MDLady

The simple answer is of course doing a registry but requesting that gifts be shipped to your home rather than brought to the reception or even to your family home. I would definitely include that in the invite and would NOT consider that rude. Where you list the registry, just include something like "please ship your gifts to our home" and give the address. I don't think that's rude at all. And if you don't register, people will just buy stuff for you that they *THINK* you want/need. I created a registry and even so, several people decide to gift me things I don't like and have no use for. Macy's has a great registry and people can go to their local Macy's and buy stuff there without going online and just have Macy's ship it to your address. It makes things much easier IMO.

I have the DJ but our reception is 4 hours so no music would be absolutely sad. It is quite pricey but so is everything else wedding-related. If you don't want to spend the money, an ipod can also work. I would just check w/ brides that already have done it at that particular resort to see if it all went smoothly. At the end of the day, it's all about what you think will work best without digging yourself into a financial hole.

Lovely cakes ladies! We had very limited options to choose from regarding flavors but I think that it will be ok. We are doing 3 tiers, 1 - Chocolate cake w/ Strawberry filling 2 - White cake w/ Chocolate filling 3 - Chocolate cake w/ Strawberry filling I was gonna do fondant as a topping but after reading some feedback, asked for buttercream topped with fondant. Hope it all comes out tasting good. It's a bit scary not being able to taste it ahead of time.

Quote: Originally Posted by TonyandTricia Cake from our AHR: OMG that cake is HUGE!!! Yummy

Quote: Originally Posted by FutureMrsRell Finally decided on shoes! Can't wait for them to get here! =) Shoes : Style Beauty From AllureBridals.com Those are gorgeous!

Quote: Originally Posted by alison15 I have no idea what to do about shoes. Since my groom is taller than me and we are not doing a beach wedding I want heels. However, I am fairly clumsy and am completely freaked out that I will, most likely, trip and embarrass myself at the wedding. I guess I can wait until the dress gets here and see the difference but sandals may be the way to go. There are so many options for shoes. You can always go with a wedge that's not very tall or a sandal with a thicker heel. Your shoes don't have to be stilettos or anything like that. Wear whatever you are comfortable with! It might help to browse some websites and stores or even this post to get ideas. This post alone has some incredible pictures!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by CND_Redhead That is exactly the dilemma I just went through, and quickly made up DIY invites to send out that very easily spelled out they needed to book and RSVP. Exactly. And if you don't want to spend $$ on invitations, I really like the "newsletter" idea. Those are easy to make yourself and send to the guests.

I feel for you but I would hate for you to have so much focus on her on such a beautiful day. It might ruin it for you if you are stressed out about where she is and what pictures she is in. I wouldn't focus so much on eliminating her from pictures but rather taking pictures with your family and the bridal party. If she is in any other pictures, just don't choose them. Photographers usually give you plenty to choose from. Just don't let it ruin your day girl!!!!

I didn't even notice and had to look for the sad smiley, so no worries Flowy and tropical sounds perfect! How short are you? You might want to do a more fitted bottom then. One of my BMs is 5'0" so when we went BM dress shopping, she only looked at short dresses which for some reason did NOT work on her body (she's a size 4 so it was very wierd). Finally she tried on several long dresses and they ALL looked amazing!!! I think it's just a matter of trying on a variety of styles and cuts. She ended up picking this dress which looks DYNAMITE on her! David's Bridal - Chiffon and Charmeuse Dress with Rounded Neckline and Sash at Waist This one was the runner up. We were both very shocked how good they looked on her tiny frame! David's Bridal - Halter Crinkle Chiffon Dress with Ruched Bodice and Cascade Front

Awesome review! I can relate, as our wedding is also multi-lingual. We have very similar tastes based on what I'm seeing. Everything is absolutely gorgeous!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by Ayita ALL MY ATTIRE My dress is from Winnie Couture. I decided on it so quickly – hardly tried on dresses more than one week before ordering it. Actually, I did not have much time given that we were already beginning of November. But all the dresses I tried on convinced me very quickly that this one was the one. Here are the pics on the model : And my second fitting, before it got taken in at the bust : Given that my dress is back less and super plunge clivage I get these adhesive push-ups from VS : This dress is gorgeous!!!!! Very similar to mine

I ordered activity books (wedding themed, soooo cute) but we almost have to choose individually due to age differences. That is a great idea regarding inflatables! I have no idea if we will have any time to go shopping in Aruba and it might stress me out not having everything ready. But I also want kids to have fun. Portable games would probably work as well... Water toys are fun but again, space might be an issue.. Any other ideas??

