An Intimate Vow Renewal with Kids: Hawaii is a no-go

[majix]

Thanks so much. I just looked at your PJ, so fun. Some great DIY projects for me to get inspired. Thanks for sharing! We really enjoyed ourselves at Universal Studios on last trip. The section we visited in Island of Adventure was phenomenal. I can't wait to see the new section they built in Universal. I heard it is amazing. I am sure you'll have a great time. Thanks for following along, the more the merrier!

I went to Universal during my planning trip in October! You will not be disappointed! You must ride the Hogwarts Express too! So much fun!!

 

[Alexsandra]

I went to Universal during my planning trip in October! You will not be disappointed! You must ride the Hogwarts Express too! So much fun!!

Cool, thanks.

 

[Alexsandra]

Dress Shopping: ROUND 1

Sorry I have not updated my PJ lately, my two boys were sick all week with the flu. It is Canadian March break and I had taken the week off to go skiing but finally we were all stuck at home. My youngest had an ear infection too so he was even more finicky than usual. It was a long March break and I came out of it even more tired than before the holiday.

Anyway, I did have time to start looking for my dress on Saturday. I really want a dress in blush pink. I was thinking of looking at bridesmaid dresses and maybe dressing it up with a fancy wedding belt sash. I really like these dresses I found on BHLDN but I would have to order then online. I would need to pay international shipping fees and duties on it and I might not like how it fits once it gets here. I would have to pay for shipping if I want to return it too. The closest BHLDN store is in Boston a 6 hour drive from Montreal.

Here are some of the dresses I found on BHLDN that I like:




this is the same dress as above but in blush pink.





My Mom babysat the kids and I went to a store here in Montreal where they sell wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses and prom dresses.
This store is on St Hubert Street which is considered the "wedding" stip. This store They don't take appointments so that is why I went there. There were tons of dresses everywhere, badly organized. I could not even get a sale person to help me. Service was really bad. I spent a lot of time looking and I didn't find what I really wanted. Then once I tried on the dresses, the sales lady kept telling me I had to order them right away cause I was not going to be there next week. I hate when they try to pressure you into a sale. I was not allowed to take pictures of the dresses I tried on but these are pics of the dresses I found online:


In blush pink instead of grey colour.


Also in blush pink


This is the colour I tried on in the above dresses

I also tried on some wedding gowns but they did not have the style of gowns I was looking for. I ended trying two wedding gowns with lace but they were too fancy and had trains on them. Here are the dresses I tried on:


This one was too puffy and the shape did not compliment my body


This one was better since the shape was better suited to my body type but it was just not the dress I was looking for.

I am going to shop a little longer here in Montreal but if I cannot find what I am looking for, I am going to drive down to Boston.

 

[majix]

Ooh I love the one with the halterneck. (The second pic posted) Were you able to try it on?

 

[Alexsandra]

Ooh I love the one with the halterneck. (The second pic posted) Were you able to try it on?

I love that one too. The first picture and the second picture are actually the same dress. I can adjust the material at top in several ways. These dresses are from an American company called BHLDN. They do not have any stores in Canada. I would either have to order it online or drive down to Boston to try it on. I think I can manage a weekend trip to Boston soon but I have to see with hubby. I was only able to try on the last five dresses at a Montreal bridal shop and did not like them.

 

[Disneyducks12]

Dress Shopping: ROUND 1

Sorry I have not updated my PJ lately, my two boys were sick all week with the flu. It is Canadian March break and I had taken the week off to go skiing but finally we were all stuck at home. My youngest had an ear infection too so he was even more finicky than usual. It was a long March break and I came out of it even more tired than before the holiday.

Anyway, I did have time to start looking for my dress on Saturday. I really want a dress in blush pink. I was thinking of looking at bridesmaid dresses and maybe dressing it up with a fancy wedding belt sash. I really like these dresses I found on BHLDN but I would have to order then online. I would need to pay international shipping fees and duties on it and I might not like how it fits once it gets here. I would have to pay for shipping if I want to return it too. The closest BHLDN store is in Boston a 6 hour drive from Montreal.

Here are some of the dresses I found on BHLDN that I like:




this is the same dress as above but in blush pink.





