Davematthews16

Quote: Originally Posted by KLC77 We are doing OOT bags. I bought the bags at Michaels. So far we have sunscreen, aloe, first aid kits, immodium, pepto, motrin, beachy note pads, pens, OFF wipes, pocket size Spanish For Dummies, tissues, puzzle books, glow in the dark bracelets and we will include a welcome letter. (ha, I wrote "so far" like I can fit any more stuff in there! I didn't realize I had so much til I just looked in the closet lol) Oh and I'm going BM dress shopping tomorrow. I'm excited about that. I'm going with my moh, bm and fmil. Yay! That's how I was with my bags, all of a sudden it was like Uh, I can't fit anything else in! Have fun BM dress shopping! It makes it all seem more real!

Sorry it took me a day to get back to you! My parents were busy and I just had a chance to ask my dad where to go. He said for the best Italian go to the "North End" of Boston. Locals actually refer to it as the North End, so you shouldn't have any trouble getting there, just tell your cab driver or ask someone. Also, you MUST go to Quincy Market. They have AWESOME food, and tons of little places to shop. I LOVED it there! I can't wait to go back and visit! Have fun!

We just told the guests where we are staying and everyone booked at that hotel. We are paying a day-pass for the outside photographer, but other than that we had no problem. If you are offering a perfectly good hotel, and your guests choose to stay elsewhere, I would just nicely tell them there is a day pass fee. I know it can be a touchy subject, but I agree with you on how it could rack up fast!

Quote: Originally Posted by ginalynn I am looking mostly at Jamaica and DR, but am open to suggestions! How/where did you guys find photographers that were not part of the hotel package or addons? You can either do a search on this forum, or just google photographers in Cabo, or wherever it is you want to stay. There are also photographers who are members of this forum, just do a little shoppin' around!

We are doing the majority of our pictures together before the ceremony. That way we can have those first few moments of seeing eachother for the fist time, on camera. We are also having a smaller wedding (20ppl) and a very small wedding party, so the remaining pics after the ceremony will be fairly quick.

Welcome to the forum! I know its over-whelming when you first start planning. As far as budgeting goes, I would recommend making a list of everything and how important it is to you. (Budget, rooms, location, photography ect.) We are staying at a brand new all inclusive hotel (Barcelo Maya Palace) for 7 nights. The price is $1,245.00 per person + Airfare= about $1,645 per person. You save by shortening your stay, and by making stuff yourself. I have made my own Barefoot sandals, both my BM's barefoot sandals, my bouquets, and my veil. I LOVE everything I've made, and have saved atleast $500.00 by doing so. As far as budgeting photography, I would put it in your list and decide on how important it is to you. For us, it was pretty high on the importance list, so after much research we are spending about $1,500.00 for pics of pre-wedding, ceremony, and a TTD. You can definetely find a photographer who will work with you on your budget. Ours created a package just for us, so they could be accomidating! Happy PLanning!

I know it's tough, but if you were in an abusive relationship, there's NO DOUBT you did the right thing! I was married once at 21 to a guy who fooled me up until we said "I do" Then his alcoholic crazy personality came out. I stuck it out for 9 months and lived absolutely miserably. The day I left him was the best day of my life. If you ever need to vent or chat about it PM me, I have a million stories that will remind you you did the RIGHT Thing! YES, go to Mexico, or wherever you want so you can relax! It takes a lot of guts to be a strong woman, and there aren't a lot of women out there who are. I'm proud of you and I don't even know you. I wish my best friend would "see the light" and leave her abusive husband of 4 years. Maybe someday.

HOOOT!!!! You have a gorgeous body, and your man is gonna melt when he sees these!!!

Welcome!!! You will love the forum! Happy Planning!

I can't see them But I'm sure they are very cute!

Every Christmas we go out and buy the ugliest ornament we can find. It started accidently a few years ago when we bought this snowman globe. If you look closely at his face his eyes are popping out of his head and he has a big frown. It's halrious (an inside joke between the two of us) So the following year we went out and got another snowman globe, and this one has a really sad face if you look close up. We're total dorks!!!!!!!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by SBlake Hey Ladies, I'm getting married January 17th at Dreams Tulum. I just had my first shower this weekend, kinda crazy. I don't like being the center of attention but it was fun. We really need to start getting rid of things in our condo, we're running out of room to put things and I have two more showers in september! We also just ordered our invites last weekend. its nice to finally get that done. We also ordered our bridesmaid dresses a couple of weeks ago. My fiance got his suit in a few weeks ago. All we need to do is get the guys attire figured out and our rings. We also bought every beach bag walmart had for welcome gifts for our guests. They're really cute and only $5 My goal is to spend $10 per bag so we'll see how I stay on budget! Wow, I wish I could get my FI to get his cute butt in gear, and pick out what he's wearing and what his GM's are wearing, but no such luck yet. LOL He did decide that he wants to wear a white suit of some kind. Where did you get your FIs?

