LKocelko

Did you guys tip the officiant? If so, how much? Did you just have your groom/BM slip him some cash at the end?

I'm a little tight on time (and money!) for the wedding, but had already been thinking it'd be a good 1st anniversary gift....

Some lucky guy! Haha. I was thinking of doing a boudoir shoot and had the same question running through my head.

If it doesn't matter to you and your FI, then don't worry about doing it just to please other people. I hadn't planned on doing any of that, but ended up doing so, and will say I'm glad that I did. My FI made all of ours in publisher, if you're interested in just using ours as a template to save time, I'd be more than happy to share what I have

Thank you! Needless to say it wasn't the huge romantic proposal I expected, but it is very much in line with our silly relationship. And I'll never be able to say "I can't even remember what he said" because it was just too funny! We joke his vows will be, "Babe, we're in Mexico. It's 80 and sunny. I take you as my wife." Oh boys...

It does Thanks!

We had been planning a trip to Toronto to see one of our favorite bands, Dispatch. We planned on stopping in Niagara Falls for a day/night, since neither of us had ever been. My FI was adamant that one of the activities he wanted to do was the "Journey Behind the Falls" tour, where you get to do walk around behind the falls and take in the sights from there. We were getting absolutely drenched, even with our big yellow ponchos. He wanted to find someone to take a picture of us, and was searching for (what seemed like) forever. I was telling him, "oh my god, just pick someone! I'm soaking wet!" Once he (finally) found someone he came back over by me to take the picture. Instead of standing next to me to pose, he dropped down to one need and reached into his pocket. Ever the romantic (and probably the most nervous he's been in his life) he was able to blurt out "I know we're really wet right now....but will you marry me?" No I love you or anything haha. After a few "ohmygods" from me, I said yes. He was so nervous that he then got up, closed the box, turned to get the camera back, totally forgetting to put the ring on my finger. I was like, "Um excuse me, can I have that?!" He put it on my finger and we went to get our camera from the random stranger. The guy turns to us and goes, "I didn't get any of that!" This pretty much gave us a heart attack, but obviously he was just kidding. So now I have a nice photo to remind me of the occasion I was so excited I blurted it out to the gift shop lady on our way out. Back at the hotel I made him tell me what he had intended to say. But I told him since he got a photo of it and it was at a romantic place that I'd let the lack of speech slide.

Can't believe we are leaving the week after next!! Where did all the time go?? We're starting to put together a packing list, and I wanted to see if there was anything past brides which they had brought that they didn't, or feel they could've left behind. I'm a classic overpacker (I'd rather have it and not use it than wish I'd brought it!) so I'm trying to make sure I don't get too out of hand. For example, I'm sure there are blow dryers in each of the rooms? I'm already getting worried about the luggage situation with all our wedding crap.

Haha we were just talking about how in three weeks we'll be lying on the beach So over this weather! Is it a monsoon? A snowstorm? Only in Chicago!

OMG AMEN to that. I cannot believe I woke up and saw snow! We are in Hoffman Estates.

I just had my consult last night, I'm getting mine on the 3rd. SO excited!

I know our agency is one of Karisma's "preferred vendors" so it might just have to do with the relationship they have? The resort credit was because we had booked a certain number of rooms with our group - I want to say 10?

Thanks ladies! I think we'll go ahead and just purchase it now, one less thing to worry about when we get there I'm terrified of heights, but zip-lining sounds like an adventure, so why not! My FI also wants to see some ruins, so I'm sure we'll do that too. Other than those I'm content hanging at EDR and getting a massage Our TA got us a $250 resort credit per room (guests too), so I want to use that on the spa. We also just go an upgrade to an oceanfront room for our first half (before moving to the casitas) so that was a nice surprise. Getting really excited!! The weather in Chicago has been wet and rainy, so I'm ready for some sun.

Ladies who have been to EDR - quick question. Did you end up doing any excursions? I talked to a friend who went to Riviera Maya and they recommended using Xplor for any. I looked on their website, and it seems like admission is $100 to do a ton of stuff (almost too good to be true). If you order online ahead of time, it saves you like 15% or something, so we were considering purchasing before we leave. Any thoughts? Also, for about $15 more there's the package that includes transportation/shuttle from Xplor to your resort. My question is, does EDR already have a shuttle as is, and I shouldn't spend the extra money? I thought I saw they had a free shuttle to/from Playa Del Carmen, but wasn't sure if anyone had any insights on this. We really wanna go ziplining Thanks!

