** Kat & Pauls Wishes Wedding 3.8.11 WG/AG/DP @ UK Lochside **

[KitKat5]

Ok just re-catching up with all your planning. You are on a roll. I love the dress you picked out for your tea and i love the 2nd pair of red shoes. But than again I like colored shoes. I was sorry to read that you were still having trouble with people booking, you would think they would want to get it done and outta the way quickly.

Also I love the touristy pics. I've lived 20 mins from NYC my whole life but I've only done very few touristy things. I was just telling DF we should take a weekend and be "tourists". It sounds like you enjoyed yourselves.

I'm sorry to hear what happened with your wedding planner but that's kinda funny. I'm sure some of them take a peek at these just to see what's going on with their brides. I wouldn't worry to much about it.

I certainly am on a roll! Now Christmas is over I can really focus on the wedding! The only other things I have to think about between now and March is my Dads birthday in January and DF's in February!

Thank you, I love my dress too! I wore it Christmas day but with ugg boots...doesn't have quite the same effect though as a pair of fabulous heels!!

I have to say I thougt the same thing...if it were the other way round I'd of wanted to book ages ago and get it out of the way. But at least now everyone except MOH has booked and she should know this week if she's coming or not so fingers crossed!!

I love NY! I went once after I spent the summer at Camp Kindering...I just didn't have nearly enough time to do everything!! It was great fun in London and I can't wait to do it again!

I have to say since the whole 'numpty' incident he's been amazingly quick at replying to me so maybe it was a blessing in disguise?!

 

[KitKat5]

I found a better picture of my new bracelet on their website so thought I'd post it so you can actually see what it looks like!!

It's simple but very sparkly and fits well with my other jewellery which is much more fussy.

I also found the cutest picture of my nephew (with a picture of my neice Laura in the background - but you can't see her too well as it's a bit dark) whilst uploading pictures off my camera and I just had to share it!! I'm totally biased but he's just gorgeous!!

I love this picture...he's a real mummy's boy and you have to work real hard sometimes to get a smile from him (or at the very least you need to bribe him with food! ) but when you do get one it just melts your heart (well, mine anyway!)

 

[FutureMrs.B]

I'll keep my fingers crossed that your MOH gets her you know what in gear.

The pic of your nephew is sooo adorable! I just want to pinch his lil cheeks! How cute!

 

[KitKat5]

I am sooo excited to say that I'm getting married this year!! It's been the opening line in all my new year messages!! I have to admit we actually missed the beginning of new year (I blame big bens chimes not being loud enough!!) it was certainly nothing to do with the large amount of alcohol consumed and the yelling and general excitement that started when my dad called! (poor dad is a security guard for Ford motor company and is currently working a 12 hour night shift and won't be home until tomorrow morning!) I didn't even get a chance to speak to DF as he is with his family and the battery on his phone is dead so I've taken myself to bed (my neices mini bed that is) and I'm hoping to sleep off the alcohol and general tiredness that has now caught up with me! I hope everyone has all had/having a great new years eve!! Back to wedding planning tomorrow - I have an email from Warren sitting in my inbox which currently I am just too tired/drunk/squashed in tiny bed to read so I will save that for tomorrow!! Something to look forward too!

 

[KitKat5]

Well I took a page out of BecBennett's book and sat down and wrote out my to do list before Christmas! It was longer than I realised and worried me so I got down to it and started ticking things off!!

Since then however, I haven't actually done anything else off my list

I've got some time on my hands this afternoon as DF is playing his xbox (we got a new tv today - much bigger than what we had before and of course he had to try it out straight away!! ) so I thought I'd share with you what I have left to do (and please feel free to point things out if I've missed something obvious!!)

It's broken down into 3 sections - things to do BEFORE we leave for Florida, things to do whilst IN Florida but BEFORE the wedding and things to do for the at home reception (some of which need to be done BEFORE we fly to Florida!)

