AllieH

I am skipping the programs...executive decision as unnecessary. I know, I'm a rebel! We received our confirmation today that we are PAID IN FULL. Let's have a wedding!!!!!!!!

well ladies, I got my spreadsheet and we are officially paid in full! now let's go to Mexico... t minus 11 days.

We've ended up telling quite a few people at work. I keep trying to introduce him as my fiancé, and then someone else will correct me to say "husband" lol Because of that, I kinda wish we had waited until afterwards to take care of the paperwork. It doesn't matter, I'm thrilled to have him as my husband. thank you!!! I know I'm bailing out on a couple of my DIY projects - but it's at the point where I don't have a lot of time, and suddenly it doesn't seem quite that important lol

we are wedding therapists! lol I think it's hard to find friends - even those who are excited for you - who just "get it" unless they've recently planned a wedding. Another BDW bride mentioned they did the iPod route, and had a local DJ mix the music for them so it'd flow better. Is that an option? If you and your friends already enjoy the music you play on pandora, I don't think I'd be all that worried about the "lack" of a DJ. What about getting everyone to tell you what songs typically get them out on the dance floor? Then you can work those into your song selection.

I can't wait to read the madlibs. I figure that will be something fun for us to do together after the wedding. I'm going to encourage our guests to write any other wishes on the back. Then I'll bind them together in a book when we get back. I'm having fun calling him "husband". He keeps rolling his eyes hehe

The hardcore countdown is ON. we leave in 2 weeks. We had our legal day on Tuesday, so it's officially unofficial. We've made our final payment, and the last thing we're tidying up is the music list for the DJ. will post details when I can!

If you're looking for matching ties, I highly recommend http://www.bows-n-ties.com/ - great selection, fantastic prices, and quality products. I know it's not the suit..but there's no sense in paying a ton for the matching ties too.

Hi Chris!!! I'm glad you are doing well, and sorry you are so busy. We will keep you posted on how everything goes (of course!!). We did luck out and his mother is paying for the DJ. otherwise we wouldn't have spent the $$ on that to be honest. I'm waiting anxiously for Jill to get back so I can hear how it all went. We saw the judge this morning - so legally I am a WIFE. it's surreal and weird and wonderful all at the same time. Of course we aren't broadcasting it, but we told some of our close friends. and yes, I'm at work now. total buzzkill! We'll still be at EDR when you get married! COOL! We are using the Cocotal dinner as our welcome dinner the first night (almost) everyone gets in. Anyone who misses the dinner can catch up with us later in the evening. We're doing a private dinner at Tucanes for our reception.

We aren't doing an AHR. Mostly because our friends and family don't live near us, so it would mean traveling anyway. I do like the idea of doing a BBQ or potluck or something like that as a casual gathering to celebrate with local folks who can't make mexico (and maybe even some that can!!). You should totally register somewhere. Even if noone asks you or buys from it, you can get a 10% or 15% (or even 20% sometimes at Macy's) discount on items you register for, up to 6 months after your wedding. I've told most of my friends who are traveling that I do not expect gifts... and of course some gave them anyway. I was also surprised when my Uncle & his wife gave us all of the towels we registered for - yes, I'm excited about new towels! lol Quote: Originally Posted by chiquita8302 OK reading Allie's to do lists made me think of something.... ....are any of you doing at home receptions?? I wasn't planning on it, but at the last minute here I"ve realized that none of my family can come (my mom recently got diagnosed with early onset alzheimers and it's just too much for her) and not many of my FI's friends can go, so I'm considering doing something at home, maybe in the summer? I'd want it to be casual, more like a party where we could play the video (I think I'm going to do the online video thing through Lomas where I think you get to keep a copy of hte video) and eat and drink and what not? This kind of made me think of the registry.... I am not registering, but was thinking that I almost wonder if I shoudl consider it if we're going to have an AHR? Or if we shoudl just keep it as is and be greatful that some people are joining us in Mexico as our gift. Just a thought.... Chris

We're putting them on an iPod for the ceremony. Very cool!!!!

thanks!!! My FI rolled his eyes at the Bon Jovi song lol he knows I'm obsessed...