Outsource to your FI We've gotten so much more accomplished now that we broke it down by date, and assigned who has what (the initials). That way we're each accountable for certain things. Everyone keeps asking if we're excited to get married. I'm like, "Um yeah, but at this point I'm really excited to go on vacation!!"

Outsource to your FI We've gotten so much more accomplished now that we broke it down by date, and assigned who has what (the initials). That way we're each accountable for certain things. Everyone keeps asking if we're excited to get married. I'm like, "Um yeah, but at this point I'm really excited to go on vacation!!"

I literally just finished updating mine haha. Some are really nit-picky and minor, but I don't want to forget anything! OVERDUE - Due date: by 4.15.13 Decide on 1st Kiss Buy gifts/cards for each other (ST) Goo-gone on pouring vases (ST) Due date: by 4.22.13 Decide on first dance song Lindsey – start tanning (LK) Print all EDR/Claudia emails Make packing list Practice first dance Make spa appointments (LK) Buy Leann gift card for watching dogs Due date: by 4.29.13 Rehearsal speech (ST) Notify Chase about leaving the country Type out and print reception timeline Try packing décor to see how much luggage we need Practice 1st dance Organize transportation (ST) Last minute trip shopping Download any new books (LK) Confirm/update “pup sitting†document and information for Leann (LK) Meet with Gina and Tony to discuss timeline for photos Due date: by 5.6.13 Pack suitcases! Clean house Re-confirm transportation to airport (ST) Get dress (due 5.6.13 at 11:00 am) (LK) Final date night! Dinner and movie? Stop at bank (ST): take out cash ($250?) LK’s wedding band passports Due date: 5.7.13 Lindsey: manicure (no-chip) and pedicure Legally marry (5.7.13 at 11:15 am) Last minute packing Cut Sam’s hair Get engagement ring cleaned (ST) Situate everything in the house Get a good night’s sleep!

I literally just finished updating mine haha. Some are really nit-picky and minor, but I don't want to forget anything! OVERDUE - Due date: by 4.15.13 Decide on 1st Kiss Buy gifts/cards for each other (ST) Goo-gone on pouring vases (ST) Due date: by 4.22.13 Decide on first dance song Lindsey – start tanning (LK) Print all EDR/Claudia emails Make packing list Practice first dance Make spa appointments (LK) Buy Leann gift card for watching dogs Due date: by 4.29.13 Rehearsal speech (ST) Notify Chase about leaving the country Type out and print reception timeline Try packing décor to see how much luggage we need Practice 1st dance Organize transportation (ST) Last minute trip shopping Download any new books (LK) Confirm/update “pup sitting†document and information for Leann (LK) Meet with Gina and Tony to discuss timeline for photos Due date: by 5.6.13 Pack suitcases! Clean house Re-confirm transportation to airport (ST) Get dress (due 5.6.13 at 11:00 am) (LK) Final date night! Dinner and movie? Stop at bank (ST): take out cash ($250?) LK’s wedding band passports Due date: 5.7.13 Lindsey: manicure (no-chip) and pedicure Legally marry (5.7.13 at 11:15 am) Last minute packing Cut Sam’s hair Get engagement ring cleaned (ST) Situate everything in the house Get a good night’s sleep!

Welp, I had my bachelorette last night. I am still hurting - don't bounce back like I used to in college! 26 sure is different from 21. But it was so much fun, and I was smart enough to take off work tomorrow, so all is well

Welp, I had my bachelorette last night. I am still hurting - don't bounce back like I used to in college! 26 sure is different from 21. But it was so much fun, and I was smart enough to take off work tomorrow, so all is well

Welp, I had my bachelorette last night. I am still hurting - don't bounce back like I used to in college!

Welp, I had my bachelorette last night. I am still hurting - don't bounce back like I used to in college!

I live in Schaumburg and am getting them done at this place in Elk Grove. If you google "Chicago Eyelash Extensions" there are some downtown (not sure where you live) and one that even is mobile and will come to you! The one I'm going to in Elk Grove is $115 for a full set and they last 6-8 weeks. I know it's a splurge, but I decided I deserved it haha Of course my FI thinks they're absurd, but whatever.

In one month we'll be saying "I do!" How did that happen??? I swear we just got engaged...