~*Kathy*~

Yael - that is too cute! I just love hearing DH say "those two guys better f'in make it or the judges are retarded!" lol such passion!! hahaha

Those are both lovely but I think #1 is more flattering. You're so tiny that they both look good on you though, so that is a tough call. If you want something more laid back, I would go with #2. Let us know which one you end up with, good luck!

Quote: Originally Posted by YaelM Based on the previews from last night it looked almost like the final spot was going to go to one of the brothers... Yep, I agree! They do this kind of crap every year for the "drama factor" imo, I think it's totally annoying and totally unfair. Just like last year, both Katee AND Natalie should have gone to the top 20 and not pitted against each other. DH is soooo cute, he is totally rooting for both of the brothers to go through! I love that my DH secretly loves this show as much as I do haha but he would never admit it!

Yael - I agree, I think Tony may make it due to his personality. I like him but I hope his dancing improves too.

Quote: Originally Posted by ErinB I think they kept Kaitlyn because she was prettier. Erin - thank you so much for bringing this up, I wanted to talk to you girls about it! I get the distinct impression that sometimes the judges will pass up on the better dancers in lieu of dancers who may not be as good as others but are more aesthetically pleasing? I have a big feeling that's why they kept Kaitlyn (although I think she will be cut tonight) and that's also why I think out of those two brothers (Evan and...?) that they are going to pick Evan because he is slightly more attractive (imo) than his brother, thus making him more marketable. Does anyone else see this or am I just losing it? lol I think it's quite sad but I also think that's the reality of these shows in the sense that they would keep someone pretty over someone not as pretty. Anyhow, I agree about Natalie, I think that she should have gone through further than she did...they booted her so early that it seemed like they thought she got worse from last year, how can that be possible though? I also don't know why they were so hard on Brandon, I didn't notice any of the negative stuff they were talking about.

Quote: Originally Posted by ErinB I like the second song better. I think the reason I wasn't a fan of the "official" lullaby is because of the soundtrack version. DOn't get me wrong, it is a beautiful song, but it is played with a full orchestal background. IMO it needed to be a piano solo. Erin, I totally agree with everything you just said! I like the Yiruma song better for the "lullaby" and I loved the Carter Burwell song too, but as you said, I much prefer it as a piano solo than with a complete orchestra.

Quote: Originally Posted by BillysBride Hmm....I actually hadn't heard the Yiruma song before. The only thing I knew was that Rob had been asked to compose a song for the lullabye, and he did...but once he heard the Carter Burwell song, he thought "it was much more romantic" so he withdrew his. Whatever. The boy can play like a concert pianist. They could have easily used both, since the Burwell song wasn't all that prevalent in the film...so much for having a theme. I'll have to listen to the Yiruma song fully....thanks! You'll definitely have to listen to the Yiruma song, it is so beautiful! I heard that as well about Rob composing for the film (I wonder what it sounds like!). I love the Carter Burwell song too, a definite favorite of mine. I love it when a guy can play an instrument, especially the piano.

Ahhh, I'm so excited to see the top 20 tonight! I found Mia to be particularly bitchy during this year's Vegas week...wtf is her problem? Anyhoo, I'm so glad that Ricky and Asouka are still in the running (love them!) and I think that guy who is originally from Vancouver (now living in Miami) is also in the running (I hope he makes it, he is amazing). It's too bad about Gabi Rojas, she is fantastic in her solos but can't seem to get comfortable doing choreagraphy, same with that tap girl, I was sad she had to go.

Everything looked awesome! I love the lifesaver idea, that is so cute!

ouch, are you guys serious? I haven't watched it yet but I'm about to in 5 minutes...that's so sad about Natalie! Poor girl!

