MikkiStreak

Crap, I want to send you guys all invites to our wedding!!! I was wondering about this myself, but I'm shocked and my jaw is dropping on how much people spend on wedding gifts (or money)! Honestly, most of my friends either did a 'permanent live-in' situation or they were married right out of high school. I've had one friend who got married since high school and for her, I did her wedding photos as a gift and then presented her with a really nice shot in a display case with her invitation and I caligraphied their wedding vows to each other on parchment paper to display in the case too. Damn, I've gotten off cheap, apparently!

Hey, did you get it at Kay Jewelers? (yes, I'm taking a pot-shot at Kay's)... That's where I got mine and have had the same problem....

Sarah, I like your suggestion about doing a separate invite for the uptight part of my family (yes, you were thinking correct about my aunt's nasty letter). I'm curious, how did you guys implement the differing invites? I had thought about doing that too because I know my dad's siblings won't attend because of age/health. I didn't want to offend them by not inviting them, but I didn't want to seem insensitive by sending invites to people who have health issues and we know can't attend. And I'm glad you mentioned your grandparents, because even tho those health situations don't apply (yet) in my family, it could apply to the extended family of those people we're inviting. Laura, I *love* the JD Salinger quote you posted! I think it's just very real-life. Kate, Good idea about adding it was from a poem Frank wrote to me. Your point about being sad when reading it is true too. I think that's one of the reasons why I like it so much--- it has a lot of angles. It implies the sweetness of being there and taking care of each other through our aging years, but with a touch of bitterness because with age comes the real life health situations. It's refers to the best in life (love), while hinting at the morbid (old age/death).

I like the wording on #5, but with the font/layout of #1. I love the full names with the initial, but the initial is so large it looks like it's running over the names. Love the concept and if you use it, I would suggest sending the "G" to the background and fading it so it's lighter than your names.

Can you find a cake photo that has a Mardi Gras theme and send it to them to see if they could make it? I would think they could handle that---- a "mad hatter" style with lots of purple, green fondant... then you could put a bed of colored tissue paper under the cake and scatter some beads around the cake with some candles to soften the lighting....

You know, when I read this at work, for some reason I thought you were asking if we all thought it would be bad luck for you to wear the dress for your wedding now. I just re-read the post and realized that's not at all what you were saying. I say sell it and use the money for your wedding. If you want to "turn the luck around" where the dress is concerned, I would think there's got to be some charity out there where you could donate the dress.... in fact, I keep thinking there's some charity out there that sells the donated dresses to raise money for breast cancer programs....

Wow, this is the second time I've seen a post on here in just 3-4 months from a bride having last minute issues with a RIU resort and the resort comes across as very unaccommodating.... Not a very good impression they're leaving right about now for those people still trying to choose a resort... Toby, I hope Tammy can help pressure them to work with your wedding time so that you can get some beautiful photos without having to sacrifice seeing each other for the first time at the altar...

Ok, you know how all the wording templates for invites have some cute little 1-2 line phrase at the top/beginning before plunging into the heart of the invite? Well, most of the ones I saw weren't really "us". Frank writes a lot of songs and poemfrom one of the cards he gave ms for me/us, so I'm thinking of using this phrase instead (it's something he wrote inside a card he gave me last year). But I want honest opinions on this---- what would your reaction be if you received an invite that started with this: "I'll love you til we're old and grey... until our minds slip away..." Mind you, this is going out to mostly people our own age--- immediate family who know what we're like and friends who know how to take it. But, then we have the extended family it would be sent to--- mostly older generation, uptight, formal and slightly 'backwards.'

We're definitely doing a welcome night gathering. If it's in our budget, we'll do a cocktail or dinner. If we're strapped for cash, we'll have everyone get together in one of the bars/lounges at our resort after the dinner hour for drinks. We were thinking of assigning our guest list to 2 teams and doing some games (something that makes them consult with each other as a team) to get people talking and interacting with each other... But we'll decide the team divisions because we definitely wont' have an equal distribution of the guest list (groom's side outnumbers brides side by about 4:1)...

Quote: Originally Posted by RaydensMama See, I know its my day and that 2000 isnt a whole lot, but with my sister there is 4 of them coming so it will be more like $5550 for them all. We already have basically no friends coming and my FI doesn't have any family coming. It just seems to be getting smaller by the minute. Guess its just a bit upseting that no one seems to want to come anymore. I totally understand---- I have a brother with 3 kids and my FSIL has 2 kids. My brother isn't willing to spend the money, so he just crossed any option to attend. My FSIL would love to take her husband and 2 kids, but she has also said that if they can't afford for everyone to attend, she and her husband will attend and the kids will stay home with their in-laws. No matter how much you try and accommodate your guests, they will complain. There are also other options---- if 1 year isn't enough warning to save the funds to attend, they could stay at a non-AI resort or a local hotel to cut back on some of their costs. Granted, you would need to find out what your resort would charge for guest passes for them---- and they wouldn't be able to spend as much time with you during their stay----- but at least it would get them to the wedding. My personal opinion is that everyone *loves* a wedding, as long as it doesn't put them out.... but ask them to make some effort and you'll never hear the end of it....

