BillysBride

I spent a good portion of last summer drooling over a particular gown...only to finally track down a sample, try it on and realize it made my otherwise perfectly normal post-children waist line (which I'm normally fairly proud of) completely disappear. Believe me..you aren't alone. Like Michele, the styles I thought would look best on me, didn't or were way too heavy and I couldn't take it. I ended up going with a mermaid gown..which I'd have never thought in a MILLION years with these hips. Thing is, the floaty beachy dresses ARE basically cut like nighties. Beautiful, but not meant for any type of support whatsoever and only meant to skim curves, not hug 'em. I'm used to heat and humidity to a degree, but I still have no desire to spend my wedding day feeling like I'm walking around in a portable sauna...the solution I think may be in materials that support withougt suffocating. Heavy, bridal satin is a big turn off for me, so everytime I even see a dress made of it, no matter how pretty or flattering, I turn the other way. There are satins that lend support (especially with those lovely corset backs) but still aren't as heavy as the traditional. A nice taffeta is GREAT when boned and corseted....it still breathes. Just keep looking...there are lots of styles that will fit the bill. Go in next go round asking for lightweight, corseted gowns and do some searches as well. Don't give up and don't feel frustrated! We've all been there for sure.

Kimmy, I wouldn't *think* there would be a fee, but I've never worked with that chain before. You're far enough out and you just booked it anyway, so just talked to the coordinator if you're seriously considering changing dates. Just out of curiosity I spent about ten minutes on Orbitz last night pricing Riviera Maya packages to see what the diff was the the weeks on either side of Easter. It's pretty drastic. Even my hotel's package for a simple 7 nt stay in a standard room went up by almost $500 when I plugged in the week before. It can make a difference. Check with the coordinator and your TA if you have one.

How often do you use yours? My tummy could sure use some tightening after birthin these babies! And the thigh cellulite...oooye vey.

Awww, I LOVE it when a plan comes together! Congrats on nabbing your dress, it's so pretty!

Thanks, Trice..and everyone! I'm feeling pretty good! They screwed up by not ordering bloodwork at ALL for the past week, after they had given me instrux not to start my replacement thyroid meds for 12 days...well, turns out..I "bottomed out" with no thyroid hormone in my system on Wednesday. yea, it was nightmarish...very, very not nice feeling. Fatigued, mood swings, full blown headache for four days straight. Strange and scary. BUT, I got through it and now I'm on my meds and this dose seems to doing well in my system so far! (knock on wood, send up a prayer and keep the fingers crossed). Trice, I hope you are recovering well from your own procedure....at least we got this stuff over with before the really great weather hits, right? Just checked your wedding slide show- you looked beautiful! So happy for you!

*gasp*..clutch the pearls, girl you look BEAUTIFUL!!! Oh my gosh, you guys are a gorgeous couple and you were workin' that dress! How are you feeling? I thought of you on your day, wondering how your cold/voice was! CONGRATULATIONS, MRS!!! (and the updo turned out FAB!) oh, and p.s..girl, ya man is FINE! Work that suit, work it!!! lol

First things first, CONGRATS on your engagement and welcome to the wonderful world of wedding planning. lol Now...for your problem. Can I suggest just one thing in terms of how you might look at this...exchange in order to help you deal with it without so much anger? If you take a look around the forum here...ESPECIALLY this one, there is venting ALLLLL around about issues to do with family not approving of the idea of a DW, fiance's and just generally making us brides miserable. You are definitely not alone! So the thing I'd like to point out to help in your case is this; at least your dad cared and respected YOUR feelings enough not to burden you with his opinion. I'd personally take that to mean that he wanted this experience to be one that was happy for you, start to finish and while he has his own opinion, he cared about you and how you would TAKE his opinion enough to keep it to himself. Or at least only discuss it with his significant other. That's HUGE and I soooo wish people would do that. Everyone is going to have an opinion about what you're doing. they are your family and their ONLY job in their minds is to worry about YOU. That's not fair. It's absolutely not fair and totally disrespectful to your relationship, BUT..it's still reality. They don't know your fiance from a can of paint and until they get the opportunity to GET to know him and love him...they aren't going to really give a crap about his feelings. That sounds awful, I know (and I'm known for being blunt, so pardon if that offends...sincerely). But it's the truth. They have had your entire life building a bond with you, loving and worrying about you. Just because you are now 1 half of a whole now in your mind, isn't going to change the way they look at things. At least not overnight. It's unfortunate, but it's going to take time. They are going to selfishly worry about THEM and those important to THEM making it to your wedding. I say, cling to the support your dad is giving you and let him keep his opinion to himself. He doesn't love your fiance yet...hopefully he will grow to love him and want to safeguard his feelings as much as you do one day...for now, he's not there and at least had the good sense and grace not to burden you with his opinion. Ignore it and move on with your planning...happily. DW's seem to bring out the beast in a lot of family and friends, moreso than at home weddings for some reason. People just start throwing out their opinions as if you asked and it's not going to stop probably until everyone is booked, packed and on the planes. lol Just hang in there.

