BillysBride

Yea...suffice it to say we live together, have kids together, and have known each other in the "Biblical" sense since around night 2 of the relationship. hahaha (yea..I'm a ho). We'll spend the night together in our room (unless his bro/best man has him out cavorting) and then eat breakfast and say our goodbyes til ceremony time (5 o'clock). We'll be on a tiny island, at a fairly small resort, so I'm not even counting on being able to avoid the guy completely. But we won't interact until wedding time.

I think that one thing that might be helpful to your cause is saving a few of your "favorite" photos that you come across, then comparing them to shots taken from friends, family/guests "Non-pro pics" that are posted even here on the forums. Men often (ok, ALWAYS) need a visual to get it. What I did was save a few pics to my pc of resort photog photos I'd seen, as well as some from some of the really basic/no frills photogs (ok, cheaper) that I came across who were initially in the budget range I'd thought of. THEN, I saved some of my favorites I started seeing when I would go through this site as well as from the sites of some of the more expensive photographers. I sat Billy down and SHOWED him-and hell yea, I cheated and used the absolute coolest shots I could find to highlight the diffference. lol But it worked and he "gets it" now. To be fair, we aren't going with the most expensive--but we're definitely not going with the cheapest. Our photogrpahy choice is pretty much "upper middle class" if that makes sense. We're actually getting a great deal, so that helps because we aren't paying what we probably SHOULD be for work like this BUT it took a lot of research on my part to FIND this person and get a good deal. I think mid range is where a lot of brides end up, and they are happy with their photos in the end if they can't afford the truly expensive pro's. Once you start researching the different styles, you'll see what I mean. Just don't cave and go with someone because they are cheap, and you'll be fine. You may not be able to afford to blow half your wedding budget on a GREAT photog, but I guarantee you if you move some stuff around in your budget you'll be able to find one that has the style you want at a price you can still work in.

Quote: Originally Posted by Virg I got it. 3 days ago, I went to the local pharamacy, as it is behind the counter - but no prescription needed. I have used it twice so far, and today was HOT out. NO SWEATING!! So far so good! Niiiiiice! I think I'm gonna try it too. What pharmacy did you find it in? I have a site bookmarked that I can order from, but why bother if I can find it over the counter and all.

We kept the list really, really small; mostly due to compromise since I wanted EVERYone and FH only wanted immediate family (he's shy and would actually be fine with just us being there). Now, I'm glad we did because as I've seen some other ladies post here, you truly do end up being suprised by how many people voice a desire to come after they find out you're having a DW. There are a few people that fall into that category of "friendly enough to probably deserve an invite, but we're still not giving them one" simply to keep costs and headache down on top of his just not wanting to deal with them. lol Sounds awful, but hey-I'm being honest. I'm just planning to stick with the "just family". I'm not even going to go into the "best friends" part, because frankly, I lump them in with family and it's no ones business. And I've already used that explanation with someone,adding "We didn't feel comfortable asking other people to go to the expense and take time off work to make it" It worked!

Well..it's summer! Anyone new try this yet (Drysol)? I'm thinking of ordering some just to do a test run with it this summer. Use it 4th of July weekend--THAT would be an excellent test because it's hotter than the devil's backside here in July.

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooo Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! OK, girl..I gotta do it... "Don't stop-get it-get it! Don't stop-get it-get it!" Sookie sookie, Ma! You got the flames shootin outta my pc! Ugh, you are despicable. lol Seriously though, you look GREAT and those are so smokin'..Tommy boy is gonna lose his sensibilities and hunt you down before the ceremony. So I'd suggest saving these for..umm...later.

Joanna- Way to stick to your guns girl! I'm so glad to hear how you emphasized the REAL issue here; time, frustration and a lack of professionalism that has caused you and your guests a lot of heartache and confusion. This should have been a pleasant experience, start to finish...there's enough turmoil just planning a DW, let alone planning one where the parts you SHOULDN'T have to worry about get thrown into the ring with everything else. The $500 credit is the least they owe you and I know it doesn't make up for anything--but hey, it's out of their pockets and that counts for a drop in the bucket. I'd also waste no time in spreading the word on this company/giving them a heinous review. You're perfectly within your rights as a consumer to pass on your experiences to others who are shopping around for an agency. Another great aspect of being a BDW bride is it's not just you and your guests that will advise people against using this company..(evil grin inserted here).

Yup, it's entirely possible. But take it from someone who ended up finding several "the ones" before truly feeling the lightening strike.....keep trying on dresses. You've got the time to keep looking even if you don't find anything that makes you FEEL it like this one does. You can always order it in a couple of months after you've exhausted your style search. But it is GORGEOUS and definitely suits your figure!

