I said YES to my dress...

Okay I said yes to a dress. I went back to the store and tried on Number 1 and 2. I decided on (Drum Roll Please)..... Except I promise not to do my hair like that :) JCREW is amazing by the way, their Customer Service was fantastic at the store and over the phone because they didn't have my size initially so they had one shipped to the store close to me to try on. I love good Customer Service, makes the purchase that less painful. I was able to use some JCREW rewards I have from my credit card which was AMAZING. Making the dress $495 less 25%. $371.25 plus tax. $390 TOTAL. Still working on a picture of the veil which is SURPRISINGLY the same color. My mom got married over 40 years ago so I knew this dress was meant to be when it matched.

Thank you so much for all of your feedback! I really appreciate it. You are making this process so much better and easier. Okay so here is the next question. I am thinking of changing my initial idea of bridesmaid dresses being PINK. I am thinking of having them be NAVY with a PINK ribbon around them. The only reason I am doing bridesmaid dresses so quickly is because I wanted the fabric to be the same as my wedding dress. Again, major preplanner but will be able to also get discounts with JCREW rewards from my wedding dress. Here is the one I love in "newport navy"

It is hard to tell from the picture, when I blow it up it makes it even harder to see. Still strapless as I think that will look very pretty with everyone matching. Plus I found on wonderful etsy.com fabric in fushia that matches the silk chiffon fabric. 

Another option if it is too close to the same and if the bridesmaids and everyone doesn't like it: Still in newport navy from jcrew.com

 Not strapless but still very flattering on all the body types of the bridesmaids. 

Looking forward to your thoughts!!! Happy Weekend.

Until next time.... AmazingFabulousWedding@gmail.com

Wedding Dress

Dress shopping is the best part of wedding planning correct. Well, I like everything and am having a hard time just narrowing down the top 5. So here are my top 5 choices. PLEASE give me your feedback. I will say, I am on the bigger side chest wise, so I tried to pick things that would be flattering and still wedding appropriate. Plus, I've been working out and plan to continue until the wedding so all of the style, I think fit my body type. 


I am also adding in Fushia ribbon/sash whatever you want to call it on all options, the only one I don't think it will work with is option three or four. So I will probably have to go with the fushia shoes. 

Choice Number 1: From The Limited


I didn't even realize they had wedding dresses til I got an email stating that they did. This one is $208 on sale, plus I found a store that has my size right near me, since online does not.


http://www.thelimited.com/detail/romantic-wedding-dress/3254557

Choice Number 2: From JCREW


I love this dress, hate the model in the first picture, it doesn't do justice to the dress, her hair looks all a mess like she just enjoyed her husband instead of went to a wedding. This is $495 which is a little more than I would like to spend but under my $500 budget. I can also use my 30% off special with JCREW card. Not sure which style I like better. The backs are very different, you'll have to go to the website to check them out. 

Choice Number Three: From Nordstroms


This is completely opposite of the other two dresses but I thought was classy and stunning. It is also in my price range which is $178.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/js-boutique-beaded-crisscross-matte-jersey-gown/2984554?origin=category

Choice Number Four & Five: From Alfred Angelo 
Both of these options are more expensive than what I am wanting to spend. Although, someone just emailed me today to share Recycled Bride. This is a wonderful website that I am going to look over to see if any of my options are even cheaper on here.

I need some serious feedback as I can not decide what I want to do for the dress. 


I am so lucky to be able to use my mom's veil, which is beautiful, I am going to try and find a scanner so I can show a picture of her with it. It is beautiful. With a beach wedding, I am not sure how I am going to make that all work with the wind blowing. 


Until next time.... HAPPY PLANNINGS!

YAY!!!

So of course I woke up early, watched all of the coverage and then couldn't wait to get to my computer to see what everyone thought. 


I have to say I am not sure what I was expecting from her dress and at first I was surprised but as I watched her, it was very her, I'm talking like I know her personally. But I really like it, very modest and classy. The lace was a beautiful touch and of course the tiara was just gorgeous. I was also surprised by lack of flowers. That bouquet was not what I expected at all. Simple and pretty, yet I expected more from the 20 million dollar wedding. 

After being all Royal wedding watcher, I have to say I want to buy myself some hats. I loved the hats they were wearing to the ceremony. I feel I need to add these to my wardrobe and we should bring this to America. 

