Peach

Absolutely! Check out Miss Behave. That is where I went, and let me tell you, it was an AMAZING experience. The girls are so great there. I am super self conscious, but I had so much fun. I would do it again in a second. http://www.miss-behave.com/ It is still a little pricey, but not too too bad, and they have specials pretty frequently, and I actually went using a groupon, so you could ask if they have any of those coming up. Also, if you do decide to go that route, mention my name (Krysta C.) if you would not mind. I highly recommend them, anyway!

Hi. I am in the same boat, and about the same size. I do not think we will do a garter toss until AHR. We may do a bouquet toss, but it won't be for single ladies (since there will only be one), but for all the women there (maybe 5?). Or maybe I won't do one. Not sure. We ARE doing a first dance, and I really want to do the parent dance. Do not worry about people being bored during your dance. They are there to see you and celebrate your new marriage; they won't get bored in such a short amount of time.

These are cute ideas! I am using a picture of our dog, Jez, on FI's wedding day card. We also included her in some of our engagement pictures, that will be used in different places. I want a way to incorporate Teddy, my dog of 14 years that just passed away, but not sure if I will or not. I am thinking probably not.

Originally I was not planning on doing OOT bags, but we ended up going with them. I think it depends on you and your group. I did not do the whole med's thing in them, since our group is small and they know what to pack when travelling, so we felt those items would not be used. I got free bags from vistaprint, and are using them more as a way to hold some gifts. Small items, like personalized pens and key rings, a welcome book with information and games and "meet the guests" pages, a hat, and our big-ticket items... bubba kegs and small video cameras. The only meds I included were some aloe and SPF lip chap. So, you can totally go big with the OOT bags too... and to prevent the bags from never being used again, we just put the location on the bags, not our names or anything like that. So you could try something like that. We are also planning an excursion, but are not paying for it. We are just saying, This is what we are doing at this time. If you want to join us, this is what it will cost. If not, no worries. Hope that helps with your thought process!

I love love love the vintage look! I think I am using the same treasure chest as you, except mine are for invitations not the card box... Wish I would have thought about antiqueing it! So talented! What else have you come up with?

What about just a small little bag, like a miniature beach bag to hang discreetly on your chair or something? Then if someone gives you a card, you can put it right in there. We will not do a card box or a bag or anything. We do not expect anyone to give us any cards there. We will have a card box at our AHR. But it depends on your group.

I love the look of these!

We are doing a one-shoulder as well, and I was also wondering about jewelry. I am giving each girl a small bracelet from etsy stamped with her initial that I am hoping she will wear. I am also giving my moh a set of pearl necklace and earrings, but I am telling her she does not need to wear that with her dress; they can be for whenever. So I think I will leave the earrings and necklace decision to them, and shoes as well. I told them to wear whatever they like on their feet, or they can be barefoot (we are getting married on the beach), but gold, tan or nude shoes might work best with their coral dresses. I have seen a girl wear a simple long necklace over a one-shoulder dress. That may work too.

Congrats! This site is pretty much the most valuable resource out there for destination brides. So you already made a very important step in the planning process! Happy planning!

Spring stuff starts showing up in stores throughout January and February. Keep your eyes peeled then. Also, do a search on here. I know many brides have posted nice linen suits they have found all over the place. Good luck!

I have started on one, but it is not finished... It might get you started though. This does not include TTD pics the next day. · A big group picture of everyone · Bride with parents · Couple with bride’s parents · Couple with bride’s siblings · Couple with bridesmaids · Bride with siblings – group · Bride with each brother · Groom with both of bride’s brothers · Bride with each parent separately · Bride with bridesmaids · Bride with each bridesmaid separately · Couple with groom’s parents · Groom with parents · Groom with each parent separately · Couple with best man · Groom with best man · Couple with maid of honour separate · Dress hanging · Dress being done up · Getting ready · Hair make-up touch ups · Groom and best man before · Parents before · Casual bridal party shots – candid style · First dance · Groom/mom dancing · Bride/father dancing · Bride’s mom/groom’s dad dancing · Walking down the aisle – everyone · Walking back up the aisle · Grandparents · Cutting the cake · Feeding each other the cake · Details – bouquets, centrepieces, corsages, parasols, programs, cake topper, etc. · Couple walking barefoot in the sand · Holding hands, showing rings

I did not include any of that extra information, but we really only have one option for guests to stay at. Maybe include it in a thank you for booking note or email?

