Those shoes are so cute! Sometimes just a few sparkles here and there can really change the look of something. I love the paper flower idea, I almost did that but let my family talk me into using real (and fake) flowers, but they paid for them so I said ok. It sounds like it is going to be so unique, I love that. I got a big pack of tea lights at Costco too, super cheap and with cool flickering flame like light action. I think making stuff is fun, makes you feel more involved and makes everything so much more about you- which it should be :D

Take it from somebody that went to college for 3 years for a degree in floral design and wedding planning that your idea of an itinerary is a VERY smart thing, also make a time line chart of when things need to be done by so nothing gets skipped to allow proper amount of time needed!! I used to type one up for my brides when I still did weddings.
I always loved unquie little touches that fit the couple... Like one couple always when stop for Krystal burgers after a night out so towards the end of the evening Krystal burgers were passed out lol another couple skipped a huge cake and had an ice cream bar. But even if you skip a cake and do cupcakes I still say do at least a small little two tier cake for pictures of the cake cutting and to save the top layer for your one year anniversary.
Another thing a couple once did was have a wooden box that had a lock and the bride and groom had to write a special letter sharing their feelings of love and how important the other was to them during the wedding both put the sealed letters in the box and lock it (this couple had a special box that also had space for a bottle of wine) and the rule was if they were ever fighting so bad they doubted their marriage then they were to sit down share the bottle of wine and each read the letters out loud to each other to help remember their love for each other.

Well, it's been a while and I seem to be the only one following this thread so here's the update/my rant, and it's a doozy:

About a month ago, our venue essentially backed out on us. After we had already put a deposit down and signed a contract, I got an email saying due to competitive pricing, they are adding $900 onto our total. I was dumbfounded. I read our contract over and over and while it said pricing was subject to change I figured that meant quoted prices were subject to change, NOT locked in prices that I had already put a non refundable deposit on. I was so pissed. I had all our paperwork and I sent it to her, with the prices we had agreed on...but she wasn't answering our calls or emails.

Two days later she calls to tell me the price changed because a couple had been penciled in for the same date, no deposit down but she was supposed to call them first before giving the date to anyone else. She forgot to call them before giving us the date. Now they were angry and saying they wanted the venue's largest, most extravagant package and they were missing out by giving the date to us, who wanted the smallest package possible. So to make up for the loss, the coordinator now wanted $900 extra from us due to "competitive pricing".

Needless to say I demanded she honor the contract I signed or she give us our deposit back. No response to my repeated calls, but days later I received the deposit back! With no note or apology. I emailed her to say what a disappointing experience it was working with her and she replied offering to give us another date at a discounted price! I was heartbroken. Cried a bit. We wanted NOTHING more to do with them at that point. The entire thing was SO unprofessional. A nightmare, really. I had to break the news to all the parents, grandparents, out of town family, my sisters I had asked to be bridesmaids...good thing I hadn't bought the invitations (I had already designed) yet.

We are now booked to have a very small ceremony with the two of us, our parents, and a friend or two, in a gorgeous garden here in Texas. No reception, no cake. We are renting the private room at our favorite restaurant. Not the wedding I was originally expecting, but it'll be more about the two of us, no fuss. Plus now we have way more $ to play with or save. They even gave us a free night at the local bed and breakfast! Still a little upset that everything is changed but at the end of the day we just want to be married, dangit! Lol. No wedding goes without it's share of drama so I think it should be smooth sailing from here ;)

I'm very sorry all of your hopes and dreams for your wedding were shattered, but you're right that what's more important is to be sharing your life life with someone you love so dearly. Your wedding still sounds beautiful, one I hope will be very memorable. You are going to be a beautiful bride.

:( I'm sorry. How terrible of these people to do this to you! I hope you're reviewing them everywhere possible so other brides hear your story! Sad that they wouldn't stand by your contract, bad business!

You definitely deserve smooth sailing!

I am incredibly sorry that you ran into such a miserable vendor! Yes, please review them on every site you find. I hope that the new plan turns out to be lovely, warm, and charming--I am sure it will! Go on and order a wedding cake. If you double wrap any leftovers in plastic and then in foil, they keep well in the freezer. One can never have too much cake!

I am sorry you had such a rough time but you may be surprised how much you enjoy the smaller ceremony. I was a little sad more of my family couldn't be at my wedding but in the end it was really special having it so small, I got to spend time with each of the guests and it made it a more close knit occasion. I sent pictures to my family that couldn't make it. I hope it's smooth from here on out!

Guess who is getting married finally on Friday. MEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I am so excited. :)

Getting Married.
 

Congratulations!! Hope you have a wonderful wedding and a long and happy life together. :-)

:thumbup::thumbup:

Have a beautiful wedding!

So we can expect pics late Friday night? lol!!!! Have a blessed, beautiful and happy day, I hope you have a beautiful life together.

It isn't going to be anything big. We are doing the courthouse wedding thing... Just a few people will be there.

Christinee, Congrats! :) Hope its a great wonderful dream-filled day for you! :)

Carmeow, I'm so sorry.. that is HORRIBLE and soooo unprofessional. Make sure you put reviews about them everywhere you can. Yelp and any other review site. I had a very sour experience with my wedding venue until 10 days before the wedding, then they let go of the wedding coordinator and the owners daughter in law took over and made everything right ... thats how service should be! Your new plan sounds wonderful though! :)

Thank you. Looks like it's being pushed until next week. I will post a pic or two of our little ceremony afterwards.