Melissa & Shawn October 28, 2006

[OctoberBride06]

a picture of the inside of the chapel ~ cost $350 for 2 hours
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/joshua2003/Chapel8a.jpg

[OctoberBride06]

this is what the favors will look like!
I already have the bags, ribbon, the leaf candies, and the stickers should be here any day now!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/joshua2003/fallfavour.jpg

[ikkin510]

I love that favor idea! It's so cute!

[OctoberBride06]

The bouquets will look like this ~ cost about $250
I will have 6 of each (roses and calla lillies)
the MOH 4 of each
and the BM 3 of each
very simple :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/joshua2003/color_bou2.jpg

and the bouttoniers will look like this
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/joshua2003/boyflower1.jpg

[OctoberBride06]

thank you! I wanted to do something I haven't seen at another wedding!

[CindySue]

Melissa....welcome to the board! Your ideas are awsome!!!!

[OctoberBride06]

I would like to do this as the centerpieces for the tables, then have fake leafs around it
it just requires I do it last minute, and im not sure I can do that! I am such a planner! lol
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/joshua2003/ss_candles.jpg

[OctoberBride06]

Thanks Cindy! Its nice to post what I have come up with! I feel like I have actually accomplished quite a bit, lol

[OctoberBride06]

This it what my invites look like! A friend of mine created this, she is working on my RSVP cards now.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/joshua2003/melissasweddinginvite.jpg

[CindySue]

Thanks Cindy! Its nice to post what I have come up with! I feel like I have actually accomplished quite a bit, lol
I didnt realize how much I had done until I sat done and put all of my ideas on paper. Then I sat back and read my notes and it was like :bbeek: OMG - my wedding is planned. I didnt realize i had just about everything taken care of. Of course, Ive "tweaked" things a little but got the most part Im done!

[OctoberBride06]

thats awesome! Im sure it makes you feel so good knowing its all done, then there is no last minute stress!
So many people keep telling me I have lots of time, I just feel like there is so much to do, and not enough time, lol

I bet your getting excited that its so close!

[OctoberBride06]

double post/

[OctoberBride06]

dress pictures again :D ~ cost $480
mine will be in White and Cranberry!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/joshua2003/S4020041.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/joshua2003/S4020044.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/joshua2003/S4020036.jpg

[OctoberBride06]

Maid of Honor & Bridesmaid Dress

the MOH is wearing Chocolate Brown and the BM is wearing Cranberry!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/joshua2003/S4020037.jpg

[CindySue]

Yeah....you do have time, BUT try to TAKE your time if you can. I thought I had to rush and now I have time and nothing to do. There are a few things I still have to do but I have to wait before I can start working on them. Last minute things. This waiting and having nothing to do is driving me INSANE!!!! There are a few other girls in here in the same boat!
Your centerpieces and Invitations look GREAT!!!! You have done a wonderful job!!!!

[LaceyinPgh]

Melissa everything looks so nice. I love your dress and flowers. So tell us a little more about you and Shawn. We are into details around here.

If you are worried about hte centerpieces, which I think are cool, I know that craft stores sell "fake" pumpkins in their autumn decor. Maybe check into those. You could get started them at the end of summer.

[OctoberBride06]

Ok, A little more about us, :D

the first time I met Shawn,
Me and his sister and another friend, had rented a cottage for a week in Grandbend, and he drove us up there, we kind of hit it off instantly, he ended up coming back up in the middle of the week to see me, after that he tried to find time to see me, he lived an hour away, and worked shift work.
six months of dating I found out I was pregnant a bit of a shocker.. , our son Joshua was born on July 23rd 2003, after he was born we got our own place together, and six months later.. I found out I was pregnant again.. , Our daughter Jenna was born on October 25th 2004.. life has been great,
we got engaged this Feb. it wasn't anything romantic, we were just talking about getting married, and he was like ok lets do it... lol

I am now a stay at home mom, and loving it!
here is a picture of each of my kiddo's!

Joshua ~ my ring bearer!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/joshua2003/DSCF2965.jpg
Jenna ~ my flowergirl!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/joshua2003/DSCF2815.jpg

[LaceyinPgh]

Your babies are so cute!

[CindySue]

They are soooo adorable!!!!

