Laurie & Kyle 1/16/10 Wedding PJ **TR Started Beach Party & Bio Bay Up**

[LLLBelle]

I have been enjoying reading everyone else's PJ's I thought I would start my own. Although I am not a Disney Bride, I'm getting married in Puerto Rico and having a Disneymoon, so I really can not complain. I was almost a DCL Bride, but I will get to that part in a little bit.

Okay a bit of background. I'm Laurie and am 24 and my DFi Kyle is 25 we are Arizona transplants from Jersey and have been here almost two years. We moved here so DFi could go to ASU for grad school, he starts in the fall.

We have been together for 7 years this Oct. We met our freshman year of college in Jersey. This is the little story from our wedding website:

Kyle and I first met in the dorm of Mullica Hall at Rowan University. He was friends with my roommate, Anna. Not surprisingly, the first couple encounters we had Kyle talked and I listened. So for a few weeks that was the norm: me quietly listening with him trying to get me to talk for more than five seconds. Then homecoming weekend, I finally worked up the nerve to go knock on Kyle's door. So after about an hour of confidence building, I knocked and asked him if he wanted to go out and do something. He said "sure, sounds great" and I went back and sat in my room to wait until he was ready. Only 45 minutes and three outfits later, he was finally ready and we decided to go out bowling. We had a great time and have been attached at the hip ever since.

Next I will post our proposal story :lovestruc . . .he did a very good job.

[padisneyfour]

just wanted to say welcome and looking forward to hearing your plans.... :goodvibes

[LLLBelle]

I thought I would post the proposal story quick, then I should probably actually do some work today :)

I wrote this for our wedding website:

I could not have asked for a more unique proposal than the one Kyle did and he truly got me with it.

In September we were planning on going to San Diego for the week to see the Zoo and Sea World. A few months before the trip, Kyle told me that his Dad could get us free tickets to Sea World since he was working on a contract deal with them. Probably a month goes by and Kyle e-mails me out of the blue at work and says that not only are we getting into the park for free, but the contact at Sea World was also getting us into the Dolphin Interaction. I immediately googled it, because my first thought was that it is something in front of an audience during the dolphin show. Luckily, it was not, but a small group interaction and swimming with the dolphins.

Little did I know that it was truly Kyle’s plan and he’d be working on it for weeks already. So for the next month or two, he was constantly talking about it. He kept sarcastically saying, "We get to swim with the dolphins and it was all my idea!" I would just laugh and say, “Oh you had nothing to do with it…you better thank your father for being such a good salesman!” Mind you Kyle needs a story so he does not spill the truth, but I never put two and two together.

Finally it is time to go to San Diego and it was anything but a boring drive. Just don't trust your GPS when she takes you on back roads over an hour and 30 miles out of your way. We also got to see the border fence; very exciting!

We got there on Monday and went to SeaWorld on Tuesday. So there I am, getting ready and drinking Pepto Bismol because I'm so nervous about the dolphins. I also had a gut feeling Kyle was going to propose sometime during that week, since he had told me to go get my nails done before the trip. However, I had NO idea what he had planned and when he was going to do it.

So we head into the park and over to the dolphin interaction pool. First we went into a little classroom to learn some basic information about the dolphins and some safety requirements for the pool. Then we got sent to the dressing rooms to get into our wet suits; and let me just tell you, I was not meant to wear a wetsuit! After a bit of struggle, I finally got it on and we headed down.

We got into the pool and it was quite cold. So there we stood on a ledge in the water and the trainers brought the dolphins out. It was quite intimidating for me in the beginning being so close to such big animals. But after some time, I settled down and got use to them. It was really amazing; the trainers had the dolphins do all kinds of different tricks and interactions with everyone. It gave everyone a chance to play with the dolphins and have them do tricks for us.

The last trick was essentially “fetch”. I had the final object which was a big plastic bottle with a rolled up scroll inside. Honestly, I didn’t think anything of it. I threw it out in the middle of the pool and when the dolphin brought it back the trainer told me that there was a “special gift” on the inside. At that point I started to think, “There is NO way this is what I think it is…” I took the scroll out of the bottle and it said "Will you Marry Me" with the ring tied up on the scroll. As Kyle took the ring off the scroll I was already tearing up. He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him with a short, for once, and beautiful proposal. Technically, I never was able to mutter out “yes”, but I did nod my head. The trainer starting laughing and said, “Well…I guess we’ll take that as a Yes!” It was perfect and I definitely had no idea it was coming. :lovestruc

It was the most unique proposal that I have ever heard of, not to say that I’m biased or anything. He really did a great job coming up with it and keeping it a secret for so long. Oh, and I forgave him for doing it in public :)

My wonderful work computer is blocking the photobucket website so I can not put at pictures up of the proposal, but I def will once I get home.

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/PropsalKyle.jpg http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Propsal.jpghttp://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/PropsalDolphin.jpg

[LLLBelle]

just wanted to say welcome and looking forward to hearing your plans.... :goodvibes

Thank you! Thanks for reading :cool1:

[Bride-to-be]

What a cute story!

I would love to hear about your near DCL experience and why you choose vieques over it. I too am on the fence about a DCL wedding.

Anyhoo can't wait to hear the details! Congratulations!

[LLLBelle]

Sooo bored at work so I thought I would continue the story.

This part is very sad, so I'm going to get it over with.

Okay, so we had pretty much decided that we were going to have a cruise wedding and everyone was agreed and loved the idea (I mean we had been talking about it for two years!!) I fell in love the Disney weddings, but knew we could never afford a WDW wedding, so I turned to the cruises. Not too much info on the Disney wedding cruises, so I googled the heck out of it and found some great info,

So a couple weeks after we were engaged, I started contacting a couple travel agencies to see who would be the best to work with for booking the cruise part. We decided to go through AAA, we picked the cruise we wanted, everyone wanted a 7 day cruise. So everything was good, we just had to wait for the 2010 dates to come out. The sad thing was I had to tell my TA that the dates were available and to put us down for those dates.

I was super excited once we confirmed the dates, that meant I could make the STD's, I'm pretty good with Photoshop, not a pro, but a hobbiest, so I made cute little magazine looking STD with an insert and a wedding magnet attached. So cute and my DFi was a doll and did all the cutting for me :thumbsup2

So we stopped by the TA to give him our credit card # for the deposit and we put all the STD's together. Picture this, all of the 50 little STD sitting on our card table, stuffed, addressed, stamped, and sealed, ready to go in the mail, two days before we were to pay the deposit to lock in the cruise.

Then a tidal wave hits central Arizona. . .we get a phone from one of DFi's sisters (now I don't want to bad mouth his family, I won't go into great detail, but you'll get the point). she can't afford to go and thinks they can only spend $2000 including flights for 2 adults and 2 kids. Umm :confused3
I'm just balling at this point staring at the STD we just spent two days putting together. I had to put a towel over them just to stop crying.

Then his other sister (he has 3) called the next night and said that it was crazy that we were asking people to pay that much to come to the wedding and they can't afford it either.

The shot in the heart was when I had to call the travel agent to tell him to cancel the deposit. But Kyle really wanted to have all his sister's there for the wedding.

It also didn't not help that my mom was 2500 miles away and now she was upset that I was upset. The only shining light was that I was flying home and then on a business trip, so I had a little diversion.

Okay, so I need to stop before I start to cry and I have forgiven them.

And that is my Disney Downer story, on to the fun stuff.

Next post. . .we're going to Puerto Rico!!!

[princess22]

Congrats on the engagement. I can't wait to hear all your plans. Puerto Rico sounds great.

I'm sorry about your original plans being ruined. We looked in to getting married on a Carnival Cruise (the cruises themselves are much cheaper), and we wanted to have it in port before we left so I could have family who weren't going on the cruise come. But, the more we looked at our guest list, there was no way I could get the list down to 50 non sailing guests. I want all of my family to be there, so I understand how your DF feels. It just sucks that you had to cancel your plans over that. But I'm sure your day is going to be amazing anyway. And on your big day, you probably won't even think about the Disney Cruise because you will be so in love and happy and excited.

Okay, that got really long. Sorry, but once again Congrats and I can't wait to read more!

[LLLBelle]

What a cute story!

I would love to hear about your near DCL experience and why you choose vieques over it. I too am on the fence about a DCL wedding.

Anyhoo can't wait to hear the details! Congratulations!

Thank you! I was sadly forced from a DCL wedding, by family concerns. I mean I would take a Disney wedding in a heart beat. But in all honesty, my wedding in vieques is still cheaper than the DCL wedding would have been and I have a bit more control over things (kinda) with the destination wedding and it's a whole weekend of events.

It is all a matter of what you want and who you want at the wedding. Kyle really wanted to have his sister's at the wedding so I couldn't be selffish (even though I wanted to be) and have the DCL wedding anyway.

I'll post more details about the vieques wedding shortly :)

[LLLBelle]

Congrats on the engagement. I can't wait to hear all your plans. Puerto Rico sounds great.

I'm sorry about your original plans being ruined. We looked in to getting married on a Carnival Cruise (the cruises themselves are much cheaper), and we wanted to have it in port before we left so I could have family who weren't going on the cruise come. But, the more we looked at our guest list, there was no way I could get the list down to 50 non sailing guests. I want all of my family to be there, so I understand how your DF feels. It just sucks that you had to cancel your plans over that. But I'm sure your day is going to be amazing anyway. And on your big day, you probably won't even think about the Disney Cruise because you will be so in love and happy and excited.

Okay, that got really long. Sorry, but once again Congrats and I can't wait to read more!

Thank you!

I agree with you, I looked at other cruise lines as well, but this is where stubborn irishness (as my mom calls it) shined out and I did not want to do a cruise unless it was Disney, it just was not the same. You just can not compare Disney.

I love our wedding plans now, it just hurt at the time. PR is just beautiful, although I have never actually been there, aside from the San Juan airport, so I just love it. I really could not ask for anything more :yay:

[Bride-to-be]

I think Puerto Rico sounds awesome! I can't wait to hear more!!!!

Sorry about his sisters. But I really think Vieques sounds great! I used to work for a little puddle jumper airline that flies in there. I have heard so many great things about the place but have never been.

[LLLBelle]

Once the DCL ship had sailed, I was a woman on a mission trying to find another solution as to where to have the wedding.

Something that was unique, inexpensive for our guests to reach, and something that we could both agree on.

We thought about having it in Jersey, but it would cause too many family issues and weddings are super expensive. We were going to do a Dinner Cruise in the Hudson looking at the NYC skyline, but minimum was about $20000 and that did not even include everything, plus I really was not up to planning a wedding across the country.

We thought about Arizona, but that would stress for us, although Sedona is a beautiful location.

A destination wedding just seemed right. Bermuda would be cheap, for all the east coast family, but there was something about it that just was not right.

Then by chance I was on the phone with Mom and my step dad made the comment that one of the girls at work just got married in Puerto Rico on some island that begins with a V.

So I then began my google mission and found Vieques, it looked gorgeous. Oh, BTW my step dad is Puerto Rican so I'm amazed I did not think of it sooner.

The nail in the coffin was that my step dad loved the idea and Kyle loved the idea (they rarely agree) so it was a miracle. :woohoo:

So off we were running with the idea, like I tend to do. Within three weeks we changed our entire wedding plans and I hired an awesome wedding planner in Vieques.

I was very excited to have a new wedding plan :cool1:

Within about 2 months or so we had many things planned.

[LLLBelle]

I thought I would post a little background on the island, I was totally oblivious until I was searching for wedding sites.

It is actually one of the small sister islands of mainland Puerto Rico. The pictures look wonderful.

The living area on the island is only about 5x7 miles. Most of the island is national park and use to be used as testing grounds for the US Navy.

It is not the hustle and bustle like San Juan or other cities in Puerto Rico, no clubs, casinos, or things like that. Although they do have some bars and hang outs. The beaches are never crowded and are beautiful (from pictures). I have some people I know, who have actually been there, tell me that it is just gorgeous.

Not having a chance to visit the island before the wedding and having never been there was always something that kind of bothered me and still does a little. I just tell myself to relax and it will be wonderful.

[LLLBelle]

Within two months of hiring Sandy we had a majority of the wedding planning done. I love the fact that she is a "tell it like it is" kind of person. I would rather just be told the truth from the beginning and have that be that.

The cool thing about the destination wedding is that we are having a whole weekend of things to do.

We will have welcome bags at everyone's hotels. (I'm still trying to find inexpensive bags since I did not like the ones my wedding planner suggested)

When everyone arrives on Thursday we are going to have a Welcome Party, not sure exactly what we are going to do yet, but that's the plan. (Maybe just cocktails and finger food)

Friday we are having an afternoon beach party. Complete with a taco bar and my favorite rum punch!!! My FMIL and FFIL are also hosting the beach party and treating everyone to a boat ride in the Bio Bay, it's suppose to be a must see. It pretty much looks like the water is glowing around you.

Saturday will be the ceremony and reception. We are staying in this huge villa with our wedding party and having the ceremony and reception right on the property. I can't post pictures at work, but here is a link of the villa: http://www.islandhideaways.com/photos.php?photo_id=10924 (Punta Martineau)

Sunday we're off on our honeymoon in Disney World!!!

Okay that was the Reader's Digest version and I will post some pictures of flowers and the centerpieces I have been working on and my dress!!

[LLLBelle]

On the honeymoon front, I finally convinced my DFi to do the Disney Honeymoon Photoshoot! I'm not sure where we're going to do it, but I was glad he agreed.

I am just not too keen on the photographer for our wedding, but it's the only one we can get on the island that's within our budget. I'm sure the pictures will be lovely, just some of the ones in her portfolio just look like anyone's camera shots and nothing special :confused3 I just hope Sandy is not steering me wrong and I don't think she would since she uses this photographer a lot. But I figured if our wedding photos came out just okay, at least we would have some nice disney pics :woohoo:

As far as the honeymoon shoot I think I would like either Epcot or Animal Kingdom for my DFi, I would love Magic Kingdom, but I heard that they do not do that anymore for the Honeymoon/Engagement Shoots.

I just can not wait until the 2010 package pricing comes out so I can just book it already and not have to worry about it.

[twenty3curls]

On the honeymoon front, I finally convinced my DFi to do the Disney Honeymoon Photoshoot! I'm not sure where we're going to do it, but I was glad he agreed.


Your plans for PR sound awesome! Destination is definitely the way to go!

I would love to do a honeymoon shoot... But I think I'm lucky I got DF to agree to posed wedding photos. Honeymoon photos might be too much to ask for!

Can't wait to hear more. :goodvibes

[LLLBelle]

I thought I would post some fun pictures:

Flowers!

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Orange.jpghttp://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/pink.jpg

My bouquet will be:

Green Orchids
Orange Calla Lillies
Pink Roses

MOH:

Orange Calla Lillies
Pink Roses
(maybe just Pink/Orange Roses depending on my next flower quote this summer)

[LLLBelle]

I think I have nailed down my hair as well, it will be a combo of the following:

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/TheOne.jpghttp://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Hair9.jpg

I love love love the first one and I even found the feather piece in her hair, but it was $67 :scared1: I don't think so. So my new plan is a silk white orchid and maybe adding a little sparkle, or something to it.

[LLLBelle]

My last for the evening:

My centerpieces, still not final, but progressive at this point. I found these things called floralytes and they are awesome :woohoo: I found this place out of San Diego that sells them pretty reasonable.

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/100_1469.jpghttp://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/100_1471.jpg

Just for twenty3curls here are the ribbon roses I have been working on, these are not the colors I would use, probably white or fushia, they are easier to match.

Oh, I sound probably mention my colors are Pool Blue, Fushia, and Orange.

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/100_1499.jpghttp://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/100_1329-1.jpg

[LLLBelle]

Sorry the last set of pics were so big, I tried to resize them!

[Goldeelox9]

YOu will LOVE WDW in January...My favorite time to go!

I am so sorry about the evil sisters and thier plot to ruin your DCL wedding.

Your plans sound GREAT! I can not wait to hear more about them. My husband's parents are transplants living in AZ from Jersey.....What a small world. They live in Tucson!

Anyway....Can't wait to hear every single detail!!!!

[ghoulish delight]

Hi there Laurie! Since I just finished reading through your PJ, let's start from the beginning! Your proposal story is soo adorable!! :goodvibes I'm very sorry to hear that you won't be able to do your DCL wedding, but your PR wedding plans sound awesome so far!

I love love love your center pieces so far! I was curious about the floralytes! My florist was telling me about them, and I didn't think they'd show up well in our reception area since we're having a late afternoon reception. Do they show up okay in daylight?

Your hairstyle will be just lovely on you! Can't wait to read more about your plans! :thumbsup2

[LLLBelle]

Hi there Laurie! Since I just finished reading through your PJ, let's start from the beginning! Your proposal story is soo adorable!! :goodvibes I'm very sorry to hear that you won't be able to do your DCL wedding, but your PR wedding plans sound awesome so far!

I love love love your center pieces so far! I was curious about the floralytes! My florist was telling me about them, and I didn't think they'd show up well in our reception area since we're having a late afternoon reception. Do they show up okay in daylight?

Your hairstyle will be just lovely on you! Can't wait to read more about your plans! :thumbsup2

Thank you! I'm glad you like it.

I personally love the floralytes, as soon as I found them I knew I had to use them, I am having a night reception so it's not that big of a deal for me. I think they will look nice, they are pretty powerful little things. I did read through your pj :cool1: just haven't commented yet. I think that it may look nice in that reception site plus they do have teal floralytes that would enhance the teal stones and the flowers you are doing. I would ask to see a sample from your florist during the day. The photos I have up are during the day, although I did have the blinds closed. I think they look nice. The pictures do not do them justice, they look even better in person. :thumbsup2

But I think I am a little bias because I think they are awesome :woohoo: Or I'm just easily amused.

[LLLBelle]

YOu will LOVE WDW in January...My favorite time to go!

I am so sorry about the evil sisters and thier plot to ruin your DCL wedding.

Your plans sound GREAT! I can not wait to hear more about them. My husband's parents are transplants living in AZ from Jersey.....What a small world. They live in Tucson!

Anyway....Can't wait to hear every single detail!!!!

Thank you!

It is definitely a small world, we are living just outside of Phoenix right now. We've been out here for two years, but I'm still an east coast girl. Hopefully once my DFi finishes grad school we can move a little closer. My mom has been threatening me that I better be closer when we have kids. I just miss good pizza, subs, and wawa.

[ghoulish delight]

You're most welcome, and thank you for the tip! That's a really good idea. I'll bug my florist to show me a sample in the daytime. ;) And I dunno! I think lighting can be pretty important... or maybe I'm just easily amused also?? :rotfl:

Either way, I think you have great taste! Aaand, I already said it but I'll definitely be following your planning! So keep posting pretty pictures for us when you can!

P.S. No worries on commenting on my PJ! I realize how busy us brides can get! :hug: Thanks for reading through it though!

[LLLBelle]

I just ordered our Welcome Bags :cheer2:

I'm very excited to have this done because I am really getting tired of looking and my DFi is tired of me asking him "Do you like this one?" :confused3

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/AquilaTote.jpghttp://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/BiggerFont.jpg

The design will be printed in white replacing the current design.

We are going to have this at everyone's hotels when they arrive. They are going to have Info packets with an itinerary and a location island magazine and a map of the island. Some bottles of water, sweet and salty snacks, a bottle of local hot sauce (from the same caterer that is catering our beach party and reception), and beach balls (just for my mom).

It's very exciting :goodvibes One more thing done!!!

Now I just have to find inexpensive beach towels. . .

[LLLBelle]

You're most welcome, and thank you for the tip! That's a really good idea. I'll bug my florist to show me a sample in the daytime. ;) And I dunno! I think lighting can be pretty important... or maybe I'm just easily amused also?? :rotfl:

Either way, I think you have great taste! Aaand, I already said it but I'll definitely be following your planning! So keep posting pretty pictures for us when you can!

P.S. No worries on commenting on my PJ! I realize how busy us brides can get! :hug: Thanks for reading through it though!

Thank you very much!!! Keeping posting on yours as well, it's great!!!

I think lighting is totally important, I hope your florist will accommodate and I think you will like them during the day. I asked my DFi his opinion and he thought they would still look nice during the day. :thumbsup2

[tiggersam00]

Hi Laurie!

Found your PJ from a note you left on mine:goodvibes. First of all I love love love your e-story! That is so unique and wonderful! And the pics of you both with your dolphin ring bearer is too cute! I told my DF about it and he was floored! So awesome, congrats!

