MikkiStreak

Oh boy, I had this problem too--- with Kay's, which is the same parent company as Jared's. In fact, Kay's sends their jewelry to Jared's for the service work. My first setting was really *high* off the band. The first time my diamond was loose, one of the prongs was loose. They tried saying I must have hit it on something, but I didn't. About 2 months after that, one of the prongs bent completely away from the stone when I brushed the ring against a egg carton. When I went in to Kay's, I told them I wanted the head replaced because it was the second time in the first 3 months of having the ring, that the stone was loose. When a stone is removed from the head, the metal from the head is melted and re-cycled. Each time it's recycled, the strength is weakened on the next head it's used for. I'd go ahead and have them replace the head, because it's not going to cost you anything if you purchased the warranty with the ring. Despite what is said about platinum, it's actually weaker than gold. The difference is that the weakness allows flexibility so that instead of a prong completely breaking, the prong may bend instead. So instead of breaking and the stone falling out, a platinum head will bend slightly and the stone will be loose, but still present. If replacing the current head with another one of the same metal doesn't work, then I'd replace the head with a platinum one...

I haven't, but I also have a 'fight it' mentality. Azul Beach is a strong candidate for us, and if they were to tell us no outside vendors allowed, I'd probably call the manager of reservations and tell him that he just lost the option for half of his resort to be filled by our wedding party. My understanding is that the wedding department is treated almost like a separate business unit from the hotel/reservations side. So I doubt that the reservations manager would be very happy to hear he'd lost such an easy opportunity to fill rooms. Also, was it the hotel wedding planner who said no outside vendors? Because if I understand some of the other threads on here correctly- the Karisma hotel chain uses a specific travel vendor to book things (Lomas) and my impression is that they are the ones behind the additional charges/policies about outside vendors.

Since we live in the city, I love it when the two of us head about an hour north of here to the Ouachita Mountains for a leisurely drive... we'll burn a new CD of music to listen to, then head up there in the evening and sit in one of the parks, looking at the stars and just talking. Just like teenagers, but without the sex in the backseat! Another thing we love to do is pack up some food in a picnic basket and head to one of the lakes for an afternoon. We usually wind up on a dock or pier somewhere with him fishing and me reading a book to him. (this weekend we're heading to the lake--- he'll fish and I'll play with my new CAMERA! YEA!!!!!

I know it's really hard to see the distress this is causing your FI, which in turn, causes stress on the two of you as a couple. I think the hardest thing everyone here has had to do regarding the wedding plan, is to realize that no matter what we do, we can't force someone else to act or to understand the importance of acting NOW, not later. I know this doesn't make things better, or offer a 'fix' to the situation. What I would do, if it were me, is to have the discussion with FI about 'what if's' in order to prepare FI for what might happen with this situation. Since your FFIL has offered to pay for certain family members, then those family members need to be put in contact with FFIL about their travel arrangements. If they call/email, just tell them the truth--- you've talked to FFIL about the situation but nothing has changed and they need to call FFIL themselves and work it out between the two parties. Maybe if FFIL has to take those calls and sees that it's his ass on the line with other people, he'll realize he doesn't want to look like a schmuck to his own family. Once those calls are diverted to the appropriate party (FFIL), then I'd sit down with FI and try to emotionally prepare him for the possibility that his father may flake out and leave other family members high and dry. If he can think about this now, it may help to deal with it if it does happen in the future. I also think it's important to talk to FI and make an agreement between the 2 of you that you won't allow discussions about this subject to cause problems in your relationship. As much as the possible outcome with FFIL might suck, the truth is that it has little to do with you two--- the reality is that FFIL is responsible for taking care of this. I'll say this too about the family members who are being paid for by FFIL---- they shouldn't have put all their eggs in one basket, you know what I mean? It's half their fault too for not setting aside some money as a back-up measure in case FFIL didn't come through. I hope things work out and FFIL comes through so that you guys can have the wedding the way you planned and without the stress of having to deal with all this even longer...

Congrats!!!

