Heidi

Any April ROR brides want to meet up for a drink I'm there till April 8th.

Quote: Originally Posted by NYJen Heidi, you must be going through the same thing right now. CRAZY!!!! How are you doing? Last night I couldn't sleep, I was just soooo excited. Everytime I run wedding errands, I get home and remember 3 other things I needed to get... I have about 8 different lists... still have to make my centerpieces... I'm feeling a little stressed and slightly overwhelmed! I'm SOOOOOO glad I have NO WORK for a week and a half! WOOT! Also, I decided to do some BD pics, so just grabbing some lingerie, etc that I already have cause I have NO TIME to get new stuff! (good thing I got a few things as gifts during my shower!) We're doing the BD pics the night before the wedding... should be fun! (just a few though; not a whole long session!)

YES!!! ...at least I sure hope so!!!

Readings during the ceremony: TRADITIONAL IRISH BLESSING May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his hand. May God be with you and bless you; May you see your children's children. May you be poor in misfortune, Rich in blessings, May you know nothing but happiness From this day forward. May the road rise to meet you May the wind be always at your back May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home And may the hand of a friend always be near. May green be the grass you walk on, May blue be the skies above you, May pure be the joys that surround you, May true be the hearts that love you. Hug O' Warâ€, by Shel Silverstein I will not play at tug o' war. I'd rather play at hug o' war, where everyone hugs instead of tugs, where everyone giggles, and rolls on the rug, where everyone kisses, and everyone grins, and everyone cuddles, and everyone wins. And for the rest, we're still deciding which we'll use: The Best Is Yet To Be, by Joanna Fuchs On your joyful wedding day, You begin a brand new life. Friends and family give their gifts To joyful husband, blissful wife. But the greatest gift you'll ever get, A gift from heaven above, Is love forever, ending never, Everlasting love. You'll share life's joy and pleasure; You'll have plenty of that, it's true. But love is the real treasure For your new spouse and you. And if life hands you challenges, As it does to one and all, Your love will hold you steady And never let you fall. Your wedding day is full of joy; Tomorrow you cannot see. But one thing's sure for the two of you: The best is yet to be. From "The Hungering Dark", by Frederick Buechner Matrimony is called holy, because this brave and fateful promise of a man and a woman, to love and honor and serve each other through thick and thin, looks beyond itself to more fateful promises still, and speaks mightily of what human life at its most human and most alive and most holy must always be. Every wedding is a dream, and every word that is spoken there means more than it says, and every gesture - the clasping of hands, the giving of rings - is rich with mystery. And so it [is that] we hope with every bride and groom, that the love they bear one another, and the joy they take in one another, may help them grow in love for this whole world where their final joy lies. The Promiseâ€, by Heather Berry “Within this blessed union of souls, where two hearts intertwine to become one, there lies a promise. Perfectly born, divinely created, and intimately shared, it is a place where the hope and majesty of beginnings reside. Where all things are made possible by the astounding love shared by two spirits. As you hold each other’s hands in this promise, and eagerly look into the future in each other’s eyes, may your unconditional love and devotion take you to places were you’ve both only dreamed. Where you’ll dwell for a lifetime of happiness, sheltered in the warmth of each other’s arms. Roads Go Ever Ever On, by J.R.R Tolkien Roads go ever ever on, Over rock and under tree, By caves where never sun has shone, By streams that never find the sea; Over snow by winter sown, And through the merry flowers of June, Over grass and over stone, And under mountains in the moon. Roads go ever ever on Under cloud and under star, Yet feet that wandering have gone Turn at last to home afar. Eyes that fire and sword have seen And horror in the halls of stone Look at last on meadows green And trees and hills they long have known.

