MyTye2B

Hi Perez, My fiance and I are getting married in Canada first and then we're just having a 'renewal of vows' ceremony at Grand Palladium. It still sounds like it will all be the same - Vanessa even said we'll sign paperwork so to get a song for that part too. I'm not quite sure how to go about getting legally married here. We don't even know where we're going to do it yet. We both work for an airline so we're thinking about going somewhere in Canada we've never been, like the east coast just us, to do it. Or we may go back to BC where we got engaged, or we might go to my hometown Windsor so that my Nana can be there because I don't think she'll be well enough to come to the wedding. We'll have to see. I'm not sure about the beach party - I didn't even know that was an option but it sounds like fun! We did end up getting a DJ but you're right it is expensive. That's the one thing Tye is asking for in the whole wedding, lol, so I figure we'd do it! I think the photographer is a nice splurge. You'll have the pictures forever. Congratulations, Shayla! I'm really happy to hear that everything went great for you! I'm an Alberta girl too so it's good to know the steak is up to par. Enjoy married life, and come back to say hi when you can!

Thank you! I just bought it. This is my 3rd one! Love the VistaPrint Groupons!!

Great idea, Megan and such a good price! Love them. Your guests will definitely be pumped up.

Karen this is so great!! Thank you so much for attaching your list. I did get a few ideas - Tacky Tourist and Airplane Snack for sure, haha!! Love the idea of bringing the actual items if you have them for verification. Thanks for the help! Lauren Scavenger Hunt single.docx

Hi Jen, Don't worry, I feel like this is really common, especially with destination weddings! I would say just be honest with the friends from school. You're close with them now, and that's what matters, no one can fault you for not having invited someone that you knew for a month to your wedding. I totally get why you think people would see it as a gift grab, but I think a lot of the literature out there online is geared towards traditional weddings. We're quite different. I think it would be perfectly acceptable to have that conversation with your friends, let them know that if they can manage to get away that they're welcome to join the wedding week too, just unfortunately you didn't know them at the time the planning all began and the actual wedding day has been planned for just your close family. I'm positive they would understand and love to join you at your shower. Will you be having an AHR? You can even say to them honestly which is the best policy, lol, that you feel badly about not having invited them to the wedding since it was planned when you didn't know each other well, but that you'd still love them to be able to be at your shower - especially since they've been asking about it, it's not like they're shying away from the topic - and you hope they will be able to come to your At Home Reception as well. Just make sure you give them an invitation to that, haha. We're doing just a very casual AHR in my parent's backyard out in Ontario, but a townhall kind of buffet thing out in Alberta. I'm questioning whether it's acceptable to invite people to my shower who have already told me that they can't come to my wedding. Or the mother's of my bridesmaids who will obviously not be coming to my wedding but I stood in their daughter's weddings and my mom went to their showers (but my mom also went to most of their weddings in town too.) What do you guys think about that? That's for the shower that my mom and sister are throwing in my hometown of Windsor, although I've lived in Calgary for the last 4 years where my fiances family lives. My dilemma with my shower is that his family is very small town, doesn't do things like that, so I'm not having one out here. I think that's weird but that's another story for another day haha. A friend of mine from Calgary said that she would like to throw kind of like a shower/party for me, so I guess following my own advice I'm going to invite people from work to that! I suppose his family will also be invited to that! I'm sorry to read about the family squabbles as well. It's amazing how much drama goes on with weddings! I've been feeling unlucky being so far away from family and friends during the planning but maybe it's a good thing haha! Although no one is exempt from it I think. My mom's all worried about the etiquette at my Windsor shower. To the point that we're having it at this place called Gourmet Emporium and I can't have any lactose and she thinks it will look rude if I have a meal that's different from the one that's being served to the guests. They have a gluten and lactose free menu available so I'm sure people won't be like, yeah make the bride sick because it's rude if she doesn't eat the same food as us! Another issue I'm having is my one bridesmaid (who has a LOT of money - I don't!) keeps asking me what am I having for favours at my wedding. I told her that the OOT (which are costing quite a bit to put together) are the favours. 'Oh that's it? What about for the actual wedding?' is what I keep getting as a response. Do you think OOT bags are good enough or should I do something else? I'm not that big on favours. It's not that I don't appreciate people coming out, of COURSE I do, more than I can express.... it's just that they're usually little trinkets that people don't want anyway and then have to bring home with them. Haha, it just dawned on me that the OOT bag will be the same but my hope is that they'll use the majority of the things I've included! My sister and mom were so worried about the favours for the shower and I would much prefer they get little tags that say in lieu of favours a donation has been made to SickKids hospital in honour of Avery (my daughter who passed away) so that's what we're doing for the shower. Should I do the same thing for the wedding or are the OOT bags enough? Anyways haha, long story short I think you're totally fine and in the right to invite your friends from school. You want them there, they want to be there, they're happy for you and want to bring a gift. Screw etiquette - do what feels right for you and your situation. Lauren

