Allyson & Bryan 6-24-06

[AllyM1]

Hey everyone!

I'm pretty new to this site, but I thought I would share a little about my wedding/plans/etc. I'll be honest and admit that even with only 2 months left, I don't have much done. I have the church, the reception place, and the dj. That's it.

I've had a really hard time getting this together because I work 40+ hours a week and so does my mother, who is my only help.

I have all the ideas down for everything, we just haven't had a chance to go buy anything. I don't even have a dress yet!

Sad, pathetic, I know...

Well, my fiance and I met in September of 2003 and started dating in November of the same year. It was actually kept a secret from his family for a few months. (I really don't understand exactly why) He proposed to me on December 8th of '05.

We really didn't want to be engaged very long and we were already living together and didn't want to do that for too much longer, so we decided on June 24th as our wedding date.

I've actually "lurked" around this site for a couple months now and have gotten so many of my ideas from this site. So thanks girls!

I'll try posting some pics of different things, but I am not good at uploading(?) pictures.

[AngelinLove]

Welcome, and I'm sure that we are all glad that you are hear. The ladies here are all great and will help you with whatever they can!!!

[Kacie_bride]

Welcome and good luck getting everything together.

[Jenn060306]

Hey Welcome.
Hopefully we can help you more with the planning!
Can't wait to see what you've got up your sleeve.

[AllyM1]

Thanks girls, you don't know it but you've helped me out a lot with many things.

[AllyM1]

Okay... My fiance and I agreed that we wouldn't do a groom's cake, but I wanted to surprise him and I'm going to get a version of this cake made for him. We live in Ohio, so of course we're big Buckeye fans.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/aspears4/Katy400Groom4-17-04.jpg


This is about what our cake is going to look like. We're VERY simple people, so we wanted to keep everything VERY simple as well.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/aspears4/a81ba7c3.jpg

If you guys have any suggestions on how to dress up the cake at all, let me know. We do have a cake topper... too bad I couldn't find a picture of it... let me check!

[AllyM1]

Here's a picture of the dress that I am planning on getting. HOPEFULLY I won't need too many alterations, plus I am going to go to my own seamstress. My dress actually is red on the band around the waist and the trim at the bottom of the dress is red.


http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/aspears4/frontofdress.jpg


This is the exact dress but from the back.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/aspears4/s06_E8252.jpg


I think for our bridesmaids dresses we are going to go strapless and long. My MOH will wear red and my two bridesmaids will wear black.

BTW, my colors are Red and Black, as you probably could tell by now!


I didn't think you could do color on a dress, but my mom found this dress while we were out looking and the funniest thing was my mom said, "Go find your SIL and tell her to come look!" When I found my SIL, she said, "Ally, you have got to see this dress I found.." They were the EXACT same dresses... So I knew this had to be the dress I got!

[Amber818]

Everything looks so nice....I can't wait to see more!

[Kacie_bride]

To dress up the cake you can add color to it. Make the initial in red and the little bobby things in red too. (I don't know what they're called, but the icing balls around the cake's perimeter is what I'm talking about). You can also add fresh flowers to it as well.

[AllyM1]

Okay, I am officially annoyed. My FI and I bought our invitations and had his grandfather print them up. We picked them up yesterday, and EVERY SINGLE invite is off-center. I am :censored: :censored: ! They cost us $50 which isn't much, but I don't have another $50 to spend to buy new ones and I don't have the time to reprint them. I kept telling them they were off center but no one listened to me. How can 3 people look at them and say, "They're okay... " And I can look at them and know it's messed up? We had to get them out so I sent them and I'll just cross my fingers and hope people won't notice that they look like :censored: !

I feel better now that I've gotten that out! =)

[Jenn060306]

I'm sorry that you're invites are off centre. I would be super pissed too. Especaily if i told people and nobody listened. I bet most people won't even notice that they arn't perfectly centered.
I had a spelling mistake in the name of the reception hall and i missed a word completely. I've only had one person come back and tell me. I don't think too many people have noticed. (I hope) I had them proof read by 4 other people and still.... sorry tangent.

[MOB Karen]

Okay, I am officially annoyed. My FI and I bought our invitations and had his grandfather print them up. We picked them up yesterday, and EVERY SINGLE invite is off-center. I am :censored: :censored: ! They cost us $50 which isn't much, but I don't have another $50 to spend to buy new ones and I don't have the time to reprint them. I kept telling them they were off center but no one listened to me. How can 3 people look at them and say, "They're okay... " And I can look at them and know it's messed up? We had to get them out so I sent them and I'll just cross my fingers and hope people won't notice that they look like :censored: !

I feel better now that I've gotten that out! =)

Most people won't even notice, Ally. I'm sure they will be ok "as is." It is frustrating though, especially since you told them about it.

[Kacie_bride]

I'm sorry to hear that. Maybe if the other people didn't notice then most of your guest wont notice either.

