Bahama Beach Wedding Diary

Your updates have been by far the best ever on this board. You just have the best attitude.

I have no doubt that you will have a wonderful wedding... but more important I have no doubt that you are going to have a wonderful marriage!

You already have the two important ingredients for a happy relationship imho..:

Flexibility and a sense of humor.

I just wanted to tell you that I'm reading your thread and enjoying it very much. A little bit of a "late bloomer" to it since we sort of just green-lighted our own vow renewal. (Reading things like this makes me both apprehensive and excited). You've really been through it on some aspects!

I'm feeling the money crunch with our own and we're not even bringing any guests (it's sort of a correct-all from our first wedding while being VERY meaningful because of the timing, we made it through a really crappy year). The people who, I guess, thought they should be coming to a vow renewal are unhappy... no way to please everyone, or in our case, anyone, so we just left everyone out. (There are those who think a vow renewal is unwarranted and would be incensed at being invited... sprinkled among those are people who figured we'd invite them on an all-expense-paid vacay... :mad:)

Your humor and analytical nature is very much appreciated by me (bachelor-in-sales-management-and-now-MBA-student here... I'm going about planning with a mix of MBA 'just get it done' and more than a twinge of emotion and stressing lol! I'm very good at being analytical with work, my personal life is a bit different) You reminded me I should make a spreadsheet now that we've decided a few things :rolleyes::p

You've been so good with pics to this point... I do hope that you'll continue even after you're married... let us know how it all went, etc. Just a small plea!

(Reading back through this I feel sort of like I went on a tangent like drunk Aunt Matilda when she gets up to do a toast). My bad... I turn the microphone back to you now lol.

Your updates have been by far the best ever on this board. You just have the best attitude.

 

I have no doubt that you will have a wonderful wedding... but more important I have no doubt that you are going to have a wonderful marriage!

 

You already have the two important ingredients for a happy relationship imho..:

Flexibility and a sense of humor.

You are too kind! Considering the caliber of some of these posts...that means so much!!

I have a great partner. Except for the timeline/money stress....this second wedding has been pretty easy!!

Thanks again for your kind words...I wish I could cruise and write for a living!!

D & K

I just wanted to tell you that I'm reading your thread and enjoying it very much. A little bit of a "late bloomer" to it since we sort of just green-lighted our own vow renewal. (Reading things like this makes me both apprehensive and excited). You've really been through it on some aspects! .

Tropicalis_Rex,

Thanks for YOUR kind words!!

I can't imagine so much drama over a vow renewal....but then again...ANYTHING related to a wedding...and family...and you're gonna have DRAMA!

Two things have really helped Kelly and I to cut down on the Xanex dosage....

1) We discussed our plan in advance...and united on all aspects....the main one being...NO DRAMA!!

2) When there is the potential for drama...remember point #1!!

The best thing about a second marriage is....you've done all this before?!!

You know the pitfalls and (most) problems.....so...JUST DON'T DO IT (THAT)!

We literally said...."Hey...we're gonna get married on a beach...in the Bahama's....wanna come"?

"Yes...GREAT". "No...OK...we'll miss ya"...

Whenever they (meaning your guests) try to inject drama...I just say...

"OK...you let me know what you decide".

When they ask, WHY we are doing this instead of THAT...we just smile and say....

"Because we wanted to...it's our wedding...and we're paying for it"

You'd be surprised how quickly that solves most problems!!:D

Please remember to have fun....and remember...it's YOUR day...not theirs!

Now I must run to the court house and get our Marriage License!!

(seriously....they close in an hour)

D & K

Hey All....

So....we're legal now...

In the great state of Arizona...it took us a whole 37min from the metal detector to the car.

37 min. to get our Marriage License.....

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Final price was $ 293.00....so...after our $ 100 donation to the cause...we are asking for about $ 9 a couple.

That's reasonable, right?

Wish we were over the hump...so I could start looking at the fun stuff!

On another note...I closed on a normal-sized Catbitat sale today! Every little bit helps!!

