vancouverpetunia

@ Good to know. I noticed the redness the next morning (I went in the evening after work) but it was gone by the following morning. I'll take it down a notch when I go this weekend.

Thanks for the suggestions on the tanning issue @, @@calgarybride2015, @@deecol, . It may have been too strong, although I don't consider myself to be very fair skinned. I don't tend to burn, but I also don't really get a dark tan, even if I try. It's weird because it was blotchy on my back - not like my entire back was red. I don't think it would have been the way I was lying on the bed (unless my back fat was getting in the way LOL) since it was in the middle of my back, not on the sides. But those are some good tips to shift around to ensure a more even tan. I have heard that stand-up beds can be an issue as you end up not tanning where your "girls" droop LOL Can anyone comment on that? 

And appreciate the sympathy regarding the "PITA" guests haha @@deecol & @@Wafflesmom. I'm not too concerned about it - if they come, they come. But it's just annoying. 

@@ashlynm88 My WC did tell me that I could keep the cake for 25 people. And, actually, I've gone back in my emails with him to where I asked him for only 25 glasses of champagne. He didn't comment on it in his reply and my most recent budget from him does not show any extra, so that was my mistake in my post above. When I asked him if I could sub something for the champagne toast recently, he said no. I've heard that if you simply ask them for some of these things once on site, they are more flexible. I guess I'll find out...

It's funny - I have two friends planning this (MOH and BM live out of town), and they don't know each other. They are very different people. The one is low key like me and is trying to keep things in check. The other one, if she had her way, would have me all dressed up, doing "buck a suck" scavenger hunts on a bar crawl. LOL Sounds like it will be pretty tame. The low key friend told the other one not to dress me up, but I will be okay with a boa or something simple (I once attended a bachelorette party where the bride was dressed in an old second hand wedding dress!). I hear there will be some games, which hopefully will be fun and not too ridiculous. I will report back!

As for the guest drama, it's not all that bad, compared to what many of you ladies have gone through. It's just annoying and I was in a bad mood in general yesterday, so it really bugged me. Thanks for letting me rant - feeling better now! What's interesting about one of the "maybe" couples who hasn't responded is that they had their own destination wedding a few years back (which is where we met), so you would think they of all people would understand how annoying their non-responsiveness is!

I managed to hit the tanning salon for the first time in 20 years last night. I ended up with a couple of red "strips" and a white line on my back, which doesn't seem good. Anyone with more experience in this care to comment? Otherwise it seemed fine with no real visible changes. I did 6 minutes in their second lowest strength lie-down bed. I know nothing about this stuff...

Well, ladies, I am annoyed at work people and at wedding guests right now, so I am distracting myself with my fav brides when I should be working!

First the wedding guest rant. Compared to many of you, it's nothing. But we have one guy who still hasn't booked but says he is coming. I think he may have actually booked now, on his own, as he is trying to book his airport transfer. He asked us who to use. I gave him a couple of options. And now he wants to know if he can get on the same bus as all the other guests when he is not part of the group booking. Like he wants my TA to book him a $50 shuttle transfer but not his trip. Annoying. She isn't even booking OUR transfer, since we booked flights and hotel separately rather than a package, in order to accommodate our honeymoon travel plans.

Then I also have friends from Australia who originally said they were coming, then backed out a month or two ago (for somewhat valid reasons - but accompanied with some drama), and now apparently the wife is talking about coming again (I'm hearing this from another friend). Might I add that our wedding is in 50 days? And we still haven't heard from 2 couples who said "maybe" originally, despite repeated follow-ups. ARGH. Okay, rant over.

Onto more pleasant topics. My bachelorette party is this weekend. I've asked for nothing embarrassing or silly (i.e. nothing involving a penis in any way, shape or form). I don't exactly know the plans, but sounds like wine tasting at a wine bar or something, followed by a "progressive dinner" - stopping at 2 or 3 restaurants over the course of the evening. About 10 guests, including my BFF/MOH who is flying in from Portland, OR for the weekend. 