Second, yay for a Puerto Rico wedding! I know it may not be your DCL wedding, but I bet it will be amazing, dont let the haters get you down! It looks so lovely and quiet and peaceful. You will have sucha a blast! And it gets to be followed by a DisneyMoon which is awesome! How long are you staying in WDW? Do you have any hotels picked yet that you want to stay at?

And finally we have the same colors! I love the bright vibrant feel of pink, orange and blue (or as my MOH says Fuchsia, Mango and Turquoise :rotfl2:lol). The flowers look awesome, I love your choices! Can't wait to hear more!

[LLLBelle]

Hi Laurie!

Found your PJ from a note you left on mine:goodvibes. First of all I love love love your e-story! That is so unique and wonderful! And the pics of you both with your dolphin ring bearer is too cute! I told my DF about it and he was floored! So awesome, congrats!

Second, yay for a Puerto Rico wedding! I know it may not be your DCL wedding, but I bet it will be amazing, dont let the haters get you down! It looks so lovely and quiet and peaceful. You will have sucha a blast! And it gets to be followed by a DisneyMoon which is awesome! How long are you staying in WDW? Do you have any hotels picked yet that you want to stay at?

And finally we have the same colors! I love the bright vibrant feel of pink, orange and blue (or as my MOH says Fuchsia, Mango and Turquoise :rotfl2:lol). The flowers look awesome, I love your choices! Can't wait to hear more!

Thank you!!! I was surprised that he was actually able to keep it a secret :) I loved it!

I love my wedding plans, plus I made my DFi promise that I get a Disney VR for our 10 year anniversary :cool1: I am really looking forward to Puerto Rico, I've actually only been in the San Juan airport so I think it's going to be awesome! I mean it may not be Disney, but it's still on the beach on a tropical island, so no complaints from me :cool1: And I get to enjoy all the PJ's from the Disney Brides :goodvibes

We're still up in the air about the Disney plans, we are planning on 6 nights/ 5 days right now, we are so excited to go. We were originally going to rent points and stay at AKL in Kidani Village, but DFi can not make a decision and thinks we can get a better deal if we wait for the pin deals to come out (even though I know he was to stay at AKL). Plus I think I would like to stay somewhere a tad bit closer. I thought the Comptemorary and Poly looked awesome and Coronado is our Mod Choice, or it will be Value depending on monies. Mind you I have not been to Disney in about 8 years :scared1: I know a crime, and I stayed offsite, I have never stayed on site come to think of it.

I thought about finding dvc points for the Beach Club or Boardwalk villas (I think those are by MK if I remember) plus I like SS as well. So I suppose I am not very decisive either, I just want to get a good deal and still be able to do everything we want to do (ie the honeymoon shoot :cheer2:) Plus we are between doing the deluxe or basic plan, I am just not sure where we want to eat yet. So any thoughts would be greatly appreciated :)

That's awesome with the colors! Great brides think alike :goodvibes

[LLLBelle]

I forgot to post my ring pics:

It is very difficult to take clear pictures with my camera.

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/100_1651.jpghttp://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/100_1653.jpghttp://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/100_1654.jpg

The ring is custom made from a A Jaffe ring that I loved (but could not afford) We used blue sapphires on both sides, since my DFi has blue eyes and I will always have a piece of him with me :love:

Here is Kyle's ring:

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/KylesRing.jpg

We are going to forego the stone on his to save on the metal (it will be custom made as well) and I am going to surprise him and have our jeweler add a little sapphire on the inside of the ring, to tie the two together.

[LLLBelle]

Sorry for the large photos, I tried shrinking them three times and photobucket is not being nice.

[LLLBelle]

My dress, I ordered it in February, and it's already in :woohoo:

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/0207091122a1-1.jpghttp://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/100_1298-1.jpghttp://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/100_1299-1.jpg
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/100_1300-1.jpghttp://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/100_1301-1.jpg

I go for my first fitting in July when my mom comes out to AZ. I have lost about 20 lbs since I bought the dress, and I ordered a size smaller than what I bought, so I should be in good shape.

I am slightly worried because my doctor has me on a strict diet due to medical reasons and I am dropping weight like crazy, not that that is a bad thing, but my dress can only be taken in 3 sizes. Soo we will have to see if that becomes an issue. . .

[LLLBelle]

I found these great jewelry pieces on Esty (thanks to all the Disbrides that had this on their boards, it's great :thumbsup2)

I love the pieces, but am trying to decide if they go with the dress. I like the one with the grey beads and sparkles for the dress and the other for the bridal shower (just have to find a dress to go with it)

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/SilverPearlEarrings.jpghttp://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/SilverPearlNecklace.jpg

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/WhiteRoseEarrings.jpghttp://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/WhiteRoseNecklace.jpg

[ghoulish delight]

Laurie! Your dress is gorgeous, and you look so so pretty in it!! :woohoo:

Isn't etsy the best?! Those necklaces are beautiful! I think the first one would look stunning on you and go very well with your gown. :lovestruc

[LLLBelle]

Laurie! Your dress is gorgeous, and you look so so pretty in it!! :woohoo:

Isn't etsy the best?! Those necklaces are beautiful! I think the first one would look stunning on you and go very well with your gown. :lovestruc

Thank you!!! I love the dress. I'm really glad I found the necklaces as well, it took my eye off the $1500 necklace at my jewelers that I fell in love with, but can't afford :laughing: Plus etsy is awesome!

[tiggersam00]

You look amazing in the dress Laurie! Such a perfect choice for you:goodvibes

And Yay for Etsy!! I am so obsessed with it now lol!

Oh and am editing this because I just wanted to tell you I looked at you in your dress again and remembered what it reminded me of, the DFTW wedding dress from Kristie Kelly Ariel line! So amazing on you Laurie :)

[ghoulish delight]

Thank you!!! I love the dress. I'm really glad I found the necklaces as well, it took my eye off the $1500 necklace at my jewelers that I fell in love with, but can't afford :laughing: Plus etsy is awesome!

You're very welcome! 'Tis only the truth, my dear! And ouch!! I don't know many people who WOULD be able to afford a necklace like that. :scared: I know I couldn't! But truthfully, those etsy necklaces are really unique and lovely!

[LLLBelle]

A possible dilemma. . .

For forewarn everyone, I am not in the greatest mood today.

For a little background, we are only having a MOH, Best Man, and two flower girls, since the wedding will be so small. I choose my best friend that I had known since grade school. We had a falling out in college because of my DFi and not giving her enough attention. So anyway once I moved we started talking again about a year or so ago. When I was home in Dec we went out and I had already decided that I was going to ask her to be my MOH. Even though my FMIL said that I should think about who I want to be in my pictures, someone who will still be there, or someone who may not. (Put horribly, but I hate to say that she may have been right)

Mind you she is in New Jersey and I am in Arizona, so the distance is a bit challenging.

So after Dec when she accepted, we talked every couple weeks on AIM, but never really on the phone. She did call me once, but to talk about something unrelated and to be anxietal about having to rent a car and actual having to call someone. We are renting this huge villa where the reception and ceremony will be, I would have just rented it for the day if we could, but it was cheaper to rent the whole thing. She agree to split it and so did DFi's Best Man.

I could hear the anxiety in her voice on the phone, I then talked to one of my other friends that is close to her and he told me some disturbing things. She was always wound pretty tight in high school, high anxiety and all that. Well she is on meds and she does not take them and freaks out and all that, I just did not know she was that bad. And she is a pysc major of all things!! He told me just make sure she takes her meds and everything will be fine ummm. . .it's she there to take care of me (not to sound selffish).

So needless to say I am concerned. Along with the fact that my mom told me I should have a "talk" with her to see if she still wants to be apart of it. I honestly wish that she would just tell me that she does not want to do it, it would just make my life easier, but maybe if I give her an out she will take it, although I did ask her before if she was sure. At least if we had to rework things at this point we may be able to get out of our villa lease and pick another site to save money because we have a true number of guests as well.

So I have not heard from her since March. At this point I just don't feel like sharing anything, is that horrible? I tell my mom that she's my MOH because she has helped me with everything. We have a "secret" online web album that I post pictures for her to see my different ideas because we are so far apart.

So I don't know what to do about Jess, I really don't. Do I "fire" her or just let it go and deal? I thought about inviting my friend to the wedding just to babysit her. I mean my mom is throwing my shower and my MOH has done NOTHING! You gals on here know more about my wedding than she does!!!

Okay I think I need to cap my venting before I start freaking out at work. I just don't want to wait too much longer if I am going to do something.

[LLLBelle]

You look amazing in the dress Laurie! Such a perfect choice for you:goodvibes

And Yay for Etsy!! I am so obsessed with it now lol!

Oh and am editing this because I just wanted to tell you I looked at you in your dress again and remembered what it reminded me of, the DFTW wedding dress from Kristie Kelly Ariel line! So amazing on you Laurie :)

Thank you!! I'm excited to go for my fitting in July and my mom's coming out, she has not seen the dress in person yet.

I love some of the KK line, her dresses are gorgeous. And thank you Ariel is one of my favorites! It is very islandy.

[LLLBelle]

My DFi is so cute. He loves those big chocolate chip cookies that you can get at the grocery store that has frosting design on it. So I told him for his birthday (which was yesterday) I would make him one in a 9" cake pan and he sat there and decorated it with red, white, and blue frosting to look like a flag. It was the cutest thing, I wanted to get a picture, but I didn't think of it until after he had eaten some of it. I even had a little piece (even though I'm not suppose to), but shhh don't tell my doctor, the little bit of sugar made me feel better though mmm.

Okay I thought I would add a few more pictures of the flower girl and MOH dress that I picked out:

We are having two flower girls, my FSIL children, they are too cute. One is blond and one is a little red head. They are both going to where the same dress with the flower. I wanted to put them each in a different dress, but my FMIL thought it would look better with them both in the same, so whatever. Although if you want inexpensive flower girl dresses check out pinkmarie.com so cute and the dress below is only $48! It's better than the 120 Alfred Angelo one I picked out.
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/FGwithFlower.jpghttp://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/FlowerGirls.jpg

MOH, the green will be replaced with fushia. I like the green but DFi really wants it in fushia, go figure.

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/MOH.jpg

[ghoulish delight]

First off, I'm sorry to hear about the drama with your MOH. :worried: I think the best way to handle your situation, would be to ask to talk with her and just be honest. Tell her your feelings and concerns. If she doesn't reassure you, then maybe suggest she politely declines taking on such an important role. Whatever you decide, I hope it all works out for the best!

Now then... I LOVE LOVE LOVE that flower girl dress! How adorable! And what a small world! I'm having two flower girls and they're my FSIL's daughters also! Lol. Very cute BM dress too! I love tea-length dresses! You continue to have awesome taste! :goodvibes

[Pirate's Princess]

Hello Fellow NJ buddy! My brother went to Rowan.

Secondly, that proposal story is awesome!!!

Sorry about the drama and the lack of Dis wedding, but I'm sure it will be lovely!

Can't wait for more.

- Sam

[LLLBelle]

Here are some photos of our ceremony/reception site.

It is actually a huge villa that Kyle and I and our bridal party are all staying in. These are not the best pictures, but you get the idea. Across the water you can see San Juan and the Puerto Rico mainland, I love it :goodvibes

The front of the house was the second thing that won me over, we will get some nice pictures.

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Front.jpg

This is of an actual wedding that my wedding planner sent us. The ceremony will be where the petals are on the right, overlooking the water.

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Viewfromback.jpg

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/View.jpghttp://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/beach.jpg

Kyle's family are staying in the villa next door so the boys can get ready over there. I was not too thrilled, at first, about having them right next door, but it will be fine.

[LLLBelle]

First off, I'm sorry to hear about the drama with your MOH. :worried: I think the best way to handle your situation, would be to ask to talk with her and just be honest. Tell her your feelings and concerns. If she doesn't reassure you, then maybe suggest she politely declines taking on such an important role. Whatever you decide, I hope it all works out for the best!

Now then... I LOVE LOVE LOVE that flower girl dress! How adorable! And what a small world! I'm having two flower girls and they're my FSIL's daughters also! Lol. Very cute BM dress too! I love tea-length dresses! You continue to have awesome taste! :goodvibes

It's definitely coming to that with my MOH, although I did talk to her the other day and she asked when she should order her dress, I'm going to have a serious talk with her this week.

Thank you, thank you! I'm glad you like them and that I could help you find yours :dance3:

Hello Fellow NJ buddy! My brother went to Rowan.

Secondly, that proposal story is awesome!!!

Sorry about the drama and the lack of Dis wedding, but I'm sure it will be lovely!

Can't wait for more.

- Sam

I never thought I would actually miss the east, being in az, but I am an east coast girl at heart. It's definitely a small world. :)

Thank you!

[LLLBelle]

We got our Disney Planning DVD yesterday YEA :thumbsup2 :cool1: I was very excited. Plus I ordered the Passporter book. Although the DVD really does not tell you much, except it really made me miss WDW, in Jan it will be almost 10 years since I have been there :scared1: DFi watched the DVD with me and was so cute and was saying "We're going to Disney World!!" in a little kid voice. "You just got married, what are you going to do next?? . . .We're going to Disney World!!"

Although the DVD did get my DFi into "planning" mode a little bit for the honeymoon and we made some more decisions. I think we have decided to stay at the Boardwalk Resort. I'm just not sure if it would be better to book DVC, or wait to see if we can get a better Disney package deal when the rates are released in August for January. Any thoughts?

[tiggersam00]

OMG it is GORGEOUS!!!! What a View huh! I am so loving your wedding locations!

Oh and I always do the happy dance when my planning DVD comes in the mail:cool1:

[Bride-to-be]

Oh I love all of the pics!!!

As far as your MOH goes, is there someone you would rather have? I am sort of having the same problem with one of my bridesmaids - every time she has a new BF she just stops returning calls and is never on aim. My advice if there is someone you would rather have - then try to give her an easy out. If there is no one that you would rather have then maybe talk to her and ask if she can step it up a notch.

[LLLBelle]

OMG it is GORGEOUS!!!! What a View huh! I am so loving your wedding locations!

Oh and I always do the happy dance when my planning DVD comes in the mail:cool1:

Thank you! I really love the location. I had wanted to get married on the beach, but we thought the view from the villa was better (plus it's easier for the grandparent's to walk).

The planning DVD deserves a dancing banana :banana:

Oh I love all of the pics!!!

As far as your MOH goes, is there someone you would rather have? I am sort of having the same problem with one of my bridesmaids - every time she has a new BF she just stops returning calls and is never on aim. My advice if there is someone you would rather have - then try to give her an easy out. If there is no one that you would rather have then maybe talk to her and ask if she can step it up a notch.

Not really, we have been best friends for almost 20 years, I really want her as my MOH and if I had to, I would use Kyle's sisters. And that would mean I would need to have all three of them and change the BM dress and it would be a mess. We only wanted one on each side since it is a small wedding. Some of it has to do with the distance, I think. Kind of an "out of sight, out of mind" kind of thing. I'm planning to get in touch with her tonight, just to ease my mind a little and make sure everything is good.

[LLLBelle]

Actually, after I made the last post, my mom called. She has been waiting for my MOH to call her back about the Bridal Shower and she called her last week. My mom came right out and asked her if she was still in with everything and if everything was good money wise for her. And she said that she would be there and she was definitely in. She offered to help my mom with the shower.

She said she felt bad that she could not make it out to AZ for the bachlorette party (or for my dress) , which, I have no issues with, I tried to tell her that I did not need that. So I think we are going to try to do something while I am home in Oct after the shower, who knows. I'm easy to please (most ot the time).

So over all, I suppose I feel a little bit better. Although, my spidey senses are still tingling a little bit.

[LLLBelle]

I'm very excited, the welcome totes arrived today!!!

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/100_1656.jpghttp://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/100_1659.jpghttp://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/100_1662.jpg

The color is a bit darker than what was on the website and I thought they would have made the design larger, it's a tad tiny, smaller than the design I sent them. But the bags are awesome, very big, sturdy, even Kyle thought they were cool, maybe not as excited as me, but he thought they would be nice for the welcome bags.

One more thing done, yea :cool1: We're still deciding whether or not to do the beach towels at the beach party. I really want them, but DFi wants to save money.

[alltvseries]

Hi....loving your PJ....actually is helping me decide my wedding location....I'm from Puerto Rico and am thinking of having the wedding in Vieques or Culebra (the other island).....

You're going to love Vieques!!!!! My mom was there this weekend and has been telling us that is more beautiful every time she goes....we are planning to go next month....if I get the time I'll get some pics and post them for you....

[LLLBelle]

Hi....loving your PJ....actually is helping me decide my wedding location....I'm from Puerto Rico and am thinking of having the wedding in Vieques or Culebra (the other island).....

You're going to love Vieques!!!!! My mom was there this weekend and has been telling us that is more beautiful every time she goes....we are planning to go next month....if I get the time I'll get some pics and post them for you....

That's awesome! I have never been there, but I have heard great things about the island. I'm glad I can help you with your wedding planning :goodvibes We choose Vieques because there was a bit more to do and it's a bit bigger than Culebra, although I think both islands are gorgeous.

My step father is Puerto Rican and actually gave me the idea of the island. I can't wait!! I miss good Puerto Rican food, I really can't get any in AZ, unless I make it myself.

I can give you the name of the wedding planner I am working with, if you want, if you are going to even worry about that. She's not bad and she does weddings in culebra as well. I just wish they had more photographer options on the island. I'm still a little leery about the one we hired, but I am sure she will be fine and maybe I am being too picky.

I'll post our reception menu when I get home :goodvibes

[Bride-to-be]

The totes are so cute! and I am glad everything is better with your MOH.

[alltvseries]

I was doing some reaserch today and found this website http://www.viequestravelguide.com/vieques-puerto-rico-weddings.html they have 2 photographers.....don´t know if you have seen them so.....thanks 4 the offer on the planner but I have one....she´s one of my mom´s bfs.....I´m going to a bridal expo on June if I get some info from Vieques I´ll let u know.....

[LLLBelle]

I was doing some reaserch today and found this website http://www.viequestravelguide.com/vieques-puerto-rico-weddings.html they have 2 photographers.....don´t know if you have seen them so.....thanks 4 the offer on the planner but I have one....she´s one of my mom´s bfs.....I´m going to a bridal expo on June if I get some info from Vieques I´ll let u know.....

I have researched ever photographer on the island, I loove Bob Gevinski, but figured he would be out of my price range, the other photographer is new on the site, but I like his pictures as well. The only option my planner really gave us for our budget was River Karmen (http://riverphotovieques.com/) I had second thoughts when we booked her, but we figured that our wedding planner would not steer us wrong and has used her many times before. I just don't see the "wow" from the pictures that I would love to see and that you expect from wedding photos. Maybe it's just me :confused3 I mean the price is really good, but is the quality there?

Thank you for the info offer. Everything is pretty much planned, but I'd love to have any other info.

[ghoulish delight]

The totes look really nice! :thumbsup2 And I'm so pleased to hear your MOH may be improving! And yay for getting more accomplished!! It feels so good, doesn't it?

[LLLBelle]

The totes look really nice! :thumbsup2 And I'm so pleased to hear your MOH may be improving! And yay for getting more accomplished!! It feels so good, doesn't it?

Thank you! They weren't exactly what I wanted, but they were what I could afford, so that won, but they are really nice bags.

Slowly, but surely, I just feel I have more important things to worry about, it is what it is.

I love accomplishing things on my list, I try to get DFi to think this way, but he just does not get it and just says, but we have time, we'll do it later, arg.

[tiggersam00]

Love the bags! Very ucte, your guests will love them! I was just thinking, what if you got made an iron-on design and ironed it onto beach towels? I think that material will hold up well, and you can get some really cute colorful beach towels for a few bucks at marshalls, christmas tree shop (not sure if they have that in AZ) or TJ Maxx. I have been seeing them for around $3.99, not sure if budget allows but it will def be less $$ then ordering custom towels:confused3 HTH!

[LLLBelle]

The bad

I went to order our invitation paper last night. Our wedding planner advised us to send out the invites in June, so I was trying to be proactive, plus I need time to brush up my calligraphy skills again. So anyway, I went to order one of the papers we need (I only need 15 sheets) and the full packs are on backorder :scared1: with no ETA, you have got to be kidding me. So I e-mailed the company to see if we could still buy them individually and I'm hoping for good news in my inbox when I get home. :wizard: I just don't want to have to rework them, I worked hard enough to get something we both liked.

