Wedding Plans Thread

[afoyoswa 178]

We are finally getting the ball rolling again on wedding planning. Last week, I sent out save-the-date emails to everyone we're planning to invite, and responses are already coming in. So far, about 50 people say they are coming, but a great many haven't replied yet. I'm happy that people are looking forward to this! Other wedding-related accomplishments within the past week:

--received invitations

--chose and ordered wedding rings (15% discount on mine!)

--wedding dress fitting

--ordered veil, jewelry, headpiece, and shoes

--ordered bridesmaid dresses

--checked approximately a zillion times about progress on visas for his family, & permission to be out of school for 2 children who will be in the wedding

--chose & reserved honeymoon location

--made plans & got time off from work to go apply for marriage license & check out tuxedo/suit place for him

--asked 2 of his new friends (coincidentally also my good friends) to be groomsmen, & they accepted

--previewed selection at our probable florist (Trader Joe's! whee!)

--worried a lot about EVERYTHING ELSE, haha

Edited December 3, 2012 by afoyoswa

[rohandlulu 22]

I'm reluctant to set a date based on the k1 visa processing times because I know anything could happen. Its frustrating not being able to make concrete plans like others do with their weddings.

We will just play it by ear and have a courthouse wedding. I will wear a wedding dress still, not going to short myself of that experience. And we will have a huge honeymoon

[kate&javi 26]

Joy, you've gotten a lot done!!! Awesome!!!

We are in progress of planning our family/friends wedding for April. I'm super stoked about it, to be honest. Although I'm having a hard time finding a bilingual officiant. I thought it would be the easiest thing to find because we live so close to Chicago but it's so freakin' hard!!! The only one I really found quoted us $475 for the ceremony and my head nearly fell off my shoulders with that price.

So far we have:

- booked the ceremony and reception site (a historical building in the center of my hometown that is simply gorgeous);

- booked and put down the deposit on our photographer;

- met with 3 potential caterers, I guess we will be choosing one this week;

- sent out our save the dates;

- finished designing our invites, printed them, put them together, addressed and stamped them (waiting until Jan 20 to send them out!!);

- scheduled my dress fittings;

- booked my hair and makeup people;

- started working on a few "wedding crafts";

- decided on our favor (candy bar! what what!).

We have a TON of things to do, I have like 3 to-do lists. Since I'm DIYing a lot of things for the wedding, it's about organizing things into certain weeks or months of time periods to make sure I get everything I want done. We decided on a travel-theme for our wedding which I'm 100% obsessed with. I have to order our seating chart thing (we are going to have a fabric world map and I will create airplaces [i think, or something related] with people's names and their "destination" and each table will be a country). I'm on a search for a good-priced globe and umm.... well, I could go on and on, haha! But I will stop here!

If anyone from the Chicago area knows a bilingual officiant who will not cost me an arm, leg and half my head, let me know!

[kate&javi 26]

Oh I remembered that we did cake tasting as well, and chose our cake baker/cake design That was a fun meeting

[KTandTommy 31]

Kate, that sounds amazing!! I wanna come to your wedding!

I'm planning on going into full-scale wedding planning as soon as I arrive in the US, which will hopefully be in 2 weeks.

Here's what we have done so far:

For the January 1st, legal wedding, I have:

- my dress

- our officiant

- our venue is tentative (we picked the Florida Botanical Gardens, and I don't think we need any sort of permit, especially because it's so small, but Tom needs to check into that)

- our photographer (same one we booked for May - he's doing this wedding as our "engagement session")

We need:

- Tom's suit

- Tom's ring

- if we want to play any music, etc

- reservations at a restaurant for a small dinner afterwards

For the May 18th friends & family celebration, I have:

- my dress

- our officiant (same one)

- venue

- photographer

- girls have picked their bridesmaid dresses, but two still need to order them

- our band

We need:

- guys suits

- flower girl/ring bearer outfits (and a wagon for my niece to pull my nephew in, because he probably won't be walking yet)

- to choose the menu

- cake

- flowers (I think I'm going to make paper flower bouquets)

- save the dates (these will be going out as soon as I get to FL)

- invitations

And lots of the other crafty touches that I want to bring in

[LeftCoastLady 441]

Our wedding was very small (12 people, including ourselves and the officiant) and can be easily replicated for those who want to do something quickly, relatively inexpensive, and don't want to go the courthouse route.