[CarlosHoney]

You're getting married on my Brother's Birthday. He would have been 19. So, I like your date! ;)

Your plans look amazing. You made me think about using callas for a minute there! Have you seen the monogrammed pumpkins?

http://www.oxmoorhouse.com/images/Companion/MSmonoramPumpkins1.jpg

It might be pretty for decoration on your cake table, or something! And you could use the little decoritive pumpkins carved out with tealites in them as decoration here and there.. Like the food table (if you're having one) and the guestbook and cake tables.

I love your dress, and your BM's dresses. Very elegant. And love love love your invitations!!

Your little ones are sweeties! It sure is crazy how they can sneak up on you like that! I know, I have one myself! :bbmrgreen:

[ikkin510]

Your children are cuties!!!

[Kacie_bride]

Have you thought of having your flower girl throw fake leaves instead of flower petals. My wedding is in December and I found silk snowflake petals. The same site sells silk leaves if you are interested and they have a ton of fall decorations. Here is the link.

http://www2.balloons-galore.net/cat_autumnfall.cfm

Oh by the way, I love the pumpkins!

[Jenn060306]

Wow Melissa, everything looks soooo nice! I love your dress and the BM's dresses. You're from London Ontario?! I'm from Newmarket! There is another girl on the board who is also from Newmarket :)
In the fall watch Micheals because they have had ceramic pumpkins. You could use those and then you don't have to wait until the last minute to do your centrepeices.
Everything looks great! Can't wait to see what eles you have up your sleeve!

[rainbowtreat]

I love your ideas. Everything looks so beautiful. And those kids or yours, omg sooo cute. Welcome to the board. Glad to have you here i am sure your gonna like it. I LOVE it!

[OctoberBride06]

I love that pumkin idea! will fit right in with our fall theme! I wonder if im that talented though, lol

I would love for Jenna to throw leafs instead of flower petals, Im hoping she will beable to do that, but we got 7 months to practice! lol

Thanks for the compliments on my kiddies, they sure are a handful! and yes they sure do grow up quickly! I can't imagine them even being so small.

I will definetly check out Michaels in Aug/Sept.. and see what I can get :D

I am so excited, I can't wait to start doing things!

[OctoberBride06]

Licence - $125 *get in August*

Chapel - $380 *paid*

Officiant - $125 *booked*

Reception hall - $50 *paid*

Entertainment - $530 *booked* owe $480

Rings - $300 *done owe $150*

Cake - *don't have to worry about Aunt's buying it*

Flowers - $250 *$50 deposit down & booked*

Decoration - $?

Centerpeices - $100

Favors - $50

Invitations - $50

Photographer - $400 *booked*

food - *parents helping*

My Dress - $480 *paid $240* in on aug. 20th

Jenna Dress - $65 *done*

Tux rental for Shawn - $200 *done* - go back in begining if sept.

Tux rental for Josh - $130 *done* - go back in the begining of sept.

[OctoberBride06]

Shoes for me and Jenna
guest book & pen
wine glasses
wine - *done $75 paid*
wine bottles, labels, and corks
table cloths
2 garters - *done*
cake serving set
cake topper
ring bearer pillow
flower girl basket
big and small envelopes
address stickers
envelope seals
stamps
pillar candles
tealight candles
fake leaves
3 vases

[OctoberBride06]

it feels like I have been away forever, my children got sick, then they both got pinkeye, then I got sick.. then my internet went down for 2.5 days...

I feel like I should be doing something, but I have nothing to do for my wedding?

my MOH and the bestman are planning the Stag and Doe, and its going to be on Aug 12th! I look forward to having a fun tiome with family and friends before the wedding!

I have been trying to lose weight before the wedding, I have finally lost 20lbs! 17 more lbs and I will be were I was before I got preg the first time! then I will work from there! I ordered my dress 1 size smaller, so I don't have to pay a whole lot in alterations! :D

ok im rambling.... lol

[OctoberBride06]

well the Tuxedo's are picked out and a deposit is down!

FH is wearing a black tux, with a black vest and a chocolate brown and black tie, and a brown and black pocket square.
the BM and GM will be wearing the same suit, but there vest will be the chocolate brown!

it looked so nice!


