2006 Brides

[histulip05]

Hi there! Are there any 2006 brides here? My FH are I are getting married in Orlando, FL on December 30, 2006.

Hope to "meet" some other 2006 brides here.


~Karen

[tlew12778]

I am! April 21, 2006. All we have booked is the church so far :eek:. I plan on booking the photographer, caterer/location next.

[MandyMaloo]

I'm July 7, 2006 in Lake Mills, WI. We've actually gotton a lot done so far! We'll be dress shopping soon! :) Nice to "meet" you girls! Hopefully we'll be able to help one another!!

[PGirl26]

I'm getting married April 22, 2006! So far, we've booked the church and the reception site. I bought my dress, and it just came back last week! I can't wait to go see it! It's great to see some other 06 brides. Can't wait to hear/see your plans unfold!!

[SusieQ]

Hello, I'm getting married Friday April 28th 2006 in Las Vegas (destination wedding). So far we have booked the chapel and photographer. We are almost certain of the location for our reception dinner but need to iron out a few details first. I plan to go dress shopping in two weeks and have been looking around at some wedding bands that we like.

[tlew12778]

My dress is being custom designed and made so no dress shopping for me actually. I'm slightly bummed about this but I guess I should be excited that I get to experience the design process right?

I just sent an email to the photographer to find out about signing a contract. He probably thinks I'm a loon bc I originally inquired about his packages before I had set the date, then I had to tell him I couldn't book him until I knew the date for sure. That was like in the beginning of March... oh well. I really hope he's available bc basically I will have a heart attack if he isn't.

I actually want to book the photographer before the caterer bc I would consider changing dates for this photographer. I am going to Madrid this weekend with my GFs but the weekend after that, I want to tell FMIL that we set the date (bc I want to tell her in person and haven't seen her yet). Only then will we book a caterer bc I figure she might want to be involved in the process somehow. I already have a caterer in mind though so it's more about choosing a location where that caterer has catering rights.

I am already working on invite designs with my best GF. I am doing all the research for the paper sources and whatnot bc my invites need to be sent out early since my family needs to make the trip from NY to Italy. I plan on putting them together over Christmas and sending them out before New Year's.

[Ginnie]

I'm getting married on July 8, 2006. I've been engaged for a yr tomorrow, and so far all I have is the reception site, church and dress. The way I've been planning though, I need a good 5 yrs to plan my wedding.

[rubyslippers]

I'm another 2006 bride. We still haven't set a date. We're looking at a Sunday in October. I'm leaning toward 10/01 because it is also my birthday. The wedding will be in NJ.

[MandyMaloo]

Hello fellow 2006 brides!

I just wanted to share my good news with some other brides! I bought my dress last night and I am so excited about it!

We actually bought it off of ebay. What I did was shop around at some salons and get some ideas of dresses/styles that I really liked. Then I went online and typed in some of the styles and such that I liked and then started looking. I actually found the styles that I liked and found a dress that I had loved in the salon for $599.00 for only $125.00! Someone had bought the dress then fallen in love with another dress, so wanted to sell it. It's brand new with the tags!

Anyway- I know it's a bit early for a dress, but I didn't want to lose such a great price on a dress I really loved! Just thought I would share this with any other brides that are on a bit of a budget but really like the look of the dresses that are a bit more expensive. (I would also warn you to stay away from the people that say they make the "custom made dresses" from ebay. I have heard some bad things from other brides that have chosen to go that route.)

Good luck with any more planning! Hope everyone is having a great July 4th!

[dlawson]

I am a newly engaged 2006 bride to be!! We chose May 6th, 2006. I am just starting all the planning and sooo excited!!! Nice to meet everyone!

-Denise

[Squee]

Im a 2006 bride too! 7th of January to be exact!!
We've pretty much done everything there is to do at this point.
Wedding will be here in NZ.

[framboise]

We're July 2, 2006. The only thing we've accomplished so far is booking the venue (ceremony & reception in the same place). Time to get going!

[Darlene&Scott]

We're February 4, 2006. We've got alot done because we've been engaged for over a year (going through medical school so we're waiting until bookwork is done in Decemeber) it's in Orlando.

I will say with a longer engagement we've gotten to book every vendor we wanted and got of research to get good deals.

Glad to meet everyone :)

[filmgirl7]

Im a 2006 bride too! 7th of January to be exact!!
We've pretty much done everything there is to do at this point.
Wedding will be here in NZ.

We are getting married on January 7, 2006 as well, but ours will be in Vermont. Plus, we're just getting started on the wedding planning, because it's a second attempt at planning for us, It's going to be small, formal, and it's a secret right now. :eek:

[Squee]

We are getting married on January 7, 2006 as well, but ours will be in Vermont. Plus, we're just getting started on the wedding planning, because it's a second attempt at planning for us, It's going to be small, formal, and it's a secret right now. :eek:

A secret aye!! Awesome! From everyone or what? Are you going to spring it on everyone on the day or tell them beforehand?? Sounds like so much fun...and stress! Will have to follow along!
YAY date twin!! hehe havnt had one of those yet...

[filmgirl7]

Well, right now it's a secret from pretty much everyone. I've mentioned to my closest friends that I had wanted to get married in Vermont all along, but my mother said "NO, nobody will come that far!" (We live in NY, lol!) My FH and I devised a plan that we would just tell people that we're having a dinner party on January 7th so they'll save the date, and then let them know when it gets closer that it's actually our wedding. I told my brother, and I think he actually knew the truth, though he didn't let on.

The beauty of the whole thing is that it really won't be too much stress because so many of the details had been planned for the original date (july 16th, next week :( ) I'm in the process of finalizing with the Inn (which we're kind of taking over for the entire weekend) and then there's really just tuxes, flowers, and when to tell everybody what's going on. My brother is getting married Nov. 4th, and I don't want to still his limelight.

So, you're getting married in NZ? What's the weather like there in January?

[Squee]

The weather is beautiful here around that time! fingers crossed there wont be some freak mid summer storm :eek: although I think were pretty safe from that lol.
That is such a cool idea I would love to have a surprise wedding but I dont think I could keep it a secret. I had to keep our engagement a secret from my parents for about 3 weeks (till we saw them face to face) and that was a KILLER! Im not to great at keeping secrets :o

We were actually thinking about changing our date in Dec last year till July this yr! Unfortunatly none of my Aus family would have been able to make it so we had to stick to our old date. I dont think I ever mentiond that in my journal! anyways back onto the subject!

Good luck with telling everyone! Will be one heck of a feeling!!!

[sunkiss000]

If I can get my wedding planning act together I will be a 2006 bride too...so far I do not have anything booked :( .. I'm soo soo far behind.

~Gennie

[Vane5/06]

Hi Im also a 2006 bride :D .............................Im Getting Married on May 27,2006 in Norwalk,California...... ;) So Excited.........But so behind on the Planning and Getting things done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :( :mad: :rolleyes: lol i better stop........................

[Larissa]

Big reception: Saturday 11 March 2006

Have:
Dress
Shoes
Photographer
DJ
Site
I ordered my wedding band today!!


Legal wedding: Wednesday 5 April 2006

Have:
dress
shoes and anything else that overlaps from the reception
it will be very low key and doesn't need to be planned until about 3 months out!!

[enchantingdragon]

August 19, 2006 bride =)

[Natasha]

December 9, 2006 for us!

[Linz]

October 7, 2006. :D :D :D

The reception site we wanted e-mailed us menus and available dates in October and they have our date available. I'm gonna call her today so we can set up a time to come work out the details and make sure that is really where we want it and so they can hold our date. Then I need to call me pastor and have him put us down for that date for the church. YAY! :D

For now, I am reluctant to go get my dress because I had a friend that got engaged and bought her dress, then they broke up for a while and when they got back together and it was time for the wedding she HATED her dress. She had to beg David's Bridal to exchange it. So since our wedding is 15 months away I don't want to hate my dress between that span of time. So we will probably go dress shopping in January.

We are having our engagement pictures done this weekend. Any suggestions on what to wear?

[tlew12778]

I'd wear something really neutral. You don't want to look at those shots in 20s years and ask yourself "what the hell was I wearing?" ;) ya'know? I'd also go with simple, solid colors.

[filmgirl7]

I'm so excited!!! We have finalized the location for our wedding on January 7th!! It will take place at an inn in Vermont with about 25 close friends and family attending (we hope.)

This is the inn...
http://www.cavendishinnvt.com/img/front/1.jpg

and this is the room where we'll get married...

http://www.cavendishinnvt.com/img/dining/mdr6.jpg

http://www.cavendishinnvt.com/img/dining/mdr1.jpg

I can't wait!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :)

[Squee]

Congrats on booking the place! Looks perfect!

[filmgirl7]

Thanks. We're going up to actually see it in a few weeks, and we're meeting the minister then as well. I'm very, very happy and excited!!!! :)

[KeliAnn]

April 29, 2006

We have nothing done, but we're having a sort of "planned elopement" at the beach with close friends and family, so it's not going to require a whole lot of work.

Big reception being thrown at my parents' house - May 13, 2006

[filmgirl7]

April 29, 2006
We have nothing done, but we're having a sort of "planned elopement" at the beach with close friends and family, so it's not going to require a whole lot of work.

Big reception being thrown at my parents' house - May 13, 2006

That's what we're doing too!!! Have you already told your family? What will you do if people you don't invite find out about the upcoming wedding?! I'm having qualms about these issues...

[KeliAnn]

That's what we're doing too!!! Have you already told your family? What will you do if people you don't invite find out about the upcoming wedding?! I'm having qualms about these issues...

My family knows, and most of my friends are far away, so I don't think it will upset anyone. Plus, the big reception a couple of weeks later will include everyone who wasn't invited to the wedding.

[zarabunny]

I am a July 15th 2006 bride, FH and I have been engaged forever so i'm happy that things are finally getting done, I've booked my church and the reception site which as many things included so I don't have to do much where that is concerned, the DJ is included, catering and decorations, I'm also going to DIY a lot of stuff so I'm good to go, i've already received myfavors which are heart shaped measuring spoons and I'm also making a CD of love songs. Congratulations veryone and happy planning

[MandyMaloo]

Does anyone else feel really stressed out? I had my church/reception hall booked and everything- then IL's decided to switch things up a bit- so I'm frantically looking for another place that isn't booked now! EEEK! Plus getting the flowers, invitations and all that stuff is freaking me out too-- maybe becuase I am planning the wedding from so far away.

