This is all just peachy-keen - long wedding planning

Okay, so I have been on the boards for a few months now, asking questions, commenting, sharing, and then I figured... why not put it all in one place? I have been stalking other brides during their planning.... Mrs T Gunn, Satara, among many, many, many others. And I am already borrowing and stealing templates and ideas from too many brides to count. So I thought maybe I should put all my stuff out there too, in case it can help any other brides...

So hear it goes.

FI and I got engaged July 18, 2011 at Palladium Vallarta. See our engagement story (and a few pictures we took immediately after) here:

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/75079/engaged

We always knew we would have a long engagement, and since I am a teacher, it also makes the most sense for us to have it during the summer (built in time off). So, we are planning for July, 2013. I am kind of in love with the date of July 18 (so it is exactly 2 years later, plus my favourite number), but any time in that general area will work.

We are waiting to book until we get some more information; we have picked our travel agent (local company - but very happy so far). But we are waiting for things to settle down with Air Canada before we go ahead and book. So far, though, we really like Gran Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado.

I am very much a DIY bride. And I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE sales. The more I save, the happier I am. I refuse to buy anything I can make or find somewhere else for cheaper. So far I have made: will you be my bridesmaid cards, all wrist corsages (except mine for AHR), barefoot jewelry.

I have also started putting together boarding pass save the dates, message in a bottle invites (FI's mom found us bottles at a u-brew place), passport welcome books, pocketfold AHR invites, postcard RSVPs, my hair flower, and AHR decor. I am also continuously adding to the gifts for my mom, FI's mom, and my bm and moh. So far, I have been looking at lots of stuff and making decisions. And having so much fun! 

Oh yes, I am also totally addicted to this site!

And now, for a picture or two...

This is our monogram... sorry it is so large.

 My barefoot jewelry; I had all of these beads that I have collected over the years, so they were free. Mine are the ones in the centre.

 Here is mine; I know the nail polish is a little chipped (that was a project for my sister - and moh)

Our colours are coral and shades of blue.

 Here are my "Will you be my bridesmaid cards". I saw the design in a few places when I googled it (I even think some ladies on here had them), and thought, "I can totally do this!". So I did. I am only having two ladies stand up with me; my sister, who is my maid of honour, and my dear friend, my bridesmaid. FI is only having a best man; he just asked him when they were chatting online one day. hahaha.

I also stole the wording from a bride on here. My sincere apologies; I have NO idea who.

 Sorry the wording is so fuzzy. (The writing on the top promises that the dress will be less puffy)

Okay, so that is a start, I think. Hope you enjoy!

Awesome!  Love love love your barefoot sandals.  Enjoy the long engagement.

Thanks Starchild!

I finished the last of my wrist corsages last night. My bridesmaid, maid of honour, and the moms will each be getting one for the DW (I am doing parasols for bm and moh instead of bouquets), and I made one for each of the grandmothers too, which they can wear at the AHR (unless, of course, any come to the DW). I also made myself one for the AHR, since my bouquet (included for DW package) will obviously not be around anymore.

The one with the coral ribbon is mine. The two next to them are my moh and bm's, and then the 4 for the grandmothers, then the last two are for the moms. I had all of the flowers (except for mine) and ribbon already, all gifts recently from FI's grandma and my own. I created the lace flower from old lace ribbon I had too.

So, all together, I paid $1.50 for these. (Just the flower for mine; a stem from Michaels, I took apart and added two flowers together. I bought it with a coupon). The flower is a smaller version of the one for my hair flower.

I plan on making corsages as well.

Can you tell me how you made these? Are your Flowers glued on or sewed?

Tahnks!

 

Originally Posted by Peach 

Thanks Starchild!

 

I finished the last of my wrist corsages last night. My bridesmaid, maid of honour, and the moms will each be getting one for the DW (I am doing parasols for bm and moh instead of bouquets), and I made one for each of the grandmothers too, which they can wear at the AHR (unless, of course, any come to the DW). I also made myself one for the AHR, since my bouquet (included for DW package) will obviously not be around anymore.

The one with the coral ribbon is mine. The two next to them are my moh and bm's, and then the 4 for the grandmothers, then the last two are for the moms. I had all of the flowers (except for mine) and ribbon already, all gifts recently from FI's grandma and my own. I created the lace flower from old lace ribbon I had too.

So, all together, I paid $1.50 for these. (Just the flower for mine; a stem from Michaels, I took apart and added two flowers together. I bought it with a coupon). The flower is a smaller version of the one for my hair flower.

most of the flowers have a bead in the centre. If it has a bead, I simple took apart the petals (the bottom of the stem is easily removed from fake flowers). Then I separated the petals, pushed the ribbon through them, through the bead on top, then back through the rest of the flower. I think I also added a dab of hot glue, just to be safe. Mine has a sparkly brad in the centre instead. I just pushed that through the ribbon. The lace ones are trickier. I started with one end, and folded it back and forth, adding a dab of glue as I went. (Think of how you fold a paper fan). Then continue this around and around, glue the whole time. I then glued it to the ribbon. (A quick note: it is REALLY easy to burn yourself on the glue!)

