chickadee024

Hi Ladies! I have had to rethink my original centerpiece scheme and I'm asking for your help! Back story: I had originally planned to order the tabletop tiki torches from OTC, bring them down to Jamaica, and have 2 per table at the reception. I had them reviewed and approved by the resort, and all was gravy. Until I thought about the oil. My stepdad, who works for TSA, informed me that I wouldn't be able to bring the oil down in checked luggage because it was considered a hazmat issue or something. I asked the WC at the resort if there was a place in Jamaica where we could purchase smokeless tiki torch oil, and he said that there wasn't. (Wha? It's an island, people. No tiki torches?) He suggested using kerosene, but I can only imagine the smell and black smoke that this would produce. So I scrapped the tiki torch idea. I have decided to have wide, short bowls filled with pink and orange daliahs and spider mums. (I think.) I don't want to use candles because it seems to be very windy on the cliffs, but I was thinking about putting (submersible) floralytes in the bowls. Here is my question. The floralytes seem a little expensive, so I'm considering using glow sticks. They are substantially cheaper, especially when purchased at the dollar store. I can get a pack of the little ones that people put in their mouths and somehow anchor them to the bottom of the bowl or the bottoms of the flower stems. In my experience, the glow sticks can last a good 8 hours, and they should be submersible. Thoughts?

oops - double post

We ended up registering for china and I'm so glad we did. It's absolutely beautiful, and it will be a great keepsake that we can pass down to our children. I've discovered that people will buy it for you, even if you don't think they will. Plus, I found an awesome set of regular dishes that match/compliment our fine china on a black friday sale. I say go for it!

Hey girls, I wanted to share with you the teasers I got for the Chicago BDW shoot that was hosted by Tlseege, TammyB, and Maura. I had a great time!!! The girls were so easy to work with and they definitely did their best to make me comfortable. They were creative, finding great ways to work my props into the photos. And the make-up artist was wonderful! All of their skills combined turned out these photos (and more) that I think my FI is going to love!

I had the same question about a week ago when we addressed our wedding invitations. I ended up handwriting them all, but we only had 45 to do and we almost had it out printing the inside envelopes ourselves and swore to give the printer a break. I did a poll, and the responses were across the board. Here is a link to the thread: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t35912

Hey girls, I've finally ordered the shoes I will be wearing with my dress. I've purchased the Anne Klein Foxie pumps - they're patent leather, two-tone orange and fuschia, peep-toes - and I love them! Just tall enough to peek out of the bottom of my skirts, and the ceremony will be on the cliffs so I'm not worried about sand. Unfortunately, the lighting in my house sucks. Here is a link where you can get a better idea of the color: AK Anne Klein - Foxie (Pink/Orange Patent) - 6PM.com

Hey girls! Just wanted to let you know about some cute stuff I just found on my lunch break. I was looking for cute stuff for the BM bags - Forever 21 has a lot of cute stuff, including luggage tags ($4, I think), little mirror compacts ($7.5), nail files ($1.5), travel journals, and island-scented soy candles. The also have a Jr. store, For Love 21, that had passport covers to match the luggage tags, cute bags on sale, and some beachy totes, plus tons of fun jewelry and sunglasses. I plan to go back next week (trying to avoid those impulse purchases) so I'll post pictures of the loot.

Quote: Originally Posted by Tlseege Hey Rachel, were you able to "find" your fiance's guitar This was too funny. Thankfully, I work for the government and was able to stay home on MLK day to 'look' for the guitar. I 'found' it and set it in his office for when he got home. He asked where I had found it - he said that he looked everywhere - basement, attic, closets, underbed, even had a friend come over to help look in case he was missing the obvious. I told him that I had found it in my closet, back behind my wedding dress, and that we must've put it there for the new years party. Now, this is where it gets brilliant. He said that he had kinda pushed aside my dress to look, but didn't go all the way back. I saw the opportunity and started freaking out at him about him being near my dress, questioning him about if he peeked, etc. Not another word was said about the guitar.

