Christine

holy hotness, you look amazing in that dress, and its perfect for a DW

I WOULD DO IT AGAIN: Changing our wedding location to California: I still really wanted a DW feeling but so many of my relatives wouldn't have made it to Jamiaca, also once we got to Jamaica I was so happy it was just us...word of advice give yourselves a few days alone after the wedding if you will be staying near other relatives. Bouquet/flowers - I saved myself a ton of money by doing this myself and while I know its not possible for all DW's, having a beautiful bouquet really makes the whole bride thing feel complete. Changing my mind on my dress last minute: I had a nervous breakdown about my dress and I am so happy that I went with my gut on this one, my dress was beautiful and actually wound up resembling my mothers wedding dress which was a cool thing for us to share. Buying my dress at David's Bridal: I know not many people want to go there, but I got great service (and this was at three seperate stores in three states) everytime I went there (yes to get a new dress) they were so helpful and reassuring that it was okay to have doubts. Rehearsal Dinner: we had a large rehearsal dinner but since a lot of our family hadn't met yet it was a great way for them to all mingle and see each other. Choosing Napa as a destination: I loved it, it was unique in our own way and an easy destination for our friends and family. Matt Kim: wow, I love my pictures and seriously can't imagine anyone else capturing my memories the way he did. He was amazing and worked his tail off that day. Cakes: yes plural we had two cakes a grooms cake which was a cool way for my grandmother to celebrate her southern heritage and for my friend who was making our real cake to make a smaller more manageble cake. I loved our cakes and they were really yummy! guestbook: we did this as the matting of a frame, I have them hanging in my hallway and get to look at all the good wishes everyday. We also did a scrapbook album for our rehearsal dinner and got some great, funny, sentimental advice from our closest family and friends, as well as some memorable photos from the evening. Wine Tour: having this the day after made it feel like a DW and we had so much fun with the small group who wound up going. Definately worth the hassle of planning it. Our DJ: Even though we had some issues with the music, having a friend do this for us made the evening so great...it was so nice to have someone who knew us well doing this. I WISH I HAD SKIPPED IT: Stressing out so much about every little thing being perfect not enjoying my first dance with my hubby (I was really hot and the music started off wrong, so I got cranky and kinda pushed him away) having a large bridal party: my friends are all friends from different times in my life and they really really didn't get along. They wound up causing a bit of a fight at the reception and two of them are still not really speaking to me. honestly there really isn't much I can think about, but overall I enjoyed my wedding and look back on it as a really wonderful day/weekend. I think my family grew closer because of it, mainly because I moved the location so they could be more involved and because I spent three weeks out there with all of them before the wedding. I think that my husband appreciates my crazy anal retentive OCD mind about planning things now and understands why it was so important to me. and I have to agree with Kelly here: the over all best thing I did was to marry my best friend, Will is a really wonderful husband and even though I didn't think marriage would be different than living together for four years, it is and its so much better. that's all for now ladies

Quote: Originally Posted by gkashmira Great list Jessalyn! So here's my question to all you brides: DID ANYONE THINK THE CAKE WAS WORTH IT? I know I didn't and the desserts that came with the buffet were actually more than we even needed. It seems like that is one of those things that keeps popping up in everyone's list of "could have done without!" I think my cake was totally worth it! My best friend made my beautiful cake and my grandmother made the groom's cake, that alone made the cake one of the most special parts of my wedding.

Just found this Conviction in Jena case overturned - Crime & Punishment - MSNBC.com Court overturns conviction in Jena beating Judges rule teen should not have been tried as adult in racially tinged caseJENA, La. - A state appeals court Friday tossed out the aggravated battery conviction that could have sent a black teenager to prison for 15 years in last year's beating of a white classmate in the racially tense Louisiana town of Jena. Mychal Bell, who was 16 at the time of the December beating, should not have been tried as an adult on the battery charge, the state Third Circuit Court of Appeal in Lake Charles ruled. Bell is one of six black Jena High School students charged in an attack on fellow student Justin Barker, and one of five originally charged as adults with attempted second-degree murder. The charges brought widespread criticism that blacks were being treated more harshly than whites after racial confrontations and fights at their school. Attorney Louis Scott of Monroe said he didn't know whether Bell, whose bond was set at $90,000, would get out of jail immediately. "It means that at the present time all charges are dismissed," Scott said. "But we don't know what approach the prosecution is going to take — whether they will re-charge him, where he would have to be subjected to bail all over again or not. "We're working on that right now," he said. Rally for 'Jena Six' planned Bell was to be sentenced Thursday in a case that has brought international attention to Jena. Civil rights leaders, including the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, have been planning a rally in support of the teens that day. "Although there will not be a court hearing, we still intend to have a major rally for the Jena Six and now hopefully Mychal Bell will join us," Sharpton said in an e-mailed statement. "Mychal Bell's parents will still join me in Chicago tomorrow and we will still continue mobilization on this miscarriage of justice." Jackson said, "The pressure must continue until all six boys are set free and sent to school, not to jail." Racial tensions flared after nooses Jena is a mostly white town where racial animosity flared about a year ago when a black student sat under a tree that was a traditional gathering place for whites. A day later, three nooses were found hanging from the tree, evoking for some the image of lynchings in the old South. There followed reports of racial fights and confrontations at the school, culminating in the December attack on Barker. The reversal of Bell's conviction will not affect four other teenagers also charged as adults, because they were 17 years old at the time of the fight and, legally, no longer juveniles in Louisiana, said attorney George Tucker of Hammond. Bell was 16 at the time of the fight, making him a juvenile under Louisiana law. Tucker, who represented one of teens — Theo Shaw — until Friday, said the boy whose case is in juvenile court will benefit, and Bell will be tried by a judge in juvenile court. Judge J.P. Mauffray Jr., who heard Bell's case, noted that the district attorney also could appeal to the Louisiana Supreme Court. District Attorney Reed Walters did not return a call asking his next step. Details of ruling Mauffray had thrown out a conspiracy conviction on which Bell was convicted, saying it was not a charge on which a juvenile may be tried as an adult. But he had let the battery conviction stand, saying Bell could be tried in adult court because the charge was among lesser charges included in the original attempted murder charge against him. He was wrong, the Third Circuit ruled. While teenagers can be tried as adults in Louisiana for some violent crimes, including attempted murder, aggravated battery is not one of those crimes. Defense lawyers had argued that the aggravated battery case should not have been tried in adult court once the attempted murder charge was reduced. "The defendant was not tried on an offense which could have subjected him to the jurisdiction of the criminal court," the three-paragraph ruling said. The case "remains exclusively in juvenile court," the Third Circuit ruled.