Duh, I forgot all the ceremony stuff... VOWS: Heidi/Reggie, I love you. You are my best friend. Today I give myself to you in marriage. I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle. I promise to love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard, when our love is simple, and when it is an effort. I promise to cherish you, and to always hold you in highest regard. These things I give to you today, and all the days of our life. EXCHANGE OF RINGS: I give this ring in token and in pledge of my constant faith and abiding love with all that I am, and all that I will become. SAND CEREMONY: (we have pink & green sand, woohoo!) Heidi and Reggie, you have just sealed your relationship by the giving and receiving of rings and the exchange of a kiss, and this covenant is a relationship pledge between two people who agree that they will commit themselves to one another throughout their lives. The most beautiful example of this partnership is the marriage relationship. You have committed here today to share the rest of your lives with each other. Today, this relationship is symbolized through the pouring of two individual containers of sand one, representing you, Heidi and all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be, and the other representing you, Reggie, and all that you were and all that you are, and all that you will ever be. As the two containers of sand are poured into the third container, the individual containers of sand ceased exist, but are joined together as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will your marriage be.”

Let me know if I missed anything! I'll be on here most of the night, and I'm happy to answer questions about my wedding that's in ONE WEEK!!!

Guest book (made on Shutterfly): OOT Bag Goodies - We got travel mugs made (I wish the pic came out more clearly!) - they're great and I LOVE them! The whole bag - 1 travel mug per person, 1 frisbee per room, 1 deck of cards, 1 water gun per person, 1 beach ball per room, lei for each woman and gum! Other odds & ends, no pictures though - sorry! - We're renting the disco (Pacha Disco) for our reception. - 4 white parasols from Luna Bazaar for my BMs, and 1 fuschia parasol for me - My mom designed the BM bouquets (green & pink hydrangeas) - I have NO IDEA what I'm doing with my hair yet. Going to a BMs house tomorrow in Jersey and we're playing hair ALLLLL day long - I made 2 hair flowers tonight (cream rose & bright pink something). I'll post pics with hair trials on Sunday. - Photographer: Robin dePaula. She's going to shoot some BD pics the night before my wedding. You all convinced me! - TTD Pics: Robin dePaula - we're going to Coyoba River Gardens and getting our trash on in the waterfalls! - Planned excursions: the whole wedding group is going to Dunns River Falls the AM after the wedding; whoever wants to join us will be doing the Canopy Tour (yay!), and we're probably doing Dolphin Cove (though I have an ethical problem with taking wild dolphins out of their natural habitat...) - I'm getting bright pink toes and a tropical manicure in bright pink. Very fun! HOLY CRAP THAT WAS LONG!!! And I have so much more to say too!

OK... here's my all-in-one planning - The wedding ceremony site: (we're either getting the arch pictured or just plain beach!) The resort (ROR!): Our room (Jr Suite): Wedding dinner site: My dress: Me in my dress and with veil, with my sister in her MOH dress (though I'm not wearing my hair like that or wearing the veil like that!): My fabulous bouquet: BM gifts:

I'm HERRRREEEE!!!!!!!!!!! Oh geesh, pictures? I'm so pooped! I'll do my best to get a couple things I haven't posted yet. Yea, haven't been able to get online during the day - but my probationary period at work is ALMOST over; so in a couple weeks they can't fire me for any reason and I'll get on a little! It's total crunch time with wedding stuff... I still have a fair bit to do. And you all better feel SUPER SPECIAL; because I JUST finished packing up 2 bags (both had some OOT bag stuff in them) and I'm going to go open them up and take pics of everything for you! STAY TUNED!!

Oh, we changed the reception plans back to Pacha Disco. Ya know, buying a house and all... hehe!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVVVEEEE the tropical bouquet!!!! Perfect for a DW!

Quote: Originally Posted by ochoriobride Wow heidi 10 days before your wedding. You must be excited!! You're right behind me!!

Quote: Originally Posted by twelve_piece Steel drum band playing Canon in D, i can't wait. And not that you asked this, but we are also having our first dance on the beach so that we can dance to the steel drum band. same here - on both counts!

WOW! This is a crazy story so far! So sweet! Off to part 2...

I'm heading to the ROR in a few short days! I'll bring back TONS of pics for everyone!!

I was searching for threads with packing advice and this one helped me out A LOT, as I'm starting to pack tonight (EEK!) and was putting together my lists. for anyone who is also packing soon!!!

