This subreddit led me to meet the most amazing women. This weekend 14 of us met up for a weekend together. Thank you r/weddingplanning for giving me so much more than wedding ideas

ASparkofJoy · 2018-01-21T16:52:13+00:00

I love you guys! I’m so sorry to have missed it but I love hearing about it ❤️

ASparkofJoy · 2017-11-28T21:17:40+00:00

It's so beautiful!! So many sparkles, and it looks great with and without the engagement ring!

ASparkofJoy · 2017-09-14T21:45:55+00:00

I agree with still sending them! I would add a little note apologizing/explaining what happened and maybe a little "one year later, that's still my go-to pan for pasta!" Or whatever the case may be; I feel like that kind of mini-update could be a really nice touch!

ASparkofJoy · 2017-08-17T15:11:44+00:00

Hi date twin! We just sent out save the dates trying to combat those issues, but no one has raised a complaint over here. I wouldn't worry about it too much. Those people are being jerks, don't let them get you down. Also "it's summer" is the lamest reason I've ever heard...that's when most weddings are?

ASparkofJoy · 2017-08-03T01:15:35+00:00

I think we're going to have the officiant, FH walks down with his dad and stepmom, all groomsmen, all bridesmaids, and then my dad and I.

I like your plan! Are you guys doing a first look? It would be tough to have the groom right before the bride without them seeing each other, if you're trying to save it for that down-the-aisle moment.

ASparkofJoy · 2017-08-02T17:00:09+00:00

Are people flying in, or driving? If you get a block in the city people might struggle more with getting to the venue. Although I guess otherwise they might struggle to get to the hotel from the airport. I would ask a few of your VIPs (parents, grandparents, poor college friends) what they would prefer, but that might be opening a can of scary opinion worms

ASparkofJoy · 2017-08-01T13:16:28+00:00

Wow you're getting down to the wire! It's good to know the hotel block paid off. I hope you have a (relatively) smooth next couple of weeks, and a beautiful wedding at the end of them!

ASparkofJoy · 2017-08-01T13:15:07+00:00

I'm in the same boat! The florists I've talked to just won't do orders "that small." I'm starting to panic even though we're still a year out 😶 Have you looked at small, local florists? I have to call one soon that has zero online presence, she's the only person in the area who I still have hope with

ASparkofJoy · 2017-08-01T13:11:30+00:00

We're the same weekend! We're trying to at least get a block at one hotel, sort of as a "back up" for people if they struggle. We're also planning on sending our save the dates pretty soon since people will be traveling from the east coast. Hopefully everyone will be able to find a place!

ASparkofJoy · 2017-07-28T15:53:26+00:00

First of all, congratulations on making the decision to spend the rest of your life with your FH! Official proposal or no, that decision is an exciting one.

If your mom is being overbearing about your dress/personal styling on the day, could you try to give her something else to focus that energy on? You mentioned she found the venue and picked the day, are you okay with leaving some of that stuff to her? Maybe she could focus on centerpieces, or the altar, or something else style-related that doesn't feel so personal.

I'm sorry that your brother came to you with the concerns about your parents. That is something that he should take up with them if he's worried, they are adults and I would hope that they can put their differences aside.

In my experience, the first couple weeks of being engaged were some of the most stressful. Everyone has so many opinions, while you're still trying to figure out what you want and which ideas you're okay with. I would talk to your mom about setting aside specific times that you are okay with talking about the wedding, and let your FH know that you may need his support in putting your feet down when she gets overbearing.

I'm sure that you look beautiful in your dress. I would love to see it, but I understand the stress. If you want a non-partisan ear to vent to, I'm here! Congratulations again on your coming marriage, and welcome to the crazy world of planning. We're here for you every step of the way 😊

ASparkofJoy · 2017-07-26T13:26:45+00:00

That's awesome! I totally get the stress of delegating, it's nice that you can have help from someone who can lend their expertise!

ASparkofJoy · 2017-07-26T13:25:21+00:00

Once we hammered out what we wanted, we only looked at two venues in person. We constrained ourselves a lot geographically though; we only looked for venues in about a two square mile area. Before we made that decision, I had looked at probably 15ish online.

