MikkiStreak

We're doing OOT bags and we'll do favors also. OOT contents: * beach towel * margarita glass in our wedding colors * custom package of margarita mix * travel size Tequila * custom word games * deck of cards & poker chips * sunscreen * after-sun care * notepad & pen * snacks Favors: I'm planning on making some family favorite recipes (my dad's fudge, my mom's oatmeal bars, and almond sugar cookies that I make) and I'll wrap them in gift boxes to put at each table setting.

I'm going to have my brother-in-law walk me down the aisle. He and my sister have been married for 25 years and I've known him since I was about 10 years old. I spent my summers living with them and they've also been my "landing pad" in between jobs when I was younger. Basically, he's like a surrogate dad to me since my folks can't make it to the wedding. If for some reason my sis and him can't make it to the wedding (which I don't think would be the case), I'll walk myself...

Congrats Sarah! You've been so silent the last couple weeks, and I know it's because you were pulling everything together for a fabulous day! Can't wait to hear about it (and see) when you get back!!!

Congratulations Anny!!! Now we need to begin the countdown until you return!!! I know your wedding is going to be amazing and I can't wait to see the photos to show it off!!!

That's awesome!!! We know we're doing the legal ceremony here first also and have talked about not waiting to do it--- We've been thinking about doing ours later this fall... Congratulations (in advance)!!! Take pictures!!! It doesn't matter what kind of pictures, just take some, because we're all addicted to photos!!!

There might be some kind of update going on---- in the last couple posts I've read, the reply links are in the upper right instead of the lower right like normal. I've also seen a couple emo faces removed and replaced with :hugs: and things like that...

Trying getting rid of it on the Ticker Factory side. If you delete it from Ticker Factory, there won't be anything for your siggy link to go pull and populate...

Those are GREAT! I just love the horses in the TTD session....

Oh my God, Paula! This sounds so strange, but you look so beautiful in the pictures that it just brought tears to my eyes!! That dress is just so amazing I keep scrolling back up and looking at it!!! I love what you have for your veil idea---- I think the length is perfect with that dress, and the single layer is perfect too because you want the detail of the back of your dress to stand out and not be "hidden" by the veil! I do agree tho about the color being a little off. I think the contrast of getting the veil in a slightly different shade of the dress is the right idea, but maybe something more of a cream color in the same veil? I'm so happy for you (Twinkie!) for finding your dress so quickly!! It's just absolutely amazing on you!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by TammyB I think a couples counseling is never a bad idea and is never too soon. It helps (like you said) the couple learn to talk to each other and work things out. It's always the little things that can start a fight but sometimes we have to pick our battles and if either or both of you are already stressed from work or wedding planning or whatever it only makes things harder because it's far to easy to take your stress on the one your with the most. even if it's not intended. I agree--- if you feel inclined toward counseling, do it now instead of waiting. I think people tend to overlook the beginning of problems or just ignore them, thinking it will go away. On a different note, but same concept--- if you ask someone who has had an affair in their marriage, they'll tell you the marriage didn't fail the moment they slept with someone else; It started to fail the moment one person felt vulnerable and said yes to an offer of coffee and talking when they were asked by someone they were attracted to. If that makes sense---- But I also agree that moving in together is a hard time of adjustment for many people, especially if you both have been on your own for awhile before living together. Communication is key, but if you feel you need to explore methods to open up communication, counseling is a great way to do it and solidify your relationship!

Quote: Originally Posted by beckyandbrian Hi everyone. I am trying my best to lower as many costs as possible and thought I would take a stab and making my own STD's. I love the luggage tag ideas and found that you can buy the clear luggage tag holders and Staples or Office Max. I think that a normal business card template would be the correct size, but I am having some issues trying to create them. I am also trying to creat a logo and have tried using Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher, Excel, etc. and can't seem to get it right. All of my logos end up looking so cheesy! Where is everyone getting the backgrounds and the monograms that look so nice?? All of the clip art I can find is kind of goofy & doesn't look so classy. Any help would be greatly appreciated! On a side note, I am a brand new member and every time that I try to open an attachment on previous posts, it tells me that I don't have enought points?? Do I just get points by participating? Sorry for asking such a stupid question, but I have no idea what I'm doing on here!! Thanks, Becky I have instructions on how to download clipart and make your own monograms/logos on our website. There are also a couple templates you can use by just adding in your own date/name/location. Frank and Maria - Our Wedding Journey click on DIY Brides and enter the password: ourwedding you'll see instructions for downloading the powerpoint tutorial telling you how to make them...

Quote: Originally Posted by naughie each one is a little different...for the most part, you have the cocktail hour in a separate room. the couple sometimes chooses to come mingle, other times they are still taking pictures. after the cocktail hour, guests are escorted into the main room, where there's bread on the table/plates. music is already playing...a few minutes later, they introduce the bridal party, etc. and then have the first dance(s). then everyone goes to their seats for salad, or appetizers. sometimes, the toasts are inserted in here...music still playing, gets louder and faster when people finish eating, people get up to dance...told to go back to seat by band/dj for next course...this "dance and then sit" routine repeats until after the main course, where the bride and groom cut the cake in the middle of the dance floor...more dancing...coffee/dessert are served, little more dancing, the end. i can't imagine sitting to eat all of the courses and THEN (fatter and more bloated) getting up to dance! That's why I really like this idea!! After eating appetizers, it makes more sense to pace the food throughout the rest of the evening so people won't eat too much and get lazy! Thanks for posting that---- I may have to use this idea for our wedding!

