vancouverpetunia

Well, you do have a few months until your RSVP deadline, and the invitation won't come as a surprise to your uncle, so I would maybe wait a month or so, until the initial shock has worn off and some of the "administrative" stuff has been taken care of? If you are close to your cousins, you might ask them what they think although, of course, they will be in mourning as well, so some sensitivity needed there too. Maybe include a handwritten note expressing how much your aunt will be missed... Or if you can give it to him in person, then you could tell him that directly.

I found the list of the sites I tried. I'm not sure which ones are free and which ones have a cost, but maybe you'll see some new ones here to check out: Wedding Wire MyWedding.com The Knot WedInvite (more an invitation tool than a web site) eWedding (very limited template options) AppyCouple ($35) Wedding Window Wedding Woo ($50)

Couldn't you say the same for everyone attending the wedding? [emoji15] But I guess it would depend on if the photographer(s) could leave the wedding to visit the buffet. Im just looking at photographers now and one does specify that they need a meal but could eat off the room service menu, which would be at no cost at our resort (although where would they have that delivered?). Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. That must be hard. I'm not sure what to suggest, but I have a few questions that might help others in providing any advice. Do you have any booking deadlines? Is your uncle aware of your wedding plans (although it's likely the last thing on his mind right now)? Did your uncle and aunt already express an interest in going ? Are you expecting any of his children (your cousins) to attend? I think the advice may depend on the specific circumstances so some additional info may be helpful. Again, my condolences. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

@@racht33 -Thank you I tried lots of free and paid sites. I have about 5 half finished wedding web sites out there LOL. This was the one that allowed me the most flexibility to do what I wanted. But I did spend quite a lot of time on it. I would say it probably takes longer to set this up than some of the canned ones where you are more locked into set pages and a specific template.

I gave up trying to find a free site and ended up paying for one. The free ones didn't do what I wanted and I didn't find a template that I liked. I ended up using weddingwoo.com, which gave tons of flexibility to customize. I am really happy with it. Yes, it was $50 for a year, but it's so little in the scheme of the total wedding cost, I figured it didn't matter too much. Here is our site: http://erinandjeff.weddingwoo.com/. You can use any photo you like for the background. Most people use engagement photos, but since we didn't do an engagement shoot, I used a photo I took during a previous trip to the Mayan Riviera. I hope you find a good free one, though! Please keep us posted.

@@jessiker05 I was just reading a thread on timing of the ceremony, photos, reception, etc. but now I can't find it! Maybe someone else can point you there. But there are suggested schedules on a local photographer's web site here: http://www.octaviomontes.com/tips.html I think the included reception is 3 hours (our ceremony is scheduled for 4, the cocktail hour for 5, and our reception is supposed to end at 9). You can continue to use the space after this time, I believe, but you will have to pay additional to keep the open bar and any entertainment. The open bar is $15 per person per hour (even for your "included" 25 people). There is also an hourly charge for the sound system (if you are using just an iPod, etc.) and, of course, a DJ will continue to charge you. For our group of 40, it's going to be almost $800 just for the open bar (incl tax and service) per hour (at least I don't think that includes the sound system - I'm waiting for confirmation).

Oh, Leslieville! Lots of great spots there. I assumed somewhere outside of the city when I envisioned a place with a yurt! Now I like it even more. (I'm a sucker for a good Irish pub myself.) As for the Sky Terrace, yeah that might be tight, but it's worth asking. To me it looks like there may only be 5 rows [emoji17] (but it's really hard to say for sure) but I'd be more worried about the 10 attendants. In finding space for them, you may have to push the chairs back further which may be a no-go. But ask your WC. Maybe she can figure something out. I hope so! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

@@snswedding2016 The new beach location is very dramatic. I wouldn't have thought "bird cage" or "spider" myself, but now that you say it, I totally see it LOL. Love the Sky Terrace! How many guests do you have coming? The yurt looks amazing. Where is Ceili Cottage? I'm somewhat familiar with Toronto...

@@snswedding2016 Thank you! Delphiniums in a darker blue might do the trick!

Flowers I LOVE flowers, so this is one area I am somewhat willing to splurge. That said, I don’t want to go too crazy. I do have some flowers included in my package, including: bridal bouquet, 2 corsages, 3 boutonnieres, and 1 centerpiece. I don’t think I will use the corsages, but I can apply the value of them towards other elements. I’m considering peacock colors, although I'm not looking to do a peacock theme. I’m hoping to have a very tropical-looking bouquet, which often would mean warm colors like yellow, pink, orange, etc., but those were my sister’s wedding colors and I don’t really want to repeat them! Plus, my bridesmaids won’t really look good in those colors. So I was thinking blue and green orchids to achieve the tropical aspect, and then adding in some white and purple touches. I love calla lilies as well, so that would be nice. Something like these: (but no feathers) (add more green) My other idea is to incorporate some citrus into the mix, specifically limes (and have a signature margarita to match!). So, possibly including some limes in the bouquets like this (ignore flowers/colors): I’d also like to use limes on the tables and on the cake, maybe combined with some individual vases with single stems to match the bouquets on the tables. Something along these lines: All that said, I’ve contacted my WC with my ideas, which he says he really likes, but has told me that the green orchids are “premium” and will increase my costs and that blue orchids aren’t available locally but they can paint white orchids blue. That might be an option, as some other brides have said they’ve done it and it’s fine, but I’ve also asked the WC if the florist can provide some other suggestions for blue & green flowers that are naturally available and hopefully not at additional cost. If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions, I would love to hear them!

@@DinaQtobe - Thanks for the info. It looks like each extra hour of reception is going to cost $800 - $1000, so I'm leaning towards cutting it short!

Received my first wedding-related online purchase today. YAY! Kimonos for me and my 2 BMs. Thanks @@eriddell for posting the La Vie en Rose sale. Great deal! My FH has also ordered gifts for his GMs - he seemed inspired when I ordered the robes. I didn't see what he ordered, so hope it's not ridiculous