DaynaBee

I know what you mean about them being in their younger twenties. All of my friends (whether they can attend or not) who are closer to my age, late twenties and older, have been upfront and fantastic. If they can't make it they told me up front and have been sweet and NORMAL (oh how I love when people act the same way they usually do). If they can they have been cheerful and asked when they can pay the remainder and remind me how awesome it's going to be (how I love them). But the younger ones have been distant, whinny, rude, and fake. As someone who was never jealous of people getting married (and can't imagine why a 22 and 24 year old would be upset that their older friend is getting married) I don't see the point in it.

I'm sorry you're bridesmaid is crying "money" and not coming to your wedding. If it makes you feel any better I once upon a time had 4 bridesmaids and now I might have 1. My oldest and closest friend is having anxiety attacks about flying, which I understand. I am hurt by the fact that she isn't even making any effort to get help (for a problem that can take over her whole life) despite the fact that I have given her avenues to take. I admit I would love her to come to the wedding but as someone I've had in my life I hate to hear that she is having problems leaving the house. Two other bridesmaids have just proven to be assholes. They "planned" or rather, didn't plan, a stagette for me, ditched me at the club without so much as a text and then made me feel like shit for making it "all about you". So now I'm not comfortable having them as bridesmaids at all. Especially as someone who has always catered to everyone else and now that something is actually about me, they don't want to bother. I guess weddings are tough because a lot of people don't like giving up any of their own time, money, or energy for other people and you have to start looking at your friendships in a different light. Maybe a more honest light. But I have to say, I really love having this community. It's so great to come on here and read how other people are having the same problems. That it's not just me. It really helps a lot.

Hey LaurenR, Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, but this thread doesn't show up on my feed for some reason. I put in colour swatches for what colour dresses I wanted them to find. Some pictures of mismatched bridal parties I liked for them to get an idea. I also put in sheets with info on our day (it was kind of redundant after the save the date) what i wanted them to do, which was mainly support me and look great, who everyone was and why i chose them, and then what i wanted them to do for their dresses and shoes.

No one has been on this thread for a few months, but I just came across it and I'm glad. My biggest stress? The bridesmaids. I've never been particularly good with women. They usually like me, but women tend to not enjoy my upfront attitude. So at one point if I tell them they are acting selfish they get all conniving and end up become a classic frienime. Whereas men will either yell at you, maybe call you something and get over it, which I don't mind, or see your point. I certainly appreciate honesty so I've always enjoyed friendships with men more. Long story short, I don't have a lot of long term girlfriends. I know I can pick men for the bridal party but they also aren't the type who know how to plan anything or help with anything and I need help with this wedding. Soooo...women then? So I picked my party, and now? My friend of 5 years has pretty much checked out of my life. It feels like she's only around for the wedding. She has been passed over for other wedding parties because she didn't live near her friends and this is her first shot, which I know she is very excited about. But I get the feeling she's excited about being in a wedding, not being in my wedding. My least favourite moments so far are that she missed 90% of our engagement party, showed up long enough to complain it wasn't close enough to her house and has tried to manipulate my stagette trip to Vegas to suit all of her needs (trying to rearrange the rooms, the plans, the seats on the flight, everything) I try talking to her and she is dismissive and defensive, a terrible combination. At this point, with a trip to Vegas coming up and her deposit down on the wedding, I feel like I'm between a rock and an uncaring place. I could be over reacting, but I feel like I'm stuck with someone who just doesn't care.

I'm sure almost everyone has seen these very cute, "Be my maid?" boxes on pinterest or just around the net... http://www.weddingchicks.com/2011/08/03/will-you-be-my-bridesmaid/ I bookmarked these along with a few other DIY projects along the same lines but decided that these boxes had to be made for my bridesmaids. I was very nervous because whenever I see something beautiful online and try to recreate it, it usually ends up looking like something a toddler put together. But I am very happy to say that with A LOT of patience, they turned out amazing! I got the cigar boxes and lettering from Michael's. I spray painted the boxes white. Got a sample of Disney paint from Home Depot, and some map wrapping paper (to line the bottom) from Paper-Ya. Because we're getting married in Mexico, I made sure to include a mini-bottle of tequila with a tag that reads "Break in case of emergency." A great victory for my DIY self-esteem!

These look amazing. You did a fantastic job!

Thanks Mufin!

Hey PamelaVan, Thanks for the tip on Cherry Blossom, do they have a website I could check out? Thanks!

Thanks Sarah. I wanted colourful/classy/funky. =) I thought these were simple and pretty. The actual save the date card were done by aseaofink on etsy. I got the save the date stickers from KisforCalligraphy, also etsy. And the envelopes (to find something super bright blue) I got from Crystal Clear Bags Canada, the Ashley Announcements line. Then I bought a white pen from etsy and did the addresses myself! AseaOfInk http://www.etsy.com/listing/80662383/modern-vintage-save-the-dates KisforCalligraphy http://www.etsy.com/listing/64394811/save-the-date-map-stickers-hand-lettered

After waiting a million years (or maybe less...) for everything to come in the mail, we finally received and put together our save the dates last night. I'm way too excited not to share. So here they are!

Hey tmdavis13, Anything is possible! It just depends what you want to have there. We are guessing 50 people and the all in is going to be $21K. Quite a bit more than we thought in the beginning but with help from the parents we're happy. We did splurge on the photographer so that is a big chunk, but just feeding and boozing people costs a pretty penny.

Hey helovestica, I'm getting married in Tulum in April 2013 and I hired a wedding planner. Being an event planner myself I know I couldn't do it all properly from so far away and despite anyone's best intentions you should never be the bride and the person running the show on your wedding day. I'm used to fast paced responses and follow through so my wedding coordiantor choice was easy, Kristee at Fresa Weddings. Also from Canada and great on quick replys gets back to me without making me wait forever, which I love, and helps me get the things we want done early. And I agree about Del Sol, although pricy, you get what you pay for and Melissa and Ael were so helpful with getting us everything we wanted. So excited for the pictures! If you go with a wedding planner though, they can help you with all the details including floral, etc.

April 18th, 2013 Ak'iin Beach Club Tulum