snswedding2016

@ @@veryvalentine Thanks - I really did need to hear that right now!! I also teared up with your post (@@veryvalentine)...at my desk at work! LOL!

@ I totally feel for you!! I feel the same way. I think Sean's a little worried because I keep having these little melt downs. It starts to feel like this group you were so excited about to be your support team on your big day starts crumbling. If you ever need to just vent about this stuff, I'm totally here for you. We can even meet for coffee (since we're both in TO) if you want. Sometimes I really feel like no gets it but other brides going through the same thing. It can be lonely sometimes dealing with it on your own. I also had a bit of future mother in law drama last night which I also felt highly emotional about. I really really love her and Sean's family has made me feel so welcome in their family but sometimes the guilt trips are more than I can handle. Sean's niece is getting married at the end of Oct in PEI. We booked our trip home without hesitation but if you're from Canada, you know how expensive it can be to fly to either end of the country. I might as well go to Europe...but of course it's her wedding and we want to be there. Sean's mom is having this big fundraiser for the symphony she's a part of and she just told us this a couple of weeks ago after we booked our flight. It's a couple of days after we're flying home. There are several factors the cost to extend the flight we just paid for, time away from work and the fact that I may have to cover for colleagues at work as well. I got a HUGE guilt trip of it being the one request from my future mother in law and than last night I got "well if I can arrange to take a whole week off of work to be in Mexico, Steph should be able to do the same thing".....sigh the situations are a little different in my opinion and I would love to be there if I could but there just doesn't seem to be an understanding from our perspective. I was really upset about this last night and felt so bad that Sean's in the middle (he doesn't care and keeps reassuring me he doesn't feel that way). I just felt really backed into a corner about the whole thing.

@@Wafflesmom @@TinkerSofi @ Thanks ladies! Ya she's always been the one in our circle of friends to feel very competitive with others and quick to judge without taking into consideration other people's feelings. I think she did rush into getting married and felt like she "had" to do it at her age. I wish her all the best but her husband did say "I guess" instead of "I do" at the wedding among other things. We were all really worried that she was doing it for the wrong reasons but you can only say so much. The tough part is, is that she has been a good friend in the past but we certainly have grown apart and we are also in different stages of our lives. It makes it hard to figure out where our friendship is now. I did not hold a grudge over the fact that she was planning to get pregnant this year. Of course I still wanted her at the wedding but understood if she couldn't attend. Saying yes to being a bridesmaid and then saying you can't commit to the wedding is a bit confusing and especially when she didn't say anything for 6 months I took it in my own hands and talked to her about it. I still feel like I shouldn't have had to be the one to do it since it was in her court. I did because I wanted to be upfront and didn't want to wait until I got upset about it...apparently I didn't handle it the way she wanted me too but of course I would never know this because she hasn't said this to me. Too much drama- gah! @ and @@veryvalentine - I agree, I feel like all the drama seems to be coming out at the 4 month mark. I also feel like my emotions are also heighten right now with it coming up soon. I just want it to come together and I know it will but the drama definitely makes you question it sometimes.

@@TinkerSofi What a great review! Your wedding looked amazing and like such a blast!! The reception decor looked absolutely amazing! I love the vintage elegance - definitely my favourite out of all of the memorable moment packages! How did Juan find the "gourmet bites" that come with the groom's room? Did he need to order more food for lunch? Can't wait to see more wedding pics and your official video! Congrats again!!!

I uploaded this to my planning thread but forgot to upload it to this thread as well. Here are the dimensions of the garden gazebo if anyone needs it.

Yay! So glad your final fitting went well!! You look gorgeous!!! Your day will be here before you know it! Exciting!!!!

@@Wafflesmom It might be ok, it would be better if it was for your MOH -that way it would make her stand out a little more. Definitely go for a second viewing with your girls - it would be so much fun! Thanks for the support! I really appreciate it! This is also someone who said 5 years ago when she got married that anyone at 'our' age who isn't married or isn't getting married is a little pathetic (not that age matters but I was 25 at the time ...like really?!? Who says that?). My other friend and I were newly single....that was the start of her clearly pushing us away. The more I think about it I wonder how we've stayed friends this long...

