18 replies to this topic

[deniden]

I wanted to do this planning thread to pay it forward for all of the help I've received on this forum - everyone has been amazing!

 

Us

Ryan & I met a bit more than 12 years ago as we were both working as EMTs in the same county. We were always friendly, but it wasn’t until about 5 years ago that we actually became friends. Timing was never right for us, dating-wise, but when it finally happened – we both knew almost immediately this was IT.

 

The Engagement

Ryan & I had been talking marriage since about the first month we started dating, lol. He proposed to me before my annual Installation Dinner for my rescue squad, just the two of us, at my house. I had no idea it was coming! I could not even tell you what he said to me because I was in such shock, but I know I responded “YES!”

 

Resort Choice/Travel Agent

We started wedding planning literally the day after the wedding, lol. I had emailed our travel agent, Becky of Beach Bum Vacations, the night we got engaged. We always knew we wanted to do a destination wedding, but were tossing between Mexico and the Dominican Republic. In the end, Mexico won out due to pricing for our guests. Originally, we were going to book the El Dorado Royale, which looked amazing, but the pricing was too expensive. We then decided on the Royal Playa del Carmen, and haven’t looked back! About a year in advance, we booked our wedding date of April 20, 2012.

 

I encourage all Royal PDCs to take a few days to read over the entire Royal PDC bride thread – the information in there is priceless!

 

 

[deniden]

Website, STDs, Passport Invites

Once we nailed down the date and the resort, I immediately went into crazy wedding planning mode. I am, by nature, a Type-A personality, OCD-planner, and I make a living being that way, lol.

 

I started with making up our website:

 

 

 

 

I created/ordered our Save the Dates from magnetstreet.com:

 

 

Originally, I wanted to do boarding pass invites. But, after seeing more and more passport invites on this site that I loved, I decided I wanted to do passport invites.

 

Here is the thread for all of my passport invite information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[deniden]

Vistaprint

As many of you have probably already heard, Vistaprint is a savior for Destination Wedding brides! I signed up on their site and immediately began receiving emails. I also had Ryan sign up so that he could receive emails, too. I also purchased Vistaprint Groupons whenever possible because there are some items that just don’t come up as “free”.

 

Here are some of my Vistaprint projects:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[deniden]

Program Fans

I also created program fans based upon something I saw another bride on here do.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

The Powerpoint file is how I made up my program fans. I did one for the front and one for the back. I then exported them to .gif files and then uploaded to Vistaprint. I printed them on standard postcards. (I had an offer for free postcards, so it was only like $5 for shipping).

 

I bought cardstock from Michael's (I'm with their Rewards program & AC Moore's rewards program, so I always get coupons), and I cut the cardstock to fit the cards (I bought a large cutting board thingy months ago when I was making my invites). Then I used a border punch to punch the heart design on 3 sides, and used a corner punch to make all of the corners rounded on the cardstock and the postcards. I glued the front postcard to the front with wrinkle free glue stick, then attached the popsicle sticks using tacky glue to the back. Then when it dried, I glued the other postcard to the back.

 

It literally cost me like $10-$15 and took 2-3 hours to do 50 fans.

Attached Files

•  program fan.ppt   141KB   8 downloads

[deniden]

OOT Bags & Wedding Favors

I never would’ve been able to do my OOT bags without the knowledge and help from the other brides on BDW. Seriously, you guys are amazing!

 

Here is the thread where I posted all of my OOT bag and favor info:

[deniden]

Attire

I went to an Allure Trunk Show at Claire’s Fashions in Delaware (they are fab!) I always knew I wanted a mermaid style gown, but wasn’t sure besides that. Of course, I went in there with one dress in mind, but then my mom and a friend picked out this dress and that was it for me!

 

It’s Allure 8712

 

 

My veil is Bel Aire Veil - Style V8220 (http://www.bestbrida...220-p-1316.html), which I ordered from BestBridalPrices.com – about $50 cheaper than my bridal salon, and cheaper than anywhere else. Fast, free shipping, highly recommend!

 

I ordered my hair flower from Etsy Seller: Wearableartz.

 

 

My jewelry (earrings and bracelet) are from Etsy Seller: LiveLoveBead

 

 

 

My wedding day purse is from Etsy Seller: Perebags

 

She was able to make it a wristlet for me, and also add “Mrs. MyFutureLastName” to the inside. J

 

 

I ordered my wedding day shoes from

 

My MOH dress is from David’s Bridal in Horizon (this isn’t the exact dress, but it’s pretty close):

 

 

 

[deniden]

Suits

We ordered Ryan’s, BM, my dad, and Ryan’s dad’s suits all from StudioSuits.com.

 

We got the short sleeve linen shirts on clearance from MensWearhouse.com, and I got the ties on sale at Boscov’s.

 

Here’s Ryan in his suit with the two tie choices (I got 2 of each, so he’ll be in one with BM and the dads will be in the opposite…)

 

 

 

[deniden]

Other Ceremony & Reception Stuff

I ordered satin table runners (http://www.ebay.com/itm/120783169449?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649) and chair sashes (http://www.ebay.com/itm/110744440333?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649) from eBay seller: Lingsupplies, who had the cheapest prices I could find.

 

I ordered our sand ceremony kit from Etsy Seller: SayAnythingDesign

 

We are doing a photo guestbook, so I got props from Dollar Tree and Party City, ordered our guestbook from Etsy Seller: TheHandmadeBoutique, and ordered the Fuji Instax camera and film on Amazon.

 

I am using Marvin from Maya Diseno florist as our florist for the wedding. We are doing centerpieces with 3 votive candles for each table, and then using luminarias for decoration and as personal placecards for the guests from Etsy Seller: ThePaperyNook. The plastic votive candle holders with LED candles were purchased from eBay seller: Lingsupplies.

 

[tkuzma]

I love your jewellery! And your thank you cards- nice incorporation of your monogram!

[Speckles121]

ahhhh your almost there!!! everything looks fabulous!!! i think i might "steal" your fan..such a cute idea..different than what i've seen previously!! congrats in advance and best wishes!!!