I had this idea too for our welcome bags---- we have thick, large plastic margarita glasses in our wedding colors and had planned on putting these inside and then cellophane wrap them together. But, I'm glad to hear that the taste wasn't very good before I purchased them---- now I'm thinking we may see if we can find some travel size tequila bottles reasonable priced once we get to Mexico and then include those instead with a note saying for the guests to bring them to the welcome dinner--- then we can buy some margarita mix when we get down there and make them that night for everyone....

Quote: Originally Posted by BrittneyD I have been using Personal Wedding Websites and Planning Tools | Free Trial Wedding Website. I paid $30 for a year of website/software. This was a special price though. I would be lost without the software. It has your guest list, RSVPS, different reports, gift tracking, and more. This is the best money I have spent on wedding planning so far. You know, this is actually pretty impressive---- most of the tracking sites I've seen are geared more toward a traditional/local wedding, but I like the looks of this one. Me thinks I may have to make an excel spreadsheet that matches their online pages...

I'm sure that since you're new on here and still learning all the resources that are available on the forum, that it probably came across as a puzzling comment about using the search feature. But I think you will find a ton of information when using the search feature. I know a lot of users who do site visits post really long threads of information and photos, but without doing a search, you won't see all that they have shared because it's difficult to find the time to post extended information and photos multiple times when new users want the same information. Just an FYI---- Tammy (host) is the creator and administrator of the forum.

Quote: Originally Posted by starchild Aww, thanks Kelly. I work nights sitting in front of 5 computer screens so I'm always here for the late night talk...lol Both this category and the btb are so hard this time...everyone is great! You know, I was wondering why I always saw you on weekdays really, really late at night! I thought maybe there was someone else out there who was a sleep-deprived insomniac!

Love the colors---- I can completely picture it in my mind too! Light blue walls with chocolate brown sofa. The only thing to consider before doing a darker brown color for the sofa, is end tables (color, style, material composition)--- (would a dark color end table be too much? would a lighter shade of end table work with the overall color scheme? are there other materials that could be used that would still compliment the contemporary feel?) Pottery Barn might be good for stuff too, as well as Ikea. They both have contemporary style furniture that keeps the focus on straight, clean lines, but softens it up so it doesn't look like stark/bare like modern furniture does. I think Toby on here (I can't remember her user name exactly) is a decorator in Florida---- she would be a good person to ask for opinions also! I agree with Paula about keeping the red accents to a minimum---

Quote: Originally Posted by anacgarcia AWWWWWWWWWW Thanx girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just found out and I'm soooo excited!!!!!!! Dang girl! That was fast--- 3 days of charting and BANG! Job well done!!! Congratulations!!! So, how did you tell hubby the news? Have you told your families yet?

Quote: Originally Posted by JaimeLynne Traveling is my favorite hobby right now. I paint and draw sometimes. Watching TV/Movies Reading Going out to restaurants. Dog park Wine I don't think I really have anything new to add to the list... That reminds me of a couple more too---- Love to travel, wish I could do more... Movies, movies, movies!!! I absolutely love documentaries, Japanese horror flicks, and British films.... Love doing the dog park at White Rock.... Our little beast enjoys it almost as much as I do! Huge foodie---- so I love cooking and "creating" dinners! We love to entertain too and usually have a group of people over every couple months... usually starts out elegant with some martini's and appetizers, but by the end of the night we're toasting, breaking dishes and singing karaoke in the living room... guess it shouldn't be a surprise considering most of our dinner guests have names that are preceded with an adjective (Drunk Tif, Bald Shawn, Man-Whore Mike, etc...)...

Well, I just got done balancing the bank accounts, and apparently my hobby is spending money, and lots of it.... *sigh* But for acknowledged, recognizable hobbies---- Reading Art (drawing, pottery) computers fine art photography Classical piano has always been a huge one- but I haven't had a piano in 10 years so I don't know if that counts anymore...

I like it!!!! I grew up with a BIL who was constantly doing pranks on me, and I love doing it to other people too! I think it's a great idea and I think it'll be pretty funny to see her reaction---- I'd have a hard time not going in early just to see her reaction myself!

