ndvidul

Congratulations on your engagement!! And your contract for MP! I'm not an expert by ANY means on all of this... but my first suggestion would be to create your guest list and budget and send out Save the Dates ASAP. I feel like we sent out the notice of our date too late, so not as many people were able to save up to come. I also highly recommend having a website for your guests to visit and find out more details. You could send out this info with the STDs. (I'm happy to share my website with you if you PM me.) Also, it's best to book your locations ASAP... like which beach/gazebo for your ceremony, & where you want your cocktail hour and reception to be (if you want to have them). Other than that, I'd say it's all up to you what you want to do! There are lots of timelines online to look at. I looked at about 5 and melded them all together into what I thought was appropriate for us. Are you doing a wedding package or are you doing a complimentary one with add-ons? Happy you could join us!

Thanks, mochamakes! We're staying 9 nights, so will def make sure we get these perks!!

Well, after a glass of wine and my Lean Cuisine dinner (and the latest episode of Gossip Girl, haha), I was back to DIYing tonight. DIY accomplishments since Monday: ---- Time Capsule Guest Book. --- Will post pics this weekend! LOVE it! ---- Groom & Best Man boutonnieres --- Will also post pics this weekend (hopefully with the bridesmaids bouquets, too!) Other accomplishments this week: ---- Ordered all OOT bag items (will be working on these in AZ over Christmas break with my Mom) ---- Garter is on its way!! Oww owwww!! ---- Updated online registries ---- Collected pics of bridal hairstyles I like ---- Started breaking in my heels for my bachelorette party! Haha! (totally DIYing in them) Next items to tackle: ---- Ceremony programs ---- Booking hotel & flights ---- Welcome books ---- Door hangers ---- Petal Cone holders Happy Planning this weekend (or break time), ladies!! So blessed to be experiencing this all with you. Thank you for all your support!

Yes indeed! Time is ticking! The great news is that I FINALLY feel like things are coming together. ...after feeling like a chicken with my head cut off for a couple of months (sorry for the graphic-ness, haha... but totally descriptive!) You CAN do it, LadyDi! I started a new exercise program 6 months ago and eating better... and after only 3 months, I had lost 10 pounds of fat and gained a few of muscle. Now, I've lost 15 pounds of fat and gained 5 of muscle and feel like a NEW WOMAN! I can fit into my skinny jeans, baby!! If I can do it, you can do it too! Just take it one day at a time... and make choices every day to sacrifice the Good (the now) for the Better (who you want to be)! I believe in you! Stella? Girl, you are def a woman after my own heart. You are so cute ordering doggie paraphenalia from amazon. So excited for you. Picturing your new pressies arriving under your DIY tree! P.S. Of course we have your back.

Where are they even fitting you? LOL! It looks great as is!! You say you gained 5 pounds, but your arms and back look great, since we can see you in the mirror. I can't see where you put them! Gorgeous dress!!! Too bad no one else was there to see it at the time --- but we're celebrating with you! Looking forward to hearing how others step forward while you take a step back. I believe in you. The guestbook notecards look great!!! Another fabulous checkmark...

Any ladies on here know if when you book using a membership if you get a complimentary mani & pedi???? I just contacted Karla to book these types of things + hair & make-up for me, and she mentioned something to this effect. Also said that my bridesmaids might get this too since we've all booked under membership... crossing my fingers!

Any ladies on here know if when you book using a membership if you get a complimentary mani & pedi???? I just contacted Karla to book these types of things + hair & make-up for me, and she mentioned something to this effect. Also said that my bridesmaids might get this too since we've all booked under membership... crossing my fingers!