Okay girls, we have almost completed our boarding pass invites, and I wanted to ask how you addressed the envelopes. Seems that our options are: 1. handwritten (print) 2. handwritten (cursive) 3. printed address labels 4. pay for calligraphy. We're leaning towards, and I'm hoping most of you did handwritten addresses! What did you do?

Abbie - Your husband is going to LOVE your pictures! You are a dead ringer for Julianne Moore, who is absolutely gorgeous.

I picked up a bottle of the Chanel Coco Mademoiselle body lotion - it smells great!

Just wanted to add my post to the merriment! This was a crazy good time. I was a little nervous at first, but you girls made me feel so comfortable! It had been a long day when we got to my turn, but you maintained the energy and creativity that made everything awesome. I would highly recommend you to all of my friends! The makeup artist was really good too. Can't wait to see my pics!

I've had some experience with this as well. I have a great-uncle who ran into my mom right after we announced the location. He was all, "Jamaica? She might as well get married in a dump on the south-side of Chicago." My mother responded that he was more than welcome to not attend. These people have never left the country, and have certainly not been to Jamaica - what do they know? Honestly, I don't care either way if they come. If they're too afraid of crime, stay home so that I'm not spending my vacation dealing with freak-outs every time some Jamaican comes up to offer to braid hair or something.

We are paying for our WP's rooms for 2 nights, but we're also staying at Negril Escape Resort & Spa in Jamaica, which isn't an AI and the rooms aren't expensive at all. I think they're less than $100 a night, which we thought we can do. If we were staying at an AI, I don't think we could afford it either.

We're doing the same as many girls in having the 'Somewhere over the Rainbow' by Israel Whositsface when we walk down the aisle. The recessional will be Weezer's 'Island in the Sun' because I can remember on of my bridesmaids singing it in college every day when it first came out. The father/daughter dance will be Roisin Murphy's 'Scarlet Ribbons' and my first dance with the FI will be Steel Pulse 'Throne of Gold.'

Congratulations and welcome to the forum! And you picked a great place to get married

They look amazing! Very cool that the two of you will have matching rings that are unique to everyone else.

Here are a couple of my favs: dcgoodwill.com - I went to high school with this girl. Good ideas, especially in this economy. Jezebel: Celebrity, Sex, Fashion for Women. Without Airbrushing. - Love.

Hiii! This is awesome. Did you girls get my PM?

We bought the attire for our attendants. But it wasn't expensive, either. We got the BM dresses for $35 each at Kohls, and the linen shirts for the GMs from Geoffery Beene for $20, and they can just wear some khakis. I'm also buying the jewelry for the girls. We are still expecting the BMs to purchase their shoes (and I don't care yet what they do with hair/makeup) and the GMs to purchase matching khakis and flip flops.

Hi Kathie, I was able to find 6 mats for you at a Pier One in Indianapolis. There are 2 blue and 4 red. There is another Pier One near my mom's house and I'm going over this weekend - I will check that store and send you what I have next week.

Thanks girls! They are impressive until you mix them up while presenting them....then I just look stupid. And I feel like my business card needs to be index-size. The most important ones I haven't achieved yet....MPH and DrPH. Soon, though!

I work at the Indiana State Department of Health in the Public Health Preparedness and Emergency Response division. I am the Program Director for the Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals (ESAR-VHP) and the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), two statewide programs that corral healthcare professionals into volunteering and assures that their credentials are verified. I started out as a Bioterrorism Coordinator for Monroe County, home of Indiana University. I am also the Central Chapter President for the Indiana Public Health Association. Whew! Those government jobs sure have long titles....

Quote: Originally Posted by syl1115 My confession is this: My husband had prostate cancer about 4 years ago and due to the radiation treatment, we now have to plan in advance to be intimate. The equipment just doesn't wake up like it used to! Sometimes this is very hard to adjust to. I am so used to just "doing it" whenever the mood strikes and now I have to schedule an appoinpment with him so "johnny" will be ready! Wow...your FI is lucky to find a strong and patient woman in you. Thanks for reminding me to not take my own guy (in all his pervy glory) for granted.

You girls are too funny! I could probably go 8 weeks no problem, but I think the FI would implode.