Ashhtayy's Planning Thread - Azul Fives - June 7, 2016

[ashhtayy]

@@vancouverpetunia

 

I'm so sorry to read you have had similar situations with your TA. She isn't based out of BC so it isn't the same person; sounds like these issues may be more common than we think. After booking with her I found two brides on here that were less than satisfied with her. By that point it was too late to make any changes.

 

I agree in that things could be MUCH worse. I personally couldn't be a TA because as organized as I think I am, I still don't think I could keep everything straight...especially considering how many brides she is the travel agent for. I think that may be part of the problem. It seems that she may have taken on too much - too many DWs at once. But, that being said, there is a reason I work in a completely different field. We all have our strengths and I don't expect perfection but I do expect some form of communication and I shouldn't have to ask for follow up on everything that is being done. The problem is, the trust is now gone. I can't believe her when she says she will do something because there have been 1000 examples of her not following through.

 

This sounds so ridiculous but she used to sign every email with a and then her name. I haven't gotten a since the deposit due date debacle and it drives me crazy. I want to get passed the fact that everything got screwed up for a little bit there and work together to make this whole thing come together.

 

Lately things have been better and I hope we continue this way. Fingers.Are.Crossed. I hope nothing but the best for you as well. Such unnecessary stress that we don't need

[calgarybride2015]

Sounds like you had one heck of a go with your TA and her colleagues.  Sorry to hear that!

My TA also suggested we have the booking deadline 1 week in advance for stragglers, because if someone was late - especially paying their final balance they lose the price!   We had no issues with this, but then again our TA or such didn't actually tell the people what was going on - hmmmm so tacky!

 

We sent a few reminder texts, don't feel bad for doing it.  Most people actually thanked us because they had forgotten.  Sorry it all just didn't work out the way you hoped, but your head count is very respectable!!!!!

 

I didn't realize people who booked after the fact where included in the group booking numbers either.  The only people who booked after the deadline flew another airline so it wouldn't have matted anyways. I was also with AC so things possibly are different on every carrier.

 

Hopefully you have some smooth sailing now!

[TinkerSofi]

Oh man that sucks about the booking drama. This was also our #1 source of drama and we're still recovering from it haha.

 

I can't believe what the "temporary TA" said to your guests. That was so unprofessional, it actually left me with my mouth open. I still think you made the right choice telling people that the deadline was before. We had drama up until 12 before the deadline and I do not wish that on any bride. I told people after the deadline that we had lied but only because we know that some of our guests are procrastinators haha, everyone understood and actually said that was a smart idea.

 

I'm happy that you have such a nice group coming! It will be so much fun . The next thing, given your TAs responsiveness, make sure that she sends you and your guests' travel documents about a month before you leave. I just got this from my TA. Everyone needs to make sure that all their names and everything is exactly as it is on their passport and just to make sure all the details look ok.

 

Sorry I didn't answer your previous post where you asked me some things. I've been running around all weekend and I've barely been on here. I'll do that as soon as I'm at a computer

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ashhtayy]

Sounds like you had one heck of a go with your TA and her colleagues.  Sorry to hear that!

My TA also suggested we have the booking deadline 1 week in advance for stragglers, because if someone was late - especially paying their final balance they lose the price!   We had no issues with this, but then again our TA or such didn't actually tell the people what was going on - hmmmm so tacky!

 

We sent a few reminder texts, don't feel bad for doing it.  Most people actually thanked us because they had forgotten.  Sorry it all just didn't work out the way you hoped, but your head count is very respectable!!!!!

 

I didn't realize people who booked after the fact where included in the group booking numbers either.  The only people who booked after the deadline flew another airline so it wouldn't have matted anyways. I was also with AC so things possibly are different on every carrier.

 

Hopefully you have some smooth sailing now!

 

@@calgarybride2015 thanks. like i said, things HAVE been better it's just so unfortunate that it took me calling her out multiple times to get us to to that better place. 

 

 

Hey girl!!

 

Finally had a chance to get caught up on BDW forums since I haven't been on in a while and I was so excited when I saw that you started a planning thread!

