Alyssa

wow! thank you for making that and sharing it - what a great way to start my day . i love watching you both together! i am sorry to hear that the resort sucked, i can't wait to hear what happened

i posted a similar thread yesterday "vent: thinking about eloping" (i dont know how to link it) we are also going through something similar. everyone was excited and happy and now that they are talking with 'other' family members, they all have opinions, requests, comments, you name it. i feel your frustration but you have put all of this work into what you both want to do. as long as you don't demand anyone go or put guilt on people that decide it's too expensive, they hate to fly, are bitter, etc... then you should not feel bad AT ALL! keep pressing forward and hope it passes! i am cheering for you

*SALMON W/ GREEN SAUCE* 1 cup parsley leaves 1 cup cilantro leaves & stems 3 TBS water 3 TBS lemon juice 4 garlic cloves 3/4 tsp coarse salt (Blend above in food processor or blender until smooth) 4 salmon fillets (6-oz each) Place 1/2 green mix on salmon and steam over 1/2 inch of water. Transfer salmon to plates, discard skin, stir juices from steaming plate into remaining half of green mixture and spoon over salmon. *STRAWBERRY-MINT SANGRIA* 2 cups strawberries, hulled & sliced 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves (about 20) Plus mint sprigs for garnish 1 1/2 oz brandy 1 bottle dry white wine, chilled 12 oz club soda, chilled Add all except club soda and chill for at least 2 hours. Add club to serve.

they are beautiful! and you and everton look fantastic and happy! who did the phototgraphy?

sexy - you both look amazing!!! can't wait to see more

eat up - you are going to be busy soon enough - so exciting!

tammy - this sounds so yummy! and you are too cute - from your last couple posts - it's pretty obvious what is on your mind in your 9th month!

Quote: Originally Posted by B&G So my wedding is in 2 months, 2 weeks and 2 days...And, let's just say that I've been a little lax on the diet and exercise plan that I had originally put into place in order to lose weight before the wedding. By a little lax, I mean that I haven't done much of anything - and that's a huge problem. Are there any brides out there who waited until the last minute to start preparing themselves for their weddings using diet and exercise? What did you do and how successful were you? Does anyone have any advice? I know, I know...I should've started sooner. =) i am not big for crash diets but a few of my friends have done "The Fat Flush" by Ann Louise Gittleman (sp?) - just google "Fat Flush". i watched the lbs melt off of them - it is REALLY restrictive and only good for short term stuff! Good Luck!

thanks to all of you for the advice, kind words and sarcastic comments which made me laugh! i will keep you posted as i go though my nervous breakdown from this ... just kidding! we will keep eloping as an option but press forward and see what happens!

Quote: Originally Posted by lizz10179 I say pick the place you want to get married, regardless of anyone elses' opinions and then make it definite. Don't listen to what others say, it's YOUR wedding. If both of your sets of parents will be there, that is wonderful. Other than your parents, don't change your plans for people (and it sounds like your parents wouldn't ask you to change your plans). That being said, if you think you wouldn't regret it in the long run, I'd say elope if it makes you both happy! (Sorry, I just reread this and I'm talking in circles...) no i hear you - i feel like i have been talking in circles in my head! eloping is a real option - but we really want people there. when i think about hawaii being far and a 4 day trip i don't think most people would only stay 4 days. the hotel is willing to offer a discounted rate for 3 days before and 3 days after so people can go for longer at a huge discount. more than that - i just don't want to spend the next year happy about being engaged to this amazing man and constantly battling with our 'closest' friends and family about our decision and maria - we have been telling people for a little over a month?

Quote: Originally Posted by Morgan I don't think eloping is selfish. You are obviously not being selfish because you chose hawaii to accomidate some peoples passport restrictions. But, hawaii can be difficult for some people becasue it is a long flight & is expensive. I do think it's too far & expensive for 3 nights. I think people should be able to accept "that is ok - you don't have to come - no hard feelings." i think it's selfish when they don't. you don't owe them a wedding. Are both sets of parents OK with hawaii? I think parents are the only ones who you should try to accomidate, but there are still limits. my parents are fine with it and excited. his are excited but have told us that it is not ideal for them but will be there regardless. yes, hawaii is far for 4 days - i agree but that is why we are putting such low expectations on everyone. Quote: Originally Posted by LadyP Ok dont you still have to do like a yerkies/city hall type ceremony anyway because of where you are getting married? Can you allow those who dont want to travel come to the legal ceremony. lady p - no hawaii is like PA - no additional ceremony and we only want to have 1 ceremony anyway!

thanks ann - i agree with you. the thing that is so annoying is that we are not giving anyone any guilt or putting expectations - we have been saying that is what we want to do, what is right for us, we understand not everyone can do, blah, blah. why can't people just accept that and be dissapointed but not put it back on us i am getting on the soapbox with you!

