Very mini freak out vent

I'm now 5 months away from the wedding (September.) I travel frequently for work and I will be away for the full month of August. I wanted to have everything done by July so I didn't have to stress the last couple of weeks before the wedding and just focus on any minor things like payments, meetings, getting everything together, etc.

I booked all my major vendors by February and then stopped to focus on my friend's wedding (coming this Friday) who was a last minute planner so we had a lot to do in these past few months.

Well, I just found out I will be away for most of May for work! This gives me June and July to finish everything? I just became a little overwhelmed!! In those months I already have a few things planned, such as the shower, e-pics (I know late, long story), budoir pics, the bachelorette party, a friend's wedding, my bday which we are traveling for, father's day which we are traveling for, and we are house hunting. My wedding just became very close when I thought I had all the time in the world!!

Any suggestions on what I need to add to my to-do list and suggestions of which vendors to choose so I don't wast a lot of time researching?

I've done major things - venue, officiant, photog/videog, my dress, girls dresses, DOC, honeymoon, DJ/ceremony music, florist, hotel block.

I'm working with my invitation vendor now, although guest list is not finalized. Hair and Make Up is scheduled. I just started purchasing the bridesmaids gifts.

I need to-
Tuxes - any tux store recommendations?
Menu - finalize with venue, then print. Wanted to DIY
Dance Lessons - suggestions/RQ?
Wedding Bands - need to get them custom made/jeweler rec?
Programs - wanted to DIY
Ribbon Wands - I think I'll look on Etsy for this (how many do you purchase for 175ppl?)
Guest book - still don't know what I want to do for this
Table numbers - undecided how I want to do this
Cake Topper - Want a bling one, anyone have a good suggestion of a good sparkly initial topper?
Picture frames for pictures displayed at venue - need 20, any suggestions of where to order in bulk?
Veil and accessories - looking for a blingy cathedral veil and blingy accessories, any good store recommendations other than M&J (already been)
Garter - Etsy I guess?
Photographer Shot List - anyone have a good one?
Name Plaque - any recommendations other than Channa, I was leaning toward Bosheree (I think that's how you spell it)
Cry packs - wanted to DIY, where's a good place to get the materials?
Ring box - what are you guys doing for the ring bearer to carry down the rings? I didn't want to do a pillow, I was thinking of making a nice box

There's like 100 other things on the list, but I'm sure I can figure that all out.

Sorry for the long rant, just a little stressed. Thanks for listening!

No worries girl!!!!!!! i am getting married in July and dont have any of the stuff you listed done haha.. so i will be checking out this post over the next couple days for help!

Jeweler- check out good old gold in massapequa - they have a good selection

Did you check out GILT.com- they just had a wedding event on friday.. they had a garter there
http://www.gilt.com/sale/women/bridal-lingerie-8415/product/1006397375-cosabella-bridal-garter

Check out Nordstrom for veil and accessories- they have a wedding department online and in stores. I think I am getting a cathedral viel from there its just plain and a pearl sash. Best part you can return if you don't like it. http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/wedding-shop

Just relax my feelings are it has to all get done so don't stress over it :)

For pic frames try dollar tree... they sell them in bulk $1 each.

Name Plaque, I used Bosheree and it came out great. Took about 8 wks to arrive.

For cry packs... order the glassine envelops on amazon. Labels you can get on zazzle, wedding paper divas, etc If you are going to use ribbon go to a craft store like Michaels.

I got the idea from a fellow bride to DIY a bling letter cake topper... purchase loose rhinestones, glue and paint either on amazon and/or from amazon or a craft store. Order the wooden letter topper from craftcuts.com. Paint the letter then glue the rhinestones to it. If you do not want to DIY check etsy.

For your programs and other stationary check with your invitation vendor. Maybe they can do them for you or design a pdf file and you can print them on your own.

It'll all come together, but I understand how you feel. I'm about a month before you and feel totally behind. Just noticed limos weren't on your lists anywhere and wanted to mention them (if you even need them!).

Good luck!

Tuxes - any tux store recommendations?
Bell Formal Wear on Bell Blvd in Bayside

Menu - finalize with venue, then print. Wanted to DIY
You can pick up paper at Michael's Joann's Fabric etc. We had a last minute emergency with our menus, programs & placecards b/c the vendor we originally ordered from did a SH*T job. My mom, her friend & I ran to JoAnn's a week before our wedding, purchased paper & printed the menus on it. See pics in album

Dance Lessons - suggestions/RQ?
Do you really need this? this would require you and FH going a few times & might be a little time consuming.

