JHo2013

 

Hi Janelle - my wedding is on Aug 3, and we are flying on July 29th - and I still haven't really provided the forms to my wedding coordinator yet. Lots of changes with the guestlist happening last minute. I'm bringing almost all my own decorations. I made decorations, programs, and fans for the ceremony. I'm also bringing a unity sand kit. I have made a few other things for cocktail hour, our centerpieces, and cake topper. I am now considering handing out the gifts to my guests before we leave just to not have to check an extra luggage, but we're still trying to pack things and organize.

Originally Posted by Liann03 

 

 

How do you make a pomander ball? Is it difficult? Costly?

I bought 6" styrofoam balls from the dollar store, and then I shopped around for all the silk flowers I wanted. I bought dahlias, cabbage roses, hydrangeas, and some daisies from Walmart, Michael's and the dollar stores. Get a pair of wire cutters and cut the flower stems then jab them into the balls. But before you do, you need to create a tunnel from one side of the ball to the other so you can pull a ribbon through and tie a knot so that you have your hanger. I will post a DIY thread on how to make these

My DIY Straws & Cocktail Sign

 

I'll create a DIY Thread to show how I made all the things I made for the wedding. I made these flags off Microsoft Word and it was super easy to make. And I ordered these eco friendly paper straws from a Canadian supplier http://www.greenmunch.ca 

 

I just photoshopped our Thank You sign and plugged in my own text. My friends know that I have a love for lame puns, so they're gonna appreciate my punny cocktail sign using mine and Chris' last names haha

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cocktail Hour

 

We're going to have a champagne toast after the wedding then cocktail hour begins while Chris and I and our bridal party goes to get our pictures done. 

 

I learned of this great free printables website through AlexisinJamaica (http://www.weddingchicks.com) and we made some thank you signs and a cocktail drink sign with some straws

 

Thank you Sign

 

 

Thank You Sign Framed

 

 

 

 

My DIY Chalkboards

 

I plan on having a table right before the ceremony space where guests can read this chalkboard sign I made from an Ikea frame and a can of spray on chalkboard paint, and pick up a bottle of water before the ceremony begins

 

Pick a Seat Sign

 

 

Please Sign Our Guestbook Chalkboard Sign

 

Ceremony Space

 

This is a picture that's very close to what I would love to see on my wedding day (it's a photo borrowed from Sgreen99 who also just got married at Grand Sirenis)

 

 

But I'd ask for peach colored sashes instead of the coral to match my wedding colors

 

I've also ordered buri fans from http://www.beau-coup.com but it's now sitting with UPS since they won't deliver it after 5pm when I'll be home from work. And I was charged a $40 brokerage fee on top of what I paid so it turned out way more than I wanted to spend. I'd look around some more if you're in Canada. 

 

 

Kissing Balls

I made 10 kissing balls to hang off the chairs down the aisle. It took around 40 mins to make each ball. The first couple took over an hour because I didn't have a wire cutter. I always do things the hard way. If you plan on doing this project, please get yourself a wire cutter - it really makes life so much easier. 

 

 

 

The kissing balls will also double as a center piece after for the reception

 

Unity Sand Kit

I got this beautiful unity sand frame from etsy 

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/76024206/unity-sand-ceremony-frame-set-in-black?ref=shop_home_active 

 

 

My Color Palette Inspiration

 

My colors are shades of peach and pink, and grey.

 

 

 

That's a good idea too!

 

Oohhh... that's late. I would probably just get a good night's rest, get up early and package everything in the morning. If you're having a get together at lunch or in the evening - you can give it to them then and still get to enjoy your day on the resort without stressing about it.

I think I've settled on handing them out to people at the Welcome Dinner the night we arrive. Just because we won't know when they'll be in their rooms, etc. We got the Presidential Package at our resort which gives the Bride and Groom priority check in services. So hopefully that will allow me enough time to check in and quickly package the stuff together during the time the rest of the gang are checking in. Thanks for all your wonderful ideas!