A friend of a friend owns a wine shop up the street from our house. We rented the space as a private party for two hours, plus a wine tasting for our guests and a Prosecco toast. That was $75/hour plus about $12 per person for the wine and Prosecco.

Our officiant was someone I found while looking around at other venues. She is also a Brit, knew about the joys of immigration journeys, and agreed to our request on "No obey, No God, we say the same vows" requirement, so she was perfect...and her fee was $100.

Found my dress online, it was 50% off during a holiday sale. My now-husband's outfit (dress white shirt, dress trousers, and a t-shirt underneath) was picked up at Old Navy. My shoes cost more than my dress, but even those were sale from DocMartens.com. Our wedding bands were bought from vendors via Etsy as were my necklace and the flower I wore in my hair. My now-husband's mum gave me a silver threepenny bit to put in my shoe, which were blue.

After checking out various caterers, we opted for food platters from the local grocery store chain that offers organic, veg-friendly offerings for my friends who aren't omnivores as well as meat and cheese items for those that are. Our cake came from the bakery/coffeehouse across the street and the co-owner delivered it to the wine shop for $5 extra. My BFF picked out the flowers (bouquet and boutonnières) and isn't telling me how much that cost, but I'll get him back for that in time.

In all, our wedding cost under $1k and everyone had a fantastic time.

Our cake:

The happy couple:

Edited December 9, 2012 by LeftCoastLady

[Stuart and Katie 13]

what beautiful pictures. the cake looks delicious and you both look so happy!

[Novembro 1,763]

Can't believe I'm just finding this thread! Had I only found vj sooner...alas, hindsight.

Anyway, we had planned our date around the "approval" of the K-1, but we got denied so now things are a bit wonky. Our date is April 7th, and we'll still be having the ceremony and all that, but we'll be getting "married" in January so we can apply for the CR-1. It's kind of crappy that we'll already be married when we say "I do" but life is funny that way and it won't matter as long as I get to share that day with him and our families.

On to what I have done (which feels like not much...):

• wedding dress purchased and paid for in full
  
• shoes, dress extras purchased
  
• church picked out
  
• reception venue picked out with deposit down
  
• caterer and menu sorted (and deposit down)
  
• wedding invites made and envelopes stuffed (ready to be addressed and sent!)
  
• bridesmaids and groomsmen chosen
  
• florist picked out + all flowers arranged
  

There's probably some other stuff I'm missing, but it's all small and tid-bity. I'm not much for planning, so I'm hoping my sister will help with the rest. So much to do! And a huge move across the country coming up! And the holidays! Oh my word.

[afoyoswa 178]

I'm reluctant to set a date based on the k1 visa processing times because I know anything could happen. Its frustrating not being able to make concrete plans like others do with their weddings.

We will just play it by ear and have a courthouse wedding. I will wear a wedding dress still, not going to short myself of that experience. And we will have a huge honeymoon

Yes, I found that aspect really frustrating, as well! We were lucky that we were able to reserve the venue and the officiant and start the ball rolling with the photographer, guests, attendants, etc. ahead of time, so once he was here we didn't have to start everything from scratch! But the courthouse option is also a good solution. We really wanted to celebrate with family and friends, even if it had to be a low-key, casual sort of celebration, so we're going with a scaled-down but big and happy wedding and I think that will be perfect for us.

