Scarletina

It's terrible that this post came back to life now - I am so sorry for all the brides that are being forced to cancel weddings right now- but I think it's a huge wake up call to anyone who has not purchased insurance to look into it. I know I have already contact a broker.

I can't comment on how hard it would be to have the monogram printed yourself - but I wanted to let you know that I was at Michael's last week and they have blue and pink flip flops (and probably some other colors but lets face it- I am zoned into my own wedding colors 90% of the time) for $1 each!! That is way better than 2.50 per pair. Good luck - I am going to be watching this thread to see if anyone knows how to do this themselves!

Hey Girls. I was actually at IKEA on Sunday and I saw these and though oh how perfect!! Then I looked at the side where it has IKEA written. I just wanted to let you girls know that it's a branded bag!!

I was planning on putting our monogram on some things like personalized mugs, welcome kits, cd of music etc but then read somewhere that it's poor ettiquette to use the monogram until after you are married. Has anyone else considered this or did you just go ahead and use the monogram? Just curious.... Thanks!

I have a lot of guest that have never gotten the chance to meet each other so I am doing like a combo "welcome kit "book" and get to know the guests" in one. I am sending out this little books (probably going to use 4x6 photo soft back albums you can get at the $1 store) which will include general info about my wedding, what customary tips are, peso conversion cheat sheet, itenarary etc. All of these will be printed on little 4x6 index cards which are cheap and easy to find. At the back of this "book" I will have one page per person with a picture of them and a brief little get to know you section which will include their name, how they are related to us, their email address, and a funny conversation starter topic such as for my Uncle Paul - ask Uncle Paul about the time he set Nicole's Mother Cindy on fire - that way people will all have something to talk about when they meet and since many will be bumping into each other at the airport they will know what other people look like and start getting to know each other right away! Again - using index cards to tac the picture to - and stamps with palm trees that I found at the $1 store for decoration on these pages.

My mom found a lot of cute ones on Newport-News.com - she isn't wearing anything super formal though because my wedding is in the early evening and it's not super formal. With their prices she was able to order a few and find one she really liked.

My fiance and I will swear by Delsey - their prices are less than Tumi and they always have really nice designs. Check them out - ebags always has deal on them.

This is a hard one- but here is I would get for younger guys.... how about those handheld electronic games - you can find them at the dollar general or online cheap, gigantic water guns (ok, so they dont' fit in the bag but it's cool), I would also think about a metal detector if you are on a beach. My little sisters had one of these and they had a blast with it. Then of course there are the standards, sunscreen, cool hats, sunglasses (maybe if you do fewer things for these guys you could spend a bit more on these items cause at 14 it's all about the brands), car magazines / books etc. Definitely a football or two for the beach, money for the resort (every kid loves more money even if mom and dad gave them some) , etc. I think there are a lot of fun things you could get the younger guys - just go browse walmart toy and sport areas - you will find tons of ideas.

Yes I am still getting married at Le Kliff. I have hired Vallarta Weddings as my WC. Carlos (LeKliff owner) is fantastic and super helpful. I realize some people may not love Le Kliff- but when it all comes down to it it was perfect for us!! We wanted a simple wedding with amazing views and Le Kliff offers just that. If you decide to go with Le Kliff PM me- we can share ideas and information that we have about the restaurant.

Wow. This site is outstanding!! This will really help when it's time to sorta get my idea across to my wedding planner what shades of each color I am looking for! Great find!

I know it's a bit untraditional but I was thinking about using "Footprints in the Sand" by Leona Lewis. I have a good relationship with my dad but it's not like the Butterfly Kisses or My Little Girl kind of relationship. Ours is more of a respectful relationship and very much a friendship. Does anyone have any thoughts on this song? I am worried it might be more of a love song than anything- though it does talk about being there and being your friend etc. Here are the lyrics though I am sure everyone has heard the song: You walked with me, Footprints in the sand, And help me understand, Where I'm going, You walked with me, When I was all alone, With so much unknown, Along the way, Then I heard you say, I promise you, I'm always there, When your heart is filled With sorrow and despair, I'll carry you When you need a friend, You'll find my footprints in the sand. I see my life flash across the sky, So many times have I been so afraid. And just when I, I thought I lost my way, You give me strength to carry on, That's when I heard you say, I promise you I'm always there When your heart is filled With sorrow and despair And, I'll carry you When you need a friend You'll find my footprints in the sand. When I'm with you, Well I know you've been there, And I can feel you when you say, I promise you (you) I'm always there When your heart is filled (when your heart) With sadness and despair (and despair) I'll carry you when you need a friend (need a friend) You'll find my footprints in the sand. (I promise you) Ohh. (I'm always there) When your heart is full of Sadness and despair, (and despair) I'll carry you when you need a friend. (I'll carry you) You'll find my footprints in the sand.

I know exactly how you felt!! I was right there with you until two weeks ago! My best suggestion - go shopping by yourself and then when you think you have found THE DRESS you can take everyone with you for them to oooh and aaaah after you. I had to do this for the same reasons as you - everyone kept telling me how great dresses looked but I just wasn't feeling them. Finally, I made the decision to go shopping on my own and found a great little boutique store with super helpful employees and I found THE DRESS and knew as soon as I put it on that it was the one for me. It was a euphoric feeling that no one can describe for you- you will just feel it and know once you have that dress on. Another tip- and this just worked for me - just go try stuff on - don't have any "ideas" in your mind just yet about what style etc you are going to buy. I had done that and decided I MUST have a fit n flare gown but when it all came down to it I ended with something completely different. I think we tend to do ourselves an injustice deciding what style we must have and we miss out on many other great gowns because of that idea! More than anything- have FUN, take lots of pics, and take your time!!! You will find the right one!