[Jopet]

I think I would be p:censored:d to especially if you let them know before they were printed. But I am sure your wedding day will be perfect and everyone will remember the day not the invites.

[LaceyinPgh]

I'm sorry to hear about your invitations. That really sucks. One day people will learn to listen to the bride. But if it makes you feel any better, on our invitations' reception card, the word "beginning" is misspelled as "begining". My FH and I along with both of our mothers, his sister, my maid of honor, and about 3 literature/English teachers that I work with ALL missed it. If they didn't notice, I don't think my guests will.

[AllyM1]

Thanks girls. Yeah, I am hoping that people won't notice or either they'll notice and forget. My mom says that if this is the only thing we have that doesn't go right then we're pretty good.

[MOB Karen]

Thanks girls. Yeah, I am hoping that people won't notice or either they'll notice and forget. My mom says that if this is the only thing we have that doesn't go right then we're pretty good.

Truer words could not be spoken, and Moms are always right. :wink:

[AllyM1]

I completely neglected to update my journal...

We've come along in our plans and pretty much everything is taken care of. I just cannot think of what kind of favors I want to do! I thought about getting plastic champaigne glasses and filling them with like Hershey Kisses and putting some tulle around and a little tag that has our names and date on it... But I don't know...

A couple nights ago we went and got my dress and my bm's dresses and I saw my bm which is also my little cousin, and she had JUST got a huge tattoo on her arm... All I could think was why couldn't she have waited until AFTER my wedding! Maybe it's selfish, but I can't really do anything about it now... I just don't want people looking at them and seeing all these tattoos! Ah well...

I thought I would put some pictures up of the reception place... I think it's a beautiful building, I just don't perticularly care for the mauve and mint green decor!

http://www.monacoscatering.com/images/photo_monacos-entry.jpg Sorry it's small, I'm taking it off their site!


http://www.monacoscatering.com/images/photo_large/photo_14.jpg

http://www.monacoscatering.com/images/photo_large/photo_18.jpg

http://www.monacoscatering.com/images/photo_large/photo_19.jpg

[AllyM1]

http://www.monacoscatering.com/images/photo_large/photo_21.jpg

The funniest thing is that neither of our families are Italian, but we loved this place. I was thinking of doing food that was ethic (I don't know how to say it...) but I am Croatian and I don't know if everyone would like all that! =)

I love this place, the food is delicious (Italian) but they are really expensive and they almost want you to cater to them... But my mom had to put her foot down and say, "this is how WE want this..."

This is the tiara I will be wearing... I think.. I bought it but we'll see how it goes... I'd have to take a picture of the veil because I couldn't find it on the website

http://davidsbridal.com/images/fashions/full/s06_TE8052--APPLE_JEW-Asml.jpg

[AllyM1]

Here is a picture of the invitations that FH's grandpa messed up, I was angry but now I'm okay... Oh well... Sorry it's so big! How could ANYONE not tell that they are OFF CENTER? Not to mention it wasn't worded how I wanted it to... But no one has said anything to me.. they are such nice people.. I would probably have said something... =)

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/aspears4/Picture020.jpg

[AllyM1]

Here is a picture of my engagement ring.. it has a single diamond in the center and then 5 smaller diamonds on each side...

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/aspears4/Picture022.jpg

[AllyM1]

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/aspears4/Picture013.jpg I thought I would share a picture of my little nephew. His name is Gavin and he's 10 months. We're trying to find a little tux for him but so far we haven't been lucky.


Here's another one of him when he started crawling... He's my little buddy...

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/aspears4/Picture001.jpg

[AllyM1]

This is a broach that my great grandmother gave my grandmother who gave it to my mom who is letting me wear it for my wedding... Whew!

It's about 100 years old and made of Austrian crystals...

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/aspears4/Picture023.jpg

[MOB Karen]

What a beautiful place to have your reception! Your wedding will be incredible there! That tiara will look so pretty with your dress! Thank you so much for sharing with us! Everything looks wonderful!!

Your nephew is just adorable! I love to see a tux on a baby. I have this picture on my journal, and this baby is probably the same age as your nephew. It looks like he is using the pillar to hold himself up, and babies usually do that at around 10 months of age. I just thought this was the cutest picture of a baby with a tux on. Good luck, Ally!!!
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h52/Karen602/Ringbearertux.jpg

[AllyM1]

Thank you Karen, you are so sweet! It's hard to imagine life with little ones but when they're here you couldn't imagine life without them. He's really special to me, in fact, I am going to get wedding pictures with him in it.

We're going to look around some more for a tux for him. I know he'll look so handsome!

BTW, I hope you have a really great Mother's Day! =)

[MOB Karen]

Thank you Karen, you are so sweet! It's hard to imagine life with little ones but when they're here you couldn't imagine life without them. He's really special to me, in fact, I am going to get wedding pictures with him in it.

We're going to look around some more for a tux for him. I know he'll look so handsome!

I can't wait to see your little nephew in his tux! Good luck with all your planning!