Savannah - you are too much hehe! I was wondering if you had an opinion on this: in the Twilight movie, the scene where Edward plays the piano for Bella's Lullaby...and don't get me wrong, I love that music...but supposedly they were going to originally go with a song called River Flows in You by Yiruma (which I felt was much more appropriate to be the "Bella's Lullaby". I think they should have used the Yiruma song for the lullaby and the "Bella's Lullaby" song from the movie as Bella and Edwards love theme music instead. What are your thoughts on this? Here are both songs for your reference: YouTube - Bella's Lullaby - Carter Burwell Official Piano Full Song!!! (Updated) <-- Bella's Lullaby from the movie YouTube - River Flows In You - Yiruma aka Bella's Lullaby? <--- River Flows in You by Yiruma

Quote: Originally Posted by mxbride789 paraisobeachbride2009, were you seated in a somewhat semi-private back area of the steak house? was the restaurant a trek from the gazebo where you got married? No, actually we were smack dab in the middle of the steakhouse lol! It was a little weird being in the middle and having a non-private dinner with a bunch of onlookers. The steakhouse is very far from the gazebo. The gazebo is just off of the theater (near the lobby) and the steakhouse a la carte is down by the beach practically.

Gail - We didn't have a private reception, in hindsight, I think it would have been a good idea but it wasn't that busy at the steakhouse during our reception and other diners were really sweet, congratulating us and stuff.

Gail - for you! I would ask them to cover up that fridge in the background, I should have though of that but I didn't even realize it was there until it was too late. Can you rent the whole thing out so you can have a private reception? That would probably be best.

Steph - Alaska Twilight Cruise & Convention at Sea for Twilight Fans lol, all the info you need is there! That's pretty hardcore though haha.

Good morning, Mr. Pattinson! lol ;P Savannah, have you heard about the Twilight Cruise? hahaha, you should totally hit that up!

Lisa & Tracy - yikes, sorry to hear about all the stuff that you guys are still bummed about! Lisa, you shouldn't have let your DH talk you out of the lighthouse...men!! No matter, your pics are STILL amazing hun!! That's weird about the middle name thing though...wtf? lol

Yamille - Thanks for posting some pics so fast!! You didn't look like a hot mess to me, you just looked hot! I still love your circle-seating by the way, what a great idea!

MarieSam - Wow, you look amazing!!! Your makeup is perfection (this woman is amazing and blending the eyeshadow, wow!) and your hair is so gorgeous and it doesn't look too "done". I can't wait for you to go and come back so we can all ooh and ahh over your wedding pics!! Your daughter and mom look beautiful too! PW is another fantastic resource for brides to be, so nice find!

Quote: Originally Posted by Stina168 Thank you! We used the Iberostar florist. I was so happy the flowers turned out well - that was something I was pretty nervous about, so thanks again for warning me about the arch. The bouquets were pretty much what I asked for, but the flower arrangements were different, but I liked them better than what I requested! I thought they did a fabulous job! I asked an outside florist how much it would be to fully cover the arch in bougainvillea and they quoted me like $300, and the Iberostar only charged $60! So glad I didn't go with the outside florist, but Charlie did have to tell them to add more flowers to the arch at the ceremony since they tried to put just a few arrangements on there. I don't know what their deal is with that! You're welcome again! I'm just so glad I was able to share my experience with you girls so you don't make the same mistakes I did...so far, so good by the sounds of it! You're lucky you had someone speak up about your arch, if I would have known about it, I would have told DH to make sure they decorated it properly but live and learn I suppose haha. Your flowers turned out fabulous!! Yeah, I don't know why they have a problem covering their whole arch, that's how they make it look in all the gazebo pics they send, it is incredibly misleading. Gail - If you want I can post a pic I have of us eating at the Steakhouse, bear in mind that I didn't bother decorating it or anything special like that, but I have seen pics of the Tropical (practically identical to the Steakhouse) decorated and it looks amazing. I only have like one or two pics so it probably won't show you much though.

Aww thanks so much ladies!!! It is such a pleasure and honor to be part of such an amazing forum, this place is such a treasure to all of us!!

Stina - Awesome pics, thanks for sharing! You looked gorgeous, of course! Did you hire an outside florist or did the Iberostar people do it all? You arch turned out fantastic! I am still slightly peeved that they didn't decorate my arch fully, oh well though haha. Can't wait to read your review!

Kim - DH and I paid our photog deposit using paypal and it worked out great! I hope this helps!

Wow, I am so sorry to hear about your negative experience with this photog. I can't believe that he pitched a hissy fit when you were just trying to help him by giving him examples of pics you like and then INSULTING you on your TTD shoot. He sounds like a total diva and a pain in the rear to deal with. Thank you so much for such a completely honest review so that future brides will know what they are getting in to when they consider hiring this "professional".

This is very sad! It will be interesting to see what kind of global impact this will have on the economy.