I'm not officially part of WW but I do enjoy their desserts! Anyone tried the new peanut butter cup sundae? Considering peanut butter cups are like my all time favorite food, I thought I died and went to heaven when I ate this dessert yesterday!!! I've lost 7 lbs so far and being healthy never tasted soooo good. These desserts are my little treats several times a week. YUMMY!

Quote: Originally Posted by nicoleandscott are y'all making OOT bags? if so, what's going in them? i'm struggling with this decision as well as how detailed to get with a "welcome book"..... I bought all my OOT bag stuff about a month ago. I got the bags at Michael's for about $1.16 each and my contents include: Here's some pics too. http://www.boandandrea.com/assets/images/oot-bags/ Hydrocortisone cream IB Profun Hand sanitizer Gum First Aid Kit Travel Candle Lotion Tissue Sunscreen Immodium AD Cup with guests name on it SPF chapstick "Welcome to Mexico" brochure "To do list"

My dad is from Boston, and it's one of my favorite cities (eventhough I've only been there once) Honestly, everywhere we ate was fabulous. I left my dad a message about where the best places are to eat. I will post as soon as he tells me BTW what kind of food is your favorite?

YES! I have to completely close it down and re-log in atleast once a day. Anything we can do to help?

I absolutely LOVE your pictures! For some reason I kept getting all teary eyed looking at them. You two look soooo good together! Your colors are gorgeous too! They looked stunning in the pictures!

Quote: Originally Posted by Tara Now I'm even more ill at ease thinking about this. I'm trying to lose as much weight/inches as possible before the wedding and my dress is a little snug now but fits... Got it at David's Bridal and I know it's going to need hemmed unless I decide on high heels (which I hadn't planned on, but may due to the hem. And if my weight loss is successful, maybe a little more. I want to pay no more than an additional $200. Has anyone had alterations done at David's? No, but that's where I got my dress. They told me that ANY alteration starts at $75.00. I am going to do a little homework and check out some mom and pop shops around my area, and compare them to David's bridal. I am in the EXACT same boat you are too. I am trying to tone and loose atleast 15 lbs before the wedding. I've already lost 5, and am very motivated so I'm counting on being 15 lbs smaller than I am now. My dress won't need to be hemmed, just taken in around the armpits and waiste possibly. I'll let you know what I come up with, but I can almost guarantee that David's bridal is going to be a bit more expensive, BUT since they only alter wedding gowns, they may have more experience?

Quote: Originally Posted by KarmaB DH is self-employed, and I am a student so our insurance is pretty basic. We have Aetna and our plan does NOT cover maternity benefits. It will only cover complications of pregnancy. So needless to say we are paying for the entire pregnancy out of pocket. When it's all said and done we will have paid around $10,000 for Hannah to be born. Most doctors and hospitals will give you slight discounts if you are paying cash, but it really is not that much. Plus, the labs and sonograms are very expensive! My best advice to you is to start looking now! Don't wait until you are pregnant to find insurance or it will be impossible. Also, I don't know if you would be willing to change jobs, but most larger employers cover maternity benefits with no extra waiting period. I considered getting a part-time job with insurance benefits just to cover the pregnancy, but it just didn't work with my school schedule. Yep, I am definetely looking now (long process) No, there's no way I can switch jobs. I have a fantastic job that does offer excellent health bennefits including maternity coverage, but if I switch to my companies insurance or FI's (It's the exact same company) I will lose my doctor, and losing her as my doctor is NOT an option either. Thanks for the advice though, I am going to keep pluggin' away with my research

Wishing you no stress, and no drama from this girl!!!!!! Hope your week was great!

I'm wearing my actual wedding dress and we are doing it the morning after the wedding at sunrise. They say that's the best lighting, and I think it will be special to do it the morning after the wedding Do your "dryer" TTD pics first, followed by the wild water/sand pics. I can't wait for this!!!!!!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by TA Jill I've never heard of goldendrule or keiser, are they small insurance companies? I have blue cross/blue shield right now and I used to have Aetna. No not at all. Goldenrule is a branch out of Pacificare, and Keiser Permanente is big too, but are not available in every state. I called my doctors office and got a list of all the insurance companies they take. I am just going to go down the line and call each one and join the best one. Thanks ladies for you input!

Maybe I worded it wrong..Maternity bennefits? Does that make more sense than maternity insurance? My current insurance is Goldendrule it's full blown health insurance, but their maternity bennefits are CRAP! Like I said, if I were to get pregnant with my current insurance the most they would cover is $2,000. That doesn't include co-pays, and check-ups. That would leave me and my FI paying thousands of dollars out of pocket. So, I am trying to switch insurance companies. All of you seem to have it covered in your regular insurance, what companies do you have?

Welcome to the forum! You will love it here!

Yes! He really is a miracle worker! We watch the show often!!