Samantha88k

I should add that I did send out an initial email about 18months in advance informing people that we were planning a destination wedding and that they could pre-book to get the 2010 rates if they wanted to.

Great dress!! Perfect beach wedding look!!

I found "the" dress at the first shop I went to (in Minneapolis, MN during a shopping trip with my mom and sister), it was like the 5th dress I tried on but at the time I couldn't believe that I had found it so early after trying on so few dresses. I searched for a shop in North Dakota (where I live) that carried the dress and ended up finding one in Fargo!! I visited the store 3 times before finally committing and ordering! As for the "wow" factor, I think I lucked out. After first getting engaged and doing a little dress searching online I had a vision of myself in a dress that I hadn't seen yet online (i combined a couple styles in my head...very dangerous! lol) BUT I found it!!! So, yes, I had that "wow, this is the one" moment for sure!!

That was the total with just the veil and the dress, it is a fitted trumpet style so it doesn't need anything to go underneath and I plan on getting the shaper somewhere else anyway so I wasn't worried.

This is a great thread! I have been contemplating how many hours lately. I originally booked our photographer for 4hrs but now I'm worried that it wont be enough time!

Thanks for the cost/supply breakdown!

So many great ideas!!

I totally agree! I have the same reaction to "say yes to the dress" and I felt bad asking my parents to pay so much for my dress. I ordered mine from a local bridal shop that had really competitive pricing and specials. For example, the month I bought my dress I also go to pick the veil I wanted for free (this was awesome because I wanted a $350 dream veil!!). I haven't gotten my dress yet and I know it will have to be altered because I have a smaller waist and a larger chest but before alterations mine was $1300 (remember free veil!!) I wouldn't have wanted to spend more than $1000 but I ended up falling in love with a lace gown. I had a similar experience with David's Bridal and vowed never to return!

Beautiful!! I was just perusing the flowers at Hobby Lobby the other day wondering if I could make them work, glad to see its doable!

What a beautiful resort!!

So true!! I keep thinking how did my small intimate beach wedding turn into a big fancy reception? My FI's older sister has never been married and so his mom seems to be trying to become more and more involved almost as if she thinks she is the mother of the bride. Very odd. We don't have the greatest history (my FI and I have been together since high school and shortly after getting engaged she made it seem as though she was trying to drive a wedge between us...pulling the "I'm your mom" guilt trip) so I tend to get really frustrated with her very easily! A good friend told me "We don't choose our in-laws"--Perfect thought process!!

I sent my STDs out exactly 1 year before out wedding. I wanted to give everyone enough time to save money and watch for tickets.

I love the photobook idea!!

Everything looks great!

I really like the bracelets you made for the moms! Do you have a template?

Thanks for sharing!!

Everything looks awesome!

Looks great! I like your jewelry!

Thanks for sharing!

I really like your bridesmaid dresses!!

Great thread!!! Thanks for sharing!!

Wow!! Great stuff! I really love the luminaries!!

These are really cute, good job!!

These are amazing!!! I need to track down some bubba mugs!

They look great! I like how you tied everything together with the labels/stickers.