My Mom babysat the kids and I went to a store here in Montreal where they sell wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses and prom dresses.
This store is on St Hubert Street which is considered the "wedding" stip. This store They don't take appointments so that is why I went there. There were tons of dresses everywhere, badly organized. I could not even get a sale person to help me. Service was really bad. I spent a lot of time looking and I didn't find what I really wanted. Then once I tried on the dresses, the sales lady kept telling me I had to order them right away cause I was not going to be there next week. I hate when they try to pressure you into a sale. I was not allowed to take pictures of the dresses I tried on but these are pics of the dresses I found online:


In blush pink instead of grey colour.


Also in blush pink


This is the colour I tried on in the above dresses

I also tried on some wedding gowns but they did not have the style of gowns I was looking for. I ended trying two wedding gowns with lace but they were too fancy and had trains on them. Here are the dresses I tried on:


This one was too puffy and the shape did not compliment my body


This one was better since the shape was better suited to my body type but it was just not the dress I was looking for.

I am going to shop a little longer here in Montreal but if I cannot find what I am looking for, I am going to drive down to Boston.

I really love the second dress in that blush pink! I wanted a blush dress so bad but went with white for my wedding but I think that color is PERFECT for a vow renewal! I also love the straps that are sheer on the dress they look great, and I too hate sales people that are so pushy it can really ruin an otherwise great experience! and hopeful your boys feel better soon sending pixie dust your way!

Happy Planning
Melissa

 

[Alexsandra]

I really love the second dress in that blush pink! I wanted a blush dress so bad but went with white for my wedding but I think that color is PERFECT for a vow renewal! I also love the straps that are sheer on the dress they look great, and I too hate sales people that are so pushy it can really ruin an otherwise great experience! and hopeful your boys feel better soon sending pixie dust your way!

Happy Planning
Melissa[/QUOTE

Thanks Melissa, the boys are feeling much better! I love blush pink and it looks really good on me. I saw your wedding dress on your PJ, and I think you made the right decision. Your dress is beautiful.

 

[Ainsley]

Hi loving ur pj I'm loving ur vintage romantic theme ideas they r similar to mine. I'm planning mine n my husbands vow renewals for next April also. It will be our 10th anniversary n first time in Florida, we too will have our two sons taking part who will be age 9 and 6 when we go.

I do keep changing my mind about venue and was originally thinking a beach venue but now I'm not sure Im sooo indecisive! It is lovely to see other people sharing their ideas hope all goes well and I look forward to reading ur updates.

Ainsley

 

[Alexsandra]

Hi loving ur pj I'm loving ur vintage romantic theme ideas they r similar to mine. I'm planning mine n my husbands vow renewals for next April also. It will be our 10th anniversary n first time in Florida, we too will have our two sons taking part who will be age 9 and 6 when we go.

I do keep changing my mind about venue and was originally thinking a beach venue but now I'm not sure Im sooo indecisive! It is lovely to see other people sharing their ideas hope all goes well and I look forward to reading ur updates.

Ainsley

Thanks, can't wait to see your plans in the future. I hope you share. Congrats on your 10th anniversary. As for the vow renewal, I know exactly how you feel. I still keep doubting my choices but I think no matter what we choose to do, it will be special because we will be together as a family.

 

[Alexsandra]

The Short Dress:

Ok I am sorry for the delay. It has been so crazy at work and at home, I hardly had time for an update. I went dress shopping again a few weeks ago with my sister. She brought me to a fancy store where they make dresses from scratch. A "pret-a-porter" kind of store with a designer from Montreal. It was so uptight in there but the dresses she had were pretty nice. I tried a few dresses on, long and short. I actually liked this short dress that was all silver and had a see through bodice with the skirt and bust area covered with an extra layer of material. It was $500 and it was still not exactly what I was looking for. It looked too modern for the vintage feel I am trying to pull off. Plus I was hoping for a long dress. Honestly, the price is what was really bugging me. I really don't want to spend $500 on a dress that I do not absolutely love. Discouraged, I decided to take a break from my dress search.

This week-end I went to a new outlet mall they built out in Mirabel. While shopping for some everyday clothes, I found this cute little dress. It is off white and has lace and chiffon. I decided to try it on and I loved it! I am still going to try to get that long blush dress for the vow renewal but this dress is a backup if it doesn't work out. The best part is that it only cost me $60 and I could wear it again. Plus If I do end up getting the blush dress for the renewal this will be the dress I will wear to the restaurant after the renewal. It is a wink to a bridal dress without being too a wedding dress

Here is the dress:





And this is what it looks like on me:



I think with my hair up and a nice pair of shoes it will look really nice. I can also dress it up with a beaded sash belt. What do you think?

