LisaAnthonyPoppy

Recently we were invited to a wedding. Scott's friend had gotten engaged the same time we had but his wedding came a lot sooner than ours! I was so excited to go bc after all I could over analyze every last detail and use this info for my own planning. How many of us have done this right?? And it helped but not how I thought! Holy crap how could such a short and sweet ceremony at 6:30 turn into such a Looong drug out reception? And I mean dance music did not start until 10pm!!! That's 3 hours after ceremony ended! So here's what their timeline was. Ceremony over at 6:45. Passed canapés. Undrinkable cocktails due to the fact the catering company maybe thought they were being generous, but ended up that a ton of people could not drink them! Way strong! , and opting for beer (beer is good). Then about an hour later we sat at our tables. It was then that I began to notice the low energy. I felt that all too familiar child within me feeling lost similar to attending a Catholic Mass to satisfy your distant relatives desire to take you to church on Easter but having no clue what was going on. 30 minutes later and have already eaten the dinner roll, I searched the room waiting to see if there would be a server, maybe something green on a tray, or a cup of something to swallow. I heard a muddling sound, a noise but couldn't really understand. It was the announcement of the wedding party. Then the first dance. Then mother son dance then father daughter dance. I wanted to be happy and I didn't want to show any grimacing facial expressions. So I just smiled. How selfish was I?! I was really happy for them. Truly. But I could not stop wanting to take not of how I felt, and how others felt. It was nearly an hour after we were lead into the dining area that the first course was served . Ok a cup of wedding soup, small but pretty darn good. I compared this to the cup of lobster bisque we intend to serve at our wedding and at this I was satisfied. Was eager to get the night started on a better note! Second course a 3- 4 oz boneless chicken breast, overtop whipped potatoes and a few asparagus. Looked pretty and couldn't wait to eat. It was so dry. My fiancé couldn't eat his. I compared this to what I'm serving bc the dishes were similar in portion. When I found out that it was only two courses, and that was it- I panicked! That's what we are doing!! And at $150 a head I couldn't imagine our guests being dissatisfied with the drinks and left starving. I had never thought about doing a food tasting but I'm sure it is a necessity now. Who would have ever thought to tell the bartenders to ease up, now I'll have to make sure the WC is aware of portion sizes, and tastes. Never thought about it before. What size protein are we serving? Is the lobster bisque a bowl or cup? Alright so about an hour after "dinner" was plated, the cake cutting took place. All this time there was no background music. Just a lot of waiting, waiting for after dinner toasts and stories and knowing that we were not excused from our table until we were given affirmation-the cake cutting. I love speeches and watching siblings and parents get emotional. Love it love it. I don't however like waiting so long for things to progress and then feel that the speeches are lost in transgression because folks just want to get up and move, stretch something! Waiting long after dinner is served to give speech won't be on my list. I had never seen a cake cut immediately after dinner. Like dinner, speeches, cake. But man was it a bummer. It felt rushed (completely opposite of the night dragging on), like it was a necessary task to do. There was no real cake for guests. They had a cake big enough for 2 people and then these mini cupcakes. I get the new twist on wedding cakes is cupcakes, but seriously I feel that a wedding cake should not be swapped for a more modern flair. The pictures, the flavors, the CAKE! All gone It was soon after the music began. You know the typically wedding reception songs that aim to please the general crowd but don't show the couples personality. That wasn't so bad actually. But not many people danced. I was looking for coffee and some food. And hating myself for being such a critical brat. I just kept making notes. Crazy I know and I'm ok with that. But you bet every party I plan is a good one. But a wedding? Whhhat? We congratulated and hung out with the newlyweds for a bit and dipped. Bless them and their new life together. No- weddings are not about the food, not about the drinks, the music. When your getting married I'm sure you don't even care about everything I've mentioned. Bc your getting married and that in and of itself is amazing! Exchanging vowels looking into each other's eyes, taking that plunge! ... But my wedding is going to be a party! I know my timeline is a little less conventional, but it's gonna flow and keep my guests entertained or so I hope. Here it goes; 7:00-7:20 ceremony beach 7:20-8:15 cocktail "hour" around pool Signature cocktail prickly pear marg 8:15-8:30 find table, order drinks, socialize. Have waiters take orders. 8:30 first course (bisque won't take long to eat) 8:35ish Scott and I come out together (we aren't having first course with everyone) and have first dance. Dining tables centered around LED dance floor so people can continue to have first course and watch first dance... Like dinner and a show Also gives servers a chance to set up second course more seamlessly. 8:45 dinner served. (2nd course) We are not scheduling a time for speeches we only have maybe 30 guests my dad is pretty keen on things, my Fil also, and would know when to raise a glass and say a few impromptu words. We are pretty casual ppl. 9:15 or when Scott and I finish our meal the music will start up. No food comatose lol Dance baby dance! Can't wait to see kids on LED dance floor! 10:00 cake cutting and bouquet toss! 10:20ish - 12:00 am dance! My goal is to make people have a great time for making such a huge commitment and I don't want to have them feel any way like I did a few months at the other wedding. What's your wedding timeline?

