BillysBride

Julie, you guys were horrible and rubbed off on me about 6 weeks ago and I posted a pic of my ring after he picked it up from the jeweler (yes, I'm ashamed to admit, I did it sort of behind his back....but evidently he knew anyway). So theres a pic in the sticky up top. But, never let it be said that I have a problem with showing it again, so I'll post it here too!

Thanks for the info, Brandi! The line is from some 80's power ballad by Motley Crue (ya, don't laugh...he is a die hard fan and I hate them, but the song itself isn't too bad and the lyrics are sweet. He says it reminds him of me, so I can live with it *wink*). The song is "Without You".

I'm trying to find out how/where I can have his band engraved. I mentioned the idea of having a cross etched into the band in the center and he really liked it, so I'd like to have that done for him as well as a line from the lyrics to his favorite song on the inside of the band. Anyone know a site or even a retailer/chain that I could have it done?

Thanks ladies!! I'm still flying pretty high this morning. I've got 2 sick kids, so I need the extra boost yesterday gave me! Thanks for all your thoughts..now I'm ready to do some SERIOUS planning!

Just wanted to let you all know that I am OFFICIALLY an engaged woman as of about 6 a.m. this morning! Just a little run down of how it happened... Part of my mind was thinking he might do it today, but he totally psyched me out up to the last minute and I honestly figured he had other plans. All he would tell me about my presents this year was that it was a "theme". When he kept making trips out shopping and coming home telling me to either stay in another room or downstairs, I started wondering. I just thought, oh well..he'll do it when he does it. Well, this morning after we helped the kids get all their loot unwrapped (no small accomplishment around here) he disappears for a minute. I didn't even notice. But then I see him come down with this GORGEOUS tri-level carved jewelry box. Its huge and just beautiful. He puts it down at my feet while I'm sitting in a chair in the living room. Now y'all my mom and step dad as well as HIS dad were here..they came over early to see the kids open everything. Well, he tells me (with them all looking on) "Open the drawers." Well, heres when I think "OK, my ring..he's got my ring in here.." First drawer...this BEAUTIFUL diamond bracelet. I sigh. I lift it out..play with it and all that...he's not saying anything, so I open the second drawer...its this gorgeous Past Present and Future pendant. You know with the circle within a circle within a circle. Well, I'm just blown away. Starting to feel bad about only buying him some Chicago Bears paraphanalia (lol) at this point. So anyway, I see that he's still standing there, so I open the bottom drawer....and...NOTHING. Zip. Zilch. Nada in it. I figured immediately "Oh well, he must be planning to do it some other time." Just as I look up to kind of play off the fact that I was expecting at LEAST another gift in there (ha ha), here comes one of our daughters (keep in mind, they are only 2 yrs old) and she's just barreling around the corner.....and in her tiny little fingers is my ring. She runs up, holds out her hand with this adorable expression of accomplishment and when I take it from her I'm just screaming "ooooooo oooh oooh!!" Well, there was a lot of hoopla ofcourse and since so many other people were there I have a feeling he maybe didn't finish the way he wanted. We just hugged and kissed and took a minute to show the ring to everyone. But guys, a few minutes later, I go on about the business of being a mother of quadruplets on Christmas morning. So I'm in the kitchen making breakfast for everyone and Bill walks in and says "So...WILL you marry me?" Just in this dead serious voice. Ofcourse I say, "Yes, absolutely I will." and here I am with my pretty sparkly on my finger as I type this. I am SOOOO HAPPY. Today just reminded me all over again of why I am with this man and how much I want to officially become his wife in the eyes of God and everything else under the sun. He's just so sweet and he took it so seriously even though we've been living in sin for long enough to have forgone the niceties. He's so good to me and I am just so blessed.

OK, but see..now I'm checking Better Business Bureau's web site, and its completely freakin' me out about most of these places! This is NOT a trip to take chances with, right? Who have you actually BOOKED through with no problems?

Great..one more thing to worry about. lol

I wouldn't think it would be any hotter than anything else. How did you hear it has 4 layers? It looks like just a regular thickness taffeta.....I agree, find it if you can and try it on. I know you wouldn't want to be too hot and sweaty, especially with pics being taken. Let us know what you find out after hearing from Jess.

Perfect! I really got the "message" of relaxation and casual elegance I think you were going for. I love seeing other couples who are going the laid back route. Your STD's just prove to me that it can be nice and simply elegant at the same time. Great job!

Quote: Originally Posted by PaulaV Have some cake with that coffee! Happy birthday sweetie! Do cinnamon rolls count? He hehe...what the heck, I've got over a year before I need to worry about how I'll look in that dress.

