NJBride2014

I'm a 2014 LeBlanc bride. Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

My idea on how to keep this tradtion was to get the recipe from the baker at the hotel so that I can bake the same cake or have a bakery make it on our one year anniversary. We aren't having anything too complicated so I figured this was a cool way to have "our" wedding cake on our anniversary. I don't think it'll be possible to bring the actual cake back with us since we are staying for a whole week after our wedding for our honeymoon. I also love to bake so this is a good option, at least I think so. lol

I second Tradesy.com its a good website to sell your dress. I've sold a lot of clothes on there the only thing is that there are some fees associated with using them, so take that into account when posting your price.

I actually won $200 towards my invitations at magnetstreet.com. They are always having contests you can enter through Facebook. They give away save the dates, invitations, thank you cards etc. I think they do them monthly and always pick 5 people. I entered randomly and got an email I won I was able to buy my invitiations and only paid like $100 which was the difference and really helped our sationary budget.

I'm from Morris County, NJ. Welcome!

My alterations are going to be $500 it was a set price that went on top of what my dress cost. It includes 3 fittings, I didn't know that alterations were going to be that much and wasn't told about the "included" alterations until I was in love with my dress and about to pay. I really liked the boutique I went to and the level of service so i went with it and if they do have to do a lot of alterations I know that its all covered but if its minmal I'm going to be a little annoyed I paid so much in advance. By the way I bought my dress in NJ. Alteration prices are pretty crazy. $900 does sound nuts though can you take your dress somewhere else?

I went to David's Bridal to look at BM dresses and I didn't have too much luck. The search continues, I'm thinking I might try Jcrew or Nordstroms for dresses.

I know this is an old thread but just wanted to share my dress buying experience. I found my dress at the second bridal shop I went to. My budget was $1,500.00 and I was looking at Pronovias dresses and knew that the shop would only have a couple dresses in that price range. So I went with little hope I would find the one. The shop was having their 2014 trunk show so they were going to be giving 10% percent off any dress bought that weekend. After trying on about 10 dresses all in the $2,000 range nothing really did it for me and my mom. Then came the last dress one I didn't even see on the racks but the consultant said she thought would work perfect for a destiantion wedding and for what I was looking for. I tried it on and fell in love and the price was the cheapest of the 10 I tried on before it was $1,700.00 plus the 10% discount so it came out to a little over my $1,500.00 budget. Then she threw on a awesome belt that looked like seashells and starfish and it completed the look. The belt was $250.00 but I also got the 10% off that too. So my total was around $1,800.00 with shipping. Alterations are not included and that's an extra $500 flat fee which includes 3 fitting appointments and bustle. They also gave me a beautiful garter as a gift so no need to look for one of those and I get a gift when I pick up my dress. All in all my wedding dress will come out to $2,300.00 way more than I had planned on spending but so worth it. Now I need to find a veil that won't break the bank and some killer shoes. I also bought a afterparty/ttd dress for $450.00 at a sample sale so grand total of $2,750.00 for 2 dresses. Hopefully I can find a veil and shoes for under $300 bucks and keep my budget for all my wedding attire at around $3,000.00. Hope my finace doesn't kill me he can't understand why wedding dresses cost so much. lol My dress is a 2014 Pronovias - Land.

Quote: Originally Posted by girlinthecity97 Hi Ladies - I too am a NJ bride but further north (Hudson County I think.) I am a Baltimore girl who relocated so I am still learning those things. We live in Edgewater if that helps. Congrats to you both! You are where I want to be planning wise. I am just getting started and trying not to confuse myself. lol Welcome to the board girlinthecity97 you will love it here so much useful information for your wedding. Where is your wedding going to be? Good luck with all your planning and remember to take a break breath and to have fun!

Quote: Originally Posted by krisdaversa I love veils, when on earth are you going to get the chance to wear one again :-) Totally agree with this.

Quote: Originally Posted by krisdaversa I love your dress! The straps a beautiful. Who is the designer? Thanks! The designer is Pronovias and the style is Land its from their new 2014 collection.

Back of the invitation Front of the invitation Half Moon invitation holder RSVP card Guest information card Here is the invitation I think I might go with its called Mexican Tile from magnetstreet.com. I won $200 worth of wedding stationary from magnetstreet.com and I can basically get my whole set of 75 invitations with envelopes, vellum, vellum wrap and monogram seal stickers for under $200 would have been around $400.00 if I didn't have the credit so not too bad I think. My colors are coral, turquoise and champagne and I wanted a very classy mexican theme invitation. All the other beachy and destination wedding invites just didn't jump out at me and seamed too casual. What do you guys think of these?

