becks

Yay Christmas!!!! Even better because this year will be Christmas with MY family! Last year Christmas didn't even feel like Christmas because I was with the ILs. I've had a two-year build up. Oh... this is sad... it's 90 degrees out and now I'm thinking about decorating my house and playing Christmas carols!

I didn't have anyone stand with me. Between my 5 best friends and my sister, it just wasn't a possibility. So, I made them all "unofficial bridesmaids" I asked them all to dress in some shade of pink, and they hung out with me while I got ready. It was great fun and very low key for them, too.

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Damaris told me that I could post pics on my website, so I will assume that it's okay to post them here, too. Honestly, these may well be my favorite boarding passes - fantastic, bright colors and a really fun off-the-page design. They were so much fun to do, and Damaris is so easy to work with!

Yay!!!!! This is so GREAT! And she's absolutely lovely! Way to go! Can't wait for the next installation in the JM loves Danielle story!

I like the purple or the orange. You might look into a nude, too. Don't do the green - closed toed shoes get hot and uncomfortable FAST.

Traditionally, word of mouth was the proper way for people to share this information. With wedding websites and such, it's become increasingly common to add information there, however, it is commonly done with a disclaimer (Your presence is the only gift we want), so as not to make your wedding seem like a gift-grab. Proper etiquette says that under no circumstances, should you include this information with your wedding invites. Shower invites are different, as they are intended to "shower" the new bride she would need to set up house, so a registry card can be included with the invite, but it is considered bad form to add that information to the face of an invitation.

I finally updated my web site to show some new monograms I've been designing. I can't tell you how much fun I'm having working with all of you!

Wow! Gorgeous photos! How long do we have to wait for the rest?

One thought - you can embed an image within an e-mail, so you can use powerpoint or a graphics program to design your own (or have someone design something for you), and then simply embed it in an e-mail, so that it's visible when someone opens the e-mail. I would still attach it as a jpg or something because not all e-mail (lotus notes, for instance) will allow you to view the embedded image. Good luck!

There are a ton of options for transfers - private, semi-private, taxi, etc. I think the semi-private that the hotel arranged cost us $18 per person. IWe booked through Cancun Valet and they were great. The private transfers were around the same, maybe a little less, and I think the private transfers were $55 per car, for however many people you could fit. They also do limos, etc., if you want something special. Send a note to Vic at Cancun Valet (you can google them) and they'll give you the full spectrum of prices.

Congrats Tammy!!!! Did the second batch arrive on time?

Your photos are great and FI is going to adore them! Love your shoes!

Ooh, also, if you go down for a site visit, you can request a hair trial - it's a bit cheaper than the real one, and does wonders for peace of mind.

I brought my MUA with me (and can give you her contact info if you want - she was spectacular). Leticia did my hair and I LOVED the way it came out. I think I remember someone saying she wasn't there when they got married - maybe she's gone and maybe she was just on vacation or something. There is a language barrier, but I brought photos, too, and she did a great job.

Those are amazing!!!! You look so happy - and beautiful!!

Sure, you'll be hot. You won't notice enough to care. I got married in August in Cancun and it was hot as blazes. I loved my dress and wouldn't have changed a thing!

Yikkers! I'm so sorry you're going through this! I know writing the letter will make you feel better. Don't do it. It won't be received well, and anything that they can warp will be warped. If you really feel you need to write it, can you write it and not send it? If you send it to them they will hold it over you for the rest of your life, and probably your kids' lives. Can you imagine the day when they drag that letter out and show it to your 7-year-old son (or whatever) and say "see how mean mommy is - she's bad and you should hate her". At this point, I would avoid ALL contact with them. Leave any conversation or communication up to FI. Just stay away from them - you're 6 weeks out, don't let them hurt you any further. Personally, I like the idea of having a quiet legal ceremony sooner rather than later if your FI is up for it. That way it will effectively shut down your FILs and anything they do. Good luck! Chin up!

They look great! Well done!

I'm sorry it's so stressful! The good news is that I think most of us survivied it! For me the worst part was about 3 days before - I had everything packed and ready to go, and I kept pouring over lists, opeining suitcases, double checking EVERYTHING because I was certain I was going to forget SOMETHING. In the end, we got there and all of the stress, headaches, sleepless nights were not even there and it was wonderful! Big hugs! You're almost there!

Send them out no later than September 1, with a late September RSVP date if you need a headcount by October 1. I can't explain why people think they don't need to respond, but invariably there will be a group that you have to follow up with.

What a fabulous story! Thanks for sharing!

Frankly, count your blessings. It sounds like she was going to be one of "those" BMs anyway. If I were guessing, I'd say that she may have decided that she just didn't want to go, didn't want to wear the dress, didn't want *something* and this just a convenient reason to give you. My advice is to be incredibly (or falsely) gracious about it and move on. It's totally not worth the headache to worry over.

I was married on August 9 last year, and the weather was spectacular! If your heart is set on September 4, and Cancun, I say go for it! Yes, there's a risk of bad weather, there's also a pretty good chance it will be beautiful. I just checked weather underground (Welcome to Weather Underground : Weather Underground) and here's what September 4 looked like for the past 5 years: 2008 - high 89, low 75, 2.45 inches of rain 2007 - high 86, low 73, 0.15 inches of rain 2006 - high 93, low 77, no rain 2005 - high 95, low 73, no rain 2004 - high 91, low 75, no rain So, in 5 years, there was really only one day with any significant rain. If you love it, do it.

Wow! There are so many new Paradisus Brides - it was such a great place to have our wedding, you guys will LOVE it! Perla is about the nicest person in the world, and very, very thorough. We did find a couple of times that she would send an e-mail but we wouldn't receive it. So if you haven't heard from her in 3-4 days don't hesitate to send a note. And if you get really desperate enough to pay the charges, she's great over the phone!