Anyone else feeling the stress?

[GeekGirl]

Yes, I'm feeling stressed...but my feelings of stress come from A. not having any idea when our wedding will be due to work issues kind of being up in the air (we may end up moving out of the country in a few months, which will mean a last-minute wedding!)...and B, because I'm in such a pickle with my parents. I'm an only child, and my parents are having a difficult time dealing with the fact that I am an adult now, with my own responsibilities and choices - and they are choosing to focus all that negative energy on my FH. As a result, we haven't spoken in more than four months...they don't even know I'm getting married. I wish more than anything that my daddy would walk me down the aisle, but I just don't see it happening. :(

[lil_geek]

Hi!

We are getting married May 13, 2006 in Ontario Canada!

Apparently I'm really far ahead :cool: We booked our ceremony and reception location 3 months before we officially got engaged!

We pretty much have all the big things done, except flowers and a dj. Not stressed yet!

Tara

[MandyMaloo]

Aww GeekGirl :( I'm sorry you're so stressed out! Maybe you could talk to your dad and tell him how much it means to you?

I actually had a pretty productive weekend. We finally got everything figured out and FH's mom is booking our reception hall this Tuesday. Our church is already confirmed- and I found some great invitations this Friday! I was going to make them myself, but figured that was a bit too much work- and actually ended up being more expensive than ordering them!

I also wanted to lend some advice for my fellow 2006ers! I don't know if anyone has been looking at centerpieces yet, but Michaels has some beautiful ones! If you go over to the candle aisle, there are some really cool ideas there! I found this beautiful candle hurricane thing that has terquoise and blue mirrors all over it, so when the candle is lit, it creates these beautiful colors all over the table. Anyway- it's something worth checking out!

Hope everyone's planning is coming along great!

[tlew12778]

I'm trying not to feel stressed even though the wedding is in April and like nothing is done. The only thing booked is the church and photographer. We need to visit some villas this month and book that and the caterer at the same time. A lot of the worrying has to do with the fact that things seems to be on a much more relaxed schedule here in Italy. I'm used to hearing that things need to be booked a year in advance for the US while here ppl look at me like I am nuts bc the wedding is so far away.

[GeekGirl]

MandyMaloo...thanks for the sentiment. But unfortunately, there's no way for me to tell him how much it would mean to me. In our last conversation, my parents told me I was dead to them, and they've stuck with it. No phone calls, emails, visits...nothing. They want nothing to do with me. :(

tlew12778 - I understand completely!! We may be having an April wedding ourselves...but probably still won't know for another month or so! Eek! :eek: I'm jealous, though! I bet a wedding in Italy will be absolutely gorgeous.

[rubyslippers]

We're going with Sunday, October 15. We're sigining our contract on 9/12. We're doing everything in one location. One decision down hundreds to go! :)

[MandyMaloo]

GeekGirl-Awww, I'm really sorry :( What a horrible thing to say to your own child!! Maybe you could ask someone else that has been a real supportive person in your life (ie: a teacher, family friend, grandparent, etc.) to walk you down the aisle. Who knows, when your family figures out that this wedding is happening regardless of the fact if they are there or not, then they might actually suprise you and show up. Either way, know that we'll support you here!! :p

tlew12778- What part of Italy are you from? I have a TON of family in Treste (I don't know if I spelled that right :confused: ) Anyway, I hope you like it out there. I know what you mean, planning an Italian wedding is much differant. My wedding is being infused with many of our Itlian traditions...and people think it's very unique. Either way, have fun!!

rubyslippers- Congrats on setting the date!!! That's a wonderful date--it's my best friend's birthday! An autumn wedding is beautiful, I'm sure you'll love planning it!!

[tlew12778]

MandyMaloo - I live in Milan but I'm actually from NY. We live here bc FH is a dr and he's only licensed to practice medicine in Italy right now. He'll be taking the US boards over the next year. Trieste is like 3-4 hours from here. I've only passed through it on my way to Croatia. That's where they make Illy espresso :).

[SFnKC]

Scott and I (Kathryn) are getting married JUne 30, 2006!!
Here is a list of what we have done:
ceremony and recption site, my dresss (just need shoes and jewlery), BM dress and shoes picked out (just need to order sizes), DJ, Photographer, Cake is included in recpetion, tux have been picked out (just have to be sized), we have an officiant...
we need to go for our food and cake tastings in Jan.
We have to see for sure what our friend needs to do to be able to marry us in CA anyone know????
I think that is it oh yeah I need to get Scott's wedding band and book honeymoon (parents gift to us)
Congrat and hello to all the 2006 brides

[MandyMaloo]

tlew12778- Geesh! I'm sorry I missed your post! Milan sounds beautiful! Do you miss the states at all or would you consider staying there? Treste is beautiful! We'll actually be having a tarentella at our wedding...we're so excited! Are you thinking about incorporating any Italian traditions in your wedding?

SFnKC- Wow! Sounds like you've gotton a lot done! I'm pretty excited since I had a pretty productive weekend last weekend and I seem to have gotton a good chunck of this stuff out of the way. Congrats and nice to "meet" you!

I FINALLY got around to booking a photographer for our engagement photos/bridal portrait/wedding. We found her here in NC, but she's willing to travel out to WI for our wedding. She's also really great with prices. Since our situation is a little differant, we'll have pictures of our rehersal dinner right up into the reception. She'll be with us for 3 days! She does AMAZING work--her pictures really breathe. No poses, no staging, just catching the moments that really mean something. I'm so happy! The engagement session should be happening here in the next week or so! SO HAPPY! :D If anyone in here is in the Raleigh area...I HIGHLY recommend her!!

[tlew12778]

tlew12778- Geesh! I'm sorry I missed your post! Milan sounds beautiful! Do you miss the states at all or would you consider staying there? Treste is beautiful! We'll actually be having a tarentella at our wedding...we're so excited! Are you thinking about incorporating any Italian traditions in your wedding? My ILs entire family (who are all Italian) would probably think I was a freak if we did a tarantella. The tarantella is a strictly Sicilian dance and traditionally, the Southern traditions are um... looked down upon... in the north. The reason the tarantella is so popular in the US (I think) is bc most of the Italians in the US came from the south. The only hardcore Italian tradition we are having is jordan almonds. They are served for all special occasions here with a different color for each occasion (white/silver = wedding, blue/pink = baby, red = graduation). FMIL would kill me if I did not include those as part of the favors. Actually, she wouldn't let me not include them.. she'd just go out and get them herself.

As for missing the states... yes and no. I really miss my family. Living far away from my parents has been hard especially now that my dad is 70 and has heart problems. I actually think the quality of life here is better in that Europeans tend to not lose themselves in their careers and they prioritize family and friends. People also tend to be content with a lot less here. The cost of living here is a lot higher than in the US though and that is somewhat depressing. We may move to the US over the next couple of years but FH needs a US medical license first and I want to wait and see if I have IF issues (I have PCOS) bc IF is covered 100% in Milan whereas I don't know what coverage I will have in the US.

Sorry for the long post!

We are going to see a villa this weekend for the reception. I'm also planning on booking our HM soon as the travel agent I am working with said that most of her clients book 6-12 months in advance! Here I was thinking that was the last thing to book. I guess not!

[MandyMaloo]

Yeah, my best friend and her family are Scilian and they are attending (they have a HUGE family that is basically my own) we're excited about the Tarantella...even though MY heritage comes from the North. I've actually never seen one at anyone else's wedding before, so that is something neat and unique.

I am also having Jordan Almonds. My mother has made that COMPLETLY clear :). I hate them...I think they taste terrible, but I apparently don't have much say in the matter ;).

Anyway- let us know what you think about the Villa! I bet it'll be pretty exciting! My best friend and I were talking about taking a trip over to Italy this year. We'll be going to Sciliy first since that's where her family is from. We'll be heading out to Treste. It'll be wonderful to finally get to see where my family has lived for years.

[StephieS2580]

Hi Ladies! Another 2006 Bride here!
We are leaning toward the beginning of September. We planned on the 9th, but FH is dragging his feet, because the deposit is higher than we were originally told. Thankfully though, the part of PA that i live in is noted as the least expensive place to tie the knot! We already chose the site(just have to go for our contract meeting), the catering is on site, they also do all the consulting for you(included in the price). We will be getting alot of the decorations free from them, just have to purchase the candles from a specific vendor. The site is awesome, its like 3-4acres, and it has beautiful views of the lake from inside and out. We will be married at FH's church, we are both catholic, so no issue there. I am still on the fence about photographers and flowers though. We chose a woman for the cake, she made the cake for FH's great-aunt's 90th birthday party,which they actually held at the same place as our reception, so FMIL got some awesome pictures for us of how it looks set up. We have to supply our own alcohol, so that is something else to consider, they will place the order and pick it up for us, as well as reccomend types and amounts. I already bought my dress, right off the rack, fit like a dream, just have to lose a few pounds(too many oreo's :rolleyes: ) to make sure it stays that way! FMIL will be getting the send off bubbles, and some disposable cameras( could NOT talk her out of it), as well as the unity candle. SO as soon as we actually book the reception site and get the church all squared away we will be in good shape!
Whew! Sorry that was such a long post! I like to share the details though, i think FH is getting irritated by them lol. We have been engaged almost a year already, so this has been the topic of conversation for a while :)
Looking forward to chatting with you all!

[tlew12778]

You know, jordan almonds in the US are GROSS! They're so bitter. Here in Italy they're actually awesome. I was wary at first but then I tried them and when I see them I can't not eat them now. The almonds just aren't bitter at all! I don't know what it is about US almonds.

The villa we saw was nice. I actually wrote about the trip in my LJ (http://www.livejournal.com/users/tlew12778/). We're not "in love" with it but it's in the running still. I mean, this was the first one we've seen so we have nothing to compare it with other than the ones we already eliminated just by seeing them online. We're really picky bc we want a villa that can hold all 120-150 in one room plus provide room for dancing in the same room if possible. Almost no villas have that capacity.

How are you getting from Sicily to Trieste? (BTW, you are missing an "I" when you spell it. You don't want to end up buying a ticket to the wrong city ;)). There are a bunch of low cost airlines like myair.com or volareweb.it that might be able to get you there for cheap. DO NOT take the train from Sicily up. If you do, buy a ticket to Messina, take the ferry across the channel, then buy another ticket from Reggio Calabria up to Trieste. If you buy a ticket straight through you will be on the train for like 24 hrs bc they PUT THE TRAIN ON THE FERRY three cars at a time! Talk about Italian ineffiency.

