Nov 08 brides

I'm planning on making my own invitations

It is horrible seeing what everyone else has gotten done and how much I am going to have to do. You see... I have been engaged for 3 years and we finally set a date for the wedding... however, it is going to be kinda rushed since my wedding date is Sept. 16, 2008. Can you believe that?

 

Anyways, what I have gotten done...

 

* Wedding dress (not bought yet... but narrowed it down to 2)

* Wedding rings (for both of us)... paid for but 1 week to pick up

* Date... however its not official yet, haven't booked it yet... dang!

* guest list (8 people... flights will be paid for... they have to book hotel room)

 

Things that need to be done... (this is a very general and limited list) (Any additional advice let me know)

 

* Booked the wedding at the resort we choose... narrowed down to montego bay

* Send out invites

* Pay for flights

* find and buy dress

* Pick up the wedding rings

* Figure out what wedding showers we plan on having

* Make guest lists for the showers

* Have a small reception in the states Possibly

* See about bridal party... not sure if we are going to really have one since it will be so small...

* And stay under 8,000

 

So for anyone stressing please, just think of me and you will be so relieved... LOL!!!!

 

Hey, any advice for getting these points Its another thing on my list...

So far the DIY things I've done are my STD's and boarding pass invites. I've also made a little first aid kit label that I'm sticking on our first aid kits in the OOT bags.. and umm not sure what else. Oh ya, I'm making scrapbooks for my BM's.. and a guest book for people to sign

I think I finally learned how to use the multiquote - woo!

 

I don't think you'd need them for that small of an affair. I've been to larger weddings without place cards, and it was a bit stressful trying to find a seat with people you know. But I think it would be nice for people to sit with people they haven't met and get a chance to get to know them!

 

THANKS!!! I'm finally getting excited and I think the "vision" is coming together...

 

Yeah, unfortunately I didn't take them with my on my first trip, and it was DISASTEROUS. (More on that below.) I took them with me today, and it was MUCH BETTER. I wish they could just sew the SPANX right into my skin so I'd always have them with me. I'm glad you had fun!!

 

I love blue and green together!! So pretty!!!

 

....

 

I finally went dress shopping this weekend and I think I found THE dress! The only problem is it's about 3x more than I was expecting to spend. (I guess I should have asked before I put it on, eh?) But this has been such an emotional experience, I almost don't care. I went to try on dresses on Thursday, and I didn't fit into a single sample. I felt like a fat sausage. I wear a size 8 in the real world and feel like I'm very average. I left there feeling fat and disgusting and cried myself to sleep. The sales staff were trying to sell me the dress and telling me that it would look great on me if it were the right size. I just couldn't imagine buying a dress that I couldn't even try on in a decent size! These dresses were so tight I could hardly move my legs and the back was about 4 inches from zipping! It was bunching and pulling in the middle and just completely ridiculous. How could I buy that when I would have no idea what it would REALLY fit like?! Whenever I've gone with my friends, the dresses have always been huge and they've had to clip them into place! I was not expecting this and I had a major meltdown fearing that I would have to buy a dress just HOPING it looked good on me in my size. I shed a lot of tears Thursday and Friday!!! Ugh! I can't believe a store wouldn't have any "normal" sample sizes!!! That was AWFUL!!! I was so disappointed because dress shopping is supposed to be such a fun experience, and you're supposed to feel beautiful. It really knocked me down hard. But on a positive note, I really am ridiculously out of shape, so it was a good wake up call that I need to get in gear. BDW Biggest Loser 2 - here I come!

 

Today was a much better day. Several dresses were too big, and my self-esteem greatly needed that. And I found a dress that I LOVE, but I just can't believe how expensive it is. My mom, who is usually a very conservative spender, even thinks I should get it because she says it is THE dress. I really did light up when I was in it and after how horrible my dress shopping began, I think my mom was just happy to see me happy again! (But I'm the one who's paying for it, so I'm just having trouble pulling the trigger.) Oh - and thank goodness for SPANX! They were with me on my trip today and they greatly helped, too!

