amandamarieb

Ok ladies...so I have been MIA. I was having some trouble logging on to the site and at 46 days until the wedding and 41 until I leave for Mexcio, I've had to really focus on all things wedding. (Not that I actually have...in fact, to be very honest, I am sort lost not sure what I need to do next and thus, have been ignoring the wedding.)  I am trying to catch up on everyone's posts but here's a little info that I can share off the top of my head.  A wedding between 10 and 20 is so doable. You need to work it but so doable. I am having 65 ppl and am doing the sky deck, cocktail reception, recpetion, dj, centerpieces, you name it and at just under 17,000 with travel and group excursion included. But when I say you must work it, I mean it. I pushed and pushed for every discount I could get. Ultimately, I got the free wedding package, the bride and groom stay free promotion, free cocktail reception, 20% off all food and $10 chivalri chairs. (Please don't rat me out about the chairs, this was a hard one and one I really pushed for.)  For those of you who have made decisions on decor and flowers, congrats! One thing, make sure you are running those pics past your WC and asking for a quote from Lomas. I thought I had a lot of things nailed down and when I get an official quote had to make some changes. In fact, I am still working out the centerpieces. And my final payment is technically due tomorrow.  Great to know about the hair. I am getting my hair done there even though the price is very steep. I am going to practice with a bridesmaid and maybe she'll be able to pull it off for me. That would be great.  Ok, so for you ladies who have already been married, please let me know what I need to be working on! I think next step is picking music, writing the ceremony and figuring out seating arrangmenets. Here is what I HAVE done in the past few weeks:  1st dress fitting (I found a tailor that will do it for $700...more than I wanted to spend but way less than the $1100 I was originally quoted) Bought FI's ring (HE LOVES IT...good deal in LA's diamond district) Sent brouchures to guests Ordered wedding shoes Ordered wedding place card frames Ordered custome OOT tote bags Almost done with my "Weekend Warrior Kits" aka Hangover Kit Purchased all but 2 frames for family photos Made, ordered and recieved welcome postcards for the OOT bags Made, ordered and recieved hang tags for the flower petal bags Ordered dried lavendar for the aisle Ordered jordan almond and favor bags Bought sticky paper for custom chapsticks (still need to put those together) Ordered and recieved table number holders Been working out finally (down 5 lbs! onlya couple more to go) Got groom's tie Ordered and recived ring bearer pillow  Here are some things that I need to do: Finalize centerpiece choices POssibly order candles and votives for centerpieces Get string lights for the Zavaz Plaza Get fabric for custom table runners, send to my aunt to sew Figure out ceremony music Figure out cocktail reception music Figure otu reception music Seating chart Table numbers, place card frames Get approval on signtaure drink Print menus Put together ceremony program (and print it) Do custome chapsticks Write the ceremony Finish fittings Order jewelry for the bridesmaids bridesmaids and groomsmens gifts get veil get accessories get groom's pocket square get my son (the ring bearer) a suit  Ok...so nevermind...I think I answered it for myself but please do let me know if you think that I am leaving anything off. Wow, that's a long list. Man, I have to get to it. FI has his bachelor party this weekend. Here's hoping I can get a ton done while being home alone with a wild little 13 month old.  Wish me luck!

Thanks for the support and the input. Problem is my dress is probably about 8 or 9 inches too long (and I am 5'3''). It's al vinatge looking spanish lace so apparnetly it is hard to hem and keep the same edging. I also need the straps taken up a hair and the dress taken in. I wanted to change the neckline a tiny bit (it;s square and I wanted the center dropped about 1/4 inch. She also said something about adding boning but I'm really not sure why that is needed. Well that makes me feel a little better. I have been on yelp and foind a lady here that sounds goood. Hopefully she can help me. The only problem is finding the time to do it with a 1 year old. Man I wish I lived closer to family!

Trust me, Carolina is great! I know that there are only 2 trained WC's working there and they just hired 2 others that are learning anf trying to catch up. Carolina mentioned that her colleague (the other trained WC) had more than 200 weddings. I don't know how many she has but I know it is a lot. Do you have a TA? Maybe she can make the intro for you. Mine did. I know! I'm sure I will figure something out. I had budgeted $400 or $500 for alterations and I thought that was a lot. Do you girls know what is normal?

I went to my first dress fitting yesterday. The woman was great..in fact I think she did Christina Ageulera's (sic) alterations. At least that is what it said on her site. Anyway, she quoted me 1100 for the alterations. Bummer. I almost cried. I did get a steal n my dress because I got it at a designer sample sale store. When I bought it the sales girl told me the alterations would be an easy fix (Like $400 or so) and I thought she'd be right. Such a bummer....now I am desperatley trying to find someone to do my alterations in my price range. It's just scary because I want my dress to be in good hands. Wish me luck ladies.