BTW, I hope you have a really great Mother's Day!

Thank you, Ally!!

[ikkin510]

Ally, your ring sound exactly like mine! So you know I love yours!! Your nephew is adorible.

[rainbowtreat]

Ally, I wanted to find a tux for my 4 yr old son as well. If I was to rent it lke we did my FH it would cost us atleast $85. I was not going to pay that for this tiny boy. I went to Sears and found a 4 piece suit on sale form $30 to $17.99. The only difference from his and Nichoals is that my son wont have a jacket on. the vest is almost an exact match to my FH's and he has a black tie. Keep looking, you will find something I am sure.

[AllyM1]

I just got the cake topper today, here's a couple pictures of it. We thought it was cute because the boy on the topper has blond hair and so does Bryan and I have brown hair and so does the girl! (okay little things like this excite me, I know...)

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/aspears4/Picture024.jpg

I thought it was cute, but I don't know about all the white stuff around it... Do you think we should leave it how it is or take the boy and girl off of it?



http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/aspears4/Picture025.jpg

[AllyM1]

Here are pics of our toasting glasses and the server and knife. They're not my favorite, but I bought them un-used from a coworker for $20. I'm just trying to figure out how to dress them up a bit. I bought black and red ribbon, but it's not enough.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/aspears4/Picture026.jpg


http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/aspears4/Picture027.jpg


I don't know what to do... argh.. it's all so frustrating! :bbconfused:

[AllyM1]

I found this hairstyle and it's pretty much what I am looking for. It's simple and it's an updo.. I just hope it would go okay with the tiara and veil... I don't know how that would work, but here it is...

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/aspears4/BlondeLk2B.jpg


http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/aspears4/BlondeLk2A.jpg


http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/aspears4/BlondeLk2C.jpg

I wanted a simple updo and this is most likely what I will go with. I'm a simple girl with simple wants! =)

[AllyM1]

I was thinking about something... I was thinking of favors and would it be a good idea to make like a favor bag with stuff for the kids, let's say, under 10? I don't know if that would be a good idea or just to make all of the same and then they would get what everyone else does.

Any ideas?

[rainbowtreat]

I am goign to have soemthign for the kdis seperate form the pthers, i am going to get those foam things that they can stick thign on, they have all kinda of shapes and such , i wanted to give them something to do

[Amber818]

Ally,
I read your post about your cousin who got the tattoo and I laughed because I had the exact same feeling about one of my bridesmaids. All I could think of was that my wedding picturse will be ruined because all people are going to see are these tattoos....good thing that bridesmaid dropped out and I asked a clean armed friend to be a BM and she accepted....LOL....I was so surprised anyone else felt like that.

[AllyM1]

Lol.. Like I said, all I could think was... "Why couldn't you have waited!"

I think I am going to have her cover it up with this makeup stuff that covers tattoos!

[LaceyinPgh]

Lol.. Like I said, all I could think was... "Why couldn't you have waited!"

I think I am going to have her cover it up with this makeup stuff that covers tattoos!

I told my tattooed bms that they had to cover up too. If you have anyone around that does the airbrush makeup, I hear that covers them very well.

My 16 year old cousins wants to get a tattoo and her parents are not only allowing her but are paying for it. Tattoos really aren't my thing but if you like them, good for you. However, how many of us were truley capable of making life long decisions at the age of 16? I told her to do whatever she wanted on May 28.

[Kacie_bride]

I don't think anyone should get a tattoo at 16! Anyway, I agree with you girls. I wouldn't want any visable tattoos in my wedding pics. I went to a wedding a couple of years ago and a bm had a tattoo on her shoulder and it ruined the effect of the dres. I have 3 tattoos myself that I got when I was between the ages of 18-19 and I regret it! I am getting one of them removed (at least) next year. Like Lacey, they are not my style or my thing anymore. Yes $65 is going to turn into well over a $1000.

[MOB Karen]

I don't think anyone should get a tattoo at 16! Anyway, I agree with you girls. I wouldn't want any visable tattoos in my wedding pics. I went to a wedding a couple of years ago and a bm had a tattoo on her shoulder and it ruined the effect of the dres. I have 3 tattoos myself that I got when I was between the ages of 18-19 and I regret it! I am getting one of them removed (at least) next year. Like Lacey, they are not my style or my thing anymore. Yes $65 is going to turn into well over a $1000.

I agree. I think a tattoo that young would be a major mistake, because you can't undo it. I have come close to getting a tattoo a couple of times, but I just couldn't go through with it.

I let Amber get a tongue piercing when she was 16 because she wanted it so bad. I had to go with her and sign for it. At the time, they were just coming out and she was a good student, so I let her do it. She is going to be 25 years old in August and she still has that tongue piercing. When the time comes that she no longer wants it, all she has to do is take it out, and it closes up and is gone forever. No lasting mark at all. I am not sorry I did that for her.

