Wedding Update: One Month To Go!

I really can’t believe I’m FINALLY saying our wedding is one month away. What a journey it has been!! I thought it would be fun to share a wedding update since I haven’t on my blog before.

So here’s a little back story. My fiancé and I have been engaged for almost two years (December 2021 makes two years). You can check out our engagement story here. We started planning for our wedding to be in Jamaica (where we’re both from) pre Covid, and initially we were thinking of February 2021. Then Covid hit and all plans came to a halt. A few months later, we started planning again with a wild idea (at first) that quickly turned into a reality: a destination wedding to a FAR location. We wanted October 2021 but the venue didn’t have availability so we chose the next best one, which was in September 2021.

At that time, we said there should be no more pandemic so we would be more than able to travel that distance. Ha! Little did we know there would be variants of this thing. Around April 2021 we had to make a decision. Based on the current happenings with the pandemic, we had to cancel all plans, I mean EVERY SINGLE THING. We had our venue and wedding planner booked, we had completed NUMEROUS zoom meetings, paid for different vendors, and we had to cancel it all. That HURT. It took some time for me to get over, and I’m still not fully over it. I’m actually trying to find a way to visit there soon, maybe a 1 year anniversary trip, so I don’t want to share the location until then (STAY TUNED! Maybe lol).

Fast forward and soon after that, we shifted gears again and started planning our wedding in Jamaica (again), but on a lower scale based on what was still happening in the world, and what seemed to not be going anywhere, and is very much still here. A lower scale to us meant a smaller guest list of 50 people, coming from an initial list of nearly 200 people. It has been a whirlwind to say the least. But, we’re so happy the day is finally approaching with exactly one month to go.

With that said, here’s a wedding update as our one month countdown begins.

Trials

A makeup trial is something I’ve always seen make up artists offer and something I’ve always heard about. I’m that bride who wants to experience everything I can so I was all about the trial. I’m so happy I decided to do it because we ended up doing two trials! The first one I paid for, and the second one the MUA was kind enough to offer for free because she wanted me to be happy with my makeup look – talk about service! I highly recommend all brides to do a makeup trial because you don’t have all the time in the world on the wedding day to try things out. By doing the trial, you can communicate with your MUA your preferences and what you didn’t like so she can fix whatever needs fixing and you can be 100% happy!

I also did a trial with our photographer. You can call it being extra or dotting all I’s and crossing all T’s! I asked my photographer if we could do a trial shoot because I wanted to see the vibe and aesthetics. Pictures carry all the memories for a lifetime so I needed to make sure I was going to be happy with how the photos turned out. Of course, it exceeded my expectations. I don’t really think “photoshoot trials” are a thing but I asked and I received haha. So, I’d say you never know if you don’t ask. If this is something you’ve ever thought about, give it a shot and if you can, do it. It was not only worth it seeing the results, but it was also a lot of fun and another memory to add to the list of memories with your partner.

The last thing on the trials list for me is my hair. I have not done a hair trial as yet but I am doing that in the coming weeks. May the hair Gods be in my favor!

Invitations

My invitations are honestly an idea brought to life. I wanted something different and unique and it is just what I got. I will show the unboxing of my invitations after my wedding, but it came out perfect. Though we received the final products a bit late, we received and have began mailing to our guests. The reactions have made it all worth it and made me even more excited for our special day. One tip I have here is definitely keep communicating with your guests via email during this time, as things are often changing and also often delayed. Though our invitations may have been late, we were able to share important information with our guests via email and that’s all that matters!

Bridesmaid Gifts

Thinking about and putting together my bridesmaid gifts has been so much fun for me. I’m very sentimental so I really wanted to give my girls things they can use. Something to remember and hold onto. Without saying too much, I have completed their gifts and will be receiving them in the mail soon. I’m super excited to put their boxes together. Thanks to Etsy for coming through with all the cutest little trinkets.

Wedding Dress

I actually don’t have my wedding dress in hand yet! I did dress shopping and tried all the styles months ago and I loved and chose one. But, I then found another style I loved even more and it’s being made now. I’m not a bridezilla, don’t say it! lol. I’m just extra, extra picky. So, I’m going for my final dress fitting in New York soon and to take my dress back home with me. I’m excited to see it all come together.

Even though things are not looking the best where Covid numbers, Jamaica Government protocols and restrictions are concerned, we are remaining positive. Despite any more changes that may come, we are pushing through with whatever that day brings. It has been a LONG ride to say the least. 2 wedding plans, 2 locations and 2 years (almost) engaged later, we are completely wedding-out! We are ready for this chapter to end and for our love to continue and marriage to begin!

At this point we know to not fight with the trials and tribulations. I have to end by saying that 2020 and 2021 brides are a different kind of strong! I’m sending extra love to all of you out there. I feel your pain, but with all of it, there’s ALWAYS sunshine after the rain. Trust me! Have faith and keep going.

Check out what I did for my bachelorette here.