Oh I remembered that we did cake tasting as well, and chose our cake baker/cake design That was a fun meeting

It turned out that, even though cake REALLY wasn't one of the things I cared about at all (as long as it tasted good), Aaron actually wanted a Real Wedding Cake. I'd planned on going with some sheet cakes from a supermarket here that makes really tasty ones, along with another small, fancy cake for cutting, but to compromise, we decided to go for a cake tasting Saturday at a place near here. The cost for a tiered cake large enough to serve everyone was ASTRONOMICAL, but it ended up being pretty affordable to go with a small tiered one and an extra round one to provide enough servings. And so delicious, so I was sold. Ah, the things we do eat for love...

I'm planning on going into full-scale wedding planning as soon as I arrive in the US, which will hopefully be in 2 weeks.

From the list in your post, I can't believe you're not in full-scale wedding planning yet! And squee! re: a non-walking ring-bearer in a wagon...

Our wedding was very small (12 people, including ourselves and the officiant) and can be easily replicated for those who want to do something quickly, relatively inexpensive, and don't want to go the courthouse route.

Congratulations! Your wedding looks just perfect.

It's kind of crappy that we'll already be married when we say "I do" but life is funny that way and it won't matter as long as I get to share that day with him and our families.

I think a lot of us end up in this situation, and really, you do what you have to do. We <ahem> may or may not have an informal legal ceremony scheduled very slightly before the actual wedding (sssshhhh!), just in order to speed things up with AOS and his health insurance and a few other reasons, but we plan to consider the day of the wedding as our anniversary.

So, things are just zipping along here. Since I last posted, we:

*ordered the cake

*chose and paid for his tuxedo (a rental, but it's a place that sets aside the one you actually tried on)

*acquired another groomsman

*have gotten all of my attendants' clothes taken care of (10? how did that happen? 5 bridesmaids, 2 junior bridesmaids, and 3 flower girls--which will give me some spares in case people can't make it, I suppose?)

*got confirmation that the family I aupaired for in Holland will be traveling over for the wedding (partially explaining the overabundance of attendants), and found them lodging with some other friends

*almost got all of the invitations ready to send

*got our marriage license

*received the rings (mine needs resizing: grr) and my jewelry

*got approval for taking off time from work around the wedding (3 days before and 3 days after)

*organized a meeting of everyone who wants to help with organizing, for this Friday

On Wednesday it will be 1 month away. Ack!

Oh, and Aaron's mom and cousin have their (tourist) visa interviews on the 20th. Fingers/toes/eyes etc. crossed...

Edited December 10, 2012 by afoyoswa

[Novembro 1,763]

Anyone doing a wedding board on pinterest? Share!

http://pinterest.com/herpycherpmerp/wedding-stuffs/

[JensJrny2Ray 367]

Our wedding was very small (12 people, including ourselves and the officiant) and can be easily replicated for those who want to do something quickly, relatively inexpensive, and don't want to go the courthouse route.

A friend of a friend owns a wine shop up the street from our house. We rented the space as a private party for two hours, plus a wine tasting for our guests and a Prosecco toast. That was $75/hour plus about $12 per person for the wine and Prosecco.

Our officiant was someone I found while looking around at other venues. She is also a Brit, knew about the joys of immigration journeys, and agreed to our request on "No obey, No God, we say the same vows" requirement, so she was perfect...and her fee was $100.

Found my dress online, it was 50% off during a holiday sale. My now-husband's outfit (dress white shirt, dress trousers, and a t-shirt underneath) was picked up at Old Navy. My shoes cost more than my dress, but even those were sale from DocMartens.com. Our wedding bands were bought from vendors via Etsy as were my necklace and the flower I wore in my hair. My now-husband's mum gave me a silver threepenny bit to put in my shoe, which were blue.

After checking out various caterers, we opted for food platters from the local grocery store chain that offers organic, veg-friendly offerings for my friends who aren't omnivores as well as meat and cheese items for those that are. Our cake came from the bakery/coffeehouse across the street and the co-owner delivered it to the wine shop for $5 extra. My BFF picked out the flowers (bouquet and boutonnières) and isn't telling me how much that cost, but I'll get him back for that in time.

In all, our wedding cost under $1k and everyone had a fantastic time.

