Pucca

Courtney - such a cute picture of the dog! We are getting legally married prior to the DW but we haven't set a date yet since we're just going to go down to the courthouse. It'll probably be some time in October though. Joanne - Safe travels!! Those are some great DIY projects you've completed! I love that Eat, Drink, & Be Married ribbon! I used it on my invitations!

I like this thread!! I've learned quite a few things! I like the shoe organizer idea, although I usually have pouches for everything so they usually stay in there throughout the whole trip. Will definitely pack the extension cord! Never thought of that!! And who knew about the chalk?! Pretty cool! Someone mentioned it previously but when snorkeling or kayaking I always wear this Coolmax long sleeve shirt; it's extremely lightweight and very breathable. It dries in like 15 minutes in the sun or something and even when it's wet it doesn't weigh you down. Saves on the sunscreen and the hassle of reapplying. It's always on the top of my list to pack when heading to sunny destinations so I end up needing less sunscreen, which means less to pack. For those of you who forget, or don't want to pack extra detergent, shampoo works well to rinse out your bathing suit/bikini and your suit ends up smelling nice too when it dries. If you don't want to use the shampoo you brought, use the resort shampoo - and they replenish if you ask so you don't have to worry about running out. That's what I always do. When it's really hot, a bikini top works better than a bra too. And since you're in a tropical destination, it's quite appropriate too! In addition, along with the items people have mentioned, these items are always on my packing list as I hate being without them: Emergen-C (or the Target brand) - it helps your immune system and keeps you energized. In hot water seems to taste better than in cold; my fiance adds honey/splenda. Wet wipes - I prefer to use these over hand-sanitizers as I don't feel like my hands are actually clean with sanitizers. Nail file Nail clipper Tweezer As for the body powders, Urban Decay also has one out; has anyone tried that one? I definitely will have to get one of these powders for myself and especially for my fiance who will be wearing a suit!

Wow. Fun! I thought about doing it but I decided to do it for an anniversary gift or something. Plus I am a bit shy about it so I'll have to work up the nerve. LOL! I'm sure your pics will turn out awesome and your fiance will absolutely love them!

Congratulations!! How exciting! Did you post pictures of your dress? I haven't made up my mind with my hair either. Considering it'll be quite warm, I wanted to put my hair all up but loose. I also thought about half up. I will decide probably next month after some trials with my friend. This is one of the looks I like. Or something like this.

We're buying our wedding favors down in Mexico. Probably something colorful like Mexican pottery or some glass favors. Besides the fact that we don't have to pack anything, I thought it would be nice to get them something souvenir-like in the event they didn't want to go souvenir-shopping.

I'm not doing OOT bags - I think it'll just add to "stuff" that people will have to either take back or end up leaving in their rooms for housekeeping to take or throw away. I will, however, still be doing wedding favors but things local to Mexico so I'll buy them there. I wanted to get them souvenir-like favors that they could take home as souvenirs of both the trip and the wedding. This way if they don't get a chance to go souvenir shopping, I have them covered.

Thank you ladies! Joanne: It's actually a lot of what I had been hoping to find but never thought I would. I've been tempted to wear it every day. I tried it on again yesterday but had to give in to no more trying on because I can't exactly zip it up myself. And I don't want to get it dirty before the wedding. lol! Courtney: I don't know where you're taking your dress to be altered but they told me at the salon where I bought my dress that it would be $150 for bustle and hem; additional charges for other things (I imagine if I needed to have it taken in or such). My friend bought her wedding dress and they were charging her $300 I think for hem, bustle, and sweetheart neckline. So I think it's quite a range depending upon what needs to be done, the particular dress, and where you take it. I think $300 seems to be more the ball-park for the alterations you mentioned. And if you're having a bridal portrait session mid-October, no it's not too early to start getting alterations done. TGIF to all of you too! I'm going to go prepare for this potential hurricane.....Yikes!

Beautiful dress!!

Joanne, I posted some pictures on another thread. Here's the link: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/58958/cabo-brides-post-your-dress-here/40#post_1660978

Apparently my dress is being discontinued so the link to my dress won't work. And the picture of the dress on the model doesn't do the dress justice; I would never have thought about trying on the dress just from the picture of the model. Good thing the wedding consultant just picked this out as one of the 3 dresses for me to try on. So here's a picture since I just picked up my dress. This is what the back looks like. The front. Straps need to be fixed but pretty much fits other than that, and the length.

I'm not sure that Cabo has a real rainy season but outside of July, August, and possibly September, all the other months are great, I believe. You can google Cabo Weather. There was a site that gave the average temps for the year, but I can't remember what it was. You can also look on this site: http://www.cabos.com/Weather/

Larson is a lucky man indeed! LOL!! Thanks. I thought my heart was going to pound out of my chest today as I left the salon with my dress. My dress actually came in several months ago. I went to preview it May 1st. And I was nervous, just like you are because I was afraid I wasn't going to like it. I had seen another dress I tried on (not a wedding dress but could have passed as one) and was afraid I'd like my wedding dress less after that. Anyway, I had one of my girlfriends with me and we both loved it! I walked out of the salon and my friend said I was absolutely glowing. I couldn't stop smiling. I felt like dancing and jumping all at once. Ha ha ha. Much like today. Hee hee. The salon said I could keep it there as originally I had intended to get my alterations done there. That was helpful for me because of storage issues and the temptation to pull it out all the time. Plus, my fiance wouldn't have to catch me trying it on since he's not supposed to see it until the big day. But then my mom, who has not seen the dress, wanted me to come visit and bring the dress with me so that she can also do the alterations (she's an alteration tailor so not a biggie for her to do it). So I agreed since we have a bunch of things to take care of including all the junk I've got stored back at home. I'm going next week and decided I'd pick up the dress today so that I could try it on before my fiance got home as he's working late today. Ha ha ha. I forgot that wedding dresses cannot be put on by oneself (how short my memory is because it took 3 girls to put on my friend's wedding dress just a couple of weekends ago); so alas I couldn't zip it up all the way. LOL! So I had to take it off, which I did very reluctantly. Otherwise I would be sitting here in my wedding dress typing up this response. LOL! But it's in the garment cover, hanging on the door where I can see it. I'll have to put it away before my fiance comes home, although I'm tempted to try it on again. Heh heh. Pucca is one of my nicknames - my lovely friends and family have given me quite a few. My real name is Eun-sil.

