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April 2013 weddings

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  • Turtle
    Turtle Posts: 999 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts
    Great post Sk00bie, thank you. I'm really looking forward to reading your reports, would be great if you post the link here for the one in the Vegas thread, I must admit to not spending much time there as it moves on so fast.

    We don't really have a budget in mind, we are firm believers in doing whatever we want on holiday - though we aren't rolling in it lol but we'll just be more careful when we get back if we spend more than we think.

    We're only there for 4 full days and this is the plan so far:
    Get there Friday night and if not too tired after the travelling we'll go to the offices to get our license. I've done the pre-registering thing already (did you take birth certificate by the way? I think passport is just ok but was wondering)

    Saturday - not booked it yet but considering booking a city tour. The one I've seen is 4 hours long and it's got really good reviews on Trip Advisor if you've got limited time. You get to see the main places I suppose then can decide where you want to go back to. We'll also get license sorted if we haven't done it Friday night.

    Sunday - wedding day :T couple of hours to potter in the morning then we're going to the Cheesecake Factory for pre-wedding meal. Hair and make up lady is coming in the afternoon, we get married at 7.30 in our candlelit ornamental garden :). After the wedding we're planning on going to the Venetian for the gondola ride then we'll have a few drinks after. Going out in wedding dress etc.

    Monday - Grand Canyon trip. Have booked a full day trip to the south rim (think it's that one) because my mum won't want to go in helicopter / small plane. It's a walking sunset tour, so we go on a guided walk for 3-4 hours, have a picnic, watch the sunset then travel back.

    Tuesday - Have booked a helicopter night flight of the strip, just for me and H2B. Nothing arranged for the day though.

    Then that's it. We leave first thing Wednesday to go to Mexico for our honeymoon. So we've not got loads of time really. I really wanted to see either Barry Manilow (don't laugh!) or Phantom and was really disappointed that neither of them are on when we're there, we would all 5 of us have enjoyed either or them. We might book a show when we get there but we've only got Saturday night free anyway.

    Apart from that we'll be looking round the main attractions, Vegas sign etc. Parents are there for another couple of days after we've left. I'm really interested to read about the restaurants you went to as well as there are so many of them it's a bit overwhelming!

    Going for final dress fitting tomorrow with friend, sister in law 2B and niece. Seems much more real now it's May!
  • sk00bie1
    sk00bie1 Posts: 649 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Turtle wrote: »
    We're only there for 4 full days and this is the plan so far:
    Get there Friday night and if not too tired after the travelling we'll go to the offices to get our license. I've done the pre-registering thing already (did you take birth certificate by the way? I think passport is just ok but was wondering)
    No, birth certificate not required. You just give the reference number and your passports, the clerk looks you up and prints out the info which you check to make sure all details are correct. Then you sign the declarations, pay your $60 and away you go! We went at got there at around 4.30pm on a Wednesday and there was no one else there, whole thing took about 10 minutes, surprising as there on average 312 weddings per day in LV!!
    The clerk also gives you an instruction sheet on how to obtain your marriage certificate after the wedding, we didn't need this as the bureau rang us about 10 days after the wedding and so we did it over the phone. The certificate was sent to our home addy and was waiting for us when we got home.
    Turtle wrote:
    Saturday - not booked it yet but considering booking a city tour. The one I've seen is 4 hours long and it's got really good reviews on Trip Advisor if you've got limited time. You get to see the main places I suppose then can decide where you want to go back to. We'll also get license sorted if we haven't done it Friday night.


    Haven't done this myself but if the reviews look good then go for it!

    Turtle wrote:
    Sunday - wedding day :T couple of hours to potter in the morning then we're going to the Cheesecake Factory for pre-wedding meal. Hair and make up lady is coming in the afternoon, we get married at 7.30 in our candlelit ornamental garden :). After the wedding we're planning on going to the Venetian for the gondola ride then we'll have a few drinks after. Going out in wedding dress etc.

    Bold bit has to be done, we knew people would congratulate us but weren't prepared for how many actually did!! And every one was really genuine, made us feel so special :)
    Turtle wrote:
    Monday - Grand Canyon trip. Have booked a full day trip to the south rim (think it's that one) because my mum won't want to go in helicopter / small plane. It's a walking sunset tour, so we go on a guided walk for 3-4 hours, have a picnic, watch the sunset then travel back.