[PGirl26]

I've not been here in a while...thought I'd bump the thread for the new brides out there...

I'm getting married April 22, 2006. We've booked the church, the reception site, and the photographer....Right now I'm working on finding someone to make my cake and booking a DJ.

[GeekGirl]

Manda, you're getting married one week before me!!!:D

[PGirl26]

Manda, you're getting married one week before me!!!:D


Eeeek!! I'll be gone on my HM during your wedding...That sucks, lol. I want to be here for all the excitement..Hmmp! Is the wedding in Alabama?

[GeekGirl]

Yup, it's in Florence.

[tlew12778]

18 days and no posts... that 2007 thread is hopping and we're all getting married sooner but have nothing to say? How is everyone's planning going?

We told FMIL last weekend and she is more than thrilled. She is going to be all the help that my mother would have been only better bc she doesn't have any other agendas like my mom. I had a HUGE argument with my mom bc I think that deep down she is really resentful of the fact that we do not live closer to her and that she cannot play a bigger part in wedding planning. [shrug]

We still haven't made much progress since my last update. We saw a bunch of villas. The one we like the best is obviously the most expensive :rolleyes: so FMIL is going there on Tuesday or Wednesday bc apparently she knows someone that knows that owner and she is going to try to get us a discount.

I am in the midst of planning our HM. Our original intention was to go to Thailand for 2 weeks. It would have only been about $4000 total at all 5 star hotels. Now with the bird flu thing, we're changing our plans and are now looking at Africa (either Capetown-Kruger Natl Park for safari-Mozambique for beaches or Vic Falls-Chobe Natl Park-Mozambique). I'm excited but man, is it expensive!

I am working on the invitation design and paper order with my MOH. I ordered the paper sampler from Marco Papers since I pretty much plan on getting all my stuff from them apart from the pocketfolds which will come from paperpresentation.com. The plan is to get them all done while I am visiting the US over Christmas. I'm planning on making these (http://www.livejournal.com/users/tlew12778/1413.html#cutid1).

[MandyMaloo]

Wow! Those invitations are BEAUTIFUL! Be sure to take lots and lots of pictures of them! :)

My wedding is becoming a disaster :(. FH's parents are being rather unreasonable, and it's creating a LOT of termoil on his side of the family--and it's starting to carry over to mine. Everyone is arguing about every little thing. I think I've cried more about my wedding than I have celebrated it. :( So now, we're looking to get out of this fiasco. My father was planning on buying us our honeymoon for our wedding present (that was in lue of helping with the actual wedding since he did that for my sister and she burned him--bad.). So we're thinking about taking our "honeymoon" and making it a "weddingmoon"! We'll get married (just the 2 of us) in paradise and come back and have the big "reception" just as if we had just gotton married there in Wisconsin. That way- there is no fighting as to who gets to do what and who's paying for what since it is all being concentrated on one event: the reception.

We're going to be breaking the news to his family this thursday. We're going out to Wisconsin to see our new baby nephew and just check in with the family. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this doesn't turn into another blow out like it did last time we were out there.

Hope everyone's plans are coming along much better than mine!! :)

[filmgirl7]

Whoa, Mandy, I'm really sorry to hear about your wedding chaos. I totally understand, though, because i went through pretty much the same thing. I hope you can work it out in a way that you're both happy with.

Our wedding plans are coming along fine...not much to do since it's going to be so small. We have another meeting with the minister on Nov. 12th, and we'll finalize things at the Inn where it will all take place. The main things on mind are

-Should we even have invitations, since everyone will be invited via word of mouth and the whole thing will be a secret until after it happens?

- Since roses are so expensive in Vermont, we mentioned buying them in NY and then just bringing them up with us. How will we transport five or six dozen roses on a three hour car trip in January? What will we need to buy to create bouquets when we get there? Will they wilt in the 36 hours between purchasing them and the actual wedding? Should we have floral arrangements for the 3 dinner tables?

That's about it. I can't believe it's only 2.5 months away now. We will be telling all the parents on Nov 14th, 7 weeks beforehand. Hopefully that will give them enough time to prepare and there won't be too much yelling/fighting/etc. Wish us luck.

How about everyone else? 2006 will be here before you know it!

[tlew12778]

filmgirl7 What about getting the roses delivered from freshroses.com? They cost $22 for 25 stems.

***********************

Oh yeah, I forgot, we have to do pre-cana soon. Not really looking forward to that as FH is a total non-believer even though he was baptised Catholic. So basically the priest will be understanding and write it off or he will have a go at us about why we are even getting married :rolleyes:.

[filmgirl7]

We did pre-cana even though FH is Jewish. There were about 150 people there, so nobody even asked us any questions. It was more about communication patterns and things to do to get off on the right foot. I'm sure you'll be fine. Enjoy!

[GeekGirl]

Yay, this thread is finally hopping again!! I'm sorry that other people are messing things up for your wedding, Mandy. It's frustrating when people can't just be happy for you.

Filmgirl, I'm glad to hear that everything is coming together for your wedding!! I'm sure it will be beautiful!! It sounds like you are doing everthing the way you should, by keeping it secret.

My wedding is coming along. We may have to change the date because Kroy's best friend and our singer might be singing in some sort of competition on the day we had picked - April 7. We're now looking at April 28 to accomodate her schedule. She's incredibly talented, and very much in demand, but luckily for us she schedules things so far in advance it's not too much of an issue. She's such a great friend, we can't imagine not having her there!

Beyond that, there's not really much drama. We also are doing the 'weddingmoon' thing, and it's turned out to be a lifesaver. I am SO EXCITED at the prospect of spending a week in Charleston! We're then going to go straight to Florence, AL to see Kroy's family for a reception there.

I haven't told anyone in my family that I'm engaged yet, and nobody from my family will be at the wedding. We're trying to keep it as small as possible - honestly, I don't want Kroy's family there either. If I get my way, it will be my MOH and her husband, Kroy's best man and our friend the singer, plus her accompanist. And that's it. Much simpler that way!

[rubyslippers]

Things with us are going very smoothly. We passed the one year mark on 10/15. The ceremony/reception site is booked. I've called around for hotel blocks. I'm dress shopping on Black Friday (I figure no one will be in a bridal salon then.) Kurt needs to get on the ball with the minister. 2 of his mom's cousins are Methodist ministers...he wants neither of them to be the celebrant. I'm Catholic and getting married in the church doesn't appeal to him either. So he'll be handling the hurt feelings and the responsibility of tracking down the minister. I've started working on save the dates because with the wedding on a Sunday we'd like to give folks as much notice as possible.

[tlew12778]

Mandy - Isn't it amazing how something that we all thought what would be such a joyous and fun thing to plan ends up being total frustration filled disaster? Wedding planning is anything but fun. I think I spend a small part of each day thinking about the cost until I manage to push it out of my mind and forget about it until tomorrow. Then of course there are the family issues... I am sure that your day will turn out perfect for you two regardless of what you decide.

[GeekGirl]

Tiffany, is pre-cana any different in Italy than it is here? For some reason I have this idea that they'd be more strict. FH and I are going to be starting it sometime soon so we can still receive the sacrament after the wedding.

[tlew12778]

I have no idea! The priest at the church I go to was rather laid back when he saw that we live together already. He was like "well, it's a good thing you're getting married then." The priest from the church near my house seemed way more strict when I had to go get some certificate from him when I needed permission to get married at my church (since I don't live near it). He was annoyed that we had not yet done pre-cana bc in his parish, you do it before you set the wedding date. I think it lasts like 6 sessions or something... that is long IMO. The church down the street from me does it 9PM on Friday night! WTH?

I'll let you know if we go do the Friday night session at the church down the street (kinda doubt that will happen though... I am going to look for a more covenient time in my area).

[filmgirl7]

Our pre-cana was on a Saturday, 9-4, and it wasn't too bad. The priest at my church knew that we lived together and although he didn't really comment on it, it went without saying that we were "living in sin." Oh well. Anyway, good luck with pre-cana. I hope it's painless like mine.

[tlew12778]

Eh. So I went by one of the church's down the street from me just to look at the neighborhood schedule for all the pre-cana classes around here. Turns out one started last Friday so we missed one session, and one started tonight. The Friday one is once a week for I don't know how long bc the secretary didn't want to tell me (shady...) and the one that was tonight is twice a week every Tues and Thurs (not sure how long as I was getting this off a piece of paper). FH says he absolutely cannot do the 2x a week one bc his hospital schedule is too erratic (sometimes he is in the OR till 9PM anyway) and he would be stressed giving up 2 nights a week in addition to probably missing classes. He's right. So that leaves us with either the Friday class OR having it done by a priest friend who can maybe condense it to one weekend.

The funny thing is that I am not worried about the living in sin part so much as the fact that FH is a total cynic about the Catholic Church.

[GeekGirl]

Are you worried because you think it will cause problems with pre-cana, or problems between the two of you down the road?

[tlew12778]

Problems with the priest, not problems with us. We've already discussed that :). Ironically the bigger issue with the future kids was whether or not we will raise them vegetarian since he is and I am not. I flat out told him there was no argument there bc kids always want to eat off their parents' plates and if the kid wants to try a piece of chicken off my plate, I am not dealing with a temper tantrum just to deprive him/her of it. The cats are not vegetarian (he tried... they make a premium vegetarian cat food here) so I don't think it will be an issue again as he caved really quickly with them.

[GeekGirl]

Oh, okay, just checking - I couldn't read by the tone of your post exactly which you meant!! Could your FH just play nice while you two are with the priest?

I tried to be vegetarian once, it lasted like three days. Worst three days of my life, LOL!:D

[tlew12778]

I tried to be vegetarian once, it lasted like three days. Worst three days of my life, LOL!:D Actually it used to be worse. FH was vegan for like 10 years. He JUST went back to normal vegetarian this summer.

I think he will probably just nod along with the priest. When we went to talk to the priest that will marry us he basically did just that.

[GeekGirl]

Wow, that takes dedication! I really admire people who have the willpower to lead a lifestyle like that (....she says as she runs off to Burger King for lunch! :p ).

So have you picked a reception site yet, Tiffany?