Things to do at home
Welcome newsletter - Since writing that we've decided to do a calender of events instead (to give to guests before we go with all their Disney hotel info - we're actually making luggage tags too and sending it all out in an envelope made to look like a suitecase) as most of our guests arrive between March 1st and March 6th and we aren't giving them the welcome bags until we check into Disney on March 7th .
Confirm date for dress steaming - all done and booked for 8th March @ 7:30am scared1: far too early as the wedding isnt until 2:30pm but thats the only time that Carolyn Allens could fit me in that day!)
Pay remaining money to Disney
Put ceremony music on ipod
Learn dance for first dance - My aunt is actually going to teach us a dance. She used to do ballroom dancing and she's pretty good and as she cant be with us on the day we thought having her teach us our first dance is a nice way of having a bit of her there on the day
Check guests have sorted ESTA’s
Do seating plan - it's done in my head! I just need to write it down!
DF to finish kids favours
Get something borrowed
Photography ‘must have’ list
Get hair cut/coloured - now all booked for 26th Feb
Start packing - I wont actually start this until about 26th Feb!
Assign wedding day jobs
DF to finish logo and print/put on welcome bags
Tea Party invites/cupcakes - Im making the invites tomorrow!
DF to make list of songs for DJ
Sort out MOH!
DF to book hire car


Things to do in Florida
Buy items for Welcome bags - We have some stuff but we'll be making a trip to Walmart to finish them off
Buy/fill tea party & reception activity bags for the kids (Michaels/Walmart here we come!!)

Buy favours (just a quick trip to DTD to buy Mickey & Minnie ornaments
Buy vinylmation mickeys x2
Buy princess dresses x4
Buy MOH dress, shoes, accessories etc
Buy nephews suit
Buy BM and parents gifts
Get marriage licence
DF, BM and Dad to sort suits

Things to do for at home reception
Buy or make RSVPs
Register
Send out invites - Cant do this until we've registered as we need the info to send out with the invites!
Get final numbers and pay remaining money to venue
Pick menu
DF to confirm DJ
Look into cost of fireworks
Signature photo frame x3
Buy favours
Print wedding photos and put in frames and decorate for table decorations
Buy petals to scatter on tables

So thats the list at the moment...it kinda scares me when I look at it but I guess a lot of it isnt very time consuming so I shoud be able to get it all done in time! DF has his own to do list and its not very long and he's only done like, 2 things off it!! He's so laid back it drives me crazy! I just want it all done!

 

[KitKat5]

Today I can tick another thing off my to do list...my MOH. I wish I could be happy that it's all sorted but it's just created a whole lot of other issues instead!

Just a quick re cap for everyone...I've been waiting for months for my MOH to book...she told me a few weeks ago she was waiting until her ex bf got his bonus...he needed his bonus for a deposit on a house but had offered to lend her the money for Florida IF he had enough left over. Well he got his bonus, and it was quite a lot, but not enough for him to be able to give her the money for her flight. So today she text me to tell me she isn't coming. Well, actually thats not strictly true, he MAY have the money for her in Feb. But I get married in March! I cannot wait until Feb to know if she can come. So we have agreed we will assume she isn't coming. She's really upset, and so am I, to an extent. I'm relieved to finally know. And now I'm free to ask my sister to be my MOH! I know she'll say yes...even though the thought of it will probably terrify her! My sister can be quite shy, hmmm, I'm not shy is the right word?! She doesn't really like getting lots of attention (although I think she secretly enjoyed it when she got married a few yeas ago!) I was her maid of honour then and I was really honoured and proud and I know she'll feel the same (even if her knees are shaking when she's standing up there with me - yep, she's a knee shaker! ) DF is going to drive me over to hers tomorrow so I can ask her (I'd like to add she's the 3rd person I've asked!! 3rd times a charm right?!)

In preperation of asking her I thought I'd look at the dresses again on Davids Bridal. This is where the problem lies. The original dress we were going to get was strapless. My sister, bless her and I'm sure she wont mind me saying this, has the biggest b***s!! I'm not joking...DF and I once put her bra on our heads...we had a cup each and there was still room!! So she cant wear a strapless dress, there's just not enough support there for her!! So I checked out the halter necks (she wore a halter neck dress for her wedding so I know that's a good choice) problem is there are hardly any halterneck dresses in the right colour! Our other problem is, the women in our family are, shall we say, fuller, so some of the fabrics and styles are a complete no no for us!! We will have a real hunt on our hands to get something that flatters her figure, supports her big b***s AND is the right colour, but you know what? I think we'll have real fun looking! Only thing that kind of worries me is that we weren't going to get the MOH dress until we got to Florida, which is 1 week before the wedding! I think we may need to start looking over here!!