White and flowy would start looking like a wedding dress. I was looking for something a little more fashionable but much of the stuff in white looks like a nightgown. I love bright colors so I keep seeing these electric blue dresses that would probably pop and still be casual enough for the islands.. Hmmm, what to do..

I was hoping to find a cute white dress to wear to our Welcome Dinner. Not an actual wedding dress but something short and cute for the islands.. I'm having the hardest time finding something that I like. What are you ladies wearing to the Welcome dinner??

Just a WARNING for those relying on people to RSVP on a website. For whatever reason, some people don't notice the website and don't go. So if you are not sending the invite, make sure that you call everyone and they know to go to the website. I had phone calls from people who didn't even notice the website address on the STD, asking me about the wedding details that were already on the website so I sent out the formal invitations. I would hate for any of your guests to not come due to lack of paying attention to the website.

Quote: Originally Posted by swankster77 I got mine at the Dollar Tree $1 each... looks like you can buy them online too: Bulk Sudoku Puzzles Books at DollarTree.com Are they 8.5x11 or smaller? It doesn't say

Quote: Originally Posted by JanineA MDLady how large are the books? Can you post a pic? Where did you buy the box from? I obviously can't read because the size of the book is right in the description. I think I got too excited that it came in a box the exact size of my wedding party... Wholesale Number Crazy Puzzle Book (SKU 377351) DollarDays They are nice but just too big of format.

What are you guys putting in the kids' OOT bags? We have nieces and nephews coming, ages range from 1.5-9 and I have no clue what to get for them. Space is also an issue since many toys are too large to bring considering all the other stuff.. Ideas Thank you

I am doing mini rum bottles in Aruba and got in touch with a local rum factory who were happy to agree to deliver to the resort at no additional charge for delivery or custom labels. It was priced at roughly $1.26 per 2oz bottle which is great. I will attach seating cards to the little bottles as well. It's a little scary to rely on someone to deliver because what if they don't... But I just really didn't have room to carry 50 bottles with me...

That would drive me crazy. I'm not all about etiquette but just being nice to people. It doesn't cost a thing to be nice (ok, the invite would have cost her an extra $1.00 or smth). Come on now. A Facebook invite is ridiculous. I get asked about the wedding on Facebook but that's from people just chatting. Not formally inviting. Unbelievable. But agreed with the other ladies, don't stoop to her level and yes, wedding shower gift = wedding gift. Definitely. I would send a card expressing regret over not being able to attend. We have people who never sent back an RSVP or even responded in any way (not even on FB) regarding the invitation. How rude is that?!?!?!?!?! Oh and there are others whose weddings we attended in the last couple of years (we had to travel for both) and got them all nice gifts. We not only didn't get the RSVPs back, but let alone gifts or even a congratulations. I don't understand how people do this stuff and are ok with themselves.

Agreed. Yummy treats are never a bad idea One of my friends did M&Ms with their names as favors. I felt bad for eating them but I did haha. Can't let them get stale!

Our wedding coordinator requested that we arrive at least 3 business days before the wedding to finalize all the arrangements. I think it's a very good idea. If we arrive the day before, I'd be freaking out with worry! We are arriving on Tuesday, my parents are arriving on Wednesday, and the rest are arriving Thur-Fri-Sat. I warned everyone that we will have some meetings w/ the coordinator, photographer, rabbi, etc.. They were more than ok to just chill and relax and if we have time, it will be great to meet in the evenings. We are also staying for an extra week after the wedding and most people are leaving Tue-Wed-Thur. I think it will be very nice to spend time with them all.

Beautiful job!!!

I watched the entrance video and it was so beautiful. The bride looked so happy and amazing. Congratulations to both of you and many happy years together

It can't hurt to do a little exercise but at the same time, I think it's just the way it cuts into your skin. One of my bridesmaids who was tiny kept getting that but it was because the cut didn't fit her right and it would gather skin so it looked like rolls. After trying on other dresses, we saw that it was just that particular dress doing so.