The good

We are very very close to having our resort booked for our honeymoon :yay: I don't want to jinx it just yet, in case it does not go through, but I will post more details tonight if I hear anything. :dance3: Yea for DVC!

[LLLBelle]

Love the bags! Very ucte, your guests will love them! I was just thinking, what if you got made an iron-on design and ironed it onto beach towels? I think that material will hold up well, and you can get some really cute colorful beach towels for a few bucks at marshalls, christmas tree shop (not sure if they have that in AZ) or TJ Maxx. I have been seeing them for around $3.99, not sure if budget allows but it will def be less $$ then ordering custom towels:confused3 HTH!

Thank you!!! I love them.

That is a really good idea. I found towels at Target that weren't bad, about $5 a towel. I was going to wait until the end of the season to get them on clearance, but I was worried that I would not be able to get the amount I need. I'll have to check out TJ Maxx and Marshalls, I'm not sure if they have the christmas tree shop here either, I've never seen one. I'm not really too concerned about the customizing the towels, if I have to forego that to get the towels. I just wanted the towels for the beach party. But if I got iron-ons made, that might be a great idea, I'll have to check it out.

These are the towels from Target that I liked:

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/6067/pinktowel.jpghttp://img268.imageshack.us/img268/7020/bluetowel.jpg

I may check out TJ Maxx and Marshalls just to see what they have.

[LLLBelle]

Today has been the best day I have had in a long time.

First off, I was able to order the invitation paper, per piece, so that's done and on it's way. This company http://paperandmore.com has some great prices and paper, not a huge color selection, but it is better quality than the Michael's cardstock. I love it! I'll post invitation pictures once I have them together.

Second, we are staying at Boardwalk Villas for our honeymoon :yay: :woohoo: We are renting DVC points and we do not have the confirmation in hand yet, but everything is rolling. We wanted a standard view, but they did not have any available. So instead of switch to AKL, just because we thought BWV location was a bit better, we decided to go for a preferred view. So I told the lady that we were renting from, to try for a Boardwalk view, since we were going to pay extra I at least wanted to try for it, but I figured it would never be available. What do you know, we got it!!! :banana: :woohoo: :banana: I was so excited, Kyle said, we're really going to Disney aren't we? It was so cute.

Oh I have to tell this story because I thought it was cute. I had Kyle read over the contract we got from the DVC woman and he said, You're going to be Mrs. A then, why isn't the contract in your married (to be) name? I just laughed, I told him, but we will only be married a day honey, we won't even get our marriage license from Puerto Rico until about 2-3 weeks after the wedding. I need that before I can legally use that name. I just thought it was adorable that he was already thinking about that :)

And Finally, this is more for my mom than me, but I checked prices for her for January and they dropped about 350 for the 4 seats she needed for her flight to PR. She was very happy with that and is all booked and done so she does not have to worry about it.

So it has been a pretty good day, now if it was only Friday and I wasn't at work :confused3

[LLLBelle]

So it seems like our guest list is continually shrinking. Invitations do not go out for another few weeks, but we already know that we have about 25 confirmed, out of the 46 that were invited and that includes DFi and I.

I mean it will help us save money to have less people, we're just not going to have some of the family we wanted to have there.

I was a little frustrated this weekend, thinking that if we had only known, we could have saved more money by not booking the villa, but I love the location.

I do feel a bit better about it since we wouldn't have as many people, we can get the nice towels we were originally going to get since we will only need one case :goodvibes

Oh well, I suppose I am just in a funky mood today. :confused3

[LLLBelle]

I got my Passporter Book and the invitation paper in the mail, yea!!! :banana: :banana: :banana:

I'll book the invite pics once I have them together.

Also we are officially confirmed for the BWV and for a BW view, awesome!!

[LLLBelle]

I love getting more stuff in the mail :goodvibes

I got my hair flower in the mail today, it is beautiful, if I do say so myself. I am using a gardenia in my hair in honor of my grandmother who can not make it to the wedding and for my great-grandmother who is my guardian angel.

I wanted a real touch flower since gardenia's are extremely delicate and a real one would not be an option in Puerto Rico. I love the flower, I bought it off ebay and it came beautifully packaged and it actually smelled like a real gardenia. (Although I may need to air it out to get rid of some of it since I sometimes get headaches from strong flower scents) Even Kyle thought it was a real flower.

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/873/1001703.jpghttp://img268.imageshack.us/img268/4673/1001692.jpg

The second picture was not the best, but at least you get the idea of the sizing.

I'll put the link up if anyone is interested.

[ghoulish delight]

Aww! That hair flower is beautiful, Laurie! Nice choice! :goodvibes

[tiggersam00]

hahaha we must think alike because I ordered the real touch gardenia off etsy.com and it looks identical! Isnt it great! It looks so pretty in your hair, I was worried about wilting too so I went with silk, but the real touch silk is incredible!

[LLLBelle]

Aww! That hair flower is beautiful, Laurie! Nice choice! :goodvibes

Thank you! I love it.

hahaha we must think alike because I ordered the real touch gardenia off etsy.com and it looks identical! Isnt it great! It looks so pretty in your hair, I was worried about wilting too so I went with silk, but the real touch silk is incredible!

I'm really glad I decided to buy it, it's gorgeous, I love it! Oh I know, gardenias are so fragile, especially in the humidity, it would never survive.

Speaking of "fake" flowers, I am actually considering going this route, I never thought I would. However, I found this site: http://sndny.com/index.html and I really love her work and the flowers look awesome. The other good thing is the price. I am going to get a custom quote from her, but her pre-design would cost me about $350-$400 for what I need and my wedding planner quoted me for $800. Now she is re-quoting me in about a month or two, but who knows where the price will go. Plus with the fake, I can have them sent home and have them, I really don't want to pay 800 for something that is for one day and is going to die. Let me know what you guys think.

[LLLBelle]

Well my fears are now a reality, my MOH is no more. She said she would let me know for sure in two weeks, but is leaning towards no. She has travel anxiety and does not want to freak out at the wedding. I appreciate the honesty from her and I understand. I would have liked to know before we booked the villa, but at least knowing now is still better than knowing a month before or during the wedding :scared1:

So there it is, Kyle and I are still absorbing the reality of it, but I am honestly relieved. Now he needs to get in touch with his Best Man and see what's going on on that side.

It has been a relatively eventful night. We are going to try to figure out a game plan if the worst happens after he talks to his Best Man. As of right now, I'm going to try to work on our invites. . .they are so pretty, I promise pictures soon.

[ghoulish delight]

You know, I'm terribly sorry it didn't work out with your MOH... but now I know you'll be more relieved. You deserve to have someone helping you out who will enjoy it, and be helpful to you without any anxieties! Hopefully you'll have someone else to fit the bill! You deserve nothing less, my dear! :hug:

Can't wait to see your invites!!

[LLLBelle]

You know, I'm terribly sorry it didn't work out with your MOH... but now I know you'll be more relieved. You deserve to have someone helping you out who will enjoy it, and be helpful to you without any anxieties! Hopefully you'll have someone else to fit the bill! You deserve nothing less, my dear! :hug:

Can't wait to see your invites!!

I do feel relieved. I'm just a bit angry at the situation since we were splitting the cost of the villa so we need to see if DFi Best Man will be pulling out as well to find out if we have a real problem.

I'm thinking about having my mom stand for me, she's been my MOH anyway, as far as I'm concerned and she is my best friend. Otherwise it would be one of DFi's sisters and that could produce problems in itself with him having three sisters and we're down to about 23 people coming to the wedding.

I talked to my FMIL last night and she was suggesting the idea of the moving the wedding and said that "Vegas doesn't look so bad now, does it" But we would lose more money moving the wedding then just covering the added expenses and staying put, we don't want to move the wedding and how to you do that when you don't know who has booked anyway, my parents are and they just booked their flights.

Oh well, I'm done my rant, hopefully we will have more info this weekend from the BM. At least it's Friday, I can not wait to get out of work, the weather has been sooo nice, I mean 90 in AZ in June is golden :rotfl:

[ghoulish delight]

I do feel relieved. I'm just a bit angry at the situation since we were splitting the cost of the villa so we need to see if DFi Best Man will be pulling out as well to find out if we have a real problem.

I'm thinking about having my mom stand for me, she's been my MOH anyway, as far as I'm concerned and she is my best friend. Otherwise it would be one of DFi's sisters and that could produce problems in itself with him having three sisters and we're down to about 23 people coming to the wedding.

I talked to my FMIL last night and she was suggesting the idea of the moving the wedding and said that "Vegas doesn't look so bad now, does it" But we would lose more money moving the wedding then just covering the added expenses and staying put, we don't want to move the wedding and how to you do that when you don't know who has booked anyway, my parents are and they just booked their flights.

Oh well, I'm done my rant, hopefully we will have more info this weekend from the BM. At least it's Friday, I can not wait to get out of work, the weather has been sooo nice, I mean 90 in AZ in June is golden :rotfl:

Feel free to rant away any time! If it helps, I'm happy to listen erm... read? Hehe. :hug: I can definitely see why you'd be annoyed with the monetary situation. I think it would have been far more gracious if she had pulled out much earlier, but c'est le vie I suppose. I think placing your mom as MOH would be brilliant! One of my brothers had our dad as his BM, so it can work! :thumbsup2

I hope everything smooths itself out for you guys! You're such a sweetheart, and I want to see you have your perfect wedding! :goodvibes

And yay for Friday! The weather has been wacky here. It's been in the 60s-70s and cloudy all week! Very bizarre for southern California in the summer! :confused3

[LeesyUD]

sorry to hear about your MOH - but it seems like everything else is going great - I absolutely love your dress!!!!

[LLLBelle]

Feel free to rant away any time! If it helps, I'm happy to listen erm... read? Hehe. :hug: I can definitely see why you'd be annoyed with the monetary situation. I think it would have been far more gracious if she had pulled out much earlier, but c'est le vie I suppose. I think placing your mom as MOH would be brilliant! One of my brothers had our dad as his BM, so it can work! :thumbsup2

I hope everything smooths itself out for you guys! You're such a sweetheart, and I want to see you have your perfect wedding! :goodvibes

And yay for Friday! The weather has been wacky here. It's been in the 60s-70s and cloudy all week! Very bizarre for southern California in the summer! :confused3

Thank you! I appreciate the kind words :hug:

We're keeping the location as it and know that everything will be wonderful, it's just too much to move it now and it will be the second wedding we will have planned, so no. Plus it will all even out as far as the money goes, I just can't worry about it.

I've pretty much decided that my mom will be my MOH now, I'm calling her the MOHOB :laughing: I'm going out today to find some to give her to official "ask" her to be my MOH, plus I love an excuse to go shopping :woohoo:

sorry to hear about your MOH - but it seems like everything else is going great - I absolutely love your dress!!!!

Yea, it is what it is I suppose, trying to re-kindle a 20 year friendship across 2500 miles doesn't always work, it was a good idea at the time. But my mom is a much better choice, she is my best friend. Thank you! I love my dress, I finally get to try in on again next month :yay:

[Mrsdisneyb2b]

I love love love your story and I am so excited that you posted the pictures!!!That is definitely an AWESOME proposal if i may say so myself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And so so unique!!!!!!!!!!!

[LLLBelle]

I love love love your story and I am so excited that you posted the pictures!!!That is definitely an AWESOME proposal if i may say so myself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And so so unique!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you! I was really surprised that he kept it a secret. He done good :goodvibes

[LLLBelle]

A little update here. We are firing Kyle's best man, he STILL has not returned his phone call from Saturday and DFi has not talked to him since February, after repeated attempts. So we are cutting him. So now we are going to have my mom and his dad stand for the two of us, which is a much better option and I am much happier with it.

However, on top of it, we have to figure where to come up with the other portion for the villa we are staying in. So I contacted our wedding planner and she wants to talk, obviously, so I am waiting to hear back from her at this point. We also have a problem because our caterer has a 30 person min on some of the options and our guest list is down to 20 people and that includes Kyle and I :scared1:

I know this sounds weird, but I am actually happy with how things seem to be paning out. I just want to hear back from my planner to see what our opinions are as far as getting out of the lease for the villa we are renting, if we can't get out of the lease that will keep the wedding at the house, if we can, it will save us a loooot, we will just have to replan the wedding, no biggie :rotfl:

[Pirate's Princess]

OMG I love that floral site!!!

I'm so sorry about your MOH. I'd love to my mom as the MOH but she's going to run the ceremony, so my brother will be instead. I hope everything works out.

Hugs

[LLLBelle]

OMG I love that floral site!!!

I'm so sorry about your MOH. I'd love to my mom as the MOH but she's going to run the ceremony, so my brother will be instead. I hope everything works out.

Hugs

I'm so glad you love the flowers! I love them too, I'm still waiting to hear back about my custom order, I'll post the pictures once I get them :woohoo:

Everything happens for a reason and I am so glad it worked out this way, it's for the best. I have my true best friend standing for me :goodvibes

[LeesyUD]

I'm so glad you love the flowers! I love them too, I'm still waiting to hear back about my custom order, I'll post the pictures once I get them :woohoo:

Everything happens for a reason and I am so glad it worked out this way, it's for the best. I have my true best friend standing for me :goodvibes

I wish I had made my mom my MOH...mine is not being very helpful and hasn't called me back in almost 2 weeks - i even had to go pick up her dress in shoes even though we live the same exact distance away from the store (we are in the same large apartment community) you will be better off it they are being flaky - btw I love the flower you got!

[ghoulish delight]

You know what Laurie? You guys won't regret having your mom as MOH and his dad as BM. I think it's really smart of you two! You know how some people look back at their wedding photos, and go "UGH why did we ever put them in the wedding?! :sad2:"? Yeah... well, you guys won't have that! :woohoo:

That's why my DF and I decided as soon as we got engaged that our wedding party was going to consist of nothing but family. Less likely to flake out on you!

But anyway, I'm just happy you're happy. :flower3:

[LLLBelle]

You know what Laurie? You guys won't regret having your mom as MOH and his dad as BM. I think it's really smart of you two! You know how some people look back at their wedding photos, and go "UGH why did we ever put them in the wedding?! :sad2:"? Yeah... well, you guys won't have that! :woohoo:

That's why my DF and I decided as soon as we got engaged that our wedding party was going to consist of nothing but family. Less likely to flake out on you!

But anyway, I'm just happy you're happy. :flower3:

That is exactly what my FMIL said about "People you want in the pictures" when we first got engaged, but I did not want to listen. Now we are sure that our wedding party will be there :goodvibes My mom is super excited to have both titles. And she now doesn't want to invite my ex-MOH to the bridal shower, but that's a whole other issue that I don't really care to think about right now.

[LLLBelle]

Okay I have a bit of an update. . .kind of

We talked to our wedding planner this evening. I was hoping I would feel totally relieved, but I'm just in an "eh" kind of mood since there are still some things to work out. We are keeping the villa, which we wanted to anyway, plus the contract is iron clad and we would lose a bit of money even trying to get out of it.

It just seems like we save a little, then there are other little things that are added on. However, we did make some progress, so that's always good.

I was actually leaning towards using fake "real touch" flowers to save some money. However, my wedding planner doesn't think they work well in the carribean. She said it has nothing to do with money or any of that, she just said that since you are surrounded by so many flowers that fake flowers look "more fake" so to speak. So I'm waiting for her to requote our flowers and that's where I left it. I did get my quote from the other real touch flower lady I was working with and it was reasonable about 317 plus shipping, so about 340 or so for a bridal bouquet, MOH bouquet, 3 mom bouquets, and 4 bouts.

So we did decide on our Welcome Party, we're going to have simple sandwiches, wraps, and some water and sodas. We are going to have it in our villa to get our monies worth and it will save having it there instead of a restaurant.

We also ordered a beach pack for the beach party with some blow ups, beach umbrellas, volley ball and such.

I think we have decided to cancel our couples massage to save some money and to forego the beach towels. It sucks, but it will be perfectly fine, guest won't miss the towels if they never knew they were going to be there.

Overall, I suppose I feel a little better, but we still have some things to figure out. We really really need to get our invitations out, so that is the project of the week.

[ghoulish delight]

It would seem as though you and I are in the same boat at the moment. :worried: Trying to remain within budget, and not go too overboard! I think you've done a great job managing to plan a beautiful wedding while being frugal! I, however, have been planning a bit blindly. It wasn't until I got hit with the actual numbers today by our Disney WC that I freaked out. :scared1:

Everything will be fantastic! I'm sure of it! And hopefully you'll find other ways to make it all work out for the best.

Just be sure to keep us updated!

[LLLBelle]

It would seem as though you and I are in the same boat at the moment. :worried: Trying to remain within budget, and not go too overboard! I think you've done a great job managing to plan a beautiful wedding while being frugal! I, however, have been planning a bit blindly. It wasn't until I got hit with the actual numbers today by our Disney WC that I freaked out. :scared1:

Everything will be fantastic! I'm sure of it! And hopefully you'll find other ways to make it all work out for the best.

Just be sure to keep us updated!

It just sucks my dear, money issues are always difficult. We ended up with an additional $1700 on our plate from two ex-wedding party-ers (or will remain nameless :laughing:) Although my parents have graciously offered to help soften the burden a bit, on top of what they have already given us. They are going to stay with us in the house along with my grandparents. I just love that most of the family and guest will be right next to each other, it really ended up working out.

But overall, what this whole thing has reminded me, is that no matter if we have beach towels, or a massage, or any other minor things, 10 years from now it will be Kyle and I and none of that will matter. We will have a beautiful wedding, I can't wait! :love:

[tiggersam00]

I think you made the right choice about the MOH situation Lauire, and how awesome that your mom is so excited about the "new job" lol! I bet it will be amazing.

The beach kit and welcome party sound like they are going to be a blast btw! What a great way to say "Hi, welocme to paradise" ya know, perfect! Now, flowers, I can understand her point about the looking "more" fake, but I think it is your call. My friend just got married in the Bahamas and had fake flowers and they looked totally real, I will try and send you the pics so you can compare. She got the real touch ones too.:goodvibes So I think eithier way your fine:goodvibes

[LLLBelle]

I think you made the right choice about the MOH situation Lauire, and how awesome that your mom is so excited about the "new job" lol! I bet it will be amazing.

The beach kit and welcome party sound like they are going to be a blast btw! What a great way to say "Hi, welocme to paradise" ya know, perfect! Now, flowers, I can understand her point about the looking "more" fake, but I think it is your call. My friend just got married in the Bahamas and had fake flowers and they looked totally real, I will try and send you the pics so you can compare. She got the real touch ones too.:goodvibes So I think eithier way your fine:goodvibes

I agree, my mom is really excited. She's coming out to AZ in three weeks!! And she has only seen the wedding stuff through a "secret" photo album through picasa that I made for her, so it will be nice to do all the wedding stuff while she's here.

I get more and more excited about the wedding. It may not be Disney, but I get a beach wedding and a Disneymoon, so I'm not complaining :woohoo:

As far as the flowers, I was totally content with real flowers, until she gave me the initial quote. I think I would lean towards real, I just didn't want to have to compromise to fit the price tag, instead of what I wanted. So I'm going to wait to see what her re-quote is before I make a final decision. If she says it will be $500 or more for 1 bridal bouquet, 3 mom bouquets, and 4 bouts, and petals, I'm going the other way, real it shouldn't be over $400 and I think that is high when I can get more going with the real touch, but we shall see.

[tiggersam00]

yay it shouldn't be more then tat I agree, I say eithier way your getting married in paradise and then disneymooning... who cares about flowers anyways lol! Just Kidding! I'm sure whichever way will be awesome, keep us posted Lauire:goodvibes

[princess22]

Sorry about the MOH, but everything worked out in the end which is great! Your wedding location is gorgeous. And I'm in love with your dress! can't wait to read more!

[LLLBelle]

Sorry about the MOH, but everything worked out in the end which is great! Your wedding location is gorgeous. And I'm in love with your dress! can't wait to read more!

It's for the best and I'm relieved that it happened now. Thank you! I love the villa and my dress :goodvibes I go for my first fitting in 3 weeks. . .I can't wait!

