Tracy's Planning Journal

[tracy0716]

I wasn’t really sure if I was going to write a planning thread but I figured if it helps just one person then I should do it…this forum has saved my sanity while planning a destination wedding! Thanks so much to Tammy for creating the site, to all the mods for keeping things in check, and to the fabulous members for sharing their experiences and ideas. Everyone on here is so nice and helpful. Anytime I had a question all I had to do was search and the answer was here. The forum has also been a fun addiction and great distraction from wedding planning stress! I recommend it to anyone and everyone I meet who is planning a DW. So here it is:

 

My fiancé George and I met the old fashioned way- we were introduced by friends at a party. We started dating about 3 years ago. He proposed last summer while we were camping with his family. He got down on both knees (since we were in a tent) and gave me my gorgeous ring!

 

Here is his ring:

 

We decided to have our wedding at the Paradisus Palma Real in Punta Cana. We chose this resort since I went there 4 years ago for a big family trip. Eleven of us went including my aunts and cousins. We have not been to a better resort since and so many of my family members are looking forward to return. I really hope it lives up to our expectations!

 

We decided not to make our OOT bags in NJ but to bring the “ingredients†down to the Dominican Republic and make them there. My FMIL volunteered her services to assemble the bags and I’m definitely taking her up on them. I ordered them from Wedding Favors and Gifts They are sold in increments of 25 and the site sells the tissue paper and ribbon too. This is what the bags should look like when they’re completed:

This is our bag:

We went with a monogram instead of skyline design.

 

We’re going to include a Spanish for Dummies book (Target $1 ea.), travel sized pepto-bismal chewables, Advil, Excedrin, Immodium, Aloe, and bug wipes. All of these items were purchased from minimusbiz.com except for the bug wipes which my FI got from work.

Everything organized in a satchel.

We bought snacks and gum to put in the bags too.

 

I also wrote personal notes for our guests to include in their bags and a typed an itinerary for the night before the wedding and the day of the wedding. I found a template on the forum months ago when I first joined (thank you NaM!) and I based mine off it. I'm having trouble uploading a link to my letter so I'll try again later!

[tracy0716]

My FI has 2 young nieces attending our wedding (4 and 2 years old). They are the only kids coming and it was a big deal for his brother to be able to attend our wedding so I splurged on their OOT bags. I bought them from The Company Store for $24.99 ea. and had them monogrammed. I had a coupon but with shipping and tax the bags came to just about $30 ea. They love horses and can use the bags after vacation, so to me it was worth it.

Then I filled them with a puzzle, coloring book, crayons, story book, small sunscreen for kids, band aids, stickers, and sand toys.

 

I’ve already posted a pic of my dress on the forum but here are some pics of me actually in it at a fitting. It’s by LaSposa and everything I thought I didn’t want in a dress! Please excuse my faces, I was definitely getting annoyed that my mom didn’t know how to take a decent picture…

Here’s the back:

And here it is bustled (I wish I zipped it!)

 

I also posted a pic of my shoes previously on the forum but here they are again. They’re by Nina and were a huge PITA to find!! Like many others on the forum, the shoes were more difficult than the dress.

 

Jewelry too was a problem. I didn’t want to bring any of my real jewelry (besides e-ring and wedding bands that are insured) because I’m paranoid about losing them or them getting stolen. So I had to find good fakes! I got these earrings at a dress store by my house. I’m bringing them to my final fitting next week and I hope they work. I’m not wearing a necklace.

 

My FI has been very picky about what he wants to wear to our wedding. He hates suits and ties and refused since the moment we picked the DR for our wedding. We went with a guayaberra shirt instead and a pair of linen pants from Perry Ellis. I found the pants on sale in Lord and Taylors for $49.99 and got them for cheaper with a coupon. I order his shirt and his two brothers’ shirts from Beach Wedding Attire - Beach Wedding Dresses - Beach Bridesmaids Dresses (another recommendation from BDW). The shirts just came this week. I’m not thrilled with the ivory color (it looks a tad too yellow) but they look nice. None of the guys have tried them on yet so I’m holding my breath that everything will be okay!

FI’s shirt:

GM’s shirt

Pants

[tracy0716]

Last but not least, here are some of the décor inspirations/wishes for our wedding:

My bouquet:

Linens and dinner set up:

 

We’re going with metallic lanterns and candles as centerpieces rather than flowers, as well as, Chinese lanterns for decoration but I can’t find pics to post of either of these!

 

This is much longer than I anticipated but I hope it’s helpful. Thanks again to BDW- it’s awesome! Our wedding is in 16 days and we leave in 12 days, time has gone by so fast!!

[Shoesiesluvr]

Everything looks awesome Tracy!! & i love your OOT bags, thanks for the website thats exactly what Im looking for! I love your dress and your bouquet, gorgeous!

[autjo]

Thanks for sharing Tracy. Everything looks awesome! I heart your shoes and think the GM shirts look great... no one will notice the color because they will be looking at you Hope you have a wonderful wedding!

[Tissey]

Everything looks great! I'm sure it will all be beautiful when the day comes. Congrats!

[bikegirl]

Everything looks great. I love the table setup!

[rpingree001]

Thanks for posting! Everything looks great and your dress is beautiful!!

[Tennyt1]

Great Idea about the OOT bags and I love love love your shoes!!!!

[QSciberras]

Looks beautiful! I LOVE your dress!