Our cake:

The happy couple:

Many congratulations! Love the happiness on both your faces

[X Factor 1,111]

Our wedding was very small (12 people, including ourselves and the officiant) and can be easily replicated for those who want to do something quickly, relatively inexpensive, and don't want to go the courthouse route.

A friend of a friend owns a wine shop up the street from our house. We rented the space as a private party for two hours, plus a wine tasting for our guests and a Prosecco toast. That was $75/hour plus about $12 per person for the wine and Prosecco.

Our officiant was someone I found while looking around at other venues. She is also a Brit, knew about the joys of immigration journeys, and agreed to our request on "No obey, No God, we say the same vows" requirement, so she was perfect...and her fee was $100.

Found my dress online, it was 50% off during a holiday sale. My now-husband's outfit (dress white shirt, dress trousers, and a t-shirt underneath) was picked up at Old Navy. My shoes cost more than my dress, but even those were sale from DocMartens.com. Our wedding bands were bought from vendors via Etsy as were my necklace and the flower I wore in my hair. My now-husband's mum gave me a silver threepenny bit to put in my shoe, which were blue.

After checking out various caterers, we opted for food platters from the local grocery store chain that offers organic, veg-friendly offerings for my friends who aren't omnivores as well as meat and cheese items for those that are. Our cake came from the bakery/coffeehouse across the street and the co-owner delivered it to the wine shop for $5 extra. My BFF picked out the flowers (bouquet and boutonnières) and isn't telling me how much that cost, but I'll get him back for that in time.

In all, our wedding cost under $1k and everyone had a fantastic time.

Our cake:

The happy couple:

ConGraTuLaTions

[Stuart and Katie 13]

we're planning a very small wedding (10-20 guests, depending on how many of my honey's family can make it to the USA). it's very hard to plan when you don't have a date set, and we won't have a date set probably until we get our NOA2. but so far we've

• picked the venue
  
• picked a dress (i'm using my mom's!)
  
• narrowed down some of the vendors -- reception, photographer, cake, etc. we have backups ready in case someone isn't available on our date.
  
• decided on the music (as long as the musician is available on our date!)
  

we're trying to keep it under $2k when all is said and done. my mom said she'd pay for a meal after the ceremony, and i know i'm saving a lot by using her wedding dress and shoes that i already own!

[KTandTommy 31]

The happy couple:

Beautiful!! Congratulations!

[KTandTommy 31]

From the list in your post, I can't believe you're not in full-scale wedding planning yet! And squee! re: a non-walking ring-bearer in a wagon...

Haha... my fiance refers to me as "the most insane type-a personality ever" ... he could be right I'm only getting started! hehe

So, things are just zipping along here. Since I last posted, we:

*ordered the cake

*chose and paid for his tuxedo (a rental, but it's a place that sets aside the one you actually tried on)

*acquired another groomsman

*have gotten all of my attendants' clothes taken care of (10? how did that happen? 5 bridesmaids, 2 junior bridesmaids, and 3 flower girls--which will give me some spares in case people can't make it, I suppose?)

*got confirmation that the family I aupaired for in Holland will be traveling over for the wedding (partially explaining the overabundance of attendants), and found them lodging with some other friends

*almost got all of the invitations ready to send

*got our marriage license

*received the rings (mine needs resizing: grr) and my jewelry

*got approval for taking off time from work around the wedding (3 days before and 3 days after)

*organized a meeting of everyone who wants to help with organizing, for this Friday

On Wednesday it will be 1 month away. Ack!

Oh, and Aaron's mom and cousin have their (tourist) visa interviews on the 20th. Fingers/toes/eyes etc. crossed...

Sweet!! You guys are almost set! 10 attendants?! You are going to have a busy day taking photos hehe

1 month- yay!

Anyone doing a wedding board on pinterest? Share!

http://pinterest.com/herpycherpmerp/wedding-stuffs/

Here's mine: http://pinterest.com/superflash/wedding-ideas/

And one I started to separate clothes/shoes for easier access: http://pinterest.com/superflash/wedding-apparel-for-the-wedding-and-make-it-legal-/