Yes, actually. We were going to pay the $240 or whatever for a player for the cocktail hour (the ceremony's player is apparently complimentary), BUT we figured why not pay that money here for like a great BOSE iPod system and just bring it down... that way, we get a sweet setup for home too, and we know how it works? The FI is in charge of acquiring this since electronics are his thing... crossing my fingers! What do you plan on doing? That's AWESOME that so many people have booked, Jamie! Congrats!! I know you were concerned about this. Must feel so great! I didn't know there was a Tucan Garden! Do you happen to have any pics? Our wedding is at 4pm, and the cocktail hour starts at 5pm. We were going to take our pictures after the ceremony and before the cocktail hour and then just have the photographer take pictures of people at the cocktail hour (kind of like a reception... since we won't be having a reception nor will we have a photographer after the cocktail hour). MAYBE though.... we'll spend more time taking pics and then enter fashionably late and do the First Dance right away like you and Coco said... I kind of like that since it's unique and dramatic, hehe. Oooooh, I'm excited! I like the idea of toasts at dinner. Makes more sense and doesn't try to squeeze in too much for the cocktail hour either. THANK YOU for your input! Great point about this, Chelsea. I just looked, and on Feb 18, 2012, the sun will set at 5:47pm... and in June, it usually sets around 7:30... LOL!! What time was your cocktail hour, and when were those amazing pink clouds happening do you think? Trying to plan this all around making sure the lighting is great since pics are like number 1 importance for me!!! (Scrapbooking queen!) Our cocktail hour is scheduled for 5pm, and like I said above, we were planning on doing pics around 4:30... and may extend it more. We only have our photographer for 3 hours, and I was going to use him for 1 hour before the wedding of us all getting ready, 1 hour of ceremony + pics, and 1 hour cocktail. BUT depending on the lighting situation... I could just ask for like 30 min of us all getting ready so we have 30 minutes after the cocktail hour for pics, too..... any input would be great!

Ladies, I'd like your input... So, we are just going to have a cocktail hour after the wedding and then have a reception dinner at one of the restaurants. For the cocktail hour, I'm planning to do the toasts and the first dance. When do you think I should do these? I was thinking to let people grab food and drinks and then 20 minutes in, do the toasts. Then, 45 minutes in, do the first dance. We'll do the cake cutting after dinner at the restaurant. Thoughts? Comments? Ideas? Thanks!!

What amazing news!!! Celebrating with you and your family!! xoxo

These look absolutely FAB!!!! Wish I was one of your BM's, LOL! How fortunate they are to recieve these gorgeous gems. Loving the decorations on this!! Good idea to look on Etsy for the cake cutter set - why didn't I think of this before? Hope you enjoy your rest from DIYing and that you get the doggie of your dreams!

YES! I was going to work on our Time Capsule Guest Book tonight & try to finish it, but my body was telling me that was too much and to take a break. So the FI and I got a Redbox: Crazy Stupid Love. Looked cute! Even though I have a TON to do in the next 2 weeks, I know that if I overdo it, I'll totally burn out. Nice to take a break! Hahahaha ---- you're too funny!! Isn't it enough he gets you for the rest of his life...

Just for fun, thought I'd share the Bridal Shower favors my Mom & I made together when she was in town for Thanksgiving. I know, I know.... why am I making the favors for this party being thrown for ME? Hehehe.... b/c Mom was stressing about it, and I assured her it'd be a piece of cake. And it was! 30 min & done ---- not the most intricate output, but I think they're adorable! I think there's 30 of them... Makes me want chocolate now! LOL!!!

So, I bought my Groomie's gift today for the wedding! SOOO in love with it --- absolutely perfect! It's an antique-looking treasure chest with map fabric on the outside & I'll engrave his full name on a gold plate on the outside. On the inside, it has a bottle with an etched compass on it with a special message inside from me (which will be a shorter version of my personal wedding vows to him) with burnt edges. Also in the box is a "Fellow Traveler" poem and a Key that has "My Heart" on it. Here's the website if you want to take a look: http://www.onepassionplace.com/messagesfellowtraveler.htm It was above my spending budget, but my paycheck was a bit bigger this month, so I thought WTH --- go for it!!! SO PSYCHED! Can't wait to see it --- had it shipped to my Mom's house so will get to view it when I go home for Christmas. Big checkmark! P.S. Also ordered my garter --- bow chica wow wow! LOL!