I just read everything and your story is so sweet. I love that you had that instant connection right away and how he moved here to be with you.. so sweet!

Your engagement photos are beautiful and I can't wait to see your second set of summer ones

 

Excited to hear more about your planning! I think 10 months out is around the time when I started really diving into all my planning and now i'm less than 5 months away. Time FLIES by!!

 

@ thanks for stopping by and for the kind words!  

 

i actually thought of you saturday (weird, right? lol) when I found a bunch of old wooden coat hangers. my mum purchased me my 'Mrs. Romeo' hanger but I am going to make my girls there's own. not sure if i'll do sequence like you or just paint them. yours turned out beautiful so it motivated me to give it a shot.

 

ps. i've been reading about your groomsmen drama. i hate that you and Chester had to go through that. i'm happy to read you both are feeling like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders. 

 

 

Oh man that sucks about the booking drama. This was also our #1 source of drama and we're still recovering from it haha.

 

I can't believe what the "temporary TA" said to your guests. That was so unprofessional, it actually left me with my mouth open. I still think you made the right choice telling people that the deadline was before. We had drama up until 12 before the deadline and I do not wish that on any bride. I told people after the deadline that we had lied but only because we know that some of our guests are procrastinators haha, everyone understood and actually said that was a smart idea.

 

I'm happy that you have such a nice group coming! It will be so much fun . The next thing, given your TAs responsiveness, make sure that she sends you and your guests' travel documents about a month before you leave. I just got this from my TA. Everyone needs to make sure that all their names and everything is exactly as it is on their passport and just to make sure all the details look ok.

 

Sorry I didn't answer your previous post where you asked me some things. I've been running around all weekend and I've barely been on here. I'll do that as soon as I'm at a computer

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

@@TinkerSofi i still can't believe the temporary TA did that either. the first time she did it, i politely asked her not to and explained why we gave them a different date and she STILL went behind our back (to my aunt of all people). mind blowing really. it even got to the point that i called the owner and said i did not want anyone booking through the operations manager because of reason X. Y and Z. 

 

thanks for the tip re: travel documents and for the other tips you've given me - much appreciated!!

 

24 DAYS!

[ashhtayy]

@

 

i should probably pick a colour for the girls before i get to painting (or 'sequining') but that likely won't happen. chances are they will be my very next project lol

 

i think i am echoing something i read in your recent thread but, better now than at the wedding. peoples true colours and priorities certainly do come out during this process. i bet you everyone of us on here has a story like that, some worse, some 'better'; and as silly as it sounds, in an odd way i find comfort in knowing we aren't alone. keep your chin up

The Bridesmaid Proposal Boxes (& Groomsmen Debacle)

I was SO excited to start these. I had spent some time on pinterest gathering some ideas and in the end I loved how it all came together.

 

They included:

• A photo box with their name on the front (chalkboard sticker and chalkboard marker to write their names). The photo box was wrapped in a burlap ribbon with a gold bow on top.
  • Photo box & burlap ribbon from Michaels
  • Gold bow from Dollarama
• A handmade card that said “Will you be my…” on the outside and “Bridesmaid” or “Maid of Honour” on the inside. I handwrote long notes to each of the girls explaining why I needed them by myside and how much they meant to me.
  • Blank cards from Michaels
  • Gold glitter paper from Dollarama
• A mini bottle of champagne
  • From LCBO
• A small makeup bag containing a travel sized toothbrush holder, toothpaste, lip balm with SPF, and hand sanitizer
  • All from Dollarama
• A ring pop
  • From Dollarama
• A luggage tag and passport holder
  • From Etsy (BettinasDesigns) – she was GREAT to deal with!

 

Being too eager to give these to the girls I didn’t snap a photo of them complete. I’ve included some progress pictures I did take.

 

I gave these to my girls all individually. Basically when they were in the area I asked them to pop by and had them open their boxes. They loved that they got to open a present and thought the luggage tags and passport holders couldn’t be more fitting.