LOTS of Dreams brides swimming around the forums...I'm sure you'll get tons of info/help. Welcome aboard and congratulations!

WELCOME to the forum and congratulations!! "Aruba..Jamaica..ooo, I wanna take ya.." *ahem* Sorry. I can't help myself everytime I see the word. I've never been, but it sounds glorious and you'll sure have some beautiful scenery to work with!

Ahh..newly engaged. It's just such a great feeling! Enjoy this time, and welcome to the forum! You're going to absolutely love it here!

Hey, Kimmy..I posted it in the "Knock Off" thread here in the attire forum! They are something like gianinarbridal on ebay. The link is in the thread though!

Yea. She's a bitch. Here's the thing; if it were just the fact that she's saying she can't afford it, I "might" give her the bennie of the doubt and say it's up to her. BUT...from what you're describing, they aren't exactly hurting for money, and with her attitude from start to finish, it's obviously a snub. All I can contribute is just....don't worry about her. Seriously. People like that, whether they end up related to you or not, simply aren't worth your effort or consideration. Yea, it's his sister. But that's it. You guys don't have to be BFF's and I haven't seen you say anything about his parents having a problem with you or not liking you...so let the whiney brat prima donna go sulk and be thankful she won't be there with her pouty ass face messin' up your pics. lol Was that harsh? Actually, I'd really like it if I could talk to her...gimme her #? Please? No? Dangit.

Wha? Who, me?? Everyone here knows I am the soul of indescr--err I mean..descretion. I'm having a hard time wrestling with the bouquet thing now. White dress, ivory accents....umm..white or ivory in the bouquet Maybe cream.....bah! This is so ridiculous, I'm driving myself insane over two shades of white for poop's sake!

It's important to FH that our wedding day be the day we make our commitment to each other for the first time before God...which means in a reverent and spiritual fashion. He doesn't want the first time we speak vows to be in front of "some schmuck judge". lol So, we'll be counting the symbolic ceremony in Mexico as our true wedding/anniversary date and then we'll square it in the eyes of the government when we get back stateside, probably the day after our return.

I looked this morning, and pricing for our resort is on their website...not any of the travel/touring company sites though, which I thought was interesting. The rates don't look bad at all, but I can only assume the TA will have better, so I emailed her letting her know the hotel has them listed on their web site and available for booking. I suppose we have the option of booking hotel and air seperately, but I'm not sure if they apply price drops that way, or maybe it's the other way around. lol I'll have to check.

Sweetie, if she's offended by that, I'm afraid she's just gonna have to suck it up. That was VERY politely worded and concise. You did fine....I don't see any reason for her to be offended by that as an email, so if she's offended, it's simply because you're standing your ground and that can't be helped. She'll have to get over it. Thats pretty much my logic about the whole sh'bang. We're not asking anyone for anything. No help, and they don't even have to come if they don't feel they can afford it, so really it's OUR decision and ours alone. No one else gets a vote.

PERSONALLY, just for me, I'd get a general vibe from those you KNOW you have to have there. ie, parents, bridal party, etc....make sure 5 months is enough for them and if it is, you're good to go! I have absolutely no doubt the planning can be done in 5. Just check in with your guests to make sure that it will work out (and within budget) for them. I know for us alot of people asked for notice just so they could save/pay for their trips. If thats not a big concern, then likely you'll be good to go!

