BillysBride

Same boat. Billy just "doesn't" dance..unless he's ripped outta his gourd. I'm not planning to fuss over it. He says I can have my one "first dance" and then thats it. I'm fine with it and know we'll be out there shuffling like old folks. It is what it is. hahaha. I'd LOVE to be able to do a nice elaborate choreographed type thing, but know I will never in a million years get his consent on that one.

We are getting married here first. I would prefer to do it in my pastor's office even though its just to cover the legal aspects and sort of give a high five to the Big G.O.D. beforehand:) I've always disliked the aspect of having to stop this nice, romantic ceremony to sign papers and stick our thumbs in ink anyway. So I knew from the start I didn't want to go that route.

Iriebride- I know what you mean. You're countdown is in full force, so you probably need to simplify as much as possible! I've got the time...hell, I've got nothing BUT time right now, so I need to make use of it so afterward I'm not talking smack about how I wish I had gotten to do blah blah blah. I actually found a site that does custom brooms...a family type of thing. They aren't wedding brooms, but I think they are GORGEOUS and I love how full they are. And she sells them dirt cheap. I'm almost sure I'm ordering this one that is only $30. Hard finding a site that sells them bare with no embellishments for a diy project, but this would work I think. I can always have fh shorten the handle a bit if necessary to make it a go. Beautiful carved "twisty" handle and those full soft bristles. I'll try to attach a pick and the site address for anyone who might want to order from her. She's a really nice lady. Even with the shipping, it will be cheaper than the cheapest bare bones one I've seen on most sites and even the diy materials will bring it in well under the hundred + mark. I've yet to see any I really liked for less than $125. I'm thinking this might cost me a total of $60, but I do want to do mini's for my bridesmaids. I sent the pic to them yesterday and they all liked the idea. Ok, here's the site: Kentucky Broom Lady--Kentucky Broom Lady--Handmade Brooms by Followin' Family Traditions--Brooms And a pic of some of her work:

Quote: Originally Posted by IrieBride08 I plan to jump the broom as well. I'm just trying to figure out how to get it down to Jamaica along with all my other stuff! I'm thinking of having someone carry it in a garment bag. As long as they can lay it flat in the overhead compartment, it should make it ok. They should be slightly shorter than a regular broom anyway, right?

Quote: Originally Posted by nikkianddean Lucky you have a FI with an open mind about these things Savannah! My FI thinks everything is silly. Everyday I hear about how the wedding industry is a huge scam and I am just another victim. Well I LOVE it! I think your jumping of the broom will be wonderful - what are your colors? Crimson and ivory with just a few gold accents, Nikki. And don't go giving him too much credit just yet. I still haven't said a word about this. hahahaha! In fact, about a lot of things, he says the same thing as your FH. His record gets stuck right at "..this isn't ABOUT all that. This was supposed to be us and a few people on the beach and now its flowers and music and 4 bridesmaids ..blah blah blah" I just tell him that he had specific things he wasn't willing to do without. In fact, the whole destination wedding thing was his idea! He said its his dream to get married on the beach in Mexico, so I was fine with it. He knows me, and knows that I don't halfass anything I do, so if we were going to do it it was going to be done right. He won't get married without his mother and his brother (who happens to be his best man/friend). I accept that. But if the most important people in his life are going to be there, so are mine! Tit for tat, so he just shuts up most of the time and deals. He might start out trying to get cute about something, I just flip it. Half his griping is about the money being spent, but then I just remind him of his $400 Playstation 3 and the $50 games that go with it, his weekend trip to Chicago to see Kid Rock with the fellas, his atv that he's getting this summer.....and he shuts up pretty fast. He started in on photography costs last week and I just looked him dead in the eye and said "Madden 2008". He quickly turned over and said "OK, sorry. Nevermind."

Well, I'm glad I posted! Didn't know anyone was doing it or others on the board had heard of it. (But then, you know EVERYthing there is to know about weddings Morgan. Why am I suprised?) Definitely going to decorate it in some smashing manner and keep it as a wall hanging. Thats another part of it that I really love. But hadn't thought about including a pic with the hanging...thanks so much Nikki! Oh, and as you can see, my FH isn't AA either, but when it comes to the details, he is leaving it to me. He may not like it much though..haven't told him about it though it won't be about the tradition. Just about having to do the jump. lol. He's the shy type and may not want to do anything that he feels anyone might think he is silly for. But after I tell him about the significance, I think he'll be fine. I hope.