Hi Karen, I LOVE your idea of a pub crawl! This might be an idea my fiance's family would be interested in for sure haha! I was also planning on doing a photo scavenger hunt. Can I ask what kinds of ideas are on your list to look for/do? I am short of ideas at this time - certainly I want more than 'bride and groom in a romantic moment' and 'speedo gone wrong!' The autograph thing sounds really fun too. I like that it's an idea you guys can do together and engage others and make friends with too! It really sounds like things are coming together for you! I can't believe you have only 6-7 weeks left! Thanks for keeping us posted on how you're doing. Lauren

It was only $1.99 and I like it! The fade out is a bit fast but there may be a way to change the speed - I haven't played around too much yet. Also a couple of the songs just stopped right in the middle, but again I didn't really investigate it. I was just listening on my drive to work with a playlist that's already on my iPod. These aren't songs that I've normally had an issue with though. Once I dig in a little deeper I'll give you a proper review.

My dad was born in Germany but it's been a long time since we've had a German wedding. Mostly it's the singing in German Christmas carols we do! I'll ask him today and see what I can pick up for you! Claire - thank you SOOOO much for the name of the App. My fiance googled a few last night but we didn't see that one. I'm going to get it today. You're the best!

Oh Claire, how exciting that you've ordered your rings!! Do you have any information on that app that fades the music in and out? I'd love this for our ceremony. Even the name so I can try to track down some information? Thanks so much! Normas09 - I'm sorry geography is not my forte but hopefully one of the others can shed some light. I think Tulum is closer. Not far at all from where we'll be. But I wouldn't rely on my geography haha!

Hi Everyone, Mikeycelle I know you're having a DJ I'm wondering is anyone else and who and how did you choose? Mikeycelle do you know if Grand Palladium allows the cold fireworks in La Laguna? My fiance now wants a DJ but I'm having a bit of trouble getting in touch with some. DJ Doremixx got back to me right away but the message got quarantined by my work (haha, I think the song list contained profanity!) and when I emailed back (on Tuesday) asking for more information sent to my home account no one ever got back to me. Vanessa gave me the names of a few others. The most expensive was $950 which I am cringing at but it's the only thing my fiance has asked for. The cheapest is $700 from those I've heard back from but he won't allow us to choose our own music which I totally don't like at all. Haha, I don't think I can relinquish that much control lol! We're Canadian and from the West and honestly enjoy our country music more than dance music so we want a good mix and I don't think I like not knowing what's going to be played when we're spending that much money. I think we may go with DJ Mannia as they've been really responsive and they're kind of in the middle and have the cold fireworks and will let us pick the music. Any advice? Also a question about the Spa. The price list I was sent apparently includes the discount for booking online. I have just made all of the appointments for my bridesmaids and myself and my mom and the 50% deposit alone was almost $500!! Has anyone else booked this way? They told me that the bridal packages can't have any substitutions. I'm wondering if you booked your services separately or if you went with one of the packages. Were any of you allowed to substitute? I didn't even schedule an appointment for my makeup because I'm hoping my girlfriend will be coming and be able to do it otherwise I'll have to add that in too. We have booked a couples massage which I'm going to need desperately after this! Thanks Ladies! Lauren

Hi Katherine, I was going to suggest the same thing as Mikeycelle. The rehearsal dinner is free! As are any other dinners you may want to schedule as long as they are under 40 people. I think this is a really nice option so that the restaurants know that you're coming and will be set up and waiting for your group. We've scheduled a rehearsal dinner at Portofino and a day after brunch at Kabah buffet and an immediate family dinner which still works out to 30 people haha at El Dorado Steakhouse for the night before we go home. What about having a rehearsal dinner at one of the other fabulous restaurants and then you can have option #2 (which I also think is a great choice because it kind of holds the day together better) at Portofino. Portofino is so beautiful for pictures and having been to a wedding dinner there before it was a perfect location! After a big dinner your guests won't even need the appies and the drinks will be perfect because everyone will be ready to party. Let us know what you decide! Lauren