After asking my bridesmaids to join me as I marry my best friend, it was time for me to decide where I wanted to go for my bachelorette trip, and book our engagement shoot before moving to Houston in late July. I formed a GroupMe named “Tiffany’s Squad Dolls” to make communication, and planning easier. As I’ve mentioned before, Chris and I had several conversations about what our future would look like in the next couple of years. Couples, if you’re not having these conversations after making a serious commitment, you’re not setting yourself up right for a great future together. Those tough conversations need to be happening during your dating season, not after engagement (or after marriage 😳). Chris knew that I wouldn’t leave my own state of independence without at least being engaged. He knew how serious I was about marriage, and that I wouldn’t just jump into something without feeling that we were doing the right thing. The way our journey worked out had to be nothing but God. So, my Maids of Honor (Heather, Kate and Bre) scheduled a brunch for us shortly after being asked to be in my wedding, to discuss where I wanted to go. Each of them showed up with the notes and research that they had done. When I tell you my MOHs stayed on top of it, they stayed on top of it! I was so impressed with how they stepped in and didn’t fuss or fight me on anything that I wanted. It is so important to have the right people in your wedding. After our great brunch meeting over mimosas, I decided that I wanted to go to the Dominican Republic. After my decision, the ladies went back to the drawing board and looked for more information about DR. They looked for lodging, flights, excursions, etc. Several weeks later, Kate had the best and affordable choice for a group of 6 ladies going to DR. The price we paid for a 7 day stay, with flight and excursions was unheard of. So with that decision, I appointed Kate over the bachelorette trip duties, because she does such an amazing job executing plans. I learned that while working at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society with her. When I moved to Houston, she scheduled bi-monthly conference calls with all of us to talk about our agenda, and what cost was expected. We also talked about what other things we would do, and which bridesmaid would be doing what. Heather was the overall organizer, and constantly made sure everything was good. Breanna was over getting us designed shirts and other accessories. Sami was our professional photographer, and Willisa was over the games. I found that when picking these ladies and planning my wedding, I knew the perfect place for them. I knew that planning or organization may not have been some people’s strongest suits, so I delegated tasks or projects appropriately. I truly believe this led to success.

So let me refresh your memory about where we are on my planning timeline. Chris proposed on 5/5/17; I proposed to my girls on 6/4/17; we took our engagement photos on 7/2/17 and I met with my MOHs on 7/9/17. I had to work quickly because Chris and I were going to be on my aunt’s wedding cruise from 7/15 – 7/22/17, then come back and move me from Dallas to Houston on 7/25/17. Whew, talk about a bride who didn’t play about planning her wedding, even with all of the other moving pieces. I was very cognizant about the time and money it took to be in a wedding, so I made sure my ladies knew in advance about everything. With me wanting to go to DR for my bachelorette trip, my ladies were able to plan their finances and time off from work early without any issues. Brides, I know that the wedding planning, and wedding is all about you and your husband, but please be respectful and mindful of the people that have vowed to share your special day. Don’t be selfish and only think about yourself! My bridesmaids will tell you that I constantly thanked them for what they were doing, and gave them several gifts because I knew how much selflessness they were giving to me during this process. Being in someone else’s wedding is a lot, so make sure the communication is always open, and there are no last minute cost surprises. By this time, my bridesmaids knew they were in my wedding, their titles, where we were going for the bachelorette trip, how much it would cost (roughly), and our wedding date. We would discuss later dates of the trip, the exact cost of the trip, and the rooming situation. Everything was coming together nicely, and I have to thank my Squad Dolls for stepping right in and making sure everything ran smoothly.

Writer: Mrs. Robinson
Editor: Mr. Robinson