 

Anyway - I feel better about potentially having a dress! I need to order something soon as November is fast approaching. I'm amazed at how much you guys have accomplished! I guess I need to create a project plan...I have a lot of stuff in my head, but I need to write it down. Oy! This is a lot!

Getting married in Nov. too! Here is what I have so far...

 

Book location / dates -- Dreams Los Cabos Nov. 9, 2008

Select wedding colors -- blue and chocolate brown

Make logo -- FI created it

 

 

Selected attendants

Booked / confirmed officiant through Dreams

Booked photographer -- Lily Rose Photography (from CA)

Booked hair and make up -- Suzanne Moral

Booked FI and my flights and hotel

Booked honeymoon

Arranged discount airfare for guests

Sent STDs

Made and sent bridesmaid cards

 

 

Created gift registries

Made wedding website

Made and sent wedding invitations

 

 

First wedding dress fitting

Bought spanx -- OMG.... they shave 2" off my inner thigh and about 1" off my hips!!

Retained outside wedding coordinator - Vari of Allure Event Design (on the forum!!)

Made "Tears of Joy" tissue packets

 

 

Made raffia fans wrapped in ribbon

 

 

(Through Vari) booked guitarist, mariachi band, and DJ.

 

Conducted first site visit in January 2008. Will do next site visit and food, cake tastings in May 2008.

Bought suncreeen, canvas OOT bags, first aid kits

Selected general design of wedding cake and flowers (orchids!)

 

Still Need to Do:

Arrange guest transport to/from airport

Arrange guest transport to post-reception after party

Plan welcome dinner'

Order attendant attire

Order groom attire

Select accessories, veil, purse, etc.

Order or make menu cards, programs, seating cards

Finish OOT bag stuff including welcome note, wedding day itinerary, etc.

Arrange for pet sitting.

Tara!! I am tired just reading that post! Holy cow I can't believe you've accomplished all of that!

 

How were you able to arrange discount travel for your guests? Are they all flying on the same flight?

 

All I have done is: booked the location, created the website,sent the STDs, and I potentially have my dress picked.

 

Reading these posts is making me feel a bit overwhelmed!

Oh no! Don't feel overwhelmed... there is still plenty of time to do everything! I just got excited and jumped the gun (and put FI to work!!)... My FI arranged the discount travel through Alaska Air. Other airlines offer it too... you just contact them for a group or meeting travel discount and they will give you a discount code that your guests can use. To be honest though, I'm not sure how many people will be using the discount because seems like sites like Orbitz give you just as good deals, if not better... and other people are using their miles. Let me know if there's anything I can help you with!

Ok ladies I think I just threw up a little in my mouth, I just looked at my ticker and soon it will say less then 6 months. I dont think I am so nervous about getting things done but getting this bod in shape. I did join BDW biggest loser season 2 so that may help but I cant work out cuz of my back issues. I just want to look fabulous. My FI says I am gorgeous to him no matter what but I dont want to look at our pics and wonder who the beached whale is, oh wait its me!

Oh honey! Don't feel bad! I feel the same way and FI says the same thing. What about walking? I have back issues too (Saiatic nerve). I am trying to walk 30 minutes a day. We can motivate eachother! Considering we have the EXACT amount of time to get our bodies into some sort of shape besides the current round shape! LOL!! We can do it! I need some motivation too! I am going to try some soccer with the kids this evening if I don't get my walk in here on the treadmill at work.

I didn't join Biggest Loser 2 - but I was going to do the Colonix with Maura until my MOH issue came up. I am going to do a cleanse (not the Colonix one though) to to see if that will kickstart me somehow! Let me know if I can help!

I can hardly even walk. I had one back surgery May 07 and a mulit level spinal fusion November 08, now all the symptoms have returned so tomorrow heading to a new doc for another opinion. Grrr this getting old crap sucks!