I'm looking forward to asking her. Everyone knows it's on the cards. I'm sure she does too. But it'll be really nice to ask her and for everyone to know. Then I'll need to email Warren and Carol as things need to be changed...again. I was only telling Warren yesterday that all the changes were done! I guess not eh?!

 

[KitKat5]

Another job ticked off the to do list today! My mum and I finished off the tea party invites and I delivered 2 of them today.

Here's what the finished invite looked like...

and the inside...

Each invite had a different colour inside and the envelops were all different too. We used the bright colours like lime green, hot pink, yellow and oragne and I think they came out really well!

DF also finished our logo for the welcome bags. We didn't want anything fancy or fussy and we really wanted to include the letter 'G'. DFs nickname is G, a lot of his friends are called Paul too so everyone calls him G as that's the first letter of his surname and as it will soon be mine too we wanted to include it so he came up with this...

It's going on the welcome bags and most likely the countdown calenders too.

I also made a trip to Hobby Craft today and got all the things I need to make our door hangers for the welcome bags. All I need to do now is find a picture of Mickey and co that I like and get it printed and then I can get those done too!! I feel like I'm on a bit of a roll now with our to do list!

I went round my sisters today too and asked her to be my MOH. For one horrible moment I thought she was going to say no but she said yes (luckily) so now we are full steam ahead with that too! I've emailed both Carol and Warren to make all the changes to the BEO's and now I am going to put my feet up and watch a movie!

 

[BecBennett]

At least you know where you stand now! It's sad knowing that one of your best friends cant come, but it's better then it being up in the air. I gave everyone a deadline of Nov 1st, because I was too anxious to know then!

 

[KitKat5]

At least you know where you stand now! It's sad knowing that one of your best friends cant come, but it's better then it being up in the air. I gave everyone a deadline of Nov 1st, because I was too anxious to know then!

Yeah I agree...I'll miss her but I know my sister will be a fab MOH! I gave everyone a deadline of Dec 1st. 5 of them out of our 20 guests waited until after then to give me their answers!!

 

[KitKat5]

I was off work today waiting for a guy to come and pick up our fire (it's electric and it's broken so they came to collect it and hopefully fix it!) because we didn't know what time they'd be getting here to collect it I couldn't go anywhere so I thought I'd have another go at trying to tick things off my to do list!

I didn't do too bad.

I got the ceremony printed AND put in an envelope to send back to Rev Jack Posting it will be the tricky bit...I hate going to the post office! It's always so busy!! But needs must I guess!

I also bought a Mickey hole punch so I can finish making my door hangers for all the guests. I did cut all the paper and stick things down etc but I really wanted Mickey head shaped holes to put the ribbon through so I went on a hunt! I did find one for a good price on ebay but its being shipped from the US so it prob wont be here for a little while yet!!

I was also going to put the music on the ipod but first the ipod died and I had to reset it and then I couldn't decide if I wanted music with words or just the music on it's own!? I played the songs to DF when he got home but still cant decide! What do you all think?! It's only the songs for when the guests are being seated etc

I also ordered a sample RSVP. They didnt have any to match the invite for our at home reception so Ive found one I think will match nicely but just to be on the safe side, before I spend another £60, I thought I'd order a sample so fingers crossed when that arrives it's all good and then I can order the rest of them!

I also read a couple of new PJs, cleaned the house and made stew and dumplings for dinner all before they picked up the fire! Typical isn't it?! I waited in all day and they arrived at just gone 4pm!! Oh well, I got lots of other things done so it's not as if I wasted a day!

My backs been really bad again too so it was kind of handy having the day off! DF isn't well either and went to the doctors today (I know he feels really bad as he actually made an appointment without me nagging! ) He has to go to the hospital tomorrow for blood tests...I'm a worrier and now thinking the worst! I can't wait for the results to come in! DF said 3 days so we're looking at getting them next week but wth our local hospital who knows how long it'll take!

