Deecol's Planning Thread - Gbp - April 30Th, 2016

[lorishultz2016]

That is such a amazing story. I am so happy for you that you found you true soal mate. Story's like yours show you can find true love anywhere and never know where you will find it. I know you will have the best wedding you want and having so many friends and family there just shows how your love for each other glows.

[ashhtayy]

@@deecol yay! love that you started a planning thread!

 

my FI was on the road for three weeks straight when I started mine and I had nothing but time on my hands. coincidently he's in NYC for work right now and I'm back on here full time. I wish there were more hours in the day so I could read everyone's threads in detail and update my own lol

 

obviously I LOVE your story. we too met and then lived thousands of miles from one and other for quite a long time. timing is everything in life and I'm so happy we were both in the right place at the right time.

 

col sounds like a sweetheart. Love the proposal. we also had a party (halloween) planned for the day after we got engaged. It was so amazing to share our engagement with all our closest friends right away.

 

Dress pics please

 

Your deal for your trip is amazing! So jealous.

[deecol]

@@calgarybride2015  That's so beautiful about your parents.  I'm so sorry for the loss of your mom <3

 

Thank you so much for your kind words @@lorishultz2016!  Your post made me smile

 

@@ashhtayy awww our stories are so similar!  So amazing the way things work out 

 

Our price is really good!  I wanted my guests to pay no more than $1400 and ideally around $1200 but I didn't know if it would be possible.  I remember going to a wedding in Cuba in April 2010 and paid $1200 so I wasn't very hopeful that we could get a decent price.  The only thing about our deal is that the final payment is due by October 21st.  There is an early booking bonus included in the price which makes it so low.  I have some friends and family that couldn't commit at the time or be able to pay the balance by the due date and are looking into other options even it means paying more.

 

I'm working on a thread update right now and will get a dress pic up shortly!  

[deecol]

Update

 

I made this book a couple of weekends ago, it’s really helping me keep organized, and it’s one place to keep all the notes I make and ideas that pop in my head.

 

 

 

Music

 

After hearing great reviews from some of the brides on here like @@TinkerSofi, we decided to rent speakers & a mic and download the Wedding DJ App rather than hire a DJ.  In the “Music” category section of my planning book I have been starting to write down any songs that come to mind.  I plan to start downloading in the next couple of weeks, we can always add as we go since we don’t have all of our music chosen yet, but hoping to get the bulk out it of the way.

 

Colin’s friend Martin will be our MC – he is beyond excited.  Which makes me even more excited – and if you know me, I get excited about everything lol

 

 

 

The Wedding Party

 

Our wedding party consists of:

 

MOH – My sister Jenna

Bridesmaid – My best friend since we were 6 years old, Melissa

 

Melissa got engaged 27 days after me, and is getting married 28 days before me.  Needless to say, we have been busy lol.  I am her MOH, so the months of March and April will be crazy for us.

 

Best Man – Colin’s first cousin Robert.  Colin was his best man a couple years ago, they are the same age, and are very close.

Groomsman – Colin’s brother Jack.  Jack will be celebrating both his birthday and his one year wedding anniversary while we are in Mexico.

 

We chose to keep our wedding party small and intimate.

 

I have chosen to have my Dad walk me down the aisle.  I have mentioned this in another thread that my Mom is not happy about the decision.  They split up over 15 years ago and have not spoken to each other since the divorce was made final about 7 years ago… So this should be fun.  I have always been a Daddy’s girl and having this moment with him means so much to the both of us.  He sacrificed so much to ensure that my sister and I were always taken care of, which meant we didn’t get to see him often,  He still calls me to say goodnight every night and I couldn’t ask for a better man to be my father.  My mother thinks that by only having him walk me down the aisle that I “love him more” and everyone will think this.  Obviously that is not the case and this is a personal choice, but she doesn’t see it that way.  As caring and loving as she is, she is just as hard-headed and stubborn.  I’m hoping that when the day comes they will just put it all aside and be civil.  I’ve requested through my travel agent that they are placed in rooms that are the furthest apart just incase.

 

 

 

Theme / Colour Scheme

 

We started with the colour red, a deeper sort of red-rose like red.  I started collecting pins on pinterest and imaging this romantic setting, when Groomzillo Colin decides to tell me he doesn’t like the red and thinks it’s too dark.  In the end I’m glad he brought it up because we ended up changing our scheme to pinks (light & coral, possibly more), white and hits of silver. 

