TinkerSofi

@@calgarybride2015 yes! They finally came in. I just haven't had a chance to post pictures, but I'm very happy with my purchases! @@Wafflesmom I know!! I'm getting really excited. My MOH stopped by last night and she's told me that she's getting super excited too . I don't want to expect too much though because then things never live up to their expectations. It's just hard not to get pumped @@fawzia I was finally able to see the video. WOW! How did you memorize 8 minutes worth of dancing!? That's crazy, and good for you . It's always a lot harder than people think when they see the dance already put together.

Ooh. This sounds fancy. I need to find one Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I can't seem to be able to see it [emoji17]. I'll try on my computer later Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've stopped having wedding dreams, which is weird, but I had a few that were pretty bad and I woke up totally stressed . I found that they usually came around when I had things nagging at me and for one reason or other I couldn't get around to doing them. Maybe dreams was the only way for that anxiety to come out. Also, when I felt like some things were out of my control, like the dress alterations. I dreamed that they cut it above the knee and they put printed flowers all over bahaha. It was just a terrible looking dress and I cried when I saw it haha. Hopefully they'll go away as you get closer to the date

That's a very good insight and I always appreciate finding out how people go about this because we honestly have no clue and are going by trial and error here, what we think might work could be totally wrong once we get into the swing of things haha. That's too bad about your friend and the fact that her husband can't see that. I mean, if I was making more than Juan, there's no way I'd let him scrape by with barely anything while I go and spend all this extra money. I would feel really bad.

I was so undecided about the timeline. I still am to some degree haha, but more on how things are going to flow throughout the day. These are the times when I wish I had some experience haha. So yeah, now I'd send an e-mail to them just choosing the details. Did you choose your welcome cocktail for your ceremony? What about any decor for the ceremony? Then yeah, it'd choose the menu, see if you need a DJ or you need to rent out the amplifier. Check whether you need any flowers or if you want to rent gazebo sheers from them, things like that. Once you get your photographer let them know who it is, and how many people he/she is bringing. Then they'll add the $800 if they're an outside vendor. Check with your photographer as to whether they'll need dinner as well. Ours told us that him and his team wouldn't need dinner, so I let the hotel know. Then as you get closer you can book the time for your hair and makeup and maybe even the trial. Did you already choose your menu for the flavours dinner? Those are the things that I can think of right now.

I think you got great decorations. I've stopped going to Michael's and searching all together because I could find more, but I think it would be overdoing it at this point, plus I don't have any more room. When I got a coupon for Michael's this morning for 25% off everything I was like "gasp!!" but no, I need to control myself. At least I'm keeping busy with house decor now That's so exciting that you have so many trips coming up. Even if they're short, it's nice to get away. I love your necklace, and I love the inscription on it. I think it's very cute. Edit: I knew I was forgetting to comment on something important. OMG!! That lavender field is beyond my wildest dreams. I absolutely love lavender and that site is just gorgeous. Your pictures will look so good!! I can't wait to see them. I've only gone to one lavender farm in Kelowna BC and I loved that place. That smell made me want to camp there and stay forever. I even tried lavender ice cream, it was delicious.

@@diadiamond It seems both packages are on their way! one apparently was "attempted to be delivered" haha, which wasn't because my bell didn't ring and I was at home, but at least it's here! The other one also arrived at my city and should be delivered soon. Everything worked out in the end, yay!

@@ashhtayy I got the prices for the steaming from my WC when I asked her if they offered the service. I just thought I'd save you a few weeks of waiting for a reply haha. Once you have your information, I'd just fire off an e-mail detailing all of your choices. What I did was divide the e-mail into ceremony and reception and I detailed off the locations, the food I wanted, if you want one of their wedding packages, any decor you might be getting from them, any flowers you might be getting, etc. If you do it in point form I think it's better for them. You can give them a preliminary number of guests so they can calculate the food costs and other fees that are on a pp basis. As your date gets closer and you have your final number of guests, you can upate them and they'll change the price before you pay. Keep in mind you can change things as many times as you want. For example, I think I changed our ceremony time like 3 times haha. But then you can check out your summary sheet and make sure that everything is updated and correct. At first I only sent them what I had decided on, for example, I hadn't decided when I'd do the hair and makeup or their trials, etc. So I didn't choose that until about 3 months out. Then I took some things out, for example we had chosen two flower arrangements for the sides of the gazebo but then I realized I didn't really like them, so I told them to take that off, and they did. I hope that answers your question! My main concern right now would be securing my locations, especially for the reception. Some of them are pretty popular, so you want to do that as soon as you can. Then if you change your mind that's ok, you can just let them know if that happens.

