Karen

Congratulations Kelly and Everton! Your pictures are wonderful and the two of you look so happy. Your children are beautiful. Jason and I wish you all the happiness in the world. Enjoy the DR and have fun!!!

My friends and I got dressed up went to a local upscale club, had apps and drinks. It was low key and fun. The wackiest thing that happened was that we were playing the bachelorette dare game and i had to pinch the bouncer's butt and say "is this seat taken?" too funny. The club party planner made me and she promised me that the bouncer Pablo would be good natured about it and think nothing of it. It was just a really nice opportunity to bond with the ladies.

Thanks lavender (pretty name), it was pretty darn perfect!

Thanks guys! We had a lot of fun planning everything.....but I'm just so happy that the stress of planning everything and all the running around is over. Now we can breathe and take it easy until our next project comes along!!

Our wedding planning has taught me a lot about Jay and our relationship as a whole. From day one, we approached planning as a team. Actually due to his love and talent for travel planning, Jay took the lead researching destinations and locations. I thought it was awesome (and a little surprising...lol) when Jay told me he joined BDW. He would tell me all about stuff he read on his "destination bride" forum. Then I joined so I could get in on the fun. I took the lead on planning the AHR. I love party planning and detail oriented stuff. Whenever one of us took the lead, the other was there to assist, support the other, and share opinions. We learned a lot about compromise, negotiation, and effective communication together. If our wedding planning process is any indicator how our marriage is going to go then I would say we are off to a great start. I just want to thank Jay for all his hard work in the planning of our wedding. Of course I've told him privately but I thought it was only fitting to thank him here as well. My husband has gone above and beyond to make sure this time of our life was special and memorable. I look at him and I can't believe I have the honor of being this amazing man's wife. I am grateful everyday for the joy Jay has brought to my life and I intend to spend the rest of my life making him happy. Usually I wouldn't be so demonstative like this but I just want to shout from the rooftops how lucky I am and how much I love this man. I can't wait for what happens next.

We had our last wedding event last night...our AHR. It was fun and everyone seemed to have a great time. I was a little stressed out in the beginning. We forgot our parent gifts at home so Jay had to run home (45 minute drive!!!) to get them. Guests started arriving early (while I was still setting up). Then I got upset because there was problems with seating and I just wanted everything be perfect. I started crying. I tried not to but I was frazzled. It was so cute because all the Moms (my mom, my mother in law, my stepmother in law, and my grandmother in law) just started hugging me and reassuring me that everything was lovely. Then I had a margarita and all was right with the world again. All in all we had a great time. The food was incredible. I actually got to eat my wedding cake. My Father in Law gave us such a sweet toast. I think everyone enjoyed the low key nature of our shin dig. Everyone loved the favors. I am so glad We asked everyone to write us a message or wedding advice for our scrap book. The messages and advice were so touching and sweet. My friend Erica took over picture duties (Thank God) so when she sends them to me, I'll post them.

Hi Courtney. Welcome and congrats on your engagement!

Do what you want! Do what you want! Do what you want! Jay and I listened to our guts (that sounds weird) and we don't regret anything. Our wedding day was perfect! I will never forget Jay and I walking on the beach looking at tuquoise water after we said I do! Simply the most beautiful day I've ever had. If we listened to other people, we wouldn't have had the day of our dreams. If having a DW weeds out the a**holes who want to bring you down...then cool..they can stay home while you drink margaritas with sand between your toes.

Just to clarify, most Dreams wedding packages include a discount off of spa services.

AHR is tomorrow! I can't wait! I spent today getting my color done, getting my nairs done, arguing with the guy from party city about the price of a cake sever set. He said it was $17. I begged to differ..it was 12. I won! I found a wedding themed scrapbook in Target. We are passing out tiffany blue card stock and asking everyone to write a message., a wish, or marriage advice on a card Later,We going to put the cards together with AHR pics in the scrapbook. Jay took care of the 8x10 framed pics for the parents and they look amazing. Renee (who is also a BDW member) is in town from Atlanta!! Our favors came out so cool. I'm so glad we ordered the Mexican candy..its so fun and unique. Chili pepper and strawberry flavor lollipos anyone? The brown paper bags containing the candy are all sealed with our monogram on the outside. They look like something out of Martha Stewart mag and they were sooooo easy. I'm babbling but I'm just very excited.

I shed and shed and shed. between me, the two kitties, and Chloe (our dog). Our place is covered in hair. I hate it when I wear black and every so often someone picks hair off of me because i'm usually oblivious.