[brewsells]

I got a tattoo when I was 18. It's on the back of my shoulder so I can cover it up easily if I need to.
I also got my tongue pierced when I was younger. I took it out becasue it was doing damage to my teeth. It healed up good, though. There is a scar on the underneath of my tongue, but other than that, you would never know.

[Amber818]

Lol.. Like I said, all I could think was... "Why couldn't you have waited!"

I think I am going to have her cover it up with this makeup stuff that covers tattoos!

I think that is a good idea.

[Amber818]

I agree. I think a tattoo that young would be a major mistake, because you can't undo it. I have come close to getting a tattoo a couple of times, but I just couldn't go through with it.

I let Amber get a tongue piercing when she was 16 because she wanted it so bad. I had to go with her and sign for it. At the time, they were just coming out and she was a good student, so I let her do it. She is going to be 25 years old in August and she still has that tongue piercing. When the time comes that she no longer wants it, all she has to do is take it out, and it closes up and is gone forever. No lasting mark at all. I am not sorry I did that for her.

Yes...I don't even know it is there for the most part. It is like a part of my tongue now. LOL!

[AllyM1]

I saw most people keep a tally so I figured I would put one on here myself...

108 Invited
43 Yes
2 No
63 Unknown


I wish those 63 unknown would hurry up! =)

[brewsells]

When is your cut off date?

[AllyM1]

June 8th so there's more time but for the past week I have gotten 2 response cards back... In 7 days 2!

[Kacie_bride]

I think people ususally wait until the very last moment.

[brewsells]

From what I have heard, they do seem to wait until the last minute. As though there is no reason you need to know how many people will be attending. People seem to forget things when it's not their wedding..

[AllyM1]

Well, today I went to After Hours Formal Wear to pick out the tuxes that the guys will wear. FH gets his free and all the guys get $20 taken off of their rental.

The guys said it would be about $104+ tax for the rental. I really don't know if that is expensive or not but my FH was mad about it. I told him that when his "boys" said okay they should have known that there would be some cost involved.

I'm about to flip out. I'm tired of people always complaining about the prices of things and everyone complaining about the jobs I ask them to do. Is it so much to ask?

Well here's a count as of today... (hasn't really changed!)

108 invited
2 No
45 Yes
61 Unknown

[StaceyMc]

$104 doesn't sound bad for a tux. I can't remember what the prices were when Joe and I were just looking around in a store. Compared to bridesmaids, the guys get away for practically nothing.

As for people and their RSVP's, my friend that was just married said that everyone seemed to wait until the last minute - I was one of the first to RSVP she said. She promises to send hers right back when our invites go out...lol.

[rainbowtreat]

$104 for a tux is not bad. Nicholas' cost us $120 and I think the guys back home are paying about the same price.

[AllyM1]

I didn't think $104 sounded bad...


I know the majority of people have already got their invitations, and I guess you guys are right... They just procrastinate and send them in as close to the deadline as possible.

[MOB Karen]

Well, today I went to After Hours Formal Wear to pick out the tuxes that the guys will wear. FH gets his free and all the guys get $20 taken off of their rental.

The guys said it would be about $104+ tax for the rental.

I had no idea that it cost that much for a tux rental. Wow! I think Jason's guys are probably going to flip out too. What will probably happen is Jason will pay for their tuxes. oh well...

You're getting close too, Ally!! Good luck with everything!

[brewsells]

I didn't know it was that much either...
Not long to go now, Allie.

[AllyM1]

Wow... when I see it there right in front of me as 1 month and 6 days, it's kinda scarey! =)

I remember it being 6 months and that just seemed not too long ago.. I knew it would go by fast!


Today I am going to take pictures of my dress and my MOH's dress so I'll post them so you all can see...

[MOB Karen]

Wow... when I see it there right in front of me as 1 month and 6 days, it's kinda scarey! =)

I remember it being 6 months and that just seemed not too long ago.. I knew it would go by fast!


Today I am going to take pictures of my dress and my MOH's dress so I'll post them so you all can see...

Yay! Can't wait to see them!!!

[Kacie_bride]

I think they tuxes really depend on the style. Like I have said before, I used to work at a store that did tux rentals. We had 4 different categories to select from. The "Platinum" category would run you in the $100's to rent. The "Budget" category I believe started at around $60. The only difference was the brand. To me the tuxes looked the same.

[AllyM1]

Today is my bridal shower. It's at my fmil's house. I don't know who exactly is gonna be there because only 2 people RSVP'd, but I do know there are more than 2 that's gonna be there. I'm sure people probably thought that they didn't need to RSVP they just could show up, which is fine.

FMIL took care of it all because my parents are putting so much money into everything else. It's really nice because every parent (except his dad and stepmom) has stepped up and decided to pay for something. His mom is taking care of the rehearsal dinner and my bridal shower and his grandmother is buying the cake. We are going to try to get his dad and stepmom to pay for either the photographer or the church.

