acireta

Awesome thread so far, Jamie! The suspense is killing me!! :-)

Janelle is setting everything up. They don't take reservations, so she's just giving them a heads-up call that week. We're also not doing a set menu, just running a tab for everyone's lunch and drinks. They won't do a set menu unless you have at least 18 people, I think. We have 23 so we could, but I'd just rather let everyone order what they want.

true story! love the pictures, hate the forums.

just sent you an email! thanks!

Stay away from the knot! It's best for your mental health LOL My FI and I talked and joked about a destination wedding for 18 months before we got "officially" engaged. We just kept it between us. "St. Thomas" was our secret word to express our commitment and future to each other when we didn't want other people knowing what we were talking about :-) I don't think there's a problem with starting to come up with some ideas and budget. I don't know if you could do it for a grand, but the better idea you have of location and other ideas, the better the budget, which means you can start saving early. Save now = not going into debt for your wedding. Good luck!

I'm sorry i didn't see this! I sent my STDs 15 months in advance, and I sent the invitations about 6-7 months before the wedding.

here are some links i used to eventually make my own: http://offbeatbride.com/2010/03/how-to-diy-hello-kitty-garter http://offbeatbride.ning.com/forum/topics/diy-garter (link only available until October 2012) here's my version of an Etsy item: Just remember - measure twice, cut once!! Good luck!

I love the last one!! Adorable!

Mine is surprisingly sturdy, so even if i packed it among my clothes in my suitcase, I think it'll be okay. I might do a small box with my bouquet and the two BMs bouquets, maybe surrounded by clothes or bubble wrap. But we're driving to FL to get on the ship, so I don't know if I'd do this if we were flying. If we were flying, I'd probably try to carry it on, even though this thing is HEA-VYYY!

I remember them from way back when!! I haven't seen them in malls in forever. I wish they had one around here! I did some BD pics awhile back and just got my book in the mail. I love it so much, but I wish I could do another shoot now that I know what to expect. My confidence level would be even higher. Carly is right - you should totally do it, no matter who you choose to go with!

My shower was Saturday and there were quite a few surprises. My best friends/BMs showed up from DC unexpectedly!! They walked into my room at 11 AM like it was no big deal and I screamed my head off!! They had been planning it since September and even had a bachelorett night planned - margaritas, Blue Man Group and an after-party at the house. It was the craziest day, I'll post up some pictures as soon as I get them. I hope you have a wonderful shower, whenever/where ever/however they end up surprising you! Make sure you take some pictures! I need to call and find out when mine will be here...

Heck no! I just want to see more!!

that is so adorable!! I'd have a cardigan on hand depending on the temp of the room, but I don't necessarily think it's too casual. I wore a grey sweater dress and black boots to my shower this weekend, so I wasn't all that fancy :-)

This is pretty much what I'm going to do also. I'm going to have my hair trial at the end of January, and take a bunch of pictures to bring with me. I'll probably try to talk to the stylist when I confirm my appointment the first day on the boat. I might do a trial on the boat for the first formal night, the night before the wedding, it really just depends on the price. I'll be doing my own make-up, so I'm going to get a make-up trial done at ulta and buy some of the products (primers and lipstick because I can never find a good shade). I'm good at doing make-up so this doesn't worry me. I just need some good long-lasting primer, foundation, lipstick, etc...

Make me an offer, I'd love to get rid of these!

wow!!! that is stunning!

just sent it to you!

very nice! did you do these yourself?

these are beautiful! love how bright and happy they are!

Looks great, Brendee!! Do you love it so much? I need to get over mine, I'm so in love with it LOL

It's against the rules to request or send files because of too few posts, but you should totally become a BDW supporter! Best $30 I spent on this wedding so far, and you'll be able to open attachments immediately! http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/a/become-a-best-destination-wedding-supporter

Janelle originally went on my list of three planners to contact. One didn't respond, one basically told me I was too early and to call her in a few months, and Janelle was the sweetest, most responsive, most polite person to whom I spoke. Throughout this process, she has been amazing to work with. If I send her a list of questions, she sends the list back with her answers in a different color underneath. No matter how trivial my question, she responds with thorough and clear answers, giving me all my options, and she doesn't work on "island time," the eternal excuse for delayed responses. I always recieve an answer to emails within 48 hours, unless there's a storm or a trip to the mainland, which she posts in advance on her facebook page.

6 dark pink are sold. Will sell the remaining 19 bags for $20, including shipping!

Lindsey! Did you finish yours yet? I'd love to see it!

What a cute idea! i have similar shoes from David's Bridal for my short dress. The ribbon really takes them up a notch!