katrina

Quote: Originally Posted by NJ_bride Hi Katrina! Your pics are beautiful, congratulations! I was wondering what kind of flowers you have in your bouquets? I need a nice orange flower for a memorial vase on our wedding day. thanks!- they were white lillies and orange roses

PHILLIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by MrsMcs I just got an email from Cinthya, my wedding coordinator at RIU...i'm just going to paste it here: "Dear Laura, The information that I sent you before you can find it available in our web site, even in the website says that is very important that you read this document cause you will be able to find our policies in there, the policy from the photographers is not something new, this has been our policy since the beginning, now there is one thing, Riu does not allow outside vendors but in the case of the photographers if you want to bring your photographer from home it´s not any problem but he/she will need to stay at that the same hotel where the wedding is going to be or if you want to hire a photographer from outside (from this area) you will need to paid 400 usd to the hotel and they will be able to be in your wedding. Our photographer company will have their website in a couple days, so you will be able to see their work. Kind Regards Cinthya P." so I guess I'll just pay the outside vendor fee.... oh wow, i had no idea about that vendor fee.. when i asked about an outside photog they didn't say that.. maybe i didn't push them hard enough. well, i'm sure you didn't want to hear about a $400 fee, but i think you should be happy! you can get the photog you want!

Quote: Originally Posted by BillysBride You look gorgeous and that has soooo got to be your baby sis standing up for you. haha yes, that is my baby sis. i have a mini-me!

which ruins? tulum is about an hour south. there are other ruins nearby, like coba. i don't know about coba, but in tulum you are not allowed to have wedding photos done. there are also small plots of ruins about 10 minutes from town. basically, you would just take the main road going into town and take it south. by foot it's about 10-15 minutes. by cab, 5. i didn't take any pictures of them but i believe there are 3 sites total. they are pretty small though.. i think it's mostly the foundations of old buildings.

Quote: Originally Posted by dolfinluck I know two ppl that went to Tanger in Morocco. One was in her early twenties and thought it was scary the other was in her late thirties and loved it. tangier is totally seedy, but it's a great jumping point to get into europe

i have. i was there in september of '02 during ramadan and then twice more that same october. the weather was gorgeous. the sad thing though is that i only have a small handful of pictures i can share. i went before i had a digital camera. feel free to ask questions.

Quote: Originally Posted by CaliaA07 I don't like fans going during sleeping because it can bring on ear infections. I do know this from personal experience. But we use the angel monitor and he has a fan going and it doesn't mess with it. Just for people to know who want to use that monitor and fans. i'm not a mom or a nanny.. infact i don't even know any babies right now (isn't that so sad?) buuuuut this fan versus sids statement seems like apples to oranges to me. i would definately want anything available that would possible help my baby live, even if that meant the possibililty of an ear infection.. (although i have heard that babies are absolutely miserable when they get one)

oh and that line about the pictures only being taken at the ceremony- that's not true

i was married at the riu a few months ago. i can pretty much vouch that threatening to take your business elsewhere will not do anything.. between the 4 resorts they are almost always booked with weddings. as for the photographer, i used the resort photog. he was good but he was definately light years away from sol or any other high end photog so that doesn't sound like something you'd be interested in. i guess my advice is if this is a make or break situation for you, i would just cut your losses and book a new place. it's a shame though because our wedding was really wonderful so i'm sure yours would come together as well. but.. pictures are forever i guess

Quote: Originally Posted by Leia78 Check out Folica: Hair Care Skin Care & Beauty Product Reviews. That's where I bought my solia ceramic flat iron. It has reviews on all the products from customers who bought them. Happy shopping my dear! i just bought a solia from this website and i loooove it. it heats up so fast and makes my hair really smooth

well as for belize, once you get there, it's very easy to stay cheap! i've heard that blancaneaux is beautiful, but there are really a lot of great options.. so don't get too bummed out.

Quote: Originally Posted by lauren i don't have that option either. not that it matters, i never get pm'd hahaha i was just thinking the same thing.. i haven't even bothered to check

can't wait!!! the *only* show i'm more excited for is AMAZING RACE!!

i love it longer! it looks so nice and silky- i love it!

anymore tips out there? i love this thread

wow that's big news... BUT, now you seriously have no excuse NOT to move! get outta jerzzzzzzz! btw i live in south jersey (burlington county), don't trade one part of jersey for the other.

for those of us trying to live a little healthier- this lady follows a totally raw diet. although i don't do that (and don't have the willpower) there's a ton of other info in there. and she's a fellow destination bride- Kristen's Raw

here's the huge hair flower post: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t9521 maybe a mod can add your posts to the already existing thread?