[LLLBelle]

From all that has been going on I thought I would post some pics for all my Dis'ers:

These are the Save-the-Dates I made when we were having our DCL wedding

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/7323/1001724b.jpg
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/6977/1001725q.jpg

There as a magnet attached to the inside.
http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/4219/1001726g.jpg
http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/3351/1001727q.jpg

These are the Save-the-Dates, take two, we were really good at making them by this point:

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/9942/1001718.jpg
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/1473/1001719.jpg
http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/4686/1001721.jpg
http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/2503/1001722h.jpg

[LLLBelle]

These are my shoes, I love the silver ones, they are really comfortable, but the white ones go with my dress so I may have to find an outfit that goes with the silver ones for the bridal shower. I may get the same flats Anjanette did :goodvibes but in fushia for the reception, but I'm debating :confused3

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/4998/shoesg.jpghttp://img257.imageshack.us/img257/6487/whiteshoes.jpg

These are the flower girl "baskets" I just need to find something to class them up a bit, I'm just not sure what yet. I'm debating if I should get something else, but I don't want to spend $40 for something they will hold for 5 minutes :confused3
http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/948/1001728.jpg

I love this cake topper, I just had a thought though, our cake icing is white and the topper is off white. Not sure if that's going to look weird or not.
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/3796/1001742.jpg

[princess22]

OMG your save the dates are adorable (both of them) You did an amazing job on them. That cake topper is adorable! Oh, and flower girl baskets, I got a really cute one at Wal mart for like 10 bucks, it came with the ring bearer pillow also! It was on sale, it was a martha stewart one. I think the ones you have now are very cute, it will look great at your wedding.

[ghoulish delight]

Those shoes are awesome, Laurie! :thumbsup2 And if you want comfy AND cute, then I definitely recommend those flats for your reception! They do a pretty good job at being both, I believe. Hehe.

Hmm, I wish I was much more crafty! My idea for jazzing up the FG baskets would be to put your guys' monogram in sparkly lettering on the front. Or add some ribbon or seashells with glitter on them? Depending on the look you're after... Sorry! Wish I could help you more with it hon! :guilty:

That cake topper is very romantic! As for the coloring, I don't think it would matter much but you could always tell your baker the color of your topper is off white so they have a heads up. Or, maybe you could consider putting a splash of color throughout the cake; have the flat part where the topper goes be a different color so the off white on white wouldn't be noticeable? Again, just throwing out ideas!

[PrincessinLuv]

You're dress is beautiful! And I love your color theme, its going to be gorgeous especially in such a great location. And the BM dresses are beautiful as well, you've done such a great job!! Can't wait to see the final result. :yay: *crosses fingers* Hope you have no issues with losing to much weight for the dress

[LLLBelle]

OMG your save the dates are adorable (both of them) You did an amazing job on them. That cake topper is adorable! Oh, and flower girl baskets, I got a really cute one at Wal mart for like 10 bucks, it came with the ring bearer pillow also! It was on sale, it was a martha stewart one. I think the ones you have now are very cute, it will look great at your wedding.

Thank you!! I'm hoping maybe one of the lovely disney brides will get some ideas from the disney ones, so that thought I would post it as well :goodvibes I got the buckets from Michaels from about $3-4 (I can't remember exactly), but I still think I'll go with them, at least for now :laughing:


Those shoes are awesome, Laurie! :thumbsup2 And if you want comfy AND cute, then I definitely recommend those flats for your reception! They do a pretty good job at being both, I believe. Hehe.

Hmm, I wish I was much more crafty! My idea for jazzing up the FG baskets would be to put your guys' monogram in sparkly lettering on the front. Or add some ribbon or seashells with glitter on them? Depending on the look you're after... Sorry! Wish I could help you more with it hon! :guilty:

That cake topper is very romantic! As for the coloring, I don't think it would matter much but you could always tell your baker the color of your topper is off white so they have a heads up. Or, maybe you could consider putting a splash of color throughout the cake; have the flat part where the topper goes be a different color so the off white on white wouldn't be noticeable? Again, just throwing out ideas!

I go back and forth about the flats, but I still have time! I do like them though :goodvibes

I have tried the ribbon, it does not go well with the grassy stuff on it. Kyle is totally against seashells, I did buy some sand dollars and white star fish, and he argued that they were shells (I wanted them on the reception tables), but the sand dollars may look cute on the buckets. I may save the project for when my mom gets here in 2 1/2 weeks!

Now that I'm thinking about it, I don't remember if we told the cake lady to make it a pale pink (it's going to be a strawberry cake on top, then cupcakes for the rest of the cake) I'll have to check, thanks for reminding me :goodvibes

You're dress is beautiful! And I love your color theme, its going to be gorgeous especially in such a great location. And the BM dresses are beautiful as well, you've done such a great job!! Can't wait to see the final result. :yay: *crosses fingers* Hope you have no issues with losing to much weight for the dress

Thanks for reading! :cool1:

Thank you! I love it. Only 2 1/2 weeks until my first fitting. I'm looking into finding a good alterationist (not sure if that's what they are called) to work on the dress, if need be, my wedding planner said they can take it in more than the bridal shop will and are usually cheaper.

[LLLBelle]

They are finally done! It was a very looong day Sunday putting everything together, but they came out beautiful (if I do say so myself :goodvibes)

Apparently you can invite Mickey and Minnie, we're also sending one to the President and you supposedly get a letter, or something back, so I figured it was worth a try.
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/3322/1001747x.jpg

The petal envelopes were my favorite, I did not want to compromise on, I love them!
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/1631/1001751w.jpg

We're adding a little song request card with the invitation to get early requests and to get some ideas for reception songs, since the dj might not have all the songs and we can be prepared before we leave.
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/8168/1001754m.jpg

There is a little hidden mickey in the corner of the design, Kyle just thought I was weird for noticing, but it made me smile :)
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/3570/1001758u.jpg

[ghoulish delight]

OMG!!! Did you make your invites yourself?! They are gorgeous! :lovestruc

How cute about inviting Mickey and Minnie! What happens when you send them it? Do you get something back like with the president?

P.S. I like the sand dollar idea! That would be adorable!

[tiggerrifficheidi]

Beautiful!!!

[tiggersam00]

I love love love the invites! The petal envelopes are really pretty! Did you make them or order them?

[LLLBelle]

OMG!!! Did you make your invites yourself?! They are gorgeous! :lovestruc

How cute about inviting Mickey and Minnie! What happens when you send them it? Do you get something back like with the president?

P.S. I like the sand dollar idea! That would be adorable!

Thank you! It was a group effort. I did the design and put everything together and Kyle cut most of the paper. It was very tedious and many hours for 25 invites, and they may not be perfect, but I love them :)

I found the Mickey and Minnie thing on a thread somewhere on Dis. Apparently, you can send it to the world and land, the only thing I have heard is that Disneyland sends a certificate and a pin, and WDW is a certificate. I thought it was a cute idea and will make a cute keepsake. I have the addresses for all three, if any one would like them.

Beautiful!!!

Thank you!

I love love love the invites! The petal envelopes are really pretty! Did you make them or order them?

Thank you! I ordered the petals and all the paper from http://paperandmore.com/ they do not have the widest color selection, but I love the quality of their paper. You can not really tell in the photos, but the envelopes are a metallic and they shimmer a bit.

I just didn't see the point in paying a lot for invites, I think if I priced my invites, per paper, it was about $50 or less for everything (not including time and labor :laughing:)

[MainStMandy]

OMG they are just beautiful!! I am now rethinking doing my own...maybe I should just pay someone!! Great job!!

[LLLBelle]

OMG they are just beautiful!! I am now rethinking doing my own...maybe I should just pay someone!! Great job!!

Thank you! I think if you really want to do your own, do it, you have enough time to do a little at a time. If you do a pocket invite, that would be a little easier. Doing the two colors layers was a bit difficult because the measures weren't a round number and everything needs to line up. But if you do a pocket, you can just glue the main invite in the center, then the inserts, not much assembly involved. You just need more info in yours than I do, someone else made the type I think you are going for (auntpunkin) has pocket invites that she made herself. And we can always help with the design for you :goodvibes You can do it!

[GoonieBride]

The invites are beautiful! let us know if Mickey and Minnie respond!

[acomasdiaz]

I love the invitations! They are beautiful!

[LLLBelle]

The invites are beautiful! let us know if Mickey and Minnie respond!

Thank you! I certainly will. :goodvibes

I love the invitations! They are beautiful!

Thank you!

[LLLBelle]

My mom got her invitation today. . .she was very excited!

As if more drama could not ensue this wedding, really I am not a drama person, I hate it in fact, but this wedding seems to be full of it. I was talking to my grandmother the other day (my dad's mom) and for a brief back story, my dad and I don't really talk that much and that entire side of the family has pretty much pushed me out and forced me to move on because of things that were not my fault, it is way too long of a story to even get into. So regardless, I was figuring that I would just send a invite to my dad and my grandmother, because it is the right thing to do. Well when I talked to my grandmother my aunt (the one that used to be my favorite) was asking about when the wedding was suppose to be and all that. So I asked, "Well is she thinking about coming" Just because I could not let it go, but she said she did not know. So I get off the phone panicking since I was not planning on inviting my aunts because I figured that wouldn't come anyway and they don't keep me in their lives, I found out my cousin was pregnant with her second child when she was five months along. So I called my mom and decided I had to send the invites to them and the travel packets, even if that all went out to everyone else about five months ago.

I mean I don't think my dad will come, I really don't want him there, as horrible as that sounds, but I just wonder if my aunt is going to come as a respresentative of the family, since she is the only one who would be able to afford to come. Plus my dad won't fly. So I suppose time will tell, I just wish things were easier.

But on the bright side, my mom will be here next wednesday!! I haven't seen her since December!

[ghoulish delight]

:hug::hug::hug:

It seems as though you could use some more of those!

But seriously, as complicated as it gets with family drama, keep in mind what the wedding is for. It's to celebrate you and your DF's love for one another! At the end of the day, that's going to be the only thing that matters. :goodvibes But, if your aunt showing up would make you happy, then I hope she can make it! Hooray for your mommy coming to visit soon!! That's something else positive to focus on!

[PrincessShea]

Your invitations are great! I love the font and the flowers in the corners; it's very well coordinated :thumbsup2. As for the family drama, honestly just be happy that the people who cause you grief aren't going to be there. You don't need any dampers on your and DH's day.

[twenty3curls]

I love you invitations, Laurie! I have been procuring petal envelope samples to use with my invites, as well. Can't wait to get working on them...seeing yours reconfirmed how much I like that style. Nice work! :thumbsup2

[LLLBelle]

:hug::hug::hug:

It seems as though you could use some more of those!

But seriously, as complicated as it gets with family drama, keep in mind what the wedding is for. It's to celebrate you and your DF's love for one another! At the end of the day, that's going to be the only thing that matters. :goodvibes But, if your aunt showing up would make you happy, then I hope she can make it! Hooray for your mommy coming to visit soon!! That's something else positive to focus on!

Thank you hon, it's a very long and complicated story about my dad's side of he family. I just don't want them to ruin our wedding day. I mean I have to make "other family friendly" versions of my invitations so that my step-father's name wasn't on them. Plus I want my step-dad to walk me down the aisle and I don't want to have to walk on egg shells during my wedding.

I'm not really worried, or at least I'm trying not to be. I was freaking out a bit when everything went down, but I just sent out a couple more invites and left it at that. In the end, it is the right thing to do. Kyle and I are just trying to stay sane. Plus, we have a bit of a vacation next week while my mom is here and we're taking her up to Sedona and I get to go for my first fitting, so I'm excited! :banana:

Your invitations are great! I love the font and the flowers in the corners; it's very well coordinated :thumbsup2. As for the family drama, honestly just be happy that the people who cause you grief aren't going to be there. You don't need any dampers on your and DH's day.

Thank you! Oh, I am happy, it is just the unknown that bothers me, especially since none of them really talk to me, I have no idea what's going on and I don't want them to think that I am having it in Puerto Rico so they can't come. It is a very fisious circle with them and a total no win situation. I am just trying to push it out of my head for the time being.

I love you invitations, Laurie! I have been procuring petal envelope samples to use with my invites, as well. Can't wait to get working on them...seeing yours reconfirmed how much I like that style. Nice work! :thumbsup2

Thank you! The petals were my favorite, I almost cut them to save money, but we weren't spending that much on our invites any way. I will tell you that I think the vellum ones were better than the card stock, since you can kind of see through them. I love them!

[ghoulish delight]

Thank you hon, it's a very long and complicated story about my dad's side of he family. I just don't want them to ruin our wedding day. I mean I have to make "other family friendly" versions of my invitations so that my step-father's name wasn't on them. Plus I want my step-dad to walk me down the aisle and I don't want to have to walk on egg shells during my wedding.

I'm not really worried, or at least I'm trying not to be. I was freaking out a bit when everything went down, but I just sent out a couple more invites and left it at that. In the end, it is the right thing to do. Kyle and I are just trying to stay sane. Plus, we have a bit of a vacation next week while my mom is here and we're taking her up to Sedona and I get to go for my first fitting, so I'm excited! :banana:

Anytime my dear!! I'm glad you're staying sane in the midst of all this drama-rama! You're such a sweetheart and I just want to see you have the prettiest and happiest day possible! And that on the big day, there will be no shadow of any sort of family drama. I'll be sure to pray for you that that's exactly what happens! :flower3:

Hooray for mini vacation, and super big hooray for your first fitting!!! :banana::yay::woohoo:

[LeesyUD]

Love the invites....wish I had the patience to do something like that

[LLLBelle]

Anytime my dear!! I'm glad you're staying sane in the midst of all this drama-rama! You're such a sweetheart and I just want to see you have the prettiest and happiest day possible! And that on the big day, there will be no shadow of any sort of family drama. I'll be sure to pray for you that that's exactly what happens! :flower3:

Hooray for mini vacation, and super big hooray for your first fitting!!! :banana::yay::woohoo:

Thanks hun, I appreciate it, you have no idea how much I hate drama, I run from it :laughing: I just figure that there is nothing I can do right now, if they come, they come, I'll deal with it then, so there is no point in worrying now. I did get my first RSVP card back, YEA. . .it was from my mom :rotfl: but it was still exciting.

Love the invites....wish I had the patience to do something like that

Thank you! I call it my therapy. I am in the works of trying to make more projects to keep me busy. I'm starting to put together something for our Honeymoon, I got some ideas from the Dis Design board for little cards to carry in the park with park hours, ressie confirmation #'s, and such. Plus, I'm going to make my own thank you cards (maybe) so I am going to toy with that idea. I'd also be happy to help if anyone wants help making their own invites!

[LLLBelle]

Okay I need a bit of advice. Ever since we booked our photographer, I was concerned, I really did not want to book her, but she was the only option we were given and she was within our budget. This is the photographer http://riverphotovieques.com/, I think I mentioned a bit of my concern a while ago.

So last weekend I searched all the photographers that we were planning on looking into for our honeymoon shoot, but I think it would be pointless to pay for them to travel, although I do like Studio 222 and Roots, there styles are what we want, I did think Misty would be a good alternative, her package prices are great, cheaper than Studio 222, but I like them better.

I had decided that River would be fine and just deal with it, maybe the pictures she post up were scanned because she just switched to digital. However, I just found another bride that was married on the island and she said NOT to book River because she really just does a lot of candids and random shots.

So now I am worried again because photography is one of the most important things since after the wedding, that's all you have. I just don't know if we can afford another $1500-2000, but I'm sure I can find someone in Puerto Rico, I just fell in love with their style. I think I would just rather go into a little bit of debt, rather than regret having horrible pictures. I also don't want to sound like a hypocrite to my wedding planner because we are trying to cut where we can, but are going to bring in a more expensive photographer.

I need some opinions on this one. . .

[Pirate's Princess]

Sorry the photographer. Is River the only option, or just the only option given.

[LLLBelle]

Sorry the photographer. Is River the only option, or just the only option given.

It was the only given option because it fit in the buget. I'm going to check out some PR photographers and see what I can find.

[PrincessShea]

That's a tough decision. One suggestion I would have is to email the more expensive photographers you like and once they email you the pricing reply that it's more than your budget allows, but can they recommend anyone that is within your price range?

[ghoulish delight]

Hmm.. after taking a look at her website, I can see why you'd be nervous about it. :guilty: I think you should contact some of the more expensive photographers and see if they can work out a specialized package for you within your budget. If they can't, then I'd still recommend splurging on it.

Your photos and/or video are the best commemorative of your beautiful day. Those are two things that DF and I decided to splurge on a bit. Let us know what you decide! :hug: And hopefully you and your DF will be able to get a photographer with a style you like better that's affordable!

[MainStMandy]

I know it probably seems like a lot of money to switch photographers at this point. But you will have these pictures for the rest of your life. You want to be happy with them. Also, do you want to be stressed on your wedding day being concerned that every picture she is taking you will hate?:hug: Hope you can get everything worked out, just my .02 :)

[GoonieBride]

i agree with the others, if you should spend money on anything it should be photography/videography. when you both are at your 50th anniversary you want to look back these pictures with joy and happiness not regret that you shoulda gone with someone else.

i wish you the best!

[LLLBelle]

Hmm.. after taking a look at her website, I can see why you'd be nervous about it. :guilty: I think you should contact some of the more expensive photographers and see if they can work out a specialized package for you within your budget. If they can't, then I'd still recommend splurging on it.

Your photos and/or video are the best commemorative of your beautiful day. Those are two things that DF and I decided to splurge on a bit. Let us know what you decide! :hug: And hopefully you and your DF will be able to get a photographer with a style you like better that's affordable!

I have had a problem with her since we signed the contract. Kyle and I tried to write it off, and just figured everything would be fine, but this is a third time I have had a internal sensor go off about the issue.

I know it probably seems like a lot of money to switch photographers at this point. But you will have these pictures for the rest of your life. You want to be happy with them. Also, do you want to be stressed on your wedding day being concerned that every picture she is taking you will hate?:hug: Hope you can get everything worked out, just my .02 :)

Right now we are willing to make the sacrifice, whats another $2000, right :confused3

i agree with the others, if you should spend money on anything it should be photography/videography. when you both are at your 50th anniversary you want to look back these pictures with joy and happiness not regret that you shoulda gone with someone else.

i wish you the best!

I totally agree with you, I think we are leaning towards just biting the bullet.

That's a tough decision. One suggestion I would have is to email the more expensive photographers you like and once they email you the pricing reply that it's more than your budget allows, but can they recommend anyone that is within your price range?

That is what we are going to do. I want to thank you for the Studio222 suggestion, we are going to talk to them tomorrow.

So we are going to talk to Studio 222 tomorrow and see if we can work something out with them. I know paying for them to travel is a bit unnecessary when I can probably find someone in PR, but I really like their style and with first hand experience from the disbrides, you kind of know what you are going to get.

[PrincessShea]

So we are going to talk to Studio 222 tomorrow and see if we can work something out with them. I know paying for them to travel is a bit unnecessary when I can probably find someone in PR, but I really like their style and with first hand experience from the disbrides, you kind of know what you are going to get.

Well another thing to consider is that if you spend all the extra money to fly photographers out, you can cancel the honeymoon shoot in Disney. You'd be getting the photography you really want, so is there really a point in paying even more for the honeymoon session? That would in a sense be money saved.

I would also do a little research before you call and investigate how much flights are from Orlando to Puerto Rico are and how much cheap rooms are in the area that you could put them up in.

Good luck, let us know how it turns out :thumbsup2

[LLLBelle]

Well another thing to consider is that if you spend all the extra money to fly photographers out, you can cancel the honeymoon shoot in Disney. You'd be getting the photography you really want, so is there really a point in paying even more for the honeymoon session? That would in a sense be money saved.

I would also do a little research before you call and investigate how much flights are from Orlando to Puerto Rico are and how much cheap rooms are in the area that you could put them up in.

Good luck, let us know how it turns out :thumbsup2

Oh, we are definitely cancelling the shoot. We figured that between the money we wouldn't be spending on our current photographer and the photoshoot, it should only be $1000-1500 at most. . .we hope anyway, but that would cover the cost of travel. I will post after I talk to Becka tomorrow, hopefully I will have good news.

[LLLBelle]

No news on the photographer as of yet, the damn time difference is making it hard for me to set up a time to talk to Studio 222, so I may not be able to talk to them until Wednesday when I am home :sad2:

But onto a little Pixie dust, Kyle told me that we had gotten something from Disney in the mail :confused3 I thought it was our paperwork for BWV, but I thought it was a bit early for that so when I got home, I had this waiting for me:

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2048/1001840o.jpg

It really made my day :goodvibes. But then I got thinking, I think it is the response to the wedding invitation we sent, this one is from WDW, I have not gotten a response from the others yet. It is still a nice keepsake.