[tlew12778]

Er no. I haven't spoken to FMIL this week. I don't know if she went to meet the person she knows or not. I'm kind of loathe to ask bc I found out through FH that her dog is dying basically (it's 10 yo and has some liver tumor common to boxers) and I feel like I shouldn't really ask about the reception place you know? Regardless, I find myself thinking about this place all.the.time. So even if she doesn't get the discount we might go with it anyway. This (http://www.livejournal.com/users/tlew12778/8684.html#cutid5)is the place.

[2 Crazy Pugs]

I am also a 2006 bride, June 30 to be exact. All the big stuff is done (church, reception, gown, bridesmaids gowns, photographer, DJ, food, etc). Just waiting impatiently for 2005 to end so I can start planning again!

[GeekGirl]

This (http://www.livejournal.com/users/tlew12778/8684.html#cutid5)is the place.

Holy cow!!!! That is some kind of gorgeous!!! You are so lucky to have such a beautiful option for your reception!! :D

Welcome, 2 Crazy Pugs! Glad to hear you're so far along in your planning! So what are the details - where's it going to be, colors, ideas, etc.? Hard to believe there are only two more months of 2005 left!! :D

[kithara]

Wow, I know I am behind in my planning now. My wedding is planned for June 6, 2006. I have the wedding, rehearsal dinner, and reception location reserved. I have a caterer and a menu chosen. I have my photographer reserved. I have my dress purchased. I have selected a bridesmaid dress. I have been talking to a possible officiate...and that's about all! I actually haven't even asked two of my bridesmaids yet! I still need a DJ as well.

I moved to NYC from NC 3 months after my engagement and I tried to complete as much of the planning as possible before I left. It is much harder to plan my wedding from out of state and I am relying heavily on my mom to put together a lot of what is left.

[framboise]

tlew, That villa is GORGEOUS!! It's easy to see why you keep thinking about that one! Actually, both of the places in that post are lovely. Having a discount at the one you keep thinking about would be sooooo helpful! I'll cross my fingers for that for you!

2CrazyPugs, our weddings are on the same weekend! I'm Sunday July 2! It sounds like you have more accomplished than I do - I'd better get to work! :)

~Nicole

[GeekGirl]

Yay, more brides-to-be!!!

Here's a question for you ladies: How did you choose your wedding date? Was it sentimental reasons, or simply what was available between your various vendors?

Me: It makes sense for us to marry in the spring, for two reasons: 1. There is a possibility we might move abroad in the summer. 2. It gets really hot really quickly in the South. Given these parameters, we picked a day when the few guests we invited/the chapel we're get married at were all available.

[rubyslippers]

We selected our date by process of elimination. We both love October but we have tons of birthdays during the month. I'm the first, his brothers are the 6th and the 8th, my sister-in-law is the 6th, my sister and my niece are the 7th, my nephew is the 21st. We wanted a Sunday and next year the ONLY Sunday that isn't a birthday is the 15th. :)

[kithara]

Here's a question for you ladies: How did you choose your wedding date? Was it sentimental reasons, or simply what was available between your various vendors?

I found a location that I loved and we worked around the dates that FH would be out of school and dates that our families would be able to travel. We came up with one date in June where the location was available and I jumped at it. I'm so happy that we found the perfect date that would work for everyone!

Saratoga Springs (http://www.upstateweddingmall.com/SARATOGAtest.htm)

[GeekGirl]

Ohhhh, kithara, your reception site looks awesome!! Very beautiful!!

This (http://www.tidewaterchapel.com/index.htm) is where we're having our ceremony. It's going to be very small and intimate...we've invited 8 people. We were only going to have 4, but you know how things happen with guest lists. :p

After the ceremony, we'll be taking pictures (http://www.leadales.com/index.htm), then a carriage ride, then we're going to have dinner - haven't decided where, but possibly here (http://www.charlestongrill.com/). Or here (http://www.mavericksouthernkitchens.com/snob/index.html). And we're going to stay here (http://www.palmerhomebb.com/).

Because we're basically eloping, there's really not much more to do in terms of planning. I get to buy more stuff...I need stockings, and I think I might buy a different pair of shoes than I already have since we'll be outside so much. I need to make my bouquet (I'm doing a silk bouquet). I think I'm going to buy this (http://store.sweetsoiree.com/rapeandcrchn.html) necklace. Um...and we'll need to reserve a tux for Kroy. But really, that's about it! :D

It's just the waiting for it all to happen that's killing me!! :p

[tlew12778]

Our date was chosen by when my sister's kids have off from school. It was a big argument in my family bc I wanted a May wedding but none of the kids could miss one week. Then my cousin's 2 kids have off the week before my sister's kids so my cousin was pissed I chose the week my sister's kids have off. First she said they wouldn't even come bc of it, now they've changed their minds. [shrug] The way I see it, my sister's kids are older so it's worse if they miss a week of HS vs missing a week of grammar school.

Then the actual day was chosen based on the fact that 1) Friday is cheaper and 2) everyone will probably want to fly home on Sunday so they won't be wanting to party on Saturday.

[framboise]

Our date was chosen somewhat by process of elimination. We knew that we wanted a Sunday to help keep the costs down and that we wanted spring / summer. We had to take into consideration that my brother is in the Navy so he's not always free to pick up and travel and FH's 2 sisters are in college so we didn't want to schedule it during their finals week or something like that. I kind of wanted June 4, 2006 but FH's closest work friend is getting married the week before that and will be on her honeymoon at that time so we tried to avoid that if there was another option to choose. Then we realized that July 2 is as close to a holiday weekend as possible, which might be helpful for our out of town guests (we have a number of guests who will be coming from the midwest to CA) so we were keeping that in mind as we narrowed down the venues. When we decided on the venue & July 2 was available, we went with it!

We later realized that the date of our engagement (which I refer to as "my rock day" because I got a nice diamond on that day :D ) & the date of our wedding coordinate: We got engaged on 2/7 and we will be married on 7/2. It's a pretty silly thing to notice, I admit, but I think it's nice. :)

[GeekGirl]

Here's another QOTD for yall:

What kind of flowers are you using for your bouquet?

I'm doing silk for my bouquet, and I thought I wanted a pink bouquet with peonies and roses and lily of the valley, like this:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/rebar1980/flowers7.jpg

But I put a mock bouquet together at the store, and felt really silly holding it - it was just too frilly. So I put together a simple bouquet of red roses, like this:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/rebar1980/redrose.jpg

.....and loved it. Here's my concern: my dress is kind of floofy, do you ladies think a simple bouquet of red roses would look nice with it?

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/rebar1980/Weddingdress1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/rebar1980/Weddingdress2.jpg

[tlew12778]

Yeah I think red roses would look perfect with it!

For flowers, I think something like this for me:
http://images.snapfish.com/3453%3B5%3B523232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E232%3A%3D368%3D643 %3DXROQDF%3E2323%3B%3A%3B53%3C98%3Bot1lsi
Although I was considering all gardenias & stephanotis for a while. It will depend on the dress and what's available here in April:
http://images.snapfish.com/3453%3B5%3B523232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E232%3A%3D368%3D643 %3DXROQDF%3E2323%3B%3A%3B536%3A88ot1lsi

For the girls who will be dressed in all black:
http://images.snapfish.com/3453%3B5%3B523232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E232%3A%3D368%3D643 %3DXROQDF%3E2323%3B%3A%3B53%3C992ot1lsi
or this:
http://images.snapfish.com/3453%3B5%3B523232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E232%3A%3D368%3D643 %3DXROQDF%3E2323%3B%3A%3B53%3C993ot1lsi
My MOH apparently doesn't like roses though. No idea why... so I will have to ask the florist about substitutes I guess. Roses aren't in season anyway in April.

We'll be using real I think. I wouldn't even know where to get silk flowers here in Italy.

[2 Crazy Pugs]

Here are the details (so far) my fellow 2006 Brides....

The ceremony is at the same church that my parents got married in 35 years ago- we tried to get their anniversary date, but it was booked, so we had to take the weekend after. Reception is at a club in town, its actually an old Victorian house, its beautiful, it has separate rooms, and one big ball room. So we are doing a cocktail party before the reception starts in the living room/library area.

I have 5 bridesmaids, and a junior bridesmaid, and 5 groomsmen. The girls dresses are plum colored, all the flowers will be some shade of purple.

Decorations are easy, just simple white lights and candlelight for the reception, I am going for a classic, elegant look.

If I can figure out how to post pictures, I will post my gown and the girls dresses.

[framboise]

For bouquets, we're basically going to wing it. We will be doing our own flowers using the Los Angeles Flower Market. Our centerpieces are probably going to be small trees (I just posted an update about that in my journal if anyone is interested in what we're leaning towards) which will be easy for us non-florists to deal with. The only things that we're actually going to have to make is bouquets & bouts. For bouts, we're most likely going to do stephanotis or some kind of herbs. For bouquets, we're going to use whatever is in stock in bright pink the day before the wedding. Depending on what looks good, we may add in some white / cream something or other too.

[tlew12778]

QOTD: Live band or DJ?

I think that FMIL just assumes we will get a live bad. She asked me today what type of music we want at the reception. Honestly I haven't even thought about it. She's going through her mental roster of who she knows so she can ask for discounts :).

I'm going to go with FMIL on Saturday morning to start on my dress. FFIL's cousin is a wedding dress seamstress so we're going to go meet up with her. After that we're going to go look at favors. Apparently we have to have two sets of favors -- nice ones for those who actually come to the wedding and more simple ones for those who just get told we got married (why they get a favor I have no idea... must be an Italian thing).

We're booking that villa that I posted last week. FMIL went on Tuesday and negotiated a slight discount (115 euro per person tax included, plus they are throwing in the table centerpieces), but the deciding factor was more that FH's great-grandmother worked in that villa and she had 3 of her kids there; they are giving us that room for our wedding night (as it's now a hotel) bc it's supposed to bring us good tidings since they were married for 65+ years.

I'm really FMIL and I get along so well. I'm sure my own mom would be green with jealousy if she knew what a big role FMIL is playing in the planning. But I figure what I don't tell her can't hurt her.

Other than that, the various travel agents I contacted for HM info have been bombarding me for a response. It's a little bit annoying, but I guess we might be a little late in the game compared to other couples. Where is everyone else going for HM?

[2 Crazy Pugs]

We are going to Napa/Sonoma Valley for our HM. We are both into wine and love to tour vineyards and go to tastings, so that is what we are doing!

