NYJen

Quote: Originally Posted by kendra Have you that about not doing a room block, I think you can avoid the performance damges. I was told that w/o a room block , they charge a fee of $1000.00 to just have the wedding. I thought of that but then we won't get the better rate on the rooms. I'm pretty sure nothing is going to happen to cause us to have to worry about the Perfomance Damages. I just wanted to find out if this was normal. I too have kept every email between me and Emeline. And thank goodness I did. We had an issue earlier this week about the room level she promised us but because I had her guarantee in writing in the email, we're all set.

I'm about to sign my contract with Emeline. Anything I should add or take out of the contract? I made her add in "All tables, banquet chairs, white linens, white chair covers for banquet chairs are included for the wedding." Do I need to make sure she puts in china, silverware, chairs on the beach for the wedding, etc? Also, what are your thoughts on the "Performance damages?" Is that normal or can I ask her to take it out? I have also asked my WC to look over the contract for me as well. I'm still waiting to hear back from her. I know I sound paranoid but I just feel Emeline is a bit sneaky and I want to make sure I cover everything so there are no surprises later. Thanks for your help.

Thanks Ladies!!! Really, your suggestions are so helpful. I just got off the phone with Juan. (Made it really quick so he could get back to Tammy's pictures. I don't need her flying to NY to kick my butt.) As of now we are set with 6 hours on the wedding day and 2 hours for the TTD session (2 days after the wedding.) He's going to send me the pricing info for all of that. I have a feeling I'm going to end up increasing the wedding day time. Only because (like most of you said) you want to make sure he captures everything. This is a once in a lifetime event for us and we want to get as many professional pics as we can. Plus, I would love to get some great pics at the bonefire too. I know he has a special deal for a 10 hour day wedding day plus 3.5 hours to use another time. Maybe I'll do that and have 10 hours for the wedding, plus 2 hours for the TTD, and then 1.5 hours for the WD. That would cover everything!!! Is that ridiculous

Quote: Originally Posted by Julesr My FH and I are not lovey dovey at all either, and we are going to do the TTD session. We are thinking we can make it more fun than lovey. Does that make sense. I was surprise FH even agreed to do it cause he hates getting his pictures taken, but he said yes, so I am all over it. No advice on the time with Juan, my photographer is coming with us for the week, so she is just charing a flat rate for the whole date from getting ready to good night and then a TTD the day after. Yes, it does make sense. That's what we're thining too. Last night Brendan says to me, "But I don't like wet clothes." I told him, "You don't have to wear them for the rest of your life, just for an hour or so. I think you can handle it." He's so ridiculous sometimes.

Quote: Originally Posted by TammyB Jen, did you decide to get married in Cabo versus NY? Yes, it looks that way, we just haven't signed our contract yet. Not because we don't want to. We've just been having soooo many issues with Emeline at the Hilton but it looks like they're finally resolved. We're now going back and forth with her on some changes that need to be made in the contract. That Emeline is a sneaky one. But I'm VERY anal about anything I sign. I read every single line and I gave her all the changes to make. Hopefully she'll get it right this time. If all goes well, we'll be signing the contract today.

Thanks Ladies - when I chat with Juan later today (sorry Tammy, I'll make it quick) I'll ask him what he thinks. My guess is somewhere in the 6 to 7 hour range. And then maybe skip the Welcome Dinner and just do the TTD session after (or maybe skip that one as well.) Honestly I can't see Brendan and I doing the TTD. We're soooo not a lovey dovey couple. There's no way we could pull off the pics like Nurse Sarah had. I think Juan has a 5 hour minimum these days anyway. Thanks for your help.

Whatever you do, make sure YOUR mom gets her dress first. MOB is more important than MOG. Brad's mother needs to wait until your mom knows what color she is getting and then she can get something different. It doesn't work the other way.

I have booked Juan Carlos as my photographer but I have no idea how many hours I need him for. I'm calling him tomorrow to talk about it but any advice I can get will be helpful. I think I want to have him come to the Welcome Dinner the night before. What do you think? My wedding day is going to be a little different. I plan to do the cocktail party first, then the ceremony and then the reception. All together, that's a little over 6 hours not including getting ready. I'm sure he doesn't have to stay for the entire party and the bonfire afterwards but what do you think is a good amount of time? I also want to do a TTD shoot the next day. How long is that usually? Sorry for all the questions. Any words of wisdom from those of you that used him would be great. I'm curious to know if you would have hired him for a longer or shorter amount of time. Thanks!

