islandbride317

Whew -- it's spectacular! Ugh, but if I were only a size 6! You will make a TTD-searching bride very happy by offering such an awesome deal... Christie

Know the feeling....all, all too well! I always try to preface telling people that we are doing a DW with, "While we understand that not everyone will be able to make it, either due to time or financial constriants, we have decided to get married in Jamaica, which will be a dream come true for us. Aside from our parents being in attendance, we consider everyone else who can make it to share our wedding (not to mention a fabulous vacation!) to be a gift!" A lot of people, including my FI's sister and her husband, may not be coming, but again, we expected this and can't be upset if they are not there because we decided to do something that is not the "norm" and has such a cost associated with it. We won't be hurt if they don't attend, but would be if they blew off our AHR, which is intended to include everyone we would have invited if we had decided on an at-home wedding! Stay calm, and don't sweat them! Just be thrilled you are marrying the man you adore in a such a fabulous place, and be grateful for those that joined you! Christie

Yeah, I know what you mean about there being pain as a result of teeth whiteners! I tried this Listerine Whitening Mouth rinse, and it did something to cause the inside of my cheeks to "peel"! I was at work one day, and something felt weird, and when I went to the bathroom to check, sure enough, that was the problem. I immediately discontinued use of that product, but have been sort of scared to try anything since, so THANKS TO EVERYBODY for their input! Hugs! Christie

WOW! BIG, GIGANTIC HUGS and THANKS for the advice from all of you beautiful, SMART ladies of the BDW! On one hand, I want to keep the peace. On the other, I want to stay true to what my FI and I have envisioned for our wedding. I think the idea of suggesting that I show her a few samples of TTD pics is a brilliant way to go, so she fully understands that I am not "Trashing" or mutilating the dress, just getting it a little wet, and making some unique memories! And we'll see how a cheapie-dress search goes (if I find something, I'll be sure to post what I come up with!) (Oh, and to Billysbride, please stop saying you are harsh already -- you're advice is always direct, to the point, and greatly insightful! Keep it up, darlin! High-fives to you all, (and I'll keep you posted on what happens)! I'll make my Mama come around if it's the last thing I do (or, if she doesn't like it, TOUGH!) ~ Christie

Awesome advice, Tammy -- thanks so much for listening! I probably shouldn't have, but I posted a thread about it to see if other people have come up against family members who don't agree with their decision to do a TTD. Good for you on sticking to your guns that you will be doing it in your actual dress! I think I'll look for a cheapie dress, if it means that much to her, since I am really trying to avoid any "bridezilla moments" where I pout and scream, "But it's OUR WEDDING, damn it, and we'll roll around in the sand if we want to!" Again, thanks for your advice...now I am going to give that whole "sleeping" thing a try! Good night, er, morning! ~ C

Hi, Ladies! Please bear with me if this topic has been discussed at length before...but I NEED ADVICE! My mom bought my dress for me (which, BTW, was only $350 on sale at David's Bridal) and even though I really am appreciative her gift, she was none-too-please tonight when I told her that I really think I want to wear it to do a TTD. She's rather old-school in her views, and instead of being excited for me, she thinks the idea, and I quote of "wading in the ocean and rolling around in the sand in the wedding dress for the sake of a few photos is preposterous!" Initially, before joining BDW, I sort of shared her thinking, but after seeing all of the awesome pics that members have shared, I think TTD pics are an amazing opportunity to have really beautiful photos captured for a lifetime of memories -- should I say to hell with it and do it against her wishes?! Maybe I can find a cheapie dress to do the TTD, but I am already going to have a 2nd shorter dress for the reception -- I don't know what to do! If anyone else has run into this problem, your advice (or what you did/will be doing) would be much-appreciated! Christie

Dress #1 FOR SURE! You look divine...and it's fits you like a dream! Congrats, Christie

My AHR, early estimates, are going to be between $5-6K. We are having it on a private chartered boat in Baltimore's Inner Harbor ($2400, for 3 hours, up to 60 guests), the non-alcoholic/alcoholic drinks will run us about $1380, the cake will be at least $200, and the rest will be for the Caribbean foods buffet and Pasta stations -- AARRGH! It's more than we'd like to spend, but a lot of family and friends may not be able to afford to join us in Jamaica, and we want to make sure we do something at home they can feel apart of! Good luck! Christie

What up, Tammy! Yeah, I'm up, too -- my weekly visit at my parent's house today is the cause of tonight's sleeplessness. This is a bit of a side tangent, but I sort of got into it with my mother tonight about the possibility of doing a TTD. Are you doing one? She thinks it's preposterous that I would want to "wade in the ocean and roll around in the sand" in my dress for the sake of a few photos, but more and more, I am thinking I want to do one, regardless of the fact that she bought my dress and doesn't agree! WTF?! Anyway, thanks for checking in and I'm glad to hear you're well!

