Jennybell1

Thanks for all the well wishes ladies.....I can't wait to hear all the stories when your BF proposes to you all!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by JennandMike08 Not to hijack the thread, but at this point I'm not sure how to feel. With four months left, I'm just not sure its going to happen. And with all of your stories, I feel like I may have take the opportunity away from FI altogether. I know he was planning but since he lost his job, without being able to secure a new one, quite honestly we've been on a tight budget. I even asked a hundred times if he was sure he still wanted to do this and he said yes he was positive AND didn't want to push the date again. So we are really budgeting on the wedding stuff. We're not struggling, but we're in premarital counseling and I've learned that he is starting to get really depressed about not working. So how can I, in the midst of his stress, even care about a proposal or ring, knowing he is trying his best to be a good provider AND not show that he is depressed or stressed by trying to keep me smiling as much as he can?? I feel so bad. Two weeks ago we went ring shopping. I could have easily put his wedding band on my credit card, but after the look on his face when he saw me beaming at a particular e-ring, I decided against it. I could so tell he was hurt that he just couldn't buy it right then and there. I didn't want to make him look bad, knowing him as a man and his ego. Does anyone have any advice for me?? My advice is this.....take with a grain of salt.....if you are planning the wedding anyways and are not planning on moving the date....then continue to plan your wedding. Nothing is going to change other then the fact that you have a ring on your finger. The ring doesnt symbolize his love and affection or commitment to you...him planning the wedding to marry you does. Other brides have gotten married prior to getting their E-ring for the very same reason. The economy has hit people hard and the e-ring is just a "thing". Yes we all want one and more then likely "need" one, but in the end - he is going to marry you regardless of a ring or not right? So dont pressure him - let him do it on his own, bc your right they have a pride thing going for them, and the last thing you want to do is make him feel like he isnt providing for you. He already knows how badly you want this and it probably kills him that he cant right now...but when the timing and money is right and the economy gets better in general and for him...tha will probably be the first thing he does for you. Dont fret my dear - he loves you and is planning to marry you - regardless of an e-ring - he has chosen you!

Quote: Originally Posted by autjo Awww how sweet! Such a great proposal story But LOL I didn't even realize that you weren't engaged. Yay for getting to now plan your wedding!!!! Haha! Yes it was true - but we knew we were getting married in 2012 - had his ring and my dress already - just didnt have the main thing - the ring! Funny I know!

Thanks everyone!!! I feel so much better knowing that its really here. I dont have to feel weird planning a wedding I wasn't officially engaged for.....lol

Quote: Originally Posted by pamphilia Boo - your dress is GORGEOUS. i love it! Kayley - Awesome planning thread! Your dress is gorgeous too - can't wait to see pics of you in it! 6 days - eeek! MayanLily - i am sorry that you don't love your dress. i think you should try to sell it as well...and go for that one you love! with my teensy budget, i can only afford a knockoff or a David's Bridal dress, so i am also worried that i won't love my dress. i want to go shopping (thanks for the tips Boo) just to make sure what sort of style will look good on me....and then i cross my fingers and order from china! eeek! at least i have time to try it a few times if it doesn't turn out the first time! Dont get yourself down....there are some amazing dresses out there for great prices. I dont know what your budget is, but I got my dress for $575.00 and I love it. Def go try on dresses to find out what looks good - I thought I knew what style I wanted, and realized the style I wanted - well it didnt want me I guess...lol....Just go in there with a great attitude and you will find your dream dress. Just dont let the sales ladies show you anything over and above your max limit - bc that will be when you find a dress that you LOVe and cant afford it - then nothing will compare to that dress and you will neve be happy with anything you pick. It worked great for me and I am happy with my choice. You will be beautiful in whichever dress you choose - your FI wont care - he just wants to marry you - you probably could be wearing a paper bag and he would still be happy and think your beautiful. Dont stress over the dress too much - I know its a big deal...but you will find the right one for you! Good luck!

