Leighc's Planning Thread--April 9, 2016

[LeighC]

@@LeighC Ummm, are you me? After reading this thread so far, I'm pretty sure that you're my doppelganger!

 

My FI and I have been together for 9 years, we met in University at a party when we were 20, he proposed over the Christmas break in a very laid-back way (after all the festivities with family and friends were done), we're getting married in Riviera Maya, and our wedding date is April 9, 2016! 

 

I'm so excited to follow your planning thread and see the decisions you make re: decorations and other little details since we're also going for a relaxed/laid back wedding. Looks like you've done a great job so far - and I love the dress!

 

That is too funny!  I am happy to say that we'll be squeaking in our wedding just shy of the 10 year anniversary.

When I told my dad the good news, he just sort of said "huh. i thought you two were just going to permanently date.  i didn't think marriage was your thing."   haha!  

 

Glad to know we're not the only ones who took our sweet time.  

[acw271011]

@LeighC  Love your story so far! Very cute and your ring is gorgeous!! So is the dress!! I like the proposal. As much as I LOVE the guys that go and do it all up in a super big way, I LOVE the laid back, easy, down on one knee in the kitchen ones too. It's just as special. You've made a good resort choice too. April is a very popular wedding month in Mexico!

[LeighC]

Photographer:

 

I had initially planned on asking one of my good friends to take pictures for us.  She's not a professional, but has a good camera and an artistic eye.  Because of that, I really wanted to get some good engagement photos.  Neither the Mr. or I really like having our photo taken, so my main criteria were: 1) reasonably priced; and 2) going to take beautiful pictures of the city that we live in--that we just happen to be in the middle of.  Almost everyone in my office is married, so I asked around for some names.   We found Christian and his wife Melissa.  

 

http://www.christianplevaimages.com/boston-photographer-blog/

 

I was instantly comfortable with them--their style, demeanor, everything.  When we went in to discuss our engagement photos, they had just gotten back from shooting a wedding in mexico!  as those photos were showing in a slideshow while we talked, i kept getting distracted with how perfect they were.  I decided that my wedding photographer is not somewhere I want to save money.  The photos are the one part of the day that will last forever (except hopefully my marriage!).  

 

After some negotiation, they gave us an amazing deal.  So we'll be flying them down to Mexico with us.  Rather than pay the $800 vendor fee, we're having them stay 3 nights.  Hopefully, we'll have enough people book in our room block to earn a "free room"  that we can use for them.  

 

Now i just have to figure out where I can cut enough costs to pay for their flights 

[JamaicaNicole]

I LOVE your dress do you have the designer and the style number? 

[LeighC]

@@JamaicaNicole   It's the Persiphone by Wtoo, in ivory.  The skirt underneath the tulle is a very pretty champagne color.  (and if you're interested, I think BHLDN just moved it to the sale section!)

Edited June 18, 2015 by LeighC

[Danielle1]

Love your planning thread so far! Your dress is beautiful!!

[LeighC]

Bridal Party and Attire:

 

I feel like I go very back and forth on this.  The Mr. and I decided on 3 attendants each.  I only wanted one or two, but he was having a hard time deciding, and wanted 4.  I thought, based on the pier location and the number of guests, that 4 just seemed like too many.  We compromised on 3.  I chose my sister, future SIL, and a good friend from grad school.  He chose his BIL, and two good friends.  We're having my brother officiate, which I'm super excited about.  I have always really enjoyed weddings where the officiant really knew the person, and my brother is just about perfect for it--he clearly knows us both, he's a very good public speaker, he's very funny, and (importantly) he's sober!  honestly, I did worry when Mr. suggested that his good friend do it for that reason.  4:00 gives people a lot of time to get drunk when it's all-inclusive.  I really hope that my brother make it a good mix of serious, because it is my wedding, but not TOO serious, if that makes sense. 

 

We're not religious, so I've been looking online and in our favorite books to find some good quotes/readings that we can use.  My good friend and bridesmaid just got married and used The Irrational Season by Madeline L'Engel (spelling that from memory!)  It was one of the options on my list, but I don't want to repeat hers, so I'm still on the hunt.  

 

As far as what they're wearing, I told my girls that they can choose their own dress, but to try to keep it in the color family of either the light blue or navy from my color palette.  (I also offered to help them look, since I didn't want the ENTIRE burden to fall on them).  I think, because I have 3 of them, there's really no way this can go wrong.  Say, e.g., only one picks navy...I can just have that one stand in the middle!  With an odd number, it will always look like it's on purpose.  Even if they each pick a different shade of light blue, I think it could still look good.  I was actually very inspired by this photo:  

 

 

So, i'm hoping that all works out.  The girls seem enthusiastic about picking something that will look good on them as individuals.  My sister is VERY pregnant right now with baby #3, so she says she's using the wedding as her "get back in shape" motivation.  