I am slowly checking things off my list. In the last week or so, I've finished the following:

• booking hair & make-up appts for me and my BMs
• making us appts at a travel medical clinic (since we're going to Costa Rica as well and Jeff hasn't had any shots since high school, probably LOL)
• picking up Jeff's ring from getting resized (silly guy bought it too big, I guess cause he doesn't wear rings - he could actually shake it off his hand)
• emailing our boat excursion & decor people to finalize details
• received our Mexico stationery from Vistaprint, including program fan pieces, welcome letter & mad libs (in lieu of guest book)

Not sure that I will get much done in the next little bit, as it's going to be a busy weekend, but next up will be:

• send info to MC as requested (timeline, email addresses so he can ask people for silly stories about us, etc.)
• undergarments/lingerie (going shopping this weekend)
• hair accessories
• put together program fans & label/stuff welcome letter envelopes
• get to the tanning salon!
• book our honeymoon transportation in Costa Rica
• start filling out the form for the WC
• order place card & table number artwork

There is more to do, but that will keep me busy for the next week or so, I'm sure!

@@deecol I can usually fall asleep okay, but I'm waking up at 4am and can't get back to sleep because my mind is racing. I haven't tried anything recently, but if this keeps up, I may have to. I don't like the groggy feeling of sleeping pills. I have tried melatonin + a herbal supplement before, but it seems hit & miss. I might try the one you're talking about. 

Hi everyone,

My wedding is 50 days from today (!!!), so I'm trying to figure out some of the odds & ends, and hoping you can help with some questions I have. 

• Has anyone here gotten the video that is included with the Divine package? How long is it? What does it cover? Are you happy with it? If anyone is willing to share their video, that would be great. Feel free to PM me if you prefer.
• Has anyone skipped the sparkling wine toast post ceremony and gotten anything in lieu? I don't really want to pay $5 per extra person for a toast, when we have an open bar and I understand will be served sparkling wine during dinner. My WC says use it or lose it (but won't let me only have 25 glasses of sparking wine).
• Has anyone tried using the soloist for something other than the ceremony (Divine package)? We have a friend who will be playing his saxophone for our ceremony, so I wanted to have the soloist for the cocktail hour, but my WC says it's ceremony or nothing.

Thanks!

OMG - I am the same!!! 

 

I don't know if I mentioned I had to get herbal supplements to help me sleep lol... well those are not working.  Last night right before going to sleep Col asked what we have going on the next few weekends, and the fact that I could list every weekend up until our wedding was so unreal!  It kept me up all night with my mind swirling and how I need to get my butt in the gym non-stop until we leave.  Lot's of stuff to tackle in the next few weeks!!!

I think your "pile of stuff" looks pretty manageable! I've seen worse. Haha. Love the welcome packages. And your to-do list is pretty small. You've got this, girl! 

@@yycbride2016 OMG you get married in one week!!! (as if you didn't know LOL). So excited for you  I figured that a lot of people will be with us for part of the photos - family & wedding party plus us will probably make up almost half of the people at the wedding. But I was going to send everyone to the lobby bar. It's pretty close so I don't think we will lose them haha. Originally we were going to do what you're doing - have the cocktails during the photos. I changed my mind for 2 reasons: (1) I want appies and cocktails, too, damnit and (2) we decided not to pay for any extra time for our reception and, if we start cocktails right away, dinner will be at 5:30 and the reception over by 8:30.

@@deecol Thanks for the feedback. I will definitely let you know how it goes. 

Does anyone know if the Eternity package includes the ceremony arch, chairs (25) and chair covers (25) like the Divine package does? It doesn't list it in the 2015 Wedding Guide that I have - only for Divine. TIA

@@Gabyc22 I haven't had my wedding yet, so can't say from experience. It seems like lots of couples do get upgraded, but it depends on availability and is not guaranteed. If you need essentially 2 room upgrades (in order for them to be adjoining), I suspect that might be a bit more difficult to get.

Wow! I sure missed some excitement here. But enough said on that topic. I think your centerpieces will be great! They are simple & elegant. Please post when you have the flowers, etc. 

@@dreamweddings Thanks, Joyce for posting some local news. If someone is pregnant or trying to become pregnant, I understand why they might cancel. But I don't understand everyone else (including those with small children). Frankly, I'd be more worried about getting the runs from the buffet LOL

@@calgarybride2015 Thanks for the tip about the frames blowing over. I guess paper on its own won't work then! I'm leaning towards attaching the numbers to a stick and putting them in a vase. And I'm also leaning towards the lime with the pick in it. Those would be pretty easy to assemble in advance and then stick into the limes. I can only image trying to tie little ribbons around every lime 

@@ashhtayy Yes, I agree about the customer service. It's not the kind of store I would shop at all that often, but I will definitely keep them in mind for any future needs. We live just outside of downtown - still in the central part of the city. I've lived either downtown, this area or in the immediately neighbouring suburb (Burnaby) for 20+ years (except 4 years in LA), so I'm a little partial to it But let me tell you, housing costs are ridiculous 

@@Wafflesmom I think I will forgive you, since you were busy GETTING MARRIED!  We are having our legal wedding at Ancora restaurant. It's at the foot of Howe along False Creek (across from Granville Island). Straws are an interesting idea... I'm going to have to think about that. And thank you for your sweet offer on the napkin ring holders. Those are really cute! But I think they would be better if you have assigned seating, no?