Quote: Originally Posted by JoLo908 Okay, I am from Jersey, and when I went to school in WV, I found out there are a lot of things that are purely Jersey... especially Italian foods and things of that nature... we say cawfee and dawg, and a drawer is a draw... Now, for foods... I worked in an Italian restaurant and even if you are not Italian you have to say them right... mozzerella is "Mut-sa-rell", Manicotti is "man-a-gut", Calamari is "colamad" (sounds like that), ricotta is "ra-gut".... omg, these look so funny spelled out, but I kid you not, some things if you say them how they are spelled, people think it's weird...This is too funny! Now I keep thinking of things!! Best one "Jeet yet? No jew?" lol haha i was going to post the jeet too. i say it alllll the time.

after the first day you stop noticing they are even there

don't stress- but i'll give you my honest opinion Quote: Originally Posted by Kristin Ok, seriously, don't get married on the beach at the Yucatan!!! Yikes, I'm suppose to have my ceremony on the beach at this resort on January 16th 09?? The garden was much better? i watched a wedding on the beach and felt very uncomfortable for them. the wedding was at 3 and there were mobs of people EVERYWHERE. there were people on both sides of them, people lounging on the beach, people in the water right in front of them... everywhere. also, the ceremony spot was right in front of the restaurant so there were dozens of people watching while they ate lunch. and when she started walking down the aisle, people CLAPPED. maybe this wouldn't bother you.. but i was so annoyed for the bride. it was also very loud. the garden was a million times more private. there was only one little spot along the railing where people could watch.. and that spot could only hold 8 people or so and it was far away. so most lookers became bored after a few minutes and left. imo, the garden was so much better than the beach. it was lush and tropical. it was also cooler because it was slightly shaded. What did your wedding party do after the dinner? I was told to bring a cd and go to the disco? we didn't have anything planned so we all went back to our rooms and changed. a few of us went to the bar for drinks. some went to the show. and some went to bed. our theory was that we had been spending all day every day with our guests so we didn't feel the need to have a traditional reception- we had been drinking, dancing and partying every day! we actually never went to the disco. another bride on here said it was a bit dingy, so i'd check it out when you get there and decide then if thats what you want to do. Did the hotel make the dinner menus for you and have them placed? You brought everything else for the place settings I'm assuming? i made all of the menus. the menu was sent to me in advance and i had them printed up. but they weren't entirely accurate as that night they added a new entree. i brought the menus, and the placecards. they set up the table with really nice wood charger plates that i had no idea they were going to do. if you have a lot of stuff (we brought down two suitcases) i recommend meeting with eric, he's the director of events. we met with him in addition to the coordinators and the set up was EXACTLY the way we wanted. Did you do pictures with you husband before the ceremony? My fiance wants to wait until after....he doesn't want to see me until I walk down the aisle we did them afterwards while everyone was at the cocktail hour.. i didn't want him to see me either. Cocktail hour: Top shelf liquor or just rail stuff? they had all the specialty fruity drinks they make all over the resort.. i know some of our guests were drinking smirnoff... i'll be honest i don't really know the answer to this.. hah but our guests looooved all the drinks. and if they didn't, they could just get a new one! Sorry for all the questions, just really anxious, especially about the ceremony part. Yikes!! Thank you! i was too... but honestly, everything was way better than i imagined. even if you choose the beach you'll have an amazing time... just be prepared for a public performance!