I don't know about any of you ladies but it seems like getting married at a church is the most expensive thing! Bryan's family are members there and have been members for YEARS now, yet it is costing us $625 to marry there. I personally think that's outrageous. If it wasn't such a beautiful church, I would go elsewhere!

[Jopet]

Damn Ally I go away for a couple of weeks and come back and see how much you have done!! Everything is looking fantastic :).I know what you are saying about tattoo's I have 2 a cute devil on my shoulder(which I sort of regret) and a chinese symbol just below my neck, which is why I am having a high back dress, I can't stand tattoo's hanging out at weddings.
And I also can't wait to see pics of the dresses. :bbmrgreen:

[AllyM1]

Thanks Jopet...

I'm off to my bridal shower... =)


I can't wait to see everyone there and I keep thinking, "Wow, this day is all about me!" I love that!

[WhiskeyGirl]

Have a great time at your bridal shower Ally!!! :)

[Jenn060306]

I don't know about any of you ladies but it seems like getting married at a church is the most expensive thing! Bryan's family are members there and have been members for YEARS now, yet it is costing us $625 to marry there. I personally think that's outrageous. If it wasn't such a beautiful church, I would go elsewhere!

WOW! That is alot for the church! Ours is $300.00 which they call a donation more then anything. We can get a tax receipt too. I've never heard it be so high!
I can totally relate to wanting a beautiful church, and one that Bryan's family is apart of! That's what we are doing to!

[brewsells]

That really is a high price to pay, as far as I am concerned. I am paying $150 and I am not even a member. They also concider it to be a "donation", but I don't mind paying that at all. I was expecting a little more than that.
How was your shower?

[rainbowtreat]

When I married my first husband we paid to use a church to get married in. Not sure the exact amount but I am thinking baout $100. And we paid the guy to play the huge organ for us. It was a floor to ceilign organ. Very nice. We paid him $100 for his time. And we were not even members of the church. That seems like alot of money, and you rmembers there that even makes it more strange. Good luck with everything. NOt logn know. Trust me, I have 18 days to go.

[AllyM1]

Yeah, I about died when they said $625... To me I don't even want to pay that but I want to get married there! I think when we have the meeting with the officiant and what not that I'm going to say something about it. Maybe they sent us the wrong papers? Hopefully!

My shower was really good. A couple of my friends were being :censored: and made up reasons why they couldn't come. I, personally, think they just didn't want to buy me a present. And if that's the case, I wouldn't really have minded.

One didn't even call me but today at work she said,"I'm sorry I mean to call you but I had to help my daughter's grandma..." I wasn't even going to go into it because that's the stupidest reason, plus she could have told her, you know what, for a couple hours I'll be busy, THEN I can help you...

The other one I didn't even talk to today...

I got pots and pans (i'm not good about naming things!) and flatware/silverware, this corningware cookware thing, I got a set of 3 cutting boards, some money, a gift cert to Pier1 Imports, and my SIL got me this skimpy little nighty that I was sooooo embarrassed that I wouldn't even pull it out of the bag... It was like a piece of cloth! :bbeek:

Overall it was really fun. We ate lots of good food and played a game and sat around and talked...


Hey I have a question for anyone who can help... When you pick the music for the ceremony, how many songs do you pick to be playing as people come in?

[ikkin510]

I've read that you should have 30 minutes worth of music. I think we have 6 or 7 songs picked out. Once we leave a little bit of space between the songs it comes out to about 28 minutes.

[AllyM1]

I haven't updated this journal in a while so I figured I probably should.

I found a picture of my engagment ring and wedding band together.. here it is...

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/aspears4/940142918.jpg


Here are a couple pictures of my tiara. When I first bought it someone there gave me a purple one so I had to take it back and exchange it for the right one!

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/aspears4/Picture029.jpg

Here it is on my head...

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/aspears4/Picture028.jpg

[AllyM1]

Here are a couple pictures of my test favor. It's a plastic champaigne glass with hershey kisses in it. I used tulle and ribbons that are my wedding colors all I need to get is tags with our name and wedding date.


http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/aspears4/Picture030.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/aspears4/Picture031.jpg

[AllyM1]

I'm sorry the pictures are too small. For whatever reason they are either WAY too big or WAY too small.

:bbquestion:

[AngelinLove]

Everything looks really great!!! I think your tiara is very pretty!! Also, your ring and band are very nice!!!

[MOB Karen]

Beautiful ring and tiara, Ally!! And I love the idea for your favors!! The glasses and tulle are going to be so pretty sitting at everyone's plate. And the coordinating ribbon color will add a splash of color on the tables at your wedding! Very nice!!!

[Kacie_bride]

That price is very high for the church! We are not getting married at our church because it is to small, but our pastor will not even let us pay him. We are going to offer to pay for his hotel room because he is moving and coming in from out of town.

[Kacie_bride]

I love the favors, by the way.

