Karen

Quote: Originally Posted by LC_Rachel Thank you for saying this Karen. My thoughts exactly. Even if it's the 4th wedding, it's still cause to celebrate. If others have a problem with it, that's their choice. Exactly!! Never in a million years did I ever think I would be divorced. Never! Your friends and family know the hills and valleys of your life and should want to celebrate with you no matter what. I have to say there was something pretty cool about being an experianced bride. I knew more about what I wanted from a marriage and I knew what I wanted to avoid regarding wedding stress. I got to experiance things this time that I didn't the first time like having a DW, having a bachelorette party, and an engagement party. We didn't have a shower because we were eloping. But i digress. Shout it from the roof tops that love has prevailed!!! Be proud and happy! don't feel guilty.

I got to say I can't stand the mentality that a second wedding should be treated as a lesser affair and as not of big of a deal as a first wedding. Nobody (at least no one i know) gets married knowing or thinking it will end in divorce. I didn't do something something wrong by getting married twice. I was heart broken when things didn't work out with my first husband and marrying Jay wasn't any less of an event or something to be kept low key or hush hush. Nobody knows the future. You do the best you can. Gettting married again is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, if you still want to get married after going through a divorce or the death of a spouse, then good for you!!!! And according to etiquitte, one should never expect gifts.....whether this is your 1st or 6th wedding.

I was a second time bride too. My husband and I eloped in Mexico and had a small AHR at home. I just really didn't want a big wedding again and just wanted something intimate and I wanted my husband all to myself on our day. I found that a lot of my friends and family wished we had something bigger and wished that we did the big wedding. After going with me on my journey through the loss and heartache of divorce and then the joy of finding love again, my friends so wanted to celebrate maybe even more than the first time. Don't feel guilty, you aren't twisting anyone's arms here. If they can join you they will, if they can't they won't.

You could just go to a bridal shop and try on veils of different lengths. I wanted a short veil too. I went to David's to do this and ended up getting a blusher. I wanted short and simple with no edging so this fit the bill. Best part was that it was $20. I wore it with the comb tucked in the middle of my head tucked above my bun. It fell around my shoulders.

So when we met Kelly and Everton for the first time, she insisted that I have a true Canadian drink that I would only be able to get in Canada - A Ceasar which is basically a Bloody Mary made with Clamato Juice. It was very yummy!!! = ) I told my FIL about it and he pointed out that Clamato is made in the states. I don't know where I'm going with this....but I do love Ceasars....lol.

Sadly, there really aren't any AIs in PR. Maybe one but I hear it's super expensive. However, PR accomodations, food, etc. is relatively inexpensive.

That is so awful. Your FBIL is in my prayers and I hope he has a speedy recovery. For $40 or $4 million, violence like that never makes sense. But rest assured, the universe has a way of bringing a person's actions back to him or her eventually.

Happy Birthday Amy!! And Honey you need to cash in on this for sure! I can't stand it when people use the excuse that birthdays don't mean much to them and thats why it gets blown off. It means something to you and that should be important.

Glenda!!!! I'm so glad you are getting married. I concur with the rest of the girls. Ditch the Rehearsal Dinner. I love the idea of a cocktail party because it's so elegant and cost efficient at the same time. Usually with that sort of affair you don't need as many tables because most are up and mingling. Twinkling lights, lanterns, and tea lights would be wonderful and inexpensive as decor. Good luck sweetie!!!

Sounds like you and your BF are on the right path. Sounds like you are both taking steps to be respectful and loving to each other. Just be there for him. Therapy might be very helpful. I was in your BF's shoes. I was devestated when I last marriage ended (with infidelity being a part of it) and had to overcome some trust issues. I also realized that not all men do this. I also had to overcome some anxiety about marrying again Once bitten twice shy). And none of this had anything to do with my husband Jay. Jay was very patient with me while I worked through a lot of this. His patience just made it all the more clear that marrying him was the best thing i could ever do. Therapy might be helpful. It helped me. But overall your patience and kindness will work wonders.

These stories are awesome and I can't believe my husband didn't tell me about his shopping spree with MCA. I dated this guy once who was a radio DJ and of course he met and interviewed a bunch of people. He told me that before his interview with Jon Bon Jovi, the PR person told him he was to address Mr. Bon Jovi as "the superstar Jon Bon Jovi". lol. And he could figure out what Ozzy Osbourne was saying to him during an interview. Oh and thanks to Jay I met the lead singers of Squirrel Nut Zippers. I love love love that band.

I think it's a sweet idea and I doubt your friends will think it's tacky. They will be too excited to think that. = )

I think you will find that a lot of things like coordinating excursions and travel arrangements will be easier. It was just the two of us and we had a blast.

She is such a cutie!!!!!

You won't be disappointed. She was just wonderful.

We only had our photographer for a couple of hours so we pretty much had our champange and cut our cake righ after the ceremony so we could have pics taken of it.

Very cool. It seems like a few of you have had brushes with greatness. I've had a couple more celebrity "walk bys" that I just remembered. When I was in college, I was sketching in the African art section of the Metropolitan Museum of Art when Jerry Garcia walked by me. Oh and a couple of months ago Jay and I were in a rest stop. I was in the gift shop getting something. I come out and Jay says to me...You were just in the gift shop with the lead singer of Phish. I had no idea.

What famous person did you meet? Were they nice? What happened? I'll have to live vicariously through all of you. The closest I ever came to meeting someone famous was when I was 16 or 17. I was standing outside the backstage door after an Alice Cooper concert. I was a bit of a metalhead back then, big teased hair and all. Alice got on his tour bus, put his hand on the windshield and motioned for me to put my hand where his was on my side of the windsheild and I did. Teenage me was so happy. Thirty something me is thinking this may also qualify as one of the corniest times of my life.

I just don't know what's going on with kids these days (lol. yes my mother just inhabited my body for a sec). They just seem to be getting bolder and bolder.

I am so sorry you are having this crazy week. Hopefully everything works out. But she definately is going to grow up quick now. I would be so mad. But it sounds like you can be there for her and be supportive because I have a feeling she will need it. You really do need to get a drink today....a big one. lol.

For Undergrad: College of New Rochelle (small women's college in Westchester County NY) For grad school: SUNY Albany

Well hopefully everyone can hold it together for two hours and be positive for your sake. Don't worry. I'm sure it will work out.

I have been working in social services for the past 14 years. I have mainly worked in child welfare but have also worked with developmentally disabled adults. I have volunteered and participated in Team In Training which raises money for the Leaukemia Society through participation in long distance races (running). But the thing is making a difference in this world does not have to entail anything large. No matter what your job is you can contribute. The smallest things such as a smile or a kind word can change someone's life for the better. I went through a pretty dark time in my life a few years back when I was depressed and going through a divorce. A smile from the grocery clerk or a great haircut from my stylist was just what I needed some days to make it through. So don't underestimate yourself. You have probally already made somebody's life better and don't even know it.

I work a lot so when I'm not working I'm usually staring blankly at a television. But when I do get a burst of energy, My interests include: running/ going to the gym art (painiting mostly some crafts) planning my next vacation reading and I belong to a supper club that meets monthly

I say go for it. That's the beauty of having a DW at an all inclusive. Then you might have some money left for little extras.