jajajaja

You can be nosy all you want- that's what I'm here for. That figure is for EVERYTHING wedding related, including our 2 week stay. I was not extravagent on anything so I can't really say I feel too bad about spending that much. Too me, it's a lot of money. I know some won't bat an eye at the figure, but I have so many ways I could have used some of that money.

See there we go- Glenda's friends raise the average with their 5 course meals and flowing bubblies. My friend's lower it with their Bud Light and BYOE (Bring Your Own Entree- or better known as a Pot Luck.) I'm tired of those weddings. I don't cook! Humph!

I agree Matt. I wish I could go back and relive it. It went by so fast and I was completely caught up in that whirlwind of emotions.

Quote: Originally Posted by Kat81 The average cost of a wedding is 28000!!! WTF? Thank God for Mexico and Destination Weddings! Since the article is from New York, I'm hoping it's their average- not the countries. I know the weddings here in Oregon make that average drop! LOL I would love to go to a kick ass wedding though. I need some rich friends because I sure as hell can't afford one. I will say after it was all said and done, we spent around 18K. Good LORD! I don't like seeing that figure. I was very anti big weddings because I thought a mortgage was more important. Looks like my values flew out the window or I just had no concept of the costs of weddings. I think and hope it was the latter.

Economy sticking a cake fork in bridezilla? - U.S. business - MSNBC.com NEW YORK - The fairytale weddings that many couples have yearned for are starting to come back down to earth — leveled by everyday problems like house payments and rising gas and food bills. The wedding industry has long been considered one of most recession-proof. Most brides, grooms and their parents see the “big day†as a once-in-a-lifetime event not to be skimped on. But unlike Cinderella and Prince Charming, who didn’t have to worry about a mortgage on the castle, more couples are finding it hard to swallow the average pricetag of items like wedding cakes (about $500), bridal gowns (around $1,300) and flowers (near $2,000). “Every girl dreams about their wedding day,†said Rebecca Stamilio, who braved the February chill and the crowds at Filene’s Basement’s bridal sale in Manhattan to find a gown. “But at the same time, you’re like, oh my gosh — I could pay off this much of my mortgage.†Stamilio, a 30-year-old physics instructor at Edgecombe Community College in Tarboro, N.C., found a long, simple, white gown for $249 that was originally $1,600. “I just don’t want to be in debt,†she said. Many other couples apparently share that sentiment and are cutting some corners as they put their weddings together. Wedding trend tracker The Wedding Report Inc. estimates the average cost of a wedding will dip slightly this year to $28,704, compared with $28,732 in 2007. That runs counter to the trend of the past 15 years, when wedding spending has nearly doubled, according to Conde Nast data. Tammy Elliot, president of the Perfect Wedding Guide wedding planning Web site, noted that the market is growing quickly due to the children of baby boomers. Spending on the actual ceremony and the rehearsal dinner appear to be up this year, according to The Wedding Report data, while outlays for the reception and rings are declining. It’s important to note that the data includes inflation, so with food, energy and metals prices on the rise, many couples are really getting less for their dollar. The wholesale price of gold is up more than 30 percent from a year ago, while platinum is up more than 50 percent, and retailers are having to pass these increases on to consumers. With costs surging, some new wedding trends are sprouting. Liene Stevens, a consultant at the wedding and event planner Blue Orchid Designs, said she’s noticing couples opting for more do-it-yourself wedding items, such as table centerpieces. They’re also planning more brunch and afternoon weddings so they can shell out less for food and alcohol, she said. Stamilio is accustomed to being frugal; financially independent since the age of 16, she paid for her first car, her first computer and her college tuition. But she’s not the only one keeping track of her receipts (she’s aiming for under $10,000 in total) — bigger spenders are seeking out ways to save money, too. Erin Robertson and her family are willing to budget as much as $30,000 for her upcoming wedding, but Robertson went bargain shopping with Stamilio at Filene’s Basement for her dress. She ended up with a $730 ivory silk dress, tax included, that was originally $3,500. Another popular way for newlyweds to save is tweaking or rethinking their honeymoons (an expenditure that is not included in The Wedding Report’s annual spending estimates). Barb Maxwell, who specializes in honeymoon vacations at the travel agency Viking Travel, said requests for European trips have sharply declined over the past several months, and that couples are increasingly choosing packages that include extra benefits and amenities, like free breakfast. The declining dollar, which makes travel abroad more expensive, certainly has had an impact on honeymoon planning. Portofino, Italy, had been 30-year-old Kate Witten’s ideal honeymoon destination for four years. Witten, a yoga instructor who lives in Atlanta, and her boyfriend chose the Mediterranean fishing village just a few weeks after they started dating. But when they realized a few months ago how expensive it would be with the euro worth about $1.55, they nixed the idea and decided on South Africa instead. “Who knows how long the euro is going to stay this way?†said Witten. She noted that their two-and-a-half week trip to South Africa will add up to a relatively hefty $8,000, but they will be able to stay at high-end hotels. “We would’ve had to really pick and choose carefully in Europe.†With brides and grooms looking for ways to pare wedding budgets, retailers and planners are noticing some business shifts. Anna Podore, a buyer for Filene’s Basement’s wedding dress sale, said moderate-price bridal retailers are not selling quite as many dresses as in the past and, as a result, have more inventory to sell to Filene’s at marked-down prices. Brides in the market for dresses over $3,000 appear resilient to the economic downturn, Podore said, but mid-range dresses — $1,000 to $2,000 — seem to be finding fewer takers. Brides are also cutting back on extras. Lauren Walling, marketing director of Catalina & Co., a small bridal gown shop in Brooklyn, said that although orders for designs and alterations keep increasing, orders for cleaning and preservation have declined. “Higher-end venues and vendors are going to have to reposition themselves as things tighten up,†the Perfect Wedding Guide’s Elliot said. And for smaller players in the wedding business, “it’s going to be hard to compete.†Of course, many couples — some even from middle-class familes — are still paying well over $100,000 for their weddings. And although wedding spending appears to be plateauing right now, most experts expect it to resume its climb. “Remember, it’s the dream,†Elliot said. “Many will spend on the dream in good times and in bad.â€

