CAKnight

Hi Jessica, Honestly, I'm trying to figure out when I'm supposed to buy mine too. I'm just going to go dress shopping to have a feel for price, styles, etc. Since I plan to lose a significant amount of weight and because wedding dress sizes are not normal, I will probably wait until it is closer to my actual wedding. However, since I am not getting a traditional dress, I might buy one if I fall in love with it! When are you going to or did you purchase your dress?

I can understand the need to escape! You are involved with it all day. Wedding planning should be fun...and you don't want to drag your work into it essentially. GL trying to get a gov't position. My FH has been telling me more about why a gov't job is better than a civilian job. I just did a Google image search on lavender and red wedding. I liked what I saw! Another idea I just thought of was lavender, eggplant and red. I think that would be so visually appealing! Yes! With all of my family, I just want to talk about wedding related issues. But, I try to balance it with non-wedding topics. Since I've been on here, the convo has shifted to all of the stuff that I learned about on here! LOL

LOL...you're right! We just sound like a bunch of alcoholic brides!

It's awesome when people are really interact with a thread...even better when you kick it off! The ladies in this thread have great chemistry, vibe, personalities, etc. Thanks for starting this thread! Yay for Sunday weigh-ins (hope it works for Jenny too!) Should we try and set goals for each week too as an extra motivator? If I had only known about the intense amount of sugar when I bought it...but, I'm glad that I had that experience. I love trying new things when I go to different countries!

Maybe a puzzle? A disposable camera for her to take pictures? A little doll/stuffed animal that's a bride? She's at an age where it is a little difficult to figure out what you could give her that isn't noisy/messy. Maybe you should ask your niece's mom what types of things she likes (ie characters, activities, etc.). Hope that helps a little.

I think it's also difficult because the only form of communication is via email!

I would LOVE to see pictures of your ceremony and reception with these colors. Are you planning on doing your own thread with all of your wedding stuff? I agree with you. This site is amazing...I'm in love!

It sounds like it was definitely a good deal for you to get married before then. Where did you have your reception? On the ship or in Ochie?

As long as you're not at the end of the aisle kicking off your shoes, then I think that you could take them off and then put them on after the ceremony is over. If you try to walk in your heels through the sand, that might be the embarrassing part. It's kind of disappointing because I would like to wear my heels too. But, I don't want to be hobbling through the sand. Hope that helps!

Hmm...the cleanse seems interesting. What is it exactly? Like hezmshaw, you could buy your dress in a smaller size if you know that you are going to be losing more weight.

Hello ladies! Here are my latest improvements to my wedding binder. I found a pencil pouch (blue...not one of my wedding colors for those of you who know how OCD about my stuff matching. But, it didn't cost any extra $ and at least, it is like a Caribbean blue). Instead of it, I put sticky notes, highlighters, pencils, sharpies and pen. All of my tools are easily accessible. One step closer to a less stress and a customized, useful binder. With the useful sticky notes and pen, I created a list of template that I need to create in order to get this binder to really come together. I also included page protectors. They are very useful for protect things, such as my customized address labels. (I tried to take a pic...but, my phone was being stubborn. sorry!) That's all for today! To be continued...

First off, yay I learned how to multiple quote...so now, the whole thread is not just me. lol. But, how do you nest two quotes together? Hey, I actually know what Goodlife is too! lol. I just learned about it the other day actually. haha $50 is a fantastic deal for two people! At that rate, why not workout? Seems to work out so perfectly for the two of you! I'm glad that you are out of that mental space. I know how crushing it is. I was there a few weeks ago. It's like how did I let this happen. How could my weight have crept up this much and I was seemingly oblivious?! But, the important thing is that we are all here. We are making a conscious effort to lose the weight....and we have weight loss buddies! Wow, Jenny is so crazy how much I can relate to you on this stuff! I am 5'4.5" and started at 190. Got on the scale today and I lost 1lb so now I'm 180.6 lbs. I'm disappointed because I thought that I would have been at or under 180. But, I also only went to 3 Zumba classes this week instead of the usual 4. However, I quickly recovered from my disappointment when I realized that I lost 3% of my body fat, .5" from my waist and .25" from my stomach since last week. So, at least, it is coming off! I was thinking the exact same thing about the weekly check in. What day works best for you ladies? Is Sunday good? Along with the weekly check in, I think we should share our measurement losses once a month. How does that sound? What if we also had a theme for each week (ie. 5 weight loss tips that have worked for you, new recipe you tried, snack ideas, etc.)? Let me see if I learned Canadian coffee lingo. A triple triple is 3 creams and 3 sugars. Right? Hmm...maybe it's the wedding stress. But, I see you found my customized binder thread...so that should be help to reduce some stress! Maybe you find my thread about your favorite (alcoholic) drink. I think you could have some awesome drink ideas to share. Haha crack coffee. Maybe when you think they are putting the "sugar" in...it's a sugar-crack combo. haha Yes, instead of sugar, I've been eating fruit. The interesting thing is when I am eating very American, I rarely eat fruit and veggies (esp. salad). But, I love fruit and salad. It's so funny...whenever my FH and I are together, I'm always talking about craving a salad (or Subway). lol Jenny, if you like lemon, you MUST try oranges and lime (though not together...hmm that may be a good idea. I have to try that now.) in your water. If you love popcorn, try making your own popcorn. I have lately...so yummy! (Coming someone who is picky about popcorn) Jenny, I love your dress! Simply beautiful! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the bodice. Thanks for sharing your pic! 18% cream?!?!