These look great! Looking at yours I see some things that I left off mine and am really bummed about it. But I'm pretty sure I have most everything there. I should be receiving mine any day now. I can't wait!

I think that they are Mon and Thurs

The dress is beautiful. I love te spanish lace. I am going for the same thing with my dress. Oh so romantic and fits you very well. Congrats! CONGRATULATIONS MRS! How exciting is it to be married? Thanks so much for posting. Always great to hear and with 2 months to go reassurance is always nice. Can I ask if you used Lomas' DJ and if so, what your experience was? We have him booked and someone posted that he was horrible. Now I am concerned. THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!

That's crazy. Ours is the exact opposite.

Reception at Zavaz Plaza and cocktail recpetion beforehand poolside right y the plaza. Not sure what the exact name is. You are on the beach, right?

Ok so funny story. I NEVER call my WC and today I was supposed to call my TA's supervisor to discuss all of the problems that I have had with her. I called and began pleading my case and she was being unresponsive like nothing. Mid-way through my two minute rant, I realized I called by WC and not the supervisor. I had been complaining to her about my TA and poor thing didn't know what was going on. BUT from that we bonded and she's really terrific. We walked through my planing document line by line, went over questions, she gave me suggestions, made updates, etc... She's fantastic...even going to try and get the price of the chivalry chairs down too...so I can have them at both the ceremony and the reception. FINGERS crossed. Oh and Chong she mentioned that you asked to do hanging bouquets from your chairs and move them to the reception to. Glad you took that piece of advice. $$$ saver. You girls all know by now, I love anything that saves me money on all of this. Oh and another, not so happy, surprise...Lomas came back with quotes on the purple flowers. The ones you all liked, $350 per bouquet. Forget it! I think I have it figured out though. Not exactly what I wanted but I still like it and only $60 each. I'l keep you all posted on what my WC says about the switching out the make-up and make-up trial for two more updo's in the first spa package. I hope it is good news! Really won't save that much but every little bit adds up!

Good luck! My cousin did that. My suggestion pull everything and anything. Try them all on bc you don't know what you'll like on. Also, if you spend too much time looking for the ones you think you'll want the others girls will snatch them all up. If you have a lot, you an use the dresses in your heap to barter with the other brides for the ones that they have on and you like. Isn't that always the case, you see someone try something on at a sample sale and then you want it? Good idea about BM's flowers. I thought about that but I wanted to have them for photos in between and I wanted to the reception site to have them when people got there too. What time does your recepetion end? I think with all of my guests and yours, its going to be one crazy night at the mojito bar.

But of course! For the 20% you get it off food and drink. That includes the wedding cake. You can have you're ceremony flowers transfered for sure. That'll just be part of your set up fee (probably around $100 depending on what you have to set up.) In an effort to save money, I am having actual bouquets hang from the chairs at the ceremony lining the aisle. Those flowers will be tied loosely with a gold ribbon. When it is time for the reception, my WC will move them to Zavaz Plaza and place them in the gold blume boxes I've bought. And there you go I have centerpieces. They are charging me $60 per bouquet and most of the centerpieces are listed as $100 so I think it's a good deal. I know some girls have done it that way and I am sure that will be fine. I was going back and forth about that too until Amy B brought up a good point. If you want everyone to be at the reception when you enter with DH and be announced, you run the risk of some people not being at the reception on time and missing your entrance. My mom flipped out about that so we HAVE TO have a cocktail hour. It works out because we got the free cocktail hour promotion after some urging. Ask about it, maybe they are still running it.

Ok so that was my 200th post....just waiting for it to be "official"

No way about the colors. I am sure that they are perfect. Where are your pics? I want to see them! Thanks, I am really trying to keep my wedding around budget. At first I thought we could do it for 13k and then it was around 20K. With some smart switches and some very persistant asks, I've saved some money and am back down to about 15k. That includes our travel and stay, my dress, etc... so for 70ish people, I can live with that. My TA is Camille Hutchinson with DW.com. Honestly I have had a ton of issues with her. She's the exact opposite of Amy in the organization and communication dept and it has been really tough to deal with. I have had to stay on her to get me the things I want but ultimately when my WC tells me no, I go to Camille and she has worked it out. So at least she does that!

Oh Chong...what time are your events? And what time are you getting ready? Are using the bridal suite? I wonder if we'll have any overlap.

