The Final Countdown: Planning Journal for July 18, 2013 - Long and Pic-Heavy and a Work in Progress

[Peach]

ATTIRE:

 

The best man and groom will both be wearing white linen shirts from Old Navy:

 

 

FI is wearing white linen pants with it, while the best man is wearing khaki pants.

 

My dad, unbeknownst to me, also picked up a white shirt for the day. At least it is short-sleeved, so it is not exactly the same.

 

Anyway,

 

This is my sister's (MOH) dress. My BM, who will only be joining us for the AHR, will wear it then too.

 

 

 

Hmm, it seems the only pictures I have are pre-alteration. Well, it needed to be taken in and up a bit, but here is an idea anyway. She is also wearing tights in the pic because she quickly threw it on over her clothes the first time she tried it.

 

She can wear whatever shoes she wants (if any) and jewelry. I am giving her pearls as part of her gift, but I am not sure if they will go or not for that day; I am leaving that up to her. She is thinking maybe gold wedges. She is getting a bracelet from me as well that she may choose to wear, along with her corsage.

 

We had a heck of a time finding a dress for the girls. There are so many shades of coral out there, and we were on a serious budget and wanted to pay for the dresses ourselves. FI was actually pickier than me! Hahaha! But it is beachy and a little vintage-looking I think; I love it! Plus the price was awesome - from Forever 21; I think they were $32 each or something like that.

 

I have no idea what my mom is wearing, if she has started shopping. My brothers are going to walk her down the aisle; I told them a solid light coloured shirt and khakis or something. They can wear whatever they like (but not white! grrr). FI's dad is wearing something patterned; not sure what yet. FI's mom has a colourful sundress in shades of blue, with pink, orange, and coral flowers on it. It is very pretty. 

 

Now, the best part. MY attire!

 

On my first day of shopping we opted to check out the two bridal stores in my town. We just thought we would have fun, I would then go to a bigger city and order something, and so on. Well, wouldn't you know it, I found something I really liked that day!

 

FI wanted me in a short dress, but he is going to have to be disappointed! In the second store, my mom and sister pulled a dress off the clearance racks that looked pretty unimpressive on the hanger. But I started giggling when I was trying it on. I love the corset style back (FI's one request if I got a long dress) and though I was not looking for strapless, I think this totally works on me! I was not sure about the flower and beading details at the top, but I really like it on! I think it looks beachy and pretty. I had to have it shortened a bit, and a bustle added. But here it is the first time I tried it on.

 

 

And for comparison, on the model.

 

SHOES:

I LOVE shoes. I found flats at Old Navy that look like they have starfish on them, which I might change into as the night progresses. But for the ceremony, I knew I needed some height, even though we are getting married on the beach. I am 5'2"; FI is 6'6". Yeah, height was necessary. Wedges it is! I found bright blue wedges (okay, FI actually found them) last summer in a mall (for $30!), and I added the sparkly starfish detail (actually buttons I found in a fabric store that reminded me of seashells). 

 

 

I also made barefoot sandals. I am not sure when I will wear those; perhaps the TTD? If not, they are just fun to have for the honeymoon. And they were free to make, so oh well!

 

JEWELRY: 

 

I won two pairs of earrings in a tophatter auction (online auction by etsy stores). They both feature pearls; one is smaller than the other. The bigger one is more sparkly; I am leaning towards that. I do not think I will wear a necklace. FI found me a set of two sparkly bracelets from groupon (I think) that he gave me, so I will probably wear those. Maybe on one wrist, with my pearl bracelet on the other.... honestly I will probably decide that on the day.

[Peach]

ENGAGEMENT PICTURES/GUESTBOOK:

 

They were free! We actually went out on four separate occasions, twice with FI's mom, once with his dad, those times were around the gorgeous mountain town in which they live, and once around my parents' farm on the prairies with my mom.

Then FI found a groupon for Photobook Canada, and I put all those pictures into (what I think is) an awesome photobook that our guests are going to sign yearbook-style. We are having a small group for our DW, and a large one for our AHR, so we are going to use the book as a guest book at both places.