Christa, can you email me the template too? ([email protected]) Thanks!!!!

Magazine subscriptions to Modern Bride, Brides, Bridal Guide.... hehehe.... First real purchase would be the water bottle koozies for our Welcome Bags... I had to guess on quantities, so between now and the wedding, we may have to create some new bags and if the items are available anymore (very likely), then some people will get bags different bags/items...

Damn---- I've been to 2 Target's around me and neither had true wedding stuff. But I did notice that they are now bringing out the light/dark blue and light/bright pink summer colored stuff. They had some beach towels for $4.99 and some seashell table decorations (by the summer kitchen items) that could be used for centerpiece things.

Some of the girls paid people to make them. I put a post on our wedding website with the instructions on making them and a handful of people have downloaded the document and started making their own. I'll PM you the website info if you want and you can give it a try...

Quote: Originally Posted by anacgarcia We actually didn't do any games.. I don't really like it hahahaha.. we just sat there.. ate, had lots of wine and talked to other people.. I'm so sad I don't have lot's of pics we had a photographer but he didn't take many pics So sad--- I saw the pack of Marlboro's on the table in this photo and man, I'm jonesing!!! Anny, the shower looked fabulous! Your hair was gorgeous - I'm so envious of people who can get a curl to stay in their hair! No amount of product and heat will make one last more than about 2 minutes in my hair!!! The party looked very elegent and everyone looked so relaxed! It just amazes me when I see people who are so comfortable entertaining! Just the idea of having that many people in one room with me as the center of attention just un-nerves me already!!!!! So glad the shower was a success! The photos are great and hopefully other people took enough to make up for the (lazy) photographer!!!

Yep--- but most of the resorts (that I've seen pricing on) charge about $80 for a floral bouquet, and at least this would last.... It's a neat idea---- maybe I can paint some shells/starfish and come up with something similar for less....

My FSIL saw this website and emailed me this morning... The "Large Kissing Ball" would be really neat to hang on a shepherd's hook at the end of each row of chairs for the cermony.... PEARLY DESTINATION WEDDING COLLECTION, Beach Weddings, Seashell Bridal Bouquets & Pillows, Bridal Shower Favors

Quote: Originally Posted by BayBug I really like the idea of putting it in a small check-in bag. That way you won’t have to stuff your dress in the over head compartment and watch everyone smash it. I would be every upset and probably cry. I loved this idea too until I remembered the times my luggage has gotten lost and took several days to arrive after me.... I don't think the idea of carrying it on and even having to store it in the overhead bothers me because I'd hold it on my lap until everyone had their heavy bags already in the compartment. If it got wrinkled, we'll be there 2-3 days in advance, so I'll check to make sure the resort has some place where it could be steamed for me, if needed. I like Natasha's seamstress tho---- that was really neat of her to tell you what to get and bring it to her so she could pack it for you without worry....

Quote: Originally Posted by SASSYGIRL So many of you know that I purchased a dress a few months ago. I actually posted a few of my options and had you ladies pick which looked best. Here is a picture of me in the dress I bought. BUT the other day I was looking at nordstrom.com and found this dress that I thought is really pretty too and in a moment of weekness I ordered it! The nordstroms dress came in the mail yesterday and it is really nice! I always wished I could pull off a dress like this - more form fitting and sexy - but it isn't like anything I have every worn before. I am a bigger girl - size 12 or 14 and vertically challenged (only 5' 3".) But I have been working out and have lost a few inches / pounds and thanks to the sphanx under the gown I am pleased to say it looked good. WHY DO WE DO THIS TO OURSELVES? Know I don't know what to do! I just don't want people to be totally shocked or think I look terrable or slutty in my gown. I am going to try both dresses on for my aunt on Tuesday and i will have her take pictures of me in the second one for you ladies to see. I know it is hard to give your feedback with out real pictures to compair but I needed to vent to someone who would understand my delema! OMG--- I *never, ever, ever* would have pegged you a 12/14 with the height you listed!!! You look *amazing* in the first dress! It gives you a great shape and accentuates your waist in a really good way!! And when I saw the reflection of you in the mirror, you look like a body building/trainer! I love dress 2. If you tried it on and liked it, GO FOR IT! I know what you're talking about---- seeing a dress, wishing you could pull it off, settling for something else that still looks good---- don't do it for your wedding day! If you tried on 2 and like it, wear it because you'll look back and think "wow, I looked awesome on my wedding day!" If you're crediting SPHANX with that, someone PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me what/where to get this product!!!!