I've honestly given up on receiving it from Lomas and am just writing it. I'll be happy to share it when I've gotten most of it done. I've found this page to be helpful for ideas: http://www.angelfire.com/id/vancuren/wedscript.html I keep googling "Wedding ceremony sample script", and it's coming back with some good samples. You may want to try that!! We have our appointment with the judge in the morning to finish the legal process here in TX. We leave in a whopping 16 days...I have butterflies.

I like Hakuna Ma Tata's!

You are welcome!! I picked up my dress today (for the 2nd time), and all was well. she added 6" to the train by moving the layers down, and it's done. WHEW. I had a nightmare last night that she had added all sorts of pink ribbons to it. and pink is one of my least favorite colors, so clearly I was stressing out about it.

I'm writing it because I want to. I've asked them to send me the symbolic ceremony a couple of times, and haven't gotten it. We aren't really religious, and didn't want anything in our ceremony that was, so I figured it was safest to write our own ceremony. We're doing the symbolic as well - I couldn't handle the idea of blood tests in Mexico either. We got our license on Friday, and now we're trying to find a JP to finish the legal part for us. A total headache....and I'm wondering if maybe the blood tests would have been easier lol Hoping the calls to the judges go better tomorrow. Picked up my dress today - it's perfect now. She added 6" back to the train, and kept trying to say it was really long. umm, no, no it really isn't. but it is what I wanted. Also got a brazilian blow out today - love my hair straight and smooth!! I need a nap now.

Allie - those turned out really cute!!!! Y'all did a great job with them. love the creativity.

ok, this is for MsT! now the "done" list: chair sashes striped straws orange basket (for our guestbook/mad lib collection) various shells and starfish from other BDW brides my dress, shoes, and longline bra wedding night lingerie (woot!) base of our invites and envelopes monogram postcards return address labels inserts for key holders orange & white twine for various crafts + invite ties materials to make my veil starfish & shell stamps for our place cards wooden starfish & shells to be painted and put on our table our photographer is booked our registries are done (Macy's & Crate & Barrel) guest book/mad libs my sash & hair flower paper lanterns for aisle decoration & Tucanes decorations lanyards & pouches for key holders (40) Confirm reception location finalize our menu choices (so we can put them on the RSVP, wedding website, etc) my jewelry - necklace, earrings, bracelet need to paint the wooden shells & starfish menu for rehearsal dinner bride's hanger invite "sash" and envelope liners labels for the straws (mini-banners) my bouquet and his boutonniere, corsages bev. Napkins fans for ceremony shells, starfish oot bags his band embroidered date label for dress book our airfare assemble the invites once I get the pieces bouts for men his attire doorhangers thank you boards table # holders my veil cake serving set mugs favors (ornaments, windchimes) LED lights & batteries mug labels wedding weekend events timeline book Amber's airfare conductive tape vase/jar for centerpiece LED throwies tags for favors place cards (once we have the RSVP/menu selections back) The "to do list" that is left: table #'s/decorate holders playlists of music for ceremony (he's in charge of playlist for dinner & reception) write ceremony my OOT bag list: OOT Bags antibacterials lip balm key holders tylenol advil/aleve immodium mugs shout wipes mints/gum band aids tums (we didn't end up getting tums) I have a few more that broke the above up into groups like "decor", "paper goods", "to buy", etc. My friends asked me if I have a spreadsheet for packing - boy do they know me well!! I don't, but that's because I used to travel a lot and packing is pretty easy, even for long trips. I have a tab of different music that I collected as I came across it or thought of it, especially while browsing pinterest. and another of various ceremony words and things I've found that I'll use to write our ceremony sometime in the next couple of weeks. For some reason that's been the hard part for me! Anyway, I can share any of the stuff I have, just PM me your email and I'll send it along. I know I'm crazy...

I've been thinking again. What if... take the balloons with you. use the dowels and the luminary bags - cut the dowels to be the same height as the bag (typically you can get the hardware store to do this for you pretty cheap per cut if you don't have a saw). Use other balloons filled with sand (collect it on the beach and fill them with a funnel!) to weight down the dowels inside the bags. Drop a marble in the balloons to keep them upright on top of the dowels.