[framboise]

The music situation is one that is bouncing around in my head a lot too. We are having a garden wedding & we want jazz music, but that is a pretty broad description and we haven't really narrowed it down much more than that. I don't think that I've ever seen a DJ that only played jazz music, but it's probably possible. We really need to focus on the music "plan" soon but we're having a hard time making a decision. I find this kind of ironic because FH & I both used to be musicians ourselves (not professional or anything but we each played musical instruments for years). Basically the short answer is: WE HAVE NO IDEA!! Haha!

Congratulations on deciding on the villa, Tiffany! It is going to be so beautiful! It sounds like you got a pretty good deal & the family history part is so cool!

[GeekGirl]

Ooooh, Tiffany, I'm so happy you booked the villa! How beautiful! Your pictures are going to be fantastic!

Good luck with the whole music thing...I think live band vs. DJ is just one of those eternal questions. DJs tend to be alot more flexible in their repetoire, but nothing beats the entertainment value of a good live band. DJs tend to be less expensive, but nothing beats the entertainment value of a good live band! Since we're not having a "reception" after the ceremony, we're just taking the guests out to dinner we're not having a DJ or a live band. But I'm hoping to find a restaurant that has live entertainment, I'm thinking something like here (http://www.charlestongrill.com/) maybe?

[tlew12778]

That jazz/lounge restaurant looks awesome. The cool thing about places like that is that they're usually pretty intimate and the guy can play whatever you want. There's something really romantic about being surrounded by strangers taking part in your wedding day :).

we want jazz music, but that is a pretty broad description and we haven't really narrowed it down much more than that. Oh I totally know what you mean! There are so many types of jazz... then I was thinking we kind of would like a Sinatra-y sound too... or we like lounge music too but I don't suppose that goes very well with the villa setting.

[2 Crazy Pugs]

Is anyone else kind of freaking out about being the center of attention at your wedding- I am- I do not like people staring at me, and the thought of dancing in front of 100 people is terrifying! I think that will make me more nervous than anything else....

[kithara]

I'm a little nervous about being the center of attention, especially since I don't know my FH's family very well. (They live in the UK and aside from his mother, I have only met them twice.) And I am very nervous about dancing. I think I might ask him to take some lessons with me. I am very glad that I am having a smaller wedding (50-75).

[GeekGirl]

Again, I don't really know as I'm a good one to comment on this question, as my wedding is so outside of the "norm". But being the center of attention on my wedding day doesn't bother me one bit. I'm Catholic, and I remember on the day of my First Communion, my grandmother was helping me adjust my veil and she said to me that I would never be as beautiful again until my wedding day. That sort of stuck with me - not that I'm not beautiful any other time outside of my First Communion and getting married! - but rather, how every bride is beautiful on her wedding day. No matter what. It's like, a prerequisite to being a bride. It doesn't matter what you wear, what your makeup looks like, what kind of jewelry you have on. Brides just glow with happiness and joy. And it's beautiful. And when presented with something so undeniably and irresistably beautiful, most people can't help but stare. So let people notice! My guess would be that the day of, you're going to be so preoccupied by your own giddy happiness, you won't even notice. :D

[2 Crazy Pugs]

I am really nervous about the whole thing- not marriage itself, but the wedding. But hopefully, it will be fun, and a glass or two of champagne will calm my nerves. And it isn't until 6:00 and we have the whole day planned of stuff to do (nails, hair, picking up stuff, dropping stuff off, etc) that maybe I will be too preoccupied to be nervous. Luckily, my MOH is awesome, and I know she will calm me down.

[kate]

I'M GETTING MARRIED!!!!!!!!

We just got engaged Friday night and I don't think I have stopped smiling since :D We are hoping for December 30th for our date, but things have been filling up very fast here, so hopefully we can still get everything we want for that date! We are going home this afternoon to tell our parents. I'm sooo excited!!

Just wanted to share my GREAT news! :)

[MandyMaloo]

Congrats!! It's a great feeling when you get engaged! Definatly check out the threads in the All Things Wedding group---there are some AMAZING ideas out there!

Planning a wedding is super stressful, but there are so many awesome, supportive ladies here, and I couldn't have done it without their support :). If there's anything you need (pictures, ideas, advice, or just need to vent) just lemme know!

Congrats again and happy planning!! :)

[LSirola]

Hello everyone!
I am so glad to find this message board. My fiance and I met online and got engaged 3 weeks later. We planned to get married shortly after that, but my fiance got sick, had surgery, spent a week in the hospital and got $60,000 in hospital bills. Soooo the wedding got delayed. People said we wouldn't last, that we were crazy. But a year and a half later we are happier than ever. We own two houses, have 3 cats and I am in college studying to be a teacher.

We finally set a date.. Feb 4th 2006. It will be our two year anniversary. It is a very special day to us.

We just bought our rings yesterday, and sent them off to be sized. We bought a wrap that has two diamonds on each side, and a simple gold band. For my fiance Billy we got a two tone platinum and yellow gold band.

We are getting married in his uncles back yard, and also having the reception there. As soon as I saw this beautiful backyard I knew that is where I wanted to get married. There is a pond with Koi fish and huge trees that shade the yard(if they weren't knocked down by Hurricane Wilma).

We are only having our family there, no friends, coworkers or guests dates. I am nervous about having all the attention on me, and actually so is my fiance. So there will be about 15-18 people at the wedding. My fiance's uncle is paying for the whole thing as his gift to us.

We have decided on a Hawaiian luau theme. Very casual. Then we are off to Disney for a few days. We just booked our hotel.

Sorry to ramble on and on. I am just so excited.
I can't wait to read all the wonderful stories and ideas everyone has.
Lauren

[filmgirl7]

Congrats to the new "2006 brides!" I hope that wedding planning goes easily and smoothly for you all!

As for me, I'm just two months away, and can't wait for it to be behind us. We still haven't told our parents. We were planning to do it on my birthday (next monday) but then found out that J's parents can't come out for dinner that night. Now we're not sure when to tell them.

Meanwhile, we decided to use "make your own invitation" and we'll use a holiday card and just print them up invitation-style. I have to make an appt for my dress fitting, and we're going back up to vermont this weekend to finalize all the plans.

We still can't decide if the groomsmen should wear tuxes. J is having a hard time accepting that this isn't a 200 guest wedding, so things get muddled. I don't really see the point of having tuxes when there will only be 25 people there, and half of them are the bridal party. Plus, everyone will be staying at the Inn, which isn't exactly cheap. I hate to put them out further but expecting them to spend $100+ on tuxes. Any thoughts?

Can't wait til it's over.....

[tlew12778]

Welcome to all the new brides!

Um, we're not using tuxes and we are a 200 person wedding :p. BC of the major expenses involved for the girls (they are flying to Italy and staying for a week) , I didn't want to make them spend an additional $200 on a dress they would wear only once. So I told them to get something black that they would wear again and to coordinate amongst themselves that all 4 work together. So they are all getting black, floor-length. As a result, I feel it would be inappropriate to ask the guys to get tuxes. I plan on just asking them to wear the same color suits and shirts then I figure we can buy them all matching ties.

[GeekGirl]

Kate - Congratulations!!!!! I hope you never stop smiling. Good luck with sharing the great news with your parents, and I can't wait to hear more about your wedding plans!

skippyplante - Grats on getting your rings!! Do you have pictures? Don't worry about what anyone else has to say about your relationship...I think I knew from the second I met Kroy that I'd be spending my life with him. Sometimes, things just fit. :) Your wedding sounds like it will be lovely!

filmgirl7 - Will you be the first of our crew to tie the knot? I can't believe you're only two months out!! I don't know what to say about the tuxes. Have you talked with the people who would be renting them? Maybe they don't mind. If they don't, then I say go for it! If it's going to be a hassle, well, suits would look great, and maybe they could coordinate ties or some such.

I don't know about the tuxes for my wedding, either. Or the whole wedding party bit. Our "wedding party" is going to consist simply of my MOH and his BM. I'm not having my MOH buy a dress - she can wear whatever kind of dress she likes. I guess since Kroy is wearing a tux it would probably be appropriate for his BM to wear a tux, but I'm not really sure if he's the tux-wearin' type. I guess Kroy will prolly have to talk with him about it. It doesn't really matter to me, either way.

[2 Crazy Pugs]

So we finally got our reception squared away, did the tasting for the menu this weekend, it was wonderful. The coordinator at our reception site is doing all the centerpieces for us, pillar candles of different sizes on mirrors with votives all around the table, and we are getting loose flowers (most likely white lilies) to put in vases all around the place (its an old Victorian mansion with various rooms, separate room for our cocktail hour, the bar is in a different room)- such a relief to not have to worry about one more thing.

[GeekGirl]

Awesome, 2 Crazy Pugs!! Glad to hear everything is coming together!

I think I may have found another wedding dinner possibility - this (http://www.americascuisine.com/charleston/charlestonchops.html) place looks like it would be fantastic!

[Michelle&Russ]

Just wanted to say hi! My wedding is in March 06! We've been engaged just over a year and its crazy to think how close its getting! We've gotten all the big stuff squared away and most vendors booked but it seems there is soooo much left to do! Invitations, lots small stuff and other details.

[GeekGirl]

Welcome, Michelle! So where are you getting married? Details, details!! :D

[Michelle&Russ]

Hi Geekgirl! Thanks!! Congrats to you too!

I'm getting married in downtown Austin at the Austin Club here a pic of the outside:
http://images6.fotki.com/v161/photos/1/15572/1985861/P1010021-vi.jpg?500375

and the inside (not me in the pic):
http://images8.fotki.com/v127/photos/1/15572/1534238/b3127cce87f5b137b0c90000001610-vi.jpg?480321

manogony (sp?) bar
http://images15.fotki.com/v11/photos/1/15572/1985861/10105021-vi.jpg?500375

We love the location of this place because its downtown and walking distance from the church, hotels, resturants... :D

[framboise]

Ooohh, Michelle&Russ, your venue is GORGEOUS!! Congratulations!

[GeekGirl]

Michelle.....wow. You are so lucky to have such a beautiful reception spot!! How big is your wedding going to be? Are you having the ceremony there as well?

