JA2012

Hmmm...$200 sounds like a good gift to me to be honest. If you want to get them something else and budget allows for it, I'd do something small like jewellery for the day. I've been in weddings where I didn't get a gift at all and I didn't think anything about it. I've also been in weddings where the gift is H&M jewellery. So it's really the thought that counts and doesn't have to be elaborate. It can even be a lunch or tea before you leave. Or go to do your nails when your reach destination and pay for that for them.

All of you ladies look gorgeous in your dresses!! Hmmm...makes me think I should't just go for my fittings in trackpants with uncombed hair anymore. hahaha! You've all just raised the bar for me. lol.

One other thing I wanted to share...I spoke with a few photographers and they all told me they hate when they're given a long list of must have shots. Apparently we should just trust our photogs because we hired them based on their work. A list of like 5 or 6 shots is ok but when we copy and paste a list of 100 must haves they get annoyed. Lol. They all said that they know brides want to see the details of ceremony so leave that off the list and actually tell them something like a shot of grandma with her son and grandson with uncle is more the type of "must have" that they are interested in.

@Lkocelko - I saved on flowers by using fakes wherever I could that no one would actually be able to touch them. ie: I bought silk rose petals for the aisle from Justartifacts.com. They cost $4.99 for 1800 petals. I bought two pks just in case. I'm also using silk flowers for my centrepieces. I am doing submerged flowers in a tall vase with a candle on top. If guests want to get burned they can go ahead and stick their hand in the vase. Lol... I also contacted a few different florists and explained my budget and needs. Prices that I received began at $1500 for tropical mix flowers and eventually after some persistance I got my flowers for $500 and they're a mix of roses and orchids which is exactly what I wanted. Stick with it! There's always ways to save.

I'm doing a sand ceremony but I actually have no intention of keeping a pile of sand in my house so not sure it will even make it off the property at the end of the night. LOL..shhhh! Don't tell anyone. I just want something extra to fill up my ceremony and it adds a nice little touch where I can include someone else in the ceremony as I won't have the officiant do it.

I was reviewing a thread yesterday where people posted their ceremony scripts. Even vows were posted. Was a great thread. And yes it even had the hand ceremony in there. Search Post Ceremony script and I'm sure it will pop up.

@Dazey I was wondering the same thing re speeches. I think MOH, BM, parents, and one or two special ppl on ea of our sides can say speeches. To avoid it taking up too much time I'll have speeches start during dinner so we're not sitting around waiting for them to be over. @Danak, I will look into them for sure. Thanks for this. I saw a couple other cute prs on the site but will need to take more time and order the perfect pair from them. @KHunt, Michaels sells a nice sand ceremony set for about $50-60. BUT, I just bought the sand from them and had an old but pretty vase at home that works perfectly. I plan to remove the label from the sand container and add a ribbon so it doesn't look so bland. If you want the budget friendly version, just buy 4 different sand colours from Michaels and one large vase (they have some urns there that would work nicely). Even winners and dollarama have great options. In fact, Dollarama has 4 vases and the larger one to pour it into.Some of them even have the sand. SHOOT!! I also need to get clear stones for my centrepieces...add that to my list!!! ARGHH!! @KDoyle, I fly in on the 6th. The entire ceremony is outdoors (please god keep the rain away), so it can hold all of our guests (approx 100). we have a tent as our backup but again I will be praying the rain away that week and entire day.

Very cute! I like that you get a bit of height too. I'm short so this would work well. Just checked the site. LOVE THE PRICES!! I like the cute dresses too. Lol. ...i'm so not focused!

Syrynity Palace in Montego Bay. It's kind of like a villa or boutique hotel. Very small. www.syrynity.com I think that's the website.

I am the worlds biggest klutz! I just can't risk it. I normally am good with heels but I'll be walking on grass so better safe than sorry. Please continue to share your updates and progress ladies. It will be good for us all and keep us all in check.

OOPS! I totally forgot to add seating charts, programs, labels for gift favours, ....i don't know if reading this thread ismaking it better or worse?? Lol...maybe I should just show up and whatever will be will be. Lol.

re shoes i did find a cute site that does pretty embelished flats. Think I will go that route as every time i put on the dress with the heels or wedges i already bought, I imagine myself in the sun and with nerves and think I'll pass out. hahaha

i arrive on the 6th. wedding on the 11th. i still need to figure out the following: shoes gifts for parents ceremony music ceremony readings pre ceremony music (on CD) rehearsal or welcome dinner location Day after wedding trip with guests/friends limo/wedding transportation bus for guests to wedding arange welcome letter/gift/drink in hotel rm Do i have to say a speech/thank you? if so, need to write that ...sweating now

That means I have 7 weeks. AAAARRRGHHHHH!!!!! I've clearly been in relax mode for wayyy too long.

I'm using Rochelle Chin for hair. Check out www.hairbychellz.com

im a Toronto bride also and wouldn't mind getting together. It would be fun to hear what everyone is doing and bounce ideas off some fresh ears. Lol. I can talk weddings all day and I think my friends,fam, fiance are thinking there is nothing else going on in my life. LOL.

This is very cute!! Where did you get the iron on letters? I bought robes for my BM's and wanted to jazz them up either with their initial or BM or something. This would be perfect. Looks great!!

My wedding isn't actually at Secrets because it was getting out of hand. My guest list is currently at 97 ppl. I really wanted 50 or less but that isn't going to happen now so I had to switch the venue based on that. :-( However I loved it there! And that's probably why I ended up on this forum...I saw the title and am having total venue envy of you lucky ladies. hahaha. I can't wait to see when you all post photos afterwards.

Oh ok, yes if i had a connecting flight that would definitely be a concern for me too. Hmmm...can you call your TA and find out if the luggage goes straight through or not? If luggage goes straight through you should be ok. If you have to physically collect your luggage and then re check it then I'd ship it ahead of time. I've found that Delta is pretty good with ensuring luggage is protected.

I'm thinking to do Beyonce "Halo" for my bridesmaids walking out (cheesy i know but i really love the lyrics, lol) and for me I want Kenny G's the wedding song. I may have a saxophonist play it live with piano accompaniment. Not 100% sure yet tho. I have a vocalist performing Halo. Do you think that is too much switching up if it goes from a live singer to a live sax???

Have you finalized all of your details yet?

Yes it's been a huge help. I'm an event planner at home and so I've been pretty OCD with planning our wedding. I've scouted so many venues and met so many vendors that now I feel prety confident with my choices. With the travel, it's been pretty easy because my fiance is there and also alot of my family so it makes it possible to go so often.

I like option 2. Is it just me or does the paper have a pearlized effect to it? The frames are so cute too.

I wanted to do these embroidered handkerchiefs I saw on etsy with a special message for each. I'd give it to them at the rehearsal dinner or on the morning of the wedding when I see them,

@jnitschke I LOVE THESE Readings!! Def using the art of marriage!! That's beautiful and so true.