[AllyM1]

Well, I have 15 days until my wedding and I haven't heard from over 30 people. I am very irritated that I have to now spend my day calling all these people because they are too damn lazy to put a check on either line, put the response card in the PRE-STAMPED envelope and drop it in the mail!

Just venting a bit!

We had some issues as to whether there was going to be enough money to actually pay for everything. I am still trying to get my FH to ask his dad and step mom to pay for either the church or the photographer. We actually have a good deal on a great photographer that is a "personal" friend of someone we know. $700 for a cd that we can print pics off ourselve and over 500 pictures to choose from. I didn't think that was too bad.

I have been avoiding the wedding consultant (haha I know I'm bad!) because if she helps us we have to pay $150 for her. I feel that we shouldn't have to pay that much for someone that we don't need. I'm not giving away money that I can use on something else. She is going on vacation until 4 days before our wedding so I think I can avoid her completely. Then when the church needs the money, I'll subtract that $150 and give them a check. If they say anything, oh well.

[LaceyinPgh]

Well, I have 15 days until my wedding and I haven't heard from over 30 people. I am very irritated that I have to now spend my day calling all these people because they are too damn lazy to put a check on either line, put the response card in the PRE-STAMPED envelope and drop it in the mail!



A few days (less than a week) befor emy wedding I was still tracking down people. The day of my wedding I had about 20 people that I had still never heard from. At that point, I just assumed they weren't coming. If they showed up and there wasn't a seat for them or a meal for them to eat, whose fault is it? I gave them a self addressed stamped envelope to let me know.

Do what I did, call everyone you haven't heard from. If you don't get in touch with them personally leave them a message stating, "Hi, I noticed that I haven't recieved your RSVP card for my (insert wedding date here) wedding. I really hope that you can make it. If you could please call me by (insert date here) I would appreciate it. If I don't hear from you by then I will have to assume that means you won't be able to make it."

[WhiskeyGirl]

Oh the joys of people not returning RSVPs. Yup, I went through that too!! I even called people and they didn't call back or they said they'd be there and they didn't show up!! Yes that made me very angry but I figured if they didn't show that was their problem not mine! I really didn't even notice until AFTER that they didn't come! lol. It urked me to think that I had about ten dollars worth of stamps not returned to me!! I think people just don't think and are pretty well ignorant...ignorance is bliss I guess.

Sorry to hear you have 30 people to call, that really sucks because not only did you spend money on stamps now you probably have to spend money on long distance phone calls because people are so up themselves they can't check a simple box on a piece of paper, stuff it, seal it and find a mail box! Hope your calls went better then mine! lol. I hate calling people!!!!:)

[AngelinLove]

I just wanted to say that people suck!!! I mean seriously..I think that teh people that havn't returned the RSVP by now should just be screwed out of the opportunity of sharing in your big day!!! Obviously it si just not that important to them!!!

[AllyM1]

Lacey, Shawna, Angel, thanks for the advice. I think I'll just call people and if they don't answer leave a message and then give them a couple days to call back.

We had to have a final count by tomorrow for the cake and my mom was going out of town so she had to just get the bigger cake in case.

People don't realize that US bride's (and some of us our parents) have to foot the bill and for some of us, if you have people who say they are coming and then they don't show up, that could be a lot of money that is wasted.

Ah well... people do suck! =) I have "adopted" grandparents (i've called them grandma and grandpa since i was little but they are not related to me) and I haven't even heard from them! That really makes me mad!

This is why I took the day off of work, so I could take care of this. Wish me luck!

[WhiskeyGirl]

Good luck Alli! That's tough about your adopted Grandparents. I wonder what people are really thinking, some of them are so self absorbed, I'm sure they don't think of much other then themselves!! Good luck again!! :)

[LaceyinPgh]

People don't realize that US bride's (and some of us our parents) have to foot the bill and for some of us, if you have people who say they are coming and then they don't show up, that could be a lot of money that is wasted.



I had 10 people tell me that they would in fact be there and never show up. That was almost $700 in wasted food that I had to pay for. Only two of them (Sean's uncle and hius girlfriend) passedo n an excuse. They were in the emergency room all night because Sean's uncle had a kidney stone(s).) The other 8 just didn't show. Two of those people were one of my bridesmaids and her mother.

[AngelinLove]

Good Luck Ally!!!

[Kacie_bride]

I'm sorry about the RSVP issues. People who do not RSVP or respond to my phone calls for my wedding are in for a big surprise if they try to show up Since we are having our wedding at a resort I have to give the security people at the gate a guest list. I am not putting anyone's name on the guest list that I haven't heard from because that is the same list that I have to give for food purposes. So if they don't respond or answer my calls they can wait at the gate all night I guess.

[AllyM1]

Thanks Kacie. I thought about doing a guest list and having someone check names as they come in the door. I'm not messin' around!

[LizabethDavis]

Gwen and I were trying to remember who was next! I guess you are it!! Hope everything goes well!