[ghoulish delight]

That is too cute!! :goodvibes

[msGAJeepgurl]

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2048/1001840o.jpg


That is so cute!!! It makes me want to try your idea to invite Mickey & Minnie. As for the photographer...the best advice I can give you is look at their portfolio. If they cant provide one dont use them. That and make sure they dont require full payment up front. One of the girls I work with had to pay 100% before a shot was even taken and she's sooooo unhappy now. She is trying to get either a re-shot of her engagement photos or her money back.

Either way good luck!:cheer2::wizard:

[LLLBelle]

That is so cute!!! It makes me want to try your idea to invite Mickey & Minnie. As for the photographer...the best advice I can give you is look at their portfolio. If they cant provide one dont use them. That and make sure they dont require full payment up front. One of the girls I work with had to pay 100% before a shot was even taken and she's sooooo unhappy now. She is trying to get either a re-shot of her engagement photos or her money back.

Either way good luck!:cheer2::wizard:

You should do it, it's just one more invite, I have the address if you would like it, I got this back about a week and a half after I sent it. I sent one to Disneyland as well, but I have not gotten it back yet.

I have a photographer booked on the island, we only picked her because it was the only option my wedding planner gave us since she fit in out budget. We only have a deposit down, which we can get back, but the more I looked at her photos online, the more I just do not want to regret not going with another photographer. That's horrible about that girl that you work with.

[LLLBelle]

I did a bit of shopping last night (on eBay) and got couple cute things for my flower girls:

Of course I had to get them little beach bags/welcome bags of there very own
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/1331/princessbeachbag.jpg

I also got these little color posters, not sure if I will save them for the reception, or not.
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/2041/princesscolorposters.jpg

I have not bought these yet, apparently you can only get them in the UK, but I did find them on ebay. They are scrunch buckets and you can fold them up. I thought it would be nicer than a regular cheap beach bucket so they could actually take them home and would be able to get them packed. They are just really neat, I'm just weird I suppose :laughing:
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/1208/scrunchbucket.jpg

Oh, I should be talking to Becka from Studio 222 tomorrow, I will post updates.

My mom gets here tomorrow. . .so excited :dance3: I haven't seen her since December.

[ghoulish delight]

That's so cute! I'm sure your FGs are going to love having their own little bag! :goodvibes Those scrunch buckets are adorable too! You seriously must be a wizard :wizard: of the internet! You always find such cool things and good deals, Laurie! Hehe.

Yay for your mommy being there soon!!!

[PrincessShea]

Awww the flower girl stuff is precious, they will love it. And those buckets are a great idea. One of those inventions where you're like 'why didn't I think of that?' :rotfl:

Good luck talking with Becka tomorrow. Tell her I want my freaking pictures already! :lmao: just kidding, just kidding.

[LLLBelle]

That's so cute! I'm sure your FGs are going to love having their own little bag! :goodvibes Those scrunch buckets are adorable too! You seriously must be a wizard :wizard: of the internet! You always find such cool things and good deals, Laurie! Hehe.

Yay for your mommy being there soon!!!

Thanks, I'm sure they will too. Livie will only be two so I hope that it isn't too old for her, but I think it should work just fine. I can usually find anything and cheaper, or I at least try. . it's a gift :laughing: If you ever need me to find something for you, just let me know :thumbsup2

Awww the flower girl stuff is precious, they will love it. And those buckets are a great idea. One of those inventions where you're like 'why didn't I think of that?' :rotfl:

Good luck talking with Becka tomorrow. Tell her I want my freaking pictures already! :lmao: just kidding, just kidding.

Oh, definitely, I mean scrunch buckets. . .awesome! I did talk to Becka and she said that she just finished and put your pictures in the mail, but I didn't not ask her, I used you as a referrer and she made a comment. So you should have them soon :woohoo:

The talk with her went well, she is really sweet. She is going to work on some numbers and get back to me, so hopefully I will have good news in a few days.

I picked up my dress today! I will post pics later, I will say that it looks even better with 35 pounds off and I'm glad I ordered a size smaller, who would have thought I would see my waist look that small again :rotfl:

[LLLBelle]

Well Kyle is not answering his my e-mail to him and my mom is not answering her phone, so I have to say this somewhere. . .

We may have a new photographer!! Of course I need to talk it over with Kyle first, but I just got an e-mail back from Becka today and I would probably hug her if I could :banana: :banana: :banana: She gave us a few options but it will include wedding coverage, DVD, and a photo session at Disney plus they want to take pictures at our outing on Friday (not sure if it would be the Beach Party and Bio Bay, or just the Bio Bay).

So I am super excited! Not excited at the fact that I need to tell my wedding planner I want to cancel our other photographer, but so excited that I will (hopefully) be getting the photog we wanted in the first place!!

More dancing bananas :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

[twenty3curls]

Well Kyle is not answering his my e-mail to him and my mom is not answering her phone, so I have to say this somewhere. . .

We may have a new photographer!! Of course I need to talk it over with Kyle first, but I just got an e-mail back from Becka today and I would probably hug her if I could :banana: :banana: :banana: She gave us a few options but it will include wedding coverage, DVD, and a photo session at Disney plus they want to take pictures at our outing on Friday (not sure if it would be the Beach Party and Bio Bay, or just the Bio Bay).

So I am super excited! Not excited at the fact that I need to tell my wedding planner I want to cancel our other photographer, but so excited that I will (hopefully) be getting the photog we wanted in the first place!!

More dancing bananas :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:


Yay!! Happy happy dance! :cool1: Maybe some jumping around?? Of course! :yay::yay: :dance3:

That's awesome...I'm glad everything is working out the way you wanted it to!

[ghoulish delight]

Ooh!!! I am SO happy for you, dear!!! :yay::yay: I hope Kyle gives you the green light to go ahead with the photographer, since it's the one you really want! Do let us know! :goodvibes

[LLLBelle]

Okay, I feel sick and excited all at the same time.

First the good news. . .

:cheer2: :banana: :banana: :banana: We're getting Studio 222 to do our photography!!! :banana: :banana: :banana: :cheer2:

I just signed the contract and sent my deposit. I'm excited to have them, Becka is a sweetheart and I think we are going to end up with so many beautiful pictures that we may have never gotten otherwise.

Now the bad news. . .

I had to send my wedding planner an e-mail to cancel my previous photographer. I know it's her job and any one can change anything when it comes to your wedding, but it is my personality to worry (it's what I do) I'm a people pleaser. I'm trying to get over this fact. So I just feel sick to my stomach waiting for the response from her because I know how she is about things and frankly I have not been too pleased with her over the past couple months. I just hope things get better and this does not blow up.

I'll you know what happens with my wedding planner, but I am so excited we are getting the photographer we want, I'm trying not to let my worry spoil my excitement.

I'll post some pics of my dress fitting this weekend, I'm tired and it's past my bed time :goodvibes

[princess22]

Just caught up on your plans! YAY for the photographer! That is so exciting. I'm sure your pics are going to be gorgeous!!!!

I love the bags you got for the flower girls, those are so cute!

[MainStMandy]

Oh yay how exciting!!! Their work is beautiful!!

[LLLBelle]

Just caught up on your plans! YAY for the photographer! That is so exciting. I'm sure your pics are going to be gorgeous!!!!

I love the bags you got for the flower girls, those are so cute!

Thank you! I am soo excited. I really like the bags, they are not exactly what I thought they were going to be, but they should work unless I find something better :goodvibes

Oh yay how exciting!!! Their work is beautiful!!

From the photographer we had booked, I'm estatic, it is sooo worth the extra moolah.

--So I did all the worrying for nothing. About 10 minutes after I sent the "You're Fired" e-mail to my wedding planner, so replied back, "I totally understand, do you want to book a photographer on the island or bring one down with you?" and a second e-mail saying that she had e-mailed River to send my deposit back! So I feel better today.

I have a new photographer :dance3:

[MainStMandy]

Ah that is great news! See you worried for nothing :goodvibes

[GoonieBride]

good to hear!! :thumbsup2

[PrincessShea]

Yea :cool1: Glad to hear it all worked out and that you are happy with the change!

[LLLBelle]

good to hear!! :thumbsup2

Yea :cool1: Glad to hear it all worked out and that you are happy with the change!

I'm glad it worked out too. It's one less thing to worry about :goodvibes

[ghoulish delight]

Woohoo!! :woohoo: I'm so happy for you, Laurie!!! Now you don't have to second guess how the photos will look! You can relax, enjoy and focus on looking beautiful and having fun! :goodvibes

Cannot wait to see your dress fitting pics!!!!

[LLLBelle]

Woohoo!! :woohoo: I'm so happy for you, Laurie!!! Now you don't have to second guess how the photos will look! You can relax, enjoy and focus on looking beautiful and having fun! :goodvibes

Cannot wait to see your dress fitting pics!!!!

Thank you! I'm really excited and we're going to end up getting more photos then I even expected because they want to come to some of the activities we have friday to get to know everyone (I told them they did not have to take any pictures), but they offered to take a few to get everyone comfortable.

It's one less thing to worry about!! :cool1:

I was so bad about the pics, I kept meaning to this weekend, but time got away from me. I'll try to post a couple tonight.

[LLLBelle]

I saw Anjanette's dress (I'm not sure if it was the exact one) it looked the same, it looked every more beautiful in person.

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/4185/1001850o.jpg

This is my dress, first fitting, it is too big in the bust and it is too long, I'm going to wait until Oct/Nov for alterations. Please excuse the look on my face, I had been up since 5 am, my mom had just flown in, and it was a million degrees in the bridal shop.
http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/9572/1001842.jpg

This is my "Dolly Pardon" shot, so you can see the detail.
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/851/dsc01289q.jpg

When I tried on the dress again, it seemed quite a bit heavier than I remembered, it was also February when I tried it on. I had a moment of thought about whether or not I made the wrong choice in dress and if I should have choosen something with a shorter train and that was lighter. I love the dress, I just don't want to die in Puerto Rico from heat. I may go looking, just to confirm that I don't want to change my mind, but thus far I have not found anything I like better.

[LLLBelle]

I have finalized my centerpieces, my mom and I put them together. They just made me feel like they were missing something, not I love them and they will be perfect. I can not decide on orange, or pink roses though, I am leaning towards pink though. I am working on menu cards as well, I will post those later.

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/1725/1001944tre.jpg

We may use this as our engagement picture. It was taken up in Sedona for my birthday last week, when my mom was here, (I'm now a quarter century old :scared1:) We may take another in October on the beach when we go home for my bridal shower.

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/6996/1001916o.jpg

[ghoulish delight]

You look sooo beautiful, my dear!! Even if you were warm and tired! ;) I think that dress is absolutely perfect on you! The detail is positively gorgeous! Oooh, I'm getting super excited for your wedding now, and craving actual wedding photos!! :banana: :love:

And hey! Whatd'ya know?! That indeed is my gown! No mistaking it! :thumbsup2 By the way, I feel you on the being too big in the bust. I'm so glad I had them sew pads into my gown 'cause yikes. I can use any help I can get up top! Lol!

Your mock centerpiece looks fabulous! I still think those floralytes are the coolest thing ever. Super cute pic of you and your DF too! :cutie:

Edit: How could I forget?! Happy belated Birthday!! :hug:

[MainStMandy]

Laurie your dress is just stunning!! I love it! But you have to be comfortable. I after I bought mine I second guessed myself and tried on a few more...mine ended up being THE Dress...but you have to know for sure!!

Love the centerpieces too! And that pic of you guys is adorable!!:lovestruc

[LLLBelle]

You look sooo beautiful, my dear!! Even if you were warm and tired! ;) I think that dress is absolutely perfect on you! The detail is positively gorgeous! Oooh, I'm getting super excited for your wedding now, and craving actual wedding photos!! :banana: :love:

And hey! Whatd'ya know?! That indeed is my gown! No mistaking it! :thumbsup2 By the way, I feel you on the being too big in the bust. I'm so glad I had them sew pads into my gown 'cause yikes. I can use any help I can get up top! Lol!

Your mock centerpiece looks fabulous! I still think those floralytes are the coolest thing ever. Super cute pic of you and your DF too! :cutie:

Edit: How could I forget?! Happy belated Birthday!! :hug:

Thank you, I love the dress. I have it hanging on our linen closet door in the hall and I keep unzipping the garment bag just to look at it. Weird I know. If I had ordered one more size smaller I don't think the bust would really be an issue and when I originally tried it on it seemed fine, trust me I have enough to go around, but with losing weight I have lost some. I'm trying to get another 25-35 lbs off before I try to find somewhere to get it altered.

I loove floralytes, as you know :laughing: I really like how it all came together, I am happy with it. I ordered some diamond confetti for the table and I'm going to see if it looks better than the rocks when I get it. If you need some you can get it ridiculously cheap on ebay I got a pack of 500 for under $5, it would have been cheaper, but someone ran up the bidding right before it ended, or it would have been .99, oh well, it's still a good deal.

Thank you! It's the first nice picture of us in a while.

Laurie your dress is just stunning!! I love it! But you have to be comfortable. I after I bought mine I second guessed myself and tried on a few more...mine ended up being THE Dress...but you have to know for sure!!

Love the centerpieces too! And that pic of you guys is adorable!!:lovestruc

Thank you! I love it too, I looked online just out of curiousity and nothing appealed to me, I'll make it work, build a fan or something :rotfl: I also think that once it is altered it will be a bit better as well. It is too long and I have trouble walking in it so I think once I take it up it will be helpful and make it feel less cumbersome. I loove my dress. My mom's thought was to maybe change into a second dress sometime through the night, but I haven't decided on that yet.

We tweaked the centerpieces and I love them now. I read your comment about the petals and I decided to cut them. The last thing I need is a big gust of wind to blow them everywhere. So we are using the diamond confetti instead, I love the sparkle it adds :goodvibes

[LLLBelle]

Okay so I mentioned to my mom about getting a parasol for myself for the wedding since we will be taking some pictures before hand and I know I get in the sun, the last thing I need is for me to pass out from being in the sun in a ginormous dress.So my mom loves the idea and thinks I should get one for my grandmother as well and then we got talking about getting paper fans for everyone to stick in the welcome bags for the ceremony. I'm just thinking of cost (they are not that expensive) and just if it is necessary to do the fans.

Here are some of the ones I have been looking at:

http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/937/fuchsiafan.jpghttp://img160.imageshack.us/img160/3040/mangofan.jpg
http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/4072/bluefan.jpg
http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/6831/fuchsiaparasol.jpghttp://img187.imageshack.us/img187/5883/butterflyparasol.jpg

I had really liked the idea at first, then I thought about whether it was necessary and if I get a parasol for my grandmother, will the other ladies get upset because they don't have one and have just a fan. I'm not sure what to do :confused3

[PrincessShea]

I have finalized my centerpieces, my mom and I put them together. They just made me feel like they were missing something, not I love them and they will be perfect. I can not decide on orange, or pink roses though, I am leaning towards pink though. I am working on menu cards as well, I will post those later.

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/1725/1001944tre.jpg



Just want to say that these are awesome :thumbsup2

[jennjones1]

Just a tip -

I am having fans as my favours for my wedding, i ordered paper fans off of ebay and they were delivered and there were bad quality and didn't close very well once opened!! I am now going for silk fans hoping they are better. :thumbsup2

[ghoulish delight]

I think I'm losing it! I could have sworn I replied about the parasols/fans! :scratchin ANYWAY! Since apparently I didn't... lol... I think they'd be beautiful! I think as long as your parasol is different enough from your grandmother's, the others shouldn't be upset. It's important to keep grandma comfy and in some shade! :goodvibes

[LLLBelle]

Just want to say that these are awesome :thumbsup2

Thank you! I'm glad they finally came together, I love them :goodvibes

Oh, I don't know if you saw it on Becka's FB, but they had a profile on this Florida Wedding blog that had a feature about Studio 222, but your wedding was the feature wedding, I meant to post the link on your PJ. Not sure if you saw it, but I thought it was cool. :woohoo:

[LLLBelle]

Just a tip -

I am having fans as my favours for my wedding, i ordered paper fans off of ebay and they were delivered and there were bad quality and didn't close very well once opened!! I am now going for silk fans hoping they are better. :thumbsup2

I was actually thinking about that. I have been looking at www.lunabazaar.com for the paper fans and I have been considering the silk ones as well, most I have found are about 50 cents more than the paper ones. I even found a website that will personalize them http://www.beau-coup.com/personalized-silk-fans.htm They have great reviews on the website.

I think I'm losing it! I could have sworn I replied about the parasols/fans! :scratchin ANYWAY! Since apparently I didn't... lol... I think they'd be beautiful! I think as long as your parasol is different enough from your grandmother's, the others shouldn't be upset. It's important to keep grandma comfy and in some shade! :goodvibes

No worries :) I like the idea and I don't want my grandmother passing out either.

Kyle and I decided that we are going to do fans for everyone during the ceremony and I'm going to get a parasol for myself, I found some adorable pictures that I would love to use it for and I really don't want to pass out in the sun :laughing: I just don't think I want to incorporate the parasol into the ceremony. We're going to do blue fans and I'm getting a fuchsia parasol. I'm still discussing with my mom about whether or not to get one for my grandmother :confused3

[PrincessShea]

Thank you! I'm glad they finally came together, I love them :goodvibes

Oh, I don't know if you saw it on Becka's FB, but they had a profile on this Florida Wedding blog that had a feature about Studio 222, but your wedding was the feature wedding, I meant to post the link on your PJ. Not sure if you saw it, but I thought it was cool. :woohoo:

hahaha, I did not see that. Thanks for sharing :thumbsup2

[teddygurl28]

your dress is beautiful :lovestruc
..on a side note i think its funny most photos of us brides just trying the dresses on never have pretty facs..maybe we should all work on that :lmao:

i think alot of people second guess whether the dress is actually "THE" dress..because after you buy its like omg this is it ..but is it right will i be comfortable..did i look long enough..did i try enough on..all that...i think you look wonderful but you could always look just to be sure!


centerpieces...awesome!! aweseome!!..

[LLLBelle]

hahaha, I did not see that. Thanks for sharing :thumbsup2

You're welcome, here's the link. http://floridabridesblog.com/

your dress is beautiful :lovestruc
..on a side note i think its funny most photos of us brides just trying the dresses on never have pretty facs..maybe we should all work on that :lmao:

i think alot of people second guess whether the dress is actually "THE" dress..because after you buy its like omg this is it ..but is it right will i be comfortable..did i look long enough..did i try enough on..all that...i think you look wonderful but you could always look just to be sure!


centerpieces...awesome!! aweseome!!..

Thank you, I really love the dress. I will not be getting another one, as of right now anyway :goodvibes My mom actually was the one that said something since she was afraid I was going to overheat with all those layers. But I'm going to get a parasol to help keep me out of the sun for some of the before ceremony pics and I should be good. And the dress looking was my favorite part :goodvibes

I have my dress hanging in the hall and I peek at it every now and again. I'll go to get it altered in October and maybe I'll take some better face pics then :rotfl: I guess it's the same for everyone. It would have been better if the ladies had helped me into the dress and my mom didn't have to do it, but oh well.

I love how the centerpieces came out, they're complete now. Kyle really wanted these big (2") square diamonds to add to the table as well, I don't think it needs anything else, but I have to let him have something :laughing: We went to four Michaels to get enough, I'll post pictures after dinner.

[shippedtosea]

hey hun! I'm new at posting on your journal but you are posting on mine and I wanted to tell you how much I like your dress. It really looks great on you. I also like the parasols and fans :thumbsup2 (I am getting some for mine as well:) ) and the centerpieces are really pretty

[Pirate's Princess]

First off, your dress is lovely! Secondly I love the centerpieces and I'm definitely a fan of the fans, hehe, and the parasol!

[LLLBelle]

hey hun! I'm new at posting on your journal but you are posting on mine and I wanted to tell you how much I like your dress. It really looks great on you. I also like the parasols and fans :thumbsup2 (I am getting some for mine as well:) ) and the centerpieces are really pretty

Thanks for reading :goodvibes And thank you, I really love the dress. Yea, I think I'm going to get them, I'm just deciding between silk and paper fans.

First off, your dress is lovely! Secondly I love the centerpieces and I'm definitely a fan of the fans, hehe, and the parasol!

