MarieSam

I was totally contemplating the place setting format. These are great ideas ~ thank you so much!!

I LOVE this Christa ~ thank you so much!! I feel inspired already and am excited to share this with my friends and loved ones

Good Lord those all look so delish and pretty at that!!! I am definitely gonna try some out, although I think I felt my ass getting fatter just looking at them, hehehe

I say you should definitely talk to him about how you're feeling. Men seem to generally not be very involved in the wedding planning process, and basically it's a "give me the date, time and location, and I'll be there" type thing, lol. Honestly, I thought that's how FI was going to be, but then he flipped a switch and started getting too damn involved, being picky about our colors, the BMs dresses, the STDs, the menu, our venue, music, decor, etc. Trust me, sometimes it's better when they don't give a rat's ass. hehehe But truly, I think you should communicate your concerns to him. And tell him although it's "not his thing" that you want this to be a celebration that is something you both envision and will enjoy. It should be a day dedicated to "us". I don't know if you watched the SITC movie ~ but if you did, then you'll recall how important it is to make sure you both are on the same page with the major aspects (size of wedding, who's invited, what's important, etc.) And girl, if you're still not getting enuff excitement from FI, you know you can always count on your BDW friends ~ guaranteed to squeal, ooooh and ahhh with excitement every step of the way, lol Keep us posted!! Quote: Originally Posted by KLC77 Oh, and if you want a TTD just tell him you have a 2nd shoot with the photog and surprise him when you shove him in the water! You crack me up ~ PLEASE somebody do this to your FI ~ I would love to see these pics!!!

Thanks so much for the advice and your opinions!!! I talked to FI last night and he's totally fine with a "first look" session, YAY He did however jokingly warn me that I must be prepared to be "groped and molested" ~ yeah my FI is a nut!!! hehehe. And I totally forgot that we are planning to get legally married the Friday before we leave so the whole bad luck thing doesn't really apply Also my photographer said the brides who chose to do one were always so glad they did. So we are most likely gonna do a first look session ~ I think the tears and surreal feelings when we see each as I walk down the aisle will come regardless , I'm pretty confident in that. Quote: Originally Posted by Morgan it was nice knowing we already had some great couple shots when my makeup was fresh & we were not sweaty. I think it helped me relax during the ceremony to get some of the emotion out before. Great point Morgan, I never thought of the makeup factor. I am def. one that has "shiny face" problems so doing the pics beforehand would def. help in this area!! Thanks ~ oh yeah, your "first look" pics are gorgeous ~ if I decide to do it, I hope mine turn out just as nice! Quote: Originally Posted by SoontobeMrsE the photographer was getting mad because everyone was taking pics and the flashes were all going off at the same time and his pictures were coming out too bright. I say do it before the make up smears and your nose turns red from crying. My siggy pic is the only pro pic of me and DH alone. DO IT!! Well Celina have comfort in knowing although it is the only one with just you two, it's a beautiful pic And I swear if my photogs even hint at attitude she and he (married couple) will get a boatload of bridezilla pics, lol. Things will I promise you that, hehehe. I know I will be a crier, so again, I think the first look thing will probably capture me looking my best before I become a crying mess, lol.

I'm sorry to hear that you had to deal with so much unnecessary stress ~ but glad to hear despite the mishaps and rude MFs < I'm flipping all of them off for you, lol> you were still able to enjoy the beautiful atmosphere and the ultimate meaning of your wedding day Can't wait to see your pics, and congrats on being a Mrs!!!!

It's fabulous ~ go for it!!!

A destination wedding is everything but traditional, so I say screw the etiquette traditions and do what you can fit into your budget! Just my 2cents. Ideally of course it would be nice to be able to pay for my bridesmaids/groomsmens attire because they're already investing a lot of time and money into the destination wedding. Who wouldn't want to offer such a kind gesture to the wedding party? But in my case, I've got 9 bridesmaids, 1 junior bridesmaids and a flower girl. FI has the equivalent on the groomside of things. So as you can see, unless I'm buying them $20 to $30 outfits then it's impossible especially since my first name isn't Bill and my last name isn't Gates. Instead I'm buying my gals sandal type heels, a pair of nice flip-flops for "the my feet are killing me" moments, their jewelry, and getting a bunch of cute bags filled with all kinds of stuff. I am however buying the entire outfit for one of my bridesmaids ~ my daughter , my junior bridesmaid, and flower girl. FI is buying his guys their sandals (leather flip flops), a gift, and the outfits for the junior groomsmen and ring bearer. So I still feel like we're still devoting a lot of our budget to our wedding party even though we're not covering the costs for all their attire.

I'm a weddingwindow.com bride and I LOVE it!!! They are actually having a holiday special right now ~ $10 off their usual prices. I suggest looking at all the options, looking at the formats and features they offer and choose the site that provides you with what you need for the most reasonably priced!

Quote: Originally Posted by KatyKo I think it is just such an intimate moment and for me, I would rather share that close to my FI than at the end of the aisle Katy ~ what you said right here is perfect, it's exactly what I've come to feel too. A first look session sounds perfect for you two, and that's great you will get to spend more time at the cocktail party!! Fun times Quote: Originally Posted by paraisobeachbride2009 ...not because I'm superstitious but there's just something about the first look during the ceremony that gets me I guess haha. Yes!!! That's totally what gets me too See this is where my angst lies ~ I absolutely LOVE those pics when the groom first sees the bride walk down the aisle too! But in the same breath, I guess in a sense it's kinda the same concept when he'd see me for the first time alone DAMN it, I'm confused. Quote: Originally Posted by TammyB My hubby and I did a "first look" and it was perfect. We really wanted to take a moment to really see each other prior to getting married, plus as an added bonus we walked to the alter together, which was great for me because I didn't want to walk alone. Tammy, your pics are wonderful. I just watched your slideshow ~ all your pics together are beautiful, and your dress ~ simply gorgeous!!