Thanks. That's so steep. But what's new with AS? They actually have a package that include hair, make-up, make-up trial and pedicure for like 220. Since I won't need the make up or makeup trial I am going to se if they will swap that for two more updos. Hopefully they will go for that. I really want to pick this up for the girls so here's hoping they'll go along with it. Also, not sure about the washing before you come; however, your hair will hold so much better if it is not freshly washed. I would wash it the day before and have them work with your dirty hair. I bet it will actually hold and probably look better. That's probably what I will do.

Yay! I think I am just a coupe of posts away. Can't wait to join your group!

Amy ...Wow that was so nice and effecient of you! Not sure that's feasible with 70 guests and a baby...so I think I'll just ask SIL/BM to do it. Thanks for letting me know though!

Ladies who have had or are having hair and make-up done in the spa. What were you quoted/charged? My make-up is covered but might need my hair done. Also, some of BM's and MOB will want thier hair done too. I would love to pay for this but have no idea what to expect. My WC sent me over the PDF's but the proces are really steep for the bridal packages and I don't need all of that anyway. Is there a place I can find the a la carte prices?

Wow! That's incredible. Happy legal day and safe trip. I know you will have an amazing time and cannot wait to hear all about it. Yay! I can answer that for you. The "free" part of hte package is the minimum number of nights booked by any guest in the lowest room category and they you have to pay the difference. We havea guest satying for 3 nights in the cheapest room. I think that was $467 and then multiply that number by 2 (since it is bride and groom stay free) and you can subtract that from the toal you owe from your room.It is important to note that the discount is a refund after your stay and not a true discount. Not amazing, but hey I'll take it...another $950 saved! Sorry about the boss but great about the other news. I am not sure I folloe the 15 guests room nights wherever. What does that mean if you don't mind me asking? Thanks. And Meredith, yes that's what we did. We were already booked but we particpated and got an upgrade. Ask your TA about it. Very cute. I thin kI like the 3 on the far left best

Amy, thanks for the advice about seating. I think I'll probably do the same thing. And yes, I am doing our meet-up on Thursday night at the beach BBQ. Most of my guests will be in by then and Thursday is my birthday so that's perfect. Yeah I was planning to ask a BM to make tags for everyone like "Laura, Cousin of the Bride" and "Brett, Groom's Childhood Friend" that way everyone knows what to talk about with each other. (Ha...that's assuming that they only want to talk about us. So vain and presumptious) Also planning to have another BM (FI's sister) pass out the OOT bags and weekend itinerary at the BBQ that way we don't have to pay Lomas to do it. Speaking of, how did you handle that? Did they pass out at check-in, did you do it yourself?

Funny thing is I tried a long time ago to post this pic and it wouldnt work. I think it was too large. So I guess it saved and with the system update, up it went. That's an old goofy photo of us but good memories. We were at a Barack Obama fundraiser at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel (the Pretty Woman Hotel) and Babs performed. Pretty amazing, That was a drunken bathroom pic at the after party. Yes, I brought FI in the bathroom with me. I told you it was drinking night. That was pre-baby, obviously. Umm yeah! Are you besties with the forum leaders too? Or because you're an elite member? I just finished mine like 5 minutes ago. I didn't include ay images with the exception of our wedding monogram and it is really text heavy. I want FI to proof read before I order. I have been staring at them for too long and just can't go through it again. (It is SOOO text heavy. Every page of the brochure is completely full. We have a lot of non-travelers traveling and I wanted to answer their every question ahead of time. Here's hoping the brochure does its job. Doubtful but fingers crossed.) Sorry I can't be of more help to you. I'll let you know once I do print. Hope you can get customer service to help you out!!!

THANKS for all of the feedback ladies! That stinks. I am really concerned about the seating chart because we will have about 70 guests and many won't know one another. I want people to feel comfortable so I wanted to assign them at tables with people that they know. I suppose they do hav a few days to make friends though. Did you have table cards? I am using photo frames with place cards as we are doing a make-shift photo booth section and the frames will fit the photos, hence place cards and favors in one. Maybe I can just each table member's photo frame with placard lined up together and I can put a table number flat on the table in front of that row. Wow, I hope that makes sense when you read it. For a professional communicator sometimes I have real issues. I know. I am sure it is like 1 million times better I am just getting down to crunch time and hate to have to learn it all over again. I am just so glad that it's back. I freaked out earlier today when I saw that it was being redone. I really assumed it was going to be down for a week or so. They ladies did a great job getting it done so quickly. I can't open. It says "system error" That stinks...but usually not the case. I have ordered a few things through them and the promotions have ben pretty true. You'll always have to pay for shipping thought. Me too. Bummer. I KNOW!!! So sad. I still don't have a profile pic. The ticker was all that I had. Now I will have to look at theknot.com to find out how many days until my wedding. Since I found this forum, I haven't really used that site. This one is so much more helpful thanks to all of you. Monograms Version 1.pdf