating too much, laughing until they cry, and celebrating love. Our love. That’s the dream.

But can we talk about how everything is so freakin’ expensive?

I’ll be real with you. Spending more than $500 on a wedding dress gave me actual heartburn. I tried watching Say Yes to the Dress once, but when I heard the prices those brides were throwing down for a dress they’ll wear for five hours, I almost passed out. One boutique called and said their starting price was $3,000. I said, “Say what now?! Starting?!”

And don’t even get me started on invitations and cake. Like... I know most guests will toss the invite the second they drop it in their calendar app, so why am I paying $7 each for embossed cardstock? I just want to not feel like I have to DIY my entire wedding just to avoid going broke.

To be clear: If you can afford the dream wedding, do it. More power to you. This isn’t a knock on anyone’s big day. This is just me, in my feelings, wondering if I can throw a meaningful, beautiful, unforgettable celebration without breaking the bank.

My mission? Spend as little as possible and still have the night of our lives.
I just wish the second you say the word “wedding,” the price tag didn’t triple.

Wedding Planning is for the Birds

Val&Gio (11)

If anyone really knows me, they know one thing for sure: I sincerely don’t like being the center of attention. I’d much rather mingle through the crowd, getting to know people one-on-one. Honestly, I turn beet red every time someone sings “Happy Birthday” to me.

So what does that say about my experience becoming a bride?
Let’s just say… it’s been a ride.

Every time someone asks, “So how’s wedding planning going?” I feel a wave of anxiety. Don’t get me wrong—I’m a hustler. I work in operations for a living! I get stuff done. And yes, almost everything is already planned: venue booked, dress picked, details organized. All that’s left is the wedding cake, bridesmaids’ dresses, and a few tiny odds and ends.

But what’s been keeping me up at night isn’t the timeline—it’s the budget.

I’ve always been good at saving, but this kind of expense? It’s on another level. Our parents have helped out tremendously (thank you, thank you), but let’s be real: weddings are expensive. I didn’t realize flowers cost that much until I saved $100 by removing one rose from each centerpiece. One. Single. Rose. INSANE.

If I had all the money in the world, I’d cover the whole room in florals, hire flamenco dancers, and throw in a photo booth with props for days. But we’re just two middle-class Americans trying to make magic happen on a not-so-magical budget. And honestly? That’s okay.

downtown orlando, lake eola, engagement, photos

People keep telling me, “Just enjoy the process!” And I try. I really do. I love planning parties. I love organizing. But I also like knowing I can afford what I’m putting together. I think some people stress over the details because they want to please everyone. They want everything to be perfect. But I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that nothing ever goes exactly as planned. And that's not the point anyway.

Luckily, we've been blessed by generous friends and family doing us favors. That has meant everything. Now, my next task is building the wedding day timeline. Who knew every single detail needed to be mapped out? (Thanks, bridezillas. You've raised the bar for those of us just trying to keep it cool.)

On a brighter note—we got some of our engagement photos back! They turned out so sweet. Go ahead, take a peek and smile with us.