 

Some engagement photos:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PHOTOGRAPHER:

We are going with Caribbean Emotions; we are getting the images and video, so we can share the memories with our friends and family members back home. It is a little more than we wanted to spend, but we agreed that, after the destination, it was our top priority, so okay. It is still reasonably priced (in comparison with what you get for weddings at home), and we are happy to have the rights to the images. 

We have heard/read only good reports about Michael and Pascal's work, and are so excited to have them shoot our day! We also booked them for a TTD session the next day. 

 

We hope everything works out okay for it!

[Peach]

Here is the list of songs I included for the CD for the pre-travel mail-out, in case you were curious:

 

- Burning Love

- When the Night Feels My Song (Hey Beautiful Day)

- Brighter than the Sun

- One Love

- Three Little Birds

- God Only Knows

- I'm Yours

- Stand By Me   *** I found a version of this song that was a little reggae, with some of the lyrics in Spanish

- Honey Honey

- Wipeout

- Steal my Sunshine

- Don't Worry, Be Happy

- Hot, Hot, Hot

- Say Hey (I Love You)

- I Can Hear Music

- Lovely Day

- Toes

- Vacation

- In the Summertime

- Walking on Sunshine

- Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini

- Zoom Zoom Zoom

- Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes

[Peach]

THE RINGS:

 

I know the FI found my ring online. Unlike a lot of brides, I wanted something very understated; in fact, I would have been seriously cranky if he had spent 4 digits on my ring. We did not go looking at rings before he proposed, but I LOVE what he picked out and would not change it at all. It is exactly what I would have chosen.

 

 

 

 

We also found our bands online. We looked briefly in a store or two, for ideas, but decided to order online simply because we were on a tight budget, and this way we could afford to get what we wanted. We were careful to specify that we only looked at new, never-worn, rings from Canada or the States, with tags, from reputable companies with extremely high levels of customer satisfaction, and with natural, conflict-free diamonds. I LOVE my band, and FI is really happy with his too - and even happier about the price tags! We got BOTH for less than $200!

 

Here is his band, tungsten, and exactly what he wanted (less than $20, WITH shipping and handling!)

 

 

And here is my band; again, exactly what I wanted. With shipping and handling, mine came to $175.

We are very happy with the quality so far and I cannot wait to wear mine all the time!

[Backy]

wow, thank you so much for sharing these! congratulatioN!

[Peach]

THE MUSIC:

 

For two people who like music but do not place it at a high priority, this was surprisingly difficult. We asked FFIL to download songs to play during the dance at the resort at the beach disco; we have heard that if you show up with your music and tip the DJ, he will play what you brought. We are hoping it works out that way! He has over 400 songs! Wow!

 

My youngest brother is a musician; he plays in bands all around here, and in neighboring provinces. The band he plays with most frequently is actually playing our reception. Anyway, I have asked him to record himself playing "Kiss the Girl" from the Little Mermaid. (Huge Disney fan here, remember?) I saw an acoustic version floating around on here (reason 852 that I love this forum!) and fell in love. Hopefully he can do that soon; it is the only song we do not have yet!

 

My brothers and mom, FI (not sure about his parents yet), and his best man, and my MOH will be entering to Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World. I love that song. I know it is done and overdone, but that is because it is perfect!

 

Pre-ceremony songs: Til There Was You (Beatles - I am a huge musicals fan, and love Music Man, which features this song. It was also featured in The Wedding Singer, another favourite film)

God Only Knows (The Beach Boys - From another favourite chick flick, Love Actually. Plus, it is the Beach Boys!)

 

Recessional Song: We Go Together (from Grease - FI picked this one. I love that movie. I can actually quote it! And I love that he picked it.)

 

Parent Dance: We are doing the Father/Daughter and Mother/Son dance at the same time. We are discussing whether we are going to ask his dad and my mom to dance together at the same time. Anyway, it is to my ultimate favourite song, The Rainbow Connection. And yes, we are using the original version, by Kermit the Frog.