Welcome, Nickey! If you start emailing MP with questions, they can definitely get some things sorted out for you well before the "30 days." There's no limit to what you can bring to save on money... it's just good to be smart in choosing what you bring --- lightness, compactness, etc. I'm doing a lot of DIY projects to save on money and bringing a bunch down, but we're hiring Deco Cancun to do the decorations for our ceremony since that'd just be too much of a pain and too much to worry about. Looking forward to hearing how your planning goes!

I'm sending these out right after Dec 15 --- the deadline for booking for our wedding (which is Feb 18)! They're just to get them excited about everything mostly, with some minimal info that's helpful (most of the things they need to know are already on our website). I'm also going to do Passport Welcome Books for their OOT bags!! That's something I'm tackling in these next 2 weeks! Be happy to send the template your way. PMing you now!

Oh yeah, and for the luggage tags, I used photo paper (generic Office Max brand) for the luggage tag photo side... and tan cardstock from Hobby Lobby for the name/address side.

I used 3 different types of paper: Beach sand-looking paper (BPs) & teal cardstock from Hobby Lobby (BP jackets) & antique treasure map paper from Joann's!

The wedding section at Michael's!! They're listed as $20, I believe. I looked online to find ones I liked better that were even cheaper but couldn't find any either. But don't ever pay full price at Michael's. You can always go online to get coupons... and now, if you have a smartphone, they have an app. This week, I used my app to get 50% off all my purchases!! You better believe I treated myself to some Martha Steward goodies at 50% off! Woot Woot!

Here's some of the projects I've accomplished thus far this weekend (... there's still time to do more today, LOL!) Boarding Pass -- Thanks for Booking/Info Brochure Thank you to Coco & Jamie for the templates!! I love how they turned out! Got some glitter sets from Martha & her glue pen.... added the teal glitter for the perforations on the front to give it some pizazz! The brads are compasses (of course)! The paper is beach sand. You get to see a glimpse of my ring in this pic too, LOL! The diamond is a heart. Back of the jacket: Front of jacket: Luggage Tags ---- these will be sent out with the boarding passes. For couples, I'll have one of each of the designs - Beach and Palm Tree. Which design is your fave?

My heart was aching while I began reading your message, but I was so happy to hear about the ending! I'm sure as your FI gets to know your parents more and more, he'll come to understand them as the "hard-working, loving, great parents they are," too. So now, you definitely have those loved ones coming to the wedding, AND you get to play Santa! Woo hoo!!!

So exciting, Kris!!! It's unbelievable how time flies. Ours is Feb 18, and I can't believe I'm under 90 days!

Hooray for big batches of printing almost behind you!! You've been waking up early and working hard there! Seems like you'll hit your goal of finishing by Christmastime. Bummer about having to wait for the dress fitting... but still exciting!! Can't wait to hear all about it. Congrats on narrowing down the breed for your new family addition!!

Oh, Anudrm --- I couldn't help but notice your profile pic!!! It's from your recent wedding I presume?!? Yes? BEAUTIFUL!!!!! And Congratulations if it is!!!! Can't wait to hear about it!

Coco & Jamie ---- thank you for the templates! Excited to play with them tomorrow and figure out what I want to do. Coco, love your postcards!!! Tasteful reminder for your guests to get their butts in gear, LOL. So pretty too! Update: My MOH & I had a lengthy, emotional conversation tonight. Lots of tears, listening, and talking. After we finally started really listening to each other and really trying to see things from the other's perspective, she decided that she'd make it work and would definitely come. YAAAAAAYYYYY!!!! I was so proud of us as it was a very challenging conversation, and we kept striving for a win/win solution even though it was hard. I would have been happy with any Win/Win solution, but you know I'm super pumped that this turned out to be it --- her coming to Cancun!! Couldn't be happier. Our 19 years of friendship is still going strong. 3 cheers!!! This weekend, we have NO plans as of yet, which I'm pumped about. Lots of DIYing!! (And possibly wine! haha)