@@TinkerSofi this mini review makes me so so happy!! It sounds like you had an amazing week!!! I'm sorry to hear that you got sick but it sounds like it didn't put a damper on your week one bit. Everything looks amazing and I cannot wait until the BDR next month and the wedding of course in Jan!!! Your hair and make up look amazing!!! Was the airbrush make up included as part of the GIWC perk or did you have to pay extra for it? Congrats on being a MRS!!

Thanks ladies! I'm really happy with the dresses too! I think they look beautiful will be gorgeous on my girls. @@Wafflesmom Yes they are both from David's - I can get you the style numbers if you're interested. My last bridesmaid who still needs to get her dress is thinking cocktail length and I'm also worried it might look weird since everyone chose long. I initially didn't care either way thinking it would be a mix and match but the three girls ended up all choosing long! So we'll see how this plays out... Also amazing that your work had a team building event by watching Magic Mike - Ah-mazing! @@calgarybride2015 Thanks for saying that - I am hoping it comes in before December. The A type personality in me needs it - haha! As for the ex bridal party member, I hope there isn't any more drama that comes of this. I feel like I did my part and was forth coming and honest about how I felt and gave her the opportunity to be honest with me and thought she was. Apparently she was being passive aggressive and feels hurt but has said nothing to me about it. I feel like I can't do anymore than what I have already done. If she doesn't have the balls to come talk to me than I really don't need her as a friend. I hate that that sounds harsh but I really don't have time to play games when I held up my end of the bargain. @ yup that was me and one of my MOHs....giggling non stop. I wish some of the other girls could have been there with us to see it, it would have been the perfect bridesmaid outing but it was still really fun regardless! haha!

@@Wafflesmom The design you picked is so pretty! I love paperless post, we also used it for our wedding as well. It saved us SO much money and I love the designs they offer. I also love the tracking feature and the messaging feature. It definitely comes in handy when you need to remind everyone about deposits and final payments. We've also lost a couple since the deposit deadline but have also gained a few. Our final payment is due in two months - I just sent out the reminder. I'm nervous to see who pays in full!

@ only 4 days but I'm really excited! Sean and I plan to try all the restaurants while we're there...it will be a feat but we're up for the challenge! haha

Oct 2nd works for me too! I'll have just returned from our site visit to Azul Fives so I'll have pics and stories to share I'm sure!

@@acw271011 It was great meeting you too!! I really hope we can arrange for another get together! Thanks for all the support on the bridal party front. It's all coming together and we had a great day today even though we were missing one. There has been more bridal party drama with the one that is no longer a bridesmaid due to her planning on getting pregnant....but that's a much longer story for another day. I hope we maintain our numbers too!! Fingers crossed! I will definitely give a full report on AF when we return at the end of Sept. I'm so excited to go! My other MOH has her dress now!! Yay!! This is one of my best friend's who has just given birth in June so she was waiting until the end of summer to look for a dress. She was nervous - she gets easily overwhelmed by this kind of shopping but luckily she found some great options and picked one today! I love it - it's really pretty with nice detail on the back. My MOH likes it and looks great in it and I can tell she feels comfortable in it so I'm so happy that she has her dress now! I also picked up swatches from david's of the palette although the malibu doesn't look at all like it does on dresses for some reason. Malibu is the one on the far right but on dresses it looks like this (all the dresses in the store looked like this blue): This is also my other bridesmaid's dress We have one more bridesmaid to order her dress but she's the one whose dad isn't doing so well. I'm a little nervous that she doesn't have hers yet but I know it will all work itself out. The dress my MOH ordered today will come in by the latest on Dec 6th (which is a bit close to the wedding but should be fine). Post-reception dress: I've been debating on getting a second dress to wear after the reception. Our reception will be in the garden until 10pm and then after we'll be heading to the bar/lounge for more dancing. I have been thinking about changing into a short dress. I found a really cute Marilyn Monroe inspired dress and it was only $100. To finish up the day we went to see Magic Mike XXL - hehe...there was a lot of giggling!