We've been trying a few things but I definitely think things will change when we move in. Our idea right now is to put money for our bills and things like that in our joint account and then whatever is left we get to keep to ourselves and it's our fun money. However, he makes quite a bit more money than I do so that would mean I'd have a very small amount of money left over, and he would have a lot more. We also thought about pooling our money together, paying all our bills and whatever is left over divide in two for our fun money. We've definitely talked about it, my mindset is to only spend the money I have, and only get into debt when it's really unavoidable (like getting a car, or renovating, or the mortgage). His mindset is very different, he will easily get into debt for something he wants, even if it's something kind of trivial. He used to call me cheap whenever I'd tell him that I couldn't afford something that specific month, but now that he finally paid off his credit card, he has started to see things my way a little more. Now he also pays the whole thing off every month and agrees with me that it's a lot less stressful. I know there will be some fireworks here and there about money, but I think it comes as part of transitioning from being on your own to being a team now. I guess money is always the #1 problem between couples. It really tests your communication skills and how well you can work together. But you guys are right, if you really love each other, you make it work. I'm totally the more easygoing one in the relationship, but not when it comes to money. I just don't think being in debt and being stressed about money is worth it. In the end you end up fighting more, and it really puts stress on the relationship that could easily be avoided.

@@calgarybride2015 That's exactly what I thought when I read the post. I remembered your dress and how they had to replicate the beading. I thought it was strange for a seamstress to say that they couldn't do it. From my experience, even when my dress didn't close, they offered to change the back from a zipper to a corset and the lady at the store reassured me it would not be a problem to have the color matched or anything like that. I didn't need it in the end, but they let the bodice out a little bit at the hips because it was destroying my obliques hahah. I honestly can't tell where that was done, and it's full of beading too. With that said, I did pay $300 for the alterations, which, for a $500 dress might be quite a bit, and it ends up being about the same price as your new dress. In the end I think you made the right choice. It is a lot less stressful to have a dress that you know fits instead of stressing about a dress that might fit. Trust me, the last few months come with enough stress as it is. I can't wait to see the new one! Please post pictures soon!

our resort does have steaming. However, I found it very expensive. I think if you can borrow a steamer from someone who has one already you'll save a few bucks . I attached the prices for AF here. As you can see, even with steaming your wedding dress and the suit or a couple of BM dresses you might as well even buy a travel steamer and bring it over.

Hey I'm so sorry you're going through this. I know how stressful and discouraging it is to go in and find out that the dress you love is no longer an option. Have you thought about selling your old dress? After all it's unused and unaltered and you might be able to get some of that money back to help out with the budget. Another idea, and I know this isn't for everyone, but even trying to sell your new dress after the wedding. That would mean you're over budget now but you'll be ok after everything is said and done. It's a very personal choice though as some brides really cannot see themselves parting from their dress. Otherwise I'd try to see if there's any other areas where you might be able to cut costs. For example, if you're doing OOT bags you can eliminate them completely or make them simpler. That can free up quite a bit of money. (I'm sorry, I don't remember from your thread if you've already bought things for them or not). Other times, at least in our case, we kind of stretched the budget a little on things that we thought were worth it haha, in my opinion attire for the two of you is worth it . Good luck!

Thanks guys! We touched on the gifts subject a while back and we sort of agreed not to do any gifts but I liked the idea of engraving it. Even maybe getting him a chain for the ring because I suspect he won't be wearing it often haha, on his finger that is! I freak out a little thinking that in 30 days it's finally my turn! I've seen so many of you ladies getting married and it always seems like my wedding was so far away. It's all a little bit unreal [emoji1] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's awesome! Juan and I just opened our joint account a few months ago, but it's not totally joint yet haha. We put in money for furniture and things like that, but the fully joint account will come once we move in together haha. I know that's going to be a struggle, especially having a joint credit card. I'm not looking forward to the arguments haha Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lovely STDs. We were kind of on the same boat. We sent them as soon as we made our reservation so people would have time, but I guess no one understood and no one put their deposit at that time haha. Only when we sent our invites two months later people started asking how to put down their deposit. I also wish I had used different STDs and included different information on them. In the end it all worked out though We bought a travel steamer a few months ago, maybe it was just a bad one because we returned it after trying it a couple of times. It wasn't very good, but maybe another brand might be better. I'll ask first and see if anyone has one [emoji1] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