Quote: Originally Posted by Boo My two cents for shopping: 1. I went with a small group, who was just super supportive, no varying opinions to deal with 2. Bring a camera, first time I didnt, and half the stores let me take pictures while just shopping, for example: cameo and cufflinks - did I mention that their service was the best?! 3. Bring socks, you wont be able to wear your shoes to not get the dresses dirty 4. Have fun! I was ready to buy the first dress I put on at cameo and cufflinks, funny enough that ended up the one after all! with allot more stress than it ever needed to be, but the first store I went to was the Parisian and that was really blah (for me) and so the first 'real' dress, it was believed I should check out more, I think if you know you know. Okie ladies I dont have pictures of me in the dress, as I dont want to have it on the computer at home, for fear that the FH will see them, but here is the link Lea Ann Belter Bridal - Niagara Collection - Mathia She is a Canadian designer out of Toronto. Enjoy! Lovely dress BOO- Im sure you will look beautiful in it!!! Great advice too on the dress shopping -Iwish I had thought of socks when I was dress shopping .....lol

Quote: Originally Posted by KRama Well ladies, I guess I'm officially a Mrs! We had our legal ceremony on Friday and it was perfect. Exactly what we wanted. Our friends showed up at our place and we said "we just need to do something before we go for dinner...we're kind of getting married right now". They just laughed and were thrilled to be part of it. We had the ceremony right there in our living room and our officiant Jackie had a great casual program and threw in stuff like "do you Kayley vow to never give Jeremy a hard time when he wants a guy's night out?" and "do you Jeremy accept that Kayley will buy herself a pair of shoes for each guy's night out?" It was really fun and we laughed lots. Then we went to the Keg downtown for dinner and told the waiter that we just got married. He brought over a bottle of champagne (on the house!) After dinner we went across the street to Spur to catch the last quarter of the Lakers game and the bartender there gave a round of free shots AND turns out she is also getting married in the Mayan on the SAME DAY as me! I don't feel married at all which is great because we really want the wedding NEXT WEEK (holy crap, I can't believe it's almost here) to be the real deal. Congratulations on your legal wedding day Krama!!! Glad to hear you had such a great night with your friends. You never know how your going to feel about the legal day until it gets there.... Not too much longer for you now....yay!

Cindy is exactly right - The more I mentioned it, I think the more he pulled away from the idea - bc then the "idea" was no longer his. He wanted to do it in his time - and his time only - and not before. They know how much it means to us, and for that reason, they also want to make sure its special and that it is when you least expect it. It will happen, be patient.....

Natalie - your pics are fabulous - both you and Jennifer (bridechilla)got some amazing pictures! Nat - love your colours too btw - but im biast bc i am having the same colours as you. Can't wait to read both yours and Jennifer's review of Sandos....make it good and long laides....haha! Congratulations on becoming a Mrs! and thanks for sharing!

Just wanted to say - I got engaged last night!!! So no more planning without a ring anymore - not that it chanegd anything really - bc we already had his ring , but YAY! lol

I posted it on the ohter thread but had to let the 2012 Brides know - after 9 months of planning and DIY's on this forum, etc etc.....Im Finally Engaged! RIley proposed last night. Not that we didnt know we were getting married already anyways - but it just seems so much more real and closer now that I am. Yay! Char and Norma - The gran caribe - what a great choice - I have heard so many great things about that resort - congratulations!