Updates and To Do List: Last night I met up with a bunch of the Toronto BDW brides for drinks and it was great!! I really hope we can do another girls night soon! There were a bunch of girls from the other end of the table that I didn't really get to talk to that much so we'll definitely need another catch up. (see the GTA brides meet up thread for pics!) The planned Bridesmaids day - so I ended up talking to my co-MOH about it and reminded her that it was supposed to be a whole day. Apparently she completely forgot, which was slightly annoying but at least she didn't purposely back out knowing that it was supposed to be a big day. In the end when she realized she changed her plan immediately and said should wouldn't miss it. It was good to talk to her about it and realize that she really wanted to be involved. After all that was settled I found out that my other bridesmaid's father isn't doing very well. He's been battling cancer for a while and he's taken a bit of turn for the worse. I'm really hoping he pulls through and sending them lots of good vibes. She said she wasn't sure if she could make it on Sunday but that she would try but I told her not to worry about that at all! In the end I'm just going with one Maid of honour to go dress shopping and having lunch. It will be a nice day to spend together nonetheless! Room Upgrade - I don't think I posted this earlier but after we upgraded our deluxe pool view to the 1 bedroom suite, that qualified us for the sky suite!! Woohoo!! I'm so excited!! We were really hoping to get the upgrade to the sky suite so that we could host mini events up on the rooftop deck. New bookings and cancellations - It turns out that one of Sean's sisters may be backing out. She has a condition that she's been dealing with for a long time and we thought this might happen. We'll see it's still not official but at the moment it isn't looking good which means that right now only one of his siblings will be at the wedding. It's been tough for him and he might ask his biological dad to see if he can help out to get them there but I'm not holding my breath. I would pay for them if we could but as it stands we're already paying for his mom and step dad and my mom's trips which is a huge chunk of our budget. I think I've mentioned that two women of our confirmed guest list found out after putting down deposits that they were pregnant and obviously can no longer attend the wedding. So right now we have some 'maybes' who still need to book and I've been trying to get them to fill those rooms so that the new bookings get the same rate and that the people who can't go anymore don't have to lose their deposits. This week we had one new booking that has taken over one of the rooms and I think we'll be able to fill the second one too. Getaways - Sean and I both had little mini trips planned with friends. He went on a boys trip to Ottawa/Montreal/Mont Tremblant and I went to NYC to visit a friend. It was so nice to get away for a couple of days and visit with a close friend who I haven't really had a good catch up session like that in a looonge time. She just found out that she'll be in a production in the winter which is super exciting but it also means she won't be able to make it to the wedding. Her and her husband will be playing and singing our first dance song (recorded) so at least I'll have a part of her there on our big day. We're also going to Mexico next month for the Brides Dress Rehearsal at Azul Fives - I'm getting excited to finally see the resort in person and I think that's when Sean is going to kick it into high gear for his side of the planning. haha Alt. to sand ceremony - Sean and I have been toying with an alternative ceremony to do rather than a sand ceremony or unity candle. We're thinking of either a unity cocktail or unity grilled cheese (although the grilled cheese will be harder to maintain until we need it - it might just get really soggy ). Azul Fives garden gazebo - I received the gazebo dimensions for anyone who needs it in the garden. We might want to hang some items from the top of it so I wanted to know the height. The To Do List: I still feel like there is so much to do but I feel like I'm really moving slowly through everything. Work is really busy and I'm finding it hard to put in the time to wedding plan. I try and make myself feel better that when I read about all of you planning...it's like I'm planning for mine as well. lol! -Finalize legal ceremony (trying to figure out a date so that our witnesses can be there) -Organize getting our groomsmen to order their outfits (items chosen already - not sure if we want to gift it to them as we can't think of any gift ideas for the groomsmen yet) -Sean's outfit - go shopping or decide to go with original plan from Moore's (I want to make sure he loves what he's wearing) -Go shopping with my mom to finalize her outfit (she hates shopping, so this is a bit of a task haha) -Summer shopping - bathing suits, more sun dresses etc. -Music - get recorded music from my in laws and friends (ceremony music and first dance song) - make CDs of recorded music as favours -Finalize playlist -get programmed into QLab -Wedding bands!!!! (we've been shopping on and off and I think we need to finally make a decision) This is what I'm thinking of right now. Picture the one on the far right in white gold. -Work on paper items (welcome letter, itinerary, menu, wedding programs etc. -we're going to wait until after the BDR in Mexico next month) - @ I may be sending you a message through your etsy site -Other DIY projects - centrepiece quotes on candles, Mr & Mrs sign?, other signs on guest book table? -Finish putting together OOT bags -Still need to find some books for centrepieces (old hard covers...I'm being picky - I'm on the hunt for blue books only) -Remind guests about final payments, renewing passports, tips before we leave -Travel insurance for our parents (they have health conditions so it is easier to wait until we pay the for trips in full) -Marriage license -Write Vows!!!! -Keep paying for the wedding in chunks - month by month!!

