I have to take a minute to brag on my sweet boy a minute!! I spend so much time planning other events and weddings, it was a fun change to plan a party for my son…who was turning 6. His party was this summer, but I am just taking the time to upload the pics and share some info about it

He invited 6 friends, since he was turning 6 (and Katelyn had a friend too!)

We had a fun dinner, photobooth, and cake at the house…and then took all 9 kids to the circus! They had so much fun!

Here are some pics from the party. The photographer was Amy Halstead of Different Perspectives and she did a wonderful job!!

Extra costs…people can forget. This List below can add an additional $2407 to a budget!

Postage stamps for invitations $198

(say 225 invitations with rsvp cards= $198 in stamps….but if your envelope is an unusual shape, it will be more)

Dress alterations $300

(a simple hem could mean they have to take it up from the waist meaning $300)

Dress “extras” $700

(undergarments meaning a great bra and some much needed Spanx for $100, a veil $275, a reception headpiece $125, shoes $125, jewelry $75, etc. could be an additional $700! Keep this in mind when buying your dress)

Extra photographer time/prints $350

(Usually runs about $150 for an extra hour, and then you usually order at least $200 in prints for gifts after the weddings; but prints/extra cd/packages can increase your cost drastically)

Welcome Bags for Guests $139

even a standard bag for about 12 guests will run you about $139- that’s not for a fancy box of a custom monogram bag…just a regular paper bag with plain tissue paper/goldfish/bottled waters/cookies

($14 for pack of 12 bags; $35 on tissue paper and ribbon; $8 bags of goldfish; $12 bag of cookies; $4 bottled waters; $20 specialty item; $25 for a welcome info packet, $20 tax/extra stuff…honestly though, you’ll be exhausted by this point. You will most likely send out your dad to do this task. So he will go to Sam’s and spend at least $135 on just “stuff” and then you’ll have to buy the bags/tissue/bows/cute welcome packet info and spend about $65 on that, truthfully! That’s the way it usually happens)

Bridesmaids Gifts $245

($35 each for a necklace for 7 girls is $245)

Save-the-dates $475

(even at $1.50 each, plus $0.44 for stamp, plus tax/shipping for 225= $475)