So... I've been corresponding with my WC quite a bit lately. I have so many random questions for him. He's been so quick to respond. Usually the next day. It makes me so happy to get an email from him so soon with thorough answers given all the complaints I've read on here. But I didn't really like his answers today

Our package comes with a soloist (guitar, violin or sax) for the ceremony. But our friend is a professional musician and he is going to play for our ceremony, so I asked if we could use the soloist for the cocktail hour. No - ceremony only. I also asked about exchanging the champagne toast immediately after the ceremony for something else. We have to pay extra for over 25 guests and they will be pouring champagne at the cocktail hour and reception, so why bother? But nope, no exchanging that either. I have heard about brides who've been able to get 5 bottles delivered to their room in lieu of poured after the ceremony. I also have connected with another bride who is getting married at the same resort, with the same WC, about a month before me. She has the same colour scheme as me and is willing to give me (at no cost!) a bunch of tealight holders - bless her! I asked my WC if he can store them, and he said he cannot promise because he has no space. 

The only good news is that they will let us use the 1 hour of included photography for something other than the ceremony, since we are bringing our own photographer. I guess that's better than nothing, but if anyone has any suggestions on how I can persuade him on the other topics, please chime in! I'm actually thinking about downgrading my package as we don't need or want a lot of the extras included in our package. That could save us $500 USD. But I'm not sure if they include the arch, chairs & chair covers for the ceremony in the other package - the only thing we really need. I'm trying to figure that out.

On a separate note, I am working on our timeline, including all the details of the reception. We are trying to keep it very simple, so limiting speeches and dances, plus no bouquet or garter toss. I would love some feedback on whether this seems like a reasonable timeline. I know perfectly well that the main course won't be served at 7:35 precisely, etc. but just trying to figure out how much time approx we need for each element and where that nets out.

12:00 PM Hair & Make-up

2:00 PM Getting Ready/Lunch - girls

2:00 PM Getting Ready/Lunch - guys

3:15 PM First Look Photos

4:00 PM Ceremony

4:30 PM Photos

5:30 PM Cocktails

6:30 PM Dinner

6:40 PM Intros & Champagne Toast

6:45 PM 1st course

6:50 PM Best Man Speech

7:10 PM 2nd course

7:15 PM MOH Speech

7:35 PM Main Course

7:45 PM Bride & Groom Thank You

8:15 PM First Dance

8:20 PM Dancing!

9:00 PM Dessert Buffet

9:15 PM Cake Cutting

9:30 PM Move to NIghtclub

@@ashhtayy Thanks for the suggestion about trying to get the bracelet sized. I took it to a local jeweler. He took out one "gem" and it fits perfectly and doesn't flip around so much now. He didn't even charge me  Granted, it took him all of 3 minutes, but still. 

@@deecol Good point on the limes soaking through the paper Hadn't thought of that! So you are suggesting just using the limes themselves and writing on them (and including an indication of the meal)? Yes, I guess a simple "S" for steak, "C" for chicken, "O" for other would work! We have lots of miscellaneous food needs, so I think just lumping it into one "other" category and having the servers ask is probably best (but I will check with my WC).

I love that everyone here is so great for ideas and advice. Thanks so much! 

@@deecol Thanks for your flattering comments  I wear simple jewelry most of the time as well - and the same thing most of the time, too. But I figured it's an occasion to step it up a notch. I didn't end up getting a necklace. A sales woman at a bridal jewelry store I went into said it can take away from the dress, which I hadn't thought about. I think it might depend on the dress, but since mine is a V-neck, I decided that it could fight with the lace. I feel that the earring & bracelet are just some nice extra touches without going crazy. And now that I've changed my plans for my hairstyle, I probably won't be using the headband. 

Holy sh*t, ladies. We leave in 50 days! I feel like the wedding planning has ramped up again in the last couple of weeks and it's going to be go-go-go until we leave!