It was so great to meet you ladies! Hope we can do it again soon! @@Meandhim round tables are a proven must have for the wedding!

We're now on the side with the benches.

Ok I'm here ladies! I'm on the patio by the patio doors. I have 5 chairs and hunting for more! Haha Also my table has a copy of the wedding bells magazine to let you know it's me!

ladies I'm heading over to O&B. I ended up working from home today so I'm leaving now! I'll be the one in the black and white polka dot top (this sounds like I'm on my way to a blind date)

I feel like we should have an iPad and Skype everyone in from outside of Toronto.

@@JonathanB That's so exciting!! Congrats on the upcoming proposal! So it sounds like you'll be here in Toronto in October correct? (based on the CN tower and skydive mention) I agree with @@acw271011 that those are great places but not the most private for a proposal if you're going for that. If you do want a little more public setting than those are big iconic sites in the city for sure. If you like the CN tower for the view you could book a reservation for dinner at the 360 restaurant (the rotating one that gives you a view of the entire city) or for something similar you could take her to The One Eighty (top of the Manulife centre at bay and floor) which also has AMAZING views and a rooftop balcony that you can have a gorgeous romantic moment. If you are willing to travel outside of the city - along the lines of Niagara Falls which you mentioned, you may want to consider Niagara on the Lake. It can be a bit pricey that time of year but will be absolutely beautiful in the fall. It's my favourite time to visit. They have some really amazing b&b's, great restaurant and many many wine tours available (if you're into that). I also love the Distillery District - the cobblestone, the lights, it's very charming...I really love walking around that area. Is she from Toronto - is there a place that has special significance to her? That would also be very special.

nope it's open but I think to see it live you need to get the specific link. I think on the general site they post it the day of or day after. Just google ustream azul fives and it should come up. I usually skip ahead to the 17/18 min mark on the 48 min long videos, that's usually when the bridal party starts walking down the aisle...before that is just mingling. Right now the latest one is from 5 days ago. @@TinkerSofi I hope that's ok I posted that - we're just excited to see you tie the knot!!

@ I know right?!? It's pretty addictive! Sean always asks me "what are you watching?" as he listens to processional music playing off the laptop. he's like "are you watching another person's wedding at the resort again??" haha Yes, yes I am! Yup that's me...getting teary eyed over other people's weddings all the time!

It's the site Azul Fives uses that broadcasts the live weddings on the sky deck. It's helpful to see how they run but also to see brides that you've gotten to know on this site like @@TinkerSofi

Hope you're having an amazing wedding day today!!!!! Congrats!!! Can't wait to see it up on ustream! Exciting!!

Ok ladies here are the deets: We have a 5pm reservation inside (they don't take reservation on the patio) for the table closest to the patio doors which they open up. The reservation is under my name Stephanie. I'm going to get there for 5pm and hopefully try and get a table on the patio. There is also a portion of the patio that is covered so hopefully there will be a table avail in that section! So looking forward to meeting everyone!! I feel like I should have a sign with me like the people doing pick ups at the airport! haha!