    This sounds lovely! We did a heli tour with Papillon from Boulder to the West Rim. Was about 80mins in the air. I'd love to go and stay there for a day or two but as OH isn't into 'looking at rocks' as he puts it :rotfl: this was a compromise :A
    Turtle wrote:
    Tuesday - Have booked a helicopter night flight of the strip, just for me and H2B. Nothing arranged for the day though.

    My sister and her BF arranged this for me a surprise and it was great, definitely worth it, even though the flight is quite short.
    Turtle wrote:
    Then that's it. We leave first thing Wednesday to go to Mexico for our honeymoon. So we've not got loads of time really. I really wanted to see either Barry Manilow (don't laugh!) or Phantom and was really disappointed that neither of them are on when we're there, we would all 5 of us have enjoyed either or them. We might book a show when we get there but we've only got Saturday night free anyway.

    Apart from that we'll be looking round the main attractions, Vegas sign etc. Parents are there for another couple of days after we've left. I'm really interested to read about the restaurants you went to as well as there are so many of them it's a bit overwhelming!

    Going for final dress fitting tomorrow with friend, sister in law 2B and niece. Seems much more real now it's May!

    We got our Rock of Ages tickets from a Tix for Tonight booth on the strip at ~50% off, seemed to be lots of availability although it was a Wed. If you decide to give it a go, go as early on Sat am as you can, there are several booths up and down the strip. We went to one near the M&M store, the peeps on the Vegas thread swear by one near the Peppermill as you can get breakfast at the same time :)

    I'll write up the restaurants if I get time, promise! Any particular ones you've got your eye on? Or any cuisine you especially like?
    Cross Stitch Cafe Challenger No. 26 :hello:
    XStitch to do list:
    -- Birth Sampler -- Christmas Angel -- Mum's Xmas Stitch -- Christmas decs 3 & 4 -- Xmas Bird --
    -- Snowflake Sonata -- Be Jolly -- JE Unicorn -- Start HAED!!! --
  • sk00bie1
    sk00bie1 Posts: 649 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Ok here it goes ladies, my mammoth wedding report! Turtle - I will link the Vegas report when I've finished it, will write about the restaurants etc in detail there.

    My last few days at work were a bit of a blur, I didn't manage to get everything done for the recpetion that I wanted to but hopefully that's going to work out OK! It's been a bit of a shock to the system coming and leaping back into it after having not thought about any of it for three weeks! Weather's looking
    good for Sunday, can't wait!

    So, we left on Saturday 6th, very early morning and arrived in LV at 6pm local time. Got us into the No. 1 Lounge at Heathrow which softened the early start a bit! OHs bag was delayed which was a pain, but at least they knew it was coming on a later flight and it wasn't lost completely! The handling agent
    delivered it the next day but I had a very grumpy OH to deal with in the meantime!

    Sunday - We just hung out at the rental house waiting for guests and the bag to arrive. Then we found out my sister had been delayed at some point along the journey and wouldn't arrive til Monday AM. And my poor brother was at a conference in New Orleans and had had his bag misplaced as well, eek! Not a good start!
    OHs bag turned up at lunchtime so that worked out OK, still it makes me glad we had made sure we carried all our wedding gear as hand baggage!

    Monday - Took my wedding dress to be pressed and did a bit of shopping. Collected my sister and BF and friend from their hotel so they could come over to the house and have a nose round and a drink or two by the pool. Then ferried them back so they could change for dinner.

    My mum took us out for a meal that evening, and afterwards I brought her home. By the time we were back OHs best man had arrived so we picked him up and went back to meet the others for a night on the town! It definitely sucked being the only one with a car, I started to feel like a cab driver :rotfl:

    Mum had been really unsettled over the situation with my dad which is understandable but she kept going into these rants about it, about how the wedding was ruined for her etc etc. Not very nice for anyone and at the time OH and I were thinking, er hello? It's our wedding! What about us? Mum had said she would be OK with Dad staying but I didn't want to risk anything happening so I told him I thought it best that he didn't stay with us at the house. He was fine about it, Mum was very suspicious 'I wonder why he's not staying, do you think he's brought 'her' here?' etc etc I'd have told her it was my idea but she'd told me not to say anything so I just brushed it off, saying he must have just not wanted to upset you etc' Families eh?