So I've been contemplating the whole "first look" pictures with FI before the ceremony...initially I wanted the "let him see me for the first time at the ceremony" and on top of that the whole bad luck tradition to see the bride before the wedding. But I've been reading a lot about how special it is share a moment alone with FI before the wedding and how wonderful those pictures turn out.....of course another perk would be that it cuts down time spent taking photos after the ceremony and would allow us to spend more time at the cocktail party. I started leaning more toward the "first look" session after I read this blog from a local photographer that I absolutely LOVE ~ Jasmine Star. Yes, I have a photographer crush ~ I think FI and I are eventually going to plan some type of life session shoot with her after the wedding Read her 12/15/08 blog on this topic, she makes so many good points!! Here's her link, careful you can easily get stuck reading blog after blog ~ Jasmine Star Photography Blog So have any past BDW brides done the first look thing, regretted it and wished you saw each other for the first time at the cermony? Is this a good idea?

Aside from being addicted to my wedding photographer's blog Stephanie Williams Photography Blog wedding and portrait photography blog ~ I have also become a devout follower of a photographer (Jasmine Star) here in So Cal whose blogs about so much more than wedding photography. Jasmine is a such a unique soul and so funny, and she writes a lot about life, love, happiness, etc. Not only is she a brilliant photographer, she's a great writer, and as a journalist I always appreciate good, clever writing Yes, I have a photographer crush ~ I think FI and I are eventually going to plan some type of life session shoot with her after the wedding. Here's her link, careful you can easily get stuck reading blog after blog ~ Jasmine Star Photography Blog

Oooh those are super cute and do look comfy!! A couple a weeks ago I found these sandals and they aren't pricey ~ they're not true starfish, but they are "starfishy", if that makes any sense? CARLOS by Carlos Santana - Beckon - 6PM.com

Quote: Originally Posted by BachataBride It sounds amazing!! What kind of camera do/did you have to take those pics?? Was it just the disposable underwater one?? We are thinking about buying a $250 underwater case for our $450 camera...does that even make sense! LOL Hey Amanda, sorry for the late response ~ my brother actually took these pics so I had to wait to hear back from him on all the camera details. The camera he used was a Canon a95, and the case was an underwater housing unit -- the wpdc50 model by Canon. He thinks it was about $150 at the time. He was worried the housing unit would be faulty and essentially damage his camera, but it worked like a charm and he's continued to take fabulous underwater pics of all our snorkeling and diving adventures ever since!!! So def. worth the investment especially if you're water people

Those are so nice, I LOVE the white and gold ones. I will have to check those out tomorrow ~ thanks so much for the tip!!!

Casey I LOVE your dress, the veil, the shoes ~ everything is gonna look so perfect together! And of course the fact that you're gorgeous is icing on the cake ~ YAY super excited for you!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by ErikDaGenErik you ladies have cute shoes! can't wait to post mine once i get them. since this is a shoe thread, i have been dying to ask this question..... i've seen on a lot of TTD, the jeweled necklace looking thing worn for the feet.....WHERE DO YOU GET THEM AND WHAT ARE THEY CALLED? please help! They're called barefoot sandals if I'm not mistaken. Tons of brides on here have used em for their weddings, either by buying them or making them on their own. I've seen some beautiful ones on here ~ if you do a search I'm sure some threads will pop up Also because they're becoming quite popular for DWs I think a lot of the bridal shops are starting to carry them ~ it's a fun way to add some bling to a barefoot ceremony!! Hope this helps!!!

Great pics, ya'll have great style and I love how the colors pop ~ lots of beautiful images to choose from

You two are just too cute together ~ again everything was beautiful!!!

Wow, wow, wow ~ your video is freaking fabulous and so well put together!!! I love the music used, I was thinking of using "Everything" by Buble too and now seeing your video confirms that it's perfect!!! I'm sure you already know this but your wedding was simply beautiful, and loved seeing all the Filipino parents dancings, hehehe. I hope my day is as beautiful as yours Congrats again Leia

Awesome work friend!!! You are so talented, and what a joy to be able to work in such beautiful surroundings

April everything looks great! Your guests are gonna be blown away by all the work and thought you put into everything ~ I especially love your hair and makeup inspirations, they are the same ones I've got set aside too!!!! Looking forward to seeing your pics upon your return ~ safe and happy travels, I have no doubt your wedding is going to be fantastic!!!

WOW, how exciting!!!! Now so many people other than all us BDW'ers will be able to see and enjoy your beautiful pics ~ congrats Where do they sell this magazine by the way? I'd love to see it, that's so cool

Absolutely beautiful pics!! I LOVE how emotional your dad was when he saw you before the wedding ~ so sweet But I can see why, you looked stunning!!! The smurf toppers, are too cute And those TTD pics are so sensual and magical ~ y'all are a sexy couple and look so inlove! Congrats

That is so awesome, I LOVE it!! You now have me tearing up at work ~ what a wonderful moment for you to share with each other, and he looked so handsome and snazzy in that tux!