This is the tutorial I used for inspiration:

http://missiekrissie.blogspot.com/2009/04/tutorial-how-to-make-vintage-lace.html

J and G 2012, just let me know if you would like more detailed instructions. I realize now that the wording is a little convoluted, but hopefully it helps.

Okay, so I am finishing up some decor for the AHR... It looks like it is going to be in a fairly ugly hall, so I am trying to personalize it as much as I can.

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/good-things/door-monograms#slide_13

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/article/click-print-banner?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/decoration-templates#slide_2

I am in love with all things Martha, apparently. And a little obsessed. 

So, I finished the door monograms, and I have copied and cut out the "Just Married" banner. The plan is to find some coral ribbon today after work to put it together.

I cannot find the right coral anything. It is either pink or orange or red. No coral. Which is annoying, since it was everywhere in the summer. I guess I should have picked some up then. Oh well, I have lots of time.

Also heading to Canadian Tire after work (I only work until 12:40 on Fridays, which means I can be home by 2). Bubba kegs are on sale! So we are picking up a few more to add to the growing collection! (The new ones are not in our right shade, so it won't match perfectly, which is okay. We are doing the gigantic black ones for FI and his best man, the small purple ones for all of the ladies coming (the medium size, darker, for me), and the navy ones for the rest of the men coming.

As they go on that 50% off sale, we pick up a few more. We do not want to get too many and then be stuck with them if people do not come out, so we are slowly adding to the pile instead.

Okay, off to get ready for work!

Okay, if anyone reads this, I am after some advice... 

There has been a LOT of family drama on my side about a DW. I have been trying not to let it bother me. But the other day my dad called and spoke rationally but still emotionally about their concerns. Namely:

1 - I am the first in my entire family to be married, and my grandparents (we both have all 4 still) are too old to travel. I am very close with them and my grandmas are fairly heartbroken about missing it. I am planning on doing an AHR there, but apparently that is not enough.

2 - I come from a religious family; which are all extremely concerned that I am not being married in a church (I have always wanted to be married outside)

3 - the time of year - farmer family, all busy haying. Might not be able to come for that long.

I cannot do anything about 3. I am a teacher; I get summers off. That is when it will be.

BUT - even though FI and I really wanted to do everything - legal and whatnot - in the Dominican, we are thinking maybe we could get legally married here first, with just parents and grandparents. In a church.

Here is my dilemma. If we do the legal thing at home, and the DW, AND the AHR.... is that not a bit MUCH? We would keep the legal thing here simple... small church ceremony, going out for dinner to a restaurant. That is it. We really did not want to do this, but we understand how important it is to my grandparents...

I just can't help but think, then why even do a DW? Is this not a lot?

I know a lot of brides get legally married first, so... what do you think? I guess I just need my mind eased.

I posted about this in the etsy thread, but thought I would mention it here too. I just ordered part of my bm and moms gifts. I have beach bags for them and have been adding stuff to them all the time. This is my first etsy purchase, but I have tons 'bookmarked'. Uhoh!

 Does anyone know how to make the pictures smaller? Anyway, I am getting each lady's first initial stamped on it... and, of course, I ordered one for me too!

Hi Peach,

Did you decide what to do? I'm sorry that you're going through this. If you and your fiance want a destination wedding, you should still do it! It's your wedding. Many of the brides here do get legally married at home, but see their symbolic DW as their real wedding/anniversary. I think if you're okay having the legal ceremony at home before your DW, maybe keep it real simple (nd cheap) and only for your family. The other thought is maybe do your symbolic DW first, then when you get back home for AHR, you can do a simple legal ceremony at the AHR with your family?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peach 

Okay, if anyone reads this, I am after some advice... 

 

There has been a LOT of family drama on my side about a DW. I have been trying not to let it bother me. But the other day my dad called and spoke rationally but still emotionally about their concerns. Namely:

1 - I am the first in my entire family to be married, and my grandparents (we both have all 4 still) are too old to travel. I am very close with them and my grandmas are fairly heartbroken about missing it. I am planning on doing an AHR there, but apparently that is not enough.

2 - I come from a religious family; which are all extremely concerned that I am not being married in a church (I have always wanted to be married outside)

3 - the time of year - farmer family, all busy haying. Might not be able to come for that long.

 

I cannot do anything about 3. I am a teacher; I get summers off. That is when it will be.

 

BUT - even though FI and I really wanted to do everything - legal and whatnot - in the Dominican, we are thinking maybe we could get legally married here first, with just parents and grandparents. In a church.

 

Here is my dilemma. If we do the legal thing at home, and the DW, AND the AHR.... is that not a bit MUCH? We would keep the legal thing here simple... small church ceremony, going out for dinner to a restaurant. That is it. We really did not want to do this, but we understand how important it is to my grandparents...

 

I just can't help but think, then why even do a DW? Is this not a lot?

 

I know a lot of brides get legally married first, so... what do you think? I guess I just need my mind eased.