futuremrstgun

luvmoo..those MIBs are beautiful. i wanted to do those at first then i decided against an invite altogether. i figure we know whose coming based on travel reservations and booking so i'm saving that little bit of $$$ and putting it to good use elsewhere. had i know i'd tap into my inner DIY Diva with all of this planning, i may have embarked on creating those...because they look SUPER! congrats on a job well done!!! R~

good afternoon, fellow BDW.com brides...as promised this planning post is dedicated to gift goodies...i've put together goodie bags for my sister and my son. my sister is a mother of three (all of her kids are under the age of 4) so she has little time for herself so i thought i'd put together a goodie bag dedicated to spa treatments that she can do at home. i've included a pedicure set, cosmetics and some perfume samples all placed in an oversized reusable shopping bag ($1 deal from Marshalls). here's a peak at her loot. i included some invisible bra straps as the dress i've chosen for her and my daughters to wear is strapless and she's concerned about going braless..so i hope the invisible straps will allow her to feel secure in a bra. as you can see, the pedi spa items are purple...to keep with my purple colorscheme. woo hoo! here's a peak at the items up close. so moving on to my son. his goodie box is incomplete as i've decided to include some travel accessories that i found at marshalls a few weeks ago like a passport cover, travel pillow and the like....i've gone back and forth about whether to include the travel accessories as i'm finding it incredibly hard to buy for a 21 year old man but i believe he'll feel left out if i don't get him some goodies so i'm hopeful that the travel items will help fill up his goodie box. here's what i've included in his goodie box thus far. well, brides, that's it for today's planning post..enjoy! as always, happy planning!!! R~ ps...oops, i wanted to include some more DND signs that i whipped up for a fellow BDW bride...i won't be providing the paisley DND signs template but i can provide these for anyone interested. its a powerpoint template which can be revised as you see fit. just let me know if you'd like these and i'll send them your way.

well, according to my time zone its officially saturday..and since i'm up, i'm going to post another planning update. this one is short and sweet..i'll post about my sister's and my son's goodie bags as promised tomorrow (when the sun is up)... so..here's today's DIY project... THANKS to torilynnsmith for sharing her template...and viola..i now have DND signs to put in my survival kits...take a peak. you guys may have noticed, i added a seahorse to my logo as i fell in love with the Martha Stewart seashorse stamp which i'll use on my luminaries... untl next time, happy planning!!! R~

starrysim... he's new and on FB with a photo album of his work..now, he's NOT SAAB or Marcia (yet)..but he's good with lots of potential. frankly, i went with my gut on this one and with an incredible recommendation from another jamaica bride...who has a wealth of photos from her big day on her FB page... if you're interested, i'll be happy to ask her if i can share her contact info with you and you can chat with her like i did. i found him by scouring FB pages and checking our several makeup artists in Jamaica...his pics kept coming up so i contacted the bride who was in the photo and she was SUPER excited to recommend him...said he made her day even that more special and that he was such a respectful and eager young man. here's a few of his pics. fellow, BDW.com brides, my issue with photos is...THEY ARE SOOOOOOO EXPENSIVE! and maybe if i wasn't feeling like iberostar is nickel and diming us...i'd spend the money of a photographer but, i'd much rather save where i can..have nice pics to document the day and keep it moving. i simply can't justify the pricing..its funny because last year Saab wasn't nearly as high as they are now...AND even Jamaica Wedding Photogs were cheaper..i don't know if 2011 is the year of the wedding and so most of these photographers have gone up. i will tell you, i found several photographers including Alain Hottat (who is an AMAZING photographer and on FB too) and he was like $1000 for 250 photos (his quote was for coverage of the entire wedding including: preparation, ceremony, after ceremony portraits of couple, family & friends, reception.) he promised fully edited photos on CD and camera ready files for reproduction as well as access to an online gallery for family and friends. some of alain's photos are below... the thing is, i simply couldn't beat Roan's pricing and his eagerness which says alot. he's incredibly responsive (which is a BONUS because most folks in Jamaica are on "island time") and willing to work with me. i'll be able to tell him what i'm looking for...create a vision for him while he builds his portfolio...we've chatted several times on FB and he's really a nice young man. like, i said, i'm hopeful that he'll blow up one day and be among Jamaica's 'sought after' photographers... he's definitely worth a look...here's one more pic from roan's FB album. R~

