acireta

I also have on my list bridesmaids cards, cards for parents/FI on wedding day, ceremony program...

Quote: Originally Posted by sorord1 Hi ladies, I am born and raised in Chicago! But we live in the south suburbs. I work as a Medical Technologist in the Microbiology Lab at a hospital in Chicago. We are getting married in Negril on July 30, 2011. I am excited to meet fellow Chi-Town brides! Are any of you guys doing a budoir shoot in Chicago? Hey Queen Diva I see you live in the south suburbs and you are a Negril bride too!!!! I'm doing a BD or maybe pre-BD thing this spring and I'm super nervous. I'm using Vavoom Pinups in the city. They do kind of a retro style and got a good review from another friend. Two of my friends are also going to go at the same time. If it goes well, I'll use those pics for a BD book, or maybe next year's birthday present... Thanks about the kitty, she insane but super cute :-) We haven't been given a very hard time by anyone so far. Inviting everyone to a DW isn't common in our families (lots of elopments), so most people love the idea and like having the notice to save up or do a payment plan. A few people have kind of laughed when they mentioned getting our STD magnet and said, "well there's no way I'm going to THAT." It takes a bit of practice to just smile and sweetly say "well I hope you can make it to the welcome home party, we'd love to see you!" As a budget-oriented girl, I love that the Platinum Weddings show is predictable and fake!! :-) I want a purse dog too, I totally understand, but FI wants a German Shepherd. I'll probably let him win that one eventually.

That's awesome! My work does this and its always so cool to see the mountain of presents :-)

oh my. That would probably actually convince FI to go see it. Maybe we'll wait for Netflix to offer it LOL

We got SPOILED by my fmil. She gave me a waffle maker, a ton of scrapbooking stuff, including 6 different scissors for making patterned edges and a nice paper cutter. Hello boarding pass invitation tools! :-) She gave FI a bunch of family items that were his grandfather's from WWII and a PS3! we were very spoiled this year. FI gave me a pair of little infinity earrings from the same shop where he got my e-ring, they are so beautiful. he's such a sweetie :-) I gave him some Family Guy jammies, a new cast iron skillet that he really wanted and some christmas decorating stuff. I hope everyone had a happy and peaceful holiday with family and friends and loved ones! We sure did. We're on day 3 of 4 for family parties. I'm starting to get a bit burned out LOL Best gift I gave: I gave my stepdad a wall hanging that shows the evolution of the Bears jersey since the franchise started. He has a man-cave in their new house so he's busy decorating! Even my mom approved it to be hung up :-)

kinda looks like a newspaper... great job!

Ha! Love it! Sorry i didn't see this sooner... My name is Erica and my FI is Al. We live in Downers Grove, IL, a Chicago-suburb, but our townhouse is on the market right now. We'll definitely be staying in the same area when we move. IF we ever get an offer. We've onlly been on the market two weeks at this point. We are getting married in St. Thomas on April 3, 2012. We'll be on a cruise with 20-30 friends and family. Some family members are planning on just joining us in St. Thomas, which we found out at Christmas parties! About me: I am also an only child, Liza! But I have almost 100 cousins, since my parents both came from massive Catholic families of 8+ kids. My FI's last name is a variation of "Cruise" so we're trying to find jokes about our "Cruise"-Cruise Wedding :-) I work for a non-profit medical society, we plan educational and networking events for spine surgeons. We have two cats and they are our babies. I hated cats my entire life until they moved in with FI and I fell in love with them. This pic is our new kitten, Mara, and FI. Looking forward to hearing from more midwest peeps!

wow what an amazing planning thread, thank you so much for sharing! i love too many things that you posted, i won't bore you with the list of what i loved! :-)

looks crazy from the trailer. I actually think I might be able to get my movie-obsessed FI to this just because it looks kinda crazy. i can't believe people walked out! was it gruesome or something? why did they leave?

Oh wow, I'm so sorry for you and your FI. What a crappy situation, especially at the holidays when we're all basically forced to see family. I always hear people say how smaller DWs are so special and intimate. And regardless of who is there with you, yall will come home rested, relaxed, and MARRIED! I know that doesn't necessarily make it okay that his family can't be there, but I hope you guys can overcome this situation together :-)

well said. midwest BDW brides, unite!

whatever it is, it's gorgeous! i can't wait to start dress shopping next summer!

I'd probably send them to guests AND to those who didn't attend. I don't think a month after is too long at all. you'll be married for your whole life hopefully, so a month isn't bad. Especially with the holidays, at least your cards won't get lost in the jumble of christmas cards! And as long as you don't put your registry info on the announcement it hopefully won't look like you're fishing for presents. :-) post them up when you have a final version :-)

beautiful! would they call that a "mermaid" style? nice choice.

mwah! :-)

no way girl! i'm sure there are people who don't even log-in, who read and "hear" what you're saying! (and they probably stole some of your boarding pass ideas because you did a great job) i don't really talk to anyone specific on here, we can start a Chicago clique! ;-)

i was talking to a former actress at my work. she has an armband that she had to cover up for a play, and she had a whole process. Red makeup to cover the black tattoo, green makeup to neutralize the red, and then foundation and powder multiple times. Turned out completely invisible under stage lights and in pictures!! I have hope! When she sends me the brand name info, I'll post it up!

bouquet charm pinned to his boutonniere? they can be made to be really small. mine is less than 1" on each side. (i'm totally biased, i love those little bouquet charms!)

got some fun free stuff just recently... 50 rack cards This wording was from a bride on here - Islandbride? Thank you, I'm sorry I can't remember your exact screenname!! Return address labels (140 free) - we used these for our save-the-dates last week. and a little something for me to carry around my planning stuff :-)

I can't wait to change my name. my current last name is IMPOSSIBLE to spell over the phone without using "as in Frank." F's and S's are annoying when you have multiples of them!!

or these...

nice! these came out great! i have a 2007 mustang and FI has 78 vette, so we're trying to incorporate our "babies" into our pics also!

This is just what I was going to post, I LOVE these flowers! We're also doing blue and white. I like these, but they might be too dark for your shade of aqua?

"But ask Chris first" LOL that's adorable! These are great!

Yeah there's always a troll here or there, but it's squashed so quickly here, that's what I love. Thanks! I'll try not to change this, Abbie! :-)