 

In total I have 5 bridesmaids. Each box cost $48.72CAD.

 

If I were to do the bridesmaid proposal boxes again, I wouldn’t change a thing

 

Mike still hasn’t asked his groomsmen to be in our wedding party. For me it was an easy choice – my best girlfriend from elementary school, my best girlfriend from high school, my two best friends from university and my best girlfriend from work. Neither Mike or I have sisters so that wasn’t a factor and I only have one female cousin whom I am close with, but not close enough to have in our wedding party. Mike on the other hand has a lot of people to consider – his two brothers, my brother whom we are both VERY close with, his godson (and cousin), his cousin, his very best friend, and his thousand other friends that he is extremely close with.

 

I said from the get-go that I did not care if we had more groomsmen than bridesmaids but that I couldn’t imagine him having something like 10 guys standing by his side. I know this has been extremely stressful for him as he doesn’t want to offend anyone. I know for sure it will be his two brothers, my brother and his godson. I will update you all on how this turns out in a few weeks. He plans on doing his ‘proposal’ (he won’t let me call it that when I talk to him) when we go on vacation to BC in August.

 

I keep reminding him that there are lots of other important jobs at a wedding that can be given to those super close to us. We haven’t picked an MC yet and I think one of his friends would be honoured to do that. I would also love to have people other than groomsmen usher our guests down the aisle. Lots of jobs that need to be done and luckily lots of fantastic people in our lives that would be happy to fulfill those tasks.

 

We will have a ring bearer as well – our nephew Gabriel. He will almost be three and half come wedding time. We still have to officially ask him too J I’ve been shopping around for a cute ‘Ring Security’ shirt to gift him when we visit in August but the ones I’ve found on Etsy have been priced so high. If anyone has any suggestions, I’d love to hear.

 

Edited July 21, 2015 by ashhtayy

[TinkerSofi]

@@ashhtayy The choices for the welcome cocktail at the sky deck should be on the first email you got. There's one document explaining all the perks at the sky deck, and the options are right there  

 

I chose my hair appointment about 3 months out. I also asked and you can change things around once you get there. I budgeted for extra time for my hair because hairdressers never take into account the amount and length of my hair, and then complain that it takes them so long and they're late. I'll see how the trial goes, and if less time is needed, I can just change it up before the wedding. So definitely don't stress about that right now. In a few months, I'd pick the day of your trial and then a tentative time for your wedding day hair and makeup. They told me to budget 2 hours for both of them on the day of, so I budgeted anywhere from 2.5-3. It's always better to have extra time rather than to run around trying to play catch up. 

[ashhtayy]

@ yes! happy to inspire

 

two things: if you go with the lady that I did you can negotiate the price a little bit if you're ordering multiple sets. Initially I ordered 5 and she gave me a deal and then I decided to get myself one. also, they will take awhile to get to Toronto, especially since she hand makes them when you hit order. I can check dates if you'd like but just don't wait too long if these are something you are interested in.

[TinkerSofi]

I second @, the proposal boxes are very cute. I feel like the most unromantic person ever, I basically just asked my MOH's to be there and they said yes haha. I kind of wish I had done something sweet like you  

[yycbride2016]

@Ashhtayy I love the "proposal" boxes to your wedding party! Those are so adorable. I had originally wanted to do that for mine but I just mailed them cards since we dont see each other very often. I'm sure your wedding party loved them! WIll you FI do anything special for his groomsmen too? I had to force my FI into handing out cute cards that had a bowtie on them that said "your service as a groomsman is required" (or something along those lines). Can't wait to hear more!

Edited July 21, 2015 by yycbride2016

[calgarybride2015]

I second @, the proposal boxes are very cute. I feel like the most unromantic person ever, I basically just asked my MOH's to be there and they said yes haha. I kind of wish I had done something sweet like you

 

Agreed, me too!  I didn't realize people did this until I found this board.

I have only been to 2 weddings, one was when I was a teenager.  The second I was a BM and she only just asked me personally too.    HAHAH  like I said in my planning thread, if it wasn't for this board my wedding would have been 'special'