Thank you! I'm glad they finally came together. :goodvibes The idea is certainly growing on me and my mom really likes the idea.

[LLLBelle]

Mini Update:

I did get a response from DL from the invitation I sent, it was a signed picture of Mickey and Minnie in front of the castle in DL and a "Just Married" pin from DL. It is too cute, I was a little bad because it said hand cancel on it and the post man shoved it into our mailbox, but it didn't crinkle too bad.

Okay, now I have a little OCD and need to continually create things for me to do. But I saw Jenny's (Mrsdisneyb2b) zip hoodie with the her new last name and established from 2009, I thought it was awesome because you can actually wear it, but did not like the price from brideadvantage, so I found out that you can make your own design on cafepress and the prices are much cheaper (except they don't have white in womens) sooo I made a design for the back of the hoodie I'm thinking of getting, the hoodie will be pink and all the white you see in the design with be pink and will be about 45 compared to the 60-70 plus you can make a design for the front and the back. (I'm still working on the front). What do you think?

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/6622/tshirtdesign2.jpg

The only silly thing is that I'm getting married in Puerto Rico which equals I probably won't be cold :laughing: and Florida will be hit or miss for January, but I like it anyway and I'm thinking about making a tank top as well for when I get my hair done and the flight to Orlando.

I also think I'm having a shoe dilemma. I like the shoes I already bought, but think about going with flats. I really want flip flops with little jewels on the straps, but I don't think I will be able to do our choregraphed dance with them. So my thought at the moment is to wear the heels for the ceremony and our first dance and find something comfy for the rest of the reception, especially since I don't think I can return the shoes since I bought them in March. I'm not sure what to do :confused3

And to top all the wedding stuff off, we are thinking of moving, not until after the wedding, but we just need to figure out where the money is coming from. So who knows what is going to happen with that.

Okay the novel is over :rotfl:

[tiggerrifficheidi]

I got a short sleeve hoodie with capri pants. It's not really that warm, so I wear it around the house (except in the REAL winter!)

[ghoulish delight]

I definitely dig the hoodie idea! That's super cute, Laurie! :thumbsup2 I think the tanktop would be the safest choice though, considering Puerto Rico. But no matter what, I think they'd both be adorable.

I think you'd be wise to get yourself some flats too! That's why I nixed the whole idea of me wearing heels altogether! :rotfl2: I thought - eh, what the heck? I might as well be comfy the whole day! I think some cute sandals would be perfect considering where you guys are having your wedding too! :lovestruc

[msGAJeepgurl]

Ooooo what fun! I've been looking a custom honeymoon shirt for Alex & I that I can later put into a memory box frame along with a pic.

You give me inspirations!!

[shippedtosea]

They are finally done! It was a very looong day Sunday putting everything together, but they came out beautiful (if I do say so myself :goodvibes)

Apparently you can invite Mickey and Minnie, we're also sending one to the President and you supposedly get a letter, or something back, so I figured it was worth a try.
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/3322/1001747x.jpg

The petal envelopes were my favorite, I did not want to compromise on, I love them!
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/1631/1001751w.jpg

We're adding a little song request card with the invitation to get early requests and to get some ideas for reception songs, since the dj might not have all the songs and we can be prepared before we leave.
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/8168/1001754m.jpg

There is a little hidden mickey in the corner of the design, Kyle just thought I was weird for noticing, but it made me smile :)
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/3570/1001758u.jpg

hey! This is a little bit old of a post BUT I was wondering where you got the paper and stuff for your invites? I wanted to make our own...but it seems like it will be too expensive to get all the supplies so where did you get yooours? btw they are really pretty <3

[LLLBelle]

hey! This is a little bit old of a post BUT I was wondering where you got the paper and stuff for your invites? I wanted to make our own...but it seems like it will be too expensive to get all the supplies so where did you get yooours? btw they are really pretty <3

First of all Thank you! I really love how they came out.

Okay, I got my paper from http://paperandmore.com/ I really liked the quality of the paper and it was pretty reasonable compared to some other sites I checked out. I did buy a papercutter and a glue runner, which were the only real supplies I can think of that I did not already have. You can get the paper precut, but it's a little extra and I wanted to buy a whole pack of the linen paper and I was only making 30 invites so I just cut it myself.

To maximize the cost effectiveness I ordered an entire pack of the linen paper (white) and the middle blue on the invite. Then I ordered what I needed for the metallic, petals, and a whole pack for the outer and inner envelope. I have plenty of the linen and blue paper left for my menu cards, welcome bag tags, favor tags, and whatever other paper products I may need. I did also purchase the little jewels, but they were not that bad, with a coupon at Michaels.

I have also heard of people using http://cardsandpockets.com/, but I really have no experience with the company. The prices did not seem bad though when I checked it out after the fact.

Overall I think I paid about $120 for all the paper, cutter (from Costco @ $30), glue runner + refills (Michaels w/ coupon $10), and jewels (Michaels w/ coupon about $5). But when I factor in all the items I am getting out of what I bought, I am saving a lot and I will still have paper left over to make thank you cards as well. Oh and I'm helping my mom make my bridal show invites, I'll post them when I am done.

Let me know if you would like any help, or have any other questions. I am thinking of starting a little etsy store after my wedding so I would be happy to help :goodvibes

[LLLBelle]

I definitely dig the hoodie idea! That's super cute, Laurie! :thumbsup2 I think the tanktop would be the safest choice though, considering Puerto Rico. But no matter what, I think they'd both be adorable.

I think you'd be wise to get yourself some flats too! That's why I nixed the whole idea of me wearing heels altogether! :rotfl2: I thought - eh, what the heck? I might as well be comfy the whole day! I think some cute sandals would be perfect considering where you guys are having your wedding too! :lovestruc

Yea, I think I may get both, I'm thinking about making one for my mom that says "Mom of Honor" since she is both MOB and MOH :goodvibes

The shoes I already bought are only 2 inches, but I wasn't even comfortable in them just standing for 20 minutes at the bridal shop, so I'm on the hunt for something else, I just can't find anything I am totally happy with, or I'm just being picky :laughing:

Ooooo what fun! I've been looking a custom honeymoon shirt for Alex & I that I can later put into a memory box frame along with a pic.

You give me inspirations!!

That's a cute idea! Let me know if you want any help with the design, photoshop is my therapy :rotfl:

I got a short sleeve hoodie with capri pants. It's not really that warm, so I wear it around the house (except in the REAL winter!)

That's a great idea, I'll have to see if they have something like that.

[ghoulish delight]

Hon, you have every right to be picky! It's your wedding day afterall! And shoes are important as not so comfy shoes would kind of hinder your enjoyment. :rolleyes: So you know I'm all for the flats! Lol.

And did I read correctly? You might be making an etsy store after the wedding? Ooh? Hopefully not too long after your own wedding so I might be able to purchase some Laurie-made invites! :rolleyes1 Hehe. Seriously though, I forgot how gorgeous they were!!

[LLLBelle]

Hon, you have every right to be picky! It's your wedding day afterall! And shoes are important as not so comfy shoes would kind of hinder your enjoyment. :rolleyes: So you know I'm all for the flats! Lol.

And did I read correctly? You might be making an etsy store after the wedding? Ooh? Hopefully not too long after your own wedding so I might be able to purchase some Laurie-made invites! :rolleyes1 Hehe. Seriously though, I forgot how gorgeous they were!!

Amen to that :goodvibes

Yes, I will hopefully be able to start it after the wedding, I would love to start it now, with just a couple things, but Kyle thinks we have enough on our plate right now, so I must wait :headache: But I am certainly happy to help with your invites if you need any!

[ghoulish delight]

Oh, I wouldn't want to do anything that would further cause you stress my dear! But if you'd be willing, then would you consider doing the design in photoshop for us? I'd be happy to pay you to do it. Then maybe I could figure out where to go from there! :rotfl: With a bit of your guidance, hopefully! Hehe.

[shippedtosea]

First of all Thank you! I really love how they came out.

Okay, I got my paper from http://paperandmore.com/ I really liked the quality of the paper and it was pretty reasonable compared to some other sites I checked out. I did buy a papercutter and a glue runner, which were the only real supplies I can think of that I did not already have. You can get the paper precut, but it's a little extra and I wanted to buy a whole pack of the linen paper and I was only making 30 invites so I just cut it myself.

To maximize the cost effectiveness I ordered an entire pack of the linen paper (white) and the middle blue on the invite. Then I ordered what I needed for the metallic, petals, and a whole pack for the outer and inner envelope. I have plenty of the linen and blue paper left for my menu cards, welcome bag tags, favor tags, and whatever other paper products I may need. I did also purchase the little jewels, but they were not that bad, with a coupon at Michaels.

I have also heard of people using http://cardsandpockets.com/, but I really have no experience with the company. The prices did not seem bad though when I checked it out after the fact.

Overall I think I paid about $120 for all the paper, cutter (from Costco @ $30), glue runner + refills (Michaels w/ coupon $10), and jewels (Michaels w/ coupon about $5). But when I factor in all the items I am getting out of what I bought, I am saving a lot and I will still have paper left over to make thank you cards as well. Oh and I'm helping my mom make my bridal show invites, I'll post them when I am done.

Let me know if you would like any help, or have any other questions. I am thinking of starting a little etsy store after my wedding so I would be happy to help :goodvibes

thanks ever so much. I made a mock up of my invites yesturday and I really liked them (so did DF <3) but then I was looking at the prices of the paper i'd need :eek: so I got worried and started searching around for other options. I also realized as I was falling asleep that I over estimated how many invites I will need......I was counting how many people I was inviting....but a lot of them are couples! haha Momentary bridal craziness :rolleyes1 its really the cardstock that is killing me the ones i made need 11x17 so thats what throwing me off. I do however need card stock for my fans SO! we'll see. DId you do your printing at home or did you go somewhere? (I have no printer :( )thanks again for your help

[LLLBelle]

Oh, I wouldn't want to do anything that would further cause you stress my dear! But if you'd be willing, then would you consider doing the design in photoshop for us? I'd be happy to pay you to do it. Then maybe I could figure out where to go from there! :rotfl: With a bit of your guidance, hopefully! Hehe.

It has nothing to do with stress, he's just worried about a lot of things right now, especially since we are thinking about moving a few months after the wedding. But like I said, for me, it's my therapy and keeps me sane :goodvibes and whatever does that is a good thing, in my book :laughing: I have begun to create more projects for myself just to keep myself busy since most of my wedding planning is done.

So bottom line, I would looove to help you with the design. Just send me some ideas of what you had in mind, I know you had some in your PJ that you liked and sending me the wording you would like. And some things to think about, what colors do you want on the actual word part? Are you thinking of doing a pocket, or something different? Do you want it layer and the coloring of the layering? A lot to think about, but it will all affects each other. I'm happy to help, if you would like me to :goodvibes

[LLLBelle]

thanks ever so much. I made a mock up of my invites yesturday and I really liked them (so did DF <3) but then I was looking at the prices of the paper i'd need :eek: so I got worried and started searching around for other options. I also realized as I was falling asleep that I over estimated how many invites I will need......I was counting how many people I was inviting....but a lot of them are couples! haha Momentary bridal craziness :rolleyes1 its really the cardstock that is killing me the ones i made need 11x17 so thats what throwing me off. I do however need card stock for my fans SO! we'll see. DId you do your printing at home or did you go somewhere? (I have no printer :( )thanks again for your help

I'm glad I could help :goodvibes

How many invites do you need? And what did you have in mind that you need the 11x17? Also what colors did you need for the cardstock? I'm just asking so I can get an idea and maybe help you get something more affordable or find another place for paper. I did do all my own printing. I have heard of other brides using Kinko's or Staples and that the pricing wasn't too bad and they should be able to print 11 x 17, most home based printers can't fit that size.

[figmentfan814]

Just got a chance to skim through your PJ so far. The location in Puerto Rico is beautiful! I love your e-ring, my main stone is a sapphire instead of a diamond, so I always love anything with them in it. Also, I used parasols for my bridesmaids to use in pictures and they really turned out beautiful :goodvibes

[LLLBelle]

Just got a chance to skim through your PJ so far. The location in Puerto Rico is beautiful! I love your e-ring, my main stone is a sapphire instead of a diamond, so I always love anything with them in it. Also, I used parasols for my bridesmaids to use in pictures and they really turned out beautiful :goodvibes

Thanks for reading! I have been lurking around your PJ and TR, I'm not sure that I posted, but your wedding was beautiful. Thank you!! We were going to put a sapphire in the center as well, but thought it would be too much and liked them better down the side.

[tiggersam00]

Hey girl, I just wanted to pop by and catch up on everything you have going on! I love your invites as well, they have a real princessy, sparkly, magical feel to them, so pretty Laurie!
Also, that hoodie you will be making is so cute!! I am loving the colors and you will be able to wear it a lot more then something that says "Bride to Be" or something like that, great idea:goodvibes

[shippedtosea]

I'm glad I could help :goodvibes

How many invites do you need? And what did you have in mind that you need the 11x17? Also what colors did you need for the cardstock? I'm just asking so I can get an idea and maybe help you get something more affordable or find another place for paper. I did do all my own printing. I have heard of other brides using Kinko's or Staples and that the pricing wasn't too bad and they should be able to print 11 x 17, most home based printers can't fit that size.

i suck! hahaha I didn't realize you replied to my post! :guilty: I need the
11x17 because I made pocket invites and they don't really work with smaller paper unless there is a seam and I don't want that! I need Pale yellow, and navy. (I need pale blue for the fans...but that I know where to get..) I did solve one problem with my printing issue. My boss said I could use her fancy one! for free! so thats nice. just have to figure out paper issues. Sorry I took so long to notice you replied back!

[LLLBelle]

Hey girl, I just wanted to pop by and catch up on everything you have going on! I love your invites as well, they have a real princessy, sparkly, magical feel to them, so pretty Laurie!
Also, that hoodie you will be making is so cute!! I am loving the colors and you will be able to wear it a lot more then something that says "Bride to Be" or something like that, great idea:goodvibes

Thanks! It was many hours of work (for about 30) , but I love them :goodvibes totally worth it. I love the hoodie, I haven't ordered it yet, I just didn't see the point of paying $60-70 for something I could never wear again, plus I can design this myself and it will end up being about $45 and I can put a design on the front and back. I am also working on a design for tanks for my mom and I for the day of, hers will say "Mom of Honor" I just haven't decided if I will use a similar design to the hoodie, or something different.

[LLLBelle]

i suck! hahaha I didn't realize you replied to my post! :guilty: I need the
11x17 because I made pocket invites and they don't really work with smaller paper unless there is a seam and I don't want that! I need Pale yellow, and navy. (I need pale blue for the fans...but that I know where to get..) I did solve one problem with my printing issue. My boss said I could use her fancy one! for free! so thats nice. just have to figure out paper issues. Sorry I took so long to notice you replied back!

No worries, I should have posted it in your pj, I did post a website I found for paper on your pj. That's great that your boss is letting you use the printer, free is the best price :goodvibes

[GoonieBride]

congrats on a free printer! always a plus!! cant wait to see how the turn out!

[Pirate's Princess]

Laurie! You are just so crafty! I'm totally jealous. That would be so awesome to have a DisBride on etsy. I'd totally buy from you! :goodvibes:

[tiggersam00]

hey I always say "If its free, then its for me" So awesome abou the printer, cant wait to see the result:goodvibes

[LLLBelle]

I have not updated my PJ is a bit so I thought I would make a bit of an update.

I have done some shopping:

I finally found earrings!! I was so excited when I found them, only $22 from Macy's! I am still on the lookout for a necklace, they have ones from the same designer that go with it, but I may get the celtic necklace I really liked when I am in Jersey next month.
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/1122/1002173c.jpg

I did find a really cute halter swimsuit that can be strapless as well (so I won't get tanlines), I don't have a photo of it. I also got a couple sarong skirts for the wedding weekend and disney.
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/3100/blueskirt.jpghttp://img38.imageshack.us/img38/8408/skirtdarkpinklightpink.jpg

I also found a dress for the welcome party. Only $56 (originally 188) off ebay, I hope it looks good on, I should get it by the end of the week.
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/7017/jsboutiquevino.jpg

I love good deals :goodvibes

I will also be ordering the fans and parasols for the ceremony and floralytes and diamond confetti for the tables once Kyle is paid on Friday and we should be good aside from a couple little things.

[pezaddict231]

Love all your purchases. The earrings are beautiful! I really like the sarongs, the pink one slightly more since it's a little different. The welcome party dress is beautiful too! Love the color!

[LLLBelle]

I helped my mom design and make my bridal shower invites. I had made another design that I liked better and we went back and forth about the design, but she loved the chairs on the beach and I had the grand idea of making it look like a postcard so she didn't want to change it at that point. The colors look a bit different printed out, but it was a good compromise.

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/469/nowords.jpghttp://img3.imageshack.us/img3/5338/backofinvitation4.jpg

Also we went to check out Kyle's wedding band. Well gold has recently spiked up so the original ring we have had picked out forever, is now way out of our price range. It would have originally cost us about 500-600, now it will be about 800-1200 for what he wants. It's just a good thing we got my ring last year when gold was down, if only we had bought his ring. . .

So we started looking at Tungsten and Titanium, I didn't want to have him be upset and feel like his ring was being downgraded. But he did like some of the rings we looked at and the price is within the $500 we wanted to stay in, if not lower. These are some that he likes and one more I found, but could not get a picture to share, he likes the square cut, but since Tungsten and Titanium rings are machine made it's hard to find and our jeweler can not customize them.

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/7363/2bluestrip.jpghttp://img9.imageshack.us/img9/1197/blackband.jpg
http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/7417/bluestripring.jpghttp://img3.imageshack.us/img3/2791/cordring.jpg

[LLLBelle]

Love all your purchases. The earrings are beautiful! I really like the sarongs, the pink one slightly more since it's a little different. The welcome party dress is beautiful too! Love the color!

Thanks! I have a regular sarong, both are suppose to be similar I thought they may stay on a little better since my regular once seems to untie itself ( which is usually not a good thing :laughing:) Now I just need to find something to where for my bridal shower and photo shoot :confused3

[LLLBelle]

No update today, but I did have to mention:

4 months to go!!! :banana:

I can't believe it.

[teddygurl28]

ohhhhh i love shopping posts!!! the earrings are so pretttyyy! 4 months is crazy, you must be getting so excited.


i love the post card idea, those came out cute, i love the chairs on the beach photo ..looks so relaxing--i wish i could be there right now

[pezaddict231]

The shower invites are beautiful! That stinks about the wedding bands. We haven't started looking yet and DF has no idea what he wants.

Yay 4 months! It'll be here before you know it!

[LLLBelle]

ohhhhh i love shopping posts!!! the earrings are so pretttyyy! 4 months is crazy, you must be getting so excited.


i love the post card idea, those came out cute, i love the chairs on the beach photo ..looks so relaxing--i wish i could be there right now

Thanks! I wish I was sitting on the beach right now too. I have not seen the beach in over a year. . .a tragedy.

The shower invites are beautiful! That stinks about the wedding bands. We haven't started looking yet and DF has no idea what he wants.

Yay 4 months! It'll be here before you know it!

Thank you! My mom went back and forth for a while on the design because I told her I wasn't going to send them to her plain. So we compromised and agreed on those :goodvibes.

I feel bad able his band, I know he really wanted the other and I told him that we can get the original one once we move and are settled, we just can't afford it right now. It has become difficult since he has been dragging his feet about picking what he wants. We still have some time, but if we order from the one company it can take 4-5 weeks to come in, the other is only 2, still I would like to have it done. So have your DF start looking now! :laughing:

[LLLBelle]

I did make one change. I have been going back and forth about getting different shoes, as I may have mentioned this is a previous post. Well, I bought new shoes, I don't have a picture yet. They are actually custom ballroom shoes, Kyle and I have been taking dance lessons for about 6 months now. I got the idea off another wedding board. They are not the prettiest shoes, but they are cute and are timeless in a way. I got a double thick padding, a one inch heel and to my dismise it is white satin, but I can dye them after the wedding. It was definitely more than I expected to spend, but I will get use out of the shoe. I'm so glad I did not buy them off line, all though it would have been cheaper, the guy I talked to was very knowledgeable and if I had ordered them online the way I was planning, I would not have been able to use them for ballroom afterwards. So

I did check my sarongs and dress in the mail, I have a little work to do to fit into the dress, so close.

[pezaddict231]

I will definitely make him pick his ring out soon, otherwise I know he'll wait till the last minute too!