I need some help with seating plans, escort/place cards & table numbers. This is driving me nuts. I don't want assigned seating, but I do want assigned tables. However, I need escort or place cards to indicate menu choice/allergies. I was thinking of doing escort cards (with name & table number) and having them on a table where people can grab them, take them to their tables and find a seat. But will they take them with them? Other suggestions?

• Also, I was planning to do paper table numbers (like postcard size), but I didn't want to deal with frames, etc. Can they just be propped up on the table with the vases, etc? Or will they blow away. I have been thinking that maybe I do them double-sided with a "stick" in the middle so they can be placed in the vases. 
• Finally, if I go with escort cards on a table at the entrance, what do I put them in? I already asked the WC and they don't provide anything. I am thinking of adding limes to my decor on the tables, and somehow using those like in the photos below. Although it will mean some prep work at the resort. I also saw where someone just wrote names on the limes using a metalic pen. That might be easiest! I can also write the table number. Although not sure how to indicate meal choice in that case. Sigh...

@@yycbride2016 Congrats on hitting your goal! That is awesome!  When do you leave? You are soooo close! I hope you are feeling better by now. 

I've lost another pound - 17 down and 3 to go. Crazy. I wore a dress to work this week that I hadn't worn in a couple of years (people thought it was new) and I felt and looked great. Got tons of compliments. Also Jeff has been telling me that I'm looking good, that my butt is smaller LOL and that he's proud of my hard work. Awwwhh shucks 

Now I just have to keep it up. We have so much going on in the next few weeks... tonight is dinner at my cousin's and staying over night at their place, next weekend is my bachelorette party (and my best friend will be here from out of town for the weekend - so we will be out on the town, for sure), the following weekend we're going to a big wine festival, then we have our legal wedding the weekend after that which will definitely involve eating & drinking, I have my shower coming up, etc, etc. Sorry for the big laundry list! I guess my plan is to keep exercising and eat well whenever I am not doing all of these things!

@@ashhtayy I love what you've planned for your legal ceremony. Your family will love it! Sorry, cannot help with the bathing suit issues. I have the opposite problem - I need XL on top and S on the bottom LOL

@@deecol I love hearing about your shower. Sounds like a great combination of sentimental & fun. And your dress looks amazing on you. That sucks about the flight change, but you're right, it could be worse. I just read about someone on FB who's flights got pushed out by 3 days on both sides (although I don't think they had made final payments yet)! I don't know what I'd do?!?

I would guess that they are trying to charge that because they have those same vendors available onsite that you could hire directly. While you may never have intended to do that, it still is a potential source of revenue for them that they are losing. But that's just my guess - I haven't experienced this situation myself. Vendor fees SUCK!

@@calgarybride2015 Thanks, Kim! They are called papel picado

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@@ashhtayy Love your rings! My e-ring is very different, but we have very similar bands to both of you. Great taste!   We planned to get ours engraved, but neither of us can decide what to put on them, so we are holding off. 

@@ashhtayy Thanks for the vote

Well, I officially have 25 days to decide what to wear for our legal ceremony (still open to your opinions)! I confirmed the marriage commissioner today and a reservation at a restaurant. We'll get married there upstairs (it's more private) beforehand or possibly outside on the seawall if the weather is nice. We are just having Jeff's best man and his girlfriend as our witnesses and then will have dinner with them. 

I also received the final artwork and ordered our program fans, welcome letters and the mad libs forms we are using as a guest book (I plan to scan them and make a photobook). Took advantage of the 40% off sale at Vistaprint. We will get matching escort cards & table numbers once those details are finalized. I am super happy with these!

Welcome Letter Front

Welcome Letter Back

Program Fan Front

Program Fan Back

Mad Libs

@@krystalball Thanks for the compliment Okay, you are the second vote for #3! That and #4 are Ralph Lauren. The others are Calvin Klein. Yes, I am a creature of habit. BTW - The Bay has a lot of great dresses, including similar RL ones, on sale right now. Or at least they did in Vancouver a week ago.

I am finalizing our legal wedding practically as I type! I emailed a bunch of marriage commissioners this morning. One got back to me right away and I got a good feel from her email. I'm not too concerned with who we use, as long as they are "normal" LOL, since we aren't considering this to be our real wedding. Just waiting for the restaurant to confirm our reservation and then it's a go!

I wish I could help! I've been to nearby Curaçao but not Aruba. I'm sure you will have a wonderful trip and wedding.

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