Welcome Erik!!! So I have a question about PMS. You think you can help

If you're planning any trips to NYC, I'm pretty sure any of the vendors in the Diamond District will give you cash for your ring. Maybe not exactly what it's worth, but you'll get something good for it. And you can definitely negotiate with them.

Welcome!!! Good luck with all your planning. Let us know if you need any help.

Welcome!!! Like I just told another Newbie - do a search for some of the site and wedding day review threads that were posted by other brides. You may get some ideas or narrow your search a bit. Good luck and let us know what we can do to help.

Welcome!!! There is TONS of information on this forum. Do a search for some of the site & wedding day review threads (done by the brides themselves.) That may help you narrow it down a bit. Good luck with your planning. Let us know what we can do to help.

That's WAY TOO funny!!!!

WOW!!!! You look AMAZING in that dress. Great choice. (I still can't believe you have 5 kids.)

Wow Kelly!!! What a great story. You guys really do belong together. Thanks for sharing.

Quote: Originally Posted by jak27 Jen, I have a lady I work with who had the same issue...the food was all astronaut food and didn't have to be refrigerated and it freaked her out! Plus, her familiy wouldn't let her microwave it while they were at the house because it smelled so bad (think they said dog food?!). She went back to Jenny Craig and loved it...guess she had done JC before and really really liked their food, so it's probably a nice transition. But I'm so glad you're trying new things and keep up the good work! Keep us updated! You know, the food isn't bad at all. And it actually smells good (although I seem to make everything explode in my microwave and then I spend 10 minutes cleaning the damn thing everything I heat something up.) I think I'm just surprised at how "processed" everything is. I also had a big problem with my cholesterol last year and I managed it get it under control just with diet and exercise. I can't help but think I've just undone all my hard work. Anyway, I have lost 3.5 pounds in 5 days. I'm going to stick with it for the month and then I'm going to look into Jenny Craig or maybe go back to WW. Thanks for the support Ladies. I know the first couple of days are the worse (while your stomach shrinks.) Hopefully it'll get better from here.

We'll be praying for you. What time is your surgery tomorrow?

Wow!!! Juan, you did it again!!! Those pics are beautiful. Jen - everything was gorgeous!!! You must be so happy with how they turned out. TammyB - you're next!!!! YIPPEE!!!

Both dresses are GORGEOUS on you. But I picked the blue one because it's so unique. I've never seen a dress like that and you pull it off beautifully. I really think you would blow everyone's minds in that dress. But I see you're leaning more towards the white one now so sorry if this really doesn't help much.

WOW!!! That's one sexy dress. Good pick!!!

Ok Shelley, so you've had a few days to think about it. What are you thinking now?

Quote: Originally Posted by Doc2B&LosCabosBride2B So where did you end up booking? did you stick with the Hilton? I haven't booked anything yet. I was planning on booking the Hilton but then we ran into some issues with their coordinator. She left for vacation before we could resolve them. She's back today though and I'm sure she's going through a TON of emails. I sent her an email and followed up with a phone call. I'm pretty sure she'll get back to me tomorrow and then we can book it. I better get this booked soon. There's still so much to do. Are you excited you booked the Westin?

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about your father passing. I know this is a tough time for you now. You seem to have a few distractions to keep you from focusing on it. I guess that's good and bad. Well, I know sometimes words can't really make you feel better. The only piece of advice I have is that although the pain never goes away - it does get easier to deal with. Hang in there. Best of luck with the salon, your upcoming new baby and your FI's new nose (hee, hee.)

Yeah, but I'm HUNGRY!!!! I'm also a tad bit weirded out that ALL the food is pantry food. (Some foods really should be refrigerated.) I may go back to WW next month. I think I can suck it up and cook a little, knowing that I'll get fresher, healthier food in my diet. But I'm definitely glad I tried it. Jenny Craig is another option. I may make an appointment with them just to check it out. From what I hear, their food is at least frozen. And you go to a meeting each week to discuss your particular weight loss with a counselor who then gives you the food you need for the week. One week's worth of food at a time seems more managable.