kkimi88

Belated bridal shower/ combined hen & stag do images:

Children's party style bridal shower:

It's a knockout competition on the Saturday afternoon:

Night out (joint stag and hen) on the Saturday night- I organised a scavenger photo hunt for added silly photos:
 

BBQ on the Sunday:

Okay, so I fly out for my wedding NEXT Saturday. So... with 9 days to go, I'm wondering, what did brides do in these final hours? 

Here's my list- I'd love it if people could add to it to help out future brides (and me!) who are so close, yet still feel so far!

1. Hairdressers is booked, as is a beauty appointment for my nails.

2. Luggage is packed (mostly) and weighed.

3. Emails of correspondence with vendors are due for printing.

Kim xxx

Just had our photos through for our cake topper- this is the one area that we've chosen to splurge on and not DIY and we're really happy with the results  

Originally Posted by itsjuliez 

 

I agree! But he's one of those people that will wear as suit when needed no matter the temp outside - so we'll see!

Haha, completely the opposite of my FI. He'll be out of his suit jacket and tie as soon as the ceremony's over, no doubt!

Originally Posted by Shara1984 

 

This is amazing. Subscribing for sure!

Thanks a lot- on the home straight now!

Originally Posted by itsjuliez 

 

love the suit your FI picked out - mine wants to wear an actual suit! ugh lol. Hopefully I can convince him to wear something like this.

Congrats too! Everything looks great!

Thanks

Haha "picked out" might be a bit of an overstatement. "Had it put in front of him and said 'yes'" would probably be more accurate.

Your FI sounds like a glutton for punishment! I think the linen suit is going to leave Adam sweltering enough as it is.

Originally Posted by brownsugarbride 

 

You are amazingly crafty and I loved reading about you and your FI's love story! I am so looking forward to seeing photos of the big day!

Thanks so much. We can't wait either- getting a bit more stressed as we get ever closer though!

Originally Posted by Miss J 

 

I absolutely adore your "something old". I was just looking at something like that the other day, looks fabulous in a bouquet!

Thanks, I love it too; they're such a nice personal touch. Plus, I can keep it as a pendant to wear after the wedding . 

Originally Posted by Peach 

 

Hi. I remember noticing some of your posts when you first got engaged, and I was impressed then. 

 

Now? All I can say is WOW. I LOVE your style, your creativity, your projects, everything!!! I am SO impressed! Awesome job, and please keep posting in your final countdown! 

 

Oh, and congrats!

Thanks, it really is all starting to come together now . Can't believe it's finally just around the corner.

Also, my passport pre-departure booklets have been sent out:

Also, this weekend saw my Bridal shower/ Bachelorette party. Pictures to come soon!

We're not having anything you'd class as 'big' either side of the pond. The DW is our 'big' event, though there will be 14 of us and then we'll be having a casual get together at our apartment afterwards, as FI's Dad unfortunately can't make it out there with us. 

My 'something old' arrived today- photos from my parents' and grandparents' weddings to be attached to my bouquet:

Here's my home made sand ceremony frame:

My Dad's tie decoration:

It's 23rd August, though we fly out on the 10th! Getting very close now

We got engaged in 2010 though, so not so much organised as having a looooong time to do things!!

So, there have been lots of developments in my wedding planning process, as we get steadily nearer to the Big Day! .

Last month I bought my wedding dress (please excuse the bad hair and silly look on my face)

It was a wonderful day with my Mum, Sister and estranged Grandma. It also felt like my Granddad- who I was close to, but passed away when I was young- was with us: In my dress I wanted a few thing: flowers and poofy. Not only did this fit those bills, but it is also by my fave designer (It's a Maggie! ), in my size AND 50% off! It only cost £500 ($700). He was definitely looking down on me .

I also picked up a 'backup/TTD' dress, as I realised there was no way my main dress would fit in anything other than main luggage for the flight.

