The official bride to be thread

[totalia]

What a fun thread! My DF and I are getting married on May 14th. It is my second wedding and his first. We chose to have a wedding brunch at a waterfront restaurant and are looking forward to it.

The one question I have and would like all of your advice on is this: Music and/or dancing. Since it is a morning wedding (10:30-11am ceremony on-site) and the brunch following... what would you do about music for the reception? I would like to have a first dance but don't really think dancing is appropriate for the time of day. Any ideas/suggestions/advice?

Thanks!

Dancing doesn't seem appropriate for such an early reception. I suggest instrumental music being played during the brunch. If you want a first dance, then go ahead.

 

[totalia]

4 months I'm thinking is decent timing. Hotels won't be hard to find in Vegas, airfare from up in Canada (especially around here) fluctuates greatly and I'd like to provide folks with an opportunity to take advantage of any seat sales that might come up. I know I'd feel awkward booking a flight before I actually had an invitation in my hand.

Latest wedding gripe:
A relative who might not come to the wedding. We knew when we planned a destination wedding that not everyone was going to be able to make it, and we're okay with that. Really, we are. We've been engaged since 2001, and about 2 years ago decided that the wedding was going to be in Las Vegas. Last summer we selected a date and let everyone know when the wedding was going to be. All along this one relative has been very supportive and saying of course he and his family will be there, they wouldn't miss it etc.

Well now apparently he thinks they might go somewhere else instead. He rewards one of his kids (just one of them) with a trip every year to a destination of the kid's chosing, and this year the kid has chosen Europe. So he thinks that instead of coming to the wedding, that he's been saying they'll be at for over a year now, that they'll go off to Europe instead.

You know, if he had said that they couldn't afford to go, or couldn't afford the time off, then I'd be just fine with that. Frankly I don't even really like this relative all that much and I'm okay with him not being there. What I'm a little miffed at is that he apparently has no problem at all with blowing off a committment that he's already made so that he can go off and do something else. I mean what's that teaching the kid? And what makes it worse is that I haven't heard this from him, but from his sister who's equally upset with him about his attitude.

If he doesn't go then that's fine - we have a limited capacity at the chapel and have more people that we'd like to invite but didn't have room, so now we would have. But for heaven's sake at he could least have the decency to tell me himself!

(And for those who have read my previous family gripes, yes this is the same relative that expects hundreds of $$ in Christmas presents for him and his family but his present to everyone is a box of chocolates. I definitely know what I'll be sending them this year.)

Now thats just plain rude. I'm not sure what to tell you

Honestly if he wants to be rude then let him be rude. You don't like him and it really isn't impacting you anyway.

 

[totalia]

I had to deal with my first bit of wedding nastiness today. I was telling my friend that I was ordering my invitations online and she said she's never do that because they'd look to cheap and "people would talk"!



I have to admit I find what she said kind of funny. I don't have an unlimited budget and I want to spend most of the money on the food and band. Besides some people like to look down on you no matter how much you spend. And really, I can't remember the look of one invitation I've ever gotten in my life.

Wait untill she sees the save the date cards I got from the clearance bin at Staples

Don't worry about her. No one will even be able to tell the difference. What does she think that its going to be cheap paper and is going to have the words" I'm too cheap to spend money on cards locally" stamped on them? She needs to grow up. NO one will talk. Most people won't even look at it twice.

Which design did you choose? I was looking at paper and cards at Staples because I made my invites (course, now they are annoyingly useless but oh well).

 

[princess pooh]

Most people won't even look at it twice.

That's what I figured. I just don't think that anyone would really care.

I chose a white folded card...very plain. They just have a silver frame around the sides. I ordered a sample and I hope to get it soon.

I would have loved to have made my own invites but I'm not great at stuff like that.

 

[totalia]

*nods* I like simple. I wish I could show you my original invitation but part of the decoration wouldn't show up on the computer (I already tried to scan it).

It's very natural paper folded down the center. On the front is a large celtic knot impression and on the inside, the wording is a celtic (the large letters are celtic knots) style of printing. I bought gold wax and a stamp to put on the close of each envelope. It is the initial of what will be our last name. It wasn't hard at all but it is very pretty and elegant.

 

[WDWAurora]

I'm going to do the seals and can't decide whether to put my current initial (since my parents are the hosts), our future initial, wedding bells, hearts, etc. I'm leaning toward the wedding bells right now, but I like using our future initial since we could use it on Christmas cards, etc. in the future. Which would you do of those choices? I'll probably do a gold or silver seal (and not sure whether to do the actual wax or use the glue gun kind).

 

[PryncessChrysty]

If you were picking the initial, I would definitely go with your future initial. But for me, it would be a toss up between that, or the heart.

 

[totalia]

How about a rose? I think hearts and wedding bells are way too corney rather than cute. You could also do your future initial.

 

[WDWAurora]

I haven't actually seen a rose, but I wouldn't mind doing that. Of course, I don't plan to use any roses, but I might could find something like that...although I do like the cuteness cheese factor of the bells...But I still think it might look weird for it to be "his" initial when my parents are the hosts...How does that work etiquette-wise?