    Tuesday - Had over indulged on cocktails on Monday night so spent most of the day hungover :( OH and the rest of the boys went go karting, Mum, sister and I went to afternoon tea at the Mandarin Oriental. It was fabulous and I managed to enjoy it, even with the hangover! Met the others for dinner, then my Sis and BF took mum and I on the night flight over the strip. It was a complete surprise and I had been so worried that I wouldn't be able to do whatever we were going to do cause I was feeling really rough at that point! But the hangover vanished for the trip, all the excitement I expect. It did return full blast
    afterwards thought :rotfl: So much so that I didn't go out that night, although OH and his best man went out for a few drinks and some blackjack. I picked up my bro and his GF and gave them a tour of the strip on the way home. My dad also arrived that evening.

    Wednesday - Went shooting at the Gun Store with the whole wedding party, which was really good fun. Checked OH into the hotel and tried to fit in a trip to get the Best mans's suit but traffic slowed us down and we had our wedding rehersal and the limo to the courthouse booked from 3pm so rushed back to the Bellagio for that. Luckily the tux place was open till 7 so we fitted that in afterwards. We had planned to have a low key meal and for me say farewell to OH about 6-7pm but we ended up going for dinner with everyone after the tuxedo shop and I didn't end up home til about midnight. Then had to shower and pack up everything for the next day so didn't see my bed before 2am :eek: Had a panic when I realised that I hadn't confirmed the hair and make-up appointment for 9am the next morning, left a voice mail with them at about 10pm and kept my fingers crossed!

    TBC...
    Cross Stitch Cafe Challenger No. 26 :hello:
    XStitch to do list:
    -- Birth Sampler -- Christmas Angel -- Mum's Xmas Stitch -- Christmas decs 3 & 4 -- Xmas Bird --
    -- Snowflake Sonata -- Be Jolly -- JE Unicorn -- Start HAED!!! --
  • sk00bie1
    sk00bie1 Posts: 649 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Thursday - WEDDING DAY!!!

    Woke up at about 7.30 and loaded up car to go to my sister's room in the Bellagio to get ready. Mum was a bit stressy but not too bad (or so I thought haha) Arrived just after 9 and thankfully the hair and makeup ladies were there! Sis had got champagne and pastries in for breakfast, although I didn't really eat or drink anything, too excited or nervous or something I suppose!

    The best man turned up in a flap with the flowers as they had been delivered to OH's room and they didn't know which was which! Haha men! We sorted them out and sent him off with my present to OH (black and purple converse personalised with our wedding date).

    Make-up and hair people were fab, I was so pleased with what they did. They left about 10.30 so we had around an hour to chill out and finish getting ready.

    We were ready about 11.55, a little behind schedule as it takes an age to walk anywhere in the massive hotels! Then my mum got upset cause she thought my dad was coming to the room to escort me down and he wasn't there. I don't remember what was agreed but figured he'll just be downstairs so wasn't worried. Mum wouldn't drop it though so I rang him and he was waiting downstairs as I thought! He did say that we were late though which I thought was coming from the co-ordinator but now know it was him and that there wasn't any pressure.

    Anyway no matter, we set off. I was quite keen to get there by then, I was officially late and didn't want OH to think I wasn't coming, plus I thought the co-ordinator was mad that we were late! We weren't walking too fast cause we were all in heels but then Mum started saying that the bride's allowed to be late etc. I said I know, but we are late and I just want to get there now. She wouldn't let it go though and just kept repeating over and over so I'm sorry to say I snapped :( and in so many words told her 'Enough!! We heard you the first time but I am late now and I'm keen to get there, so let's just keep going.'

