Christie's (islandbride317) Planning Thread w/ LOTS of Pics! :)

[islandbride317]

Hello, my beautiful BDW sisters!

 

Much like everyone else says....I can't BELIEVE it's finally MY turn to do my planning thread! We are leaving in 2 days for our wedding on Friday, May 14 @ Sandals Grande Ocho Rios Beach and Villa Resort in Jamaica!

 

Let me begin by saying that THIS FORUM has truly been a God-send -- without all of the support, advice, tips and tricks shared by all of you, I NEVER would have been able to feel as prepared and confident as I do for our wedding -- THANK YOU endlessly, ladies!

 

Well, let's get started, shall we?

 

First, our engagement: John had intended to propose on the beaches of the Maryland shore during a moonlit walk, but since I was rear-ended in a car accident the VERY day we were supposed to leave and couldn't, and he couldn't wait any longer as the ring was burning a hole in his pocket, he decided that our living room was as good a place as any, bless his heart! On Aug 20th, 2008, he asked me on bended knee to be his wife -- and he certainly surprised me!

 

My ring is an art-deco inspired marquise diamond, surrounded by 12 small diamonds with a diamond-inlaid band:

 

 

 

And here is what the entire set will look like, with the double-diamond insert band -- bling, bling!

 

 

Next, the RESORT we selected!

 

As the most budget-friendly option of all the Sandals resorts for our guests, we dedided on Sandals Grande Ocho Rios Beach and Villa Resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica:

 

 

 

MORE TO COME.....

[islandbride317]

Next, I decided that if all goes well and the weather holds out, as May is rainy season for Jamaica, that I wanted to have the ceremony @ 2 pm on Friday May 14th (originally, I wanted to have it later in the day, but apparently rain is most likely at 4 pm!)

 

Here is the Roman Gazebo on the Manor side of the resort, and I love how unique this location is, without the chance of onlookers getting into the back ground of our photos, as can happen on the beach:

 

 

And we decided just to go with the "Beautiful Beginnings" package by Martha Stewart, offered by Sandals:

 

 

For the ceremony, I also decided to give the guests fans to help with the heat and humidity, and I purchased these fans @ Michael's (a box of 18 was less than $20):

 

 

Next order of business -- THE DRESS!

 

I had originally purchased a very simple strapless A-line gown with no fuss or frills at David's Bridal (I had convined myself that I couldn't have my Dream Dress because we were having a DW), but I decided that in the end, it doesn't matter if it's too hot or not, I want MY PRINCESS DRESS, damn it!

 

Here is my other love.....my Sottero & Midgley RSM 1038 gown in Light Gold, with pics on the model, and me at my final fitting:

 

 

 

 

 

NEXT....the ACCESSORIES!

 

More to Come.....

[islandbride317]

So, I knew I wasn't going to want a tiara to go with the gown, but when the attendant at the bridals salon placed this piece in my hair, I KNEW it was perfect to complete the look:

 

This hair piece is also by Maggie Sottero:

 

 

And here is the veil I selected, a single-tier cathedral length (PHOTO from when I tried on the sample gown in August '09):

 

 

And I wanted to keep the jewelery relatively simple, so I ordered these from a fabulous woman named Jane in the UK -- you can find her store, Beady Eyes Designs at Wedding Hair Accessories & Special Occasion Jewellery - Beady Eyes. She a dream to work with!

 

 

Here is a pic of what my shoes look like (except there is a strap that comes around the front of the ankle, too). From David's Bridal:

 

 

And here are the little panties I ordered from Victoria's Secret that say "Bride to Be:

 

 

 

I wanted a signature scent for the Wedding Day, too, so I found "The One" by Dolce & Gabbana, and I love it! I'll be wearing "The One" when I MARRY The One!

 

 

And here is a pic of John's ring -- purchased at Ultra Diamonds, in Lancaster, PA -- he can't wait to wear it!

 

 

Next....The Invitations and Flowers!

 

More to Come.....

[islandbride317]

BEFORE I forget.....here are the Hairstyle inspiration pics I will be giving to the stylist at Sandals:

 

 

 

 

THE INVITATIONS: Here is a pic of the whole kit and kaboodle sent to guests -- the invitations, our custom RSVP postcard, and the Accomodation Information Sheet:

 

 

I ordered the sheer vellum sheets from Invitation by Dawn, the white with aqua deckle edge backing sheets from David's Bridal online, and tied them together with Oatmeal Wraphia Ribbon (my semi-DIY project!) and I was thrilled with how they turned out:

 

 

**For our custom logo and RSVP postcards, I worked with fellow BDW member Becks (Allurements by Rebecca) -- and she couldn't have been more WONDERFUL IN EVERY WAY to work with......THANKS A MILLION, Rebecca, and I'd like to VERY HIGHLY recommend her to everyone!**

 

Here is our logo, which was on the front of the postcard:

 

 

I ordered the stamps to match from Zazzle.com:

 

 

And I was able to find matching paper for the accomodation information at OfficeMax.com -- how lucky!

