Whether you’re having a backyard BBQ, an over the top ballroom extravaganza, a simple outdoor setting or a quaint indoor getogether, picking the right wedding site is one the first major accomplishments of an engaged couple. As of the beginning of March, we officially have booked our fall wedding site at the Holly Hills Country Club in Frederick County on 10.10.10.

With a half off booking incentive, we were intrigued by this lovely country club whom I had thought would be out of price range to even consider. With wedding site fees upwards of $4,000 in Frederick, Maryland, I was beginning to rethink where I was going to get married. While it is no secret that wedding sites in Frederick are a tad bit expensive, I had thought that with this economy, some bargains had to be found.

After seeing the beautiful views and warm atmosphere that Holly Hills has to offer, we decided to make a hold on our desirable date, 10.10.10 and the rest is history. A Sunday afternoon wedding in the October overlooking the mountains in a large white pillared, brick building definitely fits my dream site description. Now for the price. While not the least expensive, a $750.00 site fee after discounts is quite reasonable to me, especially after picking up my jaw when seeing prices like $2,900 at Thorpewood for a Sunday in October (one wedding a day) or $1,500-1,700 at Ceresville for a Sunday wedding (2 booked a day) with a $7,000 food minimum.  Even if I had the resources, I am not sure I would that comfortable spending nearly R3,000 just for a site fee when that now covers all my food costs at my current site.

A big wedding is not something I have ever wanted to have and I happy that we are having a smaller, more intimate wedding with only close friends, coworkers and family. When I look back at my wedding photographs, I want to know who I am looking at and hopefully know where they currently are in my life. Unless you have a very large family, I think an intimate wedding affair is perfect, both for my sanity and my wallet.

With the site, onsite catering and wedding coordinator now booked (an all in one package!), we are now in the midst of looking at affordable photographers and musicians.  If you thought site fees were ridiculous in Frederick, wait til you see what these extras want you to pay them. Instead of going the traditional route with photographers, I am looking at students with a keen eye and reasonable price tag. As for music, perhaps I bend a few of my musician friends to help me out for a good price as well. We’re going to start getting creative so that we don’t waste hundreds to thousands of dollars on something that could go toward our future together (like paying our mortgage!).