Oh, good idea about doing something at the AHR... I definitely want to do that now. I was very close with my grandpa, who passed away just shy of a year before we will get married. He lived in the same town that the AHR is in, and my grandma will be there; I know she will appreciate that. Only I cannot think of what to do now. Hmmm

sometimes it just takes a bit to recognize that you are at 150. I think mine showed up at like, 153 or something.

We put something in our pre-travel brochure about what NOT to bring: - A gift! Your presence is present in and of itself!

The basic gist is that you alternate between periods of fasting and not fasting. The time length and what is "allowed" while fasting differs depending on the program.

I have not tried it, though I have heard from a friend of mine who dappled with it, and overall the experience was pretty negative. She did lose weight for a while, but then all of a sudden, and for no apparent reason, piled it all back on... and more. She was doing everything the same. Maybe someone else has tried it themselves; like I said, that is just what a girlfriend of mine said. Basically, any kind of diet like that makes me nervous. I go by the idea that if it is fuel for my body, it is good and I should eat it. Otherwise, I see it as a toxin. I was working out regularly, but my gym pass expired and we are going away for a couple weeks over the holidays; no sense renewing it yet. But then, right back to it! Hopefully I do not indulge too many "toxins" over the holidays.

My TA requires 3 months out, but for my sanity (and knowing that I have some last-minute bookers in my family), I am telling them to have it all in one month earlier than that. So we are getting married in July, and our RSVPs are for end of March. Whatever your location requires, will be what you should go with. Deadlines and such are totally different when doing a DW, so do not worry about what is usually an acceptable time frame.

I saw some on ebay too.

Another idea, similar to the balloon release, is the sky lanterns.

Great deal! Wish I could have gotten in on that. We did the custom photobook too (going to get people to sign it yearbook-style) through Photobook Canada, and at our AHR there will be lots of photos displayed everywhere; They are also on our wedding website, and a slideshow at our AHR. Picaboo had a good groupon on a while ago, so I made some calendars for 2013 for our parents, etc., and those engagement pics were featured heavily throughout. I wish I would have found those Michaels frames though!

Wow, I am so sorry to hear about your loss, and I think it is wonderful that your future husband wants to remember her on this day. Some beautiful additional ideas to the bouquet charm that I have seen or heard of could include a little sign by your guest book, a note in your program, an empty chair that you can place a flower on (a note in the program could explain it, or a sign on the chair could say, "Reserved for Avery"). I am sure that your FI's family will be understanding, provided that it is seen as a touching remembrance, not a sad focus.

I would love one, but it is out of my hands. I have a close family in my hometown, and none of them (except my immediate family) were even invited the the DW, but I am also having an AHR... I would guess that I will have one in my hometown, and I would not be surprised at all if my coworkers (small close-knit staff) threw me something small and simple too. I WILL be registering. I worked in a kitchen store for a couple years through university, and we had a LOT of people come in upset if the bride had not registered. I think there will be a few people who will want to get something since they cannot come. We are in the same boat. Have been out of the childhood homes for ten years, and living together about 9 of those years... But we can be upgrading some stuff, since a lot of our stuff is hand me downs. We will not have a huge registry (we do not expect gifts, after all, but I think some will send/bring some anyway), but will be putting a few items at different price points. And maridr2012, I do not think china is cliche! I would register for some too, except that it just so happens that my mom and FI's mom have the exact same china (which I love)... and FI is an only child, so I am pretty sure I will be inheriting those pieces.