I Thee Dead: The Wedded Bliss Series
by Christine Lawrence
About I Thee Dead
I Thee Dead: The Wedded Bliss Series
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Ohio
Publisher : Moonie Press (August 22, 2024)
Print length : 234 pages
Digital ASIN : B0DCT9K46K
Murder, false arrests, her business on the brink…
But if anyone’s ready for the unexpected, it’s a wedding planner.
After being dumped by her fiancé, let go from her job and dealing with the passing of her beloved aunt, Leah has picked up the pieces and returned to Ashford, Ohio to take over her family’s wedding planning business. Quickly she learns the business is not doing well and could close in a few months. She jumps in with both feet and focuses on an upcoming wedding for a local wealthy socialite which could be their saving grace.
Everything seems to be falling into place until the night of the rehearsal dinner, when someone ends up dead and Leah’s best friend is the number one suspect. With the help of her friends, a handsome local detective, and a sexy private investigator, will Leah be able to catch the killer and clear her best friend’s name before they strike again or will there be an unhappily ever after?
Author Guest Post
How to plan a wedding on a budget
Your special moment is one of the most important events in your life. But not everyone has unlimited funds to spend. This doesn’t mean you can’t have an amazing time. You just need to become a little creative.
In The Wedded Bliss Mysteries, my cozy mystery series, the main character Leah Jordan, owns and runs a wedding planning/event business. Included in the back of each book are wedding planning tips. One of their offerings is packages focused on Brides on a Budget. I was preparing for my wedding when I wrote the first book in the series.
We were on a tight budget, and it was our second wedding. So, we had to find ways to incorporate our theme, while still staying within our means. Here are some tips and ideas for planning a budget-friendly marriage ceremony.
You want to be realistic about what you can afford. Budgets can be as simple or as detailed as you need. It can also vary from couple to couple. You can make notes, put together a spreadsheet, or create a diagram with pictures or even a color-coded chart.
You can also adjust the amounts or percentages allotted higher or lower for the different areas. The largest percentage of your budget will be the venue at 35-50%. The second highest allotment will be for catering or food. If you choose a venue where the catering or food is included, then you can adjust accordingly. The remainder of your budget then will be broken down into the rest of the categories such as entertainment, flowers, décor and wedding attire.
Once you have determined your budget, you want to decide on a date. Wedding season usually runs from May through October and prices are higher. Saturdays are the most popular day and there are only so many a month. Think about a Friday or Sunday wedding instead. Prices are going to be less expensive, and availability is going to be higher.
Next, you want to choose the location for your wedding. Many communities have local parks and buildings you can rent for rates reasonably lower than some more expensive venues. Check with local churches and other community rooms in your area.
One of the best ways to save money and cut costs is to look at the people in your life. Do you know someone who is a photographer? Does dear Aunt Ellie cook like a professional chef? Does your best friend have a green thumb? Look at those people in your life and see if there is anything they can do that could contribute to your special day.
We decided to involve friends and family, and it was wonderful. One of my cherished friends became ordained to marry my other best friend and her husband before our wedding. Having someone get ordained and registered with your state is usually not very expensive.
We asked a close friend to be the day coordinator. The individual oversees things, ensuring vendors know where to set up, people get to the right place, and things go smoothly while you and your significant other are busy and focused elsewhere.
One of my husband’s good friends ran a small cake-making business, so we went and had a cake tasting and hired her to make the cake for our wedding. It was such a fun time, and the cake samples were delicious.
A great way to save money is to determine what you can DIY. You don’t have to be crafty to find inexpensive ways to create décor. Our wedding theme was the beach. We were married up on Lake Erie in my husband’s hometown.
Dollar stores have a plethora of items that can be used or repurposed for your special day, including tableware, glasses, tablecloths, utensils, and more. For the centerpieces, we purchased vases, small mirrors, sand, and shells. Pour a little sand in the bottom, add in some seashells, fill with water, and add a floating candle. You’ll have simple but elegant décor for your table.
We also printed our save-the-dates and wedding invitations at Walgreens. They have a wide variety of designs and styles to choose from. They often offer coupons that give you a substantial discount, and they come with their own envelopes.
Another money-saving choice we made was to use silk or artificial flowers. Many craft stores carry a wide selection. Once you decide on your color scheme, you can watch for sale ads and pick up materials to create your bouquets, boutonnieres, and other floral décor needs.
Playing on the beach concept, we also decided to incorporate a bit of pirates into our day. We found a plain wood chest and painted it. We added fake gold coins, beaded necklaces, and faux jewels. It became our card box.
The internet has different websites and videos that offer ideas for your celebration. Ask friends and family for help or to use their services. You can still have a beautiful day, even on a budget. Happy Planning!
About Christine Lawrence
Christine Lawrence resides in a small town in Northwest Ohio with her husband, stepdaughter, son and four spoiled dogs. An avid reader since childhood, she decided to mesh her two favorite genres, romance and mystery. Working hard to complete the next book in The Wedded Bliss mystery series, she spends her free time participating in local writing groups, traveling and spending time with her family.
Christine has a bachelor’s degree in forensic science with a specialization in Crime Scene Investigation and a master’s degree in forensic psychology. Her background as a private investigator and obsession with all things crime related gives her endless fodder for her small-town cozy mysteries.
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Ruff Drafts 
Sounds like a great cozy.
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Book(s) look like really good reads really looking forward to reading them especially in print format & looking to try these new authors at least to me they are new
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