Maura’s Planning Thread *PIC HEAVY*

[Maura]

First, I am so indebted to Tammy Wright for creating BDW. I could not have planned my DW without this site! Thank you Tammy, for everything you do! And thank you mods also - this is a better place because of your diligence to keep it a certain way. I also could not have made it through the planning without so many of you there to cheer me on along the way, even when things got tough for me. I am so so greatful for all the wonderful friends I’ve made here.

I cannot believe it is finally my turn. When I joined BDW in Oct. 2007, my wedding seemed SO far away!

ok, on to the planning... I apologize in advance, this is going to be epically long.

YOU CAN FIND DETAILS ON MOST THINGS IN MY BDW BLOG IF THE DETAILS ARE NOT ALREADY LISTED HERE. I will post all my templates when I get back from Mexico. Please understand if I don’t get around to answering all questions left on this thread before I go, we have a hectic few days left before we go. I promise anything unanswered before I leave will get first priority when I return.

BRIDE


GROOM


THE E-RING: custom made, white gold cathedral set, cushion cut diamond in the center. micro pave diamonds set into the band.


THE DRESS: DaVinci Bridal, Style: T8167, color: IVORY (designer’s website is DaVinci Bridal - Bridal Gowns, Bridesmaid Dresses, Prom Dresses)


There is a little back story behind my dress... I saw a photo of it on a website right when I got engaged. I fell in love with the photo of the dress, but unfortunately, the photo did not have any info about who the designer was. I spent weeks and weeks trying to figure it out on my own, and finally I posted a thread asking for help and within a few hours, I had an answer! : Help me find the designer of this dress?
So a BIG thank you to Michele (nenamono) and Morgan for helping me find the dress! I was able to haggle an amazing price because of you!
(See here for pics of my first time trying the dress on, the day I bought it: I Bought My Dress Yesterday!)

I ended up purchasing my dress from Cortes Modernos Aguilar in Chicago. The owner, Liz Aguilar, is nothing short of amazing. While the shop is a hole in the wall type place in Pilsen, I am so happy I found it! I’m happy to provide contact info for her/her shop via PM. They do not have a website.

And a pic of me at my final fitting (see here for rest of final fitting pics (i am not wearing a sash like the photo with the model shows) - http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t26011):


Detail on lace on bodice of dress:


WEDDING DAY ACCESSORIES
Custom made earrings from Etsy seller Opheliax


DRESS TAG
sewn into my dress (see blog for details), made by a family friend with a scrap from her wedding dress from 1972.


VEIL
Occansey Designs
OccanseyDesigns Custom Wedding Veils - OBridal.com
Contact: Kathy – she was FABULOUS. I wanted a veil just like AnnR’s and she helped me reproduce it in a little bit shorter length.

Specs:
1. Color: Ivory
2. Length: 36 inches
3. Cut/Style: Angel Cut
4. Edging: Ivory Pencil edge
5. Basic Accents: None
6. Other OR Additional Accents: Single bead spaced every 1.5
inches along edging (please specify beads below)
7. Please specify mix of bead types from above: ivory 4mm pearl
alternating with 4mm crystal
8. Attachment: 3 inch clear plastic comb
9. Custom Cut Fullness: This veil is cut from 54 inch wide material.

[Maura]

HAIR & MAKEUP INSPIRATIONS:


or


makeup – darker lip and no eyeliner on bottom, but very similar to Holly’s


GROOM’S ATTIRE:
tan suit from banana republic
(him modeling it in the store the day we bought it)

with his tie from brooks brothers


BM DRESSES
From Ann Taylor Celebrations – off the rack! Best decision ever.
Two girls are wearing this one:

My SIL is wearing this one:


The custom earrings I had made for each BM:
Etsy seller Opheliax, her name is Sabrina, she was great to work with.

[Maura]

MOB/FOB & MIL ATTIRE
stepmom’s dress

dad’s suit & tie

MIL’s dress

sorry, no FIL attire photo!

INVITATIONS

SAVE THE DATE (ENGLISH)
I made these myself. Details are in my blog.


SAVE THE DATE (SPANISH)
These were purchased in Mexico City and sent to the Mexican guests only.



INVITATION (ENGLISH)
from The White Aisle : Unique Wedding Favors and Invitations
I cannot say enough about how amazing and accommodating Rebecca was. I LOVE the White Aisle! I got so many compliments on our invitations. They are printed on deckle edge 260 gsm Fabriano Medioevalis paper.

[Maura]

INVITATION (SPANISH)
These were purchased in Mexico City and were hand delivered to each Mexican guest. The invitations are white linen paper with navy engraved lettering.