[GeekGirl]

Here are some pics of where Kroy and I are getting married. It's modeled after a 1709 lowcountry church.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/rebar1980/Courtyard.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/rebar1980/ChapelWindows-1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/rebar1980/ChapelFrOutside.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/rebar1980/ChapelInterior.jpg

[tlew12778]

Michelle - I LOVE your reception site. It's so classic and beautiful!

GG - I already mentioned in your journal how perfect I think your chapel is, but I thought I'd just do it again :p. So quintiscential and perfect for your intimate wedding.

This is the church we're getting married at:
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c142/tlew12778/chiesasmall.jpg
I don't have any pictures of the inside bc I never bring a camera with me to church and the ones online are super dark.

This is where our reception will be held:
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c142/tlew12778/VillaSanCarloBorromeo_front.jpg
This is where the cocktail hour will be held. The windows on the left are actually doors that open up into the garden:
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c142/tlew12778/VillaSanCarloBorromeo_Cocktail.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c142/tlew12778/VillaSanCarloBorromeo_Cocktaila.jpg
This is where dinner will be held. Again, all the windows are actually doors that open out into the garden:
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c142/tlew12778/VillaSanCarloBorromeo_Dining1.jpg

QOTD: Does everyone have their dress? Post pics!

[MandyMaloo]

Hello Ladies!

It's nice to see our thread thriving!! :) Only a few more weeks til the new year! YAY!

Michelle-- What a BEAUTIFUL reception site! I can't wait to see your pictures from your big day! Congrats on your upcoming wedding!

GeekGirl-- Is your site in Charleston? What a beautiful place! I love the churches by the ocean, for some reason they just feel...differant. I dunno how to describe it. I'm so glad everything is coming together well for you!

tlew- :eek: I need to move to Milan. Talk about a princess wedding!! Man! I bet you're going to feel like royalty there! What an amazing, breathtaking spot!!

Well, things are still pretty hectic around here. Since FH wont have a lot of "off time" built up, and becuase the department isn't too jazzed about one of their officers being gone for 2 weeks, it looks like our Sandals wedding is a no go. We're looking into differant ideas (still need a destination wedding) and we're thinking about Vegas. We're not doing cheesy Elvis-as-the-minister wedding, but actually looking into getting married at Mandalay Bay (they have a BEAUTIFUL chapel there). We're going to walk up and down the strip and take pictures with our friends/family at all the differant hotels. We're still looking into it, but I think it's going to be **the** spot. We can stay for 3 days or so, then fly back and have our reception all in the same week.

We're also looking into places in Wisconsin to have our reception (this is all SUPER last minute since we had to wait for FH's captin to let us know when he could get off). I found this place I am in LOVE with. It used to be an old 1920's movie theater. It looks like something stright out of 'The Great Gatsby' or something. It's amazing. I am totally in love. I've gotta find some pictures and post them.

http://www.theunionstation.com/1451/leftroom.jpg
http://www.theunionstation.com/1451/stairs.jpg
http://www.theunionstation.com/1451/columns.jpg

Glad everyone's plans are coming along!

[GeekGirl]

:D Ladies, your sites are beautiful!! What gorgeous selections!!

Mandy - Yes, my site is in Charleston. Well, technically it's in Mt. Pleasant, right across the river from Charleston. But basically Charleston. I agree about being close to the ocean...I am very much an ocean person!! :D I'm so sorry to hear that your Sandals wedding is a no go!! Vegas would be a nice option, though. I have a friend who got married in Vegas - again, not so much an Elvis-type wedding, but a fancier chapel wedding. They were thrilled with it!

What resources have you been using to plan your wedding, Mandy? I ask this because I've noticed that there really doesn't seem to be a whole lot of resources out there for people who want to elope/have a destination wedding. I mean, it's out there, but you have to search harder to find it. I found one website that had alot of great resources, but beyond that it's been very hit-or-miss. I went to Borders the other day to see what kind of books they had on the subject...they had a full bookshelf of books on wedding planning, etiqutte, etc. - and out of all those books, only one was about eloping/planning a destination wedding!!

QOTD: Does everyone have their dress? Post pics!

I've posted mine once before...but I love my dress, so I'll post it again! :D

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/rebar1980/Weddingdress1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/rebar1980/Weddingdress2.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/rebar1980/DressDetail.jpg

[GeekGirl]

Here's some terrible pics of my dress on me. I didn't have any makeup on, or my hair done, or wear the right stuff under the dress...but you'll get the general idea.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/rebar1980/100_0497.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/rebar1980/100_0498.jpg

Hey Mandy!! You used to work at David's Bridal, right? How full of a crinoline should I wear with this dress? I've been looking at a few on eBay, and I want to get something that will be floofy enough and yet...not too floofy.

[MandyMaloo]

You look awesome in that dress! You look so happy in it, and I think that is what makes every bride look amazing on her big day! :)

I've basically been calling around. I've been going onto various sites and getting phone numbers and asking the venues directly about costs/locations. I always ask them to send me information even if it's already on the website. I agree, it's pretty hard planning a desitnation wedding, at least harder than I had expected. In Vegas, I have an advantage since my grandparents live there and I have been there too many times to count, so I already know my way around. (I know enough to stay away from Downtown Vegas!!).

If you want a crenoline for your dress that isn't *too* poofy, I'd go with a 603. They are what we use for the A-Line dresses. If you're looking for a little more poof, go with 512. They arn't crazy, but look amazing with tulle skirts. They just lift the skirt a bit. You can usually find some pretty good ones on ebay. I think I found one for $10 the other day. Just remember to buy the same size as your dress (many women think they can buy the size smaller than the dress...then it creates rolls in the dress). Also remember to go with something with a zip. Drawstring crenolines are a PAIN IN THE BUTT!! They never stay up and are a doozy to get into.

I bought a dress when we thought we were having the massive church wedding, but now that we're having a destination wedding, we're going to look for something else. I don't want a train (I think) and I need a lighterweight material since I'll be in the middle of a desert. Here's my old one though:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d732b3127cce9452ccfc7c0600000015108FZN3DNy4o
(with my MOH)
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d732b3127cce945d90f51cf600000015108FZN3DNy4o
(Kinda hard to see with the flowers in the way...)

**Sidenote** It was those pictures that inspired me to lose some more weight ;). I feel like I look like a blimp...eesh.

[Michelle&Russ]

Thanks everyone for the compliments on my reception venue, I'm really excited about it! GeekGirl we're looking at 150 max (hopefully a little less than that so it won't be too crowded!). The ceremony is going to be in a church a one and a half blocks away. Unfortunately I don't have any good pics of the church (note to self, take pics next time I'm there!). I loved looking at everyone else's places too they are all beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

Mandy and GG what beautiful dresses! You both look stunning in them! Mandy what kind of dress are you going to look for now? I love the one you have!

Here are some pics from my first fitting

Front - me checking out the veil with the dress :)
http://images12.fotki.com/v236/photos/1/15572/2450582/dress038-vi.jpg?368500

Back
http://images15.fotki.com/v228/photos/1/15572/2450582/dress036-vi.jpg?368500

[tlew12778]

We're also looking into places in Wisconsin to have our reception (this is all SUPER last minute since we had to wait for FH's captin to let us know when he could get off). I found this place I am in LOVE with. It used to be an old 1920's movie theater. It looks like something stright out of 'The Great Gatsby' or something. It's amazing. I am totally in love. I've gotta find some pictures and post them. This place is AWESOME! I would totally do a flapper theme reception. It'd be so fun! You could even make ppl come dressed up in the appropriate period dress.

As for my dress, it's being made for me. We're working towards something like this look (http://www.livejournal.com/users/tlew12778/14287.html#cutid1).
I won't be wearing that weird scarf thing on my head obviously :rolleyes:. I'm going to pick out the material with the lady who is making the dress (FFIL's cousin) on December 7. I just wish I had a better idea of what it would look like on me but stores here CHARGE YOU to try on dresses! :eek: Maybe I'll go to Monique Lhullier salon when I'm in Boston over Christmas to try on the modified mermaid skirt and make sure its flattering.

[Michelle&Russ]

I just wish I had a better idea of what it would look like on me but stores here CHARGE YOU to try on dresses!

tlew12778, I can't believe they charge you to try on dresses! That's crazy!!! I love your dress ideas btw! And your church and reception venues are gorgeous!!!!

[tlew12778]

tlew12778, I can't believe they charge you to try on dresses! That's crazy!!! I love your dress ideas btw! And your church and reception venues are gorgeous!!!! Right? I didn't find that out until I met with FFIL's cousin. She is actually a wedding dress seamstress professionally and she told me that the reason they do that is to prevent brides from coming in with their own seamstresses to copy the design. I mean, they do it anyway, but they just have to pay to do that. It makes sense, but jeez.

[Michelle&Russ]

Wow and I thought it was bad here where most stores rip the tags out of dresses and don't let you take pictures when trying them on!

[kithara]

I feel so lucky! The store I bought my dress from let me try on dresses, take pictures, and even looked up the names and prices of the ones I was interested in. I could have walked out and priced other stores, but I didn't. I was treated so well that my mom and I bought the dress on the spot. They are storing it for free until my wedding and steaming it for free as well. I can't imagine having to pay to try on a dress.

[MandyMaloo]

Eeeek! That's pretty crazy! I hope you get an idea of your dress soon. The one you posted for inspiration was beautiful!

I'm still looking around right now. We've really started to look at some great places in Las Vegas, and I'm hoping this will work out! I found this AMAZING florist and I found some beautiful bouquets that I would love :). It'll be nice because some of our friends have offered to come out to Vegas with us too, but we can politely keep the number down as well.

We got the information on our reception site tonight, so we're looking over that right now. I am so excited! It's so hard since we had to wait so long to plan our wedding due to Chad's job, but it's something we needed to consider. New officers obviously don't get much time off, so we kinda need to speed plan. Either way- I'm gonna be happy.

Anyone wlse have some dresses to post? What about accessories or invitations? I'd love to see what everyone else is doing!

[GeekGirl]

Mandy, here's another question for you, since you're my elopement buddy!!! ;) I've been going back and forth about registering. My friends want me to do it, because they still want to buy us gifts...I'm just not sure. Is it okay to register even if you're eloping?

[MandyMaloo]

Yeah I plan on registering! I am also having the big 250+ person reception as well. I think I would've done it anyway though because the number one question we're getting from everyone is "what do you guys need for your house?". People are going to be getting you gifts anyway. And if you feel uncomfortable letting someone know you're registerd...you don't have to tell them :).

