primavera

snl2011, I have Ana, but I have not been in contact with her for the last couple of months. She did reply quick to the last emails I sent her, but it seems to depend on how busy she is at the moment. I have called her a few times as well when I needed a prompt answer. Tracy, THANK YOU!! I feel so much better after reading your review and you answered a lot of my questions.

At first I liked #2 best, but with a lace dress in ivory I think #1 will look even better. They are both very pretty!

Yes, there is. Do a search for abbreviations in the forum and you will find it.

Thanks Erin! I will do stuff like that, plan the ceremony, music play list and maybe plan the menu....and other things that has to be done anyway.

I am still at a standstill with my planning Tight budget right now and I can't really buy anything. I think I have found my dress though, and will go and try it on next week hopefully. I will probably order a "knock-off" with some customization if it turns out to be the one. What can I do in regards to planning that doesn't involve money? Any suggestions are welcome.

And I am getting married May 4 at Now Jade, not sure how long we will be staying though, at least until May 8 so we might cross paths as well!

I have lived in Spain too! Actually if we would move back to Europe, Spain is on the top of my list. I still get all the benefits from Sweden (since it is the EU) but the nicer weather and tapas and sangria every day!

OMG!! Hahaha! Where have you heard that? It would be impossible to live on your salary if that was true. In my home town the tax rate is 32% and in Stockholm (the capital) it is 28%. If you are really wealthy you might have to pay 50% but most of the really rich people know how to invest their money to avoid most of their taxes and get all the deductions possible. In Sweden there is a high tax on unhealthy things, such as alcohol, tobacco, sodas and candy. So a beer is a lot more expensive in Sweden than it is in the US, and it is even more expensive in Norway. I have lived and worked in Norway too, and though I appreciate the decrease in taxes in December (so you have more money to spend on xmas gifts) the Norwegians pay the same taxes as in Sweden, if not more. As a Swede working in Norway though, you pay less taxes than the Norwegians themselves do during your first 4 years over there. EVERYTHING is more expensive, they come to Sweden to shop. How about a personal pizza for $40 or a beer for $15. They have a surplus and were able to stay out of the EU because they have oil funds. They are not reinvesting any of these funds in their country (infrastructure, community etc) and the people don't see much of that money and are the first ones to tell you that they don't know where the money goes. I think they are really on to something with 36.5 hr work weeks since studies have shown that they are still one of the most effective countries. I love IKEA too and H&M as well!!

Congratulations Tracy!! As everyone else I'm excited to read your review and watch pics when you get back. Enjoy your honeymoon!

Jenn, you are spot on about the taxes! I pay almost the same amount of taxes in Sweden as I do here, but get nothing for it here. Bonnie, yes, Sweden is a lot more like Canada than the US, only difference are universities are FREE! Hahaha! Oh, and we get an allowance for every child every month, allowance while in uni. and free food in schools, 1.5 yr of mat leave and 6 months of paternity leave etc.etc.etc. We laugh about the US as well, with the exception of Obama. I think they were celebrating more in Sweden (and the rest of Western Europe) when he became the President than people did here. We also laugh about our neighbor Norway and they laugh about us, so same story as the US & Canada. All in all, every country has its good and bad sides of course. Welcome Greysgirls!

Thanks!! I choose the on from the list that one of the girls posted earlier. I like your wording a lot too though! I am on a standstill with my wedding planning, we are really tight on money right now and since we are paying for everything ourselves I can't really do much right now. We don't have anyone booked so far but about 20 people saying that they will be there for sure.

Hey Ally, why don't you post this in the Now Riviera Cancun thread? (I saw that you have found it already) There are a bunch of girls there who have done site visits and have additional pics that would be happy to help you! See you there!

Well, I grew up with the -30C to 36C weather and 4 seasons, so I know what you're talking about. I am from north of Sweden. Of course I would prefer 25C year round, but I'd rather take the cold than the severe weather any day. I don't miss driving on the ice though. I will definitely take him to Sweden for a visit before we make any plans, I am hoping that it will make him love it like for your FI and HK.

Quote: Originally Posted by prettypigpig hahaha...Primavera..that is what I said to myself everyday too! However, with the current economic situation of the matured countries ( it is sad to work in the financial industry with tons of economists and strategists talking to u everyday), I doubt I can make much much more (unless I win the lottery jackpot!). Therefore, after babies, maybe I will seriously consider the option to move back to Hong Kong where people gets paid like NYC and London people, but with lower taxe rate and better growth...oh..and better weather too. Texas has better taxe rate and weather, so I guess you are still better than most of us! heehee Yeah no state tax is great in Texas, but I am not loving the weather. Tornadoes most of the year and when no tornadoes it is so hot that you cannot be outside. I am not used to crazy weather like this I guess, the Texans don't seem to mind that much. A Swedish friend of mine lives in Hong Kong with his family and likes it a lot. Personally I would love to move back to Sweden, where you don't have to pay for everything like you do here, but "operation convincing FI" has been going on for a while and still have lengths to go before that will happen.

Thanks for the info Tracy! This makes me even more excited! I need to get back into wedding mode. Freaked out when I realized how fast May will be here!!! :S Maybe getting a dress should be one of my priorities in the next month....

Thanks everyone!! Nicola, my sis is younger than me too (only 16 months though) and has been married for 3 years and now has two beautiful boys. I haven't been home in over 2.5 years (haven't been able to because of my visas and money issues) and have never seen any of my nephews other than on Skype and photos. It is hard!! My sis will probably bring the little one to Mexico, so I am excited. Hopefully I will be able to go home and visit sometime after the wedding. I need to make some serious money, like now!

Thanks Christa! So was I, but World Series here we come!!

Quote: Originally Posted by lisadias Congrats Ladies on becoming aunties! I sure hope I don't become one anytime soon cause my sisters are only 19, 20 and 22 and I better have one before they do! lol side note(I am 36 so there isn't much time left ) and my FFIL just tonight said that the only thing he wishes for is that I announce I am pregrant at our AHR in July!! Oh boy, no pressure right? Thanks Lisa! It was my second nephew and my sis is going to be 34 in Nov. Side note: I am 35 and have no kids, so I'm right there with you

Quote: Originally Posted by FutureMrsHolt We are getting married here first but considering Mexico's date our date. I got an email from Pilar with pictures of chairs for the reception and info on the set up if anyone wants it. Email me!! [email protected] I have sent you an email Thanks! We are considering Mexico's date our wedding date too.

My sister had a baby today too!!! I have a new little nephew Born approx. 2-3 hours before your niece. This pic is really cute!!

Thanks!! This is great! Our guests are wide spread over the world so I will use no.2. Thanks again!!!

We are getting married here first, so symbolic wedding in Mexico.

Thanks girls! We are not asking for cash (even though God knows we need it) so I am not sure the poems might work. We have registered at a few stores online to make it easier on guests abroad and added links on our website to our registries. I might go with Josie's suggestion...

What a sweet thing to do! I might copy the thank you note, but probably by email since most of our guests live so far away. I have added links to our registries on our "registry page" on our website, but still have not found a text/wording that a like...

Welcome Ursula!!