Kristy!

Looks wonderful! congratulations on 25 years of marriage! Very inspirational!

I'd love to help! Quote: Originally Posted by KLC77 So, I'm looking for some help. For my summer course, we are writing a research paper on any topic and I chose Wedding Traditions. I'm exploring their history, but also what they mean to brides today. So, if you wouldn't mind. Could you tell me what the following "traditions" mean to you and why you are including them in your wedding (or if you are not including them)? Thanks in advance! Kelly BTW- my teacher love the idea of "interviewing" you guys to see what you say. Here they are: 1. The White Wedding Dress I'm one of the few people out there that believes sex belongs only within a marriage, so I am a virgin bride. I am definitely wearing a white wedding dress because I am proud that I have been able to save myself for my FH. 2. Wedding Rings I like the connection that the wedding rings give a couple. You have this special symbol that was exchanged on your wedding day and I can't wait to wear it! Whenever I look at my e-ring, I think of what FI said to me when he proposed. I'm hoping that every time I look at my wedding ring, I will think of our vows. 3. The Bridal Party We're undecided on this one. We know who our bridal party would be, but we're not sure if we're officially having one. Because we will have no more than 40 people in St Lucia, it'd seem kind of silly to have a bunch of people standing up with us (we really could not have any less than 10 people). I want to acknowledge my two best friends, 2 SILs, and FSIL in some way, but I'm not sure how to. We're definitely having a FG and a RB, but that's only because my niece and nephew will be the perfect age for it. 4. Your father giving you away I'm definitely doing this. I think it says that my dad is confident in FI to take care of me and believes in my decision to become his wife. I'm just having my dad give me away though, not my mom. It's nothing against my mom, but I like the dominant male figure in my live stepping down and letting another man step in. I hope that doesn't sound like them ruling my life or something! It's not meant to be taken that way! 5. An over-the-face veil (blusher) I will not have anything covering my face. The only reason I'm wearing a veil at all is just because I think it completes the bridal look. If you need any clarification, just let me know!

There's the catch...cranberry juice cocktail is a no-no. I still think it's weird though. I think pineapple juice is easy to find unsweetened.

Jennifer, our sites are very similar. I used the same format.

How come normal cranberry juice is allowed? Isn't that odd?

Quote: Originally Posted by Dez921714 OMG I LOVE spaghetti squash and it is sooooo super filling...But there's no way in hell I'm putting my oven on for an hour in the heat You can actually make spaghetti squash in the microwave.

I agree with Serendipity. I love that movie!

Stuff like that drives me crazy! And the guy totally doesn't care that he's mooching. If you confront him, he'll just laugh at you (like he did today).

Fun! They turned out great!

We're thinking that the Excellence Club isn't worth it either. It's funny, when I search Tripadvisor, any time people ask about rooms, everyone talks about buildings. People rarely mention specific room types (ie master suite, honeymoon suite). Are the upgraded rooms worth it?

I like the twisted ones. Very nice!

Woo hoo! Good for you Jenny! You'll be fabulous, no need to worry. (I know, easier said than done.)

FI and I are going on our HM there, but undecided what type of room to book. thoughts?

First I was going to hire someone from St. Lucia. Then I won free photography and videography from KLK Photography and Blue Sky Videos (thanks Kristi and Paul!) who are from California and I live in New York. Basically, the pictures and personalities of the photogs and videogs speak for themselves. I will not meet Kristi and Paul until I'm in St. Lucia, but then again, I won't meet my WC, caterer, or anyone else until then either. I'm totally fine with it. As long as your work is outstanding and you're easy to work with, I'm happy, regardless of where you are located!

I do most of my BDWing at work, so I'm not really on it when he's around. I know he thinks I'm obsessed with it though! (Hey, I admit that I am!)

Has anyone considered making spaghetti squash? I find it's a good way to fool yourself into thinking you're eating something other than a vegetable.

Yay, have fun!!!!

Oh how fun! A boy! You must be SO excited!

Here are a few pictures from last week, just after the Breast Cancer walk, when Alice got her head shaved: Sporting a mohawk She's looks like such a rock star!

I can't believe that bride stole my idea! Right...

I'm sorry. My brother was laid off just before Christmas and he ended up finding a better job. Hopefully the same will happen for your DH.

Thanks Alyssa! I never seem to create very good titles.

MTV better not wait till late in the day to call you. We want to know now!! Good luck!

Many of you have read my postings before on FI's cousin, Alice, who found out a few months ago she has breast cancer at the age of 31. She has started up an organization called My Vision Foundation to help young women with this disease. Currently, the foundation offers financial assistance with harvesting and freezing eggs, a free nude photography session for these women to celebrate their bodies before they change from going through surgeries and treatments, and support through networking. There are a few things that Alice is currently searching for. The first is for any photographers and possibly videographers who would be interested in offering their services to the foundation. It's her goal to build a national database of photographers by September of this year. Please IM me or go to My Vision Foundation's website Home and click on "Programs" at the bottom of the screen. More information is available there. The second thing she is asking is to have people sign up for their e-mail newsletter. It's located at the top righthand corner of the website and you simply type in your email address under "Sign up for our Email Newsletter" and hit "Go". The foundation will not give your e-mail address to anyone, so no worries about that! We are just trying to get the word out about My Vision Foundation. Please check out the foundation's website: Home I've been really moved by Alice and am trying to help out in any way I can. I think it's amazing what she has done, especially since she was diagnosed only a few months ago. Thank you for taking the time to read this and please share it with anyone you want. Also, for those of you who sponsored me for the Breast Cancer Walk, thank you once again. I will be posting some pictures on that soon. Alice has them, but she's prepping for her second round of chemo on Wednesday, so I'm not sure when I will get them for her. Please remember her in your prayers.

I haven't read through this whole thread, but I think that tipping has gotten out of hand. Everyone seems to expect it now. It drives me crazy!