I guess this could primarily be for African American brides, though traditionally it doesn't have to be. I'm wondering if anyone is considering or planning to include a traditional broom jumping in their ceremony? I'm thinking on it and have found a few web sites that have really gotten my imagination going. I figure its a brief sort of thing, but can add a little bit to our ceremony since its just a religious/vow renewal and going to be short. Plus, I really love the tradition behind it and what it signifies. For those aren't familiar with the broom jumping tradition, its said to have been brought over from West Africa and practiced largely by African Americans before marriage was legally recognized for us here. It symbolizes sweeping out the old/past and ushering in your new lives together. Brooms are decorated beautifully and at the end of the ceremony after you are pronounced husband and wife, the couple steps or "jumps" over the broom before proceeding back down the aisle together. I even found a site with the idea of having smaller brooms beautifully decorated as bouquets and now I'm thinking of doing this as a DIY project (I need something to focus on, I'm going nuts here) for my bridesmaids to carry. Not everyone's taste, I'm sure, but I think it could be really different and pretty. Check these out: African-Weddings, Heritage Wedding Brooms, Accessories & Gifts - Cala Lily Broom Bouquets I'd also do our broom for the jump myself. I haven't seen anything that can't be put together as a DIY project, so I can't see spending the money when its not really necessary unless I just cannot get it together. Besides, my mama is the black Martha Stewart and if I get in trouble, I know she can handle it. Anyway, just wondering if anyone else is doing it, has done it or considering it.

Quote: Originally Posted by kendra Last week, I posted a thread about my bm's and attire. Well not only are the bm's giving my problems, the best man is acting a butt. Seem to be that the wedding party have issues with the airfare, because it's $$. They make smart comments as if I don't have to pay for a airline ticket. So FI and decided to let the wedding party go. At this point I don't need them to feel obligated to attend because we asked them. It's not worth disolving a friendship over a $$ airline ticket. I gave everyone enough time to prepare their $ for the money. It's heartbreaking to me and fi that the wedding party and other guest make comments about things I have no control. Of course this will come as a shock to them, but less stress for me. Aw, honey I'm sorry! I can SOOOO see your point here and the wisdom of what you've decided. Its so hard. This is why we only decided to include people who we knew simply wouldn't miss it. Unfortunately that doesn't make it all of our close friends...mainly family and those who would we knew would be able to do it with little financial strain. I feel your pain..we aren't rich nor can we afford yearly vacations our damn selves, so its hard when people look at you like you're being selfish and behave as though you're going for free just because its your wedding. Hang tough. You might be suprised, some might insist. What happens then, are you guys open to allowing whomever to participate if they step up and say they truly want to?

Quote: Originally Posted by DRbride I like: Yes, you beach ya we'll be there! No, we're all tide up and we must wave your invitation! I think we're using this one and adding an option for: __Shorely we'll try to be there!

We will be using the STD's as a sort of..preliminary guage for who we invite. We plan to send the save-the-dates to pretty much everyone we would even WANT there, but then the invitations will go to those who haven't decided one way or the other, or have said they will make it. The only exclusion to this will be the elderly family members who truly do like to stay involved in these types of things. Great aunts and uncles including grandparents will all get an invitation regardless of if they are traveling or not.

Quote: Originally Posted by Mandy What a tease! I know..a little pooper ain't he? Morgan, that sounds so cool. I'm glad you are going to do it and its in a way that doesn't make you uncomfortable about pressing Mike or him uncomfortable about having to do it. Afterall..its all about us brides, right? hahahaha..Kidding! Kidding...I am just kidding. Can't wait to see the pics. Man, your day is coming up FAST! I'm so excited for you (and me since you will be the first here to use the same resort as we are so I can't wait to get the details).

Quote: Originally Posted by kendra I have two bridesmaid, I selected the color and they are fine with color. This is the issue: BM1:is in a wedding coming up, that bride and I selected the same color BM 1 said she will wear the dress to my wedding, not a problem for me Well BM1 ,think the dress will be to hot for my wedding because of the fabric which is silk shantung and she sweats. I never told her to wear that dress for my wedding. BM2: BM2 told BM1 that silk shantung dress is too fancy for a beach wedding and she sweats also and will be hot. I came across on dress on Macys that is perfect for a beach wedding and the perfect color, BM1 said the dress is to clingy for her. Have not heard from BM2 about the dress at Macys. I am so tried of going back and forth with me, these are 2 chics who have wonderful taste in fashion, I never thought this would be this hard. I picked the color and told them to get a dress that they like and comfortable for the wedding. I emailed both bm today and told them to get a white sun dress, that they like and is comfortable for a beach wedding. My dress is ivory so a white dress for them is not a issue with me. Was that the best solution to give them? Girl, you think THEY are picky? lol I could tell you a story...That doesn't sound like they have really gone at it about this just yet. Just you wait and see... All you can do is arbitrarily pick a dress FOR them and tell them thats that, or let them figure it out on their own keeping in mind the time contstraint. Give them suggestions....let them know what you think, but tell them that they have to come up with something and fast. I gave my girls two choices and that was that. I didn't want thing to drag on down to the wire when they could have been done paying for dresses and that part of the wedding off my mind. I know with the group I have, we would have problems getting EVERYone to agree, so I'm not giving them that much room to DISagree. I want them to be happy with it, so all I can do is a majority rules type of thing. I found a dress for them that I love, and 3 out of 4 of them like as well, so thats it. Sorry, can't please everyone everytime. You hate to do that when they are already forking out money to come to your wedding and participate, but I think they understand pretty much. Just let them know that its driving you nuts. They are your friends and will take pity on you and come up with something they agree on. Hang tough.

