islandbride317

Hi, Britni -- Since I discovered that 4 pm is the time that rain is most likely to occur in Jamaica (statistically) in our wedding month of May, we decided to go a little earlier in the day and 2 pm is going to be our preference, with 3 pm as our 2nd choice! We are officially booking with our TA this weekend, so I'll let you know what time we end up getting!

Thanks so much for all of your fabulous opinions! I am so thankful for all of the support of everyone on this truly amazing forum...you're all making me feel so confident that I have found THE ONE! And, to answer the question of selling dress #1 -- sadly, I already suggusted it to my mom and she sort of flipped out since she paid for it, so it still has to make some sort of appearance (even though she admittedly didn't "love" it when we bought it, either!) Oh, and rest assured: after I buy dress #2, I won't step foot into another bridal salon again, unless it's just to get alterations! THAT would be asking for trouble, right! A MILLION THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO CHIMED IN!

Thanks for leaving me feeling like I am on Cloud 9 as I am off to start the day.... XOXO!

Love and serious hugs to all of you wonderful ladies -- I just thrilled and excited about the prospect of dress #2 being "The One" all over again!

Thanks, Megan -- you're such a doll!

Dreamy -- you're so kind! I'm totally psyched that everyone is giving me such 100% positive feedback...you ladies are gonna get me tearing up over here! (I especially appreciate it since this dress is going to end up being a surprise for everyone, including my mom and sister who were there for the purchase of Dress 1, on wedding day!) So, should I scrap the 3rd dress idea I posted? Again, I thought it was really lovely, but sort of lacked some of the "oomph" compared to the 2nd dress...

Thank you, Sofylina! The "romantic" yet sort of unique/semi-modern look is what I am after...and I couldn't find anything that I didn't like about the 2nd dress when I had it on! And it was surprisingly lightweight, too -- who would have ever thought it possible with such a full skirt?

Thank you bunches, Fudgie! I just checked out your Pro Photo slideshow and let me say, you looked STUNNING! Such a beautiful gown on a beautiful bride! I agree, that it's really important to "feel like a bride" and wear what makes YOU feel fantastic! Like I said, I was just a little nervous that the dress I dig is a little "much", but you've gotta go with your heart, right? I just sort of felt royal when I walked out of the dressing room and saw it in the mirror for the first time! I am trying not to rush into anything (again!), and will definitely try it on at least one (perhaps two) more times before I make the final big decision. Congratulations to you and your new DH...you make an absolutley gorgeous couple!

Bless your heart, sweetie! Thank you soooo much...it's just a really different style, with the asymmetrical skirt and the peak-a-boo tulle detail! I just don't want to look like a sadly misguided "wedding cake", if you know what I mean! I really love the sweetheart neckline on that one, since some others I've tried have been too revealing for my liking, and some of the more form-fitting dresses don't really work well on my "hippier" body type, so I like that the skirt is full! Here is another dress that I thought was really pretty too, but if I were to purchase it, I would go with silver beading instead of gold. (Oh, and do you love my ace bandage on my hurt elbow? It's such a fine accessory!) A possible contender?

Oh, yeah...and I think the sample of dress #2 I tried on was ivory (or maybe the flash on the camera wasn't on, which is making the dress look a lot darker in the pic than I remember when I had it on!) I definitely want full WHITE if I go with this dress!

Congratulation, Lisa -- Harlow is such a gorgeous Maggie dress, and how lucky you are for a number of reasons: you're getting an incredible, practically unheard of deal on the cost, you will have a true sentimental connection to the dress since your dear aunt is making it with love for you, and it will be the perfect fit since it's being custom made to fit YOUR body exactly! That's a Triple WIN in my book! Can't wait to see the finished product and pics of how lovely you will look in YOUR ideal wedding gown!

What wonderful stories, ladies! I'm so glad that everyone has such memorable engagement stories...whether it be in your living room, dining room, or even by your precious pooches cages! Delightful!

Aawww, you looked SO PRETTY in all of them! I really thought dress #1 was gorgeous on you and totally flattering, but I loved the way the ball gown made you look just like Cinderella! As someone who's already purchased one dress and is now reconsidering it (and looking to buy a more formal gown) I would just encourage you to take your time and try on as many dresses as necessary to find what feels like you've found the dress that was MADE for YOU! It's out there...it just may take some time and a little patience to find it, that's all! Good luck and keep the pics coming!

Hi, Ladies -- Here is my current Dress dilemma: I jumped the gun and purchased one dress already for the ceremony about a month after I got engaged last August, and now I'm just not smitten with it anymore. Don't get me wrong; there's nothing "wrong" with my original dress per se, but I really want something with more of a "WOW!" factor, and think I might have found THE DRESS, but I need some serious second opinions! (I returned to David's Bridal a second time last week by myself because expressing to my mother and my sister that I now want a formal, "princess" dress has been more than a sensitive issue (to say the least) and they are not being receptive to the idea They think it's frivolous since I already have one dress, but it's my one and only wedding day, and I don't want to be standing at the alter wishing I had gone with my heart and gotten the dress of my dreams, you know? Anyway, before I decide to buy, I wanted to show you all the 1st dress purchased (which I plan to shorten and still wear for the AHR) and the 2nd dress I really love, but want to know if you all think it's "Too Much" or "Just Right"! (Oh, and one more detail about the 2nd dress -- it's one of the new styles for 2009, so it wasn't even available when we went dress shopping last Fall! 1st Dress: AND, here is the dress I currently have a MAJOR crush on! (P.S. please excuse the obvious few extra pounds I've put on -- they'll be off before May next year if it's the last thing I DO! So, dear friends, which reaction do you think it will get: "Wow! That's Beautiful!"........OR "Woah! What the H*LL was she thinking?!" Thanks in advance for your input!

