WE LEAVE IN 24 HOURS!

In 24 hours we will be at our gate waiting to board our plane to San Juan. We are so overwhelmed with emotion and very very excited. We still have lots to do. I feel like I've been packing for two months and STILL haven't finished. We spent the entire weekend suit shopping for T since we decided to buy a basic black suit instead of wearing a tux. We also bought a beautiful traditional white guayabera (see pic) for him to change into during the reception and he looks so HOT in it. We both work all day (I'm late as usual). T will get his hair cut after work while I pick up his suit from the tailor and then we are both off for some much needed mani/pedis!

Wow! Down to the Wire!

I just checked the weather forecast for PR and it looks like its raining for the next 6 days or so!! I'm getting nervous since the bulk of our wedding weekend events are outdoors. But I'm sure everything is going to be just fine and I'm praying for beautiful weather. It tends to rain a lot in PR and can rain in one spot and then its nice and sunny just a few miles away.

I have my final fitting today! I should be able to get my dress home if all goes well. Would have liked to lose another few pounds but it didn't help that Halloween was this past weekend and Kayla and I made caramel apples and home-made pumpkin pie. Aaaww but my baby will only be six for one Halloween so how could I pass this up??!!

Salon Martorell

The room that will host our dinner is so amazingly beautiful. We got a chance to see it in person back in August. It's a small room, perfect for our size party. And I guess to some, it may be a little strange, but that's why I love it so much. It's so odd and mysterious, the perfect combination of young and old. We will be eating at an imperial table. How often do we get to eat like Cinderella at a ball?

The room was designed and painted by Antonio Martorell, a prominent Puerto Rican artist and author who regularly exhibits work around the world.

30 Days to Go!

We are officially 30 days away! All the details have been pretty much finalized. We are now working on our vows and trying to decide what tux look for T to wear. And of course working hard to pay off all the vendors. I'm so excited to see everyone and begin a new chapter surrounded by my closest family & friends!

Our ceremony will be right in front of El Morro overlooking the main lawn.

2 months to go!

Today is September 13th! My girlfriend Ingrid called me today with excitement that we are just two months away from our big day! We have so much to do still and so little time. But every day I make progress. Right now I am anxiously waiting for a fedex package for a pair of purple sparkle sneakers that I bought for Kayla to wear with her pettiskirt. I think it will be so cute!! My poor baby fell and hurt herself on the playground on Friday and needed stitches on her face and I hope she heals up nicely by wedding day. I hope the glittery sneakers cheer her up.

I had also posted a pic of some beautiful purple shoes but have since found another pair that I'm in love with and they are the perfect pair of glittery Cinderella peep-toe pumps. So as you can see its all about the glitter.

My dress has arrived and alterations have begun. My mom went with me to buy my veil and we couldn't decide whether to go with a mantilla for the Spanish look or cathedral for high drama. So mom says to get both and move on. And she's supposed to be the practical one.

My newest dilemma is whether to wear an ivory rose in my hair or be bold and wear a bright red rose. I get mixed feedback from everyone so I'm not sure what to do. What big problems huh? If only all of life's decisions were this much fun all the time!! :0 )

Bracing for Earl

Puerto Rico is especially on my mind today as they are bracing and preparing for Hurricane Earl which is now a category 4. Let's keep them in our prayers today.

85 Days!

We just got back from a magical get away to Puerto Rico. We

went to take care of our wedding preparations and make sure that

everything is in perfect order. We had such a blast and Terrance just fell in love with Old San Juan! We were able to see our ceremony location and I got chills just thinking about how lucky we are to have such a beautiful and historical backdrop. It was a beautiful day and so many families were out there picknicking on the park grounds and flying kites with their children. We also met with our florist and photographer who took a few awesome shots of us so he could get to know us better.

And our caterer even did a food tasting for us!

100 Days To Go!

We are down to 100 days til the big day!!!



I have been thinking about ways to include my brother into this very special day. I wish that he was here to see how happy I am despite all I've been through over the past few years. I found a beautiful bud vase for a single rose that I'm having personalized with "In loving memory of Miguel Martinez who is present in our hearts." I'm also going to have his picture placed in a locket and pinned to my bouquet. I think these are nice ways to honor his memory. I know he is my guardian angel and with me always.

Crossing Off More things Off of the Checklist

We are making progress. I can't believe how the weeks are just flying by. We've finally booked our photographer and I can't wait to meet him in a few weeks when he shoots a love story session of us. I also just received the flowers that I'll be wearing in my hair. And wait until we reveal our cute TEAM ANDREWS t-shirts.

The major accomplishment this week was finding my shoes! I wanted something SEXY but was worried about walking at El Morro with super high heels. I happened to see these perfect pair of shoes in the clearance section at Macy's in a teeny size 5. I fell in love with them and looked for them all over the Internet but couldn't get my hands a pair because they are discontinued. I had given up on them entirely and went shoe shopping at another Macy's and there they were, in my size and the perfect shade of plum! It was truly meant to be. And the best part, their $35 price tag!

Slight Change in Plans

Ok, so I said we were going with hot pink pettiskirts but I changed my mind again and now we are going with Kaiyah Eve's PLUM! And they are ordered so that's it--too late, just have to move on to something else. But I'm so excited. This is such a beautiful, rich and regal color. I can't believe that my inspiration for my entire wedding is a child's skirt. I asked the ladies in the bridal shop the other day if they thought I was crazy but they told me they had a bride come in recently with a bag full of sand and asked for help in choosing colors that went will with her sand.

So my colors are officially plum with some hints of red. This is the inspiration board that guides me.

We are well on our way with only 112 days left till the big day. This week we accomplished so much including choosing our cake (they sent a yummy sample) and officiant. We also received our invitations which my dear friend Natasha will be addressing for us using her calligraphy expertise (Thanks Lady!). We also found an amazing company to create unique paper goods/signs for us and Terrance is the creative mind behind that entire project so I can't wait to see what they do!!

It's late and I'm so tired.

Til Next Time,

Raquel

Finally some progress!

I turned out to be a horrible blogger. I mean its been over a month and I haven't even had a chance to write anything!

But today is a great day! We crossed a MAJOR milestone. Not only did my baby land a great job that he wasn't even trying/looking for (GOD is good!) but we think we may have just decided on a color theme. I have been beyond stressed out trying to figure out what colors to use. Red is the typical Spanish flamenco dance color but its definitely not my favorite color. Plus I don't want my wedding to look like a Valentines or Christmas party. I have been looking at a million color combinations over the past few weeks and it was just driving me CRAZY! But I have my heart set on the little girls wearing the most adorable fluffy pettiskirts so I also have to work around the colors that the skirts come in. And after looking at all the options a million (or zillion) times and about ten different shades of pink. . . and driving Terrance crazy with my frustration that I don't think he understands but promises he does . . . . I finally decided on a Raspberry Pink pettiskirts paired with David Bridals Watermelon! Now off to choose the dresses for my MOH and JR. Bridesmaid.

Getting Married!

Ok, I've never blogged before but I'm so excited about my upcoming wedding and all the planning that I figured this would be a good way to keep all my thoughts/ideas in one place. I am going to marry a wonderful man named Terrance on Saturday November 13th in beautiful Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Our wedding will take place at the historical El Morro fort followed by an intimate reception at the famous Hotel El Convento. Our theme is slighlty vintage/Spanish inspired. I have SO SO many ideas! It's going to be so hard to choose.

These are the save the date postcards that we created.