I wear make-up almost daily. I decided to use the spa to do my makeup because I just didn't want to worry about doing it, getting nervous, poking myself in the eye with the wand, and all that nonsense. Plus I tend to go a little heavy handed at times with the eye liner. what can I say..I'm a child of the 80's. I figured that if the makeup artist made me look like a clown then I would wipe it off. Victor at Dreams Tulum did my makeup and he did a great job. He went very light on the makeup just enough to enhance my features and it didn't melt off. I was very pleased and thought I looked very good and not made up. I was also not stressed out because all I had to do was get dressed. Here's a little tip for Dreams brides: Use the discount off spa services (%20) towards your hair and makeup. My total bill for my updo and makeup was $96 US. This is a very good deal. My updo costs for my AHR tomorrow starts at $65 and that's here in Albany

lol. that is too funny!

Congrats Ann & Heidi!!!!!

The dress is soooo pretty and I love the pin! You must be sooooo excited! Its coming quick!

You can't be referring to by-law 234 sec. 12 part b? But that is so antiquated! No one ever adheres to that anymore. Besides Laura I thought that was supposed to be our little secret. How could you? And umm Laura....Wasn't it you and Michael who were opening displaying the BDW secret handshake for all to see in broad daylight? Hmmmph!!! And you call yourself a Senior Member!

I'm sure a lot of you have looked at some of our pics by now. Our friends and family were blown over by the pictures they have seen and have noted that these are pieces or art and aren't your standard pose and smile wedding pics

Ahhhhhh! My husband is soooooooooooooo funny!! lol!

The pics are wonderful! You were an absolutely gorgeous bride...love the ruffles!! Congrats on your new marriage! Enjoy!

Thanks everyone. I can't wait it's going to be a blast. We will be sure to show you our pics!!

Erik!!!! Woohoo! Congrats on your wedding! Now my hubby has some guy company!!!

No photogragher. Jay is bringing his fancy camera and a tripod. I'm bringing a camera. I'm sure everyone else will be bringing cameras too. So of course we will be able to share pics.

I think it all depends on the feel and setting of the wedding (formal or informal). Personally I think as long as your mom' s attire makes her feel comfortable, beautiful, and compliments your wedding style then she's good.

Good Luck Lizzy! Just said a prayer for you!

Please let me know if there's anything I'm missing. I can be such a nut about this stuff and have never been to an informal wedding celebration so I have no guide books and nothing to reference. I don't want to make this into something it's not (a formal reception). We just want a low key celebration that still has a bridal feel. BTW We eloped to Mexico. Everybody knew and was supportive. I have no regrets and loved my wedding but there might be a teensy part of me that feels a little guilty. OK So Here are the details. So Senor Jason and I are having our little AHR on Saturday (8/4/07- our one month-a-versary as a married couple) for 23 of our friends and family at our favorite Mexican Restaurant at 5 p.m. in Saratoga, NY. Saratoga is a quaint resort town famous for it's race track which is only open from late July to early Sept. It has a lively night life during track season. So after our dinner party a bunch of us are going out for a pub crawl. Our menu consists of salsa & chips as a starter, then black bean soup, and a choice of 5 entrees (Pollo San Marco, Fajitas, Enchiladas, Flautas Mexicanas, and Cochinita Pibil). Special menu cards are going to be at each place setting. We ordered a small wedding cake (sponge cake with alternating layers of rasberry mouse and gran manier chocolate mousse). The cake topper consists of fresh white orchids and white lillies to match our oringinal wedding cake from Mexico. The cake and a digital picture frame showing a slide show of our pics will be displayed on a small table. I got a pretty ivory china cake stand to display the cake. Thinking of scattering rose petals on the cake table. We will do a cake cutting after dinner. Our favors are going to be various Mexican candies (Ibarra chocolate, De la Rose Marzapan, Strawberry/ Hot Pepper lollipops, Lollipops that come with fortunes in Spanish, and some other goodies). We are putting them in small brown paper bags from Target that look like tiny lunch bags that we are stamping with our monogram stamp that we ordered. This is like a tribute to my late grandparents who used to give me treats in brown paper bags they called goodie bags every time I went to their house. I'm thinking of getting a small journal to pass around in which our guests can write marriage advice or messages to us. We will be giving framed wedding pics to our parents, stepparents, and Jay's grandma. We decided against centerpieces and other decor because we didn't want to go overboard and the place is already nicely decorated. I think balloons and banners would be cheezy. I'm wearing an ivory cocktail dress that I wore on our wedding night to the famous wedding night dinner. I'm having my hair done in a chignon. Jay is wearing the pants and shirt he wore on wedding day. Whew! So that's that. I'm pretty sure everything is fine the way it is but i get so anal and obsessive about this stuff. So if its fine please tell me "Karen stop obsessing and enjoy". If theres a suggestion please share.