wahmsuzanne

Well don't feel bad about not getting to it soon ... it's been over a year and I haven't gotten rid of anything yet (also drives my husband crazy). I had/have high hopes of using some of it ... like the starfish I think I'll use to decorate a photo wall ... but I do need to part with some of it ... great reminder LOL Â P.S. Kendall ... second for me too and my daughter loves looking through anything I have left from marriage to her daddy ... (lost some of it in a house fire). I too kept my dress but instead of possibly making her feel obligated to wear it ... I'm thinking of making her something out of the fabric ... a small pillow or as a cover to a photo album or something like that

We decided to get legally married before going to Mexico just to avoid the hassle and expense of marrying there. We had a few friends who wanted to come to JOP since they couldn't make the trip and Ken's uncle happen to be staying with us so he joined us too. We did NOT take our children or tell them because I didn't want it to be confusing to them. Some family members asked about the legalities of getting married in Mexico and I told them what we were doing because I didn't want to lie to them. Â This is become a pretty heated topic on some of the etiquette sites ... some feel it's dishonest and that if you're already married then when you go to your DW it is a renewal of vows and this should be disclosed. It is not appropriate to register or expect gifts for a vow renewal so some feel brides/grooms are not lying to get more gifts. Â I personally don't (and didn't) feel that way at all. We told our JOP that we were going to Mexico and she was excited for us. She still took her time and did a very nice little message/ceremony for us. We both teared up and it was a special day for us ... but we both agreed that we will ONLY celebrate our DW as our anniversary and our ceremony. It was just as special and not at all the same as going to the JOP and for us it didn't take away from our ceremony at all. Â On a funny note ... we did exchange bands at the JOP and we all went out for some food and drinks after. That night we slipped our bands off and I felt a little sad LOL. But it was worth it ... our DW ceremony was only a week later! Â I say do what's best for you and I definitely vote for BEFORE because you are soooo exhausted after that you will feel like it's a chore. LOL

OK ... I too have read through this whole thread and I think it sounds like you're headed in the right direction. At first my husband told me to do whatever I wanted and to just tell him where to be and what time (I'm not kidding LOL). Then, once he saw me planning ... he started to give me his opinion on things. This was fine with me ... as long as it was what I wanted!!! Then I realized that it was just as important to him as it was to me ... he'd just never planned anything like this before. Once I asked him what was really important to him to have at our wedding and reception he only had a couple of requests. He didn't care at all about chair ties, flowers, bouquet jewelry, hair accessories (as long as I was on budget of course) but ... for him ... he wanted cigars for the guys and tequila shots - and to upgrade to the gold menu (surf and turf at Dreams Tulum) sounds great! Done! He didn't know what anything was going to look like until he was there waiting for me to walk the isle. And I was sooo happy with how everything turned out ... and so was he. Happy to hear it's going better between you two ... keep us informed and let us know what you need help with ... lots of ways to save money and a lot of very creative gals on here. *huGs*

The pics are all amazing! When I read the post title I thought you meant shot with a Flip camera Gorgeous couple and great photos! *SmiLes* Suzanne

This whole thread hit home with me! The night we got engaged my husband (then fiance) called his mom ... and he told her we had been dreaming of a destination wedding. Her reaction? "Why on earth do you want to do that?" Urgggh! Totally put me in a mood 20 mins after he proposed. We went to dinner ... had a wonderful time ... and we decided right then and there that we were going ahead with our plans. His whole family had that same bad attitude and mine was totally excited for us. In the end my sister, brother-in-law, and their grown kids were with us and I wouldn't have changed a thing! I kept thinking ... maybe if we'd given them more advanced notice ... but I honestly think the excuses we were given proves that they wouldn't have come any way. To all the brides who are getting negative comments and attitudes ... it's up to you to decide what is most important to you and your fiance ... being where you want to be to exchange your vows ... or including everyone. We made the right choice for us and our children ... and remember, we are all here for moral support when things get tough LOL *huGs* to all! Suzanne

Beautiful bride ... great wedding and gorgeous pictures ... CONGRATULATIONS! They were so fun to look through *huGs*

Awesome deal Misti is running right now: "Today is 7/13. Sometimes "7" is lucky for people, other times "13" is their lucky number. So I've got all bases covered-- for all lucky brides, I will give an additional 25% off ANY package (including the destination wedding packages!) if they book within the next 7 days and 13 hours (by 7/21 at 5:30 am). This means their package would only be $375!!!!!" That really is a great deal! Her site: http://www.studiodouglasweddings.com/ Her blog: Expressions By Misti