I had never seen a picture of the invitations either, here they are below.

My favorite part was the carriage ride away from the wedding. They both finally smiled at each other and looked extremely happy! Doesn't a beautiful wedding just make you so happy. I loved it and will admit I want that happily ever after even if it is a fantasy. I just love weddings.

Until next time.... AmazingFabulousWedding@gmail.com

Royal Wedding

So are you waking up early to watch the wedding? Of course I am! Although, I was listening to the radio this morning and was saddened that they sad the majority of people who are watching are crazied brides to be, who believe in an unrealistic happily ever after. I was stunned and shocked. I like to think I am not crazy and love weddings for what they stand for, love, and your own happily ever after, whatever that might be. I might not be a princess, or have large amount of money to throw down on a wedding, but I am so lucky to have found someone to marry, so many people are still searching. 


For all of you out there watching the Royal wedding for reason other than insanity :) Hope you enjoy, can't wait to hear the comments and of course see her dress! Plus, I wonder what her wedding band will look like, as you know I've been in the process of looking and finding. Plus I have a couple of ideas for mine :) almost completely opposite from my engagement ring which I am going to wear on my right hand. Which is another German tradition. As I said in my previous post if you missed it, German tradition, which has become my family tradition, is that the woman buys the wedding bands and the man doesn't see it until his wedding day. Plus, woman wear their engagement rings on their right hand to symbolize the next phase in their relationship, being married. 

Well, I loved it what can I say, actually Mr. C pointed this out to me liking it for me :)

I really like the bottom one of these, the only one I could find a picture it would let me "copy" these are from Tiffany's so I don't get in trouble. The pinks match which I like.

Happy Plannings!

Until next time.... AmazingFabulousWedding@gmail.com

Why wedding bands first?

Okay my girl friend just asked me why would I pick my wedding band before my wedding dress. Well, it is the symbol of our love that he will wear the rest of our lives. I hope he won't be the 55% (Found on psychology today) of men who don't wear their wedding rings on a regular basis. Which is a scary number! Plus, I just love him and he is letting me plan the entire wedding. He deserves something fantastic. 


Until next time.... AmazingFabulousWedding@gmail.com

Wedding Bands

Okay I am German. Tradition in my family is the woman picks out the wedding bands.


I have been searching far and wide for wedding bands. 


Is it normal or typically for the bands to match??


I really want something pink :) And we all know my better half would prefer not to have pink. He is a manly man from NY.  But he did say, not sure if it was a joke or not that he did want some bling. 


Here are some wedding band for him I like...

Doesn't look like a man's ring but it is. Too girlie?

Black is his favorite color.

Matches my engagement ring.

Still has black but is different from the one above.

These are my favorites and I need serious help! All are reasonably priced and fit my budget!!!

Until next time...

20 MILLION DOLLARS!!!!

Has anyone else seen the count on the Royal wedding?? 20 Million dollars. I almost died when I saw this. Oh what I could do with 20 Million Dollars and I'm not even talking my wedding. WoW. I am speechless. Hard to compare a $10,000 budget to $20 Million. 


Here is where I read the breakdown and the other "big" weddings:
http://www.whimsicalwonderlandweddings.com/2011/04/a-little-bank-holiday-royal-wedding-treat.html


I have to the hopeless romantic in me watched the lifetime movie or William and Kate last night. A little cheesy but hey what lifetime movie isn't. It is a pretty spectacular story to marry a prince. And I guess I have a hard time grasping how really cool that is since we don't have Kings and Queens in America. 


Can not wait to see her dress, I am sure it is going to be just amazing. Anyone else going to watch the ceremony and everything? Friday wedding is going to be hard to watch! I have to put my foot down and not be like others I work with who are taking off to watch :)


Until next time.... AmazingFabulousWedding@gmail.com

HAPPY EASTER!

Just wanted to share some Easter Love with everyone. Hope you travel safely, enjoy your families, and most of rejoice in this happy day! 


I thought this fitting to share that I am trying to become "Domesticated". Since I am sadly far from it. I have creative thoughts but can not always produce what is in my mind. After getting engaged I vowed to start teaching myself and taking classes. I signed up for a cooking class! And here is my Easter celebration decorations, that I can not take full credit for, I will give credit where due below.