    I'm surprised it didn't happen earlier to be honest, after the other rants she had about the wedding being ruined for her and stuff. Anyway she then stormed off, saying if I was going to be like that then she wasn't coming, noone wanted her there etc to which of course I said 'don't be silly, of course I want you there.' My sister was amazing, calmed mum down, and me, got mum to come back and we kept going. I think mum kept making comments, cue me bursting into tears in the lift ARGGHH! Was worried about my makeup running!
    Everyone was calling congratualtions, thank goodness the veil covered my face or they would have been puzzled! Burst into tears again when I saw my dad, had them all fanning me to try dry the tears. It still upsets me a bit really, that it was all about her on my wedding day!!! Maybe that sounds a bit bridezilla but it's how I feel :(

    Anyway, had a few pictures taken then dad escorted me out and down the stairs on to the terrazza for the ceremony. Struggled to fit down the stairs in my dress, it hadn't been a problem the day before in normal clothes and without flowers on the railings! Ended up 'popping' out of the staircase and almost collapsing in a heap at OH's feet :rotfl: The ceremony passed in a blur, I do remember thinking 'OMG this is it, we're getting married!!!' at one point though and tearing up again for the vows. Then it was 'you may kiss your bride' and the fountains went off and it was over! Had a quick hello to the guests we hadn't seen previously then we were whisked away for more photos. Photographer was great and made us feel really at ease, which I suppose is only his job but as neither OH or I like having photos taken meant it was a lot less painful that expected!

    The guests went up to our penthouse (eeeeeee!) for champagne and nibbles and we joined them at about 2pm after the photos. What a spread, the nibbles were more like a banquet :rotfl: We all had a good go at it and probably ate more than we should!
    The limo I arranged to take us to the Vegas sign was waiting as ordered at 3.30 so off we went for more photos! Didn't stop there long and headed to the Encore for dinner, via Bellagio to collect the others who hadn't come to the sign. Got the limo driver to drive the long way round so everyone could see the sights and finish the champagne! Still we arrived a bit early so had a drink at the Encore's Eastside Lounge to pass the time.
    OH and I headed over to the Society Cafe to announce ourselves while the group was finishing their drink. The host said he was surpirsed to have the bride and groom turn up first! The others didn't show up for a few minutes so OH went to chase them.
    He found my sister's bf and my dad fighting over the bill, causing the hold up :rotfl: Was nice to sit by myself for a couple of minutes to reflect on the day so far, althought the staff seemed to think I'd been stood up :D We had arranged a four course meal with a bonus of free flowing mimosas and the food and service were spectactular.

    After dinner we went to yet another bar for more cocktails! We didn't stay out too late thought, it had been a long day! Phew!

    Friday - First day as man and wife! Had a fabulous late breakfast in the suite then went and swopped sensible mini-SUV for convertible Mustang :D Dropped the best man at his hotel as the rental was up on the house. Thankfully dad volunteered to help mum move to her hotel, so we could have a nice chilled day. We went to see Def Leppard play at the Hard Rock Hotel, nearly didn't make it cause I took us to the MGM Grand first... oops!

    Saturday - Overslept and only just made it out of the suite by checkout time!!! Had a meeting with photographers, as I said we were so pleased with them we splashed out on some large prints and a master DVD with copyright release... Well we'll only get married once right? :D Said goodbyes to the best man and sister's bf then moved to our next hotel. Met up with everyone still in Vegas for a bite before dad left for the airport and we headed out for some blackjack!

    Sunday - Drove to LA to take mum to LAX, we then drove out to Valencia and stayed over so we could go to Six Flags the next day. Traffic was awful, never leave Vegas by road on a Sunday!! Thankfully mum kept mostly kept quiet. I did get told to drive faster at one point though (on a three lane road with all lanes stopped :D ) The drive back on Monday night was quite exciting as it was very windy in the mountains! We thought of dropping mum off as the end of the wedding really, a bit sad it was over but nice to have some time fully to ourselves finally!

    I'll cover the rest of the trip in my LV report but it's safe to say we had the trip of a lifetime, even with the little blip in the middle. The company, the food and drink, the experiences, everything was perfect! That reminds me, need to write some thankyou emails!