My daughter is 16, so she will be a bridesmaid, but that's about all we've thought of so far. I like the way Kelly did things! Everything I've read keeps saying to bring the kids into the ceremony (like doing a couple presentation to the kids or something to symbolize family unity), but I always hesitate because altho we're a family, I see it like Kelly does---- the ceremony is about the couple joining together. I know I want to do something special to signify the 3 of us committing to being a family together, but I don't know what it will be yet... But, like Kelly, I plan to do that privately with the 3 of us, away from the ceremony...

Quote: Originally Posted by PaulaV hehehe---- I'm the smiley drinker on the right---- one long drink and I'm falling over! (And now we'll return to the regularly scheduled program....)

Quote: Originally Posted by PaulaV Jim Hjelm Occasions Ok, now I'm convinced we were separated at birth----- I wanted this dress from Jim Hjelm in blue for my BM's.... And orange was my first color scheme...

Quote: Originally Posted by PaulaV Yes, a long list this time. (Voting for my twin - she really deserves this one!) Right back at ya, Twink!!

I'm assuming your logo came from someone like Creative Montage or Aylee? If so, I'd send it back to them to re-work. It might not be possible, depending on whether the image they used was clipart with a white background, or whether they made the artwork themselves. If they used existing clipart from a website, then they might not be able to modify the code. If they created the artwork from scratch, they should be able to change it. I'm not familiar with Photoshop or Illustrator, but those programs might be able to select the space around the artwork and then eliminate the background. Not sure tho...

I left my vote the same---- #9. But I do like #7 also--- I'd recommend doing a minor correction on the lighting so your faces aren't as dark tho...

this isn't a 'home remedy', but it can help to take a half dose of advil & a half dose of tylenol when you have severe headaches/migraines. One focuses on pain and the other focuses on swelling, which are the 2 components of a headache. I know that this is the only thing that works for me when I start getting a migraine. I usually take 2 of each and within half an hour, I'm back to normal. Every once in awhile, when I get a migraine so bad that I almost vomit & have light sensitivity, I'll do the same thing and follow up with a one hour nap and then I'm back to normal too...

When we were looking at St. Thomas, I read a lot of reviews from people saying to tell everyone possible that you are on your honeymoon/just got married. Restaurants gave newlywed/honeymooners free desserts, complimentary drinks, room upgrades, shops gave free little gifts, etc.... I think it's pretty common almost everywhere, that if you broadcast your newlywed status frequently, you'll get some freebies from someone!

Here's another thread for ideas: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...g-present.html

Quote: Originally Posted by Morgan My FI doesn't like #1 & I think his shirt is bunched up funny in #3, so I picked out more choices & made a new poll. You can find it here http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...newspaper.html Thanks so much everyone for all the great feedback so far. It's silly, but putting a cool picture in the newspaper is one of the things I'm the most excited about. I read my hometown paper online every sunday to see who is engaged. It will be fun to get to put in our picture now. I just thought of this too---- since the photo selected is going to be printed in your hometown newspaper, then maybe it would be a good idea if you changed the image you select to BW---- this would give you a good idea of how it would look in newsprint...

I would use the first one, because the skin tones come through as more 'true to life' and the lighting is good. But I would crop out more of the background and center it on the two of you. As a BW photo in a newspaper, the details of the background would be lost anyways and in a small photo in the paper, it would make the image of you and FI too small to "jump" out at people who are just glancing through, looking for info about people they know. I also think that when the photo is cropped down more, it's more of a classic engagement photo that will print very well in newsprint. I would definitely not use the second one because the lighting on your face didn't come through well enough to look good in a BW newspaper photo. I also wouldn't use the third one because when you crop out the background, it makes the position of your hands on FI's shoulder look awkward (like you're holding him down or something). Same with the last photo... That's just my opinion of all of them based on the intent to use them in newsprint. But, as photos to use in color print and to frame, I think these are really good photos--- love the background (especially the first one) and the colors really came through well!