I agree that if you're willing to purchase them now, to just go ahead and then order 1 size bigger and let them alter later. I think Natasha has a good idea too about you buying them and just hanging on to them until the BM's think things are a little more set in stone. I think you're being generous and it sounds like you've been accommodating as much as possible for them, so I agree to a certain extent that they are kind of being a pain about it. I gotta say tho after reading so many MOH/BM stories---- when ladies agree to be in a wedding party, do they think there isn't anything they are going to have to do for it In most of the ones I've read, it's like they want to behave like little kids---- mommie does the shopping, mommie picks everything out, mommie tells them when/what to do---- are we really this clueless when it comes to being in someone's wedding I'm lucky so far--- my sister bends over backwards for me about the wedding---- always tells me my favorite thing to hear: "Whatever you want is fine with me." Same with my best friend who is a BM---- she's flying down next weekend just to attend a bridal show with me and we'll probably go look at dresses for her just because the area she lives in sucks for bridal shops. Now, my daughter will probably be the PITA just because she's demanding and opinionated like I am----

Quote: Originally Posted by cheese_diva Maria, two words A-line.. ok that's one word, but point is... fitting on top and you can't see a thing waist down.. lol That's my plan anyhow. Even if I didn't lose another pound the dress looks beautiful! (except the back fat which I've been told can be smoothed out with a finger across the back) I don't buy the junk food either.. our HR dept came around with jelly beans and chocolate bunnies for Easter. I gave up the jelly beans immediately but have held onto the bunny. He's waiting in the back of my desk drawer. Most days I don't think about him, but yesterday, a moment of weekness.. I think it's true about cravings.. wait a half an hour and usually they pass.. Good thing it did! Definitely--- the A-line is the saving grace to big wedding dresses--- on the plus side, at least I have boobs (thank you genetics!), so I figure I'll focus on the boobs and hope no one looks lower than that on the dress! hehehe... When you wrote "back fat" I cracked up---- silly really, but FI had never heard that phrase before until I said it one day to him and now he cracks up every time I say it. Will-power does a lot----- I personally have to stick photos of skinny gowns on my fridge to remind myself to keep plugging along.... 30 down, but about 100 to go!!! But hey, it took about 30 years to put it on, so if it only takes me about 1.5 to get it off, I figure I'm still kicking ass! (And hopefully, I didn't offend too many people with my previous post---- I don't really have issues with people's size and I'm not real 'fat sensitive' but a lot of people get offended when I start joking around about it---)

These are what we included---- very basic and not related to any theme/color we are using in the wedding... I did them in PrintShop software. Very nice to use because you can easily save it as a PDF or JPEG without any image issues.... I printed it on some leftover postcard paper I had from Office Depot. I used to print photos and graphics I made for my daughter on the postcard paper and I'd sent them to her when I was traveling--- the paper was usually very light and I'd wind up using some laminating sheets to strengthen them. I was worried about that with these, but figured what the hell, I'll send them without for once. They've all been coming back without hardly any damage to them...

I'm undecided on this one. If I have to find/supply most of the items, then screw it.... not going to bother with it. I'm not superstitious about any of it. But I always thought it is really neat when the family of the bride (both sides) supply the items... In my case, I would love to have my mom, my FMIL supply the something old, something new and I would love to have my sister do the something borrowed and FI's sister he's closest to do the something blue. But I fear the idea would backfire on me and I hate the idea of just asking people to do this.... So more than likely, I'll skip it... Oh and speaking of wedding traditions and their origins---- did you know the bridal bouquet began as a way to disguise the stench of people during the middle ages when they only bathed like once or twice a year? And the "wedding cake" actually started off as people hitting each other over the head with hard pieces of bread?

When we were shopping I found "Sun Jewelry".... I think they have a physical store in California, but their online selection was large and they do custom designs. I remember finding them and thinking their prices were lower than anywhere else I had found. I also remember something about a company called Robins Brothers and they touted themselves as being the largest engagement ring store. Don't know much about them. By the time I found their website, we had already gotten my ring... But, while we're on the subject of rings---- FI is probably dreading finding a girl with a Swedish heritage because we get 3 rings: the engagement ring, the wedding ring and a third one to symbolize family/fertility.... And it gives us a great explanation for why I'll be walking around with a "wedding band" on before we head to Mexico (for our private ceremony later this year that we're not telling anyone about)...

Quote: Originally Posted by cheese_diva HELP!!! I want to eat the godiva easter bunny that I tucked into my desk drawer. Two days prior to receiving it, I made the announcement to not have sugary snacks, cookies, candy, ice cream, etc for one month. I did it with the bread, noodles, and rice and it worked great to jumpstart my weight loss.. What the heck was I thinking!!! Now all I think about is candy and sweet stuff. I had frozen grapes last night while my FI had the rest of his ice cream cake. Oh sweet little easter bunny!! Need some support here. The bottle of water and apple in front of me aren't cutting it and I think I may fall off the wagon. Ok, this is going to sound soooo bad, but.... If you want motivation to stick to your diet plan, go spend about 15 minutes looking on the internet at fat chicks in wedding dresses. I speak from the bottom of my fat girl heart---- there are certain things that should not be worn on fat people in general--- 1) spandex (altho that was just a horrible 80's clothing idea in the first palce) and 2) big poofy white dresses---- *NOT* flattering for squishy people!!!! I am telling you, plus sized wedding dresses are not that great looking and that is the one area of the wedding planning that personally makes me want to either stick a gun to my head or climb to the tallest building at design colleges with an AK47....