[Maura]

THE CATHOLIC JAZZ
We couldn’t get a ceremony time that worked for us, and in the end we are glad it happened this way. We have to go to the church in San Jose del Cabo at noon on the wedding day with our parents and priest to do the sacrament of marriage inside the church sanctuary. (So yes, this means our ceremony on the beach is technically a vow renewal ceremony, but our guests don’t know that)
On the web: www.cabomission.org
Contact: Padre Juvencio Gonzales




We did our marriage prep with our local priest, and did our PreCana with the archdiocese of Chicago –Family Ministries

The priest marrying us is actually an extended family member of Jose’s, he is a Jesuit priest that lives in Louisiana and we are flying him to Cabo. We are doing a full Catholic mass on the beach (which is totally illegal in the eyes of the church haha - but since its not "real" because it isnt inside the church, it doesnt matter)

[Maura]

THE LOCATION: The Westin Los Cabos Resort & Spa (WC: Maira Gallegos)
Los Cabos Hotel Mexico - The Westin Resort & Spa, Los Cabos


CEREMONY – on the beach
Our ceremony setup will look like this:


RECEPTION – Restaurant La Playa
Our reception setup will look like this (but with dif centerpieces):


CENTERPIECES


CAKE
The photo below is the cake from my legal day, but I sent the Westin pics of it, so let’s hope this is what our Tres Leches cake looks like on the wedding day!


FLOWERS
Angel’s Accents
ANGEL'S ACCENTS - Divine Creations
I ordered the DW package (incl. a bouquet and a bout) and two hair flowers.


WEDDING BANDS
his (Diamonds, Engagement Rings and Fine Jewelry at Blue Nile)

hers (Overstock.com: Online Shopping Bedding, Furniture, Electronics, Jewelry, Clothing & more)

[Maura]

wearing them on our legal day:



FAVORS
Candies purchased in Mexico
Mini organza bags purchased from Oriental Trading Co
logo tags made by me on PaperSource cardstock, and cut with an xacto knife by my dear old dad
(see blog for more details)

Mint candies that will go inside the organza bags:


GUESTBOOK
totally stole this idea from amyh. I will post photos of how mine turned out when I get back.

$10 stand at bed bath & beyond

dry erase boards (I bought 2) from target - $3.99 each

[Maura]

WELCOME BOOKS
I am still working on these and trying to get them printed this afternoon. Here are two sample pages, I will take photos and post pics ofthem finished when I get back
this is a page about all the places to eat and drink at the westin

this page is about san jose del cabo


PROGRAMS
I designed and printed these myself on Fabriano Medioevalis 206 S cards. They are 4.5x6.7 inches and 260 gsm. They are soft white, deckle edge, and match my White Aisle invitations (I even used the NatVignette swash from the background of my invitation on my program). The paper is really beautiful and soft to touch, and it is mouldmade in Italy, although it looks and feels totally handmilled. They come 100 to a box and I got them at a Blick Art Store near where I live. I printed both sides of each card (on a Canon i960 inkjet) so each person gets one card. You can get them online here, they are the regular single cards, code 10032-1040, listed at $21.30:
Fabriano Medioevalis Stationery - BLICK art materials

(two cards shown side by side so you can see back & front together)


Front side:


Back side:


Now, those of you who have seen my program prototypes will notice I made a few music changes for the ceremony. I like classical guitar, so I went with a Pachelbel’s canon in D on a lute for the bridal processional and I also changed our Communion processional to a song called Cavatina, composed by Stanley Myers. You can find it on iTunes. It is 3:34 seconds long. My Dad suggested this song to me and I love it. Very romantic and would be perfect also for a bridal processional. There is a version that also has words, and the words are really beautiful too. In the end I went with the all instrumental.

I will post a full script of our Catholic ceremony melding American & Mexican traditions when I get back because I know it could probably help some future brides to know how we did it.




CABO VENDORS
Photographer: Bradley Fraser
Cabo Wedding Photography, Cabo San Lucas, Baja, Cabo Weddings, Los Cabos

Videographer: Baja Video Productions (Enrique & Marci)
Cabo San Lucas Wedding Video Services, romantic destination wedding videos in the los cabos area, Cabo San Lucas Mexico

DJ: Adan Mijares
DJ Mijares Dj Music, Guitar Performing, Los Cabos México.


I think that is everything.... if you notice I left something out let me know LOL. Ask as many questions as you’d like. We leave around 4 am Wednesday and I will be on the forum only here and there over the next couple days. Love to you all! I’ll post pics as soon as I possibly can when I get back, and...if I can manage to give you a couple teasers while I’m still there, I’ll see what I can do, but no promises! I get back Sunday, August 17.