I guess I had never thought about it. I wonder if I should still register! Hmmm...you asked a very good question. I think we're still going to, but again, it wont be anything huge.

Any accessories to share GG? ;)

[tlew12778]

I bought this Swarovski tiara off ebay for $85 but I am currently thinking it will not work with my dress:
http://i11.ebayimg.com/04/i/05/41/44/cc_1.JPG
I figure I'll just pop it on my head when my dress is being made and see if I like the look or not. I think I may need something more modern or no tiara at all.

[ceaserbride]

August 5th 2006 Bride Here! Not too much done....I really gotta get a move on! We are having the ceremony as well as the reception at my parents house. I have my dress and the tent is taken care of, but can you belive I still havent asked my BM to be my BM yet?? Eeeek! Soon though! One lives OOT so I'm waiting for them to all be together. My parents and I are researching caterers at the moment and my FH is supposed to be talking to his photographer friend ASAP(seems like Ive been bugging him forever)
Here is a picture of my dress, although it doesnt do the dress ANY justice.
I will try to post a pic of me in it after I have the alterations done (Its at the dress makers ATM). My first attempt at posting a pic so I hope it works....Sorry for the VERY poor quality! I will get a better pic as soon as possible.
http://images.snapfish.com/3454%3B9%3B923232%7Ffp335%3Enu%3D3268%3E983%3E3%3B 6%3EWSNRCG%3D323332545%3A%3C8%3Bnu0mrj

[ceaserbride]

Oh it didn't work:( I'm not sure what I did wrong. Did what it said in how to post pic's thread. Any suggestions?

[MandyMaloo]

I am in the same boat! I purchased this tiara off of ebay, but I'm not sure if I am still going to use it. I think I may not wear one at all (depending on my hairstyle) or if I do, that I may need something a little differant so it doesn't drown out.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d805b3127cce9235fe1b688e00000016108FZN3DNy4o

This is my single layer cathedral length veil. I LOVE it...it's so simple, but I think it's so dramatic. Since I may not have a train, I think the veil will add drama to the dress without the extra weight of a train (since we'er going to be on the go!)

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d603b3127cce93c3c19ae18f00000016108FZN3DNy4o

I have my shoes and my earings as well, but they're nothing too crazy. I'm wearing white, sparkley flip flops and my earing are 3 tier diamonds. I want the dress to be the main focus, so I'm really down playing the accessories.

[tlew12778]

Mandy - Have you considered keeping the dress but just bustling it up? The tiara looks great with the dress (is it the same tiara in the pic?).

[Michelle&Russ]

Mandy I love you veil! So pretty! I like Tiffany's suggestion of keeping the dress and bustling it up. Also you could where a hoop skirt, it will keep all that heavy fabric off your legs and keep you cooler!

[Michelle&Russ]

Here are the shoes I'm wearing! I got them from shoebuy.com, I ordered 6 pairs, tried them all on at home, walked around awhile in them... and sent the ones I didn't want back for full refund (even shipping was free)!

Can you tell I took this pic myself? :p
http://images15.fotki.com/v227/photos/1/15572/2721737/shoesring011-vi.jpg?500375

[GeekGirl]

Yep, I've got some accessories to share....

This is the tiara I bought, also off eBay. But the more I think about it, the more I think I'd really love something like you have, Tiffany!! Although I do really like mine...ugh. So not sure.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/rebar1980/tiara1.jpg

This is what I'm wearing under the dress. :D
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/rebar1980/felina.jpg

I don't have shoes yet, but since Kroy and I are the same height, I'm prolly going to get a flat shoe like so:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/rebar1980/ROSLYN.jpg

[GeekGirl]

Lisainpink is going to help me make this necklace this weekend:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/rebar1980/necklace.jpg

I don't have earrings yet, but I am in love with these:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/rebar1980/Earrings1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/rebar1980/earrings4.jpg

Or to match my ering?
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/rebar1980/earrings2.jpg

Or to match my necklace?
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/rebar1980/earrings3.jpg

[GeekGirl]

Mandy, your dress looks so fantastic on you!!!!!!!! I second the idea of just having it bustled up. Or, maybe you could just have the train cut off? I'm not sure if that would work...I just couldn't imagine parting with something that looks so much like it was made for you!

You're probably right about registering. I don't think I'll "advertise" where I've registered...but I'm sure if I told the right people, word would get around.

[kithara]

GeekGirl,

I LOVE that tiara. If you don't mind me asking, do you remember which seller you bought it from?

[Michelle&Russ]

GeekGirl I love your accessories! Let us know how the necklace making goes! I think I like the first earings you have, but the pearl ones are really nice too and like you said match the necklace.

[MandyMaloo]

http://content.shopmay.com/images/gifts/product/detail/320/13113964_D2.jpg
These kind of resemble my earings. Mine are a little less ornate, but along the same lines.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf35b3127cce9517b509e05100000016108FZN3DNy4o
These are my sparkly flipy flops. I love them! They're so comfy and so me! I'm ALWAYS in flip flops...even in winter (which may account for why I have so many colds ;) ). They kinda went with the bodice of my dress...what do you think?

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d911b3127cce937670b4ff2d00000016108FZN3DNy4o

After hearing from everyone on here, I think I am going to keep my dress. I don't want anything too fancy, and this dress has a simple elegance about it that I love. I will have it bustled, but it might be nice to let the train go as I walk down the aisle at the chapel.

We've decided on new colors as well: red and black. Chad took me to a formal for his fraternity our Junior year in college and he looked amazing in his black suit and red shirt/tie. He was my little gangster ;). We're kinda envisioning that for the overall look. The girls will just wear long black dresses (something they can wear again...thanks to tlew for the idea!!). Our roses are red and tied with black satin ribbon.

Here's a picture from that formal. We look even younger then, so no laughing! I just love his outfit (there's no need to get a tux when he has this expensive suit just sitting in our closet!). What do you think??

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d805b3127cce9235f993a9ad00000016108FZN3DNy4o

[tlew12778]

Mandy - I love your FH's outfit. I think it'll be GREAT for a LV wedding. Will he wear the same thing for the reception back home? BC I think it would also work really well in your 1920's setting. Oh and I love the colors too... especially bc my colors are also red and black (and ivory and gold) ;).

[MandyMaloo]

Thank you!

I love his outfit...and I love the rich colors. I think they're just beautiful!

[Michelle&Russ]

Mandy I think the red and black will look great! And yay for sticking with the dress! It looks great on you!

My bridesmaids are wearing long black dresses too. Are your bridesmaids picking out their own black dresses or do you have a dress in mind?

[MandyMaloo]

Thank you Michelle!

I am going to let the girls wear whatever black dress they want. Some already have them, and if some decide to go out to get one, they'll obviously pick something they will consider wearing again. My girls are cool with that, and I'm just excited that some are making the journey out to Vegas to come see me! :)

If we were having a more traditional wedding, I prolly would've picked oput dresses, but since this is a destination wedding, I'm leaving it up to them.

[GeekGirl]

I'm with you there, Mandy. It's good to let them pick a dress that they'll be able to wear again - and black is something that we all have in our wardrobes and will always be able to use! As for me and Kroy, the only members of our "bridal party" are going to be my MOH and his BM, so it doesn't really matter what they wear, because there won't be anybody for them to match with. :D

[GeekGirl]

GeekGirl,

I LOVE that tiara. If you don't mind me asking, do you remember which seller you bought it from?

I don't mind at all! I got it from 21stc.c. Her name is Marianne and she has a really great selection!! Just be forewarned, she lives in Canada and doesn't accept Paypal - I had to pay with in international money order. But her customer service is fantastic, and she's a super fast shipper!

[2 Crazy Pugs]

Okay everyone, here are some pictures of what I am doing for my wedding on June 30- sorry, but I have to see them all together to get a good picture in my head of what everything will look like.

Keep in mind the colors are white and purple (all shades)...

My gown (I took the sleeves off, they kept falling down and driving me nuts).

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce9511f7d9b88d00000010108AZt2rVk5atx

The <a style='text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 3px double;' href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=22&k=girls%20dresses" onmouseover="window.status='<a style='text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 3px double;' href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=22&k=girls%20dresses" onmouseover="window.status='girls dresses'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">girls dresses</a>'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">girls dresses</a>....

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce95110d42b86b00000010108AZt2rVk5atx

How I want my hair...
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce951105a0b88d00000010108AZt2rVk5atx

My flowers....

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce95112462f8c700000010108AZt2rVk5atx

My cake...

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce95110597398a00000010108AZt2rVk5atx

The tables.... (all in white & <a style='text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 3px double;' href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=22&k=purple%20flowers" onmouseover="window.status='<a style='text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 3px double;' href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=22&k=purple%20flowers" onmouseover="window.status='purple flowers'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">purple flowers</a>'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">purple flowers</a> & candles)...
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce951128cb795800000010108AZt2rVk5atx

[GeekGirl]

Wow, 2 Crazy Pugs - you will be stunning!! I especially love the hairstyle!!

[2 Crazy Pugs]

There's more!

Here is our "guest book"

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce95111e7bf8c300000010108AZt2rVk5atx

Our thank you cards (not us in the pictures!)

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce95111fa1b88100000010108AZt2rVk5atx

[GeekGirl]

Nice!! We're doing the photo "guest book" as well. We're not actually having a "reception" per se, but some of our friends and family want to throw us a party in Alabama and Michigan once the whole getting hitched thing is said and done, we'll take it to those and have people sign it. :D

[tlew12778]

Wow. That's some hardcore HTML code!

Can you make the pics a little bigger? Everything looks great, but it's be cool to see bigger pics and get more detail.

I spent the ENTIRE DAY at work today trying to layout the invites. I NEVER would have thought it was so time consuming. So much math involved too! I actually was trying to remember the pythagorean theorem the other day while calculating how much ribbon I would need :eek: .

[GeekGirl]

We sent in the deposit for the chapel today! It's officially official - April 28, 2006 at 2:00 PM!!

[2 Crazy Pugs]

How do I make the pictures bigger? I just did the shutterfly thing to get them in the message.

[tlew12778]

You've probably got to click on the actual picture instead of just the thumbnails (I'm assuming that's what you did bc they seem to be thumbnail size).

[2 Crazy Pugs]

Lets try it again!

My gown....

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce9511f7d9b88d00000015108AZt2rVk5atx

The girls dresses (in the same color)...