 

[BecBennett]

I find it's best to assume the worst, that way when it turns out to be something minor, you're happy about it

You manage to pack so much into your days! I have to work on one thing at a time, and that seems to take me days to accomplish! Like now for example, I'm trying to organise the marriage licenses. It's taken me a couple of days and I'm still doing it.

 

[KitKat5]

I find it's best to assume the worst, that way when it turns out to be something minor, you're happy about it

You manage to pack so much into your days! I have to work on one thing at a time, and that seems to take me days to accomplish! Like now for example, I'm trying to organise the marriage licenses. It's taken me a couple of days and I'm still doing it.

Well they told him today 1 week for the results so we're playing the waiting game now!! One of the girls at work said to me today 'I hope it's nothing serious otherwise they might not clear him for flying!' Way to cheer me up!!

I only ever get lots done when DF isn't around...he can be quite like a small child sometimes and can really get under my feet! Good practice for when we have kids though I guess!! I actually did a newsletter last night too! I'll post it later!

 

[KitKat5]

Yesterday evening after dinner I lost DF to black ops (nothing new there!) So I had another look at my to do list and thought 'hmm...what else can I get done tonight?'

I was originally going to do a newsletter but had a such a mental block! I couldn't design anything let alone think of what to write (I totally blame it on all the other fab newsletters I've seen on here!! ) so I gave up and decided to do a calender of events instead. Only problem is, that didn't really work either! I wanted to write on the calender what was happening on certain days but there just wasn't room! So I gave up on that too and started looking at PJ's and that is when I stumbled upon a newsletter posted by Jules~Marie...sorry but I've totally ripped off your idea but thank you very much!! (I'm pleased to say she 'borrowed' it from someone else too! ) I had so much fun doing it that I went to bed super late (totally unheard of for me, 10pm is bedtime on a work night!) I got it all finished last night so I'm super excited and very pleased to show you my ripped off news letter!!

It probably wont be very clear because for the life of me I could not figure out how to post it so it's been copied and pasted and cropped and all sorts so I'm not sure it'll be very easy to read but if anyone wants a closer look just let me know and I'll be happy to email it to you...after all I 'borrowed' it from someone else so I can hardly refuse!!

I also did a countdown calender for people too. It's pretty basic but I thought it'd be nice for the kiddies. We're going to buy some Disney pens to send out with them so they can cross off each day. I know the big boys wont want it but I know some people will use it!

We are hoping (or should I say I'm hoping) to make envelopes that look like suitcases and then we are going to send out the newsletter and calender along with their Disney accomodation info, a Disney pen and a themed luggage tag. That will kind of be the last thing we send to everyone before we go...I think!?

One change I might make to the calender, or I may add this in seperatley, is I want everyone to know the days people are flying in and out and the days DF and I will be at the parks etc. We change hotel 4 times so we thought it'd be a good idea to let everyone know where we are incase they want to meet up anytime or incase we dont want to meet up! I tried putting all this info on a calender before but it just wasnt working as there was too much but maybe I can come up with something else. Ideas welcome!

Tomorrow night DF and I and his BM and his on again off again GF are going to our local shopping centre to look at suits. A guy I worked with at Topshop/Topman works at Moss Bros now and has offered us a 50-70% discount. I still dont think its worth it but DF wants to go and look. I personally think 1, it's still going to be more expensive than buying/renting them over there, 2, it takes up precious luggage space and 3, if we lug them all the way over there we have to get them steamed...more money!! But I figured there's no harm in looking and at least this way the boys can get measured and have a look and see what they like! I'm actually quite looking forward to it. I wasn't going to go with them when they looked for suits but seeing as the other GF is going I am too so I can keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't end up in top hat and tails or a powder blue tux and frilly shirt!!

 

[BecBennett]

I lose my DF to Black Ops too... Stupid boys

Your newsletter looks great! Very professional.

To get all the info into the calender that you want, I'd probably do it as a list:

Thursday March 3rd - We fly in.
- We check in to such and such resort.
- Meal reservation at such and such restaurant.