i saw the cutest take on a guest book...called "Make a Wish"..."Take a Wish"..see pic below) the premise is pretty simple, too. its wo jars (bowls, or vases work well too), one for guests to write wishes or bits of advice for the happy couple (Make-a-Wish) and another bowl filled with well-wishes from the bride and groom for their guests to take home (Take-a-Wish). wishes can include traditional blessings, bible verses, delightful proverbs from around the world, and even affirming mantras. everything can be done to match your wedding colors. after your big day, cards can be stored in a variety of ways, in a photo book interspersed with pictures or a lovely box or maybe, frame extra special notes for hanging in the newlyweds' home. i think i've just found ANOTHER DIY to add to my project list! until next time, happy planning!! R~

that's not a very good picture..but the dress is a cotton eyelet dress which i'm SUPER excited for my girls to wear...and i believe they'll wear it again. R~

hi all! i paid for my girl's dresses...i got a super deal THIS WEEK from ny & company..here's the dress. i ordered it in black with a white ribbon...the best part is..it was almost free at $14.99/each...woo hoo!!! gotta love a good bargain!!! R~

very cute... i'm thinking of doing something like this... just not sure if i want to take on ANOTHER DIY project..but it seems pretty simple enough to make. as always, happy planning ladies!!! R~

lovesjakey..mine is one shoulder too...i'm not sure if i'll wear a necklace or not...what were you thinking??? R~

hi, canadiangirl! THANKS, love!!! i'm sooooo enjoying this whole process and i can't WAIT to see my DIY projects debut on my big day! my fellow BDW.com brides are truly making my planning experience even more worthwhile...THANKS again for the kudos, canadiangirl... until next time, HAPPY PLANNING!!! R~

aww...torilynn..you're too sweet...i'm SOOOOOO loving this whole planning thread process and i thought i'd make it fun and do a post every day...kinda like a blog...which i may start AFTER the wedding because i'm sure i'll have planning withdrawal... yes, you can go right up to ANY department store cosmetics counter and ask for samples...now, if i were you, i'd go in knowing what samples, i'd like..you know..sound like a REAL shopper. oftentimes, the samples are for new products..so scour the web and/or magazines for debuting perfumes or cosmetics. so glad you like the forks too..i can't wait to run out and buy some...i will post them after they've been engraved... until next time, happy planning!!! R~

good morning, fellow BDW brides! today's planning post is dedicated to gifts...bridesmaid's gifts that is...my sister and three daughters (ages 23, 17 and 17) will be standing up with me...they're not 'bridesmaids' per se, but for this post, that's what i'm calling them. THANKS to a fellow BDW bride, i purchased the cutest purple Eurocases from paperpresentation.com for $29.97 (includes shipping and tax)...i was able to select the color and size wanted (BONUS)..the same Eurocases are available on the Land of Nod with limited colors available and you don't get to choose the size... take a peak... ok, now on to the contents...in addition to tapping into my inner DIY Diva...i've become quite frugal so the Eurocases are filled with FREEBIES and $1 deals from Target, Michaels, Dollar Tree and Dollar General. the freebies include cosmetic and perfume samples..all FREE from an area department store (which shall remain nameless)...anyone can get FREE cosmetic and/or perfume samples..as a matter of fact, they WANT to give them to you in hopes that you'll return to purchase...and because i was putting together four bags i was able to get an ARRAY of FREE samples even some high-end samples from Prada and Dior! woo hoo!!! here's a peak at the loot. in addition to the FREE cosmetics, toiletries and perfume samples, included are some GREAT $1 deals..an emory board shaped like a flower (Michaels), some cute glass magnets (Target), a floral luggage tag (Michaels, a hardcover notepad (Dollar Tree) with mini pencils (Dollar General) and the cutest erasers ever (Michaels) (my oldest is in law school and the two younger ones are seniors in high school so i'm hoping they'll use the erasers)...take a peak. well, brides..that's it for today's post..tomorrow i'll feature my sister's and my son's gift bags... as always, HAPPY PLANNING!! R~