@@breezie I mean...1 more wouldn't be my concern. My concern would be you only allowing 80 people bc of space and have invited 143. Lol Not everyone will come, I'm sure. But you might wanna look into squeezing all 143 in first, before worry about 1 person.

Scott actually picked it out last year. And he really likes it so why not? John Legend - all of me. It'll be a good song to transition the music for the night from my type of music to more hip hop/ reggae de la soul kind of music.

I wanted to tribute some music to my grandparents who raised me listening to Elvis and Johnny Cash. They are not here to be at our wedding. It's my own way to honor them. Pre ceremony music is going to go from 50's to current. Elvis - can't help but falling in love Johnny cash - walk the line Righteous brothers - unchained melody Elton john- your song Peter Gabriel - your eyes Mazzy Star - fade into you Fiest- Brandy Alexander Then music will increase and my children will walk down to The Killers - Shot at the night I will walk to The Killers - Dustland fairytale Now to plan cocktail music!

I'm getting married in Mex on the beach. From visiting Mexico many other times and bring my BOSE sound link /dock I can say it is NOT loud enough. The sound gets lost outside a lot more that you would think. It's ok if your right up on it in a lounge chair but def not loud enough for wedding. I am having a speaker and dj play the music. And giving officiant microphone. Once I told dj my Bose speaker plan he said it wouldn't work and he would not charge me more to playtime ceremony music so for me it was a no brainer.

I've hired outside vendors for everything bc my wedding is not at a resort. My cake baker, initially next day, now same day. My makeup artist init. 2 days. , now same day. My dj always same day My photographer init same day,now usually same or next day My florist, same day My officiant always same day My on site wedding coordinator used to reply same day but she quit and the new one takes some time maybe a few days, but shes new. I don't contact my vendors weekly or monthly. But In the beginning I had questions and they replied using the criteria mentioned above. There were many many other vendors I contacted but bc their communication was very slow I skipped them. Yes Mexico might be more relaxed and my Mexican friends here at home are usually late lol BUT $ is $ and it all spends the same. So if I'm spending I want someone who is gonna go after it just like I did to earn it. That's my thoughts- don't pick a lackadaisical vendor. Get one eager to work.

@@calgarybride2015 no you were of help.

Well that isn't what I wanted to hear :/we are getting married in June at 7pm and the kid and the husband r gonna be hot in their tux and bow ties.

@@calgarybride2015 I'm gonna check out your pics and planning thread!

I guess I should say "my man and me" not "my man in me" Hahahaha well I guess I got a laugh after all! @@calgarybride2015 hey what time of day was your ceremony? Can you remember how it felt once the sunset? Ive been quite a few times but it's been almost 3 years n I can't remember.

@@calgarybride2015 my maracas are from Amols too! I bought all red!

I always get a kick out of this topic bc I've never been told what to wear to weddings and I've never heard any family/friend brides discuss guests attire aside from DW brides on here. Reminds me of like uniforms. My man in me dancing in identical outfits hahaha ok I'll stop. Sorry I mean well. Just in need of a laugh!

Put it in suitcases. Bubble wrap/packing peanuts any fragile items. Get a taxi van to airport. Get a luggage Cart at airport upon arrival. Have bell boy bring up your items. Viola!

My cake batter flavor lemon. My filling raspberry.

I wish SW flew out of CVG.