Quote: Originally Posted by MAK Might be TMI... but I think a cute pair of blue panties is going to be my something blue. LOL ... that was mine too I found some stretchy lace boyshorts at Victoria's Secret ... and I think Misti got a pic while I was dressing ... could be a cute pic too ... And I've seen the blue starfish for your bouquet ... that's cute too

Quote: Originally Posted by moepeedy All of your photos are awesome especially your BD. VaVa Voom! Thanks! I just saw your planning thread with pics from your BD book and I was soooo envious! LOL ... I have NO idea how my BD pics will look ... and don't know if I'll even have enough pics to put in a book Misti said I do ... but I want them to look awesome so he'll love it You looked so gorgeous in yours ... the clothes and props ... your hair and makeup ... I actually have a window open with those pics ... I kid you not! I'm also still waiting to see if I can add wording to the album for him ... yours looks so amazing! Makes me want to do another BD ... and there's a good chance I will. I will have to see if I can get some local gals together ... and then get Misti out here to Texas for a shoot

Quote: Originally Posted by lolosmama Suzanne, thank you SO much for posting your wedding review and your pics from Misti. Based on your review alone, I've been in contact with her to book her for my November wedding (I'm SO far behind in planning/organizing). Your pics are so great...the black/white of all the kids holding hands brought tears to my eyes - gorgeous!! Maggie ~ You're welcome! I just LOVE the "pay-it-forward" atmosphere on this forum ... and I am committed to sticking around to help for many years to come. Misti was one of the best decisions we made ... period. From one of my thank you emails to her: Quote: Misti … I have so much I want to say to you … but I think I’ll wait and put it in the review … but “thank you†would never express what I’m feeling and what I truly want to say. I will say that I’ve never worked with someone who was so professional yet fun … who seemed to be part of the family (despite our bickering and such) and who knew how to put me at ease despite my nervous energy and snappish behavior while I was there (BTW - I swore I wouldn’t let anything get to me while I was there – clearly that went out the window!) … who worked so well with children … who told us exactly what to do … who worked so hard in that blistering heat … who clearly knew what they were doing yet was open to our ideas (no matter how crazy) … I honestly can’t thank you enough … and I haven’t even seen the pictures yet! I KNOW they’ll be amazing and I can’t wait (but I also know they’re WORTH the wait!). Thank you again! Let me know if you have any questions ... either here on by pm ... or by email Also ... you say you're behind ... is there anything any of us can help you with? Please don't be shy about asking ... let us know! *huGs* Suzanne

Quote: Originally Posted by Chanti Hi Suzanne!!! I wish we had had more time to chat :-) We luckily had all brought umbrellas as we were expecting it to rain! I still can't believe the sun came out 50 minutes before our beach wedding, we were so lucky. You looked beautiful too, I saw you on your wedding day while you were getting photos done!!! I don't know how to post a review: do I just start a new thread? Chantal I put the actual review thread here: Wedding Reviews - Best Destination Wedding Forum and then came back here and linked to it ... because I know I lived in this folder while planning and such ... and I didn't know my way around the forum so I didn't read as many reviews as I could've ... can't wait to read your review and see your pics *huGs* Suzanne

Got my pro teaser pics this morning ... so fun! On Misti's blog: Expressions By Misti: SUZANNE & KEN's wedding (Tulum, Mexico) Some more on this thread: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...768#post878094

These were so fun to look through ... here are mine: Kinda silly ... but it really was a lot of fun! *SmiLes* Suzanne

Quote: Originally Posted by lolosmama The BD shots are amazing!!!! Beautiful pics! I hope you are going to do them! I wish I'd done them before we left so I could present his book to him while we were there ... but this was still awesome! I never felt uncomfortable at all ... and I just knew she's know how to minimize and maximize LOL ... too funny.

Quote: Originally Posted by JGAMMAGIRL77 I really love your wedding pics but I especially like your BD pictures. Everything looks great. Did you do the BD pics at the hotel in Dreams? Jess Thanks! Being so hard on myself ... I was of course most "worried" about the BD shots ... and Misti is a genius! LOL Yes, that was in my room at Dreams Tulum ... Misti moved furniture, took down pictures, rolled up rugs ... she really knows what she's doing and made it very comfortable and easy for me.