Great news about the shoes, I'm looking forward to seeing them, I bet they'll be way more comfortable than regular shoes. Are you guys doing a special dance for your first dance? DFSIL did that and it really was great to watch.

[LLLBelle]

I will definitely make him pick his ring out soon, otherwise I know he'll wait till the last minute too!

Great news about the shoes, I'm looking forward to seeing them, I bet they'll be way more comfortable than regular shoes. Are you guys doing a special dance for your first dance? DFSIL did that and it really was great to watch.

I hope they are comfortable for the whole evening! They felt great in the store, DFi really wanted me to get the two inch heel since we have such a height different, but I wanted to be comfortable and the 1 inch in a bit chunkier and I'm not too much of a heel girl, if I could I would :goodvibes

I think we are going to get it choreographed, we just have to agree on a song first. The original song we were going to do, I think is too slow now and I would like to do something a bit quicker. Our dance instructor even suggested maybe putting together a melody, which I thought might be neat to do.

[MainStMandy]

I have not updated my PJ is a bit so I thought I would make a bit of an update.

I have done some shopping:

I finally found earrings!! I was so excited when I found them, only $22 from Macy's! I am still on the lookout for a necklace, they have ones from the same designer that go with it, but I may get the celtic necklace I really liked when I am in Jersey next month.
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/1122/1002173c.jpg

I did find a really cute halter swimsuit that can be strapless as well (so I won't get tanlines), I don't have a photo of it. I also got a couple sarong skirts for the wedding weekend and disney.
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/3100/blueskirt.jpghttp://img38.imageshack.us/img38/8408/skirtdarkpinklightpink.jpg

I also found a dress for the welcome party. Only $56 (originally 188) off ebay, I hope it looks good on, I should get it by the end of the week.
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/7017/jsboutiquevino.jpg

I love good deals :goodvibes

I will also be ordering the fans and parasols for the ceremony and floralytes and diamond confetti for the tables once Kyle is paid on Friday and we should be good aside from a couple little things.
LOVE those earrings! I almost got them too!!!

The dress is gorgeous! I also found a fun one for the welcome party!

I helped my mom design and make my bridal shower invites. I had made another design that I liked better and we went back and forth about the design, but she loved the chairs on the beach and I had the grand idea of making it look like a postcard so she didn't want to change it at that point. The colors look a bit different printed out, but it was a good compromise.

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/469/nowords.jpghttp://img3.imageshack.us/img3/5338/backofinvitation4.jpg

Also we went to check out Kyle's wedding band. Well gold has recently spiked up so the original ring we have had picked out forever, is now way out of our price range. It would have originally cost us about 500-600, now it will be about 800-1200 for what he wants. It's just a good thing we got my ring last year when gold was down, if only we had bought his ring. . .

So we started looking at Tungsten and Titanium, I didn't want to have him be upset and feel like his ring was being downgraded. But he did like some of the rings we looked at and the price is within the $500 we wanted to stay in, if not lower. These are some that he likes and one more I found, but could not get a picture to share, he likes the square cut, but since Tungsten and Titanium rings are machine made it's hard to find and our jeweler can not customize them.

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/7363/2bluestrip.jpghttp://img9.imageshack.us/img9/1197/blackband.jpg
http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/7417/bluestripring.jpghttp://img3.imageshack.us/img3/2791/cordring.jpg

Love the STD's. Eric is looking at similar wedding bands. I love the one with the blue!

[shippedtosea]

I swore I replied to to your post! Guess not...I think im going crazy


ANYWAY, the earrings are beautiful! I love them. what a great price! I should get my butt over to macy's. I really like your welcome dress, its so pretty. I also really like the shower invites, they are fun and cute


I like the rings DF is looking at they are different. My DF got a titanium ring as well and loves it because its not so girly as he puts it. I like the 3rd one the best. Be careful though, some of those rings run slightly bigger (I have no idea WHY) and we ordered the wrong size and had to reorder it.

[LLLBelle]

I swore I replied to to your post! Guess not...I think im going crazy


ANYWAY, the earrings are beautiful! I love them. what a great price! I should get my butt over to macy's. I really like your welcome dress, its so pretty. I also really like the shower invites, they are fun and cute


I like the rings DF is looking at they are different. My DF got a titanium ring as well and loves it because its not so girly as he puts it. I like the 3rd one the best. Be careful though, some of those rings run slightly bigger (I have no idea WHY) and we ordered the wrong size and had to reorder it.

Thanks! I really love the earrings, I'm going to look at this celtic necklace I had seen when I was home in Jersey a while ago so hopefully it will go with the earrings and the dress for that matter.

He still wants the original ring we picked out a while ago, we just can't afford it right now so I hope we can find something he likes just as well. I will keep that in mind :goodvibes

[LLLBelle]

Okay I need some help! I am not very happy with my wedding planner, for multiple reasons, but the main one being my centerpieces. I posted a picture of them a few pages back. I had asked her about them several months and she said they would be fine, that we would just have to put the floating candles low in the vase, which I was fine with. Now she is saying that it is too breezy at our venue and if the breeze does not get them then guests bumping the tables will and you can't re-light them once they get wet. Kyle wants to keep them as is and just not light the candle, but I just think that would look stupid with the floralyte in the bottom. I am going to discuss this with her, but would like to find a suitable back up centerpiece. I have been rethinking the centerpiece lately because of table tents that I made, which I can post tonight.

I would love to find non-floral centerpieces (a few flowers is okay) I love candles and if there was a way to still incorporate the floralytes, that would be awesome.

I appreciate the help :goodvibes

[MainStMandy]

Laurie what about using floating flamless candles?? They make battery operated ones!!

[MainStMandy]

To show you what I mean:
http://www.batteryoperatedcandles.net/mm5/graphics/00000001/white-rose.jpg

http://www.hp-laptop-batteries.net/image/ELEDR01MO1.jpg

[LLLBelle]

I was considering that actually. I just wonder if having the floralyte in the bottom and that on top would be too much. . .hmmm. . .I may have to stop at Michael's to see if they have them to try one.

[LLLBelle]

Okay, it has definitely been awhile since I posted, life has been pretty crazy. I lost my grandmother about a month ago, after a 5 year battle with cancer, then we lost DF's grandmother about 2 weeks ago from a stroke. So needless to say I have been a little off.

I got excited because we are only two months out! :cool1: I really can not believe how fast the time has gone. I have gotten a lot done, it has helped keep me sane. All the menus, bag tags, and favor tags are done, I can post pictures tonight. I am still attempting to make these panel fans, I have just been waiting to print them because of DF's grandmother and the memorial panel I put in it.

We changed the centerpieces because my wedding planner pretty much didn't want to do the floating candle ones because they can get knocked and the candle would go out, soo I decided to semi copy the centerpieces my mom did for my bridal shower, except with roses. So we are doing one long table with roses in blue square vases and pillar candles.

My WP has kind of been pissing me off, by making some rude comments, her last email to me had me fuming. I'm trying to not take it personal since it is not my fault that she has spread herself so thin, but it doesn't help her image with me. Kyle and I both have decided that she will not be getting a tip.

I'll try to post some pictures tonight. I should probably get back to work :goodvibes

[MiaBella05]

popcorn:: joining in popcorn::

[pezaddict231]

I'm so sorry to hear about your grandmother and DF's grandmother. It's completely understandable that you haven't felt like yourself lately.

Yay for only two months to go! Sounds like you've been making a lot of progress. Can't wait to see your finished projects.

That is really annoying with the planner. She shouldn't be taking out her frustrations on you. In this economy everyone has had to pick up some slack. I'm glad you're not letting it get to you, and your day will still turn out to be beautiful!

[LLLBelle]

popcorn:: joining in popcorn::

Thanks!

I'm so sorry to hear about your grandmother and DF's grandmother. It's completely understandable that you haven't felt like yourself lately.

Yay for only two months to go! Sounds like you've been making a lot of progress. Can't wait to see your finished projects.

That is really annoying with the planner. She shouldn't be taking out her frustrations on you. In this economy everyone has had to pick up some slack. I'm glad you're not letting it get to you, and your day will still turn out to be beautiful!

Thanks, it has been a rough few weeks, but things are slowly getting back to normal.

I'm excited, I'm going to try to post some pictures this weekend. And I'm going to e-mail my planner, it's been almost two weeks since she told me she was sending me my final flower budget so we will see if it takes another week for me to hear something back.

[LLLBelle]

Bridal Shower! For any S. Jersey folks, it was at Ventura's Off Shore Cafe and it was a nice location, the food was great. It was pouring outside the day of the shower, but it was a great day.
My mom got an awesome cake made. She wanted to have a fancier cake since I am not really having one for the wedding. It was delicious and it was just vanilla and chocolate.
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/1259/pa172055.jpg
The centerpieces were cute.
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/48/pa172087.jpg
We're going to do something like this for the wedding, except with hot pink roses and a floralyte in the water and candles in between them. We're not using the table tents anymore (since it is one table), but those are the place cards, I'll post better pictures later.
http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/6540/pa172100.jpg
My momma and me. It was a fabulous shower and we ended up getting a lot, we were very surprised.
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/6540/pa172100.jpg

[Pirate's Princess]

Laurie that party looks like it was a lot of fun. That cake is awesome!

[LLLBelle]

Laurie that party looks like it was a lot of fun. That cake is awesome!

It really was great. Not only did the cake look great, it tasted awesome!

Things have been getting a little crazy, I mean where did December come from! Craziness. Well we are about 6 weeks out, we are going to start packing up some things to send down to our wedding planner. I have my first and perhaps final fitting for my dress. We bought Kyle's suit. I may have carpaltunnel from making panel fans, but they do look lovely. And I ordered our Disney tickets today! I am so excited. We also got the issue with our cancelled flights taken care of and may have a chance to get our NYC fix in with our layover in Newark, especially since continental is paying for the hotel :thumbsup2

I don't think I ever posted our ADRs either:
We did decide to do the DxDDP
Sunday: Flying Fish (as long as our flight isn't delayed)
Monday: Tony's Town Square
The Wave
Tuesday: Kona Cafe (Breakfast)
Citricos
Wednesday: Donald's Tusker House
Yachtsman
Thursday: GF Cafe
Sci-Fi
Le Cellier
Friday: Ohana's Breakfast
GF Cafe Cafe
Jiko
Saturday: Tutto Italia

The three days of meals seems a little intimidating and I have though about adding another signature and removing a lunch or breakfast. And I'm still not sure about Tony's, it's mostly because I love Lady in the Tramp. But I will more than likely just leave it since I have other things to worry about, at least it is done :goodvibes

I know I have been saying it, but I am going to try to post pictures of some of the things we have done.

[ghoulish delight]

Laurie, I'm still so so sorry about your grandmother AND Kyle's. :sad1: It's always hard to lose any loved one, but to lose two like that... I can't imagine. I'm just glad the planning has helped you get your mind off things and get through this. I know I've been missing on the boards lately, but never hesitate to contact me if you need anyone to talk to. :hug:

Now, I saw some of your bridal shower pics on FB and it just looked so adorable and fun!! I hope mine will be as cool as yours. I am getting SO excited for you!!! Your wedding is almost here! :goodvibes You must be like, beyond control excited? Hehe.

BTW, I loooove the earrings you got! So pretty and go perfectly with your dress! Sorry about your WP being a butthead too. I know mine has been MIA for months and months now. Sigh. What can you do? Hopefully they'll both be a bit more helpful. :rolleyes1

[bellebride116]

We have the same wedding date! yay! I can't believe how close it is getting!

[shippedtosea]

I am very much behind! Your bridal shower cake is awesome! I absolutely love it. I'm glad you had a good time.

Great ADRs, we are eating a bunch of those. Tony's is really good. We went there in December and DF is very upset that we aren't doing it for our honeymoon (we have so much other places we want to try)

You are getting so close! Hope all is going well

[pezaddict231]

Your bridal shower looks so fun! I love the cake, how amazing and all the decorations were so nice. They did a great job planning it.

Yay, only a little a month to go now, how exciting!

Great choices on the ADR's. We've done the DxDp twice now and love it! DF is really upset we won't be doing it for the wedding trip. The days when we had three meals it was a little challenging, but as long as they are spaced out enough it will be fine, just don't eat too much at breakfast and lunch, which can be hard because Disney food is sooo tasty!

[LLLBelle]

Laurie, I'm still so so sorry about your grandmother AND Kyle's. :sad1: It's always hard to lose any loved one, but to lose two like that... I can't imagine. I'm just glad the planning has helped you get your mind off things and get through this. I know I've been missing on the boards lately, but never hesitate to contact me if you need anyone to talk to. :hug:

Now, I saw some of your bridal shower pics on FB and it just looked so adorable and fun!! I hope mine will be as cool as yours. I am getting SO excited for you!!! Your wedding is almost here! :goodvibes You must be like, beyond control excited? Hehe.

BTW, I loooove the earrings you got! So pretty and go perfectly with your dress! Sorry about your WP being a butthead too. I know mine has been MIA for months and months now. Sigh. What can you do? Hopefully they'll both be a bit more helpful. :rolleyes1

Thanks dear :hug: I appreciate that. Things are coming back to being somewhat normal. And I have my moments, especially since I haven't changed the speed dial on my cell phone and it comes up as her, I still can't believe she is gone.

The bridal shower was a lot of fun and I got to see many who are not attending the wedding. My mom and grandmother really did a great job.

I really do like the earrings, now DFi wants to buy me wedding jewerly so I don't know if the earrings will be changing, or not, we'll have to see :confused3

My WP has been better, wonderful as a matter of fact. She has been just like she was initially. So it makes me feel better, everything is wrapping up. :woohoo: Hopefully, yours will come around, it's certainly not fun.

We have the same wedding date! yay! I can't believe how close it is getting!

That's awesome! It's a good date :thumbsup2

I am very much behind! Your bridal shower cake is awesome! I absolutely love it. I'm glad you had a good time.

Great ADRs, we are eating a bunch of those. Tony's is really good. We went there in December and DF is very upset that we aren't doing it for our honeymoon (we have so much other places we want to try)

You are getting so close! Hope all is going well

Thank you! It tasted wonderful too!

That's good to know, I have heard some missed reviews on Tony's, but Lady and the Tramp is one of my favorite movies so I really wanted to try it.

[LLLBelle]

Your bridal shower looks so fun! I love the cake, how amazing and all the decorations were so nice. They did a great job planning it.

Yay, only a little a month to go now, how exciting!

Great choices on the ADR's. We've done the DxDp twice now and love it! DF is really upset we won't be doing it for the wedding trip. The days when we had three meals it was a little challenging, but as long as they are spaced out enough it will be fine, just don't eat too much at breakfast and lunch, which can be hard because Disney food is sooo tasty!

Thanks! It was a beautiful shower.

I really don't know where the time goes, I mean Christmas is two weeks away and we are five weeks out, it is insane.

I was going to scale down to the basic DP, but DFi really want to eat where we wanted to and not have to worry. So I'm excited to try some different places. The three meals in a day are a little concerning, but I think we should be good, I avoided buffets and our meals are between 6 and 7 hours a part. If DFi would have let me move Le Cellier to a lunch it would have been fine because I would have booked another signature, but he wanted it for dinner. Oh well, I'm not too worried.

[pezaddict231]

omigod, didn't even realize x-mas was so close....gotta get a move on that shopping!

The DxDP is so fun, it's great to be able to try out all those different restaurants. I also like being able to get whatever you want and try different appetizers. Don't worry, you'll be fine with the three meals, it sounds like they are spaced out pretty well. I hope you'll do a dining review with lots of pics!

[LLLBelle]

omigod, didn't even realize x-mas was so close....gotta get a move on that shopping!

The DxDP is so fun, it's great to be able to try out all those different restaurants. I also like being able to get whatever you want and try different appetizers. Don't worry, you'll be fine with the three meals, it sounds like they are spaced out pretty well. I hope you'll do a dining review with lots of pics!

I know, my future in-laws will be out here in a week from Sunday for Christmas, it is truly crazy. Two and a half weeks until Christmas, insance.

We are really excited, it will be nice to spend time together and enjoy eatting out. Then it is back to the gym after the honeymoon to get all the disney weight off :rotfl:

[figmentfan814]

I was just catching up and want to say that I definitely know how hard it is loosing people that are close to you right before the wedding. We lost DH's dad just 3 months before our wedding and I know how hard it was on him. We made sure to add in little touches in his memory which helped keep him a part of the day.

On a happier note, your cake at your shower was so beautiful. It reminds me of the one that a lot of brides use at LSS.

[LLLBelle]

I was just catching up and want to say that I definitely know how hard it is loosing people that are close to you right before the wedding. We lost DH's dad just 3 months before our wedding and I know how hard it was on him. We made sure to add in little touches in his memory which helped keep him a part of the day.

On a happier note, your cake at your shower was so beautiful. It reminds me of the one that a lot of brides use at LSS.

Things are pretty much back to normal, it's still hard to believe they are gone, especially living across the country from family. It's hard losing anyone, but a parent would be worse, in my opinion. I am doing little touches on my bouquet for both grandmothers and I added a special note in the programs. They have the best seat in the house.

Thank you, I really thought it was a lovely cake, my FMIL is still talking about the shower.

[LLLBelle]

I don't know where the time goes, how is Christmas only five days away, craziness.

Also we leave three weeks from tomorrow for Puerto Rico, I don't know where the time went. We shipped all the welcome bags, paper items, and other misc items to Vieques last week. It is such a relief to have things wrapped up, I pretty much need a couple tanning sessions and to get my makeup and to pack. And Kyle's ring should get here any day now. Oh, I did order new jewelry from etsy, it should get here today, I will post pics if I can. I also get my dress back from the tailor's and it is perfect, I really love the dress and it felt weightless with the alterations done (plus they took about 3 1/2 inches off the dress) I highly reccommend a corsetted back dress, I love it.

We have my future in-laws in town. I spent all day trying to find a dress for my FMIL with no such luck. She went out today again so hopefully she found something by the time I get home from work :confused3

[MainStMandy]

Just wanted to stop by and say hi! I can't believe you are only 3 weeks away!!!

I'm so sorry to hear about your grandmothers. We lost my grandfather 2 years ago this January and it's still so hard. I feel like it was yesterday...it's still very real and painful.:hug:

[ghoulish delight]

I'm so excited to see all your pictures, Laurie! Miss you and hope it was all fabulous (I can't imagine it was anything less though!). :goodvibes :hug:

[pezaddict231]

I hope you had a fantastic wedding day and have a great time on your disneymoon. Can't wait to hear all about it when you get back.

[shippedtosea]

can't wait to see how everything went! Hope you are having an amazing time!

[LLLBelle]

I'm so excited to see all your pictures, Laurie! Miss you and hope it was all fabulous (I can't imagine it was anything less though!). :goodvibes :hug:

I hope you had a fantastic wedding day and have a great time on your disneymoon. Can't wait to hear all about it when you get back.

can't wait to see how everything went! Hope you are having an amazing time!

Thank you ladies! The wedding day itself ended up gorgeous and we really had a beautiful wedding day. But the entire weekend wasn't without it's cavets, like hurricane-like rain and wind when it was suppose to be the island's dry season, cancelled flights, and getting locked out.

We did have fun in Disney, we got back Saturday, just in hinesight, I think we would have saved Disney for our 1 year and stayed in Puerto Rico or done a cruise. We were just exhausted by the time we got to Florida and I think that may have affected our ability to enjoy our time there. But I will do a TR over the next couple weeks of our Disneymoon and I may do a dining review as well.

Since I am at work I can not do a long entry, but wanted to at least drop a little response to you ladies. I also have some teaser pictures from my photographer:

http://www.studio222photography.com/blog/

I am in love with them and this is only a handful.

I will say this, because you all are getting so close, it will go fast, Kyle and I were talking yesterday and he asked where the past two weeks went. I mean after 14 months of planning and then it's over, I guess it's the wedding downer. You just can't believe that it is here and gone. So savior every second and enjoy your husband-to-be. And don't sweat the small stuff, it doesn't matter in the end.

[malibustacey]

absolutely stunning ... i looked at those yesterday and i didnt realise it was your wedding!

so amazing!

[MainStMandy]

Laurie everything looks gorgeous!! Congratulations!!

[PrincessShea]

I will say this, because you all are getting so close, it will go fast, Kyle and I were talking yesterday and he asked where the past two weeks went. I mean after 14 months of planning and then it's over, I guess it's the wedding downer. You just can't believe that it is here and gone. So savior every second and enjoy your husband-to-be. And don't sweat the small stuff, it doesn't matter in the end.

