Peach

Yup, that is what we did... only now we ran into a snag... we spoiled our guests so much, we now have tons of that stuff to lug down with us! Ugh. At least we got it packed up into 3.5 suitcases... and it will not be returning home with us.

I hear ya. Hence our two-year engagement. He finished university, started a job, we bought a car, and now are in the process of moving... all at the same time. Yup.

We did not. We wanted to keep that for our wedding. But we really tried to downplay as much as possible for the legal, so it would not possibly feel like our wedding. So it is up to you.

I love these! Good job! So awesome!

Hahaha! Absolutely! Like I tell everyone, when the whole idea is forever, what is another year or two?

Not quite.... Well, we are about the same. So close! A month and a half shy of ten years on our wedding day.

I think it would depend on the relationship with his parents. And how does HE feel about it? We kept the legal day SUPER simple, and just four of us - FI and I, and friends we hang out with who were planning on going to the DW but because of a family emergency could not. We kept it very low key. His parents knew about it, my family did not. If we would have asked his parents to be involved (they were our back up witnesses in case our friends could not make it), they would have, but that would have involved driving in for it, and that made it seem like a bigger deal, which we were avoiding. However, if FI had wanted his parents there, I would have been okay with it. It completely depends on the dynamics in your families, and the relationship with his parents and yours too. (Would they be upset [or would you] if his parents come and not yours?) Talk about it with your hubby to be, and then with them, and explain your reasonings. We likened our legal day as the same as going and picking up the licence, or a shower (actually, it was less of a big deal than that), or ring shopping. An important part leading up to our wedding, but just one more step. Hopefully your parents-in-law to be understand. Good luck!

We sent out separate invitations. We had ones to the DW, and then two actually to the AHR (which is in about about a month). We are doing a buffet supper and pictures and video for family and close close friends, then opening it up for dancing like an open house after that. (Hence the two invites). We rented a community centre in my parents' home town. The budget TOTALLY depends on what you are doing. Our decor is almost free because I DIYd it all; our dessert are ditto (just ingredients) because I am making the desserts for a dessert table, and I got all the stands and stuff from items found at thrift shops. My brother's band is playing for the open house - I was not crazy about this idea at all, but my parents went and booked them anyway, so they are paying. So it depends on the size and style you want, and how much the space costs and so on. Our space costs $500, and our food is $12 a head. We are having drink tickets for the bar, and have been given a keg for the event as part of the wedding gift. It can range from a few hundred to almost the cost of a full wedding. My guess is you could do what you are describing for a few thousand. I think we will be around there for ours.

This is fabulous! And I agree with your jewelry choices - I think that would be about perfect.

I am not planning on having this at all. I AM planning on having a sign on the guest book table that is fairly large - but not as big as you are talking about - that my bm used - and then gave me - for my shower. It says "Sandy toes and salty kisses" which is also on our website, and is all distressed and such. Our guestbook is a photobook of us too, so I think that eliminates the need for a big picture. Besides, I have been to lots of local weddings lately that do not use that big picture. If you wanted to, you could do something similar to my sign - a larger picture - maybe 8 x 10 or larger - on a guestbook table or something like that. If you did a photo-wrapped canvas and wrapped it in clothing in your suitcase, that would probably be fine and a good way to transport it.

I love this thread so much. So beautiful! I am alternating between giggling and sniffling! Lovely!

Okay, I need some help here ASAP. I just started worrying. I am a week away from leaving, and guess I need some reassurance. I really want to do a TTD, and I really want to wear my actual wedding dress. But I am also wearing my actual wedding dress for our AHR a month after the wedding. I have asked similar questions before, and have gotten different answers, so I am asking it straight right here. My dress looks like chiffon, because it IS chiffon - but the layer under it, I THINK, is satin. Is this going to horribly stain during our TTD? I plan on getting it drycleaned quickly (if possible) between our wedding and AHR if needed (though I would rather have it in okay shape and not need that to happen). If I was not having an AHR I would not care at all. I am hoping the chiffon overlay would hide stains a bit. I am not sure. I am getting worried about it; not sure of other options though at this point. I guess I am just wondering what everyone else's opinions and experiences are. Here is the dress to give you a better idea: On the model. And when I first tried it on in the store. Please help!

