I live in northern Iowa, and in the past three days we have recieved over 20 inches of rain. Needless to say everything is flooded. Including my house.
Damaged by the water include all of my wedding decorations, my programs, and my dress. My wedding is in a week an a half, so there is no time to replace everything. Worst of all, all water has been shut off and will probably be off until next week some time. My caterer doesn't even know if she can serve food, since there is no water to make anything
At the end of the day all that really does matter is that you will be married to your fiance! Keep reminding yourself that as long as the officiant shows up (wherever you guys can hold it, if the original venue can't work for some reason) and does his/her thing, then you guys are golden!
As for the rest, I can only imagine how frustrating and upsetting this must be for you. Is it at all possible to reschedule, given the circumstances? If you caterer is unable to deliver on the scheduled day, would they be willing to move it to a different day (I know this means that some out of town guests may no longer be able to make it, but sadly some things can't always work out perfectly).
A competent dry cleaner should be able to get your dress back to new (assuming it's just mud and muck and stuff, and it wasn't actually ripped -- in which case, go to a seamstress and see if it can be salvaged!) Many brides roll around in mud and water in their gowns for Trash The Dress sessions, and have their gown restored right back to new condition by having them cleaned afterwards.
Losing the programs certainly sucks, but it's likely not something your guests will miss terribly. Only a few people save them. The rest flip through them a bit, and then use them to fan themselves off (if it's hot), or roll them around in their hands as a nervous habit. =)
For your decorations, I wonder if there's another local bride you can find (maybe on here, or on Craigslist) who recently got married who you can either buy, rent or borrow her leftover wedding decorations from. If I lived near you, I'd be willing to let you use some of my stuff, given the circumstances!
Most of all, just take a deep breath, and realize that as long as nobody was hurt, the rest is just material. Nothing is stopping you from marrying the love of your life. You're only delayed in throwing the big party! If now just wont work, then I suggest you get married, and then plan a recommitment ceremony, or 1 year anniversary celebration, or a whole new reception later on when the circumstances are more favorable. Tons of brides and grooms never get to have big, fancy weddings or even parties for their wedding, yet still have great marriages. So it's not doomsday by any means!
That's a really horrible situation. First, it's okay to be completely upset and disappointed. Is your dress beyond repair, or would taking it to the dry cleaner's (assuming one is open) work? Or would it be possible to order another dress online?
You said that water might come back on next week. Your wedding is in a week and a half. So there is a really good chance that your caterer will have water to prepare the necessary food.
Programs can be reprinted fairly easily at a Kinko's or another copy place; you also have option of printing things online very cheaply.
If you have homeowner's or renter's insurance, you should be able to be reimbursed for the items (wedding stuff included!) that were damaged.
Can we do anything to help? My wedding isn't until August and most of my wedding stuff isn't finished or isn't with me - but I do have my ring bearer pillow in my apartment, was that damaged, I could mail that to you for you to borrow. Any people who work at a printer reading this - maybe donate printing services to reprint the programs? Is your dress wearable? I had a friend who wore her cousins dress when she couldn't get one - do you have any siblings, cousins, friends who were recently married who can loan you their dresses. Anyone have decor in their home they could share? What type of decor are you looking for. The food is tricky... Are you going on a honeymoon? Maybe make the best of your reception situation - but when you are on your honeymoon splurge on amazing food for you and your new hubbie - or get the elopement package and have two weddings! Or bring your dress with you and find a photographer to take wedding pics on the honeymoon when it is sunny and not raining... I'm just brainstorming. You have every right to be very disappointed. I am glad that you and your FI are safe and I wish you the best of luck!
I'm in southern MN, so I definitely understand all the rain we've gotten lately! Enmoore66 is right, is there anything we can do to help? I'm not sure where in Iowa you live, but I live in Rochester, so we've got a Michael's and Hobby Lobby here, I could check around for decorations and such and they usually ahve fairly good deals.
We always think of rain on our wedding days, but never really before and what consequences it could have, and this spring has been ridiculous! We all feel for you and wish you the best with everything. Stay as optimistic as possible and as the others above, remember that at the end of the day you will still be married to the love of your life!!
