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I know this SUCKS, but I would just let it go as well. Everyone knows the invites usually come from the host and not the bride. My sister has horrible handwriting so I didn't care for the non-computer printed invites she sent out for my shower, or the thank you notes she so graciously addressed for me ... but I had to remember the thought that went into it on her part! And for a shower #2 she did evites ... not my cup of tea for bridal-related stuff, but .... she took the initiative and cared enough to do it ... and THAT is what truly counts!!!

GREAT pics!!!! You are ssoo beautiful and I just love your dress, flowers, BM dresses, etc just as much as from your DW!!!

Well, they look great the way they are. Maybe just add the shells and baby starfish sprinkled around the coral and bigger shells. I think that just helps bring it all together. Different sizes and textures. And you already have that with the big candleholders and coral. They are going to be beautiful.

How about placing everything on a round or square mirror on top of the table runner, and then adding some sand and small shells, etc dusted around. It will a little "pop" and the candle flicker will show on the mirror. Here's a pic of mine, to give a bit of an idea of what I mean about the small shells, etc sprinkled around...

Quote: Originally Posted by michaela Any other August 16th brides freaking out about the forecast? I know I am! I'm crossing my fingers for you!!! But I also wanted to ask about your name. Is Michaela your first name? I ask b/c my Mom's name is Michael and I was thinking if we have a girl of naming her either Michaela or Michela. I'd never seen it spelled Michaela before. :-)

Quote: Originally Posted by Virg WOW! What a beautiful Idea Tami! Where did you get that stuff? (sorry Bianca :-)) I got the plates from the Dollar Tree ($1 each). They are plastic but really pretty, clear in the center and the color changes on the way to the rim to a aqua color. They had other colors as well. Sand was straight from the beach at our reception site, lol. FREE Seashells were ones I had simply collected over the years. Starfish were off eBay ... got several different shapes and sizes in a big lot. Votive holders and candles from Old Tyme Pottery. $1.99. I re-used them for our AHR and still have them all to use again. I just love these centerpieces!! Here are some AHR centerpiece pics:

There are so many easy, affordable, DIY centerpiece ideas on here. I LOVED mine, and they were beachy instead of flowers. Here's a pic. They cost me less than $3 each.

Darn, I didn't find an "A" in time -- although work has been crazy this week so I haven't had time to really look. But I have kept my camera with me ... so hopefully I can catch up w/ the "A" and find a "B" soon!!!

Nothing of ours broke. I packed it with tissue paper inside and bubble wrap outside. Had it in my carry-on on the way down and checked baggage on the way back, also wrapped in clothing. No issues. :-)

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I totally agree with just picking a bar to meet at for the Cocktail Hour. It is such a waste of money to pay for bartenders when there is never a problem getting drinks at the bar. And, we saw lots of people leave out of courtesy since it was obviously a wedding party, although we wouldn't have minded if they stayed and mingled with us.

I think you will fall in love with EdenH. We didn't visit the resort, but it looked amazing from the outside even and the employees at both our wedding and honeymoon resorts talked about how fantastic it is. We loved PPC for it's lively atmosphere and our wedding there was perfect!!! Doesn't look like you are visiting PPR, but it was the lap of luxury for our honeymoon (same luxury level as EdenH fron what the locals say). When we said we were honeymooning at PPR, we got oohs and aahs from the locals each time. Evidently that's where everyone hopes to work -- although I'd bet EdenH now gives PPR a run for the money! Be sure to take pics. Can't wait to hear your thoughts!!!

Great choice for a local photog! Love your pics!!!

We were married at home ahead of time but didn't bring or need any verification with us.

We were married in April and the weather was PERFECT -- sunny (except for a quick shower the morning of our DW and a full day of rain one day during our honeymoon) and it wasn't too crazy hot. I would definitely pick fall over summer. I know it is crazy hot during June-August. I thought May was the rainy season ... but then Sept-Nov you have to be cognizant of Hurricane Season.

Damn, a day late (or two!!) but wishing the happiest of b-days still!!!

DH has the 2008 Mercedes E350 (I know its the larger class size than the C class) but we absolutely LOVE his car! He's had it almost a year now, and drove it off the lot w/ 7 miles on it. Now it has almost 35,000 (he drives like a maniac all over the East Coast for work and still runs like a dream.

I got my BM's earrings at JC Penney during one of their insane sales. They were all a little different, but the same brand so the colors were the same ... and they matched the BM dresses perfect. I couldn't believe my luck and it added some uniqueness and individualism to their BM dresses. Everyone LOVED the earrings. JC Penney has some unbelievable finds!

We chose the DR b/c we wanted to get married somewhere neither of us had been before, so that the entire experience was something new for both of us. First, we settled on the DR ... then I started researching the different areas ... and came to decide on Punta Cana. Since Tom was in Iraq, I narrowed it down to my Top 5 Punta Cana resorts ... based on price, amenities, wedding packages (we wanted a gazebo), activities for different age groups, etc., luxury vs fun (we wanted both) ... and looking at resorts that would be good for the wedding and also resorts that would be good for our honeymoon. I emailed my top 5 choices to Tom and asked for his input. Without him knowing my Top 2 choices, he picked the exact same two. So, we went with the more group/family/fun/friendly resort (also more affordable) of the two for the DW -- PARADISUS PUNTA CANA and the more luxurious resort (and much pricier) for our honeymoon -- PARADISUS PALMA REAL We could not have been happier with our choices. PPC was absolutely perfect for our group and our wedding, while PPR was the exact sort of luxury and relaxation that we hoped for in a honeymoon. 100% SATISFACTION.

Oh, I LOVE Phoenix and luckily you won't be there in July when I was ... OMG it was hot, but its so cool with all the little water spritzers everywhere. We stayed at the Buttes in Tempe and it was AMAZING!!! We had a fabulous time in downtown Tempe. I can't recall all the things we did and places we went, but you will love it!!!

lol. Our engagement was NOTHING like I had hoped, dreamed or imagined. We were both drunk and he had just picked up the ring that day and couldn't contain himself. I don't even remember him proposing b/c I was drunk. I woke up with the ring on my finger and looked over at him and was like "what is this?" He couldn't believe I didn't remember. I was sssooo upset that he proposed -- the one thing I had been waiting for my entire life -- and I didn't even remember it. I made him do a "do-over." So, the next night, he re-did everything just as he had the night before (except he says he can't remember all the sweet things he said, which sucks). So, trust me, they are definitely NOT what most of us wanted -- BUT it definitely makes for a great story down the road...

Not to be a pessimist ... but have you considered that perhaps the dress WAS delivered? Not everyone has scruples. Are you using the insurance money to refund her cost? Hopefully, of course, it was an honest mishap by the Postal Service -- I know it can happen. Anyway, so glad it was AFTER your wedding! :-)

OMG those pictures are amazing!!!! That resort looks unbelievable! You are an astonishingly beautiful bride and I just love everything about it!! Was your photographer with you for the whole trip? It seems like so many pics, that it couldn't have been just one day?

That dress looks amazing on you!!!! And I love the beach set-up, which makes it much more privatized than some of the beach set-ups I saw while in PC. Absolutely gorgeous all the way around!!! CONGRATS!!!

I love them both. I say take both to the salon to try on again before you decide for sure. I wore a more traditional wedding dress and loved it, but follow your heart for sure!!! You can always sell your 1st dress on eBay, locally or see if anyone here on BDW might be in love with it!