I have colleceted a TON of links over the past year and a half... here are some I was saving (though most I never even used!) - hopefully this is able to help someone else out!! Centerpieces: http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/...RD&rsc=related Freeze Dried Rose Petals: http://www.petalgarden.com/freeze-dried-rose-petals.htm Sand Ceremony: http://www.theknot.com/co_profilevie...bio&MsdVisit=1 Votive candles & holders: $35.44 for 72 http://cudge.net/holders_detail5.html Cake Topper: http://www.magicalday.com/beach-palm...cake-idea.html Necklaces? http://www.bobbisbobbles.com/services.html ROR Forum: http://www.riubambu.com/phpBB2/index.php?f=23 Vow ideas: http://kvetch.indiebride.com/index.p...876132&start=0 http://www.unionoflove.com/vows/certificate.html OOT Bag ideas: http://www.lipbalmexpress.com/ Hair: http://www.yourweddingcompany.com/in...es/planId/309/ Margaritaville: http://www.frommers.com/destinations...os/D54371.html http://www.margaritavillecaribbean.c...ocho_rios.html Music: http://www.weddingvendors.com/music/ Lee’s Taxi Tours: http://leestaxiandtoursjamaica.com/Attractions_1.htm Place Card Holders: http://shop.getmarried.com/palmtree-placecards.html http://shop.getmarried.com/flip-flop-frames.html Wine Stopper Favors: http://shop.getmarried.com/starstopper.html Suit Case Favors: http://shop.getmarried.com/MilesofMemories.html http://www.weddingfavordiscount.com/...-p/14031ka.htm

Quote: Originally Posted by jaychristensen I just thought I would share the email I just got from the wedding sales coordiator at RIU, which was cc'd to Chandlyn. I felt a huge relief that we should not run into complications on the wedding day. Dear Jocelyn, Thank you for contacting RIU Weddings Sales Department. I would like to confirm that if your friend will be part of your wedding guests, there will be no problem if he takes your wedding pictures. There will be no problems with Michael or fee if you don't use the photographer of our Hotel. I am "cc" to Ms. Chandlyn Edwards, our On Site Wedding Coordinator in Ocho Rios, so she can be informed about this matter. If you shall require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. Warm Regards, Valeria Munguia Weddings Sales Coordinator Ocho Rios & Negril, Jamaica Weddings By Riu America's Division Email: [email protected] **In order to have a wedding at our RIU Hotels & Resorts, the couple and the 80 percent of the total amount of the wedding guests must stay at the hotel where the wedding will be performed. This is a strict Riu policy we must follow. Perfect! Jocelyn, we're so CLOSE!!! eeeekkk!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by md_ocr I've run into some problems. I ordered my original birth certificate and got the certified copy in the mail. I made a copy of the certified copy and took both to the notary. they refused to notarize it. They said that it is illegal in the state of california to touch a birth or death certificate. What do i do now should i just send Chandlyn the original? I"m scared that it will get lost in the mail and that she will never receive it.........even if i send it certified. Same story here in PA. I sent Chandlyn the certified copy I had ordered (with raised seal), she received it and said it was acceptable.

Quote: Originally Posted by Lizz I've gone to 2 Philly meet-ups so far. I have to admit, I was really nervous the first time, I felt like I was going on a blind date...lol! I'm sure we started talking about weddings at first, but we also talked about everything else going on in our lives too. I think we've all made some really good friends and it's so nice to finally meet the people that you talk to almost everyday online. Have a great time! I feel exactly the same! Also having been to 2 meet-ups, I agree it felt like a blind date. But that lasted a VERY short time! I think everyone definitely lived up to their online personas...I think I could pick out who everyone was before we were properly introduced! You're going to have a fabulous time!!

Quote: Originally Posted by DougsGirl OMG Heidi 11 days! Tell me about it!!! I'm freaking out!!! (in a good & excited way! haha!) Five more work days....woohoo!

aboard!!

ah, it's been crunch time for wedding stuff and the house buying thing is occupying the rest of my free time...I didn't get around to reading this one - but I'm in for the next one! I'll submit the same one as last month. Thanks!

Happy Birthday!!

what about white/cream?