NATASHA

You'll be fine without having the whole restaurant. Are you going to ask for the outside area or the inside area? I can't remember how many people they can fit outside. Also, there's a patio above the restaurant for larger groups so that's an option too. I LOVE it there - that's a great place for a reception.

You're going to be tired - definitely switch resorts. We went to three locations (ranked in order of preference) and LOVED the whole honeymoon: -La Casa Que Canta - This is the most amazing place! It's expensive, but such good food (the food isn't expensive, just the lodging) and SOOO relaxing. It's just what we needed right after the wedding. Note - there is a party boat that is out until 2:30 or 3 in the cove. Either be on the party boat or don't stay there on a Saturday as you'll be awake. Tell them you want the Besame Mucho room (I think it's room 10) -It's the best room: A romantic resort - La Casa Que Canta -Hacienda Santa Rosa in the Yucatan. This place is really amazing and beautiful and peaceful - you can hire a driver to take you around to all the pyramids - it's SO great. Luxury Collection Santa Rosa Hotels: Hacienda Santa Rosa - Hotel Rooms at luxury.com -Hacienda Temozon - Great place, less convenient that Santa Rosa Luxury Collection Temozon Sur Hotels: Hacienda Temozon - Hotel Rooms at luxury.com We were also looking at Hacienda Campeche - I would recommend it over Temozon

So - paper is a bit difficult to work with for guys. In our situation, I have a lot of artwork that my husband has graciously adopted but nothing is "us." So, I have decided to take a picture from our wedding (a close up of our hands as I slip his ring on his finger after he's put the ring on mine) and have commissioned an artist to render a pencil drawing. I am writing a love letter on the back of the picture that I will show him before I place it in the frame. I am going to replace a picture that's on the wall that we see when we wake up every morning so not only will he see this picture, but he'll know about the letter underneath (he's a softie so these kinds of things resonate with him). If you want to do this, there are a lot of really great artists that you can find on the web. Make sure you see a collection of their work - with both the picture submitted and the final product so you can compare the job they do. It's really not too expensive. I'm having a 11x14 picture done for $160. I'm going to mat and frame it in a 16x20 frame. Another thought - I was going to have the artist meld a picture of me with a picture of him from when we were both little - I just ran out of time to go over to his mom's house to go through her photos.

That is one of my favorite wedding sites (and the best wedding date - same as mine). How did you like the restaurant location?

We went back and forth on this. It was important to DH but not to me. However, both of us were glad with our choice. We stayed together, woke up, went for a walk together on the beach and sat down and talked (my dad had a drama episode and it bothered my DH so it was good we were together and talked and he felt connected to me). After our walk, he dropped me off at the restaurant where I was having brunch with the bridesmaids and then we didn't see each other or talk until I walked down the aisle. It was sweet all the way around. But what you do is really just up to you.

I really wish I could join (and meet) all of you, but I'm only in LA Mon - Thurs. Have a wonderful time!!!!

I just tried that dress on for a wedding last week and almost bought it. It's so pretty and a wonderful fit - it will look beautiful with your hair color! I was planning on either: a) black, thin strappy sandle and this very cool black necklace that I have that sort of reminds me of 20's jewelry; or a barely noticeable nude sandal and some delicate jewelry I hadn't thought of chocolate brown - that's a good idea, too. I guess it depends on the overall look you want to create, but there are a lot of options.

That's funny Glenda. I say, accept their statements gracefully and say, "We totally understand if you can't make it." There's no need to engage in any more conversation. I think that even if they sent me an email with an alternate place to get married, I'd reply back, "we totally understand if you can't make it." UGH!

I dropped the whole insurance thing altogether after they gave me that quote, but, yes that was what they quoted. Granted, it was for full replacement for lost, stolen, or damanged, and my ring is a bit expensive, but no, it's not $100,000 (or $50,000 for that matter). I was so shocked.

Oh - I'm so confused about this. When I did an initial insurance quote, the amount they wanted per year was crazy. I want to say it was $3000 to $3500 a year. I dropped that to do after that. Is this consistent with others or was the insurance company over-quoting me?

I love it! Also, Martha Stewart's wedding magazine had an aqua/red theme thing in one of their magazines last year. See if you can track it down - I remember a cool invitation and cake.

Oh that's a good idea - maybe you can give her the clipboard to make sure that everyone gets on the boat. She can be Julie McCoy!