Quote: Originally Posted by lastminbride I'm dealing directly with the hotel bc we are using our friend's membership. We haven't booked or created a roomgroup booking yet. Now they are saying that not just will I NOT get the nights countd towards my room nights of the wedding benefits, BUT also that anyone that books outside of their 'group booking' will have a charge of $55 for the reception and $22 for the cocktail!!! Even though they will be staying at the hotel!!!! Has anyone heard of this?? Seen it before? They are driving me crazy. Unfortunately I too was told the same thing. I have some people who found it cheaper to book through expedia for the same hotel but I was told that I would have to pay for all the private receptions for them since they are not booking through our block. I'm still trying to figure out how to go about it I don't want to discourage guests from coming and want them to get the best deal but i also don't want to lose out on the bride and groom free amenities. I understand that since the events are private such as welcome party, rehearsal dinner and cocktail hour that's why they charge you for people outside of your block even though its an all inclusive. You have to remember private events require your own bartender, waiters, and furniture set up at least that's my understanding. Still sucks though to have to pay an extra fee even though they are staying at the same hotel.

This is an awesome thread....I think your theme is very in line with what i'm trying to pull off a nice rustice beach wedding with a little mexican theme. Thanks for the inspirations and tips. Can't wait to see how everything turns out at the wedding. Post lots of pics!! Only a couple more days yay how exciting!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by EVKnowsitall Whew! Ok LOL I am always scared to be honest on these boards. I love how I can look at different styles of dresses and like them for different reasons. I could never wear a simple gown or a poofy ball gown- but I love the way they look on others. I like your gown because it has a lot going on- I like variety- but mostly since I cannot decide and stick to one style myself. I like a visually stimulating dress and yours certainly is that. How are you planning to wear your hair? You need to showcase those straps! I had straps too but I'm not a fan of up do's for my face so I did half up and half down. If you won't wear the veil long, I guess it doesn't matter. I love the romantic feel of lace and wanted a mantilla cathedral veil but it was too jarring with my dress. LOL No, honesty is good that's what the board is for feedback and information. Yeah I'm not a ball gown or simple gown person myself I needed a little fun with my dress I mean you only get to wear a wedding dress once (hopefully) so I wanted something different. I'm not sure yet on the hair but maybe up for the cermony very soft looking so you can see the straps and the back of the dress which has nice buttons going down the back with a simple veil might look nice. Then for the reception put my hair down and leave it in soft beachy waves. Half up Half down could work too but I might be too hot for the ceremony if I have it down. I love the mantilla veil that was what I always wanted but things change and it doesn't go with my dress also I'm getting married at the resort in front of a gazebo I feel like the mantilla might be more suitable for a church setting. So much to think about.

Quote: Originally Posted by EVKnowsitall I love the straps of this dress and the belt. It's great for your bust. Can I be honest? I think a lace veil clashes and you should go with a more simple veil without a lace trim but if you want a little something on it, you can get a veil with rhinestones on the trim or rhinestones scattered throughout. My dress was bust like this and had a lot going on. Your dress seems to have a textured change on the bottom. I think the lace on the veil too makes it look so busy and takes away from you. Just my opinion, hope you aren't offended. I love veils so even though I think a flower clip goes great with this dress, I can't discourage you from a veil totally lol. I think they look super in pictures. Thanks for being honest, its cool I actually agree the lace veil is a little much with the lace dress. I tried on two veils a much simpler one with no lace or embelishments and the one in the picture. I'm still not sure what i'm doing yet about the veil but I have time to think about it. I always wanted a lace veil because I thought it looked romantic and very spanish which was the look I was going for but it might have to change that. I agree with a veil looking good in pictures I mostly just want to wear it for the ceremony and for pictures on the beach.

This is my dress and belt I love it so much totally not what I had pictured myself in but when I tried it on everything just worked so perfectly. This was mine and all my bridesmaids/mother favorite dress. I'm glad to have this part or the wedding planning finally done with. Now just have to wait for it to come in uh 8 months is a long time. Here are some pictures with me in it. Note the the best pics because the sample dress was a couple sizes to small but you get the effect. Also this is not the veil since they didn't have the right veil that matched my lace but very close. I really wanted a lace dress with some kind of strap as I'm busty up top and also wanted a mermaid cut with a fun bottom and this dress was perfect for me. What do you guys think?