Like everyone about, my heart goes out to you. Times are tough right now but I think you'll pull through just fine. All your wedding decor may be ruined but you and your family is safe and that's really all that matters.
Plus, imagine what stories you can tell your children later on when they are getting married and whining about their wedding. I can just hear it now: "You're upset about a typo on the programs, you're just lucky to have programs" :-) I jest, but really, in light of the situation, I think your wedding could be a good excuse to bring some cheer into everyone's lives.
Hang in there! I am really sorry to hear about the flooding. i think everyone posted some good ideas about getting the dress cleaned and borrowing decorations.
If possible, make a post about your wedding colors, and what all you need. That way people can possibly help you easier!
awwwww, I am sooooo sorry!!!!! I am in Omaha so I know the rain we have been getting. But everything will work out. If you seriously need anything, I'm not too far away. Just let me know!!
My heart goes out to you, i can understand where you are trying to make out of this situation a possitive one. Like other bees have said, you are getting married to THE one. Material stuff should not matter but it does, all our effort should not end like that. If there is anything we can do? Maybe we can help you with decorations? did you make your own decorations? I volounteer to redo some if you tell me what and how to do them, then mail them out to you.
I know i'd appreciate it if i was in your shoes. So please! Let us know how we can help your day be like you dreamed of!
Same as all those above, I'm so, so, so sorry. I'm also an Iowa native, and just hearing from my family and people like yourself back home breaks my heart.
Aw! That sucks, hun, I am very sorry to hear. :( Just to ease your mind a bit about the programs/decorations - people who are coming to your wedding are coming to see you and your fiance get married because they love and support you. If you don't have a bunch of decor or pieces of paper that announce your ceremony, they won't judge you for it. As for the dress, like someone said, see if you can't bring it to the cleaners. If they can't fix it, Nordstrom's might be a good choice or if you want something more bridally, maybe see if the bridal salon you bought your dress from might let you borrow a gently worn sample for the day. Especially if they're local, they might give you a hand. Best of luck with everything and let us know how it all turns out. I'm rooting for you up here in Canada.
I'm so so sorry and cannot even imagine the stress and anxiety you are going through right now. As so many others have said, what really matters is getting married to the one but I'm sure you have put so much into this once in a lifetime event that it might be hard to get that perspective right now. Target.com has some very very lovely simple dresses for not too much and I'm great with MS Publisher so PM me if you need program assistance!!
My thoughts and prayers go out to you. Everything will work out!!
I recently had my wedding in March and most of my wedding items are sitting in my closet, I'd be more than happy to ship them your way if you can use them! I'm not sure what you need, but if you'd like to email me at tyeung612@yahoo.com, I'd be happy to help where I can! Or you can just post items you would like here and maybe other readers could help too!
Never fear, you are not alone and at the end of the day, be grateful you and your loved ones are all ok! We are thinking about you!
I'm a former Iowan (Iowan at heart) and most of my family still lives in Iowa. So I know how bad the flooding is right now. I was there last weekend for a friend's wedding. I currently live in Illinois, SO....
I offer my dress, my support, and anything short of my right arm.
I'm on board with everyone else--tell us what your colors are, what you were using for decorations, etc. i live in AZ but i will do my best to get whatever you need to you. send us all a message!
i am saying prayers for you--as long as your family is safe and healthy, life is wonderful
I live in northern Iowa, and in the past three days we have recieved over 20 inches of rain. Needless to say everything is flooded. Including my house.
Damaged by the water include all of my wedding decorations, my programs, and my dress. My wedding is in a week an a half, so there is no time to replace everything. Worst of all, all water has been shut off and will probably be off until next week some time. My caterer doesn't even know if she can serve food, since there is no water to make anything
I need some encouragement!
posted by empyle1 34 posts 5 months agoAt the end of the day all that really does matter is that you will be married to your fiance! Keep reminding yourself that as long as the officiant shows up (wherever you guys can hold it, if the original venue can't work for some reason) and does his/her thing, then you guys are golden!
As for the rest, I can only imagine how frustrating and upsetting this must be for you. Is it at all possible to reschedule, given the circumstances? If you caterer is unable to deliver on the scheduled day, would they be willing to move it to a different day (I know this means that some out of town guests may no longer be able to make it, but sadly some things can't always work out perfectly).