Quote: Originally Posted by Tlseege It is time to post my budget. Please note that I have budgeted for 50 people to attend the wedding... right now it's looking more like 20, but at least I'll save money right? And then we sent out 85 invites. Save the dates/Prewedding information: $532 Invitations:$255 Thank Yous: $56 Wedding Package (including flowers): $2570 Engagement Photos: $500 Wedding Photography: $2500 Post wedding prints/photo books: $350 Music/Entertainment: $1260 Ceremony Costs (blood work, translations, programs, decorations): $355 Reception at resort: $3235 Ground transportation: $655 Tip Money: $150 Attendent Gifts: $530 OOT Bags: $549 Rehearsal Dinner/Welcome Dinner: $500 Bridal Attire: $1265 Bridesmaid Dresses: $600 Spa stuff (hair, makeup, nails, bridesmaids too): $1121 Grooms attire: $250 Groomsmen attire: $300 Travel (us, bridal party, extra couple): $12777 Miscellaneous stuff: $2236 OUCH. Honey, your girls must LOVE you! I'm serious! I've always wanted to be IN a destination wedding where the couple paid my travel expenses....no luck thus far. I would have seriously loved to pay for my girls....but that is such a pipe dream for us that its not even funny. As is, we're planning on about 20 people (I seriously doubt more than that)and we are keeping this whole shindig under 5500K. I'm bound and determined to do this, and so far, it looks good. My dress I'm getting wholesale for $300 w/free shipping Hotel wedding package plus add'l flowers/musician $700 photography around $900. Flights/hotel for 8 nights $2000. And we're just having a reception dinner which they are willing to section off part of one of the restaurants for our party/guests and give us a waiter. At no extra charge. Invitations/STD's we're having an acquaintance of mine do these..custom. She is trying to get her business off the ground, and is doing them for just the cost of materials for us. She's incredible, so this isn't even a compromise! Will take about $300 for boarding pass STD's and Message in a Bottle Invitations. Postage will be under $30. The AHR will be another story, but I'm not ready to deal with that just yet. lol I'm not counting the expenses for that into my budget for the wedding, because we'll have help with it (of the parental variety..gotta love 'em). My older brother is a professional DJ (cha-ching) and my mom and Aunt have been doing wedding/event decor on the side for YEARS now.

Yeeeeeah, Shelley!!!!!!!!! Congratulations!

Aww..thanks ladies. Y'all are awesome. Its so good to be wished a Happy B-Day even before the coffee's done brewing!

Sorry! I meant to do an edit to add in pics, but got distracted by the kids... Here it is. I really think the lace overlay makes it a lil' different. Also the belt with the dropped waist.

I'm wondering if the flight attendants can't put it in their area. I KNOW they have a place for their belongings that would likely have a rack...

Saw a dress online this morning...I'm scheduled to do try on's at a shop this week, but I'm not sure they even have this one as I just found it. If they don't have it, I've got to find some where that does...I saw it, and I literally had that moment that some gals talk about. I've seen at least 10 that I really liked and thought could work, but none that just jumped out at me. I wanted simple, but not plain. Different, but not wierd. Something that LOOKED like a wedding dress, but not too formal. A short train. And just something that just set it apart from everything else I'd seen...this one fits all of those criteria, so I will be sure to take my camera and post pics for y'all as soon as I try it on. I'm just worried it might be a little hot, because I initially wanted chiffon. This one is lace over taffeta. I'm going nuts cuz I can't even call any shops today since its Sunday.

Quote: Originally Posted by jmhein Oh this is fun, I'll play! Dress on skinny model: Dress on Me with shiny face: You look gorgeous! You have a great figure, so don't be worried about the "skinny model"..you look way better and healthier but still slim. I love your dress, thats along the same lines as what I'm looking for. Where did you find it?

Had to go "shaved". My fiance shaves his down about to where yours is in the last pic and I think its hot. No muss, no fuss....you don't have to worry about the wind or whatever. But ultimately, Heidi has the last word, right? lol

Quote: Originally Posted by Carolena7 Beautiful ring.....I love it!!! Btw...I just seen that you are from central Illinois....about where are you located if you don't mind...I live near Joliet. Carolena, we're in Springfield...just a couple hours south of ya. I love it when I meet ladies from around these parts! Thanks for all the ring compliments....dontcha just LOVE all the sparkling going on around here??!

OK, heres mine. Gotta give it up to have the mount tightened in a couple of days..then wait for his "official" proposal....ugh. He is SO traditional. I had to sneak a few shots of the ring. Evidently y'all have rubbed off on me cuz I just HAD to have pics.

Believe me, y'all don't have to pull my leg too hard. haha Heres a shot of my precious ring. I am so in love...oh, ya with him too. hahahaha! I'll post a couple of pics in the sticky thread up top too.

I forgot to post that I called BBP.com....$879. About $14 less than the shops. LOL. Ugh. We'll see. We had some cash freed up from the budget from other stuff, so if I put deposit down on the dress and just pay as I go...might be ok. I don't wanna give up that big a chunk at once when we're so far out....too many variables that can still come up. Thanks for keeping your eyes open for me ladies.

I'm looking for "Libby". I did a search on BBP, but couldn't find it. Ugh. I'm planning on trying it on this weekend. I don't wanna fall in love and not be able to afford it. All the shops are pricing it from $850-900.

Quote: Originally Posted by carlymcmullen The siggy is super small on my screen... Hey, I know what you mean, they came back with Carl Lewis for me! First off, he's a man! I don't think I am manly :-(. Second off, different races!! hahahahahahaa I fixed it, so its smaller now. Was gigantic. Ya, the different races thing floors me. All I can attribute it to is that its analyzing features, not skin tone. The spacing of eyes....the set of someone's nose....where the hairline begins/ends...that kinda crap.

I'm in love with a dress (yes, again..but really this could be The One), but its hundreds over my dress budget. I don't want to blow costs on this one, cuz it won't leave room to blow anything else in the budget. hahaha Anyone know of any reputable resources to get Sottero gowns at cost?