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce95110d42b86b00000015108AZt2rVk5atx

My hair....

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce951105a0b88d00000015108AZt2rVk5atx

The cake....

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce95110597398a00000015108AZt2rVk5atx

For the tables (but in white & purple flowers & candles)

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce951128cb795800000015108AZt2rVk5atx

[2 Crazy Pugs]

A few more....

My bouquet (but more roses, less other "stuff")

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce95112462f8c700000015108AZt2rVk5atx

Our "guest book" (we have the shelves already)...

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce95111e7bf8c300000016108AZt2rVk5atx

And our thank you cards (not us in the picture).... my parents best friends are photographers, and they are doing our wedding, and we are going to the beach to take some shots before the ceremony....

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce95111fa1b88100000015108AZt2rVk5atx

[2 Crazy Pugs]

And here is our reception place....

Its an old Victorian mansion.

Outside...

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf37b3127cce951fa332d10b00000016108AZt2rVk5atx

The living room, where cocktail hour will be...

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf37b3127cce951fa0e8107800000016108AZt2rVk5atx

The Library, where the wedding party will be waiting prior to being introduced (having cocktails, of course)...

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf37b3127cce951fa0ea107a00000016108AZt2rVk5atx

These are what my tables will be like (only with my candle/flower centerpieces, and the chairs will have lavendar ribbons on them)...

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf37b3127cce951fa302d13b00000016108AZt2rVk5atx

[tlew12778]

I absolutely love the sleeves on your gown! Do you have a picture of the back of it? I'm having the same sleeves put on my down with a see through back to match the sleeves.

[tlew12778]

I just sent off the email confirming our honeymoon! I'm so friggin' excited. This is my journal link (http://www.livejournal.com/users/tlew12778/14647.html) with the full description. It's totally putting us in the HOLE but I did some fast calculations and I think it will be our only wedding expense as my parents have given us enough money to cover half and his mom wants to cover the other half (Thank God they are SOOOO generous!).

[2 Crazy Pugs]

Funny you should mention the sleeves because I took them off my gown, they kept falling down and driving me nuts, and I didn't want to be fidgeting with them during the wedding and reception. It looks better without them!

[MandyMaloo]

Ahhhhh!! I'm telling you, I'm going mad! :mad:

Chad talked to his parents and asked about our Vegas plans and they got upset becuase they would be unable to make it to the actual wedding. I'm just so confused. They wern't at their daughter's wedding, and really wanted nothing to do with it, why are they all of a sudden so interested in our wedding? :confused: I can't be upset. They are his parents, and they have every right to want to see their son get married, it's just fusterating. So, once again, we're back at square one.

I made a compromise though. November of 2006. This way, all families have some more time to save up some money to help with the expenses (his family kept saying, "Mandy's family has more money- can't they just take care of it?!" all the while begging us to keep this wedding in WI, making my family have to pay for travel expenses as well). Also, we have a little more time to save up and have the wedding we really, really wanted. I always wanted to walk down the aisle and see all my friends and family there. And since we would be unable to have a honeymoon, my father would be willing to help in large part to the wedding. Also, since we don't have a honeymoon, Chad promised to take me to Disney for a week on our 1 year anniversarry! :D

We should have the details for the "fall wedding" this weekend. He's talking to his parents this weekend and telling them this is getting rediculious.

Keeping my fingers crossed that this time something will actually happen!

[kithara]

I completely understand Mandy. I moved my wedding date twice and location once to accomodate both of our families. I even abandoned my destination wedding plans...that included paying for everyone to stay there...first my grandparents wouldn't come because "they had been to that island before." Then my grandmother said my uncle's family wouldn't drive that far. Then my FH's family said it was too far from the airport. (It was 45 minutes...same as where we are having it now.) I was in tears over my wedding!

So I changed the location to the same town I grew up in where my family still lives. Everyone now seems satisfied with the location and we are handling transportation from the hotels. I wanted a fall wedding, but that wouldn't work with FH's school, so we decided on June. Then his family said that Charlotte (our flower girl) wouldn't be able to get out of school...so we moved it to August...then they called and said she could get out of school and June would really be better. So I booked the only date in June that our location had open.

And now, my FH just found out that he has to take a class that is only offered in June this summer to graduate on time! So our honeymoon that I had been planning is being postponed...I'm not even sure when we can go. August isn't the best weather in the Caribbean (humidity, rain, hurricanes). I'm looking at August or maybe January! I know it seems like a little thing, but since we don't live near either of our families, most of our vacations are spent visiting one or the other. I'm really looking forward to our honeymoon and a vacation for just the two of us.

[tlew12778]

Gosh I don't know how I missed your post Mandy. That sucks! But I'm glad that you'll now be able to have the wedding of your dreams. How come you guys aren't going on HM? Sorry if you already talked about that. I've got an atrocious memory.

I agree the wedding date thing sucks. We chose our date bc my sister insisted it be that week since her kids are off from school that week. She's not a control freak or anything, but I really want her kids there. It caused a HUGE argument in my family bc I prioritized my sisters' kids over my cousins' kids who have off the week before hers do. But I stuck to my guns and we set the date even though FH and I would have preferred late May since the weather is nicer and all my grad school friends are done with exams by then. Now it turns out my sister is thinking of not even bringing her kids. I haven't told FH this yet bc he will BLOW if he hears this.

Other than that, I just sent the deposit for our HM. I am really confused bc I honestly thought they were charging half the amount they actually charged but whatever. As long as the bottom line is the same (still having a serious stroke over the cost bc we had to more than double our HM budget to get it to work). Fortunately I just found out that there are a bunch of places online that will set up a HM registry for you even if you don't book through them. I'm debating whether or not I should do this (they charge you btwn 6-8% of whatever they collect for you) or just hope ppl give us cash (sounds crass but we've lived together for 7 years already and have almost everything except china).

We also chose a tentative menu for the dinner. We have to schedule a taste testing for sometime mid-December. Oh and we got a priest to give us a certificate for the pre-cana without actually doing it :O. We had asked if he would do a private course with us (this is FH's childhood priest) and he said he didn't have time right now so he'd just give us the cert. and if we want we can meet with him after the holidays.

[kithara]

Tiffany,

I'm glad I'm not the only one who is stressing over the honeymoon budget. That's why I'm not sure if I want to go in August...it's so much money for the weather to not be comfortable. I've asked a travel agent for some other suggestions. Otherwise, I guess I will just wait until January.

And I can't believe that your sister's children might not be coming. I hope she decides to bring them, especially since you said you really wanted them to be able to come.

[tlew12778]

Er... well I keep trying to tell myself "it's once in a lifetime!". FH is doing the same.

I never in my life thought I would ever spend this much. BUT, FH and I love to travel and travel and the theatre are the two things I (usually) don't even think twice about dropping money on.

August is hurricane season in the eastern basin (I think that's what it's called). What about the baja peninsula? Cabo San Lucas? I was supposed to go there when I graduated HS but I ended up in Cancun instead bc of stupid ex-bf. Cabo looked awesome though and the package (10 years ago) was something like $1250 for a week at the Westin with an ocean view. If not there then maybe further south (central america) like Belize or Costa Rica?

[kithara]

Thanks for the ideas. I'll look into Cabo as well as CR and Belize. Apparently the TA I was emailing isn't very interested in booking my trip. She said she couldn't think of anywhere that wouldn't be hot and humid in August (even when I said to look outside of the Caribbean). Maybe I will just go to Fiji! (if I can handle the price). Or maybe I will just wait until January 2007...but that's so far away!

[GeekGirl]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, I loved Fiji!! It is so beautiful there! I'd go back in a heartbeat. :D :D :D

Mandy - I'm so sorry about all the ruckus involved with your wedding. Who would have ever thought getting married would be so hard???

I say just pick a date and stick with it. And have the wedding you can afford. And if your families don't like it, well, they don't have to come.:p But then again, I'm eloping, so that's really easy for me to say.....;)

[tlew12778]

Oh if you're willing to go that far, what about Greece? Have you guys been? You can do it rather cheaply if you're inclined. We've gone 3x already and we never spend more than 50 euro a night on apts/hotels. 5 star can get WAY more expensive obviously (astronomical prices like 700-1000 euro a night!). It'd probably be cheaper to charter a sailboat and crew at that rate and it's an awesome way to get btwn the islands.

Something more off the beaten track is charting a sailboat and doing the islands in southern croatia. I have a coworker that does this every year actually. Croatia is dirt cheap, so it's mainly the cost of the boat and crew.

I'm trying to think of where else has good weather in August. Anything below the equator is in winter then... oh wait, what about Northern Brazil? One of my secretaries just spent 3 weeks last August there. She said it was fantastic! She saw waterfalls, dolphins, millions of parrots, reptiles... she also spent time in the cities and on the beach. I actually looked at Brazil as well but the northern part is in rainy season in April and we wanted a week of beach time.

[GeekGirl]

Wow, Tiffany, what cool ideas!! I never would have thought of any of those!!

[tlew12778]

Hehe. Yeah I thought long and hard about HM. I absolutely refused to do something "typical" like an all-inclusive in the Caribbean or a cruise. I'm not saying that's bad or anything, but I really wanted something original. We also vacation every August on the beaches in Europe so beach vacations are just "normal" for us.

That said, when I started looking for destinations, we went by continent. We ruled out Australia bc it'd take us 24 hours to get there and we've only got 2 weeks. Likewise we ruled out Polinesia for the same reason. Then we considered Asia and had planned to go to Thailand (I found an AWESOME package for like $1500 each plus flights for 2 weeks in all 5 star hotels visiting Bangkok, Chang Mai, and Krabi island) but then the bird flu situation became more critical so we ruled it out (very sad about this... we think we will go in 2 years now). After that we started considering Africa and S. America and Central America. The main problems with S. & Central America is that we'd have to go pretty far south to avoid rainy season in April and that was like 16 hours of flying time to get there. It'll be the same for us to get to S. Africa but we're only dealing with one hour of time difference there plus the idea of a safari was just too good to pass up.

[tlew12778]

Costa Rica (http://www.infocostarica.com/nature/weather.html), as it turns out, is in rainy season in August (although they get a 2-week dry spell sometime btwn July-September but no one can tell when it will hit).

Belize (http://www.belizenet.com/weather/climate.html), on the other hand, has fantastic weather in August. This company (http://www.caribbean-a