We have also purchased our daughters flower girl dress, its a little big, but she still has 6 months of growing! we paid $65 for it!
of course I had to put it on her and take a picture, lol
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/joshua2003/Picture037.jpg
the back
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/joshua2003/Picture036.jpg

[Jenn060306]

That dress is sooooooooo cute!
She is absolutely precious!

[MOB Karen]

She is beyond precious! What an adorable baby and dress!

[CarlosHoney]

Totally sweet! She sure is a cutie!! :bbmrgreen:

[OctoberBride06]

She is beyond precious! What an adorable baby and dress!
Thank you!

[OctoberBride06]

Totally sweet! She sure is a cutie!! :bbmrgreen:
Thank you!

[OctoberBride06]

well we have the wine, we will go in and bottle it in September! just one more thing off my list! I can't believe how quickly time is going!

I have been trying really hard to lose weight, as I put on so much with two pregnancies back to back, plus I was never skinny to begin with, But since the begining of the year I have lost 24lbs, and have 13lbs more to get to my pre-pregnancy weight! I am so happy, and I know when my dress comes in, I am going to slip right in it! ordered it a size smaller..

[MOB Karen]

well we have the wine, we will go in and bottle it in September! just one more thing off my list! I can't believe how quickly time is going!

I have been trying really hard to lose weight, as I put on so much with two pregnancies back to back, plus I was never skinny to begin with, But since the begining of the year I have lost 24lbs, and have 13lbs more to get to my pre-pregnancy weight! I am so happy, and I know when my dress comes in, I am going to slip right in it! ordered it a size smaller..

Ok, Melissa, let me get this straight... you're going to bottle your own wine? How cool is that?

Great job on the weight loss! I wish I only had 13lbs. to lose. My left foot probably weighs 13lbs.

[Jenn060306]

well we have the wine, we will go in and bottle it in September! just one more thing off my list! I can't believe how quickly time is going!

I have been trying really hard to lose weight, as I put on so much with two pregnancies back to back, plus I was never skinny to begin with, But since the begining of the year I have lost 24lbs, and have 13lbs more to get to my pre-pregnancy weight! I am so happy, and I know when my dress comes in, I am going to slip right in it! ordered it a size smaller..

Wow sounds like you are doing really well with loosing the weight! Congratulations! That is such a tough thing to do esp. when you have 2 small childeren.
Having your own wine for the wedding will be really nice. My FSiL did that at her wedding and it was a really nice touch. They gave Mark a bottle, and his brother-in-law said that he was to save it and they would drink it the night before his wedding.

[OctoberBride06]

yep we are going to bottle our own wine, it is just so much cheaper!
the wine was $75 and that will fill 30 750ml bottles
then we have to buy the bottles,$30 unless we can get some for free from someone, then the personalized labels will be about $15
so all together about $130
which to buy 30 bottles from the liquer store here would be about $210 for the cheapest stuff!

Well we have our small honeymoon booked, since we have two young children we didn't want to go far away, plus we don't have the money to do that! we are saving to take the kids to Disney World in 2009

but we booked a hotel in Niagara Falls for 2 nights!
we will have a fallsview room, we will leave on Sunday and come back on Tuesday, then when we pick up the kids in Kitchener and then we will take them out for Halloween with there cousins... so I think it all works out just perfectly!

a picture of the hotel
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/joshua2003/pic_hotel_topperspective.jpg

[brewsells]

I honestly think that is the MOST gorgeous view for a hotel!! Are you going to do the behind the falls tour thing?

[MOB Karen]

yep we are going to bottle our own wine, it is just so much cheaper!
the wine was $75 and that will fill 30 750ml bottles
then we have to buy the bottles,$30 unless we can get some for free from someone, then the personalized labels will be about $15
so all together about $130
which to buy 30 bottles from the liquer store here would be about $210 for the cheapest stuff!

Well we have our small honeymoon booked, since we have two young children we didn't want to go far away, plus we don't have the money to do that! we are saving to take the kids to Disney World in 2009

but we booked a hotel in Niagara Falls for 2 nights!
we will have a fallsview room, we will leave on Sunday and come back on Tuesday, then when we pick up the kids in Kitchener and then we will take them out for Halloween with there cousins... so I think it all works out just perfectly!

a picture of the hotel
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/joshua2003/pic_hotel_topperspective.jpg


Oh my gosh, Melissa, that view is spectacular!!! I would love to see that in person, but we're on the other side of America!! You are so lucky!