 

As far as groomsmen, I can't decide on their outfits!  I figured we'd tell them just a white button down, and either navy or khaki pants (I lean toward khaki, but Mr. likes the idea of navy).  Unlike the bridesmaids, I would prefer they all have the same color, whichever we land on.  We'll likely gift them a tie and/or shoes to go with.

Oh!  and on the topic of bridesmaids, I've been starting to think about what gifts I want to get them.  I had planned on buying their jewelry and maybe shoes......and then while looking at one of my favorite stores, I found these gorgeous beach-themed pouches!  They're big enough to be a clutch, or makeup bag, or whatever.  I figured I could get these, and then put whatever jewelry or other gifts inside them.  

 

I got two of each color shown (they're a bit more vibrant in person)......

 

[vancouverpetunia]

@@LeighC

I LOVE your dress! It's beautiful.

The pouches are fantastic! Where did you get them and/or what brand name are they? Did they come in other colors?

[acw271011]

Bridal Party and Attire:

 

I feel like I go very back and forth on this. The Mr. and I decided on 3 attendants each. I only wanted one or two, but he was having a hard time deciding, and wanted 4. I thought, based on the pier location and the number of guests, that 4 just seemed like too many. We compromised on 3. I chose my sister, future SIL, and a good friend from grad school. He chose his BIL, and two good friends. We're having my brother officiate, which I'm super excited about. I have always really enjoyed weddings where the officiant really knew the person, and my brother is just about perfect for it--he clearly knows us both, he's a very good public speaker, he's very funny, and (importantly) he's sober! honestly, I did worry when Mr. suggested that his good friend do it for that reason. 4:00 gives people a lot of time to get drunk when it's all-inclusive. I really hope that my brother make it a good mix of serious, because it is my wedding, but not TOO serious, if that makes sense.

 

We're not religious, so I've been looking online and in our favorite books to find some good quotes/readings that we can use. My good friend and bridesmaid just got married and used The Irrational Season by Madeline L'Engel (spelling that from memory!) It was one of the options on my list, but I don't want to repeat hers, so I'm still on the hunt.

 

As far as what they're wearing, I told my girls that they can choose their own dress, but to try to keep it in the color family of either the light blue or navy from my color palette. (I also offered to help them look, since I didn't want the ENTIRE burden to fall on them). I think, because I have 3 of them, there's really no way this can go wrong. Say, e.g., only one picks navy...I can just have that one stand in the middle! With an odd number, it will always look like it's on purpose. Even if they each pick a different shade of light blue, I think it could still look good. I was actually very inspired by this photo:

 

 

 

So, i'm hoping that all works out. The girls seem enthusiastic about picking something that will look good on them as individuals. My sister is VERY pregnant right now with baby #3, so she says she's using the wedding as her "get back in shape" motivation.

 

As far as groomsmen, I can't decide on their outfits! I figured we'd tell them just a white button down, and either navy or khaki pants (I lean toward khaki, but Mr. likes the idea of navy). Unlike the bridesmaids, I would prefer they all have the same color, whichever we land on. We'll likely gift them a tie and/or shoes to go with.

 

Oh! and on the topic of bridesmaids, I've been starting to think about what gifts I want to get them. I had planned on buying their jewelry and maybe shoes......and then while looking at one of my favorite stores, I found these gorgeous beach-themed pouches! They're big enough to be a clutch, or makeup bag, or whatever. I figured I could get these, and then put whatever jewelry or other gifts inside them.

 

I got two of each color shown (they're a bit more vibrant in person)......

 

Oh those are so pretty!! Where did you find them? We don't have anyone standing up with us because we're renewing our vows but the friends that are going with us., I'm doing bags for. My best friend that is doing hair with me and helping me get dressesd I'd like to get something special for. I got robes already but that's it so far. The little bags are a cute idea!!

 

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk

[krystalball]

Honestly - every time you post something I'm pretty sure this is my planning thread too!

 

We're having three attendants each, I've asked my girls to pick any dress that suits them within the colour family, and my sister (MOH) is also currently very pregnant with baby #3 - due in 7 days! We actually wanted to get married in Nov/Dec 2015 in the beginning stages of planning, but my sister requested spring 2016 so the baby will be easier to travel with and she will be "bikini body ready", lol.

 

Love the pouches you found - so cute! I think those will be great for putting the jewellery in that you plan to buy for them.