Dear friends and family, I wanted to take a moment to discuss the upcoming wedding that will be held at the Peirce farm at Witch Hill. As everyone knows, planning a wedding can be an exciting and stressful time, and one of the main concerns is always the budget. In this note, I will outline the estimated expenditure for the wedding to give you all an idea of what to expect. First and foremost, the venue itself can be one of the biggest expenses. The Peirce farm at Witch Hill offers a beautiful and picturesque setting for the wedding, but this comes at a cost. The rental fee for the venue is **$5,000**, which includes the use of the grounds and facilities for the entire day.
The rental fee for the venue is **$5,000**, which includes the use of the grounds and facilities for the entire day. Next, we must consider the cost of catering. Since we will have quite a large guest list, it is important to find a caterer that can accommodate everyone while still providing delicious food.
My Magical Breast: Where No Breast Had Gone Before
My body is not like most. The internet tells me my odd deformity will not shorten my lifespan, but it makes me different. It affected my breastfeeding experience, but what was truly unexpected was the way breastfeeding affected my most peculiar body.
Why should you care? And why should I reveal now my unusual quirks in such a public way? While this account may be too much information for some, my story may give hope to women struggling with milk production. So here goes.
My Peculiar Body
I appeared normal at birth. My mother told me she first noticed my defect when I was about 3 years old. My breastbone, or sternum, began to indent, creating a cavity in the middle of my chest. My mother said she couldn’t find anyone on either side of our family who had this or knew of anyone else who did. Our doctor told her not to worry.
When puberty hit, I noticed breast buds growing in my left breast but not in my right. As my teen years passed, my left breast developed normally but my right side stayed completely flat.
At age 21, my parents offered to pay for cosmetic surgery, and I decided to do it. By this time, my sternum was deeply indented and my heart was pushed to one side. (Let’s hope I never need CPR!) The plastic surgeon inserted a silicone breast implant through an incision below where my right breast should have been, and he positioned the implant sideways, so that I now had a right breast and my chest indentation was filled in. I didn’t look 100% normal—my chest was still a little sunken below my collarbone—but it was better, and I didn’t feel nearly as self-conscious.
From age 29 to 35, I gave birth to my 3 boys, and I spent a total of 12 years breastfeeding them, nursing on both sides. When I was 5 months pregnant with my first, I learned at my first La Leche League meeting that women could exclusively breastfeed twins and triplets, so I deduced correctly that one working breast was all I needed.
I loved breastfeeding and became a La Leche League leader so that I could help others meet their goals. I also served as a resource for La Leche League International for those with questions about nursing with breast implants. When controversy erupted, I even appeared on CNN to weigh in on whether breastfeeding with implants could cause later health problems in children. (Time and science found that it didn’t.)
A Stunning Discovery
In my 50s, during a routine mammogram, I received shocking news. As the technician took picture after picture, I finally said, “You do know that I have a breast implant, don’t you?” She said yes and added, “But I can’t find it.”
Eventually she found my implant on images taken in my cleavage area. She told me my implant’s location had shifted. By this time, my sternum had become so deeply indented that it nearly reached my spine. (Yes, that grosses me out, too.) Over the years, as the indentation deepened, my breast implant fully migrated into the middle of my chest. Yet even without any implant remaining in my right breast, it now appeared to be fully developed.
I was stunned to realize that my formerly “bionic” right breast was now a real breast.
How did this happen? Science tells us that a woman’s milk-making glands grow and develop during pregnancy, and after birth this milk-making tissue continues to grow (study HERE). We also know that with breast stimulation, women who have never been pregnant can grow functioning breast tissue and produce milk for adopted babies (article HERE). I was aware of all of this when my mammogram tech gave me the news, and I knew immediately that my 12 years of nursing had gradually grown a real right breast where none had grown before.
Using My Story to Help Others
How can my strange story help others? Some women plan to breastfeed only to learn that their breasts didn’t develop normally. Called “breast hypoplasia” or” insufficient glandular tissue,” in this situation, there are not enough milk-making glands to produce 100% of the milk a baby needs. (See a wonderful book about this HERE.) This might also happen in a woman with a history of breast reduction surgery (see a another wonderful book HERE) or a transgender man who has had top surgery to remove breast tissue and later delivers a baby.
It can be devastating when someone highly motivated to exclusively breastfeed cannot. Breastfeeding is a part of our sexuality, and when a woman discovers she can’t do what others seem to do so naturally, it is a genuine loss—like infertility—that deserves to be acknowledged and mourned. In my private lactation practice, I sometimes sat and grieved with a mother who had to face this heartbreak.
Part of my job in that situation was also to discuss her remaining options. Most assume that giving up on breastfeeding is the only choice, but that is not actually true. Today, when I meet women who are struggling with low milk production, I always share my story. My long-term perspective gives them a glimpse not only of their options today, but how their choices now may affect their breastfeeding future.
Breastfeeding Options
I loved breastfeeding and became a La Leche League leader so that I could help others meet their goals. I also served as a resource for La Leche League International for those with questions about nursing with breast implants. When controversy erupted, I even appeared on CNN to weigh in on whether breastfeeding with implants could cause later health problems in children. (Time and science found that it didn’t.)
After much research, we have found a catering company that fits within our budget. The estimated cost for catering is **$8,000**, which includes a buffet-style dinner and hors d'oeuvres during the cocktail hour. Another important aspect of any wedding is the beverages. We plan to have an open bar for our guests, offering a selection of beer, wine, and cocktails. The estimated cost for the open bar is **$2,500**, which includes the cost of alcohol, bartenders, and any necessary permits. In addition to the venue, catering, and beverages, we must also consider other expenses such as decorations, music, and photography. We have set aside **$2,000** for decorations, which will include flowers, centerpieces, and any other decorative elements we may need. The cost for music, including a DJ or live band, is estimated to be **$1,500**. Lastly, we have budgeted **$3,000** for a professional photographer to capture all the special moments of the day. Overall, the estimated expenditure for the wedding at the Peirce farm at Witch Hill is approximately **$22,000**. While this may seem like a high number, it is important to remember that weddings are a once-in-a-lifetime event and we want to make it as memorable as possible. We have made every effort to keep costs reasonable without sacrificing the quality and experience for our guests. Thank you all for your love and support throughout this planning process. We are so excited to celebrate this special day with all of you and create memories that will last a lifetime. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the expenditure or any other aspect of the wedding, please feel free to reach out to us. With love, [Your Names].
Reviews for "Crafting the Perfect Day: Financial Planning for a Witch Hill Wedding"
- Emma - 2/5
I was really disappointed with my experience at the Peirce Farm at Witch Hill for a wedding. The venue itself is lovely, with a rustic charm and beautiful grounds. However, the service and organization left much to be desired. The staff seemed overwhelmed and disorganized, and there were numerous mistakes and mix-ups throughout the night. The food was mediocre at best, and the drinks were overpriced. Overall, I would not recommend this venue for a wedding if you want a smooth and stress-free experience.
- John - 3/5
I had mixed feelings about attending a wedding at the Peirce Farm at Witch Hill. The location itself is stunning, with picturesque views and a romantic ambiance. However, the overall experience was not up to par. The ceremony was delayed due to technical difficulties, and the staff seemed unprepared to handle the situation. Additionally, the food was average, and the portions were small. While the venue offers potential for a beautiful wedding, I would caution others to carefully consider their options before booking.