Maybe if I make a list...VENTING

Okay-- for my own sanity, I decided to vent to all of you wonderful BDWers. You are all so helpful and great to talk to, so I thought I would make a list of my INSANE chronologically ordered frustrations...

The wedding planning was on a roll. I was blogging on this amazing forum daily, and loving OOT bags, DIY projects, flower inspiration, and cheering everyone on. Everything looked like it was going great until.. DUN DUN DUN...

1) All of our travel plans are cancelled when a Canadian travel company decided to cancel all of their flights to Puerto Vallarta until OCTOBER!

Luckily, we are able to link back onto a new flight with ACV, leaving one day later, but still in time for everything to go on as normal-- HOWEVER

2) the new travel plans cost our guests an additional $100ea. (A tab my dad graciously picked up, so as not to burden our guests) but FI and I --going to two weeks-- had to pay an extra $600 each!

Rebooked, sucked it up and kept on planning. Hired a great new photographer-- everything is peachy keen.

The end of April brought a big shock to the family, when my mom's dad passed away suddenly. He was looking so forward to watching me walk down the aisle. He was an amazing man, and it was the love between he and my grandma that really made me understand what love really looks like. It was devastating.

We arrived home from Sask. shortly after my exams had passed-- meaning I had to defer them until the end of May *ahem... tomorrow, perhaps I should be studying...* but I was happy that I was able to go and support my mom.

I have to say I was expecting more disappointment. When it rains it pours, and I was under a big, black cloud.

That's when---OINK< OINK< OINK SWINE Flu hits, and the waiting game begins. I refuse to lose hope, and the issue is subsiding and no official travel warnings are issued. No outbreaks in PV...

3) Travel is cancelled AGAIN. Swine FLu had caused too much of a health concern/ financial burden on the travel company. No longer flying into Mexico.

OH- did I mention my computer crash. My irrepairable computer crash. The computer crash that deleted ALL of my photos (Thank god for backups) and my ENTIRE planning thread, every PIECE of wedding info including my logo. *sob* BOOOO.

Give Up hope... but not worry, it was only momentarily.

Contact our resort-- who graciously agreed to refund our money, no questions asked, due to the unfortunate, unforseen and uncontrollable circumstances.

4) Fabulous photog. won't even BUDGE on a possible financial solution. Loss of a large chunk of money for nothing. While other fabulous vendors and photogs on this blog are being amazingly helpful.

5) MOH backs out completely-- saying that she feels like she can't afford it anymore (her parents paid for her trip, FYI) when she was about to drop $1500 the week earlier to go to Cabo with her bf. Whatever. I guess these things happen for a reason.

So now I'm stuck with an extra BM dress, my best friend is no longer coming/ isn't really on my map anymore. We're getting screwed by photog. man and to top it all off-- my TA isn't sending me alternative travel ideas.

THEN MY FRIEND MIKE GAVE ME HIS LUCKY PENNY-- and everything turned around. I know it sounds silly but it's just been amazing ever since.

FI and I managed to get everyone booked into a beautiful resort in Cuba for $300 LESS per person than it was going to be for PV! The resort is great, and we have had amazing luck with several of the vendors we have contacted.

Everything is now going well, with tons of support and love from everyone (including all of you! ) I have to admit that the task of replanning an entire wedding in a month and a half seemed too daunting to think about-- but I really believe that everything happens for a reason. What an amazing adventure!

FI and I are looking soooo forward to 27 days from now when we land in Santa Maria and head to the island. What a story for my grandkids, hey? lol

Thanks for listening to me bitch. : ) I feel much, much better.

Wow!! That's quite the stress you must have been going through!! I'm so glad everything is going to work out for you!! I hope you have the wedding of your dreams! Thanks for sharing

I'm happy that everything is working out for you! Your day will be PERFECT no matter where it is, or who is there. Good luck with everything!

I'm glad everything is coming around and turning out great!

One thing I might mention is we all know the issues w/ your photog, who is now a BDW member, and you have mentioned in your thread about him that things are going well and you are talking about things. You didn't mention any of that in this so it kind of made it sound like you were really upset w/ him still but I wanted to make sure it was known that you have come to an agreement and not leave him sounding like a horrible person.

ahh Ash I'm so sorry you had to go through all this but I am really glad things are finally looking up...I truly believe everything happens for a reason and it looks like your wedding was supposed to be in Cuba all along. I know it will be beautiful and everything you ever hoped for!!!

You are going to be a beautiful bride

Wow whata story. And you are an incredible woman to have come through with your sanity still intact! I know i probably would have had to be institutionalized! Or medicated at the very least!!! But I am so glad that everything worked. Don't worry about Cuba the island is beautiful and the people the most hospitiable in the world. I can't wait to hear what new adventures are to come your way. It is also so action packed they may make a movie! LOL

Wow, you haven't had an easy wedding planning experience! I am sorry about everything you had to go though to come to this point and I am glad that everything is finally starting to come together for you. I truly believe that things do happen for a reason, we may not see it right away but hopefully you'll look back and everything will make sense and fall into place. You'll have a beautiful wedding, fantastic time in Cuba and most importantly you'll be returning a MRS!

Wow, sorry to hear about everything you have had to go through, glad to hear that things are looking up! Good luck with your exam

Twin!

I HEART YOU and I am here to help! If you need anything, if you forget something in Canada, let me know and I will pick it up. Obviously not in Calgary, but at a store nearby

MUAH!