Off to cook some veggies for my "Legal-to-be-married-in-the-state-of-Arizona" Fiancee!

Later....

D & K

Thank you! Hope you guys had a great V-day!!

Are you guys getting married in Arizona before you go on the cruise??? To make sure it's officially official??

I love Vegas, that's why I'm considering getting married there, but I love cruising also! My boyfriend and I got engaged on a cruise. My issue is that I'm an American living in Australia. My entire family is in Florida and his entire family is here. Everyone is going to have to travel no matter, and my mom WILL NOT get on an airplane to come here. LOL I don't blame her, she's got anxiety issues and 16 hours is a long time to be on an airplane.

His parents are willing to fly to America though, but that's probably it for his family. LOL

Hey All....

 

 

 

So....we're legal now...

 

 

 

In the great state of Arizona...it took us a whole 37min from the metal detector to the car.

 

 

 

37 min. to get our Marriage License.....

 

[/img]

 

 

 

Final price was $ 293.00....so...after our $ 100 donation to the cause...we are asking for about $ 9 a couple.

 

 

 

That's reasonable, right?

 

 

 

Wish we were over the hump...so I could start looking at the fun stuff!

 

 

 

On another note...I closed on a normal-sized Catbitat sale today! Every little bit helps!!

 

 

 

Off to cook some veggies for my "Legal-to-be-married-in-the-state-of-Arizona" Fiancee!

 

 

 

Later....

 

 

 

D & K

I think $9 is more than reasonable, I would be happy to pay it! Congrats on getting the marriage license!

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Hey Violetmoon1979!!!

Shhhh.....it's a secret...but yes...we are tying the knot (chain) a few days before the cruise. Most of the family doesn't know (and they don't follow this forum)...so we are going to sign some docs on the beach!

Boy...all the way to AUS, huh?!! Well...if one side is willing to fly...then I'd go that way (the path of least resistance).

Let us know what you decide!

D

just thought i would pop in and see if you had any updates. Our wedding on the reflection went off without a hitch on Sunday with 48 guests. Make sure that no matter what drama, you enjoy it because it is really amazing :)

Well I must say everything is coming together quite nicely. Your Catbitat looks awesome I would not mind hanging out in there and your bubbly is making me thirsty. I had a little anxiety when you mentioned 3,000 in approximately 2 weeks.... Eeekkkkk, I have lots of faith in you though. I think all good things are coming your way. Keep posting I'm sure I speak for all when I say we love hearing from you.

😀 Crystal

You removed your last names from your license, but they are easily found on more than one of your links, if you are concerned about privacy.

Good luck.

just thought i would pop in and see if you had any updates. Our wedding on the reflection went off without a hitch on Sunday with 48 guests. Make sure that no matter what drama, you enjoy it because it is really amazing :)

Hey CCS14!!

Congrats to you!! I expect to see a full report!!!

Dwayne

You removed your last names from your license, but they are easily found on more than one of your links, if you are concerned about privacy.

 

Good luck.

Hey 6rugrats!

Hehehe...you are right!!! Oh well....as my dad always said...if someone wants to get you...they're gonna get you!!!

Hey All!

I took a few moments to look at my Diary…from the first post to today…..my…how far we have come.

I really feel so many of you have come along for the ride….

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I must admit. When I was at the bank yesterday…and the teller was counting those Hundies off (“Slappin ‘em down….ONE HUNDERED….TWO HUNDRED!!!”…Thanks U2 )….

….I was thinking about all the blood, sweat and tears….just to get to this point.

The pain is not over yet, my friends….we still have to INSTALL these Catbitats…..and Program these automation systems….all before I get to step on that beach.

I instantly drove to WITB (Weddings In The Bahama’s) bank….and made the deposit.

I thought I’d feel better…some joy…some relief??

Nada….

Why….

Well….if you look at my trusty spreadsheet…..that just leaves….

