JBean

We leave in 6 weeks tomorrow!! Left to do: Place cards Buy Lingerie Finish playlists Groom card Buy new suitcases Reserve chairs Get guest's food choices Teeth whitening Tanning Make photo checklist Buy clutch? Write toasts Ahh! I feel so behind!

Anudrm - I feel for ya. I am also very lucky to have some great people from my family joining us. I first want to say - I know it sounds all negative (it's a venting post) but I'm really actually thrilled with a lot of the turn out. We have more than initially expected. Again, it's not that people aren't coming, it's how they're going about "not coming", if that makes sense. EJ - I do completely agree, and that's a very good way to think of it. I'm mostly just upset by my close family members (ie: my brother, and Fi's uncle - Fi's dad passed away years ago and I know he really wanted his uncle there instead) that (I think) should be there, no matter what. My eldest brother is just selfish - he will borrow $ from my parents to pay taxes, and then buy a new TV and never pay them back. We all kind of expected he wouldn't come, but I was hoping he would not be selfish for once. Everyone else, their money is their perogative.

Ladies - I never knew how stressful a destination wedding could be, or all the things you would learn about people in the process. I'm afraid this whole experience has left a bad taste in my mouth. We knew not a lot of people would be able to come to Mexico, and that was fine. I was handling it all quite well, until yesterday, when 3 people (including a bridesmaid!) bailed on the wedding, a mere 50 days out. A bride can only take so much! I need to vent so I'm saying all the things you can't say, and I'm saying them here so that I don't make some regrettable phone calls the next time I've had a few bevies. 1) It's not the fact that you're not coming that is bothersome, it's the way you go (or don't go) about it. Why wait until the LAST MINUTE to RSVP? If you know you're not coming, why not pop the little card in the mail? Huh? But at least you people RSVP'd at all! Which leads me to... 2) LEARN how to RSVP people - is this a lost art? Has respect gone out the window? WE INCLUDED THE STAMP AND sent out reminder emails - it's not that difficult!! And frankly, it's inconsiderate and RUDE. 3) For those of you (especially close family members) that said to our faces that you would "definitely be there", and loved to talk about how much fun it was going to be, and THEN miss the RSVP deadline AND don't end up booking - Seriously??? 4) To all the people who use money as an excuse for not coming - You all had over a year and half to plan and save for this wedding. If you REALLY wanted to be there, MOST of you could have made it happen. At least lie and say you can't get the time off - that's a bit easier to swallow. 5) To my eldest (yet seemingly youngest) brother - don't pin your inability to come to the wedding and financial issues on your baby daughter, and then post pics of your new motorbike on Facebook. Also, when our other brother (who IS coming) offers to share a room with you to cut costs, don't say "I'd rather have a room to myself" and then tell me the trip is cost prohibitive. 6) To my fiance's family, of which barely anyone is coming or even bothered to RSVP - I wish I had more reasons to be excited about becoming a part of this family. Your welcome was about as warm as a block of ice. 7) To my bridesmaid, who waited until yesterday (6 weeks out) to cancel - see #4. Waiting this long to cancel, unfortunately, will hurt our friendship. I have your dress, BM gift and flowers sitting here, reminding me that one of my longest, closest friends, who swore she'd be there - will not be. 8) Finally, to those of you who *gasp* RSVP'd ON TIME (and some of you more than once, just to be sure we got it), whether you're coming to the wedding or not - THANK YOU! It's taking every ounce of strength I have not to post this on Facebook.

Probably the Bay.

Ahollo! Great pics! Were those done with Blue Lens? Nicki - it's coming up quick for me too! Planning is coming together - FINALLY got 99% of the RSVPs in so I can start to wrap up loose ends. How's it going for you??

Welcome Dawn! I just took my dress into Connie's for alterations - kind of nervous!!

Yes, it's super frustrating. Most of Fi's family hasn't, and those that have are not coming. We think a lot of it has to do with the fact that it's his second wedding (rather than money issues) which sucks. Really makes me feel the "the second wife". Oh well! Lots of my family and friends will be there, and that means a lot!

That's pretty good! Which location?

Oy! We just sent out our "reminder" emails to get people to RSVP and already got 5 more! We're up to 31 and I have enough items for 35. Over that amount, and I'll be scrambling for more OOT loot and menus. GETTING REALLY FRIGGIN EXCITED THOUGH!!!!

Hehe nice! Is anyone having problems getting RSVPs back? My side has mostly all replied, but nearly NONE of Fi's has yet. We're going to send out a "friendly reminder" email soon. It's getting close people! We need to know!

Ha! That's awesome! The property tax stalking made me laugh too! Guys are NOT as efficient as us!

Thanks for the feedback! I agree, we're paying a lot of $$ for it so I don't want to regret anything or feel like we missed any critical shots in the excitement of everything.

I am very particular about my photos, and a little neurotic about getting all the shots I want so I'm thinking about giving my photographer a checklist. Has anyone done this? I found a ton of them online, so I assume it's ok to do. I'm also going to specify what kind of shots I like - my photog does some styles I'm not crazy about. Do you think any photographer would be insulted?

Joanne - I''m so glad things worked out!! I'm jotting Larson's name down in case we have trouble so I can request to speak with him. lol.

Haha mine house is a disaster! Boxes of wedding stuff everywhere! I have ordered most things online too (why leave the house to shop? lol) so I am running to the post office a few times a week.

Beautiful video!! I wasn't planning on doing a video but now I want to!! lol.

Omigosh I'm so sorry!! I hope everything works out - keep us posted. One of our guests' flights were cancelled too - Expedia called to inform them and let them know that it would be another $600 per person to switch to another flight so now they might now come at all. Unfortunately, it seems these flight cancellations are unavoidable and just add to more stress, which is the last thing we need!!

85 days!!!!!!! Can't wait!

Agreed, I like your hair!

I hadn't even thought about songs for cake cutting and garter toss - is this necessary? I was just going to keep playing the regular playlist - do you think this will work OK?

I am hoping the wedding coordinator?

Great pics HeidiLynn - looks like you had a beautiful wedding and an amazing day! Thank you so much for sharing! I like the idea of using Blue Lens later on - I think I will do that as well!

Thank you so much for the detailed review - it really helps with planning! I am a little nervous - we're staying a whole 14 days and I hope we don't get bored, but Fi was insistent and didn't want to switch resorts, so I'll just try and relax and enjoy it.

Yes I have the earrings. They look exactly like the pictures. I ordered the blue ones first (thought they would look gorgeous by the ocean) but I wasn't too crazy about the oval shape once I tried them on, so I ordered the tear-drop shaped clear ones as well. I'll decide on my wedding day which ones I'm feelin'! I love both though. They both sparkle but the clear ones a bit more so than the blue I think.

I've gotten a ton of stuff through Etsy! And some things I got ideas from and made DIY. Hankies from GoSiadesigns: Garter from NCRDesigns Hanger from Aressa (Mine is cherry woods and says 'Mrs. Windsor') Bracelet from Plumbcrazy Earrings from earringsnation Earrings from designbykara Just Married parasol (sorry, can't remember the seller) And necklaces for the BM's from kookime I think that's it! (for now, lol)