MrsCtoB

@@peachykeen159 My dress is Allure too! I actually tried on your linked dress...its GORGEOUS!! I do agree that I will probably end up being hot no matter what I am in so.. no pain no gain I suppose! My Allure: http://www.allurebridals.com/products/9024

@@beckys98 I love that idea! I think you should definitely follow your vision for your dress. Sounds beautiful with the ocean, sand and surroundings

@@stefadile I cant see attachments but I'm sure its beautiful and glad you followed what you really wanted

@@NJBride2014 So exciting! I wish you the best of luck and I cant wait to see pictures (if you decide to post some here)

@@NJBride2014 that is so exciting! Your big day is almost here

@@NJBride2014 Your dress is breathtaking! You look amazing in it. My dress is mermaid as well.

As I am sure you all have experienced, the minute you tell anyone you are having a DW there are ideals or stereotypes that come along with it. One of them is the DW dress. When I was shopping, I remember a sea of chiffon sheath like dresses being shown to me and while I love the style and certainly understand why they would be suggested, they just aren't ME. I ended up with a dress that I LOVE and I think will look perfect at our venue but its not your run of the mill DW dress. Its not super heavy but I worry that people will expect something different. I don't ultimately care what others want or think as I know my FI will love it and I love it enough for the both of us lol. Just wondering, what type of dresses did you ladies pick? Did you feel the pressure to pick a certain style or fabric? and if you did, what was the outcome?

**I thought I was responding to another other thread about an invite who was not addressed to one of the posters here, just her FI. Sorry!!!** I agree and find that incredibly rude, especially for a couple who have been together for awhile and are engaged to be married. It has happened to us several times and I always feel really crummy. One of his good friends who knows me very well did it to me and I tried to not let it bother me but to this day I always remember I was the and "guest" in their eyes lol but in response to this thread lol I think if they are married its perfectly acceptable to do the "Mr. and Mrs. so and so" and if its a long term relationship I would try and figure out the names. Anyone who is single or in a recent relationship (to the point where I haven't met this person) I put and guest.

@@calgarybride2015 Agreed! Want to keep it simple and quick. The DW is what will feel real to us regardless.

Received a set from a good friend who is unable to attend the DW. Otherwise, I don't think I would have gone out of my way to purchase them.

Debating before or after as well...Original thoughts were before but my town does not require a public courthouse type of deal. So now thinking either VERY close to leaving for the DW or soon after. I had a friend who did it in her living room the night before they took off for the DW. Don't think I would do it then as I am sure I will be a basket of nerves trying to remember everything but goes to show its really up to you and FI and whatever you both feel comfortable with.

@@calgarybride2015 not steep if its airbrush service lol A little steep if its not but that also depends on the type of products they are using.

@@calgarybride2015 its a little different than the nail application. Basically airbrushing (in most cases)=silicone based make up application. Silicone doesn't break down as easily and can stand up to sweat and contact better than your average make up. The make up is applied with forced air creating a mist that is buildable and I find it creates a more even, flawless look. Longer lasting with most clients stating that it stayed in place without budging for 12 hours, some say it will last even longer. Again, very buildable so its easily tailored to any brides wishes. Can cover acne scaring, skin discoloration, or any other imperfection really. I have covered sun burns and sunglass lines many a time. I believe if you visit temptu.com one of the menu options is before and afters and that really shows what airbrush is capable of.

I agree with the weddingtonway.com suggestion! I have personally ordered a dress from the site for my SIL's wedding and made a showroom on the site to show my BMs the dresses I liked. We didn't end up ordering the dresses through the site because we had a retailer near by and the girls preferred to see the dresses in person but weddingtonway was definitely an option!

Planning on give my BMs an initial necklace, a monogram robe to get ready in, a small make up brush roll and eye shadow palette (I get a pretty steep discount as a MUA) , and the accessories that they will wear for the day. I plan on giving my MOH and one of my bridesmaids a little more. My MOH is my sister and has been AMAZING through everything so I feel she should get a little extra something and one of my bridesmaids is also my co worker for an on location bridal hair and make up company so she is offering her services to the BMs and myself at no charge so I plan on adding some supplies to her gift bag.

Totally understand the frustration. Short of a few of the circumstances listed above, I really don't see a point in staying elsewhere during a DW. I think a big bonus to a DW is the fun of being together and relaxing, not to mention the other wedding events. If you were to have a welcome get together, rehearsal, and then ceremony/reception that means 3 separate events that this guest would probably want to be involved in and you would be footing the day passes for? Some resorts charge separately for the actual day pass to the resort and then an additional fee to attend the wedding and partake in the toasts, food, and cake! Doesn't seem fair to me.

I would say if you have girls showing interest in being in your BP, they probably understand the financial responsibility that comes along with it. I found it was good timing to ask them right after deposits were due so I knew who to expect for the big day and it allowed plenty of time for them to prepare financially for the cost of the attire although I did help them each a bit. In the end if you feel it might hurt feelings or be more of a hassle, its your day and whatever your vision looks like is what you should go with.

Totally felt this guilt at the beginning of my planning but we have had such a great response from our families and close friends! I have been to the resort where we are having our DW so I am confident in the quality of food, drink, and experience overall so that helps too. Ultimately, I feel as you all do. The people who make it a priority are the ones who will be there and I plan to thank them generously. Not everyone will see a value in a DW or understand why we want one, and that's okay! More sun, fun, and tequila for the rest of us lol

I think the added pressure shifts our perception of reality lol I have felt the same way at times and then I remember the reasons I loved the dress and it puts things back in prospective for me. I know many women who have experienced this and have been told that by the first fitting or when the dress is in hand, it is affirmed that it is the "one". The waiting is what makes it so difficult.

Having a beach front ceremony, so definitely barefoot or barefoot sandals for the ceremony. Thinking some fancy sandals or flats or something like that for the reception. Kills me because I am definitely a "shoe girl" but I cant see trying to parade my butt down a sand aisle in heels. I'm clumsy enough on solid land lol

wedding magazines, an organizer, and more substantially a deposit on a venue and save the dates came shortly after

I would say a year is safe. Enough time to allow ordering and alterations, depending on brand. For BMs, ours are taking 4-5 months which I found surprising. Glad I started shopping for them early too

Also using mywedding.com and using a setting to set how many people they can RSVP for. Gave all "single" invitees an "and guest" so hopefully they understand that means ONE lol so far so good

Congrats! Happy planning

I left it to the travel agent to explain. We gave our immediate family an idea but had instructions on our website to call our TA for pricing. In my opinion, there is a lot that goes into these prices (taxes, transfer, not airfare, etc) so I felt more comfortable with her explaining it. Plus, that's what he/she is there for. They can get all their questions answered and I don't have to worry about forgetting to mention something. I don't think it puts your guests in a bad position to call and ask. Unless your TA is high pressure, there should be no issue in calling and getting back to the TA with a decision.