God, do I ever feel lucky! You ladies are going to positively hate me for saying this but, my FI and I have lived together for just over 3 years now, and I never even have to ask him to help with dishes, laundry, etc. -- he just does it! But, I should admit, Rome wasn't built in a day, either. When we first moved in together, even when we were just boyfriend/girlfriend, I noticed that the only time housework ever got done was when I would do it. So, I finally got fed up one day after cleaning for hours and he asked me why I seemed irritated. And I said to him (sorry if this is a little crass) "Hey, honey? Let me ask you something. Do you think I just love scrubbing toilets simply because I was born with a vagina and it's in my genetic makeup? And let me remind you, I am your girlfriend, not your mother or your live-in housemaid! Now, here's a thought -- get to work!" After that, point taken! Maybe dish that one out whenever your man thinks it's "YOUR JOB" to take care of everything, simply because you are a woman and his wife! After all, you both live there and create the mess! Hope that helps, or at least you a got a laugh! Christie

Hey GoCubs -- I checked out the site you suggested. What a God Send! I was wondering where in the world I might be able to find bug repellent in travel sizes, and they had just what I was looking for at awesome prices! (My guests and I) thank you in advance for the tip! Christie

Checked out the site -- thanks for the tip! Christie

Wow! You should be sooo pleased -- they're gorgeous! Christie

Wow! You look great...and your hubby-to-be will love your creativity and thoughtfulness! Congrats! Christie

DELICIOUS! You are all insanely attractive...way to drive your husbands WILD! ~ Christie

We've been together for 4 years, lived together for 3, and it feels like a minute! That's what happens when you're with someone you adore -- feels like time stands still Christie

Deliciously delightful, natashakc! I love the spontenaiety of it all -- glorious! ~ Christie

Gottcha, Weddingchick! Can one of the amazing BDW Mods close this thread, please?!

I tried to do a search on this very topic and it yielded no results for me! Thank you!

CONGRATS! You look beautiful....and so amazingly blissful! Love and hugs to you, and your wedding! Christie

My FI's plans to ask me to marry him were a mess (not his fault, though -- I was in a car accident the day he planned to propose! This is how it FINALLY HAPPENED! I was so wrapped up in dealing with the insurance people that, he simply stopped me where I stood 3 days after the accident. With the ring burning a hole in his pocket, as he says, and so much sincerity and love in his eyes, he asked me, on bended knee, to "do him the honor of being his wife", and I couldn't say anything else to my best friend and the man I love but "YES!" I even tackled him to the floor, I was so excited! We’ve sure got a story to tell though, right? Congrats to all the BDW Brides! Christie

Thanks, Weddingchick Darlin'! I LOVE that you dropped your grocery bags! That is one hell of a surprise! Living-room proosals are usually AMAZING! I need to start a thread about it! ~ C P.S. Did you see my thread about Late Night/Early A.M. posters? It's funny, if you need a laugh!

What an AMAZING story, Jeni! You are BOTH such heroes to our country! (And I love that you asked your FI, before he had the chance to ask you -- a powerful woman , you are!) Best wishes (and I want you to post the wedding photos!) Christie

Here it is, Ladies! Before I left my job at a very "Devil Wears Prada" advertising/catalog agency near Philadelphia, I was looking for another job and had a 2nd interview at a book publishing company in Maryland planned for the first day of a 3-day mini vacation in August. The game plan was that I was going to go to the interview and then come home and get John so we could drive down to Ocean City, Maryland to meet my parents, who were already there. On my way to the interview, I was at a stop light when the unthinkable happened. Some chick reading Map Quest directions wasn’t paying attention when she was approaching the stop light, and slammed into the back of my car, ramming me up over a grass and cement lane divider as I tried to avoid hitting the car in front of me! Everyone was ok, but due to the front end damage on my car (it tore out the radiator), my car was undriveable. Can you believe that the tow-truck driver had to drop me off at my interview?? Ridiculous! Anyway, we were going to make plans to get a rental car (John’s truck was also in the shop at the time), so we could still go to the beach the next day, but when I spoke to my parents that night, they said they were going to be coming home, as they had just gotten word from my aunt that my only living grandparent (Dad's Mom) fell gravely ill during the SAME day. Little did I know that John’s plans to propose during "A moonlit walk on the Maryland Shore in the surf and moonlight" was never to be. So, since LIFE came up and got in the way, his proposal plans were changed. He proposed to me, on bended knee, right in our living room! It was completely adorable and I never saw it coming! I was so wrapped up in dealing with the insurance people and my grandmother's health-status that, he simply stopped me where I stood 3 days after the accident. With the ring burning a hole in his pocket as he says, and so much sincerity and love in his eyes, he asked me to "do him the honor of being his wife", and I couldn't say anything else to the man I love but "YES!" I even tackled him to the floor, I was so excited! We’ve sure got a story to tell though, right? Congrats to all the BDW Brides! Christie

If only you could see how absolutely GREEN I AM with eny! Your "I Do's" will be spectacular! (and smell really good, by your choices in exquisite cologne/perfume!) Christie