Money for the Cruise?!!!!! (AAAAAAHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!):eek:

Yep…everything is paid for….except for what we are going to spend on the cruise…and incidentals. I have about $ 1,600.00 as a Guestimate.

$ 400+ for the Premium drink package…..$ 225 for the shore excursion….$ 250 for the bus (should get some of that back)….$ 120 for the Family Limo….and tips….

Think we can do it??!!.....

If The Dress Doesn’t Fit…..

Well Ladies….you should get a kick out of this….

Kel came back from her Bachelorette Party this afternoon (looking a bit hung-over). Her friend was with her, as she was waiting for her husband to pick her up (it was a local party…no Vegas like me….too long of a story)

Anyway….as girls do…they headed off to the bedroom to try on the Wedding Dress. About 30min she emerged and announced….

…..That she has lost so much weight…that she needs to get the dress altered again!!??

Well….I’m not one for diets…but I can say her temporary diet is livable. Being the wonderful man that I am…I try to join in….to a point.

If she’s having chicken….I have chicken…if she having veggies…I grill up a bowl full for us. She can’t have any alcohol so I need to draw the line somewhere…(without booze….I’d have to cut some one!!! Seriously….can you read how much stress I’m under?!!!).

Bottom line…..we leave in 16 days. My last paycheck will be deposited the morning we set sail…..

Ideal situation…nope.

Life……yep…..

Stick around, my friends…..things are about to get interesting!!!!

Later…

D & K

Congratulations on paying off the cruise!!!!!!!!!!!! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Makes it more real eh?????

I love your cabitats, I'm a huge cat lover and I wish there was something like that here that I could get for my kitties!! Get to work buddy! You need some spending money now!!

:p:D:):p:D:)

I just spent the last 2 hours reading this thread to my fiance and we have both enjoyed every minute of it. We are both going to be doing our second wedding as well and a cruise wedding sounded like a great idea. This has given me so me ideas and I'm so thankful that you have taken the time to post updates. Can't wait to see more

I just spent the last 2 hours reading this thread to my fiance and we have both enjoyed every minute of it. We are both going to be doing our second wedding as well and a cruise wedding sounded like a great idea. This has given me so me ideas and I'm so thankful that you have taken the time to post updates. Can't wait to see more

Thanks Triscat!!

We are down to -13 days and counting....things are about to get real!!!

D & K

Im so happy I found this so helpful!

I just started planning my Disney wedding cruise to Nassau and also plan on using WITB as well. Its 11 months away but money is tight so we started planning ASAP! After 8 years whats another 1 right? I hope you post tons of photos!! Absolutely love her wedding dress!

Cant wait for your next post!!! So close!

Hey All!

9 Days to Go!!!

I’ve Got Too much Time On My Hands…

Starting to run out of enough hours in the day….

This weekend just FLEW by. Thought my brother and I could do a quick Catbitat install on Saturday….then it decided to rain on us…ALL day!

I thought I’d be done by 2ish…take a shower..and catch up on some wedding stuff...

…we finished at 7:30pm that night!!! (but we finished)

The client was happy…but I lost an entire day!!! Just enough time to pop some pain killers, make some dinner…and fall asleep on the couch!

Sunday was a blur….

Several emails from panicking friends and family. “How do I do this?” I can’t login to the Celebrity website!”…etc.

I’m glad to help…but I need to do stuff too?! What is that feeling..Stress??

Oh well….

After mandatory chores and shopping…I just had time to book our Shore Excursions (Snuba diving) and start talking about our travel logistics.

Makin A List…Checking it Twice….

I know what you are thinking…MAKE A CHECK LIST!!

Well…no time. Seriously…..do you know how much time it takes to make a GOOD and ACCURATE checklist?!

My first and most important “list” is….THE MONEY (what? You were expecting wedding music choices?!! CRAP….that’s another thing we need to do!!!

9 Days….

After 5 months of humpin it….it’s easy to ease up…..relax a bit.

SUCKERs!!!

THAT’s when you get bit in the @##$@#!!!

