missde09

How are you ladies cutting the indented corners on the rounded side so that it does not look sloppy? I don't know if I should just use regular scissors or if there is a craft tool that will do a clean corner cut for an angle like that.

After downloading the template it took me a few hours to get it how I would like it to look. I still have to make the RSVP's, but all in all it was not that long. I am going to have my BM's help me cut everything and put the invitation packets all together. So, that should only take about a day as well. I am borrowing craft tools from friends and family and that is saving me a lot of money. All in all, I will be able to do around 120 invites and response cards for under $100 plus postage.

Love this whole idea! I have been fiddling around with a DIY boarding pass template that I got from this blog: http://sosnweddingdesigns.blogspot.com/2009/03/diy-freebie-boarding-pass-invitation.html Here is what they look like so far: We are having an AHR so the wording of the invitations has been the hardest! Let me know what you ladies think and if you have any ideas on how to make it less confusing for people. Thanks!

So close! Can't wait to hear all about it when you return! Congrats and enjoy all of the hard work that you put into this

Your wedding looked gorgeous! Loved all of the pics! Your bouquet really did look completely real!

I would definitely say that if you have not had everyone completely booked yet to try getting a travel agent. They can help take all of the stress of everyone's travels off your shoulders. Any questions can be referred to them both while preparing for the trip and if a problem arises on the trip. They can usually find you the best deals as well. And they do all of this at not cost to you! It blew my mind when I found out that you don't pay the travel agent. I am certainly glad that I went with a travel agent and do not have to hear anything about people's travel plans.

I have really got to start going to Micheal's on a regular basis to find all of these good deals you ladies talk about!

I love all the puppies! The black and white one above that I posted...I forgot to say that her name is Chanel. Seemed to fit her perfectly. What are you ladies doing with your pups while you are away? I hate the thought of boarding her, but I am not sure who else can take care of her since most of our close friends and family will be on vacation with us. If you are boarding your pups, what do you look for in a good one?

This has been extremely helpful! Thank you to all of the ladies who have gone through this for taking the extra time to share with us the would's and would not's of your DW's!

My FI and I really wish we could bring our pups to the DR with us. But mine is only a little over one and she is a bundle of energy all the time. Plus being 40 lbs does not make her easy to travel with. It breaks my heart to leave her for two weeks! This is her

We do not have a wedding planner, but I think it is a good idea for sure. I almost think of a wedding planner the way I would think about a travel agent. I do not want the stress of figuring out everyone's schedules and plans. That stuff is something a travel agent is an expert at. Same with the wedding planner (except you usually have to pay a planner unlike an agent). Why not have someone who is an expert at weddings help you plan the perfect one? Our budget is the only reason we do not have one. Many of my friends have had one and they have been very involved from what I understand.

Wow! Everything you have shown so far is impressive. I wish that I had even an ounce of your patience and creativity. Great job with all of the designs!

These look AMAZING! I am really leaning towards DIY boarding pass invites. I appreciate the details you provided in the text of your initial post. It helps those of us that cannot download attachments to see how you started it. Thanks!!

My FI and I always loved the idea of a DW, but the lower cost was certainly a factor as well. With splurging a little bit to get a nicer room for the honeymoon, we are looking around $15,000. That includes travel, wedding package, AHR, attire, favors, etc. The wedding is still a little under a year away, but we have a pretty strict budget to stick to. I am hoping to find a lot of good deals over the holidays.

Thanks Lyman! I am trying to keep the excitement going by doing little things here and there. You are right! It certainly helps me find those good deals! Just went to a brides on a budget expo this past weekend and won a free engagement photo shoot!!

Yeah the cost of a site visit seems ridiculous when we have so many other things to pay for this year. I am so glad that you were able to see your grandma before she passed. Everything certainly happens for a reason. Thanks for the encouraging words about the Majestic! It is nice to hear so many good reviews about the place. I heard it was tough to get a priest. Fortunately, my FI and I are going to get married (no bells or whistles) before we go. Then we can have a symbolic wedding at the Majestic and my brother can actually perform the ceremony (he is an ordained minister in the states). We initially chose the Majestic because it is family friendly, however now it is starting to look like there are not that many if any families coming.

Wow I feel like I missed so much of the conversation over the weekend! I definitely agree that DW are almost no less stressful than weddings at home. However, we are doing the wedding that we always dreamed of and giving people the opportunity to take the trip of a lifetime. Most of the time people never plan vacations because they have no reason to "spend all that money". Guess what....we are finally giving them a reason!! I, too, have made terms with the fact that not everyone will be there, but those that really care will make the effort. My FI and I got engaged in May, but with my job (state legislature) I cannot take off at that time. So, we will also be engaged for a little over a year since our wedding is in August. I wish the wedding was here already, but I have soooooo much to do that I am lucky it isn't here yet. I'm one of those brides on a budget, so I definitely needed some extra time to save up a little more.

I really like the venusbridal website! Thanks Kay6356! It looks like they are sold in a lot of stores. Usually, my problem is not being able to find the dress for the girls to try on. They actually have stores near me!!

Wow thanks for all of the advice! I will definitely check into these places and look online some. I have 3 bridesmaids and a MOH. I would like my MOH's dress to be slightly different, but haven't quite figured out how yet. Whenever we find the dresses I will make sure to post them on here!

All of these are such awesome ideas! You all are so creative I don't even know where to begin!

I'm sure there are many good reasons to live there, but it is tough to have such crazy prices. I just keep telling myself that the ones that really want to be there will be there. If members of my family can make it happen with tight budgets, I am positive that other people can as well. Some people don't like to/want to travel which I understand. But in my mind don't tell me it costs too much and that it why you aren't going...it's my wedding for crying out loud. My FI's dad asked him one night why he has to go all the way to Punta Cana for our wedding, and my FI replied, "because that is where we are getting married." End of conversation. People can make this much more stressful than it needs to be sometimes...