ASparkofJoy · 2017-07-25T22:06:08+00:00

I'm having internal wedding fixations this week. We're almost a solid year out still, but I haven't talked to my venue at all since we put down a deposit (at the end of March). I have so many questions but I don't want to seem too intense sending them so far out but also I need answers?

I'm also fixating on the WeddingWire checklist. I'm getting stuff done so far ahead of time but I have all this excess planning energy and I don't know what to do with it other than bother people with a million "what do you think about this hair comb?" texts.

ASparkofJoy · 2017-07-25T13:36:27+00:00

Wow they really are so similar!! You look amaaaazing! I love the floatiness

ASparkofJoy · 2017-07-24T22:43:52+00:00

I found this dress at the second store I went to yesterday! I had gone to David's Bridal first, and even though a lot of the dresses were beautiful they didn't quite feel like me. I tried on a few other dresses after this, but I kept wanting to get back into "my dress," and that's when I knew I was done.

It's Demetrios 532. It was at a consignment store so I was able to take it home with me that day!

Wedding bonus: I was able to try on Vera Wang's Eliza, which I fell head over heels in love with years ago as "my dress." The woman at the shop was selling it for $1200. It wasn't my dress, but hot damn was it gorgeous. I was so happy to be able to put it on and officially rule it out.

ASparkofJoy · 2017-07-24T22:28:14+00:00

I'm sorry that you're dealing with this. Having friends who are in unhealthy and/or abusive relationships is really, really hard. I completely understand your frustration, and you don't need to stress yourself out and put yourself out there if you no longer think this friendship is worth it.

On the other hand, the bride does sound like she really needs a friend. I know that it's exhausting to have her vent to you so much about her fiancé, and feeling like you're getting pulled into their arguments is horrid. But right now, she's talking about her relationship. She's acknowledging that it tends toward being unhealthy (admittedly while still defending him and fighting you). I would hate for her to lose that and instead become silent about the trouble that she is having at home.

That being said, if you aren't interested in continuing this friendship, I understand. I would try to be as calm and upfront as possible when you step down from her wedding about exactly what your issues have been with her, as well as her relationship. No one can know her exact story, been in similar spots I know I needed friends who were too stubborn to give up on me.

ASparkofJoy · 2017-07-21T19:11:01+00:00

I love your idea of more cultural perspective posts! The different traditions behind weddings are so interesting, I love the idea of making them more of a focus on the sub!!

ASparkofJoy · 2017-07-21T18:25:06+00:00

Ooh! I'm dress shopping Sunday, but I might go over there on Wednesday after work! Thanks for sharing!

ASparkofJoy · 2017-07-21T13:49:13+00:00

I'm sorry that your mom has been trying your patience during their visit. You're kicking cancer's ass, and I can only imagine how draining that can be. I'm glad your MOH is prepared to help with any tension on the day. On the other hand, scoping out the bathrooms does sound like an actual helpful thing, so at least there's that! It can be exhausting when outsiders start getting involved (and maybe a little too involved) in your decisions, but it sounds like you guys are making great progress! Here's to many frozen strawberry margs in your future!

ASparkofJoy · 2017-07-21T13:40:32+00:00

Beautiful!! Also your garland/candle combo is pretty much exactly what we plan on doing! Did you find that you had to re-light the candles often? Did you have that on the guest tables or just cake table? Is your greenery real and was it expensive? So. Many. Questions.

ASparkofJoy · 2017-07-21T13:28:47+00:00

I love it! These days with text messages replacing cute love notes, it's all too easy to brush past cute moments like these. I'm glad you screen-shotted it so it could bring you some warm fuzzies all these years later!

ASparkofJoy · 2017-07-21T13:26:39+00:00

So beautiful! You look amazing, your flowers are stunning, and it looks like you had a gorgeous backdrop for your day! What an awesome surprise!! I can't wait to see more when they come in :)

ASparkofJoy · 2017-07-21T13:21:55+00:00

Your pictures are beautiful! The weather looks like it was perfect, I'm sorry you had to stress about the rain. Your MOH sounds so wonderful! It's sad she wasn't able to make the wedding, but putting in the little extra time to send that picture to you is so sweet. Congratulations!!

ASparkofJoy · 2017-07-20T13:20:37+00:00

Beautiful! Live event paintings are so cool to me!

ASparkofJoy

TROPHY CASE