Rainmaker

I wasn't sure what I wanted to do either especially the idea of sand shifting and such. I ended up doing a Unity Glass - www.unityinglass.com It's much more expensive than the sand, but I just received my sculpture and it is FANTASTIC! If you end up doing this I can send you the wording we used in our ceremony.

I was just married in Nassau and used Anne Marie - she is wonderful! The food at the Poop Deck is fantastic, great choice! I can't speak much more to any of your other ideas but I'm happy to give you any recommendations as needed. Happy Planning!

@@Sara1603 - I'm in Texas. I'm happy to ship to Canada but I don't know what the shipping costs would be. If you want to send me a message through the site I'll be happy to estimate shipping costs.

I have a spreadsheet that shows how many people are on each invitation and how many kids they have. We are sending out about 60 invitations but many are out of state so we know they won't come.

I'm in the process of planning my AHR too and am also wondering how to plan for kids. We have many friends/family with small kids so I know they don't eat as much as an adult. We are planning buffet style vs sit down dinner. Any recommendations on how to count people for the AHR for the caterer?

@@atyson03 - I just posted my items in a new post

We had a beautiful wedding last month, now it's time to declutter everything that has been stacking up for months. Please help me clean out! Please see my wedding site at: http://beachweddingdecor.weebly.com I have starfish, sashes, votives, fan programs, and much more!!!

@@atyson03 - I just returned from my DW and will be posting things I have for sale soon. I have 20 4-6" pencil starfish if you are interested.

I have 25 fuchsia chair sashes. I'm getting married this week and will have them available in a few weeks. I'll be happy to sell them upon my return. Please PM me if you are interested.

Thank you both so much for your thoughts! I know that my mom does mean well but none of us are from blended families so I am just trying to keep the kids in mind. I've worked hard these past few years and I don't want to derail that. They have just started saying "I love you" to me (oh it makes my heart melt) and I really want them to go at their own pace. Thanks ladies!

My FH has 2 kids (13 and 10) and we were discussing "what will they call my parents?" The kids already have 2 sets of grandparents and I am clueless what they should call my parents. I've been around the kids for the past two years and they call me by my first name. We were thinking to have the kids call my parents by their first names. But last night my mother insisted they should call her "Nana" just like my brothers kids do. My future step kids have never met my mother (they have met my dad) and just like it's taken time to develop a relationship with them it will take time for my parents to develop a relationship too. They already have a "Nana" and it seems like forcing them to call my mom "Nana" might cause a stir in the relationship that I'm working so hard to develop with them. Any thoughts or suggestions on what the kids should call their step grandparents?

I just received my earrings today and they are beautiful! I ordered through https://www.etsy.com/shop/earringsnation and I couldn't be happier. I ordered 2 pair because I could't decide what I wanted and cost was cheaper for both than one pair in a bridal store!

I have 2 of these candle holders in silver and also 2 shorter silver coral decorations the same look. I'm getting married next month but would be happy to sell them when I'm finished. http://www.decorpad.com/look-4-less/1170/Lazy-Susan-Coral-Candleholder-Gold-Look-4-Less If you want pictures of what I actually have let me know.

I have a friend that is doing my wedding as well. We have worked out an amount that I will pay him for his services, but I'm not paying any hotel/airfare. He is using my DW as a vacation and going to the destination even before I get there with some of our other guests to enjoy some vacation time. We have also mentioned to him to tell anyone local to our destination that he is shooting the wedding for free so he doesn't get in trouble with any immigration laws of working in another country. The majority of the time he will be there will be vacation for him, but he will be our photographer/guest at the wedding as well.

Here is the garter I got: https://www.etsy.com/listing/153831029/wedding-garter-wedding-garter-wedding?ref=shop_home_active_24 It took a full 6 weeks to get it in but it's beautiful - a little added touch underneath

Congratulations and welcome to the boards!

@@tygrrlily - I ordered a blinged out on Etsy and its supposed to come tomorrow - I'm so excited! I also want to take a picture like this ... Sexy but not trashy Things you won't be embarrassed of others seeing!

I'm also getting married on the beach and I'm getting cups built into my dress so no bra needed for me! I'm not doing stockings either for the same reason that I can't imagine wearing stockings on the beach. I have found some cute/sexy "bridal" undies I"ll have under my dress. We also aren't having a garter toss but I'll be wearing a garter around my thigh as FI will think it's uber sexy.

I know many brides have shared wonderful sites where they have bought their starfish (thank you!), but I wanted to let you know what I stumbled across today. I was at Home Goods and found a package of 20 - 4" finger starfish for about the same price as all those websites. It equaled out to the same when I would have added shipping, if not cheaper to buy it at Home Goods than the internet. If you have a Home Goods near you, I recommend the trip to see if they have any! I was also at Garden Ridge and saw 6-7" sugar star fish for $3.99. I know you can find them for a dollar or so cheaper online but if you don't need many you can choose the ones you want and not pay shipping. Me getting them this way prevented me from buying extra just incase they broke and I didn't have to pay shipping. I still haven't found shells for the same price or cheaper than online but wanted to pass along some other possible options for those who have these stores in your areas!

I'm really having a hard time figuring out what type of material I want for my chair sashes. I know it's all personal opinion but I thought I'd come to the board to get other opinions. We are getting married on the beach at 6pm and I have a silk dress. Since my dress is silk should I go with satin to keep the same texture? Or does the organza make it more beachy?

I've seen a handful of templates for DIY fan programs but I wanted to share a pre made one I found at Michael's last night. I used a coupon and got it half off! When I got home I looked up the website of the vendor last night and they have a package of 40 for $8 + shipping. The cost in the store retails at $40. http://www.gartnerstudios.com/shop/white-fan-programs.html I love the look of these programs but I couldn't think of cutting out all of the fans. These I can put straight into my printer and are perforated for easy cut out! I'm going to switch out the color of the ribbon included to add a touch of me. I'm having a small DW and won't need my entire package so am willing to sell my extras to anyone who wants/needs a partial package. Happy planning!

Nicole, I can't help you with everything but I maybe I can help a little. I'm not getting married until June but I'm having Allison with http://sdlbahamas.com do my hair/makeup. I can't speak from personal experience yet but I've read many wonderful things on the boards about him and his work. My coordinator also highly recommends him. I'm having a reception elsewhere so I can't speak to a caterer recommendation, sorry. Good luck and best wishes!

Are you willing to sell just the pink satin sashes? PM me with details if you are. Thanks!