I got home late last night and wasn't able to post it. But I will do that tonight (or plan to...!). I have an excel file with a list of ideas, and then all of my tasks, music, etc. And an excel guest list too that has booking status (from the early process), entree choice for reception, OOT bag counts, etc. I live by excel.... We leave in 21 days. Wedding in 26 days. EEP! I'm so ready!

Hi - I happened to see this question, and I'm an EDR bride working with Lomas. We are doing the Pick & Choose dinner. The guests pick their entree ahead of time, and you choose 1 appetizer and 1 dessert that is served to everyone. We were able to offer a pasta dish to our vegetarian guests in addition to the main 2 entree choices, with the understanding that everyone didn't pick from 3 options. We only have 2 vegetarian guests, so it's been a non-issue. We were also able to choose entrees from the Pick & Choose dinner menu, and appetizers and desserts from the Pick & Choose lunch menu (I wasn't excited about the apps and dessert choices on the dinner menu). We have to bring place cards in order to let the wait staff know which guest gets which entrees. We used our RSVPs to gather entree selection (and most of my guests did a great job with it, but a few we had to follow up with and ask). hope that helps!

We still have to outline all of our music, since we've switched to having a DJ (thank you future MIL!). I know some of it: I'm not sure about our guest-seating song yet. I'm thinking Marry Me by Train, and Going to the Chapel of Love by the Dixie Cups Bride walk will be Bruno Mars' Just the Way You Are, covered by a string quartet (so no lyrics) Recessional will be Signed, Sealed Delivered by Stevie Wonder They only told us we needed 4 songs for the ceremony. It should be a quickie!! Our first dance will be Jason Mraz' I Won't Give Up Cake & toast - Pour Some Sugar on Me by GNR Our last 'party song" - I want Living on a Prayer by Bon Jovi Our last dance - At Last by Etta James Quote: Originally Posted by FranksJewel I have the same problem....What is a signature song??? When does that play? I picked Wedding party Walk- Marry me by Train Bride walk- God Bless the Broken Road- Rascal Flatts Signature song-???? Finish Ceremony- God Gave me You - Blake Shelton

that will blow them up, but they won't float. Dw bride - can you use a dowel cut to size to stand them on, and put them in a bud vase? there has to be some alternative... let me keep thinking.

of course!!!! I have a dress and hair appointment this Saturday. Hoping my dress is ready this time (we had a snafu with the alterations that made me a bridezilla for the day. UGH). I'm just counting down the days with both excitement and a little bit of "oh crap! it's SOON" lol it's all good of course, just the anxiety of what am I forgetting, what if...etc. I'm a worrier. it'll all be ok, right?

Hi Shannon, Yes, I'm taking decorations with me - chair sashes, paper lanterns (with LED lights), table runners, shells/starfish, and a few other small items. They will charge a set up fee once I get there. Will let you know what that turns out to be. And I think my to-do list would scare you!!! I'm a list-making fool, and it's the only way I can keep myself organized and on track. I'll post it tonight though (it's at home, not at the office). I'm planning on our ceremony being at Gazebo 55, since that seems like the most popular. I also like that you can't see the sandbags in the water behind it, like you can some of the other gazebos on the beach. I also liked that it's more secluded and at the far end of the resort. And I like the rock wall that surrounds it. Quote: Originally Posted by Shannon Burgess Are you taking decorations with you?? Can we do that? That would be so much cheaper!!

It was a mess to deal with, but she's reworking the train to add length back to it, at her cost. She said she took off 3-4 inches, and adjusted the remaining layers, but it just looked a lot shorter to me. She offered to add a layer back in, or just move the other layers again. I think it'll look better to adjust the remaining layers, so that's what she's working on now. She also forgot to put in my gel cups, so she's adding those too. We'll see if the adjustments work. I go back again next Saturday. Actually, next Saturday I have 3 appointments: nails, getting my hair straightened and the dress appointment. The madness has begun!! lol I think we're going to go get our marriage license this week, so we can get the legal stuff done soon too. And make our final payment to EDR. My list is almost completely done!!