vancouverpetunia

@@Wafflesmom How are you feeling? Hope you are getting better. Perhaps snuggled under a blanket with this gross weather? So, a quick check-in, even though it's not Thursday. I'm getting ready for next week so looking ahead now. I have to say, you ladies are doing your "job" of holding me accountable. I had only been to the gym 2 times this past week, but I said I was going to go 3x, so I went today to spin class. I NEVER go to the gym on the weekend. But felt obligated. It helps that the weather is crap and I have no plans, but still I'm glad that I went. I also did pretty well on the food front this past week - not amazing, but not bad. I was out for dinner twice and made healthy choices rather than going for pastas and burgers, so I'm pleased with myself there. Of course, I drank quite a bit of wine along with those healthy options hahaha. I'm also getting ready for this fitness/nutrition program to start next week that I mentioned in my last post. Plugging through the reading for the program, watching some videos, figuring out a workout schedule and getting some meal planning done. Tomorrow will go grocery shopping and do some meal prep for the week. I also set myself up on MyFitnessPal, so a few of you will have gotten friend requests from me. Please be my friend LOL. I couldn't figure out how to find the BDW group, though - can someone point me in the right direction? Now for the bad news... I weighed myself at the gym today. Haven't weighed myself in months. Not only have I gained weight since the spring, I am now tied for my record heaviest ever. It's discouraging in a way, but I knew I had gained weight, so it's no big surprise. I'm trying to use it as motivation to really stick to my plan for the next few months (and beyond). Thanks for all the support here. You ladies are amazing. I'm so impressed with your workouts, your nutrition efforts and your honesty. Keep up the good work and just get back on that horse if (when!) you fall off.

Bahahaha thought you ladies might appreciate this: https://medium.com/big-funny-blog/fitbit-sex-b7d367f2e20a Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Your inspiration pix are gorgeous. Glad to hear that your wedding planner is on the ball! [emoji4] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What a great post! That will be really helpful for other brides interested in a cruise wedding! Love the story of how you met and how you are "going back to the scene of the crime" for the wedding. We are doing the same thing - we met at a destination wedding in Mexico. We are also getting married in April next year and basically for the same reasons as you in terms of eliminating other months. Except I also have a lot of work travel in November and we both have work events in February that would be hard to plan around. Looking forward to your updates. It's nice to hear about a different DW experience. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Can't believe you are getting so close. Glad to see it all coming together. Everything looks gorgeous! [emoji4] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Love your band! I wanted something similar but wasn't sure how it would look with my e-ring. We haven't bought our bands yet, so I will definitely revisit that! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi ladies - I'm back from vacation and living up to my commitment to come back and make my first post. I'm Erin from Vancouver and I'm getting married April 7, 2016 at Now Sapphire. I've been wanting to lose weight/inches prior to the wedding. I even signed up for personal training sessions but GAINED weight since then [emoji15] Definitely on me because I ate and drank A LOT over the summer, but also did not have a good experience with the training, which did not help. Long story. So, a friend encouraged me to join a health/fitness program that she's been doing. It's primarily online - where you have workout routines/schedules, menus/recipes and a support group all available. But I'll also work out with her a few times a week so that will help to hold me accountable. We officially start next week. Long term goals: Drop a dress size and tone arms/back/tummy by April. This week: Get to the gym 3x. Read through all the program material so that I am set up for my workouts next week. Do meal planning & prep for next week. So far I've been to the gym once and talked myself out of a very large, very delicious looking double chocolate cookie. [emoji31] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thought it might be Whytecliff or maybe Lighthouse. Both would work beautifully! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Your ring is gorgeous. His ring is gorgeous. The engagement photos are gorgeous. Hahaha can you tell I'm a fan? What is the park? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Today is our 7 month countdown! Enjoying some relaxation and wine tasting in the Okanagan Valley this week. Hope everyone is well and seeing their planning come together [emoji4]

I love the stacked bands, too! My e-ring is probably actually an eternity band, so I'm hoping to slowly add a few more bands over time. Hadn't thought about the mismatched gold - love that idea. I was talking to a woman at work who has a beautiful e-ring with a band on either side. She told her hubby that 2 bands is normal haha. He even commented about "poor so and so" (a friend of theirs) because she only got one band LOL Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We got cotton (blend?) no wrinkle pants from Banana Republic. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I agree that the setting does most of the work! [emoji4] It will be gorgeous. You are getting so close!!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My TA went to Dreams La Romana earlier this year and raved about it! Congrats!

@@calgarybride2015 I think he would have given us a great rate even here at home - plus he is getting an awesome vacation with his lovely wife (and we help to offset his costs)! I feel like we definitely got a deal though - more hours than the local photographers, no outside vendor fees (since he is a guest) and his rate is about $500 less than the per person cost for the resort & flight! It's worked out very well for us and we are very grateful.

Re purchasing kids' sizes. Works great for women and I think you can even brag about it. But does anyone remember the episode of Sex & the City where Samantha is dating a short guy and then sees his suit jacket is from Nordstrom's Boys or something? That didn't work out so well. LOL

We did ask our friend, and we are very happy that he accepted. He had already put down a deposit to attend the wedding (with his wife), so we knew he was planning to be there. Our approach was to let him know that we would love for him to photograph our wedding and what our budget was (based on researching rates of the local photographers). But also stating that we completely understood if he didn't want to be working on his vacation or if our budget was not within his range (since I have no idea what he normally charges). He let us know that he would love to photograph our wedding and that our budget would allow us 8 hours of his time - spread out however we wanted during the week. Our budget would have allowed 4 - 6 hours with local photographers, so we were thrilled with that! But I do feel like he is giving us a deal. We are not paying for flights/accommodations. A couple of minors concerns are whether there will be any issue with him bringing his equipment into the country (need to let him know to bring the basics only) and also that he won't have an assistant so can't be in "two places at once" to capture moments in different locations or at different angles. But I'm sure it will all work out and that he will capture amazing memories for us. The photos will be even more special since we know him and I feel he will put us at ease.

Welcome @@aculmer! Lots of help to be found here. Read through the forums and ask lots of questions! First steps (IMO) - narrowing down a general location and a travel agent. Good luck!

Welcome @@ValentineMrs2Be (and also @@1weddingirl!). I've never been to PR - but it's on the list for a visit one day. Glad to hear your FH is doing well and you must be so excited about your wedding next year. Good things come to those who wait, right?

LOVE your shoes. And also jealous of your shoe closet [emoji12] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

@@Smellsey I did hear back from them after I submitted the form. However, we ended up booking a yacht with H2Oh instead. I'm sure they will both be great

I missed the pix of your "legal dress" options. I like the lace one, too. And you can def wear it again in Mexico!

@@veryvalentine Thanks very much for posting the photos. I think I completely missed your review! Although I do remember the post about doing your own flowers... I'll have to go back and read through. The BM dresses look great. Love the color!

@@veryvalentine I was wondering if you have any photos of your BMs that you could share? I was wondering how the dresses looked on them (you ordered from Daintyard, right?). I'm still on the hunt for dresses for my girls...

@@TaraMarie33 Love your inspiration photos/ideas. Just stunning. You might want to check with your resort about the petals for the aisle. I assume you mean fake petals? A lot of resorts don't allow this (litter/pollution issues).