UGH - my parents are divorced and both remarried (they divorced 15 years ago). My dad was the one that got weird even though my mom was the one entitled to be weird. On my wedding day (after my dad stormed off at dinner the night before because he thought it was unfair that we ask that he toast the night of the wedding and let MIL toast at the rehearsal dinner as is customary), I had to tearfully sit down with my father and tell him that his behavior was hurting my feelings. I also told him that he needed to learn to accept that we are all one big family - for the wedding as well as for the rest of our lives. I flat out told him that he would not be welcome to participate in family events if he continued to behave that way. Then I said, "Can you imagine not being at the hospital if I had a baby?" My grandmother, who was helping with the conversation, started to cry. He saw what he was doing then and apologized (earnestly) and behaved. He normally has a very even personality and LOVES my DH and me. He was just emotional. So, yes, I expect that there is no way for you to avoid an issue as emotions will be charged. So, it sounds like getting the two together in a room before the event and asking them to work it out amongst themselves won't work (a broken nose - who picks a bar fight after 20?). Can you get them both on the phone and say that you are concerned about the boat ride, you're really fearful that something is going to happen and you really don't want to deal with that stress on your wedding day. Maybe, then, you can say that you're going to pick a number between one and 100 to see who heads over on the boat with you (and pray to God that it's your FFIL's wife)? Silly - huh? But is there a way to get the two of them to face this before the event and just lay down the law so at least they know what to expect?

At our wedding - it was the 70s music (no idea why - maybe because its multi-generational and it's very danceable). Things like Dancing Queen and Brick House.

I really don't think it is. I walked down the aisle, handed it to my BM and that's the last I saw of it. I have a picture of it sitting on a table. Did that matter? Not at all. Some people have some nice beach shots with their bouquet.

This is a funny parallel, but when I was six months out from my wedding (and my hairstylist was 5 months pregnant), I said I wanted to change my hair. I figured that 6 months would give me enough time to grow it out if I didn't like it. My stylist said, "I'm going to give you the same advice my hairstylist gave me last week (her friend for 10 years) - don't do anything when you have something big coming up. There are too many times that it just ends up adding to the stress." Sure enough, after the baby was born, she cut her hair short. It was cute, but she didn't like it. After my wedding, I changed my style. Neither of us liked what we did and we've both spent the last 6 months working on a different cut/style. However, (at least for me), since it's after the wedding, I don't care. Your nose, your call.

How can you live off of so few calories? I would be a puddle on the floor! I eat twice in the mornings - at around 9 and 11 - and then eat lunch at 12:30 or 1. Again at 3. First it's cereal (always something Kashi because they don't have any crazy additives). I also have to have some tea with cream or I'll have some yogurt or cottage cheese with fruit (Nancy's natural - again no additives) anyway, something in it to keep me going but that I can eat while I'm on the run in the office. Then it's a bagel or a bunch of almonds with fruit at 10 or 11. On days where I have more time, I stop at whole foods for eggs and sausage or at Starbucks for one of their egg sandwiches. Those are the best days. If I don't eat enough in the morning, I am a mess and my body just pushes me to eat more throughout the day than I would normally want or need (ending in a big dinner which then just makes me feel awful).

I'm heading back to Italy next month. I went there with my girl friends a few years ago. That time we went to Rome for three nights, Venice for two nights, Florence for three nights, Rapollo for two nights (next to Portifino but nicer b/c it's a bit bigger so there are more choices for restaurants and entertainment), and then Paris for two nights. This time, we're doing Rome for 3 nights, Venice for 2 nights, Florence for 4 nights, and Umbria (most likely Oliveieta) for 3 nights. I think that the best advice I have (as I'm planning this myself) is: -Rome - wander the streets - get a book on walking tours in Rome and then, when you find someplace that you like (like the Coliseum), pay for a guided tour or get the pre-recorded tours, it's worth it. Rome is an amazing place. Consider seeing an opera while you're there. I would stay near the Spanish Steps - it's centrally located and it's quieter than some areas. -Florence - you MUST go to Boboli gardens. It's across the river. Easy walking distance. Go to a deli, get some meat and cheese and head over there for a picnic (they frown on it but everyone does it) and then take a ton of pictures. I could spend all day there. Also, use Florence as a base station for day trips to Lucca and Pisa (can be done the same day via the train), Chianti (get a private guide to take you on a wine tour - they pick you up in Florence - PM me if you want a reference), and Siena. If you can get to San Gimignano, it's beautiful and they have fabulous wine and food. Venice - go, but only for one or two nights. It's beautiful and you really need to see it, but it's not a place you need to linger. Spend the money to have a very romantic dinner in the square. There are three restaurants that have small string quartets or bands that play on a stage while you eat. It's very pretty. Be prepared for very expensive hotels that aren't very nice. Stay in a less expensive hotel that gets good Trip Advisor recommendations or stay in Lido (an island across the way). Go to the Danieli for lunch so you can see the beautiful entry, no need to waste money as the rooms are less than stellar. The Cinque Terre - eh - I could do without it. I love coastlines and it's pretty, but it has a much different culture and feel than the rest of Italy. Plus, I'm not sure when you're planning on going, but if it's during travel months, be prepared for a lot of kids hiking with backpacks who aren't the most pleasant to be around (aside from Portifino which weeds them out because of the expense). I would go to the Amalfi coast instead. Umbria - this is absolutely beautiful and it's less expensive than Tuscany. Rent a car (it's very easy to drive in this area - not in Rome). Consider staying in a farm house in Olivieta so you can take day trips to Saturnia (there's a natural hot springs there that is open to the public and there are caves to explore), Perugia (yummy food), and Cortona (I've heard great things about Cortona but I haven't yet investigated). I'll let you know how our trip goes!