big3n09

Hopefully it will get better Bailey, I don't know about you guys but I found been a teenager a very difficult time in my life so I try to sympathize (sp) with teenagers. I don't mean tolerate disrespect or foolishness but it can be a confusing time in life especially when other major events beyond focusing on being a teenager is going on around you. So again hopefully it'll get better as I stated DH 15y/o son may be having some issues, it hasn't come to me directly and I hope it doesn't.

Ladies the wedding was beautiful I couldn't have changed one thing, I know what brides mean by that now lol. I'm happy things got addressed because again bottom line is people have to get over it. She may just needed the talk or some reassurance you know how us females are. So it's good she's going to be a BM and I hope everything goes just how you want it!!!

Funny!!! The reality of things does send another message to people. Me and FI planned to get married in 45 days since we didn't want to put it off any longer after calling it off 18 months ago. So my shower was 3/27 and I invited his 17y/o she came but had a hard time while there I guess cause she realized it's real. She made it through and she even came to St. Kitts to the wedding and had a good time. Now that we are back his 15y/o son is having fit about things but I'm not getting into it and I'm like guess if 1 out of the 4 is mad I'll take that. Bottom line is she may be having a hard time cause now yes you will be married soon and it's a whole different ball game but she'll learn to live with it. I figure like we will be married forever so the sooner people get over there issue and deal with it the better off the'll be cause forever could be a long time. Don't stress she'll come around hopefully and things will be fine.

The guest knew that they had to pay and that it was optional a few guest came and didn't eat and it was cool. Over all I had a wonderful time and everything turned out beautiful I think I was stressing for no reason looking back now. Since everything turned out so great I cant say that I would want anything different. I'll try to post some pics!

Ellabaja1983 I feel you...When me and FI met 6 years ago and I met the kids and seen how things went with them, me being me I wanted to fix this and do that and all in all now I feel like it wasn't necessary. So me and FI took a year break and we are back and getting married next week my interaction with the kids since being back has been different this time. I told myself and him and will tell anybody else I'm not about to stress myself out. I love him and the kids but bottom line I'm not their mother and it's things that I would have liked, would like, and will want but I understand and accept that I'm not their mother so certain things just won't be period. My new perspective is these 3 rules...1. we will respect each other 2. If FI/kids want something and he/they ask and I can do it I will 3. I will make sure when I'm around they are feed and safe. I think I stressed myself out last time with some things that pertained to them and I'm not gonna do it again. I think whatever works for people that's what they should do. My mother is acting ugly right now at this happy time in my life but it made me think to myself maybe that's why step-mother's, God mothers, and other mother figures come in handy. I hope things get better and maybe with some time they will...stay strong.

Thanks and your so right these days people do all different type of things that aren't proper etiquette and things change which is why. I'm over it and too excited to worry anymore my shower is this coming Sunday and I know it's going to be great. I know my guest will enjoy themselves and love the giveaways my hosts have gotten for them.

Thanks Katieandaron your suggestions were good and I ran them across the ladies planning things. I knew changing locations wasn't an option so I asked if we could change the name and/or send an appropiate worded email but they voted and I was out voted so I'll have to live with it. It's fine people know me we'll enough to know the real intentions....guess we deserve an etiquette citation LOL!

Thank you all for the advice. I have been thinking about this all day and refuse to go into another day with it on my mind. I believe because everything happened so fast there were a few oversights. Understanding that a shower is for the bride to be showered with gifts regardless of material or just well wishes and love I think we could have clearly worded/stated things. We could have not even called it a shower since the purpose of it was for other reasons. I believe that the invited guest know me well enough that if they were invited it was mostly because I wanted them to celebrate with me in some way this happy time in my life. The meal is optional and those that want to pay will regardless of the gift factor and those who don't won't and may not even come it's totally their option. The shower is in less than 2 weeks and my wedding in 2 weeks I need to move on to other things like enjoying this time in my life and my big day coming up! Thank you all again for you advice and taking the time to share it.

Hello All My sister and a few friends are giving me a bridal shower but it's at a restaurant and the guest are being asked to pay. I initially wasn't sure about the guest paying part. I have been to bridal shower's only at someones home and they provided food and everything. Now let me give you some brief history...we we're supposed to get married 2 years ago and we had 60 people booked going to Jamaica but I called it off. We're got back together a few months ago and we wanted to just go ahead with our destination wedding and we planned it for just the 2 of us and made plans within 2 weeks. We then told everyone that it was back on and going to take place in 45 days basically. So that only gave people a little bit of time to work with and about 10 people have even booked and are going this time. So my issue is that of course if it was at someones house everything would be taken care of but it's not and the restaurant has a private room so guest don't have to eat if they don't want to. I'm just feeling some kind of way about guest paying but I also don't feel it's fair to expect my family/friends to have to suddenly come up with the money because of our short notice. I also kind of feel like I should have done the guest list differently now but it's too late for that. If I were having a bachelorette party I think that would have made some difference too. FI feel like it's something that my sister/friends want to do for me and the people that were invited are welcome to join if they want to and if they want to eat then they can pay if not then that's fine too. I just don't know at this point but I try to practice good etiquette. Any advice is appreciated! Happy planning/living to you all!