My little sister has also had her first bridesmaid fitting:

And my Mum has ordered her MOB dress:

This is how I've decided I want my hair:

There were some excess bits from my wedding dress, so I used them to create a new hair flower:

I've created 'Mr' & 'Mrs' chair signs:

And direction signs:

And a Thank you sign (sorry it's upside down!):

I also created a 'Shoes Optional' mat 

I decorated a ring box:

I created floral wrist corsage bracelets for my Mum and my Mother-in-law, and decorated boxes to go with them (please excuse the missing letters!)

We decorated our bubba kegs, which we picked up for a pound in our local "dollar store":

And purchased hangers from a fab British Etsy seller, whose details escape me at this moment in time. 

Barefoot sandals were handmade for myself, my mum, and my two bridesmaids, as well as cards for them to be attached to:

We decorated boxes for cuff-links for our Grooms-men and my Dad

We also purchased a watch for the Best Man- which retails at £60, but we paid £15 for:

We decorated our sparklers and created match-books:

Designed menus (purple for carnivores, turquoise for vegetarians)

And a cake wrap:

A now has matching shoe soles to my 'I do' ones:

After a complete cry-fest at our best friends' wedding (our bridesmaid and bestman) I decided to invest in a nice hanky

Welcome booklets for when people get to the resort:

Decorated the ties for our Grooms-men:

Sorted CDs for our OOT bags:

Bought a handkerchief for my Mother-in-law, who is also a known crier:

More decorations:

Glow Sticks for the reception:

I'm sure there will be things I've forgotten, so I'll probably be back sooner rather than later, but if anyone has any questions, ask away- I'm more than happy to help!

Happy DIYing!!

Kimi x

Thanks for the info- I feel a lot better now that I know that it seems to be quite normal to wait a while before getting figures. I know everything will be perfect on the day, but it's lovely to be reminded, especially with photos and a full review . Enjoy married life and thanks again! Kim x

Originally Posted by Butterflies 

 

Hi ladies!

We are back from our wedding and it was a great experience, the wedding was lovely!!! and Jenny and Yana were great! I posted the wedding review with pictures in this part of the forum:

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/products/dreams-la-romana-resort-spa-all-inclusive/reviews/7258

 

Let me know if you have any questions and I'll be more tan glad to help. And I know other brides said it over and over again, but I'll repeat it: you have nothing to be worried about, Jenny and Yana will really make the best with the decorations and any other idea that you may have.

So my advice is to enjoy the preparations before the wedding! for me the preparation months were full of great moments, like when I asked my closer friends to recommend some hot songs and latin music (we provided most of the music to the DJ in a pen drive), or when I did with my fiance a funny photo shooting six months before the wedding, which I then used to create our photo-album-guests-signature-book, or the excitement and the tearful eyes of my friend when I found the right wedding dress!... and now I treasure those memories together with the ones from the day of our dream wedding  So enjoy every part of the process!!!

Congratulations, Butterflies! Your wedding looks beautiful and is making me all the more excited! Thanks so much for the review- it seems like an age since we last had one.

Can I just enquire as to when you received your quote for your wedding? We're currently about 10 weeks from flying out there and I'm worried I'm getting a bit bridezillary about the lack of one. 

Thanks,

Kim x

Originally Posted by Butterflies 

 

Hi ladies!

We are back from our wedding and it was a great experience, the wedding was lovely!!! and Jenny and Yana were great! I posted the wedding review with pictures in this part of the forum:

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/products/dreams-la-romana-resort-spa-all-inclusive/reviews/7258

 

Let me know if you have any questions and I'll be more tan glad to help. And I know other brides said it over and over again, but I'll repeat it: you have nothing to be worried about, Jenny and Yana will really make the best with the decorations and any other idea that you may have.

So my advice is to enjoy the preparations before the wedding! for me the preparation months were full of great moments, like when I asked my closer friends to recommend some hot songs and latin music (we provided most of the music to the DJ in a pen drive), or when I did with my fiance a funny photo shooting six months before the wedding, which I then used to create our photo-album-guests-signature-book, or the excitement and the tearful eyes of my friend when I found the right wedding dress!... and now I treasure those memories together with the ones from the day of our dream wedding  So enjoy every part of the process!!!