some of you know how hard it has been for us to find a location, due to some family passport restrictions and personal preferences. we have finally found a location we love (molokai, hawaii), still are working on whether they will lower the initial deposit ($10K), we haven't even sent out STD's yet and are already getting all this from extended family about how 'selfish' we are because we are robbing them of the opportunity to see us get married and that it is 'inconvenient', and far and a lot to ask of someone from the East Coast, etc. we are both like, "that is ok - you don't have to come - no hard feelings" but that is apparently not good enough. frustrated is an understatement, i told FI, i think we should elope and he was like it's definitely something to think about it - i just don't want to deal with the drama! the idea of an over water hut in the maldives is starting to sound really good! are we selfish? is hawaii too far for a 4 day/3 night trip? is eloping f--ked up for us to do? i am really just venting - thanks for listening!

Trista! that is great news for you! i hope the hotel comes through for you!

Quote: Originally Posted by starchild Yeah that is awesome!! I was very impressed with their services . . . maybe I'll enter . . . I have tons of pics of their monogram in use, down to our postage stamps. will you post a pic of your postage stamps? i have been thinking about doing that and would love to see how they looked!

I am so sorry that you both have to deal with this

that sounds crazy! i hope the couple took it in stride - they will definitely have great stories to tell for many years!!!

JibJab | Funny Jokes, Animated Videos, Cartoons, Flash Movies, Hilarious Clips, Parody, Satire JibJab (joke site) has a new feature - you can insert a pic of your head and your FI's head and create a mini joke movie clip with you dancing The Cucaracha. it is funny - i think it would be great to put up on your wedding website (as long as your guests as a good sense of humor!)

are there any jewish or quaker brides-to-be or Mrs. that have gotten one of these? here are some sites i found but i am looking for a recommendation for an artisit who will do a custom inter-faith wedding certificate for us Quaker Wedding Certificates Ketubot - ketubah STUDIO and ketubah 4 less

very nice - i love the colors - so festive!

Quote: Originally Posted by JenandBrendanWedding That sounds sooooooooooo much better than Nutrisystem. Wish they had that here in NY. The cheapest thing they have here is $39.99 a DAY!!! Too expensive for me. So far, I've lost 6 pounds in just under 3 weeks on Nutrisystem. Not too bad considering I haven't worked out at all. BUT. . . the food is weird. It's ALL pantry food. NOTHING goes in the fridge. Strange!!!! For example, they give you chicken salad and turkey hotdogs that don't need to be refrigerated. What's wrong with that picture Anyway, as far as cost, it's not bad at all. I think it works out to just under $10 a day. But I don't see anyone being able to stay on it for a long period of time. All those preservatives can't be good for you. So, I decided to finish the month of food they sent me and then go back to WW. I've always done well on WW. It just takes a little more time and effort to count everything out. Oh well. jen - that is funny - hotdogs that don't go in fridge - WEIRD it says they delivery anwhere in the US - this is of course the frozen but i live 40 min from a 'fresh' pick up and i am doing the frozen b/c i am busy and lazy HAHAH Diet Food Home Delivery | Healthy Meals by Mail from Diet-to-Go also the woman i spoke with has done both the fresh and frozen and she said that it is 90% the same except they don't freeze the salads and a couple other things otherwise it is the same meals? -------------- BTW - if anyone does wind up calling, PM me 1st b/c there is a referral credit for free deliveries!

i had a shower that had a latin theme - it wasn't exactly mexican but we did some really cute things... i used orange, pink, red, green and blue and made it look like a fiesta. i made authentic recipes and had little cards explaining what everything was, strawberry mint white wine sangria (YUM), i bought vintage linens to use on the tables, bunches of these flowers...

Quote: Originally Posted by host that seems really cheap...only like $16 a day i know! i just ordered 1 week to try it (i really like that it is the same price if you order for 1 week or 5) even though they have the fresh pick up in philly, you have to pick up 2x per week and the location is about 40 min with bad traffic so i went with the fresh frozen delivery... here is the deal: $116.99 per week $ 16.95 delivery $ 1.50 substitutions $18.00 DISCOUNT $117.44 TOTAL (you go over the menu and can substitute any meals you don't like the sound of for $0.50 per meal) overall, the menus look really good, if you don't like something, they will offer you a credit and they have been in business for 15 years. i will keep you ladies posted - it ships on Mon and should be here Tues or Wed!

funny this poll is very even in responses! i can't remember which BDW bride posted the basis of this letter but i re-worked it and am leaning towards sending it with the hawaii STD's Dear Family and Friends STD Letter BDW version.pdf

Whoa! that sounds stressful. sorry to pry - is she usually tempermental or do you think she is just really stressed out from the cancer?