Feels like a super slacker I have less than 30days and still need to do some things

That's good to hear either way I feel the same....I'm within 30 days We have had a few run in's but they were addressed and right now I can't complain and can't wait till the big day!!! Abbie-thanks for checking on us!

I was thinking about maggianos recently and have been looking at places. PG park and planning has good outdoor venues that may work.

I like the way #2 fits on you

By the way where'd you get those if you don't mind me asking?

Those are super cute!!!

Welcome new DMV ladies!!! Did you try walmart for towels or 5 and below may have some if not now soon or you could ask them. I would try any discount location really.

I totally understand the trying to let your body get on it's normal status, I've been on and off BC for years, mostly on. Again I'm only gonna get some for 6 months to a year. I 'll see what happens if I get pregnant fine if not fine but at 35 it's a wrap for me. I've been a paramedic for almost 12 years and my knee and back bothers me at times. I'm also not looking forward to any complications I may encounter from being over 35 and african american because we automatically become high risk with those 2 factors.

I can understand that but you should be fine see if you can take a friend or if you have some other calming method you can try that. I'm not sure if I don't mind because I did one before so I know what to expect or if it just doesn't matter to me, I have male Doctors. Maybe you could look at it like if you would be on the beach with a bikini or similar to that....good luck either way. I went ahead and purchased one after looking at how much I spent on the last one, this is a good deal.

Thanks for posting cause I only get the DC one's too. I want to purchase one but I wonder will I be able to get it in time for my quickie wedding. I did one before with Tait Photography and it went great. I ended up showing FI the pics since the wedding was called off but I want to do another one I have some outfits ready lol. Thanks again for the heads up!

Me and FI had a conversation last night cause I want us to at least get adjusted to being married for a year before even having to worrying about having a baby. We decided what we will do for a year then after that we will see what happens but once I'm 35 and he's 40 it's a wrap on having kids. I also mentioned we may run into him being a new father and grand-father at the same time, hope not but the 2 oldest are 17 and 15 and it's possible.

Hello All!!! I'm BACK and soooo much better than before. I am back wedding planning but this time we are doing things different and focusing on us! After calling the wedding off over a year ago we separated too. I did some major work on myself and FI has matured too. We recently got back together and are more than ready to make things official. We are planning to do things quick and just get it over with. We know now that God and our relationship with him is all that matters. I thank you all for the support you provided when I needed it and I wish you all many blessings!

My wedding plans are officially back on this is our 3rd wedding date and I'm going with 3 times a charm or however it goes lol! I'm excited and sooooo ready to just do it and get it over with. We are going with the Marriott in St. Kitts and then stay a few days at the Four Seasons in Nevis. Has anyone been to either location? If so what's your thoughts? Thanks in advance and happy planning/marriage to you!

Thank you all!!! I have done some searching but wanted to see if I could get any more referrals. I plan on checking out the ones I have starting next week. We are just doing it this time like I stated so we didn't give ourselves a huge amount of time I will buy a nice inexpensive dress if I have to but I have one that I can wear but needs alterations. Again thank you all!

Hello All!!!!!!!! I can't believe it's been almost 2 years since I first started this thread OMG!!! Anyway I'm back here because my wedding is back on! We've gotten ourselves together after a year apart and now back like we didn't miss a beat. We are doing things different this time our minds are in a much better place. We realize now what's most important and going trust God to do the rest. So we are on a mission to get married 3/31/11 or 4/1/11 and I know I need some help so I decided to come here and see what I can find lol. I'm in MD near DC and I need to get my dress altered on short notice and affordable pricing any help is appreciated. Congrats and happy planning/living to you all!!!

All I can say is if it's good then great, if not the kids will come around. The mothers are as important as you make or let them be, I've wanted to talk to the kids mother since I met them and she wasn't open to it. My father has been married for 16 years and although I don't care for his wife I'm a lot more respectful and accepting to their relationship, didn't have much choice lol. Most times it's either the mother or the child feeling like their loosing their parent, either case if you two love each other and do what's right everything else will fall in place. The mother's actually only have but so much control I know in the past I've made some issues bigger than what they were. Subconsciously I think I felt insecure and needed to make my mark at times and it wasn't even necessary. I totally agree that the man HAS TO do his part because he is the common ground in the relationship so he has a big job and has to understand everyone won't always be happy. At times it can be overwhelming and stressful for the them but he has to do his part period. We too have to do our part of being supportive and remember that the kids are kids so they don't know any better sometimes. All you can do is try to make the best of your relationships and that goes for all relationships actually. I can't even believe I've said this I must be getting older lmbo!!!