Congratulations, Butterflies! Your wedding looks beautiful and is making me all the more excited! Thanks so much for the review- it seems like an age since we last had one.

Can I just enquire as to when you received your quote for your wedding? We're currently about 10 weeks from flying out there and I'm worried I'm getting a bit bridezillary about the lack of one. 

Thanks,

Kim x

Now that I can at LONG last say that I am getting married this year, it has propelled me forwards with a whole range of new crafty projects:

1. My shoes:

2. The revamping of my K & A letters for the sweetheart table: 

 (before)

 (after)

3. My Photobooth chalk board:

 (before)

 (after)

The two gazebos are on the same strip of beach, over at the preferred side of the resort. They're practically right beside each other. 

I love your jewellery- do you have a link to where you got it from? 

August 23rd x

A couple of weekends ago I tidied up my craft/ wedding room and repacked all of my wedding bits.

Bubble machines for the reception: 

Straws and photobooth bits: 

Candles: 

Soooo many candles!: 

Sand bags for leading to the make shift "dancefloor": 

More sandbags: 

Pre-rolled luminaries: 

Luminaries: 

Reverse of luminaries: 

Some more photo booth bits:  

My bracelet, still not decided whether to wear it or not: 

Luminaries place 'names' for the sweetheart table: 

Chair ties for mine and FIs chairs: 

FI's getting ready t-shirt:  Reverse: 

Best man's getting ready t-shirt:  Reverse: 

Eco-friendly sky lanterns: 

Photo booth back drop: 

Turtle brooch from MIL: 

Craft table with some incomplete projects: 

More decs for the gazebo: 

The result of my first ever play about on a sewing machine: 

My craft room (the bit without the piles of boxes and suitcases : 

Originally Posted by SOCCER1615 

 

i think on the silver menu it was just salmon offered

As the vegetarian option? My family are full vegetarian, not pescetarian so this wouldn't be ideal . 

Thanks for your help though, I'll contact the resort nearer the time.

Kim xx

Originally Posted by SOCCER1615 

 

The silver menu is one of each but they let us have a vegetarian option as well. The woman who did my hair did an awesome job.

That's great; thanks for the help. What vege options were available, as 5 members of my group are vegetarian. x

As promised, but a little delayed, the contents of my 'Wedding Survival Kit' mini bags, that will make up part of my OOT bags:

 Front of our playing cards.

 Playing cards - reverse. Including details of one of our fave cardgames.

 Tablets (paracetamol, immodium etc.)

 Luggage tags.

 Hand Sanitizer

 Lanyards

 Reverse of lanyards: Spanish phrases

 Postcards (free from Vistaprint)

 Magnets.

 Lip balm

  The finished product

 The reverse side

 Close up.

Kim

x

PS: I'll post images of the individual components when I get home. 

Originally Posted by Tulumbride2013 

 

 

When is it coming in? I wanna see some pics when it does!

It's due at the end of this month! I'm very excited and a bit nervous!

I will DEFINITELY be posting lots of photos, though none of me in it as I'm still losing weight.

Hopefully it will come out nicely...

Below are pics of my survival kits. They include 

hand sanitizer, 

playing cards,

postcards,

door hanger,

paracetamol and imodium,

insect bite cream,

lip balm,

a lanyard,

a luggage tag,

and they're all tied together in lovely organza bags.

These are going to make up part of my OOT canvas bags that I'm hoping to get embroidered some time soon!

Happy planning xx

Suit trousers arrived for groomsmen today. Now just waiting for FI's suit (as we ordered it from a cheaper alternative). I'll post photos when it finally comes through.

My BM will be visiting later this month so I'm excited to get piccies of her in her dress, since they were ordered online and she hasn't yet tried it.

FI and him BM's cufflinks arrived today:

 Purple to match my girls.

 Turquoise turtles to match our theme.

Below are a couple more DIY bits that we've been working on:

 Our door signs as well, as guests' favours for our OOT bags. 

 Door signs along with our mug labels and OOT bag labels. They'll be attached with ribbon nearer our date.