ooh good blogs!! alyssa, i really like the shape of a woman- very interesting, but i admit some of the pics freak me out a little bit.. and thanks for the bdw link- i was honeymoonin' when you posted that jessica, project nursery makes me want a nursery too haha some of them are soo chic- much nicer than my own bedroom when it comes to celebrity gossip, i can't go anywhere other than Celebrity gossip juicy celebrity rumors Hollywood gossip blog from Perez Hilton also, i subscribe to real simple and i remembered an article they wrote called best blogs. i was able to find it on the website.. there are a ton of really good ones i've just discovered, so here it is- The Best Home Blogs Hostess with the Mostess - Fabulous Finds for Contemporary Entertaining The skinny on tableware, invitations, and more cool, contemporary entertaining paraphernalia from a San Diego–based blogger who just loves a party. Apartment Therapy Just bursting with decorating ideas and resources for homes and budgets of all sizes. Submit photos of a space that needs help and readers and editors will offer suggestions. You Grow Girlâ„¢ - Gardening for the People A laid-back, eco-friendly, and unintimidating approach to gardening. Even if you don’t have a yard, you may find the ideas for containers and window boxes alluring. Charles and Hudson | Home Improvement, Remodeling, and Renovation Ideas and Sources Whether you’re doing home renovations yourself or hiring professionals, knowledge is power. This frequently updated blog offers easy-to-follow posts on remodeling, repairs, maintenance, and on-the-job safety. The Best Organizing and Personal Productivity Blogs Unclutterer Daily tips on how to organize your home and office. Three writers obsessed with organizing and paring down search for savvy strategies and products to win the battle against too much stuff. The Workspace of the Week feature, where readers share their home-office solutions, is inspiring. Zen Habits | Simple Productivity A self-proclaimed “regular guy†who quit smoking, lost weight, and doubled his income aims to help others make good habits stick. Look here for daily self-improvement tips — “31 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Exercise,†“Eight Essential Tips to Overcoming Shyness†— in a soothing design. Lifehacker, tips and downloads for getting things done If you find living in the digital age a bit overwhelming — the e-mail! the iPod! — Lifehacker’s “tips and downloads for getting things done†show how technology can actually make life simpler. The Best Food Blogs Chiquita Wii Fit Contest Winner > Start Cooking A former home-economics teacher covers the culinary ABC’s with illustrated, step-by-step recipes and videos, each rated by its degree of simplicity. Printable recipe cards are a nice touch. smitten kitchen An enthusiastic kitchen amateur chronicles her adventures, offering a mix of easy recipes, smart and witty commentary, and beautiful photos. The Ethicurean: Chew the right thing. Fourteen food-loving bloggers post on the people, the politics, and the policies behind what you put on your table. It’s informative reading, covering everything from one man’s quest to buy raw milk to an E. coli alert. Especially good for safety issues and product recalls. Cupcakes Take The Cake You’ll get a sugar rush looking at this deliciously offbeat blog, the place for cupcake news, trends, photos, and personalities. Really. The Best Beauty Blogs The Beauty Brains This blog promises that your questions about beauty products and procedures will be anonymously answered by real scientists, who also evaluate dubious manufacturers’ claims. (Seriously, an organic depilatory effectively removes hair?) Beauty Addict: A Little Obsessed with Makeup A young marketing professional with a thing for makeup writes about lipsticks and lotions, beauty-industry news, and sales and deals. nowsmellthis.blogharbor.com In the market for a new fragrance? This lively group-written blog offers a wide-ranging catalog of descriptive perfume reviews, news, and links to online sales. The Best Fashion Blogs Womens Fashion Expert, Advice, Trends for REAL Women | The Budget Fashionista Like an in-the-know girlfriend, the Budget Fashionista points readers to on- and off-line deals on clothes and accessories, dispensing fashion advice along the way. Omiru: Style for All - Real Style for Real People: An Intelligent Take on Fashion Trends Promising “style for all,†Omiru makes fashion accessible to all readers, regardless of budget, age, or “personal architecture.†The team handpicks noteworthy items and dispenses advice like “What to Wear to a Winter Wedding†and “How to Wear Rain Boots to Work.†The Sartorialist From city streets around the world, a fashion-loving photographer posts stylish looks spotted on real folks, not models. It’s great people watching, and you’re bound to steal a look or two. The Best Health and Fitness Blogs Diet Blog Do weight-loss drugs work? When is a salad unhealthy? Why should you train with weights? From a team with backgrounds in fitness and nutrition, Diet Blog’s original content and links to other research make it a great source for levelheaded food and fitness advice. Healthy, happy you. | FitSugar - Fitness, Health & Well-Being. Fitness buffs will love this slick-looking blog, edited by three San Francisco–based writers, including a Pilates and yoga instructor. The tone is appealingly upbeat, and the ideas on how to freshen up a fitness regimen — from elliptical-trainer tips to jump-rope workout videos — are delivered daily. well.blogs.nytimes.com The New York Times’ health columnist talks with the experts and sifts through the research, then translates the science of health into practical pointers on sleep, sex, diet, kids’ well-being, and more. The Best Parenting and Family Blogs Cool Mom Picks Time-pressed parents will appreciate this scouting report on the latest and coolest in everything from kiddie (and mommy) clothes to cribs and cookbooks, with links to the sites that sell them. Parenting tips that work | Parent Hacks Real parents offer inventive solutions to the problems of child rearing, with a can-do, collaborative spirit. Recent posts discussed tricks for keeping Lego sets organized and the benefits of using Chinese soupspoons to help toddlers feed themselves. Working Moms Against Guilt Four midwestern moms who work in advertising share time-saving tips and recipes, product finds, and personal stories from both the workplace and the home front. The empathetic sensibility makes this a great place to go when things feel a little crazy. The Best Travel Blogs elliott.org The blogger goes right to the source of the problem for answers to readers’ travel-related questions, complaints, and conundrums. blogs.bootsnall.com/seafarer Should you take the kids to Hong Kong (or the rodeo or the drag races)? Why not? The curiosity and never-say-die attitude of this travel-loving blogging mom and former Navy officer is infectious, and her ideas for kid-friendly trips — like a Little House on the Prairie journey or a Witches of Salem Halloween tour — are appealing and often surprising. Intelligent Travel Venture off the beaten path with National Geographic Traveler staffers, who focus on exotic destinations, ecotourism, and the lesser-known attractions that reveal a destination’s authentic spirit.

what are your favorite blogs? i really enjoy them but the quality ones that people update fairly regularly seem to be hard to come by. my current fave is: The Thrifty Decorating Blog i also like to read alyssa's since i used to live in center city and have frequented lots of those places

i stalk this thread but never post.. but i figured with all the new baby news going around, i should. so, congrats ladies! esp julie for pretty baby ella, and mo for getting her boy