This is a funny question for me! I actually bought a dress - Enzoani Bulgaria - that has a sweetheart neck and I almost changed it to a straight! I felt a little exposed with the sweetheart neck because I am very large busted. In the end I have decided to keep mine as is and use the alteration money to make the skirt a bit more and flare. If you are wide chested I have heard it does a lot to split the lines. Maybe you could just do alike a modified sweetheart if you are unsure of it looking good.

What about the drawstring backpacks? Oriental trading has these some personalized ones if you search by "drawstring". Guys love those bags.

These look fantastic! I had the same exact idea! I have many guests that have never met each other before and so I was going to send out a welcome package about a month before the wedding with the same idea! I am going to include a who's who in mine so people can sorta get to know each other before hand! These look beautiful and I can tell you have put a tremendous amount of time and love in each one!

LOL. I just did this over the weekend too. I wish that binders came is more sizes - a smaller one would have been ideal! I found a cute tote on clearance at Target though. I am telling you- since being able to put all my stuff together I feel a thousand times better about what I still have to do. Now..... if I could just find a realistic calendar to use for my to-do's..... a hunting I will go.

Hi Ladies, so I did decide to go ahead and make my own folder. Here is what i bought between Target and Staples and it cost me about $15 which is A LOT cheaper than the store kind and I don't have to deal with all the details that evolve around a traditional at home wedding. Cute decorative 3 ring binder. I am pretty sure it's a 1". It will hold 175 pieces of paper. $3 Plastic dividers with two pockets - these were $4 per package and came with 8 dividers. I went ahead and bought two. Package of college rule paper - $1 Package of Sheet Protectors - I really enjoy taking clipings from magazines and make a little mood board for things and the page protectors are great. $3 So total with tax was around $15 and I am so happy to have decided to make my own because I can really make it what I need. I also googled free wedding planner and downloaded the ones from brides.com - you can get it free if you just sign up for an account. It's 50 pages so I just picked out the pages that I needed and printed those - there are a lot of extras that you won't need. Hope my info was helpful as I know that the other girls who posted after I asked the questions helped me alot!

Those are great vows! I am definitely going to run it by my fiance. As far as where she will sit- that is a very good question. I haven't even started to think about where people will sit! LOL!

So, after spending like 2 hours at the book store browsing through the million different planning books I found yesterday I ended up with nothing. Who would have figured huh? I have decided to make my own. Anyone have any tips they can offer on how to organize the best way? Naturally I figured a binder with dividers that have folders and loose paper - that part I can figure out on my own- but what tabs are a must have? Are there great calendar templates you can direct me to? How about realistic checklists for DW's? Thanks!

I have a nine year old daughter with my ex. This is my first marriage and my fiance and I want to somehow incorporate my daughter in our ceremony and possibly vows but we are not sure how to do this. I don't really want her to have a role in the wedding- she is too old for flower girl and I feel weird with her being a BM or Jr BM. I thought about having her do the unity sand with us- and will likely do that - but I want to be able to have her and my fiance do a little thing together. I have not attended many weddings in my time so I would love to hear what you girls have seen done or have done yourself! Thanks in advance!

I am making my own flowers for my wedding for a couple of reasons - first is obviously the cost in Mexico for flowers but also because I read somewhere that you can't take flowers out of the country and I want to have some a keepsake. Here is a how to: How to make rose spheres

I need about 40 - maybe we could share an order? PM me if interested~!

WOW, this thread is so helpful!!! I am ordering from papermart! What a good price! I was going to go with personalized but I will figure something else for that - maybe I can just do an iron on. Has anyone found iron on tricks that really work?

I hope this is the best place to post. I have searched and didn't find any other posts dealing with wedding insurance so hopefully I am not asking a question that has been discussed at length. If so- could someone just point me in the right direction for that thread? Basically, I am getting married in PV Mexico while on a 7day Mexican Riveira Carnival Cruise. I am thinking that wedding insurance might be a good idea since I am travelling at the end of hurrican season. I have scouted out some companies but would like to hear feedback from other brides if you have purchased insurance for your big day and if you did who did you purchase it through? What are things I should make sure are in my policy and what loopholes to be cautious of? Thanks!

First off, I am sorry to hear about all the struggles you have had with your wedding plans. I thought of a few suggestions for you that might be better than asking guests to pay for their own dinner. I think the obvious thing you are struggling with is money so why not make it less expensive to provide something for your dinner. Why not do a park or backyard reception with just some appetizers and drinks or even do it pot-luck style. That way you are asking them to come and it's not putting them out to bring one dish. Even if you only ask your closets family members to each bring two things you would have plenty to feed a solid group of people. You of course would not put this on your invitations instead you will speak with each of the people you are asking to bring something in advance and get them to agree. If you dont like idea of making your own food etc why not just send out cards that announce your marriage and then wait until you can afford to take your friends and family to a dinner before doing the reception? If you waited a few weeks or months maybe you could afford something? Otherwise, cut down the list of people to a managable number that you could afford to pay for. Lastly, look at caterers rather than restraurants. Caterers are almost always less expensive than restuarants for dinner and this way you can get the best of both worlds- you can have a reception that you pay for at a much lower cost. Again, so sorry that you are struggling- hope these ideas help!