 Printables I found from Autumn Leah Design

Strawberry Pie Recipe is from Hoosier Handmade

This is horrible, I found the Poster on a blog, I am going to have to search for it, I can not remember.

 Did not make these cookies just put them out as cutely as I could, thank you Safeway. 

 Mantel with the Printables with link above.

Had to include this because my beautiful dog is in the background, well one of my beautiful dogs. Annabelle and Samantha. They are Great Danes and the most amazing dogs!!

Making pork tenderloin, steam veggies (I do have to fit in a wedding dress), and honey biscuits with Strawberry cake and cookies for dessert. Next year I will go more above and beyond. Wanted to stay simple this year and hopefully it will be successful and everyone will love it!! 

Until next time.... AmazingFabulousWedding@gmail.com

Did you see this????

I am sure you have. Bridesmaids the Movie, coming May 12th! This looks like the girl's hangover. The trailer looks hilarious.


http://bridesmaids.the-movie-trailer.com/

Until next time.... AmazingFabulousWedding@gmail.com

Save the Date

I have two designs that I made and would love the input.


Option 1:

Card

Matching Envelopt

Option 2:

I didn't like the matching envelope for this one. 


I am trying to not make this wedding TOO PINK for the sake of my fiancée because he has been wonderful about pink thus far. So I am thinking the first option needs more blue. 


Until next time....

Rehearsal Dinner

So for a Rehearsal Dinner, I have gotten many opinions on a "Rehearsal Dinners" for Destination Weddings. Should we do it or not?? Would love your opinions. 

OPTION 1: Dinner Boat Cruise. My future in laws have been nice enough to offer to cover this part of the wedding. 

Quote I got leaving from the Marriott for dinner buffet style & drinks is $58 per person, catered by the Hyatt or Marriott. 

With 30 people anticipated this is $1740. And it would be private, just our group which I like.

This seems reasonable, although I feel I need to do more research. I do not want this to be food that will get us sick, or drinks that will make everyone have hang overs. Here is a picture I found online of the inside of the boat. Looks like a fun time :)

OPTION 2: Windows on Aruba, which is a gorgeous restaurant and has a beautiful view. It is a drive from where we are staying, but worth it. 

http://www.windowsonaruba.com/

Banquet Menu Options run from $42 per person - $59 per person with 15% Gratuity added on. Although this does not include drinks of any kind. Is it rude to do people pay for their own drinks? We would want to go with the more expensive meal as it has better selections. $59 per person X 30 people + 15% gratuity = $2040

I really like both options and so does my man. So what do we choose???

Until next time...

Budget Thoughts and updates!!

Let me know what you think! Can always use the help!!!


Here is my DRAFT of what it will cost at the Marriott:

Aruba Marriott Expenses (A la Carte, no Negotiations yet or package deals) 

***Plus trying to figure out how much of this I can do myself or have others do so we can SAVE!! 

Based on 30 Guests

Ceremony-

• Officiant: $350 (Could always have a really good friend do this, is that totally tacky???)
• Bamboo Arch with Fresh Flowers: $450 (I don't think I can part with this, it is beautiful pictures)
• Palm fringed aisle decorations, leading to alter, with Flowers, Coconuts, and Tiki Torches: $200 (I could make my own decorations for the aisles and have flowers added in to cut down the cost, might not be worth it thought)
• Sand Ceremony (Personalized Vases, Navy Sand, and Pink Sand) $ 50 (Looking online to find this at the best price, personalization is more expensive than I thought, I could vinyl my own glass pieces that I like with our personalizations on it)
• TOTAL: $1050 (New total would be $725 - I left $50 in for a gift for the person who did the officiant)

Flowers- (it is Aruba can you part with flowers at all???)