[Kacie_bride]

That view is awesome! I would love to see that!

[Jenn060306]

Melissa i have heard that it is an awsome hotel! My friend went there for a weekend with her b/f and it was awsome!
Mark and i are thinking we're going to do a weekend getaway after the wedding there. :D

[OctoberBride06]

I haven't been there since I was about 9, so im really looking forward to going, plus it just being me and hubbie, we haven't done anything together by ourselves since our Son was born, and he turns 3 in July...

we have never been to a casino, so that should be lots of fun!!!

[OctoberBride06]

well we have decided to add 2 more flowergirls and 2 more ring bearers,

our neices and nephews, they will help walk down my two kids!

so now I have to call the Tux place and let them know about having 2 more boys on my list,
we tried getting the same dress as my daughters for the other 2 girls. but the one girl is 11 and they didn't have her size, but I think we picked out a nice dress for the two of them, but they have to order it in.. so hopefully they do that soon.

I have to call the chapel and set up the rehersal time for the day before, - done its between 5-6

lately I have been so bored with the wedding, I feel like I have nothing to do,????

[Kacie_bride]

Wow you've got everything done already? My wedding is in December and I've got so much left to do! About the older girl..if you can't find a dress that matches the flowergirls why not have her dressed in the same color as the BM and be a junior BM?

[OctoberBride06]

I was thinking about that, but then I know our other niece would be upset that she didn't get to be a junior BM, so it just makes it easier for both of them to be FG's, I like to keep the peace, lol


I got my invites redone... I just wanted something alittle more simple,
I will be adding a little maple leaf charm, and ribbon to them..
I will show a picture once I start doing that!

The invitation - its blurry becasue of the resizing
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/joshua2003/finalinvitation.jpg

The reception card
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/joshua2003/finalreceptioncard.jpg


The reply card
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/joshua2003/finalreplycard.jpg

[Kacie_bride]

It looks good! I just love a fall wedding!

[WhiskeyGirl]

Are your invitations printed out yet? I'm sorry I can remember your wedding date off the top of my head. BUt I just wanted to give you a suggestion on your RSVP. Instead of "There will be LOTS of food" I think it would sound better saying "There will be a lot of food to enjoy." Or something along those lines. For some reason when I read the RSVP part it just didn't seem to flow right. Hope I didn't step on your toes but I just thought I'd give you an opinion! Other then that your invites are wonderful!

[AngelinLove]

I just wanted to say that everything looks soooo wonderful!!! And I love the view that you will have for your honeymoon...it is awesome!!!

[MOB Karen]

Melissa, one of the great things about being on this forum is seeing the different ideas that you brides have for your weddings. I have always loved the look of a fall wedding and you are going to make that happen. I can't wait to see it!!! Good luck with everything!!!

[OctoberBride06]

I haven't posted in such a long time, things have been so hectic around here, we just bought a new car last month, so now I am all worried about money and paying for this wedding, but we needed a car and fh decided he didn't want to buy another used vehicle...men

I have been trying to work on my invitations, but its just so time consuming! and I don't seen to have the patience or energy to do them :(

I have decided to change up my theme alittle bit, we are going with a fall/halloween theme, I wanted to throw some fun in there :)

I am going to fill up halloween buckets (the ones the kids use) with candy and use those a the centerpieces, I really think it will be fun, and maybe a little cheaper (heehee) I am still trying to come up with idea's that aren't over the top,
we will probably play a few halloween songs, I really hope this all works out!

The MOH & BM dresses are in, and I am still waiting for the girls to go in for there fitting, and they only have a week left to do so, and one has to come in from out of town, neither of them seem enthusiastic about going in,
I am still waiting for my 2 fsil to order the 2 neices dresses, but they seem to be putting that off, I never thought this stuff would bother me, but now that were getting closer, I am starting to worry that its not going to come together,

Sorry this post is all over the place, its 12am and I am starting to finally get tired, lol
I will come on tomorrow and post what my invitations look like! I think they turned out nice!

[Jenn060306]

The halloween theme sounds super fun! you could do some super cute favours with those little plastic pumpkins filled with candies!