 

 

Next, on to the Flowers and Wedding-Week Guest Welcome Bags!

 

MORE TO COME....

[islandbride317]

FLOWERS!! I knew I wanted RealTouch Flowers, and through BDW, I found Roberta @ Plumeria's Wedding Flowers Boutique online -- she's a total gem, and I love my flowers soooo much!

 

Here are all of the flowers together:

 

 

And a close-up of my bouquet:

 

 

And as I have decided not to have bridesmaid, I got each of the Mother's a special bouquet:

 

 

And here are the bouts -- both John and the fathers will all be wearing the same style:

 

 

And I got my sister a hair flower comb, as well, which is in the bottom right of the 1st flowers photo.

 

Now onto the OOT BAGS!

 

 

I worked with Becks again (Allurements by Rebecca) for our Monogram design for the Canvas tote bags (iron-on transfer patches) and for our Travel mugs insert designs (which worked great for our small number of 10 guests, and most places have a minimum order number of 50):

 

I ordered the 16 x 16 x 4 natural cotton canvas bags at Rebecca's recommendation from InGreetings.com, and ironed the patches myself. I also downsized our original logo, and made the guest name tags tied on to the handle, as well (ie. each says the person's name and their relation to us -- "Nancy, Mother of the Bride, etc.):

 

 

And I ordered the 16 oz. Aladdin Scrapbook Insertable Travel mugs from aladdin.com, and printed out the design on photo paper:

 

 

MORE OOT BAG STUFF TO COME!

[peterpanpixiedust]

Wow, this looks amazing. I was looking for a way to include a postcard (i wanted to buy postcards from the resort) because I wanted to do something more inventive for the invite and Std. Thanks! I love your vellum invites too! Gorgeous dress, I am glad you went with what you wanted.

[islandbride317]

NEXT, HERE WE HAVE ALL THE TRAVEL-MINIS, ordered from Minimus.biz, which I tied together with cellophane and placed in a palm leaf favor bag:

 

 

Here is what each guest will receive:

 

 

* a "Bug Button" to attach to thier clothing to keep bugs at bay

* (2) Crystal Light On The Go Drink packets

* (2) Suncreen lotion packets

* (3) After Sun Burn Relief Gel Packets

* (3) Tylenol packets

* (1) Imodium packet

* (2) Insect Repellent Lotion Packets

* (2) Insect String Relief Packets

* (2) Antibacterial Moisturizing wipe packets

* (1) SHOUT Wipe & Go Packet

 

And for any scrapes along the way, each guest also will be getting a mini First Aid kit:

 

 

Also, each guest got 2 candles, a deck of playing cards, and a Word-Find puzzle, all from the Dollar Tree:

 

 

 

And even though this is NOT a pic of me wearing it....here is the TTD gown I bought for $50 on eBay. It's a little shiny for my liking, but the price was right to wear in the ocean!:

 

 

 

And here is the hair flower (for the life of me, I can't remember where I ordered it from!) I will wear for the TTD pics, we're having done at a beach and waterfalls location off the resort at sunset, the night of the wedding:

 

 

Next, our Sand Ceremony Kit!

 

More to come.....

[Lady_Di]

Wow, your e-ring is gorgeous! it's so unique. I also love your dress...you're right, it doesn't matter if you're having a DW or not, you wear your dream dress!! Have a blast and congrats!

[islandbride317]

OUR Sand Ceremony Kit, ordered from GlassArt234 on eBay, personalized with our names for each of our names and then our names and date on the center container. I ordered the colored sand from MoonGlow Supplies.com:

 

 

And LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST....

 

Here is John's Suit and tie, from Jos. A Bank:

 

 

And tie:

 

 

And I am SURE I AM FORGETTING lots of things, but that should be just about it for our wedding in Jamaica!!

 

Next, a PREVIEW OF OUR AHR in August!

 

More to come...

[*Linds*]

Everything looks great! You look like a beautiful princess in yoru wedding dress! I cannot wait to see your pictures! We share the same wedding date so its bound to be a good day! I hope it is so fantastic for you, you absolutely deserve it! love your mugs as well!