I hear ya on that one! Oh to be a wedding planner...Don't worry though now you'll spend the next 2 years coming here everyday and giving tips to future brides while living vicariously through them. :lmao:

Your teaser pics look great! Can't wait to hear all the details.

[ghoulish delight]

Your wedding looks like it was SO beautiful!! I'm so happy for you! You looked gorgeous, btw! :cutie: Looking forward to more photos and your TR!

[LLLBelle]

I hear ya on that one! Oh to be a wedding planner...Don't worry though now you'll spend the next 2 years coming here everyday and giving tips to future brides while living vicariously through them. :lmao:

Your teaser pics look great! Can't wait to hear all the details.

I know right, I need to get some more hobbies to fill the void :laughing: Thanks! I'm waiting patiently to get the rest of them.

Your wedding looks like it was SO beautiful!! I'm so happy for you! You looked gorgeous, btw! :cutie: Looking forward to more photos and your TR!

Thank you my dear! For all the headache we went through, the ceremony and reception itself really turned out beautiful. I will start my TR slowly (even if it's not a Disney wedding :goodvibes) in hopes that I will get my pro pictures soon.

[LLLBelle]

Ok, I can brush the dust off my PJ now TR and post some of my pictures from the wedding and Disneymoon. I know it's not a Disney wedding, but I enjoy reading about everyone else's weddings and wanted to share.

We were up bright eyed and not so bushy tailed for a 7 am flight to Newark, the flight was pretty uneventful, I do have to say if you can avoid having to carry your dress, do it! It was going to cost too much to send it to Puerto Rico so I ended up carrying it, but I should have at least put it in a carry on, but my wedding planner said I would ruin the trash. Anyway at least most of the people were nice about it. . .
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/PR%20Wedding%20Airplane%202010/P1000088.jpg

I couldn't sleep and was playing with our new camera, the pictures actually came out pretty good, although I will not bore you with them.
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/PR%20Wedding%20Airplane%202010/P1000090.jpg

Roosevelt Dam in AZ (or at least I'm pretty sure it was :confused3)
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/PR%20Wedding%20Airplane%202010/P1000093.jpg

Finally in Jersey.
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/PR%20Wedding%20Airplane%202010/P1000156.jpg

We had an uneventful overnight stay in Newark, we were going to go into the city, but were exhausted so Kyle slept, I wrote thank-you cards and we had sub-par NY style pizza, but it was good to be on the east coast again, if only for about 18 hours.

Another early morning, way too much luggage :scared1: and we didn't have any problems, the whole trip with the airlines, it was just too much luggage.
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/PR%20Wedding%20Airplane%202010/P1000168.jpg

I only slept about 3 hours since I kept waking up thinking we were going to miss our flight so I was exhausted by the time 4 am rolled around.

We grabbed a shuttle about 5 am and after wasting 30 minutes trying to argue with Continental trying to find someone competent we waited in the super long security line (although I have never been to Newark when there was a short line) and we were finally on our way. My parents, brother, and grandparents were leaving the same time we were out of Philly and they didn't have any really problems, accept that my step-dad and brother were pulled out of line and searched by TSA. But my step-dad had to bring a cpap machine with him, they weren't sure why they pulled my brother.

Another uneventful flight and we arrived in Puerto Rico! I got a text from my brother that they saw us land (or thought they did) so it was good to now that everyone arrived safely. And we were off to catch our puddle jumper flight while my family were taking the ferry from Fajardo, I tried to convince them otherwise, but that is what they wanted to do.

So they were able to bump us to an earlier Cape Air flight, which was exciting :goodvibes I called our wedding planner since she was meeting us at the airport and made sure all of our luggage was transferred from our Continental flight. I do have to say that it was the smallest plane I have ever been on.

But we were in Puerto Rico and it was humid.

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/PR%20Wedding%20Airplane%202010/P1000179.jpg

It was such a full flight, we had to squeeze in. . .it was pretty cool to have our own private flight :cool1:

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/PR%20Wedding%20Airplane%202010/P1000201.jpg

Again, I was picture happy.

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/PR%20Wedding%20Airplane%202010/P1000178.jpghttp://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/PR%20Wedding%20Airplane%202010/P1000205.jpghttp://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/PR%20Wedding%20Airplane%202010/P1000203.jpg

The very first time we are setting our eyes on the island where we are to be married.
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/PR%20Wedding%20Airplane%202010/P1000207.jpghttp://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/PR%20Wedding%20Airplane%202010/P1000210.jpghttp://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/PR%20Wedding%20Airplane%202010/P1000212.jpg

As soon as I stepped off the plane I began to second guessing my wedding dress (a little late to be doing so), but it worried me none the less.

Parrie, our wedding planner's assistant, was there to greet us. We loaded everything up and she took us to get our rental car and took us to the Malecon so we could get lunch. We were so hot we ended up changing in the parking lot since when we left Newark it was about 35 degrees and we were in jeans and sneakers.

We had lunch at a place called Bili, it was excellent. I had a beef tenderloin sandwich with all kinds of fabulous stuff on it that I can not remember and Kyle had a Mahi Mahi sandwich, but we both agree that my was better. And the thing in the middle is a fried plantain with a black bean dip of some sorts. I was very happy to have Puerto Rican food again.
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/PR%20Wedding%20Airplane%202010/P1000215.jpghttp://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/PR%20Wedding%20Airplane%202010/P1000216.jpg

After lunch we were off to meet with our wedding planner Sandy and Parrie to go over some things and check into the villa my parent's were staying at.

UP NEXT: An unexpected text message throws off our plans.

[PrincessShea]

Yea! Glad to see you are starting your TR...I can't wait to read all about the big day :thumbsup2

[figmentfan814]

So excited to see that you're giong to be doing your report :goodvibes

The landscape pictures are beautiful, it reminds me of when I went to visit Jamaica with my friend who is from there. Its a lot more detailed landscape than in the Bahamas.

Interested to hear the story behind your dress and the text message.

I love plantains, of course I have only eaten them on vacations ;)

[LLLBelle]

Yea! Glad to see you are starting your TR...I can't wait to read all about the big day :thumbsup2

So excited to see that you're giong to be doing your report :goodvibes

The landscape pictures are beautiful, it reminds me of when I went to visit Jamaica with my friend who is from there. Its a lot more detailed landscape than in the Bahamas.

Interested to hear the story behind your dress and the text message.

I love plantains, of course I have only eaten them on vacations ;)

I know, I put it off for too long. But better late than never I guess. Although after looking at the post I suppose I should have made the pictures a little bigger, maybe I will try to post the wedding ones bigger.

I have only been to St. Croix so I cannot compare, but I really want to go back and check out the main island too, I have never been and it looked beautiful from the air. My step-dad is Puerto Rican so I grew up with a lot of the food, I love it!

I'm going to try to get the next installment up tonight.

[pezaddict231]

Yay! I'm so excited you started a trip report. Wow, love the shots of the water from the plane, it looks so beautiful!

[LLLBelle]

I don't have any pictures of the rest of the night so I will sum up the rest of the rest of day one quickly.

On the way to meet with Sandy and Parrie, I received a text from my mom saying that they were taking a puddle jumper instead of the ferry :scared1:. This created a caveat since they were supposed to arrive at 6 now they would be arriving about at about 330. And we were suppose to pick up their car, stop to pick up stuff for the welcome party, go over final payments and final details for the wedding day.

So we check in at my parent's villa and hop back in the car and I go over the final details with Sandy while racing to the airport to meet up with my family. We arrive at the airport only to find that my parent’s luggage had to be sent over on a different flight because of a weight issue, however, one bag was missing. . .figures. Mind you the flight from Fajardo to Vieques is 8 minutes! And I try to remain as positive as possible, but my step-dad and grandfather refuse to leave the airport.

So within an hour and a half we get my parent’s rental car, wait at the airport, went over final payments with Sandy, wait at the airport, and finally head to the villa to get ready for dinner.

Everyone was tired, but I had made reservations at El Quenepo, looking back I probably would have just made it Kyle and I, but what can you do. And if you do go to Vieques, you must eat here. Although it was expensive, it was fantastic; no one could say anything bad about the meal. I don’t totally remember what everyone had, but I know that the bread was good, my grandfather and I had pork tenderloin, DH and my mom had a fabulous salmon, and my step-dad had lobster mofongo. The vanilla flan that I had for dessert was out of this world.

After a wonderful meal, we all crashed for the night.

[LLLBelle]

It was an early morning, my mom and I got up and took a walk on the beach.
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/P1000223.jpg http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/P1000220.jpg

After that we met Parrie at the hospital to take care of our marriage license. It didn’t take too long and then we were off to the grocery store to get supplies for the welcome party and to check in to our villa!

The house was beautiful. For some reason I don’t have any pictures of the inside, but I will have better pictures when I put up the wedding photos. These are some pictures of the view from the master suite balcony.

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Vieques%20PR%20Wedding/P1000347.jpg http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Vieques%20PR%20Wedding/P1000348.jpghttp://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Vieques%20PR%20Wedding/P1000342.jpg

We drove around the island a little bit checking out a couple beaches before we had to get ready for the welcome party and meet the caterer who was dropping the food off.

Although we received a call from DH’s mom and my cousin who were at the airport in San Juan, one of the afternoon puddle jumper flights had been cancelled, which delayed everyone at least an hour. So to keep the story short, the wind really started to pick up and we eventually received the call that all the remaining flights had been cancelled and all of our remaining wedding guests were stuck in San Juan until the following morning. Kyle was devastated, but it was better for them to be safe in San Juan. I tried to convince my cousin to try to make it to the ferry, which was also behind, but would continue to run in the dark, but she felt bad leaving Kyle’s family who was traveling with our nieces (2 and 5) and didn’t think it best to try to make it.

So we tried to make the best of it. We had assorted sandwiches with island slaw and potato salad and some dessert bites. My brother even jumped in the pool for a bit.

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Vieques%20PR%20Wedding/P1000256.jpg http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Vieques%20PR%20Wedding/P1000259.jpg http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Vieques%20PR%20Wedding/P1000272.jpg

The ending of the wind and rain the following morning brought a beautiful sight. And everyone arrived safe and sound.

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Vieques%20PR%20Wedding/P1000279.jpg http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Vieques%20PR%20Wedding/P1000276.jpg http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Vieques%20PR%20Wedding/P1000277.jpg

I hope to put the Beach Party up this afternoon and get to the wedding today or tomorrow.

[LLLBelle]

Everyone arrived safe and sound, but with the rest of our wedding guests came some very dark clouds.

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Vieques%20PR%20Wedding/P1000326.jpg

The beach party was set to be that afternoon so Kyle spent some time with his family going to the grocery store and I went with my mom to settle my cousins into their villa. Not the best decision we could make, but we thought it was the right thing to do at the time. We were both tired.

It rained on and off all day. As it got closer to the time of the beach party I was getting more and more frustrated since no one was ready to go. So we decided to give everyone directions and head off to Sun Bay Beach to meet up with Parrie, I HATE being late. On the way it starts pouring, I text Parrie to see the weather at the beach (since the party is set on the other side of the island) and she said there was no rain. Yea, umm the island isn’t that big. So we debated about whether to skip the beach and take the food back to our villa.

Well at this point I affectionately called the weather Tropical Storm Allen. It was suppose to be the dry season for crying out loud. The whole reason I did not choose October was because it would be my luck that the island would get hit by a hurricane.

After we went back and forth about what to do, we decided to stay since we paid for it to be there and we were set on having a beach party. I was just very happy that we had bought a water proof camera. The cool thing was too is that since it is the Caribbean side of the island, the water was relatively calm and warm, which made it nice.

At this point I upgraded the weather to Hurricane Allen. If you look at the back ground of this picture you can see the palm trees going sideways and the rain. But my hubby and the oldest flower girl are still cute.

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Vieques%20PR%20Wedding/P1000291.jpg

But everyone enjoyed the food and made the best of it (the theme of the weekend) plus the rum punch didn't hurt, our flower girls didn’t mind the rain at all :goodvibes.

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Vieques%20PR%20Wedding/P1000284.jpg http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Vieques%20PR%20Wedding/P1000286.jpg

This is the only sign of a clear sky all day. We also saw dolphins swimming way in the distance, I was never able to catch a picture of them though.

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Vieques%20PR%20Wedding/P1000315.jpg

I love this picture of our flower girl, she is adorable.

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Vieques%20PR%20Wedding/P1000308.jpg

After the Beach Party we went back to our villa to shower and get ready for the Bio Bay!

I am making the pictures a little bigger, but I should have them up shortly.

[LLLBelle]

After the Beach Party we went back to our villa to shower and get ready for the Bio Bay!
Now it was time for the Bio Bay. And yes everyone was running late and I was not happy. Before leaving for the Bio Bay we had birthday cake for the four January birthdays we had, considering the 16th was Kyle’s sisters birthday and the 17th was my brother birthday.

The photos of the Bio Bay were taken by Studio 222.

Our photographers Becka and Nate of Studio 222 met up with us to go on the tour. I wish I had been a little more talkative at the time, but I was utterly exhausted and annoyed at some things that had happened.

But regardless, we loaded up on a school bus and headed off for the Bio Bay, and it was an adventure in itself to even get there. There were trees hitting the windows and it was so bumpy I wasn't sure my mom was going to make it. Although his name escapes me, our guide was entertaining and told us a lot of great facts and stories.

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Bio%20Bay/biobay-0001.jpg

The bay was not as bright as usually because of the continually rain, but it was still amazing to see. Here is a website that tells you about it, if any one is curious http://www.biobay.com/. Our guide also said that the government may be forcing them to stop the tours to preserve the area, but Islands of Adventures company we used took great measures to ensure they did not harm the habitat.

Towards the end you were allowed to get in the water. I was all set to get in until they told me that there is the possibility of jelly fish. I have very sensitive skin so I did not want to chance getting stung with the wedding on Saturday.

This is the waves off the back of the boat
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Bio%20Bay/biobay-0002.jpg

And some of our family swimming in the water

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Bio%20Bay/biobay-0004.jpg
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http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Bio%20Bay/biobay-0007.jpg

[shippedtosea]

Love these pictures so far! Looks like you guys had fun! Can't wait to read more

[Disney9.9.10]

Pictures look great so far! It is really beautiful scenery!

[LLLBelle]

I know, I have been slacking, but here are some of the getting ready and scenic photos.

DH's parents and sisters stayed next door to us. You can see both houses.
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Bigger%20Wedding%20Pics/laurieandkyle-0004.jpg

The view from the master bedroom in our villa.
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Bigger%20Wedding%20Pics/laurieandkyle-0007.jpg

This is one of my favorite landscape pictures. I am going to get it blown up to go over our bed.
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Bigger%20Wedding%20Pics/laurieandkyle-0013.jpg

I thought this was a cool shot, it's the ceiling in our room.
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Bigger%20Wedding%20Pics/laurieandkyle-FAV-0010.jpg

Getting ready:
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Bigger%20Wedding%20Pics/laurieandkyle-FAV-0001.jpg

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Bigger%20Wedding%20Pics/laurieandkyle-FAV-0013.jpg

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Bigger%20Wedding%20Pics/laurieandkyle-FAV-0007.jpg

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Bigger%20Wedding%20Pics/laurieandkyle-0031.jpg

I thought the pictures were too small before, now they seem too big :confused3 Photobucket is such a pain sometimes.

[LLLBelle]

I decided to get ballroom shoes since we had been taking lessons and would use them again, they were very comfortable. It escapes me as to the reason why I never gave Becka all my accessories, just my shoes, I think I was totally out of it from being locked out of our room the night before.

Anyway this is my favorite of the many shoe pictures I have.
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Bigger%20Wedding%20Pics/laurieandkyle-0028.jpg

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Bigger%20Wedding%20Pics/laurieandkyle-FAV-0009.jpg

Ring picture intermission.
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Bigger%20Wedding%20Pics/laurieandkyle-0014.jpg
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Bigger%20Wedding%20Pics/laurieandkyle-FAV-0014.jpg
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Bigger%20Wedding%20Pics/laurieandkyle-FAV-0020.jpg

My mom helped get me into my dress.
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Bigger%20Wedding%20Pics/laurieandkyle-FAV-0027.jpg

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Bigger%20Wedding%20Pics/laurieandkyle-FAV-0044.jpg

I was really happy with my flowers too. The brooch was from Kyle's grandmother who passed away in November, and you cannot see it, but I have a ring from my grandmother who passed away in October and my "borrowed" is my great-grandmother's ring from my mom.
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Bigger%20Wedding%20Pics/laurieandkyle-FAV-0042.jpg

While I was getting ready Nate was taking pictures of DH with our adorable little flower girls.
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Bigger%20Wedding%20Pics/laurieandkyle-0175.jpg
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/LLLBelle/Bigger%20Wedding%20Pics/laurieandkyle-0178.jpg

First Look coming up next. . .

[shippedtosea]

Oh you looked so pretty! I looove your flowers! Those shoes do look very comfy, great choice. can't wait to see more.

[pink_tink8i8]

your pictures are just beautiful!

[Disney9.9.10]

Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous! I cannot wait to see more!

[LLLBelle]

Oh you looked so pretty! I looove your flowers! Those shoes do look very comfy, great choice. can't wait to see more.

your pictures are just beautiful!

Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous! I cannot wait to see more!

Thank you! We have been slow at work so I will try to get the first look up today and ceremony this weekend. Photobucket just has not been my friend lately.

[silverangel879]

I just found out your report, and I'm hooked! I was a little scared at first...see I'm Puerto Rican and was crossing my fingers while reading , hoping you had a great experience and that my beautiful Puerto Rico treated you well...On the other hand, I miss my island so having the chance to see bits of it, it's priceless. 2 for 1, great report + a little medicine for my home sickness!

On the weather...Yes, those are the "misfortunes" of living on a tropical rainforest. The weather is very hard to predict. It changes a lot. But from what I see so far it looks like it behaved!

Your photos look amazing, can't wait to see more!

[LLLBelle]

I just found out your report, and I'm hooked! I was a little scared at first...see I'm Puerto Rican and was crossing my fingers while reading , hoping you had a great experience and that my beautiful Puerto Rico treated you well...On the other hand, I miss my island so having the chance to see bits of it, it's priceless. 2 for 1, great report + a little medicine for my home sickness!

On the weather...Yes, those are the "misfortunes" of living on a tropical rainforest. The weather is very hard to predict. It changes a lot. But from what I see so far it looks like it behaved!

Your photos look amazing, can't wait to see more!

Thanks for reading! My step-dad is Puerto Rican so it was great to see the island and eat Puerto Rican food again. And we really did have a great time, we were just exhausted! I truly wish that we stayed on the island longer or went to the main island, we did consider Ponce for our honeymoon, but Disney actually worked out to be cheaper. I just don't know when we will be able to go back, but I really want to, it was gorgeous. And I love Puerto Rican food, I want to go back just for that.

The weather was actually a blessing and a curse, we made the best of it for the beach party and all, but it really cooled things down and the weather for the ceremony and reception were really nice. A cool breeze and very little humidity. Although (as you will see in some of the ceremony pics) the sky looks like it is going to just start pouring, luckily it didn't :laughing: but it did make the sky gorgeous for pictures.

[silverangel879]

Thanks for reading! My step-dad is Puerto Rican so it was great to see the island and eat Puerto Rican food again. And we really did have a great time, we were just exhausted! I truly wish that we stayed on the island longer or went to the main island, we did consider Ponce for our honeymoon, but Disney actually worked out to be cheaper. I just don't know when we will be able to go back, but I really want to, it was gorgeous. And I love Puerto Rican food, I want to go back just for that.

The weather was actually a blessing and a curse, we made the best of it for the beach party and all, but it really cooled things down and the weather for the ceremony and reception were really nice. A cool breeze and very little humidity. Although (as you will see in some of the ceremony pics) the sky looks like it is going to just start pouring, luckily it didn't :laughing: but it did make the sky gorgeous for pictures.

Puerto Rican food is GOOOOOD! Luckly, In Orlando there are couple of stores that I can find everything I need to make it! When I lived in Atlanta, My dad would send me spices and stuff that I couldn't find there.

If you have the chance to go back, make sure to visit Vieques Sister Island, Culebra, specially Flamingo Beach. It the most amazing beach ever...

Glad you had FUN!!!