Awesome! The pictures are gorgeous! Thanks for the information.

This thread is so useful - I wish I would have gone through it all before! We are only 9 says from leaving. And now I am panicked, because, while I kept receipts for the big items (like the bubba kegs), I ordered so much online and got so much at dollar stores I am not sure where those receipts are. I guess I have to start looking! I only have a few bags though - 7 OOT bags (we distributed one before leaving), two big straw bags for my mom and MOH, and a couple gift bags for my dad and FI's best man. And everything will be done up and so on... hopefully we do not have any problems!

In Calgary it would be the same as in southern Alberta, where I did it. Email a few JPs... We literally found ours by googling it. I emailed a bunch of them, explaining we wanted something short and sweet, but we do not see it as a wedding day, and so on... a few responded, but the one emailed me back, saying she had a five minute ceremony she used for just such occasions. I met with her, looked over the ceremony. She was very understanding, just crossed out what she could while still keeping it legal. We met her in a gazebo in a park overlooking the coulees last Friday evening, with two friends who were intending to make it to the wedding at couldn't at the last minute. The venue, then, was free. She said you can also do it at your home or hers or anywhere, really. We wanted free. LOL. And it was in an area we take our dog hiking a lot, with some nice scenery typical of the place in the background. We just walked up, I switched into heels (flats for getting there - but I am more than a foot and a half shorter than FI, so heels are a must!), handed over the marriage license, and stood there and did it! I had handed our friends a little camera (we didn't even bring our fancy one - lol) and they took a couple shots, but that was it. We did not do rings or anything, though we kept the kiss in there. It was quick and simple, and FI and I agreed that we did not feel like it was a wedding at all, because we were not seeing it that way. I wore a white sundress - the same I wore to my shower - and he wore shorts and a button up shirt. Afterwards the four of us went to a local pub for supper and drinks, which we go to a lot. Exactly what we wanted.

I LOVE this! I looked at short dresses a lot (ultimately went long), and this one is FABULOUS. So gorgeous. I love the shape and detailing!

Does anyone have any experience with satin for a TTD?

These are AWESOME! I have not seen a TTD with lace - was it okay?

Yeah, that is too much money. Plus it would be better, in my opinion, to have someone used to photographing in that setting - cameras do not react the same on the beach, for example, as the prairies (where I am from). We paid a travel fee (they are coming from Punta Cana), two nights stay for them, plus added on a reception package and TTD next day photos. We are getting a videographer and photographer with all the rights for the images - retouched images - from a reputable company with amazing reviews, all for less than that. I definitely think you can find a better deal, especially if it is important for you to stay within your budget.

We found the linen shirt FI and his best man are wearing at Old Navy. FI found his pants there, too. He is wearing brown sandals, I think from Payless. Can you tell we are on a budget? LOL. Seriously though, he is happy with his look and so am I. And we spent maybe $75 on all of it.