That's wonderful! So glad to hear that! The Dutch Pancake House is in downtown Oranjestad on L.G. Smith Blvd. Here's the link on Tripadvisor: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g147248-d952001-Reviews-Dutch_Pancake_House_Pannekoekhuis-Oranjestad_Aruba.html

Beautiful!!

That is fantastic!! It just goes to show that one kind act can really turn someone's day/experience around AND blossom into something more!! Man I could give this Larson a hug!! What a great turn of events in spite of all that transpired previously! So happy for you!! And no, it doesn't sound odd that you felt better after typing up the venting post. It helps to get it off your chest; whether or not it's posted somewhere or emailed to someone, I find it cathartic to write things down. And yeah, the dedicated corner for wedding projects is overflowing. On top of it all, I picked my dress up today and that sucker is huge! I don't think it'll fit in my closet. Oi.

Joanne, so sorry to hear about everything that has gone on with Expedia and all. So much unnecessary stress and $$. But I'm glad you're looking on the positive side and was productive with all that pent-up ticked-off-ness. I've heard many things about Expedia recently and have decided not to make any reservations through them for the wedding. A few months ago my friend made a reservation for a hotel near NYC through Expedia; then she called the hotel directly just to inquire about something, and there was no answer. She tried multiple times and then googled the hotel as well. Apparently it no longer existed.... Wow. 4 weeks is nice! Good luck on the rest of your DIY stuff!

I also like Aveeno Sunscreen for my body and sometimes my face depending upon where I'm going. Shiseido has a nice and light sunscreen for face.

I hope that's not the standard policy for all airlines.... Maybe they're supposed to say that but when you get to the airport they'll be nicer?

I like those!!

I'm sorry that you're feeling sad. But I know a lot of DW couples who are getting legally married at home prior to the actual DW because of the complications/hassles of making it legal as well as the expenses. I talked to my officiant who said that it was a great idea to be getting the legal paperwork out of the way prior to going abroad. Not only does it save us the headache of going through legal processes but also it's better, he said, to be abroad already legally married just for many practical reasons. I don't think anyone who goes through the legal ceremony thinks of it as their "real" wedding. I don't think it's a real wedding unless you're putting on that dress you bought and have the flowers, decorations, music, etc. that you've planned. And I agree with jmastr05. I don't think people will attend your Aruba wedding thinking "this is not real". Especially after they see everything set up and see you walk down the aisle in your beautiful wedding dress. I'm sure they won't even remember that you got legally married previously, and it shouldn't matter anyway. Aruba will be YOUR wedding that they attended and that's how they'll remember it. I think that once your daughters are there they will probably realize all of this too. You've expressed the way you feel and this is YOUR wedding, YOUR day, so they should respect that no matter what it is that they personally feel or think. Besides, I've been to Aruba and I can't imagine that those blue waters can't change people's minds. In the mean time, try not to stress so much and be sad. I know it's easier said than done but you can't be responsible for what other people think; just focus on the festivities ahead. Talking about eateries in Aruba, the Dutch Pancake House in Oranjestad was positively delicious! I went there twice during the five days or so I was there. And I also loved Charlie's Bar and Restaurant in San Nicolas. Yummy! I'm getting hungry now. lol!

I saw this cake on another thread and loved it! It screamed Mexico wedding to me so I asked the caterer if they could get a bakery to do this. She told me that the bakeries refused because they said it was "a work of art". So I had to settle for something more simple. But I thought I'd share it here because it's quite funky and not a typical wedding cake.

Tracey, Ha ha ha. Thanks! I know I'm crazy. I've been told that a lot. LOL! It's a bit puzzling why your app doesn't work because it should work fairly well after you download it. It's a bit confusing in the beginning but once you get the hang of it, it should be fine. You know, I don't know if they suggested this already but, try turning off your iPod (shutting it down completely by holding down the top button until you see the red "slide to turn off" thing on your screen) and then turn it back on. Maybe that will help. I didn't realize your big day is coming up so soon!

Fabulous shoes!

I love sunflowers so I'm envisioning this tattoo and thinking it's beautiful. I'm sorry to hear about your friend and her boyfriend. I can't imagine how hard it must be. Your tattoo I think is a beautiful way to honor her memory and your friendship. She'll be there in spirit I'm sure, and the tattoo is a good representation of that. I feel like I'm reading about those stories I see on LA Ink. Very touching. When you get a chance, it would be nice to see the pic. Congratulations on your engagement and good luck on the rest of your planning for the big day!

That's awesome!! We thought about 11:11 but that would mean that I would have to get up extra early. I don't do that very well on big days....I get no sleep the night before (although who knows how much sleep I'll get anyway). lol! Plus I thought it would be too hot for my guests in the sun.