A competent dry cleaner should be able to get your dress back to new (assuming it's just mud and muck and stuff, and it wasn't actually ripped -- in which case, go to a seamstress and see if it can be salvaged!) Many brides roll around in mud and water in their gowns for Trash The Dress sessions, and have their gown restored right back to new condition by having them cleaned afterwards.
Losing the programs certainly sucks, but it's likely not something your guests will miss terribly. Only a few people save them. The rest flip through them a bit, and then use them to fan themselves off (if it's hot), or roll them around in their hands as a nervous habit. =)
For your decorations, I wonder if there's another local bride you can find (maybe on here, or on Craigslist) who recently got married who you can either buy, rent or borrow her leftover wedding decorations from. If I lived near you, I'd be willing to let you use some of my stuff, given the circumstances!
Most of all, just take a deep breath, and realize that as long as nobody was hurt, the rest is just material. Nothing is stopping you from marrying the love of your life. You're only delayed in throwing the big party! If now just wont work, then I suggest you get married, and then plan a recommitment ceremony, or 1 year anniversary celebration, or a whole new reception later on when the circumstances are more favorable. Tons of brides and grooms never get to have big, fancy weddings or even parties for their wedding, yet still have great marriages. So it's not doomsday by any means!
*hugs*
posted by dani24 27 posts 5 months ago((hugs))
That's a really horrible situation. First, it's okay to be completely upset and disappointed. Is your dress beyond repair, or would taking it to the dry cleaner's (assuming one is open) work? Or would it be possible to order another dress online?
You said that water might come back on next week. Your wedding is in a week and a half. So there is a really good chance that your caterer will have water to prepare the necessary food.
Programs can be reprinted fairly easily at a Kinko's or another copy place; you also have option of printing things online very cheaply.
If you have homeowner's or renter's insurance, you should be able to be reimbursed for the items (wedding stuff included!) that were damaged.
posted by dahlia 117 posts 5 months agoCan we do anything to help? My wedding isn't until August and most of my wedding stuff isn't finished or isn't with me - but I do have my ring bearer pillow in my apartment, was that damaged, I could mail that to you for you to borrow. Any people who work at a printer reading this - maybe donate printing services to reprint the programs? Is your dress wearable? I had a friend who wore her cousins dress when she couldn't get one - do you have any siblings, cousins, friends who were recently married who can loan you their dresses. Anyone have decor in their home they could share? What type of decor are you looking for. The food is tricky... Are you going on a honeymoon? Maybe make the best of your reception situation - but when you are on your honeymoon splurge on amazing food for you and your new hubbie - or get the elopement package and have two weddings! Or bring your dress with you and find a photographer to take wedding pics on the honeymoon when it is sunny and not raining... I'm just brainstorming. You have every right to be very disappointed. I am glad that you and your FI are safe and I wish you the best of luck!
posted by enmoore66 217 posts 5 months agoi can print programs - i work in an office with a pretty high quality printer, just tell me what they need to say! PM me, i want to help!
posted by Anonymous 56 posts 5 months agoI'm in southern MN, so I definitely understand all the rain we've gotten lately! Enmoore66 is right, is there anything we can do to help? I'm not sure where in Iowa you live, but I live in Rochester, so we've got a Michael's and Hobby Lobby here, I could check around for decorations and such and they usually ahve fairly good deals.
We always think of rain on our wedding days, but never really before and what consequences it could have, and this spring has been ridiculous! We all feel for you and wish you the best with everything. Stay as optimistic as possible and as the others above, remember that at the end of the day you will still be married to the love of your life!!
posted by alli 247 posts 5 months agoLike everyone about, my heart goes out to you. Times are tough right now but I think you'll pull through just fine. All your wedding decor may be ruined but you and your family is safe and that's really all that matters.
Plus, imagine what stories you can tell your children later on when they are getting married and whining about their wedding. I can just hear it now: "You're upset about a typo on the programs, you're just lucky to have programs" :-) I jest, but really, in light of the situation, I think your wedding could be a good excuse to bring some cheer into everyone's lives.
posted by Red 42 posts 5 months agoHi empyle,
posted by SanFranBride 25 posts 5 months agoI PMed you to offer letterpress printing and my dress. I am a former Iowan so my heart goes out to you girl!