CONGRATULATIONS, MRS! You and your husband are so blessed to have had a wonderful day, despite the setback...and now you have the REAL DEAL still to look forward to in December!

GORGEOUS! The dress is amazing, and the shoes...oh! Divine!

This might not be much of a help, but I thought I'd mention it... I saw an hour-long special on TV a few months ago (I think it was "We" or Women's Entertainment -- not sure if you had that cable channel in Newfoundland, though) and it showcased Disney Weddings: girl, they were AMAZING! The entire show was hosted by the incredible wedding-planner David Tutera (I'm guessing because he just teamed up with Disney for a Signature line of weddings) and they showed a variety of sizes and styles of ceremonies, so I'm sure there is something EXACTLY like what you have in mind! (I know David Tutera weddings start at $50K, so they might be waaaay over your price range, but his weddings are just a small sampling of the range of wedding events they can make possible). And if not, it's DISNEY! They are in the business of making dreams come true... Good luck and let us know what you decide!

Here is mine, too! MISTI, I think I speak for all the other girls when I say... WE CAN NOT THANK YOU ENOUGH!!! You're the best!

YOU LOOK INCREDIBLE....I'm soooo happy for you both! And were your photos done by one of the Beaches photographers? They look amazing -- and give me hope that the photographer I'll be working with at SGOR will do such a great job! Congrats, Mrs. S!

Felicia -- I know EXACTLY where you are coming from, girl! Just this past weekend, my FI and I went to visit his mother for Mother's Day, and while he was busy fixing something wrong with her computer, she wanted to look through pictures from her wedding, and his sister's wedding again with me. All was well, until we got to the picture of her (in her ALL WHITE beaded/sequined Mother of the Bride outfit from his sister's wedding!) and she said..."I think I am going to wear this again for YOUR wedding! I spent all that money, so at least I should get to wear it twice, right sweetie?" and I could have died! WHAT could I say? I just smiled and sort of nodded, and thought "Uh-oh. We're gonna have problems....". She is probably one of the sweetest, most generous women I could have been blessed to have gotten as my future MIL, but I mean, come on already, right?! I agree with everyone who has said let your FI or FSIL handle it -- I think that is what I am going to have to do! Good luck to us both!

THANKS, "Destination"! I'm psyched that it sounds like you know exactly where I am coming from on the mom-issue! And, get this! Even though I spent the extra money to get a separate dress for the TTD, she's STILL not happy! The thinks the idea is completely ridiculous, and I don't see the point in arguing with her anymore of the topic, but I find it reassuring that I won't have to worry about whether or not the dress can be dry-cleaned back to perfection, since I don't plan on saving it anyway! Maybe I'll try to sell it in as-is condition after the wedding to another bride in search of a cheapie dress for their TTD?!

Your FI is hilarious! He reminds me of mine...who, yes, thinks I am a little nuts, as well, since I will end up have THREE dresses when it's all said and done! Like you, I had already purchased a dress for the ceremony (and I didn't take my time to try on lots of other dresses so I have been sort of regretting my original decision), and I plan to wear that dress after I have it shortened for the reception. The new, more formal gown (I had myself convinced that I couldn't have a princessy dress for a DW, but now I am going to go for it!) is still yet to be purchased, but I decided to get a specifically TTD dress -- and I found a pretty great one on eBay for $75! I think that would be a WONDERFUL dress for your TTD, as well! The only thing I might caution you about is that I have seen some dresses with pick-ups sort of "balloon" up a little bit when you're in the water because air gets into the layers....just a thought! CONGRATS on going with your heart and finding YOUR perfect dress! I say TTD away!

Thanks, Ladies! Again, I just need to find a way to get some pics of myself, and I will post them up on here as soon as possible! The dress actually looks a little bit different in person than it did online, but I was pleasantly surprised, and you can't beat the value on a dress you want to "trash" anyway! HAPPY FRIDAY to all!

UGGGHH! SO sorry I haven't posted pics of myself in the dress yet!!! It came in, and fits me beautifully, but I got into issues with my mother on the day that I went and showed it to her, thinking she would be taking the pics I would post -- family drama!!! REMINDER to ALL: You can pick and choose your friends, but you can't pick your FAMILY!

Yet again, I am with Billysbride/Sensational Miss Savannah here! I chose May of 2010 as my month of choice, primarily because it was after peak-season and because it was BEFORE the forecasted hurricane season began for Jamaica! I mean, I want to be "swept away" and all, but not by the weather! I selected May 14, because if we would have picked the 13th, our anniversary would have fallen on Friday the 13th in the future, and I had a bad feeling about that!