Another random question-How do you guys feel about the Jim Brickman song "Destiny?" I mentioned earlier that we had the song picked and then it's being used in his brother's wedding...while I know we can still use it, it's just weird...Any other ideas for songs for during the ceremony?

 

[totalia]

It doesn't really matter if his parents are the hosts. Your the bride and groom. It makes more sense to have your last name.

Heh, who's Jim Brickman? What kind of music does he sing?

Songs during the ceremony? What type? Are you looking for songs to walk to or for someone to sing?

 

[WDWAurora]

Jim Brickman is a pianist, and are often purely instrumental. This one has a man and woman doing the vocals, but I don't recall right now. These would be for someone to sing. I had asked my good friends to do "I will be here" by Stephen Curtis Chapman as a duet, but since it's being used in the other ceremony...not sure if I still want to use it.

 

[totalia]

Hmm, I will see if I can download it. Since I didn't know who he was, I don't know the song lol.

 

[PryncessChrysty]

I haven't actually seen a rose, but I wouldn't mind doing that. Of course, I don't plan to use any roses, but I might could find something like that...although I do like the cuteness cheese factor of the bells...But I still think it might look weird for it to be "his" initial when my parents are the hosts...How does that work etiquette-wise?

Another random question-How do you guys feel about the Jim Brickman song "Destiny?" I mentioned earlier that we had the song picked and then it's being used in his brother's wedding...while I know we can still use it, it's just weird...Any other ideas for songs for during the ceremony?

I agree with Totalia, I think that if you pick the initial it should be the letter of your future last name. Even though your parents are hosting the event, it's not for them. It's to celebrate your marriage, and the initial should go along with that. I've actually never heard of anyone using the last name of the bride's parents for something like that, but I don't mean to imply that it's wrong or it's never been done. If you still feel weird about, then I would suggest just going with an image. Like a heart, or the bells that you liked, or even the rose that Totalia suggested. Or you may want to find something that matches the theme of the invitations. For instance, our invites have swirls on them, so I bought seals with swirls for the envelopes. Just an idea.

As for the music, I remember you posting how much this song means to you and your DH2B. Is there any way for you to ask your brother and FSIL to not use it? If not, or if they say no, go ahead and use it. I think the only ones that will realize are the four of you. I've been to a lot of weddings, and I can honestly tell you I can't remember for the life of me what song the bride & groom danced to, what they walked down the aisle to, or even what I danced to, and I have a really good memory. Nobody is going to be looking down on you for it, and if anyone dared to then they must be REALLY petty. It's YOUR day, do what YOU want. It's only going to happen once, don't miss out on something just because you're afraid people might notice. It's not important to other people, nobody cares what songs you pick. You pick them because they mean something to you.

Okay, I will step down from my soap box now.

 

[totalia]

Oh just a suggestion on where to find it, try craft stores or looking online. They will be more expensive if you buy them from a wedding store or from the invitation company.

 

[princess pooh]

Oh just a suggestion on where to find it, try craft stores or looking online. They will be more expensive if you buy them from a wedding store or from the invitation company.

That's so true. I can't believe how much money I saved by buying stuff online or through ebay

I was wondering if you all could help me with something? I have my first meeting with a banquet hall tomorrow and I was wondering what questions I should ask them. The only thing I could think to ask is if tablecloths are inluded! I'm such a wedding newbie

 

[WDWAurora]

Here's some I got out of a magazine:

-Are packages available? What do they include?
-How many hours are included? What about setup time for vendors?
-Is there on site catering? If so, precisely what is provided? The liquor? The cake? The hors d'oeuvres?
-Is there an onsite wedding coordinator?
-What are overtime costs?
-What is the cancellation policy?

Other things to know:
-Enough bathrooms? (1 per 25 guests is ideal)
-A bathroom attendant?
-Handicap access?
-Ample kitchen space?
-Insurance?
-Adequate, convenient parking w/valet service--or a guard for the parking lot?
-A seperate room for you and your bridal party?
-Enough electrical power and outlets to support your band or DJ?
-A backup generator and candles in case the weather doesn't cooperate?

Hope these help!

 

[princess pooh]

That helps a lot WDWAurora . That's exactly the stuff I was looking for. Thank you !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[WDWAurora]

No problem, glad it helped! I knew I obsessed over that magazine for something!

 

[princess pooh]

All right now I'm having fun! I think we might have found a location for the wedding. My parents wanted the Ritz, FH wanted the Intercontinental, and I talked them into the airport Four Points Sheraton . Sure their suggestions were nice but super, super, super expensive and the food isn't even so great in those locations. What I like about the four points is that everything is included and I won't have to rent anything. It's ideal for a lazy girl like me. I've been to a wedding there and the food was AMAZING, there was even a chocolate fountain for dessert. Plus the hotel has a pool! We haven't decided 100% yet but it's looking good.

I can't wait for October 2nd

 

[dallas5]

I am getting married at the orlando wedding chapel in march has anyone got any feedback on this place? the disney wedding was to expensive it just me, fiancee and two kids so no need for a big wedding. I planned it all by internet but would love to hear from someone who has used the chapel? we are gonna follow with a charcater dinner at gf for our reception dinner since we have the kids and no time alone....we are blending two families, any ideas.