If you haven't watched Ghost Hunters before, tonight is a good night with reruns! LOL I do get freaked out even if I'm not alone.

Well boo to that! Stupid sci fi. Those guys are so confused!

Quote: Originally Posted by NYJen I'm with Rachel, I'm now obsessing over my pics. I constantly look at my non-professional pictures and my 7 teasers from Juan Carlos. I'm not only obsessed with looking at them, but I am also obsessed with people's reactions and feedback. I need a new hobby. YES! I'm not the only one. LOL I feel like a freak and completely self-obsessed! Steve and I have discussed several times that we need to plan another party but we don't have an excuse right now. We had so much fun planning our co-bachelor party that we want to do it all over again!

Not Ghost Hunters! It's back the 28th. My friend thinks they avoided the last 2 weeks since it's sweeps week for the major networks and Sci Fi can't compete. I dunno- just her theory. Anyways, I wonder if that Children of the Grave show is on. I want to watch that one!

And cranberries- I loved one I saw with cranberries.

Oh I totally agree Drea. I only watch the shows for the drama to unfold. I NEVER watch it for a "love story." In this case, I just can't believe he chose Shayne. Before I watched the actual episode, I read this thread so I knew who won. After watching the episode I was so shocked it wasn't Chelsea. When they said their final good byes the night before he chose, he couldn't stop making out with her at the door. I had to giggle because DH and I were like that in the beginning too. Our poor neighbors. Anyways- when he kissed Shayne good bye it was a little peck. No heat, no passion, nada. I would have thought for sure Chelsea would have been the chosen but I already knew the outcome.

Ya the day of the wedding they had us wait in the wrong place too. We had 2 different guys tell us to wait in 2 different spots. We were kinda confused and we even asked one of the pirate guys (LOL) if he knew what was going on since we didn't see any VA people. He asked us who told us to sit there and we told him Alan. He was like "Oh you're cool then. Alan is the main guy." Well alright then.... I wrote about that confusion in my review though. I know we were a little nervous the day of because the marina was chaotic. People were EVERYWHERE.

Our "symbolic" ceremony was no different than a legal one. You still do vows, exchange of rings, and most provide even a decorative license to sign. We signed it in front of guests just like it was the real deal and only a few knew it wasn't legally binding. Most my guests thought it was the full blown legal deal and kept cracking jokes like "it's not to late..." Well people, yes it was- we were married MONTHS before. HA!