Thanks for the info! As with the non-thorough part of it, I have noticed that most people won't answer most of your questions the first time. So, I constantly have to ask then it looks like I'm the one who is annoying the other person. I love your "love is brewing" idea.

Oh yeah...that was a pretty awesome exchange! Who says organizing can't be fun, right?

I'm a huge fan of brights too. I love love love Jenny's idea. If you are seeking pop, then you should definitely go with her idea. But, if you want your reception to be more neutral, then I think you should do green and white pomaders and sangria table runner and sash. So, I think it's more about what kind of vibe you are seeking to create!

HEY, I actually know what Tim Hortons is! lol. Before I left Canada, I stopped there to get a chocolate donut and coffee. With whatever kind of coffee I order they asked, "Would you like chocolate milk or regular milk?" I was confused! (<--- that was me) haha. So they must have known I was American. lol. But, chocolate milk, please! Unfortunately, I had TOO much sugar and felt sick for hours! Their coffee/Canadian coffee tastes different than American coffee. Besides, the whole chocolate milk thing! lol

Zumba Sentao = Zumba + chair In my classes, you do push-ups, leg and arm exercises and crunches. It doesn't look that bad until you have to do 8 while coordinating with the music. lol (Whenever you do repetitive exercises, count how many the instructor does before I did, I always thought she did like 20 of each. haha) Zumba Toning = Zumba + 1 lb toning sticks (if you want to tone, you can purchase heavier sticks. My awesome Zumba instructor suggests you get 5 lbs in order to tone. Plus, you can also bring your own weights.) (The Zumba sticks actually make noises when you shake them...it's really cool actually. While we are doing arm exercises, I shake them more so I can make my own music. lol) Zumba Ripped = Zumba + chair + toning sticks (A couple of songs of just Zumba, then a couple of songs with just the chair or the toning sticks. So, you don't have to worry about a song having a chair and toning sticks...that's shouldn't happen!) It may be ambitious...but, it's not impossible! You can get that zipper up! I think the ability to get that dress up is motivation enough! Yay for losing 5 lbs!!!!!!! Yes, Groupon and LivingSocial both have Zumba class offers.

It depends on when you are having the wedding. If it is on your embarkment day or toward the beginning of your trip, then you can do it any day after your wedding. Imho, I think the day of would be too rushed if you did your wedding and the TTD on the same day. Well, unless you plan on getting married within 30 minutes of arriving at the wedding port, we all know that's basically impossible. However, if your cruise is one where you stay overnight or leave a port at midnight, then that's a different story. In that case, the wedding in the morning and the TTD in the afternoon could work (if your reception is that night). All you need to do is pick a port other than your wedding port for sanity purposes. I would suggest picking the next port where you leave late in the day. Look on this forum and Google for a list of photographers and reviews. Hope that helps!

Lol. No, I didn't think you were an alcoholic. I thought it might have been related to the crown and coke comment. So, no worries! Now, I know what I could order whenever I go back to Canada. Maybe it would help me bend in a little...unless they don't have it at the place I go to. lol I love sweets too. So, what I did was a one week detox where it was a restrictive vegan diet and I juiced (since my FH had just bought me a juicer for my bday). Surprisingly, it worked! I haven't had sweets (or craving for them) in 3 weeks! 30 pounds in 6 months...that's not too unrealistic! Having to pay for an alteration bill because you are now too small for the dress....FANTASTIC problem to have! A great tip that I have used before if you don't like water (or get tired of its taste or lack thereof) is to cut up fruit and put it in a pitcher. It is so refreshing to have a nice cold glass of lemon water. Zumba Sentao or Zumba Toning should give you results. I know for sure Zumba Ripped will. My goodness, I will probably be really sore in the morning since I did Zumba Ripped today. But, hey, (good) pain today, fabulous wedding pics tomorrow (well, technically April...lol)

Haha, we were posting at the same time! You don't have your wedding date up. When is the special day going to be? I'm going to Zumba tomorrow too! I did Zumba Ripped. It was awesome! I love the instructor who does it! Do you only do the regular Zumbas or have you branched out to the other ones?

Woohoo to being weight loss buddies! Would you like to share your weight loss gain like Jenny and I did? (I know you said you bought a size 14 dress. Sorry if I missed your goals, if you stated them. ) I don't know if I know what double doubles are. You might have to explain that one to me. Do you mean a double shot (of liquor)?

I live in Orlando. But, I would be interested in doing a get together in Tampa

They are especially when they are in your wedding colors!

I love the background in these pictures! Great setting! I think it is a nice way to start off the whole wedding process! Congrats!

Oh no, I'm not going to switch to stationary now. Then my nice cohesive binder vibe would disappear. So, yes I will keep using my plain white paper! The color will just have to come through in my pens and highlighters!