 

 

 

Ceremony

After a bit of a mix-up with the previous Wedding Planning Manager at GBP, we finally secured our Legal Ceremony for 4pm on the Tulum beach. 

 

 

The actual location is elevated and after the table, it sort of ramps down into the shoreline of the water.  It's super pretty.

 

I plan to keep the décor very simple.  Keeping the white chairs included in the package and tying small bunches of pink flowers to the ends of the rows of chairs down the aisle.  I am looking into the white fabric too which I really like the look of.  I like that it's partially shaded for the guests. Regardless I will be placing paper fans on each chair.

 

Will update details further as we get closer.

 

 

 

The Reception

 

I have been collecting more and more information from the new Wedding Planning Manager at GBP – she is so helpful and fantastic.  We will be assigned our wedding coordinator 3 months before and can finalize everything then.

 

Depending on cost etc, we are looking to do the Poolside reception with a mixed grill option as this was recommended by previous GBP brides.  I personally prefer to have plated meal, but the options included in the mixed grill seem like they will satisfy everyone as there is a lot to choose from.  And I think in this setting, we could get away with a casual buffet.  I will update menu, décor etc as we get closer and speak to the WC.

 

 

 

The Dress

 

As I mentioned earlier, my best friend got engaged just after me. She was home for family day weekend in February and booked 2 bridal appts.  During her 2^nd appt, I was doing a little walk around the store and a dress caught my eye.  I didn’t pay it any attention because this was Melissa’s appt and I wasn’t going to try on any dresses, I had lots of time to do that during my own appts.  I kept looking at it, and Melissa’s mom told me to try it on, then her Nonna, Zia, cousins and even Melissa were all telling me to try it on, Melis was exhausted anyway.  So I tried it on and that was it, I found the dress.  It was a dress off the rack so I had the consultant put it on hold and went back the following weekend with my mom and sister to try on a few more.  I wanted to make sure I wasn’t just in love with it because it was the first dress I ever tried on especially because prior to this I had no idea what I wanted.  I also wanted to have that experience with my Mom and Sister.

 

By the end of the appt I stuck to my gut and I chose the first dress, I still look at the pictures of it every day and love it more and more.  It’s a couple sizes smaller than I currently am – knowing this the consultant told me not to do anything about it then because we still had 14 months I would most likely lose the weight anyway.  The seamstress also advised that the only alterations I would need would be the back and I could add a corset if I like.

 

So at the end of the day I got the dress I love for $650!!!  And if I choose to add the corset it will be $250.

 

 

Mind the flower, at the time I wanted to only wear a flower on our wedding day and this was the only flower they had in the store.  I tried a belt on as well, and it looked nice but I felt like it cut me off, without I felt like it elongated my torso more.  The dress looks like it sticks out a bit at the top because it isn't fully closed and the top is ribbed.

 

The dress is safe and sound at my Mom’s, I’ve only tried it on once since.  I want to lose a few more inches and give it another go.  My mom jokes that she barely put my dress on, only when she is cleaning or on Friday nights sitting on the couch with a glass of wine like when Monica, Rachel and Pheobe did on Friends lol.

 

 

 

The Veil

 

Initially I didn’t want to wear a veil.  But then I tried one on and OMG did I ever feel like a bride.  My best friend’s Mom had a really elaborate veil that consisted of 2 veils and a birdcage for her wedding.  She kept it and got it taken apart so my best friend is wearing her longer, cathedral style veil and she had the shorter veil put on a comb for me if I decided to wear one.  I still have to try it with my dress and make sure they match but I plan to wear it for the ceremony and remove it for the reception, possibly replace with a flower.  I need to purchase some magnetic veil weights as well.

 

 

 

 

I have a few more updates to make:

-       Hair

-       Bridesmaids Dresses

-       Flowers

-       Reception Shoes

 

 and will do shortly

[calgarybride2015]

Your wedding dress is gorgeous!!!!  hehe on the flower, that is one large flower. I think it will look beautiful with a veil and it's your friend's moms which is really cool too!   