THE MUSIC: For two people who like music but do not place it at a high priority, this was surprisingly difficult. We asked FFIL to download songs to play during the dance at the resort at the beach disco; we have heard that if you show up with your music and tip the DJ, he will play what you brought. We are hoping it works out that way! He has over 400 songs! Wow! My youngest brother is a musician; he plays in bands all around here, and in neighboring provinces. The band he plays with most frequently is actually playing our reception. Anyway, I have asked him to record himself playing "Kiss the Girl" from the Little Mermaid. (Huge Disney fan here, remember?) I saw an acoustic version floating around on here (reason 852 that I love this forum!) and fell in love. Hopefully he can do that soon; it is the only song we do not have yet! My brothers and mom, FI (not sure about his parents yet), and his best man, and my MOH will be entering to Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World. I love that song. I know it is done and overdone, but that is because it is perfect! Pre-ceremony songs: Til There Was You (Beatles - I am a huge musicals fan, and love Music Man, which features this song. It was also featured in The Wedding Singer, another favourite film) God Only Knows (The Beach Boys - From another favourite chick flick, Love Actually. Plus, it is the Beach Boys!) Recessional Song: We Go Together (from Grease - FI picked this one. I love that movie. I can actually quote it! And I love that he picked it.) Parent Dance: We are doing the Father/Daughter and Mother/Son dance at the same time. We are discussing whether we are going to ask his dad and my mom to dance together at the same time. Anyway, it is to my ultimate favourite song, The Rainbow Connection. And yes, we are using the original version, by Kermit the Frog. First Dance: Oh the first dance. Not at ALL what I would have picked. I would have picked something like "Unforgettable" or "So This Is Love". We are doing "Hey Soul Sister" by Train. Yeah. FI got me to agree by saying he wanted to swing dance with me... here we are a few weeks away and we have not even attempted it once. Hmmm. Here is the list of songs we are putting on a USB to play during dinner: At the Beginning - from Anastasia I'm Gonna Always Love You - from Muppets Take Manhattan He'll Make Me Happy - from Muppets Take Manhattan All You Need Is Love - Beatles I'll Give It All To You - from Annie Get Your Gun Time of My Life - from my all-time favourite movie, Dirty Dancing Three Little Birds - Bob Marley Just the Way You Are - Bruno Mars Bubbly - Colbie Caillait You've Got a Friend in Me - from Toy Story Can You Feel the Love Tonight - Elton John Can't Help Falling in Love - Elvis The Wonder of You - Elvis At Last - Etta James Your Song - the version from Moulin Rouge For Once in My Life - Sinatra The Way You Look Tonight - Sinatra Can't Take My Eyes Off of You - Sinatra How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) - James Taylor Grow Old With You - Adam Sandler (from The Wedding Singer) It Had To Be You - Harry Connick Jr. (from When Harry Met Sally - another favourite that we watch every New Years right after midnight) I Wanna Hold Your Hand - the version from Glee I'll Be - Edwin McCain I'm Gonna Love You - from Hunchback of Notre Dame II L.O.V.E. - Michael Buble Marry Me - Train Everything - Michael Buble Unforgettable - Nat King Cole Pretty Little Picture - from Something Funny Happened on the Way to the Forum Rhythm of My Heart - Rod Stewart Save the Last Dance for Me - Michael Buble Somebody's Getting Married - Muppets (Can you tell I like the Muppets?) I Got You Babe - Sonny and Cher You'll Be In My Heart - from Tarzan (I used to sing this to my sister when she was a baby, so it is "our" song) God Only Knows - Beach Boys Til There Was You - Beatles This Will Be (Everlasting Love) - Natalie Cole My Best Friend - Tim McGraw Smile - Uncle Kracker You're My Best Friend - Queen Hoy Hey (I Belong with You) - The Lumineers We also chose some songs for our photographer and videographer to use for our video or whatever. They asked for eight, but we are giving them some choices! ACDC - For Those About to Rock (FI really really wants this for pics of the guys and getting ready stuff) Barry White - Can't Get Enough of Your Love Sinatra - Somewhere Beyond the Sea Harry Connick Jr. - It Had to Be You Paul McCartney - Maybe I'm Amazed Meatloaf - I Would Do Anything for Love Michael Jackson - The Way You Make Me Feel Nat King Cole - Unforgettable Carly Simon - Nobody Does It Better (in honour of the fact that we watched EVERY SINGLE Bond movie in succession over the past couple summers) A Funny Thing Happened... - Pretty Little Picture Beatles - Til There Was You Sinatra - The Way You Look Tonight WHEW Long lists!

What a wonderful message you posted; a good reminder for sure!

THE RINGS: I know the FI found my ring online. Unlike a lot of brides, I wanted something very understated; in fact, I would have been seriously cranky if he had spent 4 digits on my ring. We did not go looking at rings before he proposed, but I LOVE what he picked out and would not change it at all. It is exactly what I would have chosen. We also found our bands online. We looked briefly in a store or two, for ideas, but decided to order online simply because we were on a tight budget, and this way we could afford to get what we wanted. We were careful to specify that we only looked at new, never-worn, rings from Canada or the States, with tags, from reputable companies with extremely high levels of customer satisfaction, and with natural, conflict-free diamonds. I LOVE my band, and FI is really happy with his too - and even happier about the price tags! We got BOTH for less than $200! Here is his band, tungsten, and exactly what he wanted (less than $20, WITH shipping and handling!) And here is my band; again, exactly what I wanted. With shipping and handling, mine came to $175. We are very happy with the quality so far and I cannot wait to wear mine all the time!