Butterflyf369 Planning Thread with Pics

[Butterflyf369]

This site has been an unbelievable lifesaver for me. Through this site, I’ve learnt so much and can’t help but thank all of you for your ideas and words of wisdom. It was so hard not to feel inadequate, so many wonderful ideas I wanted to do it all. After months of planning I finally realized that I couldn’t do it all, but what I could do, would represent who Michael and I are. Along the way, I met some great vendors who helped make my ideas a reality and also borrowed from a lot of you. I’m sorry I can’t thank all of you, but please know that I couldn’t have done this without you. So without further adieu, here is my thread…

 

Engagement:

I wanted a simply eternity band so Michael and I went shopping and I was so thrilled with the one that he presented me with on March 31, 2009. I was a bit tipsy after a night of drinking so it me a bit to soak it all in. Of course I cried!

 

Shower:

My mother threw us this amazing shower and had it catered. She gave out teacups with butterflies on them and wrapped them in Tiffney blue paper. It was lovely and Mike and I had an awesome time. One of the really cool gifts that we got was a money flower from Michael’s mother and sister. Yes, they are made from really money.

 

Resort:

I chose Dreams Tulum as my girlfriend had gotten married at the same resort and I fell in love with it. It’s not only beautiful but the food and drinks are to die for. I asked her if she was ok with me getting married at the same resort and she was thrilled. They are coming with us and planning on having a little honeymoon!

 

Dress:

I wanted something really simply and had decided on another dress but my mom thought it didn’t have enough bling so I went with this one. It was the right decision, of course moms are always right. It’s too big on me but in the midst of being altered. My jewerally will be min and include a necklace Michael got me. My mom is a hairdresser so she will be doing my hair. I will be wearing a veil and plan on going barefoot.

 

 

I had this label made up that will be sewn into my dress. My garter was also from the same person on Esty.

Groom:

My FI just ordered his outfit from the intranet so we’re hopeful it comes in time. If not, we’ll pick something up in Mexico.

 

Ring bearer:

My FI’s nephew is our ring bearer and will be wearing this white suite with a white hat (he loves Mario Kart so the hat looks like the one Mario wears but in white)

 

Theme:

I’m getting married on the beach and requested that all my guests wear white. Everything will be white with tiffany blue accent thrown in. The white request went over really well and all but two people will be wearing it. I told them I’d Photoshop them in white. Here is the verse that went into the invitations surrounding attire:

“As the Wedding Ceremony will be informal and casual, think in terms of “white chic casual†for the men, women and children. Vanessa will love it! Of course, Michael will love whatever his sweetie loves!â€

[Butterflyf369]

Invitations/Ceremony Program:

Michael’s father designed our invitations so it’s really special to us. He did a wonderful job and we love them. As to the program, it’s a bit more than either of us expected but Michael’s father is pretty happy with it so we’re going to go with it. We’re both pretty easy going so will have a candle lighting ceremony as well as a wine ceremony. It will end with a seven blessing observance.

 

Pre wedding brochure:

I got this idea from the forum. Rebecca worked with me on the brochures and luggage tags. I owe so much to her. She took my ideas and turned them into reality. She was great to work with and I loved how everything turned out. My guests loved these and everyone is so pumped now.

 

Welcome Dinner:

We are having a welcome dinner at the World Café. It will provide an opportunity for us to give out the OOT bags and also have the guests get to know each other. I had these name tags made up and I think they turned out really cute. I will also have fortune chop sticks to honor my Chinese heritage. We also had a little game called “How well do you know Michael and Vanessa†made up. They were silly questions that guests gave to decide if it’s applicable to Michael or myself. We will be giving out presents to the top winners. I’ll be wearing a white dress with a flower that I’ve taken a picture of. Michael will also be wearing white.

[Butterflyf369]

The OOT bags were really important to me. I felt so honoured that my friends and family are coming to the wedding I wanted to do them up really well. I’m worried about how I will transport everything but thus far, everyone is making room in their luggage for me.