• Bride: $125
• Maid of Honor: $75
• Bridesmaids (3): $165
• Groom: $13
• Best Man: $75
• Groomsmen (3): $33
• Mothers (2): $50
• Fathers (2): $22
• TOTAL: $558

Cake-

• 2 Tier with fresh flowers (serves up to 40 people): $380

Photography & Videography

• Photographer: 3 hours, 108 pictures, CD to go with, Album $1250
• Videography: 2 hours $950 (Have a family friend who does this for a living and offered to do this)
• TOTAL: $2,200 ($1300, left 50 in the budget for gift for Videographer)

Entertainment

• DJ (3 Hours): $750 /$175 each additional hour (Only need a three hour party, lots of hotels to go to afterwards, so won't need additional hours)
• TOTAL: $750

Welcome Drinks (We don't have to do this but think it is a wonderful touch for the Aruba festivities)

• Coconut Drinks $4.50 per person
• TOTAL: $135

Getting Ready

• Bride Hair & Make-up: $235
• Bridesmaids & Mother's Hair: $425 (Offered to pay for their own, should I allow this since they are coming all the way to Aruba, I feel this is something I can do for them.)
• Bridesmaids & Mother's Make-up: $250 (Offered to pay for their own, should I allow this since they are coming all the way to Aruba, I feel this is something I can do for them.)
• TOTAL: $910

Additional Fee for Weekend

• $500 (Negotiated this to $250)

Buffet - Taste of Tuscany 

• $64 per guest includes dessert, coffee, water, soda. (Negotiated this to $58 per person, no desserts, just wedding cake - is this a good move????)
• TOTAL: $1,920 ($1740)

Drinks

• Set Up and Bartender Fee: $115
• Premium Bar Service for 3 hours: $50 per person. $1,500
• TOTAL: $1615

TOTAL: $10,018           NEW TOTAL: $8363 This is looking a bit better!

Other Expenses:

Wedding Band for Her:

Wedding Band for Him:

Dress:

Save the Dates:

Invitations:

Thank Yous:

Favors:

Programs:

Welcome Bags:

Bridal Party Gifts:

Parents Gifts:

Rehearsal Dinner:

Until next time...

Budget Draft

Okay so I added a page for the Budget because as I said I want to stay under $10,000 for all things wedding, except for the flights and stay in Aruba, as this is an expense we all have in our budget every year for a family trip. So once you read it you will see why I am having my EYE POPPING moment right now. So how can we save more money!!!??? I am going to have to do some serious research and work to make this happen. 


Here is my DRAFT of what it will cost at the Marriott:

Aruba Marriott Expenses (A la Carte, no Negotiations yet or package deals) 

***Plus trying to figure out how much of this I can do myself or have others do so we can SAVE!! 

Based on 30 Guests

Ceremony-

• Officiant: $350
• Bamboo Arch with Fresh Flowers: $450
• Palm fringed aisle decorations, leading to alter, with Flowers, Coconuts, and Tiki Torches: $200 
• Sand Ceremony (Personalized Vases, Navy Sand, and Pink Sand) $ 50
• TOTAL: $1050

Flowers-

• Bride: $125
• Maid of Honor: $75
• Bridesmaids (3): $165
• Groom: $13
• Best Man: $75
• Groomsmen (3): $33
• Mothers (2): $50
• Fathers (2): $22
• TOTAL: $558

Cake-

• 2 Tier with fresh flowers (serves up to 40 people): $380

Photography & Videography

• Photographer: 3 hours, 108 pictures, CD to go with, Album $1250
• Videography: 2 hours $950
• TOTAL: $2,200

Entertainment

• DJ (3 Hours): $750 /$175 each additional hour

Welcome Drinks

• Coconut Drinks $4.50 per person
• TOTAL: $135

Getting Ready

• Bride Hair & Make-up: $235
• Bridesmaids & Mother's Hair: $425
• Bridesmaids & Mother's Make-up: $250
• TOTAL: $910

Additional Fee for Weekend

• $500

Buffet - Taste of Tuscany 

• $64 per guest includes dessert, coffee, water, soda. 
• TOTAL: $1,920

Drinks

• Set Up and Bartender Fee: $115
• Premium Bar Service for 3 hours: $50 per person. $1,500
• TOTAL: $1615

TOTAL: $10,018

Other Expenses:

Wedding Band for Her:

Wedding Band for Him:

Dress:

Save the Dates:

Invitations:

Thank Yous:

Favors:

Programs:

Welcome Bags:

Bridal Party Gifts:

Parents Gifts:

Rehearsal Dinner:

Thoughts: 

I can do many things, save more money, which can be hard in this economy, or MAKE MORE STUFF myself :) Please send me any of your ideas or thoughts! They are much appreciated. AmanzingFabulousWedding@gmail.com


Until Next Time...