 

Sounds like you have everything moving a long nicely.  Love the ceremony location.  I don't want to say this and be totally wrong, but did they paint that white? I thought I had read that somewhere.  Either color is gorgeous though. Will look great. Love your colors too - can't wait to see more of them.

 

We had a buffet at our wedding because, well, it was cheaper! lol! and honestly there was so much food and selection everyone loved it.  They had something for everyone and people could have as much as they wanted -- even though it was a buffet, it was different foods for the most part that you would find in the actual buffet so it worked well.

 

Can't wait for more!

Edited September 12, 2015 by calgarybride2015

[deecol]

@@calgarybride2015 Thank you!!!  haha the flower... 

I lucked out on the veil situation!  And I think as long as the shades match it would be perfect because there is so much happening at the bottom of my dress, a shorter, plain veil works perfectly with it.

 

I heard about the painting too, but not sure if that was the alkumal beach front that they painted?... the most recent pictures I've been sent do not look it has been painted, I'll email her back to make sure.  You're right, either way it will be beautiful. The background does more for it than any decoration could.  I always wanted to compliment the background and not compete with it so I think it will all be perfect!

 

Exactly my thoughts about the buffet - more options and I can't see anyone having a problem with that!

[calgarybride2015]

I agree, it's hard to beat the scenery, and less is more in these cases

 

Oops I wanted to say something before and I forgot......  Try not to let your mom get you down.  There is clearly still some (insert emotion) lingering from her divorce from your dad. It has nothing to do with you. She knows you don't love her less, but since she doesn't have a relationship with him it hurts.  I think you could say she is being selfish and I have a good feeling she will get over it.   Good luck!  and ps - noone will even think twice that your dad is walking you down the isle.  

Edited September 12, 2015 by calgarybride2015

[deecol]

@@calgarybride2015 Thank you   The situation with my mom is a tough one.  We have always been very much like friends, she's very young at heart, and a fiery Italian woman.  It's really hard to talk to her about some things, but she knows my concerns and has assured me she will not cause a scene or arguments.  She's really excited planning the shower right now and with the planning of the wedding we are always so happy and positive when we speak, so hopefully that will spill over into the wedding week!  Fingers crossed!

Edited September 12, 2015 by deecol

[acw271011]

Oh I love everything! It's all coming together beautifully! I like the colour change too! lol  Groomzillo lol I like that! But sounds like he had a good idea! Doug did that too when we got married.

 

That beach location is really beautiful, and with that gazebo and the draping - gorgeous. I don't think it matters if it's painted or that colour. Both will be beautiful!  I've heard good things about Tulum Beach as a setting too. You can never go wrong with a buffet, unless you have like 200 or 300 people. lol Then it gets complicated (jk) But really, a buffet to me works so well in a setting like you have where the groups are more intimate and as you said, something for everyone. I think it will work out just fine.

 

I have to agree with @calgarybride2015  Don't let your mom get you down. Parents can sometimes be tough on kids when there's a marriage breakup, and that's speaking from experience. It isn't to be mean. It's just that feelings are raw and emotions can get the better of you. I think it's wonderful that you have such a special relationship with both your parents and its so sweet that you can still have your dad walk you down the aisle in spite of the tension between them. I can't see why anyone would question it.

 

Your dress is so pretty and suits you beautifully! That veil is beautiful too! And talk about luck! Wow. You know, even if it isn't a perfect match, unless it's way, way off in colour, I think a little bit of a difference is ok if only so that both the veil and the dress get the spotlight. The flower is pretty and while it seems a bit big, once your hair is properly done the stylist will set it up in such a way that you're happy with it and it will work out great.

 

By the way, (I'm behind here lol) I love your STD and invite cards. I think they turned out great!

[Wafflesmom]

Ok I have to start off by saying how gorgeous you look in your wedding dress! I love the bottom and the sweetheart neckline looks great on you. And $650? That's a steal!

 

I love the how organized you are! My family bought me a wedding iPad to keep me organized (they know my type A personality too well lol). I'm gonna prep my wedding binder soon with all the receipts and correspondences. I'll bring that to Mexico with us.

 

I love your ceremony location! And your colours are gorgeous (mine are pretty similar to yours, grey and coral). It's gonna be such a romantic colour scheme ☺️

 

As for your parents, I'm sure they'll behave themselves for your sake!