Kristy!

Hi everyone. This has been such a difficult week. FFIL took a sudden turn for the worse and was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday. Unfortunately, he lost his battle with leukemia yesterday. I want to thank everyone for their prayers and support during what has been a difficult time for all of us. This is the second family member I've lost in 2 months. Please continue to pray for healing. FMIL is taking everything in stride (she's an amazing woman), but I cannot imagine what she must be going through. FI is taking it really hard. This just sucks. I feel so helpless. We miss him so much.

Are you in the NYC area or the state? If you're near the city, you're probably dealing with too many places being easily accessible. Aruba, Domincan Replublic, Jamaica, St Lucia, and like every city in Mexico are just a few places that have direct flights from one fo the three major airports. We have chosen to go the private villa route in St Lucia. There is a place on the island called Windjammer Landing that has all different types of rooms/villas though. There are two problems with choosing St Lucia though...There are only 3 direct flights per week and the flights are about $600. Just thought I'd give you a little info on a different place. Oh, and if we hadn't gone with St Lucia, we would've chosen Aruba.

That sounds like so much fun. I wanna do it!

Yari, everything matches so well. Your wedding is going to be so beautiful. I can't believe it's so soon!

I say do whatever you want to do. You said DH wants you to cut it, but you're the one who has to style it everyday. I find shorter hair to be more demanding, so I have to be really ready to put the time in to styling it before I cut mine. You're lucky that you look good with both styles!

I'm so mad. I LOVE Survivor, but I have Thursday night classes. Grrr....

I'm a bad May 2009 bride. I totally missed this thread. Is anyone else deciding on things like flowers, cakes, centerpieces, etc. when they get to their destination? For some reason I'm not all that worried about it and figure I'll take care of it the week I get there. I know I want local flowers and I have an idea of what I want, but I would just prefer to wait. I feel like I'm getting more laid back as the wedding gets closer. Is that weird? Oh, and as for guests being lazy about booking, that's just how it is. It'll all work out though!

Great idea. I wish it was a little earlier. I get out of work at 4:00 and commute two hours (each way) everyday. It's just going to get too late for me, especially with school on Wednesday and Thursday night too. Can I put my vote in for a Friday Happy Hour in November? I think it's really great you're doing this.

super cute!

Quote: Originally Posted by vluv61109 Hey Kristy, I am actually have the Steel Band for my cocktail hour and I was also thinking of having DJ or live band for the reception. I haven't decided yet. Let me know how the music is. Are you having live music for your ceremony. I was also thinking about that? Still trying to decide. Still dress shoppping. I found a few I like, but I haven't pick the final one yet. I am hoping to make my deciscion by the end of this month, cause I don't have a lot of time. Hope all your plans are going well. Hey Velda, I totally love Ten-90. They sound great! FI hasn't had a chance to listen to the CD yet, but I'm all ready to book them. (I won't until I discuss it with him though). They are super reasonable...only $250 an hour! There's four guys in the group. I'm so excited! As for the ceremony, I think I will hire a solo steel drum player. So I'll have a steel drum band for our welcome BBQ, a solo steel drum player for the ceremony, and a live band (Ten-90?!) for the reception. Had we decided to keep the cocktail hour/dinner at the villa, I would've had the live band play for that too, but now we don't need that since we'll be at the restaurant. I so wish I was in St. Lucia right now...

I was fortunate that my parents told me flat out that they wanted to contribute and how much. (So sweet and generous of them!) Had they not done that though, I would've asked their financial/planning advice. Tell them you want their help on listing all of the expenses of the wedding and setting a budget (if you're confortable with this). If they're planning on contributing, this conversation would most likely bring that out. Just a thought! I understand what you're saying...You don't expect it, but you would like to know if there is money available that you can count on.

That's a really fun invitation!

sticky:lollipop

I wonder why offices even bother opening when there's no water. Seems like a health hazzard to me! I understand what you're dealing with though. My old job lost water all the time and we'd have to drive to McDonalds to use their bathroom. Lovely.

Mine might be a little bit different because my wedding will not be at a resort... Sunday May 17th: I arrive in St. Lucia with my parents and a few other guests. May 18-20: Last minute wedding stuff and vacation/relaxation time (yeah, right) May 21st: FI and most guests arrive. Welcome BBQ at night. May 22nd: Chartered catamarran ride from 12-4. We're going to a street party (Jump-Up) that night and anyone who wants to come can join us. May 23rd: Wedding Day! That night, we're moving to a private cottage about 5 minutes away from our guests. May 24th: We may have a brunch, but probably not. May 25th: Some guests leave May 26th: FI and I leave for Punta Cana May 28th: Rest of guests leave June 5th: We return from Punta Cana We're renting the villa from May 21-May 25, so any time outside of that, people are on their own.

I thought her prices were super reasonable as well. I would've been skeptical, but knowing that she's gotten some great reviews has made me not worry. We'll probably spend more on gas than the actual session! We're both definitely doing the hair and make-up too. Julie isn't booking this far in advance for BD sessions, but I'm hoping to get February 7th. I won't know for a little while though. If someone is DEFINITELY interested, we would make sure we find a date that works for all involved. Kelly, I haven't looked into Lunell (although I have heard of it). I'm carrying two mortgages right now, so I need a very inexpensive photographer. =) Thanks for putting another name out there though. I'm so excited to do this! A few other girls have done group sessions and they said it was so much fun!

movie: 7th grade date

Just send the invitations. I sent mine out in July and I'm getting married a week after you.

Spidey: Spiderman the movie

The Hills: mountains

Hey girls. My best friend is getting married two months after me and we want to do our BD pics at the same time. She found some rave reviews on The Knot about Jewel's Studio in Middletown, CT and her prices are so reasonable. Here's her website: homepage To find the prices, click on "Blog" and scroll down until you see "Boudoir" (posted August 22, 200. She explains it all there. Anyway, her prices are going up in 2009, so we were hoping to go some time by the end of the year, but I just can't do it with my work schedule. So I contacted Julie (the photog) and asked her if we got a group of 4 girls to do BD shoots at the same time, would she honor her 2008 prices? She said yes! So now I am reaching out to you. Would anyone be interested in doing a BD shoot some time in January or February? My friend lives in Poughkeepsie, NY, so we'll be leaving from there, but we can meet whoever is interested at the studio. I know it's kind of early to schedule this, but we have to make sure we get a group of 4 together. Please post here or PM me if you're interested!

Quote: Originally Posted by CayoLargo Dress as a credit card or ATM card..or cash....that would go with it. Oh, I was taking it one step further...Getting the money out of the ATM to buy the hooker. He he he. Oops! I was just hoping that he didn't really mean it and he's open to other costumes.

I asked FI what he wanted to be this year and he said an ATM. WHAT?! So I said what do I dress up as, a hooker? So yeah, I'm clueless too.

I've used Nice & Easy for years. Maybe you picked a shade too close to your natural color?

You have some very sexy legs girl!