I think I had way too much fun with them but I’m happy with how they turned out. Inside the bags will be the following:

-Two different OOT bags for the men and women

-Weekend survival kit containing Advil, gravel, shout whips, band aides, condoms for the singles, hand sanitizer and hangover shower bar from lush

-Coach wrist lists for the girls to hold their door key and money (every time I’ve gone to Mexico I’m always searching for someplace to hold all my stuff when I go to dinner or the bar so thought these would be great)

-Suntan lotion, cards, sudoku, wine stopper, matches (cheesy ones specifically for the bathroom “Gotta Poo†or “Gotta Fartâ€- it’s an inside joke with my friends)

-For the girls I also included lotion, lip balm (fav of fine), cake sugar scrub (fav of fine) and lingerie bags

-For the guys, we got bubba kegs on sale

-I also made up these door hangers I found on Martha Stewart along with these guest room number listings.

-I also had Rebecca make up thank you tags and will hang them on the bags with blue ribbon when I get down there

-I also had hankies made up for our parents. I got them from Esty and she did an amazing job. I highly recommend her.

 

 

Ceremony:

Our ceremony will be at 2:00PM on January 21, 2010. We went with Moments That Matter for our photographers and thus far they have been wonderful to deal with.

For the ceremony, I plan on having white flowers along the aisle and on the huppa. I ordered these hanging flowers from esty so I will have the resort hang them.

I ordered these crystals and plan on hanging them on tree branches on a table with the following:

-Guest book I had made from Blurb (I hope it comes in time)

-Pashimina scarves. Rebecca did the tags and I loved how they turned out

 

Here is the ring bearer’s bowl that I had made on Esty. It says, “The Sun, Moon, Stars For you and our wedding dateâ€.

 

[Butterflyf369]

 

 

Dinner:

Here is a mock up on how I want the dinner table to look. I’m not very artistic so hopefully the resort can help me out. I plan on ordering candles with hurricane vases from the resort. There will be white flowers and I got really cute starfish candles and shells on sale from Pottery Barn last summer that I will include in the layout. On each dinner plate there will be an envelop with a lottery scratch card and a Mexican peso. The stickers will say “Wishing You Riches†from Mr. and Mrs. B.

 

 

Trainer:

One of the best decisions I made was to get a personal trainer to whip me into shape. Bren was the best and was not only hard when he needed to be but really was involved in making sure I felt and looked my best. I lost 13 pounds working out with him and feel really good. If you can swing it, I really recommend a trainer if you’re looking to get in tip top wedding shape.

 

Vendors:

Here is the links to the vendors that I used. I was happy with all of them and would have no hesitation recommending them.

Matches: Matchboxes gag gifts farts poop by dippylulu on Etsy

Welcome name tags: Hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday by AmysPartyCouture on Etsy

Hankies/Garter/Something blue tag: Molly and Mom by mollyandmom on Etsy

Huppa Flowers: 'amor et pertinacia' Love and Determination by juliag1969 on Etsy

Tags/Brochures: Allurements by Rebecca

 

I’ll be sure to write a review upon my return and share my photos. If you have any questions, please let me know.

 

Thanks again, the time has really flown by and I’m so excited to become a Mrs.!

 

Vanessa

[amygirl1169]

Everything looks great! Love the Tiffany blue accents

Have a fabulous wedding day!!

[amygirl1169]

Oh and what were the 2 guests reasons for not wanting to adhere to the white dress code? (Just out of curiousity)

[Butterflyf369]

Quote:

Originally Posted by amygirl1169 Oh and what were the 2 guests reasons for not wanting to adhere to the white dress code? (Just out of curiousity)

Thanks so much! Michael's aunt just doesn't wear white and we're not too concerned.

[vlynnw]

Everything looks great! I hope you have a wonderful time!

[Pastryqueen_Tanya]

So beautiful! Congrats and have a fabulous time!!

[bride2010]

Everything looks great! Have a wonderful time and post pics when you get back ;o)