Well my only sibling, (my older sister) and my mother are not going so everyone going IS optional. Be thankful you even have any people coming. Let's count our blessings. I know it hurts , but seriously brides and grooms have got to understand that it is a huge possibility to have absent loved ones before they take that leap to have a destination wedding. As much as it kinda is a bummer remember something- you could have your wedding at home if it bothers you that your friends/family can not attend. Promise I'm not being mean, just want everyone to look at it differently. Your following your heart to have a wedding you want and that is beautiful. I can't judge people for not coming, not even my own mother; I know if I wasn't having a destination wedding she would be there. I hope that everyone will be satisfied with their wedding. And try not to get too upset with your friends or family, after all they will have to live with regret, not you. Be gracious.

I just now had to google bustle bc I had no clue what one was. I could tell you all about fashion, but when it comes to bridal fashion I'm lost in translation.

Call your airlines. They are not allowed to state on their website that bridal gowns go in the captains closet, but they do. It will be considered your carry on. I have never heard anyone not being able to put their wedding gown in captains closet. Pretty common.

You have a lot of time before you need to do anything. Your concerns are valid, but don't take the things like your friends or bachelor parties and mount that on top of your wedding RSVP deadline. My wedding is in June my RSVP date is March 1st. I feel your pain, truly I do. Just wait about a week before RSVP date and send an email text saying something general like " don't forget March xx is the date to RSVP " and let it go. Remember that you gave them an RSVP date that is currently 6 weeks away so.... Allow them time to RSVP. Not everyone cares about your wedding like you cared about theirs. And nobody cares about your wedding as much as you do. But bet your ass the ones who do come love you whole heartedly. Smile. Support your man and relax give it up to whatever higher power you honor.

Just do some price checks at stores and if you want to buy at Kleinfeld for whatever reason ask them to price match if their prices are not the lowest. If they do your a customer, if not you will already know where to go to buy it. It will be the same dress either way. Also....hmmm idk because the biggest most sought after bridal boutique in Cincinnati, (my hometown) has the lowest prices on their bridal gowns of any shops around here. Usually they sell so many dresses that they can afford to lower the markups just enough to make you feel like your getting a deal. Never know until you try! And it's important to know also that it does NOT matter the amount of money you spend on your dress your bridal consultant should make you feel like a VIP all the way! She's going to get a commission so make sure you take your time, and get the VIP treatment you deserve!

And you won't be able to give a firm count for anything until your RSVP deadline, but you can have your vendors give you estimates based on your estimated guest count, and usually they will not need a final count until your wedding is a stone throws away. And as far as planning anything else non wedding oriented like an excursion you can usually plan those a month out from your trip with no problem. An example of pre RSVP planning; I estimated to have about 30 guests. 10 to a table. I bought 3 table overlays months ago, figured if I had more guests (highly unlikely) I could just get another after RSVP deadline. So I found it not a problem to do what I could do in advance and my RSVP deadline is 3 months prior to wedding so I can finalize the totals in that time. It looks like you have given yourself plenty of time to plan your details in between your RSVP date and your actual wedding date. Have fun

I was going to have my wedding there and decided against it for multiple reasons. Yes it is pretty but seriously there are so many beach clubs to choose from which makes this area so nice! From my experience finding a venue that has an WC included is a cost effective way to save money as long as your comfortable hiring your vendors. And to my surprise a lot of beach clubs do have wedding coordinators that come free! I have been working with a fabulous WC from my venue for about 6 months. I have lots of info on vendors too! Even though GCBC was not for me, I hope I can help anyone who is interested! I have the email and phone numbers for the chef as well as the manager. Word of a serious advice- if you are even considering having your wedding there you will need a wedding coordinator, and one with experience working with GCBC trust me on that one If anyone has any questions please ask, I've talked to many of the beach clubs and have lots of info! And I wish there were more brides to post about their off resort wedding venue too

Wish I could pay in some way other than cash! Mine wants cash or an additional 16% would be charged.

Agree to 1st reply about wedding websites. I think that's where you typically post registry stuff. I heard it's not good to talk about it unless asked. But since they are asking, I see no problem just tell them. You could probably look up how to set up an account for your wedding in a tasteful way. Even if people don't use it at least they will know you would like to be blessed with money and then place it in a card.

Wedding is on Tuesday in PDC. Flying in on Friday. Meeting with WC on Sun. Staying 8 nights total.