So yesterday I was going about my normal home routine.....getting dinner ready and tidying up the house. Nothing new, nothing out of the ordinary. So after dinner Riley goes to lie down on the bed and I figure, well I have laundry to still put away so might as well do it while we chat about our day. So he asks me to come and snuggle, so the idiot I am, I continue doing laundry and say give me a few more minutes and i wll once Im done. So I finish the laundyr and lie down with him, my head on his chest. As soon as the thought came in my head it was gone even more quickly. I noticed his heart was nice and calm - so he there was no way anything was up. A few minutes later he rolled onto his side and I was still snuggled into his chest. At that time his heat sped up and bc of that I was like....hmmm thats a lot of effort by his heart just to roll onto his side....so I said "have you gone for your blood work yet and the EKG?" and he said no but that he would look into it. So again thought nothing of it. A little background though - I am going to Ottawa this weekend to see my Grandmother. I havent seen her in 2 years and she isnt feeling as well as she usually has in the past. I knew how much more settled she would feel knowing that I was engaged and "taken care of" if I had this ring. Riley knew this too - but said it wasnt possible, however he wished he could. So back to my story, ....all of sudden he was telling me how much I meant to him and how much he appreciates what I do for him, etc etc....and I blurt out " you arent worried Im going to do something stupid when I go back to Ontario are you?" (bc my ex is back there) and he said no not at all. So of course I kinda spoiled things possibly with that out burst Anyways he continues to tell me all the mushie gooshie stuff and puts the arm he has on me behind his pillow and pulls out the box - unbenounced to me! Then he opens it up and shows it to me and asked me to marry him!!! I was so excited.....all I could come up with was "Really" "are you kidding" and then finally "YES!". It wasnt flashy or dramatic and it was actually exactly how I wanted it to happen. I alwys loved how it was done in "my big fat greek wedding" - so intimate, just the two of them. I never told him this - othere then the fact that I wanted nothing special when it did happen...it was like he read my mind.... So we spent the next 40 mins in bed..... not what your thinking....lol and then I started to call the family and friends - we even got a hold of his mom and sister who were on vacation in Mexico! Oh plus he called my dad and mom to ask to marry me before he proposed of course, and my parents started crying - it was awesome!! SOOOOO EXCITED! So now after planning for the past 9 months on this forum without a ring - living vicariously though all the other brides on here - I can now plan my little heart away!! YAY!!! Marry my best friend and I cant wait! Thanks for letting me tell my story - and for all the great advice along the way!

Quote: Originally Posted by Cindy* LMAO. Sort of assumed you already were. I guess you are just very on top of things. Congrats!! lol - thanks! Weve been doing things backwards - bought the house, the dogs, vehicle, travel trailers, his ring, my dress....just didnt get my ring up until now.....lol

Quote: Originally Posted by Cindy* I only bought mine like 3 weeks ago and they were still available so you should probably be able to get more now. After I saw them, I wanted to put one in all my OOT bags but then I thought that would be going overboard, lol. I can't wait to use mine. LOL - Me too - thought about OOT bags options - but I have hit my budget - or lack their of - and cant do anymore - however I might get some for my neices.... OH BTW - on a side note: I GOT ENGAGED LAST NIGHT!!!!! Finally! lol

Just wanted to proclaim from the rafters - I got ENGAGED last night - finally I can actually truly plan my wedding. Dont get me wrong - I have been doing so for the past 9 months on this site, buying things, DIY's etc...but it wasnt the same. Now I feel like I have the freedom to do whatever ....Ahhhhhh! So happy!!!!!

As much as I was loving being a part of this thread (ringless ladies) - I have to say Im even happier now that things have changed for me.......I'm ENGAGED!!!! He finally proposed last night!!!! So excited and surprised...I had no idea! So glad it finally happened - now I feel like I really can plan the wedding. Dont worry ladies - your rings are on their way - I have been planning for over 9 months without a ring ....and there is nothing wrong with that! Just wanted to share bc I was so excited - but I feel everyone's pain from experience.... Excited to see who is next!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Bride-chill-a Hey everyone! I finally got my proffessional pictures posted on Photobucket. Here is the link if you want to check them out! Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket I LOVE the pictures of you two by the rocks and the ocean ....they turned out so nicely. And with the setting sun- it just made it all the more dramatic. What time did you get married at again?? Were these pics done the same day or the next day? Congrats - they look great!

Quote: Originally Posted by Cindy* These are great. After you posted about them the first time, I bought ones for all my bms and me of course. They are very cute and such a good price. I know hey? I figured you cant go wrong with $3.00 each. I bought 5 of them....in hindsight - I should have bought more.....will have to check with my avon lady again....lol Im so glad you were able to get them too...they are so different from the everyday BM gifts.