Quote: Originally Posted by JOSIE I think I am completely unsure how to answer! All i really know is that either sex feels disappointed when they get rejected....but for some reason I think women get more upset when guys don't want it, because of the myth that they always do!!! THIS...ooooh, definitely this! lol You said that perfectly.

Oooo, something we can follow step by step. Me likey! This IS exciting-and it's not even mine! haha.. You're already glowing girl....this is gonna rock. Definitely keep the pics and updates coming! Can't wait to see the finished product!

I am getting my bouquet from an Etsy designer....got the head's up from another gal here on BDW. I swear, I'd probably be saving a thousand bucks if I'd never come to this web site. hahaha...the ideas and inspirations just BOMBARD you every day. It's ridiculous. I'ma gon' be one BAB...BrokeAssBride.

Y'know..I'm having some flashbacks here. This is the same type of shiz that caused us to actually cancel our first date. Now, we were NO WHERE near as close to deadline as you are....we were still quite a ways out, but the whole issue of miscommunications and finding the trip cheaper on a public booking site--that just cinched it for me. Luckily, we could afford to be picky and say "Screw this." because we were still so far out. Was there any discussion prior to booking about price matching? I think of all your problems with this woman this is enough to send ANYone over the edge. Blessings to you and yours sweetie. Hang in there..believe it or not, it's all going to pass and at the end of it, you'll have had a beautiful ceremony and you'll be your man's Mrs. You've got a right to be ticked, so go with it. Just don't forget..there is light at the end of this tunnel-and it is NOT an oncoming train:)

Elegant, classy.....just lovely. Congrats!

Quote: Originally Posted by Jahbride09 Just popping in to say that the wedding was beyond amazing and Jamaica was fabulous!!! And my hair...flawless!!! Heres a few teaser pics with the braids ;.) Oh my GOODness! Your hair and that veil...stunning! AND, you were rockin' the hell outta that dress, ma! You looked just gorgeous! CONGRATULATIONS, MRS!!!

Perfect! We're getting married on Isla next spring, for exactly the reason you mentioned; wanted to stay away from anything touristy and typical of the mainstream Cancun traffic. Would love to pick your brain on a nice, idyllic spot for our TTD session! Definitely sold on doing some pics around the main drag/Hidalgo now after seeing your photos. Beautiful work, thanks for sharing!

1 is gorgeous, but I think I want to see more pics in #3....those aren't enough for me to give a concrete opinion, especially if you were slouching or whatever. Just need to see it smoothed out because I can def see why it would be a favorite of yours!

I cannot believe the list I have just from looking through this thread. Looks like there's another checked bag in my future. Keep 'em comin' ladies!

I don't use a stylist anyway--I've done my own hair since my college days when I simply couldn't afford to go see someone every week. I know some gals that were lucky in that their hairdressers were guests of the wedding. lol

I've seen that dress listed with one of the Ebay sellers....and I think its actually QUITE beachy! It's got clean lines..not poofy. BUT having said that, whether a dress is beachy or not shouldn't necessarily make you not buy it if it's what you want! Lots of the ladies have had very traditional bridal gowns at their DW's...it's not a big deal unless it makes YOU uncomfortable.

Quote: Originally Posted by LC_Rachel Not everyone has a lot of time and a lot of money to contribute. So if you are in the latter, you get stuck in a hard place. Do you decline or do you look like the BM that all the girls on the forum complain about KWIM? LOL..I DEFINITELY feel you on that. You don't want to be known as the difficult or selfish one by comparison. I've never had the problem of the financial expectations beyond paying for my dress, so in all honesty, I can't comment on that. Bridal showers I've been involved in, we all chipped in with supplies/food/venue and they were very simple, but nice, affairs. It's called "wedding party" for a reason; even as MOH, I think it's encumbant upon me to ASK for help instead of taking it all on myself. Whomever chooses not to, oh well-at least I asked. MOH to me is just the organizer, not the bank. To be honest, I think if one of my friends told me some crap about wanting a weekend in Vegas, the first thing out of my mouth would be "Great-so when does everyone need to have their money in?" lol You gotta draw a line where you are comfortable and no one should expect you to go beyond that as long as you make your position clear from the gate.