 

First Dance: Oh the first dance. Not at ALL what I would have picked. I would have picked something like "Unforgettable" or "So This Is Love". We are doing "Hey Soul Sister" by Train. Yeah. FI got me to agree by saying he wanted to swing dance with me... here we are a few weeks away and we have not even attempted it once. Hmmm.

 

Here is the list of songs we are putting on a USB to play during dinner:

 

At the Beginning - from Anastasia

I'm Gonna Always Love You - from Muppets Take Manhattan

He'll Make Me Happy - from Muppets Take Manhattan

All You Need Is Love - Beatles

I'll Give It All To You - from Annie Get Your Gun

Time of My Life - from my all-time favourite movie, Dirty Dancing

Three Little Birds - Bob Marley

Just the Way You Are - Bruno Mars

Bubbly - Colbie Caillait

You've Got a Friend in Me - from Toy Story

Can You Feel the Love Tonight - Elton John

Can't Help Falling in Love - Elvis

The Wonder of You - Elvis

At Last - Etta James

Your Song - the version from Moulin Rouge

For Once in My Life - Sinatra

The Way You Look Tonight - Sinatra

Can't Take My Eyes Off of You - Sinatra

How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) - James Taylor

Grow Old With You - Adam Sandler (from The Wedding Singer)

It Had To Be You - Harry Connick Jr. (from When Harry Met Sally - another favourite that we watch every New Years right after midnight)

I Wanna Hold Your Hand - the version from Glee

I'll Be - Edwin McCain

I'm Gonna Love You - from Hunchback of Notre Dame II

L.O.V.E. - Michael Buble

Marry Me - Train

Everything - Michael Buble

Unforgettable - Nat King Cole

Pretty Little Picture - from Something Funny Happened on the Way to the Forum

Rhythm of My Heart - Rod Stewart

Save the Last Dance for Me - Michael Buble

Somebody's Getting Married - Muppets (Can you tell I like the Muppets?)

I Got You Babe - Sonny and Cher

You'll Be In My Heart - from Tarzan (I used to sing this to my sister when she was a baby, so it is "our" song)

God Only Knows - Beach Boys

Til There Was You - Beatles

This Will Be (Everlasting Love) - Natalie Cole

My Best Friend - Tim McGraw

Smile - Uncle Kracker

You're My Best Friend - Queen

Hoy Hey (I Belong with You) - The Lumineers

 

 

We also chose some songs for our photographer and videographer to use for our video or whatever. They asked for eight, but we are giving them some choices!

 

ACDC - For Those About to Rock (FI really really wants this for pics of the guys and getting ready stuff)

Barry White - Can't Get Enough of Your Love

Sinatra - Somewhere Beyond the Sea

Harry Connick Jr. - It Had to Be You

Paul McCartney - Maybe I'm Amazed

Meatloaf - I Would Do Anything for Love

Michael Jackson - The Way You Make Me Feel

Nat King Cole - Unforgettable

Carly Simon - Nobody Does It Better (in honour of the fact that we watched EVERY SINGLE Bond movie in succession over the past couple summers)

A Funny Thing Happened... - Pretty Little Picture

Beatles - Til There Was You

Sinatra - The Way You Look Tonight

 

WHEW Long lists!

[Tinkerbell82]

Really enjoying all of your planning and DIY ideas!  I am also a HUGE Disney fan...Kiss the Girl is stuck in my head now.

[UMassRN007]

Such a great planning thread, thanks for sharing all of your ideas!!

[Peach]

Originally Posted by Tinkerbell82 

 

Really enjoying all of your planning and DIY ideas!  I am also a HUGE Disney fan...Kiss the Girl is stuck in my head now.

 

Originally Posted by UMassRN007 

 

Such a great planning thread, thanks for sharing all of your ideas!!

Thanks! I am going to be posting more now that I am home from our big day!

[Marymack]

Awesome planning thread @ Peach!!