Quote: Originally Posted by CND_Redhead Can I ask where you got the starfish necklace from? I was looking at the Saworkvski one at a local jewelers not long ago, would love to give these to BM's.... Cheers, I actually got them from Nadine, another BDW forum bride....she might be able to tell you where she got them from. I will try to ask her myself and let you know. I bought the swarovski one and waited until these came in to see the difference and really I couldnt tell the diff. The chain was a little thinner, but that was about it. $20 for one vs $140.00 score!

Just got home from Michaels' and wanted to let you all know that they are having a sale on wedding items - alot of items are 25% off and then you can use your coupon for 40 or 50% off as well. I bought my 50 invitations, two boxes of fans (36), four rolls of ribbon and some bride and MOH iron ons - and it only cost me $86.00 in total. It would have cost me over $120.00. Just thought I would let you ladies know. Myana lily - I hope you and the other ladies all the best with the new mngmt of the Paradisus resort - Im sure its just a change of hands - usually when that happens - most times things are even better then they were before. Don't worry too much - Im sure your TA's will be working to find out all the information for you. good luck!

Get her to sign up on here - there are a few threads on here - just for that. Or bring her over one day and show her the thread. We are doing the same thing. However we arent telling anyone, not even the parents. It would cost us so much more just to get legally married down there. First we have to send our paper work down and pay to get it translated - then you have to get blood work done in mexico and you have to be there 4 legal days prior to your wedding. Which costs $300 for the blood work. Then you have to get your marriage licence when it gets mailed back to you - translated into english. Im not willing to pay over $600 for all of that and the hassle. No thanks! I hope your mom can see the reason why you want to do this - in the end....its your day you do what you want - not what your family wants. Unless she is willing to pay for all the extras - I would go ahead with your plans GOOD LUCK!

Quote: Originally Posted by MaggieandJay Actually I was thinking of DIY Magnets for the STDs but I found an awesome invitiation that I love Come to Mexico - Wedding Invitations by Invitation Consultants. (Item # CC-BBAT688-45-ME ) Maggie - love the invites - I will def be looking on etsy to see what they have. I thought about doing my own - but I think it may end up costing me more in the long run - and a lot of my time too. Thanks for posting that!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Amelie-Mellow Loving the amazing advice on the forum- but I feel like I am the only one with a super long engagement... I am hoping there are other brides on this forum getting married in 2012. Josh and I are getting married on February 11, 2012 Hope I wont be the 2012 lone-wolf for long. Dont worry, sooner or later the few 2012 threads that are out there right now - will be at the front of the line like the 2010 brides are now. Its only a year and a half away - thats not sooooo bad. I am planning mine for Jan 2012 - initially it was for Jan 2011 but we had to bump it due to some family travel plans. We are the new black right now - but there is light at the end of the tunnel!

Quote: Originally Posted by MaggieandJay We are just going to stay a couple days longer then our guest at the same resort we pick. You? Right now we are planning on going to a whole other resort for a week, bc I figure we are already there so why not and its cheaper bc you have already paid for your flights.......but Im not sure where yet. I have been flip flopping back and forth on a resort for the past two weeks. Riley is leaving the resort decisions to me bc he has never been to an AI or even out of Canada or the US for that matter. I just have to decide what I want and what he will want and go from there. Have you started any DIY's?

I think it depends on how many people and or bags you need to make. If I had to make 50+ bags I would def be keeping the OOT contents to a minimum and try to keep each bag under the $15 mark. I have 15 bags for the adults and 3 kids bags, so I have spent more bc I dont have a whole lot of them. I think I have spent approx $25-$30 per bag. I havent gotten an exact amount yet, but just adding it up in my head - that is where my bags sit at right now. I am having to buy a few more pahmina's as I dont have enough and still waiting on my key card holders, but other then that I think I am done mine. I havent decided if I am going to put a little bag of cookies of something along those lines in there yet, but if I d, that will be it. I hope that helps!