Wedding Bands - need to get them custom made/jeweler rec?
Kravit Jewelers in Oceanside. Tell Bennett Melissa & Phil sent you

Programs - wanted to DIY
See the comment on menus

Ribbon Wands - I think I'll look on Etsy for this (how many do you purchase for 175ppl?)
I think 100 is enough. Most of the guys won't wave them lol

Guest book - still don't know what I want to do for this
you can order one online if worse comes to worse

Table numbers - undecided how I want to do this
RH can take care of it if you decide not to do anything crazy. Personally, this wasn't a concern of mine.

Cake Topper - Want a bling one, anyone have a good suggestion of a good sparkly initial topper?
Check etsy.com

Picture frames for pictures displayed at venue - need 20, any suggestions of where to order in bulk?
Kohl's or Target!

Veil and accessories - looking for a blingy cathedral veil and blingy accessories, any good store recommendations other than M&J (already been)
Bridal Styles Boutique in Brooklyn. See if they are having a sample sale any time soon. That's where I purchased my stuff, although wish I waited for a sale!

Garter - Etsy I guess?
Etsy or perhaps one of the online bridal websites.

Photographer Shot List - anyone have a good one?
Try seeing if you find any lists on here just by going through albums

Name Plaque - any recommendations other than Channa, I was leaning toward Bosheree (I think that's how you spell it) -
I would suggest Channa only b/c I know a ton of ppl who purchased their plaques from her. Otherwise, also check etsy.

Cry packs - wanted to DIY, where's a good place to get the materials? Not sure.

Ring box - what are you guys doing for the ring bearer to carry down the rings? I didn't want to do a pillow, I was thinking of making a nice box
We did a pillow but you can do a sign or different box instead. Check etsy.com

There's like 100 other things on the list, but I'm sure I can figure that all out.


Hang in there. You have all of June, July & part of August to get everything done. You have PLENTY of time. You'd be surprised to see how it all comes together... TRUST ME. My advice is to order the items off etsy first b/c sometimes ppl will need time to create everything. Also, do you have a card box? Otherwise... look on etsy for that too! Your DOC should also be able to recommend vendors, places to get things, etc.

Take a deep breath and enjoy the remaining months of being a single lady! Let me know if you need anything else!

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Posted by mf324

I got my bling initial cake topper from wedding factory direct.. It looked great (pic in my album)

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That's awesome! Was it very sparkly? I need a 'C' so if you want to sell it let me know :)

To add to the stress - my computer froze and shut down and I have this huge wedding file with my budget, to-do list, vendor info and I couldn't recover the file. It took a couple of hours to figure out, but I have it back now. Big lesson - always back up your files!! I'm feeling a lot better now, thank you everyone!!

Bride in 2012 - thanks so much!! Your wedding was GORGEOUS, like every little detail. I loved your dress too. Where did you get the cake brooch for your cake? I need two of them and haven't been able to find any I like.

Thanks for the heads up on Etsy, I didn't realize how long it would take until someone here said Bosheree took 8 weeks.

We are canceling out the dance lessons, one less thing to do, but we're gonna look pretty foolish up there for our first dance because neither of us dance :) I wanted it to be a surprise that we did something because no one would suspect it, we're both super shy, but oh well.

I live far from Brooklyn, but Bridal Styles has been suggested so many times, I may venture. How are the prices there?

For a cardbox I bought a birdcage on sale from Michaels so I just need to buy ribbon to decorate it.

Surprisingly - my DOCs are highly recommended and great girls, but they told me I'd have to upgrade my package for recommendations. I thought that was odd. I have a full day package and I'd have to go into a 'planning' package.

saxtrevnmeg - I have the limos, thanks!!

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Posted by BrideToB

To add to the stress - my computer froze and shut down and I have this huge wedding file with my budget, to-do list, vendor info and I couldn't recover the file. It took a couple of hours to figure out, but I have it back now. Big lesson - always back up your files!! I'm feeling a lot better now, thank you everyone!!

Bride in 2012 - thanks so much!! Your wedding was GORGEOUS, like every little detail. I loved your dress too. Where did you get the cake brooch for your cake? I need two of them and haven't been able to find any I like.

Thanks for the heads up on Etsy, I didn't realize how long it would take until someone here said Bosheree took 8 weeks.

