alexisinjamaica

So I was a Maggie Sottero bride. I bought Chelsa back in July, paid in full and the order has been submitted so they're currently making it for me. Since then I decided I wanted something totally different and I recently bought a Jim Hjelm at a huge discount, which leaves me with two dresses. The Maggie won't be in until early December but if anyone is interested in buying it around then let me know! (Does not include the sash or the bolero in the pics below) It's a size 14 (street size 10) and I purchased it for $1500 so I'm hoping to sell it for $1000.

Thanks! High praise from a crafting queen! Yay I hope you do! If so, share pics of yours, can't wait to see how they turn out!!

Of course! I got it at Glamour Closet. They have stores in SF, LA and Chicago. Here's the website: http://glamourclosetey.com/closet/index.asp The LA location is super tiny, and they don't take appointments, so be prepared to wait a bit. They give you a bag of colored clothespins and have you walk around clipping the dresses you want to try on, then they take you back. Also, they don't sell accessories or do any alterations, but they refer you to a few different vendors if you need either. Good luck!

I said yes to the dress! For the third time... I bought two other dresses that I later decided I didn't like. The first one I luckily caught before they'd started making the dress, so I got a full refund. I'll lose at least my deposit on dress #2 (have to call the shop to ask them). But that's OK because the third time's a charm and this one I love! It's a Jim Hjelm that I got at a store in LA that has huge discounts on dresses (up to 75% off) because they're samples directly from the designers. Great for your wallet, not so great if you're not exactly a sample size! I will definitely need to kick my workouts/weight loss plan into serious gear the next 8 months before the wedding so it's not crazy tight like it is in this pic, but here you go! http://www.jlmcouture.com/Jim-Hjelm/Bridal/Spring/2012/Style-8208

Update ladies! I ended up going to a discount bridal shop in LA that has designer sample gowns straight off the runway for up to 75% off. I found this Jim Hjelm http://www.jlmcouture.com/Jim-Hjelm/Bridal/Spring/2012/Style-8208, which I didn't love on the hanger but ended up loving when I put it on. It looks heavy/like a lot for the beach but it's actually pretty lightweight and I'm thinking of removing the tulle from the bottom so it's not quite as poofy. So...third time's a charm! This is dress #3 and now hopefully the other bridal shop will let me cancel my order and I'll only be out the deposit, or I'll just keep it if they're going to keep all my money (I paid in full already) and try to sell it online. Stay tuned-- that Maggie Sottero may be available for purchase! Here's a pic of me in the dress, but keep in mind this is a sample size and I am not. Haha. Need to either lose some in the hip/butt area or get it taken out a bit.

I'm in love with this wedding video!!!!

I love the bags!! Where are those from?

Me too. Not sure if you checked out the associates pics http://saabwedding.com/category/associate-photographers/, but they seem great too. So part of me is actually glad Michael and Olive were booked and we're saving a bit of money!

Me too! I really wanted it to be just us, but FI was best man in his best friend's wedding last year and was super adamant about wanting his best friend standing next to him. So we're going to each have one. In addition to what others have said about not wanting friends to pay extra money for the bridal party attire, I just didn't want to have to make more decisions and pick out what that attire is going to be! Haha.

I just booked Saab http://www.saabweddings.com/ for my wedding at Secrets in April! I'd also looked into Misha Earle and Merrick Cousley (I'd seen all 3 companies recommended on BDW) and I was going to get quotes from all 3 and book with whoever was most reasonable. Misha and Merrick were already booked for my date, so I went with Saab, but I liked their pics best anyway so I was good with that choice! Good luck to you on your search!

I am in the process of booking Saab photography for my wedding at Secrets St. James on 4.27.13. Unfortunately Michael and Olive were booked that date, so I'll have to use the associates. Their pics seem just as lovely as Michael's, but I'm curious if anyone has used the associates and has feedback. The good news is they're a bit cheaper, so yay for that. Also I'm only going to book them for 5 hours and was wondering if others think that's enough time? The wedding is at 4pm so I planned on having them there from 3-8pm.

Nice review and very helpful, thanks! I'm going to bring in my own photographer also and was curious if Secrets charged you the $300 outside vendors fee AND a day pass for the photographer(s)? Also good note on the reverend. Did you do a sand ceremony too, or no? Just curious because if he messed up the vows I wonder if that part went off OK!

These are super nice and look professional!! Well done! And if you and ChocoTaco start a company, I'll happily buy.

I wish I could "like" this comment. Hilarious. It's been so hot in LA I couldn't resist a frozen yogurt run last night (and no thank you, I don't want fruit toppings. I'll take the crushed up Reese's please)! Back on the wagon today.

I get bored very easily and I also hate the gym, so I either have to do things outdoors or do workout videos. I try to mix it up and have been rotating through a bunch of different DVDs: Jillian's 30 Day Shred, Jillian's 6-Week Abs, Jillian's Power Yoga, Tae-bo (an oldie but a goodie!), Power 90, and a Crunch Pilates video. On weekends when I have more time and I need to get outside, I go for a nice long hike or hit up this scenic outlook near my house that has about 300 steps to the top and where other crazy people walk/run up and down them for exercise.

That will be so pretty in the breeze on the beach! And you can totally make it yourself.

April 27, 2013 at Secrets in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Whee!

Yay another Secrets bride! I haven't booked a photographer yet (but really need to get on that soon as they get snapped up quickly.) We are doing the beach bonfire as a welcome event for our guests on Friday night, and then Saturday is the wedding with a buffet reception on the beach for our guests.