It's after midnight, but we're all packed and off to Toronto tomorrow! I've got the boarding passes printed, and everything's all set. Caribbean, here we come!

We leave June 6th, which is two and a half weeks away, and then we'll be married in a few weeks! Doesn't seem like it's that close, but time has really been flying. Today I tried on my dress with my crinoline just to make sure it wasn't too puffy. It wasn't! I don't know how the heck I'll fit all of my clothes in my luggage.

Turns out the shoes I was going to wear aren't going to work. I had the leather stretched but they are still SUPER uncomfortable. So now I'm looking for a cute pair of white sandals. Shouldn't be too difficult, it's the right season for it.

Just a few little things left to do. There are LOTS of RSVPs coming in, many thanks to everyone who took the time to do so!

Getting really close, now, wow. We leave in under a month. All of the travel and hotels are booked, we have all of our clothes (although I still need gloves, and to embellish my veil).

All of the reception invitations have been given out, and I took some photos after I made some extra/samples. Check them out here!


The things left on the to-do list include:
- Place ad in engagement announcements
- Embellish my veil with Swarovski crystals
- Make a blue and white garter, maybe
- Hem Mike's tux pants (can do this when we're there)
- Print out or cut out hairstyle and flowers pictures to bring
- Put ribbon on cake lifter, buy a knife and enribbon
- Get or make a cake topper
- Speak with reps at resort

Yay, I received a confirmation of our date and time!! Hooray! I've been hoping to get this for a few weeks now. I first sent the documents in on April 14th. Thank goodness.

Mike described airfare prices as being like the stock market. He wasn't wrong -- they bounce around and up and down, from hour to hour in some cases. I've been keeping an eye on flight prices to and from Toronto for the times we wanted, and they fluctuate regularly. Last night the most optimal flight to Toronto had dropped to a fairly inexpensive price, so I booked it. While I was at it, I booked another night at the hotel, and the tour to Niagara falls. So as far as travel arrangements go, the only thing left is to book the return flight home. Since we have some flexibility there (we can depart Toronto anytime in the afternoon or evening), I'll continue to keep an eye on prices and book when a good time opens up to a better price. The four-star hotel we booked in Toronto is right at the airport, and I am thrilled that it's a non-smoking facility.

So THAT'S all taken care of, yay! Pretty much all of the big stuff is taken care of (with the exception of that flight home). My wedding band arrived the other day, too. My gloves arrived but I had ordered matte, and they're definitely glossy. Sigh. Left to take care of are just little details.

The to-do list is now as follows: 

- Invitations -- make and send, mid-April! 

- Place ad in engagement announcements 

- Order my wedding band, re-order Mike's in the correct size

- Get gloves for me

- Get a crinoline

- Embellish my veil with Swarovski crystals

- Make a new pearl necklace (not satisfied with the old one)

- Finish earring alterations 

- Make a blue and white garter

- Get shoes adjusted so they fit well

- Get a pair of sandal type shoes, white (or white ballet flats) 

- Hem Mike's tux pants (can do this when we're there) 

- Get a reusable thermal cup for Mike to bring

- Print out or cut out hairstyle and flowers pictures to bring

- Put ribbon on cake lifter, buy a knife and enribbon

- Get or make a cake topper

- Some kind of holder/pillow for the rings during ceremony 

- Get ribbon to wrap around bouquet

- Purchase long shutter release for camera, and film 

- Fill out paperwork and speak with reps at resort
- Finish buying gift items for resort workers (as tips)

Trip has been booked, at last! As mentioned in the previous entry, we had some trouble with the availability of the Signature Vacations package we had settled on, so we're departing out of Toronto, instead. We'll spend two nights in Toronto, and on Saturday take a day trip to Niagara Falls (which I've always wanted to see!). All that's left to do is to book the flight to Toronto, a hotel room for June 6th, and a tour to Niagara Falls. I like the looks of the Chariots Of Fire tour , especially since they'll pick us up at the airport. Getting close, now, and really looking forward to it!

Gah! I had planned on booking our 'weddingmoon' closer to our departure date, sometime in the first half of April, just due to pricing and having the money available. But the trip we decided on was always spottily available. Starting in January or so, I checked about weekly. There were only a few times there was a slot available for exactly what we wanted, and then it would disappear again the next day. Finally, the other day, I called Signature vacations directly to ask them what the heck.