I saw this this morning and thought it was a cute idea for BM gifts. Each pearl is one of a kind..and you don't know what color yours is/stands for until you open the shell. Comes with its own necklace in sterling silver. Seashell Jewelry

Walmart. bahahahahaha! Funny, but I'm not kidding. Lord knows I'm in there enough. Really any place with a lot of overhead lighting will do it, especially if I have a reason to walk into a jewelry store. Those lights are intended to do just that; make the bling look blingish. And actually my upstairs hallway at night. I always notice it as I'm taking the kids up to bed each evening. Great post Ana-Maria!

Lyrebard- you may be right. I just don't know where to even BEGIN to look for someone to do it. But me and Google are good buddies by now, so I'll check around. The quotes I've come across by accident since all this started have seemed even more pricey than the dress I'm getting. Its really not expensive by bridal standards, I had just been trying to nip and tuck our budget here and there to distribute some funds elsewhere, but the more I looked the more I realized that I already knew what I wanted and there was no changing my mind. Even with the alteration running a few hundred, I can still keep it under a thou if I order the dress online instead of via the bridal shop. Happyone- that sounds promising...but I'm not sure how it works. I mean, the pressure is still on the zipper and I'd be afraid of it popping or something. I just want a little more definition, but I don't want to be worried all day about my zipper giving out or popping off the track.

Just wondering if anyone has had this done? I'm finally caving and going with my gut and getting the dress I REALLY want instead of worrying about the price. Only problem is that I really am in love with the corset/lace up back designs and this one doesn't have it. I did contact the manufacturer and they don't do them. So now I'm left to consider having it altered by a good seamstress. I just want it the way I want it, AND I like the idea of the extra support that comes with the lace up back. Anyone have this done or considering it?

They are beautiful..no DOUBT about it. Take it with a HUGE grain..no SPOONFULL of salt. I think that the "mothers" in general are just from a different generation where they aren't used to a.) destination wedding informalities and b.) the more creative/non-traditional stationary that is popular nowadays. She'll get over it. Don't let her dampen your excitement. Job WELL done!

Thanks JHarwood. I've seen the pics on the site, but I'm a greedy heifer and want more for comparison. Those are kind of old it seems. They haven't been changed in a while so I've been looking for a fresh perspective. I think I've decided to go with Claudia herself and if she isn't available, Citlalli. They are all incredible, but I just like the way Claudia seems to take more/consistent great shots. I won't be mad either way though. Thanks ladies.

You kidding me? I'm thinking of asking Mike if he'll let me move in with you guys until this wedding is over. I need 24/7 assistance.

As usual Morgan..you come through! Thanks girl.

Thanks, Yari...thats what I needed to know! Looks like the search continues...

I'm trying to decide..the now common question of Erick, Claudia or Citlalli. I looked through the blogs the other night and was blown away at what they can do that is NOT on the main site. But I'm not sure which pics belong to whom and I want what I want what I want. (I know you all know what I mean). So I'm wondering if anyone has actual pics I can compare and KNOW for sure who did what.

I'm wondering something here. Slight problem. I found a dress that I "think" I want. Its about half as much as the one I originally chose, so that reason alone is decent incentive for me. Its similar in style as well, so I don't feel like I'd be giving up much. Problem is, my colors are crimson red and ivory. The dress is white. I truly want an ivory dress, so I'm wondering if anyone has ever heard of or know of a dress being dyed?

Quote: Originally Posted by Dbld78 my lovely man would like me to come down the aisle to one of his favorite songs.....eyes without a face by billy idol.....aaaahahahaha! not really appropriate at all. My uncle is going to do play an acoustical version of anything i chose....but i fairly certain it won't be billy idol! Aww, c'mon now! Billy is always appropriate! OK, OK..how 'bout Rebel Yell? huh?? Now thats what I call a compromise!

Well...I won't actually SAY the word that first came to mind when I read your post:) Thanks for the info. Indeed crappy news.