[AllyM1]

Thanks Lizabeth... Yeah I think I am next. With 12 days to go I'm getting really nervous and anxious. It's getting really bad too. I keep thinking about all that we need to get done still and it's really overwhelming.

I guess I should just breath and relax... (but it's hard to do!) I'll be so happy when this wedding is over!

[MOB Karen]

Good luck with everything, Ally!! I know your wedding will be wonderful!

[Kacie_bride]

Everything is going to be just fine Ally! Just relax! When I have 12 days to go I know I'll be really anxious. Shoot, I'm anxious now!

[AllyM1]

Thanks everyone for the encouraging words! I sure need them! Everything just takes so much time to do it seems. I am doing my own favors and they are not done yet and my SIL and I worked Saturday night on them for 5 hours! 5 HOURS! I couldn't believe it and they are still not done. We're doing our own bouquets, bouts, and corsages. My sister has a certification in horticulture so she knows how to do all this stuff, thank God. But who knows how long that's going to take!

[brewsells]

I feel for you there, Ally. I also am doing all that stuff myself. And to top it off, I don't have a clue what I am doing. At least you have your sister to help you with that.

[AllyM1]

A lot of the stuff I don't have a clue what I am doing. I don't even know what the heck I'm going to do for the pew decorations. I'm just so overwhelmed right now and my work isn't making it any easier for me.

I asked them if I could cut my hours down to 6 hours a day instead of 8 for the last four days before I go on my little "leave of absense" from work. They tell me, "Due to staffing we cannot do this... but you could work a split shift." Okay the whole point of me cutting my hours back is so that I would have more time. If I do a split shift I am still working the same amount of hours. DUH! I'm the type of person if they come to me and say we really need some OT worked tonight/today, can you do it... even if I REALLY don't want to do it I will stay. But they can kiss my :censored: from now on. I WONT be doing anymore overtime for those :censored: . I really hate that job anyway but I cannot find anything else. I have 4 years of customer service experience, 2 of those in a call center, but if I leave this call center I am definitely NOT going to another call center.

I'm just really venting because I'm so irritated with my job and their lack of willingness to help a really stressful bride who is about to have a breakdown.

This marriage better work out because I am not planning another one of these and I am not going through the stress ever again. I can't handle it. I will be so glad when I am done with this wedding and I am married. Then I am going back to school for my real estate appraising and I am getting out of that hell hole I call work.

It doesn't even matter if anyone read all of that above because I really just wanted to get it out...

[WhiskeyGirl]

I read it Ally! Sorry your work isn't being co-operative. Good luck in the next couple of days!! remember the juice is worth the squeeze!!!! :)

[Jenn060306]

Hey Ally, I'm sorry your work isn't co-operating. No fun!
I have faith in you that you will definatly be able to pull everything together and have an amazing wedding! I was terrified i wouldn't get everything done or somthing huge would go wrong. And nothing bad happend at all. Everything came together perfectly. I know you have worked so long and so hard on this day. It will come together and be great!
To be honest.... how attached to pew decorations are you? It sounds like time is a concern. I don't know that decorating the pews will make a difference. I'm having trouble remembering much about my ceramony because i was so wrapped up in Mark.
Anyways, good luck! I know everything will come together. Everything sounds wonderful and you will feel great knowing you put the wedding together yourself, there will be a great feeling of the personal touch. :D

[brewsells]

A lot of the stuff I don't have a clue what I am doing. I don't even know what the heck I'm going to do for the pew decorations. I'm just so overwhelmed right now and my work isn't making it any easier for me.

I asked them if I could cut my hours down to 6 hours a day instead of 8 for the last four days before I go on my little "leave of absense" from work. They tell me, "Due to staffing we cannot do this... but you could work a split shift." Okay the whole point of me cutting my hours back is so that I would have more time. If I do a split shift I am still working the same amount of hours. DUH! I'm the type of person if they come to me and say we really need some OT worked tonight/today, can you do it... even if I REALLY don't want to do it I will stay. But they can kiss my :censored: from now on. I WONT be doing anymore overtime for those :censored: . I really hate that job anyway but I cannot find anything else. I have 4 years of customer service experience, 2 of those in a call center, but if I leave this call center I am definitely NOT going to another call center.

I'm just really venting because I'm so irritated with my job and their lack of willingness to help a really stressful bride who is about to have a breakdown.

This marriage better work out because I am not planning another one of these and I am not going through the stress ever again. I can't handle it. I will be so glad when I am done with this wedding and I am married. Then I am going back to school for my real estate appraising and I am getting out of that hell hole I call work.

It doesn't even matter if anyone read all of that above because I really just wanted to get it out...

If you are concerned about having pew bows, here is my suggestion. this will go quickly and they turn out nice. I went to Michael's and bought a Bowdabra. It is a quick easy way to make bows (otherwise mine would be all silly looking.) I bought some 6" tulle (it was cheaper than ribbon and it fluffed out better too.). I also bought some very small silk rosebuds and attached them to the center. Then I bought some colored ribbon and tied that to the middle so I had 2 pieces hanging. I wish I had a digital camera so I could show you a picture.