Catherine, I would have never believed or understood something like this no matter what year it was. It is incredibly unbelievable the hatred that some people still feel in this world. I find it so sad that we are supposed to be sharing our democratic ways around the world and all of our ideas of freedom & equal rights and things like this happen. As for it not being publicized I truly believe its because no one wants any one else in the world to know that we are not equal in this country. Sitting here I am thinking about the dicussion I had with my students last week about how far we have come as a country and wonder why we haven't made it to the point of "all men are created equal"

when you get a chance I would love to hear some of their responses!

Welcome to the forum, we have a lot of Jamaica brides and I am sure they can help you with all your questions. I had looked into Beaches Boscabel but wound up getting married in California. We did go to Couples Ocho Rios for our Honeymoon and it was wonderful. Very relaxing and so many activities. I liked that it was a small resort, the food, spa, and staff were great.

Well if I never get caught up on my grading and grad school I might hire you to do mine... sorry back to Rebecca's beautiful book!

Jill did you get your dress yet? I can't wait to see your dress in all your pictures! I am so happy you went with that dress.

Quote: Originally Posted by NurseSarah Aww, thanks Rebecca. I just love making books! Yes, I'm working out the details, and getting ready to send my book in to be made. Once I get mine done (so I have something to show people as an example) I'll figure out a pricing structure and start advertising a little- here's my first pre-advert! lol I'll PM you about it as soon as I have more info to offer Thanks for the heads up! Sarah you could pay for medical school making albums!

Jilly-you are getting so close and everything is turning out so great! I love all of it!!!

macy's gives you 10% off but if you go about two weeks after the wedding you get a special 15% coupon (I think those are the #'s) plus there are always sales on home stuff.

I don't know how many are here on this site, but you can always do a search on what you are looking for. The search tool is third from the right on the very top of the page. Very cute siggy by the way!

I am so sorry that you have had so much trouble trying to get in touch with your dad (Pat). As far as your relationships with them, I think you are doing all the right things and should just continue with your plans and hopefully he will call you back.

those are amazing, what a great photo album!

Quote: Originally Posted by Raeka awww thanks Tammy. I second that, its been so long since we've gotten to see you two! So happy you are posting more!!!

those are great, you're guests are really going to like them!

for you Jamiaca girls, I contacted this guy about a TTD shoot and he was really nice and I thought reasonably priced. He's American but lives in Jamaica. I couldn't get the people from Sun Gold to e-mail me back so I was planning to go with this guy but hubby didn't want to do it. Brian Design - Photography & Website Design by Brian Nejedly - Ocho Rios, Jamaica

people will always find something to complain about, I remember one of my cousins calling me saying there were some people upset because I didn't send an invite to someone (which I specifically asked this particular person for the cousin's address and they never got it to me)!!! I really think that you have to take a step back and not let this affect you. Just enjoy the last few months of planning and worry about you and your soon to be hubby being there.

I am all about this idea! Any help would be amazing!!!

Oh I am so happy you were home and you got the food, I have been so worried for some reason you wouldn't be home when they delivered it! So happy you like it!!!

Package 1: $3300 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 hrs unlimited coverage 400 processed jpg files ready to print hundreds of additional unprocessed jpg files raw files (.cr2) from the camera pre-wedding consultation webpage gallery of selected images password-protected web site for friends and family to purchase prints

Tami they are adorable!

Jackie, Its so nice to meet you by that name, I never knew your name. So I wound up changing my name and did it the traditional way by entirely dropping my name, which was not the plan but a last minute decision. It will take you a long time to get used to it. I still have a hard time introducing myself by my new name, a lot of students knew me by my old name and so its been a hard transition. For me hyphenating wasn't really an option since my maiden name is longer and it would have been just too much for me. However if I wasn't a teacher I would have hyphenated because I think that women have the right to keep their name. If you really want to change your name though, it doesn't matter that they rhyme you will get used to it.

Quote: Originally Posted by Raeka You girls rock at those siggys! I love them! What a great idea and theme for the month too. I don't know if I should or not. Somethings telling me I should I feel like you should too!