@@veryvalentine I don't think he's getting me anything haha, so he won't care

@@ashhtayy I'm so excited!! It still feels like a dream hahah

awesome! I agree that I think a list would really help to get things going. Juan still has to ask one of his friends to be MC, so then he needs to be calling people to make sure we take a picture with them. We have to sit down this weekend and make a list of the "must-have" shots. OMG! 30 days. I seriously still haven't quite grasped the idea that we're getting married and that the day is basically here hahah. My bridal shower is this weekend, and I'm pretty excited for it. I've never been to a bridal shower and I feel kinda bad about taking so much of people's time haha. You can tell that I'm not used to being the center of attention . Once again, people haven't RSVP'd. Only my close friends who have been no trouble at all during the wedding planning are coming for sure. I seriously didn't expect anything else given all the wedding trips shenanigans haha. It'll be fun though because the girls that mean the most to me will be here and we'll have a blast like we usually do . Some of the to do list: - Rings have been sent to get cleaned - Wedding has been paid (yay for that!) - I have to pick a reading for the legal ceremony out of 3 that I have shortlisted - get marriage license. Our goal is getting that done this week - e-mail the photographer with some more info about the kinds of pictures I like and the timeline - work on a list of "must-have" shots with people - Ask our potential MC if he actually wants the job haha - Guess what!? The bridesmaid's jewelry was out to be delivered today. What a huge sigh. - The bridal necklace now says that it was left the BC sorting facility, let's just hope that it's to Calgary and not back to Australia where it came from hahah - Print wedding day timeline for bridal party - Finalize party playlist with MOH - Send group e-mail two weeks out with a few announcements and telling guests to expect a slow check in, etc. I think that's pretty much everything left to do. I want to make a t-shirt for Juan to wear on the plane haha. The girls made some tank tops for us for our Vegas trip and I was thinking of wearing it again on the way to Mexico, so it would be nice if Juan has his own too . I know it's corny, but so much fun haha. Groom Gift I've been thinking about a gift for Juan. He's not big on watches so that idea is out the window. I was thinking of engraving his ring on the inside. I have it, because my job is to keep all these things together and packing them , so it would just be a matter of sending it to get engraved. He's so bad with dates that having our wedding date on there would be nice I think.

I'd go with jewellery if you can afford it or if she uses it. A nice and classic pair of earrings or a necklace would be nice . It doesn't have to be anything expensive, just something that she would be able to use for years to come. It could also be something more sentimental. For example, an engraved photo frame for you guys to put your wedding picture on, or something along those lines. Or for example, a photo book with pictures of both of your and your family throughout the years. I would probably cry if I got that haha. There's some nice online places that let you assemble your own photo book and they print it and send it off to you. It would just be a matter of checking how long they take to arrive.

I agree with @@veryvalentine, I'd exhaust all resources before losing my deposit. Although I guess it also depends on how close your wedding is as you might not have a lot of time. I haven't been to your hotel, but at least at ours, they won't allow our own music to play at the restaurants. We wanted to have a slideshow during a semi-private dinner we're having, but they won't allow us to. It doesn't hurt to ask though. The resort doesn't have any private reception areas that you can use? Usually they do, and a wedding if 20-25 is not super small for a DW, I've seen smaller ones. You might have to pay extra, but if your budget allows it, it might be worth it . Another idea is to check out other outside venues. There's a few beach clubs that some of the ladies here have gotten married at and they all said great thing about them.

I think it will be great! I've had parties at home with that many people and as long as you have some partiers in your group it will be a lot easier to get it started because they make it super fun. I think it all comes down to having good music that will get people going, and a bit of alcohol doesn't hurt to get the social juices flowing. It's always fun if you have some party props like the post above mentioned, but it's not necessary. I also think that if you and your hubby are having fun, people just kind of follow. I was at a wedding a couple of weeks ago and the DJ made us play this game called "snowball". So the bride and groom started dancing, and then when he said snowball, they had to get someone else to come to the dance floor, then when he said snowball again, everyone on the dance floor grabbed someone else, and so on. It was fun, and the rule was that people couldn't refuse to dance . I think with a smaller wedding, just you and/or your hubby can say snowball if you don't have a DJ. People should be able to hear you.

@@ashhtayy yeah, well that was 25% of our wedding, which is a lot. In the end it was good because we were able to get some money back, and then use that to offset the bill that some of our guests left us with (I won't get into that here haha). This is why I'm not planning any excursions before we leave. Getting people to make their final payment was just a nightmare, and I don't want to go through that stress anymore. We will just reserve something while over there and whoever wants to come is welcome and whoever doesn't is ok too. I'll ask my TA and see what she says! Both Juan and I have been wondering where we're going to put all this stuff on the plane haha.

@@yycbride2016 yup, that sounds like Juan. He loves expensive things and I like to save money whenever I can, which sometimes leads to arguments. His suit was actually $1000 and a bit, quite a bit more than my dress haha. In the end, it looks amazing and you can tell that it's a more expensive suit. I also agree, they get to wear it again whereas our dress is a one time thing and it would be a shame had I spent 3 or 4k on it. There's a lot of things where that money could be better spent.

Juan thought I'd be spending like $3000 haha. When I told him my budget was $1500 he was like "good luck", and then when I told him that my dress cost $800, he asked me whether it was nice bahahaha. He just couldn't believe I got something nice for that price.