Hang in there! I am really sorry to hear about the flooding. i think everyone posted some good ideas about getting the dress cleaned and borrowing decorations.
If possible, make a post about your wedding colors, and what all you need. That way people can possibly help you easier!
Hug!
posted by shibaby 10 posts 5 months agoawwwww, I am sooooo sorry!!!!! I am in Omaha so I know the rain we have been getting. But everything will work out. If you seriously need anything, I'm not too far away. Just let me know!!
<33ashley
posted by ashleyppg 2 posts 5 months agoMy heart goes out to you, i can understand where you are trying to make out of this situation a possitive one. Like other bees have said, you are getting married to THE one. Material stuff should not matter but it does, all our effort should not end like that. If there is anything we can do? Maybe we can help you with decorations? did you make your own decorations? I volounteer to redo some if you tell me what and how to do them, then mail them out to you.
I know i'd appreciate it if i was in your shoes. So please! Let us know how we can help your day be like you dreamed of!
posted by babesilvia 63 posts 5 months agoIf you go on Nordstrom.com, they have some very nice wedding dresses and you can even get overnight shipping. they vary in price
posted by 711beachbride 52 posts 5 months agoSame as all those above, I'm so, so, so sorry. I'm also an Iowa native, and just hearing from my family and people like yourself back home breaks my heart.
Seriously, let us know what we can do!
posted by triciaj 134 posts 5 months agoAw! That sucks, hun, I am very sorry to hear. :(
posted by hummingbird 35 posts 5 months agoJust to ease your mind a bit about the programs/decorations - people who are coming to your wedding are coming to see you and your fiance get married because they love and support you. If you don't have a bunch of decor or pieces of paper that announce your ceremony, they won't judge you for it.
As for the dress, like someone said, see if you can't bring it to the cleaners. If they can't fix it, Nordstrom's might be a good choice or if you want something more bridally, maybe see if the bridal salon you bought your dress from might let you borrow a gently worn sample for the day. Especially if they're local, they might give you a hand.
Best of luck with everything and let us know how it all turns out. I'm rooting for you up here in Canada.
I'm so so sorry and cannot even imagine the stress and anxiety you are going through right now. As so many others have said, what really matters is getting married to the one but I'm sure you have put so much into this once in a lifetime event that it might be hard to get that perspective right now. Target.com has some very very lovely simple dresses for not too much and I'm great with MS Publisher so PM me if you need program assistance!!
My thoughts and prayers go out to you. Everything will work out!!
posted by bonniebride 14 posts 5 months agoI will stress again what other gals have said, the important part is that you are safe and healthy.
Try your best with a dry cleaner, i'm sure that they will be able to solve your dress problem.
You will be marrying your one and only, and that is what matters.
The rest hunny, are just details.
Hugs and positive thoughts from all of us!
posted by lilmissd 4 posts 5 months agoI recently had my wedding in March and most of my wedding items are sitting in my closet, I'd be more than happy to ship them your way if you can use them! I'm not sure what you need, but if you'd like to email me at tyeung612@yahoo.com, I'd be happy to help where I can! Or you can just post items you would like here and maybe other readers could help too!
Never fear, you are not alone and at the end of the day, be grateful you and your loved ones are all ok! We are thinking about you!
posted by MissBlueBear 271 posts 5 months ago(((HUGS)))
I'm a former Iowan (Iowan at heart) and most of my family still lives in Iowa. So I know how bad the flooding is right now. I was there last weekend for a friend's wedding. I currently live in Illinois, SO....
I offer my dress, my support, and anything short of my right arm.
posted by MrsB 8 posts 5 months agoI'm on board with everyone else--tell us what your colors are, what you were using for decorations, etc. i live in AZ but i will do my best to get whatever you need to you. send us all a message!
i am saying prayers for you--as long as your family is safe and healthy, life is wonderful
posted by mrsbic 51 posts 5 months agoI'm so sorry! (Hug).
Post items that you need (and your colors) and I bet we can all help you in some way.
posted by merlot 47 posts 5 months ago