clgriffi7

If you have time, then you should shop sooner rather than later and then wait for sales. We bought our bands about 11 months in advance just because it is one of the easier things to check off the list without knowing a guest count! The jewlery store I got my ring from was having a 20% off sale the first weekend in December so we lucked out. Best to know what you want and then keep an eye out for a sale.

This is a really tough one. I think you have to invite your mother - I can imagine she would be heartbroken if you didn't. If she has been doing well (without his influence), then hopefully you can tell her how much it means to you for her to not drink at your wedding , but ESPECIALLY the day of your wedding. I think she will be able to respect that. As for the back on again husband, I think you should ask your mother if she wants him to come (without him being in the room when you ask) in light of what she told you about him encouraging her drinking. If she says yes, then I think you do invite him but you bluntly confront him about his enabling your mothers drinking. Personally I would threaten him about him doing it ever. But you seriously need to threaten him that for your wedding if you (or any of your other family members)see him giving your mother a drink he will be escorted from the premises. And I would be sure to tell all friends and family attending (in such a way that he knows about it), that if they see him giving your mother a drink they are to tell you immediately so you can have him removed. Though I am not sure if you can actually have him thrown out of the resort you could at least have him removed from the wedding area. And he doesn't have to know whether you are actually able to kick him out of the resort. Best of luck!!!

I completely agree! You look great in that dress, you have the romantic ruffles and the sexy tight fit up top. You have the curves to rock this dress. I also agree with leaving the flower. I am not sure how a horizontal line would look with all of the nonhorizontal lines in the bust, torso, and skirt. And take a look at that back view you posted, you already have great definition from the waist to the hips. (It appears that you do in the front as well, but your hands are hiding your curves!) BTW this is a lot like the dress I chose, so I am completely biased to the look of the tight and full ruffles....

Rachel - Next Thursday?! I can only imagine how excited you must be... I can't wait to read your review and see your pictures.

Here is a not very clear version of our save the dates. We made small magnets on Vistaprint along with a postcard (in matte) and mailed in their envelopes. We made 75 for ~$51 (including shipping). We put our wedding website on both the postcard and the magnet. If you have any further questions, just let me know.

I don't have advice for great wording, but on our wedding website I have a line in there that says "Hopefully some of you will be able to join us in Cancun and enjoy a great vacation!" How about something like: "We have always dreamed of getting married on the beach and here's our chance! We understand that our dream will mean that some of our friends and family will not be able to join us for our special day. However, we hope that some of you can make attending our wedding part of a great vacation to the Dominican Republic." I would not mention the gifts. It seems that any mention of gifts can be found offensive by someone. There are always going to be people that find a problem with couples having a Destination Wedding. And as long as the bride and groom don't make anyone feel guilty for not being able to come, then why should they care? I think working the word "dream" into your statement will hush some people up. How can tehy complain about your dream?

I am in complete agreement - you only need place cards if you need particular people in particular seats. I do not plan on having place cards as there aren't any guest conflicts that can't be settled by directing them to different tables.... It is also a money saver and one less thing to pack if you do without the place cards.

To pick my colors (because I knew I would use them for chair sashes and napkins) I actually ordered a sample set of chair sashes and napkins online at http://www.efavormart.com That way I could physically have all of the colors available for linens in my hands and play around with combinations. I ended up choosing a light blue (what they call periwinkle) and navy blue as my colors, which will be used for the napkins, chair sashes, table runners, and BM/Groomsmen. I liked that the colors are low key because now I can use any bright/tropical flowers and not have to worry about the colors clashing. Good luck choosing.

Sheena - I just looked at your pictures and they are fantastic! Of course you have plenty of gorgeous ones (the one of your husband on your back in the cenote is very artistic), but somehow my favorite (because it was candid) was of you sitting on the beach chair looking at the camera. I saw some things from your wedding that I am interested in...like the cenote TTD, the lit up dance floor, the flags, and I thought your gazebo flowers were gorgeous. Would you be willing to tell us about the items you added to your package (and how much they cost) in your review? Thanks Courtney

Congratulations on being a Mrs.!!!! Can't wait to read your review.

If you have the finances to keep both dresses then definitely do it!!! Especially if there will be a photographer around!

Tiffanya21 - if your fiance's father is pushing a prenup then I think it worth signing to keep the peace (so they don't think you are just after money). BUT if your fiance is protecting himself then you need to make sure you are protecting yourself in the agreement as well. Especially if you are going to be a stay at home mother for a while. Obviously you will want to have your own legal representation in the matter to assure the legal wording is what you and your fiance have agreeed upon. I think it is a legit concern that the FIL would want ownership of the company to remain with his son, BUT that should not preclude spousal support and especially child support (especially if you are out of work taking care of the kids). Without a prenup, the courts would award you spousal and child support so make sure those items are not prohibited in the prenup.

I think a watch would be a good idea. Because even if he doesn't appreciate the watch at the moment, you know he will make good use of it as he gets older. It could be his special events/job interview watch.

