A10CalGal

So, FYI, I contacted the woman who will be doing my alterations. She said we should start one month prior to the wedding date. She is not taking on a lot of new business right now, so that may be a shorter time frame than other seamstresses....

OK, so we got the MOH dress last week. It is really beautiful, the picture just doesn't show how lovely the fabric is, its very fluid and gorgeous. The color is perfect (aqua), and it is so super flattering on my MOH. Thank goodness she gave in when I made her order a size 6, she kept saying we should get an 8 (as she's standing there with her baggy butted jeans and top falling off)! It fits perfectly and will only need to be altered at the hem. So glad to have that box checked!

I just made arrangements thru Maye for a Mariachi trio. They will play for our ceremony & cocktail hour. They are $320 per hour. I did ask Maye if I hired a full mariachi band, could just a few of them play for the ceremony, and then all of them afterward. She said they do not "break" the group up. So, I settled for the trio which I think is a nice compromise, especially since we will have a relatively small group (30-40 ppl).

OK, here's my mock-up invitation. Many, many thanks to Karla for her templates & advice, it saved me a lot of time. Anyway, this is a pic of the inside of the invitation. I used the Perfetto metallic pocket folder from Cards & Pockets in Tiffany; the invitation mat is in lemonade and the invite itself soft white. I used dark blue and sky blue font colors. I plan to tie a bow around each invitation with pretty ribbon in either lime green or yellow. Tell me what you think?

I said "yes" immediately! I knew it was coming, because we went thru the e-ring selection process together. But, I did want to let him say what he was going to say, so I let him do it. He was down on one knee, in the wet grass, and the whole place was watching us. I let him put the ring on my finger & said "yes I will" and pulled him back up to me for a kiss!

Christine - while I think a lot of us are doing the legal stuff before our DW, I think it would be best for you to wait to go thru the name change process until when you get back. Why you ask? Remember that you are travelling internationally, and you need a passport to do that. To keep it simple for yourself, stay with your maiden name until after you return from your wedding & honeymoon. Otherwise, you will need to accomplish all of the legal name change stuff BEFORE you actually leave for your wedding....might be a little pre-mature, right?

Karla, you are such a gorgeous woman! And your hubby & his zoolander faces - priceless! It looks like a great time was had by all. Love the story about your dress popping a hook...at least we know you are actually a humanoid!

Good lord - the emasculating of the groom! Wow! I'm going to have to ask my FI about this one. Also, I like the idea of cutting the cake with a giant sword!!

Another Mexican/catholic tradition not mentioned: during the ceremony, the groom presents the bride with 13 arras (coins):

The groom gives the bride thirteen gold coins as a symbol of his unquestionable trust and confidence. He pledges that he places all of his goods into her care and safekeeping. Acceptance by the bride means taking that trust and confidence unconditionally with total dedication and prudence.

The custom of the coins originated in Spain. Thirteen gold coins (arras) are given to the bride by the bridegroom, signifying he will support her. Often presented in ornate boxes or gift trays, this represents the brides dowry and holds good wishes for prosperity. These coins become a part of their family heirloom.

The number 12 represents Christ and his 12 apostles. The coins are presented to the priest by a friend or relative (usually the purchaser). The priest then blesses the coins and hands them to the bride who places them in the groom's cupped hands at the beginning of the ceremony. The coins are then placed on a tray and handed to an assistant to be held until later in the ceremony. Near the end of the ceremony the box and coins are given to the priest who places the coins in the box and hands them to the groom. The groom will then pour the coins into the bride's cupped hands and places the box on top. This represent his giving her control as his mistress of all his worldly goods. (Sometimes their hands are tied with a ribbon for this portion of the ceremony.)

Fantastic job Natasha, and so appreciated! I've been trying to simplifying a lot of things, and this list really helps!

Hey Tammy - I'll trade your FMIL for my F-step son.... (when I read the F in my head does not stand for future!!)

Awwwww!!! That is so wonderful! Lucky girl

Hi Lindsey,

I'm using Bradley Fraser. Some recent brides that have used him are: Janet and Raina. He's more of a photojournalistic style photog, which I want. Click here to see his website Bradley Fraser.

Very nice! Love them. You and Sarah are officially competing for the Martha Stewart award here!

Ditto to all of the above Tammy! I think you will be relieved & feel a diminished level of stress if you give yourself permission to take a break from planning. Really, it's ok!

I think we have all gone through this to a degree. I know I did back in June/July when I felt like I had to do EVERYTHING. I took a month long break & then slowly started picking away at things after that. Small bites!

Yay, six weeks to go! How exciting! What's left on your list? I'm guessing stuff like vows, music play list, seating charts...?? Let us know how we can help.

Tasha - those are super! It makes me want to bug my FI AGAIN about getting e-pics. We're running out of time dammit!!

Very nice Sarah! I know, I haven't done anything about Christmas cards. Yesterday I was reading thru a Martha Stewart mag & she says that you can always send out cards after the new year wishing everybody a great year! If MS says it's ok, I may just try it

Thanks Ann! I kinda wanted something more personal or catchy, but I just couldn't come up with anything that was totally "us." So I think this is it. And feel free to steal!

So, FI and I are paying for the wedding....and I need to finalize our invitation wording. I've read through verseit.com's ideas, and they mostly all make me want to barf! I'm thinking applying the KISS (keep it simple stupid!) concept works best, what do you think of this?

OK, well that pic is huge, but I thought it was a cool poem. I found it on the knot - knottie Sibylle.

I've also seen some SUPER cute hand made cards, here's one from knottie josefina022.

Also, look at this bio for other cute cards that I am unable to post here Mrs.T-to-be

Those are very cool photos, but I agree w/Natasha, I wouldn't want to be dripping wet & hair/make up ruined for my receptions. Yeah, they probably are day after shots...dunno.