[MOB Karen]

Oh my gosh, only 3 days to go, Ally!! Are you getting nervous? Have you got everything done?

[AllyM1]

Oh my gosh, only 3 days to go, Ally!! Are you getting nervous? Have you got everything done?

I am getting nervous but I am so excited for Saturday to come! I am getting REALLY excited about our honeymoon. Everything is coming together. I said this in another post, but we just have flowers to do.

[MOB Karen]

I am getting nervous but I am so excited for Saturday to come! I am getting REALLY excited about our honeymoon. Everything is coming together. I said this in another post, but we just have flowers to do.

Wow, just flowers!! How exciting!! Only 2 days left!! Where are you going on your honeymoon again?

[LizabethDavis]

Ally, You are getting married tomorrow! I hope this message finds you doing well and not a nervous wreck!! Good luck!

[MOB Karen]

Ally, You are getting married tomorrow! I hope this message finds you doing well and not a nervous wreck!! Good luck!

I agree. Good luck, Ally!! Your wedding will be wonderful! All your planning will pay off tomorrow! Have a great honeymoon too!!! We'll be here waiting on your pictures!!

[MOB Karen]

Congratulations Ally & Bryan!!! Good luck today!! It will be wonderful!! Have a great honeymoon!! We'll be waiting to see the pictures!!!

[rainbowtreat]

Well from the sound sof it your married. Congrats!!!! Hope it was all you hoped it would be and much more. Have a great honey moon and can't wait to hear all about it and see all your pictures.

[AngelinLove]

Conratulations...I hope everything went beautifully and enjoy your honeymoon. We will be here awaiting details and pics...lol!!!!

[AllyM1]

Well girls, I am back and married! Everything went great and I hope to have pictures for you all soon. I don't have any pictures unlike some here =( but once the photographer sends us the dvd/cd I will have some to show you. From what he told my mother, he took over 750 pictures. That's a lot to go through! I will post the major pictures.

The ceremony was beautiful from what everyone told me. The only bad thing was that my neice, at the start of the ceremony, stabbed my brother in the hand with a pencil so he slapped her hand and she started screaming while the Pastor was talking about Genesis. :bbeek: We were freaking out! But my SIL took her out and the rest went great.

My dress was a little too long even after the alterations so I and everyone else kept stepping on it.

At the reception, no one really danced except my family (more fun people I guess!) and my friends all started leaving really early which pissed me off. But I didn't let it get to me at all. I had a great time. My little cousin, who is 4, was break-dancing and the photographer got some good shots of him so I'm excited to see them. Hilarious!

We went to Bar Harbor Maine for our honeymoon. Let me tell you that I had the best time there and Maine is BEAUTIFUL. We stayed at a B&B in Trenton and the people there were such great people.

I have tons of pictures from our vacation so i will post them when I get a chance to.

We are REALLY tired from the 17 hour drive home and here I am up at 9am! =)

[AngelinLove]

Well, I am really happy that you are abck and that things went well. It is great that you realize that even though there were a few mishaps, the important thing is that you had fun and that you are married to the man that you love. I am glad that you enjoyed your honeymoon and am awaiting pictures!!!!

[MOB Karen]

Well girls, I am back and married! Everything went great and I hope to have pictures for you all soon. I don't have any pictures unlike some here =( but once the photographer sends us the dvd/cd I will have some to show you. From what he told my mother, he took over 750 pictures. That's a lot to go through! I will post the major pictures.

The ceremony was beautiful from what everyone told me. The only bad thing was that my neice, at the start of the ceremony, stabbed my brother in the hand with a pencil so he slapped her hand and she started screaming while the Pastor was talking about Genesis. :bbeek: We were freaking out! But my SIL took her out and the rest went great.

My dress was a little too long even after the alterations so I and everyone else kept stepping on it.

At the reception, no one really danced except my family (more fun people I guess!) and my friends all started leaving really early which pissed me off. But I didn't let it get to me at all. I had a great time. My little cousin, who is 4, was break-dancing and the photographer got some good shots of him so I'm excited to see them. Hilarious!

We went to Bar Harbor Maine for our honeymoon. Let me tell you that I had the best time there and Maine is BEAUTIFUL. We stayed at a B&B in Trenton and the people there were such great people.

I have tons of pictures from our vacation so i will post them when I get a chance to.

We are REALLY tired from the 17 hour drive home and here I am up at 9am! =)

Wow! Welcome back, Ally!! Everything sounded wonderul, except the little screaming incident, but it's a great story to tell your grandkids! LOL! We can't wait to see your pictures!! Sounds like the honeymoon was perfect!! Congratulations!!

[WhiskeyGirl]

Congrats again and welcome back! :) Can;t wait for photos....:wink:

[rainbowtreat]

Glad it all went well. And am happy to hear you had a good tim eon your honeymoon. We will be waiting for pictures.