    Don't worry, photos to follow in the next post. :A
    Cross Stitch Cafe Challenger No. 26 :hello:
    XStitch to do list:
    -- Birth Sampler -- Christmas Angel -- Mum's Xmas Stitch -- Christmas decs 3 & 4 -- Xmas Bird --
    -- Snowflake Sonata -- Be Jolly -- JE Unicorn -- Start HAED!!! --
  • sk00bie1
    sk00bie1 Posts: 649 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
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    So here we are, back at work :( My to-do list for Sunday is terrifying me :rotfl: Weather's looking good though so that's something!

    I might post it later on to help me keep track but first of all I'm going to catch up properly on everyone's posts! Congratulations to all, I can't believe we're all married now!!

    Daisie - I'm sure I'll be feeling the same as you after Sunday, what on earth an I going to go with myself without a wedding to plan! I missed your photos on your thread but I saw a couple on fb and they were beautiful :) Glad your foot didn't get too much in the way of you having fun.

    Jelly - I love that pic of the two of you, so tender and loving :)

    JTR - Glad everything turned out ok (especially the storm trooper!) Are you planning another trip to the Maldives yet? How was the reception? I can't wait to wear my dress again, even though I didn't have time to get it cleaned :rotfl: Your comments about your OHs family crack me up, there's just no pleasing some people is there?!

    Caz - I saw your thread, lovely pictures! And so glad everything went well for you!

    Lisa - More gorgeous pictures! So happy your day went well too :)

    Right better get on with my to-dos, so glad it's quiet at work today!!
    Cross Stitch Cafe Challenger No. 26 :hello:
    XStitch to do list:
    -- Birth Sampler -- Christmas Angel -- Mum's Xmas Stitch -- Christmas decs 3 & 4 -- Xmas Bird --
    -- Snowflake Sonata -- Be Jolly -- JE Unicorn -- Start HAED!!! --
  • 74jax
    74jax Posts: 7,930 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I know I'm not an April bride, but popped on for the photos. WOW!
    Forty and fabulous, well that's what my cards say....
  • Turtle
    Turtle Posts: 999 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts
    Great posts Sk00bie! Lovely photos, you look very happy.

    Shame about your mum as well, I don't blame you for being a bit cross but it sounds like it all worked out lovely in the end.

    Finding the restaurants a bit tricky, one just from sheer numbers and two because all the fancier ones seems to serve foie gras. I am morally against this and don't want to go anywhere that serves it. I've emailed the Cheesecake Factory and thankfully confirmed that they don't sell it.

    So really I'll just be happy to hear about all the different places you went.

    Had my final fitting today and I'm happy to report my dress fits perfectly and it's now in my posession. This is a real weight off my mind as they've been hopeless really. I thought it said it all when I had to sign to say I'd received the dress and on the paper it actually said 'any derogatory online reviews will be dealt with by our solicitor' :eek:

    Shine was taken off it a bit when I backed H2B car into a wall though :( I was only bringing it home after MOT, the wall was very low, too low for the parking sensors, I couldn't even see it was there :(
  • daisiegg
    daisiegg Posts: 5,395 Forumite
    Photos are amazing skoobs! Though I had been stalking them all on Facebook :) can't believe our thread had dropped off the front page! And I have been a married lady for one whole month....congratulations again to all the lovely April brides!
  • lil_miss_insanity
    lil_miss_insanity Posts: 180 Forumite
    edited 7 May 2013 pm31 3:32PM
    Hello ladies! Loving all of your pics and reports. Everyone's days have looked amazing.

    I got back from Jamaica yesterday, and have had 3 hours sleep in last 2 nights so am walking zombie of jet lag!

    Anyways, my pro pics have come back now and are so incredibly amazing. Our photographer has really captured some moments, and a lot of the quirkiness of the day. There are 1394 pics, so I don't know how we'll narrow it down to 100 prints. Luckily I get a photo CD of the rest, so won't miss out on them all.

    Here is the link to them - the further you scroll the more pics appear.

    Oh no - MSE is not letting me post the link...

    It is portfolio.images by tim. co. uk/ 2013Proofs/ 200413/ 29241508_rGgJGp#!i=2492599952&k=KN8jJnM (remove spaces.)
  • butterfly2001
    butterfly2001 Posts: 2,975 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    beautiful images, you must be so pleased with them :) you look fantastic!
    A big thank you to all those who post on the forum and make it a worthwhile place!!!:j

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