I am not sure how I feel about prenuptial agreements. On the one hand it can be an intellectually smart move, but on the other hand it seems terribly unromantic and almost implies an assumption of things not working out. I have not thought of a prenuptial agreement for my marriage because my finace and I are at roughly equivalent financial situations, so it would not be terribly beneficial. For other brides out there, I wouldn't risk the bad feelings/resentment of a prenuptial agreement unless you have significantly different assets that you are bringing to the marriage.

I think #1 is more refined and #2 is more fun/sexy. My dress has the ruffles on the bottom, so I think I am biased toward #2. Not sure about your budget and your plans, but could you wear one in Mexico and one for your legal wedding and/or AHR?

Chris - If you wouldn't mind, when you get the information on the DJ and the dance floor prices can you post them here? I plan on doing both (the light up dance floor) and would love to know the final price. Sorry to hear about your side of the wedding not booking yet - especially your cousin. I think you are right in thinking there still may be a good chance that she doesn't make it. I don't doubt that she is trying to come and if she needs a tax return that it might not end up happeneing. But is sounds like you have lowered your expectations so you won't be disappointed. I see impending family drama with my sister on the horizon: to not have to worry about which friends could or could not make it, my fiance and I are only having family in the wedding party. My sister will be my only bridesmaid and my fiance is having his father and his two brothers. Well - my sister is married and has been trying to have a baby and it hasn't worked out for them. So she and her husband will try in-vitro this summer. So, if it works, she will be approaching the 6-month flight restriction when my wedding rolls around. Add to that she HATES flying - has commented on driving from North Carolina to either Miami or Texas for shorter flights!!! She has said that she is only planning on staying in Mexico for 3 nights! If I hated flying that much, you better believe I would be staying long enough to make it worth the torture. My mother has offered to pay for a couple of extra nights for she and her husband and call it their birthday presents for the year (so they won't feel like they are getting a freebie), but they said no. So I think my sister, my only bridesmaid, might try and back out on me at the last minute. Just a guess but between a potential pregnancy, hating to fly (when she did fly for her honeymoon she had medication which she likely won't be able to take if preggers), and only wanting to stay the minimum number of nights. I hope I am wrong, but I can see it coming....

That is a beautiful dress, would you mind telling us what size it is?

I am not sure if I am the only one, but I am not able to see your pictures (only the box with the red X. Also, can you share what size/length the dress is?

Question: We have sent out save the dates and had a few extended family members already tell us that they can't make it (in notes included with their Christmas cards). Should we send them "formal" invitations anyway just to be polite? We are doing DIY invites, so it won't cost us any extra besides postage and some elbow grease. Since it is family, do you think they would still want to receive an invitation? Should we add a hand written note that says we know you won't be able to join us in Mexico, but we wanted to send you a copy of the invitation anyway?

mmcst38 - I really like that dress. Where did you find that?

What we will be doing (and what I have seen a few times on the forum) is to have maracas (either 1 or 2 per person) as favors. These can be bought once you get to Mexico as long as you aren't particular about the colors. The brides that want them in their wedding colors buy them ahead of time and take them to Mexico. I think it will make for a more colorful table and it will be a souvenier from Mexico if you buy them once you get there. When I stopped in Cozumel on a cruise we bought a few for $1 each. I believe we saw them in stores for $1-$3 depending on the store.

From previous comments on this thread, I think kids do count but at a discounted price. I will be interested in the answer to this question because we will at least have 3 YOUNG kids at the wedding (3 yr, 2yr, and 1 yr). However, I will have to see if their mom plans on bringing them to the reception or putting them to bed first.

Jas - This is what I am hoping for too!!! I can't wait to see pictures from your reception!!!

To keep things cheaper and less formal we are having a Friday night AHR from 8-12pm. On the invite we will say that beer, wine, and snacks will be provided - that way guests will know they need to get dinner before they arrive. For attire I will say something like cute enough for pictures but comfortable enough to dance. We are having the party at a local reception hall which we are renting for $700 on a Friday night instead of $2400 for a Saturday. At this point we are trying to decide whether we will hire a DJ and pay for a photobooth.... Those decisions will determine if this is a $3000 party or a $5000 party. (So the Saturday would have cost ~$3000 more as DJs and photobooth rentals are also cheaper on Fridays.) One thing to note - a non-formal AHR (anything without a plated meal) will likely confuse some guests as to whether they should get you a wedding gift or not. And those that do will get one will likley be inclined to spend a less money on the gift than a traditional reception. Not that I care about the gifts, but when I went to an AHR last year I was confused about how much to spend...

Congrats!!! You win!!! Not only were you the bigger person, but you also get your wish of her not coming. So now if he ever regrets her not being there you get to remind him it was his decision. And if she ever says anything then you get to tell her it was his decision (the look on her face would be priceless). What you said to him was perfect: your choice, appreciate your thoughtfulness....perfect.