 

[Kiki La Reu]

Love the dress!! It looks great on you too! Can't wait to hear all the details of your vow renewal, and see how all your great ideas turn out!

 

[Alexsandra]

Love the dress!! It looks great on you too! Can't wait to hear all the details of your vow renewal, and see how all your great ideas turn out!

Thanks

 

[Disneyducks12]

The Short Dress:

Ok I am sorry for the delay. It has been so crazy at work and at home, I hardly had time for an update. I went dress shopping again a few weeks ago with my sister. She brought me to a fancy store where they make dresses from scratch. A "pret-a-porter" kind of store with a designer from Montreal. It was so uptight in there but the dresses she had were pretty nice. I tried a few dresses on, long and short. I actually liked this short dress that was all silver and had a see through bodice with the skirt and bust area covered with an extra layer of material. It was $500 and it was still not exactly what I was looking for. It looked too modern for the vintage feel I am trying to pull off. Plus I was hoping for a long dress. Honestly, the price is what was really bugging me. I really don't want to spend $500 on a dress that I do not absolutely love. Discouraged, I decided to take a break from my dress search.

This week-end I went to a new outlet mall they built out in Mirabel. While shopping for some everyday clothes, I found this cute little dress. It is off white and has lace and chiffon. I decided to try it on and I loved it! I am still going to try to get that long blush dress for the vow renewal but this dress is a backup if it doesn't work out. The best part is that it only cost me $60 and I could wear it again. Plus If I do end up getting the blush dress for the renewal this will be the dress I will wear to the restaurant after the renewal. It is a wink to a bridal dress without being too a wedding dress

Here is the dress:





And this is what it looks like on me:




I think with my hair up and a nice pair of shoes it will look really nice. I can also dress it up with a beaded sash belt. What do you think?

Your dress is so cute! I love it and your look amazing in it!! I think a nice sash will jazz it up and a cute pair of heels never hurts! Looking to forward to more updates!

Happy Planning
Melissa

 

[Doodlebug25413]

Blush dress with the halter top-- Oh yes! That is beautiful.

Your back up dress-- very pretty, very sweet. LOL I bought a back up dress too

Your colors are so pretty. And woo hoo on the Poly! But have you seen the cost on the Bungalows???? Book it now. Like right now.

Love following along...

 

[Alexsandra]

BIG UPDATE IN PLANS!

Ok, first, I want to apologize for not posting in a very long time. I was away on a business trip to China for a whole month. I missed my husband and kids so much! Iam still getting over the jet lag. Anyway, glad to be back.

Ok, now for the Big Update. My husband and I were supposed to book the Poly when I got back from my China trip, but while I was away, my husband did a little research and surprised me with a new idea.
WAIT FOR IT...He wants to take me and the kids to Hawaii to celebrate our vow renewal.
He checked prices for the flights and hotels and told me it would come out to the same price or less than doing it at the Polynesian at Disney.He knew that I've been dreaming of going to Hawaii since I was a little girl but we taught it would be too expensive and too far for the kids. Well he found it to be quite resonable and he thinks the kids are old enough to handle the flight. An offer like that is kind of hard to pass up. The best part is that we could renew our vows on a real beach, with a real hawaiian sunset in the background, with fresh flower leis around our necks, and with a hawaiian officiant...mmm, sound pretty nice doesn't it.
I asked my kids which they preferred and they voted for Hawaii! I would have never believe it if I had not heard it myself.

It is not for sure but I will have to make my decision quickly because I will need to book a villa either the Poly at WDW or Aulani in Hawaii.
What do you think?

 

[Lynne G]

Hawaii hands down!

 

[Doodlebug25413]

HAWAII HAWAII HAWAII HAWAII!!!!

 

[Disneyducks12]

I totally vote for HAWAII!!!!! I don't think you can pass that up that is so amazing to do a vow renewal at Aluani I am so jealous! I can't wait to hear all your plans what an exciting update

Happy Planning
Melissa

 

[runner_princess]

HAWAII! That is amazing!

 

[Alexsandra]

HAWAII, HERE WE COME!

Even though I had been super excited when my husband suggested Hawaii, I was not sure this was really going to happen. But on Mother's day, my husband offered me a gift that made all that change. He got me a travel book on Hawaii with a pull out driving map of the islands. In the card he wrote: Now that you have a travel book it makes it official. Our travel plans have begun! Did I mention how great my husband is!
So Hawaii it is! I am super excited.