It's Time... warning, long and pic heavy ~ Amarillis' (Amy's) Planning Thread!

Amarillis · January 20, 2009

SPECIAL BONBONETTI BAGS FOR THE 12 CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE!

contents: blow up toy for the pool, markers, pencils, erasers, kids welcome booklet, a travel mug as pictured above, and… “high school musical” hand sanitizer (this was a hit)

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii305/iemba/DSCF2469-1.jpg[/img

Amarillis · January 20, 2009

DIY projects

Table Numbers

We have a big group joining us in Cuba, and Table Seating is essential - my big fear is that my parents and family will sit at the back of the room - weird bride dreams!

After seeing many other examples of table numbers from others these are the ones we are using. I have found pictures of FI and I doing things we love and put them into table numbers - but instead of numbers - we are naming the tables.

Our plan is to put each of the pictures in frames purchased in the market in Varadero, then give each one to one person seated at the table - like an at home wedding with the centrepieces.

This one is for the 'kids' table.

Amarillis · January 20, 2009

Luggage Tags

I love the idea of providing uniform luggage tags to all of the guests. I took it one step further… I addressed all of them using mail merge!

There really isn’t a template for it – I used Avery Postcards 5889 in Microsoft Word, and did a mail merge using information I already had in an excel document used in merging all of the labels to invite everyone to the wedding!

Wedding Day Timeline

Kids Welcome Brochure

Since we have 12 children joining us in Cuba - we have done a custom 'KIDS WELCOME BROCHURE'

I love how it came out and can't wait to see them pour over it in the plane, of all the children going 2 are infants, but the other 10 are all between the ages of 7 and 13. I think it will be well receipted. I had a literacy specialist confirm this when working on the write ups.

Amarillis · January 20, 2009

Adult Welcome Brochure

Here is my brochure for the adults - providing an overview of Varadero and what to expect... this will be accompanied by two other documents to form the complete adult info package - the other two documents are the wedding day timeline - and the 'week at a glance brochure'

To accompany our packages and have a separate document outlining the week at a glance - this is the result.

Week at a Glance Brochure

Amarillis · January 20, 2009

Packing List

This was added to our welcome packages for all of our guests!

I thought I'd share this comprehensive list of things to pack for our trip,essentially it covers all of the packing list as provided on our wed-site.

The template is available at:

Packing List.xlsx - File Shared from Box.net - Free Online File Storage

PRE WEDDING PARTIES

WINE CLUB SHOWER

The most fantastic ladies in the universe threw me a surprise shower. These ladies are all members of my wine club. A professional pedicurist was on hand to provide pedicures to all of the women in attendance. My gifts were all wine… each bottle had a label on it giving us a reason or time to open the bottle.

Amarillis · January 20, 2009

WHITE LINEN SHOWER

My bridesmaids hosted a White Linen Shower in my honour on Labour Day weekend 2008. Everyone brought gifts to fill my linen closet as well as a clipping from their perennial garden – for my perennial garden.

The day was absolutely fantastic, and completely memorable.

Stag and Doe

In October of 2008, we were surprised with a stag and doe at our local community arena.

The biggest surprise was our invitation for the stag and doe which was turned into a giant custom painting. It will hang in our rec-room bar in our basement.

We later changed into tropical wear to better suit the theme of the event!

Later in the month we ran a thank-you advertisement in the newspaper:

Amarillis · January 20, 2009

PLANNING FOR THE ACTUAL DAY

We have written our own ceremony for the actual day, and much of it will be performed by our wedding coordinator at the resort. Omitted from this section are Chad’s vows – they are written, and I must give him credit for writing his first!

Opening (read by: our wedding coordinator at the resort)

On behalf of Amy and Chad, I welcome you and thank you all for gathering here on this beautiful day to witness their marriage ceremony. The fact that you all have travelled such a great distance to be here today is a testament to the amazing amount of love and support they have.

All of you have given them much happiness, love, warmth, and guidance through the various stages of their lives. They would like to sincerely thank you all for being here to celebrate their big day. A special and respectful acknowledgement must also be made to those friends and family members who were unable to attend, or have passed on, but whose spirit remains alive and strong in all our hearts.

I have also been asked by Amy and Chad to thank their parents for the wonderful lives they have given them, for the hard work and guidance they have provided, for their everlasting love, support, and encouragement. It is from them that they have learned the true meaning of love, friendship and family.

LEGAL CEREMONY

* SIGN THE REGISTRY – MARIACHI BAND PLAYS A SLOW SONG

READING: (WC TO INTRODUCE MY AUNT)

“And now, a poem read by – Marie, Amy’s Godmother”

From This Day Forward (author unknown)

From this day forward, let us laugh together, and plan together, let us find our favourite places, and go together... Let us enjoy the sunshine, and the rain, being alone together, and in crowds together... From this day forward, together, Let us love! Let Us Walk Together Let us walk together yet not as one, but such that our shadows are separate and distinct, such that our souls are unbound and free. Let us share our time, yet do not give all your time, nor take all of mine for in order to develop to the fullest, to be free, we must have solitude and individuality.

Let me wander in solitude, when I need to be alone, yet be near, when I need you. Let us share our love. Give freely of your love, but do not smother me, my soul must breathe a free air. Take my love, but do not demand it, for love given of obligation, is stale and without life. Let us share our lives.

Share my life, but do not try to shape it. Let me share your life, but do not let it revolve around me. Let us share ourselves. Accept me as I am, do not attempt to change me to fit your dreams. Respect me for what I am, not for what I was or one day may be. Share yourself with me, but do not allow me to limit your freedom or bind your soul. Let us share our minds, thoughts, goals, values and dreams. Let us develop these within ourselves without restriction or loss of freedom

Thus our two free souls, may wander together as they develop in freedom. As we share our lives, as we walk through life together, know my love is yours, but not my soul for it must be free.

HAND CEREMONY (READ BY: WC)

As an expression that you are joined together in love - will you please hold up your hands and hold one another, so you may feel the gift that you are to each other.

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your future.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.

These are the hands that will wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.

These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.

And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

VOWS & RINGS

Sandra to request the rings from Matthew (Best Man)

***CHAD’S VOWS***

Amy, With this ring,

I give you my promise that from this day forward, you shall not walk alone.

May my heart be your shelter and my arms be your home.

I, Amy choose you, Chadwick

to be no other than yourself,

loving what I know of you, trusting what I do not yet know.

I will respect you as an individual, a partner, and an equal.

I promise to laugh with you when times are good, and endure with you when they are bad.

I will always adore, honour, and encourage you.

You are my darling, and I will love you always.

Whatever may come, I promise I will always be there for you.

Chad, With this ring,

I give you my promise that from this day forward, you shall not walk alone.

May my heart be your shelter and my arms be your home.

CLOSING (READ BY: WC)

With confidence and deep affection, we send you forth on life's journey together. May love and peace be with you always; a peace which the world can neither give nor take away, a love which the world cannot destroy. May you have courage and wisdom in your future years together, and may the happiness you share today be with you always.

With friends and family, along with the sun, the moon, and the sea, I have the pleasure of announcing you as husband and wife.

Chadwick, you may kiss your bride.