No folks…it’s not the big bills that will kill you…it’s the 20 LITTLE bills that will sink your wedding…if you’re not careful!

I made a ledger in excel. It’s essentially my checkbook from now until the two weeks AFTER the wedding.

I start with today’s date…the present balance..and then I start listing everything that comes in and out of my checkbook…from now until the wedding (+ 2 weeks).

I know what you are thinking…gee…sounds like balancing your checkbook?

It IS…..IF….I ever balanced my checkbook!! (which I don’t).

I know roughly, give or take, $ 50 - $ 100 of how much I should have in my account (Kel balances her’s down to the penny…not joking).

But that’s not what I’m tracking…..

If you are planning a wedding…during the last few days (or a few weeks)…you will have dozens of deposits and final payments coming in and out of your account. If there is a mistake…you can run to the bank…..

…I’ll be on a BOAT!

I just can’t afford any surprises….

So I’m listing things like:

3/13/2014 Tour Bus $ 293.00 Payment Due 03/12/2014

Items in RED indicate a problem.

In this case…I will already be out of town when this payment is due….and I don’t get paid until the 13th!!! So this means…I need to budget money from my 3/06 paycheck!

See….?

Also….do a budget for AFTER you get back!!

Why….? Same reason.

How many times have you come back from a wonderful vacation…only to find, that you have NO money left…and your student loan payment is due…and your car payment and …..etc.

Your wonderful memories just vanished!!

There will be life (and bills) after the big day, folks…be prepared.

Currently, I am about $ 700 off of where I want to be….

…and I’m running out of days to hustle!

Funny Stuff:

Kel and I are laughing at the little stuff (which is good…and sticks to our “No Drama” wedding).

We ordered an Inter-racial cake topper (because we are). When it arrived…Kel text’d me,

“Hey…they are both brown…I’m the same color as you?!”

to which I replied…..

”Well…you DO go tanning a lot, honey?!”

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If not…oh well…..nobody really eats the cake, right?! (…and no shoving it in my face, either!! Didn’t do it the first time….not gonna do it, now!)..

Plus….I’m just to pretty for that nonsense!!

Also trying to get the comp’d Classic drink package for the reception…upgraded to Premium…but that seems to be a big problem.

We are willing to pay…but they don’t seem to know how to charge for it…(again)…oh well…..it’s only for an hour.

Gotta get some programming done. I have 7 days of work, 1 programming job and maybe another Catbitat install to do, before I can board the plane!

Later…

D & K

I love this thread! I've been reading it for weeks!

I just got married last Thursday (2/27) on the Celebrity Constellation (we had to get special permission to get married on embarkation night). It was everything we ever wanted plus more. Once we knew that everyone we loved, everyone who wanted to be there with us, was on the ship... we totally relaxed! And EVERYTHING went exactly how we wanted it to!!! The on-board crew went above and beyond. The best thing we did was create a very very very detailed list of instructions to give to the on-board coordinator, the maitre'd of the Tuscan Grille (where the reception was), the DJ... everyone got a copy (or two)!

Anyway, I hope your experience is as amazing as ours was! Let me know if you have any questions or if I can be helpful at all.

Congrats Canesgirl!!!

Our wedding will actually be on the beach, and not handled (much) by the Celebrity crew...but good to know!!

I know I speak for all the people on this forum....WE are expecting some pictures of your wedding!!!

Congrats again...and thanks for reading!!!

D & K

Canesgirl....

I just saw your post....NEVERMIND!!!:rolleyes:

HAHahaha......I'm loosing it!!!:eek:

Quick question. Where did Kel order the inter-racial cake topper? I have been looking for a decent one for months now.

Thank you!!

We got our interracial "Football wedding" cake topper from the Magical Day website... you can customize hair colour and complexion.

Thank you canesgirl! It's exactly what I was looking for. Some of the other sites I have visited for interracial cake toppers had no variety whatsoever or were just plain unflattering. I'm going to have my yang go over the site with me so we can decide :)

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