Quote: Originally Posted by Lizzy For those of you who don't realize it, the siggy on here is of Maggie. I only wish I looked that good! Here is a pic of the two of us...at least you will be able to see who you have been talking to all of these months! I stand by my original comment! She does look a lot like you!! When I saw your avatar photo first, I thought that was you, because it looked slightly different from the dress photos of Maggie. But I still think there's a lot of shared features between the two of you!

Quote: Originally Posted by naughie it's funny, i'm from nj, and all of the weddings i've ever been to have been like this...i thought it was like this everywhere...but i've talked with 2 separate people lately who have both told me that the whole meal was served before any kind of dancing, toasts, etc. anyone know how they do it in mexico? This is interesting to me---- how do they lay the evening out? (meaning, if you had to list out the events during the reception (toasts, cake cutting, announcements, dancing, etc..., where do they insert each food course?) I like that idea to break it up and give more of a surprise to the guests. All the weddings I've been to are the same: ceremony, cocktails, reception (announce the couple, then serve dinner, then do cake cutting, then do dancing)... no variation and I'm tempted to stir things up a bit by changing the order of events thru the evening!

Her dress is awesome! And, I gotta say---- she looks *soooo* much like you Lizzy! She's going to be a stunning bride!!

hehehe---- anytime you need recipe help, let me know! I *love* cooking and used to live with a chef and got quite good, if I do say so myself! I love making really complex, impressive tasting dishes that actually consist of about 3 ingredients!

FYI--- I was at Bed, Bath and Beyond today and they had these *huge* canvas bags with a mesh cover on the outside in 2 colors: red and orange.... they were 30% off the lowest price of $4.99--- bringing the total to $3.50 each! These things were *really* nice quality and *really* big!! They also had blue backpacks, and pink backpacks that were normal school sized backpacks for the same price! Which would make for good "man bags" for OOT for single guys! Last, they also had blue and also orange battery operated Japanese lanterns for $5.99 per pack, with 3 in each pack.

Quote: Originally Posted by starchild Mmm....Maria we've never tried grilling pizza but why not? Sounds great. We grill year round out here too, I guess it helps that it never rains. Few things beat the smell of grilling food! Jaime good prep work, it will make the day of so much easier. I'm sure your burgers will come out very tasty! Give it a try---- there's nothing that beats a grilled pizza! All you have to do is roll the dough out to about 1/4" thick, then throw it on the grill for 2 minutes. When you flip the dough over, immediately load up your toppings and close the lid for another 2 minutes. Viola! It's done and it's fabulous tasting!!! We try anything we can on the grill---- even veggies sauteed in butter, or a red wine sauce to top some rib-eyes. I love to "create" food on my own and when FI started really getting into the grill, I modified my stove/oven recipes to fit the grill...

Quote: Originally Posted by mlb36 Call you CC companies & bank & let them know you will be in Mexico so they don't put a stop on your credit cards. Warn your guests tho that this could still happen. Most of the credit card companies/banks automated systems will automatically decline a card when it's used in an irregular pattern--- for example, if a person hardly ever travels and then comes to Mexico for your wedding, the automated system with the cc company will decline the charges. Then the owner of the card has to call in and tell them it's ok before they release the hold on the card... Even when I've notified the bank/cc company in advance that I was leaving the country, they still decline my first charge until I prove it's me using the card.

Kelly, that is great that Everton's family got their shit together (kicking and screaming the entire way, I'm sure) and will be present! As for the TA, take the passive aggressive route right back around---- tell her how sorry you are for the inconveniece and that to save her from sacrificing her admin fees and dipping into her commission, you'll take the business elsewhere for the big family reunion trip everyone is planning on taking to Jamaica next summer! hehehe...

Jamie, I agree with your FMIL--- those are pretty basic ingredients for a good burger. I peronsally, never measure anything when I cook, but that's usually because I make things up as I go.... but if I had to put quantites to the ingredients, start with about 2 TBPS of worchestershire sauce, 1 TBPS of garlic power, and a teaspoon of pepper/salt... (all per pound).... you want to see the hamburger meat discolor slightly from the worchestershire sauce, but still retain their solidity so they don't fall apart on the grill. One of my favorite things to do with burgers is to mix about 1/4 cup of bread crumbs into the mix, 1 egg, about 1/4 Cup chunky salsa and a handful or so of shredded cheddar chesse.... Also, throw some veggies on the grill too--- halve some onions and put them on the grill with some green peppers and that will spice up the burgers too. We cook everything on the grill in the summer---- hell, we've even grilled pizzas before (with homemade pizza dough baking on the grill, as well as all the veggies, meat, cheese, etc...).... It's one of our favorite ways to cook even in the winter...

Leave photocopies of your passport with a friend back home.... Take the numbers to call in case you lose your passport... Calling card, if needed, for emergency calls back to the states (typically cheaper than having international calling added to a cell phone)... Write down a list of the credit card numbers and CS numbers for any cards they plan to take with them in case their wallet is lost/stolen... Number for the US Embassy in Mexico in case of emergency (natural disasters, etc...)...

It looks great on you!!!! I'm envious of people who can buy anything off the rack!!!

I think ours has them. But, have you asked the Dollar Tree when they will get more? Usually, they re-stock them monthly. Even some of their seasonal items get re-stocked in the same colors every year.

I love the idea of having a waiter greet guests with drinks right before the ceremony. I think it's elegant and it also is a nice way for guests to relax while they're waiting for the ceremony to begin. Altho, with the crowd we'll have with us, I can easily see someone drinking a few too many and taking liberty with the "if anyone here objects to these two joining in marriage....." hehehehe, that would make for some interesting video footage!