Friday March 4th - So and so flies in.
- Meal reservation at such and such.

Etc. Etc.

It might be harder to find specific information about what day someone is flying in, but it should be easier to see what's happening on certain days.

 

[KitKat5]

I lose my DF to Black Ops too... Stupid boys

Your newsletter looks great! Very professional.

To get all the info into the calender that you want, I'd probably do it as a list:

Thursday March 3rd - We fly in.
- We check in to such and such resort.
- Meal reservation at such and such restaurant.

Friday March 4th - So and so flies in.
- Meal reservation at such and such.

Etc. Etc.

It might be harder to find specific information about what day someone is flying in, but it should be easier to see what's happening on certain days.

Thats a good idea...gives me something to play around with over the weekend!! We're off out to look at suits soon...kind of looking forward to it...or is that the pizza DF said we could have while we are out?!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Just catching up Kat!!
Wow you have been busy!!
Glad the MOH problem is sorted and, to me, it seems nice and appropriate that your sisiter will be your MOH.
Hope DF's results are what you hope they will be and all is okay. Look after your back. I know just how painful backache can be!! In my job it's almost inevitable that you end up with a bad back!!
By the way love the new(ish) avatar picture!!

 

[KitKat5]

Just catching up Kat!!
Wow you have been busy!!
Glad the MOH problem is sorted and, to me, it seems nice and appropriate that your sisiter will be your MOH.
Hope DF's results are what you hope they will be and all is okay. Look after your back. I know just how painful backache can be!! In my job it's almost inevitable that you end up with a bad back!!
By the way love the new(ish) avatar picture!!

Nice to see you back! Yeah I have been busy!! It's just kind of snuck up on me and with just 2 months to go there still seems like I've got so much to do!! Im glad the MOH issue is all sorted out too. My sister is really excited about it , so much more so than my previous MOH so I know I really have made the right decision! I really wish I'd asked my sister in the first place! My back is feeling a bit better...I've had problems with it for years and actually have an appointment with my osteopath on Tues...got to get it sorted out before the wedding!!

 

[KitKat5]

When my MOH told me last week she couldn't come to the wedding I emailed Carol and Warren to make the necessary changes to the BEO's. They both got back to me yesterday. There's still a few minor changes with the flowers. Just changing flowers for the bouts etc but the tea party is all sorted which is great. But bizzarely the BEO for food etc was a little messed up. Not Carol's fault, just me not picking up on errors. It's really annoyed me because the things that were wrong were that there were 2 people missing from everything! I checked older BEO's and they are all the same. I don't know how I never noticed it before So I've had to email her back to add 2 extra people to the buffet and bar and dessert party etc. I know it doesn't sound like a lot but it adds up! Ho hum. I said to DF I could remove some of the extras we added in recently but he said no. We've saved really hard for the wedding over the last 3 years and he's not bothered that's it going to cost a bit more. I must of caught him in a good mood!

We also checked out suits yesterday. He's picked out what he wants and our friend who works there has given us a great discount so we can get all 3 suits for £103! Bargain! Only thing is that's just for the at home reception. It would cost us over £600 to take the 3 suits to the US for 3 weeks so we're going to have to get something when we're over there. We're thinking either Carolyn Allens or Mens Warehouse. Has anyone else used these? I'm not sure who to go with?! Suggestions???

Ooo and I almost forgot!! We got out first wedding present yesterday! I was sooo excited! We haven't even registered yet!! It was from the BM and his (on again, off again) girlfriend! They got us a crystal decanter and 4 glasses from Royal Doulton.

It's very posh...we've never owned anything posh before as DF is so clumsy! It's really heavy though so I think maybe there's less chance of him breaking it??? Well I'm hoping anyway!!

 

[neener3]

That's pretty! I wouldn't let him touch it lol. I've lost many glasses to a clumsy DF.

 

[DoomBuggy0922]

I just caught up with your PJ--- and I just LOVE your tea party. I'm in love with it. Can I come?!

Also, your DF proposed during Wishes--- that's when mine WANTED to propose, and was GOING to propose, until about the week before when I casually mentioned how upset I was that Wishes was being replaced for the summer! He about had a heart attack.