Quote: Originally Posted by KristinaM My only advise is be careful because 1. remember its going to be HOT and if you're drinking alcohol too.. make sure to drink LOTS of water so you don't dehydrate from the combination of all three. and 2. You may have to pee alot with all of the fluids being flushed through! haha something to keep in mind so you're not doing the pee pee dance down the aisle These are just off the top of my head thoughts though, I've never taken them (except for PMS meds like midol which makes me pee constantly). Def try them at home first and see how they make you feel and let us know how it goes!! I was going to post all this....very, very true. They can be an effective solution for true water weight, BUT you have to be very careful with them! You can easily get dehydrated especially if you add heat and alcohol. You'll need to replace the fluid you lost REGULARLY, and I don't suggest taking them more than a day to be honest. The day BEFORE the wedding in Cabo.....that gives you plenty of time to shed any water retention, and then plenty of time to establish a good pattern of pee'ing and drinking. lol Sounds odd, but it's true. Do that the day before and the morning of, you'll be good to go without any retention and you won't have to take the pills that day.

If it weren't for money, I doubt very seriously we would ever fight. lol

I'm ....lol...well, I'm speechless. And addicted. lmao..thanks Morgan.

Quote: Originally Posted by blushingbride I'm so excited, I got my FI's bout. and my bouquet from etsy! We wanted them to match our theme colors. These pics don't do them justice and my bouquet will look so nice against my dress. It's a mix of roses, hydrangeas, cymbidium orchids, posies, and feathers. I also got our initials in rhinestone to put as jewels in my bouquet and I will put a small starfish brooch on the stem. Oh. My. GOSH..I think I'm in love! One of my colors is chocolate, and I've sooo been hoping to see a bouquet that incorporated a nice "un-dead" brown successfully! Would you mind sharing who the Etsy seller is for yours? I'd love to see what she could do for me!

In a wierd way I'm dealing with something similar. But first, let me put it to you this way. Even if it WERE just you, FI, and your parents....would you be happy that day? My point being that you have -0- control over what others do. You can invite them and hope for the best, and like the other gals are saying, many times..people surpise you! My mom is the biggest no-nonsense, realist type in the world. lol She isn't saying no one will come...she's just harping on the fact that nobody should be put in the position of having to spend all the money, travel, miss work, yada yada yada. It's very...frustrating since we are keeping the guest list so minimal for those very reasons. I also think the fact that we're taking away something she LOVES to do...plan and decorate, plays a huge role in things. She's really very, very GOOD at throwing a great wedding. lol She gave me one back when I was too young to know what the hell I was truly getting into, and has taken care of all my sister's now...except one who had the audacity to run off to Mexico and get hitched as well. lol She didn't like it, but my older sis is so outspoken and strong willed, she knew better than to fuss with her about it. PLUS, she thinks that since they are in a higher income bracket (as are most of their friends) and childless, it was more acceptable for her to do. Mind you..she still didn't like it. I just pay it no attention. It's not that I think everyone we invite will come...I don't. It's just that I can't allow myself to care OR to take their attendance as a measure of their love or respect for us. It isn't. I don't adhere to that standard that "if they love you, they'll show". We live in the real world where people can't always get time off work and can't always afford things that truly aren't necessities. I'm remembering that every step of the way here, and I'm not going to be offended by whomever can't make it or simply chooses not to spend their hard earned money in such a way. We have plenty of friends who live paycheck to paycheck in this economy. We get that, we understand it and we certainly don't want anyone thinking that we'll think they don't love us if they can't come, no matter how much notice we're giving them. This isn't my first trip down the aisle, but it will be my last and it's been a long time coming...my close friends know that, and I think they'll show. Billy would actually prefer NO ONE came. lol He's like that, but he's conceding to me and my wishes with inviting the 20 or so we're actually inviting. Just shrug it off and do YOU. Do what you want to do and DO NOT LET IT MATTER WHAT ANYONE's response to it is. A mother is a huge buzzkill to not have onboard, believe me, I understand. But this isn't about her and it's not about who doesn't come. Its about the two of you and who DOES.

This seriously made me cry it's soooo beautiful! CONGRATULATIONS on your marriage and finding such a humorous and GRACIOUS way of accepting the circumstances. Just fabulous!

Just bumping to find out how everyone is doing.... BTW, what the heck happened with Monique!

Quote: Originally Posted by Jacilynda Savannah what is the name of this ebay seller? They are listed as gianinarbridal on Ebay. The email responses come back thru as [email protected]. I gotta ask (since I love the organization of the web site!) has anyone on BDW that we know if actually ordered and received a duoshong dress yet? And what are the prices like? I'm trying to weed through posts now..