Real Bride: Elizabeth Chengcuenca

Your name: Elizabeth Chengcuenca

Grooms name: Ted Chengcuenca

Wedding date: September 3rd, 2017

City, State: Palos Verdes, California

Tell us more about you!

How long have you been together?

5 years

How did he propose? (Or how did you propose!)

He gave me a perfect morning with my favorite breakfast and movies. He got down on one knee and I said yes! To be honest, I wouldn't have enjoyed a big showy proposal and he luckily knew that. Lol

What was your favorite part of the wedding?

Getting to finally marry my best friend. Favorite physical thing was probably the ceremony venue. It's just a breathtaking venue.

What went wrong with your wedding?

Our cake decorator didn't add flowers like they said they would, luckily my coordinator did. It was insanely hot and humid that day so we were all sweaty and the glass chapel was like a greenhouse. One of the groomsmen's shoes fell apart and he had to rush to buy new ones. The maid of honor's hair would not stay in an updo, so we made due and just gave her a half up half down look.

Did you find any tricks to save you money?

We were fortunate enough to have many in our friends and family circle that deal with weddings. My husbands uncle and friend did all the flower arrangements, our coworker was our day of coordinator, and our photographer is a good friend of ours.

If you could go back and redo it, would you change anything and what?

Nope. It was pretty incredible.

Do you have any advice for new brides?

Don't worry about things nobody will notice. We did not do programs, menus, etc since things like that end up in the trash anyways. Pour your time and effort into things that people will remember like food, party, and the dress.

Did you over-plan or under-plan or was it just right?

I did most of the wedding planning myself and my day of coordinator mentioned it was actually pretty organized.

Did any of your vendors knock your socks off?

They all truly were spectacular. Our photographer and videographers know their stuff and are so easy to work with. Our flowers were beautiful and took the tables to another level. Our coordinator is the master at pulling things together and improvising. So many of our guests loved the food. We were really lucky with our team.

Did any of your vendors disappoint?

The cake decorator disappointed me with the whole flower incident. They previously told me they would add fresh flowers that I provide the day of. However when the coordinator went to give them the flowers, the cake decorators had left. Luckily our coordinator added flowers herself and you couldn't tell.

What was one (or more!) special element in your wedding that isn’t in most?

Our tequila shot toast. I was worried it wouldn't go well or our families would hate it but everyone loved it and it loosened everyone up for the party. The guests also got to take home the personalized shot glasses.

What do you wish you’d spent more on (whether you were able to or not)?

I wish i spent more on a longer open bar since we only paid for 2 hours.

Where do you feel like you could have saved money or overspent?

We splurged on the ceremony venue. I could have had the ceremony at my reception venue, but Wayfarer's Chapel really stood out to me and I knew that the ceremony had to be there.

How many guests did you invite vs how many RSVPed vs how many actually came?

Guest's invited 180. Guests RSVPd 140. Guests that showed up 130.

Wedding venue: Wayfarer's Chapel

Reception venue: Michael's Tuscany Room

Catering: Michael's Tuscany Room

Photographer: Sandra Estrada Photography

Videographer: A Touch of Soul Productions

Planner: Michelle with A Glorified Event

DJ/Band: Jorge Padron

Dress Designer: Eddy K

Bridal Salon: House of Brides

Bridesmaids designer: DCdress on Etsy