Well, for our departure date, they told me they were sold out. To say I was bummed was an understatement! And surprised, too, since June is the low season. I was hoping to book a Signature Vacation, for the Sandals Royal Hicacos, departing on June 7th. Yes, there were other travel packages to the same resort for the same dates (though, way more expensive), and there were other resorts available through Signature. But I was upset that regardless of what we did, it would mean either sacrificing our first choice resort, or paying a bunch more money and going through Air Transat Vacations. BOO.

But! Then I had the brilliant idea to depart out of Toronto. There's still a lot of availability with Signature, and it's much much cheaper. Less expensive enough to pay for our flight and accommodations in Toronto. So that's the plan. Mike and I have never been that far East before, so spending a day in Toronto will be really fun. We'll only be in T.O. for the day, so I'm thinking CN Tower, downtown, etc. We'll have to see.

I am working on the invitations to the reception now, I'm really busy with prepping for the convention we have a table at in late April, but those invites need to go out as soon as possible. Sorry for the delay, folks! I also have to set up a new registry with someone other than Canadian Tire as that one is shortly defunct. \

The to-do list is now as follows:
- Invitations -- make and send, mid-April!
- Place ad in engagement announcements
- Order my wedding band, re-order Mike's in the correct size
- Get gloves for me
- Get a crinoline
- Embellish my veil with Swarovski crystals
- Make a new pearl necklace (not satisfied with the old one)
- Finish earring alterations
- Make a blue and white garter
- Get shoes adjusted so they fit well
- Get a pair of sandal type shoes, white (or white ballet flats)
- Hem Mike's tux pants (can do this when we're there)
- Get a reusable thermal cup for Mike to bring
- Print out or cut out hairstyle and flowers pictures to bring
- Put ribbon on cake lifter, buy a knife and enribbon
- Get or make a cake topper
- Some kind of holder/pillow for the rings during ceremony
- Get ribbon to wrap around bouquet
- Purchase long shutter release for camera, and film
- Fill out paperwork and speak with reps at resort

FINALLY got the ring sizers, and re-ordered Mike's wedding band. While I was at it, I ordered mine, whee! Also ordered my gloves the other day. We hope to book the trip soon, too!

I got my dress! Yaay! It looks great, fits well, and I couldn't be more pleased. The corset is coming soon.

I have a long to-do list to complete, between now and when we leave. The major things:

- Invitations -- make and send, mid-April!
- Order my wedding band, re-order Mike's in the correct size
- Get gloves for me
- Get a crinoline
- Embellish my veil with Swarovski crystals
- Make a new pearl necklace (not satisfied with the old one)
- Finish earring alterations
- Make a blue and white garter
- Get shoes adjusted so they fit well
- Get a pair of sandal type shoes, white (or white ballet flats)
- Hem Mike's tux pants (can do this when we're there)
- Get a reusable thermal cup for Mike to bring
- Print out or cut out hairstyle and flowers pictures to bring
- Put ribbon on cake lifter, buy a knife and enribbon
- Get or make a cake topper
- Some kind of holder/pillow for the rings during ceremony
- Get ribbon to wrap around bouquet
- Purchase long shutter release for camera, and film
- Fill out paperwork and speak with reps at resort

Hoo!

Based on prices and the fact that we're going to Cuba in the low season, we're going to wait until mid-April to book the trip itself. I'd feel more comfortable having it booked now, but we can save around $800 if we carefully choose our booking time.

Holy moly, fewer than 100 days. Things are coming together. I had to send Mike's ring back because it was too big, but it was really pretty and he liked it a lot. They are sending me ring sizers, just waiting on those to re-order his ring. My wedding dress will be here by the end of the week, or at latest, early next week -- eeek! Also my corset has been ordered, and (I hope) is being made now. Doing measurements for both the corset and the dress was a pain in the butt.

AND, Mike's tux arrived today! It looks amazing on him, and he got a smokin' deal from Uniformal Wearhouse, about half of what he would have paid here. It was kinda weird --no one locally would sell him the coat style he wanted, it was rental only. Anyway, I got him some Batman cufflinks for Valentine's day, and he was happy to try them with the shirt. He still has to get a tie and vest, but other than that, he has everything he needs, even shoes (shiny!).

Next on the horizon is invitations to our reception, ordering my crinoline and gloves, and booking the trip itself. Location for the reception is booked. Oh yes, also ordering my wedding band. Only a few months to go. o_O