LOVE the luggage tags and your dress!!! beautiful!!! R~

welcome!!! i booked the wedding day then reserved the trip. pick your date with your fiance..and see if your resort is available...iberostar properties only hold one wedding per day..so if you're going with an iberostar property that will need to be taken into consideration..most othe resorts will hold multiple weddings on any given day. happy planning!!! R~

ok good afternoon, fellow destination brides. today's post is ALL about wedding cutlery and serving ware. i'm on the fence about stemware so i'm going to focus on cutlery. i will be purchasing nice forks (maybe een real silver ones) and a cake server for me and the mr to use during the cake cutting. i came across an adorable idea when it comes to the forks and i immediately thought of all of you...take a peak. now, we all know i'm a DIY Diva..but i don't do engraving..so i'll be purchasing forks and having them engraved..i'm thinking i'll hit up things remembered or a jeweler...ok, that's it from here. as always, happy planning!!! R~

southernbelle... i contacted silvia months ago and haven't gotten a response..can you post her email here..maybe i'm not emailing the right spot. i was working with tameica..who was slow but i got a response out of her. i'm a little leery because my date is less than 90 days and i haven't gotten ANY communication FROM anybody! R~

i love eholt's idea..lucky for me, i'm making a trek back home and plan to hand delivery our OOT bags to our traveling guests a month before travel date. those that don't live in the area will get them via mail. i have included pre-travel boarding passes with the wedding itinerary, etc..plus a few other tidbits...like the wedding survival kit. i'm always overpacking so i can't even THINK about lugging more stuff down..i think my fiance would literally ring my neck if he had to carry one more bag..he's such a gentlemen like that.. as always, happy planning! R~

MoBayBride..i saw those shells this weekend..and i will likely add some of those to my mound of shells..as i'm afraid i'll run out...i'm using some to line the aisles and others for our tables... there are some AMAZING finds at the dollar store! and dollar general for that matter! as always, happy planning, ladies!!! R~

GREAT job!!! R~

hi, greatbritain! you're too sweet...i'm thoroughly enjoying the whole process and frankly, if it wasn't for this site, i really don't know if i would've had the courage to do ALL of this... having the opportunity to share has been been, by far, the BEST part of planning my wedding...i'm loving every single minute of it. if you need any templates of help..just PM me..i'll be happy to lend a helping hand where i can. good luck to you and as always, happy planning!!! R~

atalanta... i too have a budget and consider it to be pretty strict..but i really wanted to capture the big day professionally...however, i didn't want to spend an outrageous chunk of change on a photographer or a videographer..at this rate, i'm not too sure the technology we have now will even be used in the future so i knew video was out..however, i do want professional photos. so i searched far and wide. luckily, i found an incredibly cost efficient, young photographer whose going to capture my big day. his name is roan robinson and he came highly recommended by another jamaica bride on FB..his prices are so good, i booked him immediately. i believe he's so cost efficient because he's building his portfolio so i like to think that one day is going to be among the IN DEMAND jamaica photographers and i got him at dirt cheap pricing because he was just starting out. check him out...let him know Ms. Davis recommended him should you choose to contact him. good luck and as always, happy planning!!! R~

THANKS, fellow brides. i'm very excited about all of my projects and i look forward to sharing more planning pics in the days to come...you ALL are soooo incredibly kind... THANKS, again! R~

not sure if anyone else has come across this site..but its GENIUS and dedicated to ALL things etsy for the planning bride. http://realetsyweddings.com there's even a section dedicated to real weddings AND you can submit your own wedding which could be featured on the blog. take a peak ladies...i found it to be very inspirational! until next time, happy planning!!! R~

the venue is beautiful!!! LOVE..LOVE..LOVE it all!!! i grew up in the UK..nice to see some folks on here from jolly ole England! R~

ok, fellow destination brides..today's post is ALL about my DIY hair flower. i hemmed and hawed about the flower..do i need a flower??? will a flower really be cute??? what to do..what to do..ok, so i took the leap and purchased some flowers from hobby lobby..none of them were big enough for me..so i took them ALL apart and built my own huge flower. the photo below is with the flower and the birdcage veil that i bought from Davids Bridal. i'm thinking i'll wear the flower to the welcome dinner or maybe one of the other nights before the wedding...because i already have a birdcage veil and a cathedral length veil...as you can (sorta) see from the pic..i embelished my short dress too with the same flowers...enjoy and feel free to let me know what you think.. until next time, happy planning!!! R~