It definitely feels weird. For the longest time I kept feeling like I was forgetting to do something. You know, prior to the wedding you had this huge to-do list hanging over your head but then when it's all over that to-do pressure still seems there- at least to me. Now I've moved on to organizing my pics, creating a slideshow, planning gifts involving my wedding pics- LOL. New obsession I suppose and I'm pretty sure people are probably tired of the wedding stuff.

Quote: Originally Posted by monicabrandon2008 See I thought it was really dramatic and like an act too. I didn't want to judge her though so I kept quiet Maybe that is just the way she is......I dunno. I'm looking forward to seeing them on Ellen's show today. haha- well I don't normally like to judge people, but when they are on TV or celebrities, I don't really consider them "real" people so I guess I think I can talk about them all I want. LOL I don't want others to think I'm mean though. I just think it's all a little over the top.

Quote: Originally Posted by monicaswave When it comes down to it I do put it in persepective and realize that as long as my FI and I are there celebrating our new life together that it really doesn't matter who is able to go or not.....but I would really really want my close friends to be able to make it too. While the big picture is really about you and your FI, it certainly is acceptable to want your loved ones to share in the joy. I know it was VERY important for me. If early on, my family told me they weren't going to go, I'm not sure I would have been able to do a DW. DH's family told us early on they weren't going to go, but I left that up to him. I wanted them there but to me, it wasn't as important as my own mom and dad. I know that sounds terrible, but I thought it was better for him to decide if it was a deal breaker for him. They ended up going in the end though so yay! We had a LOT less people there than if we were married at home. It was definitely a sacrifice we were willing to make.

No break between the two. WOOHOO. I like when they do that because otherwise I would forget!

I can't help much but to say I was a number freak too. Our original date was March 28 (because I like even numbers!) but we had to move it to March 27. LOL

Ok so I finally watched the whole thing last night. You guys really thought Shayne was sincere? i had to rewind a few times to rewatch her expressions. I'm torn- at first I thought, hell no- she's acting. Then I rewatched and I noticed her legs tremble before she stumbled. Steve was convinced it was all an act. I dunno- but I guess we shall see if it truly does end up in married bliss. I have a hard time believing they will actually follow through with the engagement and end up married.

Yay! I'm so happy to hear it went well!

Quote: Originally Posted by ErinB I love Izzy but agree that the plot lines in general are getting a little messed up. Did anyone notice how much time passed in this episode? They said it was Meredith and Derek's 5th clinical study patient. I'm not a neurologist, but it seems like it would take more than a few days to find 5 people with in operable brain tumors in Seattle. If this is true, how does Alex not know if Rebecca is/is not preggo? Oh I thought they were talking about overall. It's been so long, I've forgotten all the other stories prior to the break. They had the guy that was attacked by a bear, but really had a crazy tumor. Then this military guy. Now I need to start thinking who else came prior to these 2. I cried during the champagne part. I think it would be so sad to lose patients like that.

Quote: Originally Posted by Maura also...if the other veil doesnt work out, try occansey designs... my veil is similar to your friends, except it has alternating pearls with clear swarovski crystals & is angel cut. i paid like $57 for it. my veil is an exact replica of ann's. I was going to second this. My veil was 65" long with a spaced crystal edging. It was only like $45 and I was able to determine fullness and every other detail. PLUS they are super fast and do last minute orders too! I don't know what happened to my veil. I went to show a friend the veil in case she wanted to borrow it and I thought it was in the bag with my wedding dress (which is still crumpled up with about a pound of sand) and it wasn't in there! BOOOOO!

Ok what's weird about her- when I watched the Bachelor, I at first thought she was a bitch and didn't really like her. I think I fell in love with her towards the end- especially during the hometown date when she talked about her mom who passed away. I ended up LOVING her in the end. To funny how that happened. I can not wait for the season to start. I always like the Bachelorettes more anyways. I'm not sure if it's because I always have this sinking feeling that the Bachelors just want to sleep with all the girls and it's not really about "love."

NYJen had gorgeous lime centerpieces. They weren't cut limes, but whole ones with tiny white flowers layered in between. So cute and I wish she would have done this BEFORE my wedding so I could have copied her!

I tried to go through my pics but I couldn't find any of me in my dress in its full glory. Most were with others or close ups that didn't show the whole dress. Here's what I got though: Model: Me: Damn skinny model!