We are canceling out the dance lessons, one less thing to do, but we're gonna look pretty foolish up there for our first dance because neither of us dance :) I wanted it to be a surprise that we did something because no one would suspect it, we're both super shy, but oh well.

I live far from Brooklyn, but Bridal Styles has been suggested so many times, I may venture. How are the prices there?

For a cardbox I bought a birdcage on sale from Michaels so I just need to buy ribbon to decorate it.

Surprisingly - my DOCs are highly recommended and great girls, but they told me I'd have to upgrade my package for recommendations. I thought that was odd. I have a full day package and I'd have to go into a 'planning' package.

saxtrevnmeg - I have the limos, thanks!!

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Definitely get a flash drive / external hard drive and save everything on there!!

You're very welcome & thank you for the compliment! I stressed a lot and always felt behind during the planning but everything came together & our day truly was perfect so trust that you'll get everything done too!

Our bakery actually had all of the bling so they used one of their brooches. I know M&J trimming has them and you can also look in the other fabric / trimming stores around that area. You may find something online, as well as on etsy.

You're not going to look foolish for your first dance... you just do a general 'slow dance' if you feel uncomfortable doing a coordinated dance without lessons.

I live in Westchester and drove to Bridal Styles multiple times lol (ordered my headpiece & DOJ on one trip, ordered my custom veil & picked it up on separate trips). If you don't want to drive, they do have a website with a ton of pieces on it & their customer service is second to none so you can also always order online and their sales rep will help you. If you have a budget, they'll work with you. Also, like I said earlier, call & ask if they have plans to have a sample sale soon... if so, make an appt for that.

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Posted by FDwedding14

I don't have any suggestions for your list since my wedding is far away (I'm sorry) I just wanted to say don't stress in sure you will be able to accomplish everything that needs to get done. Now seems like a good time to delegate responsibilities to your bridesmaids so they will know what they need to do while you are away. Also, I would contact your DOC and see if they have any suggestions or additional planning services you may be able to utilize. Good luck!!

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This!!! Also, if you have the extra money, I would splurge and just hire someone to do the DIY you intended to do. It will save you time and piece of mind. Good luck.

Ribbon wands definitely buy them. They are a pain to DIY and very time consuming LOL

Cake Topper-Wedding Factory Direct
Veil/Accessories-Barrons in Tri-County
Cry Packs/Programs-Etsy

Thank you Bride2Be78!!

@Bridein2012 - I just took a closer look at your veil. It looks similar to what I want, does it have crystals all over it? Would you mind sharing how much it cost? M&J is quoting $450. Kleinfelds (where I got my dress) is quoting $1500!

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Posted by BrideToB

Thank you Bride2Be78!!

@Bridein2012 - I just took a closer look at your veil. It looks similar to what I want, does it have crystals all over it? Would you mind sharing how much it cost? M&J is quoting $450. Kleinfelds (where I got my dress) is quoting $1500!

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Yes it was completely covered with crystals scattered throughout. Bridal Styles charged $800 which was great considering Kleinfeld's quoted me $3,000!! $450 is a good price - you prob won't find much less for that unless you go on etsy or find someone who makes them out of their home.

i totally recommend bosheree!!! although i think mine took a little longer than jassy's.

tuxes- ricos in center moriches! they said 1-2 months out is fine, we are going to do them next month.

you are making me stress out too LOL good thing my work travel is more jan-feb-march. however work will be craaaazy until july 4. damn watermelon season!

Hi! I saw what you said about your DOC. That stinks! Sometimes it really is just strictly business. Anyway, I'm sure my DOC would be willing to help out with advice, recommendations, putting things together.... things like that if you need it. She's extremely laid back with adding on extra services and really doesn't have packages set in stone where you only get a certain number of hours etc. She may just be someone you can run things by.. I know shes helped a few brides that she didn't end up doing DOC/ planner packages with. [email protected] .. I will FM you about what she told me for 'extras' if you are interested.


I would definitely check Etsy for those things you are looking for! There are extremely creative people on there!
Definitely check Target for the frames OR you can order from Walmart online. Definitely less expensive. Ive also heard of Saveoncrafts but haven't had any experience

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Posted by BrideToB
Surprisingly - my DOCs are highly recommended and great girls, but they told me I'd have to upgrade my package for recommendations. I thought that was odd. I have a full day package and I'd have to go into a 'planning' package.

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i'm sorry but that's ridiculous. they did my friend's wedding and she was happy with them but i think they have gotten a little too ahead of themselves