Kitten- hun I definitely wasn't arguing against you! I hope it didn't come off that way. I just wanted to offer an alternative point of view based on my own experiences as a BM through the years and as someone on the outside looking in. You TOTALLY have a right to be angry with the way you were treated; bridal party does not equate to free, unlimited identured servitude. lol And for her to show no appreciation toward you ladies, especially you as MOH is absolutely appalling. Rachel- I think that as individuals, ofcourse we bring our own...sense of what's appropriate into the entire thing when asked. I would never expect someone to give me a head's up on how much manual labor was expected of me before giving them my answer. The idea of that makes me really uncomfortable and I think I might even be offended if a friend of mine pointed it out before asking me. My thought being "hey, you're my girl and you think I just wanna look pretty in a dress and won't help out?" I know thats not the intention-it's just something that would come to mind. It's ALL completely up to individual interpretation. What I feel comfy asking my girls to do isn't going to be the same as what THEY might feel comfy with. Personally, mine won't have to do anything-not even throw me a shower, unless it's something they take upon themselves. All I'm asking for is their attendance but that's just me. Even if I had it at home..I wouldn't ask them to do anything because thankfully, I've got enough family to handle anything that we couldn't afford to have professionally taken care of. I don't consider helping out with clean up/set up being a work horse. ABSOLUTELY there are different levels of what is probably uniformly considered ok to ask of a wedding party. This is just me. It doesn't always or even usually happen. Most of the time, the wedding parties I've been involved in treated us BM's as extended royalty the entire time. lol

lol...your question is REALLY hard to answer in terms of specifics. Like you said...your options being as limitless as what they are and determined by you guys as a couple really leaves an actual ball park range hard to nail down. I've seen everything in it from 3K to 30K, and truth be told? It's not always obvious where the difference is by the list of things that were paid for. Some people just spend more/less on things that have both expensive AND inexpensive options. I've seen wedding albums where the total was fairly "low cost" that looked like the wedding was every bit as nice/elaborate as the expensive ones! I have no idea how it happens:) Oh! I see MegaShay found the thread I was thinking of--that may be helpful to you. There are individual threads in each forum by destination. For the Riviera Maya, for Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, etc. Once you nail down just what part of the Caribbean you want to be in, you can go into that forum and look around at the accomodations others have gathered info on. Welcome aboard!

Quote: Originally Posted by Future Mrs. Griffith I am a May 2010 bride too! We are getting married May 14, 2010 in Puerto Vallarta at the Dreams Resort! I really can't wait for next May to get here! I just sent out all the STD's at the end of May and just found my dress last week. We are looking at invitations next week, when are you all sending out your invitations? I'm going with the general etiquette I've seen on the forum here in terms of invitation timeline. My std's are all ready and NEED to go out this week- but I'm waiting on freaking Zazzle to send me my rsvp stamps that I customized more than a week ago! Cannot say I recommend them at this point. Seems like they always take forever to ship stuff. But as far as the formal invitations go, they will go out two months prior to departure, and ONLY to those who we have received rsvp's from or have booked. Not gonna waste the money on peeps who didn't bother to even respond and I know aren't coming.

The sex is a non-issue to me; they are married and over the legal age of consent. If, by the time a kid is CAPABLE of getting through the fourth book, by all means...they should know that married people have sex. lol The problems I see for young readers are mostly about an inability to seperate reality from fiction. But overall, I honestly think that the stuff that could truly have a negative impact on a young reader (ie, control in a relationship and the like) is of such a nature that it flies right over the heads of anyone too young to really get it. So it doesn't really matter. If you haven't seen this blog..PLEASE check it out, and maybe your FI/H's would get a laugh out of it too. It's Twilight Widowers. I HAVE NOT LAUGHED SO HARD IN AGES, I promise you! This guy is a freakin genious! For the guys, some warning signs that they may be being groomed to look like Edward Cullen. I remembered an odd conversation we had a while ago over the dinner table: "Stare at me." "What?" "Stare at me like you want to eat me." I frowned. She waited patiently. "No. That just looks constipated." It's easy to tell if you're being groomed to look like Pretty McSparkle. Pay close attention to your wife's behaviour and you'll soon picked up the pattern: 1. Random gifts of hair gel ("Try putting your hair up for a change, honey.") 2. Signing you up for piano lessons ("You said you wanted a new hobby.") 3. An unusual interest in your skin care routine ("The UV index is too high. here, wear this SPF 50 sunblock. And a hat. And cover your arms up.") 4. Your wardrobe has taken a decidedly… vintage look lately (“It's what all the guys are wearing now, trust me.â€) Honey? Why can't I wear shorts to the beach? 5. You are certain she keeps calling you by a different name (“No, you misheard me… I said “I love you, onward!â€) 6. She makes you stand out in the cold for a half-hour before letting you come to bed (“It’ll tighten your poresâ€) It may be paranoia on our part, I admit. But just remember, when she pages you at work and you hear “phone call for Mr. Cullen,†odds are it isn’t just a slip on her part… And "motivational posters"..I swear, this shit has tears rolling down my face.

Quote: Originally Posted by DanielleNDerek you know i sware Morgan posted something like that before too. maybe you should pm her. Morgan's "ensemble" pics were with some other brides she met up with during her stay I believe. They all wore their wedding gowns, so they weren't bridesmaids. I don't think she had BM's. And I agree; the pics were AMAZING!