 

Yes, Michael's is much cheaper in the states! I think the wire I was looking at was closer to $9 or $11 per pack. I might be wrong, but I'm pretty sure I couldn't justify it at the time haha... I may try the floral department at Walmart or Rona or something. They must have something

I had to fight for my week. I forwarded all the emails, marketing materials, brochures, etc. that made me believe I would get the Presidential Suite for the week. It had to get escalated. But they did tell me that going forward it won't be a week long stay but only for the wedding night and that they're working on updating all their marketing materials. I think that's ridiculous. Who would want to change rooms 3 times in one week?!

Our save the dates was my website launch. I worked hard on the website to make it as visually exciting as possible. Lots of pictures of the resort and surrounding areas. If you're into getting creative with websites, I'd recommend http://www.wix.com As soon as I get my delivery of ID badge holders, I'll be sending out luggage tags with an itinerary of the week in Mexico. I've had the itinerary all done up and printed and can't wait to send them!

 

Yes - I made pomander balls (that I'm in love with!) and I'm going to hang them off the chairs down the aisle. Then reusing them again as centerpieces by flipping them into a salad bowl I got from Ikea. I'll post pictures in my planning journal soon!

Thanks Backy! Glad you liked it - it was a lot of work putting that site together but it did the trick. Not many people asked many questions at all because I tried to make the site as informative as possible. Some of my guests even told me they loved the site so much they had people over to look at it together for over an hour hahaha.

 

Awww thanks!! I'm hoping to post more pictures soon. Hopefully tonight I can get a few posts up on the ceremony decorations or other DIY stuff I've been pulling together

I just had a girl's get together last night at one of my bridesmaid's house... and she announced that she is expecting!!! I'm so happy for her! And... I KNEW something like this was going to happen. I had purchased an extra BM dress in one size up just in case!! HA! Risk Management right here! Thought I'd share this random wonderful news with you guys

 

LoL. I definitely know better than to pay for full price items at Michael's. The mark up is crazy. I had a 50% off coupon but sitll found the wire to be a bit pricey. Maybe I'll go back again and look again. But yes, thanks for that tip!

Your wedding is beautiful! You both look so happy! Congratulations!

 

I actually know a friend who went to a wedding like that - they thought they were going to an engagement party only to show up and 'Surprise! We're getting married today!!' How awesome is that. I'm not complaining about doing things they way I am though. I've been enjoying every moment of this wedding planning - even the stressful parts. But the most interesting thing from this whole process has been seeing the true colors of those around you. It's really amazing how generous and giving and loving some are, and then there are others who make it a point to make everything about them. haha

 

I LOVE your scratch off cards! Sooo amazing! I might just throw an event later in the future just to use that idea hahaha....

 

That cathedral length veil sounds beautiful! I really wanted one, but it didn't suit the dress - I ended up getting a 2 tiered raw edge walking length veil. It's very simple but I think it works. I was also considering a bird cage for pictures after but don't know if I wanted a head dress that distracting for all the pictures. I bought a hair flower with feathers and rhinestones but I don't think I'll use it after all, or maybe only where it for a little bit. Who knew hair pieces can be this confusing too!!

Brides in Canada - where did you find your wire? I found some at Michaels, but they were ridiculously expensive. It would cost me any where from $20+ to make 1 hanger. Any suggestions?

 

I've been looking into videographers as well. I have hired the photographer last year at Grand Sirenis after we got engaged to do some engagement photos. They were pretty terribly done. She also wasn't able to produce them in a timely matter (all they had to do was transfer the images on to a CD for us). There was no editing at all. We were able to buy the whole memory stick off of her because we had a flight to catch. And it was so not worth the money. But that said, I don't know if their videographer is any good. I wouldn't bet on it though, unfortunatley.

The save the dates and invitations turned out beautiful! thanks for sharing!!

Thank you!