Lisa's after the fact 6/21/2011 Planning Thread!

[lisa203]

I joined this forum well over a year ago and was hooked from day one! My favorite threads, hands down, were planning threads so it is only right I finally write one, even if a month late!

 

A special thank you to Tammy and those behinds the scene who keep this site running as well as fellow members who keep it running. My wedding would not have been what it was without you.

 

Without further ado, my planning thread.

 

About us:

 

My now husband, Omar, and I met at a party the night of my high school graduation on June 21, 2002. Omar proposed on May 25, 2010 and here we are now, married nine years to the day we met.

 

 

Our rings:

 

Mine, both Tacori:

 

Omar works with his hands and needed something durable but insisted on diamonds so we got him two rings. An indestructible Tungsten to wear to work as well as one with diamonds for fancier days:

 

 

 

 

I tattooed O's initial on my ring finger soon after getting engaged. He LOVED it! It's discreet as you can't see it when I have my rings on.

 

 

 

[lisa203]

The Resort:

 

Omar is originally from Jamaica and we always kind of knew we'd get married there so that part was easy. We picked Moon Dance Cliffs in Negril Jamaica about a month after we got engaged, primarily for its rave reviews and size.  We're so happy with our choice.

 

 

I did things a little backwards and already have my review up in case anyone is interested.

 

Our wedding guests took over the entire resort from Sunday June 19^th to Wednesday June 22^nd. It’s a small resort and we were thrilled to be the only ones there for the entire time.

 

Our events were as follows:

 

Sunday: Welcome Reception. We got t-shirts made that say "I went all the way to Jamaica for Omar & Lisa's Wedding" and asked everyone to wear them that night. We don't have all of pro pics back yet so these are just some from our camera.

 

 

 

Monday: We took our guests on a catamaran cruise during the day and had the rehearsal dinner that evening. We asked our guests to wear all white to both events.

 

 

 

 

Tuesday we got married and Wednesday we had a farewell brunch that Omar and I missed! We partied hard and until late and didn't wake up on time. No one woke us up!

 

[lisa203]

Save the dates:

 

Once we booked our resort we created a wedsite and sent out post card save the dates from Vistaprint. We included pricing info on our website in hopes of giving everyone at least a year notice/ample time to save.

 

 

With the word out, I got to work on picking colors and my will you be my bridesmaids cards.

 

Our colors:

 

Ivory and gold with touches of yellow.

 

 

Will you be my bridesmaids cards:

 

My very first of few DIY projects!

 

 

 

Invitations:

 

I had bought supplies to do message in a bottle invitations but changed my mind. I wanted passports instead so took the loss and had the super talented Sarah Sproull do our passport invitations. They were a hit and REALLY got everyone excited about our trip.

 

  

 

Pre-Travel Mailings:

 

As our guests booked their rooms, we sent them luggage tags and a brochure from the Jamaica tourism board. Also, about a month before we left we sent them a letter with more useful travel info. We've NEVER sent out that much mail in our lives, lol.

 

[lisa203]

Dress:

 

My mom insisted on buying my dress and I didn't want her to spend a ton.  I was pleasantly surprised to find my dress at David's Bridal.

 

Stock photo:

 

 

My mom sewed in this tag into my dress :

 

 

I had to include a picture my super-manly husband carrying the dress through the airport. He was holding my purse too, lol! How could I not love him?!

 

 

Shoes:

 

I couldn't make up my mind about shoes and ended up buying 3 different pair. I kept going back and forth about wearing heels or flats. In the end I picked the flats and happy I did.

 

Here are what I almost wore:

 

 

Jewelry:

 

Wish I could wear these everyday!

 

 

Garter and 72" cathedral  veil:

 

Both from eBay.

 

 

Hair Flower:

 

 

Here are a couple non pro pictures of my look in action:

 

 

The dress bustled:

 

 

[lisa203]

Hair & Makeup

 

I had the super fabulous Rashel Edwards do airbrush makeup for me as well as my bridal party and our mom's.

 

 

 

Her also fabulous assistant did my hair. All of my bridesmaids did their own haid and each wore it down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[lisa203]

 All things bridesmaids:

 

 

Who they are - from left, Millicent - Omar's sister, Stephanie M. - my sister, Stephanie C. - my maid of honor and my very best friend, Patricia - my other sister who sang during our ceremony, and Jasmine - my other best friend.

 

  

Attire:

 

 

 

Gifts:

 

In addition to their dresses, shoes, and jewelry, we gifted our fabulous girls the items below:

 

 

 

 

[lisa203]

Our Flower Girls:

 

Their outfits:

 

 

Another DIY

 

 

They tossed freeze-dried petals from flyboynaturals. Aren't they adorable?!

The MEN.

 

Our super dapper guys all wore linen blend suits from Cubavera, Steve Madden loafers and hats I picked up while in NYC. Their outfits were a part of their gifts as well.

 

 

This handsome little man carried our rings in a shell.

 

 

Of course while the ladies are spending hours getting ready, they're hanging out by the pool table.

 

 

[lisa203]

OOT Bags

 

We gave our guests tote bags (we ironed on the logo I created in Powerpoint), travel mugs, first aid kits, t-shirts, pashminas, key chains, toys for the kiddies, and welcome letters/itineraries.  ThE

 

THEY LOVED EVERYTHING. Here is a sample picture of what one looked like and some of my favorite girls helping me get them all ready.

 

 

 

Reception Favors:

 

Shot glasses:

 

 

 

Cigars / Matchbooks:

 

 

Lottery ticket favors:

 

  

 

[lisa203]

Centerpieces:

 

 

 

Bouquets:

 

Real touch - All for sale for those interested 

 

 

 

Signature drinks:

 

We had “Lemona Lisa†and the “Omarhito†featured at our cocktail hour!

 

 

 

 Drink Stirrers

 

 

Cocktail napkins:

 

 

 

Cake Server:

 

 

Chair Signs:

 

[Bruuning17]

Wow, you are absolutely stunning in that dress!  Congrats, looks like it was a beautiful wedding.  I'm going to go read your resort review now, I'm still trying to decided and your resort is in my top 5 list!