I totally hear ya on buying a new car. We bought used 92 Jetta. Jetta's live forever.... so we thought. Ours lasted 4 months. It was a friggin money pit! We traded it in and got ourselves a hyundai..... it runs like the wind:D

Can't wait to hear more about the halloween ideas.

[OctoberBride06]

Thanks Jenn,

we bought a 2007 Dodge Caliber, I wanted to go with the Dodge Caravan, better for the kids, but FH was in Love with the Caliber, So I went for it...

I need some help finding halloween idea's, I don't know where to look or start, lol

these are what the invitations will look like, this is just a rough one, to see what it was going to look like!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/joshua2003/Picture002.jpg

[AngelinLove]

The invites are really nice!!!

[Kacie_bride]

I think I've said this before, but I love your invitations!

I have been having trouble getting my girls to go try on their dresses as well. That is why I started so early. It'll probably be another 3 weeks before I get all of them to pay and have their dresses ordered. Then we have to deal with alterations. Ugh! It is so frustrating! If I could go back and do it over I would probably just have a MOH.

Your Halloween idea is super cute! At one time someone posted a picture of some pumpkins that were carved in initials and then candle was added like a Jack o Lantern! They were so elegant! I'll see if I can find it later and post it in wedding themes because I know several women are having a Halloween type wedding.

[MOB Karen]

I love those invitations too!!!

[Kacie_bride]

I have posted lots of ideas under someone's post that says any Halloween brides here (I think that is the name). I believe it is in the themed section. Go have a look.

[OctoberBride06]

Well I have been absent for awhile now, since finding out I was pregnant,
I am 12 weeks today! and starting to feel better now! but the headaches are now kicking in...

so anyways I been able to accomplish a little bit in the last week or two!

the invitations have been mailed out! so hopefully I will start getting the RSVP's by late next week!
that was such a huge project!

I did my ringbear pillows and flowergirl baskets last weekend!

here is the ringbear pillow (did 3 of them)
I bought the pillows from the dollar store and
then I just added the gold ribbon and the leaf!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/joshua2003/Picture003-2.jpg

this is the flowergirl bucket lol (also did 3 of these)
also bought from the dollar store, painted them white
and added the gold ribbon and leaf
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/joshua2003/Picture004-1.jpg

[OctoberBride06]

here is the wedding favors
very time consuming, lol I only have 10 done and 90 more to do!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/joshua2003/Picture006.jpg

I also got my guestbook! I ordered it from eBay! I just love it!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/joshua2003/Picture010.jpg

[OctoberBride06]

well when I ordered my dress I ordered it smaller then the bridal shop recomended! they sadi I should go with a 18-20
I said no way I am going with a size 16.. so I worked hard,!

only to find out, that I was pregnant, so I called the bridal shop, and they would see what they could do, well they called me the next day to say my dress was already in a month early!!!!!

so I went in thinking it wasn't going to fit.. and it did fit! I was so happy, but then so upset, because it wouldn't fit me by time I got married, so they had to see if they could order me another dress, and be able to have it back in time.

so they could order me another dress, but they went with a 20 just to make sure it will fit, but I have to pay an extra $100 for rush order and delivery,
it won't be in till the begining of October,

but here I am in the size 16.. excuse the wrinkles they didn't press it yet.
and the way I look, as I was feeling very nauseous..


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/joshua2003/Picture002-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/joshua2003/Picture005-1.jpg

[OctoberBride06]

this is the cake I have decided to go with!
I got this picture from the halloween idea's

It will be just 3 layers and no flowers or ribbon!
my aunt is ordering in a couple days!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/joshua2003/100_2908.jpg

[ikkin510]

HI Melissa, glad your back. Sounds like you have a lot done. Not too much longer now for you. Everything looks great, I love the dress!! Good luck with it all!

[Amber818]

Hi Melissa!

Congrats on the baby...it seems as though it is baby season!! How do your kids feel about another brother or sister? Are you going to find out the sex?

Your dress looks awesome...so pretty! I love your cake too it reminds me of Lacey's. It is very unique.

[hummingbird521]

Everything looks wonderful. You done a very good job on the DIY things. they turned out really nice.

[AngelinLove]

Everything looks so beautiful and I LOVE your guestbook!!!